We received our approved and finalized homestudy!!!

We can now move on to the next step- which is sending our dossier off for authentication and then..... on to Ethiopia! Praise Jesus! The waiting is so hard. People ask all the time how everything is going- it is so hard to answer because.... well- I decided it is partly because we were raised in a generation that thinks that everything happens, now.... the microwave generation.... including Jared and I :-) God is giving us opportunities to be patient.

Our children are finished with sports for the summer and we get to enjoy a nice break, with dinner every night at home together. That makes my heart smile. Austin and KK are memorizing verses. Sure, I encouraged it a little- a quarter a verse. What better way to earn money. The younger ones are learning to swim and are absolutely fearless. I remember as a little girl, long summer days--- that drug on forever it seemed.... Now, it justs flys by...

We planted a garden and it has been fun to watch everything grow- we have our first peppers that are almost ripe :-) Yum! Our dog, Sarah, who we adopted from the people who lived across the street and moved, just had 5 puppies.... I said it, FIVE... To add to our already crazy house. The kids all think they are great fun.... Soon they will be ready to find new homes :-) They are precious though.

Our college kids are out of school for the summer, and two of them just got married- to each other. Two other couples just got engaged.... They are all growing up and it has been so awesome for our family to be a part of their lives. Each of them is a testimony to staying strong in their faith when so many are giving into their flesh. I will have to figure out how to put some pictures of Sunday Night Dinners on here.

We have the amazing opportunity to speak at our church on the 21st of June about our adoption. I am nervous but so excited to share this exciting adventure and allow others to see such a great need. Please continue to pray for us and for all 6 of our children.... That God would move mountains- everything that stands in the way of His will.... And that we would remember that "we can do all things, through Christ who gives us strength."