Thankful Calendar

As I'm sure everyone would agree, focusing on being thankful is not always easy.  We try really hard in our family to focus on our blessings, but with that being said, it is easy to go through each day and not be. A couple of years ago a friend and I found the neatest November/Thankful calendar and we each decided to make one. I am a visual person and it helps to have things up in our home to remind me to be thankful...that is why I love this calendar so much!  This is our second year to put the calendar up, and I'm determined that it will become an annual family tradition.  Each day we write down something we are thankful for on a strip of paper, put it in the pocket for that calendar day and then we share with each other when the day is over.

  Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Love

Tracy

Pumpkin Bread...yummy!!

It is not fall without some good pumpkin bread to eat!  This is a recipe that was given to me by Mom (any recipe from Mom is gonna be awesome)  and it is yummy!

Pumpkin Bread

3 1/2 cups of flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 cups of sugar
1 cup of oil
4 eggs
2/3 cup of water
1 can of pumpkin (14.5 oz)

Sift dry ingredients into a bowl.  Add remaining ingredients. Mix until smooth.  Grease and flour 2 big loaf pans or three small pans.  Bake at 350 for 1hr. to 1hr 10 minutes.  Enjoy!!

It has been a year!

It was a year ago today we applied to Holt's Waiting Child program to become J's parents.  In the days that followed we received all the information that Holt had on J and we were asked to review it and let them know if we would like to interview to adopt him. We knew even before we received any info on him that we wanted him in our family.  It was hard to read about all that had happened to him in just his first year of life, and to know that he had already experienced more in that short time than most of us will go through in our entire lives. But at the same time we saw how God was already taking care of him and providing for him, and that was incredible!  Our interview with Holt was set for mid November so Jason and I began filling out the questionnaires (so many questions!!) and scheduling our home-study.  Our interview ended up getting pushed back to the first week in December. The six weeks that went by as we waited to interview for J were not easy but as we have learned God has been at work in each step of this process even though we may not see it with our eyes! 

This is the first picture we saw of J!  Wish I could show his face! :) Soon!!

Have a great weekend!
Love
Tracy



Another month gone by...

October 17th already! This fall is going fast but we are so ready to meet J and have him home!  Wow...waiting is just hard!

Once Jake and Elyse turned two I no longer kept track of  their age in months but since our boy isn't home yet I am still marking each month with a celebration of him! He is 25 months!

This month we ordered J two new books.  The first one is I Love You, Little One by Nancy Tafuri. I love the illustrations in this book!

 We figured there was no better book for J since he loves to play with cars and trucks than Constance Robinson's My First Truck Board Book.



Would you also join us again this month by donating to Compassion International's Bite Back program. For 10 dollars you can save a life!  In August, we shared how J had just gotten over Malaria.  You can read that post here.  It shouldn't be that children have to suffer and die with Malaria when it is so treatable.  Please consider making a donation!

Please continue to pray! We are hoping that we get news this week! 

Love

Tracy

CASA

A few years ago a friend brought up the need for guardian ad litems to the church we were attending.  I wish I had applied at the time but I didn't!   She was serving as one and saw what a blessing this role serves in the life of a child. She also knew that this is one very important way that Christ followers need to be involved...advocating for children who are abused or neglected.

Since entering the world of adoption we have had our eyes opened to alot of needs.  Needs here in Charlotte and needs half way across the world.  One way to serve at home is through the CASA program. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.  The volunteer is appointed by a district court judge and helps to make a determination of a child's  needs.  The guardian ad litem is an advocate for the child to make sure that he or she is placed in a safe and loving home.  The guardian serves as an important voice for the child in court.



You can go to the National CASA website to learn moreand  search for a guardian ad litem program in your area.  Would you please consider filling out an application with me? 

Love

Tracy

cars, trucks, and preschool

Last night we got two new pictures and an update on J!  He is doing well.  His vocabulary is growing and he is able to point and name many different objects. Of course, he is learning in Lugandan not English.  His favorite toys are cars and trucks...he loves to drive them around.  Typical boy!  And, we learned that he will soon be heading off to the Early Childhood Development Center for school!

We love getting updates on him but, at the same time it makes us realize how much of his life we are missing out on. We want to be the ones teaching him new words and getting to play cars and trucks with him and loving on him. But we continue to wait and we are not alone in waiting.  There are other families waiting for their kiddos too. Would you please pray for them also?  God knows who they are!

Thank you so much for your prayers!!
Love
Tracy

Habakkuk

We are still waiting.  No news!  A friend shared this scripture with me recently and once again I am challenged about why I worship God.  Do I worship him because of the blessings in my life and because my life is easy or do I worship him simply because he is God?

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
      and there are no grapes on the vines;
   even though the olive crop fails,
      and the fields lie empty and barren;
   even though the flocks die in the fields,
      and the cattle barns are empty,
  yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
      I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
  The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
      He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
      able to tread upon the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17-19



Have a great weekend!

Love

Tracy