When Being An Expat Is Really Hard....

I have had a bad blogging month, but I will try again anyway. Tonight has been a really hard night for my expat friends. I have one friend, from the States, who just found out that her mom has cancer and maybe a year to live. Then I have another friend, from England, who just found out that her biological mom died on April 11th and the funeral is tomorrow, in England, of course. These are the times that it is so difficult to be an expat. There is just no "popping" home to be with your grieving family. Sometimes, no closure for ourselves. In both these cases these ladies could use your prayers. Please lift them up to Jesus, even without knowing their names.

These nights make me think about my own life also. At any moment we could get one of those phone calls. How do we deal with it? How does anyone deal with it really? One little phone call to change your whole life. All this to say, if you need to call your family to tell them that you love them, do it! If you need to forgive someone, do it now, you may not have tomorrow. Lastly, if you need to tell someone about Jesus, just do it before it is too late for all involved. Jesus, please help the grief and sadness of all that suffer.

So to all my family and friends, I will tell you now that I miss you dearly, love you greatly, and lift you to Jesus.

On a slightly lighter note.... Samuel was invited to a birthday party the other day and I have some pictures below of that party. Sam had a lot of fun, but was bummed because I wouldn't let him go upstairs to raid the little boys room while all the others played downstairs. I didn't realize it until I was looking at these pics, but Sam was the only other boy at the party besides Ian (birthday boy). Actually this was one of those parties that the parents were just suppose to drop the kids off and leave, but it was a long drive for me and the mom is a good friend of mine, so I stayed. Apparently, Ian (birthday boy) told his mom the next day that he was mad that so many parents stayed and that they needed to leave next year. I thought that was pretty funny for a 4 year old to say. So, Ian, I am sorry, next time I'll find something else to do.

They played spin the bottle to see which order the gifts would be opened, very cute idea. In the picture is Dag (birthday boys' dad) and Kristeen (birthday boys' mom). Ian is to the left side of his mom and Sam is next to him.

This is a great idea for all you moms. Instead of doing party favors that no one really likes, do this. It was great fun to plant with Sam and he is looking forward to seeing it grow.

Cupcake time

Kristeen is a pre-school teacher and it shows. She does so well with all these kids. I love watching her do silly little things that make it so fun for the kids.

This is Sam playing with Elle. Look at that cheesy grin on his little face. He is getting too use to mommy taking pictures of him.

Quick adoption update:

Frustration, frustration, frustration! I am sure all of you adoptive parents understand what I am talking about. Just little things really and translations. However, hopefully all the paperwork will be out of my hands and headed for Nepal sometime at the end of the week. And then the update will be...waiting, waiting, waiting! I pray for all of you that are waiting! Take heart and know that the moment they hand you your precious child all of this will disappear!

God Bless,

Laurie