Lincoln Museum with Grandpa

We had a great time at the Abraham Lincoln Museum a few weeks ago.

These were taken in a special place they have set up for kids.

Hannah and Noah were much more into it than the other two. :)

Another Before and After

We made a trip to the capital a few weeks ago. I wanted a similar picture at the place we had our documents authenticated just before mailing in our dossier with all four kids. It worked out perfectly to help another family get a document authenticated for their adoption while we were there!

They were both quick shots because of weather. :)

2007...a bit cold here

2008...raining here

Romo is multiplying!!

Austin's Romo shirt has been a long-time favorite, worn warm out of the dryer almost every time and makes an appearance in most pictures we take. Maybe the over use is getting to me..but I think I am seeing double or double-double!

Photo Editing ...Super Easy!

I have gotten a couple of questions about how I did the pictures. Go to Picasa and download this free software for editing and organizing your photos. To do the black and white with bits of color click on the photo you want to change in your library. Go to "effects", the third tab, and click on "focal B & W", bottom row in the middle. This will allow you to chose the placement of the color spot and size. Happy picture taking!

Fall...A Holiday here in the Midwest!

I have tons of pictures to update, but I thought I would start with some I took this morning at a farm nearby. We have been to the apple orchard, pumpkin festival and are on our way to our second parade of the season. It is fun to celebrate the bounty of the season and give God praise for what He has provided!

Growing up in Texas, the only real sign of fall was the start of football season. :)

Exodus 22: 29a You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. ESV

James 3: 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. ESV

I wonder if my kids (hubby) feel like this...

Austinism #362

Retelling the story of Adam and Eve:

"Their eyes were closed (fingers over eyes) and they did not know they were naked."

My Favorite Adoption Song!

I have mentioned Evan and Emily before, but I did not get to finish their story. Last week, they were told by their caseworker to consider their referral lost (little boy from Vietnam). They had not made the deadline of 9/1 for receiving official referral paperwork. They were heartbroken, to say the least, but still seeking the glory of God. Two days later, they receive another call from the caseworker saying that they HAD received their official referral from Vietnam the week before, meeting the deadline. How blessed I was to hear Emily say, "He's Ours!!"

I have been so encouraged by their faithfulness to the Lord in their adoption journey. When I put together our visit trip video, I used a song that Emily had written for a lullaby cd she put together. At that time, I put in a request that she write an adoption song, knowing that it would be a testimony to the work for our heavenly Father.

I was thrilled to find this post on Emily's blog this week! She shares a song that she has been working on in a beautiful and simple way. Hit play on her video and scroll through the words. Knowing Anh's story, I cannot imaging looking at his face and not giving God praise for the work He has done in his young life!

Welcome Cousin Alyssa!

Andrew (Daniel's brother) and Julia's sweet Alyssa Faith was born today! We are thankful that she is healthy (8lbs 4oz) and Julia is doing better (some blood pressure issues prompted Alyssa's two week early arrival).
I love the look on Grandma's face. :) It is good to live vicariously through our siblings and their children getting to have grandparents close. And for the grandparents, I love that they get to experience the joys of a grand baby nearby that they miss with our kids. I also know that they work very hard to make sure they have that close relationship with us and our kiddos across the miles.

Ya gotta zoom in on that hair...it's great!

Celebrating Daddy's Birthday

We had such a good day celebrating Daddy's Labor Day Birthday! There was swimming, eating out, a family walk, cookie cake and watching family video.

Happy Birthday Daniel!

I had Hannah take a picture of us, and he asked if it was for the blog. "Well, yes" was my reply, because the blog has made me realize how few pictures we take together now. :)

Ellie's got the birthday thing down...she is so cute when she tries to sing with us.

Guess that cake was good!

Hannah being goofy. :)

Praising Our Father!

WE ARE LAUNCHED!!

We are thrilled to see how the Lord worked in preparing not only our family, but the many others for the start of Bethany Community Church! God has provided in so many ways to start a community of faith based on His Word! He not only planned a wonderful facility to be just at the right location,built at just the right time, but purposed His servants with humble and willing hearts to be part of His plan. Going into this Sunday, we had over 90% of our core group in serving in ministry in some form, UNHEARD OF, only by His hand!

Yesterday, a group just shy of 600 people heard the Word of God proclaimed (the previous three weeks of "practice" services, we were around 300)! We know that some of those were prayer warriors coming in support of our first Sunday and that the Lord will give us those that we can handle to shepherd. As we went into this weekend, we prayed that we would not be the "next place" to try, but really draw those that have not been involved in church. To His Glory, this was the case from many conversations we had.

Our prayer is for the hearts of those in our community to be turned toward the Lord, through Jesus Christ. We are thankful to the Father to have the opportunity to do His work here and pray for a humble and willing spirit in each of us.

God, be glorified in the hearts of Your people and allow us to bring you honor and praise!

Psalm 86:9-12 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.