This is who greeted us in our inbox this morning!!!!

Words would never be enough to thank our sweet friends who blessed us with these photos.

Out of all the seasons, I think spring has the most meaning when it comes to how it affects our lives here on the farm! It is the time of the most change each year. The temperatures change, which means we spend several days putting away winter chore clothes, snow clothes, and just clothes. We then make sure everyone has what they need for spring and summer. It also means my “two pair of socks and slippers uniform” are gladly put away as well.

It also means the farm comes alive. Decisions about the farming season need to be made, the land and buildings need their spring cleaning, and the farm work needs to be started for the season. The only decision we have made this year about this farming season is that we will not be growing produce for Organic Valley this year. Yikes! We better get on the ball! I love seeing the farm come alive…..the animals seem to love it too!

And then there is the fact that we are close to being finished with our formal homeschooling for the year. This prompts some prayer, thought, and planning for the new school year in the fall. Blake and I have spent some time doing that lately, and I ordered some math and grammar workbooks that we will need come fall.

Probably the best part of spring is that two boys can get ALL their wiggles out, in this case with the help of their older brother. Yes, that is a hint of green grass!

Spring changes our meal plans too. We say “so long soup!” and “hello fresh food!” I love soup. In an addictive kind of way. But chopping and eating colorful, crunchy freshness is the best. The guys have fired up the grill several times already too. Yum. Ok, then. I am hungry!

Time for lunch!!

Twenty-one years ago today the Lord blessed us with the arrival of this beautiful girl!

Last night we celebrated this beautiful girl with a fantastic meal (thanks, Addie Mae!), gifts, and a banana split ice cream bar. It was very fun and very yummy!

Can’t believe you are twenty-one KK! You are such a beautiful woman inside and out! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

Last night Blake and I went on a date! We did some secret shopping for a certain birthday girl who will soon have her birthday. (Shhh! Don’t tell!) Then we headed to a coffee shop, each got a delicious pour over, added some coconut cream that we brought along, and watched a video of a webinar from our adoption agency while we sipped.

Someday I want to head down south and personally hug each and everyone of these people who are making sure we are equipped for what the Lord has called us to. These are not just our “social workers.” These guys are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are on this mission field together. They have such a passion for the orphan crisis, which is the same passion that the Lord placed in our hearts well over a year ago.

Most don’t ask our motive for why we are adopting again. I am sure their opinions are formed, and that is a good enough answer for them. This is so much more than we can probably put into words anyway. Because we were called. Because we said yes. Because the glory is the Lord’s. Because it is Him who is strengthening our hands for what lies ahead.

Over a year and half ago, Blake and I felt a tugging at our hearts. Our lives are SO immensely blessed. So easy, really. But we knew that the Lord had some way He wanted us to serve Him more. We knew that as our kiddos grow up we do not want to live our lives for ourselves alone. Me in my little faith felt so limited. I cried out “how?” when I live with disease that is so hard to manage when I am away from home. Blake’s faith never waivered. He kept telling me that the Lord would show us, and we will know when He does. Stink. Blake is hardly ever wrong.

So we prayed. And we prayed. We prayed alone, together, and with the kids. I don’t really remember the moment the Lord showed us. But Blake was right. We knew. This was it. The Lord called. And we ALL said “Yes, Lord, here I am.” We didn’t question. We obeyed.

We formed our own opinions of what this meant for our family. Originally it was two little girls, in our minds around 5 and 7 years old. We even bought a new bed for the girls room! I will never, ever forget the day the Lord showed us that little Eliza was His plan…….something that I certainly cannot put into words.

Last night on the video the analogy was shared that adoption is a lot like walking in the wilderness before reaching the promised land. I love this analogy – it certainly is true for us. This wilderness seems like the most narrow road we have yet traveled. But the Lord blesses us along the way with support from the most unexpected places……like a Mama who is in China right now who took time to write to me to tell me her hopes of getting to see OUR Eliza as they meet their little girl for the first time. Incredible. Or in two sweet gals at an appointment we had this week who had tears in their eyes as we talked about Eliza with them. Or hearing a dear friend telling me that she has literally knelt with her face on the ground praying for our sweet little Eliza. The path seems a little clearer. A little wider at times like these.

The stirring we have in our hearts for this ministry has not quieted at all. We are anxious to watch the Lord work in and through our lives, as we believe this journey is FAR from over for our family. We will just keep listening, keep obeying, and keep asking the Lord to strengthen our hands. Pray with us and for us.