My first post from Liberia

Finally a picture, I will try to get more, but I at least wanted to get this one. We are outside right now with the laptop and we are sweating! I have had a good day, I met Thomas' dad and will meet the rest of the family tomorrow. I found out a lot about Thomas' family. I look around here and I see why some of these families do this, there is no way that you can even imagine what it is like, but at the same time I love it here. The people are nice here at WACSN and they take very good care of me. I will say that our daughter is definitely a girlie girl, there is no tomboy in her, dresses and dolls all of the way!!!! She is just amazing and beautiful!!!!!!!

I will try to update more, I have been having problems with the computer

Time Is Ticking!

Well, this will probably be my last blog until I arrive in Liberia and get settled in. Today is spent packing and preparing for this awesome journey! I still can't believe that God called me to do this for Him. I often ask, why me. What do I have that you can use God, I am just an ordinary woman. I am not brave on my own, I am not mighty on my own, I am not any type of "whiz" at anything on my own, what do you see Lord that I can do. Then, the key words jumped out in bold flashing print, NOT ON MY OWN. I can't do ANYTHING worthwhile in this world "on my own", it is ALL through God who gives me strength. I feel that God picked me to go to Liberia for that exact reason, I am just ordinary and nothing special without Him. He will work through me, whether is be coming in contact with someone on the plane, in Liberia, or right here in my own backyard. I have asked God to use me to glorify His kingdom. Now I will tell you, I do fail sometimes and fail pretty miserably, but I find everytime that God is standing right there with His outstretched hand lifting me up and using me for His kingdom again. He has said that "you will seek me and find me, when you seek me will all of your heart." I know without a shadow of a doubt that God wants me and my family right where we are, right in the battle field of this world fighting for Him and His kingdom and spreading His love and teachings. People have asked me many times in the last couple of days if I am scared, and I have to say that really No I am not scared. God has given me peace that He will be with me from the start of this trip to the end. I also feel that when I come home He has plans from this trip, I honestly do not know what it is, but I know it is something. I just want to give God the glory for EVERYTHING that He has done through us and throughout this adoption. I will not be ashamed to glorify our Father, no matter who is offended. Jesus himself said in Luke 9:26 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." How can I be ashamed of the one who layed down His life for me. God never said that it would be easy, and He is sure right, but I have thought many times throughout this whole thing, God sees what I am doing to help with His kingdom and I know He is with me and my family throughout this trip.
Well, next time I talk to you, I will be in Liberia. Thanks again to all of you that have worked so hard to encourage me. I hate to specifically thank people b/c I know I will leave someone important out. Even little notes from people that I haven't even met before have help me and know that God sent those to me at just the right time. He spoke to me through two of my very good friends just this morning when they encouraged me through their words (hey girls, God used you and you may not have even known it:)-isn't that just like our amazing Father. Another very good friend popped in last night and brought me a Dr. Pepper 2 liter even (that is my favorite), but something that simple brought a smile to my face, and I sure needed that more than she will ever know (but God knew I needed it) and another wonderful friend let us use a computer with no questions asked for this trip, he was happy to do it. God is working, just look around. Don't be afraid to let God use you, no matter how small you may think it is, it could be just what the other person needs, God knows, just listen!!

Andrea
P.S. I love you Mike, Steven and Thomas, be good and mommy (Ann) will be home soon with another one of God's special gifts! Thanks guys, I am SO blessed to have you as my family!

It Is Getting Closer

Well, the day is getting closer for me to leave. I am very excited to finally meet our daughter. All kinds of emotions are running through my heart and mind right now. I just keep thinking about what it will be like to hold the little girl that I have stared and studied her picture for so many months. To see that beautiful smile that she has given in so many pictures. I know that as the days get closer our lives will be changing, and changing for the good. It is nice for things to stay the same sometimes, but change can bring so many wonderful things. I also wonder if she knows that she is getting a mommy and a daddy? I know that she is only 4, but when she sees me, will she know I am her mommy? I think that is something that God will help her feel and understand. I think of the time I will spend with just her and how it will be something that we will share for the rest of our lives. I know that everything that we have gone through to get to this moment will all fade away the moment that I hold her and get ready to bring her home. I think about Thomas and how I could not even imagine our life without him in it. How it seems like he has been with us forever. I know that after we have Josie, that in a short while, she too will be like she has always been with us. Just keep us in your prayers in the days and weeks ahead. I have developed a sinus infection and have just felt kind of lousy for a couple of days, but I am taking medicine to get me better before Saturday. I guess I am just glad I got it this week and not next week. Soon my bags will all be packed and ready to go on the journey that God has created and organized at His perfect timing. I will also look forward to the day that I return to my whole family.

Andrea

Preparing

Well, the days are coming closer to leaving for Liberia. Many people ask me if I am nervous, I say,"Of course." Nerves are a good thing, I think they keep you on your toes and help not to let your guard down. But, I have a peace about me as well and that is all because of God. I know that He will be with me. He got Noah through the flood, He sent a lamb to Abraham, He protected Daniel in the lion's den, He was with David when he fought Goliath, so I know that He will get me to Liberia and back. I am a worrier my nature:), many times Mike has had to tell me "Quit worrying about everything, it will be taken care of." He is right, everything is being taken care of. God has put everything into place for me, even down to getting a very good substitute for me at work that is very excited about subbing for me. Am I saying that I won't be sad to leave "my guys"? Of course not. I love "my guys" and will miss them more than they will ever know, besides God, they are my life. But, am I also teaching my boys about following God, you bet. I feel like I am teaching them that actions speak louder than words. Meaning if I say I trust God, then why don't I trust Him with my life. Should everyone go to a third world country to prove that they trust God? No you don't have to, but God does put different things in different peoples' lives to see if they will trust Him. This is just what he put in our path. I have had different people that have been very supportive and I say thank you, because I don't know what I would've done without it. But I have also had different people not support me. People that have said some very mean and hurtful things about what I am doing, or even made fun of us for what we are doing. People that I have been there for in times past even when I didn't necessarily agree with what they were doing, that when it is their turn to do the same back, weren't there for us. But, I sit here and think, what about Jesus and what He went through. His own disciples disowned him and sold him out for some money. How that must have broken His heart. He was tortured and abused by the same people that he healed and fed and gave His heart to, He in turn gave His life for those same people. So I say that I can take the criticsm that is thrown at me for this. We are told in the Bible to go and spread God's word, and that means to the orphans and needy as well. If the only perfect person was beaten and made fun of and hung on a cross to die, then I can take the ridicule for doing what He has asked of me. These are just some of my thoughts. I will not dwell on the negative any longer, I see what I am going for, our little girl and to spread God's love. I know what I see will change me forever, and thank you God, because what type of person would I be if it didn't. When I hold her for the first time, I will never be able to describe for you what it will be like, I think about it every day and I know that she is worth it. God loves her just as much as He does me or anyone else. Wouldn't each of you go to the ends of the Earth for your children and God? Yea, that's what I thought :).

Playlist

Well, I am learning daily to get a little more technology enhanced:). You may wonder how I picked the songs on the playlist, but different ones have special meanings to me. Some of them have helped me through some difficult times and some good times. Other songs are special to Mike and I and either something funny is behind it or just my feelings for him or the boys or just different situations. The sisters song is for my sister in Florida. I think of her every time I hear it. It may not be exactly us, but some of the words fit us and the way I feel. I to miss her, especially is these special times that I would love for her to experience with us here. I know the song about finding out who your friends are, I have learned who my true friends and family are, whether in my times when I shed quite a few tears or ones that shared in the true happiness that we have experiences, either way, they were there. Mountain of God was already in my blog earlier, I wanted others to hear it. Hope it speaks to you as much as it has to me. Many other have been God himself talking to me through the song. I will continue to add when I get the chance. Hope you enjoy them also.

Andrea

SHE'S COMING HOME!!!!!

We received word today that I will be traveling to get Josephine on Oct. 25!!!!!! Yeah, our little girl is coming home!!!! God has truly been working in this and has obviously had this planned for some time as we had the situation where the $ came through and now the approval and travel date all came in the same week within a few days of each other. I am SO happy! It is bitter sweet for Mike and the boys as they are so excited to get their sister/daughter home, but sad to see their mommy leave. I want them to know that their mommy/wife feels the same way. I can't wait to get Josephine, but I will miss them more than they will ever know.
I think of how many times Josephine has seen the other children come and go at the orphanage and wonder when she will be the one to go. Well, now my little girl, you are the one that will be leaving and the car will be coming for you. Your mommy is coming and we can all be together on Nov. 10 when we come home.
Please keep us in your prayers as the weeks pass and we prepare for me to leave. Pray for Mike and the boys. I know how it feels to be the one left behind to take care of things. Also, pray for me, as I know God will change me and this is a trip that Him and I are taking together. I know what I experience will change me forever, and that is why I know God is calling me to go to Liberia.

Andrea

Answer to Prayer

God has provided for us yet again and just in time. Pretty much everyone knows that we have been trying to raise the $ for my trip and airfare to Liberia. We are praying and hoping to hear something this week as to our final approval and travel date, well our problem was that if we heard something soon, we couldn't even schedule my plane ticket b/c we didn't have the $ for it so we would have to wait for us to come up with the $ ( we only had $1500 of the $8000 needed for the trip). I spoke to someone and she knows that we have been trying to raise the $. Well, Mike received a call last night from her saying that her and her husband would like to loan us however much we needed for the trip and our airfare. I was floored, God knew how much we needed that $ and that we will hopefully be needing to make arrangements soon and without that $ we couldn't. It is such a relief to know that when we get the OK, I can schedule my trip. She said, "We just want to get her home and I can't think of her being there any longer." So, we are hoping to have her home before the holidays! Some of you may be wondering "Why do this if you don't have the $ upfront" Well, God truly called us and we felt Him telling us "If you do as I ask, I will take care of the rest, including the $" I knew God would provide, this was just unexpected and such a surprise. Praise God that He comes through at just the right time. I know that yesterday was a day of stress and some saddness for some of my very good friends, I just wanted to share some good news. God is working even when you may wonder how. Please continue to pray that God will get me there at just the right time and hopefully soon. He is showing me more and more every day that this is exactly the journey we are supposed to be taking with Him and I am confident now more than ever that I am the one to go to Liberia. Just had to share some good news today (we all could use it!). It is so wonderful to see a smile on Mike's face and a relief that I haven't seen in awhile. But, I have also seen my husband grow as a Christian man through this process and I am so proud of him. He is walking a different road with God now than he ever has, which is another reason why I believe all of this has happened. I do know we have depended more on God during this than almost any time in our lives, and we will continue to. We have learned many valuable lessons and feel very close to God which I am sure is why he did this. I have learned that even during the waiting process and even the disappointment process God is working and even teaching us a few things through it. We have learned to truly give it ALL to Him and no matter how big the problem, God is much bigger. Oh, what a story to share about God's amazing love and calling of us to this ministry and how He provides when He calls you to do something! We are so humbled by a God who loves us and is there for us, we give Him ALL of the praise and glory for this!!!!!!
Also, thanks to the couple who loaned us the $, they asked to remain anonymous and we will respect that. They will just never know what relief and joy they have brought to our home and lives!! God was working through them!
Again, God is good,

I pray Josie knows her mommy is coming to get her soon, she has seen many children come and go and now it is her turn!!

Andrea

WEDDING

This weekend we went to my cousin's wedding. We had a wonderful time. This cousin is just like a little brother to me. He has always been with us growing up, I can even remember when he was born (he is 10 years younger than me). His wife is just wonderful too. She is down to earth and fits right into our family. She is also very good to our boys and very excited and supportive about Josie coming. Her family is also very nice and accepts us as part of the family too. It was so nice to see them get married and they had Mike and I do a reading for the wedding, we felt very honered to do that. The boys also past out the programs. We also got to spend time with a lot of our family, which was nice too. We usually see them all at funerals, but it was so nice to see them in for something so nice and enjoyable. My nieces were there (we see them every couple of weeks)and we really enjoyed the time with them. I loved watching them and our boys interact and spend time together. That is what family and memories are all about. It was also so nice just to have a weekend where we could get away from everything and just have a good time. We went to my cousin's (the one that got married, his mom-which is also my cousin) house for them to unwrap their gifts today. We ate and watched them unwrap their presents. That was pretty much it for the weekend, it is now time to start another week and see what God holds for us this week. We are supposed to hear something this week if our paperwork is accepted and we can make travel arrangements to get Josie. Just please say a prayer that everything goes through.

The pictures are of my cousin Nick and his new wife Alison. One of Mike, myself and the boys. Another of my nieces and Thomas dancing. Then of my cousin (Nick's mom Peggy) and my aunt (her mom) Lois (it turned out to be a good picture of them). The picture of the three women are of my cousin's, it is Nick's mom and her two sisters Vicky and Jennifer.