Life is busy

John 1:16
"From the fullness of His grace we have received one blessing after another."

Ahh! I can't believe it has been so long since I have gotten to blog! I miss it! I have so much stored in my head that I really need to get on paper or in this day and age, on laptop, before I forget it all.
But rarely is there anytime during the day and by early evenings, I am too tired to sit and think. I just want to go to bed with Isaiah.
It is Sunday afternoon and I have issued a quiet time til 4pm which I have realized now is only 7 minutes away! Shoot! I got busy ordering school books and other stuff and time has slipped away. Isaiah is sleeping and Daddy is sleeping and it is quiet as I am holed up back in my room! Maybe the kids won't watch the clock and will let me get a few paragraphs typed. :)
As you have probably figured, life has been VERY busy since we have arrived home 3 weeks ago today!
Wow! how time has flown. The first week was spent recooperating from the trip. The second and third week was spent making room to breath in this house. Finally, I can see the floor - in several rooms! Things are finding their proper places and staying there. Yancy, our builder came this week and replaced the ceiling and fixed the floor, so this week I can move Graham and Isaiah back in there! We still have to put some flooring in but now at least I can put a throw rug in there temporarily and get his bed in there.
The kids are adjusting very well. They are starting to miss Uganda though. Little Isaiah keeps us all busy just keeping up with him! He can disappear in a flash! It has been 13 years since a little one has been in this house and I tell you he has livened up things!
We have to do a call out about every 10-15 minutes, "Where's Isaiah?!"
The first week, we found him in the pool ready for a swim! Thank God, Maggie had already put his swimmies on! The next day, he got tangled up in the cords for the blinds, the next he just followed Graham over the neighbor's house and decided the middle of the road was a good place to explore. Yes, I panicked over these happenings and thanked God that he has an awesome guardian angel! I then decided it was time to call a family meeting and get some help.
I told the kids, "ok we have 10 pairs of eyes in this house through out the day, so I need help with Isaiah and his whereabouts. I am pulled in many directions, everybody needs me, so if I am cooking dinner, I need help with watching Isaiah, if I am helping anyone else with a matter, I need help from others to know where he is. We have got to be a team, this is all new for all of us." They agreed and now that we are all on the same page, I have lots of eyes to follow my very inquisitive 3 year old.

Allenni and Andrew begged me for days to give them chores and so finally I typed them up a chore chart and added them to the wall with the other kids charts. They love it! They take great pride in accomplishing their duties and do a great job at it. I think it is making them feel a part of the family. Andrew loves to go on bike rides and take all the batteries out of everything. He has repaired 3 radios and a camera as well. He is trying to find his place in the family and is going from being a first born to a middle child. I see this is hard for him. he feels Allenni and Eli are too young for him, and wants to hang out with Graham, but Graham thinks Andrew is too young to hang with him, so we are working through these things. Allenni loves Seora and of course Seora loves having a little sister that she can dress up and be girlie with. Allenni loves changing her clothes. Yesterday, she climbed up in my lap and told me that she missed her friends in Uganda.
Which by the way, I would like to say a BIG THANKS to all of you who gave the kids clothes!!! WOW! Were we blessed! Andrew, Allenni, Isaiah and Eli have no lack of clothes right now! I haven't even been aboe to go through a few boxes of Fall and winter stuff yet. This has really helped us and we deeply appreciate it.
Eli is doing pretty good adjusting to all of this. Of course, there has been a little jealousy going on as he was the "baby" for almost 3 years now! He took it upon himself to be "the boss" so Allenni and Andrew would know how to do things the right way, and it didn't go over to well. He is learning to be a team member. He and Allenni have become best buds and most of the time are inseparable.
The activity level and noise level in the house of course have definitely increased. The word "QUIET" doesn't really exist anymore! hahaha!
As for the four older kids, they have been an awesome help! They have taken their roles as big brothers and sisters seriously and have stepped up to the plate in taking a load off of my shoulders at times and I just want to say publicly to them! THANK YOU MAGGIE, BEN, SEORA AND NATHANIEL! YOU ARE AWESOME KIDS!
As for me and Duane, well, honestly, let's just put it this way, A lot of days have been overwhelming to us!
And a lot of days, in some moments, we are like, "What in the world have we done???? But then again, we know in our hearts what we have done. We have done what God has asked us to do. To care for his children so they no longer will be known as orphans but as sons and daughters. And when we look at them, we know we are doing the right thing. And yes, it may be hard and tiresome but it is joyous and rewarding as well. We know "All these new adjustments too will pass". All our differences will fade as we eventually become FAMILY in more than just name.
I know for myself, I have to continually hand over selfishness, weariness, irritability, harshness, and unloveliness to Jesus and grasp on to servanthood, strength, understanding, and love that only Jesus can pour into me to be able to do what I have been called to do.
Duane and I cannot do what we are doing without the daily help of Jesus. Only He can get the glory. That is the desire of our hearts, that His glory be shown in us , not ours.
I can honestly say though that with all the adoption adjustments we have gone through that this one has been very smooth as far as behavior issues go. I think my having spent time with them in Africa for the 7 months really has helped. We thank God for this bond already. God is good.

Well, Duane and I got to go on a date last night! It was really nice.
After being away from each other for three months, we haven't really had a chance to reconnect since being home with his work schedule and all that has been going on in the house.
Duane and I can hold some pretty good conversations, but last night when we were seated at the Olive Garden, waiting for our bread and salad, we just sat in silence and looked at each other. Then it hit me as funny. "Well, here we are and we don't even know what to talk about." We both like to write and I said, "You know, we should have brought our laptops so we could write a few complete thoughts without interruptions." After our few moments of silence, we definitely found things to discuss and enjoyed a great dinner. We then decided to go to a park by the river and chill out as it was too early to go home and after a while of there discussing deep subjects, we headed home so I could show him all of my 2000 African pictures on my computer that we haven't even had a chance to look at.

We head out for a conference/vacation on Wednesday and will be gone for 10 days. We booked this last year with timeshare points we had available and am so glad we did. Duane and I will be attending a conference in VA Beach to become certified trainers for the "Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control" Therapy for attachment disorder. I love this approach to the healing of traumatized kids as it is based on "There is no fear in love" concept. After that we head out to Williamsburg, VA for vacation! We are looking forward to this downtime with the whole family together. It also will be the kick off to our home school start as we will visit Historical Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown and The Virginia Aquarium. Graham will benefit mostly from these as he is taking Early American History and Marine Biology in our co-op classes.
I've been scouring online for coupons and discounts for our trip, so if anybody has any tips just let me know!

Well, this is about it in a large nutshell of what is going on. I haven't forgotten about all the other stories that have led to our coming home from Africa so I promise not to leave you hanging from those, because I am sure you definitely want to know, how many more trips we made to the embassy to get those visas and .... how to keep a toddler happy on a 9 hour flight as well as what happens when a 9 year old decides not to sleep on a plane.
Blessings to all of you for blessing me!
oh, P.S. For those of you who have asked, Yes, we heard from the casting crew of EHM last week and they thanked us for the pics of our house we had sent. They said that this is all preliminary and if they did decide t proceed with us, it could be months before we hear back. And if we do hear from them, all is confidential so we have to keep MUM! So if we do hear, we CAN'T tell you til they do!
Even if we don't hear back from them, then we know someone else needed help more than we and we are still in God's hands. So... no worries.
P.S. 2
Pics are on my other computer so I will add some later.

The video clip from the local news

Here is the video clip that was on our local news this week.
You'll have to turn off the music player at the bottom of the page.

Pics of Coming Home

The kids waiting at the airport
Im doing all I can do to hold back the tears but laughing at the same time with relief
I finally get to hug my man!
Allenni
Isaiah taking it all in
Andrew was so happy
Allenni and Andrew are finally home!

THERE IS STILL TIME!

Eli, Allenni, and Andrew's room AFTER Duane had told me that thye had worked on it a few hours before I came home and AFTER i had the little ones pick up so we could see some of the floor!
Messy! We couldn't find any of Andrew' clothes or anything and Allenni had no where to put her things
Tada! Everyone go their own clothes drawers
They each got a place to hang their clothes and a junk drawer to put their stuff. We moved all the toys downstairs. That's a project for another day!
Isaiah
Having our picnic
Maggie and Ben
Isaiah loved the slide
So did Andrew
Ben is an awesome big brother
Andrew climbed high
The kids started up a soccer game
Allenni and Isaiah loving on each other
Allenni loves her new clothes!
Graham was enjoying using his zapper I brought him from Africa! The moths and fruit flies had no chance
Isaih loved swing the zapper like big brother Graham.

Hey there everyone! I just learned this morning that you can continue to nominate us up until Friday the 28th! just send an email to castingalabama@gmail.com You can put it tothe attention of Josh.
They are specifically looking for a family in our area.
Thanks to all of you who have already sent in a good word for us, we appreciate it.

Thanks to those of you who have provided clothes for Allenni and Isaiah. It is a blessing to us.
As Allenni was sitting in front of her closet helping me to sort and fold the clothes, she was beaming! Out of the blue she says, "Mum, God really loves me. He has given me all these clothes!"
Oh, I wished you could have been there to hear it. I smiled back at her, "Yes, He loves you a lot, look at all these pretty things." She just kept repeating it and smiling, "God loves me."
So from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for sharing God's love with my daughter.
Isaiah loves his clothes just as much! He squeals with delight every time I show him a new outfit.

All in all the adjustments of the kids are going well, despite the chaos and mess in the house. We are still in the honeymoon stage but I think being with them in Uganda had established a trust that has allowed for a smooth transition.

I, am doing better but just can't get rid of this congestion that lingers in my chest. Your continued prayers are appreciated. My energy is returning and I am beginning to feel more like myself.
I was able to totally revamp and organize Allenni, Andrew and Eli's room. It took 3 days, but with the help of many hands, it got done. I'll post before and after pictures.
I also got the kitchen counters cleaned off that were holding 3 months of mail and other junk!
And I got the pool area looking ok as it had 3 months of weeds and spider webs, leaves and junk around as Duane scheduled our church baptism there this past Sunday.
Its ok, I work best under pressure. :-)
So I am off to a start!

The kids are all excited because our local TV station did a short piece on us yesterday. They are all so proud. Josh, from WAFF48 did an awesome job with it. The video clip is not on their website but a short article is. You can visit by clicking here.

Well, I promise I will blog, but I am kept busy by little Isaiah who REALLY likes to explore!
Whew! Its been 13 years without a toddler around and I had forgotten! HAha!

Please pray for Isaiah if he comes to your mind. He continues to have nightmares, so we are up several times a night soothing him.

We had an awesome day yesterday. Duane had a day off so we packed a picnic and went to the park where our town has put in an awesome play ground and a splash pad. We were
disappointed that the splash pad was closed but we had an awesome time and came home and swam and then finished the day off with ice cream and an incredible family prayer time where Duane and I prayed over each of the kids and they prayed over us. We celebrated God's victory for the completion of our family. It was awesome to see us all together in one room. God's answer to prayer.
Well, those are tidbits of what has happened in the first week home.
I assure you there is more to come!

We need your help!

The outside of our house.
Seora and Maggie's room in basement that got water damage

The girl's stuff piled up down stairs
Graham and Isaiah's room totally unuseable
The ceiling that caved in and let water pour in for 2 days.

Hi everybody!
We arrived home at 1am on Sunday night and what a gloriuous reunion it was! Our Family and friends were waiting at the airport with signs and balloons. We were the last to get off the plane, so it created suspense for Duane whether or not we were on the plane! Other passengers kept assuring our group that we were coming! I had 3 kids who were beyond exhausted and that were hard to wake up but finally Maggie and I succeeded and we walked them off of that airplane.
We lost one piece of luggage but found it and it was delivered yesterday. I'll write more later about out trip when my brain comes out of the fog. Because you know it was an adventure! The kids are enthralled with everything and are fitting in great! Eli is so excited to have playmates! Isaiah still wants to sleep with mommy but hopefully I can wean him to slep in his bed soon!

Well, I must admit, I am overwhelmed! The next morning after arriving home, I got a call telling me that a friend of mine had died unexpectedly. So Duane and I went to the visiting hours last night. I was a zombie and probably more emotional than I would have been but am glad that I was home to be able to go.
Then, upon observance of my home and the damage done to two bedrooms from the severe storm we had a few weeks ago, it has overwhelmed me somewhat. Two of the bedrooms are unliveable and so I have Graham sleeping in the foyer of the house and Maggie and Seora are sleeping on a bunk bed in the den downstairs. Isaiah's bed we put in my room and Allenni we had to move in with Eli and Andrew. So we have two bedrooms for 9 kids. There are boxes of stuff everywhere that service masters packed up and cleaned. Furniture is stacked from these rooms wherever we had a space.
I just found out last night upon looking for clothes for Isaiah and Allenni to wear that everything I had for them in the dresser and shelves were water damaged beyond cleaning and so I have only two outfits for Isaiah and church dresses for Allenni. On top of all of that, My mind has gotten busy thinking of all the things to get caught up on as well as preparing for the school year to start!
You can tell this family has been with out a mom for a long time! ha!
Duane has done a great job, considering he also was working full time and trying to fill my shoes.

Here's where we need your help. I am not asking for money or anything of the sort! It is really hard to ask for your help but I am going not be prideful and do it.
As most of you know, back in December 2008 we started adding the addition on to our house.
We had saved up money to do this and then the economy crashed and we lost 1/2 the money we were going to use on the house, when the stocks crashed, then we got the call that it was time to go to Africa. This 3 month trip took all our savings. In the mean time we had to halt construction on the house, putting a temporary roof on it and hoping that we could just work on it little by little as we got money, but all that money was spent in Africa. So therefore the temporary roof served its course and when the severe storm came through a few weeks ago, it was damaged and water poured into the house through roof and down two floors! This putting us out two bedrooms.
Finishing the construction would give us four bedrooms and a kitchen and dining room that we need desparately.
In our local neighborhood paper, there was an article that Extreme Home Makeovers was looking for families in the Shoals area where we live to help. Some friends of ours nominated us. And so while I was still in Africa, Extreme Home Makeovers contacted us to ask questions and asked for photographs of our family, our house and our story.
They are considering us for the show but WE NEED YOUR HELP in writing a short email to them to support us. You can write to : castingalabama@gmail.com. Getting this done would be an awesome blessing as well as help us spread the news nationally about how adoption can change the life of a child.
Here in part is what the article said: "We're looking for those special people who have amazing strength of character and never give up. Whether its keeping their chin up in really tough circumstances or going out of their way to help others. We want to help people whose stories have really affected their community or made a differnence in other people's lives. ... We really want to help families whose homes present major problems for the family, those big issues that affect the family's quality of life on a daily basis."

We started this renovation project knowing for certain it was what God wanted us to do and we have trusted him in the finish of it and still do. I have asked God many times to just surprise us in finishing the house. And wonder if this is his surprise! If it is not the way then we know he has something better in mind. But since the door has presented itself, we are trying it.
So if you can send a short email to the one listed above, please do. We would be blessed.

Our flight home!

Well, Only one day until we come home!!!!!!! Yesterday Maggie and I went into Kampala yesterday to do some last minute things (Which will be another whole blog entry!) and pick up the visas! I cannot tell you the joy and overwhelmingness I felt holding those immigration packets, passports and visas for all three kids in my arms! God is so good! He has been so faithful to us! I have dreamed of this day for two years! Thanks be to God is who is the author and finisher of our faith. And our faith has been increased in our God in this.
Some of you have asked our coming to the airport when we come in. That would be great but I do have to tell you that we arrive pretty late at night. I have enclosed the flight info below for those of you who are interested. If you do feel like you just have to come to the airport, will you bring a camera? I would love to have pictures of this moment in history of our family. Of the reunion. We will see everyone soon and my friends tell me they are throwing a Welcome Home party soon to celebrate God's goodness to us, so we will let those of you know who live nearby when it is so you can meet the kids.
Blessing and love, Melissa

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES 15AUG ENTEBBE ADDIS ABABA 515P 715P

ET 810 SATURDAY BOLE

J BUSINESS

NON SMOKING SNACK NON STOP

RESERVATION CONFIRMED 2:00 DURATION




ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES 15AUG ADDIS ABABA BRUSSELS 1155P 835A

ET 704 SATURDAY BOLE BRUSSELS AIRPO 16AUG

J BUSINESS



UNITED AIRLINES 16AUG BRUSSELS WASHINGTON DC 1200N 223P

UA 951 SUNDAY BRUSSELS AIRPO DULLES INTL


US AIRWAYS 16AUG WASHINGTON DC HUNTSVILLE AL 810P 1043P

US 2659 SUNDAY DULLES INTL INTL APT

We Are Coming Home- By airplane that is!

Well, we got a phone call from the Embassy to day and she had good news! Our approval surfaced
here in Kampala today. The Consulate was already booked with visa appointments for today and knew she wouldn't be able to squeeze us in , so we go tomorrow at 1:30pm.
Our visas will be ready by Friday.
Our travel agent searched flights for us and since this is a high travel season and booking less than one week ahead, there were not a choice of flights available. The flights were either sold out or so expensive, we couldn't afford them. But she did find a flight that goes through Ethiopia and Brussels that puts us in Business Class all the way to Brussels for a decent price!! Yeah God!
The flight leaves out Saturday evening and we arrive in Huntsville on Sunday evening.
We are so excited and are glad that this journey is coming to an end. Our family is going to be reunited in a few days!

WE HAVE FOUND A WAY HOME!

We are packed and ready to go home! How long do you think it will take us?
We are all thumbs up!
Isaiah was like, "Mum, What are you doing?" But he was all laughs!"
This man had dug this hole by hand.

Well, we have finally found a way to get home!! We are so excited. I was tired of waiting for both the Uganda and US governments, who were taking their sweet time. So I took matters into my own hands! Desperate people do desperate things! How you might ask? Well, it was very easy. We hired some men to dig a hole to America! They were very accommodating and it didn't cost us very much. You don't believe me? See the photos with this post! HAHAHAHAHAHA! I wish! We might make it home by next year doing it that way!
Actually, the men have been digging in Scott and Brenda's yard for several days because they are looking for the septic tank. We have been having septic problems. They are at 12 feet now. Brenda and I got to laughing after we could only see the dirt being thrown out of the hole and said hey, Maybe he's digging you a way home!
The kids were game to take this photo, so we had a lot of fun, though the guys digging the hole probably thought we were looney muzugus.

On a good serious note, the kids and I had a sweet good time last night.
For some reason, they all were pretty wired and I felt like I was running a circus. I decided to take advantage of that energy and we spent some time in our room. We had had a fellowship earlier in the evening up at the guest house with some of the other missionaries, and so had just had tea and dessert. After we got home, along with Scott and Brenda we had ordered rolexes, which are chapattis filled with eggs, tomatoes,and cabbage from the boda boda guy to bring us from the village. They came and I corralled the kids into our room and we sat around eating the rolexes. Then came the good part, I told the kids," we need to thank God for the visas." "But mom," Andrew said," we don't have them." So I told him," really we do. You know how I have told you that you have a bicycle in America and you have thanked me, even though you haven't actually seen the bicycle?" "Yes," they said with a big smile. "Well, the same is with the visas, We can't see them right now but we know God has them for us, so we just need to thank Him for them, instead of asking him for them." "Ohhh," they said with a big smile, "ok." So we joined hands in a circle and all together thanked God for our visas, shouted Hallelujah! and Praise the Lord! and Thank You God for the Visas, with laughter and dancing as only my little Africans can do it- African Style.
This unspeakable joy was in that room and I knew God was smiling at us. It was great!
After herding them of to the bed, I went back to my room to settle in to talk with Duane for my nightly date, confident that we would hear good news this week.
This morning, Andrew came into my room, and said, "Mum, we are getting visas today." "Oh yes? How do you know?" I was just curious. "Well, God told me", he replied. "Last night, He sent an email to my brain." "Well, wonderful!, we will believe it!"
This morning when I checked my emails, I had one from Saharah at the Embassy,
that said she had located my approval. The National Visa Center had sent her an email stating that they had contacted ATL and found out that they had given our approval August 4 and it was supposed to have arrived at the NVC on the 7th. So we are hoping for an upload today here. I have to call the Embassy this afternoon to check and see. So if that happens, we can apply for the visas this afternoon, or tomorrow and possibly leave by Wed. or Thursday if we can find a flight to come home.
So we continue to HOPE that this time,we are truely coming home.

Encouragement from my son, Ben

Warning: I am going to be transparent in this post.
Last night as I was online waiting to have my "nightly date" with my hubby on yahoo IM, my son Ben popped up to chat. I was not in the mood really to chat to anybody. Honestly, I was having a bad evening. I was wrestling with all this mess of the approval being lost and not showing up here in Kampala yet. Poor Duane got the brunt of my frustrations last night, so I'm afraid our date wasn't the greatest. My heart was struggling to rejoice which I wanted so hard heartedly to do. I wanted to walk on the water but I kept looking at the waves, I wanted to dance and rejoice on top of my circumstances but I couldn't find the music. I was praying in the Spirit crying out to God, because I had no words left to express my disappointment and sadness, I was fighting anger- not at God but at people who couldn't get a move on with papers, at the enemy and at myself for feeling and acting like this. I was thankful for my friends who wrote and said they were rejoicing on my behalf, that they were laughing for me because they knew the enemy was already defeated and wer encouraging me to laugh and rejoice. So, when Ben popped up to Chat, I sort of blew him off. But my sweet Ben, ignored me and chatted any way and I am glad he did. He said he had a Word for me.
That ususally means a long drawn out detailed explanation of some sort before he finally gets to the Word he needs to share or the point he needs to make.

But last night he got straight to the point. (Sort of)
"Mom, I got this word from God the other day, and I asked God,"What does this mean?" And he said, "God said, I want you to deliver it to someone, but I'll tell you later."
Then Ben said that last night, "God said, Tell your mom."
So Ben said, "Mom, you are to read Psalm 26-27. Ok?" It's for you.
I told him that I would and that "I really didn't want to talk right now, but thanks, I love you."
Eventually , through the evening, God comforted me and the heaviness I was feeling lifted somewhat.
To be honest, I forgot what Ben had told me, until this morning and I looked it up.
It was just what I needed. I should have read it last night.
So publicly, I want to Tell Ben, because I know he is my most faithful blog reader and will see this, "Honey, I am sorry that I was moody last night, but I am thankful you love me anyway and that you are always the encourager. Thanks for having a listening heart to hear God's voice. To point me to Scripture that encouraged me and uplifted me. You are an awesome kid!"
Here is part of what Ben told me to read:

"Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted the Lord without wavering,
test me O Lord, and try me. Examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me and I walk continually in your truth.....My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly, I will praise the Lord. The Lord is my light and amy salvation-- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold in my life- of whom shall I be afraid?... though war break out against me, even then will I be CONFIDENT. .... Hear my voice when I call, O Lord;be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, Seek his face! Your face, Lord I will seek..... you have been my helper...
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalms 26-27.

The Psalms is probably my favorite book in the Bible and God has spoken to me through it many times over. In a way, I feel like David and I could have been great friends. So many times he has expressed in this book how I am feeling, and how I think. David was a man after God's own heart. Oh how I want to be a woman after God's own heart as well.
What frustrates me is that last week, I had this sense, that my mission here was over. That hey the delays have been for a purpose and some of those purposes I know of. I felt in my spirit, "It is time to go home!" Then NOTHING works out according to plan, my plan that is, and so here I am wondering why I felt like that. Was it just my feeling of that and not God speaking to me? The enemy has worked hard to discourage us, not just me, but my husband and kids as well. I am struggling to rejoice in this adversity. I have to keep going back to the scripture to get my focus in the right place.

"May the God of my hope so fill me with all joy and peace in believing-through the experience of my faith- that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope."

Romans 15:13 Amp (paraphrased)

Fears have rose up with in me that I knew not were there and I have had to face them and give them to Jesus. God has taught me many things on a deep level that I am not even sure that I know how to word them. He has taught me to walk on the water. He has taught me to continue to Hope. He has taught me that He is my only source of Peace and Comfort. He has taught me that my part here on this earth is only an inkling of a fragment of His big plan for the Kingdom. He has given me dreams and direction for my life. He has allowed me to speak into the lives of others. He has changed things in my kid's lives that if I had been present , I might have been a hindrance. So now I look at these past 2 1/2 months and know God has worked all things out not only for our good but for the good of others.
I know my God is still Faithful and he always completes what He has started. I KNOW THIS.
My HEART KNOWS THIS, My SOUL KNOWS THIS, My MIND KNOWS THIS!
So why am I stuggling? I think it is ok to struggle though. David did. He poured out his feelings to God. Then in the end of every lament, he declared, that God was his Salvation and He praised the Lord His God!
He knew that God's Everlasting Love was pure. It was "Hesed" love that is a love that does not have to be given away to those outside of the bloodline, but God extended it everytime and called him son. I am so glad that I know He extends that "Hesed" love to me as well. In the end I will know that God is my Salvation and I will Praise God for all of his marvelous works. Surely His Goodness and Mercy follow me and they will follow me home very soon.

Things Don't Always go As Planned

"May the God of my hope so fill me with all joy and peace in believing-through the experience of my faith- that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope." Romans 15:13 Amp (paraphrased)

One thing I have learned here in Africa is that things don't always go as planned. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
We have a saying for that --TIA (This is Africa)-- But wait, that won't work, because this time it is
a problem with my home country. The US of A!
Ok, enough sarcasm.
Like I said last week on July 30, we were told that our home study would arrive Friday morning, and be approved on the spot and then the data would be entered into the computer system and then would travel through cyberspace to arrive here in Kampala ready for us to apply for our visas.
Based on that info, we talked with the consul and tentatively set a date for the visa interview for Monday afternoon at 2:30pm.
I kept myself busy all weekend and tried not to get too excited thinking we were finally gonna get the visas now and by the end of the week we would be home.
Monday finally rolled around and I woke up severely congested again with the continuation of my sinus infection and cough. This thing will let me feel good one day and then the next, I am knocked down with it.
I kept busy doing what I like to do best- cooking!- Ok, I really miss cooking, and so to help Brenda out with her busy schedule,(and give me something to do, I had volunteered to cook Sunday lunch and Monday dinner. Cooking over here though takes extra time because everything is really done from scratch but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Cooking relaxes me mentally even though it wore me out physically here in this humidity. I guess you can tell I am bored or why else would I be telling you every detail of our day when all you really want to hear is the story of our acquiring of the visas. But alas, I am the story teller and you are the reader, so I get to tell you what ever I want! So, would you like to hear the menus I came up with?
Why of course you would.
For Sunday I fixed the following:
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with tomato sauce that ended up being a little spicy because I mistook the bottle of Chili for Chili Powder!
Sweet Corn Casserole
Homemade Rolls with fresh Rosemary and Garlic
Rice
Roma Tomato Salad with fresh Basil with vinaigrette
and for our missionary fellowship in the evening, I made 3 Mississippi Mud Pies! (Unlike Mississippi Mud cake)

For Monday, Scott and Brenda ended up having a long day and so I fixed Dinner for the kids and a friend of mine from last year named Jimmy.
Oven Roasted Fresh Rosemary Chicken
Fresh Sweet, Maple Carrots (Allenni was so proud to go down into the village and get these for me)
Garlic and Onion roasted Potatoes
Creamy Caesar Cucumber Salad
Homemade Fresh Basil,Onion and Olive Flat bread
Successful and Delicious! Hungry now?

Isaiah kept both me and Maggie busy and by early evening I was READY to put him to bed. Let me just tell you what this kid can do.
Let's see all in a days work,
He kept kissing little 2 year old Bethany and he has a nasty cold. It seemed he really wanted to share the love (and germs) today.
Stripped naked and pooped and peed in the yard then found and broke Susan's nice beaded necklace slinging beads everywhere and proceeded to pretend it is was a lasso while he was a wild, black naked cowboy.
Pulled the dogs' tails multiple times and stepped on the cat's tail several times.
Rolled his eyes at me if I told him "no"
Ignored his name anytime it was called unless you mentioned " the green spank stick"
Pitched several all out temper tantrums.
The boy is attracted to water like a fish and kept getting into the filter water bucket, the wash bucket, the baby pool fully clothed
Got into everything and anything he thought looked interesting.
Did I mention he likes to dip toilet paper into the toilet, then chew on it a while?
Took his tuna pasta that he had for lunch and decided it would make a good massage lotion all over his body and therefore he stunk like tuna all afternoon.
Watched me pick Rosemary and thought he had to go pick Brenda's plants on her patio.
Took his dinner and dumped it out on the patio so the dogs could eat it and then asked for more.
Washed his hands and his face in his juice
Single handedly took down a 7 ft x 8ft wall mirror off the wall. (Thankfully, Two teens were nearby and saved him from being crushed and they caught the mirror and it didn't break)
And as I was visiting with Jimmy over dinner, I looked over to find that he had taken 3 bookshelves of books and had piled them all in the living room floor into one big heap!
Even with his decongestant, it took him over an hour to be put to sleep for the evening!
I do not know what that boy got into but he was a handful yesterday. He also got his share of spankings. Whew!
I am definitely not used to a toddler! He is usually not this busy and destructive. So ends Monday!

So back to the story of the visas.
I started at 7:45 in the morning trying to call the Embassy and after several tries throughout the morning I finally got through to someone and they asked me to call back at noon. I did only to find out that the consul had gotten sick and had to go home and had forgotten about my appointment. The receptionist tried to see if another officer could help me but after explaining our situation, he decided we needed to reschedule our appointment for the next day.
They told me to come in at noon.
Oh well, I thought, it will just give it another day to be in the computer system.
Today, Tuesday, I woke up to Isaiah planting kisses all over my face at 6:45 in the morning. I groaned at him and rolled over only to have him toss his shorts in my face and say "Gendeigh, mama." Which means, "Let's go! mama" I rolled over again and groaned and he laughed. I smiled and he took that as a " hey she's awake, lets get going!"
So started our day. I am not a morning person and so I was not ready to get out of bed, Isaiah got out of bed and started messing around in our room as there are plenty of things to explore.
Finally I was forced to get up and get ready. I had decided to wait until close to 10 to try to call the Embassy. I got through and asked to confirm our appointment. I told the lady that I was staying about an hour outside of Kampala and so was trying to confirm our appointment whether we needed to come in or not. She took my number so the consulate could return my call. By 11:15am, they had not called but our driver came and I decided to go on in. We got almost in to the Embassy(about 40 minutes) and my phone rang. It was the Embassy calling to tell me that my approval was not in the system and so there was no need to come in. The consul was very nice and asked me to call the states and find out why it had not been uploaded already.
Disappointed, I told Charles to turn a round and take us back to Seguku. Andrew was very disappointed and you could tell he was upset.
Later that day, The consul called me back and asked me for info on our USCIS district office as she had the State Dept. National Visa Center looking into why the approval was not registered yet.
I must admit, I was pretty bummed out and had to have a debriefing session with God and in the end, I still have HOPE that God is working all things for our good. I want to dance on the chains of these circumstances but as I told Duane later, I was having a hard time finding the beat!
I had to rest on what He has been teaching me, -- though the storm waves rise, I need to keep my eyes on Jesus the One who is my Redeemer. On my Facebook I placed a note about "IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT". Well, I jumped out of the boat and am walking on the water now, I just don't want to sink. I want to walk with Jesus and that requires total trust and Faith in Him, I have to be making eye contact with Him. So I deliberately decided to do that.
My disappointment and frustration today did open up a door to talk to a friend about some trials he was facing in his life and I was able to say, "Hey friend, Don't blame God, it is the enemy who is working against you. God means to do good for you. Sometimes we can't see the big picture, we think He is hurting us and not coming through for us but in reality, he is thwarting the enemy and actually doing better things for us than we have even planned for ourselves. God is faithful and will provide when it is time.
So that is a good thing that happened today.
Well, I better get to bed. Once again I have stayed up too late. Still hoping to have good news tomorrow. I put this on my Facebook:
H- Holding
O - Onto the
P- Promises of my
E- Everloving Father

Some pics of the kids

June 20 or so.
Here are some pics of the kids just hanging around the house.

Isaiah found a permanent marker - we got a lot of it off but he looked like a little pirate. He colored his tummy and legs too!
Allenni and Isaiah
Everybody joined in taking the braids out of Maggie's hair
Allenni put Maggie's shirt on Isaiah
I got Allenni a belated Bday present, I found a Barbie

Things seen on a Boda Boda

THIS PICTURE HAS NOT BEEN DOCTORED. I GOT IT FROM MY FRIEND HERE.
YES, IT IS A GOAT! THOUGHT YOU ALL NEEDED A LAUGH TODAY!

I thought I needed to include this post for a laugh. You would never believe it but you have to take my word for it! A regular mode of transportation around here is the boda boda (a lightweight motorcycle) and a bicycle. Not only do these vehicles carry people but they carry anything that you might need transporting. Now I know some of you are not going to believe the things I write down here but I promise THEY ARE TRUE AND I HAVE SEEN THEM WITH MY OWN EYES!!!!

Things I've seen on a Boda Boda or Bicycle:
1. A full twin bed, not in pieces but fully put together
2. Approx. 20 foam mattresses
3. At least 40 Gerry Cans (these are 5 gallon cans they use to transport water in)
4. a family of 5 plus the driver
5. 2 huge bunches of matoke(plantain)with a woman
6. 1 75 lb. bag of coal
7. 2 large 20 gallon milk cans with owner
8. 2 100 lbs bags of potatoes
9. 4 large matoke bunches (these each probably weigh 50lbs)
10. 1 queen bed , in pieces but with headboard and footboard
11. An entire bedroom furniture set
12. 1 man and 2 small appliances
13. about 60 pineapples
14. 1 50lb bag of sugar
15. 50 huge stalks of sugar cane
16. About 75 crushed cardboard boxes
17. about 30 flats of fresh eggs=75 dozen eggs!
18. 30 live chickens tied together upside down awaiting to be sold and be dinner.

My trip to Raji Island- June 18, 2009

I have more pics posted of this trip on my Facebook:

Little Pricilla and Me
Esther and Me- I love this girl
The school they run has about 175 students and 40 of them are orphans. These 4 orphans are taken care of by Esther and Sylvester. iwould write their names but can't pronounce or spell them. Fish is a major part of their diet on the island and this is what they are eating.
Another specatular view from the top
Where else wold you wash your boda boda except for in Lake Victoria?

This was the black bull that charged us
This bull was curious about me
The view from the top of the island
Some of the elementary kids

June 18, 2009
I am continuing to try to catch up on my journaling since I have been sick for so many weeks.
Last night I found out Shelly and Brian were going to the island to check on one of the UCOM schools and I sort of invited myself. I had wanted to got the island last year but did not get to. They joyfully agreed and so we decided to meet the next morning at 6:30am
The driver came and got the van and then left me. We called Shelly and they returned to pick me up. I went alone as this was not a trip for kids and so Maggie stayed behind to help with them. Pastor Sylvester accompanied us back to the island. He and his wife Esther live there. As I had nothing to do now but wait for Andrew and Allenni’s passports and the I-600a renewal process, I thought this would be a great way to spend a day. We headed out on an almost 3 hour drive through villages and mostly unpaved roads and arrived at Lake Victoria to board our hired out fiberglass canoe with a motor. We piled in with our bags, cameras and cooler and set out on our way. It was a pleasant 2 hour trip through the water to Raji (sp?) Island. We passed the time chatting about various things and before we knew it, we had arrived at the island. At the base of the lake was a little fishing village. We docked there and got out. In front of us loomed a very big hill and the closer it got, the more steep it appeared. Now if you know me, you know that I do not like hiking up steep hills, but then again, maybe if you know me you don’t know that. My husband didn’t know til this year! And we have been married 17 years. I have been hiking with him many times only because I love him so much! Well, my suspicions were correct when I saw Slyvester heading for the mini mountain. He did not live in this fishing village. He lived on the other side of the island. Mentally psyching myself up, I followed after. Now Sylvester just scurried up this mini mountain like it was no big deal, but this Muzugu was having to stop every 5 minutes and take in the scenery and deep breaths. Brian made me feel better, telling me that I was ok, Lake Victoria was around 1000ft above sea level and we were even higher on this mountain and so the air was thinner. Yeah, that was a good excuse! Better than the reality of being out of shape!
I got a few smiles from a few Villagers who passed us on the way up and disappeared out of site as they crossed over to the other side.
Finally we crested the hill to a beautiful sight. The land plateaued and the view of the water from the top was gorgeous. We proceeded to the school run by UCOM and met the headmaster. While Shelly met with her about business, Brian and I toured the rest of the surrounding area. I visited the school and talked with the kids who were not being instructed at the moment. I also met the two bulls and got charged by one. I was skidaddling out of there pretty quickly. Thanking God he was on a rope. I don’t think this black bull liked white people, because he charged Shelly and Brian as well when they went by. I then went and visited with Esther and her baby Pricilla. Pricilla had been born while I was here last year and Duane and I had stayed in Scott and Brenda’s house with Sylvester and Esther for about a week and had gotten to know them a little. It was good to see Esther and Pricilla who was now a little over a year old. Esther is one of the most encouraging and godly women I have ever met. She has such a sweet spirit.
After a while, Shelly and Brian appeared and we had our lunch, sharing Tuna and apples with John our driver who had never had such foods before.
We then headed back to the other side of the island to take our canoe back home. The decent down the mountain was not near as bad the one we had taken up. It was a little more cautious as it was rocky, but not near as draining physically. By this time, the sun had risen and the glare off of the water made it seemed brighter. Thus, we arrived back to the main land 2 hours later, with a good sunburn. I totally enjoyed this day and was glad I had decided to go.








The fishing village as you approach the island
getting fueled up to go to the island
Me and Brian
The lizard that hitched a ride on my foot
Enjoying the ride