Julie and Lucy arrived at the airport last night and were greeted by at least 33 people and of course welcome home signs! Needless to say, we are all glad to have them home and have Lucy a part of the family! God is so good and has answered many prayers and shown His hand through distinct miracles, enabling Lucy to be in her forever home.
What amazes me is that although this is breaking news to us, God had this family planned for Lucy since before the beginning of time! This was His design and plan! God is so good! His plans are definitely the best! It makes me excited to see what else He has up His sleeve!
Acts 17:26-27 From one man (Adam) He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Home again
I was blessed with a smooth trip home and even some cool signs to make me feel welcomed courtesy of my awesome and thoughtful kids!
A few thoughts that I had in the first 24 hours of being back:
These aren't the rolex I'm lolling for!
Do u have to pay to breathe here?
Everything is so clean! And our house smells so good!
I am totally out of the loop. The kids are having to tell me which chapter to read during teaching time.
Everybody is so pale!
This is weird to drive again, and the steering wheel is opposite too!
Brrrrrrrr......it is colder here!
Hot water is luxurious!
My heart aches for the littles that would mob me in the play yard.
What can I drink? Tap water! Yea!
Cheese! Yum! (cheese is very expensive in Uganda. I think I only had a tiny bit twice when I ate pizza.)
Nothing beats home with Charlie and the kids!
My ears have been ringing for a whole day. Must be all the urban sounds of Kampala and then the 36 hours of jet and/or airport noise.
Oh yeah, parenting is hard work!
I'm sure my kids are going to get tired of me saying "when I was in Africa....."
After having to leave the house for a dental appointment about 12 hours after I got home, Isaac says, "You just left and now you are leaving again!" ( I had to really convince him I would be back shortly.)
It is going to take some time to get back into the swing of things. Charlie has been so supportive and encouraging, even after being a single dad for almost a month! I am thankful to have a husband who understands that sometimes God puts a new normal in our hearts that changes the way we see life forever.
Romans 6:4
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
A few thoughts that I had in the first 24 hours of being back:
These aren't the rolex I'm lolling for!
Do u have to pay to breathe here?
Everything is so clean! And our house smells so good!
I am totally out of the loop. The kids are having to tell me which chapter to read during teaching time.
Everybody is so pale!
This is weird to drive again, and the steering wheel is opposite too!
Brrrrrrrr......it is colder here!
Hot water is luxurious!
My heart aches for the littles that would mob me in the play yard.
What can I drink? Tap water! Yea!
Cheese! Yum! (cheese is very expensive in Uganda. I think I only had a tiny bit twice when I ate pizza.)
Nothing beats home with Charlie and the kids!
My ears have been ringing for a whole day. Must be all the urban sounds of Kampala and then the 36 hours of jet and/or airport noise.
Oh yeah, parenting is hard work!
I'm sure my kids are going to get tired of me saying "when I was in Africa....."
After having to leave the house for a dental appointment about 12 hours after I got home, Isaac says, "You just left and now you are leaving again!" ( I had to really convince him I would be back shortly.)
It is going to take some time to get back into the swing of things. Charlie has been so supportive and encouraging, even after being a single dad for almost a month! I am thankful to have a husband who understands that sometimes God puts a new normal in our hearts that changes the way we see life forever.
Romans 6:4
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Pampered
So, I went into the plane bathroom and thought it was SUPER deluxe to have liquid handsoap AND paper towels to dry my hands AND toilet paper! Wow! Maybe I have been in a third world country if a glorified port-a-potty makes me feel pampered! :)
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Cry of my heart
Everlasting,Your glory shines when all else fades,
Everlasting, Your mercy comes and fills this place,
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise from the inside out, Lord my soul cries out (lyrics from today's church service)
Who knows why it was in God's plan for me to miss the flight last night? Who knows if the reason will ever be known to me on this earth? I know that I am thankful to be in the airport tonight with a three hour wait until I leave Entebbe, UG. :)
This morning I joined a group of 7 babies home volunteers and one super cute little niece on a walk down the road to church, the same one Julie and I went to last week.
We joined in the voluminous singing, and I realized that had I traveled last night as intended, I would not have been able to go to church today. I would not have experienced worship as a collective group, like I did by going to church today. So, even if the inconvenience of missing the flight and being delayed seeing my family and paying the monetary consequences was just for the purpose of praising my Lord, then it was worth the sacrifice.
We actually got a double dose of worship too because after the two hour church service, of which over an hour was singing, we stayed an extra two hours, some of the time singing and some of the time fellowshipping. The delay was because it was pouring rain. Walking down a dirt road was not a great option. Of course, as soon as a ride came to get us, the rain stopped. We were still grateful to not have to find our way back through the puddles.
It's all about You, Jesus.
It's not about me, as if you should do things my way. (lyrics from the worship)
Everlasting, Your mercy comes and fills this place,
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise from the inside out, Lord my soul cries out (lyrics from today's church service)
Who knows why it was in God's plan for me to miss the flight last night? Who knows if the reason will ever be known to me on this earth? I know that I am thankful to be in the airport tonight with a three hour wait until I leave Entebbe, UG. :)
This morning I joined a group of 7 babies home volunteers and one super cute little niece on a walk down the road to church, the same one Julie and I went to last week.
We joined in the voluminous singing, and I realized that had I traveled last night as intended, I would not have been able to go to church today. I would not have experienced worship as a collective group, like I did by going to church today. So, even if the inconvenience of missing the flight and being delayed seeing my family and paying the monetary consequences was just for the purpose of praising my Lord, then it was worth the sacrifice.
We actually got a double dose of worship too because after the two hour church service, of which over an hour was singing, we stayed an extra two hours, some of the time singing and some of the time fellowshipping. The delay was because it was pouring rain. Walking down a dirt road was not a great option. Of course, as soon as a ride came to get us, the rain stopped. We were still grateful to not have to find our way back through the puddles.
It's all about You, Jesus.
It's not about me, as if you should do things my way. (lyrics from the worship)
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Rain + traffic = missed flight
I missed my flight tonight because there was pouring rain and horrible traffic, bumper to bumper and inching along, that caused a two hour delay in getting to the airport.
I will now fly out tomorrow night and be back to OKC by about 10pm cst Monday night.
I will now fly out tomorrow night and be back to OKC by about 10pm cst Monday night.
Leaving on a jet plane
Tonight, I leave to come home. I wish I could say that Julie and her new daughter were coming too, but the paperwork process is not quite done yet. They have been blessed with miracle after miracle in their adoption process, and soon they will be flying home too!
Leaving is so bittersweet! Of course, I am ready to be home with Charlie and the kids! But, it is so hard to say goodbye to these little faces that I know and love! I am very blessed to have been able to come and love of these little ones. As I have held them and kissed them, I have felt the tug on my heartstrings! They will not be forgotten!
I am so glad that I can trust that my heavenly Father, the Maker of heaven and earth, has them in His care. I can't wait to meet each of these children again someday, either here or in heaven, and hear the wonderful stories of how Jesus loved them so much! And to meet the forever families who were so blessed to have these beautiful children in their lives!
Leaving is so bittersweet! Of course, I am ready to be home with Charlie and the kids! But, it is so hard to say goodbye to these little faces that I know and love! I am very blessed to have been able to come and love of these little ones. As I have held them and kissed them, I have felt the tug on my heartstrings! They will not be forgotten!
I am so glad that I can trust that my heavenly Father, the Maker of heaven and earth, has them in His care. I can't wait to meet each of these children again someday, either here or in heaven, and hear the wonderful stories of how Jesus loved them so much! And to meet the forever families who were so blessed to have these beautiful children in their lives!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Food!
My daughter wanted me to take pictures of the food I have been eating.
For breakfast, the guest house we are in provides bread or oatmeal. I normally eat toast with jelly and instant coffee. I have not seen a coffee maker in africa yet :) although I hear they do sell them. There is an electric kettle that boils water very quickly, so we use this for hot water. It allows us to use the tap water.The grains that we are use to having cheap are very expensive here. Also processed food is high. An oversized box of rice crispies is $11.
For lunch we are on our own, so it varies in what we eat. Sometimes we are out in the city and pick up food from a restaurant. Sometimes we are too busy to stop and eat, so we just snack on peanut butter crackers.
There is no fast food restaurants here. It takes a while to order, have the food made, get served, and then get the bill.
We have eaten street food a few times. Once, we walked down the busy road that we are on and bought rolex and chips. I could totally live on rolex! It is a fried, thick tortilla with an fried egg and onion and tomato omlet inside! So yummy! Chips are fries. They put them in little paper bags made out of magazines.
The other time we ate street food was when we were on our way to Jinja. At lunch time, we pulled over on the side of the road and many street food vendors run up with their hands full of roasted chicken ok a stick, bananas, etc. It was very tasty!
Our suppers are cooked by our host, who makes many yummy dishes with only a few ingredients. They have a seasoning here that resembles beef flavoring called Royco. He normally makes rice, pineapple, a meat like sausage or roasted beef chunks, and a few sides like peas, carrots, cabbage salad with vinegar and cinnamon.
As for desserts, there is not normally anytime sweet at the end of the meal. Chocolate is very expensive and so is sugar.
I have really enjoyed the foods here! I have to say that I didn't try the tiny whole dried fish that the kids love though!
For breakfast, the guest house we are in provides bread or oatmeal. I normally eat toast with jelly and instant coffee. I have not seen a coffee maker in africa yet :) although I hear they do sell them. There is an electric kettle that boils water very quickly, so we use this for hot water. It allows us to use the tap water.The grains that we are use to having cheap are very expensive here. Also processed food is high. An oversized box of rice crispies is $11.
For lunch we are on our own, so it varies in what we eat. Sometimes we are out in the city and pick up food from a restaurant. Sometimes we are too busy to stop and eat, so we just snack on peanut butter crackers.
There is no fast food restaurants here. It takes a while to order, have the food made, get served, and then get the bill.
We have eaten street food a few times. Once, we walked down the busy road that we are on and bought rolex and chips. I could totally live on rolex! It is a fried, thick tortilla with an fried egg and onion and tomato omlet inside! So yummy! Chips are fries. They put them in little paper bags made out of magazines.
The other time we ate street food was when we were on our way to Jinja. At lunch time, we pulled over on the side of the road and many street food vendors run up with their hands full of roasted chicken ok a stick, bananas, etc. It was very tasty!
Our suppers are cooked by our host, who makes many yummy dishes with only a few ingredients. They have a seasoning here that resembles beef flavoring called Royco. He normally makes rice, pineapple, a meat like sausage or roasted beef chunks, and a few sides like peas, carrots, cabbage salad with vinegar and cinnamon.
As for desserts, there is not normally anytime sweet at the end of the meal. Chocolate is very expensive and so is sugar.
I have really enjoyed the foods here! I have to say that I didn't try the tiny whole dried fish that the kids love though!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Because He lives!
Today, we went to Eagle's Nest church. It is in Kampala near the babies' home. The building was much larger than the one last week and had a tin roof, cement floors, and oscillating fans mounted on the sides of the ceilings.
The majority of the 2 hour service was worship with a large worship team accompanied by an electric piano and drums. Some songs were in lugandan, most were in English. There was a mixture of tunes I knew and ones I didn't. All of them were beautiful and sung with very loud heartfelt emotion.
One of the first songs brought me to tears. After joining in the song for a little while, I realized that it was one of my Mom's favorite hymns: because He lives. I was amazed that I was half way across the world, singing a song that she loved! And it is as the lyrics say, because He lives, I can worship my God in America or in Uganda and someday even in heaven with her!
We serve a mighty God who lives in the hearts if His people all over the world.
Because He lives
I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
(in the pictures you can see the young boy named Hosiah who came and sat by me. He would touch my bracelet and arm but act very shy. Also, the older boy is Richard, or Byamukama is his lugandan name.)
The majority of the 2 hour service was worship with a large worship team accompanied by an electric piano and drums. Some songs were in lugandan, most were in English. There was a mixture of tunes I knew and ones I didn't. All of them were beautiful and sung with very loud heartfelt emotion.
One of the first songs brought me to tears. After joining in the song for a little while, I realized that it was one of my Mom's favorite hymns: because He lives. I was amazed that I was half way across the world, singing a song that she loved! And it is as the lyrics say, because He lives, I can worship my God in America or in Uganda and someday even in heaven with her!
We serve a mighty God who lives in the hearts if His people all over the world.
Because He lives
I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
(in the pictures you can see the young boy named Hosiah who came and sat by me. He would touch my bracelet and arm but act very shy. Also, the older boy is Richard, or Byamukama is his lugandan name.)
Friday, February 10, 2012
The newest one
I went to court with my sister-in-law today to see if the judge would give she and her husband permission to adopt. He did! Praise Jesus! So, I have a new niece from uganda who is 2 years old, beautiful, and in her forever family! She loves shoes, packets of tissues, pretzels and clothes. She does not eat candy, and she does not like dolls. She will throw them down immediately if you hand her one. Needless to say, she has captured our hearts and will forever be treasured!
John 14:18
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The next chapter
When reading a book, I am one of those people who can hardly skim a word let alone skip to the last chapter to read the end without reading the chapters in between. However, when it comes to the story of my life, I have been very tempted to want to skip pages to see what is next. I don't think I would hesitate to even read the end if I could! This must be why God doesn't allow me to know the future ahead of time. By waiting on Him to reveal the next chapter, even the next word, He is able to write the story of my life without me making editorial changes, which is a very good thing! I know I would make a mess of it for sure!
Today, Julie and I spent over 12 hours searching for the next chapter. Charlie and I and the kids have been praying hard about how and where God wants us to serve in Uganda. This is a meticulous and faith building process to say the least. However, I am thankful that God allowed us to find two organizations today that are wonderfully run and like-minded in being pro-adoption of older children. Both of these places were elusive of ease or smooth roads and took many boda-boda drivers and other random people to help us find them. Yet, God is good all the time! He was faithful to help us, and I am renewed with excitement to see what He is up to in the next chapter!
For now, as my kids would say at a cliff-hanger, DUN-DUN-DUN!!!!!
Hebrews 12:2-3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Today, Julie and I spent over 12 hours searching for the next chapter. Charlie and I and the kids have been praying hard about how and where God wants us to serve in Uganda. This is a meticulous and faith building process to say the least. However, I am thankful that God allowed us to find two organizations today that are wonderfully run and like-minded in being pro-adoption of older children. Both of these places were elusive of ease or smooth roads and took many boda-boda drivers and other random people to help us find them. Yet, God is good all the time! He was faithful to help us, and I am renewed with excitement to see what He is up to in the next chapter!
For now, as my kids would say at a cliff-hanger, DUN-DUN-DUN!!!!!
Hebrews 12:2-3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Never a good sign
So, here Uganda it is very common to have the electricity go out. Where we are staying is pretty cush in that they have a backup generator if there is a problem. However, for some reason that system hasn't been quite as reliable the past 24 hours and now the water is out for our guest house too.
Our host is working hard to solve the problem. As you can see, he has strung the garden hose through the bathroom window and into the attic right outside my room door.
Since today I needed to do my laundry, handwashed of course, I waited for the electricity for hot water. Once the electricity came on, I realized there was no water. I did my laundry at the house next to ours, but it made me realize how spoiled I am to not even question electricity or water supply at home. A good lesson in being satisfied!
Also, would I notice the absence of God's prescence as quickly as I do the absence of electricity or water?
John 4:14
But whosoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Our host is working hard to solve the problem. As you can see, he has strung the garden hose through the bathroom window and into the attic right outside my room door.
Since today I needed to do my laundry, handwashed of course, I waited for the electricity for hot water. Once the electricity came on, I realized there was no water. I did my laundry at the house next to ours, but it made me realize how spoiled I am to not even question electricity or water supply at home. A good lesson in being satisfied!
Also, would I notice the absence of God's prescence as quickly as I do the absence of electricity or water?
John 4:14
But whosoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The chosen island
Today, went across Lake Victoria to a remote part of Uganda with another missions team. First we walked through a market area by the docks and tried jack fruit, which is much like a bumpy watermelon on the outside and like a sweet pineapple/mango with a rubbery texture on the inside. Yum!
Then, we trekked down a steep rock wall into a wooden boat with a motor. There were 12 people on board. It was a peaceful ride with beautiful views of the land and birds. When we neared the land, we rode through a narrow and long passageway of water foliage overgrowth. Our motor went out, but thankfully we were close to the dock.
Once on land, we rode boda-bodas (small motorcycles) several miles to the school yard. As you can see in the pictures, the school is primitive. They use a wheel core for a school bell. The classes are made up of movable wooden benches and a chalkboard on the wall. But, the children are beautiful, polite, and loving. I liked their little lunch buckets. I am pretty sure the little boy in the tiger hoodie (keep in mind it was over 80degrees) was pretty scared of us strange white people who dance silly dances like the hokey pokey!
We took a walk and saw much more traditional living than we have seen before now.
Our missionary friends are raising the funds to move to the island and start a medical clinic. Please pray that God provides for them to be able to soon move to that location and love on these precious, beautiful people!
Isaiah 41:5,9-10
The islands have seen it (Jeaus) and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward;
I took you from the ends of the earth, from the farthest corners I called you. I said, "You are my servant"; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Then, we trekked down a steep rock wall into a wooden boat with a motor. There were 12 people on board. It was a peaceful ride with beautiful views of the land and birds. When we neared the land, we rode through a narrow and long passageway of water foliage overgrowth. Our motor went out, but thankfully we were close to the dock.
Once on land, we rode boda-bodas (small motorcycles) several miles to the school yard. As you can see in the pictures, the school is primitive. They use a wheel core for a school bell. The classes are made up of movable wooden benches and a chalkboard on the wall. But, the children are beautiful, polite, and loving. I liked their little lunch buckets. I am pretty sure the little boy in the tiger hoodie (keep in mind it was over 80degrees) was pretty scared of us strange white people who dance silly dances like the hokey pokey!
We took a walk and saw much more traditional living than we have seen before now.
Our missionary friends are raising the funds to move to the island and start a medical clinic. Please pray that God provides for them to be able to soon move to that location and love on these precious, beautiful people!
Isaiah 41:5,9-10
The islands have seen it (Jeaus) and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward;
I took you from the ends of the earth, from the farthest corners I called you. I said, "You are my servant"; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
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