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!!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Friday's Update from our Home

Thank you for your continued prayers.



Emma and I just returned from a really, really long bike ride. I need to go measure it, but it had to be 2,000 miles, okay, not really. Maybe 6? We had a blast!! Our area is very hilly/mountainy and these 50 year old legs had a super fun time heading downhill *wheeeee*.....but my-oh-my uphill - yeah, I tried, I really, really did......but they gave up.
Here's how it sits today with our sweet Jubilee. Our homestudy agency (Ch*nese Children) and our agency (A Helping Hand) for Jubilee have been doing phone conferences and they decided to just go ahead and submit the paperwork to Immigration anyway. (Holly, you suggested that very thing and at the same time that's what they were deciding!! Talk about being on the right track girl!)
So we will wait and see what happens. While we wait, please keep praying with us! xo
PS .....Tomorrow will be a much funner post - Promise! =) The babies have been up to all kinds of stuff....with that potty training thing. Oh, and Tina has picked her box. Next it's Sandee's turn. I'll try to show you Tina's tomorrow.

12 Simply Sweet Words:

Heather Thompson said...

I've thought of you all day and while this may be my first comment to you, it's not my first prayer and won't be my last! Enjoy your weekend with those beautiful children!!

Cate said...

I've been riding trails here that start with long climbs of 4 to 5 miles. Why? So I can survive riding in Durango on vacation in a couple of weeks.

There's a reason a lot of the professional cyclists live in Durango.

Continue to pray for your family and Jubilee. I believe with all my heart she'll be home soon.

Are These Kids All Yours? said...

Potty training days in our home too. Can't wait to hear more. Praying for your beautiful Jubilee!!!!

scrappy quilter said...

God's army is praying for Jubilee. It's awesome to see. We know He has the victory already.

Great job on that bike ride!!! Wowsers, that's a long one. Hugs and love

Nicole said...

Linny,
PRAYING FOR YOU!!!
HUGS,
-Nicole
www.bakerssweets.blogspot.com

Holly said...

That's awesome Linny! I'm believing God for Jubilee to come home right on time :)

Karin said...

I'm so glad you are going ahead and submitting everything. God honors faith! :) Praying for a miracle for your sweet Jubilee.

~love said...

for various reasons, i haven't be able to comment lately, but i have been rejoicing with the TEN boxes and PRAYING with you over Jubilee!

David and Sarah said...

Still praying.

Sandee said...

ooh ooh, I can't wait to pick.....:) what a blessing. Rough day here, but just got done haveing popcorn and movie night with the kids, piled in my room. Love 'em to pieces.

TanyaLea said...

Okay Linny ~ Submitting Jubilee's paperwork anyway must be a total God thing, as I was just coming on here to suggest the same thing after feeling led in that same direction while praying for you! I trust God is working behind the scenes on the details!!

Have a blessed weekend! <><
~Tanya

lauradodson said...

I'm so glad! to hear y'all are submitting the paperwork anyway.