Prayer Card} Update

To be given on Sunday, I think...but maybe not...just wanted to make one, ok? ;o)

So. Looks like this will be going out on Sunday at church. Our Pastor said it was fine with him, and said he will ask Jeff to come up to the podium and say his little "thing". ;o) We'll have a letter for each family sitting in the pews. The boys are going to stand at the front and hand out our prayer cards to all who enter.

Folks. Would you look at those faces?! That flower in J's hair cracks me up. I look at that and think, "Oh to kiss those cheeks!" And Daniel looks like a sprite of a fellow, and I want to just scoop him up and squeeeeeeze. And Alan! man oh man he looks like his ready for a good tickle and romp in the grass.

Here's the letter, I know it's long in a blog format, however, would you please read it and tell me how it sounds? Thanks.

{Update Letter}

DODSON FAMILY ADOPTION UPDATE:

Hello from the Dodson family! How are you? We hope well! Thank you so much for praying for us. We appreciate it more than you know. We are nearing the end…or rather, the beginning. Update below!
************

When we began our adoption process back in November, it was for the purpose of expanding our family.

As each month passed, however, we began to see that this journey was not about expanding our family. Instead, it became more about bringing family to the orphan. Will our family’s size increase? Certainly, and for that we are thankful! However, our adoption is no longer self-centered, but Christ-centered.

We realize that, as a family, we have been called to minister to those in need…in need of a Daddy, Mommy, and two big brothers. How can we say, “No” to that call? We cannot. How can we say, “No” to Alan, Jeremiah, and Daniel? We cannot! Our 3 boys were abandoned as babies. Thankfully, their Mothers loved them enough to leave them where they could be found, and cared for. (Unfortunately, this is not the case for the majority of orphaned children. Commit to pray for these children. Ask the Lord what He would have YOU do concerning them. James 1:26,27)

Why Uganda? Uganda is the country to which God has called us. He has used the ministry of our church family (Lifegate) to help us see a need there. Uganda’s orphans are no more special than those in America, China, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Russia, or anywhere else in the world. They’re orphans all the same. God has said, “Uganda.” That is where we are going.

God has been truly faithful during our process. Adoption is expensive. We certainly did not have the sum of money necessary to even begin the process, and yet, we were and are certain that this call to adopt, to care for the orphan, is of God. It is our mission. What did we do? We prayed and continue to pray! We prayed that the Lord would “supply all our needs according to His riches in glory”. Philippians 4:19

And do you know what happened? He has and He is! Through several families in our church who have given sacrificially, through family members, and friends in our community, He has supplied us with everything we have needed to this day! Moreover, He will continue to do so! God has not brought us this far to leave or forsake us. He is faithful! To God be the glory, He is so good.

Why this letter? We are still in need of travel fare. It will cost $8000 ($600 has already been donated) in order for us to travel to and from Uganda. We are leaving for Uganda in about 3-4 weeks!!! J We have been hesitant to ask for contributions from our church, family, friends, or our community. Money is especially tight these days for everyone. We certainly have no desire to cause anyone any financial stress. However, in Scripture, God tells us to ask. Luke 11:1-13, John 15:16, I John 5:14,15

So we are asking, would you please consider giving towards our airfare? Would you consider being Jesus’ hands and feet? Would you please consider helping us bring family to Alan, Jeremiah, and Daniel? If you are unable to give financially, would you please consider lifting us up in prayer before our Holy, Heavenly, Loving Abba Father? He is ever faithful! “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3: 24,25. Financial gifts can be given directly to us, or to Lifegate—please put Dodson Family in the memo. (Lifegate Church, 395 Lifegate Lane, Seguin, TX 78155)

***Prayer Needs: airfare, good health (sewage contaminated water, malaria, typhoid, parasites, etc.), and solid attachment/bonding with boys in Uganda, safe travel, and smooth adjustment in USA.***

“Now to HIM who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to HIM be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20,21

Thank you.

Much love,Jeff, Laura, Joshua, Caleb, Alan, Jeremiah, and Daniel Dodson

New Photos...YAY!

So, the girl that we thought we'd be traveling with arrived in Uganda on friday morning. After a 5...F I V E...hour journey by van they group arrived in Jinja. She met her boys for the first time!

Before she left, she told me that she'd be sure to take pics of our boys. ;o) I received 2 this a.m. She says she has lots more, but hasn't had time to download just yet.

Jeremiah

Would you look at that SMILE!?!?! Mandy told me that when he arrived at the orphanage as a baby, he was very sullen and withdrawn. It doesn't look like that now, does it?

Also, notice the little lily-like flowers in his hair. The boy likes flowers. ;o) Mandy also told us this and said...and I quote..."He's not a f*ggy boy." She told us the story of when she took over the home several years ago, that she really didn't know what to expect from the children. When she went to check things out in Uganda, she arrived to all these de-headed lilies. The workers thought she'd be angry because the children destroyed the plants. Her response? "Oh thank God, they're normal!" They found beauty in a sad situation...

In our family book, I dedicated two whole pages to some of the flower pots, and beds I have here at the house just for Jeremiah. ;o) I told him we'd go to the store and everyone could pick a flower and we would put them in their own pots. :o)

Daniel

He had a bo-bo on his nose. ;o) He's one little guy, isn't he? Mandy says that he has more clear words than he did her last visit (which I think was Oct. 08). I am so excited about that. I cannot wait to see these guys.

I'm sure we'll be getting some of Alan as well. Internet is patchy over there, so I feel like these pics are a huge blessing. :o)

I'm starting to think that maybe I will take my laptop. She bought a simcard for guests to use on their computer. She is doing this in the evening and I think that might be a good time for me to update as well. We'll see.

About a year ago...

About a year ago, in April 08, some friends of ours went before the church one Sunday morning. They projected two pictures on the wall behind them. One was William. The other was Marissa.

My thoughts at the time, "Oh. Cute kids."

That's it.

I was happy for them. I wanted to pray for them. And that's as far as it went.

In May, they came to the church/school picnic, and by that time, I was really excited for them. I was excited they were going to have a long layover in London (even though someone was not that eager to see it...and to this day is unimpressed) to get out and stretch and see a tiny bit of the city. I was excited that they would be meeting their littles for the first time and very curious as to how that would go.

Fast forward to November 08, during a Sunday School lesson, Mike made a observation that the first words God spoke to Man and Woman was, "Be fruitful and multiply...". Well. That did me in and I cried the rest of the day. (It has been 11 almost 12 years since I carried/birthed a baby and I really wanted to, and for now, it isn't possible.) I ran into the Nursery and sat there with Amy, April, and someone else, I think. They listened. Amy said, "I'm going to ask you a question that I was asked." "Ok..." "Have you considered adoption?"

Huh?! We had never considered adoption. Not once. We were not closed to the idea and certainly not against it, but never considered it for ourselves. So I pondered on that a week. Prayed. Sought the Lord.

Next Sunday, MORE crying. ugh...it gets old after a while.

I totally lost it when I heard that Amy's family was moving (and still don't like it). Melissa just looked at me and said, "What is wrong? This can't be just because Amy is moving!" I blubbered, "I want to adopt!"

After church, Amy, April, and Melissa (I think) sat down at a picnic table and I joined them. They asked if I had told Jeff. I said, No. Amy said, "Let's do an experiment. Let's pray that the Lord will speak to Jeff about adoption." We went home and that night I told Jeff what I was thinking.

Shocked is an understatement. He said he'd pray about it...which I don't think he did for the first few weeks. I think he was nervous, and didn't want to know what God thought on the matter.

However, when he did start to pray and think about it, he came to me and said he thought this was something we should do. WOW.

Then I freaked out! I questioned him up one side and down the other. I really thought he would say no, and we would move on, and life would go back to normal. When he said yes, I blew a gasket. I really thought it was crazy, and that God certainly was not calling us to do this. I wanted to go back to my safe little life. I was scared to death!

Ha ha. And now look at me...a mom to 5 boys. Those 3 boys are just about to meet us, and us them. We are total strangers. We know nothing about each other. And yet I am their mother. I don't know what they eat, if they have likes or dislikes, what their personalities are like...but if you think about it, what Mom knows these things about her baby? Yes, a 'birth mom' has 9 months to get used to the idea that a baby will be arriving soon...but I have had that time too, 7 months to get used to the idea that 3 little boys will be joining our family very soon. Even a baby born to a Mother are total strangers. At least, that is how I felt when Joshua and Caleb were born. We had to get to know each other. And we did! ;o)

We are still waiting for our immigration papers. Maybe by the end of next week we can start to expect them.

This has been one wild ride so far. And it isn't over yet. However, I have lots of encouragement at my fingertips.

"For as the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so is the Lord round about His people from henceforth, even forever." Psalm 125:2

Praise GOD from Whom ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

I received a note from Mandy this a.m. She is still in Uganda and won't be home til late April.

*****

"Kids are beautiful.3 boys bonded well.I shared the book with Alan by himself first. He was thrilled.Still a little strong but wonderful.They are doing the book every day.All the kids are enjoying book.Dan has a lot more clear words than last visit.Good trip so far."

Love & BlessingsMandy

*****
Thrilled beyond words! Thank you Jesus! Isn't it 'odd' how my God gives me just the lift I need when I need it? Just a little reminder that we are...we are...smack in the middle of His plan for us. Yep. God is good like that.

what a day!

Around 1:30 this afternoon, Jeff and I headed to SA to see if USCIS was open for their Saturday walk-in appts. I had my doubts because of Passover weekend. Guess what!? They were OPEN.

And NO one was in there except the staff.

We filled out our paperwork and waited (with our assigned number) for all of a minute. We each went to our respective desks for our fingerprinting. The woman there kept calling me 'young lady'...48 times to be exact...and to relax my fingers. HUH? I didn't know my fingers were tense! ;o)

She marveled at how well preserved my finger prints are, especially since I am a SAHM who uses bleach. I told her I put it in a squirt bottle. "Good for you!" she replied. ha ha ha...

After we were finished, Jeff took me to Chris Madrids! YUM-O! If you want an old fashion burger and fries made with REAL potatoes...go to Chris Madrids on Blanco and Hildebrand.

Then, off to Costco to compare prices. We joined. We are now executive members. :o) We only bought two things-a book for me to read, and some Speedo croc-like shoes.

yay!

a penny saved is a penny earned

$350 may be a small start...but even pennies add up! Thank you Jesus!

I think it's about right.

I think we'll need $8,700 for travel expenses... ( I had $7,700 up, but I added wrong.)

I've not gotten our air fare quote, but should in the next few days...in fact, think I'll call tomorrow.

AND in Happy Dance news: WE GOT AN APPT FOR FINGERPRINTING! Whoop whoop.

We are scrimping and saving to cover our expenses while we are away. We want to give some $$ to the boys to give to their wonderful caregivers...because they eat like horses + our mortgage and basic bills.

Would you pray for us, please?

(Our funky photoshopped family.)

We are nearing the end of our wait stateside. Soon, we'll have our approval from immigration, a court date, and flight plans.

We still need aout $10,000. I plan on sitting down tomorrow to figure out a more exact figure, but it's up in that range. I am at rest and peace that God will provide for us, just not sure how. And you know, I don't really need to know how, but we do need to have direction if we're going to have a fundraiser. To date, we've not had one. The Lord has not led us in that direction. He has given us $27,ooo so far, so I am not worried about the last 10.

But would you pray? That the Lord will lead us, provide for us, and show us if we need to hold a fundraiser? Thanks.

There's a chance...

we'll get to meet some Canadians *gasp* while in Uganda. They'll be getting their littles from another orphanage in the area. Maybe we can eat lunch together at one of the local restaurants! Yay! Their babies are much younger than our rough and tumble boys.

She has a wonderful little blog, too.

Mercy Moi

Go check it out!

hello, hello!

Yippee Skippee! This happens to be the receipt from Homeland Security telling us they got our stuff, and have a fingerprinting appointment scheduled, and to look for the appt. card in the mail.



:o)



We are nearing the end, folks.



No. That's not right...



We're nearing the beginning! The beginning of changed lives forever. Ours+Theirs. We are getting more and more excited as the days pass.



Our backyard is coming together. Most of the fence is done, the shed is completed and all shed stuff is moved in as of today. That means bedroom #3 will be started this week. This week! The kitchen will be put back this coming weekend, after the floor finishes curing and we can buff and seal it. YAY. We'll have our home office in the too small to eat in eating nook, along with the bottom portion of my art desk for creative play, brio, puzzles, etc. for the boys.



The white part of the desk that the flat file is sitting on is the perfect height for little people to stand and work, or sit and work/play. Joshua and Caleb asked if Dad (Jeff) could put a piece of trim around the perimeter like those fancy $200 dollar tables at the fancy toy store to keep things from rolling off. So I believe that is the plan.



At some point, maybe once we get home? Depends on our time frame...a fort will be built in the backyard with a slide. I think Jeff wants to design it himself and possibly make it multi-levels....but not too high! ;o) He really enjoys building things and working with his hands. I am so thankful he knows how to do all this stuff. It sure does save us money, plus he teaches the boys in the process.



Sooo, guess I'm rambling. Gonna go hit the hay now, I have nursery duty tomorrow...which I signed up for BEFORE we decided to adopt! And now, I'm not so enthused. I did say I'd go on and do April and May, but I cannot commit to anything after that because we're gonna have 5 BOYS in a pew and we're going to need to be together. G'night.