What the Lord delights in...

The enemy will try to stop, or at least delay. We know from this verse: James 1:27~ True religion that God our Father accepts as pure and fautless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress... Therefore, it shouldn't surprise us at the obstacles that pop up as we get close to bringing Elijah home. As I said earlier, we were told we needed travel approval by Friday in order to travel in September. Well, my friend in China e mailed me and told me that our TA was being printed and would be mailed on Friday. That would put it here on Monday. So, we e mailed our agency director and he sent the email to the travel coordinator. The travel coordinator sent a confusing e mail that basically said there wasn't enough time. John calls the travel coordinator and explained his heart and in the process of the conversation, the travel coordinator realizes that he was looking at next week, not this one!! Oh, boy, the lengths the enemy will go to to delay! So, the travel coordinator finally told John he will try to get a consulate appointment if we get TA on Monday. We pray we will.

But as children of God, we can be assured He will triumph. As a result of this predicament, many people have been on their knees for us. I can just see the warfare going on. But, we know the winner.
This morning as I was writing the e mail. I got an e mail from our friend, Maria. She didn't know of the situation, but she wrote and told me that she had a dream last night about Elijah coming home to a big party. When she woke up, she said the Lord laid it on her heart to pray for Elijah and us! Isn't that incredible? When I read that note, I got chill bumps and called John to read it. We both praised God for his faithfulness. I can't begin to know the future, but I know the One who does. He is at work here, no matter what date we travel!

So, Lord, we humbly ask that come Monday morning, our TA will be sitting in AHH's office, and we are able to get our consulate appointment for the date we need. To all our praying friends and family, we are so grateful for you walking with us and holding us up in prayer.

Another milestone

Today, Anna started her senior year of high school. Like all kids, she's been looking forward to this day for quite a while. The tradition at her school, is for kids to decorate their cars, go to the Senior breakfast and then parade to school for the first day. Last night, Anna and some of her friends got together to decorate their cars. I went over and took some pictures. The pictures aren't very good quality, but I need to document this special occasion. I know from experience, that I will blink and the next thing I know, I'll be blinking back tears as she walks down the aisle to get her diploma. It's so funny how things work. About the time that they are a pleasure to have around again, they graduate and leave! Anna and her car

Anna and her buddies

The balloon arch at school.

(I had to take Daniel to school today. When we drove in, Abbey said,"Look.... much, much balloons!")

I went to the store today and heard moms talking to each other, not even trying to hide their glee at the fact that their kids are back in school. I guess I'm weird, but it makes me incredibly sad. I love having them around the house during the summer. I miss them when they go back. From the moment they are born, they are striving to become independent. To me, parenting is a great paradox. There is intense pleasure, as well as intense pain as you watch and help them to grow up and take care of themselves.

Congratulations, Anna you're one step closer!! I love you and am proud of you.

Girl on a mission

Abbey loves to get something from the snack bar at the pool. She wants to go up there, order, and pay all by herself. A few days ago, we were at the pool with her friends Lottie, Caleb and Kylie when I noticed that Abbey wasn't around. I looked and there she stood at the snack bar window. I said to the Mary Grey(a lifeguard and Anna's good friend), "Oh she doesn't have any money." Mary Grey said, "Yes, she does." I went to look and saw that Abbey had a dime. She had gone into the pool bag, found my wallet and taken out a dime. (that was about all the money I had) Then she had gone to the snack bar to order popcorn. She didn't have sufficient funds for popcorn, but she showed just how determined and independent she can be. Gotta give our little girl credit for tenacity and lots of spunk!

Ok, it's crunch time

To all my prayer warriors out there:

In order for us to travel in September, we have to get our TA by next week. Otherwise, we will have to wait until November. Please ask God to allow us to go in September, if it is His will.

Thanks so much!

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" James 5:16b

That's a long, long time

29 years....
Ago today,I met a pretty neat fellow. I had been at UNC for 2 days and I was lonely. I asked my roommate to allow me to hang out with her and her friends. They were going to some other friends' dorm room to hear them play guitar and sing. Anything was better than being alone, so I tagged along. I know this was a God-thing, because I have always been rather shy, and asking someone to allow me to tag along, just wasn't my style. But, God knew that the person he had designed for me to spend the rest of my life with was going to be singing in that room. After the mini-concert, we sat on the balcony and talked. He was quite cute, kind, gentle, and knew about the beach I grew up going to. (Everyone else I had met went to Myrtle beach and we went to Emerald Isle.) He walked me to my room and was a perfect gentleman. He vaguely asked for a date, so I thought, "Oh, well, I'll never hear from him again." Later, I found out that he thought he had asked me out. (Typical girl vs. guy communication) The next night I went out with a boy that I had grown up with and had a horrible time. The night after that, John found me and, as they say, the rest is history!

By Jove, I think she's got it!!

Today marks a week that Abbey has worn regular panties full time. She wears a pull up at night, but the rest of the time, she is in big girl panties. We have only had one accident, and that was while she was taking a nap. Today at church, one of the Daddies was in there dropping off his daughter. Abbey comes up to him and pulls up her dress, and says,"Hey look, I got big girl panties on!!" So, she's mighty proud of herself, and so am I.

Future Lifeguard

These pictures were taken by another parent of a little Chinese girl. He visited our pool and took these pictures. He e mailed them to me and told me he didn't mind if I posted them. Thanks, Jay!

Abbey is still enamored with the pool. Her swimming just gets stronger and stronger. She has started doing a primitive backstroke. We go to pool just about every day. One night when I was putting her in bed we had this conversation:

Abbey: "When I free, I gonna sit in the big chair."

Me:(Not sure what big chair she is talking about) "Oh, you are?"

Abbey: "Yes, and I gonna take my whistle on do-um like this."(she makes twirling motions with her hands)

Me: "Oh, you want to be a lifeguard?"

Abbey: "Yeah, when I'm free in Sepbember."

She has held on to this and several times has said she is going to be a lifeguard when she's three.