Adoption Update

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect" (2 Samuel 22:31-33).

I copied the idea of that Bible text from a friend's blog, who is celebrating the court date of when their daughter became legally a member of their family. They were in the middle of the bankruptcy of our agency, and had to really learn about taking refuge in God and that His ways are perfect.

As we continue to wait to bring our precious baby girl home, we are encouraged by whatever updates we receive. A few employees from our agency recently returned from a successful trip to Ethiopia. I was excited to see more pictures from them of our precious baby. It was also very encouraging to hear from them that she's doing well. It also, however makes me more eager to bring her home.

Our papers have been in Nairobi for 3 weeks now. Currently it's taking approximately 10-12 weeks to receive a facilitation Visa. Does that mean we're looking at 7-9 more weeks??? Exciting!!

On Monday, we went to get our immunizations. We have decided after much discussion and prayer, that we'll be taking our 2 oldest with us when we travel. Paul's sister will be their official nanny! The talk that's been going around in our home is, "Who needs Disney or Mickey Mouse when we have Aunt Trish?" !! If we have as much fun as we did in the travel medical clinic, then we're in for good time!

We're counting down!

We continue to pray for patience, and trust in God's timing. Also, our daily prayers go to Deborah, that she will be in good health.

Hup Holland Hup

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17).

This week Paul and I hope to celebrate (the Lord Willing), our 16th wedding anniversary! 16 years ago, Paul and I had the privilege to go to the World Cup in Orlando. It wasn't exactly how I planned on spending my time in Florida on my honeymoon, but I didn't want to put up a fight so soon in our marriage! However, we had an amazing time as we cheered on Holland and sang all the chants with the rest of the crowd (they won that game too)! It's one of our favourite memories that we have.

It's said that "opposites attract", but it's also said that "birds of the same feather flock together". I suppose personality wise, opposites often do attract, but in terms of interests, beliefs, etc. birds of the same feather often flock together. Paul and I have enjoyed many years of doing things that we both enjoy (or have come to enjoy). Sometimes we do things that we don't necessarily enjoy doing, but we do it for each other. 16 years ago, we stood before God and His people exchanging our vows and committing our lives to each other and our marriage to the Lord. 16 years ago, I married my best friend. 16 years later, I am still so in love with my best friend and I love making new memories with him. I look forward to many more fun memories as we continue on our journey together following God's path for our lives. Happy (almost) 16 years, Hon!

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6).

#627) monkeys (those in my life and those on class trips)


#628) class trip to the zoo
#629) successful golf tournament
#630) fun golfing with friends
#631) graduation ceremonies
#632) beautiful niece (valedictorian) and handsome, sweet nephew graduating
#633) good presentation with the grade 8 girls
#634) professional baby sitters (my nephew and his girlfriend)
#635) Father's Day
#636) my father-in-law's godly example of being a father
#637) fond memories of my father
#638) the father of my children and the wonderful godly example he is to our children
#639) good times getting immunizations today!
#640) our prayer meeting with the two oldest
#641) positive, verbal update about our baby girl

Just What the Doctor Ordered

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you" (Psalm 116:7).

-empty greenhouses
-rest
-a new trailer
-rest
-a weekend away as a family
-rest
-fun
-rest
-good times

Just what the doctor ordered!

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD you r God has blessed you" (Deuteronomy 12:7).

#605) building sand castles


#606) reading outdoors

#607) enjoying the new skill of reading

#608) lounging in the lake

#609) sand on the feet

#610) breakfast outside

#611) outdoor games

#612) a blooming author

#613) gift of music and piano recitals

#614) a whole weekend of family time with our new trailer!

#615) great weather while camping

#616) biking on trails

#617) 4 evening walk with my sister (and many other Dutchies)

#618) siblings spending time together and playing together

#619) lunch date with hubby

#620) visiting elderly aunts

#621) evidence of a dedicated sister

#622) at least one vegetable lover

#623) movie at a friend's church

#624) enthusiastic children upon seeing the trailer on the driveway

#625) great helpers unpacking

#626) God's amazing creation

"I bet you missed these"

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).

We get into a routine...breakfast together, lunch together, dinner together, etc. Then comes the spring rush and anyone involved in the greenhouse business understands what this means. New routines, crazy hours, and less meals together. As I have acclimatized to my new routines and as the spring rush begins to slow down, I feel like he's now cramping my style. How wrong I am for thinking this way. This morning, after breakfast, he reaches out for me and as he gives me a big hug, he says, "I bet you missed these". Our bodies press together, and I realize how much I have missed his hugs, affection, and our time together. 16 years, and I will never tire of his hugs! Forgive me Lord, for my selfishness and help me to reciprocate his affection.

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rotted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness"

(Colossians 2:6-7).

#586) feeding God's little creatures


#587) finding hidden animals (even if they're fake)!


#588) little explorers


#589) flowers from the garden
#590) little helper with my gardening (my little nephew)
#591) our adoption papers are officially on their way to the High Commissions in Nairobi!
#592) young people publicly professing their faith in church
#593) co-operative siblings games
#594) day trip with the kids on Saturday
#595) bonnets and our precious little girl
#596) balls
#597) chocolate chip cookie dough
#598) apple snacks
#599) apple de-corer
#600) local strawberries
#601) fresh fruit from the market
#602) fresh cut grass
#603) encouragement from my hubby
#604) mutual sanctification

Be Bold

"...enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness....And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly" (Acts 4:29,31).

So often I am like this turtle that we found in our backyard - I hide in my shell. I miss so many opportunities to be bold and speak openly about my Lord, or what I believe in. Missed opportunities come in so many different forms, or situations. It could be in the grocery store, talking with a neighbour, family member, at a restaurant, or even with my own children. It is my prayer like that of Peter and John in the book of Acts, to speak God's word "with great boldness". Forgive me Lord, for the many missed opportunities of speaking about You and your great love and amazing grace. Forgive me for hiding in my shell, and help me to be "filled with the Holy Spirit and speak the word of God boldly."

BE BOLD!!!

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" (Hebrews 12:28).

I'm a day late for my "Multitude Monday", but it's never too late to give thanks. And so, my list continues...

#566) helpful family members


#567) strong, hard-working hubby


#568) fun beads for hair

#569) track and field day

#570) races

#571) jumping

#572) summer weather

#573) pool weather

#574) beautiful butterflies

#575) turtles

#576) updated photos of our baby girl!!

#577) young French learners

#578) catching up with old friends

#579) out spoken prayer with friends

#580) coffee time with friends

#581) inspiring, uplifting concert

#582) night out with my hubby!!

#583) sleeping in the trailer on the driveway

#584) birds singing

#585) God's awesome creation!!