From the backseat of the car

Today I was not allowed to be a homebody. 'Homebody,' is very much to my liking and honestly this past 6 weeks, since the arrival of our newest child...it has been a lot of slowed down house time.

I missed my woman's bible study for the first 5 weeks. I couldn't get myself to go, even though Princess Mercy would be across the hall, while I broke from her to study the book of Mark with my very best girlfriends....never mind that her oldest two sisters would be her caretakers across the hall on Thursday morning. I just wanted to stay home and drink her in.

Today, was super busy; Dr. appointment, driver's test (passed!), library books due, need to run to the fabric store to get some warm and natural batting as recommended by my sweet friend Candi for the doll(s) I'm making, drop a kid off for a sleep-over, send a kid to my brother's for a snowboarding weekend in Maine...wait, I need to catch my breathe for a moment.

I took the sweet baby with me, King Bonkey (5) and Princess Giggles (7) also came along for the errand run. In a moment of quiet thought, as I was driving said tank, I hear,

"Mama, I need you to babysit for me."

"Okay, Princess Giggles."

"No, I mean later, when I go to Ethiopia to get my children."

Screaming from the back seat of the suburban, "Me too Mama, but I need you longer, because first I am going to Ethiopia and then to Guatemala, because it will be open by then...I have children God wants me to get." (King Bonkey)

Can you imagine my heart...

I've been praying for the Church to wake up to James 1:27 (the command to take care of widows and orphans) and right in my own family, God has been stirring hearts.

All I can say is, "Yes, Lord (tears)...I'd be happy to babysit."

The Barfy King eats broth

Subtitled: King Meemer happily sips vegetable ginger broth and keeps it down!

(his eyes look a little wonkie still though...did you notice?)

Poor Barfy King Meemer. One minute he is feeling fine, the next minute his siblings are asking me if I knew that King Meemer was vomiting. Sigh, how did I miss this. The drama.

We've come so far, now we manage getting to the bathroom for such matters. Praise God!

Don't worry, he is feeling better. He passed it to his oldest sibling (which is how you get better, right?) and she was vomiting violently. Thankfully, it stopped there, she kept it to herself (another Praise God comin' from the Mama). This happened at the end of last week, into this past weekend...I wasn't ready to talk about it then. sigh.

Hope you are feeling good...I seriously can't wait for spring! No more jackets, no more sickness, no more vomiting...because we know that spring means happiness (i.e.- no sickness allowed, at ALL!)

Papa's idea of adoptive bonding-baby tossing!

And she'd say, 'I like it, do it again 'my Papa'!'

Prayer Request Sunday

I'd love to pray for you this week...leave me a comment and I will stand with you believing God, to answer your heart's request.

I am very excited about yesterdays post. Honestly, whenever I post things that God tells me, I struggle a little...suddenly, I am attacked with doubt and fear.

The fear doesn't come from whether I heard from God or not, but from fear of rejection (and perhaps fear of people.) Okay, it's out there now. It's the same reason I haven't put up the linky thing in the sidebar to show 'friends', who link here. It is something I struggle with, feeling accepted. Right after I hit the button to submit such a post, the devil gets busy trying to get me to delete it, making me feel totally vulnerable.

Yesterday, the same thing happened.

This morning, as I sat worshipping God in the quiet of the nursing mother's room at my church...all alone, just me, Avianna and God...with my Pastor being 'piped' in, God truly showed up.

He began confirming my post and the words He had given me. Telling me to not be overwhelmed with the 'how to.' He began to show me details of how I was to go about it, He even was gracious enough to show me how to begin the ball 'doll rolling'...He began giving me 12 names of who the 'orphan doll' will go to...woman with their families, who will commit a week to pray over this mission...willing to lay hands on this doll and pray for God's Spirit to move in Power, on behalf of orphans, before they send it on to the next woman in line. The last of the 'twelve,' picks the first person to send it to, who then will pick the next....and then she will travel from place to place-as the Spirit moves, until her little journal is filled with what God has been doing and speaking. She returns to me when her journal is full, perhaps to go out with a fresh journal, seeking to find those who will be stirred and stand in the gap in prayer and in deed (adoption).

These women will be the forerunners of the church Body; crying out to wake up His people. You see, His people aren't aware of the desperate worldwide need of the orphans. We will pass this doll from these 12 homes...prayer and perhaps fasting will join the arrival of this 'orphan.' God's hand will move and we will see His Power.

I have faith that God will do as He has said, I can't wait to see what He does!!

How do I know, well God told me. He built me up this morning in that tiny room, tears flowed from my eyes, as I was feeling unsure and beaten my my enemy, who made me fearful of stepping out with this. But my Father spoke to my heart to, 'Fear NOT.'

I have faith...will some of you commit to praying for me, as I try to gather the materials to sew this doll...I have seen her in my mind...but now need to put her together, so she can get out and do the work that God has for her ;-) If you will seriously pray for this, would you leave me a comment. I really am believing God to do amazing things with this little cloth doll, that will represents the orphans of the world.

It's not about me, it's about the orphans and God -He wants to glorify Himself by showing His Power.

I am so excited.

On my heart

Ever ask God for vision and have Him give you something totally other than what you expected?

Recently, I began praying to God for vision...to see what it was that He would have me to do. My heart longs to serve Him, I don't desire to do anything fancy, just whatever it is that He sees fit for me to do. I never want to feel like I am 'done' or that I am too busy to ask God what it is I can do today for Him. I felt like He wanted to lead me some place other than where He'd previously taken me..

So this is what I got dropped into my spirit....

You are an Ambassador of my Kingdom...become also an Ambassador of adoption. Create (or have someone create) something that can be mailed across the world, (I am seeing a simple doll...handmade) that can remind people of the children that wait, as orphans, for a family. Remind my people that I have asked them to care for widows and orphans. Tell them that when the 'package' arrives to enjoy it, to take it about with them, to love it (as children would) and to stop to pray for the orphans of the world, asking what they can do, before they send it on to the next recipient.

Let them open their hearts in prayer to the orphans and the very real need that exists for their care. Send a journal and let them write in it, you write the first entry, include my Word, as it is Powerful and never goes forth void, but always accomplishes my purposes. Let this 'creation' travel from place to place, my Spirit will go with it, as will my Power...you will see what a simple act of following me will bring. Stir the people and let Me move in their midst. Let them see what I have done in your family, allow Me to use you.

Totally, not what I thought He'd have me to do. So now I will pray and I will begin trying to figure out what would be best to send. I am not much of a seamstress, but maybe something simple would be best anyway. I have never tried anything like this...

Any ideas of how to best do this? I'd love to hear from you. Any of you make dolls?

thanks...Kimmie

definition

(taken from Noah Webster Dictionary (year) 1828*-when dictionaries still had godly definitions)

Ambassador (also then written Embassador)-
EMBAS'SADOR, noun:

1. A minister of the highest rank employed by one prince or state, at the court of another, to manage the public concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the power and dignity of his sovereign. Embassadors are ordinary, when they reside permanently at a foreign court; or extraordinary, when they are sent on a special occasion. They are also called ministers. Envoys are ministers employed on special occasions, and are of less dignity.
2. In ludicrous language, a messenger.

Faces of the Ethiopian Princess

My personal favorite!

Packages of Love for the littlest Princess

Wanted to share some of the sweet surprises, that arrived right after we got home from Ethiopia, with our newest family member....who's looking very stylish these days!

Thanks Emily, Randi and Cherry...you are such dear friends to me!

Emily went on a shopping trip and loaded up on tons of cute things

for sweet little Princess Mercy

Soft velvet...too cute with the jeans underneath Em.

This is one of our favorite outfits on our sweet babe!

Straight from Africa...a zebra onesie!

Emily is too sweet...she not only blessed us with our blog adoption button (which has sadly been retired)...but she blessed us with a huge envelope full of all kinds of outfits for our newest little bundle of joy...

Look...see the heart?

Emily is such a dear friend, with such a generous, HUGE heart!

too sweet

cute little bubble suit...


wish they'd fit me ;-)

cute dress with a mandarin collar...can't wait for spring!

Emily is into the fine details of a wardrobe

A beautiful fleece coat from my friend Cherry...so soft and cute, thanks Cherry! You were such a blessing to us as we were in the waiting room of this adoption...always kind words and encouragement with each of her comments or notes she'd send. What a blessing to us you are.

We love Hanna Anderson!

Randi...she went on a sewing rampage...

she sent us a lovely butterfly blanket and two sweet baby bibs...

handmade with lots of love and prayers!

Where is that baby?

I think she maybe hiding from me?

Oh! There she is, in that sweet soft blanket!

Randi sewed her two cute gingham bibs...we'll try to eat neatly, as we love them!

If you haven't met Randi...she has a wonderful blog...and she also sells great fabrics...so go over and shop...I know you've been inspired, right?

Monday -part 2

Feeling wordless...so sharing what is on my heart today.

Happy Monday!

Prayer Request Sunday

Welcome to Prayer Request Sunday!

Can I pray for any one this week?

A father's love

My heart is so full...I was given, by God, a handsome Knight who has so much love.

He agrees happiness isn't a retirement fund, a big bank account or an empty nest someday (honestly, we've never pondered an empty nest!), but has a heart for orphans. (Just so you know, our retirement will be in Heaven!) When he says 'yes' to another adoption, it isn't a shallow yes, but one that throws his whole heart into the matter. He is a man who loves his family with all of his heart- no matter what size God decides that family will be.

I pray for my Knight daily, that God would direct his every step, that God would prosper him health wise and financially, that he will continue to grow in favor with man and God, that he would have an ever growing influence. That he would govern with wisdom and love, that his children would honor him all of their lives. That our marriage would flourish and that God would renew our strength and youth, like that of the eagle.

We are so blessed.

We don't really celebrate Valentines Day per say, but we try to give our hearts daily to those God puts in our path-each other. There is always room to love more, to give more, to serve more , to slow down and be content with such things as you have.

I pray that your heart and life are filled with love and that it overflows into this cold dark world.

Have you thought about adoption? There are so many who have no-one to hold them, to cuddle them, to wipe the tears from their eyes, to tuck them in at night and tell them don't be afraid...honestly, would you ask the Father if he would have you step out to give your heart away to one of the many orphans of this world. Adoption is the Father's heart, adoption was his idea from the very beginning of time, nary a new concept.

I have a girlfriend Angela, she goes to my church. She is one of my hero's. Why? Well, Angela turned 60 this year. She adopted a 7 year old last year, 2 weeks ago she took in a 13 year old boy. She hasn't let a NUMBER stop her from pouring out her life for others. She is a godly woman, tears come to my eyes as I see her and her husband Jon caring for these young men who have seen so many horrors in their few years. And, if the 13 year old, David is 'adoptable' you can be sure that Angela and Jon will say 'Yes, Lord.'

What is more important, the age of your parents or to have loving parents? Come on, this is a no brainer!

While you are waiting to hear from God; hug your spouse, pray for them, tell them how much you love them, go out of your way to do something special for them, do the same for your children...not just on Valentine's Day, but as many days as you are given.

After all, life is so very short, let's use it wisely.

Getting off my horse now, to go do some more laundry ;-)

Love you guys!

Sibling pictures and family-First Moments

The 'Fill in Mum...' who blessed us so much. She had my kids ready, house decorated, flowers on the counter, laundry done, and the house clean from top to bottom.

Rachael, you seriously rock. She was also our Notary-for all 3 of the home studies that had to be done to get this adoption finished.

Tired King Bonkey... taking her in.

The welcoming crew, after our 32 hour journey home from Ethiopia.

Can you say long?

My beautiful sis*in *love, Rachael and her sweet boy who were my children's caretakers while we were off in Ethiopia. *Thanks Rachael! *and Rachael has already offered to watch all 7 of them next year when we go back...she so knows our hearts.

What a wonderful best friend, eh?

Are you a Pirate baby?

Our Pirate is wearing 'The Lion of Judah' hat (Ethiopia's National symbol).

King Meemer... total adoration!

The two right hand girls...such a blessing to us.

Watching, after a long wait, as we unpack a sleeping Princess Mercy from her first car seat ride.

Selam (hello)

Can't wait to hold that sweet new sister!