foster care and more...

Quick update: We are so thankful for all the prayers we have received! We still have many practical things we need help with. We have had to buy beds, mattresses, sheets, blankets, toothbrushes, all sorts of toiletries, two car seats, the list goes on. We bought these items on a wing and a prayer not even beginning to know how we were gonna pay for them. We are excited to see how God does provide.
On the other hand I haven't had time to get organized. So if you live close by and have some time on your hands I would love to have some help. I had started spring cleaning our closet on Monday and figured I'd have at least two weeks to get everything in order before the call. So much for that. The boys require a Lot of attention and I am doing good to keep them safe and in my sight throughout the day...So needless to say, help would be good right about now.
We are blessed beyond measure to be a part of caring for God's children.
It just struck me in an odd way that I named this blog "Just three more" when I was thinking we were going to be adopting three more children when in fact we are adopting two children and fostering "Three"
Thanks God---We love you! It was so sweet to hear the three year old sing "Jesus Loves Me" at dinner and for them to pray! Our foster daughter is amazing! She and Rachel have hit it off and have become fast friends!
Good-night, I'll be up for a while. Hope everyone sleeps well.

Our first placement

What a WILD and CRAZY day! So we get a call and within two hours I am running to stores trying to get beds, mattresses, sheets,blankets etc. Now Adrian is going back to the store to buy car seats, tooth brushes, etc. We are sure leaning on the Lord heavily to provide for what we bought today!
I am clinging to Proverbs 3:5 and 6.
Please pray for the 3 little ones we took in. They are precious. They have lots of energy. "Wish I did" :)
I am so thankful and humbled that God would use our family in this small way.
What a Joy to serve God's children!
I'll update more later---for now I need to figure out where I am sleeping tonight...Everything is piled up in our bedroom! We started spring cleaning two days ago so the contents of our closet along with many other things are on our bed and floor. "yawn" it's off to work I go...

Another Answered Prayer!

We are going! Thank you to whoever it was that bought my husband a ticket to the event "Hope in the Dark! May God richly BLESS you in all things!
Ami
http://kalugracefoundation.org/home
It's a special event featuring two ministries working in Africa and a special musical performance by Steven Curtis Chapman!

Word of God Speak...

"Come to me for understanding, since I know you far better than you know yourself. I comprehend you in all your complexity; no detail of your life is hidden from Me. I view you through eyes of grace, so don't be afraid of My intimate awareness. Allow the Light of My healing Presence to shine into the deepest recesses of your being - cleansing, healing, refreshing, and renewing you. Trust Me enough to accept the full forgiveness that I offer you continually. This great gift, which cost Me my life, is yours for all eternity. Forgiveness is at the very core of My abiding Presence, I will never leave you or forsake you.

When no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Me. Rejoice in the One who understands you completely and loves you perfectly. As I fill you with My Love, you become a reservoir of love, overflowing into the lives of other people." --Psalm 139:1-4, 2 Corinithians 1:21-22, Joshua 1:5

Our first Liberia "Groupies" meeting!

Romans 12:11-13 "NEVER be lacking in Zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (12) be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, (13) Share with God's people who are in need. Practice Hospitality"
As you may know by now we are headed to Liberia the 17th of June to serve alongside the local churches and ministries.
Awe! What a JOY and privilege it is to be a part of something so much bigger than anything I could have imagined or hoped for. We had our first "meeting" last night. It took place via conference call since we are all so scattered about. Some in Minnesota, most in Charlotte NC, one just outside of Asheville, NC and us in Knoxville TN. Do you see? God is pulling people together from all walks of life and different locations to serve His people in Liberia! You wanna know one of the MANY CRAZY parts of this? One of the team members knows my first Sunday School teachers! I was 12 and went to VBS for the first time then eventually started attending this church. I happened to start mentioning different people in her part of the "world" and she knew them! Our paths are crossing with the same people! Weird? NO! God? YES!
I also found out that another couple going on this trip has met our children in Liberia. They sent us additional pictures and even have a videoed of our daughter dancing!
I love my God. thank you Jesus for allowing us to be one small part of what you are doing.
Keep us in your prayers as we seek to serve the Lord in this area. We NEED those prayers!

A Geek for God

Okay so I cannot take credit for this, but I would love for you to read our friend and fearless leaders post. She captures something here with her words below. Adrian and I get lots of weird looks and comments. Oh well. The post below refers to a guy dancing on youtube. I have posted the link at the bottom of this page.
Here are Angel's words in blue:

"Most of the time I feel like that first guy dancing, passionately but completely awkward. It’s a relief to have several dancing partners. At this point, we look like a tiny group of geeks with muscle spasms but someday…someday, people will be running to join us. You wanna dance?"

This trip is more than a one week mission trip to Africa. It's an invitation to join the dance party...one I believe God is tickled to watch unfold.

adoption update and foster care

Yes, we are still in the process of adopting Lydia and Leo. Things are once again moving along at a snails pace but hey, they're moving! YES, we (Rachel, Adrian, and I) are going to Liberia in June for ten days! YES, we will meet our children. I can't wait to see them and hold them.
I simply cannot believe that the Lord would allow us to be a part of what He is doing in another part of the world. I am amazed and honored! More details later but please pray now!

And finally YES we are taking in foster children. We are in need of beds, two twin bunk-beds and four mattresses. Please if anyone has bunk-beds or mattresses or money to donate toward them let us know. Help us help the children of Tennessee!
You can find more information about becoming a foster parent by going here http://www.childhelp.org/regional/tennessee
Or contact Child Help at 865-579-5498 to find out what you can do. Christians, this isn't a problem for the government! These are children. They are children that are made in the image of God, eternal souls that need hope, love, and a future. YOU can help break the cycle so many of these children and their families are living in.
It's your call. What are you going to do, sit "uncomfortably" on the sidelines or jump in and be Jesus to these children in need. It's your choice.

We're going!

We have heard the call and are going! We leave June 17th for Liberia. It is a 10 day trip and we will be back in Knoxville on the 26th of June. We get to serve alongside other Christians to help build, encourage, and equip! Wow!
And YES! you guessed it! We get to be with Lydia and Leo and see Musu!
More details as we have time to write about it!