Watch Out World

I can't believe it...where did the time go?  Sam has officially turned 8 years old.  I can still see that tiny boy I so longed for in the big boy I now have.  So I feel a need to record what he is like now because it goes so quickly.  

Samuel is:  strong in character and body, amazingly smart (3 languages folks), handsome (mommy is worried about the future), hyper at times, heart of gold, likes to debate with his parents (not a good sign for the teenage years), wears his emotions on his sleeve, has amazing theology, comes up with amazing insights and then wants to talk about cars in the same instance, trying so hard to figure out this brother thing (and really does love his brother), loving (even when mommy is crabby), hungry all the time, scatterbrained at times, the best 8 year old dancer I have ever seen (amazingly, I have seen many), a boy with rhythm, a math lover, someone who can push my buttons more than most, the most amazingly adaptable child, a good friend to people, and a child who really does want to please God.  

Watch out girls

 What is happening in Samuel's life right now?
Samuel and I are reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory together.  He has just started 3rd grade in Norway and is doing amazingly well with the language and getting new friends.  He is starting to sound Norwegian (something I never thought this momma would say).  Samuel can name sports cars by looking at them (when I have no clue).  He is thrilled to bike to school or go to the skate park.  He talks about and prays about the orphanage that we will be starting Nepal at least once everyday.

The party at Grebbestad with Farmor and Farfar this past weekend

Sam still sucks his thumb and plays with his hair when he is really tired...not so often, but still.  We have seen it a little more with the beginning of school.  I was thrilled to catch the picture below when the boys were watching a movie.

Andreas and I are continually blessed by this amazing child.  Of course he pushes the limits and can drive me insane at times, but the truth is I wouldn't want life without him.

Acting Cool!

The other day I was putting Sam to bed and he said, ''Mommy, I'm so glad that you and Daddy are my parents and I don't want to return you.''  (I will be reminding him of this when he is a teenager!)

Sam,
You are my wonderful boy.  I am so proud of you and adore you.  You drive me insane sometimes, and I am sure you feel the same about me sometimes.  I know I expect a lot from you, but you can do it.  I praise God everyday that you are my son.  You show me Jesus in so many ways and show me my shortcomings also.  I will continue to ask God for strength to be a better mom, and to always show you how amazing you are.

I love you,
Mommy

Wondering?

Okay, so I have had friends asking and guessing and many of you are right about what is happening.

No, we are not adopting again...yet...yes, I did say yet.

No, we are not moving again.

No, I am still not getting a job...yet (well, I would say a stay home mom is a full time job...)

YES, we are finally making solid plans and framing out our journey to start and run an orphanage and school in Nepal!  Can I get a big YEAH!!!!!?

Many years back the Lord placed in my heart a desire to build an orphanage...but not just any orphanage.  It will be family style.  We will be searching out Christian couples that wish to dedicate their lives to these children (looking for Nepali couples, but may include other nationalities as well).  It will be like foster care (which isn't allowed in Nepal), but in a compound that (in my dreams) includes several houses to house the Family Units, a school (for the whole community), and many other classrooms for adult education and ''others'' that simply need a place to live and would like to help out.

Why family style you ask...?  Well, I love children and orphans in particular.  My heart always cries for those children that will never get adopted for one reason or the other.  They will never get a chance to experience what a family feels like, looks like, acts like.  Even in adulthood they will never have sounding boards in the parents that so many of us have.  So I wish to give them this.  Not only that anchor of Christ, but a place that they can come back to and feel ''at home''.  If we can show these children what a stable family looks like and acts like then they can go on to build their own families without having to figure out how to do it on their own.

Even though the orphanage will be great, I believe that the school section will make more of an impact in the community.  However, we will take it all one child at a time and trust that the dream the Lord put in me so many years ago will come to fruition.  It really isn't my plan, it was given to me and I must see it through.


'' And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for .  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.'' Luke 11:9-10

''The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life'' John 4:14

'' A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers.  For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then it comes to an obstacle.  And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle.  Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever.  Do you see God using the lives of others, but an obstacle has come into your life and you do not seem to be of any use to God?  Then keep paying attention to the Source and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it.  The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles.  Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty.'' 
(Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest)

The projected date for our first trip is February 2013.  Please pray with us that we follow ''the Source'' and not our own fantasies of what we think we can do.  

Blessings,
Laurie