As for me, I know of nothing else but miracles. - Walt Whitman

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A Teenager?!?

Not very long ago at all, Shana looked like this:



As of today, however, she is a teenager!! Seriously....where has the time gone?

We hope you have a wonderful 13th birthday, Shana! We love you so much and are sooooo thankful that God gave you to us. You bless us daily, and we are delighted to see the lovely young lady you're becoming. May God bless you throughout this next year of your life and always! XOXOXO






Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Update on Tom!


A few days ago, I posted that my Ethiopian friend, Tom, needed life-saving surgery. In 8 days, over $25,000 has been raised for him!!! Praise God! It has been so awesome to watch people step up and donate to this very deserving man...Tom is the epitome of a servant and is a special father to the many children who come through the gates of Hannah's Hope, our adoption agency's orphan transition home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The other day, Tom said, “I never knew people love me that much. I am glad I did not die when I bleed the 1st time, now even if I don’t make it; I have seen great things---God’s amazing love and people over me. I did not know you love me that much and do all that for me.” He is loved indeed.

Hopefully, Tom will travel to Bangkok this weekend for his surgery. Please pray that his friend and travel partner's passport arrives today and that they have a safe trip. Also, pray for Tom's peace of mind and for the doctors as they work on him. May God grant healing if it is His will, and may His name be glorified! I'm really hoping to see Tom again in May when we travel to Ethiopia...I'd love to be able to give him a great big hug and rejoice with him at God's goodness. :-)

Monday, February 17, 2014

The Things Kids Say...

Jordan: "Mommy, can I have some chips?" Then, quietly to himself, "Chip cookies, cookie chips.....what do you call those chips you put in cookies?"

Jalen: "Dad, you know what Jordan was doing? He was looking at the Bible story book and making fun of a guy with bulbed hair!" I immediately thought of and recounted the story of the children making fun of Elisha's bald head, and later heard Jalen telling Jordan, "If you make fun of someone's bulbed hair, bears will come and eat you up!"

Jordan: "Mom, my belly just crumbled." Me: "Sounds painful! Why did your belly crumble?" Jordan: "Because I'm hungry!"


Friday, February 14, 2014

C4C 2014

Last weekend, Larisa, Casey, and I went on a road trip to Lake Lanier Islands, Georgia, for Created For Care, a retreat for adoptive and foster mommas. We had a wonderful, spiritual weekend. I learned so much, and it was great to meet in person other moms with whom I have connected online.

















Fellow AGCI moms:


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Life-Saving Surgery Needed For Ethiopian Friend!


We received word this week that our friend Tom, the guard and special father at Hannah's Hope in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is desperately ill and needs an emergency surgery. Tom spent hours with our boys while they lived at Hannah's Hope, and told me that they always laughed hysterically together. Tom is one of the sweetest, gentlest, and most selfless men I have ever met, and always makes us feel special and loved when we visit. He loved playing soccer with Shana and Adrian when we visited last summer, and when Chris presented him with some money and clothes, he hugged Chris tightly for several minutes with tears streaming down his face. He then roasted some corn for us over an open fire...it was delicious, and we were so humbled that he would share what little he had with us.

A parasite has attacked Tom's internal organs, and his liver has been mostly eaten away. He has been experiencing a lot of internal bleeding, and will die soon if he cannot get the help he needs. My heart aches for him, but we are praying that God would provide comfort and healing during this difficult time. Unfortunately, he cannot get the care he needs in Ethiopia and will most likely have to travel to Thailand  for surgery. Some specific prayer points are:


  • He would be able to get an expedited passport in order to be able to travel for the surgery.
  • For his friends in Ethiopia to be able to find someone trustworthy to travel with him that knows English very well so they can advocate, communicate and care for him in another country.
  • That every single detail will fall into place.
  • That the Lord would sustain his health so he can travel and be able to have this life saving surgery.
  • For the Lord to engulf this man with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
  • The monetary funds for his surgery 
Could you please say a prayer for Tom and consider donating to this very worthy cause? Please visit this link for more information: https://www.purecharity.com/surgeryfortom?aff=k3zri. Thank you so much.