As April started so did another season of soccer. Eli is playing on the silver team again and is thoroughly enjoying his season so far. There have been several games cancelled due to rain but otherwise he plays twice a week. It is a great way for him to expend some of his never ending supply of energy!
Daddy and the boys had the privilege of touring the 188th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard with our homeschool group this month. Eli made a comment about wanting to fly in a big airplane like Mommy got to when she went to Albania a couple summers ago...from his lips to God's ears. More about that later though. The boys loved checking out the planes as well as a fire truck but their favorite part was handing the artillery. They literally got to hold the "big guns".
Jeff and I continued to enjoy a weekly small group that met on Tuesdays following our marriage retreat. It was a fun time of growing in our marriage and getting a small break from the kiddos.
Halfway through the month, I received yet another call to take in a child. We had been diligently praying for God's wisdom in taking in the right child to fit into our family. At this point, we had said no to over 40 children starting at the beginning of March. This call was for a 5 week old baby girl born 6 weeks pre-mature. I felt the Holy Spirit's gently prompting and immediately took steps to reach Jeff. We both agreed to take in the tiny bundle and Ava has been a part of our family ever since. It has not been an easy road for her (or us). When we got her she slept during the day and wanted to be awake at night. She struggles with stomach and intestinal issues and cries pretty much whenever she isn't being held. Please pray for healing for her small body and strength and stamina for us. The boys love her and have been such big helpers. Marie isn't sure what to make of her yet.
Another highlight of the month was getting to go to Russellville and visit our friends there. The boys loved playing with all their buddies and are already asking when we can go back. We are so blessed to have these wonderful friends who maintain contact despite the distance!
As the month wound to a close we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. My, how time flies! God has blessed us with an amazing marriage and we are so thankful for him bringing us together!
To top off an already wonderful month, we were blessed with an answer to prayer and the opportunity to make a dream come true. God provided us with the means to fly to Albania at the start of the summer to visit the Anderson's. The kids can hardly wait to fly on the BIG airplane and get to play with their cousins. We are overwhelmed by the amazing provision of God and this incredible blessing! Please pray for the details of the trip to come together smoothly and that our time would be encouraging, refreshing, and fun! Please also pray for safe homes for the girls while we travel. They are not allowed to leave the state, let alone the country.
We hope that you enjoyed celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this month. What an awesome God we serve that He would provide a way to redeem us from our sins and make a home for us in Heaven. Hallelujah and Amen!
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| Photo slideshow made with Smilebox |
