Ketchup for Africa

Images of Africa have been appearing again in my everyday life.  I love that God gives me these little reminders.  He reminds me that my is calling is still strong.  He reminds me that even when I don't feel like anything is happening, that He is still working.  He is preparing me for how He wants to use Beyond Survival this year.  

Really, when I share these next few pictures, you are going to see how random these are.  I could not manufacture these if I wanted to.  That is what I love about God.  I will share the story of each one.

I was making dinner recently.  I had drained the grease from the hamburger meat and set it aside.  When I came back after dinner to do the dishes, this is what I found:

 We had tacos last week.  I made Spanish rice to go along with them.  I took a spoon of rice and plopped it on Sam's plate(I know it is Sam's because it is orange.  We have color coded system going on around here!)  When I looked down at it, this is what I saw:

 On Sunday, this was on my desk:

I love how Sam saw this, thought of me and made the effort to bring it to my attention.  He even added Madagascar to make it authentic.

I am thinking a lot about Africa this week because we are at the 4-year mark of bringing Isaiah and Laila home.  On one hand, I can't imagine my life without them.  On the other hand, it seems like just yesterday that we met them.  I will never forget that day.  The memories are etched in my mind.  Here are a couple of pics:

The day I met my son

 The day I met my baby girl

 Rick and Isaiah meeting.  

(If you look carefully in the background, you will see Laila all sprawled out being fed in the pink outfit)

These two have a special bond.  I know that Cody's time with us in Africa played a big part in that.

 Rick meeting Laila

Oh, my goodness.  I just want to eat those little lips!

 Our kids waiting for us at the airport.

We had been gone for 5 weeks

 Brother and sister meeting.

LOVE THIS PIC!!

 Our Welcome Home Crew!!

Today, Isaiah and I were talking about celebrating his adoption.  He said, "When I grow up, I am going to give food, water, TVs and ketchup to all of Swaziland."  We know where his priorities are.

I love them with all my heart.  I would not trade this experience for ANYTHING!!  I feel so blessed to be their mom.  I pray every day for the wisdom to raise them with the love and guidance they need to minister to the broken places in their hearts.  Here is to many more years as a family!!