10 months, 18 years, before time began

Tomorrow marks 10 months since our dossier arrived in Rwanda and boy what active months we have had, here in the states as well as in Rwanda.  Many families have received their non-objective letters and several have received referrals (these are actually the photos and medical history of their children that they will soon be bringing home)  We have been very encouraged as other families prepare their hearts and homes for these little ones and share their journey with us.  There is something about sharing an adventure with others when the end goal is the same.

Tomorrow also marks the birthday of my oldest niece.  She is turning 18.  Now, when she was born, I was still in high school.  I was in choir and a message was delivered to me from the office stating that my sister, Kelly, had given birth to a baby girl, Kataeri.  She goes by Katae now and has always been a bright spot in my life as well as the others that she comes in contact with.  Happy Birthday!   You continue to blossom into a beautiful, compassionate young lady.

Some other happenings for the month of February include, but aren't limited to, a family trip to New Jersey, another snow day, and a matching grant of $1000 from Lifesong for Orphans.

Our trip to New Jersey was relaxing. I know this might be difficult to believe, because if any of you have ever driven in New Jersey for any length of time or been passed by a car exceeding the speed limit by at least twenty miles per hour on your own state highways, then your assessment of Jersey is only partially accurate. As long as your not driving, NJ can be a low key and slow moving experience. We took a trip to the city (by subway) and shared a part of NY with Grayson.



The church that survived 9/11 (literally next door to the spot where the twin towers once stood) It now serves as a memorial site for all to visit.



Construction site for the New World Trade Center as viewed from the cemetery of the little church that survived 9/11



Lunch at Peking Duck in Chinatown.  We took in some culture as several roasted ducks were carved for other lunch eaters within our vicinity.  And yes, they still had their necks and duck bills attached.



Rice Pudding shared at Rice to Riches in SoHo, a favorite treat.



As for our snow day, I am in the midst of it right now.  I am hopeful that this might be the final snow fall of the season, but only time will tell.  It is wonderful having Randy home for the day.  Grayson and he went on a snowy walk and now hot cocoa is being prepared on the stove top, so I only have a few more moments of sharing left.

Our final piece of February is the $1000 matching grant that we have received from Lifesong for Orphans.  Our church, Riverbank Church, has created an adoption fund and partnered with Lifesong for Orphans in order to disburse these funds.  Lifesong for Orphans is a non-profit Christian ministry dedicated to helping meet the needs of orphan children around the world. Now, what matching grant means, is that this is the amount that is available to our family.  Every dollar that is donated toward our adoption is literally matched.  If $20.00 is donated, it turns into $40.00 all the way up to $1000.  It means that as you, our family and friends, prayerfully consider our adoption, you will now have a tax-deductible way to donate money if God is calling you to do so! Between now and April 20th, Lifesong will accept donations for our family and then give them to us as an adoption grant to cover adoption expenses. All donations given through Lifesong are tax-deductible and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt.

100% of the all funds raised will go directly to cover adoption costs and Lifesong takes nothing out for administrative costs. This is an amazing opportunity!

To make a Tax-Deductible donation you have two choices! You can write a check to Lifesong for Orphans with preference Stahley #1859 adoption in the memo and mail it to:

Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40/ 202 N. Ford St.
Gridley, IL 61744

Or, you can click this link to Lifesong's donation page and donate through Paypal with preference Stahley #1859 adoption in the memo! 

 

Please know that while Lifesong does not withhold administrative fees from your donation, Paypal will.

 

Finally, we are reminded day in and day out, that before time began the Lord knew of this moment before it was even conceived. "I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11   We just find such comfort in His words each time our heart wraps around them. 

Snowshoes, Fasting, and other great things

OK, remember that last post where I was talking about winter weather, well let me share with you my special journey home on Saturday evening after work.  Our region was expected to receive 4-10 fresh inches of the white stuff.  It was expected to begin at 7 and run its course until the following morning.  This storm was to bring snow and freezing rain.  It was so anticipated that church was called off the night before.  So, now that you can appreciate the grandness of this winter moment, I will share that when I left for work at 2:30, I discovered quickly that the little winter wonderland creator had its own plans and had already begun to gently coat all roadways with slippery bits of love.  Now, cut to the shot where I am leaving work, about 7.5 hours later.  I kid you not, as I am walking out the door, it is thundering and lightening while simultaneously snowing.  My car was coated in the four inches of new precipitation and topped with a lovely layer of ice-ing.  I began my journey home and the snow metamorphosed into freezing rain.  Within a minute this changed to hail which as I drove made me feel like I was catapulting through outer space at warp speed.  The sound within in my car was deafening as each ball bombarded the outside with thudding force.  I admit it, I did 30 mph or less all the way home, hands gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles ablaze, heart pounding, and lips parting to release a thick prayer of, "Oh please God, get me home safely!"  I made it, not in record time, but alive. 

On Sunday we took a snowshoeing trip on the Appalachian Trail.  Grayson was gung-ho until we were about 500 ft into the hike.  His legs hurt.  He wanted to hold hands on the single track path.  He wanted a snack.  He was thirsty.  We managed to hike for nearly an hour and a half.  His complaining waxed and waned, but overall, I would say he kept it up for a quarter of the trip.  The freshly fallen snow was beautiful, the pines were blazing green against it, and we nearly made it above treeline, so there was even a mountain view.  This is me trying to embrace the season at hand and remain content within the moment. 

Today begins the first day of a three day fast that is being held church wide.  I am enjoying several cups of tea, vitamin enhanced water, and water.  So far so good.  It is only hard when I am preparing food for Gray.  Today was mac and cheese for lunch and I could smell the sweet saltiness as I stirred in that cheesy goodness.  On Wednesday, we will break the fast at the church and celebrate with everyone through worship, communion, and finally a shared meal.  It is such a powerful thing and I feel so blessed to share this experience with the Lord and His people.

Will keep you posted on the progress.

Signing off for practice

Oh, how I love the snow...

Because it gives us a reason to slow down and snuggle and contemplate why hair gel even needed to be invented.  Just go to sleep with wet hair and this hairdo can be yours as well.  We had about one foot of fresh snow fall yesterday which means that is one more foot that the sun must melt before there is even a chance of seeing some tulips and daffodils.  I wanted to share something with you all.  Ever have those days or weeks or even entire seasons where you are struggling to find contentment within the moment.  This may be one of those posts where it is just me, but I have to admit that January and February often bring with them at least a few weeks of these blahs.  Many people I have shared this with have agreed, maybe not linking themselves directly to the blahs, but they all know someone who experiences these blahs.  Well, this year, like others, I have been trying to gain triumph over the blahs through conversation, worship, playing tag in our house, anything I can, to set myself apart from them.
 
This past Friday while driving to work, I found that I was particularly gloomy.  I had shared with Randy before heading to work, that I wasn't quite jiving with this winter weather anymore and that we need to find a warmer climate, immediately.  (Yes, this was a moment where my words were flying before I even half-way examined my heart...)  I was quite thankful that I was on the work timeline so there weren't to many minutes available for any additional regrettables to part from my lips.  Well, low and behold, while driving, I found myself preparing for our Sunday experience at church and I came across these words of Desert Song, by Hillsong. 

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Now, mind you, I had sang these words about 100 times throughout the week already, but I honestly forgot to reflect on the the words that were coming out of my mouth and was just going through the breathy motions of singing the words (kinda like the conversation between Randy and I that had taken place just minutes before)  I literally tried to push through the entire bridge of the song, but found myself becoming more and more choked up.  I was instantly reminded through a spirit stirred moment that no matter what my day holds for me, that God is still God.  No matter what my experience, God is still God.  There is something that I can be whispering or shouting praises to the Lord for...no matter how small or how large, God is still God.  I am so thankful to rest on such a firm foundation that cannot be melted away by summer sun or frozen by winter winds.  No matter what season I am in within my life, He is still God and I have a reason to sing and worship.

All else is well in the land of snow.  Randy has finally finished his final draft of his thesis and has officially graduated with his masters in the Science of Teaching.  Gray and I have immersed ourselves in the Magic Treehouse series (If I start a book, we usually have to finish it within that sitting)  We will also be starting a theater program through Revels North which will be exploring African Traditions, through song and dance.  Very exciting things going on as we make our way through our ninth month of waiting since our paperwork has arrived in Rwanda.  I have a reason to worship.