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Adoption update: No news on Emmanuel. Our case worker in Ghana is finalizing three other adoptions, so he has not had time to look for Emmanuel. The adoption agency has been great! We updated our home study to include the possibility of adopting a sibling pair up to 7 years old, If Emmanuel does not work out.  We are  #3 of on the referral list. Basically, the list identifies children who are legally available to be adopted. Most commonly asked questions: Yes, Emmanuel was on the list before.  No, we don't have to start over.  Yes, the majority of our money will transfer over. This journey has not been easy, but I have learned more about myself and my faith. I have also learned a tremendous amount about God's character and timing. Long story short, his timing is perfect. as is his ultimate plan. We waste way too much energy worrying about things, which are simply out of our control.   (Notice the eyes in the picture)     Family News Jessica is engaged.   We are excited

Emmanuel's Birthday is December 3rd.  Happy Birthday E’man. What an amazing year! The last seven months have been an incredible roller- coaster ride and we are so thankful God has brought you into our lives. You have changed us forever! In fact, God is already using you to impact the nations. How cool is that? We wish we could all be together, but God has a unique plan that only he fully understands. I can’t send a physical gift, but I can write you a letter from my heart and hope will have the opportunity to read at some point. If not, I believe we see each other in heaven and worship together. Seven months ago, we decided to adopt. Several days later we saw you! You saw your big chocolate innocent eyes and very quickly knew you were the one. Yes, we looked at others, but there was just something about you that drew us to you. We excitedly started the process to bring you home to us as fast as possible. Needless to say, your picture is all around our house, wallets, key cha

The heroes of adoption are not the adopting parents. The heroes are mothers and fathers who sacrifice. The world is calling out in desperate need. The God of the universe has equipped and filled our pockets with the resources required to meet the need. The question, we individually must be prepared to answer is, what did you do with the gifts God has given? Except the question of salvation, there simply is no greater question facing our generation. Technology, has changed the world we live in and our accountability. We can no longer say or claim we didn't know. The poverty, the diseased, the hurting and plight of orphans has been exposed for all to see. We all have a role to play and the time to act is now.  Please find a family or organization and make a difference this holiday season.  Thank you! I am so thankful for each of you this Thanksgiving season! Please join our family in praying for Emmanuel's mother. We don't' know what's going on, but we long for her

Adoption update: Our son is still missing. We have updated our home study, in case we need to go in a different direction. Yes, it's been tough and we have good and hard days. However, we know he is on the throne which provides SO much peace and comfort. We are excited about the next steps. There is more to our adoption story.... I had an amazing and unique childhood, which has shaped me in so many different ways. My parents were raised in two distinct ways My father was raised on a rural dairy farm. Early morning chores, long hard days working in the fields and one-room school house and occasional trips to the city was his way of life. His mother's determination to provide a quality education and a way out inspired my father and his brothers. In fact, she was his schoolteacher in the one room schoolhouse for many years. His father was a lifelong railroad man. Hard work and county living was his reality, and shaped his tireless work ethic. I always loved going to the

ADOPTION... A waiting...What do you hear when you pray? If you say, "Nothing" then I ask you to just listen, Jesus is there...just waiting to impart many graces and blessings upon each and every heart. "Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21 D edication...He says, "Come to me if you are troubled or afraid, if you have thanks to give or even if you have strayed. I'll welcome you with open arms, I'll never turn away." "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 O pen..."I long to see your face, your beautiful smile, so come sit with me My child, let's talk for a while. Cast upon Me all your worries, your troubles and your fear. Bring to Me all your cares, and promise to leave them here." "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 P eace..."My peace I will grant you and the strength you need

Adoption Update: Birth mother and Emmaunel are missing. So, we aren't sure what is next.  However, we know the creator of all things has us in his hands and we are peaceful as we wait.    My youngest daughter (at this time) turns 16 this weekend. I am amazed at how fast time goes. I blinked and now she is a sophomore. Shannon is a lot like me, in many ways, but it’s her heart and her love language, which moves me the most. I also love the “life” conversations which can occur at any time with my daughters. They are tender, sweet and humbling as I reminded of my dependence on the Holy Spirit. I love hearing my girls say, “Daddy." They will laugh when they read this, because there are times when I ask them say it repeatedly. Those words bring so much peace to my heart. I also love to hear them laugh. There simply is nothing like that sound and the smiles which follow. In that moment, you sense the deepest kind of satisfying love. You wish you could record every tiny moment i

Reminder: This Sunday is orphan Sunday. We would love to have a picture of you in your shirt!! Please send pics to rcall4him@gmail . Today, my (Kathy) heart is broken but my faith is strong. My head knows that God is in control of all things, He is Sovereign, He has a plan, and nothing that happens in our lives is a surprise to our Creator. But, we found out yesterday that the son we have invested in this past year, the son we have come to know as Emmanuel, the son that have grown to love as much as our biological children will probably stay with his birth mother.  In one respect, that is the goal of all foster parenting situations. The goal to reunite a child with their birth parents is understandable and often what is best for the child. But in an instance where we don’t know that birth mom, don’t know the circumstances that Emmanuel will be living in, don’t really know anything more than she has decided to keep him, it’s very hard to convince your heart that it’s right. My head