Progress

Well, I'm finally posting and adding some pictures. I am just not in a good position to keep up with this blog daily as I would like to. The house is coming along just fine, although slower than our impatient, homesick hearts would like. We are thinking it will be another couple of months before it's done. But like a positive-thinking friend told me, it will be better to not have to move during the holidays. Well, until I post again, enjoy the pics of the old (new) homeplace!

Waiting

We are still waiting, waiting, waiting to get THE CALL from our adoption agency. I was sure it would come last month, and when it didn't, I was even more sure that it would come this month. But our heart's desires don't always match up with God's perfect will, and the call never came. It was so disappointing. We all ache to see her face and to call her by name. 

I told some friends that I know the waiting has been a refining event for me spiritually, but it is painful. I came across this quote from F. B. Meyer that sums it up:

What a chapter might be written of God's delays! It is the mystery of the art of educating human spirits to the finest temper of which they are capable. What searchings of heart, what analyzings of motives, what testings of the Word of God, what upliftings of soul. . . . all these are associated with those weary days of waiting, which are, nevertheless, big with spiritual destiny.

Do not worry

Mornings are crazy at our house. We have a system, it's just kind of chaotic. Jacob and Luke are pretty self-reliant when it comes to making sure they are ready for school, but Eli just marches to his own beat. He wants to be ready, but there are so many other things to think about and do! So I feel like I constantly have to remind him to do this and that. 

The other day, we were especially late, and I ended up getting pretty irritated with Eli, who instead of getting dressed had decided it would be a better use of his time to wander around the house. When I told him to get dressed NOW and gave a mini-lecture on how stressful it was to have to remind him of every little thing and that he was going to end up wearing his pajamas to school if he didn't get dressed immediately, he listened carefully, nodded his head, and turned to get his clothes. Then, without any hint of sarcasm, he said slowly and thoughtfully, "You know, Mom, I believe it was in Matthew where Jesus said we shouldn't worry about our clothes and stuff."

It was so unexpected I just started laughing. The kid had a point, and used Scripture to back himself up. I finally managed to say, "Well, I don't think Jesus was talking about getting ready for school in the mornings, but you're right, there's no use in getting too upset over clothes."

We made it to school in plenty of time.

Time Marches On

Well, we made it through the memorial service, and it truly was a time of joy and celebration, with little bits of sadness here and there. There was lots of music and a lot of funny stories, and so many friends and family! We truly felt loved in that moment. Not to mention humbled that so many took time out of their day to come.

But time truly stops for no man. And my dad wouldn't have wanted it to! And so now, we move forward, trying to catch up on everything that kept moving in regular motion while we were moving in slow motion. School, work, soccer, and on and on.

We're finding out what our new normal is, day by day. Luke said the other night, "Life will never be the same without Pa." I told him he was right. Then I said, "But there's still a lot of good life ahead of us, and we'll remember that when we feel sad for what it used to be like. It will take some time, but things will be okay." His eyes were teary, but he smiled.

He is free indeed

With hope-tinged sadness, I write these words. My dad, who battled a rare brain tumor for four years, passed from this life to the next in the early hours of Friday, September 26. He was 65. 

Even though we expected him to go home to the Lord in the next few months, it was still a shock that he was called away so soon. We are grieving, but not as those who have no hope. Through the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is not the end.

It was my privilege to be with him and hold his hand as he passed, and today, he is free indeed.

Please continue to pray for our family in the coming days as we adjust to our new reality, especially my mother and my three boys, who loved their Pa dearly.

Our House Transformed!

I tried to find a picture of our "old" house, but will have to post one later. This is a little of what has been done so far. The most shocking to us was the gutting of the inside, but it's really exciting to see our dream take shape.

The best part is coming to the house and seeing things done that WE didn't have to fret over and figure out how to do!

Finally Friday

Hard to believe it's been more than a week since I posted. We've been busy with regular life stuff, and time just slips away. No wonder it's September already! Soccer starts this weekend, and Jacob and Luke are ready for another season. Jacob is hoping to make the middle school team in the spring, so this will be especially good for him. 

I'm still trying to find the cable for the camera so I can post some pics. The house is coming along great. I love the framing part of construction because your vision really starts to take shape. They should be putting up the second floor next week.

No word on adoption stuff lately. The wait is so hard. Just knowing your child is going to sleep and waking up in a place where you know she doesn't belong . . . well, it's just hard. We love her so much already, and she doesn't know there's another life waiting for her. Sigh. We are praying that the call comes soon and that we will finally see her face.

For now, I'm just glad it's finally Friday. :)