To our family and friends . . .

As you may or may not already know, we have just begun the process of adopting two children from Ethiopia – maybe siblings. We began thinking about adoption about three and a half years ago, at which point we listened to a message online about adoption. We spent a lot of time in prayer, but it seemed that God did not want that for us at that point in time. The desire, however, has never left our hearts.

Our desire to adopt began to intensify this past fall. We sat down and began to seriously discuss going the route of international adoption. We prayed apart and together, and independently came to the conclusion that we wanted to adopt from an African country. Again, more prayer, finding an adoption agency, research, prayer, all the while the desire building in our hearts for this path that God has for us. We sat down with both of our parents to seek their wisdom, as well as seeking advice from others who have adopted. Through much more prayer, we settled on the country of Ethiopia and are going through the American World Adoption Agency (www.awaa.org).

Since we know we can do nothing and are nothing apart from God, we sincerely need His wisdom. We need His grace to help us be patient during this whole process and to trust Him to bring in the necessary funds to be able to adopt. So, we ask that you pray along with us in this matter. We want to learn what He has for us in the process as well as the end result. We want to be willing to move forward and content to stand still!

Our words cannot adequately express how grateful we are - what a wonderful thing God is allowing us to do! Again, we ask for your prayers, and if you want to be updated on our adoption process, you can check back on here or look me (Sarah) up on Facebook.
“A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows is God in His holy habitation. God places the solitary in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell.” Psalms 68:5-6a

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba, Father!'” Romans 8:15

"Cardboard Testimonies"

What a wonderful reminder of all that we are and have in Christ . . . through His grace alone.

Water, a stick, and a dog . . . a little boy's bliss!

Just havin' fun!

Joshua took Strider for a walk at the church picnic . . . well, maybe it was the other way around?? Either way, they were so cute together ;o)

UPDATE!!

Okay, so I've gotten carried away on facebook so I haven't been keeping my blog updated for those of you who still check it. I'm going to attempt to "catch up" on the last two months w/ a few pictures. Hold on, here we go!

I got my hair chopped off - 10 inches and, yes, I'm donating it to "Locks of Love"

Joshua discovered he's like Daddy in one more way. . .

Papaw & Grandma McDaniel got chicks just before Easter.

Madie turned 4 on April 16 - celebrating with pink cupcakes, of course!

Joshua continues to try to climb anything and everything to get whatever he wants - and he's very pleased with himself, too!

Madie got her hair chopped off, too - another 10 inches to donate to "Locks of Love"

Our trip to the zoo

shark petting

touching the Chocolate Chip Starfish

In the butterfly gardens, Gracie sat so still and so patiently just waiting for a butterfly to land on her, and one finally did!

Camping in Papaw & Grandma McDaniel's back yard - in less than 50 degree weather!

in our HUGE tent!

Something to think about . . .

Joey's 8th Birthday - 3/8/08

Joey got SNOW for his birthday!

one coming, one going . . . look at his face -

which one do you think he's worried about??

Joey get's embarrassed easily, so he didn't like us singing "Happy Birthday" to him -

but Joshua enjoyed it!

Joey got some help blowing out his candles.