Home Two Weeks

We have been home from Uganda for two weeks today. Honestly, it feels like much longer. I am not sure why, it's not like things have been difficult. In fact things are going quite well. So well in fact, that I am hesitant to mention it for fear that as soon as I do, it will all fall apart. At any rate it seems like it has been forever since we left to come home. William and Melissa and fitting in to our family wonderfully. Everyday we can see progress. They are now both willing to at least try new foods. William is beginning to see that Piper (our chocolate lab) is a friend and not a foe. The older children are adjusting to their new roles, and loving having two little ones to dote over. I would say our biggest source of grief so far is between the girls. Grace has moved into the role of big sister amazingly well...maybe a little too well. Melissa very much wants to be the center of attention as she was used to in the home), and if anyone is getting individual time with mom or dad (and grandma and grandpa) she gets very jealous and butts right in. In the beginning Grace would just defer and give up her attention so that Melissa could have it. Melissa (the depraved little sinner) picked up on this right away, and proceeded to interrupt Grace's one on one time, every time. Melissa would vie for her food, her drinks, you name it. If Grace was getting it Melissa wanted it, and Grace would give it. This really began to take a toll on Grace, as she soon realized that she needs lovin' from mom and dad too. So as we told Grace, "No you stay, there is room for both of you." Our little "Queen of Uganda" was none to pleased to realize that her throne was to be shared. We are working though it and I think that in time they will soon be good friends. I think they both just need some reassurance, that there is plenty of love to go around, and maybe a bit more training on daily dying :)

It seems that I am finally feeling better...consistently. I am still not completely well, but I can a least make it through the day now. I went to the doctor last week to have sonogram of my liver, kidneys, and spleen. As well as blood work to make sure the malaria is gone and to check to see if I have some other infectious disease from Africa that may be causing my problems. I should find out in the next day or two.

On a slightly down note, we found out yesterday that Richard lost all his contracts with D.R. Horton. Seems as though the housing crash as finally hit San Antonio. They wanted us to continue to do the same work for 3/4 the price. Basically they wanted us to drop our price to $9.00 per lot. Um, it cost us twice that to do the work. So, we are trying to figure out what the Lord would have us to do now. It is a strange place to be in. In general there is a sense of peace, we know our God is good, and knows what is best. We had talked several times over the last 9 months about our income. We seemed to know that the Lord had given this contract for the purpose of bringing William and Melissa home. It began right before we made the decision to adopt. Provided for all our normal expenses, paid off all our debt, and funded $24,000 in adoption money. Now that we are all home, I don't think it should surprise me that it is over. God's hand is so evident it every step of this journey. We are confident that He has not abandoned us to care for these children on our own. He will show us the way, and we are confident that whatever it is, it will be good. How could it not be? Please pray that Richard would have the wisdom to know what he should do. Not just about income (but please do keep that in your prayers:), but if we should sell off our equipment or keep it. Do we close the business or just change direction? I am really struggling with the thought of Richard having to work ALL the time again. We have a vision for our family, one that we have been blessed to live out for a while now. None of us are ready to give up our time with him, we value it tremendously.

Once again I am reminded that my need of grace is never ending. Thankfully His supply is limitless, and He gives it abundantly. May the name of the Lord be praised, always.

Home

We are home, all is well, with the exception that malaria is still kicking my butt. I will post pictures and more later....when I don't feel like death. Willaim and Melissa are doing wonderful. Although we are having a bit of a dog problem. William is TERRIFIED of Piper, Melissa thinks he is cool. God is good...all the time.

Update

Hello from Uganda. I am just going to post a very quick run down of what has been happening, for those of you not on my email list.

We got here Friday, Richard had severely sprained his ankle just before we left. Two days on airplanes was not good for his foot. He is healing now. We also found out on Friday that we had been reassigned a new judge and that the judge we have was going on vacation for a month, starting Monday...the day we were to go to court. She agreed to come and handle our case. We prayed and the Lord was faithful, she came and heard our case. She told us to come back on Thursday for the ruling. We went back Thursday and she granted us custody of the children. She said she wanted to be done with us so she could enjoy here holiday, so she said she would give us both the ruling and order that day. BIG PRAISE, this NEVER happens. We did get the one, but not the other as they did not finish typing it. The lawyer is supposed to pick it up on Tuesday. Monday is a holiday, so we have to wait until then. Please pray it is finished and ready to go so that we can begin the Visa process. Passports have been started and we hope to pick them up on Tuesday as well. The children are wonderful, but very naughty. THEY ARE SPOILED ROTTEN. Melissa had a nickname at the home that explains it all...Queen. William is recovering from malaria, and is doing well. I am desperately home sick and miss my children. While Uganda is beautiful, it is just not home. We have left Jinja and are now staying in Kampala at pastor Patricks home. I think that catches everyone up on the adoption, I have more to tell but this is where we are at in bringing the kids home. Thank you all for your prayers, we need them.