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, June 29, 2010

Just a Quiet Day

It's been a quiet day on the home front. The kids and I sat on the porch while I sipped coffee and we ate pumpkin bars I had made a few days ago.


This afternoon Emma and I have been working on wreaths for above our beds. Emma's making two...one for above Elizabeth and Jubilee's bed and one for above Liberty and her bed. We had picked out the dried flowers and grapevine wreaths a few months back and finally today are getting around to it. So far they're looking so sweet!


The kids have been running in the sprinkler and eating Fudgsicles. It's a perfect summer day.


There is a post {okay, so there's really about four that I think the Lord wants me to share} mulling in my heart. We'll see if I can write it for tomorrow.

And tonight? We have a prayer meeting at our church. Many churches have committed to joining together for this special time to pray for the end to the Sex-Trade/Slave Industry. We have heard that 40,000 sex slaves were moved to South Africa for the World Cup. We must join together and pray for hearts to change, repentance and God to move to set these slaves free.

15 Simply Sweet Words:

natali said...

oh my goodness! 40,000!! i had no idea this was going on! i'm praying too

Steiners! said...

Loving you....
from over here. :)

Heather said...

It was a quiet day over here too. Enjoy those fudgsicles!

CARE Families said...

praying with you about the things that break God's heart...

Jodi said...

My amazing friend works as a missionary to those caught in the sex-trade industry in Dallas - I can email you her monthly letter and you can sign up for email updates if you would like too.
It is heart breaking - but reality for so many girls.

Goodness and Mercy Mom said...

So glad you had a sweet summer day with your boatload of kids. I hope you post pics for your wreaths. What a fun project.

It just sickens me to hear about the sex-trade industry. Dear Father, set them free!

Praying that God will give you the right words to share what is burdening your heart. Covering you with prayer for peace and healing. (And I plan to fast the day of your biopsy.)

Much Love,
Kathie

Psalm139verse14 said...

So glad to hear of your church taking a stand! In April I listened to Christine Cain, with the A21 campaign that fights human trafficking. My sister is going to Greece to help rescue women trafficked there. Here is a post from my blog from hearing her talk.
http://psalm139verse14.blogspot.com/2010/04/a21-campaign-be-her-freedom.html
Keep up the good work Linny!

The Gotch 5 said...

Ok is it bad that I couldn't get past the second sentence when you mentioned pumpkin bars!! I could taste them and my mouth started to water...I guess I know what I am making this week!

robandchristel said...

I just wanted to say thank you for praying. Thank you for caring. It is deeply encouraging to hear that so many individuals and Churches are joining the fight to end this form of modern day slavery. My wife has followed your blog for some time and has prayed for your family along the way. You have been a source of inspiration. God Bless you!

-Rob Morris
President and Co-founder
Love146
www.love146.org

Tesseraemum said...

I can't help but think about the millions of orphans turned onto the street at such a young age who are the targets of these traffickers. Its a vicious circle.

Su said...

makes me cry to hear that 40,000 women were moved to South Africa for the World Cup. My stomach hurts. And I can't stop crying. Thank you for making me aware.

and your girls share beds? This made me smile and again made me feel like "you get me" My girls do too (13, 9).

Anna Marie said...

What a fabulous day it sounds like you had!
Linny, please ask for your church to pray for Sofia- she was a work colleague of mine who was snatched and I know it was in connection to human traffic. (too long to explain in a comment except that the first time I saw her I had a picture of a gang kidnapping her- but thought it was her past and was waiting for the chance to talk and pray with her about it). As soon as we had told the police it became confidential and don't know how it developed but I am totally convinced that God can do something amazing to get her out- even if I never actually hear about it until heaven. If you know of any organisations who I can give her date of birth etc to then maybe you could let me know?
Lots of love to you

purejoy said...

will be praying with you this evening. thank you for letting us know.
love your heart and wish that i could be enjoying a sweet colorado summer day with you on your front porch…

Steph said...

International House of Prayer ("IHOP" Kansas City) has a Monday night intercession set every Monday from 8 to 10 pm Central time for the sex trafficking issue. You can watch it live on their webcast at www.ihop.org. You can also watch the past ones in the prayer room archives. They have been praying fervently for the sex trafficking issue at the world cup and sent a team of intercessors/rescuers over there. This past Monday night they had some amazing stories of answered prayer to tell! It's so encouraging to hear of so many believers waking up to this reality and rising up to fight on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves! Praise God! May your corporate time of prayer tonight bring victory for many!

A family being transformed said...

I love simply sweet Summer days, especially when their are happy children enjoying the little wonders of life.

Hugs from the North,
Summer