It has been 3 years since we were in Africa helping Joy In the Harvest out with whatever God put in front of us. Needless to say I am ready to go back. In the past 3 years a lot has happened with my husband and I. We reached our goal and then some for the nets that we were buying for the orphanages, the homeless, and for the needy. To know that when I do leave this earth and know that I did make a difference in someone's life, puts a smile to my face. When we went to Africa we put aside an important decision in our lives. We were not going to try for a baby. When we came back, we decided to try again. We were not successful. We even went through the process of Adoption. We went through a Lawyer and she later on told us to put our names on other lists, the process wasn't going as well as she had hoped. So we went to Indy and talked with an agency down there. They were very nice and very supportive. On our way down we had talked about fertility. We also brought that up to the Agency and they encouraged us to try it. We didn't do it before, because it was me that was against it. I had heard all the horror stories and I didn't want to go through it. I was just feeling better with not having any anxiety attacks and my depression wasn't as bad. So there was no way I was going to go through that and put me back into that cycle again. Well we had talked with some friends that were going through fertility and the more we talked about it, we thought why not? So we tried fertility. That didn't work for us either. Last year I went to church and I went to the alter. I knelt down and I told God that everything that I have to offer, all that I am, and all that you want me to be is in your hands. He knows my desires, and my dreams and they are his. He knows how much I want to be a mother someday, but that is his to have as well. As I was kneeling down, I felt someone put their arm under mine and she asked me "What can I pray with you about?" Then another arm was around my shoulder. I had told these two women what I had done and what I had longed for. They held me, prayed for me and they comforted me. We also prayed for my husband and our marriage. I am so grateful that God brought these two women to be with me at that time. I know there are a lot of women that have been in my shoes and have actually gone farther then we have. I also know that miracles happen everyday. I do pray, and hope that I will be able to tell you a miracle story too. This process wasn't only stressful for me, but it was for my husband. He is hurting just as much as I am if not more, because of being a man. A man that is to provide for their family. I am still blessed to have him in my life. We may not have a baby now, but we do have 3 four legged kids that we truly love. Oh and yes, they are a huge part of our family. So in a way the more I think about it, I am a Mom. I am a Mom to Lacie, Minnie, and Buddy. They put smiles on our faces all the time and they love to see us when we get home. They love us unconditionally and they are great listeners. :) My desire to have a baby is still there, and I really do believe our baby is out there somewhere ready to come home. :)
Other things have happened since we left Africa. We just recently bought a house in my home town. We are LOVING our new house. It is a ranch style house and it fits us very well. We have our old house up for sale and we are praying that someone will snatch it up and be blessed in it as much as we have been. Last October, we celebrated our 10 year anniversary. We flew out to Arizona and we saw the Grand Canyon, we walked through Antelope Canyon, and we saw some other beautiful scenery. Needless to say we would like to go back. In March we went with my husbands work and we went skiing in Michigan. I took a lesson and I can tell you now, I know how to ski. LOL
