I married my sister

Okay, now that I have your attention, I really did marry my sister, just not in the physical sense. My sister, Wendy and her now husband, Aric, asked me if I would officiate their marriage ceremony. It is true, that I went on line and became an ordained pastor on Valentines Day 2009. It is also true that I took the charge very seriously. I referenced the movie, "Fireproof", and the book, "The Love Dare" during the ceremony. Marriage is a lifetime commitment, that unfortunately ends in divorce over 50% of the time. Wendy and I came from a divorced family, like over half of our friends and family members and you can say I am a little passionate about leaving a legacy of marriage for my own children. So to say I took the charge of being the one to marry my sister seriously is really an understatement. Our Pastor, Ron, did a 4 part sermon series on Marriage last spring in preparation for his only daughters wedding. He had written a blessing for his daughter and her husband that he would then share with them at their wedding that he would be officiating. I used his sermon series as my inspiration for the blessing I wrote for my sister and her husband. You can get a copy of the sermon series at lacroixchurch.org , it is titled, THE KNOT. The you tube video I have below is a song from the "Fireproof" sound track, Love is not a fight, by Warren Barfield. I like the song a lot and I truly believe the lyrics. I have promised to support Wendy and Aric in their marriage in any way that I can. It is my prayer that their marriage succeeds, because our marriages and our families are worth fighting for. Congratulations Wendy and Aric on your marriage and new life together. Thank you for allowing me to play a part in the ceremony. Your wedding was truly one of the loveliest weddings I have ever been to. It was so sincere, so full of love and friendship. God loves you both and with HIS help you will leave a legacy of marriage for your girls as well. I love you all!

Who's this handsome guy????

You all know Parker, our oldest child. You know he has worn his hair L O N G for the last couple of years. Yeah, he takes a lot of crap for it but he likes it that way! I'm a huge fan of his long hair, he keeps it clean, it is soooooo thick, he truly has great hair! Well, yesterday he decided to make a change. Yes, it is true, he cut his hair. He looks so different. Many people did not even recognize him this weekend at church or at his basketball game today. He has made a big impression with his new 'do. Paeton even said to me last night, "Mom, I really like Parker's hair, he looks really good."

Here is a recent photo of Parker and his hair just 2 weeks ago at my sisters wedding.

Isn't he just the most handsome fella you have ever seen. Yes, I know I am being THAT mom right now, but he is just the most AWESOME kid!

And now, presenting, the shorter hair version of the same drop dead gorgeous kid! He looks so much older, I'm still getting used to this new fella. He looks taller too, I know it sounds crazy but this is the very comment that everyone has, "Parker looks taller and older." Well, they say change is good, Parker likes his new hair cut and so do we.

My sister got married on November 7 like I mentioned above, a post a photos coming soon about this special day!

VISA Interview

I just heard from Zufi today that she was able to schedule her interview with the American Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The date of her interview, she told me is October 1, Tuesday. Jamie and I looked at each other funny and then remembered the Ethiopian calendar is 2 months behind ours. Here in America, her interview is set up for Tuesday, December 1. It is during this interview that she will either be granted a visitors visa to come and visit us or she will be denied this opportunity. Would you please pray for God to just open the doors and provide the way for her to come. We believe this is HIS plan and we are believing that He will give her the pathway to America. Come on all you faithful prayer warriors, please pray for Gods own hand to bring Zufi to visit us. Pray for His Spirit, the Holy Spirit to be with Zufi at the interview. I ask that you would also pray for our family and Zufi that the time we are able to spend together would be glorifying and pleasing to the Lord. That HIS will would be done during the time He allows us to be together.

On a separate note, another baby girl is coming home to her forever family soon. We met the cutest couple while we were in Ethiopia this summer. Andrew and Holley, visit them at, www.thebrownbagspecials.blogspot.com flew from Texas, to meet the little girl they had just accepted as a referral. They flew thousands of miles within a couple of weeks of accepting her referral just to meet their sweet girl. Well it was the most fantastic thing until they realized they would have to take her back to the orphanage (after the best week of their entire lives together) and wait for all of her paperwork to be approved and for the courts to approve their adoption.

I am happy to report that they will be leaving soon to go back to Ethiopia and bring their princess home to Texas forever. I am so full, so full of happiness for all of them! So full of Gods love for Andrew, a new father, for Holley, a new mommy to a precious daughter, for Ethan, a first time big brother and especially full of thanksgiving for Lila, the Lord has heard her prayer and answered in this wonderful family!

The letter arrived

Zufi received her invitation letter from us yesterday! It took almost 3 weeks to arrive to her address in Ethiopia. She is now trying to get through to the US embassy on their web site to schedule her interview for the visitor visa. We believe this is God's desire to have her come to the USA to visit us. You know, when you know, and when He starts planting seeds in your heart that germinate and grow into these plans and desires that only He can come up with! Then you KNOW this is HIS plan! Please pray for open doors for Zufi to come stay with us so that His true plan may be revealed for her, for our family, for His kingdom.

November in the Park with Irene

Tuesday was just beautiful here in SE Missouri. It seems like the last month all it has done is rain and now this week it has been in the high 70's with lot's of sunshine. Irene, (above) my dear friend who comes a couple days a week to help me care for the boys, and I decided our walk with the boys that morning just wasn't enough outside time for us. After lunch, we packed up and went to the park. The boys love being outside! They enjoyed swinging, sliding down the red slide and the leaves!

I have posted about Irene before,(September 8), she and her family are waiting to hear if they have been approved for their green card status. They were suppose to hear something in October, but today is November 14, and still no word. Please pray for her family, that God would pave the way for them to stay in America. Her husband has been here for 12 years and has earned 3 masters degree. He has to be a full time student to meet the requirements of his visa. This limits the work he can do to provide for his family. Irene and their two sons joined Willis here 6 years ago. They are a very hardworking family who wish to be given the opportunity to work here in America and provide for their family. They do not want anything given to them, they just want what many Americans take for granted. . . a job, an education for their sons and to practice their Christian faith serving the KING!

I love Irene and her family. She and her family have become family to us. She has blessed me in so many ways. She teaches me everyday about the love and faithfulness of the Lord. Born and raised in Kenya, an educated and successful business woman there, joined her husband here for a better life for their boys. Her life story is a testimony of the Lords grace and redeeming love. I ask for your prayers on behalf of my sister, Irene.

A Rainbow and Spiders

Happy Halloweenie too all!