ARNOLD FAMILY NEWS

Approval, Approval, Approval................

2012-01-27T20:07:00.000-08:00

Can we say "Yes"!!!We have I600 approval to adopt Joyce.....

January 12, 2012

2012-01-25T09:57:00.000-08:00

1 John 5:2

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.

Happy Birthday Joyce, your family misses you!!

Seven years ago a little girl was born and she was very sick. She had a hole in her heart and couldn't nurse without getting so tired. She never could quite get enough to eat and her birth mother was very worried about her. She was not gaining weight and growing. Her mother couldn't afford to take her to the doctor to save her. You see in 3rd world countries parents are often forced to do the unthinkable. Do I keep my child and watch her die or do I leave her somewhere she will be found and taken to the doctor. The sad truth is that hospitals and other organizations will treat the abandoned child, but not the child that the mother brings in that cannot pay. We are so thankful that Joyce was found and her life was saved and redeemed. Under the meticulous care of the Sisters in the order of Mother Teresa she was saved. They weren't sure she would live. They fed her with a tiny tube down her throat and provided her with her life saving heart surgery. Each child has a story, purpose, and meaning. Each and every life is important whether they are born into wealth or poverty.

.Psalm 34:11

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD

RAINING ON THE SNOW..................

2012-01-19T11:02:00.000-08:00

Revelation 7:16
‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Thinking, and thinking some more. Today I am unable to forget, and I keep remembering the children that live with Joyce in the orphanage. Their faces and those little arms reaching up for love and attention. A little girl that her mother left her while she tried to go school and better her life. This 2 or 3 year old tiny little girl cried so many tears, and begged us to be her mom and dad and take her home too. She loved to be cuddled and rock. I imagine when she closed her eyes she tried to imagine she was in her mother's arms and not mine. The truth is her mom may or may not ever return. A set of twin girls who had suffered malnutrition and their mother had too many young children to care for and couldn't provide them with enough food so she left them at the orphanage in Tema. They were so little and yet so sad knowing that she left them. They were so smart and wanted extra attention. I cannot forget their sad dark eyes. I could not hug them enough. I was glad that Joyce realized we were taking her home and just trying to leave a little love for those babies. In love their mother saved their lives, but what a price, an unthinkable sacrifice. Having to choose being with your baby and leaving them so they can get enough to eat.

Psalm 9:18

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

Talk about weird weather yesterday 18" of snow and today rain and more rain on the snow. Needless to say the snow is melting quickly and what a muddy mess. I am tired of waiting, so much of life is waiting and waiting some more.It is so hard to move so many times!!!!! The truth is we move when we have to, nothing is more important than staying true to our promises. I literally thought life had ended as I knew it when we moved from Montana back to Fort Collins. I still miss Montana, my life and friends left behind. The truth is life is not about my comfort or where I love to live and who I like to spend time with. It grieves my heart that I have friends that I will never see again this side of heaven. We started each adoption knowing that road wouldn't be easy, but luckily we did not know how hard it would be. Three adoptions, three job laid off, and two major moves. Jesus says , "Follow Me" and we will where ever that may be. I think back just a few months and I had a job that I loved and would have stayed there as long as I could. Friends that were so helpful and supportive. A small windy town on the eastern plains of Colorado our home for a season, and we miss the friends that we made. A new chapter in the new year 2012, looking forward to times spent exploring the many beaches and beautiful surroundings. A time to explore Portland and Seattle. We are waiting on the US side of paperwork. In the eyes of Ghana we are Joyce's parents. We are her parents and in the court's eyes. We just need to be approved to bring her to the US. We need that most important visa stamp to allow her to come home. She has waited so long for a family. She has no memories of living with a mother, father, and siblings. No idea about going to school on the bus and living life as most children do. I can't wait to see what US doctors will be able to open up her world to hearing things loud and clear. No more not hearing what is going on, a whole new world to be hold. I am very excited to take Elise with me on the 2nd journey to Ghana. Hopeful that my mom will go, but I am NOT going to try to "sell" her anymore on the life long benefits of such a journey. It either will transpire or it won't. No more middle ground, either do or don't.

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 NIV

Winter wonder-land January 17, 2011

2012-01-17T12:10:00.001-08:00

Wishing we were closer!!!!

2012-01-12T09:55:00.000-08:00

Learning signs very quickly

The important signs for Dad & Mom

Joyce Abena

Showing here attitude in the pose

We miss you Joyce!!!!Come home soon!

1 Corinthians 2:7

No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began

Memories of Ghana and our Joy

2012-01-06T08:39:00.000-08:00

On the adoption front we are in the process of waiting for the approval of our I600. This is a US procedure and once this is complete we can request Joy's visa packet. The wait for the I600 can be up to 60 business day and we filed on Dec 14 in Ghana with the American Embassy. Of course holidays do not count for days being processed. So I guess we have only been waiting 12 business days so far:( It looks like March 16 is 60 days and then I have heard up to 5 weeks for the visa. Trying to be patient and save money for the up coming trip. Trying to get all of our medical and dental appointments all caught up before Joyce comes home.

Proverbs 16:3

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Brent frying yummy plantains, so good!

Joy at Jeanie's for a visit with mom

Joy at Jeanie's with Dad with her new favorite....GUM

Getting my hair done at Auntie Jane's about 3pm

beginning the braiding process 4pm

More braiding 5pm

More hair and braids 6pm and very heavy

Head is hurting questioning my "hair" decision 7pm

9:30 pm and wow is it cool, but my head hurts!

OUR YEAR IN REVIEW 2011........

2012-01-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

Elise and her friend Daisy that we lost in 2011

Feb 2011

March 2011 The Grandma's and Sneha

Sneha's 10th birthday

My hair is growing finally

Our Daisy the best dog ever

The Indian Ocean as warm as bath water

Indian Market

In India for the 3rd time:)

Rural India

Easter 2011 Graedy 13

Brent Easter 2011

Elise Easter 2011 11 years

September 2011 "Our Garage Sale"

The move-AGAIN

Spending time with family at Seaside Oregon

Meeting our new family addition in Ghana, Africa -Joy

Brent and Joy Dec 2011

Merry Christmas!!!!!2011

2011-12-25T21:34:00.000-08:00

Thankful that our savior was born this Christmas Season so long ago.

The first pictures we ever saw of you...........

2011-12-24T08:19:00.000-08:00

All I want for Chirstmas is.....................Joyce to come home

2011-12-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

Less than 1 week and we meet Joyce!!!!

2011-12-06T12:20:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to meet our Joyce next Tuesday!!!I am always so nervous before a big trip..It is getting easier to remember the large packing list and the good news is I can wear my Indian clothes in Ghana so I don't have buy anything. When meeting an older child who has our pictures I always wonder will she think do we look like our pictures, are we what she has been praying for?????It is hard to imagine that we will get to see the little girl in the picture in person. The good news is she is used to eating Indian food, that I am familiar with. I will be able to relate to her Sister caregivers. Only God could place our child in Ghana in a convent run by women from India. So chances are Joyce probably knows more things culturally about India than she does about Ghana. We will be able to cook Indian dishes for her to remember her home with the Sisters. We have a couple of Indian restaurants in our area and they should taste very familiar to her. God reminds me not to forget about India and her people even when I am taking a trip to Ghana, Africa.

We are going to Ghana!!!

2011-11-30T10:50:00.000-08:00

At my favorite time of year the holiday we are so lucky to being going to Ghana in less than two weeks!!!!!We have wanted to adopt from Ghana since 2007. We had a little girl picked out and she was reunited with extended family so we put these plans on hold. In 2007 we started on Elijah's adoption in May and then started on Sneha's in September. Since Sneha had multiple special needs I was required to meet her in India before formally committing to adopt her. November of 2007 turned my world upside down forever upon traveling to India . Elijah came home from China in Feb 2008 and upon our return Brent was laid off from his job. Elijah need major skull reconstruction surgery and thankfully he received this in May, the surgeon knew the time issue with insurance running out and provided for him. India adoption is a very slow process so we kept plugging away at Sneha's paper work. In the mean time Brent acquired the best job ever to work and help students go to Ch*na to teach English. This too was short lived with the economic down turn and the loss of a huge donor. So Brent was laid off again and the social worker was coming to do Elijah's last post placement report and then she would find out about the lay off and it would interfere with the India adoption. Fast forward, we prayed for a miracle and Brent found a job in less than one week and we had to move to Sterling Colorado at the end of school 2009. Brent went ahead and worked in Sterling until we could come. The adoption stayed on track, God is so faithful. Sneha came home in November 2009. December 2010 we heard about Beacon House and started to think about our adoption through Ghana. We started the process in January 2011 our third adoption. A slow start with paper work, and the paper in town is having trouble, could it happen again? Spring time comes and Brent knows that it is just a matter of time before his job is downsized. June 2011 it happened again. The good news is that this time we do not let the stress ruin our time together. Cast all of your cares upon the Lord for He is faithful !!!!!We knew that if God wanted Joyce to come home he would provide a good job in a time economic down turn. Our God is bigger than any problem here on earth. Pray and pray some more, and remember or try to all in good time. It is such a helpless feeling to know we can do nothing physically to make things happen. Just because we can do something doesn't always mean that we should. Brent wanted out of newspapers!!!!!Out of newspaper he is and he works at a public utility district a service everyone needs!!!!!!God is faithful to provide a nice house, beautiful view, and being able to comlete a Ghana adoption.

Remembering past adoption trips-Sneha's first meeting trip

2011-11-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

Not one day of my life has ever been the same since I went to India on Nov 9, 2007. I had prayed for my eyes to be opened. The harsh truth was that I wasn't yet ready.....I don't think any amount of preparation can prepare one to see what I saw. I now that I was living in the American cocoon. I was warm and fuzzy yet something was stirring in my heart for more. I thought that I knew of hardship, job losses and life. Little did I know how the rest of humanity copes with everyday life. How could I know? I have read book and seen pictures and most definitely identified what I didn't want, but What Did I Want?????I am no longer content to wait in the ordinary. I want more than the "American Dream", and if felt like a dead end. I need to look up and see a different sign ahead in the distance. Well, starting the adventure to India and beyond sent me down a steep hill and up many steep hills. I know that nothing is in my control, the control and directions are laid out from our Father in Heaven. I grasp my hands so tightly, but everything slips through. It is all His, not mine. I can't save them all, but I have to keep trying to do all I can through His power. Our life is NOT about having everything in order then to be available. Be available when there is chaos and too much to possibly accomplish within our own power. A new home, and not all unpacked, lining up new doctors, dentists, orthodontist, and the list goes on and on. I guess it comes down to this are we AVAILABLE when it isn't convenient and all together? Will go to meet the one that can't ever remember the love of her mother or father. Are we really available to let the lonely be placed in families. Our lives are transition and upheaval until the day we meet our Father in heaven above. I remember the children that lived with Sneha and wonder do they have families or are they alone in the world. Two brothers in India lost their mother she left the family and so they were left with the love of their father, but he was hit and killed in traffic. I met these two lovely boys, and I pray they have a family, but the odds of two older boys finding a family is slim to nothing.

We are hopeful and excited to meet our new daughter Joyce in Ghana. A time filled with excitement and embracing the unknown. Her world is about to turned upside down and we pray that we can ease this for her. Brent has always wanted to see Africa since he was little. We hope we can go before the years end, but waiting to hear.

Can't Wait Until Joy Comes Home Or Atleast Until We Get To Meet Her

2011-11-13T18:22:00.000-08:00

The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.

Mother Teresa

On the adoption front we are waiting for our case to go to court. Then we get to go meet our dear one in Ghana. Since the move is all done, I can focus on something fun our trip to Ghana to meet Joyce. Then I will get post real pictures of her. It is hard to believe that at on the 25th Sneha will have been home for 2 years. The waiting is so slow and the busy time at home goes by so fast. We have experienced so many trials since our Sneha has been home, but we are thankful that God led us to her and down this path we are on. Special needs, can sound scary yes, but they deserve a chance at life as much as we do. So many children waiting across the world and people are waiting for God to say go. The truth is He has already told us His truth and complete instructions of His will....The Holy Bible.

James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world

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

Hosea 14:3

Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses;and we will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy."

Matthew 25:40

And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.

'Psalm 9:18

For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

Happy 12th birthday............Elise

2011-11-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween

2011-10-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Psalm 37:26

All I can say is children are a blessing from above!

One week in Wahington........Lots of changes once again

2011-10-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

First day of school and last day of family out here. Trying to get back into the groove of a normal life, what ever that is. Every thing is so different here. We feel like we are on an island in a sea of people that we don't know. For some reason God keeps moving our family. Change is hard, and not my choice. Our only constant is our Faith in Christ. Nothing else lasts forever. Not our homes in Fort Collins, Montana, Julesburg, or Sterling. I am so thankful that we will see so many good friends from near and far in heaven our true home forever. This eases the sadness in my heart, the longing for familiar faces and surroundings. Honestly ever thing feels numb. We are so thankful for Brent's new job in this economic down turn and for the blessings the Lord has bestowed on our family. We are so thankful that family could help us move and make this all possible. I miss work and everyone there. All in good time adjustment will take place.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

Not Everyone is Called to Adopt, but everyone is called to care for the orphans and widows of the world

2011-08-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

Although the world is full of suffering it is also full of the overcoming it. Helen Keller

Love our neighbor as ourselves............

If we are loving our neighbors why is Africa dying? If children in US, Canada, or England were starving to death and dying of preventable diseases they would have texting and what ever else available to save the children. Some-how Africa doesn't count to most. These are God's people and children dying. Suffering horrible deaths from preventable diseases. The great trick of Satan is to say one doesn't make a difference. The difference to that one can be life or death.

Less than $2 a day 2.6 billion people 40 percent of the world people

Less than $1 a day 1.0 billion people 15 percent of the world's people

$105 a day USA 0.3 billion people 4.5 percent of the world's people

Then the King will say, "I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me-you did it to me"Matthew 25:40

The top 20 percent of the world's population consumes 86% of the world's goods:(

So let us say that each person in USA sponsored just one child for $25 dollars a month. That small amount of money would almost double a poor families income for the year. Just imagine the change in situation of doubling our own income in a year? Now imagine that in county that makes only $1 dollar a day for an entire family this would be the difference between enough food and not enough to eat.

Here is a chart comparison of where our Aminat lives in Ethiopia:

Ethiopia USA

pop 81 million 295.4 million

life expectancy 49 years 78 years

literacy 36% 97%

access to safe H20 22% 100%

average annual income $180 $41,400

So actually where Aminat lives her family makes .49 cents a day...................

I am ashamed to say this year we just started child sponsorship. I had always wanted to, but good intentions add up to absolutely nothing without action. Everyone could do this, one child at time, feed one.

In the end, we will remember not the worlds of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Dr. Martin Luther King JR.

To learn more about child sponsorship visit http://www.worldvision.org/

A wonderful book to read to understand the plight of the poor and our responsibility is:

"The Hole In Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns president of world vision USA.

'He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that what it means to know the Lord. Jeremiah 22:16

August 26, 2011

2011-08-26T19:25:00.000-07:00

41, 41,41,41 and counting!!!!!It is good to know that 1/2 of the people I work with I could be their mother. Talk about strange.....I have to say I do feel better than I did in my 20's and life goes on. Our time on earth is but a fleeting moment so we must make every day count and make the most of it.

August 6, 2011

2011-08-06T18:49:00.000-07:00

Summer is flying by at the Arnold house. The count down to school is on and change is in the air. What a hot summer, but we have made it through what I think are the absolute longest months of the year. Sneha is finally settling into summer right about the time when school is coming very soon. The good news is we have worked on much needed paperwork. We finally filed with Logan county courts to get Sneha's adoption completed so she can become a citizen, get a birth certificate, and an SS card. On the new adoption front the State of Colorado approved our home-study for Ghana. We just have to wait for our social workers license to be renewed and our I600A goes to Texas to be processed. Then we wait to receive our finger print invite to be printed in Denver. While waiting for Joy in this process we are hoping and praying that another young child will becomes available at Beacon House for us. We are hoping for a healthy younger than six years little boy or girl. Only time will tell and we are willing to wait.

The Fab Four

My favorite things A-Z

2011-07-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

A Adoption

B Bible

C Chocolate cake with white frosting

D Dali,Davinci, & Daisy our Dogs

E Emmanuel Baptist

F Friends

G Ghana

H. Heaven

I. India

J. Jesus-savior of the world

K. Kingfishers

L .Latte

M Montana

N. Naps

O Ocean

P. Pandas

Q. Quail

R. Red panda

S. Scriptures

U. USA

V. Visakhapatnam, India

W Water buffalo

X. Xian, China

Y Yunnan, china

Z. Zambia

2011-07-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

“As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!” Psalm 119:7 NLT

The Lord is my strength and my song;he has given me victory.This is my God, and I will praise him—my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
Exodus 15:1-3

The love of a mother cat and her grown kitten

My family, but our Joy is missing

2011-07-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” John 15:10 NLT

在神我们的父面前，那清洁没有玷污的虔诚，就是看顾在患难中的孤儿寡妇，并且保守自己不沾染世俗 。

فَالدِّيَانَةُ الطَّاهِرَةُ النَّقِيَّةُ فِي نَظَرِ اللهِ الآبِ، تَظْهَرُ فِي زِيَارَةِ الأَيْتَامِ وَالأَرَامِلِ لإِعَانَتِهِمْ فِي ضِيقِهِمْ، وَفِي صِيَانَةِ النَّفْسِ مِنَ التَّلَوُّثِ بِفَسَادِ الْعَالَمِ.

Hoping and praying that our journey to Ghana will progress. God's timing is always perfect and we must be patient. The good news is that Joy is being taken care of and is the object of affection of many caring Sisters. We are praying for a smooth transition into family life for her. Moving one from one's homeland is a total system shock, everything is different. All the smells, sights, and sounds are unfamiliar as is the food. Elijah longed for; his foster mothers special drink that she used to make for him. I am sure that Joy will shed many tears, but hopefully all of her memories and fun experiences to come will comfort her. To know that we will always be there for her never to forsake her.

James 1:27

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you

July 12, 2011

2011-07-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

Time Flies.................

2011-06-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

"Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams come true because we dreamed too little. When we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord."
Sir Francis Drake

     It is hard to believe that June is almost over. Time flies whether it is fun or not. Four days and the change will happen whether we want it to or not. We have prayed for a change and here it is 4 days away!!! What does God have in store for our family. I am dreaming GRANDE, as good as a latte grande made with coffee grow on the coastal ghats of India and buffalo milk. It doesn't get any better than that. Or one of my favorite re-occurring Indian memories, coming back to my room out of the heat,noise, and pollution to lay on a firm bed with white linens and looking up at the high ceiling with the fan on high and the air conditioning set to freeze me. Now that is a big dream to match up to those memories.

"For I know the plan I have for you"-"plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11

    Are we ready? That is the million dollar question????I don't know, as ready as one can be. A great resource is Operation World a huge book on countries and specific needs world wide. We took a family vote and the vote came in CHINA, no surprise there. We all love China's culture,people,tradition, and great beauty of the land.    The next close runner ups were Thailand and India. Of course we are open to stay right here as well for the right opportunity. I find myself recently intrigued by Cambodia. I would like some where with snow and 4 seasons, but that is just a preference not a requirement. As many of you know that I love snow and winter months. I would give it up for a major life change and opportunity. I would go into the furnace countries for an adventure. Most importantly that HIS will be done, whether that is here or over there, where ever THERE may be.

“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”
Matthew 16:25 NLT

2011-06-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

Philippians 3:20

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

The last few weeks have been very difficult. I am so thankful that Graedy, Elise, and Elijah are having such a fun summer. Graedy stayed most of last week with friends. Elise and Elijah went to camp at Winter park and had a fabulous time. This was Elijah first time to go to camp and to be away from home for 2 nights without any family. Today Elise and Graedy fly to magnificent Astoria, actually fly into Portland and on the road to Astoria. I miss my brother so much I wish that I could go as well. While most of the kids are gone I am working on simplifying our lives. Can we say get rid of everything we don't need and de-clutter. So many moves and so much stuff. Sneha on the other hand is very mad that everyone left and basically destroyed her new glasses yesterday. She broke the bow and a lens and of course she is directing all her anger at me.
of
I sure hope that we learn what-ever we are supposed to learn that we learn it soon. I want summer to be fun and care-free not so full of worry. Time ticks very fast and the weeks are closing in very fast. A possible end to this life as we know it . Honestly I just don't know what to do. I just have to sit back do what I can and wait on the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Resting in HIM...................Remembering the flight home from China

2011-06-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

Psalm 34:11

Come, my children, and listen to me,and I will teach you to fear the Lord.

I trying my best to have sustaining Faith. Faith that will up-root trees and move mountains. I have stories of many moments and circumstances that only God could create. More miracles already in my life time than many people ever experience in a life time. I need to be grateful and rest in the day, not consumed by what is to come and how we will get there. My dreams are huge so large that I know in my own strength they will never come true. They can only come true from heaven above.
Guangzhou city view

I have to remember that not long ago on a plane traveling home from Guangzhou I brought home a new son that spoke no English. The night before we left the White Swan hotel in Guangzhou China I became dizzy and fell down marble stairs. The result many bumps,bruises, and a sprained ankle. We were flying United home and it is so cramped and crowded not optimal for a sore leg and ankle. We were just glad to be heading home after 2 weeks in China, fun but time to go home. Little did I know the surprise waiting on the plane for me. I was seated next to a nice Chinese lady originally from Guangzhou, China a city of 10 million people. To make a long story short this lady from China now lived where????Great Falls, Montana and we knew people in common. A town up in northern Montana surrounded by only the wild and ranches. What are the chances meeting some in China and now lives where we loved to live????We talked almost the entire flight home. She translated for me with Elijah, took him to the bathroom, eased his fears so perfectly. She let me stretch my hurting leg and foot on to her side for more room. A true gift from God to surprise me that he was thinking of me. Only the God of the universe can surprise us with a gift that we could never even imagine. Fourteen hours can seem like an eternity sitting next to someone. How can I doubt that he will remember our plans and dreams. I just wait and see what miracle unfolds.
The Pearl River, Guangzhou China

Lamentations 3:25

The Lord is good to those who depend on him,to those who search for him.

Missouri River-Great Falls Montana

The Missouri River running through a state that has a population of less than 1 million. Two rivers a world apart and two people meeting in the skies. Nothing is by chance.................

The winds have changed....................

2011-06-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV

I am so ready to go, and I must say that I am ruined for the ordinary life. I want more, I don't want the American dream. We are finally free....Let us go......We are ready for change, I just can't settle for the ordinary any longer. I want to wake up every day and see the new and the different. Your will alone and not mine. It is out of our hands, funny we never could really hold on to it anyways. You created the earth and everything in it, so I know I must have faith. Nothing in this world is left to chance and I am dreaming the big dream, praying for a miracle to rescue us. The hairs on my head are numbered and I praying to Heaven above to answer our prayers!

Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good;his steadfast love endures forever,and his faithfulness to all generations.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

2011-05-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Most people dream of summer all year long, but it is the most difficult time of year for me. I love it when all schedules are set the weather is not so hot. I do have to say that so far the nice cool and rainy weather I love!!!When ever we are in the adoption process I tend to worry. I wish the IRS would send our tax refund, they are holding on to the adoption tax credit due to adopting families!:( Our home study is almost complete and then we apply to immigration . I so hope that we will be able to bring two little people home. We had originally thought just one child, but if a younger than 6 year old that is healthy becomes available we are going to try to bring 2 home. We know that if this is what God wants the child will become available for us. So much of life is waiting, waiting, and waiting some more. My time frame is, "I want it now", and this is not always the best. His time, not mine. I know that we had to wait so long for Sneha was because we weren't ready, Elijah needed adjustment time and we needed to move again. Her needs were far greater than we anticipated as were Elijah's so we needed time to get medical issues taken care of. People hesitate that now is not the right time to adopt, we don't have enough money , not enough time, nor enough patience. The good news is that we don't control time. The key is obedience and trust! Our Father in heaven will work out the details. We just need to say "YES" to what he asks of us. Many say I don't hear the voice of God, how do you know? Everything we need to live life is one God breathed manuscript-THE HOLY BIBLE. We read, we pray, and then we act, so the glory goes to God. He will give us what we need when we are obedient to His will.

There are good days, bad days, and many in between. It is not because we adopted, it is just life. No matter if we are busy there is always time for more. I still have wasted time in my schedule, it just depends on how I manage my time. When I look back on the last 4 years we have had hardships, and many joys. With out our adoption journey's I would have the awesome memories of a life time and the children that go with them. I never want all my children to leave home and so we adopt to fill our hearts, lives, and home.

James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world

How do we get from point A to point B????

2011-05-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

Luke 17:6

He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Part 1

In a world full of change sometimes it is hard to keep sight of our goals. Jobs restructuring, hours changing, and possible in town location changing. Did I mention that I hate job changes. I had just recently decided that I would stay at my job and position as long as we are in Sterling. May I say ugh, it is just like if I plant roses where I live we always move soon there after, although I don't believe in luck. We are in the process of adopting a little girl fro Ghana and the heat gets turned up. What is it always about the link between adoption and job changes. My job isn't ending, just changing:( We step out to adopt and a series of unfortunate events begin to unravel to test our faith. Adoption like being pregnant isn't easy, but so worth it. Both experience have their pros and cons.

I feel there is tiger waiting to pounce if I make the wrong move or turn my back for a second. (This white tiger is one of many that we saw up close and fed treats to at the Montana State Fair.)

I just need to remember that he is behind bars and can't get me. This is a tiger in China. I love tigers especially when they are behind bars or sleeping.

So we are standing at point A wondering how do we get to point B. I don't even know where point B is.....There in lies the problem.

James 3:17-18

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Thoughts for the day

2011-05-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

Revelation7:9

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

The answer to spread the Gospel lies in India's future it's children. They have very beautiful child. These are children from a Christian School in the city and these children are from the slums pictured below. Many of the parents of these lovely children are drunks, drug addicts, or prostitutes. These children were offered the chance of a life time to attend an English school that is Christian and for free. Not all education is free in other countries, so often the ability to succeed and be educated is based on the success of one's family. The cycle is being broken, slowly but surely. From the ashes the leaders and life changers will rise up. The children in the pictures did not crowd in for the pictures, this is how close and crowded the classes are. We are talking 100 degrees or more with no air conditioning. We need to appreciate all that we have and take for granted on a daily basis.

My heart is still grieved from our recent trip to India. There are so many people and they are so isolated in the countryside. Imagine stepping back in time by 100 years. I think of the pioneers here in America and how everything was done by hand. The farming all done by hand, the harvest done by hand, carrying water in jugs, no electricity, no plumbing, no running water, no cars, no refrigerator. Need milk, just go milk the buffalo and drink as much as you can before it sours in the heat. Sour buffalo milk cannot even have the taste masked in tea. How do we effectively spread the healing words of the Gospel when we can't even get to the people. Then we throw in all the obvious barriers language, culture, lack of trust between cultures, lack of technology,the written Word, and literacy. The answer is raising up local believers to spread the Word. We in the white world are not the answer, but hopefully our resources can help across the world. We can petition our Lord in heaven on behalf of our brothers and sisters in India. We know the God hears our prayers and we need to keep petition on their behalf until we no longer have breadth of life. We cannot forget them.

1.Revelation 5:8

And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

India pictures 2011

2011-05-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

Love from India part 2

2011-05-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

God called on us to approach the thrown of grace for a small group of people in the Mountains. God placed the a small groupd of people of India in the hearts of a small church of believers in north eastern Colorado. My heart would stir when we prayed for a people so unknown and far across the world. Emmanuel Baptist is God’s plan for the people’s of India. I am in awe once a gain to be a part of God’s global plan. With all the miracles and confirmations from heaven above I still tried to back out of the trip India. Lord, I do not have the money to go to India again. Money started to flow to the India mission trip. I give up, Lord please help me to obey with my stubborn heart. I can say I won’t forget, but human nature always takes over.

All I can say is that God answers the prayers of his people!!! My life is living proof of God’s faithfulness. Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness! India is a very diverse land with many different people groups. I enjoyed seeing a different side of India the ocean and country-side . My plan was for the sky to open as in Acts and for people to be saved. God’s plan was not for the mountain people to even meet at the compound where we stayed, but for us to go to them on their own land and in their own homes. Walking from the jeeps stopping point to the village was out of a movie scene that only God can write. Walking on a dry dirt road between fields growing rice at different stages, watching herders watch their cattle graze, and watching the herder watching his water buffalo so they didn’t destroy the rice paddies that were so carefully tended and planted by hand one by one was amazing.. Seeing holes on the sides of the terraced fields that are filled with rats and cobras in the rainy season frightening. God’s plan for us to come in the hot dry season without snakes and rats, yay!!! A group of people welcomed us to the village with flower garlands. I thought this was only in Hawaii and secretly I had always hoped to be welcomed in this way. To see the villages that we had prayed for brought the dream into a reality. God loves this group of people in India and he is using us to show them. Pastor Sean spoke to the believers with a local pastor translating their words, your words Lord. I will never forget the disbelief and wonder in their faces upon hearing,” That a people that look so different came7,000 miles across the world and have been praying for their salvation for 4 years.. A church in America loves the people of India. “God will not forget the Indian people and he sent us as the strange looking proof. The group that listened out in the open was fairly small, but eyes and ears from others heard and saw. We were even able to pray over the home of the family of the very first Christian wedding to take place. What a life changing experience to be able to hold the hands of the people that we have prayed for. Hands that are so rough and leathery from hard physical labor I was embarrassed by my very soft hands. Rice fields with every single plant placed there by hand . Fields worked by hand, weeded by hand, transplanted by hand, and harvested all by hand. The air so fresh and the land so clean. Mathew 9:37 Then he (Jesus) said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”For years I have wanted to see terraced rice fields up close and to see and have water buffalo milk. These were just a few small items on my list for life. Little did I know that God remembered my small hopes. I went to China and never need see a rice field because we never left the city. I was able to see rice paddies at all stages of growth and close enough to touch. Anyone that knows me knows that coffee and tea can make or break a day. Let me tell you all that Inidan-Chai with buffalo milk is the best. Not my plans, but his and thank you Lord! A life and world so different and so far away yet God weaved our hearts together for eternity. My prayer is that groups from our church will keep visiting the peoples of India and that our prayers for this people would storm heaven.

Revelation 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the thrown and in front of the LAMB. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Revelation 7:16-17 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thrist. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the LAMB at the center of the thrown will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Love from India Part 1-May 2, 2011

2011-05-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

Love from India

Psalm 119:105-106

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous ways.

As I reflect on this journey I am struck by God’s mercy and grace in my life. I need to start my story in 2007. Four years ago God began a work in my heart for India. I remember when I was a teenager I always dreamed of going to China, but India looked so terrifying. The image that is in my mind is the masses converging on the Ganges to bathe. It looked so crowded and dirty, why would anyone on earth want to go to India. I made up mind then and there as a teenager I would indeed never go to India. God answers our prayers and gives us desires that would other wise never be in our hearts. It began with a little boy in China, God not only answered my prayer to visit China, but gave me a wonderful son who is fully and so wonderfully Chinese. While in the process of waiting to bring Wu, Chong li home God showed me a face in India. The face of girl that he wouldn’t let me forget about. I said, “Ok, Lord I will inquire about this face that you won’t let me forget about. Maybe I am just to pray for her family to come and adopt her.” Next thing we know the agency the little girl in the peach shirt is listed with says if you are serious about your interest in her you must travel to India next month to meet her. She has special needs and has been rejected by other families so you must be sure. Well, if this is what I have to do I will go. God removed my fears and I was prepared to travel alone. God knew that I could take this task on alone and so my mother’s very best friend from childhood said she would take the journey with me. God’s peace was with her and she knew she must go . After my first trip to India my life and heart were at an all time valley. How could I possible provide for a child that will NEVER be independent? I battled in my thoughts and constant prayers to the Author and Perfector of our faith. How could this be you send me to Hades on earth, I can’t even sleep now and I will never be the same again. I closed my eyes to hear car horns and see the toddlers wandering on the side of a busy high way. Children begging on a two foot strip of land between six lanes of traffic. God answered me very simply, but firmly,”If you don’t go get her there is no one else in the entire world that will!” There it is the beginning of my love for India. God planted the seed in my heart and I tried to pull it out many times. He is patient and waits for us to understand.

The last four years for the Arnold family have been full of joy and many hardships. Brent was laid off upon our return from China with Elijah. Step out and the attacks will come, but God always has the best strategy and protects his flock without fail. Brent was able to work at his dream job sending teachers to China for about 10 months while we were waiting for Sneha. Then the unthinkable happened again. Brent’s job was eliminated , two times in two years in the middle of two adoptions. The same day the social worker called to set up our final home study update for Sneha’s adoption. Lord how could we follow your will to India to be cut off, Please Lord save us………Brent needed a miracle, a job within a week to be able to bring Sneha home. Once again we doubt….How could this happen, how can we find a job in a week. WE can’t do anything in a week, but look what God did a week. The creation of everything in a week and I am not sure if he can give Brent a job in a week. Fast forward to Sterling, Colorado this is where we live. This is where God placed our family quite intentionally and provided the impossible job in less than 1 week. As many of you know our Sneha came home in November 2009. After our move to Sterling God sent us to Emmanuel Baptist Church. Of course no secret to our Father that Emmanuel began a journey to India in 2007 as we did. I am so thankful that God remembered the smallone in a small orphanage hidden away in a city of 15 million.

Romans 3: 10-12

AS it is written: “There is no on righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands and seeks God. All have turned away they have together become worthless; there is not one who does good, not even one.

Elijah Chongli

Elise

Sneha

Graedy

1 John 5:14-15

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him."

Look how she is growing!!!

2011-04-06T12:30:00.000-07:00

2011-04-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

Busy week as usual. I leave for India on Friday, wow did this sneak up. We are working on completing the Adoption Alliance packet for Ghana, lots and lots of paper work. Last week we did our Colorado fingerprints and this week are doing the US and Ghana medicals. Six people to the doctor all in one week and I am thankful they are understanding about all the forms to be filled out. Of course my sinuses are in terrible shape before the trip so it is a good thing I have a doctors appointment this afternoon. Brent is still waiting for insurance and employment papers from his job. This all will help us get a jump start on things and we will be able to start the home study process again when I return. I can't wait until every thing is turned in and we can just wait to travel to Ghana. It sounds like an amazing place to visit and what could be better than meeting our little girl. She has waited a long time for a family and we have waited 4 years for our Ghana adoption to become a reality.

Did I mention that I am so excited for the chance to be a part and witness lives changing! I love India and I can't wait to go back. So different than my trips before no child to bring back and no adoption paperwork. I am excited to finally go to the beach, it has been a long time. I will miss my family, but what a great opportunity~

The word is YES for the state of Colorado and Ghana!!!!

2011-03-25T09:44:00.000-07:00

We had the long awaited phone call to answer if we had to work with 1 or 2 agencies to bring home Joy from Ghana. The answer is 1 agency will be enough and that translates into a lot of money saved!!! We started to inquire about Beacon House and Ghana in December and we will finally be getting started officially. The package from Adoption Alliance is in the mail and we should receive it any day. This package will contain the formal application,fees schedule, application for state of Colorado clearance, application to be get an inviation for Federal digital fingerprints, child abuse clearance forms, and many other important other papers. Then we will start on the homestudy, the visits, and all the questions. It should be a breeze, but it is hard to tell a stranger everything past and present. The kids very stressed to answer questions and talk to a stranger. All these steps to bring a child home that her parents abandoned into the hands of strangers. What a crazy world that we live in. Luckily with everything here at home 4 children, fulltime work outside the home,and all details of every day life I don't have much time to obsess on how long each adoption step takes. I had plenty of time with this before Elijah and Sneha came home, but not now. WE ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE IN THIS LIFE SO WE MUST BE INTENTIONAL EACH AND EVERY DAY!!!!

Here are some photos that I thought were lost from our 2009 India trip and I found CD's and copied them to the computer. I am so thankful that they weren't lost.

God is moving mountains!!!!!!

2011-03-08T09:17:00.000-08:00

Luke 17:5-65

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Where do I even start?? Our Sneha turned 10 years old on March 1 and we had her party in Fort Collins on Saturday. Her first real party. Last year she had just begun having seizures and had the broken arm and we were adjusting to life with Sneha. A hard time in life, but things are definitely smoothing out. The transition period of some one that never had responsibility, severe malnutrition, illness, couldn't remember family life, and had lived on one floor of a building for 5 1/2 years, and has multiple learning challenges is a little longer than the average after adoption period of adjustment. Her 10th birthday party was so much fun. She loved all the attention and presents. She squeals with excitement and happiness at the sight of new beautiful clothes for her. To go from wearing and sharing ugly clothes to a closet full of her own is so exciting for her. In India no matter where a woman lives they dress beautifully and take pride in looking amazing. Kids walk out of slums with beautifully braided hair and very nice and neat uniforms ready for school. I am so glad that God laid this girl on our hearts. She has gone from the least of these that has no worth in society to a person of impact with out even knowing it. God knew the great plans for her life. She has said so much without words.

Yesterday was Shriner's Hospital and Salt Lake City for Elijah and I. Wow what a long day 3:30am wake up and back home at 10pm. We have good news about his hand. I looks good and we don't need to see surgeon Wang for 3 months. In 3 months he was also due for spinal x-rays so we can do every thing at once with-out another additional trip. The tendon transfer and tightening of his thumb on his left hand should improve the ability to grasp objects. Now his thumb doesn't pop out of joint all the time and his thumb doesn't fold into his hand to prevent grasping objects. His spine is being monitored for a curve. They are the best hospital to get x-rays done in record time and knowing exact positioning for guaranteed results. They have been such a huge help to our family and Elijah's medical needs. He has been through so much in 3 years, but is on the road to health and recovery. It is hard to imagine that he had a 4cmx6cm area on his head with-out skull bone, he couldn't touch his left heal down and walked on his tip toes, had mini fractures in his shin bone, a mouth full of cavities, and believed in a golden statue as creator. God has transformed his body and soul from the inside out.

More good news is coming........God is moving mountains for our Joy waiting in Ghana. We knew that God wanted her to be part of our family and our biggest fear was the expense of it all. We stepped out to begin without a penny in place to bring her home. My verse and prayer for the year is Luke 17:6. Having the faith of a mustard seed is very difficult. It seems like it should be so easy and why do we doubt our Father's will when it is written in the Bible and right before our eyes. As plain as day right there are the answers to all of our questions. The money is the easy part for God and it is. Praise be to God we should be able to stay out of debt with Joy's adoption!!!!!!!! The means are on there way now we just need to keep being patient and obedient.

My India trip is coming. I am so excited for the adventure across the world. Everything is unknown and up to God. It is hard to believe that 3 years ago I said that I could never go back, but would only go to get Sneha and NEVER AGAIN. Now I am excited to go back. Let me say that I am the person that fears Walmart with children in tow and God has removed the fear to go across the world. I am the person that would never be able to speak to a crowd and now I am about to embark on the adventure of a life time. I am just so glad that they don't eat much meat or unknow sources of protein. Vegetables are good across the world. I have to say that I hate hot weather, give me a blizzard any day over sweltering heat. Guess what where we are going?It will be 90 to 120 degress and we have to dress in long clothing. Only God could convince me to enter into that kind of heat. Join me in praying for this crazy adventure.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise to the God of All Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Parenting the broken

2011-02-25T09:55:00.000-08:00

So thankful that The Father holds us in his hands never to let go........

I fold laundry and the tape of a broken past plays in my head. I go to sleep at night and the dreams are there. Why not dreams of beaches and fun times. Only with God's healing of our minds can we move past the broken beginnings. It is hard, pray for the forgivenss to take place. I guess it is little piece by little pieces at time. A life time process, possiblely not even completed in old age, maybe not in this life time, but healing in eternity.

I guess this is why I am drawn to parenting the broken. We chip away little pieces to get to know her. It is a process of two steps forward and one back. Sneha's thoughts are locked away in her mind and a voice that will not respond to let them out. We will probably not ever know what happened and why she shuts us out. I do know that she is safe now and will never endure what happened in the past. Give us patience to give her time to unlock herself. Give us understanding that all things happen in God's timing and that is not our time......She is starting to learn that we will not leave her alone and we will always be there to help. How could someone ever forget their mother walking about in train station that is loud, dirty, so crowded, and then she didn't ever come back. Not ever to return, turned her back and walked a way. It is easy to speculate maybe she was sick and strarving and knew that the police would find a place for Sneha. Probably a better place than she could provide, maybe her mother was homeless? At least the train station was safe from the dogs and critters out in the open. Sneha has scars on her cheeks like she layed on lots of gravel or dirt when she was little.

Elijah is beginning to unlock his heart to us. I can't imagine the feeling of being left on a street in the "Wuhan" district of a city of 6. 1 million people. Then he was in the hospital for the first month of his life after and interrcranial bleed which caused a stroke. Then he went to the orphange for a short while and in the mean time they matched him with a loving foster family in the village of Anning in the mountains by Kunming. He lived with this family until 2 weeks before we came to adopt him. He then transition for 2 weeks in the orphange. Then we came to adopt him and he had never even seen blue eyed people. His world has been rocked many times in his short life. I am very thankful that with love and prayer his life is being redeemed. His attitude is surprisingly positive and he is such a hard workers. I think he is realizing that we are forever never to leave him.

Psalms 107 1-3

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, 3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.

Tuesday February 22, 2011

2011-02-22T07:46:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 23:10-12

Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you. Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

So thankful for my four blessings from Heaven

Thankful for two boys

Thankful for two girls

Thankful that God moved mountains to save these two from across the world.

I am feeling so full of doubt and overwhelmed by the responsibilities of everyday life. I know that all I have to be concerned with is one day at a time. God brought Elijah and Sneha home to us in the midst of two job layoffs, surgeries, selling a home, buying a home, and moving towns. I am so full of fear that we have another lay off or have to move again. I can handle the loss of moving, but it is so hard for children to start over in school and with friends. Stepping out in faith has separated us from many and it can be a very lonely place. As we read the Bible we learn and see that this is what happens, but it doesn't make it any less difficult. Some times I wake up and wonder why I am here and how did we end up this way. Most days I have confidence, but that doubt creeps up. When I look at the big picture I wouldn't change the recent choices that we have made.I feel guilty for not taking a trip to see my brother and his family and I miss them so much. I know that lives do not depend on that vacation and lives could change with our trip to India. Funds are tight and we do not have money for both. I know this life is not about our comfort, but sometimes I feel a pity party creeping up. I love Oregon and the coast and I just need to know that it is right to go India and use all of our vacation money. I pray the children will understand the eternal importance, not just the day to day.

Luke 12:6-8 (NIV)

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.

I just need to remember the promises from the Bible. I need to live each day as if it is my last and pray for faith the size of a mustard seed. If our Father in Heaven wants Joy to come home it will happen. If I am to go to India it will happen. End of story it is all in God's hands!!!

Third year with Elijah in our family!!!!!

2011-02-17T08:21:00.000-08:00

John 14:18

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

It is so hard to believe that three years ago today we met our son Elijah Chongli aka Wu, Chong Li. Our times in China were exciting as well as very trying. He had never seen blue eyed people and our eyes scared him. He had lived with a wonderful foster family since he was an infant so two weeks before our arrival he went back to the orphanage to prepare for his new family. His world had been turned upside down and he was grieving the life and family that he lost. He tried to run away from us constantly. At six years of age his heart was broken, but I can saying that he is finally mending and he is becoming happier and more secure in his new life. A different boy today than three years ago.

Elijah has accomplished so much in three years.
1.He has learned English and now is at a 3rd grade reading level-no more ESL
2.He is learning about the Bible and how it impact on every aspect of life
3.Learning to embrace a life of opportunity in America
4. He has recovered from major skull reconstruction surgery,been without seizure meds for 6 months, and is in the process of recovery from hand surgery.
5.Learning that he is not alone in his special needs-CP and massive stroke as an infant and that there are others in the world with similar needs and they are successful people. He has been able to meet children with similar needs at Shriner's Hospital
6.He is learning to trust that we are his forever family and we will stick by and love him in the good and bad.

We love you Elijah and are so thankful that God brought you into our lives!!!!

Psalm 68:6

God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Productive Week

2011-02-11T07:55:00.000-08:00

I am watching and waiting......

ACTS 2:17-21

17 “‘In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below,

blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood

before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21 And everyone who calls

on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Wow this week is almost over.

Monday-Salt Lake City with Elijah for the first post surgical check up. Not the immediate out come that we had hoped for. He is in a hand brace for a month to stretch the hand and thumb and it is starting to look better. We will go to Salt Lake monthly until they are satisfied with the outcome. A very trying day for Elijah who was expecting a radical change.

Tuesday-I finally sent my visa application to hopefully go back to India in April. I forgot how time consuming and complicated to sent "official" mail.

Wednesday-Taxes sent off to accountant. We are praying for a large adoption tax credit refund to assist us with our Ghana adoption.

Thursday-Where did the housekeeper go, I just can't seem to find her? Oh the is right that is me. The house is finally clean and wood floors polished. My house where there are two parents, four kids, and three dogs=lots of messes and clean up for mom.

Friday- One more day off before my work week starts tomorrow. After being sick and in bed for days last week I needed a week to catch up. I am very thankful to have a job that works so well with four children..

On the travel fronts we are preparing our hearts and minds for the up coming trip to India. I am very excited, but also apprehensive, a whole different world where nothing is the same as home. I am praying for miracles out of ACTS to happen in couple of months across the world on a mountain top. I know that miracle exist in this day and age. We just need to step out to see them. They usually happen when we are not in our own strength, but in HIS. Once a person sees the power of God come alive you will go to the ends of the earth to see it again and again.

WE are approved to adopt from Ghana. Now we need a plan to make it happen. Our plan to rely upon God for every step making the miracles from above visible for all to see. Our Father will move mountains to place the orphan in families we just need to wait and watch his plan.

Luke 17:6

He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Word to define our year---FAITH

2011-02-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

Psalm 36:5

Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

    My word of the year is FAITH. If I could just have a little faith in all the unknowns in our lives. I have to admit it is very difficult. Why can't I trust? Human nature and it's doubtfulness! I have a constant battle in my head, should we step out in FAITH and wait to see or should we stay in a relatively "safe" place. God is in control of every thing any way so why do we crave control? We are not in control ever not even on the best day.

     Medical testing and waiting is not in our control.   So many ifs, ands, or buts and worrying brings us nothing. Thinking and rethinking if a Ghana adoption is going to happen or not? Then there is India!!!
A trip that brings many apprehensions and unsettled thoughts. I know that I am to travel there again, but I need to prepare my heart and mind. I am praying for big things to happen. I am expecting a true MIRACLE to unfold in India while we are there. I am not longer content with so so. I know that our FATHER in HEAVEN performs miracles and I want to witness a true revival and awakening in the people of India. Are my hopes too high, maybe, but I want to have faith and know that it is possible. I just need to remember each and every miracle that happened in the process to bring Elijah and Sneha home.

.Psalm 33:4

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

Remembering Great Falls Christian Center....the place that forever changed us

2011-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

I am so thankful for face book to hear about friends from past times. Great Falls, Montana and Great Falls Christian Center will forever be in our hearts. This is where our eyes were opened to the true meaning of life and our responsibility to act. I do not know where we would be today with their influence. It is hard to say if we would have Elijah and Sneha???Pastor Bob words come to me more than I could imagine, the words from the Bible that he brought to life. We so appreciated the leadership at that church Kern, Lee,Nate, and Pastor Bob.

Steve and Brenda changed our hearts and minds about how important guiding our children in God's truth is. They changed our lives in regards to raising children that mind and love the Lord. Teaching them to honor and respect with Biblical truth as the standard. We love and miss you and your family!

Nate preached the sermon that I have remembered years later. The sermon about being a slave to our Lord Jesus. He did some acting in the aisle and brought the truth off the pages of the Bible and into my heart forever. Thank you Nate for your passion.

The awesome worship that rocked our hearts and souls!

The dinner where we first attended" The Purpose Driven Life" series.

We miss the humor, love, and wisdom of Pastor Bob. You are all in our thoughts and prayers! We know that Montana and the world is changed because of the love of Jesus working in the hearts of his people in a town in northern Montana.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

January 14, 2011

2011-01-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

THE TRUTH

34% OF CHRISTIAN FAMILIES CONSIDERING ADOPTING ONLY 1 % OF CHRISTIAN FAMILIES ACTUALLY DO.

January 13, 2011------------ Becoming a family of 7

2011-01-13T08:40:00.000-08:00

Wow, does time fly by. Elijah's surgery is done and he has no pain. The boy is tough as nails!!!Yesterday he went a part day to school and was up and going in good shape today. We are hoping that the tendon transfer and skin tightening on his left hand will help with control and grasp. For those of you who don't know Elijah had a massive stroke on his left side as an infant. Since it happened when he was so young his brain rewired it's self a true miracle. As a result he does have left sided weakness. He wears a foot brace to help his foot drop and his left hand doesn't have fine motor control. This surgery should help with grasp and grip. Hopefully his thumb will be more stabilized and the joint won't pop out. Three surgeries in almost 3 years and he is such a good patient. Start with a huge surgery like a cranio-plasty with 46 staples across the top of the head from ear to ear and other surgeries seem small. Shriner's Hospital in Salt Lake City was soooo good to us. I have to say that they are better with children than Children's Hospital in Denver and they were wonderful. Every step was taken to make us both comfortable and to ease his nerves. The smallest details for children before surgery make all the difference. I am so thankful that another step is almost complete is helping Elijah's quality of life to improve. I now know why I worked in surgery admit and post-op care to prepare me to take of my children for surgery. Four children and everyone has had surgery to date and I am so thankful we live in the USA.

Looking to future is what we do in New Year and we looking forward to adopting from Accra, Ghana. If it is His will we will be approved to adopt a 6 year old little girl waiting in Ghana. She is hearing impaired and will either need surgery, hearing aides, or implants. At least here in the US she will have options for help. She has been lovingly cared for by sisters in a convent for the last four years and I am so thankful that she has been loved. A simple need such a sight impairment or hearing impairment are very limiting where resources do not exist. I know that without my glasses I couldn't even go out side, drive, or do anything. The sisters have been praying for a family for her since she arrived at their convent four years ago, exactly when we started to consider Ghana adoption. It just took us time to find her. God's timing is always right! We know that this seems crazy to many, but we must follow the path that God places before us and we are ready for this adventure. Hopefully by New Year 2012 we will be a family of 7!!!

Ghana in our hearts........Give us Faith........

2011-01-06T08:33:00.000-08:00

Matthew 17:20

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

God placed Ghana in our hearts and minds in 2007. He was stirring our hearts for orphans of the world. First for China, India, and Ghana. We thought that Ghana was a vision of the past, but God will not let us forget that we are to not forget Ghana and he has work for us to do there. We are unsure if it missions, adoption, or pleading the case of the orphans to advocate for them. We moving forward in faith alone, for our Father in Heaven has the pieces of the puzzle of our lives. Crazy yes, in the world view. Why now, and why us???? Aren't there so many other people that could do this??? Are our resources limited by our selves, yes, but our Father in Heaven has a thousand cattle on a thousand hills. Give us the faith the size of a mustard seed and we can follow your lead. I do not have all the details, but in my heart we must follow. The time is now and not to wait.Soon we will know if this is your will, and we pray your will be done. Father hear our prayers!!!

These children have worth and deserve to have HOPE......

The place that changed the face of Africa, a place of terrible sadness and loss. I need to see this in person to see how humans were bought and sold for profit, no regard for the truth of the worth of all humanity.

How has adoption and special needs affected our biological children?

2010-12-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

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

The big Elijah boy --these days so much stronger than 3 years ago. No one that meets him today would ever imagine that he had a massive left sided stroke as infant and has CP. Considering a special needs child does define who they are just a small part of them.

The cutest Christmas elf ever that loves to act and sing.

Our son Graedy that is becoming a great young man.

An official teenager!! Learning to think of others in the age of "How will this affect ME?"

For the love of a dog.

Elise the girl that loves music, before her first concert.

Sneha the child that has transformed within a year with a family. The authorities of India questioned how we could take in a child that has so many problems -microcephaly,delayed development,delayed milestones, and no speech. They didn't even include seizure disorder, bilateral hearing loss and perforated ears drums. God sets the lonely in families and picks out their families if we hear his call to us. He chose Sneha for us.

A sight to behold-no longer one of the fatherless

Questions:

Will adoption affect our birth children?

Adoption is a family transformation with hills and valleys. A journey to grow outside of the me, me, me, mentality.

Would I ever want to go back to just a bio family?

Of all the decisions in life adoption is something I will never regret.

Why do we adopt from the US foster care system?

We have tried to pursue this on a few occasions and every time it has failed and God has closed the doors. This is a wonderful option for many families and great children are waiting for families here in the US. www.adoptuskids.org or www.adoptex.org

How have special needs affected our family and life?

Is easy to imagine how someone with profound disabilities live, but until you are their provider the true importance of the body of Christ coming together for those in need is so apparent. We are His hands and feet, no one else. With out us they perish. Our birth children are learning that people do not choose to have disabilities and that they have value and worth on our earth. All of our children notice those with disabilities, but in a new light.

How has the "Sacrifice" changed our lives?

We can never go back to our "old" lives again. We don't want and care about the same things anymore. We are sad that this had distanced us from some, but also brought us closer to others. We have laid the fleece out to our Lord one more time. Now we shall wait for our answer. We look hopeful for the future. We are so thankful what our family has learned through trials and "sacrifice". We cannot wait for our chidren to love what God loves and for them to grieve for what grieves his heart. Only then can we act.

Judges 6:39

Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.”

Lord hear our prayers to you!

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-20T16:09:00.001-08:00

December 13, 2010

2010-12-13T08:35:00.000-08:00

Arnold Children Christmas 2010

December 3, 2010

2010-12-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

Collecting trash outside of Sneha's orphanage

Waiting for her mother to come back and heal all her sickness and malnutrition

Waiting on the street for a hand out

And so they wait----the older boys

My heart is so grieved that I can't do more each and every day. So many children and our own time and resources are so limited. We must stand together for the orphan and the fatherless. They aren't someone else's children they are all alone. If not our job than who's?

November 30, 2010

2010-12-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

Elijah was evaluated at Shriner's Hospital in Salt Lake City in November. They took x-rays of his entire body excluding his head. Their findings were that his leg and foot do not need surgery at this time. He needs to continue wearing his AFO on his leg and foot. His spine does have a curve, but it is not due to his leg length difference. He will need to have this evaluated yearly. His left hand has weakness problems due to his stroke, but they will move his tendon in his thumb to increase his ability to grasp at things. Hopefully this will happen in January in Salt Lake City. Not a huge surgery considering he had one of the biggest a couple of years ago. A cranioplasty with staples from ear to ear and an additional 11 staples while a wake. He is very nervous at Dr. appointments considering all the appointments in the last 2 years. Yesterday we went to Abilities Unlimited in Cherry Creek for a new AFO fitting. This will help him to not have foot drop and to be able to run better. They are also lifting his arch with the AFO to support him better so his foot doesn't tire as easily. When ever we venture to Denver we must visit our favorite restaurant in the entire world CAFE SKY where they have wonderful Korean food. Kim chi is even growing on me, the more you eat it the better it is. Elijah ate the largest bowl of soup that has egg, meat, sliced rice wedges, dumplings, leeks, sea weed, and many other yummy ingredients. So after our feast we went to our favorite market Hmart the Asian grocery. Here are just a few of the treats that we brought home.

Wonderful Asian Pears (tastes like a pear and apple in one)

Yummy short grain sticky rice

Asian jelly,cucumbers, Korean soy sauce, and Elijah's favorite Lychee fruit

We are so thankful for the diversity our Asian son brings to our family.

The boy that loves to sing and makes us so proud to watch him and see him thrive. I am so thankful that he has so many opportunities available to him. Not just a child with a disability in a country without a future any more. He will grow up to do great things.

November 15, 2010

2010-11-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

1.Deuteronomy 4:9

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them

Are we staying locked behind the wall to keep us safe?

I hope we can open the gate and take the steps out side the wall?

Is the fear of a traffic jam holding us back from life?

Do we fear the beware of dog sign without knowing what is really behind it?

What is really worth fearing? Looks pretty innocent to me.

Let's get on the bus and take a wild ride through life.

Let's not fear what is different.

The unknown can open our eyes.

Please do not let us forget what we have seen, never forget........

All I know and I have said it before that I never wanted to go to India. I had a whole list of complaints about it before ever even going there. As a teenager China was on the go to list and India brought vision of masses of people in slums and bathing in the Ganges. I do know that my plans are not my own. When I have time to reflect on life I just cannot forget India and my heart longs to go back. Maybe it is because my own little piece of India reminds me of it every day. I have to say that there are challenges to adopting the older child, but there are also many positives. We brought a person with another culture into our home. Adopting a baby or young child from another country they look like those of their native land, but do not know the culture. Sneha will never forget where she came from and that she is Indian through and through. She may live in America today, but when she dances it is from a far away land and a different time. She has opened my eyes and heart more than I ever knew a person could.

Proverbs 24:12 (New International Version 1984)

If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

November 9, 2010 National Adoption Month

2010-11-09T14:47:00.000-08:00

These are just two faces who were part of the 147 million orphans. I am so thankful that they are no longer called ORPHAN. What we can do to help- pray, act, sponsor, and adopt. If everyone just did a small part in the big picture a difference would be made.

Orphan Sunday was a couple of days ago and I was at home taking care of sick kids. My prayer is that every church would remember orphan sunday every year. I feel very frustrated that most people don't hear their cries and realize that they are just as precious as the kids that we tuck in at night. They don't have time, and we don't have time to waste , just waiting for the right time. The right time to act will never come!!!The perfect job, the perfect car, the perfect timing, these things do not exist on planet earth.

Please visit this blog http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/

Sponsor or adopt
http://www.chinesechildren.org/
http://www.reecesrainbow.org/
http://www.anorphanswish.org/

Or just pray for the lonely you may be the only one praying on their behalf. Visit these sites for their vision for our Christian nation and church

http://www.welcomechildorphanministry.blogspot.com/
http://www.cornbreadandchopsticks.blogspot.com/
http://www.allarepreciousinhissight.blogspot.com/

Psalm 9:18 But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

Directions-Why don't we have on star for every day life???? Oh I guess we do we just have to listen.

2010-10-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

Swaziland Africa

Habakkuk 2:19

Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.

Direction as defined by Merriam-Webster

: the line or course on which something is moving or is aimed to move or along which something is pointing or facing .

: a guiding, governing, or motivating purpose

Let us contemplate for just a moment the true definitions of direction. The line or course on which something is moving or aimed. It doesn't say our end destination. Why are we so focused on the end of our route. The time and space of the in between journey matter, the space between the starting dot and the ending dot. The next part of the definition a guiding, governing, or motivating purpose. We have the motivating purpose but why is it so difficult to get from point A to point B. Reaching the "half way point" of life this year reminds me that time flies by and I must not let even one day go by without being intentional in everything. I never want to waste time again on the unimportant. I don't know if everyone has a said life list, but I need to get going to accomplish what is on the list and more. Of course with time the list has changed and been added to. Some times God adds to our list which should ultimately be his list. On my "own" list travel to China. I started to love China at 15 years of age and I traveled at 38 years of age. Not on my "own" list INDIA. Well now India is forever in my heart. God placed India on the list and I look forward to traveling there for the 3rd time in the new year. One thing that I have learned from moving soooo much is that life does not always follow our projected direction of travel. Did I ever mention how many times Brent and I have moved in 18 years? Take a guess.......I had to take a break to count only 9 times and many to different towns. Not as many as it feels like. Along the way we have met great people and made good friends, but always to leave. The good news is that with the Heavenly Good News we will meet up with many on heavens side. Not forgotten and not gone forever, just waiting to meet up later. To make a long story short for the next 40 years I want to have so many memories and adventures that I won't even be able to remember them all, too many to count. On the list, travel to Swaziland Africa the nation one of the most aids affected nations on the earth 25% of people in country are living with the virus. We cannot turn away from those most in need. Let the praise, glory, and honor be to our Father in Heaven.

Philippians 1:20

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

If you want to help or learn more about Swaziland visit: http://www.hopechest.org/ or http://blog.beliefnet.com/redletters/ . Tom Davis is the CEO of Childre's Hope Chest and author of many life changing books."Red Letters, Fields of the Fatherless, Sacred, and Priceless". He loves the orphan and helps churchs come together to help the orphan, widow, and fatherless.

Sacrifice..........October 25, 2010 Do we ever????

2010-10-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at church we heard about sacrifice, but do we really ever sacrifice anything? I think that we are always so caught up in our wants and needs that we always have an ulterior motive. We humans are just so human. Thinking back to 2007 when we first saw our little Sneha's picture on http://www.reecesrainbow.org/. We knew God was calling us to this little girl across the world. We thought the battle to bring her home was difficult, but I am so glad it was and it somewhat prepared us for the battles in raising a special needs older child. We will never know what she has been through in the past. When a child is mainly non-verbal convention parenting goes out the window. I remember before my first trip to go meet Sneha I talked with someone who had met her and her observations were crushing to my heart. I knew that God chose her for us, but she will never be independent. The lady that met her said she will never be able to sit down and read a novel. I cried tears over our possible losses, not over her losses. Crying over sadness for ourselves for the commitment and the long road ahead. I cried for her misfortune, sickness, and tremendous sadness. I thank our Father in Heaven for pushing us along the path to India. People have said to me, "I could never do what you do." Honestly with out Jesus guiding my every step I cannot do what I have to do. I have never had to try to teach someone that doesn't want to learn or try. I think so much sadness and loss breaks a person so that they will give up. I am so glad that God has the ultimate plan for success for Sneha. Somedays we go two step forward, but the next day it may be five backwards. We need to follow the path and the results are left to God, not us. We need to be patient and give her time to learn in her own time. She is home with a forever family and now there is no rush. We are thankful that our fears of the unknown did not consume us and that God did not give up on urging and reminding us about the lonely, sickly, nonverbal child tucked away in an orphanage across the world. She is so worth it!

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Thankful thursday October 21, 2010

2010-10-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace

I am thankful for such a great brother and his family. I really wish that they lived closer,but I don't know if I lived in a vacation paradise 24/7 if I could move away. We were just so glad that could visit in August.

Family that had never met our two new additions. We were so glad to finally meet their little doll. Time flies by way too fast. A time for everything..........

The best brother in the world

Such a cute face dear niece

Cousins not by blood, but so alike

The girl that could climb and out hike adults at 4 years old

My Elise

A wonderful sister-in law that we miss so much.

All children need to be part of a family, what is life without family??

Lord keep my eyes open and focused October 19, 2010

2010-10-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

WAITING FOR ORPHAN TRAINS

UNITED STATES ORPHANAGE

Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.
Mother Teresa

The concept of the orphan has changed here in the US. There are still orphans just without the orphanage, living in homes where parents are paid to care for them. On http://www.adoptuskids.org/, the website features children in the foster care system waiting for forever families. There are 14,520 children waiting today because of abuse, neglect, and an array of medical and psycological labels placed on them to define their behavior. When they age out of the system where do they go for holiday dinners? Who comes to their side when they have surgery, is anyone in the waiting room? I do suppose that we all have labels if evaluated long enough. How would I act if my parents did drugs in front of me and smacked me when I asked for a snack. Could I possibly behave in class and pretend everything is ok? I would be marched to the behavior specialist and asked why I act the way I do????? Just a few thoughts for today.

Thankful Thursday...........October 14, 2010

2010-10-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

Revelation7:17

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be

their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

"One of the greatest diseases is to nobody to anybody." Mother Teresa

"If you can't feed one hundred people then feed just one." Mother Teresa

Almost 18 years..............Happy Day

2010-10-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

From Montana

Across the world to KunMing,Yunnan China

To behold the beauty a world away

On our journey of a life time

Together in Hong Kong

The majesty of Hong Kong

From the lows to the highs he has been there for us. Always thoughtful and true, the husband that I love so dearly and appreciate. Without him my dreams could not have come true. I just wish that he could fulfill his true potential serving others. How can such a wonderful man be so trapped day in and day out. He has given up so much to put the needs of others first. Please Lord rescue my best friend, he needs peace and happiness. I am so thankful for our years and time together.

Psalm 108:4 (New International Version
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

We are thankful for America and our freedom

2010-10-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

Psalm74:16-17 Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun. You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter.

My kids are growing up and I especially see it with Graedy. My prayer for my children is that they learn to love others more than themselves. I hope they grow up and dive into life full of purpose. Life is more than chasing the material dreams. We are commanded to care for the orphan and the poor. I already have them thinking of where they want to go for a mission trip as teenagers. I wish my eyes would have been opened at a young age. I would have made different and better choices. I hope they see that sacrifice is not a bad word, it is important to make a difference. We should not be so concerned with their comfort, but the state of their hearts. Do they care about what happens to others in the world around them? Does giving our children every desire of their heart really benefit or harm them. I would have to argue that we are to teach patience and perseverance before fulfilling every desire and whim. This is definitely not the easy road, but hopefully the road to life long contentment and satisfaction.

This is rural football

Graedy is #65

The cow in the background

American the beautiful

My Graedy

Such a kind hearted soul

Matthew 19:14 (New International Version)

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these

A doggy dog day and happy Friday!

2010-10-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

Please visit this website: An Orphans Wish

2010-09-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

Not the Ch*na that the orphan experiences.

Our first meeting of our Elijah aka Wu, Chong Li

The business that was in charge of his life and well being for six years along with 599 other precious kids.

Not a home, but better than the alternative.

In your spare time please visit www.anorphanswish.org. When we attended Timberline Church in Fort Collins we were part of a group called Welcome Child. We met some wonderful people and one of those people is LeeAnn president, board of directors of An Orphans Wish. She has adopted four daughters from China. Adoption is the answer for some children, but what about the millions that are never adopted? We must also think of the orphans left behind, and what are we doing to help them. To get a better perspective on the plight of the orphan please read "Silent Tears" by Kay Bratt. We need to open our heart and eyes to see the truth in our world. Not everyone can adopt,but we can donate a few dollars every month to make a difference.

Lord, how could I doubt your will???????

2010-09-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

Job 5:16
So the poor have hope and injustice shuts its mouth.

The beauty of all ages

Close to the India Gate

Does Denver really have traffic?

Our Sneha two years ago.

Common sights of hard working people.

Snacks anyone???

Sacred to some.

How is it that our sin side has a wresting match with God's perfect will for our lives? God gives us the answers, but we still ask for more confirmation. A group is going to India in the spring and I have wanted to go. I know that money is the easy part for our God, but somehow I doubt that it can be accomplished. Yesterday in church I prayed,"Lord please give me a clear answer about the trip to India. I want this to be your will and not my own, clear the cobwebs out of the corners of my heart to hear your words. I want to do what is right and what you plan for my life. I don't want to be selfish. Please give me an answer that I can recognize because I am slow to catch on. Amen." Not even 24 hours later an answer by email from India was in the inbox. Holly, "Would you consider coming to India to help us out and meet?"God called all the way to India to give me answer. God's heart is for the orphan and the lost. He will move heaven and earth to bless them. I know that he will provide the money for my trip and I shouldn't worry about that small detail. God wants our hearts and will and he will provide the way. Count me in and I am so excited.

1 Samuel 12:24
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all you heart, consider what great things he has done for you.

Jesus Keep My Heart Alive................(Sanctus Real)

2010-09-16T17:29:00.000-07:00

The two countries across the world that changed our lives forever

The beautiful colors of India

The women in India in their beauty

More beauty in India

A culture so vibrant that our Sneha never had a chance to take part in

Such good healthy food that I miss so much, yummy roti

An India so crowded that so many are forgotten

If it had not been for God's calling to us our Sneha would have been lost in a sea of faces.

The doorway that changed my world view forever

People celebrate, when we that are so blessed would be inclined to complain about job satisfaction.

The smile is emerging

September 3, 2010

2010-09-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

The older brother that tried and gave us paitience for the future

The broken-hearted that only our God can heal

The one that loves her siblings with fervor

The one who waited so long now can sign "Mom"

Lord please, "Give us rest and peace to do your will"

Fall is in the air. School is back in session and the learning has begun again. How do we explain the differences in our choices to the so innocent looking choices of others? Mom,"Everyone in school has a cell phone, but I don't?" This is just ,but the tip of the ice berg of problems of the "I deserve it mentality of America." I try to explain our belief differences with-out sending a negative message. Some people spend money on lots of new fun gadgets? Our money is not our own. We need to be responsible with our spending and giving to our children. How much is too much??????The sad truth is that "we" Americans think that more is always better, but is it really? So many children are so terribly spoiled with no responsibility to help out the family and get what ever their hearts desires, and NOW. We wonder why they grow up not wanting to help and love the things of God's heart. We taught them to love things not truths and what God loves. Our children are learning that giving has to hurt to make a difference. Do we really need the best cell phone? One of my personal cut backs was to get rid of my cell phone. How freeing and no more expense. This small sacrifices don't even hurt. Mom, "Why do we give so much to the church?" God only asks for 10% of our money. With an eternity in heaven is 10% that much????Really?????Why does doing what is right always seem harder than going with the flow of the world. We are entrusted raising God's treasures and we must lead by example. We must be good stewards with little in order to have much entrusted to us.

2010-08-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Is our judgement clouded by our own wants and desires? I know that some days I just can't see beyond my self and what ever situation the day holds. We are called to look outside of ourselves and die to self. We are to give ourselves to others and to the wants and desires of our Lord. I am so thankful that I can say that at least two times I thought of others and felt the cries of the orphan. I am so glad that Elijah and Sneha have a hope for the future. A hope to make an impact on others. Oh, Lord hear our prayer to be near to you!

August 13, 2010

2010-08-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

My heart is burdened by the plight of the orphan. I just cannot forget them even though my hands are so full and overflowing. Everyone asks and it is certainly OK, how much does "it" (adoption) cost???? Does any one ever question the thought and purchase of a new car. If everyone in the US held on to their older car the money to buy a car could save a child's life. Think of all the orphans that would have families. Let us put our greed aside and look to the true future. On our last day I do not want to regret any thing that I did not do. I know that we are forgiven, but with truth and forgiveness comes great responsibility.

Our spoiled babySneha (once an orphan now loved) adopted at 8yrsElise(brith child)Graedy(birth child)Our spoiled one as a tiny babyElijah (once an orphan) adopted at 6yrs

I often think that pets in America are more loved and pampered than the 147 million orphans world wide:(

August 11, 2010

2010-08-11T16:09:00.001-07:00

GraedySnehaElijahElise & Sneha at CCAICCAILily founder of CCAICCAI reunion 2010www.chineseschildren.orgDragon fruitTasty treat!!!!

What a different summer this has been. One job has ended and another has began. My hope is that this job will be a better fit for our family. Working full time from 5am until 1:45 was very hard on out family. Some days the babysitters just wouldn't come, luckily with the new job I will not have to worry about this. School starts here on August 25. I am one mama that is happy for the normal routine to begin again. Graedy is going into 7th grade, Elise is going into 5th, Elijah is going into 3rd, and Sneha will be in 2nd grade.

We had a great time this summer at CCAI(chinese children adoption international) reunion picnic. What a great sight to see all the children saved and placed with families. CCAI has brought home over 8,000 children into loving families. If every Christian family adopted just one child there would be no more orphans in the world. The faces of the orphan are the same cute children that sit next to us in church or we see at the fair. The big difference is the orphaned child does not have a future, no parental love, no guidance, and no one to turn to when they leave the orphanage released to the streets.

our computer is down so we will post when we are able to buy a new computer

2010-06-03T18:42:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day

2010-05-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Ephesians 4:32

A day of happiness and sadness at the same time. Once a family is touched by adoption you can't help but to think of all the precious children in the world without their mothers. My heart was very heavy this Mother's Day. Elijah misses his foster mother in China so much that he tries not to think about China at all. What about his birth mother? We never know the sadness in her heart that she carries to this day. What is wrong with a world that say we will treat your child at the hospital if they are abandoned, but if a mother who can't pay for the expenses tries to get treatment for her baby she is turned away. The only option of LOVE is to love enough to let go. Is Sneha's mother even alive or did she die of starvation on the streets of city with 16 million people around her, but so alone without help. Was she herself without the mental capacity to know any better or just to leave her child in crowded bus station to be found. She was so weak and sick from malnutrition that she couldn't even walk at 3 years old. God saved her, he had big plans for the helpless, weak, and challenged. Sometimes I look at her face that has tiny scares all over the skins surface knowing that she laid on the dirt and cement at one time. I just can't imagine having nowhere else to lay one's head, but on the dirty ground. When ever I discouraged by the small details of our lives I think we must keep going asking God what else can I do? Why don't more people grieve for the orphan? It consumes my thoughts and the corners of my heart. How can we think that it is someone else's job to care for the least of these. I thought I had prepared myself enough for the concentration camp appearance of the orphan, it is not possible.

India forever changed our hearts and lives, and I pray that we never forget. People are dying all over the world without hope. We have the hope and we keep it to ourselves. We become consumed with the everyday and what we want and what is fun. America has it all and we are flushing hope away with all the greed of our hearts. We become so consumed with ourselves looking into the mirror instead of looking out of the window. Imagine walking outside with a child that never goes outside or doesn't ever hardly leave the same room for 5 1/2 years??????

I can look to the future with hope and know that God forgave me for being foolish and not paying attention for so many years. I wasted sooo much money on things that were not important. Our money is NOT our own, we have a responsibility to use it wisely for God's glory. How many more children could we have adopted if we would have been obedient to God.

When we knew that we were to adopt Sneha it grieved my heart to adopt a child with so many needs. I spoke with a lady that had met her and she told me she will NEVER be able to sit down and read a novel or care for herself. I am now thankful that God trusted us with his dear treasure. The LORD told us if you do not adopt her no one else in the entire world will. God kept urging us forward and would not let me forget about her. I tried to forget her and I am so thankful that HE wouldn't let me. We had to wait so long to finally adopt her because God had a lot of work to do in our hearts preparing us for the future task. It is hard to think that in the future she will be a three year old in woman's beautiful body. This is all the more reason that she needed us because she is so beautiful and now no one will take advantage of her and make her a prostitute. She is safe and now at home. Thanks be to God!!!

Lord please send us, prepare us, we are no longer content with the American dream.

Photo flash- back (Montana)

2010-05-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

Mathew 6 20-22
For where your treasure is your heart will be also.

It's a no, so we stay.

2010-05-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

Well the call came or should I say email and so we will stay. A bag of mixed emotions, I am just so frustrated for Brent. How many hours can one man possibly work:( The burden is so heavy almost unbearable and my heart breaks for him. I know that God has blessings and happiness in store for the man who does so much for others. Please pray that he could use his gifts on a daily basis and be happy. Stress can do so much harm to our bodies, one can only take so much.

Revelation 2:10 (New International Version)

10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Spring Time May 3, 2010

2010-05-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. " Romans 12:12

A crazy week or two

2010-04-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

Your attitude should be the same as that as Jesus Christ: Who in being very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:5-8

I must confess working full time is very difficult with four children. Brent is such a great help and making it work to the best possible. Elijah and Sneha were able to see an orthopedist from Children's in Denver, Dr. Chang. Sneha has a very different gate and her toes point out at an angle. Well it turns out the her femur and hips point outward, her lower leg turns outward as well as her feet. A three part issue, for now it will be treated with shoe inserts to see if that helps. The good news is that her upper arm break is healing very well and will be ok. As far as Elijah--he has a new official diagnosis CP. A traumatic brain injury in utero or shortly after birth. I have previously wondered if that might have been the diagnosis. One of my wonderful friends Debbie has CP and is a very strong woman who is an inspiration to us all. So his "official diagnosis" was just a way to describe in words the injury--not a big shock or fear to our family. Dr Chang wants to evaluate Elijah's gate with high tech electrodes and an interactive floor. He will probably needs to have his left leg tendon and muscle cut so they can loosen. His foot also needs surgery to correct a bone problem so he can walk better. Elijah's left leg is 1/2 to 1 inch shorter than his right. He also spoke of Botox treatments to Elijah's left arm to help the muscles and eventually they would slow the growth of his right leg so the left can catch up. A massive stroke as an infant caused his body to have many troubles. The good news is that he can run and play with the best of them even soccer. He is a true physical miracle to see him in action.

On a sour note Elijah has been lying and showing attachment problem behavior. We believe that if God our Father re-routed his brain after a massive stroke that he can heal his heart and soul. The physical disabilities are easy to deal with in comparison to lying and hurtful behavior. We are committed to help him change and conquer this sin in his life. Every person that knows right from wrong must choose to do what is right and often it is the more difficult choice. Love is a true choice not just a feeling. Adoption is not for the weak, but neither is the world we live in. Children need loving families to guide them on a path to Jesus. I never have a doubt that Our Lord placed these children in our home to bring him the glory and impact those around us.

Sneha the mostly wordless person has impacted so many people her in our small town. It is amazing that God doesn't have to use words to make a difference in lives. It is not about me and my feelings. My heart breaks when they push me away, but I must remember that God is in charge and this is HIS plan. Growth and change are difficult, but very necessary to change or character and make us strong. When they do hug and show love it makes that moment so sweet. Brokenness of a child cannot change overnight and we will never abandon them again.

If anyone ever hesitates to adopt for fear of affecting their biological children, I would challenge them what better chance to show the heart of God to their children. Graedy and Elise have been affected profoundly, and for the good. Elise and Graedy see that disabled doesn't mean bad only different, but still they are important to our world. Our Father creates no mistakes Sneha has a heart of love even though she may never live independently. In our world worth is based on what tasks can we complete, and that is not what God bases our worth on. How many siblings of adopted children will grow up to either adopt themselves or strive to make a difference for the lost and forgotten. I can say living with one of the least of these every day, they will never forget. We could have never done anything more important for our biological children. I have been asked will they have to give up things for them-ABSOLUTELY and what leads to better character. Our possessions never build up our character and heart. The more "stuff" we have the more we want.

What we know is that we have a future and we are right where God wants us for now.

Cheers,

Holly

Please visit this blog and pray for their dear Chrissie: http://www.allarepreciousinhissight.blogspot.com/
Chrissie was found and adopted through Reecesrainbow and she is fighting for her life.

PRAYING FOR CLARITY FROM ABOVE

2010-04-19T07:24:00.001-07:00

A blog that I follow challenged the blogging world to pray for each other and a make changes in our world. We are all connected and can make a difference through prayers to our Father. Please visit here: http://www.aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/. Linny and her family make a difference in the world and we are so thankful for her wisdom.

Luke 11:9-13

And so I tell you, keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking , and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

The last few months of 2010 have been full of challenges as well as blessings. I am just so thankful that Sneha is home with us. As many of you know of Feb 14 Sneha had her first seizure in our presence. This came to a shock to us, but not beyond our limits. Elijah adopted from China has complex partial seizure disorder diagnosed after his cranioplasty in May of 2008. God was making plans for our family through what seemed like a hard ship to us. I have to be honest on the waiting child check list I probably would not have checked the seizure disorder/epilepsy box. I could have missed God's blessings by letting my fears control me. Luckily Our Father is in control and not us. Easter was eventful at church when Sneha went limp from a seizure. In between these seizure events Sneha fell out of bed and broke her uppers right arm. It is hard to say exactly what happened and if a seizure caused her to fall out of bed. What I do know is that I am thankful that her doctor Dr. Ahuja (from India, and living in small town Colorado) had referred her to a neurologist when she first came home. Long story short both the littles (as I call them) are on Keppra to prevent seizures, a very manageable disablity in the USA. In addition to Sneha's seizures and broken arm she has had two ear surgeries over the past few months to repair perforated ear drums. My heart breaks to think that she had so many ear infections for 8 years that her ear drums just ruptured from the pressure. I have to rate the pain of ear infections way up on the pain scale. I have had many in my life. Her right ear is now repaired and her hearing is getting better all the time. A whole new world to one that couldn't her nearly her entire life. They wondered why she did respond when spoken to, well duh she couldn't hear the question. The left ear is healing as well, by unfortunately still has a small hole that might require a second surgery. The surgeon is giving the left ear drum 6 weeks to repair itself before we make any decisions.

Our story contines as a family of six. We are at the cross road and trying to make a decision of which path to follow. As many of you know medical bills are very expensive and I have started to work full time to pursue our dream of becoming debt free. I am working at 5am, and wow that is early. It is good to be back to working with the elderly, I miss spending time with that age group. Brent has had to pick up a lot of extra work at home in order for me to work. I could not ask for a better spouse in all this world. Working so early gives me all the time with the children after school. Our children, the future for the orphan.

SnehaElise and Sneha

GraedyElijah

In our dreams we still want to adopt from Ghana. With 2 lay offs in 12 months for Brent, a move to a new town, new life, and a new daughter in the last year our heart still longs to do more. I just know that the time is now, we cannot wait until all the pieces fall into place. We must act in faith. Do we move to pursue saving the orphan or do we stay where we are realatively comfortable and settled? We need clarity for these decisons because they involve all 6 of our family. Adults can move and adapt with the futre in sight. We want the best for our children with the least trauma possible, yet they need to see the responsiblity the Father places on those who know the truth. This truth must become part of us from the beginning, if we wait until they are grown it could very well be too late. Sneha has changed our children and their view of the orphan. They love her for who she is and not what she can do. I can't forget about the orphan, what about their comfort? The orphan in Ghana goes from family to family begging for shelter and food. I have to admit my discomfort never does compare to their losses and sadness.I just can't become consumed with myself, and I have to admit it is a constant battle to see others first.

Luke 17:6

He replied, "If you have faith as small as mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea', and it will obey you."

How we humans have so little faith. Oh Dear Lord, "Give us a measure of faith and wisdom." Amen

Miracles Do Happen..........03/27/2010

2010-03-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

Where do I start? Elijah has been a broken hearted little boy that misses his foster mother in China. She was a wonderful mother, and I know that she has missed him so much. I know that they had such a special connection. She taught him almost everything that I would have and more. He has had such a void that we could not fill for him. I know that God placed him in our family under our care and God answers the most difficult prayers. I have prayed for a woman who has a empty spot for a little boy that now lives with us. I have prayed that Elijah's void would be filled and that he mother would come to know Jesus in the future.

It has been a hard week to say the least. Sneha had her left ear surgery on Wednesday in Fort Collins. She wasn't scared and did not throw up at all. This was such a praise because she was so fearful and angry last time, and very sick afterwards. Then Saturday we were rear ended in my car. It snapped our necks quite vigorously, but we are not feeling it near as much as we thought we would.

So after all this busyness I hadn't checked my yahoo groups and the email. So last night I was going through the email deleting most like I do until I came on a post looking for a little boy. It turns out that a girl name XiFan just adopted from Kunming China, the same town where Elijah came from was looking for her brother. The post I opened and it said looking for daughter's foster brother from China Wu, Chongli. I almost deleted this email. Elijah foster sister that was adopted one day before her 14th birthday and aging out for China adoption was living in the USA. Xifan-now Hope made a promise to her Chinese foster mother that when she got to America she would look for and find her brother. What are the chances of finding someone out of millions of people???Am I reading this right, Wu, Chongli ......his sister from China is in America and is looking for him????? Well to make a long story short Elijah's sister lives in Michigan with her adoptive family. Visit their blog at http://www.fathman6.blogspot.com/. We are so thankful that they heard God's calling to adopt an older child. Xifan-Hope is not only a blessing to the Fathman family, but a true blessing from God for our family. She holds the key to Elijah's past, we are so excited for her to learn English so she and Elijah can talk. We talked to their family last night and her adoption is also a miracle, but a true miracle is that these two will have each other in the future. God works in mysterious ways, beyond what we can see or comprehend. Our God will move mountains for the orphans of the world. I can only pray that our families can meet one day and possibly go back to China together. Our God is concerned about our heart break and he answers our prayers. PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!!

March 19, 2010

2010-03-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

This sums up our week at home.Uhm........How can a child regress so much in just one week????I thought the love of a family was enough. Clearly issues of heart cannot be solved in just a few months time, if ever. Abuse, neglect, and the unknown scar the innocent for life, locked within the chambers of their own heart. I wish I could find the key to her mysteries, but she has to be willing to unlock the truth. Last week she was saying a lot more sounds and her spirits were up, but this week no words not even sound. I suppose it is a way to control when she was not in control of her situation for so long. Little does she know that we will take control and walk down life's path with her at her side every step of the way. Breaking her arm and the isolation of no school brings back to many memories of 5 years watching everyone else participate in life, but her. I wish she could comprehend this is temporary and life will resume as soon as her arm heals. Anger devours our soul and Sneha is so angry at the person who in her mind took everything away, me her mom. This to shall pass in due time.

Poem by Emily Dickenson:

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune with the words
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That keep so many warm

I've heard it in the chillest land
And on the strangest sea;
yet never in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

John 12:27

"Now my heart is troubled, what shall I say? "Father save me from this hour. No, it was for this very reason that I came to this hour."

2010-03-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

Some days before I open my eyes and before I am fully awake I can't even remember where I live and what room I am in. Sleeping in a twin bed trying not to touch a broken arm doesn't lend to a good nights sleep. I guess that means that I have moved way tooooo much. Am I late to go to the hospital getting people ready for surgery--- 5am rolls around quickly or am I burning the 350 cinnamon rolls for the kids at Bacon Elementary. Thoughts spin and turn all about. Dreams are places of security the same room, the same bed, and the same old streets to drive down, the same people as your neighbors, and the same friends calling on the phone. I open my eyes and remember oh yeah this is where I live and the silence, but for the trains whistle closes in. Thank goodness our Savior is the true CONSTANT in our lives. This life is but a breath in the passages of eternity. We asked to follow the road less traveled, we said we would give up everything to do so, but sometimes a bit of earthly comfort and security could ease our doubts. I never doubt eternity it is just doubting the path to travel there. Sometimes the road seems so long and dusty, and the wind stings my eyes. I wish the wind could stop blowing and I could just comfortably walk and enjoy the flowers on the side of the road.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1Peter 3:15

2010-03-08T09:44:00.000-08:00

Well our Sneha fell out of her bed Thursday evening about 10pm. We heard a thump and a loud scream over the monitor. We ran upstairs and she was standing in the corner of her room very dazed. She had a bump on her eye brow and an abrasion. Brent said look at her arm, it is all floppy and bending the WRONG way. She is so tough she was trying to roll over and go back to sleep. We quickly threw on our clothes and took her to the ER. Thank goodness it is only about 7 minutes away. A very busy night in a small town ER. They didn't realize it was so bad because she wasn't crying or screaming, poor baby just laying in her dad's arms. I said to the admit person it is very bad even though she isn't crying. Orphanage kids are so tough beyond what they should be. They are so used to carrying their pain alone that they don't even cry. I am so thankful that she no longer has that burden to carry alone. It is so heart breaking to think of all the children around the world that carry life's burdens all alone. Sneha broke her humorous between the elbow and shoulder. It is too high on the arm to have a hard cast, so she has a soft cast . The surgeon thought her bones did not look too bad from her malnutrition.

As far as the left ear surgery, I just got off the phone with Dr. Runyan's office and she will have her pre-op on the 16th of March and surgery on March 24th. If the insurance weren't changing I would wait a month, but he thought it would be OK, but he wants the surgery to be done in Fort Collins, since she has so many things going on right now.

Last week I was working on getting a job and prayed, "God if I am to get a job please make it happen and if I am not supposed please prevent it and make it impossible." When we were considering China adoption Brent prayed " God give me a clear sign that we cannot ignore." Do you know what our sign was???? We were waiting to eat at Perkins with my parents and couple that had adopted FIVE Chinese children walked in. (Thank you LeeAnn!!!) If that is not a clear answer I don't know what is. Later we got to know them through Timberline Church and Welcome Child Adoption Ministry. God has the answers we just have to listen and be willing to act, even if it doesn't make sense to us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the Lord and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

First Family Picture Feb 26, 2010

2010-02-26T18:04:00.000-08:00

2 Corinthians 1 - Passage Lookup - New International Version - BibleGateway.com

2010-02-26T09:01:00.000-08:00

2 Corinthians 1 - Passage Lookup - New International Version - BibleGateway.com: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort"

With good news always comes the bad :(

2010-02-26T07:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Dogs!!!!

2Corinthians 1:20

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are yes in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the Glory of God.

We just found out yesterday that our insurance will again change and not for the better. I just can't believe it, we already pay $1000 a month and at least we have a secondary. Now our new insurance will have a very high deductible and no secondary. I thought a $2000 deductible was high, but we will see what their version of high is. Now there is absolutely no waiting for Sneha's second ear surgery, we have to do it as soon as possible. It is such a good thing that Elise had her tonsils out, Elijah's surgery this year is done, and hopefully Sneha's left ear surgery will be repaired. The right ear has been a success as far as I can tell. I just can't imagine how some one without insurance can make it with kids with medical needs. God only asks us to get through one day at a time and that is what we must focus on. Luckily I had my EGD done a couple of weeks ago and I no longer have Barrett's esophagus. I don't have to get that expensive test done every couple of years any more. They have been monitoring my esophagus for 5 years and the cells reversed to normal yeah!!!!!That will save at least $1000 or more a year. I really hope that the new insurance has good prescription coverage, this one covers generic at 100% which equally a savings of $140 a month for Elijah's seizure med. Graedy and I take breathing medication that would be that would $270 to purchase and with insurance now only $70. Breathing medications usually have a patent against generics so people pay big bucks to breath and who can go without breathing???? I have tried to take it every other day and it just doesn't cut it. If I can't breath then I have to sleep way too much and that doesn't work with 4 children.

So my goal this week is to get a job. I know that God will pick one out that will work with all of my household responsibilities and taking children to medical appointments. Do not misunderstand me all of this stress is nothing in comparison to the waiting for Elijah and Sneha to come home. All these issues are in God's hands and we are all home. There it is we can not look too far ahead ,let us deal with the day at hand. Thank goodness the weekend is almost here.

She has spoken!!!! Febuary 25, 2010

2010-02-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

Our Sneha said the most precious words today for the first time ever MAMA. The ear surgery worked!!! We are so thankful that her lack of speech was partially due to not hearing. I was not hopeful that she would ever speak and I was proven wrong and not to expect any thing short of a miracle that God was working in her. She is progressing so much this month that I am stunned! Highlights of the month:

1. spoken words without prompting
2. starting to run(she had a hard time walking steadily in November from lack of practice)
3. playing with toys(children from orphanages do not know how to play)
4. letting us rub her head
5. sitting on our laps relaxed
6. letting go of control to let us be the parents in charge
7.squealing in delight to get on the bus every morning

Graedy finally has braces and he needed them so bad!!!His eye teeth are coming out way up on his gum and the top midline is very shifted. The bad news it that we kept going round and round to find out about ortho insurance with our dental, well we do not have it. Luckily the Orthodontist will work with us and let us make payments. A very expensive treatment, but it will be well worth it. He looks like a teenager now, and I just want to know where time went!

The brothers!!!

Graedy dressed for wacky day at school.

We finally did find out what the smoke smell was a couple of weeks ago---the furnace blower motor. The ancient furnace needed a blower motor and a new thermostat, but at least the house is much warmer now. So far a very expensive house repair for the last 3 months.:( This old house isn't use to a family of 6 yet. I am just so glad that the motor didn't catch the house on fire.

2010-02-24T06:49:00.000-08:00

Each and every day when I wake up I may be so tired and not knowing what the day has to hold, but I am so thankful that two children the least of these are finally HOME and I am not worrying every night that they have enough to eat. Graedy and Elise have learned so much and have embraced two total strangers and have welcomed them home as siblings. The lessons that our birth children have learned could not have been learned from just observing other families. My hope and prayer for Graedy and Elise is that they will step out a way from the world and take God's hand into the unknown to make a difference. God is working in their hearts for the better, but with change comes growth. We all know that growing is painful, but very necessary to our souls. I hope that some day they will venture across the world to see how the rest of the world really lives .

I HAVE CONCLUDED.........

I have concluded that the accumulation of wealth, even if I could achieve it, is an insufficient reason for living. When I reach the end of my days, a moment or two from now, I must look backward on something more meaningful that the pursuit of houses, land, stocks, and bonds-nor is fame any lasting benefit. I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless I can recall a loving family, a consistent investment in the lives of people, and an earnest attempt to serve God who made me. Nothing else makes much sense.

Author: James Dobson

Any one considering the idea of adoption ,my advice is don't wait a moment longer!!!!If we would have even waited a couple weeks later than we started Elijah may not have been in our family. If we would have waited for more words from God we would have missed out. Little did we know that while processing two adoptions that in the midst of it all Brent would be laid off TWO times in twelve months. I am just so glad that God does ask to know the future it would scare us to death. We are given knowledge when we need it. We would have doubted, and God knew the out come. Through trials we are able to see beyond the today with God's help. We as humans do not need all the answer now, we just need to be obedient. God will open the flood gates to bless those who step out in obedience even when the numbers and facts on earth do not make sense. Step out and welcome a child without a family home. Many eastern block countries allow adoptions up to 60 years old, so search your heart and is God calling you to adopt the fatherless and orphaned? Only 2% of Christians adopt, could Emmanuel Baptist and other Church's come together and embrace God's plan for humanity. Each family can make a difference, a difference to one is the world to that one. Adoption is God's plan and it is not second best, it is the perfect plan.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart."

Jeremiah 29 11-13