The Hook on the Book

Yay!  The short version of the Lancaster adoption story and Lori's Linens fundraising idea have been chosen to be a part of author and adoptive mom - Julie Gumm's new book.  You can preorder starting May 1st.  We hope our story and the Gumm family tales can help encourage and inspire other families to adopt.  You can read more about Julie Gumm's book at http://www.adoptwithoutdebt.com

Just another day

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.  We've just been chillin out and getting used to life in our new normal.  Everyone is ready for warm weather and for school to be out!  We spent last night in the basement waiting out the Tornado warnings watching Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure.   Good Family Fun!

We are trying to figure out just where God wants us.  We still feel the desire to pursue our calling to Family Ministry and are discussing how this "looks".  As many of you know, we had hoped to be part of a Family Ministry church plant - but just didn't have the support that was needed from other families.  We were advised to not move forward alone - but to wait for at least 3 good, solid leader-type families to come along beside us and help.  It seems that something is rumbling in the distance - we shall see.......In the meantime, we have been blessed to worship with a great group of believers.  We have also been blessed by being invited recently to attend a great, little Family-style class on Wednesday nights about using your family for ministry.  It's good to see others leaning in that direction and using their home as a place for ministry and evangelism.   Jay is also seriously missing the drums.  He is so talented in this area and it is truly one of his gifts.  I long for him to find an outlet for this talent.  The days of Soulfire are sorely missed.  To get my music fix, I rocked out to some Na Band on the treadmill last night - highly recommend their CD.  If anyone watching me wanders why I was moving my hands so wildly - I was playing the "air" drums.

On a different note, my extended family is going through some dark times and needs serious prayers that they will not lose faith in God's soverign plan.  Thanks

One Month In

As of this week - we've been home with Lori exactly one month.  My how time flies!  Yesterday, our Holt Social Worker came for our 1 month visit.  With Chinese adoptions, we will have official visits at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year (I think I got that right).

Today, Lori saw her ENT to remove the impacted cerumen.  The girl is a fighter and he didn't have much luck.  She is going to see him again on Monday and this time - he's bringing a little "happy gas" in his bag of tricks to relax her a bit.  Thank goodness!!

Here are a few quick pics we snapped on our way out the door this morning.  She's looking cuter everyday.