Sweet Miss Averi

What a sweetheart....Averi saw the change jar on the counter that now has a picture of M. on it (adoption funds) and asked if it would be OK if she put her whole piggy bank in the jar. Love You Averi!

A troubling reality that might just "Dare You To Move"

Dads and Adoption

I found this video on a blog the other day. This dad offers great encouragement and biblical founded advice for Dads wrestling with the thought of adopting a child.

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

This is just the right book at just the right time! It challenged me, humbled me, renewed my walk and focus on living out the Gospel in a hurting world. This adoption process has brought forth many positive comments from friends and family. Facebook, the blog, at work, at church....we are truly blessed to have so many offering encouragement and support. This book was a powerful reminder that this isn't a Casey and Lacey thing....this is a God thing. The natural and human thing is to let those positive comments fill the ego, rather than reflect and give the glory to the real mastermind behind the plan. As the author puts it, "We think we are shaking up the world when actually we're just along for the ride."

But When you give to the needy, do not let you left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:3-4 NIV)

The other powerful point in this book is the realization that the American Dream, which is still full of promise, opportunity, and hope is only possible through an "accident of latitude." Children in other areas of the world start with the same  hopes and dreams just to have them shattered by extreme poverty, disease, injustice, and war. I am a baseball fan and always find the greatest truths usually come about through a great baseball analogy or metaphor....this book didn't disappoint. "In the game of life, many of us who cross home plate do so because we were born on third base. Other's aren't even on a team." The realization that our son, M. , is one of those who could have been without a team tears me up, to know there are millions more just like him is incomprehensible.



Fingerprints Appointment Moved Up!

Lacey and I will travel to Helena on Friday for our fingerprinting appointment.

Yahooo....It's a Date....USCIS Fingerprinting in Helena

Today we received our date from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Office for fingerprinting in Helena, MT. Lacey and I will travel to Helena on 2/28/11! That is much needed news as the waiting game was getting very difficult. The next exciting date we are waiting on is my court date in Ethiopia. Thanks to all for their continued prayers and support.

"Love is Patient" 1 Corinthians 13:4

"One Less" by Matthew West

"We are called
To the widows and the orphans
But it's easy to ignore their silent crys
Oh but every single time
Somebody reaches into the darkness
Makes a choice to help the helpless
They let mercy save a life"