we finally made it...

Praise God that, despite a number of obstacles, we are finally moved in to our new home in Kansas City! Oh friends, it has been a journey that would fill the pages of an entire book. But for now, suffice it to say that, through it all, our God has been faithful. He is good all the time and we are so grateful for His amazing love.

 

The week of our move, I got a call from my mom, letting me know that my dad had passed away that morning. I am so grateful that I was able to go to my father's funeral, while David's parents traveled with my family to Kansas City. It was incredibly hard to leave my mom just three days later, but the kids (and David, with his one working hand) needed me to be with them, and I knew that it was time to join them in Kansas City. My emotions are just too raw to write much more at this point, but I'd greatly appreciate prayers for my mom. She misses my dad so much.

 

It was almost surreal to get off that plane in Kansas City and join my family there. God had been preparing our hearts for this move for a long time, so to have finally made it was truly incredible.

 

Our new home is in the urban core of Kansas City and is full of contrasts. We live in the city, but have an acre of land, which has an amazing garden, fruit trees and tons of rasberries.

 

Those of you who know me on facebook will also know that we have chickens!

 

And oh boy! Have those chickens been a hit!

 

 

Our yard is perfect for visitors. The Costigans visit frequently, and we've already had a couple of neighborhood kids over to play football, etc.

There are so many lovely houses in our neighborhood.

 

But there a number of abandoned ones, as well. This one, that is right next door to us, started on fire yesterday. From what I understand, that moves it to the top of the demolition list...yay!

 



 

We have experienced such peace since arriving here, in Kansas City. Oddly enough, this neighborhood of contrasts is just what our hearts have been longing for.

 

We finally made it...we are home.

 

Sweet, silly, Jesus-lovin' kind of girls...

For Yana's 16th birthday, she wanted to do a little photo shoot with some of her friends.

So we headed out to the University Gardens and these young ladies got ready to pose!

We laughed so hard...

and had so much fun!

And the best thing is...

these girls are not only beautiful on the outside.

They're all beautiful on the inside, as well.

sweet

thoughtful

sometimes silly

Jesus-lovin' kind of gals.

Thanks ladies,

for being exactly who you are,

and for making Yana's birthday photo-shoot a smashing success!

all things

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Yesterday, while I was in my room, packing up some boxes, I heard a very loud cry, "Jesus!"

Now those of you who know my husband will know that every once in awhile, he simply shouts out a word of praise. For a brief moment, I thought that's what was happening. But, when the cries began sounding more desperate, I realized that something was terribly wrong.

I ran upstairs and out the front door. David saw me and shouted, "My fingers! You need to take me to the hospital!"

Immediately, I loudly called for Adam to come and take care of Grace, Kaikai, Jadon and their friend, Elijah. Then we jumped into the car and raced off to the E.R.

David had been using the table saw and had cut through one of his fingers and had gashed another (I won't share the gruesome picture that we later took of this for our newly graduated nurse friend, Bryan). For the entire ten minute ride to the E.R., we entreated our Lord to show mercy and to heal David's hand.

God answered that prayer (and the many prayers of those of you whom Lily updated through f/b...thank you again, dear ones!).

What we thought could be devastating to David's livelihood (he's a carpenter) and life, ended up simply being a painful glitch in what has become too much busy-ness in our lives. David's finger, though barely attached, still had blood flowing and the E.R. tech was able to sew the tissue back together. The hand specialist who saw David's x-rays said that he was confident that the finger could be saved!

What mercy!

And though David cannot work for at least a month (and cannot lift anything heavy during that time, even though we're moving), we believe that it will be a wonderful opportuity to see God do miraculous things! Our God promises that He works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him, and we know that His promises are absolutely fullproof. We're already looking forward to more time to pray and more time together (and with others) as we adjust to our new home in Kansas City.

I can't wait to share all that God does through this time! He just loves to do the miraculous and we have complete confidence that we will continue to see Him do just that.

blessed by love and by the prayers of His people...

There is so much more that I'd like to share regarding our move to Kansas City. It doesn't seem like there are enough hours in the day to write down everything that I would like to say (and still attend to my children, and pack, and eat and sleep...). But, let me at least say...our God has brought about many miracles in order for this move to happen, and we are in awe of Him.

In one of my posts regarding our move, I mentioned that we are going to Kansas City under a church-planting, supporting and sending ministry called The Rock Tribe. This past Thursday and Friday, we were blessed to be a part of The Rock Tribe's Tribal gathering in Wyoming.

The whole conference was wonderful (and I'll try to post more pictures of it soon), but Thursday night was simply amazing.

The evening started out with an awesome time of praise and worship and then a talk by Andy Taylor. This man has experienced the Father's heart in deep ways. The revelation that Andy shared brought me to tears. Truly, this is what the Church needs...to experience the love of the Father and to understand our call as a family of God.

After the talk, Rock Tribe leader, Tim Johns, shared about what we will be doing in Kansas City. Tim, and his wife, Janet, were the ones who were instrumental in starting the original church in Kansas City (which we will be re-starting, fresh and new!). Tim, Janet and others, have been praying for God to make a way for the church to be re-built in the city...God is out-doing Himself with all of the miracles that have come about to make this happen!

The woman in this picture (who is hugging Lily) has been in Kansas City for many years. She is an amazing lady and such a blessing!

Here's the team (minus the faithful, faithful families who are already in Kansas City).

After Tim shared about what God is doing, he invited everyone to pray for our families and for the church in Kansas City. I don't think that I can adequately express how amazing this time of prayer was. God was present, pouring out His incredible love and kindness through these people. We were particularly encouraged that the Crosland family was there to support us, as well as our friends, Mark and Cindy. We can hardly believe how blessed we are! It brings tears to my eyes even to write this.

Father, thank you for Your incredible love. Thank you for making a way, when there was no way. Thank you for leading and guiding us. May it be to Your glory and may Your name be glorified in all the earth!

sweet

sixteen

 

 

And a father/daughter date.

David and Yana are going out for dinner and then swing dancing.

 

oh my

 

She's growing up!

Spread more love!!!

My friend, Kristen, recently adopted a beautiful little girl from India. Her name is Munni and she has been a precious gift to her mama. Kristen and Munni have been having so much fun together, that they have decided to add another little blessing to their family! Soon Munni will have a new little Indian sister. This little girl had a rough start to her life, but I'm quite sure that she will thrive with a mama and sister who love her dearly.

As you probably know, international adoption is expensive (especially if you're starting a second adoption just a few months after your first adoption!). To help with the cost, Kristen has a fabulous fundraiser going on now. Check out this great tee!

You can order this design (from Mother Teresa's quote, "Spread more love, everywhere you go.") in a t-shirt, a long sleeved t-shirt or a hoodie.

Click here if you'd like to order a shirt (or two!) and help bring Kristen and Munni's sweet new daughter/sister home!

Absolutely, without-a-doubt, the hardest part about moving....

 

Oh, my friend, I miss you so much already.

What am I going to do without you??!!