Working on Updates

We are currently working on updating our blog. God is moving in our lives daily and there is so much to share.

We've been trying to keep up with our blog but so much as happened over the past few months that we have not had time to complete our entries and publish them.

Please check back over the next week. Our goal is to have everything updated by August 1, 2008.

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. Hebrews 6:11

Blessings,
Don and Elizabeth

Two More Exchange Students

We are hosting two exchange students again this year. Enzo is from France and Willy is from Taiwan. They arrived last night and are very tired but looking forward to an interesting three weeks with an American family.
We really enjoy having exchange students every year. It seems to be a way for us to give of ourselves to others. In addition, this year, they will be a great distraction for us as we wait for our paperwork to be apostilled. After this summer, we will have hosted six students. We have had students from China, Spain, France, Russia, and Taiwan.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Getting Closer to Bringing Home our Little Girl

Our final documents have been notarized and are ready to be sent to the State of Florida for apostilling. We are absolutely giddy today! In June we sent some documents so this time we only have 22 documents to apostille but it seems like a lot more and it seems it has taken forever to get them all together!

Once these papers are apostilled, we will send them to our agency and then our dossier will go to Russia!

I feel the Happy Dance coming on!

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25

Limbering up for the Happy Dance,

Elizabeth

Independence Day, Patriotism, and Freedom

Isn't this a great picture - I took it at Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Wonderful fireworks this year!

• I'm not sure when it began but for as long as I remember, the 4th of July has always been an emotional day for me. Perhaps it is related to being so thankful for our freedom. I do believe that many Americans take our freedom and freedoms for granted. One trip to a third world country would be very sobering for many Americans.

For me, watching fireworks and enjoying a cookout with friends and family reminds me of so many things that I am thankful for. Here is a short list:

• Being Christian and not fearing persecution


• Being American


• Feeling secure in my home - not worrying someone will knock in my door and kill my husband or family because of our religious or political beliefs


• Having religious freedom


• Flying the American flag


• Being patriotic


• Having political freedom


• Being able to walk down the street without seeing troops with guns slung on their shoulders


• Enjoying quiet nights without the sound of gunfire


• Having clean/fresh water to drink and not having to walk miles to get it


• Having indoor plumbing


• Having electricity


• Cooking outdoors for fun not for survival


• Having a fire in the fire-pit for fun not for survival


• Having to decide what to wear to work everyday - many people in the world don't have a closet full of clothes


• Having freedom to blog my thoughts without the government censoring me


• And much much more - You get the idea.

I am so grateful to live in America. I pray for the people of the world to oneday know the freedoms I take for granted daily.

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9: 1, 2

Praising God,
Elizabeth

Celebrating Memories

I have made several references to scrapbooking in my blog (see Publish or Perish, I'd Rather be Scrapbooking and Financial Woes - Being Faithful). In fact, I became a Creative Memories Consultant a little over a year ago. I have had challenges getting my little business off the ground and often questioned that I should continue with it. I really enjoy scrapbooking and making digital storybooks. However, I really do not sell much of the products. I am sure partly due to the economy. I have been praying and asking God to help me know if I should continue trying to make my business work.

You may recall, Don and I started a daily devotion in January (see When God Speaks) On July 1, our morning devotion was titled: Mental Imprints. The devotion was about making and celebrating family memories and traditions. Today, our devotion was similarly titled: Memory Catching and discussed the importance of family memories and having a family historian keep those memories. The scripture included for these two devotions are below:

These days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation. Esther 9:28

A book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. Malachi 3:16

I believe God answered my prayers. I believe I am to continue this endeavor and help others celebrate their memories. You can visit my website at www.mycmsite.com/bethmurray You can safely shop on this secure site and have products shipped directly to your home. All purchases will support our adoption.

Celebrating Memories,
Elizabeth