Living in Uncertainty

My Sweet friend LeeAnn sent me the following devotional from Oswald Chambers this morning.  It couldn't have been more perfect timing!  We are praying for a court date/travel details this week. So many things hinge on the timing of this trip- Jay getting coverage for all of his patients/hospital service, resident education responsibilities,  Jay's 40th Birthday celebration (which includes Jim too and their families schedule), kids activities, family needing to come babysit the other 4 kiddos, Elizabeth's homework/finals schedule (she is coming with us), our Adoption Garage Sale Fundraiser details etc. etc. etc. I am unable to make any of these decisions and plans until we hear a date.  We are plunked right in to the center of this season of uncertainty.  And yet- we KNOW Him- the one who is certain!  He is into the details- He knows what tomorrow will bring.  We are choosing to leave everything to Him and rest in the knowledge that He loves us and is so good!  Ultimately- to trust Him!  Please pray for us as this is much easier said than done ;0)--but that is the nature of this awesome faith journey.  Choosing to trust and rest over and over and over again- in Him!  The ONE WHO IS CERTAIN!  

 " Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life—gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God—it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little children . . .” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “. . . believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him."  Oswald Chambers

Switching to a Private blog for adoption journey

Hey all- we wanted to turn our public blog into a private one so that we can blog about our trips to Ghana and adoption process.  More to come- hopefully very soon!

Snippets of Summer 2012

MMMM. . . Roscoe's

Nothing says summer like eating outside at Roscoe's BBQ! 

 We had such a good time just hanging out having BBQ and lots of french fries- the kids thought dad was totally awesome for splurging on us all.  Ashley and Andrew had a ball riding all the metal farm animals- oh my.

Raspberry Picking in the Woods

 Evidence of our hard work- red fingers, scratched up arms and legs and tummies full of berries.

 Emily was a wild bear - for a long time!! Spunky girl drove us all crazy with her growling and stomping around- she is definitely an original!!!

 The finished product- Jay made 2 kinds of Jam- Freezer Jam and Cooked- Both YUMMY but our favorite is the cooked by far.

Emily turns 13!!

 we had a camp out birthday bash at our house with a bunch of Emily's friends.  They made jewelry and ate s'mores snack mix and did paper bag dramas.  So Fun!!

 Emily is one of those crazy cats who doesn't like traditional birthday cake- so we had yummy cheesecake.

 My beautiful girl- she is all grown up- she has matured into such an amazing girl who loves the Lord, loves to sing and play volleyball and now she towers over her mom at 5'7" and growing!  I am so proud of the young lady she is and the woman she is becoming!!

 It wouldn't be a Homme Clan birthday without breakfast in bed- yes- even in a tent filled with sleepy friends- after staying up WAY TOO LATE giggling and - um- sharing too much- and giggling a lot more- and keeping her mom awake!! Until past 3am.  Yawn!  She picked her favorite- Egg Casserole.

ANDREW TURNS 4!!!  YES!!

                                       

 Andrew and a bunch of his buddies- he LOVES his friends!

 These dimples - and that adorable smile- how cute can you get?!

 Andrew LOVES green too- and he wanted a green car cake- racing down the track.

 More goodies- in case the cake wasn't enough :0)

 Cheese Mommy!

 Jonas Tilburt being a silly head

 Our adorable Ash

 So cute-  Henry Tilburt and Evin Shanafelt

 Miss Kennedy Shanafelt

 Best Buddy and cousin- Spunky Sarah!

 Happy 4th Birthday buddy- it couldn't come soon enough for Mommy- who was VERY ready to be done with tantrums and the whole 2 and 3 year old power struggles. (4 year old ones are much better- trust me- I've done it a time or two :0) )  It is a very good thing you are SO adorable and loving and a great post tantrum hugger- that's all I'm saying.

 Andrew's buddy Micah Ekbom

 Surrounded by friends and presents- a slice of heaven for our Doodie

 Em- enjoying some Megan time

Sweet cousin Natalie 

MN Zoo- Homme Summer

 My girls-getting so old!And so beautiful!  Here we are looking at all the butterflies.

 Liz with her buddy Natalie- watching the dolphin show.  We gave everyone a buddy to hang with.  How else to keep track of our crew!

 Andrew and Sarah were buddies of course! Double Trouble! This stroller was the best $7 we have spent in a long time!

 Savannah showing off her shades.

 Little Miss Megan- so sweet!

 Daddy and Andy- watching the bird show.

 Love and Smiles

 More Love and Smiles

 Jack had a butterfly land on him- so cool!

Sweet girls Liz and Nat and Meg

 Peter and Veronica- enjoying the bird show.  V loved the music!

 The star of the show- the bald eagle

 Ashley at the Cheetah habitat

 Yeah for Megan's smiles!!

 Very Cute Emily

 Piglets on the farm

 Serena and Savannah- Savannah liked the pigs!

 As many Homme's as we can cram in the farm!  

 Love It!

 Almost Elizabeth - a few more months still before you drive!

 Emily's turn.

 "Mom- look at the huge egg!"

 Our beautiful 7 year olds Katie and Ashley

 As we walked by this picture - Andrew said- "mom look- there's me with my birthday cake!"

I love my boys!!  Justin and Andy are loving the dolphins

 Finally!  Emily got to see her precious tortoises

The whole Zoo Crew (minus the photographer)- WOW- that's a lot of Hommes!!

From going on the coldest day of the year to possibly the hottest day of the year- we've had a fun time exploring the MN Zoo and look forward to going back soon!