Poinsetta Fundraiser!

Here is an update/email I sent out today regarding our Annual Poinsettia Fundraiser. I know this only applies to people who live locally, but I wanted to share!

Happy December from COLD and SNOWY Pavlodar! I just wanted to take a minute and send some info to you regarding our annual Poinsettia Fundriaser.
As most of you know... we are FINALLY in Kazakhstan. We are eagerly awaiting a court date to officially adopt twin girls. I have attached a picture from our visit from yesterday. These girls have grown and changed SO much before our eyes... God is truly awesome and we continue to be in awe of his provisions and amazing peace as we continue through this journey!
If you would like to read more... I've been posting everyday to our blog.. lots of pics and our thoughts and happenings... if you'd like that log-in info. just email me back. :)

We have been in Kazakhstan for 6 weeks now... and still waiting on a court date. The amount of money required continues to increase as the days go by. There is a HUGE chance that we will be required to come home at the end of Dec. (when our VISAS expire) and then return a few weeks later to pick up the girls. This will be an additional $5,000 in airline fees. We have seen God provide and know that he holds this entire journey in his hands. We KNOW he has all things figured out.. but, you can imagine how excited we were when we received word from our dear friends The Perry's ... that they were going to hold the Poinsettia fundraiser FOR US and give us ALL THE PROCEEDS!

I am just asking you to please consider buying your plants from Canterbury Gardens this year... if you do you will be helping to bring two precious babydolls home to their forever family! (see picture from yesterday attached below!) If you would like to spread the word and sell to family, friends, your employers, church, etc... that would be great!!!
We are SO thankful for ALL of you!!!!
Here are the details... You can email me (and I will forward it all to Anne Perry).. or her infomation is below!
Thanks and God Bless!!!!

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Hello, my name is Anne Perry. I am the Occupational Therapist for the Perkins-Tryon school district and am a friend of the Gobble family. My husband and I own Canterbury Gardens Greenhouse and Nursery in Oklahoma City . It is our poinsettias, pansies and spring bedding plants that you may have seen in past fund raisers concerning the Gobble family adoption project. This year in Lanetta’s absence (as you know she and Phillip are out of the country working diligently on adoption proceedings for twin girls) I am holding the fund raiser on their behalf. For all of you receiving this email here are the particulars:


Red Poinsettia's
$10.00

Plants are in 6” pots, have 3 to 5 large beautiful stems and are full florist quality plants.

This year’s price is $2.00 less than last year and ALL money paid will go directly to the Gobble Family Adoption Fund

To order : Please email me at aperry64@cox.net

or call (405)326-2787

Or contact Kim Helton at the Perkins Intermediate Library

Poinsettias will be delivered on Thurs., Dec.9th

and can be picked up at Perkins Elementary School

Payment can be made when plants are delivered!

_________________________________________________________________

Dec. 4, 2010 - One month ago today....

I can't help but think about one month ago today... WOW! It's been one month since we walked through the halls below... and into the arms of our daughters. Daughters that the Lord knew were destined to be OURS when he formed them in their Mother's womb... Thank you Lord for Nov. 4, 2010.. and the past month we've had with these precious angels. How can anyone be sad about no court date... just think back and the sadness is QUICKLY replaced with the Lord's awesome presence!

This is taken directly inside the front door of the orphanage. The door leads into the directors office.

Wall decoration right inside the door. Symbat was standing in front of it, and said she'd smile her American smile!

Another big board on the wall right inside the door. There are no pictures of F and G.. however, we did find the little boy we were shown at Kichary. (We will always pray for him.)

This is the first LONG hallway that you walk down. I took advantage of today being Saturday and took LOTS of pictures. There is hardly anyone around on Saturdays... and Symbat said it would be fine to snap some pictures when people aren't around. To get to the kids rooms, etc... you go all the way to the end of this hallway.. and turn right. F and G's group is up the stairs on the right.

I took a video when F and G appeared from behind these doors today... :) It was precious! It wasn't long until ALL the kids appeared as well. The caregiver today was not a regular and it was obvious that the kids KNEW it and they were running all over her. I quickly snapped this picture. The little boy and girl in the middle are the ones I mentioned before. I just have to tell you that when we brought the girls back to the room today... this little girl (the one with the dark hair and curls)... again came running... and SLAMMED into me again... and held on for DEAR life. If we ever leave here (:)) part of my heart will be staying behind with this babygirl. There is a lady behind us with AWAA preparing to travel to Pavlodar as well.. and I just hope and pray that this little girl is available... and that somehow I can keep up with her. Dear Lord.. PLEASE keep her in your hands. She is BEGGING to be loved... it just radiates out of her... more so than any of the other kids... ;(

I kept my camera out while heading to the PE room with the girls... Papa and Grace turned around at the bottom to smile at Faith and I! :) These are the stairs leading to their door.

They are taking FULL advantage of us carrying them.... :) (especially Faith!) My prediction is this... in the future.. Bailey will be carrying Faith and I'll have one hand on Grace and one on Brook! :)

Long hallway headed to the PE room.
Those doors on the left are the Dr's offices... and nurses rooms.

Turning the corner down the hallway. The PE room is on the right.

Pictures of the 'famous' PE room!

Guess what they played with first... YES, the cards from their sisters! We are just amazed at how much they love these cards. Amazing... we can't help but wonder if they might sort of understand... but, then who knows!

Grace with her card!

Faith showing Bailey and Brooklyn that she has Molly and Jack! :)

I had to include this one... Papa showed Grace how to twirl both the necklaces tied together.. ;) oh Papa... It was SO much fun though.. and she worked SO hard trying to do it! It was GREAT bonding time and working together to figure it out... She shook her WHOLE body trying to get it to spin... hilarious! Everyone was cracking up!

Sometimes I have the brightest ideas... hee hee! I decided to put Jack on my head and SNEEZE him off.... The girls thought this was HILARIOUS!!!!

Phil just laughs at me and says... how do you think of that stuff.. LOL! No idea... Here Grace was sneezing him off.. and check out Faith's sneeze! ha ha!
The simplest things are so much fun with them. They just love the attention and love to play!
I just continue to be amazed by their progress and how much they are still changing. I can't wait to have them 24/7 for the rest of their lives! :)

There is simply NOTHING sweeter than little girls laughing and being loved by their Papa! Their giggles are louder and deeper... and it's just a joy for me to watch the 3 of them! We are so so so very blessed! Wow.. giggles and fun times 4! Thank you Lord for trusting US with 4 of your precious angels!!

Dear Lord we pledge to YOU this day... on our ONE MONTH anniversary... to raise these girls to know nothing but your love and kindness! Lord, we pledge to teach them to live for you... love you and above all serve you in everything they do!

Thank you Lord... so very much for your amazing BLESSINGS on our family!

Dec. 3, 2010 - It's COLD!!!

Greetings from our chilly apartment. I don't know if you remember, but I mentioned the other day that it was the coldest temperature we thought we'd ever felt... well, I have to say that today was MUCH colder! The temperature/weather gadget on the side of my blog says it's -6F... The locals say it's -25-30 C today.... BRRRRRRR!!!!!!

It is VERY cold! We didn't get out today (except for the BH visit this morning) and just stayed in the apartment. My mom sent some chili mix/seasoning in the box yesterday so we were thrilled to make some chili that tasted like home. It was ok... but, still didn't taste the same. :( We were a little disappointed, but not at all surprised. It's very chilly in the apartment today. You can feel the cold air coming in around the windows, etc... and you can hardly feel any heat. We are ok... but, just chilly... not cold. (that's good!)...

We have most definitely experienced some cabin fever/homesickness today. We have came back to the apartment and cooked our meals here verses going out to lunch for the last several days. Going out is such a nice break and honestly much needed.. but, we are trying to be conservative as well as eat some of the wonderful things we've been sent. :)

Svetlana rode with us this morning to the bh and told us she had an appointment with our judge today and should have some info... it's 4:40 pm and we've not heard back from her. Thank you Lord for YOUR PERFECT TIMING! (that's all I'm saying about that! ;) ) Lord, We trust you!! :)

Bailey and Brooklyn (and Nana) went shopping and sent F and G gifts in the box we received yesterday. I was so excited to tell them... and they were SO thrilled to find out that Bay and Brook had sent them surprises.
Bay and Brook: the girls were THRILLED.... wait till you see the pictures! :) They already love you both so much... and they don't even know it!!! :)

Here we are giving them their purses with cards, jewelry, and animals. They were sitting in my lap waiting and SO excited! Symbat told them that we had a surprise for them... and that Bay, Brook, and Nana had sent them a special surprise in the mail!

OK... we were shocked by this... They LOVED the cards! They wanted us to read them OVER and OVER and OVER! They kept saying, "Bay and Brook... I love you!" I have to tell you that I cried while reading the cards to them... Bailey wrote them out and Brooklyn drew all kinds of pretty flowers, etc... They were the sweetest cards I've ever seen. They told F and G how much they love them, how excited they are for them to come home, how cute they are... and with lots of OXOXOXOXOXOX's at the bottom! Awe... pull at my heartstrings! Let me just tell you that F and G could feel the love... they were attached to these cards like you wouldn't believe! SO PRECIOUS! (Notice their faces... awe.. so sweet!)
15 minutes later... still reading and rereading their cards from their sisters... :)

30 minutes later... still reading and rereading them... and saying.. "Bay and Brook... I love you!"


They sat down at the same time.. :) and we snapped this picture... yep.. look what they are holding. Please keep in mind that they have the same HUGE bag of toys to select from today... but, NO WAY... our sisters and Nana sent us some mail!! Nothing sweeter than that!! :) They do have on their jewelry from Bay and Brook as well.
Grace took a picture of Faith and I... :)

Notice the card in her hand?! Grace was giving Bay, Brook, Nana, and Cody kisses.... and saying I love you.. and thanks for the stuff! :) She's pointing at their favorite picture in the book of Bailey. Bay is being Bay and was being silly and CHEESED really big. F and G point at that picture and say.. CHEESE BAY BAY! They love it!! :)

...and here Grace is touching Brook... awe.. I love you Brookie! :) Thanks for the stuff you sent me! I can't wait to play with you!

One hour and 30 minutes later.... STILL have the cards, purses, and animals... Notice Faith's legs... ;)

My Mom knows me well.. and she saw these toy little stuffed animals and one is a puppet. She and the girls sent a horse and then a cow that is a puppet. Nana knew we could have fun with a puppet... well, here is my attempt at a puppet show! ha ha! Papa was supposed to hold them in his lap... yeah.. great job Papa!!

We did have a GREAT time however hiding the horse (Jack - named for our pet donkey at home) and cow (Molly - named after Bailey's cow)! We hid our eyes and then took turns hiding Jack and Molly.. then we'd say... Jack, Molly... where are you? LOTS of laughter and GOOD English!!
...and 5 minutes until time to leave... there is poor Jack abandoned on the floor (top left of picture) and Molly (right by Grace's shoe).. and the cards win out again! Here's Grace...

... and here's Faith.. asking me once again to read it to her! :)

The puppy was 'getting' us! GREAT snuggling time!

I had to include this one.... look at all 3 of our faces! LOL!

I will end with this one... there is nothing sweeter than little girl smiles and giggles while playing with Papa!


P.S. I keep forgetting to answer ?'s about Phil's back and my throat. He has NO pain it's completely better! PTL and thanks for the prayers. I am still not feeling well. Throat is still scratchy/sore, but hanging in there. ;)

Dec 2, 2010 ~ some ramblings!

Well... I have bad news... The camera didn't work today when we got it out at the BH. I thought Phil recharged the batteries ~ He thought I recharged the batteries ~ Come to find out... NO ONE recharged the batteries! :) Well, you know... we have a pressing social schedule here and well, we just didn't have the time! LOL! Soooooooooooo, there are NO new pics of Faith and Grace to post today. I am truly sorry about this. Phil was laughing and said, "Oh well... you'll have to write more today... I'm SURE you can do it!" ha ha!

I do have a post brewing... so just read away!
First, let me start with Bay and Brook. Nana reports they are doing GREAT. :) We enjoy skyping with them every few days. My mom and Bay report that Brook won't pray out loud for us.. because when she does she SOBS... :( They are both doing good though... Bay is really worried and asks daily if we'll be home for Christmas. We've promised her that even if we aren't... we'll have Christmas when we get home! She's not so convinced that's ok.... ;) Please keep praying for them.... I know that all of you are.

The twins were good today. The caregiver told us today that Violetta (Faith) keeps forgetting her 'new' name and she will ask Stella (Grace), "What's my new name again?" Grace will frustratingly tell her, "It's FAITH... You are Faith. I am Grace!" The caregivers were laughing and said it's been SO cute and funny to listen and watch them!! :) They again told us what a difference they can see in both of them and that they are already changing so much.
Faith is really bonding to us VERY well... She is already playing the "ouch, I hurt my finger game"... and runs to us for attention, love, hugs, etc.. Grace is much more stand-off-ish. She is not nearly as loving and generous with her affection. She was better today... but, still has a definite wall up. It's amazing though the difference in them. Grace is not as affectionate, but remembers EVERYTHING we've ever told her. She retains words (in English) and remembers and repeats with NO prompting. She is signing quite a bit and speaking LOTS more English than Faith. She catches on to tasks and directions quicker. They are just so different, yet so alike. :) They definitely keep us guessing. Today when looking at the book we brought of our house, etc.... Grace turned to a page in the book and told Symbat, "Look, that's where Faith and I will sleep... that's our new room!" (in Russian) (It is pictures of the 'boy' room, but it is their room! Symbat explained that it will look differently, but that is correct... That is their room!)

I just see so many behaviors disappearing and changing right before our eyes! The miracles just continue!

Today is 6 weeks. 6 weeks ago this morning we said bye to our girls and left OKC airport! WOW! It has been an incredible 6 weeks.
I have so many things rolling around in my heart/head right now that my thoughts are most likely going to be scattered... (sorry about that!)...

We know that God has not brought us this far to leave us... we know that his promises are ALWAYS fulfilled and that his word will not return VOID! We know that he desired to see this very thing he's called us to do come to pass... we know that HIS plans are exactly what we need... and that honestly we don't know anything about what's best for us or our girls (all 4 of them).... We started this journey with NO money, no idea where to even begin, and nothing but FAITH and complete TRUST in our Lord and Savior. We took the biggest step of obedience that we've ever taken.... we risked it all and said, YES Lord! He has brought us SO very far... over 3 years... an amazing amount of memories... and over 7,000 miles!!!

For this very journey we are so thankful... I am thankful for the opportunity to live in a foreign country for 6 weeks... I mean honestly who gets such an opportunity? I am thankful for the amazing memories we've made. This is truly a chance of a lifetime and we are so thankful to have been given this awesome gift... (If you can't tell I (and the Lord) gave myself an attitude adjustment last night... via some bible reading and good prayer time!)
I realized that I was saying the 'right' things... but, down deep I was frustrated at the delays... the unknowns and the unanswered questions I have. I realized (through reading and prayer) last night that I was trying to shoulder it all... I was trying to figure it all out... (if we get a court date on such and such.... we will ________!) This is NOT my job.... This is NOT what God has for me right now... I need to just go back to the original plan and have PEACE and TRUST my Jesus... my Lord and my Savior!! He is always RIGHT on time... and perfect!!!

God knows all about everything.. from our finances, to both our jobs, to all 4 of our girls.... he knows the number of hairs they all 4 have on their heads..... why would I not trust him that he knows best in this situation?! Silly, foolish Lanetta! I realized last night that when I am trying to figure it out.. I am really saying... Lord, I don't completely TRUST you!

We received the sweetest package from the girls today. There were several notes inside, but this one struck a chord with my heart... It says, " Dear Mom and Dad, Thanks for being YOU and for following Jesus! I love you and miss you ~ love ~ peace ~ Bailey

Dear Lord I hope and pray that above all else our 4 girls know and see that we love and follow Jesus. Honestly, what else is there in life that we really need to teach our children? Why do we push so hard for material things for them... why do we (as a society) want them to be the most successful, best dressed, etc? We should want them to simply live their lives for Jesus! We should be teaching them daily to live for him in everything they do.... we should be showing them by example to love, speak peace, radiate kindness and attempt to be exactly like our risen savior. Dear Lord, help me.. help us all to be more like you...
Thank you Lord for your amazing peace, love and your amazing grace. We are in awe of you and desire that EVERYTHING we do is for you!!! WE TRUST YOU, LORD!

Just wanted to hit some of my favorite memories so far:
If not for this amazing journey.... I would not have experienced the following:

• seeing Phil fall out the orphanage door and today up the steps at the post office... hee hee! Just a warning... if you are thinking of building a building.... just FYI.. don't make your steps out of MARBLE... it gets really slick in the winter! hummmm....
• gazing across the crowded elevator and locking eyes with my gorgeous hubby... ;) it's romance baby.... (I won't mention the 15 smelly people between us... or the sheer look of terror on Phil's face!) ;)
• realizing that it's not a good idea to take your vitamins on an empty stomach while rushing out the apartment door on your way to the bh... the mixture of boiled liver, cabbage, fish, and crawdad smell that you smell at the baby house will make you VERY nauseated... VERY VERY nauseated... for the entire 2 hour visit.... (yes, very smart Lanetta.. very smart)
• Answering the apartment phone and hearing my brothers voice.. saying HELLO! :)
• Skyping with Bay and Brook when the postal carrier happens to bring the package we sent them from HERE to the door... (yes, truly a God thing!) We got to see their faces and watch them open it!!
• Hearing Faith and Grace say, "I love you too!" (in English)
• Knowing that you are EXACTLY, TOTALLY, and COMPLETELY in God's perfect will for your family!
• Cuddling on the futon and watching movies with my sexy hubby!
• Brown/yellow water - fun times!
• No water...
• No electricity for HOURS on end... :)
• THE MEAT MARKET!
• Crunchy clothes everyday (there are NO dyers here ~ honestly we are getting used to this!)
• Locking eyes with Phil across the twins head on Nov. 4. 2010 and both KNOWING instantly that we were meeting our daughters! The look on his face was so sweet... pure love and Jesus! I seem to remember similar looks on his face 2 other times... Once on Feb. 13, 2001 and then one other time on May 9th, 2005!
• The INCREDILBE miracle that occured on the night of Nov. 4th, 2010!!!! God said YES and provided!!!!
• Just being here with Phil! I am so honored to be on this journey with him. He is such a blessing to me. In June 2011 we'll celebrate our 15th anniversary! I can't wait to celebrate 50 more with you Phil... I love you!

I could go on for hours... I mean.. we've been here 6 weeks... the list of memories is LONG!!! I will save you the boring reading and stop... and the batteries are on charge for tomorrow... so there should be some pictures.. and less of my thoughts... ;)

Have a WONDERFUL Thursday!

Paka from Pavlodar, Kazakhstan!

Dec. 1, 2010 - Update!

The caregiver came out of the play room with the girls with HUGE smiles asking us what we were naming the girls. Symbat told her, Grace and Faith. She starts laughing and says that the girls have been calling each other Grace and Faith and telling others that their names are now Grace and Faith! She said they are even saying their names with exact American accents! :) She was all smiles and thought it was very sweet that they wanted to use their new names. We were very happy to hear this.

Here's a picture of Grace and Mama!

Papa and Grace! Oh.. I forgot to mention the fact that Phil had to shave... His trimmer has stopped working.. we even bought one here, but it's already broken... so he decided to just shave it all off and let it grow back! Those who know him well know that this does not happen very often... and we were a little worried what the twins would think. They both noticed right away when running to him for hello hugs on Monday morning.. but, after touching his face and kissing him initially, they haven't seemed to notice again! :) The timing wasn't very good.. his face is FREEZING! lol!

Faith and I decided to build a house out of the blocks. She was so excited and we pretended we were going to surprise Papa and Grace when we got it built! :)

Here we are in the 'house'! She loved this... today was by far the best day we've EVER had with Faith. She played, talked, laughed, hugged, asked ?'s.... it was an amazing day with her.

Here we have the babies in the house. They started crying and we had to go and get them.. :) She thought this was the coolest thing ever.... Bay and Brook she's going to LOVE building tents with us!!! There are some fun times ahead with your little sisters!!

Symbat took this picture of her inside... Symbat is looking in one of our windows! Papa is in there with her now.... honestly, she likes playing in there with Papa more than Mama!

We finally convinced Grace to try it... she would go inside for a few minutes, but then run back out saying NYET! Grace was not herself today... it worries me a lot. She did not want to play with us hardly at all. She told Symbat she just wanted to play alone without anyone... :( She felt warm to me... (but, I didn't say anything)... I really think she wasn't feeling well. Makes me so sad.

Upon exiting the house one time... Grace stood up and BARRELLED out of there in pure GRACE fashion... and knocked it completely down... this is the look she got from her sister... (hee hee!).... and a "NYET GRACE... NYET!!! and a BE SOFT (in English)!

We reassured her to not worry... that we could fix it ever bigger and better than before! Go Mama Go!!! This one is even bigger. Papa and Faith both could lay down in here!! :)
Notice Papa's fixing the baby's hat? ;) oh.. and she quickly started say... Papa, Papa... PLEASE come in! (in English) ;) and "Papa, Where are you?" (in English)

I just let Papa and Faith play and followed Grace around... she seemed so down in the dumps. Symbat thinks she might have been jealous... I sure hope not.. but, who knows. I loved on her and tried to explain to her that we wanted to play with her too.

We did find out that Svetlana does know which judge we've been assigned, but we have no other news regarding the date, etc. They are saying that we should find out any day... continuing to wait and know that God's plan is so much better than ours! :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Nov. 30, 2010 - Update!

Well.. goodbye to the month of November. Wow.. what an incredible month!

Still no court date... still waiting.
It's 6:40 pm on Tuesday evening here. The coldest day we've had yet... around -27 C. (around 7 F)... the wind was blowing probably around 30 mph..(this is our guess.. no idea.. maybe harder).. It was/is BITTER COLD... it's snowed overnight about 2-4 inches. The snow was blowing all over the place... due to the wind. It was miserable to walk anywhere. Phil and I both think it's the coldest we've ever felt! Symbat and the staff say this is just the beginning. We can hardly wait... however it will prove for great stories to tell our grand kids one day... ;)

Faith was with the nurse when we arrived, so we took Grace with us to the PE room to play. The caregiver gave her Faith's little jacket which she CLUNG to for dear life. It was obvious that something was wrong with Grace as we were walking to the room, but she wouldn't say anything. Phil realized when we were about to the door that she was dragging Faith's jacket on the floor. He took the jacket from her and folded it nicely so she could hold it without dragging it. She starts to whimper and next thing you know she's REALLY upset. Of course Papa picks her up and takes advantage of the moment to love on her... she starts crying (ONE single tear went down her left cheek!!!).... she tells Symbat that she wants Faith to come with us too. :) AWE... they do love each other... ha ha! Symbat is explaining that she is coming in a minute and all is better when Faith arrives. It was a great moment.. and I was never so happy to see her cry too. (the other time it's only been Faith) Grace CLUNG to Papa and whimpered... yeah for small things!
There's nothing much else to share... we are hanging in there. Thanks for the sweet comments, FB messages, prayers and emails.. We love every single one of you.

The look on Papa's face here is priceless.. no idea what Grace had done.. but, you just never know with these two!

Nov. 29, 2010 - Update!

I had to include a couple of pics that Phil took of the girls (and Nana) while Skyping this past weekend. We miss them SO very much! I don't know how we'd have survived this without Skype. :) Thank you Lord for Skype!

Here's Bay... quite the poser! Bay we love you and miss you So much!! We're so proud of you. We've received so many emails about what a BRAVE and WONDERFUL big sister you are being to Brook... and how wonderful you've been in helping Nana. We love you babygirl.. and remember that Jesus picked YOU to have 3 little sisters... He knows exactly how special you are!!! :) AWE.... Look at that smile!! Brookie, Man o man... we sure miss you! I have to tell you that when I sing our song... "I love you SO much..." with Faith and Grace... I think of you too! ;) I can't wait till we are all in the recliner... rocking and hugging and singing it together! You'll have to teach the little sisters when their parts are... :) Only you know that part!! Daddy and I love you and miss you so much! Thanks for being so brave, sweet, and kind! We love you and can't wait to see you soon! We are so proud of you too! You are going to be a wonderful Big sister too!!! The girls were so excited to see what I had in the 'clothes' sack... however, Phil and I both had a BAD feeling about letting them try to clothes on today. We don't know the details, but one of the Dr's and Symbat had a LONG conversation when we picked the girls up... it was obvious that they were NOT happy about something. Symbat REFUSED to tell us.. :( She said they asked her to NOT tell us... Let me just tell you that this is all getting SO old... We are trying SO very hard to abide by their EVERY single rule and request... only to feel like we are the 'bad' guys... We miss home...Bay and Brook... we've been off without pay for weeks.... We need to be able to tell our jobs SOMETHING... we need to know SOMETHING! We are being told nothing... we still don't know a court date... They are still 'waiting' on the date from the judge... HUGE SIGH!!!

If you don't mind... PLEASE turn up the prayers a notch... thanks! :)

Oh... and I am NOT feeling well at all.. VERY sore throat and feverish.. achy all over. We had no electric AGAIN (for the 3rd time) for about 15 hours (all night Sat. night and all day yesterday)... Most of our food ruined... :(

...and one more downer... the little girl and boy mentioned in Saturday's post.. well, today it was obvious that they were SCOLDED badly about hugging me... they wouldn't look at us.. and it was SO obvious they got into trouble... BREAKS my heart straight into and makes me so FURIOUS at the same time that I could scream... :(

I keep telling Phil when things are frustrating that we are NOT in America... Maybe I need to remind myself as well...

Ok... enough negative stuff... Just know that in spite of all that... we KNOW God's timing is indeed EXACTLY perfect... we know we are still in his perfect will.. and continue to trust 150% in him!!!

... so the girls were VERY disappointed and sad about not getting to try on clothes... and pouted.. however, when Papa showed them their new tennis shoes.. they were thrilled. We really messed up on guessing their size by measuring them. Faith could wear a size 5 in these and Grace a 6! They were HUGE! They didn't mind.. they were thrilled.. and looked at them and touched their shoes the entire 2 hours.

Some pictures from today!

Grace fell off and went to play something else. Faith LOVED it!! It was SO funny when Papa made horse sounds!! ;)

I will post more if we receive any word about a court date this afternoon. It's 2:30 in the afternoon here... rainy and cloudy. I think that maybe I'm going to beat Phil at a game of Skip-Bo!!! :) Have a good Monday!

Love and prayers from Kazakhstan!