Spring, with a side of snow

Just wanted to get a quick post up to let you all know that we are still here.  I am so encouraged, we saw brown grass just a few days ago.  The snow had melted after such a long winter and I could hardly believe it, but there really is earth beneath it.  We then received about six new inches on Monday and a few more are expected later today, but I tell you what, just seeing the grass lets me know that the seasons will continue to move forward just as they have for all the years before.

Not much to report since our last post.  Winter does that....we have spent many days in doors.  I have really begun to embrace this special time that I have with Gray this year.  He is just such a cool kid and never ceases to amaze me with the questions that he has and the depth of his love for those around and beyond him.  Those character traits are already at work on his heart.

We are quickly approaching spring break.  We were going to head south to Ohio, (it's north of Disney for those of you that are trying to locate it on a map)  but have changed plans because of the lack of time.  We may head North to Maine for a day or two, but the majority of the break will be spent here relaxing, preparing, and waiting. 

We are praying for the families that will be heading to Rwanda to meet their new additions later this week.  It has been so encouraging to be a part of each of their adoption journeys and I can only imagine the anticipation that is filling their hearts as they are so close to holding their children. 

Pray you are all well!

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.

A bit about the adoption

I haven't actually updated about the adoption in some time because I was assuming that the folks reading this here blog were either in the midst of their own adoption journey and plugged into our yahoo group or I have had long winded discussions about what is happening.  Then it hit me, there are probably others that don't know and are eager to hear.  There has been much movement in Rwanda in regard to the adoption portion of the ministries work.  I will not get specific with numbers because that is not for me to share unless they are our numbers, but what I can say is that several families that had their dossiers in Rwanda before ours have received their non-objection letters and are waiting to receive their referrals (in the past this has been about a two month wait between the two)  Each time I open my email inbox, I can feel my heart and mind praising the Lord for these families and their children.  I feel like with each email, each letter that is received by them only brings us one moment closer to hearing about our little one. 

We are finishing up our second round of our homestudy and should have a completed report to send within the next few weeks.  This document is needed in order to update everything, in our country as well as sending the updated information to Rwanda.  Keep prayers lifted that our homestudy coordinator will continue making progress and this will be completed in a timely manner.

As for funding goes...I say this nearly in tears, God has been so gracious and blessed our family so much.  We have been diligently budgeting each month, but I never cease to be amazed at the outside resources that continue to turn up nearly every month.  We still have about $6000.00 to raise for the final costs as well as travel.  Every penny has literally added up as my son continues to put random change into our in-home Rwanda Fund, a big old plastic water jug behind our coach.  I had a gentleman I had never met come up to me after church a few weeks ago and slip a bill into my hand stating, "It's not much, but it is for your adoption."  How blessed I felt to be on the receiving end of his generosity and humbled again that God had placed our family on someones heart, and without my knowing it.  He can be so sneaky sometimes.  I lay these final funds down at the cross in prayer that they will continue to build in our Rwanda Fund.

As far as a time line, we are so hopeful, like many other families that we will bring our daughter home by the end of the year at the latest.  Honestly, I and many others are praying for the end of the summer, but His timing will be perfect and I can rest in that.  I hope you are all well.  Gray is counting in Spanish in between singing songs to Jesus and blowing out some harsh notes on his harmonica.  Gotta go in order to save the neighbors ears.

How will I spend this day?

Well, honestly it is over half way over, but the thoughts that I have had leading up to this day have been, if nothing else, thorough.  It is after all a new year and I would be dishonest if I told you that I haven't made resolutions.  This is the first year in many that I have prayerfully been contemplating exactly what it is that "I was going to change about me that would make me a better me so that more people would enjoy me and my company."  That is a whole lot of me, huh?  Well, get on with it is what I am sure you are probably thinking and I will try to leave a bit of me out of it.  Here is my resolution brought to you coated in a thick layer of firm determination.

1.  To be intentional. 

In all things mind you so you can imagine the layers of thought that have erupted with this simple statement.  First is time...and not wasting it, which by the way, like any of you, I would have to say that I am very gifted in the art of time wasting.  I can browse the Internet for hours for land that I don't intend to purchase, items I don't intend to use, and famous people I don't intend to mimic.  I plan to use time to develop my character(studying God's Word), my home (this includes homeschooling, house-wiving, budgeting), my talents (writing is on the top of this list as well as learning a second language as a family, oh and playing the spoons) and whatever else comes up between now and then.

So, again I ask, how will I spend this day?  So far I have guided Grayson in writing W's, sounding out words, and adding domino spots together, researched NH state standards for kindergartners and found some wonderful websites that will aid in breathing new life into our day to day curriculum, exercised, shopped for towels that were unfortunately not on clearance, (but eventually they will be, and I will be there to make the purchase), grocery shopped on a shoestring budget with my five year old that thought it would be a good idea to run, leap, and belly slide down the aisle not once, but twice, whipped a chocolate cream pie into submission, watched Grayson create an apron out of paper so that he can match mama, read the Word and was yet again struck in awe of who God was and is and is yet to be all at the same time, and now, at this moment, I am writing to share with you my attempt today at being intentional.

Tis the season to be....

As always, way to much time in between posts.  I keep making new promises to myself, kinda like the New Years ones, but I actually have the intention of keeping these...kinda like the New Years ones....hmmmm, kinda cliche.  Anyhow, I am attempting to school Grayson and we have made it through two weeks with some regularity and I have to say that he has climbed on board. (This is not to say that we haven't been learning each day throughout the school year)  Its not that he wasn't on board before, but it wasn't happening how I had imagined.  I have discovered something wonderful...consistency, that's not to say that we won't fall off the boat, but I am hopeful and prayerful that we will continue on this trend.  We are getting into some sort of school routine.  For the most part, it takes place in the morning for about an hour to an hour and a half.  We have a time of morning devotional (he has recently started to look up the verses with some help which is so cool...he is navigating through the Word)  We do some reading, he reads to me, I read to him, we have a grand old time with it.  We hang out and attempt some mathematics, which I am quickly discovering is his strong suite.  I truly believe that he is thinking in numbers...kinda like Keanu Reeves in the Matrix...what other child is so interested in mile markers and exit signs along the freeway.   Please let me know if yours is, I would be thrilled to have coffee with you.  We then spend some time crafting the art of writing.  At this time he is making letters and really having a wonderful time discovering just how many ways he can make the letter "m"  I am finding that it really does take some practice, but I am also figuring out that the practice can take place over a long period of time.  Like number writing for example...He loves math, as I have said, but crafting the numbers with a pencil takes practice and I could sense the frustration mounting daily as he would begin to practice a row of threes.  By the time the row was complete, he had no interest in completing the addition problems (which he knew the answers to) because his hand had had it.  His mind was able, but his hand was weak.  So we only write a couple of threes now and move onto the addition problems with excitement.  The reality is, he is going to write threes for the rest of his life...with practice over a longer period of time, he will get good at it. 

We also go on adventures throughout the week,  He has just completed his first set of swimming lessons.  It is nice to see his legs straight in the water instead of bicycling for dear life.  His teacher was incredible and I believe that he is looking forward to the next batch of lessons to begin in January.  He has also started ice skating with a home school group.  The first week led to many falls, but by week two, I am happy to report that his bottom met the ice half as many times.  We are also going to begin a theater type group in January.  They will be exploring African traditions, stories, and a few other things. 

So, for the time being, homeschooling is going well.  I never know what each day holds for us, but I have to say it has been an incredible gift to be able to spend this quality time with my son.  He is so animated, gifted, energetic, and hungry (for food and knowledge)  He is learning even when I am not teaching and continuously asking questions.  He retells stories that we have read in his own words, he has his own ideas about what would be good in ice cream, and he wonders how things work...all things.  He is joy to be with.

As for other things, we are gearing up to travel to Ohio for the holidays.  It is a much anticipated trip as Randy is really excited to have some time off to wind down and just relax from the rigors of the school year.  He is still chugging away at his thesis (draft number 11 is in the works)  I am planning to bake several batches of cookies tomorrow for the neighbors and all of those folks that help us from day to day.  I think I am attempting to live the Little House on the Prairie life style in a busy world, but I am OK with that. 

Take care friends.