Another Open Door

The other night Jeff used a gift card that he got for his birthday to take me out to dinner. We had no idea where we wanted to go to eat so we just drove to the next exit off the interstate which happened to be Circle Dr. (close to where we used to live) and we found a Macaroni Grill. Neither one of us had ever been so we thought we decided to give it a try. The food was great but is not the best of it. While we were eating the manager came to greet us, we told the server we had never been, anyway she came to greet us and after a couple questions we began to tell her why we were in the Springs all the way from Florida. We told her about Ukraine, and she just could not believe it and went and got our server. Garth is his name and He and his wife Debbie are in the process of adopting 2 Ukrainian girls in May. He was so excited to tell us his story and we couldn't wait to tell him ours!! We stayed a long time talking to him about what God is doing in our lives, and he shared about how God was working things out for his new family, and he also feels a call on their lives for the orphans in Ukraine as well. Jeff and I were so floored!!!! When the girls get here we will be able to let them meet "our" kids. Until then we are setting up a date for Garth and his wife to join us for dinner and we can get to know each other better. It still amazes me how God continues to open doors for us. We are not going out and looking for these opportunities, every time, they have presented themselves to us, we didn't do anything, we just except them and thank God for them.

Typical day in the "AppleDumplin" classroom

Typical school day. Thought you all would like to see the little ones reading! I cant believe how well they are doing. Tonya does a great job with them in phonics. All the kids are doing great in school. Even Gracie is keeping up with the k-4 class.

Whose Pink Bow!!??

Well Emilee owns the pink bow, but all the girls like it. So we took pics in front of the fire place each taking a turn with the pink bow!! All the pics turned out great. They all look beautiful as usual.

Pics of the girls

Here is a couple pics of the girls and Gracie's curly ponytail...Grandma made the matching pj bottoms and the girls loved them...."Thank You Grandma!!!" Our house is full of beautiful girls!!! They are so cute together.

"Power of Your Love"

Well, this was our latest trip to Nathan and Haylee's house in Castle Rock. We had a lot of fun. Seth and Jeff had a BLAST!!! They got to spend the day doing what they love!!! Its hard to hear it on the video, the drums and guitar were primarily heard through the headphones, but they sounded wonderful!!! We just spent the day singing praise and worship music and recorded that song "Power of Your love". After that we went to the outlet mall and hung out for the rest of the evening. Give us a couple more weeks and we wont have the freedom to be that noisy at their house...cause they'll have a baby!!!! I can't wait!

"What are your thoughts?"

I read this short poem in a book I'm reading called " A Chance to Die" The life and legacy of Amy Carmichael. When I came across it, I was immediately checked. What have my thoughts been lately? The scripture then came to mind:

"and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your MINDS in Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely whatever is of good repute, if there be any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things"

It goes on to say that if we practice these things the peace of God will be with us.

Amy Carmichael wrote:
"Think truly, and thy thoughts shall be
Spotless with God's own purity.
On every thought-bud let us bear
The stamp of truth and love and prayer."

What a reminder to keep your thoughts pure! Your attitude reflects whats in your heart. What's in your heart comes out of your mouth!
-S

Ballet

Here are some pic of the girls. They decided to do ballet the other day. They were so cute! They had ribbon, buns, crowns, and "Real" ballet music...I think they were official, don't you! We suffered a smack in the eye, crash with the table, a pesky brother, ummm did I forget anything, oh yeah, and mom trying a couple moves of her own....LOL we had a good time.