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!!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Karl & Autumn - A Few Weeks Ago

Just about two weeks prior to the accident 
{on the 4th of July} 
Karl and Autumn went to the Pagosa Springs parade.  

When I saw this picture for the first time, I noticed how his hand is clearly and tightly wrapped on her shoulder....

always figured that was a man's way of sayin'....

"Yup, she's mine, back off dude." 

Thank you for praying with us that 
he will be able to do that again very, very soon. 

Don't they just look so sweet together?

Clearly enjoying each other's company.

I love this picture.

20 Simply Sweet Words:

bytheriver said...

Yes it is beautiful. A definate keepsake.

Susan A said...

Yes it is a beautiful picture, they look so beautiful together :)

Diane said...

This is a wonderful picture!

I just wanted to let you know we're praying too!

Faith said...

And I, the hopeless romantic, go "Awwwww!" :) Praying as always!

Julie Hoagland said...

Lovely!

GrumpyJaxMomOf3 said...

That is a great picture :)

hartelijk said...

Amen to that, beautifull and sweet,
they will stand proud like that again, i truly believe that!
Adriana

Shauna said...

They are cute together!

Chris and Sarah said...

They look soooo natural together! I have thought that since you posted the first picture of them. You would never be able to tell that they haven't been together for a very long time. I think she found her prince charming and I can't wait to see a new picture of them smiling together :)

Su said...

still praying. . .

Ashley said...

What a BEAUTIFUL couple! Still praying!

sierrasmom said...

Oh this picture speaks a thousand words..it is beautiful!!!

Lynne said...

Such an incredibly beautiful picture of Karl and Autumn. It will happen again - there will be another picture of them standing happily together, with Karl's strong arm around Autumn. My prayers continue from Missouri. Together we stand....we will not stop praying. xoxoxo

Chad Candace said...

Very sweet pic:) She will be in his arms again soon...awesome!!! Still praying for Karl, Autumn and family. Hopefully you are having a good time on your visit.

The Annessa Family said...

Sweet picture, you will be taking another one of those very soon Linny!

Brooke
www.TheAnnessaFamily.blogspot.com

WilxFamily said...

Oh yes...pure joy just radiates from that picture! I can't help but smile looking at it.

Keeping Karl in my prayers as our soldiers. What an honor to pray for them!

Congratulations on your new treasures too!

I love to watch the Lord work so vividly in the life of your family. Oh my, He's so good.

Sally-Girl! said...

Sweet photo! Can't wait for a new one posted of them together post accident!! Autumn looks so happy in that photo!

Praying for Karl continuously!

trina said...

Yes, they are adorable together. He's so handsome and she is sooo pretty! Very sweet. Praying for healing. Complete healing.

Christy said...

Beautiful picture. Prayers.

LovedbyHim7 said...

This is a very nice photo. I must tell you the first photo I saw of the two of them was the one you posted when telling about the accident. You know the one with the dog in the photo. I am new to your blog and so I was still learning who was who so when I saw the photo I did not know Autumn was your daughter. My thought was, "Oh, they look like a nice married couple"...I continue to pray for Karl.