An Ning...3 weeks after his lip surgery

Adding to the family...

In May Clay and I decided to pursue our plans of adopting. While in Uganda I had made some great connections and felt confident Uganda was the country we were supposed to adopt from. We had a baby home willing to match us, we had a lawyer willing to represent us, and I had lots and lots of friends there willing to support us in any way they could. It seemed perfect. When Clay and I first began talking about what age and gender we would like to add to the family, we had narrowed it down to; under the age of 2, and either sex. While sitting and listening to my stories and seeing the pictures, Clay asked, "What about twins?" Funny he mentioned that, because I would love to bring two home in one bang! So, we decided to tell our lawyer as well as the baby home that we are open to twins and siblings, either sex. Well...the waiting began...I sent email after email to the orphanage. Nothing. I sent an email to the lawyer. She suggested I start contacting other baby homes. That's just what I did. No replies...not ONE. Discouragement set in. Worry. Hopelessness. I know there are over 163 million orphans out there...needing a mommy, needing a daddy, needing a FAMILY. Why does not one of these homes even respond to me???? God was closing doors...but why? Next step, I called the agency doing our home study. They are a Chinese agency, however they do home studies for all countries. We talked about several countries and after going over our families details...we decided to take a closer look at China. And it started to occur to me, an orphan is an orphan no matter where it is born. They all need homes. They all need families. So after praying and discussing our options we decided to pursue a Chinese child. During our first initial conversation, I asked, "Can we request twins or siblings? The lady replied, "Well, not really. You could, I suppose. However, the chances are very slim you would be matched with two children. We don't see twins very often. And most children are abandoned at birth, meaning, even though these children may have biological siblings, we would have no way of knowing that. And getting matched with twins does not happen often. They too are often separated." "Well there went that," I thought. But we forged on. It did not stop me from praying for twins every night. I even remember specifically saying to God one night, "Lord, I know there are twins out there that need a home. I don't care if they are boys are girls. I just pray you would help them find their way to us." Well, when you are in the process of adopting you get exclusive access to profiles of children available. For a women like me, it is impossible not to look. So I found myself looking into all these little brown eyes every day...wondering if I was supposed to inquire on one. Finally, I did. I called the agency and told them I would like to learn more about this certain little boy. He was darling. He was only about six months old. By that evening we had his file. We had his file and we HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH IT. Clay and I looked it over, and over and over. We didn't know how to feel. We didn't know what to think. Something did not feel right, but we didn't know what. Full of guilt, we decided to call the agency and tell them we were not able to move forward on adopting this little guy. I could not sleep...so I prayed. Finally, it came to me. I needed to wait on God's timing. I needed to quit looking at these children, and wait for a call. Wait for the agency to match me. I asked God then and there, to make it clear. When it is the match we are supposed to except, make it clear. I want to know, this is the one, WITHOUT A DOUBT. A few weeks later, I get the call from Judy, my sweet social worker. She tells me, they have a potential match for our family. "I am a little hesitant to tell you, because one of the medical needs you had marked "maybe" on your medical checklist." (You fill those out when you are adopting, letting the agency know what you feel your family can handle.) But the other needs you had marked "yes." I could hear how "unsure" Judy was about this match and it was making me nervous and excited...I believe I was holding my breath. "We have here some TWIN boys...." Thanks you Jesus, that is pretty clear I would say.

Missing Uganda

It has been 3 1/2 weeks since I returned from Uganda. I am missing it terribly. No longer can I look at anything the same. I can no longer take a warm shower and not think of all the little children at the babies home that will be taking a cold shower about 3 hours from when I take my warm one. I can no longer look an infant, safe in it's infant seat, gazing up at it's mother as she freely shops for everything her family needs/wants at Walmart---without thinking of the millions of babies who are motherless. They might be laying alone in a crib, totally unaware that they are so alone, but aware something is not right. They may be laying on a path somewhere, waiting to be discovered. They may be submersed in a toilet, covered in maggots, fighting for their life. Yes, it is true, that really happens. I can no longer tolerate waisted food and picky eaters, because I know somewhere, there is a child digging through a rubbish can. And there are thousands waiting in a long line, praying the pot does not run dry by the time they get to the front. I can no longer hop in my van, turn the engine and take off with out thinking of the millions who are walking five miles to fill their jug, hoping it is water they can drink without getting ill. I have no desire to go shop and load up on things I do not need...it does not feel right.

I thought I went on a mission to be Jesus' hands and feet, to change lives, to hug on children and tell them they are not forgotten. That is what I set out to do. It happened, it did. But what happened that was even bigger, far bigger than that, is GOD CHANGED ME. He opened my eyes. And once He opens your eyes, you can not shut them to the pain and suffering going on around the world.

We have to act. Once you are exposed, you cannot just turn your back. And I won't, I can't. I built relationships in Kampala. I met friends. I made promises. I love the people. I hate the corruption. I want to be part of the solution.

~Misty~

Daddy Daughter Dance

Friday night my husband and daughter had their first official "date." Our church, the River Church hosts this annually. Zoe looked forward to this for about two months. It made me realize more than ever before how important it is for dads to "court" their daughters. I would much rather she turn to her daddy for love and affection than any other man...

Where AM I going in Africa?

I am going to UGANDA!

Bake Sale!

I have been in my kitchen since 3:30 today, and it is about 10 pm. I have been baking, dipping, washing, and flipping pages in the recipe books. My kitchen is on FIRE for the orphan! I made 12 blueberry muffins, 39 chocolate covered oreo cookie suckers, 15 pieces of coffee cake, 8 scones, and 2 dozen oatmeal cookies. I can't wait to pack all this in to the River Church in the morning and see what God has in store for us!

I am on the GO team and it just doesn't get better than that!

I am going to AFRICA in April and I can't wait!!! I just heard today the team I am going with has been invited to a wedding while we are there, but it get's better than that. We get to be a part of getting 200 boys from the streets of Kampala to the wedding in new shirts and ties. How amazing is that! These boys have probably never attended a wedding, and have probably never seen so much food in one place and I am going to be blessed with the opportunity to share in this blessing. Amazing is our God!