Good Time with Friends

It was good to house some friends from Placerville up for the weekend. We hung out had a good time.
Both these families were in our original Bible study or than 12 years ago. Of course that was before kids for all of us. It was great to see the kids hang out and play and have a good time, also

Waiting for Finger Prints

We had to go to Sacramento a few weeks ago to the office of Homeland Security for another set of fingerprinting. Just waiting for another step in the process.

UPDATE- We got our approved I-600A!! 

To Mexico for Short Term Mission Trip Day 1

We are heading to Mexico with YWAM to work to an orphanage for the next 6 days.

We hope to serve and to show our kids another world that exist and how many in our world don't have much. We are open to what ever God will do.

Today is a travel day. Flight to San Diego and 5 hours driving into Mexico.

As Time Goes By...New Year- New Hope

We have had a lot of ups and downs since our last post. The twins went to another family. Sounded like a good family, a couple married for over 10 years who could not have children of their own. So although we were a bit sad we pray for them and rejoice for the opportunity and the decisive answer to pray for clear open and closed doors.
We then saw wonderful little Matteus come home to our good friends the Layton's and followed their journey of adoption from the Congo. Some of the things such as cost and if the orphanage would continue to take in infants and young children where all in question. So we turned back to foster-adopt possibilities.
We went to an informational class and made an appointment with a social worker. She was very nice and said we may be happier with private adopt action as foster-adopt may not be a good fit for us. The process of providing foster care for up to a year to only have the court return the child back to the life that brought them to us in the first place would be very difficult for us.
About this time in November (2011) another opportunity like the twins came. We went through an interview process and Kiana had a feeling that this probably wouldn't workout. She was right, and after many unanswered emails we found out the the mother decided to keep the baby boy.
Feeling discouraged and thinking God was obviously telling us that this was not for us; we should be happy with two wonderful children we have, a new twist came.
The second week of December the family we are renting our house from in Paradise, showed up and presented us with our November rent check to be used towards our adoption process.
Now with renewed hope (and lots of encouragement from the Layton's) and a changed heart from a sibling pair we saw from the Congo, we have returned to the Congo adoption process. The "changed heart" is that we would even considering older children.
Today we sent off our home study paper work. We will see what things God has in store for us. The pic is Marleine and Michel (children on left and right) God used in the process to change our hearts on age of the children. We don't know if it may be them or some other children, but we hope to possibly have two.

Day 6- No News on Twins

Just got home from the Building Up Men (BUM) conference at Gold Country Baptist. There has been no communication from the private adoption family. I still hope that there is a chance.

Day 4- New Possibilities?

We are making great progress on the paperwork. Kiana had to get re-printed for fingerprint as the first was rejected. We also learned today of a possible private adoption of Twins. Our minds are racing and we hope that this might be another door opening for us. yahoo!!


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The Process Begins (Day Two)

This is day two prep for adoption in the Congo. Last night we spent a good three hours doing paperwork- part one of five different sections paperwork.

Kiana did her doctor visit today and we got our fingerprints at my work ($122). It is probably just fear that keeps me from getting excited at this point. Fear of the unknown, fear that things may not go as smoothly as we hope, fear of how I will handle the change. But we still hope to en-graft others into our family.

For now, we will continue to work on section two through five and continue to pray. Thankful for friends who are willing to help us in the process. Hope I stay strong until the end.

Jason

Tahoe Vacation 2010

That is my sweetie pie!! I have to say, Hope Valley is the most beautiful place on the earth. I love to look around, I love to fish there. It is my favorite place, period.







Looking down on Red Lake and back across to Hope Valley.















Sunset at Lake Tahoe. It was a great vacation. Going back to work is going to be hard. Much to do- but I definiately needed a break.

Camp Richardson's Ice Cream

We have driven by many times and being here with the Hannan's we stopped. What a treat!





Now that is an ICE CREAM!!!




The kids loved it!!
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Don't Waste Your Life :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

Don't Waste Your Life :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

Why Require Unregenerate Children to Act Like They’re Good? :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

Why Require Unregenerate Children to Act Like They’re Good? :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

Here comes trouble!

It Christmas Time!

She is TOOO CUTE!!

"While I'm Waiting" Music Video- from the movie FIREPROOF

This song from the movie has stuck with me. Maybe it is where I am in life- looking to God for guidance with the rest of my life.

Justin at 5 throwing a fit!

Justin Throwing a fit!

The Awe of Christmas

The awe of Christmas! The kids had a great time and really enjoyed the gifts they got this year. The Wii was a hit.
The new cameras will no doubt keep me busy with uploading pictures from the kids. Why did I buy 4GB cards?It is great that the kids often say, "Let's remember the real meaning of Christmas." In those moments I also say, "What is that?" They respond that it is about Jesus and why he came to earth. It really is that simple.

AS people cram knowledge of science, philosophies, theologies, and begin to think they are smarter than the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth they lose site of the simple Truth of God. That He became flesh in the person of Jesus and lived a sinless life, was crushed by God for the penalty of sin in order that we might have the FREE GIFT of eternal life if we believe in Him, turn away from sin (REPENT) and obey His commands.

As John Piper often quotes; " Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last." I will end this blog with the full poem from the Author unknown.


Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, "Thy will be done"; And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all"; Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Nutcracker

Justin an I waiting for it to start.

Kaitlyn at Gymnastics

Piano Recital 2008

Justin and Kaitlyn playing at their recital. What a joy!

Oh CHRISTmas Tree

The family tradition at Indian Rock Tree Farm.

This is a cool place to get a tree. Maybe I am drawn to the fly fishing stream and seeing all the BIG trout.