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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

the week...

What a week...there are so many emotions, experiences and memories that have been made over the last week that it is hard to put into words but I will make a valiant attempt!

**We cannot stop looking at the pictures of our 3 new sons. They are such handsome kids with great smiles!! For now, they will have to stay anonymous to the blogosphere as they are not "legally" part of our family yet. But if you come for coffee...I have pictures:)

**We have met and talked with 4 or so families who just 'happen' to live around us here in Alberta and have adopted children from Ethiopia. One thing I prayed for when we moved from SK is that God would provide us with community in the adoption world, not only for our children who are not yet home but also for 4 kids home including little man! And God has answered prayers - we have good friends right here in Camrose who have adopted and we are meeting new friends not to far away who have travelled this road before us in Ethiopia. All this week, amidst introduction, stories and incredible "God" moments, I have been thankful.

**My thoughts and prayers have been all over the map this week! There are many unknowns when you step forward in this adventure and I think my mind has asked so many questions to myself this week- does that make sense?:) What if...what happens when...how will they...what about... But then morning comes and I am reminded of God's faithfulness and goodness. And as I sat looking a new pictures of our boys this morning, I was reminded that my life is not my own - but rather to be used by Him as I follow Him. And right now, that means becoming a mom to seven!!

**I try hard to by honest on this blog, but sometimes it is hard. I am an oldest child, fairly independent, like planning and organizing and figuring things out. I like accomplishing tasks, checking things off a list...you probably get the picture!!Ha! Ultimately, I like to do things on my own.....

However - this journey, now that we have received the referral, is calling me to even deeper reliance on God and His provision & faithfulness. So for example...As you know, the referral for our sons happened crazy fast and I/we didn't have as much time we thought we would have to come up with a full financial plan and implement it. We have been able to save for a portion which we are very thankful... Three referrals means significantly more financial costs as there are more files so more paperwork, more flights etc...If you could please keep us in your prayers as we begin to navigate this and seek God as we plan and trust in His provision, we would greatly appreciate it. I just keep telling myself to breathe and remember that this is what we feel called to - i am sure some of you have been here:)

28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Amen.

And of course, with all of these exciting but crazy things - I am home sick today. But it may be a blessing in disguise. Quietness, time with God, rest and rejuvenation, and time to think and plan. Have a good day everyone!

Blessings,
Candra

Friday, April 26, 2013

Moving forward

We have exciting news to share with all of you...

We are going to be parents again -

not once

not twice

but three times over!

Early this week we received a referral for 3 boys from Ethiopia and have accepted the referral!
Their ages are 9, 6 and 5 and they are absolutely beautiful children.

Many people have been asking how I have been feeling - and it is a mix of peace (knowing that we continue to be obedient to God's calling), fear ( i mean - 5 boys....crazy!!:)), thankfulness, humbled (that we are privileged to get to be a part of their stories and unconditional love towards them already (for those of you adoptive mommas, this is just a surreal experience isn't it).

And it wouldn't be complete if I wasn't already making plans, organizing etc. I love planing & organizing:) We have a lot to do before they come home- home renos, get bedrooms ready, figure out a plan for the remaining finances, get Riley's knee better, organize our lives and create more systems for our home. And continue leaning hard into God and drawing closer to Him.

We would love your prayers for the above mentioned things and thanks for those of you already who have expressed your support. We could not do this without community and we love all of you who are a part of it.

We as a family enjoy momentum. Moving forward. We are very aware that it is easy to become complacent and comfortable without relying on God, to become satisfied with things of this world and not risk for His sake.

So we move forward. As a family of 9 (wow- I love it!). And risk for His sake as we pursue God's call for our lives.

I am a mom of 7. awesome.

Blessings,
Candra

ps. by way of info - we now await a court date which will hopefully be in 3-4 months (we are praying for July as court is closed in August). At this time, they will become legally part of our family. Then we wait another 3-4 months for their Canadian citizenship to be processed. We are praying that by Christmas they will be home!!!Not that it is great time for 3 Ethiopian kids- may need to get them 2 snowsuits each just to keep warm:)

Sunday, April 21, 2013

FAMILY DAY!!!!


It was little man's family day today!!!!!

3 years ago today


the gorgeous baby boy 



became our son forever....

We love you! 
We are amazed and blessed to call you our son- 
you add so much joy, laughter & fun to our family!!



Monday, April 15, 2013

love beyond what others can justify

"Love beyond ways others can justify"- r. sexton

I love this quote. Heard it for the first time this week during a great sermon. The main question he asked was "Do you fear what God has intended for good?". He used the parable of the good samaritan. The first 2 men didn't stop. Didn't have the time of day. Maybe they were fearful or something like it - apathetic, worried about what others may say, following the societal norms. But the third guy crossed all these barriers and not only took the time to pay attention but to take him on his own donkey, get him to a safe place, pay for his accommodations and then come back and check on him.

He loved beyond what others could justify.

Me. I continue to lay down my life daily. That I am not here to be served but to serve. To love my God wholly. To love my husband. To love my kids. To love my friends and coworkers. To love the abandoned. The widowed. To love the lost and to love the very least of these.

I am learning that that there is a tug of war. That everything around me is counter to that. I want to do renos on my house. I want new clothes. We want to give our kids more things. I want the comforts of this life. In and of itself, these are not bad things. But when they take our eyes off of our call. Our call to serve and love as Christ has loved us. That is when there is dissonance. Like nails on a chalk board. It doesn't line up. Conflict.

Love beyond what other could justify.

Right now for me it is leaning hard into trusting God and the call He gave us to adopt an older child or children. People think we are a little crazy and we are - but it is what we are called to do at this moment in our lives.

What is it for you?


Blessings,
Candra



Friday, April 5, 2013

en route

Camrose to...

...Toronto to...

...Edmonton to...

...Memphis to...

...France to....

...Dubai to...

...hopefully Addis Ababa.....

Our dossier is in its final lag to Ethiopia! We have been tracking it through our Fed Ex account and we are so excited to be officially waiting again - This has been a long last 3 years as we had a file open in another country, country closed, we moved and had to restart paperwork for our file in Ethiopia. We trust that timing, finances and who the child(ren) will be is in God's hands. We have done our part and now we wait...

easter 2013

Cannot wait to see more faces in the next family pic...

Blessings,

Candra