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!!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving From Our Crazy Family to Yours!

**Double click on Picture to see a larger view**
Left to right: Emma, Isaiah, Me (holding our little N*elly), Liberty, Autumn, Dw holding Jubilee's picture high in the air, Elizabeth, Abigail, Sarah, Tyler holding Elijah, Graham and Ryan.....Picture taken yesterday (11/25/09) in the horse pasture on our property where we are rebuilding our home.
Our Hearts Overflow with Thankfulness

to Almighty God.

He is always our Miracle-working, Mountain-moving, Awe-inspiring, Gasp-giving God .... How we praise His Name Forever!!!!

39 Simply Sweet Words:

Susan said...

I think I see Abigail's fingerprints all over that image?! :) :) WONDERFUL!! xoxo ~Susan.

Angie said...

So, that's how you get a large family to all pose for a family photo! I'll have to remember that for the future...fun picture. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

dreamingofthecountry said...

I love the photo.

Thanks for sharing your lovely family with us!

natali said...

what a beautiful picture!

Mrs. E. said...

This is THE BEST picture!!! What an awesome family!
Thanksgiving blessings to all of you.

The Funkhouser Family said...

Wow ! Beautiful, beautiful, beuatiful. It was such a joyous feeling opening your blog this mmorning. Have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving!

inked33 said...

what a BEAUTIFUL family :)
God has truly blessed you....

Jean said...

Love you pic!! you have such a fun family! The joy that comes from all of you is so inspiring to me!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!!
Love ya!
Jean

Blessed Mom of Four, Now Five said...

I love, love, love the picture!! What a beautiful family, what a faithful Jesus.
I was wondering how you accomplished that and then saw a comment that reminded me your Abigail is a photographer.
I know you have loved every moment with all of your family home. I am enjoying having my FIVE home.....
Continue this day to love on your blessings,
Robbie

Mary and John said...

What a fantabulous picture!! Happy Thanksgiving!! If you want to see the miracles of our God in the lives or other orphans go to www.afamilyforchristina.blogspot.com and praise God with us for His UNBELIEVABLE grace over the last couple weeks!! God has used your blog to prime my heart for miracles! And He is MOVING!!

Mama from Uganda said...

Yihee! Love it. Thanks for the Thanksgiving blessings. Love from this mama from uganda.

:)De said...

Wishing you a Peaceful and Happy Thanksgiving!

Faye Verquer said...

VERY BEAUTIFUL! I love this, I may borrow this idea in the spring with my family. Thank you for sharing your life, family, sorrows, pain, and joy with us. You are a blessing to all of us.

Love

Faye Verquer

Waitingfaithfully said...

Oh Linny, I am smiling sooo big at your "airborne" family, including your Ty guy, and your Jubilee-- sailing high with the rest of you! Oh Lord, please bring Your little Promise girl home!

The picture is amazing! I love it!!

Happy Thanksgiving to the Saunders Gang--what a joy it has been getting to know you over this past year! Linny, you are such a blessing to me!

Enjoy your boatload today!

Love you friend~

Tina

Are These Kids All Yours? said...

AMEN to that!!!

erin said...

LOVE it!! have a blessed and heart-happy-full Thanksgiving!! Next year, jubilee just won't be in a photo frame, but jumping right beside you!

Cate said...

Wonderful picture! Happy Thanksgiving.

Jill said...

This photo absolutely makes me smile!!! WONDERFUL!!! And, I most certainly DID NOT MISS sweet Jubilee...I will pray for her TODAY.

Love to all
Jill

Sally- That Girl! said...

Happy Thanksgiving sweet sweet friend!!!

lifelaughsandlove said...

Awesome picture! I am thankful for you, Linny for opening your heart up to all of us in the blogosphere and teaching me so many lessons about our God! Have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your family time!

~Amy

Shanti said...

Happy Thanksgiving! LOOOOOVVVVEEE your pic!

Ladyblog said...

That is an awesome picture! I love it. Happy Thanksgiving!

scrappy quilter said...

Happy Thanksgiving dear friend. What a wonderful picture of your beautiful family. Hugs and love

Renee said...

AWESOME!!!!

stephanie said...

That's the BEST picture I've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love and hugs to you all, from another crazy family!!!

MoonDog said...

love love loving the photo!! wish we could try that! but one kid immobile and one in AFOs and then no one to take the picture darn. but I love creative photos like yours.

Heckert's Highway said...

What a beautiful picture!!! It brought me to tears just thinking how wonderful it will be to have your sweet Jubilee home soon and seeing her picture waved high in the air. I continue to pray for her quick journey home.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Much love,
Jenn
Shelton, WA

Oh Dear said...

LOVE IT!!!!

Kim said...

Happy Gobble Day!

Adeye said...

What a stunning family picture, my friend. So gorgeous. Hope you had a wonderful day with all your blessings around you. Cannot wait to see Jubilee in the picture next year :)

Deanna, (aka Dj, and Deej.) said...

What a fabulous picture! Love the expressions! (espcially Isaiah's!)
Happy Thanksgiving!

Holly said...

I LOVE IT!! I especially love Jubilee's picture up there. : ) I can't wait til she gets to meet her forever family!!!!!

Amy said...

That has to be the best family photo I have ever seen. Happy Thanksgiving.

Beautiful Mess said...

That ROCKS~ actually made me cry in a thankful, God, kind of way!

sierrasmom said...

What a wonderful picture!!! I love it!!! Linny if you haven't read my blog lately could you check it out and please say a prayer for our friends. I know of no one who can pray like you!! They are a family full of love for Him but they are hurting! Thanks
Kathie

RitterB's said...

Yep that picture did it... I thought that perhaps the RitterB's were complete... But the tears in my eyes and tug at my heart helps me know HE has something else in mind... If I could just have 12 months to breath before it happens....
Bless you in your journey... You are a lucky Mom

Tony and Rett said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Simply LOVE it.

You guys rock!

~love said...

love this so very much!! so glad to see that you all had a wonderful thanksgiving praising His name. you all are a beautiful picture of His love....it just shines through you!!!

Eve said...

What a fantastic family photo!! I LOVE the fun in it!