Jenna's Journeys

Time for an introduction

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

It is no secret...we are not great pet owners! We have fallen prey to the cute little puppy face 4 times in our 10 year marriage. Not to mention a bunny, a fish, and 2 kittens who unfortunately became food for the neighborhood fox. We have given it our best shot. There is no telling how many dog bowls and leashes we have bought over the years, only to end up giving them away when we realize that the sweet little puppy is just more than we bargained for!

However, this summer we realized that someone was stealing freon from our air conditioner. It happened not once, not twice, but three times. It was then that we started discussing the idea of a dog once again. This time however we had some ground rules...

1. no puppies
2. no wild and crazy hyper dogs
3. must be house trained
4. must be good around small children

Armed with our rules we set for the pound. My aunt and uncle have rescued several dogs and it has always been those rescue dogs that are just so good. My uncle really believes that they are grateful...those dogs have experienced hard times and living in a prison so our their gratefulness they are just good dogs. I am not sure I totally buy that but we figured it was better than what we had tried in the past.

So we walked around and looked at all of the dogs....but one furry guy just caught our eye. Chacho was his name. We brought him out and he seemed pretty calm. We knew he was the dog for us when Kolson grabbed his tail and the dog just kept walking like it was no big deal. So we loaded up Chacho and brought him home.

Isn't he just the cutest thing!?!

That was several months ago. After our many failed pet attempts I am sure you can understand why I waited so long to introduce our new furry family member. At this point he is totally a keeper...he has been on 2 road trips with us and you can find him every night curled up under the covers in Kaden's bed!

Kaden and Chacho are the best of friends! A real "homeward bound" kind of friendship is what they have. Chacho waits for him each afternoon and barks if Kaden doesn't come to play with him. If Kaden goes outside without Chacho then he cries at the window. They wrestle and play and believe it or not Chacho loves to jump on the trampoline with the boys.

While I will admit that he is not the world's best guard dog ( I think he could sleep through anything), we love having Chacho around!

Jump in

2012-01-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

If you have ever driven by our house you know the truth...the leaves have taken over! And being that Nathan and I were blessed with BLACK thumbs it shouldn't surprise you that we really haven't done much about the leaf take over! Yes, in my dreams we have a beautiful yard with fresh cut grass and perfectly trimmed hedges...but this is real life, and at this busy stage with 3 little guys, the yard unfortunately is the thing that gets neglected.
On Friday afternoon however I had had enough! Not sure what else to do I started up the blower and went to work. I then borrowed a rake from our neighbor and began raking the leaves into piles...because that's what you are supposed to do, right?

Leaves in piles and 3 little boys plus 1 little boy friend can only lead to one thing....

Contemplating the jump...

And jump in!!

Can you find Hunter and Kaden??

Oh, how I love these little guys!

Let's run for it...Kolson you can have a head start!

What a fun time just playing and having fun! I am so thankful for these precious moments in the middle of what seems like a pretty crazy, busy life most days. Unfortunately the leaves are still in piles in our yard and now they are big wet piles thanks to some rain! Maybe someday our yard will look perfectly perfect...but until then I am enjoying the small moments and the big smiles with my little guys!

To be like them...

2012-01-24T20:26:00.000-08:00

Africa is never far from our hearts. The fact that Nathan and I both traveled to the magical continent last summer coupled with the fact that our daughter is waiting for us in Uganda makes Africa the subject of many conversations in our home.

The boys in their little boy curiosity have had so many questions about Africa. What does it look like? How do they talk? What games do they play? Where do they sleep? Are their pottys really just a hole in the ground? What do they eat? The questions go on and on. We look through pictures and watch videos of our far away brothers and sisters and we pray for them often. Many times while we are out on a walk (or an adventure as we like to call them) the boys pretend we are traveling to Africa. I hear them in their room packing toys in buckets (their pretend suit cases) getting ready to go to Africa.
I love that our boys hearts are inclined toward Africa and toward thinking of others. It is one of my greatest prayers that God will allow us as a complete family to visit and serve in Africa together at some point.

Pretend adventures to Africa and watching videos was not enough for Kaden. He wanted to be like them...the boys and girls in Africa. He told me one day that he was going to go the whole day without eating so he would know what it felt like to be hungry (I know...what a precious heart this kid has, it is all God...because all good things come from God! I am so thankful that they Lord is working in his heart)...anyway, the no eating thing lasted until breakfast!:) So I decided we would have a real African meal...beans and rice! I made it once very soon after I returned from Africa and much to my surprise all 3 of my guys loved it. So much so that Kaden has been begging for me to make it again! This cold rainy night fit the bill perfectly.

A big pot of beans...

3 bowls ready to be served...although this is a big portion compared to the portion I saw some children getting while I was in Uganda.

3 little boys eating...Uganda style, no utensils necessary!

The difference between my boys and the children I saw in Africa? My boys had the luxury of adding cheese if they wanted it. My boys had a drink to go along with their food. My boys have eaten this meal twice in 6 months. My boys were all allowed to get seconds. The precious children in Africa rarely have a drink with their meal and I am not sure they have ever seen cheese, they have eaten this meal everyday, sometimes twice a day, for months even years and there is rarely a chance for seconds. No...beans and rice are not bad and eating them everyday is not the end of the world...in fact I met so many children who were so thankful for any type of food. It just serves as good reminded to me and my family that God has blessed us in excess and in turn He desires for us to open our hands and give freely out of those blessings...be it in Africa or next door.

Life together...and LSU!

2012-01-10T13:01:00.001-08:00

One of the things that really struck me in Africa is the way they do life together! I spent a Sunday at an African church with a service much like we have here in America...the difference was that when the service ended everyone didn't just rush to get their own family and get back to life as usual! No those precious African believers know the value of good company, they understand that as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another. So instead of rushing off we fellowshipped, we played games, we broke bread ( or beans;) together, we even danced together...it was a wonderful day just loving one another.

But it didn't end there! In Africa they continually do life together. They raise their children together, and work together, they eat meals together, and pray together. I miss that about Africa long for America to be more like it!

Our church family is really starting to get a hold of the idea as well! So last night we decided to do life together over some LSU football! The house was crowded and crazy and I am pretty sure every toy we own was out but I loved just sitting back and taking it in...watching a group of people become a family, watching new friendships form and encouragement happen! I loved watching our kids have a blast together and the sweet babies of the group just beginning to walk! We need to do more of this living together and sharpening one another!

Here are some pictures of our fun and festive night...

Transformed.......

2012-01-05T18:00:00.001-08:00

While I do realize that today is in fact this 5th day of January, today marked the real beginning of the New Year in Lorick house. Kaden went back to school and all of the Christmas decorations finally came down!

I am so thankful for a New Year, for a new start, for a God who's mercies are new EVERY morning. I love the idea that we are literally looking at a blank canvas as we step into 2012. So much can happen in a year, and yet if we are not careful to make the most of every moment this year could potentially slip right by leaving us exactly the same.

That is why it is important to set goals and resolutions for the New Year. I can hear Nathan in my head right now saying "If you aim at nothing you will hit it everytime"! We need something to aim for, something to focus on!

There are so many things I would like to aim for this year. So many goals I could set for myself. And while I do have a list of some specific areas I want to work on I just can't get past this one chapter in Romans that I have literally been reading for 3 weeks now and the way it has just grabbed my heart.

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set your mind on the flesh is death but to set your mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:5-6

I was reminded as I read these words that we are TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). If we continually set our minds on the things of our flesh we will never experience the life, the peace, and the transformation that we are all looking for.

So above all this year my goal is that I will daily set my mind not on myself and the desires of my flesh but on Him and His desires.

Will you join me this year in seeking to be truly transformed by the Spirit that offers the true promise of life and peace...who know how the other areas of our lives will be transformed when we allow Him to mold us and shape us!

Happy 2012!

Here are so pictures of our last day of Christmas break...the boys and I celebrated by going to Chuck E. Cheese...

Christmas without you...

2011-12-25T19:03:00.001-08:00

Dear Kenzi,
When we started this process I was sure you would be home by now. But, nothing is certain with adoption and often times procedures change and timelines increase. So I had settled on just finding out just exactly who you are. I had imagined seeing your little picture just in time for Christmas. However, I am reminded once again that God's plans are not my plans and that His ways will trump mine every time.
Do not be mistaken sweet girl...we are still trusting God to finish this work He has begun. We still pray for you each night and imagine what life will be like with you here! Your brothers have already picked out a spot for you in the car and at the table. They have accepted the fact that we will need some girl toys and they even call the bedroom where you will sleep "Kenzi's room"! God is preparing our hearts and our home for you baby girl. I know that He is preparing you and your heart as well. Hopefully you have lots of little rowdy boys around you in the babies home... Heaven knows you will need to some preparing before becoming an official member of the K-crew!
We are praying for you our sweet daughter to be...praying that someone is whispering of Jesus' love and that he came just for you on this day so long ago. And we are praying that next Christmas you will be right here with us...pilled up the car looking at lights on Christmas eve, making sweet nativity crafts, and enjoying the sweet treats of the season! We are waiting with expectancy Kenzi Reigh!

Merry Christmas little one!

Adventures in Advent

2011-12-12T17:56:00.001-08:00

We are continuing to enjoy our time counting down to birth of Jesus!

I am so glad that we chose to persevere even ÿwhen it didn't feel like they were "getting it"!

Karter can now tell me major parts of the story and he is totally entralled every time he sees a nativity scene.

Kolson is remembering the characters and lives to say "Do not be afraid"!

Sweet Kaden is taking it all in and is quick to remind me that it is time for the countdown each night!

We have continued with the story by adding Mary's visit to Elizabeth, and her song to the Lord! They absolutely loved popping the bubble we had used for Zachariah's mouth after John was born and good ole Zach was able to speak again. We had a great time singing our own songs of praise while we decorated our CDs to represent Mary's song.
We also learned that Zachariah prophesied that Jesus would one day be like the sun. We made some beautiful sparkly suns for this.
Next we learned about Joseph. He too was visited by an angel and like Mary he chose to believe and obeyed right away (totally took advantage of that teachable moment)!!!
Finally tonight we talked the name that the angel told Joseph to name the baby...the name of Jesus!
I am excited to continue this countdown and hopefully keep our hearts and focused on Jesus this season!
Here are some pictures of our fun and ornaments...

The countdown continues...

2011-12-05T18:07:00.001-08:00

We are continuing our countdown to Jesus' birth and we have had such fun! I will be honest...bible reading and art projects with 3 kiddos-2 of them under age 4- is not easy. At least once every night I have been tempted to say..."just forget it"! I have wondered if it is even making a difference, if they are even learning anything. But then I remember something I read last week...sometimes God just wants us to show up! We may not have a lot to offer or have it all together but if we will just show up He can take care of multiplying our loaves and fish!

So we will continue our countdown we will continue to show up and read God's word and let Him take care of the rest.

We spent the last 3 nights learning about Zachariah, Gabrial, and Mary. My boys loved how we used a bubble for Zachariah's mouth since he was unable to talk! They also loved pretending like they couldn't talk (unfortunately that only lasted about a minute:). I also loved the contrast between Zachariah and Mary...while Zachariah doubted Gabriel's message and what the Lord could do, Mary was quick to believe and offer her life fully to the plans of the Lord. What a sweet reminder to us!

Here are a few pictures of the fun we have been having...
I have had to let go of all my perfectionist ideas of how their crafts should look! None them are perfect but they all turned out exactly how each boy wanted them!

The Prince of Peace...

2011-12-02T15:31:00.001-08:00

And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Tonight we celebrated Jesus...our Prince of Peace by making crown ornaments!

Advent Begins...

2011-12-01T19:49:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe it is already December 1st! Each year we try to use the time leading up to Christmas to help ourselves and our children remember what Christmas is really all about. It is so easy to get caught up in all the business of this season and miss the true reason for the season!

This year we have chosen to use a new e-book for our Advent Celebration...
Truth is in the Tinsel is an easy to follow guide that gives you a section of scripture to read each day and a simple ornament that can be made to go with that scripture.

To kick off our celebration we had Christmas Soup (aka zucchini soup) while listening to Christmas music! After dinner we worked together to put up the Christmas tree.
I will admit that it doesn't look exactly how it would if I would have done it on my own but I loved the excitement and thrill in the boys eyes as they hung the ornaments and beads on the tree. Yes, there were a few ornaments that broke and there were a few tears (let's just be real here :) but all together it was so fun to work together.

After we were finished with the Christmas Tree we did our first Advent activity.

Kaden and I put together this count down tree using the printables made by mama Jenn. Each circle has a clue that leads the kids to a place in the house were they find another clue about what we will study for the night.

The boys loved finding tonight's clue...a candle, because we talked about light tonight.

After we finished our reading we worked together to make this ornament...

It didn't take long and no, they did not sit perfectly still through the whole bible reading but I am hoping that they will remember that we were a people walking in great darkness until Jesus...the LIGHT was sent!!

Most fun wedding...EVER!!!

2011-12-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

So Britany and Gene get the award for most fun wedding EVER! They went above and beyond and even made the week before the wedding so special! They provided us with all kinds of fun including a trip to Ripley's Wonder Works (I totally recommend this place it was so fun for the kids and the adults)! All of the girls were treated to a massage and pedicures as well!

We also got to ride to the wedding in a huge hummer limo...all of the kiddos had such a great time taking a little spin in the limo!

The wedding itself was beautiful! It was my first time to be at a beach wedding and I can certainly see why people get married on the beach...it was perfect! Believe it or not the kids actually walked down the aisle like they were supposed to and actually did ok during the ceremony...well except when Kolson and Pierce thought it would be fun to throw sand on the groom during the vows!:)

The reception was by far the most fun!! Britany thought of every detail and went out of her way to make it such a fun night for all of the kids. There was a candy bar with all kinds of candy to chose from. There was a hot chocolate bar with every type of marshmallow you can image. She even hired someone from the local zoo to bring out the parrots. Each of the kiddos got to have their picture taken with a bird on their shoulder!

By far the hit of the night was the kids table that was just loaded with different dress up items for the kids to play with! There was even a little camera set up for them to take their pictures! While all of the kiddos thought this was fun it was Karter who loved it the most (imagine that...ha)!

Congrats Britany and Gene! Thanks for a great week and for making your wedding such a fun experience for all of us! We love you and wish you all the best as you grow in love!!

November at the beach!!

2011-11-30T06:48:00.000-08:00

So I will be honest...I did not have the best attitude about going to Florida in November. Yes, I was excited that Nathan's sister, Britany, was getting married...but still Florida in November???

Despite my bad attitude God showed up (why should that surprise me...He is such a great God) and allowed us to have one of the best weeks we have ever had! We didn't even know how bad we needed a vacation until it was over and we realized just what a blessing the week had been! My only regret it that I didn't bring my camera so I don't have many pictures. However, I have a feeling this trip won't be one that we quickly forget!

We started our trip on Monday with a 13 hour drive...much to our delight the boys did a great job and we all made it there without any major melt downs ( a true miracle)!

We were blessed with the opportunity to stay is a beautiful 2 bedroom condo right across from the beach (Thanks Britany, Gene, and big Gene)! The view was wonderful and they even had a heated pool and hot tub that we enjoyed...yes, swimming at Thanksgiving!! We even made it out to the beach a few times. The water was FREEZING but the boys didn't seem to mind!:)

One of the greatest things about being in Florida is that we were not alone! All of Nathan's family was there and that meant 8 of the 11 grand kids were all together! I have never had so much fun just watching kids play! They were constantly going from condo to condo to play with one another. There is just something about watching cousins play together. I am truly sad that my boys don't get the chance to be with their cousins more often!

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day! Everyone worked together to put together a feast and we all met in our condo for a great lunch and the best fellowship! It made me realize that you don't have to have a big house or everything perfect to host people and have a great time. We may have been short on space but we were big on food, laughs, and fun!:)

We decided to take all of the kids to the beach after lunch...we were just going to let them run and look for seashells...you can guess how long that lasted!:)

By the time we left the beach they were all soaked from head to toe and they were completely freezing! I am sure the people we saw on the way back thought we had tortured our children or something!

Nathan's sisters are so much fun and I always enjoy watching them and Nathan all together! They make each other laugh and pick on one another any chance they get! It was really one of the most fun weeks we have ever had!

Next up...the wedding!

Behind the scenes...

2011-11-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

I am married to a wonderful man... who happens to be a pastor.

That means there are usually people watching.

But most of the time people only get to see the outside...the bright and shiny on Sunday mornings.

What most people don't get to see is the man that my husband is when he is off the stage and outside of the church.

The truth is... he is an amazing pastor and preacher but it is who is he is on Monday through Saturday that amazes me most.

I wish that others could see the way he intercedes for our people who are in need. Or the way he gets in "the zone" on Saturday nights to make sure he is ready for Sunday. I wish people could hear his prayers on Sunday mornings before he leaves the house....it has always been one of my favorite things about Nathan...he prays with such passion, such faith, and complete humbleness. He takes so seriously the calling God has placed on his life to Shepard the people here. He is constantly striving to better himself and spends countless hours on his knees seeking God's will for this place.

I am so proud of the way that my hubby is always encouraging others. He is continually checking on other ministry friends and encouraging them as they continue to do God's work. He is such an example to me of what it means to really invest in others.

His determination and hard work when it comes to meeting his goals has always been an inspiration to me (aka the starter...not the finisher).

In the last year alone he trained for and finished a half marathon in 15 minutes less than his goal time.

He has always desired to write a book and this year a study guide that he wrote was published in a book!

It has been his life long dream to get his doctorate by 30. This year he turned 30 and finished his doctorate...what you may not know is that he finished with a 4.0 and received a high distinction with his degree!

And he isn't stopping there...in spite of aches and pains he is training for a full marathon and eventually a 100 mile bike ride. He is continuing to grow in wisdom and knowledge as he has made it a goal to continue reading and learning even though he is done with school.

we were missing Karty on Halloween...not the same without our little red head!

What may be one of the things I love the most about him is the way that he loves our boys. I love that he can come home and put aside all of the seriousness of the day and get on the floor for a wrestling match. I love the crazy songs he makes up and the way the boys light up when he walks through the door. One of my favorite things is to hear him praying with boys at night...he is teaching them to pray with passion and excitement.

not may favorite picture of me but look how great my man looks...all that hard work is paying off!!

Perhaps what gets to me the most is the way he loves me. It is through his love for me that I have come to understand the way that Jesus loves me. On my worst days...the days when I decide to take everything out on him and to blame him for everything crazy in my life he still draws close to my side. The fact that he would love me and be kind to me on the days when I do everything I can to push him away is such a testimony of the love of God that lives in his heart. Trust me...I can be spiteful, and moody, and just plain ugly and my husband continues to pursue me and remind me of his love for me. He has truly been the hands and feet of Jesus to me, reminding me that Jesus loves me in spite of me most days. Jesus loves me when I am unlovely just the way my sweet husband has so many times. I love that Nathan laughs with me and that he talks with me even when it is about something that doesn't really interest him! He is the love of my life and continually makes me better. I can't believe it has been almost 10 years!!

I love you so much Nathan! I am so proud of you and can't wait to see what else God has planned for our crazy life together! You are an amazing husband, father, pastor, and friend! I am blessed to call you mine!

Go Ninjas!!!

2011-11-14T06:55:00.001-08:00

Kaden finished his 2nd soccer season this weekend. He is quite the little soccer player...we had such a great time watching him play. I am thankful that it is still more about having fun and learning the game...I know it won't be long before it starts to get serious!:)

What made this season even more fun was that he got to play with 2 of his best buddies, Austin and Hunter. I love watching these guys play and have fun together!

A few pictures...

A family thing...

2011-11-13T18:40:00.001-08:00

Lot's of people have asked how our boys feel about us adopting...I think Kaden's picture from church tonight says it all!

This family is believing God for BIG things...including Him bringing a sister all the way from across the world!

the red line above our heads is actually an arrow coming from Africa to our house!! And did you notice the sweet pink bows in the hair of the little girl I am holding!! Yes...this one is going in a frame!:)

The wait goes on...

2011-11-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

We are still here. Still waiting on "the call" about our sweet little girl. With that call will come a face to put with a name, an age, a personality, a story. It is a day we are anticipating with much joy and hope. Recently we spoke with our agency and they feel certain that "the call" will happen sometime after the first of the new year.
Most people are wondering why? Why does this process take so long when there are so many children in need. While I can't answer all of the questions and even have some myself...I do know that there are steps and a process to go through that does it's best to ensure that children who are truly in need are able to find families who are suitable and safe. Part of the reason our particular wait is taking so long is because there is a rule in the country we are adopting from that states children must be in an orphanage/babies home for at least 6 months before they are eligible for international adoption. During those 6 months the babies home is gathering the child's paper work and doing everything in their power to make sure there are no other family members who are able and willing to care for that particular child.

I know all the right answers...I know that God is in control...I know that His timing is perfect...I know that He makes all things (even waiting) beautiful in His time...I know that He already knows where our daughter is, He knows her smile and her heart...none of this is a mystery to Him. I know that He holds all things together and I know that waiting on His perfect timing is what I am called to do. But the truth is I am human and patience is of Him, not of me. I am continually reminding myself that it is Him and Him alone who can keep my heart in perfect peace. I pray that we will honor Him in this time of waiting. I pray that we will take this time to love on our sweet boys and enjoy our moments together as a family of 5. I am praying that He makes this time into something beautiful!!

I am also praying for our daughter. A piece of my heart will be missing until she is home. I am praying that God sends people to hold her, to love her, and whisper His wonders to her. Much like the Lord sent us this summer to love on the children of Uganda I am praying that God will send others to love on my sweet girl until the time comes when we can hold her in our arms.

We already love you sweet girl...and we pray for you always...can't wait to hold you!

Missing you...

2011-11-01T16:14:00.001-07:00

Dear Karty,
I know that you are having the best time with Nonnie and Papaw this week! I know that it is rare for you to get one on one time with them and that the past few days have been a special time. I know that you loved Halloween and you especially loved having Papaw just take you where ever you wanted to go instead of having to wait for your brothers like you would have to here. Yes, I know that you are having a blast and loving all the special attention...but what I know most of all is that we miss you!
While I will admit that the house has been a little quieter and perhaps a little neater, it just isn't the same without you!
We all miss your excitement and passion and the way you make us laugh! I miss your good mornings and your big bear hugs! I miss your sweet smile and the way you say " I wabe you"!
You are loved our little red headed boy...now hurry home ninja Karty!!

Finished!!!!!

2011-10-31T08:56:00.000-07:00

This picture says it all!!

WE DID IT!

13.1 miles all for our sweet future daughter!

But we did not do it alone! We were joined by nearly 1,500 other runners all running for the purpose of adoption and orphan care! Even more than that we were joined by some precious friends who sacrificed finances, time, and their bodies to help bring our Kenzi home!

Here are 10 out of 14 Kenzi for Keeps team members!!

We were especially surprised when our sweet friends Keith and Jennifer decided not only to come and cheer us on but to also join our team and go the distance with us! They used a kid free weekend to bless our lives and the life of Kenzi...that is a sacrifice!!:)

I loved training with my hubby and then getting run together! He did finish before me but he was waiting with a smile and encouragement when I came up to the finish line!

It was also such a treat to share this day with my sister. She and her friend Val have been training just about as long as Nathan and I have. It has been so fun to encourage one another from a distance!

By the way...Val smoked all of us with a time of 1hour 50 minutes!! And it was her first half!

The race itself was just an amazing experience. Just knowing that we were all gathered to run for our future children and for the children who remain in orphanages had me emotional from the start. I spent time praying for our girl all along the way!

12 out of our 14 team members raced and finished!!

Keith encouraging Jennifer and Brandi as they finish strong!

Kasey blew us away and ran like a rock star!

Michelle, Chris, and Amy...finished!!

We ended our morning with a free massage...wonderful!! And then headed to my parent's house where they had literally prepared a feast for us!

We are so thankful for all of you who have been apart of the Kenzi for Keeps race...from the prayers, to those of you who donated, the sweet messages on race day, the friends who ran, my sweet parents for watching our kids AND preparing a post race meal, to my sweet friend who knew she wouldn't be able to come and run but decided to do her own Kenzi for Keeps jar and added 5 dollars every time she walked a mile for our girl...this was totally a group effort and I hope that someday our sweet Kenzi will read this and know how loved she was even before we saw her face!!

Friends don't let friends run alone! I am so thankful for these girls and their support and encouragement along this journey! Our shirts are from the race and say...running with purpose!

Can I admit that I cried a little as I neared the finish line...it was lined with pictures of adopted children...reminding the runner why we were running. I couldn't help but to think what it will be like to see Kenzi's picture there next year. Really this race has been so much like the process to adopt. There has been training and preparation, right now we are enduring as we continue to wait, and someday (hopefully soon) we will cross the finish line and bring our girl home. I know that day won't even compare with the excitement we felt when we finished this 13.1!!!

Next up...training for another half!!! Now that I have run one I have got to beat my time!:)

He funds what He favors!!

2011-10-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

I have heard that saying many times since we have entered into the adoption world. However, in the last year that has become more than just a saying to me. I have seen God provide time and time again in the last year.

9 girls said yes to going to Uganda and God provided over $3,000 for each of us to go...even when we were all a little doubtful that it would actually happen.

This year our church set a goal of giving $25,000 towards missions on one Sunday...as I type this we have not only met that goal but we are surpassing it as people continue to give.

Over a year ago we answered God's call to adopt, having NO clue how we would raise the nearly $30,000 it would take to complete the process. God has provided in ways you might not believe if I told you. Things like meeting a lady in Wal-mart who later gave a large donation towards our adoption. Or ladies that I don't even know having a jewelry party and donating all of the proceeds towards the adoption. Most recently He showed up at our garage sale.

Recently I have been feeling a little impatient. I have begged God to let our referral come soon. As I continued to beg I heard His small whisper in my heart..."Are you really ready?" I knew that we weren't. I knew that there was still more to do to raise the funds to bring our girl home. From the very beginning of the process I knew that we would do a garage sale for Kenzi. But, let me be honest...I HATE GARAGE SALES! I have put it off and put it off. Hearing that whisper from the Lord, reminded me that it was time to stop procrastinating. So the planning began! I kid you not...as soon as I started working towards the garage sale (obeying God's prompting) over $320 of donations came in out of the blue. I love th way God confirms things for His children!

We were totally blessed by 2 families who decided to donate lots of great stuff to the sale. However, we were still doubtful on Thursday night as we were pricing like crazy and trying to figure out where to put all the stuff...the last time we had a garage sale we made maybe $300. Nathan said we may be lucky to make $500 this time...although secretly we were both praying for $1000...impossible or not.

We really have no way to explain it, but God answered our secret prayers and blessed our socks off by allowing the garage sale to bring in right at $1000! That is so not typical for such a small town and a garage sale that really didn't have any big ticket items...in fact as we were pricing things I felt the only thing we were writing was 50 cents. Our God is so good and He truly does fund what He favors.

Next up...13.1 miles in the Chosen Marathon for Adoption this weekend!! Go team Kenzi for Keeps!!!

Kezni for Keeps Garage Sale!!!

2011-10-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

The signs are ready...

The garage is filling up...

Tomorrow and Saturday from 7-11 am we will be having a garage sale with all proceeds going towards getting Kenzi home!!

Don't need any garage sale items??? Feel free to stop by for a homemade Butterfinger Blast cupcake...

Or how about some handmade Uganda beads...all the way from Jinja, Uganda...

Or maybe you need a copy of Chosen for Love the CD we recorded and are selling to raise the funds to bring our girl home!!

***We are still open to taking any garage sale items off your hands!! Just send me and e-mail (jennalorick@hotmail.com)

and we can work something out!***

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all of your support and for being a part of this journey the Lord has called us to. Sweet Kenzi has no idea how many people already love her all the way across the ocean!! There is no way we would be able to answer this call without you!!

For Good...

2011-10-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

I couldn't stop thinking about him on my run this morning. A 17 year old boy in a prison in Uganda with a smile that captured my heart. I was so nervous on this particular day because it was all older kids...and I am a little kid kind of girl. I felt a little lost at first, not sure how to connect with any of the kids and not sure any of them really wanted to connect with a dorky muzungu (white person) anyway!:)

But Patrick made me less nervous. He had a bright smile and loved to joke which helped with my nerves. We spent some time small talking before I asked him about Jesus. When I asked if he knew Jesus he told me yes. He knew that Jesus was a prophet and good man but that he did not believe that Jesus was the son of God. You see Patrick is Muslim...his entire family is Muslim. But each week because of the work of SixtyFeet Patrick and others like him have the opportunity to hear the message of the gospel. Each week the children in the prisons where SixtyFeet is working are given the chance to learn that Jesus is more than a good man...he is THE man...Jesus is God's own son who was sent to die for our sins.

As I thought of and prayed for Patrick this morning. I couldn't help but to think of the story of Joseph where God used seemingly awful circumstances for Joseph's good. My greatest prayer for Patrick is that God will use this difficult time in his life to draw Patrick to Himself. The greatest good that could possibly come out of Patrick's time in prison is for him to meet Jesus for the real savior that he is. I believe we serve a God who can change not only Patrick's heart but also the hearts of his family when he is able to finally go home...maybe even his entire village.

I am so thankful that we serve a God who is in the business of making beauty from our ashes. Would you join in praying for Patrick and the other precious children who are imprisoned in Uganda and around the world?

A party for Karty!

2011-10-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that our little red headed boy is 4!! Last week on October the 8th our fiery little guy celebrated his 4th birthday. Since it was a really busy weekend we decided to wait a week for a birthday party...but we couldn't skip our birthday morning tradition...donuts with candles!!:)

All three of my boys LOVE donuts (just like Daddy) so it is the perfect birthday breakfast! We had been to homecoming the night before and they were still sporting their tiger tattoos (or as Karter and Kolson call them...tad-a-toos)

We have never really done a big birthday for Karter so I knew that I wanted to do something special this year to celebrate our little guy. So, I took his love for all things superheros and ran with it! I may not have been born with the crafty gene but I was born with the copy cat gene! Everything from the party was something I found on line...I am so thankful for all of the creative people that God created!:)

There were superhero cupcakes...

And super suckers!

And a super hero party just isn't complete without capes!

And masks!

And then it was time for the "academy"...each kiddo had to go through "super hero" training before getting their super sucker!

We started by scaling the city...

Then we vaporized the villains with silly string

Next up the bat! The kiddos crawled through and got the kryptonite (glow in the dark bracelets) before it could harm superman!

Then they had to get through the web that spiderman left!

The official superhero academy graduates!

I loved watching my big boy blow out his candles and open his presents. Karter is a passionate little boy (wonder where he gets that from;) and he was so excited about each part of the party. I can't wait to see what God has planned of all of that passion!

After the celebrating the kiddos just had fun playing together and enjoying the beautiful day!

One of Karter's favorite presents was a superman costume...in fact he slept in it last night!

Even baby Chase got in on the fun with a cape of his own!

Karter was so excited to have several of his grandparents there to celebrate his special day!

All together it was a great day...such a fun way to celebrate such a fun little boy!

Karter,

I want you to know how much I love you! You are fire and ice and you love more deeply then most people I know. Yes, there are some very challenging days...but like I tell you at night before bed...God has big plans for you sweet boy. You have all the passion of your Daddy and the stubbornness of your Mommy. I pray daily that God will give me the wisdom I need to help you grow into the super hero of a man I know you will be. I love the light in your eyes and the way you get so excited about the things you love. You are an amazing little boy and I am so thankful for you!

Happy Birthday Karty boy!

Get Ready, Get Set...

2011-10-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

RUN!!!!

That is exactly what Nathan and I have been doing for the last few months! When we started it seemed like we would never get to this point. Running 1 or 2 miles was a huge challenge. Just looking at our running plan and seeing numbers like 8, 11, and finally 13.1 made me want to quit right then.

But here we are 3 weeks from our first 1/2 marathon and Nathan and I both just finished an 11 mile run!!

To be honest there have been hard days. Days when we did not want to run...days when our legs felt like lead weights...days when we had to push the other one out the door. However, it has also been fun! We have gotten to run together twice and I can think of no better partner than my handsome hubby, who by the way has dropped 25 lbs on this journey! We have enjoyed a little healthy competition as we have tried to match the others time or distance. Sometimes just knowing that Nathan has already run a certain amount of miles is all I need to push me to the last mile...I mean I can't let him out do me!!:) And really there is just something about the sense of accomplishment after a long run that is sort of addicting...not to mention not feeling guilty about what I eat afterwards!:)

The major driving factor in all of this has been our sweet daughter to be. I have thought of her and prayed for her on every run...knowing that each step, each mile is bringing us one step closer to bringing Kenzi home. We are running with a purpose!!

When I read this verse this morning before my 11 miler all I could think about was my sweet girl...

1 Cor. 9:25-26 b (NLT)

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. ²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step.

There is still time...if you would like to be a part of this purpose...this bringing a little girl into a forever family you can still join Kenzi for Keeps!!

You don't have to run, you can walk with purpose too!:)

Click on the link to register!

http://www.marathonforadoption.com/race/register/

The race is October 29th in New Braunfels...a great place to hang out as a family for a little getaway after the race!:)

And because some of you have asked...you can donate specifically to our team (Kenzi for Keeps!)

Click on the link to make a tax deductible donation!

http://www.marathonforadoption.com/donate/team/

Thank you again to all of you who have been a part of this journey to Kenzi! Your prayers, support, and generosity have blessed us beyond measure!

*Special thanks to Boog for his wonderful training plan!:)

Real Life Continues...

2011-10-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

So I am out of my little post Africa funk and didn't want to miss documenting some of the sweet memories and milestones that have been going on in the Lorick house!

How is is possible that I have a 1st grader already?

I have been so amazed with his progress since starting 1st grade. He was reading easy words and a few very small books before he started...but by the end of this first six weeks he is reading full passages! Tonight he sat down and read his first "real" 50 page children's book to me! This former reading teacher almost cried the whole way through! On top of that he has made an A on every spelling test! Yes, there have been several moans and groans about all of the homework that comes with first grade but all in all it has been a great year so far!

Kaden is also playing soccer for the third season! This week he had 2 goals and a couple good saves as goalie. He was really not excited about playing goalie but he did great and it was a great way for him to learn about sacrificing his own desires so that someone else could play and have fun! I love that he is playing with 2 of his best buds, Hunter and Austin!

Karty boy is still our spirited, loving, and full of life red head!

I love this little guys zest for life and his unique out look on things! He still prefers his undies backwards...so he can see the pictures of course and most days I have to convince him that wearing clothes is a good idea! He is like a little sponge these days...soaking up all that he can! I can't believe that he will be 4 this week! I am having so much fun planning his superhero birthday! This week in church they learned about God's purpose for their lives. Karter is totally convinced that God's purpose is for him to grow up and be Spider man!:)

Kolson got his first hair cut and I am totally missing his baby look!

I think he realizes this and gives me plenty of opportunities to hold him and snuggle with him each day! I love that he still wants me to hold him and sing to him each night. And each morning when I pick him up he tucks his little arms in tight and lays his head right on my shoulder. I am pretty sure he will always be a mama's boy!

Koley has recently discovered his artistic abilities! Unfortunately our little Picasso enjoys displaying his work on the wall, the door, the table, and pretty much anywhere he can find! He is also totally interested in wearing undies except he would prefer to just pull them down and potty wherever he happens to be at the moment! This works great when we are outside...not so much when we are on the living room rug :\!

He is talking more and more each day! I love that he says things like..."Can I sit with you?" or just the other day he came in and said..."Hey Mommy, how you been?" He has us laughing all the time!

One of the things I love most about being the mom to these 3 boys is watching them play together! They love to imagine together. Even as I am typing they are all dressed as pirates with sticks for swords! But like all like boys wrestling is always a favorite! I love the way these pictures captured their fun!

Never a dull moment with the K-crew!

M.I.A

2011-09-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

It's true...I have been Missing In Action. I am calling my post Africa blues, if you will. For some reason since I have been home I have felt an overwhelming sense of defeat. To be honest I am not really sure why. My marriage is growing and flourishing, our children are thriving, the church is alive and growing in Christ, and I have an amazing extended family and friends.

After taking a hard look and spending some time with the Lord I am convinced that this feeling I have been experiencing is a lie. Isn't it just like Satan (the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy) to remind me of all of my short comings and stand ready to steal my joy, kill my excitement, and destroy all that God has shown me over this summer.

I read this quote yesterday and about burst into tears on the spot...

"Lies fill our world and seep into our homes. If we don't know His truths then lies will take us captive. If lies bind us, we doubt God's love and question His faithfulness when difficulties arise. If lies fill our minds, we define God's character based upon our circumstance rather than based upon His revelation. We MUST maintain an arsenal of truths in our hearts and souls in order to combat lies."

What is amazing is the fact that I can see where God has been trying to show me this very thing in the last month of my life.

Look at some of the things I have studies in Ephesians in the last weeks...

God blesses us with every spiritual blessing
He chose us
He predestined us to adoption according to His kind intention
In Him we have redemption, forgiveness of sins, all according to the RICHES of His grace that He LAVISHED on us
He is a God of mercy and GREAT love
We are His workmanship

And those are just a few of the reminders my sweet Lord has given me.

The problem comes when I just simply read these words. God has called us hide His word in our hearts and to arm ourselves with the Sword of the Spirit (His Word)...It is very hard to stand in the face of the lies if we do not possess the truth.

So I am standing up to the lier...

I may not always feel like I measure up but God has given me every blessing (Eph. 1:3) and that His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in my weaknesses.

On the days when I feel like I don't have what it takes I will remember that He has given me everything I need to live a life of godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and that not only am I His workmanship but He already has good works planned for me to do (Eph. 2:10).

On the days when I feel like I would just rather do nothing than live the life I know He has for me I will call to mind Proverbs 14:23...In all labor there is profit but mere talk leads only to poverty. Or one of my all time favorites is Proverbs 13:4...The appetite of the sluggard is never filled but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

I am so thankful that my God is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do. I am thankful for the way He has opened my eyes to the truth and reminded me of His great love for me in spite of how ever I may be feeling about me!! I am thankful that He is making me new everyday!

So out with the blues! Bring on the life God has for me!!

Fraud...

2011-08-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

It was that night after we had visited M3. By far the most emotionally taxing day I had experienced. One hundred seventy-nine young children with 3 caretakers. All of them in rags, each one starving for food but even more so for love and affection. I will never forget getting off the bus...if we weren't getting off then they were getting on with us! Four and five at a time they would latch on as we exited the bus. They gathered on the porch and we watched their little faces light up as they sang about Jesus. Not a single person on our team was without tears.

It was that night that we gathered as a team to worship together...to try and somehow process what we had seen and what in world to do with what we had seen.

Music is my thing. I think in songs. God speaks to me through songs. My heart is most joyful when I am singing His songs. But on this night as I began to sing, I couldn't help but to think what a fraud I was.

"All of you is more than enough for all of me"...that was the first line we sung.

Suddenly I found myself wondering...is all of God more than enough for me? Is this song so easy for me to sing because I have God AND so much other stuff? Would God be more than enough for me if I were living in a prison?

"For every thirst and every need, you satisfy me with your love"...the next line in the song.

My thoughts continued. How can a girl who lives in the land of plenty, a girl who has never once been thirsty in her whole life sing this song and really mean it? Would I be satisfied with God just meeting my basic needs. Would I be able to praise Him if I had only posh and beans EVERY SINGLE DAY?

The next day as we were welcomed at Royal Hope Academy we watched in wonder as the children lead us in worship. The music was beautiful...there were drums and clapping and even some dancing. But the part that will stay with me forever is towards the end of the worship service. Our sweet little worship leaders got so lost in their worship that they were on their on their knees, faces to the ground thanking God for his mercy and for his provision, for his love, and for his son. I have never in all of my life seen worship this pure and true and just completely real. All coming from CHILDREN who live in the slums and have NOTHING.

So now here I am, this American girl who has been to Africa, and things just cannot go on like they did before. I have seen that there is MORE. There is more of our God to experience. So many times I miss Him because my prosperity and all of my things get in the way. No more! No more do I want to just sing the songs... I want to believe the songs. I want to believe my God the way I watched the people in Africa believe my God. I want to trust Him to make my way instead of trying to make it myself.

I have no idea how to do that here...in this land of plenty. In this place where we pull up our boot straps and just get it done. I have no idea how to trust him for my every need in a place that has taught me to take care of myself all by myself. I have no idea.

What I do know is that Psalm 25:4-5 says this..."Show me YOUR ways, O Lord, teach me YOUR paths; guide me in YOUR truth and teach me, for YOU are God my savior and my hope is YOU all day long."

Thank you Uganda...you have forever changed my life. The richness of your faith has exposed the poverty of mine. This land may be called the land of plenty but we are completely spiritually malnourished and in need of awakening, may we learn to draw near to the source the way you so beautifully taught us!

Cafeteria Line

2011-08-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

My sweet preacher husband often reminds me and our church that the word of God is not a cafeteria line...

But on days like today...days when I am longing for Africa, longing to know who our little girl is, longing to have her home. On days like today I wish I could do a little picking and choosing in the scriptures.

Today I would choose to have the second half of Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of the heart."

I would totally pass on the first half of Psalm 37:7
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him..."

And I think I would wash it down with a little Luke 11:9
"Ask and it will be given to you"!

In all reality I am ready...ready to know who she is, ready to bring her home, ready to experience Africa again but... I am trusting. I am trusting that my God has a plan and that His timing is perfect. I am trusting that He has something to show us and teach us in the wait and that he is preparing our family and precious little girl on the other side of the world to be a family.

So just forget my order above...

Instead, I will take a little of Jeremiah 32:17
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."

With a side of Psalm 33:11
"But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."

And I might just take a little of Isaiah 40:22...just as a reminder of who is really in control!
"He sits enthroned above the circle of the Earth"

Desperate...

2011-08-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

I know so many mamas who joke about being desperate for tomorrow to come. What is tomorrow? The first day of school! These mamas are ready to get things back into a routine and ready for a little bit of a break (I haven't quite reached desperation level but check back with me when we hit the teenage years!).

As we laid out school clothes tonight and talked about what we would have for our "first day of school breakfast". I could help but think of some other mamas that I know who are truly desperate.

These mamas are desperate for their children just to have the opportunity to go to school. I have met with these women...I have seen the tears in their eyes as they asked if knew of any solutions for this great problem.

This woman was so desperate for her daughter to have a better chance at life that she tried to give her to one of our team members.

You see in Uganda, like in many other countries, school is not something children "have" to go to...it is something children "get" to go to. And only those who can afford it "get" to go.

faces of children who don't get the opportunity to go to school

In Uganda school is not just a formality it is a must if you plan on getting a job. In order to be a driver, or a cashier, a hotel worker, or even a maid you must attend school. For those children whose families are not able to send them to school there is little hope of ever getting out of their current state of poverty.

Those children who do indeed get the opportunity to go do not take it lightly. I watched as the kiddos from Canaan's would come home each day and take their one and only uniform off and change into other clothes just to keep their uniform for as long as possible (many of them wore ripped on tattered uniforms). I watched as they each protected their little pencil box that contained only 1 pencil and sometimes a razor blade to sharpen it with. One of the girls I spent time with showed me her school notebooks...I was amazed at the care she took as she got them out and handed them gently to me.

Gloria, Eunice, and Ruth...3 children who have the chance to go to school

Every child at Canaan's is going to school because someone sponsors them. They are each so thankful for their sponsor and the opportunity they have to attend school.

Children at Canaan's Primary school enjoying their morning break

Canaan's School Moto and Misssion

I have seen it first hand...sponsorship makes a difference!

Giving one child the chance to go to school could change an entire family...an entire village maybe.

Sponsoring one child to go to school through SixtyFeet gives that child time away from the prison and the hope of a brighter future.

Patrick...a boy at one of the prisons that would love to go to school

Sponsoring one child through Amazima gives that one child a chance to go to school and eat 2 meals a day, plus a time of bible study on Saturdays where they are fed and given food to take home for dinners.

Mutessi...a 4 year old orphan who gets the chance to go to school and be fed because of a sponsor through Amazima

faces of the children waiting outside of the gate to Amazima...they just need a sponsor.

Sponsoring one child through My Father's House/Royal Hope Academy gives one child the chance to go to school in a place where Jesus is King and they learn to worship Him in ways that I have never experienced in my 30 years, as well as 2 meals a day.

Children at Royal Hope Academy eager to learn even though they had the day off!

Sponsoring one child through Canaan's gives that child a bed to sleep in, clothes to wear, aunties and uncles to look after them, and the chance to attend school.

All of the children who attend Canaan's Baby School lined up for their morning porridge.

God may or may not be calling you to action in the way of sponsorship. I can tell you that I have seen each of these ministries first hand and I have complete faith that money sent to any of these ministries will be used not only to send children to school but to teach them about Jesus their true provider.

While he may not call everyone to sponsor or adopt or go across the world I am certain that he has called us a believers to lift up our brothers and sister across the world in prayer. So would you join me tomorrow as we send our precious little ones off to school...would you commit to pray for the desperate mamas and dads around the world who just want an opportunity for their children. Pray about what He may be calling you to do as we seek to love not only in word but also in action (1 John 3:18)

Meet Janet...

2011-08-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Janet.

We met her on our very first day in Uganda. Evey day Janet travels by boda boda (motorcycle) and then by bus to get to the Kolping hotel where she sets up a little shop to sell jewelry, dresses, purses, baskets etc.

We connected one day when I tried on one of her dresses. We began to talk about our families and she told me that she was a mom...to 3 little boys...it was an instant connection. We boy mamas just have to stick together!(:

As we talked more I was moved by Janet's great faith. She began showing me pictures of her 3 boys...the were precious and just a few years older than mine. Then she pulled out a picture of a 4th little boy. Janet met Amos on the street one day. Her heart was immediately drawn to him and she asked him about his story. Amos' mom had died and he was now living with his older brother who had sent him to the streets to sell nuts. Amos also had a father but his father was a drunk. Janet had great compassion for this little boy...he began coming to her house each morning to eat breakfast with her family. One night after seeing his living conditions Janet came home and got her knees for 3 hours with her 3 boys and they cried out to the Lord for Amos. When she looked up from praying Amos' brother was coming down the road. That night he gave Janet permission to take Amos in on a permanent basis. Talk about an answer to prayer!

Janet and her husband did not stop there. They decided that it would be best to adopt Amos. After much prayer Janet found Amos' father and asked permission. Amos is now thriving in their family. She told me that you would never even know that he had not been with them all of his life. Now he is able to attend school and have the love of a mother and father who know the love of Jesus.

Through tears Janet told me that her family had done this not because they were rich but because Christ had so richly blessed their lives and that they wanted to share that blessing. By this time I was crying with her!

She then pulled out one more picture. This time it was a teenage girl. Janet had never even met this teenage girl but she had heard about her and how bright she was but unfortunately could not afford her school fees. My friend Janet stepped up to sponsor this girl that she still to this day has never even met.

When I asked her how I could pray for her...she began to cry once again. Her husband Moses has recently lost his job as a driver.

Can you imagine...this sweet family is supporting 4 little boys and sending a teenage girl to school all on what Janet is able to sell in her little shop.

I wish you could meet Janet face to face and see her great faith...the love of Jesus truly radiates from her! When I left I promised I would pray for her and her family and that I would share her story so that even more people would be praying for her.

So would you join me in praying for my friend Janet and her husband Moses!?! Please pray that the Lord will provide a vehicle so Moses can drive again. Pray that Janet can find a more permanent place to sell her things. Pray for the lives of her 4 sweet boys and the teenage girl who they support.

Thank you in advance!

Greetings...

2011-08-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

There is one thing that was consistent at every place we visited while in Uganda...their greeting. They were not satisfied with a simple hello or a nod...they wanted to make sure that each of us knew that we were welcome. They would usually stop to shake our hands, look into our eyes, and say "You are welcome here". Many of them even skipped the handshake and went straight for the hug. And when they hug in Uganda...they really hug!
When we visited Royal Hope Academy the children even lined the road we were walking in on and sang a special song to welcome us to their school.

I am not sure I will ever forget the night we pulled up to Canaan's. We were late getting there and it was already dark. Even still the kiddos swarmed the van and were waiting with arms open to welcome us. What I didn't expect was the adults...I knew that we were late and were causing the children to be up late and I also knew that if it were me I would have wanted to get this greeting thing over with so I could just get all of the kids in bed and actually have a few minutes to myself before bed. This was not the case. The adults were mixed in with the kiddos hugging and welcoming us with just as much enthusiasm. It was mama Rebecca that touched my heart that night. When we hugged she told me I was welcome there, I thanked her and apologized to her about being late...what she said next has stayed with me even weeks later. She pulled me back looked into my eyes and said..."You are home here, you are never late at home."

Papa Isaac with Mama Rebecca

Those words have continued to roll around in head and have had me thinking...isn't that how it should be in our churches? Shouldn't we be greeting others by saying "You are welcome here" or even better yet "You are HOME here...no matter how messed up, no matter how alone you feel, no matter where you have been...you are never too fill in the blank for home".

My sweet friend Jennifer shared with me that she had been working on this very thing with her kiddos. They have been practicing with one another at home on how to greet people. She reminded me that in Proverbs it says that a cheerful look brings joy to the heart and that pleasant words are like honeycomb sweet to the soul.

How often we forget that the simple things like a smile and pleasant words can brighten a life. So we practiced this morning and we will continue to practice this skill that the people of Uganda have displayed for us so wonderfully.

You are welcome here...Oh, may the Lord remind us to share his love and grace with those around us and not to just keep moving through our busy lives.

5....

2011-08-16T06:39:00.000-07:00

We are officially #5 on the waitlist for our little girl!!!

We got the news on Friday afternoon and by the time we made it to my amazing friend, Kathyrn's house for dinner she already had a cake with a number 5 and Kenzi's name on it!!

What a fun way to celebrate this milestone in our adoption journey!

We are still being told that the wait is around 3 to 6 months...but we are praying for a miracle! It would be such a blessing in more ways than one if we could have Kenzi baby home by the end of the year. In the adoption world that is almost certainly impossible...BUT we serve a great God and nothing is too hard for Him!

Again, we cannot say thank you enough to those of you who are a part of this journey!

From buying CDs, to running on the Kenzi for Keeps team, and most importantly for your prayers...we are so thankful for each of you!

PS. There is still time to sign up for the Chosen Marathon if your would like to run (or walk) a half marathon with us. All of the entry fees paid by those running on the Kenzi for Keeps team will go straight to our adoption fund! Just click on the picture below...then click on race and then on register to race...Make sure you sign up to be on the Kenzi for Keeps team!!

God even uses Facebook!

2011-08-14T21:18:00.000-07:00

I am sure you can tell from my last post that my heart has been captivated by this sweet baby Ruth. I have spent so many moments whispering prayers for her and wondering how she is. I have wished over and over that I could just hold her again and see her sweet smile. Missing her has been one of the hardest parts about coming home.

But God...(oh how I love those words!)

in His sweet mercy used Facebook to bless my heart just 2 nights ago. I opened my message box to find a message from a girl named Lexi who also loves Ruth with all of her heart! I was so blessed to find her page and see all of the pictures of my sweet Ruth with her big smile.

Through Lexi I learned that Ruth has a beautiful sister, Tracy, who is almost 7 years old. The girls became total orphans in 2008 when both of their parents drowned in a fishing accident. My heart breaks for these girls and the loss that they have already endured in their short little lives.

Lexi went on her first trip with Visiting Orphans in March of 2011. Ruth grabbed her heart right away and God used Ruth to make the orphan crisis real in Lexi's life. After her trip Lexi felt the Lord calling her to do more. She has now started a ministry called Muzungu Mama Ministries that exists to share the light of Jesus in Eastern Uganda through loving on children and their families. In September Lexi is taking a huge leap of faith and moving to Uganda where she will be partnering with To Africa With Love Ministries in Pallisa, Uganda to help children and families that are in need.

While there is a part of my heart that is a little jealous(only because I love her so much:) I am so thankful that Lexi will get to love on Ruth and Tracy on a regular basis since she will be close. What a sweet blessing that the Lord would allow me to meet Lexi and see her heart for Ruth. I can't wait to see how God uses Lexi in the lives of these sweet girls!

Please take a minute to visit Lexi's blog and ministry website to learn how you can pray for her as she embarks on this new and exciting journey with the Lord!

Lexi and Ruth

Ruth

2011-08-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

There is so much to be said about the time I was able to spend in Uganda. So many great experiences, so many hard experiences, such people of great faith to share about. There are ministries to write about that are truly changing lives...so many words to share.

But words are hard to find when she is constantly on my mind.

I met her on our first day at Canaan's. She approached me with arms held up...just the way each of my boys come to me when they just need mommy. So I scooped her up and she fit perfect right there on my hip. We spent the day together...she was so shy and timid and rarely smiled that first day. I spun her around just to see her laugh. By late afternoon she settled in for a nap on my shoulder, which was so sweet for this mama whose little guys out grew that stage many months ago. I walked her to her dorm that night and laid her in her bed. I kissed her head and left the room quite sure that it was just a coincidence that she had found me that day. Most of the little ones bounced from one person to the next and I figured that sweet Ruth would have a new friend the next day.

Much to my surprise I found her waiting at the bottom of the stairs for me that next day.

Once again she lifted her arms to me and this time she smiled when I swooped her up. And so it was, for the rest of our time at Canaan's...me and little miss Ruth, like 2 peas in a pod.

Yes, I did play with some of the older kiddos but always with Ruth on my hip or holding my hand.

Sweet Ruth always took at least 1 or 2 naps in my lap each day and would even pretend like she was asleep each night when I walked her to her room so that I would lay her in her bed...pure sweetness!

Each day she allowed herself to open up more and more...even to the point of making silly faces for me!:)

I will never forget when she saw me during her porridge break at school. Her big bright eyes just lit up and her smile was the biggest I had seen the whole time I had been with her. She came running...arms lifted...knowing I would hold her and love her. By this point it was clear...she was mine and I was hers. I remember her pushing other kiddos away when they came to hold my other hand...much like the Kolson gets jealous when I hold another baby. She chose a place away from the crowd for me to sit and then she curled up in my lap and let me blow on her porridge to cool it down.

When we went to leave I noticed that her smiles had disappeared and she was gripping my neck more tightly than before. I put her down, kissed her, told her that I loved her...that Jesus loved her and I walked away. It would have been best for me if I had just kept going but there wasn't room on the bus I was trying to get on so I had to turn around. When I walked back by I saw them...big tears silently rolling down her sweet cheeks. So I held her again and we both let our tears fall together and I prayed...prayed that God would be near to her broken little heart. I prayed that God would send more and more teams with people to love on her and her friends. I prayed that God would make himself known and so real in her life as her father.

On one of the days she colored a picture (never leaving my lap). We traced her hands and she colored them...I brought that picture home with me and it is now hanging on my refrigerator next to memory verses, and the calendar, and the art work of my sweet little ones. Each time I see it I am reminded of her smile and her sweet eyes. I wish that she could be mine. I wish that she didn't have to know loss and hurt and fear. I wish I could give her all the things that I think are good. But I am trusting my God. He says that He is a father to the fatherless and that He is near the broken hearted...and I am trusting Him to do just that for my sweet Ruth. I know that all good things come from Him and that He and He alone can give her all that she needs.

So I will pray for little Ruth just like I pray for my boys and I will trust God with her little life!

Love you sweet girl!!

Almost Home...

2011-08-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

We have made it to DC!! Just a few more hours and we will be home and loving on our families.

There is so much to process, so many stories to tell, and so much of God's goodness to ponder.

More blogs will come but for now...

A piece of my heart is back in Uganda with this sweet little one....

Holla!

2011-07-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

Today...it is really here...I am getting on a plane and starting my journey to Uganda Africa! I am excited, nervous, scared, sad to leave my sweet family, and just waiting in anticipation for all that God is going to do!

I fell in love with this country over a year ago and now I am getting to go there! What a mighty God we serve!

I couldn't leave without giving a shout out for my amazing husband! None of this would be possible without his support, help, and sacrifice! You see when he leaves to go on a mission trip I just have to do my job alone. But when I leave on a mission trip it means that he will have to do his job AND my job alone! I know he is going to do a great job and I am going to come home to a house full of Daddy's boys...he has already promised them unlimited chocolate milk!!

I love you Nathan! You are more than I ever dreamed of! I love our life together and I am so thankful that the Lord is allowing both of us to experience Africa this summer! Thank you for being such an amazing husband and father! Praying the Lord gives you strength and energy for the days ahead and that he blesses you and the boys with a wonderful time as father and sons!!

Next stop...DC and then on to Uganda tomorrow!!

Kids in America making a difference in Africa!!

2011-07-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

Not long ago my husband made a promise during our church's VBS.

Nathan promised the kiddos that if they could raise $1,000.00 to go to Uganda that he would allow them to shave his head!!

With a promise like that would could resist...they absolutely raised the $1,000.00 and last week all of the kiddos gathered in the children's building to take part in the shaving of my hubby's head!

Let the shaving begin!!

Kaden insisted on making the first cut!

No turning back now!!

Almost done!!

The finished product!! I still think he is as handsome as ever and I am so proud of his willingness to think out side of the box to make a difference!

Our kiddos didn't stop there...later that evening they gathered together to stuff over 60 bags that we will be delivering to the caregivers in Uganda! It is our heartfelt prayer that these bags will somehow refresh the hearts of the caregivers and remind them how much God loves them.

The kids filled each bag with a handmade card and lots of goodies that we hope will bless these precious people!

Even little Brooklyn got in on the service project!!

As I watched them work I couldn't help but to think of 1 Timothy 4:12...Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Even when given the opportunity to go play on the playground most of them stayed and worked on filling more bags. What an example of love!

Just a portion of the finished bags!

Uganda....here we come!!!

Precious memories...July 10, 2011

2011-07-10T14:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Kaden,

June 1, 2004 will always be one of the best days of my life. That is the day you were born and the moment that my life as a mom began!

I will never forget the excitement your Daddy and I felt as we welcomed you into the world. We treasured all of your first moments...your first smile and your first laugh (Daddy got them both), your first time to crawl and your first steps. So many firsts and precious moments we have shared with you sweet boy.

We have so many hopes and dreams for you! We have been praying for you even before you were born. We have prayed for your safety and your health. We have prayed for your future wife and for your happiness. More than all of this though, we have prayed that you would make Jesus the Lord of your life!

I will always remember July 1, 2011 because that was the day you told your Daddy and I that you were ready to ask Jesus in your heart!! I loved hearing you pray with your Daddy and the excitement you had after you knew that Jesus was now in your heart!

Last week you were so excited about walking down the aisle that you didn't even want to go to Sunday School first. You insisted on sitting as far back as you could so that everyone could see you walk down and know that you have given your life to Jesus.

Today you were blessed to have Papa, Anut Jenji, Ethan , Mamme, Big, Papaw and Nonnie all there to witness you being baptized! What a blessing to celebrate this moment with family and friends!

The sweetest thing was watching your Daddy baptize you as his brother in Christ!! I am not sure there was a dry eye in the place!

My favorite moment was when he picked you up out the water!!

Kaden I pray that you will continue to grow in the love and truth of your savior. I pray that God will protect your tender heart and allow you use it to bless others. I pray that you will serve Him with an undivided heart and that you will always remember these last few weeks and never doubt that Jesus is your savior and that you are sealed for the day of redemption!

You are precious to us son and we love you more than you know!

Our newly baptized boy!!

Best friend cousins!

A video of the big day!!

Freedom with Friends

2011-07-08T06:57:00.000-07:00

Each year Nathan's Dad puts on an amazing 4th of July celebration at his house. It started several years back when Maria was battling cancer, and now we continue the tradition as way to celebrate our freedom but also to remember our sweet Re. It is really the perfect way to remember her because it has all of the things she loved the most...family, friends, laughing grand babies, and great food!(:
This year we had the privilege of bringing 2 other families with us totally 14 people in all! Yes, that is 6 adults and 8 kiddos in on 15 passenger van...a little cramped but oh so much fun!!

Nick and Stephanie with baby Kasey

Jayson and Brandi

Me and my love

Karty boy on the biggest slide I have ever seen!

Racing Cousins

Chow time!

Kennedy enjoying the pool at the end of the slide

The other kiddos were having so much fun on the slide that I never even got a picture of them!! I am not sure they ever even got off the slide!

After our time at Nathan's Dad's we headed over to his mom's house for more swimming and a huge feast that she had prepared for us! Nathan's mom is the most wonderful cook! The food was so good I didn''t even think about taking a picture!

What a day! All of the little ones were asleep before we crossed the state line. Thanks for celebrating with us friends!

When Lightning Strikes...

2011-07-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

Some people have what I like to call lightning bolt testimonies. You know that the type where God steps into their lives like lightning and things are never the same again. My precious husband has one of those testimonies. He was your average teenage bad boy when God drew him to himself and Nathan was never the same again. He tells me stories about losing his friends and people not really understanding what happened to him. He went from pasture parties to leading a prayer group at his high school that was so big it began getting media attention. I love to hear my hubby talk about what God did in his heart on February 8th of 1998.
If I am just honest I have always been a little jealous of Nathan's lightning bolt experience with God. My experience has been slightly more like the evolving of a butterfly. While I was saved in 7th grade I was always a pretty "good girl" so it has taken a little longer for God to show me the error of my ways and my transformation has been more gradual.
While I love the way that the Lord has knit Nathan and I together knowing that He would be able to use both types of testimonies to reach different people, I have always secretly longed for a lightning bolt experience of my own.

Over a year ago, God in His great mercy, granted my secret desire and did something so unexpected in my heart that it has truly felt like lightning. I am not the same girl I was before that one late December night in 2009.

What happened?

Throughout a series of events I clicked on this blog....

I saw these faces...

I read the stories of this country...

Right there in that moment my heart was changed...forever. Lightning struck and I have not been the same. I once thought going to Africa would be the worst thing in the world...now I love this place I have never even been to with a love I cannot even explain.

In the next few months that followed I was a complete wreck as I wrestled with God on what in the world this new love meant for my everyday life. Finally, He clearly called us to adopt from Africa! For a while I thought that might be all He was calling me to do. But then my husband began preaching about missions and the great commission and I knew that God was calling me to go!

Nathan wasn't sure at first...letting his wife go to a foreign country is a huge step of faith for him! And what in the world would we do with our 3 precious little boys for 12 days during the hours Nathan needed to be at work? How would we come up with the money...we are in the middle of trying to save and raise $28,000 to bring our future daughter home? There were so many questions and unknowns and even obstacles to overcome.

But...It was time for us to practice what we preach! We decided to say yes!

So in 15 days I will be boarding a plane to Uganda, the country that started my lightning bolt experience! I will actually have the opportunity to serve in the very ministry that God used to change my heart and my very life! Since we said yes God has been so faithful to provide every step of the way.

9 of us girls from here in Malakoff will join a team of 30 people in Washington DC where we will all fly to Uganda to love on orphans in several different orphanages. We will feed the Karimojong children, and we will even have to opportunity to go into 3 children's prisons to share the love of Christ and just love on and play with the children there.

While saying yes has brought on it's own challenges I am so glad that we did and I can't wait to see what God has planned!!

Uganda here I come!!

Have you had a lightning experience?

What is God waiting for you to say YES to?

And the angels rejoice!!

2011-07-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

Our precious Kaden asked Jesus to be his savior today!! I am in awe and beyond excited about the way the Lord is working in our oldest son! What a privilege is was to hear his Daddy lead him to Jesus this afternoon!

Tonight after our VBS bash we let Kaden call all of his grandparents to share the news...I loved hearing him say..."I turned into a Christian today"!

Sweet toothless Kaden we are so proud of you and so honored to have the opportunity to be your parents! God has big things planned for that big heart of yours!

Not long ago we got Kaden his first "real" bible. Tonight in his own handwriting he wrote "I trusted Jesus! July, 1 2011"!

We are rejoicing with the angels tonight as we celebrate with our sweet boy! We pray that he will continue to grow in wisdom and in stature and that God will somehow use us to be an example to him!

KENZI FOR KEEPS!!!!

2011-06-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

Ok friends I may have officially gone crazy but my sweet friend and workout partner, Brandi, has convinced me to run (jog/walk:) in a half marathon (or a full marathon for you REALLY crazy people) on October the 29th in New Braunfels, Texas!!!

The cool thing...

The race is called "Chosen, a marathon for adoption"! That is right this marathon is to support adoption and the way that our AWESOME God sets the lonely in families!

So we have put together a team....KENZI FOR KEEPS...and everyone who joins our team will be running (or jogging, or walking) to help bring Kenzi home for keeps! The money that each team member pays to run will go into a Kenzi fund that will go to our agency to help pay for the adoption of our sweet girl!!

I have never, ever considered myself a runner! I have completed 1 5K but other than that I am a total rookie!! If I can do it than anyone can!!

We would love for you to join our team and be a part of bringing Kenzi home for keeps!

The cost for the half marathon is $65 and the cost for the full marathon (for you crazies out there) is $85.

To register to run or even to volunteer at the race go to...
http://www.chosenmarathonforadoption.com/

click on "race" and then follow the directions and make sure you sign up to be apart of the "KENZI FOR KEEPS" team!!

What a fun way to raise awareness about adoption, get some good exercise, and help bring some orphans home to their forever families!!

PS. For all of you scaredy cats out there...we have just over 6 hours to finish the race so it totally doable!!:)

30 going on 13....

2011-06-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

Can I admit that there are so many days when I still feel like I am 13.

Do you remember that awful age?? Wearing crazy clothes (I am thinking Units JMass and Flo) just because everyone else was wearing them. And always, always being concerned about what others thought.

I thought that when I got older, got married, and became a mom I would be done with all of the comparing and worrying about what others thought. But the truth is....that little jr. high girl is still stuck deep inside of me and she finds her into my thoughts at the most inopportune times. Can you say welcome totally worn out!! Let's just say that if I were stranded on a dessert island she would NOT be invited.

Of course she shows up when I am getting dressed or when I am looking in the mirror at these baby bearing hips. She barges in when I am around others begging me to answer the question..."what do they think of you"? She is quite pessimistic if I must say so...she is quick to remind me of my failures and has a constant undertone of "you'll never measure up"!

There are many moments when I am able to over come and somehow silence her little voice. But there is one area that I have allowed her to speak freely and boy has she wrecked some havoc!

What is that area you ask?

Mothering

For far too long I have allowed her to berate me reminding of things like...

you let your kids eat way too much McDonald's
sprite again really?
are you teaching them enough scripture?
so and so's child is so well behaved...what happened to your kids?
so and so's child is reading on a 3rd grade level...what have you taught your kids?
another tantrum...can't you get some control?

and on and on she goes...she is so mean, don't ya think?

Recently I read this quote and was stuck in my tracks immediately...

"Always thinking negatively about yourself is STILL ALWAYS THINKING OF YOURSELF!!

Would you believe that this 13 year old girl inside of me is just another form of pride...another way to distract me from the promises of God. I am pretty sure Satan really likes my 13 year old alter identity. If she can convince me to always think about the ways I am not measuring up than surely I won't have time to reflect on verses like...

"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand, that we should walk in Him." Eph. 2:10

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3 (He has given me all that I need to live a life that pleases Him...why am I always so busy trying to figure it all out instead of just spending time with Him and allowing Him to direct my paths?)

This morning I was so thankful to read this blog that talked about the perfect mom vs. the balanced mom!
It is so worth taking a little time to read it and be encouraged!

Inspired to Action is a great blog to encourage and inspire moms to action...her post today touch my heart deeply!

While I believe that the Lord wants me to work hard and to work as unto Him I also believe that He wants me to rest in His grace, mercy, His sufficiency instead of my own.

I think it is high time to kick my 13 year old self to the curb and start living confident in the woman and mother God made me to be....what about you, need to say so long to your alter ego??

More Lessons from Summit...TRUTH

2011-06-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

I haven't written in over a week. Usually that means that life has been super busy or that there is something weighing on my heart that I just can't put into words. While this week was really busy it is the latter of the two that has kept me from writing.

This lesson is one that is full of HARD truths...truths that this girl is still working and processing through...but truths none the less.

No beating around the bush this lesson is about HIV/AIDS. There are countless children around the world languishing in orphanages and on the brink of death due to HIV/AIDS. The first hard truth is that we have the ability to make a difference in their lives.

Summit was not the first time that this subject had come up in life. In fact I remember over a year ago when I stumbled on this family who had just gotten home with their HIV positive daughter. I remember thinking they were super heroes and maybe even a little crazy. I mean who does that kind of stuff...and what about their other children?

But then (because I happen to like researching things) I found Project Hopeful, and From HIV to Home, and Positively Adopted where I began to learn the truth about HIV/AIDS and adoption.

Here are some of the truths I have learned:

HIV is spread through sex, drug needles, and birth
HIV is NOT spread through saliva, sweat, urine, tears, or feces
HIV is NOT spread through kissing, hugging, shaking hands, sharing food or utensils, toilet seats, and pretty much anything else you can think of besides sex, needles, and birth!:)
HIV is NOT spread through casual household contact
Without treatment HIV is fatal. With treatment people with HIV are living almost as long as the average person (Need to be convinced? Click here)
No one has contracted HIV through casual house hold contact in the last 17 years (Wondering about blood spill accidents click here)
In America HIV is no longer considered a fatal disease but instead a chronic illness
HIV is considered easier to treat than diabetes

Part of the reason that there is such a stigma around HIV/AIDS is because of the fact that we are simply uneducated ( I know I certainly was). It is time for us to educate ourselves and love some of the people who need it most. While the stigma is America is still very much alive it is nothing compared to the sigma that remains in some other countries. Each time I think about the precious orphaned children in other countries who battle this disease I can't help but to think of the stories about the lepers in the bible. They were such outcasts that they were forced to live outside of the city. Others considered them so dirty that the lepers had to shout "unclean, unclean" as they walked among the people. The HIV/AIDS stigma is very much like this in other countries where innocent children are kept in complete isolation or shipped off to live in institutions where they receive no interaction. I recently stumbled across the picture of the most beautiful blond headed, blue eyed 12 month old girl living in Europe who had spent the first 11 months of her life in a Plexiglas crib completely isolated from anyone else because she was HIV positive. I just can't help but to think that Jesus walked among the lepers of his day...he even touched them when no one else was willing to touch them. Can you imagine just the sensation they must have felt when he touched there skin that most likely hadn't been touched in years. I am certain that they knew he loved them immediately with his touch. How many lives that have been wrecked by this disease are out there just longing to be touched. Remember...we are his hands and his feet and they will know him by our love.

What does this all mean for me personally? To be completely transparent and honest I am not sure.

I am not sure what God is trying to teach me and tell me through this but I am certain he is up to something. Just consider the ways he has brought it to the forefront of my mind...

Read about it over a year ago on a blog
began doing a little research and found more blogs which led to more questions
a sweet friend at church brings me a book to read called Dangerous Surrender...it is all about how God was calling the author to love and minister to people with HIV/AIDS
Go to the summit and hear this amazing mother of 14 speak about her experience adopting children with HIV
This one is crazy...Nathan and I happen to love watching Army Wives and would you believe that one of the main characters and his wife on the show just adopted an HIV positive little boy

While the Lord may not be calling us to adopt a child with HIV I know that he is calling me to love people here and around the world who are struggling with this hurtful disease. I know that he is calling me to lay the stigma and the unfounded fears to the side and love wholeheartedly exactly the way he loves me.

Now that you know the truth...what is he calling you to do???

I will leave you with some pictures of some of the most beautiful families and children that have been blessed through HIV adoption...

These are a few of the children who are currently waiting to be adopted...

Rickey

Max

Carley

Dean

Celebrating...

2011-06-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

With Kaden graduating from Kindergarten, Kolson turning 2, Kaden turning 7, and the start of summer there has been a lot to celebrate around the Lorick house!

Being in the ministry means summer time is busy, busy...between mission trips, youth camp, children's camp, VBS, and conventions our summer can slip away quickly! This year we decided to celebrate big as a family before things get crazy!

First up...a spontaneous road trip

(of course no road trip would be complete without a happy meal for the road!)

to the beach!!

All three of the boys loved the sand and the water. Since it was a spontaneous trip we didn't have any shovels or pails...it was just our little family of 5 enjoying God's creation. Watching the boys enjoy the water was such a precious moment.

I was able to capture a few sweet moments Daddy and his boys (of course Karter was way to busy for a sit down!)

One of my favorite memories from our little trip was spending the night in the hotel with the boys. We were trying to stay within a budget so we stayed at a less than luxurious hotel. While it wasn't the roach motel it wasn't the Hilton either...non the less we had such fun singing silly songs and laughing together before bed. In case you don't know this, Nathan writes the most hilarious songs when he is tired! I love that my husband knows how to just let go and have fun with his family!!

Next Stop...Incredible Pizza (aka Chuckie Cheese on Steroids)! This fun family spot has everything from glow in the dark mini golf, mini bowling, ice skating, go carts, lazer tag, tons of video games, and a huge pizza and more buffet!! The boys had a blast! Kaden and Nathan epically loved lazer tag!

June 1st was Kaden's 7th birthday!! Of course there were birthday donuts! Before long I will have to start using 2 donuts to hold all of his candles :(.

We celebrated the day by going swimming and then Nathan took Kaden to their favorite restaurant for lunch. Believe it or not Kaden's favorite thing at Cheddar's is the Oriental Salad! After sharing the salad my guys enjoyed a cookie monster (the ultimate in desserts) and headed out to Lowes to get materials for a birthday project.
Nathan Kaden built a huge soccer goal to go in our yard!

We continued the celebration with a trip to Frisco to see a professional soccer game (still thanking God for the blessing of free tickets that came just at the right time)! It was our first time to go to a professional sporting event as a family and we survived...and actually had fun!!

All of the boys got their faces painted

My three big boys enjoying the game!

Kolson was just worried about how he was going to hold all of his pizza!

He finally started cheering when the mascot came out at half time!!

We finished up our celebration last night with a Mav's watching party where we did cupcakes for Kaden. The house was full of people and completely crazy but I wouldn't have it any other way...we are so thankful to serve with such precious people here in Malakoff!!

Kaden's soccer cupcake cake

Happy Birthday sweet Kaden! We are so proud of you and can't believe you are 7 already!

Until we find something else to celebrate we are enjoying some lazy summer days before the craziness begins again!

How is it possible...

2011-05-31T20:30:00.000-07:00

that I officially have a first grader??

Last Thursday Kaden graduated from Kindergarten and we couldn't be more proud of our oldest boy!

Walking in...so serious

We even caught a rare moment on camera...Kaden actually sang AND did a few of the motions during their little concert!

Kaden is kind, thoughtful, and still 100% boy (not to mention very handsome). We were proud of all of the wonderful report cards that he brought home and all of the "green faces" he earned for his good behavior. In fact...his behavior was so good this year that he earned a Six Flags trip from daddy!!

Kaden was so blessed to have Mrs. Williams as his teacher this year. She handled 23 5 and 6 year olds like a champ this year. I loved how patient and kind she was with all of the kiddos. Kaden certainly enjoyed being in her class!

What a precious moment to celebrate with our sweet son!

Papa even made it down to celebrate the big day!

Of course this special day called for some special cupcakes...

Kaden and I had fun making these little graduation hats for the top of the cupcakes!

He loved getting some congratulations cards in the mail

And for the kindergarten graduate...a shiny new red soccer ball perfect for a summer of backyard games while we get ready for next season!

(Seriously...could he get any more handsome than this?)

Kaden,

Words just can't describe how much we love you! You are such an amazing little boy. We are so often blown away by the size of your heart...like just the other night when we went to Wal-mart and you wanted to spend some of your birthday and graduation money on some toys for little boys and girls in Africa...or finding things like these sweet drawings in your kindergarten journal from the beginning of the year

You have and continue to teach us so much about life and love and our precious Lord. We are so grateful to be your parents!! May you continue to grow in wisdom and in stature sweet boy! We are so proud of you!!

Holy Moly Guacamole!!!

2011-05-31T13:19:00.000-07:00

Our sweet littlest boy turned 2 on Thursday! He loves rhymes and has the biggest grin every time he
hears his daddy making up some silly song about Holy Moly Guacamole Koley!!

We started the day with our ongoing birthday tradition of donuts with candles! Kolson is just like his brothers and his daddy...they all LOVE donuts. However, Koley did NOT like the candles on his donut...I guess he thought I messed it up! After his brothers blew out the candles he totally enjoyed his birthday breakfast (can you tell from the picture above)!

For his birthday our little guy had 2 requests...green Mickey Mouse Cupcakes and a bike of his own.

We loved seeing his face light up when daddy walked out with his new bike!

He also really loved getting some birthday cards in the mail!

And he didn't seem to mind the candles on his cupcakes!

Sweet Kolson,
Where has the time gone? I can't believe you are already 2! You are talking up a storm and love to repeat everything you hear! You sleep in a big boy bed and refuse to sit in a high chair anymore. You want to be just like your brothers! I love it that you always say Karty is your best friend...even though you fight like cats and dogs most days! Unfortunately you still absolutely adore your passy...we have at least narrowed it down to nap time and bed time but I am starting to fear that you may have it until you get married!:)

You are still a little bity guy...when I took you to the Dr. today she said you need to eat more...I guess we will start giving you milkshakes to fatten you up a bit!

When you first joined the K-crew I thought you might finally be that "cool, calm, and collected" child...but your daddy and I have decided that boat just passed us up...you are every bit as wild and crazy as your big brothers. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way! I love to see all of three of you wrestling on the living room floor!

We love you more than you know sweet boy! You are still our most cuddly kiddo and love that you are still such a mama's boy and that you always want me to snuggle with you and sing to you before bed. You are precious to us and we can't imagine our lives without your big smile and sweet laugh! I am so thankful to be your mommy and for the opportunity to spend my days with you! Happy Birthday ~~baby~~ big boy!!

Worth it...

2011-05-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

I heard something the other day that has been rolling around in my head and heart...

"Some things are so important that they are worth doing even if you do them poorly"

At first I wasn't sure what to make of that statement but the more I think about it the more it makes sense to me.

You see I am the girl who would desperately love for everything to be just right...I want cute paper if I am going to journal or write a note of encouragement. I want the right shoes if I am going to start running. I want the right words if I am going to be speaking... the right devotional if I am going to be sharing with my children. I could go on and on and on.

But here is the truth...sometimes I never even get around to doing some really important, even eternal, things because I am waiting for the circumstances to be perfect or to have just the right things in place.

When in all actuality the encouragement note may be just what that person was needing and I didn't do it because I didn't have the perfect paper.

Or what about having the right words...the bible makes it clear that we are to share our faith...but how many times have chosen not to just because I felt like I didn't have the perfect words. He is God for crying out loud...he used a donkey...he can certainly use my words, poor as they may be!

There have been moments that I have skipped sharing about our Savior with my boys because I couldn't find the perfect devotional or once again I didn't think my words were what they needed to be. This is where that quote got me the most. While I know that God wants my very best and that excellence is something to strive for, I also think He would rather me share His word and teachings with my children even if it is not done perfectly than to not do it at all.

The lesson I have taken from this quote is this...

Stop waiting, stop trying to make everything perfect before you get started. Start with what you have, right where you are at...even if your attempts are poor and feeble, keep going...HE is in the perfecting business and HE can take your meager offerings and make them all that they need to be.

I know that this is true because of His word...

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

He began this work in us and He will complete it...that is such a wonderful encouragement!!

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

I love knowing that there are good works that God has already prepared for me to do! He expects action and not apathy from me!

But He said to me "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness."

Lord Jesus, would you take my weaknesses and use them to perfect your power...that you would receive glory and honor and that your name would be made great. Would you give me the strength to start and to keep going and to allow your perfecting power to perform miracles in my life, in our home, in our church, in the world. Take my thoughts captive and no longer let me drawn to apathy but action. Let me not wait for the perfect circumstances but actively follow your calling in my daily life. You are the God who moves mountains and changes seasons, you are a great God...there is none like you....you are Holy. You perform miracles and display your power among the people...would you display your power in my weaknesses sweet Lord!!

I Interrupt This Blog For A Special Reason!!! (from her husband)

2011-05-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

It's not very often that I have the opportunity to hijack my wifes blog and to do nothing but brag on my lady! As many of you know she is a precious wife, mother, daughter, friend, and whatever description you can think of. However most of you only get to see her in public. I want to tell you about the Jenna I know at home.

She is truly a lover of Jesus. On most days you can find her cuddled up on the couch with bible in hand seeking a word from our Lord. Her heart is as focused on Jesus as any man could ever dream about having in a wife. She is hungry for the word of the Lord. She earnestly desires the presence of the Lord. She faithfully serves the church of the Lord. I am so thankful to have her as a partner in ministry!

She is truly a lover of her husband (that lucky guy would be me)! She cares for me like no one else in my life. She will love, care, nurture, defend, and challenge me. I never have to worry about where her hearts affection is. I never have to lose sleep over whether or not she loves me! She is 100% devoted to me as a wife. For this I am eternally grateful! She knows when I am down and loves to try and help me up. She knows when I am stressed and wants to help me relax. She knows when I need guy time (hunting, fishing, golf,) and encourages me to go! Most of all she knows the great love I have for Jesus and His church and she partners with me to do the ministry God has called us to!

She is truly a lover of our Children. She is the greatest mother I have ever known. She knows when to hold firm to the rules and when to just relax and have fun. She can be found every night reading or singing to our kids. She works all day long to be the mother to our precious kids that God wants her to be. She knows how to stand in the gap when I have to be away. She has a special bond with our kids that is contagious and envied!

She is a lover of family. Jenna's family loves to have fun. Whether its a game of wahoo or just a nice dinner, its a blast to be in the action. She loves, honors, respects, and cherishes her mom and dad. She is close to her sister and the rest of the family. Jenna is a family person. She values the morals and standards that only a family can have. They say you marry your spouses family when you marry her! I am glad that can be a true statement.

She is a lover of music. That girl can flat out sing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has the voice of an angel matched with the heart of God. When she sings people listen! They are as much touched by her heart in the music as her voice singing the music. If you dont believe me...click on buy a cd on the right side of this blog and find out for yourself.(thats my shameless plug for the cd). Anyone who has ever heard her sing has been blessed. I get to hear her all the time!!!!!!

She is a lover of orphans. God lit a passion in her heart for the care of orphans around the world that is amazing. It is so fun to watch her eyes light up when she talks about helping children around the world. It is a blessing to see tears flow down her cheeks as she hurts for those children without the love of a family! I am so glad I get a front seat to see how God is going to use her to change the world 1 child at a time.

I could go on and on and on and on about my sweetheart. But the truth is, when we were just friends, I almost lost my chance at this life we now have together. Everyone told us we had all the odds against us!!! I am so glad we get everyday to prove them all wrong :)

I am 100% completely, utterly, unashamedly, wholeheartedly crazy about the woman of my dreams...You know her as Jenna.....I know her as baby! I love you baby!

Foster Care

2011-05-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I mentioned that there are nearly 500,00 children in the US foster care system. For those of us in Texas we have nearly 27,000 children in foster care and according to a recent article the numbers are expected to rise.

After being flooded with all of these numbers I am reminded of this quote that has haunted me for over a year.

"When thousands die it is just a statistic, but when one dies it is a tragedy."

In the midst of all of these numbers I am praying that we can identify with the one and not get caught up in the statistics. Because everyone of those children that make up the 500,000 have a face and a name...

Meet LaQuinton

Introducing Michaela

Say hello to Ryan

This is Zachary

Meet Mardio, Austin, Reina, and Destiny (brothers and sisters who would just like to stay together)

Just 8 faces and 8 names out of those 27,000 in our own backyard. 8 names and faces that have hobbies and personalities. 8 names and faces who are just waiting for someone to want them.

Now I will admit that Nathan and I have both ignorantly said that part of the reason we are adopting internationally (a part for the call of God on our lives to adopt from Africa) is because "at least children in the US have foster care...they are not going to die of starvation or some type of preventable disease."

While that statement may be true there is something that I learned this week after reading this book...

(I HIGHLY recommend this book)

Castaway Kid tells the story of 3 year old Robbie who was left at an orphanage (or children's home as we like to call them these days) many years ago. The book chronicles his life and the emotions that went along with growing up and just wanting to be wanted. I learned so much from this book but what struck me most was the death of hope.

While children in the US foster system may not die of starvation or some preventable disease they are facing death...the death of their hope. The death hope that they will ever be wanted. The death of hope that they can ever be more than their childhoods. The death of hope that they can be more than the circumstances that put them into the system.

I don't know about you but I am not sure there is anything worse that the death our hope. I would hate to see sweet Tyrone lose his hope.

But truthfully I learned this week that the reason many children who have their pictures up on the Internet at heart galleries or on adoptuskids is because everything has been done to find them a family and this is the last hope.

What about children like Josh who are already 18 but would still love to be adopted just so they have somewhere to go at Thanksgiving and Christmas... just so they can have someone to call when they meet the person they are going to marry or when they get their first job.

So what can we do about these faces and names...

adoption-the Lord may be calling your family to be the forever family for a child, teen, or sibling group. Many times adoption through the Foster Care System is free and if not it is very inexpensive.
foster care- the Lord may be calling your family to be the "safe place to land" for a child while they are waiting for their forever family or while things with their biological family are being worked out.
respite care- you may be called to provide short term (1 day- 2 weeks) care for one of more of these children. This is a great way to be a blessing to foster parents who need to go on vacation or take care of some type of business...you can't just get any babysitter you want when you are a foster parent.
become a CASA representative- you can become an advocate for a child by joining up with CASA. Many children have to appear in court and you can be the person to stand beside them and walk them through this scary time. You can advocate for their needs to be met at school and in their foster family as well. More than anything you can be a "safe" person for them and ultimately a friend...at least one person that is "for" them.
volunteer at a local Children's Home/Ranch/Transitional Care facility- call the one nearest to you and ask HOW you can help...while it is fun to go in and give out bubbles or soccer balls and then leave they may need you to read with a certain child each week or help in kitchen...just be willing to help in a way that is needed.
pray- look at the heart galleries and adoptuskids and pray for these children. We say all the time that we believe in power of prayer and the lives of these children are desperate need of the Lord's power to overcome life's obstacles. I have a sweet friend who has been doing this for years. While she has never been able to see the fruit of her prayers, she has been faithful to continue praying always trusting that God can make a difference!

That is just a short list to get us all thinking about where our place might be in our calling to care for these children. Will it be neat and organized, fitting in our nice little box...most likely not. But the more I read scripture the more I notice that Jesus spent his time with people whose lives were a mess (much like my own). I think it safe to say that Jesus was not afraid of getting dirty...after all He did save me and there is not much about my life that fits in a nice little box!:) We all have dirty, messy parts of our lives BUT we have found a rescuer. While we cannot go around "rescuing" children we can introduce them to the rescuer!!

So I am left with these questions...

Why am I so afraid of getting dirty?

Who am I going to introduce to the rescuer?

The Summit

2011-05-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to post for a while now about our trip to The Summit but some how I just can't seem to find the words to express all that is circling through my heart and mind. Despite that I will give it my best shot! I am sure it will take several days to write about all of the different things we learned so I will start with the basic info.

After 1 delayed flight, 2 stops, 1 missed connection, 1 rental car, 1 4 hour drive across 3 states we finally arrived in Louisville, KY at 5am on Thursday morning...just in time to sleep for 2 hours and make it to the conference by 8:30am!! My sweet husband was willing to do anything to get me there! As crazy as it was I throughly enjoyed my middle of the night drive with my love. We laughed, talked, sang old songs together, and laughed some more!

Finally we made it!!

The Summit is put on every year by the Christian Allience for Orphans. There are 3 main focuses for the Allience...FOSTER CARE, ADOPTION, and GLOBAL ORPHAN CARE. Within those 3 topics are tons of other areas involving orphans.

The numbers themselves are staggering...

at least 500,000 AMERICAN children are a part of the foster care system...this is a huge area where our churches could really make a difference!!
around the world there are an estimated 147,000,000 orphans...not all of them can be adopted which leaves us with a need to find some way to care for the orphans who will never have a family (Global Orphan Care).
those numbers don't even include the millions of children who live on the streets around the world. It is estimated that there are between 750,000- 1,000,000 street children in America alone.

And those are just a few of the numbers!

The fact is there are MILLIONS of children in need IN OUR OWN BACKYARDS and around the world. The bible is clear that we are ALL called to look after orphans and widows and to care for the needy.

So the question is...

What will we do?

What will you do?

The next posts will hopefully give you some ideas on how you can get involved!

Lions and Tigers and BOYS, Oh my!!!

2011-05-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

This week Nathan and I have the incredible opportunity to go to the annual Orphan Summit in Louisville, Kentucky. We are so excited to be have this chance to get away and learn together! I am praying that God teaches us in ways we can't even imagine! I am so thrilled that we were able to find a way for Nathan to come too...nothing better than growing in the Lord with your sweetheart!!

But with Nathan and I both going that leaves a pretty big problem...well 3 problems to be exact!:) What to do with the ~~destroyers~~ K-crew? Since my mom is busy and she is the usually only one who is ~~crazy enough~~ able to tackle all three of our little cuties we decided to do the most logical thing. Farm them out!! That's right we have all 3 boys going to different locations. As a matter of fact we decided it would be best to have 2 different people on each kid!

Why in the world would be need 6 people to take care of 3 boys for a few days?? Well, I could explain it to you but they say a picture is worth a thousand words so...

Egg beaters on the rug...compliments of sweet Kolson

Forget the Chocolate milk...I will just drink the syrup!

Wall Art...compliments of Karty boy

You just thought your toddler tried to climb on everything!

All of the above "incidents" occurred while I was simply making lunch or changing to clothes out of the washer...Lions and Tigers and BOYS, oh my!!

(Can I just pause here and admit that there are many days when I seriously consider going back to work just so our house will stay standing longer...more time destroying the daycare means less time destroying the house!!:)

So, if you happen to think about us this week, would you remember to say a prayer for my boys and the ~~crazy~~ gracious people who will be caring for them!!

Thanks in advance!

1

2011-05-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

Kenzi,

Yesterday marked 1 month of our official wait to meet you. Sweet girl, I had no idea how hard this would be...I had no idea how my heart would long for you. You are loved Kenziah!

This song speaks the truth of my heart tonight better than I am able to put it into words....

"When we cannot see you moving and it seems the dark has won, may you find us still believing that you want this more than us. You will finish what you started, and your plans for us are good. Help us cling to what you promise...You are faithful you are sure." ~Cindy Foote

Jesus may we trust you and praise you in the wait! Thank you for the opportunity to be on this journey!

Dates and Cupcakes...

2011-05-04T06:33:00.001-07:00

Last week Nathan and I were blessed with opportunity to attend the annual Executive Board retreat for the SBTC.It has been at least 4 years since the last time I was able to go with him so I was so thrilled when my mom and sister offered to come up and stay with the boys. Iwas so excited to get some extra time with my man!

We totally lucked out on Tuesday when his meeting ended early, leaving us time for a date! Lunch on the Riverwalk and a movie...we almost didn't know what to do with ourselves! It was also great to get to meet other ministers and their wives at the meeting. We all enjoyed a great meal together on Tuesday evening after all of their work was done.

On the way home we stopped in Austin to have lunch with my college roommate and her family! We always love seeing the Hinotes. I am so thankful that the Lord blessed me with a roommate like Rhonda and that we are still so close!

And since my hubby totally supports my new ~~obsession~~ hobby we did our own little cupcake tour of Austin! Together we tried 6 cupcakes at 3 different shops!

On Monday we started with Delish!

Delish is located in the heart of downtown Austin and features cupcakes, cookies, and a few other treats. We tried the Mexican Vanilla Cupcake and the Chocolate Banana Cupcake.

Next up...we stopped at Polkadots.

Polkadots is full of charm. It is located near UT in an old craftsman home that still has it's wood beams and tons of character! Polkadots features different cupcakes for different days of the week. I loved the way their cupcakes looked...they were so fun!
Nathan and I tried a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcake and a Black Bottom Cupcake.

On our way back through Austin we stopped at Sugar Mama's Bakeshop! It was located just outside of downtown and I have to admit that these were my favorite cakes out of the three. This time we decided to go for the Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip and the Marilyn Monroe!

Cupcakes AND time away with my love...what could be better!:)

How Sweet it is to be Loved by You!!

2011-05-03T20:09:00.000-07:00

I happen to be married to the most wonderful man in the world!! Not only does he love the Lord with all of his heart, but he also loves me and our boys like nothing else. He is so thoughtful...at least once a week he comes home with a sweet tea from Mcalisters or a vanilla coke zero from sonic just to brighten my day. He knows how much I love food and goes out of his way to bring me little treats from my favorite places whenever he gets the chance (maybe that's were these pesky extra 10 pounds came from)!:)

Nathan's dream in life is for me to own my business! He once came home from work only to announce that he had just bought me a snow cone stand to run (Snoasis anyone??)! He has wanted me to open a flavored popcorn stand at Canton or even find something crafty I could sell (too bad the crafty gene skipped right over me)! So it is no surprise that when I admitted my love for cupcake making that he started thinking...he has already figured out how many cupcakes I would have to make and sell everyday in order to make a living! He even sat down and watched 2 cupcake TV shows with me! While I am not sure that I will ever make a business out of cupcakes, He did decide that if I was going to be making tons of cupcakes I needed the proper tools!!

So my early Mother's Day gift...

I promise if I could add some animation to my blog this picture would be surrounded by rays of light and the sound of angels singing!
This mixer is down right heavenly...especially when you consider that my old mixer was a little bitty Hamilton Beach hand mixer that I have had for 10 years. This baby sure made life easier for me today while I was making cupcakes for teacher appreciation week!

Speaking of cupcakes here is my latest...
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes
This is how they start out

And this is how they come out of the oven...crazy!

Since you freeze the cookie dough overnight, it actually stays nice a gooey in the middle while the cupcakes bake.
Here is the finished product...complete with a cookie flavored buttercream frosting and homemade mini cookie!

Thanks babe for a wonderful gift! Thank you for always thinking of me! I love you and this life the Lord has blessed us with!

Take 2...

2011-04-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

This last weekend the Lorick family embarked on our second camping voyage! Since we are still so new to this camping stuff we decided it would be wise to glean some wisdom from the pros! Ronnie and Carol Yarber brought their camper out and joined us for a couple days.

The Yarbers are the real deal when it comes to their faith, sharing Jesus, loving their family, and of course camping! They totally out did themselves for us with great food and even better fellowship. Carol showed me all the appliances and gadgets that make camping easier and more fun. They were so sweet to think of our boys...their camper was loaded with Capri-suns, cookies, fruit, marshmallows, and so much more!

Nathan and I had the best time visiting with Yarber's after we put the boys to bed each night. I love to hear them talk about the ways that God has used them through the years...I love that after serving him for most of their lives they have never lost their excitement and joy over the gift of salvation!! We are so grateful that they would choose to take time to pour into our lives!!

The campsite was on a lake with a beautiful lake area. The plan was for the boys to just play in the sand and get their feet wet since the water was so cold.

Kolson's first time in the sand!

Daddy and baby boy

Daddy and all of his boys

Showing my baby boy the water

Writing our names in the sand

I am sure you can guess how long that plan of ours lasted...

They didn't seem to mind the freezing water one bit!

We even went back to the beach later that afternoon for another dip!! Now I know that I should always keep swimming suits and sunscreen in the camper...of course Mrs. Carol came to the rescue with her sunscreen!

I love that camping provides so much time for us to just sit and enjoy each other! We had such a great time roasting marshmallows and talking around the campfire!

Camping trip #3 here we come!!!

Easter 2011!

2011-04-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

Getting pictures of 3 little boys in their Easter clothes is nearly impossible!!

I loved this Easter because Kaden and Karter are old enough that they are starting to understand the REAL meaning of Easter! We had so much fun talking about our Savior!

We also had a wonderful afternoon with our staff! Since most of the staff lives away from family we thought it would be the perfect time to have them over and celebrate together! We ate a big lunch and then let the kiddos hunt for eggs!

Get Ready, Get Set, GO!!!

Kaden and Allyson were super fast...I was only able to get a picture from behind!

Of course Karter dressed up as the Hulk for the hunt...

Asher wasn't sure at first but once he got the hang of it he had a great time finding those eggs!

Kolson was done after he found his first egg...all he cared about were the skittles inside!

I didn't get a picture of Brooklyn but she seemed to love watching the big kids and I am sure she can't until next year!

It was a great day! We are so blessed to have a wonderful staff to serve with here in Malakoff!

Thank you Jesus that you are a risen savior and that our hope is found in you. May live celebrating you everyday!!

Thank you!!

2011-04-23T11:04:00.001-07:00

I wanted to take a minute and say thank you to those of you who helped me win Lifesong's Summit contest!! 2 days...667 facebook votes...wow what a blessing! I couldn't believe it when I clicked on the link and found out that I won!! I know that God has so much to teach me in those 2 days about adoption as well as ways that we can ALL come together and help orphans around the world. Just think about what was accomplished in two days on Facebook...what if we all worked together like that for the orphans of this world, for those who are lost, those who are suffering? Make no mistake...we have a purpose and God wants to use each of us!!

So in about 3 weeks I am heading to Kentucky to meet up with hundreds of believers who have a heart for orphans!! I am beyond excited! We are praying that Nathan is able to come with me...I don't want him to miss this opportunity, plus then we could divide and conquer for some of the break-out sessions and learn even more!

Thank you for making this opportunity possible and for all of your prayers, love, and support on our adoption journey!

Have a great Easter celebrating our risen Lord!!

HELP!!!

2011-04-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

Normally I would not even think about participating in some sort of contest...it's just not me. I hate asking people for help!!

But today I am asking!!!

Would you help me get to this year's Orphan Summit??

All you have to do is visit the Lifesong for Orphans facebook page and post that I sent you! That's it....it should take less than 30 seconds and I would be so blessed if I were to win and be able to attend.

Why do I want to go so badly???

For the last 2 years God has really wrecked my heart for orphans. So much so that we are in the process of adopting from Africa. But I have known from the beginning that God was calling me to more that just adoption. The line fro Brooke Frasier's song keeps replaying in my head..."Now that I have seen, I am responsible"! I have seen how desperate the orphan crisis is and I know that I responsible to take what God has shown me and share it with others.

I know that not everyone is called to adoption. I also believe that adoption is not the solution to the orphan crisis. But I do believe that we are called to play a roll in reaching out to the orphan.

I want to go to the Summit so I can learn more about how to help and how to teach others how to help.

Please help me go!! At this point I am so excited that I am not afraid to ask...please go comment on my behalf and tell anyone you know to do it as well...post it on your blog or on your facebook page!!

Thanks so much!!
Blessings to you!

Jenna

What I would do....

2011-04-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

Nathan and I have been going through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University at our church. It has been challenging and eye opening to say the least. Two weeks ago Dave taught about having a job that you love...a job where you are working in your strengths and doing things you are passionate about.

So the question was asked....

"If money were not a factor what would you want to do?"

Immediately I said that I would create and run an orphanage in Africa. I love children and I love Africa so it just made sense to me. That is until my husband reminded me that we are not independently wealthy and God has not called us to the foreign mission field (yet) so I might should look for something to do that would actually bring in some type of income.

I spent the next week thinking about that...what would I want to do???

And here is my answer...

I would love to make cupcakes!! Not just your average grocery store variety either. We are talking cupcakes filled with cream or infused with caramel. Melt in your mouth moist cupcakes that are so moist you may even need a fork to eat them (I like to call them forkers).

So in the last several days I have been doing some cupcake experimenting...

of course there were the Oreo cupcakes

How about Butterfinger Blast cupcakes that are infused with a creamy caramel butterscotch sauce and topped with a cream cheese butterfinger icing

Or maybe the simple yellow cupcake filled with a buvarian cream

My first chrysanthemum cupcake... perfect for a baby shower or a little girl's birthday

I am still continuing to work on my decorating techniques...I just bought my first tip set and can't wait to try making sunflower cupcakes and so much more. But let's just be honest... a cute cupcake is good but a cute cupcake that tastes great can't be beat so I am spending lots of time making sure I have the perfect mouth-watering recipes.

Next up...Cinnamon and Sugar infused Banana cupcakes and chocolate cookie dough cupcakes!!

My ultimate dream would be to have a little cupcake shop where part of all my proceeds went towards funding an orphanage in Africa. It would even be more fun if my friend Flo wanted to sell her super beautiful refinished furniture in the shop as well.

Or maybe my sweet friend Kathryn would want to sell her wonderful girly creations in the shop too!!

****Can I just add that both of these beautiful ladies are answering God's call to go and serve the children of Uganda this year. The proceeds from all of their wonderful creations are going towards their trips. So if you have a need for some furniture to be redone or something sweet for your little girl head on over to their sites. It is a win, win situation...you get a great product AND you get to be a part of serving Uganda's children!!****

My little sister shares my love for cupcakes as well...if only she were closer we could be the next DC cupcakes!!:)

Just a girl and her dreams...

And if you are wondering what my boys think about all this cupcake making....

It doesn't seem to bother them! They are my favorite taste testers!!:)

Moments for Memories

2011-04-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Last week Nathan and Kaden took some time to themselves to make some great memories! After a field trip to the children's aquarium in Dallas, Nathan surprised Kaden with tickets to an FC Dallas Soccer game. I have never seen a daddy and son more excited!

The pictures speak for themselves...

"Wow daddy...their field is huge"

because no sports experience is complete without a team shirt and one of these...

You're not a real fan unless you paint your face

Now we are ready for the game!

Game on!

Two of my favorite guys in the whole world

It was a really late night since the game didn't start until 8pm but both of my boys were still on cloud 9 by the time they got home after midnight! I am not sure who had the most fun!!

The only down fall to the whole professional soccer experience was that Kaden wanted to try all the tricks he had seen the pros do in his game the next day instead of just getting the ball to the goal!:)

I can always tell when something has made an impression on Kaden...when he is excited about something or really loves something he draws about it any chance he gets. I found these in his backpack yesterday...

I love the "kid writing"

They had fireworks at the game!

Thank you Lord for moments to make memories. Thank you for little pieces of time when we can love on our boys individually. Help us Lord to see those moments even on the most ordinary days and to be completely present...enjoying and savoring the precious time you give us with our boys.
Looking forward to making more memories!!

Dust and Grime equals Life Sublime!!

2011-04-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

I always said my kids would never run around with dirty faces and fingernails full of grime. Oh how this boy mom has had to eat those words!!

I have discovered that there is a direct link between dirt and fun for these little guys! The dirtier those faces, hands, and feet get the more fun they have!

And this guy...

my all or nothing kid...you can always count on him being twice as dirty as his brothers! Dirt seems to be one of Karty's best friends! And I agree with a popular quote from a shirt "I make dirt look good"...even caked in dirt he is such a cutie!

I am so glad that my boys love to be outside and that they never let a little dirt get in the way of having fun!! All three of them are so full of zest and excitement for life. I pray that they never lose their excitement and that someday they will just as excited about sharing Jesus as they are about sharing dirt!!:) What a blessing it is to be the mom to these three little guys...dirty or not!!

Yummo!!

2011-04-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

Nathan and I finally decided that it is high time for us to get our eating habits under control. After all we are 30 now and health seems to be more of a concern.

Of course it could have something to do with the fact that I had a baby 23 months ago (I put it months because that feels like less than years) and I am STILL hanging on to baby weight.

Or what about the fact that my sister had a baby 8 months ago and looks like this...

My parents have pool now so I know I will be spending lots of my summer in one of these...

Both Nathan and I are heading to Africa this summer and need to be in good enough shape to carry out the mission God has called us to.

So we decided on Weight Watchers. We have done it before and had great success. While the thought of not cringing when I put on my swimsuit sounded appealing to me I wasn't so sure I could give up my foodie ways. I love food and good food at that. I love sweets and carbs and foods that are full of flavor. Thankfully I found Gina's Skinny Recipes blog and I have not had to give up too many of my foodie ways. Just look at what we have had to eat the last two nights...

Asian Glazed Drumsticks with brown fried rice

Or how about Skinless chicken thighs with shallots in red wine vinegar
I seriously wanted to lick my plate!!

And even a little dessert...

Banana fritters with ice cream...so yummy!

With food like this I think we might actually be able to stick to this lifestyle change!!

Next up...Honey pecan salmon and chocolate strawberry crepes!

Walking on Sunshine!!

2011-04-04T18:56:00.000-07:00

I am currently working my way through Beth Moore's study on Daniel and let me tell you it has been great!!

Tonight I read about God answering the prayer of Daniel, Hananiah, Misheal, and Azariah to reveal the mysteries of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream to them.

I was first touched and convicted by the fact that these praying men didn't just say a short prayer but they got on their knees and begged God until the answer came...scripture records that the answer didn't come until the middle of the night. When was the last time I was so desperate for God to move that I prayed through the night?

What totally blessed my socks off was Daniel's response to God answering their prayer. I am so glad that Beth is challenging me to memorize these words as a part of the study:

Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the descerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers; you have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.

Praise just exudes from Daniel in these verses as he declares how great our God is and that He is the giver of wisdom and power...the only one who can answer our prayers.

I love that Daniel didn't just run off to see the king...after all his life and lives of all the other wise men were at stake, it would seem like getting the king as quickly as possible would have been the very best thing to do...I am sure it is what I would have done. But not Daniel, he chose to stop and offer up wholehearted praise and gratitude to the only one worthy of it. I love that he chose to stop and celebrate the answer to his prayer. So often I run so crazy that I forget to stop and offer up my praise to God, giving him the glory that is rightfully his.

So tonight I am going to stop and praise my God for the wonders he has done this week!!

Not long ago we received word that adoptions could be seriously reduced in Ethiopia. With much prayer from people all of the world it seems this is no longer a reality and adoptions are and will be continuing.

On Tuesday of this week we had our fingerprints done for USCIS (immigration) and we knew we would need to wait for our approval letter before we would be completely finished with our dossier (big pile of adoption papers). We were gearing up to wait at least 2 weeks and maybe even a month or two. Would you believe that our approval letter arrived on Saturday...just 4 days after our fingerprints!!!

God has already provided more than half of what we need for this adoption and we are more than confident that He will provide the rest down to the very penny!
(And these are just a few of the things He has done and is continuing to do)
So in Daniel fashion:

I thank you and I praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given us favor and blessing. You have carried us and provided for us along this adoption journey. You are God and you are Holy. What God is so great as our God? Thank you for your wonders and your mighty deeds!!

Pride Swelling...

2011-04-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Kaden,

I can't believe you are already 6 years old and more than half way through Kindergarten. The time has gone by faster than I could have imagined.
I am so proud of the wonderful big boy you are becoming. In the last few months you have recieced your first report cards, your first awards for good citizenship, and you went on your first two kindergarten field trip! You even lost your first 2 teeth (in the same day)!

Your dad and I have been so pleased to see you coming home with "green" faces in your folder everyday! You seem to be thriving and flourishing at school. I love that you come home with new pictures you have drawn and new words you are trying to spell on a daily basis.

School has really brought out your creativity. You love to draw and then tell me the stories about everything in the pictures.

(pirates anybody?)

I am also proud of the character I see growing in you. I loved watching you at your first field trip. In recent years you were the little boy who joined right in with all the craziness but that day I noticed that you stepped up and followed the rules and your friends seemed to follow suit. Your dad and I were so proud when you gave some of your own money to help fill Christmas shoe boxes. And just the other day I watched as you gave a homeless man some money and then said a prayer for him...your heart is enormous!! I am praying that God will continue to grow you into a boy who is full of good character...a mighty worrier and leader for Him.

You are the most wonderful big brother (well, on the days you are not bossing Karter around)! Karter wants to be just like you and is always quick to declare that you are his best friend. Kolson is always watching you and I love that he always wants to play "ring around the rosie" with you!

I am always so touched by the tenderness of your heart. I love the way you help without me even asking when you know my day has been hard. I love your bright eyes and the way they are still so full of wonder. I pray that you will always stand in awe of God's mighty works and that His wonders will never cease to amaze you. Remember sweet boy that you are one of those mighty works...you are wonderfully made!!

I love you more than words can say and I cannot wait to see what God has planned for your life! My greatest prayer for you and your brothers is that you will know Jesus and serve Him with an undivided heart all of your days!

I am so proud you! I blessed just to know you and even more blessed to call you my son!

I Love You,
Mom

You know you're a mom when...

2011-03-29T12:14:00.001-07:00

The inside of your dryer looks like this....

Yes, that is blue crayon in my dryer. Yes, it did get all over a load of laundry. Yes, it took over an hour to get it out of the dryer. And yes, I struggled to maintain my attitude of thankfulness during that hour!!:)

However, I can say that this whole counting of my blessings and writing out of all the things I am grateful for has started to change this heart of mine. In the midst of cleaning the blue crayon I started with the simple things....thank you Lord that we have clothes. Thank you Lord that we have a dryer and I don't have to hang all my clothes out.

It was in that simple act of thankfulness that the Lord began to speak. I felt Him showing me that the crayon was what He wanted my life to be like. That crayon left an impression on my dryer and everything it touched. There were lots of streaks that I was able to wipe away but my dryer will have an eternal blue hue as evidence of it's visit to our laundry. God desires to use us like that. He desires to use our lives as evidence of Him. He desires to use us to make an impression for Him that effects others eternally.

All of this sounded so good and warm and fuzzy to me. I was thanking God for His little reminder and started pondering ways to be more like the crayon. But then the weekend got busy and I didn't think about the crayon again until I read this in Beth Moore's Daniel bible study...

WE WILL DO IT ON PURPOSE OR WE WON'T DO IT ALL

Ouch...strong words that stung (and are still stinging) this heart of mine.

I also love this quote from Tom Rainer..."It is a sin it good when God has called us to be great".

Truth be told...I will never be great by accident. I will not be more like my God and leave lasting impressions of Him just by mere coincidence.

I am challenged. Challenged to evaluate this life of mine and figure out what I need to be doing on purpose as child of God, a wife, a mother, a friend, and more.

She's back...

2011-03-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

Addy Grace has come to visit the K-crew once again!

And look out world because this time she is mobile!!

We are excited to have my little niece once again while my sister and her hubby enjoy some time to themselves in Jamaica.

Last night we had our first hotel experience with 4 kiddos.

The very last part of our dossier (paperwork for the adoption) was to get finger printed by the immigration office. The only problem is that the immigration office gets to choose the date, time, and location of where the finger prints will be taken. It just so happened that ours were scheduled to be done this morning at 8am in Dallas. We had already committed to keeping Addy long before we got the appointment in the mail. Luckily my mom had a free night at the La Quinta and off we went! We figured staying in a hotel would be better than getting 4 kiddos up and out the door by 5 in order to make it to Dallas with morning traffic!!
While I can't say it was the most wonderful experience, I can say that it wasn't horrible and we all made to our appointment on time and back to Malakoff in time for Kaden to be counted present at school!

We are praying that USCIS will process our finger prints quickly and then we will finally be on the waiting list for our sweet Kenzi!!

Super Soccer Stars

2011-03-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

This year we decided to take a break from T-ball and let Kaden play soccer! Before we had kiddos Nathan was adamant that if we had boys they would play football for sure, t-ball most likely, but never ever would they play soccer!

Fast forward almost 7 years and we have a sweet son who loves soccer and is really good at so...we are playing soccer!

What makes is even more fun is that Kaden's friend Hunter is playing as well! It has been so much fun to watch the boys practice and get so excited!

Hunter and Kaden both played a great first game!

I am not sure I have seen a Dad more proud than when Kaden scored his first goal!!

Even Kolson enjoyed cheering for the team...

Go Ninjas!!!

Distraction

2011-03-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

There are moments when I allow myself to be over come with worry. I spend time speculating about all that could go wrong or all that might not work like I had planned. With all that has been going on in Ethiopia I have found myself in that spot a lot lately.

I was in great need of distraction...something to keep my mind busy. So...I decided to bake some cupcakes for our neighbors.

I found this recipe for Oreo Cupcakes from the Beantown Baker blog. They looked too good not to try and since it was a new recipe I knew it would keep mind busy!:)

The most wonderful thing about these cupcakes is the surprise on the bottom...

can you see it... the Oreo with cream on the bottom?

I pared these cupcakes with this icing recipe I found on Pioneer Woman's blog...super yummy!

These cupcakes were delicious and a great distraction for my worried little mind!!

Surprise!!

2011-03-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

As much as I hate to admit it...I turned 30 this last weekend (grey hairs and all)!

Nathan, being the wonderful husband that he is, surprised me with a party while we were camping! He and his family got together to make my day so special.

My sister-in-law, Holly, makes the most beautiful cakes!

Since there is nothing I love more than spending time with family it was the perfect surprise! Nathan's mom went way out her way and brought hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings and more. We are talking burgers with swiss cheese and avocado...hot dogs with chili cheese and even homemade sauerkraut as well...what could be better. There were party hats and noise makers...there was nothing else I could have asked for.

I was so thankful that 2 of Nathan's sisters, his Dad, and his Mom and Greg all took time out of their Saturday to make my day so special.

There is nothing more fun than watching a bunch of the cousins play together (bugs and all)!

All of the boys loved letting the caterpillars crawl on them!!

The ice cream man even made it out to the camp ground (smart guy)...here are some of the boys lined up and waving him down.

Finally got some ice cream (thanks Papa!)

It was a great surprise and the perfect way to bring in a new decade of life! Thanks so much everyone, I am blessed to call you my family!

Out in the woods...

2011-03-22T07:13:00.001-07:00

It is no secret...I am a city girl at heart. I spent my entire life growing up in big cities. I have never been hunting or even shot a gun. I hate bugs! I never played soccer or softball or any kind of outdoor sport. I grew up with one sister and a great group of really girly aunts. I imagine God smiled watching this girly girl grow up...knowing all that while that He would throw me for a big loop when He would give me the blessing of 3 little boys and call Nathan and I to the country!!

I absolutely LOVE being a mom to my three little guys (I even have a "Boy Moms Rock" shirt). And the country life has grown on me as well.

Being mama to these 3 little guys has given me numerous opportunities to try all sorts of new things...like picking up bugs and lizards. I have learned to play soccer, t-ball, and basketball. We dig in the dirt and turn anything we can into some sort of race or competition.

Most recently Nathan and the boys convinced this city loving, bug hating girl to go camping for the first time in her entire life!!

So we loaded up the camper and off we went (I know that "real" camping is when you do it in tents but this was plenty for this city girl!)

The best part about camping is being able to wear whatever you want!

Little boys loving being outside to run free!

Of course there were s'mores (I will admit this is what I was most excited about...I am a foodie...what can I say)!

Little boys roasting their marshmallows!

One little boy who thought roasting was a waste of time when you could just eat them from the bag!

Kaden and Karter said their favorite part of camping was sleeping on the bunk beds in the camper! They asked to put their pj's on as soon as we got to the camp site.

All in all it was a blast! This city girl can tolerate and even like the woods if it means I get to see the 4 guys in my life having the time of their lives!

A few lessons from my first camping trip...

* you can NEVER have too many paper towels!
* camping is really fun if you don't have to get 5 people ready for church in the camper!
* bug spray is a must
* the dirtier the kiddos, the more fun they had

* other campers think you are crazy when they see you whip out an ironing board to iron your church clothes

Thanks for challenging your Mom to try new things boys...it was so much fun to camp with you! Can't wait for our next adventure!!

"When you can't see His hand...

2011-03-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

Trust His heart". Those are words from an old Babbie Mason song that touched my heart years ago. In the wake of what is going on in Ethiopia I have found myself repeating those words again and again.

We are still in limbo...still waiting to see if the government is actually going to move forward with cutting adoptions by 90% and what the fall out from that might entail. If I am just honest it has been hard and I have had more than 1 freak out moment. I don't understand it all and it is hard to see God's hand in this but we are choosing to trust His heart.

I know from Scripture that orphans and those who are oppressed have a special place in the heart of our God. I know that God says he will not leave us as orphans (John 14:18) and I trust that He will not leave the children of Ethiopia as orphans either. Will Kenzi come home on our time table...most likely no. Will Kenzi come home from Ethiopia like we had planned...God knows where Kenzi is and we trust that He will lead us to her wherever she is and at whatever time He sees fit. (Just so you know, I am typing this all for own benefit so when I have my next freak out moment I will have a place to come back and remind myself that I am choosing to trust in my God and His heart even when I don't understand and even when I can't see His hand at work in the details.)

The truth is that God is in the details. He and He alone knows the plans He has for us and His word tells us that His plans are for our good...He can be trusted. He can use the ugly, painful things and make them beautiful. He is so worthy our trust in the good as well as in the times when we don't understand. I pray that if you are in a time where things just don't make sense and they aren't working like you had planned that you will choose to trust. Grab tight to the Lord and don't let go, the ride may not be smooth but following Him will be worth it.

Would you please continue to join us as we pray for Ethiopia and the children there? We covet your prayers and we are so blessed by those of you who are walking this journey with us.

Join me...

2011-03-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

Would you please join me in praying for Ethiopia? News is circulating that Ethiopia may cut adoptions by 90%.

I don't really have any other words...we would just totally appreciate your prayers.

Here is a list of things you can pray for: (copied from Tom Davis, of Children's Hope Chest, Blog)

1. For God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
God is in control. For those of you who are facing being stuck, remember that God is in control.

2. For God to breakdown strongholds of the enemy.
Every child deserves the right to grow up in a health family, and adoptive families provide that for thousands of children each year. Pray that God would demolish the strongholds that are set up against adoption.

3. For God to fulfill His promises.
God defines Himself as the Father to the Fatherless. He declares He will set the lonely in families. He warns those who would interfere with His plan to bring justice and mercy that is due to them. Find the orphan scriptures, pray them to God, and ask Him to fulfill those promises to the children of Ethiopia now.

4. For the courts and judges and government officials making this decision.
Ask the Holy Spirit to permeate the courtroom and convict the hearts of the judges and other government officials. Bring the power of the Holy Spirit into these discussions and proceedings--not that we would get our way--but that God's perfect will would be fulfilled in these decisions.

5. For the children and families
That God would shorten their wait times. Fortunately, God is bigger than these obstacles. Pray that waiting children would receive comfort. And pray that waiting families would experience peace, grace, and love from those around them

We survived...

2011-03-06T13:47:00.000-08:00

I know I am a little late on posting this but I wanted to do a little re-cap of our week with my sweet niece, Addison!

5 days, 4 kids, 4 carseats, 2 in diapers, 2 days with all 4 of them at home, a trip to wal-mart, a Wednesday night at church and we survived!!:)

Addy is a great baby so she made it easy on me!

I will confess that I was not alone on our trip to Wal-mart,Nathan came to help, and yes, it was somewhat crazy. Although, I also have to admit that I felt like "supermom" when I made it into and out of the church with all 4 of them by myself...yes, I know many people would've have helped but I think I just needed to know that I could do it so that when Kenzi comes home I am ready for 1 on 4!

Addy had such a good time while she was here. She loved to study the boys

and she absolutely adores being outside.

Here is a picture walk through our week with a girl in the mix!!

She ate well...

Enjoyed bath time...

Loved swinging...

Going for walks...Don't they looked thrilled? They really did have fun!

Her first picnic...

I love these pictures I caught of Addy and Kolson playing together.

Come back anytime Addy girl!