We are adding again our music since we have been unable to post it as a permanent part of our blog as of yet. We are still praising God for being registered, sometimes I think to myself I can hardly believe it. Other times I feel the anticipation of hearing from our agency that our referral is here. I”m praying fervently that the Lord would once again hear our heart’s desire to receive this next step. At times I feel like Abraham when he asked the Lord to spare Sodom/Gomorrah. He asks first that it be spared for 50, and the Lord says yes. Then he asks, “well, will you spare it for 45?” The Lord answers that yes, He will spare if for 45. Abraham continues, understanding the gravity of the situation, yet asking again, “How about for 40?”, and on it continues until Abraham has asked that it be spared for the sake of 10. The Lord, in His mercy answers, “I will not detroy it for ten’s sake”. (Genesis 18:25-32) Though I’m not asking Him to spare a city, I have asked that He please just let us be registered. Now that we are, I am inclined to take it a step further and ask that He please just let us receive our referral. On and on it will go until we get to the point that I will finally be asking that we be able to finalize the journey.  I’m thankful to read at the end of this passage, that He was willing to hear Abraham’s requests and to grant them…I pray it be so for us as well.

In His Watch Care,

Joy

Ok, so did I tell you already I am amazed at His love and care for me? I am still breathless at the thought that He moved mountains for us…that He loves me like His own…unconditionally. I am so overwhelmed by His goodness…Thank you Lord again for working in this process and blessing us with registration in a region.
In His Watch Care,
Joy

Just thought I’d post a picture of us dressed up for Homecoming at school. On Friday elementary was able to dress up for red/white/blue/crazyhair day. We had a good time. The boys looked great, and the little girls in my class thought the crown was great. (the crown was reminescent of days gone by; all you pageant girls know what I mean!)

Well, praise the Lord, we now know where our baby girl is! Yes, we are being registered this month. This is a big step, and puts us much closer than we thought to our baby girl. I know without a doubt that this was the Lord’s handiwork! My heart overflows with gratitude for His unconditional love and blessings!
In His Watch Care,
Joy

Well, the weatherman was right! We have had snow today!! Here are some pictures of the boys and the neighbors across the street. Enjoy!

Hello, just thought I’d post again. We had a work day at school today for half the day. The boys were able to go and play with friends, that was such a blessing. We are anticipating a school cancellation for inclement weather. Yes, here where it never snows!! The last time it snowed here was when Hunter was about 3, he’s 7 now. It would be nice to have the day to finish up some cleaning among other things.
The last we heard about our adoption is that it may be another several months before we are registered. We will continue to pray for the Lord to show His mighty hand and move things faster than we anticipate. We know it is not governments or people we are waiting on…it is God alone who knows the right time and will bring it to pass when our baby girl is ready as well as our family.
Joy

I thought I’d share some pictures from Christmas, now that I’ve been able to upload them, finally!! Some are of us, some of my nieces, some here, some at Nana and Papa’s, and some at Grandma and Grandpa Coats’.  Enjoy!

Hope everyone is doing well. We are back into the swing of our routine here. It was a nice week back to school.
I’ve begun our fundraising efforts. We are selling Arbonne lip gloss to raise a portion. The barbecue plate is beginning to come into view…we have to set a date. I’ve even spoken with a friend who is adopting from China about having a “Parent’s night out” sitting service…at least once!! We just started rolling that around.
We would so appreciate your prayers regarding the expenses we know will be coming forth in the next months.
I was telling some friends today…We could start feeling labor pains in the next month or so…The pains will come when we are anticipating going to meet her and then when we have to leave after the first visit!! We are so anticipating hearing that we are being registered in a region. Once we get to that point it will feel like we are really on our way.
We are still working on her room…a little at a time. We have even started going through some clothes we’ve been given. We just have to find something to put them in.
Keep us in your prayers as well as our little Annalise. Sweet dreams little one…
In His Watch Care,
Joy

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a fabulous New Year. We enjoyed ours in Winston-Salem with B’s parents and family. The boys enjoyed themselves and so did we, though B worked all day several days on an add on room for his parents. Mom Coats and I enjoyed some jewelry making and shopping.
It has been exciting to reach this new year in that we pray this will be the year we bring our precious baby girl home. We anticipate all the wonderful things the Lord has in store for us and can hardly wait to get going.
Monday I begin my final phase of my Masters!! I’m so excited to be finishing this as are my boys…all three of them!!
We would ask you to continue to pray for us as we prepare our lives for our new edition and finish out our school year…yes it is 6 mos away…but this is the long haul as those of you who teach will understand. ;o)
We are also going to be selling lip glosses by Arbonne to help raise money for our adoption…so if you are reading and are interested in buying one or two, let us know. They are $10 each. (you can go to gemsforglory.com and email us) We are also getting ready to plan a barbecue…thanks to my sweet big brother and his sidekick (my cousin) Boo. (yes, its a nickname I just can’t let go of). They have volunteered to cook on their newly purchased cooker. Thanks you guys!! Love you. Mom and Dad are throwing in a pig and we will ask some of our family to help with other side-dishes.
So…anyway…we will be very busy in the next few months, as well as prayerfully, traveling to one certain European country.
In His Watch Care,
Joy