Getting By...

I told myself a few weeks ago the next time I posted would be me posting new pictures of our sweet Addy....nope.

This waiting game is TOUGH.  Most days I get by just fine with our day to day happenings and knowing we will have Addy home soon...but today has been hard...actually one of the toughest days yet.  I've found myself biting my lips countless times to kick back the tears.  We received our referral 6.5 weeks ago...and the photo we have was probably taken a couple weeks before we received her info...that means 2 months of infant life we are missing out on completely--like it's not enough that all we have is a photo!!  How big is she now?  Is she growing much?  What does her sweet face look like (we've only seen a side profile)?  Is she healthy?  (and those are just the questions about her physical appearance!).

Today I went through clothes and washed and put away all the 6-12 month baby girl clothes!!!  It was soooo emotional for me!!  Remembering Ayla wearing them and many great memories...plus the added emotions of imagining Addy wearing them!  Ayla was right by my side the entire time and was just squealing with delight!  Unfortunately last summer when we had our fundraising garage sale I got ride of 90% of our baby girl clothes under 12 months (at that time we were preparing for our Ethiopian blessing and knew they would be at least 12 months when coming home).

Anyway...a few other updates from the past week!

Some of my girlfriends and I are doing an after-bed-time discussion on 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess.  Don't read it.  That is, unless you want to really discover yourself, your idols, where you time/money is going, and how the luxuries of this world cripple our faith.  It's an eye-opener.  I've thoroughly enjoyed (enjoyed doesn't quite fit this one) reading it with these wonderful ladies....but this week we decided to challenge each other.  For two weeks I am watching NO TV and only spending 30 mins on the computer a day--WHILE the kids are sleeping or resting--no wasting my time with my kiddos for stalking people on FB or lingering around adoption blogs. The 30 minutes is HARD when this mommy feels so alone today.   

(If there are typos in this post, blame the experiment--my fingers are going as fast as they can!)

(more of the 7 experience on a later date!)

We haven't officially broken ground, but we did get some dirt last week!  Our site work (getting the hill ready for a house) will be done this week while we're in CA and then next week or so we'll get the excavation going!!!!!!  The kids LOVE LOVE LOVE it out in the country and I CANNOT WAIT to have our family grow out there!!! 

Last weekend I spent AN ENTIRE day moving the kids' rooms around.  Ayla used to have the green room (which so cutely matched her comforter and even had white trim to match her furniture).  With the addition of Addy we had to decide what to do with the rooms before our house will be done...about 9 months from now.  The only solution was to move Eli and Owen to the small room and put Ayla and Addy in the larger room. 

It's taking all I've got to not paint the rooms, the trim and the crib!!  BUT (again through the messed up 7 book) I've realized some of MY priorities in life just shouldn't be priorities...Ayla and Addy can have two colors of furniture in their plain tan room (and ugly brown trim) AND the boys' green walls don't TOTALLY clash.  I will be JUST FINE. 

Tomorrow night Bobby and I leave for the Summit VIII conference in Orange County, CA!!  We are SUPER excited about the conference...Steven Curtis Chapman, Frances Chan, Dennis/Barbara Rainey, Rick/Kay Warren and MUCH MORE!  We look forward to connecting with other adoptive parents and ministry leaders and are excited to have some time together!  The last trip we took alone outside of Dickinson was in December 2010...it'll be nice!

Please continue to pray for Addy (and us).  We're waiting right now to hear about our court date and judgment.  It's estimated that once we get our judgment we'll travel about 8 weeks later!  We could have Addy in our arms as soon as JULY!!!!!!!!!

(and yes, I'm praying we get an updated photo SOON--the unknowns are killing me and to just see how much she's grown would make this mommy sooooooo happy!).

Grandma Lollipop

A few months back I was browsing books on my Kindle and saw the story Grandpa Green.  The cover and description captivated me and I quickly added it to my 'wish list.'  Today at the North Dakota Reading Conference, the book was on a table for giveaway--so of course I quickly scooped it up;)

After work I got home to three rambunctious children that really wanted to go to Great Grandma Gayda's house.  Now, I'm being honest when I say I LOVE my grandma.  But tonight, I didn't feel like going to Grandma's house.  She's exhausting at times and a short trip is never an option. 

I sighed, shrugged my shoulders, and decided we'd head.

Wow was I glad we did.  My grandma's house is comfort to me.  There's something about the smell right when you walk in the door---I swear if you blindfolded me and brought me there, I'd know exactly where I was.  She loves to have company and is always eagerly waiting at the door (which then means a big smile and her side hug where she pulls you real tight). Her cooking and baking...well there aren't even words to describe them. 

Tonight, she made my favorite--Borscht soup (this time it was a coincidence...but if you know my grandma, she has a niche for ALWAYS making everyone's favorite). 

It wasn't her usually set table, homemade rolls (or kolaches), or a yummy dessert waiting for us to dig into.  It was plain and simple: borscht and crackers....and perfect. 

We had such fun conversation laughing at my kiddos and making small talk.  As I cleared the table, she fed the kids some Easter candy she had--laughing at Owen begging for more, more more.  And as soon as we were through eating, she showed the kids some new toys she had bought for her house.  We played for the next hour--you know, quality grandma and grandchildren play. 

After the slobbery kisses and the long goodbye, we headed home for a bedtime story-- Grandpa Green that I had picked up today.

We sat on the edge of the bed reading this wonderfully crafted story of a family's legacy and love.  Grandpa Green doesn't remember everything like he used to, but he has retold his life in his topiary garden.  The story shows his great grandson walking through the garden and telling his Grandpa Green's life story.  (here's a peek)

 

The story was a perfect ending to a perfect evening.  So my grandma may be getting older, and is sometimes exhausting.  So she may feed my children WAY more sugar than I would ever imagine giving them.  So her entertaining isn't quite what it used to be....but the love she radiates is nothing less than extra-ordinary. 

Oh how much I cherish the memories I hold with her...and the memories my children are able to create with her.  My "Grandma Lollipop"--as my children call her--has handed down a legacy of love, cooking, and family that I hope to pass on.

(P.S....Grandma Lollipop NEVER, EVER, EVER fails to ask about Addy and if she buys something for the grandkids, Addy's always included.  I can't wait to bring Addy home to a family that loves and adores her!)

Love from our family to yours!

Everyone Needs Compassion

Com×pas×sion:
noun
1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
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Saturday morning I woke up to head to coffee with a dear friend, Staci. After chatting for three hours about our families, ambitions, callings, etc, I headed home to help Bobby build some shelving in our garage (a project quite overdo!).

Shortly after lunch I was in trying to get the kids down for a nap when Bobby yelled in to me. Frustrated that I had to get up when Owen was finally falling asleep (couldn't sleep with the saws and hammering in the garage), I let out a big sigh and went to see what was needed.

Then I got an earful....

"A lady was just walking by with her puppy. After saying "hello" to her, conversation started and I could tell something was wrong. We got to talking and it ends up she is currently staying at the women's shelter. She and her son just rolled into town a few days ago looking for work. She has a camper but its electricity, lights, etc aren't working so she is staying at the shelter. Her boy recently bought an 8 week old puppy and the dog is living in the camper as the shelter doesn't allow dogs. I told her I'd talk to you but maybe we'd care for their dog."

I wish you could have seen my reaction. It was not THAT bad, but I was annoyed already with our screaming child who was refusing a nap and then Bobby rambles this story off!?!??! I fired back with a million questions:"What are we going to do with a puppy?"
"What if the kids fall in love with the dog and then we have to give it back?"
"We don't know anything about them" 
"Why did she come out here looking for work?--what's their background?"
And the list went on....

Bobby simply looked at me and replied, "Courtney we have been talking for months now about living a more compassionate life. We have committed to helping others in need whether they are orphans, widows, or strangers. There is a reason why she walked by while we were working outside and why she opened up to me. We can do a simple job of watching a dog for a few days (or weeks) if that means helping someone in distress. This lady needs help."

"And because you made every effort to express the Father's love, even the smallest deeds you did for the least of these will count greatly for all eternity."

 SLAP. I think that was the first time Bobby "slapped" me in the face.

Just that morning at coffee Staci and I were talking about compassion. About how that is our ultimate goal: to teach our children about Jesus and to teach them to live lives FULL of compassion.

A few minutes later "P"--as I'll call her--came back with Ann (the 8 week old springer spaniel that her son named after the coon dog in "Where the Red Fern Grows"). She was obviously distraught and overly thankful that we were going to take care of the dog. She asked if I'd walk her back to her camper to get the dog food.

On our walk I learned so much about “P” and her background. She has lived a hard, hard life....living out of her car for the past ___ years while she worked at Wal-Mart overnight. Her son has some issues and she has no clue what the future holds for either of them. Eli walked with us taking it all in...

We took Ann, ran and got her a kennel and a few treats from Wal-Mart, and settled in for the evening.

Sunday morning "P" arrived outside our house at 9:10 sharp ready to head to church with us. After church we took her to lunch and tried helping her sort out what her future may hold. She stopped by the garage to say "good night." The kids all ran to greet her and when she left Owen reached his hands out and said, "Hug????" 

When she left Eli said, “Mom, when we build our new house maybe we can give ‘P’ our house so she isn’t homeless anymore.”

"The more we become the hands, the feet, and the love of Jesus, the more joy we will find."

We don't know how we can support her, or what she will be doing today, tomorrow, or weeks from now. BUT, we do know this opportunity for showing her compassion (even in the littlest ways) means the world to her.

 "It's obvious that one of the reasons God calls His people to reach out to the defenseless is because they are the most needy. Without our help, they will die early deaths, they will be swept into lives of poverty, they will make bad decisions and end up in jail. We can show them they have a chance to make it in life."

Gus (our 6 year old choc lab) isn't too fond of Ann....chasing after him, nipping at his tail, and biting his ears. BUT, he is warming up--a bit!

AND, the kids are in love (except for the puppiness in her that means chewing on toys, biting on toes, and jumping up over and over again).

How appropriate it was that we did our final study of "Fields of the Fatherless" with our James 1:27 ministry yesterday. All the quotes in this post came from Tom Davis in the chapters we studied this week.

One final thought...

"Many times we sit on our hands and wait for someone who needs help to come knocking on our door...most of His opportunities to care and heal occurred because He was out waking among them."

DOUBLE SLAP

Ahh, may I start to walk among them, LOOKING for ways in which I can reach out and help someone who is less fortunate (and ESPECIALLY not ignore them when they come knocking at my door).

MATCHING GRANT FROM LIFESONG!

About a year ago we began the journey of adoption.  When we started this journey we were requesting 1 or 2 children from Ethiopia. We took a few months to get our paperwork compiled, did some fundraising, and submitted our paperwork.  Shortly after our dossier was turned in, the adoption process for Ethiopia slowed down tremendously.

After the slowdown, we both felt God pushing us to do something NOW.  We looked into different areas of helping orphans (foster care, a missions trip, helping others, etc).  We were not expecting God to put a little inkling in our hearts to look into a concurrent adoption (an adoption pursued at the same time as our Ethiopian one).  From the start we knew we’d either adopt siblings or adopt two children at some point…we never considered the fact that could mean another adoption BEFORE our Ethiopian adoption.  But, here we are, following His call and now adopting from the DRC (Congo) too.  

March 15, we received a referral of our sweet baby girl, Addy Rose, who is currently living in an orphanage in the Congo.  Knowing where she is and what brought her there is extremely tough on us…but knowing that we will have the rest of our lives with her as our daughter is completely uplifting!! We are estimating we’ll travel to bring her home in Sep/Oct.

The biggest challenge for us is not opening our hearts and home to more children, but in finding the finances to make this happen. An international adoption for one child costs $25,000-$40,000…which means our two adoptions together are going to cost around $60K.

We believe families need to have the monetary needs to care for another child once they are home; but the cost of adoption is overwhelming and too much for almost any family to bear alone.   Our goal from the start was to break our funds in thirds: 1/3 from our personal funds, 1/3 through grants/loans, and 1/3 through fundraising/family & friends.  Through God’s help we have already spent $33,996 on our two adoptions.  We are expecting to have $11,000 more in expenses to get Addy home (visas, passports, travel fees, etc) and about $15,000 left for our Ethiopian adoption.  

We appreciate you all very much and would like you to pray & consider helping us in our adoption. There are two ways you can help:

1. Prayer – Please pray God would tenderly care for Addy.  We are continually in prayer for her safety, health, and comfort. Also pray for our family as we prepare to bring her home and the changes it will entail for our family.  Pray for us to keep calm hearts while we are trying to be patient for the next five-six months.

2. Financial support - Will you please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us pay the remaining $11,000 in adoption expenses to bring Addy home?  (our family will continue to save each month for our ET child and believe we can pull the funds together on our own when that adoption becomes a reality).

Lifesong (www.lifesongfororphans.org) has graciously given us a Matching Grant of $4,000 to help pay the “ransom” to bring Addy home –how great is that?!?!?! 

If you would like to be a part of bringing Addy home to our family, you can send your tax-deductible gift between now and May 22nd to the address below. Lifesong is a trusted organization administering the funds on Addy’s behalf, and 100% of the funds received for our family will go toward bringing her home (AND will be matched up to $4,000!).

Please make checks payable to Lifesong for Orphans and to indicate Williams/#2637 adoption in the memo section.
Mail check to:
Lifesong for Orphans
Attn: Williams#2637
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744

You may also pay online (through paypal):
1. Click on the Donate button on the right side of our blog (Donate Via Lifesong). 
2. All funds will be matched dollar for dollar ($25 turns ito $50 for us!!!!)

Thank you,
Bobby, Courtney , Eli, Ayla, Owen, Addy, and #7 Williams

Hosea 14:3 In you the orphan finds mercy!