Something new

Bo and I are in the midst of making a potentially life-changing decision. I don't want to give too many details yet, just in case nothing comes of it, but we would really appreciate prayers for guidance, discernment, peace, etc. Basically, Bo has pretty much decided that the Lord wants us to go down a certain path--I don't disagree, but I do have some anxieties and reservations, and either way, it will be a HUGE deal for us. So please pray!!!!

"...The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
James 5:16

One year older

My birthday actually turned out really great. :) Bo surprised me by having some of our friends meet us at Dave & Buster's last night to eat and play games! It was really fun; Jack had a blast and so did the grown-ups. We even won Jack a huge stuffed Elmo, so he was thrilled. Unfortunately Bunjee's truck was stolen from the parking lot while we were having fun inside. Crazy!!

This is the first year that I have been bummed out about my birthday, but Bo did a really good job of making it a good day, despite my sour mood. I also happened to get a coupon for a free phone in the mail (I've been desperately wanting a new phone for a while now)! It was actually supposed to be for Bo, but he graciously offered to let me have the new phone. I am excited. I love that stuff!

Adoption, baptism, singing, and other updates

I have a lot of updating to do!!!

1. We have decided to go the domestic route for adoption. Likely, it will take the form of fostering to adopt. There will be lots of training to go through, etc., so please pray for us!

2. Jack and I just got back yesterday from Virginia. We went to see Caitlyn get baptized, which was wonderful! Jesus said, "believe and be baptized." Caitlyn came to believe last year, and she followed it up with being baptized this Tuesday. It was wonderful. She had shared her testimony with the church a while back, and it is obvious that she has touched many lives. I'm so proud of her for taking this step of obedience!! She has now declared publicly that she belongs to Jesus and that she believes in Him as her savior. It was a very happy occasion! :)

3. Please pray for Bo and his job.

4. At the baptism the other day, the worship leader sang a song that he'd written, and some of the lyrics were "whisper in their ear, Lord, how much they matter." It really spoke to me. At the risk of sounding whiny, I have to admit that, for much of my life, I have felt like I don't matter much. That song was a nice reminder that I do matter to God--and if I matter to Him, well, that is everything! I mean, come on! He's the creator of the universe for goodness' sake!

5. Also at the baptism, during worship, we sang the song "Here I am to Worship." As we began to sing the chorus, all of a sudden the sweetest voice could be heard next to me, singing in the sweetest Ethiopian accent I've ever heard. Temima was singing:

"Here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that you're my God."

Casey and I both were overcome by hearing her sing that song. It was the sweetest thing I've ever heard!

6. "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

1 John 1:5-7

7. Jack is really happy to be home. He keeps running to his toys, so excited it's as if they're brand new! It's very sweet.

8. Incidentally, today is also my 25th birthday.

A few photos from our trip to VA

Some of my favorites...

These are a few of my many favorite scripture verses.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distressees, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Job 1:21-22
And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

BONK! Jack's largest goose-egg to date.

Zoe and Jack collided today, and here is the aftermath:


Don't worry; he's fine--he's about as hard-headed as they come! :)

Aunt Casey's visit/a day at Lake Travis

Eating lunch with Daddy Mommy love!
We won a noodle for answering a water safety trivia question. Jack thought it was the greatest!
Mommy makes a comfy seat
Undressing Aunt Casey

Jack's 18-month pictures