Pages

Friday, June 26, 2009

Love of My Life



Ten years ago today, I married the man of my dreams. I married my best friend. I married a man who loves the Lord, and who desires to please Him in all that he does. I never knew marriage could be so sweet. Thank you, God, for this gift!

As a surprise (and Joel knows that I LOVE surprises), my amazing husband made some amazing plans so we could celebrate. He told me to save the night so I wouldn't make other plans, but little did I know he had some wonderful things up his sleeve.

First of all, and any woman with children knows what a blessing this is, he made plans for a babysitter! Not just for a romantic dinner, but for a whole night and day! Thanks to our precious friends, Scott and Jennifer, who handle our crew and their own with grace and confidence! What a gift to have friends who celebrate with you, and in such a practical way!

With the kids in safe keeping, Joel whisked me away, downtown, and took a circuitous route so that I wouldn't know immediately we were heading to the most beautiful bed and breakfast you have ever seen. We have admired this bed and breakfast for 10 years, and we kept saying, "We have got to stay there!" As we were shown to our room, I was greeted by gorgeous flowers and chilled champagne. This is so over the top, so not what we do, and so much fun! I felt so thought for, so planned for, so loved!

We walked to an amazing restaurant where he had made reservations. After I picked up my jaw from looking at the prices, I turned to him to protest such extravagance, and he said, "Regan, we have been married for ten years. We never do this type of thing. We are going to celebrate!" With that loving admonition, I ordered the lobster...as an appetizer! I learn quick.

This morning we sat on the most amazing porch, reading the paper and drinking coffee, two of our very favorite things to do, for a ridiculous amount of time. It was bliss.

God is so good. I do not deserve the love of this man. Joel, there is no one I admire or respect more than I do you. Being your wife is blessing upon blessing. The words on our wedding program are even more beautiful than they were then: "O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago." Isaiah 25:1
I love you!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Home Study Sent for Approval

It is always so good to get news of movement when you are adopting! Can I hear an amen to that?

Today our home study rough draft was sent to our agency, AWAA, for approval. I don't know how long that will take, but it is good to see it moving on. I'll keep you posted!

We are spending this week recuperating from our overseas trip to England and Scotland. It was an amazing trip with lots of memories made as a family. We saw God move in powerful ways and I am so thankful for what we saw there.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Home!






After an amazing trip to England and Scotland, we are home.
We are home, safe and sound, and we thank the Lord for the trip that we had.

It was such a sweet reunion between our younger two and us, and with their siblings. They genuinely missed each other! Our little Kate was beside herself with elation. She was jumping up and down, and then crying! She didn't know quite what to do!

Kate and Ezra were extremely well spoiled, and are now back in the real world with having to do chores and use manners.

Caleb and Marie were unbelievable during the travel…they hauled their own luggage and kept up with buses, trains, subways, and planes! They were amazing. They adjusted to the time difference, the food differences, the pillow differences (those Brits sure don’t have thick pillows) and all the other differences overseas travel can bring. Joel and I were THOROUGHLY impressed with them! We are so proud to be their parents!

I have lots of pictures, but wanted to send a few of the highlights. In both countries, England and Scotland, we saw the Lord’s hand guiding us, guarding us, and taking care of us every step of the way. We met some amazing people, and we are so encouraged.

One story of many that we could share shows God’s sweet tender care. We had purchased a “family pass” at the Stirling castle in Scotland on Wednesday, knowing that we would see other castles in Edinburgh and St. Andrews, and it was a discounted rate to buy all 3 at once. SO we did. We enjoyed the Stirling castle, but the next day when we went to Edinburgh, we forgot the pass and left it at the hotel (over an hour a way by train). So, knowing it was a long shot, Joel went to the “visitors center” at the castle and showed them our receipt for the pass (not itemized), explaining that we had purchased the pass but forgotten it, and the guy just said, “Sorry, we can’t help you.” So we waited in a long line for normal tickets for 30 minutes, just praying the whole time with the kids that the Lord would provide for us, even though we had already been told there was nothing they could do for the forgotten pass. It is finally our turn in line, and we told the cashier our story and showed him our non-itemized receipt (which just showed that we spent money at the Stirling castle, but not what we spent that money on). He said, “I’m sorry you have waited in this line, you could just go to the Visitors Center and they will let you in.” We explained that we already had gone to the center, and they wouldn’t help us. This cashier got on his walkie-talkie, walked away from the window while he gently “explained” to someone how things work, and then came back with apologies, and free tickets to get in! Of course, we had already paid for tickets to get in on the pass, but we thought we were going to have to pay for another set of tickets since we left them at the hotel.

God is so good! I walked away from the window with tears in my eyes, so thankful for God’s goodness, but especially thankful that my children were there to see what God did for us. As we got out of the crowded window area, Joel pulled us aside as a family and we thanked the Lord then and there for His provision and His care for us!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Home Study Rough Draft!

For all of you who are on this adoption road, or have already done it, you know how exciting it is to get this show on the road! Today we received the rough draft of our home study. It is amazing to see your life condensed on paper! Our social worker did a great job. How he took hours of conversation and made sense of it all is just beyond me!

Once I read it and suggest any changes, then the home study gets forwarded to our adoption agency for their approval! Then it gets forwarded to our state for THEIR approval! A whole lot of people will be reading our life story.

Baby steps!