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, January 13, 2012

"She Did Beautifully"

He came to the waiting room about 1/2 hour ago and walking towards us gave us the thumbs up.

Both of us wanted to collapse in relief.

He did what needed to be done.

Interestingly, after Ruby's 3 surgeries in November her neurosurgeon was at a conference in Austin, TX.  He met a man who was promoting a new machine to use on kids with extreme hydrocephalus.  He said, "I wish I had had that equipment for this baby girl I just did."

Yesterday Ruby's doctor called the gentleman and asked,  "Would you be willing to bring your device to Phoenix for me to try it on this little patient of mine?"

The gentleman flew in today from Indiana just for Ruby's surgery.

Dr. S said the machine was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

Lastly, the risk is great over the next few days.
She must lie flat on her back, perfectly still.

Like the surgery on November 19th, 
there is a risk of the brain imploding on itself.

Thank you for your prayers on Ruby's behalf.
Please don't stop!

40 Simply Sweet Words:

Brooke said...

YEAH! So glad the surgery went well after the initial hitch. Praying for quick healing and a still baby.

Leveta said...

Linny:
I just checked back into see how sweet Ruby was doing.SO glad to read this. God is so awesome.I will keep praying.
Leveta

Renae said...

Wonderful news!!!:) LOVE it when God does "His thing";)! Continuing to pray for all of you!! BIG {{{HUGS}}}-Renae

Liberty Brooks Hudson said...

continuing to pray for your sweet girl and the whole family ((HUGS)) from TN

valerie in TX said...

Still praying with you and for you, friends! Much love to you all.

Susan A said...

Oh, that is just so wonderful news! :) yes we will continue to pray that she will be healed and her brain become stabilised and stronger.

♥ robin said...

Wow! Praise God! Glory to His name! We will NOT stop praying for you all! He has wonderful plans for this precious little angel of His. He loves her so so much. I love His heart. Jesus is all we ever need! What a beautiful place to be! Clinging to the cloak of the Savior every step of the way!

Tracy said...

BLESS HER HEART & THANK YOU JESUS!!! What Great news!! We will continue to pray. : )

Mary Ellen said...

Thank you Jesus- what a wonderful and loving God we have!! Wonderful news about the machine being available for precious Ruby!!

Lauren's Nana said...

Our God is so GOOD! Will continue to pray for miss Ruby Grace and for you all as well! Hugs to all!!

Shelby said...

Awesome news!!! Glad that part is over. Still praying!

Derek Kimball said...

Wow. What a great God we have. Praying for Ruby, the doctors, and your family every time I think of it.

Derek

Kellan's momma said...

Oh don't worry, the prayers aren't stopping! Hugs!
Christina

atherton2 said...

*Praise God*

with Gratitude and Hope,
~ Chris A ~

Kelli said...

Sweet Ruby, you have engaged and consumed my heart! I had a precious dream last night that I was able to be near you and your family during this time, who would think someone from my own state would be flying in to do exactly that! So many prayers to you all!

Grandma Becky said...

So glad Ruby's surgery is over and will pray for healing and praying that all will be go well in no movement the next few days. Hugs~to you all!

Joanne Reddell said...

Praise God!!! Such a miracle to have the "amazing" machine brought in today! Continuing to pray for your precious Rubylicious!

Created 4 Him said...

Praise God! I'll keep praying, of course.

cindy said...

Thanking Him for His awesome faithfulness in every detail!!! Continuing to pray! <3

Sunshine and Sand Dollars said...

Awesome! Yay Ruby! So very very happy her surgery went well!

Continuing our prayers for sweet Ruby Grace, and for her Momma and Papa too!

Praise the Lord who heals!

Serena said...

God is so good and his timing is perfect! How amazing that the doctor was able to have the use of that machine for the surgery today!

Sonya said...

Praise God for watching over Dear Ruby today through all of this. Praise Him for giving the doctors the wisdom and guidance to accomplish this delicate surgery. Praying now for Ruby to heal, to be able to lay still, and for NO COMPLICATIONS.
Please, God, be with Ruby and give her little body strength and healing. Give her mommy & daddy strength and peace, as they wait for her to be able to go home. Thank you that Ruby is living where she can now recieve the medical attention she needs. May Your Name be glorified in all of this. In Christ's dear name, Amen.

Babsi said...

I´ve dreamed last night about an ambulancecar. (think thats it in english). I woke up and my first thought was Ruby! Immediatly I started to pray. Won´t stop!!
God bless you and give you comfort! Aaand total healing for Ruby!
NOTHING is impossible for God! NOTHING is too big!
And NO ONE is too small for him!

LOVE Greetings from germany

Babsi

Jen said...

Praise God Almighty who reigns on HIGH!!! Continuing to pray for sweet Ruby and you all. Thanking God for placing the surgeon from Indiana in the right place at the right time AND for his willingness to fly in for her surgery!! Any chances he is a surgeon at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis? We are just minutes from Riley and that is where our daughter had her open heart surgery.
Prayers and Hugs!
Jen

Jolene said...

Coming out of lurkdom to say that I am praying. I wake up in the middle of the night and pray and your baby girl was on my heart last night!

Rachel said...

Thank You Jesus! Praying for all of oyu

Chary said...

Seguimos rezando por Ruby, la familia y los doctores

Freedom Hollow Farmgirl said...

PRAISING IN TENNESSEE!! Whoo Hoo God is so good.

Praying for your precious gem in Tennessee!

Blessings,
Suzanne

Renee said...

Wonderful news, Linny....Praise God, praise God...thank you Jesus. How God orchestrated this is absolutely stunning and has me feeling humble and amazed. Making it possible for your doctor to talk to the other doctor, have him fly the machine here just for your sweet Ruby??? ONLY GOD!
Loving on you from afar..........

Carol said...

Praying…

kj said...

Linny, I have not commented much recently but I have certainly been following and praying. Bless you all,
Karen

Scrappy quilter said...

Awesome news!! Still praying. Hugs and love

Jo's Corner said...

Praying for Sweet Peace over Baby Girl!!

lori said...

Praise God and so awesome to hear how every little detail has His name on it. Thank you Jesus for these doctors and how they moved on Ruby's behalf. He truly is being glorified every moment. Praying! Lori

Lynda said...

God is SOOOOO good!!! Will continue to pray for your precious baby girl and whole family.

Sara said...

Praising GOD with you over this great news with Ruby...Thanking God for His amazing way that He works to bring the right people, with the right tools to just the right place at the right time! Thank you God!

Rita and John said...

Thanks be to God! We will continue to pray for Ruby's healing!

Heather and Kathy said...

sending prayers and hugs!

Heather

Erica Hami said...

Praying for your precious Ruby... and so honored to have a small part in her story!

Catherine said...

I'm reading this late yet still praying. Praying for all of you. Thanking God that He provided the tools necessary and the willing heart to fly it to Phoenix. God is SO good!!