Permanent Placement

The last few weeks have been a blur.  We have had two teams, both people we love so much.  We reached out to the children of the circus.  We continue to adjust to the new family that we are.  And finally this weekend, the girls were able to get settled with their new loft beds and dressers.  And today I began working on getting ready for school to start next Monday.  I am blessed to have almost daily conversations with Josh, which bless me so much.  Now I get why my mom loves when I call!!!

Elizabeth is a blessing in every way.  She is loved by everyone who meets her, makes me laugh like crazy, and often just jumps in and helps wherever she sees the need.  Sometimes I think God sent her just for me...but I will share her with Belize:)

Tori and Lee designed these beds and the Mennonites built them.  They turned out so cool.  So the girls have so much room now.  Each has a desk under the bed so when school starts, they can work.  It is so nice to finally have it all coming together.

The rainy season is heavy upon us.  I love the lower temps but not the humidity.  I can hang things outside all day and they are still wet.  But I still love the rain.  It is so peaceful.

Almost a year ago, the Lord asked us to do something.  And it truly was the Lord.  We were visiting the children's home here with one of the teams.  The director just happened to mention Kailey's name and Lee, Tori and I were all overwhelmed with the presence of God and moved to tears.  I felt the Lord ask us to take Kailey into our family.  It is not something we took lightly.  Obedience is sometimes costly.  But in obedience to the Lord, we experience the greatest blessings.  We have had Kailey for many weekends, Christmas, other special times over the past year.  Yet, sometimes social services has been very back and forth with her status.  It has been an emotional journey for her and us.  Last Thursday, though, we went as a family to Social Services in the city, and Kailey was Permanently Placed in our home.  It was an emotional day, the reality that she cannot go home, but also a day filled with joy that the Lord would choose our family to walk out this journey with Kailey.  We plan to adopt her once we are able to receive citizenship in a little over a year.  Please pray as we continue to adjust as a family and be sensitive to all of our girls' needs and hearts.

It was very windy by the sea, but it was important to me for us to capture this important day.

Josh is doing well.  He worked hard to get a job at Office Depot, in the printing department.  He is so excited, as he trained, this was the part he liked the most.  It is close to campus and seems to be a good atmosphere for him to work in.  In fact, Waxahachie just seems to be a great place for Josh to live.  He loves his church and is already very involved.  This is Josh sharing from the pulpit about what it is like to be a missionary.  The pastor's wife told him that he impacted two young boys as he shared.  He still has a month until school starts, but we are so thankful he is having this time adjusting to his new life on his own.  Yes, he still facebooks me about how to the laundry.  And I love every message or call I get from him.  I sometimes think about him being so far away and miss him so much, yet I am filled with such peace that he is exactly where the Lord wants him.  If you want to send him a care package, let me know and I will give you the address:)

Lots of changes going on...

What does my world look right now?  Both of my girls are in new rooms, Tori and Kailey are on beds on the floor...the new beds still not finished:(  Their clothes are in Elizabeth's room, while her clothes are stacked on shelves.  The word...everyone is having to be a little flexible these days.  My son is gone to college, and we have two new girls in our home.  My world is full of change these days.  There is lots of cooking and cleaning, but thankfully lots of help as well.  I would describe my home as full of adjusting, lots of laughing, and settling into our new way of life.

Elizabeth arrived Monday, yet I can't remember her not being here.  She has just fit right into our home life, church family and blessed me in so many ways.  She is always willing to help.  She is an encouragement when there are sister squabbles, and anyone who knows this girl, full of life.  She makes me laugh every single day.  And amidst all the change, sometimes I need a good laugh.  I know already she is going to be a blessing to our LifeNet kids, but beyond that, the church in general.  And even more than that, she is a blessing to our home.

Kailey is adjusting great.  She had two weeks of summer school, so was busy in the mornings.  I love seeing especially Tori and Kailey bonding.  They laugh as they put on facemasks, watch movies, do their nails.  At the dinner table the other night, I asked who was Kailey's best friend and she reached over and hugged Tori.  And even remembering, it brings tears to my eyes.  Kailey comes alive when talking about cooking, because it is something her guardian taught her to do from a young age.  Today, she is teaching me and we are making Stewed Chicken, Rice and Beans, the Belizean staple.  I have never made it before so hoping it turns out awesome.  She has a whole list of other things she wants to teach me.  And I love that there is a way for me to connect with her.

We went to the circus last night...I enjoyed the time with the family:)

Tori has had to go to having her own room for a couple years to once again sharing.  And I am proud that for the most part, she has been awesome about it.  She is excited for their new loft beds to arrive so she can get busy decorating, which is definitely her gifting.  We are beginning the process of a her and I volunteering at a new Pregnancy Help Center opening right in our neighborhood.  I am excited to still be able to have some special one on one time serving alongside my girl.

Erika is now in Josh's old room that will serve as a guest room as well.  It has been the biggest adjustment for her, going from a bottom bunk to a queen size bed.   And a little scary to sleep in a new room a little farther than mommy.  But with lots of prayers and hugs and awesome worship as she goes to sleep, she is doing great.  She enjoyed a few days of ballet/jazz/hip hop class at YWAM our first week back as well as was a flower girl in a wedding.  So her days have been full.



Today, we receive our first team, followed up with another one.  I love when teams come but the days fly by.  I can't wait to see one of my closest friends in a couple of weeks as she brings a team from her church this year.

I have adjusted back into Belizean life so much quicker this time than ever before.  I am sure it is because I jumped right into a busy schedule.  But I do love my life here, my church family here.  Not everything here...but it is where God has planted me:)

And today I am thankful for the steady rain outside because it keeps the temps so much more comfy:)  Have an awesome Saturday.