Blessed Fellowship

What a blessed day of fellowship! This morning, our friend who happens to be Ukrainian AND a Behavior Specialist, took time to visit one on one with each of our children. I lack the words (this hour of the day) to convey my gratitude... Thank you, Jesus, for the many ways you provide for our needs! Thank you in particular for Your servant, Olga, who so graciously has given her time to minister to our family! Her time with each child provided insight to some of the things they are dealing with. I suspect our language barrier will be almost gone in another month, especially with school starting next week. We are all excited!

Meanwhile, the language barrier was crossed again today allowing both parent and child to understand one another more. Without going into details, I will just share that we were able to share more specifically about some things ahead (regarding school starting, etc...) and then we were able to learn about things like some bad dreams one has been having (regarding previous experiences back in Ukraine). All in all, they are each doing well and seeming to settle in more and more every day. Praise the Lord from Whom all blessings flow!

Due to inclement weather, our afternoon plans of swimming with the Hodge podge (love that family nickname!) was interrupted... SO, Jill and I decided to take the kids to the church's Activity Center. What a blast our mini-United Nations had! I confess, I was a little overstimulated trying to keep up with "Momma, look!", not to mention trying to play 3 sports at once - basketball, soccer or baseball! Oh, but it was so much fun! Sore muscles now tell the tale...

Smiling Silas...

Ruthie and Angela posing...

Jana in her own world shooting hoops with a soccer ball...

Big bro James and Little sis Vica striking a pose...

Landry, cute as ever...

Jeb taking a break from his soccer skillz for basketball dribbling...

So blessed to have sweet fellowship with dear friend, Jill, and share in the adoption journey together! God is so good to us. May you see His goodness and mercy today in fresh ways! Blessings to you and yours...

Haircuts...

Elizabeth Baker came over this morning to give our children their first American haircuts... yay!

The girls really want to grow their hair long, so they were a little apprehensive at first. It was difficult trying to explain that a trim will not only make their hair healthier, but also help it grow faster. By the end, they were all excited... not to mention, adorable!

Thanks, Elizabeth!

Making Your Life Count

The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!"

Proverbs 26:13

I watched an interesting video this morning that related so well to the sermon Sunday on zeal... What is keeping you from making your life count for the glory of God?

Birthday Weekend...

I love birthdays, (even though I'd love to stop adding up the numbers... ha ha). It is a great time to reflect on the grace of God in my life this past year. A LOT has changed in one year's time - to the praise of HIS glory!

"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever . Amen." Romans 11:36

I am grateful for so many things: family, friends, our church... I am most blessed to be married to my best friend and most honored to be the mother of four beautiful, precious children! May God continue to grant me His grace to walk each day and faithfully steward the gifts His has entrusted to me for His Name sake. Praises be to the Lord Most High, Jesus Christ - our Savior!

Tony informed me that we were going to celebrate my birthday all weekend... Sounded great to me. :) Saturday, we went as a family to see "G-Force". The kids enjoyed watching the "Big Television", but may have enjoyed their Pez dispensers the most! It was a blast!

Friday evening the kids had a good bit of laughs running and rolling around the back yard. It was quite entertaining...

Then it was time to open presents...

They each wanted a front row seat...

Most blessed birthday yet!

Rescued!

"Learn to do good;

seek justice,

correct oppression,

bring justice to the fatherless,

plead the Widow's cause..."

Isaiah 1:17

Please pray for those just rescued from enslavement in South Asia! We praise the Lord for their successful liberation! To learn more about ways to get involved with combatting modern day slavery visit the International Justice Mission's website or the Justice Institute's page...

Loving to Learn...

Our kids have discovered Starfall...

(A wonderful, educational website)

In between turns at the computer, we did worksheets and began working towards Scripture memory. Our first verse (until they are able to memorize it - not to mention "say it"), is Genesis 1:1...

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Jana is coloring her Scripture memory sheet below...

James, meanwhile, has been dying for Papa to teach him how to mow the grass. Hope THIS never wears off! :)

Mom & Brenda - here's a picture you requested of the newly screened in porch. It is fabulous!

James has spent several hours on the computer and loving every minute of learning English...

Yesterday the girls received a package from their Babushka in Virginia. They were delighted to receive some more stylish clothes. James got some appropriate attire for living in Mississippi - camouflage pants! Ha! The girls had to model their new outfits and tennis shoes...

The Merida girls...

Tumbling...

Before joining Papa at church on Sunday, the girls were busy tumbling in their dress clothes.  Just a glimpse at some of the fun we have...

Big brother, James, was escaping in the other room, as well as nursing a swimmers' ear...

For Those in a Pit...

"I waited patiently for the LORD; 

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, 

out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

and put their trust in the LORD.

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,

to those who go astray after a lie!...

... May all who seek you,

rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation 

say continually, "Great is the LORD!"

As for me, I am poor and needy,

but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

do not delay, O my God!"

(Excerpts from Psalm 40)

As I was meditating on this passage yesterday morning, the Lord brought to mind some loved ones of mine who are in a spiritual pit.  May you find healing in His Word and comfort in His care.  

Count Your Blessings...

What a blessing it was this past week to visit with family we only get to see once, maybe twice a year!  We had a wonderful time, even though it was too short.  Here are a few pictures from our last day....

Derara helping Victoria swim....

Lauren showing off her hair wrap and coloring book....

Ranger resting from the feet of 10 kids running to and fro....

Mamaw and Papaw enjoying the front porch....

Playing cards.... They have discovered "Go Fish" and love it!

James especially enjoyed ice cream several times a day and cool cups to drink out of....

Angela posing with the two toothless six year old cousins (Beniam and Jana)....

A "Mamaw Sandwich" (Noah and Adam)...

Victoria's best bud was big cousin, Derara... 

'Cutie Pie' Mercy looks on....

My handsome hubby exhausted from a fun filled week....

All I Want for Christmas...

Oh what fun it is to play in the ocean all the day!

(Kids clam diggin'...)

Then they all jumped in with their clothes on...

Thursday, the guys loaded up and drove to play a little soccer and baseball...

Angela coaching Jana...

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...

Children are a Gift from the Lord - Psalm 127:3

More Fun in the Sun

Catching some waves (well, more like ripples)...

Mercy and Lauren utilizing their architectural skills...

Beniam playing in the surf...

Noah striking a pose...

The girls with Uncle Ryan...

Building sandcastles in the sand...

Collecting seashells...

Mercy building her sandcastle with such precision...

The girls especially liked the idea of burying big brother...

Feeding the multitudes...

Babushka made meatloaf, corn, macaroni, green beans, sweet corn bread, mashed potatoes, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers... Yum!