A cool morning at the zoo

  We met my sister-in-law, Jennifer and my nephew, Dexter at the zoo today. It was a cool day and very crowded! Our kids had a great time running around through all the field trip groups... I guess it is that time of year. I remember taking my third graders on field trips, it was always so crazy...one of the harder days of teaching...the kids just go wild when they don't have any structure. I am sooooo glad to be at home with my own kids...I am truly blessed to have the privilege to be a stay at home mother. Even on the hard days...I would not trade it for the world! But, of course... it is never easy, but in my right mind, I am so grateful to be the only one raising them.  Well, anyway, we had a great time! We looked at the animals, but they had the most fun on the train and carousel! Thanks for treating us Jenn Jenn!

 Jenn Jenn, Mary Taylor, Dexter, Me, and Henry ridding the train.

 The train is an all time favorite for the boys!

The carousel makes me dizzy, so Mary Taylor and I 

watched as Jenn Jenn rode it with Henry and Dexter.

Sixty Feet

For the last month I have been talking about the children's prison in Uganda that a lady stumbled upon.  I found out about this place through a stay at home mom who started blogging about this terrible place and well... the rest is history. God has moved among the hearts of many of his people to do something about it and bring the gospel to these children in more ways than one. After, we attended the cup cake sale three weeks ago. Dan's family, Good to Be Crazy, had another cup cake sale two weeks later (last weekend), along with several others around the country. All together they raised $10,000.00 for the children's prison!!! So amazing and exciting to see God work!! Around the same time, Dan and several other people, felt lead to start a organization called Sixty Feet to help these orphans.

Sixty Feet is an action-based organization created
to improve the conditions at a specific facility in Uganda that dastardly confines hundreds of orphans. To protect the children and our team on the ground, we are referring to this place with a fictitious name: Mukisa

A team of two men are there RIGHT NOW in Uganda, you can track how God is using them at the Sixty Feet blog. This all happened in a month! Watch this video footage of Day 1 at Mukisa, just added to their blog a few minutes ago.


Meeting Needs from Sixty Feet on Vimeo.

Just a little late.... Easter celebration at the DeBardelebens

We had to postpone Easter until the following weekend, because Dee's father (Pop) was in the hospital. He is now home, still battling cancer. Please pray that he will have peace through this struggle. Despite the circumstances, we had a lovely time eating lunch and enjoying the spring weather. Henry and Mary Taylor enjoyed the attention as usual.

 Mary Taylor finally warmed up to Aunt Julia.

 Nana is helping Mary Taylor wipe off daddy's face. 

She loves to clean, so different than her brother.

 Merry, Nana, and Mary Taylor are enjoying some beautiful spring weather!

 Where's your belly button? 

There is nothing better than a little round belly and cute little legs!

Mary Taylor is putting stickers on Pop.

 And Pop is putting stickers on her.

My great NEED for Jesus

At the park today I was talking with an acquaintance that I have known for a while, but I would like to get to know better. She is very insightful and I appreciate her deep thinking. Our boys love running around wild with each other because they come from the same "rough and tough" boy mold.  We were lucky nobody got hurt during the stick fight!

We were discussing the blog world and all its pros and cons. We were saying we obviously do not agree with what everyone writes in blogs, but who are we to judge. Everyone has a different opinions about everything. If we do not agree, we should just stop reading it. She said for example, "I did not realize you had such a great love for Jesus. I would never comment whether I agreed with everything you wrote, it is not my place to judge." I agreed with her, but I welcomed discussion if someone wanted to talk about what I write on my blog. I am not offended if someone did not agree with me. I told her that I felt God wanted me to start this blog and I pray that every blog entry will be to glorify the Lord, whether it be about what God is teaching me,  our adoption, my children, or just crafts. I tend to always worry about what people will think, but I pray that the Lord will get the glory, not me! There is going to be mixed emotions (sin vs. kingdom perspective) with every blog entry I write, but I pray that his love would shine through me and people would see Jesus, not Melissa. I am so glad my friend thinks that I have a great love for Jesus, but my love for Jesus is so small in comparison to my great NEED for Jesus. I constantly fail in loving Jesus, but HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS! He is constantly pursuing me and he will finish what he has started. I have just realized that nothing fills my empty cup like Jesus can. The things of this world leave me empty and wanting more.

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

This NEED I see in myself, I see in my children. Henry, three and half, completely dropped his nap around his third birthday, so by Friday, he is a train wreck. He is exhausted! So by the time we got home from the park today at 1:30, he was crying and screaming at me and saying "Nothing will make me happy, nothing will make me happy!" I knew he probably needed a nap, but he will just be up until 10:00 if he takes one. He kept saying, "Nothing will make me happy!" I said, " Nothing will make you happy?" He said, " Well, TV will make me happy!" I said, "Henry, you have to read in your room for thirty min. before you watch TV." Henry said." I don't want to read in my room! I don't like reading books!" He is beyond tired at this point!! He kept saying, "Nothing will make me happy!" Then I gave him an ice cream sandwich, because I did not feel like dealing with him anymore. (to be honest) Then, I said, " Is that making you happy?" He said, "Yes!" Then after he finished, he started crying again to watch TV. I said, "Henry, I thought you were happy now?" Then he started again, "Nothing will make me happy!" I said, "Jesus will make you happy!" Henry said, "No, Jesus won't make me happy, only TV will!" I said, "Henry, nothing will truly ever make you happy, except Jesus." He said, "TV will make me happy! "Henry I am going to pray that Jesus will make you happy." So I prayed for him while he kicked and screamed. Finally, I took him to his room and made him stay there...five minutes later he fell asleep! Oh, well...Dee...I guess we are going to have a late night!!

Oh, how I see my own self in Henry! I kick and scream as Jesus continues to love me and mold me and make me more like him...so I will experience true happiness!

Art Projects

We have been busy playing outside in this beautiful weather, but we have also found time to do a couple of projects! I first had to drag the kids to Home Depot at least four times to collect all the supplies. The first project we did was decorate terracotta pots for Grandmother Jackson's birthday and Nana's Birthday. Henry did a great job, but Mary Taylor screamed the whole time I was painting her hand and forcing her to put it on the pot. We made one for each of them. Here is our finished product!
 

 On the same day, we also finger painted! Wow... I am not sure what I was thinking...because I had to do a lot of cleaning up! Both kids had to be bathed. This the first time I have let them finger paint sense Mary Taylor has been alive. It's a whole different story when their are two kids making this big of a mess!

The second project was a magnetic chalk board for our playroom! I have been saving up money for a couple of months for this project, it wasn't cheap. I had to collect a magnetic metal sheet that was 3x4 ft., plywood that was 3x4 ft., wood molding, mitre box, chalkboard paint, and gorilla glue. I did this project over four days between all the glue and paint that needed to dry and the cutting of the wood molding. Using a Mitre box is not easy, my fore arms are very sore from sawing the wood. But, once you get the hang of it, it's not bad. The chalk board paint can be tinted to be several different colors, I decided to branch out from plain and simple to peapod green! This board is far from perfect, considering I forgot to prime the metal before I applied three coats of chalkboard paint. But, it works for now until the kids scrap the paint off. Another project for another day! I was excited at how it turned out!

***Our homestudy will be ready to be approved by tomorrow, but then it will be sent to our placing agency, Generations. Our social worker there will look over it and then send it to us by the end of next week so we can send it off to USCIS. A week later than we thought, but it is almost ready to go!

Great News!

 The Senate meeting was a success! As of March 16th, 2010, the US Embassy will start granting visas for Ugandan adoptions! As long as the Ugandan Courts make sure they have the correct wording in the documents, then and only then, will visas be granted for Americans to bring orphans home to become sons and daughters!! This is GREAT NEWS!! After two and half months of waiting for this situation to be resolved, these American families will be coming home with their new Ugandan children! Praise Jesus! The Department of State has just put up this notice about Ugandan adoptions.

I emailed our social worker today and he said our homestudy will be ready to send off next Friday! Yay!! One step closer to our precious Ugandan Child!!

I just found this picture of these sweet Ugandan children, I had to post!

How is our adoption going?

Many of you often ask me how the adoption process is going. Well, our social worker is writing up our homestudy and hopefully it will be sent to the USCIS immigration office VERY SOON. It usually takes the USCIS immigration office about three months to process homestudies and fingerprints. After three months, we should be approved to finally adopt a child. Well, normally after this approval, we would then be issued a referral (a picture and description of our child), but because of the situation in Uganda...it could take longer.

As for the situation in Uganda, the Ugandan courts have agreed to everything the US Embassy is asking them to do, but the US is still not granting visas. So, several American citizens, including my husband, are now writing letters and calling their congressmen to plead our case and help get these orphans home. Tomorrow, April 14th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the Senate is having a briefing to discuss the visa situation in Uganda.

I guess I rest in knowing that we serve a good God and a God that has a huge heart for the fatherless. The Lord is bigger than both the Ugandan government and the US government. He can make anything happen if it is his will. His will is perfect and good, even though sometimes it does not feel perfect and good. His will at times, might even feel down right horrible and you might be suffering. The Lord says there is JOY in suffering. Did you say JOY in suffering? Yes, I did say JOY. The situation between the Ugandan government and the US government could be suffering to some of us, especially if this situation has made you separated from loved ones. God is asking you to rest in him, lay your frustrations and burdens at his feet. He is working in our lives even when we don't feel it. Our suffering should draw us closer to the one who created us. This brings glory to God. What does Piper say: "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him". So our suffering allows us not to be satisfied with the world, but satisfied with God, which brings him glory. We were designed this way. The Lord has given me little glimpses of joy in suffering during this past year and that is where I have found life! Christ is the one who fulfills and makes us whole!
James says in James 1:2-6

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

Please pray with us that God would move mountains and once again open the doors for Ugandan adoptions.

"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." Matthew 18:20

Oh, Amazing Grace...one less orphan!!

I have been on pins and needles waiting to here about my friend Kelley being united with her daughter yesterday in China. Kelley and I were roommates our junior year at Auburn together. Kelley is one of the first people I have known personally to go through the process of adoption. Her story is a testimony to the Lord's amazing grace! She has known her daughter from a picture for several months, but now she is holding her in her arms!! Truly amazing! Her daughter's name is Virginia Grace Xue Brown, they are going to call her Grace. Grace is so beautiful and she has the sweetest laugh. Reading about her "Gotcha day" brought me to tears! Oh, amazing Grace, how sweet the sound! Praise the Lord, for rescuing another orphan and making her a daughter! I am just thrilled for you, Kelley and Scott! God is so good!

Easter Feast at the Children's Prison

Some Easter festivities don't look quite like ours, but these participants are more grateful than you can ever imagine or dream. When you have nothing, something seems like heaven.  Look here to see how J and B used the money donated when they delivered food and supplies to the Children's prison in Uganda.

Easter Festivities

Happy late Easter! I am going to apologize now, for this is a long post, full of pictures. Yes, my blogging has partly become my scrapbook, considering I have not scrapbooked in seven months. My time blogging has taken its place right now. Sorry for so many pictures, but I had to take advantage of good photo ops.

Our first Easter egg hunt was in our neighborhood down at our park.

Henry and all his buddies from the neighborhood.

Brook and Blair, Frida and Charlotte, and Me with Mary Taylor

Mary Taylor was not interested in the Easter egg hunt, but she loved carrying all the bags and buckets like purses. Everything with a handle is a purse.  

I was shocked that Hannah, Henry and Anna stopped for three seconds to take a picture.

On Tuesday we had a church playgroup Easter egg hunt at another park in the area.

All the boys plus Elie!!!

M. T. enjoyed eating the candy with her one tooth. At least she tried!

Our attempt to get all the kids in the picture. I know two or three are missing, Oh well, we tried.

On Saturday, we had the privilege of my sister Amelia coming into town to spend Easter with us. We had the great time at Piedmont Park. My children love spending time with her, she is the best! Mary Taylor would not go to anyone else the whole day! I took advantage of her being here...we cut each others hair and she took tons of pictures for me, so I could  be in some of them...all so we can save money for our adoption!!

Me, Henry, and Amelia

Amelia and Henry had a fun time dying Easter eggs.

I can't get enough of my sweet, crazy, precious little boy!

Finally a family picture of us! Not great, but this is our life...right! Thanks Amelia!

It was hard not letting MT jump back into Amelia's arms. Oh...off she goes again! ( next picture)

MT loves some her some "MeMe"!

(Amelia's nickname given by Henry when he was first learning to talk)

Henry and Mary Taylor loved the firetruck.

Look at Mary Taylor's face! She loved walking by herself. She had the best time!

I will cherish this one!

Then we stopped at the "big playground" as Henry calls it.

Mary Taylor did not like the sand...one bit!

She would not let Amelia put her back in.

Miss Priss is too funny!

Henry makes friends everywhere we go, whether it be the park, chickfila, or the drugstore.

He loves anybody that will run around with him!

On the way to the car, we passed by the cuttest dogs...I think they were called Cockapoos ( a mix between cocker spaniel and poodle). The kids loved them! We have two big dogs in our house, so it is fun for them to see small dogs.

Mary Taylor wasn't too sure about this strange man letting her hold the dog. Look at this cute dog!!

Ohh... then fell asleep!

Easter morning the kids each enjoyed their Easter baskets. I would like to say their baskets were full of symbolic gifts pertaining to the resurrection, but...no they were full of candy and a pair of sunglasses...maybe next year...when I have a third child adopted from Uganda I will have time to do that..Ha Ha!

Henry is trying so hard to sit still and take a picture for me.

Then we headed to our friends, the Hardees, for breakfast and Henry and Mary Taylor enjoyed yet another Easter egg hunt. Henry and Anna had the best time eating every bit of candy! Yes, he was bouncing off the walls at this point...if not before!

With this being the third Easter Egg hunt, everyone got a little distracted after a little while. 

This food was delicious! Thanks Frida for still having us over,

even though you did not feel good. It was delicious!

I love this picture of Charolette patting Mary Taylor, too bad my eyes were closed.  

  

It's a sign of new life! He is risen!

The Hardees, a sweet family that lives in our neighborhood.

 

Two babies with their daddy! Everyone is worn out already and it is only 10:00 am!

This is going to be a long day!

  After our wonderful breakfast, we headed to church. Yay, the real reason we celebrate Easter! Oh, how refreshing the sermon was and the music helped us worship our king! At church the kids always run around after the sermon, but they often get hurt, so one of the young teenagers in our church, Abigail, sat with the kids and told them a story that they were very intrigued with. The kids were sad when it was over, but Abigial said she would continue the story next week. She is a very mature 13 year old. What a blessing Abigail is to our church.

Abigail and all the kids!

Henry, Mary Taylor, James, and Drew...poor Drew!

Sam, James and Henry

Me, Mary Taylor, Teddy, and Hannah

Sweet baby girls is sooooo tired!!

After church, the plan was to go to Dee's parents house, because they live in town, but his father was in the hospital all weekend. Cleve has been battling cancer for about five months now, so he had some complications and had to be hospitalized. Please pray for him as he struggles with this sickness.... So Easter was postponed with the DeBardelebens. Anyway, Dee made the excecutive decision to go to my Grandmother's house instead. They were already celebrating anyway. Mary Taylor and Henry are the only grandchildren on my side of the family, so everyone was surprised and thrilled to get to spend Easter with them.

Mary Taylor loves her daddy and he is a sucker for her!

After four Easter egg hunts Mary Taylor finally has it down.

 

Mary Taylor has lots of loves...including Robert!

Corrie and Grandmother with Mary Taylor.

Grandmother's gettin some love from baby girl!

Cousin Rachel, Henry, and Amelia watching "Mary Poppins" on tv.

Henry would watch tv all day if I let him.

We had such a great weekend, especially because my sister was here with us. Amelia, thanks for all your help with the kids. Let us know when you want to come back!! HeHeHe!

Christ has risen! Our old self has been crucified with him!

Rejoice, for we are new creations!!

He is making all things new! What great news!