Our Boatload of Dreams.....

Welcome to Our Place Called Simplicity.

We invite you into our lives with one goal in mind: that you would be encouraged to live simply and truly love one another.

Married for 33 years, we are the parents of many. Eleven {so far} children. Eight of whom are adopted. We also have four sons and a daughter that we are parents of in Uganda as well. They were raised on the streets and had no parents until we "adopted" them 3+ years ago. So we really have sixteen children total {with more on the way}.

After 7+ weeks in Uganda, Emma {18} and I recently returned to the United States with our newest addition - a baby girl named Ruby Grace. Dw and Emma were leading a missions team in June 2011 where they had the privilege of meeting Ruby - a tiny 11 month old gem weighing only 6 lbs.

Our oldest daughter Abigail and her husband finally{!} allowed us the privilege of being Mimi and Jaja by bringing us our very first grand baby {from Uganda}...making us now, officially, a multi-generational adoptive family. Proof that adoption is a very, very good thing!

We've had the privilege of adopting our treasures from all over the world, some dubbed "special needs" we are convinced that the only TRUE special need a child has is to have a family.

Our peers are empty nesters, but we are certain that given this option to any orphan - "old mom and dad" or "no mom and dad", all would still vote for the old ones. So here we are - the old ones....doing it again....

If you are need of encouragement or wonder if God is able to move your mountain, please head over to the sidebar where Special Posts are listed. Start at Our Wild Adventure Part 1. You will be reminded of Almighty God's deep love for the orphan and how He will move mountains on their behalf....we call Him the Miracle-Working, Mountain-Moving, Awe-Inspiring, Gasp-Giving God!! Yippee Jesus!!

I am humbled beyond words and ever so grateful that the Lord is fulfilling a promise He gave me way back in 1982..."making the barren woman to be at home - the joyful mother of children" (Psalms 113:9). How I praise His name!!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

What Exactly was In That Box??

I mentioned a bit ago that while we were in Iowa a box was delivered to our home. Upon getting home I noticed the box, but really, with Isaiah and Dw still so sick, I didn't really notice the box, ya' know what I mean?

After a few days Dw saw the box and took it over to the couch to open it. I was in the kitchen and he said, "Linny, you are not gonna' believe what's in here. You have to come see!" He had started to cry. What in the world was in the box?

I went over and we then gathered as a family and looked. First we opened every note and there were dozens from YOU my sweet bloggy friends! Through tears we read each and every sweet note....And attached to each note was a little piece of material.

Several of you had had an idea right after our house fire. And that idea turned into an invitation from Lori to send a quilt square to another bloggy friend, Chris, who would quilt a quilt for Dw and I.

We are in awe at the beauty. There are all kinds of squares and since my favorite colors are purple, pink and sage green, many are along that theme. Some have special meaning, like the rooster square representing my love for roosters. Or the Chinese little girls representing our Jubilee waiting. Or tea cups for my love of tea cups. Or coffee mugs from my virtual twin who promises that one day she will come and have coffee with me while our little boys who both have Arthrogryposis run and play.

It is breathtakingly beautiful!!! Chris you did an amazing job quilting it...each stitch obviously sewn in love. She even put each of our names and the names of our kids all around the outside edge. Unbelievable!!

We are in awe at your gracious love for us. I tried to take a picture of every angle so you all can see your square. We are actually saving the quilt so that we can put it on our bed in our new home. We will never be able to tell you all what it means to us that you would do something so thoughtful and sweet for us. Thank you all so very, very, very, very much!!!! We will treasure it forever!!




























Isn't it gorgeous??? Oh my gracious!! Unbelievable!! We love you all!! xo

28 Simply Sweet Words:

JR said...

Absolutely beautiful! Chris did a fabulous job! I hope you & your family enjoy this special quilt for many years.

Love you guys!

Melissa said...

It is just beautiful!!!!!!!!
Melissa in ky

Joey said...

Hi Linn,

I never comment but was so happy to see you got your quilt. I have followed your story and when I heard through the grape vine that a quilt was going to be made I was so excited!

I know you from Irma and her lovely family!

Your family is always in my prayers.

Tracy said...

Absolutly Beautiful! What a wonderful,sweet gesture. I would have loved to join in on the fun. They all sure do deserve a great big ol hug. True Blessings!

Lisa said...

So glad you love it. It was an honor to be a part of it.

Lisa
Newark, Ohio

TanyaLea said...

Wow!...unbelievably GORGEOUS!! What a talented quilter and a treasured gift, for sure!!

Blessings,
~Tanya

Dadoo's Wife said...

wrapped up in LOVE! this is breath-taking!
tabitha

Karin said...

Wow...that is gorgeous!! I am bummed that I didn't know Lori then and I missed out.

What a treasure for you to remember those who love you every time you look at it!! God is so good to give us friends. :))

Nancy said...

I think there is a lesson in this. Certainly an object lesson, if not a sermon! :) Who knew that each of those tiny squares of fabric we so lovingly picked out, unaware of what fabric anyone else was picking out, could be turned into such a gorgeous creation?!?!
Isn't that so like our Heavenly Father, who asks us for what little (in our eyes) we have, to take our small offerings and create beauty beyond belief? Thank you Chris...thank you Lori! How precious to be able to give this gift! I am thrilled!

Blessings, love, hugs and prayers!

Nancy in CT

Sherry said...

Chris did a great job. It looks even better on your bed.

Eight Isn't Enough said...

Oh my goodness....that is absolutely GORGEOUS,GORGEOUS,GORGEOUS.

Jill said...

The pictures are incredible but they really don't show how absolutely amazing this quilt is. Most awesome thing I've ever seen! I need to take lessons from this woman!

You guys deserve it Linn. Enjoy this quilt made with love from all over the world!
Love you!

Lesa and Samuel said...

Linny,

I was already fasting for my daughter(she had a tumor on her kidney and they were both removed in June) and I decided to extend my fast for a day for Cindy. Also my friend Laura, fasted for Cindy too.

My day was mostly good, except that in the afternoon I got the worst headache I've had in a long time and I had to lay down and I fell asleep for 2 1/2 hours. I never, ever, ever do that, even when I'm sick I hardly do that (6 kids at home!). I know that was the enemy. When I woke up I felt better, but headache was still there.

BTW, love the quilt..beautiful!

Love
Lesa

scrappy quilter said...

Linny, it turned out stunning!! The colors are wonderful, the whole quilt amazing. Hugs and love

Chris said...

How beautiful! There is nothing quite like the gorgeous tactile qualities of a quilt is there? And every time you pass your bed you can be reminded of how much you're esteemed and LOVED
Blessings
Aussie Chris
P.s. I notice you have a lot of Chris's commenting so I'll have to tag myself as above from now on :)

thatgirlblogs said...

incredible!

Shirley H. said...

Very nice! i got one too! but i'm too big for it! hahaha~

Melissa said...

Oh my goodness! That's beautiful! What a treasure!

Lori said...

I'm so glad that you love the quilt. All credit goes to Chris who is extraordinarily talented...and all glory to Jesus for giving her such a generous heart.

I hope the quilt brings years and years of warmth and comfort, not only to your physical body but to your tender heart as you recall all that the Lord has done for you through this season in your life. As your bloggy friends, we want nothing more than for you to be covered by God's grace, His peace, His mercy. Hopefully the quilt will bring you some joy as it reminds you of all us gals out here who love you dearly.

YOU are a treasure and WE are blessed to call you Friend.

stephanie said...

What wonderful friends, that quilt is sure to bring the sweetest dreams.

Sharon and Michael said...

That is gorgeous! :) You deserve it.

Patientlywaiting said...

The quilt turned out beautiful! I hope it brings your family joy for years to come.

This past Sunday, we sang Days of Elijah at church. As I sang, I couldn't help but raise your family up in prayer and say Yippee Jesus this is the year of Jubilee!! Jubilee is coming home soon! Guess what, as I am typing the Days of Elijah started playing on your blog. How's that for timing. I love that song; there is no God like Jehovah!

Hugs,
Robin in Alabama

Tranquility said...

That is gorgeous!

Chris said...

Thanks for the compliments guys. I enjoyed doing it and too was amazed at how well the quilt "worked" when over 60 people were choosing the fabric. And yes thanks for reminding them Lori all the talent is on loan from God...
Enjoy it and do let the kids touch it :^)

Chris from PA

Nellie's Cozy place said...

Wow, that made me cry!! What a sweet blessing and what sweet caring blogger friends. Am so sorry to hear about your home burning down and am glad you are all okay, at least hope you are all okay...haven't been coming long enough to know the whole story.
Couldn't help but think that God blessed you for what you did for Cindy on Monday.
Hope you get sooooooo much enjoyment and joy from the lovely
quilt.
Blessings, Nellie

Waitingfaithfully said...

Yippee, we don't have to keep the big secret any longer! Chris did an amazing job, didn't she?! So much love represented in every piece! Love for you Linny, and for your precious family!

Bless you my friend. What a joy it is to know you.

Love,

Tina

Chris - Thank you again for all you did to make the quilt a reality. It's beautiful!

Angie said...

Wow! What a special gift! precious!

Jill and Rick said...

Oh, the quilt turned out beautifully!! & how fun to see some of the fabric that we sent!

Jill G