Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!! 2010


“This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”- Isaiah 43:16, 18-19

It is hard to believe almost another year gone. This year has definitely been a year of change, Brent was laid off from the dream job of a life time working at a non profit. He misses the atmosphere in which Christ was present daily at work. With the lay off we had to move again...........I wasn't able to post until Sneha was home. We have moved our family across the country about every 3-4 years and it is harder each time. We are in rural northern Colorado, not such a long ways, but starting over with friends and life. He took a job quickly so as not to upset the adoption with Sneha. We are thankful for the job, but a hole is in our hearts to be able to do work for our Savior. Maybe this is the plan in rural America, but it feels like we are standing still just spinning our wheels. Our dream is no longer the American dream, our dream for the new year is to do something for impact and make a difference. We want our children to feel stable and make good friends to last for life. We are thankful for Graedy, Elise, Elijah, and Sneha! We are so glad that our family is finally home. With a new year comes new opportunities, new friends, and new hope!!

Ephesians 1:12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

More pictures of India--a little late

Remembering the view out of the orphanage in Dehli.


Sneha's bed where she slept for many years.
Babies that I hope someday will be adopted.


Sneha's friends that she misses.

More of the friends Sneha had for years.


Saying goodbye to special caregivers.


Sneha's home for 5 1/2 years. Not like the home we grew up in.

The iron gate helping to guard and protect the children.








Wednesday, December 16, 2009

India Gate

















12/15/2009
Went to audiologist yesterday and Sneha has moderate hearing loss at this point and needs to have her perforated eardrums repaired. Have to see what the surgeon says, but hopefully she will be able to hear much better after surgery in Jan or Feb. This is a piece of the puzzle for the lack of speech and deaf sounding screeching. Over all she is adjusting very well.



Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Dec 8, 2009 A few more pictures from India

President's Estate in India






India's famous gate at the president's estate
Sneha
View of life in India out of our hotel


View off hotel balcony






Thursday, December 3, 2009

A Few Pictures from India December 3, 2009-First Day

Brent & Sneha's first meeting at the Welfare Home for Children
Good first impressions!

So glad to finally be here.


I finally have a family forever



Tuesday, November 10, 2009

India here we come!!!!! November 10, 2009

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.”-
Job 37:5-6


Two years ago today I took a journey to meet a little girl around the world. I can't explain how God has changed my heart in those two years. I needed to learn trust and patience like I have never experienced before in my life time. Love is a true journey and not just a feeling! My feelings of anger over how badly she needed a family and love and why did she have to wait sooooo long? The piece that I never could quite get was that I needed to grow in order to receive my gift from God our Sneha. I wasn't ready for his gift and it took me two years to learn. I wish I could have learned God's lessons sooner so you could have been placed with us sooner.
We leave for India on Friday so please pray for safety and understanding! God sets the lonely in families. Our trip will be very long, a long time in another country, a long time away from our children, and I must admit a long time away from my dogs! We are ready to bring our Grace Sneha home!!!!Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John 14:18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Friday, November 6, 2009

November 6, 2009

We have the article 5 letter!!!!!

Monday, November 2, 2009

November 02, 2009 Still waiting......................

Sneha's case was approved by NBC on October 28, 2009. The following day they were to scan and send the official approval to the embassy. As of today Nov 2, 2009 we are still waiting for the article 5 letter email and our embassy visa appointment:( Days become weeks, and frankly it drives me crazy. Last year on halloween I thought our Sneha would be going door to door for candy this year. She absolutely loves candy. I need patience to wait for our Grace Sneha to come home. (2 years, 2 weeks, and 4 days waiting for our daughter)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

October 31, 2009





































Random pictures October 2009

Out at the farm
Elijah feeding Grandpa's calf
Elise feeding Grandpa's calf

Pretty's two babies

A crazy Daisy dog, how does such a big dog wedge herself into tiny areas.

Pretty's baby

Pretty kitty-our new cat







Tuesday, October 20, 2009

October 20, 2009

Proverbs 31: 8 " Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves".

Excerpt from "China Ghosts" byJeff Gammage

" I could write a much better brochure for the adoption agencies. One that would convey all the things that soon-to-be parents don't realize, what no one tells them, what in the deepest heart of hearts, they many not really want to know.
I would say: don't think you're going to walk into an overcrowded orphanage, take on child out, leave ninety-nine behind, and be the same person when you sit down to breakfast the next morning. You won't be. It's too cruel a lottery. And your participation in it will mark you.
It would say: from now on, wherever you go and whatever you may do, the faces of the children left behind will come to you, unbidden, glimpsed in the eyes of a child scampering across the street in front of a crossing guard and in the smile of a girl skipping rope on a playground.

It would say: when you travel to China, you think you're bringing home one little girl. Only later do you realize that a host of spectators have moved in. You think you are tying your fate to the life of a single child. You find out that you have been inextricably bound to the lives of dozens of others. And that there is little you can offer those children besides prayers.

They don't tell you that the children of the orphanage are all coming home with you. That these kids with their wan smiles and growling stomachs are going to follow you across the ocean, move into your house, inhabit your dreams. They don't tell you that from now on you'll never push back your chair from the dinner table without thinking of small children-just like your daughter-whose ribs are tight against the skin. That now, when you saunter through Toys 'R' Us, your child happily choosing a prize from among rows of pink-boxed Barbie dolls, you recall that during a morning long visit to the orphanage, you did not see a single toy."


****News about our Sneha- Since our paper work has been done out of order our papers are at the department of state to ask for an advisory opinion ,before the embassy can issue an article 5 letter and then the consulate visa appointment. Please pray this happens quickly before our finger prints expire:( ****

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

October 13, 2009


Our first picture ever of Sneha found on Reeces Rainbow. Without Reeces Rainbow we wouldn't be on our journey to bring Sneha home from India. Please visit http://www.reecesrainbow.com/ and see all the wonderful children that need homes. They are children with down syndrome and other special needs from all over the world. Ever wonder why no more children or very few are born in the USA with down syndrome? Over 90% are selectively unselected for birth and life.
It is unimaginable that in country that has everything we choose death when we have everything to help a life in need!

October 13, 2009


What a fabulous day it was on October 10, 1992-can it be 17 years already?

Monday, October 5, 2009

Love Without Boundaries 2009

Please check out their website at www.lovewithoutboundaries.com. They help care for the orphans left in China. They have heart healing homes and cleft homes. They have an online store to help orphans or an orphan can be sponsored monthly either to be in a loving foster home or to pay for a life changing surgery. Their help can be the difference of a child living or not.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Sept 30, 2009

Well another month has come and gone and Sneha is still not home! Our case is in process at the embassy, but it does not fit the protocol for the old I600 cases or the new for the I800 cases. A new person has taken over at the embassy and we need to pray without ceasing for "Paul Herman" her life is literally in his hands. Dear Lord, "I pray that Paul Herman will take notice of our case and grant us travel to pick up our dear Grace Sneha in India. We pray for the issuance of the article 5 letter and for the embassy appointment. You placed Sneha deep in hearts and thoughts and we want to follow your will and ways and bring her home. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

September 22, 2009

Elise, Elijah, Graedy
Close up of my crew


Graedy


Elise after her surgery, poor baby.


My throat hurts!


My jaw hurts!



I love pb&J!


My favorite!
Dali dog



Our big dog Daisy that squeezed in the small dog kennel????

DaVinci-Just rubbing my back




No news on our Sneha- still waiting for the article 5 and a travel date!!!! We just want to bring her home!!!