Shepherd Boy-

While talking with a precious friend this week on the trials that our family is going through adjusting to these two new kids, she reminded me about the story of Jesse in the Bible and how others didn't see his potential, but God did-he would become a King. It can be like this with our adopted children, she reminded me...."We may have hard times with them now, and a long road ahead, but God knows the outcome and he knows their potential". Priceless words that have really stuck with me.

Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?”  And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.
”But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.”  Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” ¹And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.”
Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.”
And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.”  And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. ~ I Samuel 16:4-13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcC8JMKTyrs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcC8JMKTyrs

CHRISTMAS 2012- HAILE AND BETHLEHEM'S FIRST CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA!

 WANTED TO SHARE SOME PICTURES FROM OUR CHRISTMAS.  WE HAD THREE ALL TOGETHER-THE FIRST AT ADAM'S PARENTS HOUSE AND THEN CHRISTMAS EVE WITH AMBER'S PARENTS AND CHRISTMAS DAY AT OUR HOUSE.  WE REALLY TRIED TO KEEP THE FOCUS ON JESUS THIS YEAR AND IT WENT PRETTY WELL.  THE KIDS STILL GOT GIFTS FROM US (THREE EACH) AND THEN THEY GOT PLENTY OF GIFTS FROM GRANDPARENTS, SO THEY WERE NOT MISSING OUT! :-)  WE DID ADVENT ALL MONTH FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR AND IT WAS REALLY NICE.  WE JUST HAD NEVER DONE IT BEFORE AND SO IT WAS A GREAT NEW TRADITION.  WE DIDN'T FIND ONE WE LOVE YET, BUT WE HAVE LOOKED INTO A COUPLE OTHERS FOR NEXT YEAR.  HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS-THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE LOVE AND SUPPORT FOR OUR FAMILY THIS PAST YEAR!  WE LOVE YOU ALL!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!