My thoughts.

Not long ago when I was first falling in love with the idea of adoption. I would spend so much time on here, reading all the blogs, and praying that one day it would be us. The day we sent in our application I was so excited. I knew we had finally taken the first step onto the path God had for us. I can see it in my mind, our van filled with many kids that don't look quite like me. Our family full of love, and doing what God wants for us. But it is a long road. I am trusting that God has the perfect timing all planned out. But my goodness since we started this we have been through the wringer. Some days I think this homestudy will never be done! And I get frustrated! I want to cry, or just throw in the towel. But I'm trying to just hold on, pray, and wait on Him. It will all work out for good. I know it will. Please just keep us and our adoption in your prayers.

Lifesong Ukraine

"I was looking for someone to understand me, to love sincerely...I received all this!"    -­‐Natasha, 22 As you heard Natasha share in the video, the orphanage took care of her basic needs -­‐-­‐ food, shelter, clothing.   But she longed for more.  Belonging. Commitment. Love from a family. Hope for a future. Because we believe kids like Natasha need much more than their 'basic needs', the staff of Lifesong Ukraine are building relationships inside the orphanage walls to create what we call Constant Christian Presence (CCP).  The CCP provides mentorship and discipleship, improved living conditions, one-­‐on-­‐ one counseling, group Bible study, job skills training, music lessons, and computer skills training. Instead of the common trend of orphans creating orphans, Natasha, because of her support through CCP, now desires to help other children who are in orphanages to give them the support she received. Orphans mentoring orphans...a cycle worth striving for! Child Sponsorship We are excited to announce that Lifesong Ukraine has recently launched a new child sponsorship program. If you are interested in helping build Constant Christian Presence by sponsoring a child like Natasha, please contact us. "...He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory." Isaiah 61:3

God still works miracles.

Yesterday we had an amazing testimony given at our church. A young man 18 years old came. Not long ago we all gathered and prayed for him when we heard that he had just been struck by lightning and killed at a church camp. His uncle attends our church and informed us about him.Well a miracle was done in his life. After about thirty minutes of no pulse...his heart started beating again! Praise be to God, who really does still work miracles. It was so awesome for our kids to see someone they had been praying for come to our church, and to see the miracle with their own eyes! Please don't forget to go to the top of my blog and pause the music player before watching the video.

Here's the new video from our church yesterday  http://www.tv3winchester.com/home/headlines/18-Year-Old-Survives-Lightning-Strike-Inspiration-to-Others-169982776.html

TV3 Winchester Streaming Video - 

And here is the website telling his story! Check it out and be encouraged with how awesome our God is.

http://cac.wvupci.com/zach/

We are back to work

It's school time again! Yesterday we finally got started on the school year.

                               Still can't believe our little girl is in Kindergarten!!

 

Hard at work...

Math is more fun on the couch.

Proverbs 22:6  Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.


What we are using this year....

This year we are still using Alpha Omega Publications. 
Rory is using the Horizons Kindergarten curriculum. Alex is using the Lifepacs. This our first year using the lifepacs, so not sure yet how much we like them. Horizon's I know is great. But we ended up switching Alex to Lifepac because he seems to be struggling a little. Hopefully this will give him a little time to catch up since it's not as hard as the Horizons. 

And one other thing, I have to say i wasn't sure if I could homeschool two kids at once, but I'm doing it!!! Of course this is only day two. Check back in a few weeks and see how I'm doing. :) 

When adoption seems like it will take forever..

I watch gotcha day video's.

How I wish I could hug our little one, whoever and wherever he/she is.

So sweet.