Happy Birthday to Our Callie Girl.

Pictures of Callie and also a picture of her and her sister Daisy Mae dressed up in their China outfits. We love you. Happy Birthday my little sweetie.

Saturday Dinner

We had a great time together. The dinner really turned out good. We did a lot of running around on Saturday to get everything accomplished. We cleaned up our place and it was all decorated by Saturday afternoon.

Jane (right)use to be my boss when I was in Marketing at FTP. If it wasn't for Jane...I'd probably not be working here. Barb (left) works in the computer area writing programs. We had been meaning to have them over for a while and finally got around to it. Even the dogs behaved. Training is paying off.

Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone.

It was an uneventful day. Just spent most of the day doing stuff at home. Need to get things organized...put away, etc. We are starting to put our decorations up and everything is all over the place. But we have made progress. Should be done by tonight so we can start other things then for company tomorrow.

Thanksgiving evening we spent with the group...the dogs were great.

The Peanuts Gang

Last night we watched Charlie Brown and Gang in two shows that I don't think we've seen before. One was their Thanksgiving show and the other was one when Charlie Brown went to Camp. Really cute!

Can you name the characters: Not sure if I can.

The Bachelor Show - A surprise ending

For those that watched the goofy show The Bachelor...it had a real surprise ending on Monday. No one really expected it to end the way it did. For those that don't know much about the show it's a "reality show" about a guy that has to choose from 25 women narrowing it down every week and then to 2 and the last show he's supposed to propose to one.

This is a six week show and the Eleventh season...but has not really had a good track record. Only one other Bachelor show has ended up in marriage and that's taking 2.5 years to develop. All others have ended with most guys ending the relationship even before the show is done airing. How can anyone find true love in this type of setting?...It just doesn't work that way in real life. It's sort of like a "summer romance"...it doesn't really ever last. Everything is perfect...why wouldn't anyone fall in love in that case? But real life isn't that way. It takes time to really fall in love.

So back to the show on Monday and what happened. The hour show had everyone watching...since the previews had said this was going to be the most shocking Rose Ceremony ever...everyone of course was curious. We all knew it had to be different that the other endings but not sure how. It started out with The Bachelor spending time with the two girls...each different evenings. Of course each girl went all out to try and win his love. He then brought each of them home to his family to meet. Even then he was still very confused as to who he would pick. I think he should have known this by now. They never do... Anyway, when they get to the Rose Ceremony...the first girl arrives in her Limo and is escorted to where she is going to meet the "bachelor" for him to propose or send her home. Of course it's some georgeous setting. After saying everything...he tells her he has to say "good-bye" because there are things that she doesn't have. Not really sure what that could have been...since he only knew her 6 weeks. It's just so hard to see them hurt. Thinking that this could be "the one". Then of course everyone things that the next girl he will propose to...Well, that's the change...he doesn't He said good bye to the other one too. Sending her home with zillions of questions. It wasn't your story book ending for sure. It was just so sad to see both girls get their heart broken. Especially when they had so much hope in what he was telling them. I really think he had commitment

problems...just couldn't settle down. By 34...you'd think he would have found someone. That has to say something. So another season of the Bachelor is history. Now we all look forward to the next season in the Spring. NOT! Why would any one put themselves through that just to find the perfect person. They just don't exist.

How often do you ask God to hurry?

"O Lord, I am calling to you. Please hurry! Listen when I cry to you for help! Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering.
Psalm 141:1-2 NLT
"
The Second Thanksgiving "The year was 1623. The Pilgrims had been in the New World for two and half years. The first Thanksgiving of 1621 was only a memory by this time because this summer's drought was jeopardizing everything. Not even the Indians could remember anything like it. The settlers had planted more corn than before, but without any rainfall, there would be no harvest. Daily they had prayed that God would send rain, but he hadn't answered. As the psalmist did in Psalm 141:1, they were begging God to hurry.Finally, the settlers set aside an entire day for prayer and worship. As they went for worship, the "heavens were as clear and the drought as like to continue as it ever was," yet when they left the meeting, "the weather was overcast, the clouds gathered on all sides." For the next 14 days there were "moderate showers of rain," according to Edward Winslow, one of the Pilgrims.The Indians watched and were amazed at how the God of the new settlers had answered their prayers, and that year, after the harvest, a second Thanksgiving was celebrated with the Indians joining in as well."Hurry up, Lord," we often prod, wondering why the Almighty doesn't seem to be in as much of a rush as we are. Sometimes we need to set our watches to his clock.

The 10 reasons we wait... #10

...To get to know many new friends. On Saturday evening we met friends for dinner that have adopted from China back 4 years ago. Dave, Jan & Emma. A year ago we had met them at our local grocery store. We had so much fun on Saturday...maybe because we don't get out that much...but just being out and talking about adoption made it fun. There's always something new to learn that's for sure.

We first met them at their house to pick up things that Emma had out grown. I'm sure we will be able to use them down the road. Totally adorable dresses. We then went to one of many restaurants that opened recently in our town. It's a Stir-Fry type restaurant. Really great food. Pretty healthy too...except for the cheese cake we ordered afterwards. :) Because it was a fairly new restaurant it was pretty crowded also. It's so hard to believe that our town has developed so many new restaurants in the past couple years. I think for the longest time we had maybe two. And one wasn't opened for dinner. Now it's hard to find a parking place.

More of what's happening with Vietnam

Since my last post I've been able to get a little more information to try and understand all this with Vietnam and US. It's been really complicated to understand in some ways...Ask 5 different agencies and get 5 different answers. "Yes, we're not accepting any more applications" to "We are still taking applications"...etc. Things have to be renewed...license, etc. This will all take place by next March 2008.

I received an e-mail from someone from one of the agencies...and she did explained it better than others had...below is what she wrote.

"The information which you heard about the risk of Vietnam might close its adoption program to the U.S. families is correct.

The 3-year adoption commitment between Vietnamese and the U.S. governments will end in 2008. There are several meetings being held to discuss on establishing the new one. However, the chance of Vietnam closes its adoption program to the U.S. might happen if the U.S. does not show a better respect to the host country. The Vietnamese government is not happy with the way how the U.S. Embassy has been doing their investigation on the children without the permission and co-operation from Vietnam. I hope the situation will get better when two sides can get together to figure out a better way to run the program.
Up until now, there is no official announcement of closing the adoption program in Vietnam. We are still helping the families who are currently in the program as well as receiving new applications.
With better knowledge on the preparation for adoption dossier to Vietnam, Amy can help you answer more questions and assist you through the process.
If you have any questions or concerns about the adoptions in Vietnam, please do not hesitate to reach one of us"

So to be on the safe side...we just might wait until March...so we really know things are settled and agencies are accepting application again. If that's the case...we would maybe stick with the same agency we started with. A lot just aren't accepting new application right now or any time soon. The fact that this particular agency could have taken the money and not said anything...and then things could have been on hold. This will also give us a better idea of how things are progressing in China...By March...they could be up to Feb for referrals. Sure wish I would have been in that month. :(

Not good news from Vietnam

The news from Vietnam isn't good. Yesterday we spoke with our agency regarding sending the contract and money to them. From the conversation with Judy T...it looks like things will be on hold with Vietnam adoptions until March 2008. This was not good news at all since this was one of the only other places for singles to adopt from. There will be a meeting the end of this month and there should be more information after that...then another meeting in March. So until then...there's nothing we can do. We were so much hoping that things were going to work out for Vietnam and next year we'd be traveling there. But right now it's not looking like it at all. So it looks like right now we'll be heading to AZ/CO next year. But right now anything goes!

Don't Worry...Be Happy

This picture was taken a while ago outside our kitchen window. This reminded me of how God wraps his loving arms around us to protect us during the storms in life.

Under his wings I am safely abiding,Though the night deepens and tempests are wild, Still I can trust him; I know he will keep me, He has redeemed me, and I am his child.

Refrain

Under his wings, under his wings,Who from his love can sever? Under his wings my soul shall abide, Safely abide forever.

Under his wings, what a refuge in sorrow! How the heart yearningly turns to his rest! Often when earth has no balm for my healing, There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Refrain

Under his wings, oh, what precious enjoyment! There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er; Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me, Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore

****************

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing?

Matthew 6:28
Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin.
Matthew 6:31
So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ Matthew 6:34
So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.
He will shelter you with his wings; you will find safety under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall. Psalm 91:6

Photo at Herrick Lake 2007

A few weeks ago we did a photo shoot with all the dogs. We've wanted a picture of all of us somewhere in an outside setting. It was a perfect day. The dogs were pretty good except when they saw another dog. We had a great photographer...I will post his website on here shortly. He's local and does a great job.

From left to right: Martha, Gracie, Snowball, Aspen, Callie, Daisy & Mary.

More Halloween Pictures

Brother & Sister - Aren't we cute?

Playing the Waiting Game-Why do I doubt?

Have you ever waited for something that you've really, really wanted...a vacation...a new car...Christmas when you were younger? It just seemed like it would never get there. I remember counting the days till Christmas when I was younger and wondering when it would get here. Those last couple days seem like forever, didn't they? Anyway...that's the way I feel with my waiting for my referral for my SuAnna. On Monday, Nov 5th when referrals came out...it was just so hard to see that they hadn't gotten as far as I had hoped for. Still another 4 log-in days to get through December.

But I know that this is supposed to be...to many things have told me that already. So why do I doubt? Maybe because it's not in my control...I have no idea what each month will bring. The hardest thing is...we have no clue about this adoption. It could be next year...it could be two years. I came across a few verses today that seemed to fit this waiting game.

He who began will not quit....
"And I am sure that God, who began a good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.
Philippians 1:6 NLT

Let this encourage God's holy people to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying his commands and trusting in Jesus.
Revelation 14:12 NLT

I have heard your prayers, says the Lord, and the answers will come according to My will and purposes. But, you are striving about the details, which will cause you to become anxious. You must rest in the movement and flow of My Spirit, for surely those things will come to pass in due season and in right order. Again, I say, rest. Rest in the assurance that I am with you and that I will help you along the way. I am bringing you along a path that you have not traveled before, and the enemy would love nothing better than to cause you to become disoriented. Resist the temptations that he brings to turn back, and keep pressing on. Truly, the journey is worth the trouble. Matthew 6:27 "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"