Last time I posted my brother had just gotten married and my husband was on his way to Kenya, Africa for two weeks. Wow! A lot can happen in just a few short months. :) Let's play catch-up.
Jerod had a phenomenal time in Africa. It changed his life which in turn changed ours. He fell in love with the people and country of Kenya and his passion for Africa grew even more. There will be big changes in our lives that will stem from this trip and we are not sure exactly what that is going to look like yet but we know as surely as we breathe that we will be going back one day. Very soon. And not only to bring our next child home but to do big things for the thousands upon thousands of orphans that need help. Right now we are concentrating on raising funds for high schools to be built and getting kids sponsored and living in holy anticipation of what God has in store for us next.
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| He made lots of friends! |
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| He met our two sponsored boys and had the privilege of committing to a new sponsored little girl (pictured above). |
So, after he returned home, we got back into a routine of sorts :) and enjoyed some of our favorite fall activities.
We made a trip to the apple orchard...
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| Quite the crew |
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| The girls! |
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| Oldest and youngest |
...took a trip to a local tourist attraction...
...threw a surprise birthday party for Little Man's 11th birthday...
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| Best invention EVER! |
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| Ms. Cindy loves holding those babies! |
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| Papaw enjoying his grandkids |
...joined friends at the pumpkin patch...
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| My sister's two oldest joined us this day!! |
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| The pumpkin patch offers a lot more than pumpkins these days |
...upheld Texas Panhandle homecoming traditions...
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| We won!! |
...got up bright and early to watch the hot air balloon liftoff...
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| Everyone wanting a picture |
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| Chilly early mornings mean hot chocolate for breakfast! |
...and carved pumpkins! Whew! And it's not even Halloween yet! :)
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| Princess' pumpkin |
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| My pumpkin! I'm very proud of it |
There have been some more immediate changes in our lives that have nothing to do (but actually everything to do) with Jerod's trip to Africa. He was offered an amazing opportunity to start a department for the line of banking he does. However, this opportunity was being held in a town 2 hours away from home. So, after much prayer, talking, question-asking and more praying, we decided that this was what God was calling him to do for our family. In the future this will mean big changes for our family. Probably moving and settling in a new town but for now it just means he is working away from home a few days a week.
On the adoption front, there have been two referrals in October (YIPEE!) and that puts us approximately at #20. There are rumors that we are close on the list for a boy but that's not official. (But we can definitely keep our fingers crossed right?) :)
