THANKS

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

Received this message today from a worker in Ethiopia....

Where do I begin with these two…it seems like every week they are up to something! This week, it was running and laughing, avoiding the caregivers who were chasing them around. Naturally, B was without pants, which fits his boyishness well. Everyone who comes by the center comments on how big B has become! "Dense" is the word that many people use, because he really does feel like he weighs 100 pounds. Make sure to buy a heavy duty stroller! Y's fourth tooth is coming in, and though she may be smaller than her brother, appearances can be deceiving. She is really fast! She can outrun many of the kids that are much older than she is. Both are looking great, and still thriving in the toddler room! I hope you enjoy the photos, though the only ones B would give me have his tongue sticking out! Have a wonderful thanksgiving!
Weight: B – 11.3kg (24.9 lbs) Y – 9kg (19.8 lbs)”

You turned my wailing into dancing, You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give You thanks forever.

We are prepared with the strong possibility of not passing court on Monday. The needed document is still not as or where it needs to be. Words can not express...the sadness we feel of waiting more....nor the peace we have in God's perfect timing. We will keep waiting as long as we need to...to bring these precious children home!

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...we know that God is able...go read Daniel 3 and the faith of 3...we are praying for that kind of faith and trust....and we are still praying for the Lord to "part the sea" and make a miraculous way for the document and the judge to have a lovely meeting on Monday:) Pray with us as we deal with the uncertainties of this world and the emotions that brings to us today. And pray for our babies as the continue to wait too:(

Praying with you all for an already blessed Thanksgiving!

And thanking God for spunk and attitude and fun every day...

Congo - Rape, Murder, and Other Terror

Beau here. As many of you know, I have had the privelege of going to Central Africa a few times to teach and minister to people. The most striking place I have ever been is Goma, Congo. It is on the eastern border of Congo in North Kivu province along the Rwanda border. There has been a sporadic battle in the region sicne 1996, and it has taken the lives of 5.5 million people. 75% of the world's rapes happen in eastern Congo where over 80% of women have been raped. The number of small children living on the streets is striking. I had the privelege of preaching in a church where well over half of those in church were less than 10 years old. Nearly every one of them was an orphan. I have included a photo of some of them in front of the church.

As my friends and I have received e-mails and phone calls from people in Goma over the past week, it has become clear that things are deteriorating. I would like to challenge you to help with this situation. Here are some ideas.

1. Write your congressional leaders. I have incuded my letter at the bottom as an example.

2. Pray for the courage of God's ambassadors in Goma to stand firm, for the end of violence, and for righteousness to rein in Goma.

3. Watch this video from CBS to get better educated. Or watch this video from our church yesterday to get some ideas on how your church can respond collectively.

4. Contribute funds to provide for food and basics until a more sustainable solution is reached.

5. Grow your understanding of and empathy with those struggling to eat daily by fasting or restricting your diet to basics like rice, beans, and flour.

Praying,

Beau

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Mr. Sessions,

I am writing to express my concerns about the atrocities in Goma, Congo and our lack of response to the horrors taking place. Over the last decade, nearly 5.5 million people have been killed in this horrible conflict along the Congolese border with Rwanda, Uganda, and Sudan. In addition, it is estimated that over 80% of women in eastern Congo have been raped. Think of all the women in your family and the magnitude of 4 out of every 5 of them having been raped. Yet, much like with Rwanda, we as a country have not done anything to meaningfully end the violence.

I have been to Goma, Congo twice in the past twenty-four months. There are fine people in Goma, hard working people who want peace. Yet, they are being murdered, beaten, raped, and robbed by a small group of ruthless rebels and thugs.

We have got to do something about this. They don't have oil we need or border a strategic military location or have enriched uranium, but that is not an acceptable reason to turn our eyes on this situation.

Mr. Sessions, I am a follower of Christ, and with that incredible privilege comes a great responsibility. Through the Apostle John, the Lord tells me "if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Let us not just love in word or talk, but in deed and truth." I have a responsibility to do something about this. I can go, and I have. I can pray, and I have. I can give money to help, and I have. I can tell those in positions of authority like you, and I have.

Mr. Sessions, I don't know if you are a follower of Christ or not. If you are, I pray you would be faithful to your calling and proclamation. If you are not a follower of Christ, I pray you would call me, so I can tell you about Him. Then, I pray you would be faithful to the call of justice.

I have been receiving e-mails from friends in Goma in recent days, and it is heart-breaking. How many more women have to be raped? How many children orphaned?

And Mr. Sessions, please don't rely on the UN troops. I have seen them in Goma each time I have gone. They aren't doing much of use. We have seen the UN fail enough in their "peace keeping" efforts to know we can't rely on them.

Esther 4:14,
Beau Fournet

I'm anxiuos

I have to admit I am anxious today. Our court date is one week away and we still do not have what we need. We are hoping and praying that we soon receive word on the document needed...I'd love to hear some good news today:) I would covet your prayers for peace for me as I wait....and prayers for the work needed to be completed in country to be completed in time and in correct order. Many thanks friends!

Hoping

I have received several emails from you sweet friends asking about the document in question for the twins. The kids and I were praying this morning for this document and I was wondering myself what is happening in Ethiopia today with this document. I think it is amazing that you all are praying right now, that the Lord is sharing our burden with you all and that you are being such faithful friends to help us carry this burden in prayer. We do not know what is happening "today"...but we did receive an update a couple of days ago. This week is possibly a big week for our case as the final document will hopefully be in the right hands by the end of the week....we are praying that this happens!!!! December 1st is still our court date, so we are continuing to lift that date in prayer as well.

There are some Gladney families traveling this week to meet their children....and some Gladney families that have found out bad news this week regarding postponements of their adoptions. To all you families out there with joyous news and those with heavy hearts...we are praying for you and hoping for wonderful days ahead for your families.

Advent Conspiracy Promo Video

I am sure I posted on this last year:) My heart is heavy with a desire to get closer each year..step by step...to the true meaning of Christ's birthday. Watch this...go check out http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ and http://rethinkingchristmas.com/ for ideas. I will post more when I get some clarity for what we will do:) This I know...WE have enough STUFF! Who needs us to share????

Trust me

Trust me when I say that we have the cutest kids ever. We received an update on the twins and they are soooo soooo cute and getting so big. While we can't share the photo online, I'm pretty sure it's legal to share their latest artwork.


Y's artwork above...B's artwork below.....

And some pictures of the cutest kids we can post online.....

The Good and The Bad

Random recordings of happenings around here....

Good stuff first...

1. We (the kids and I) did early voting yesterday....the kids had a blast helping to push buttons. I had a blast voting for *$?!$!%?*....I really had a blast talking to the kids about the great privilege we have in this country to chose our leaders....talking about those who do not have a choice....I had to fight back tears explaining the blessing it is for us to be able to vote....we are thankful!

2. We got flu shots....well the good part was the treats after the shots:)

3. I had no kids today for about 4 hours...and decided to indulge my lazy side. I vegged on the couch and watched a "made for TV" movie. This is something I never do....well until today....It was low quality drama and such good therapy:)

4. We have had our first "cold" days...it was about 58 degrees the other night....and we lit a fire and roasted marshmallows and drank hot cocoa. Down here in Texas we have to take advantage of our cold days:)

5. I joined Facebook....it is very overwhelming and confusing...I need lessons...I am not even sure if I should list this under "good things"

Only 1 bad thing....bad dreams from a Mommy still struggling with this WAIT...

1. I've had random bad dreams about the twins...of the adoption being completely denied, of more delays, of leaving the babies in their cribs all day when they get home (this one was a horrible dream, I just left baby boy in his crib all day....yikes....you all know how much I hate thinking of them in cribs so much right now, so I guess it twisted around in a bad dream) I hate bad dreams.....and I know that my spirit is still struggling with this wait!

God of all comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Sweet friends Emily and Pam did just that....these two gals KNOW what it is like to wait....they KNOW the pain and blessings that come with this season....they KNOW how to love and encourage me during the wait....they said they are praying for me and they sent me these...

They...the flowers and the friends...are beautiful....go check out their blogs...their stories, their children. and their hearts are also beautiful. And Emily...well one of her latest post has the funniest youtube videos ever...I am too lazy to post here but go check them out!

Thank you friends!

December

Our new court date is December 1st. We are so thankful to have a date secured. Please continue praying with us during this next season of waiting...be praying for B and Y that they would be healthy and strong during their wait!

And go give well wishes to this family...Beau and I have prayed for these kids for a very long time. They did pass court yesterday!!!

What next?

People keep asking 2 things....what next? and how are you REALLY doing?

The first question is simple....we are waiting for a new court date and the needed document to be gathered. We do not know when that will be, which means we do not know when we will travel. We *hope* to travel in December...

How we are doing is a bit more complex I guess...we are most sad for Band Y and their wait, disappointed for ourselves, confused on what to do with our mess of packing now....yet we have a peace....that only comes with trust. People don't believe us...I know...I don't believe it either...I have lived with myself over the years when news like this has rocked my world....so I am surprised and thankful for the peace we have been given. It is a gift, and here are a few ways the Lord has given it to us...

1. Experience...we have waited a long time through the adoption process...I think we may hold some unwanted records. We have also had a lot of loss in building our family and lots of waiting and trusting on God's timing over the years. We are not numb to the waiting...it still really hurts and is so very sad. But we have learned to trust....

2. His Word...while waiting for a referral I made a list of all God has to say on waiting and I read it every day. I don't pretend to be super bible study girl...I am not very academic or disciplined...but I have learned in my old age and in the experience mentioned above....that God's Word is living and powerful! (Email me if you want the list)

3. Love...we love B and Y...weird to those not in the adoption world...but we do love them without ever meeting them...this love sustains us as we will wait for as long as it takes (Lord please have mercy on that statement)

4. Community...most of you know that we have 3 more fams from our church that are adopting from Ethiopia, as well as, loads of other friends and awesome family that love B and Y as much as we do....and are all loving us well through this process. As well as an unbelievable blog community....who would of thought the internet could be so great? And I got flowers yesterday....a girl always feels better with flowers!

5. Gladney...our adoption agency...we love them. We know that they want all these children home as much as the families do. They love their job...and are really good at it. They are way more organized than I ever dream about. I think I could be good friends with these people if life ever allows it! Adoption is not for wimps...on either side of the table....though I am a wimp...but Gladney is not.

6. Perspective...if you are still reading:) go watch this and this. Or go check out this blog & this one and see God's work today in Ethiopia....amazing stuff! Perspective...I love to see all that God is doing and the things we want/need to be a part of....I love putting things in perspective and trusting in the One who is sovereign over it all!