Wings and Stitches and Houston Texas baby!

hey hey from hot H-town! We have confirmed that Houston is far!  But worth the drive.  Our fun here started late Sat night as we rolled in got some shut eye and hit Sunday hard.   The guys watched the Texans game on the big screen at Wings-n-more (and they won!) then it was some Halo (thanks David).  The girls had to cram for an Anthropologie final but they survived.  We all met up at Bethany and David's new house for dinner and Ismert family time. 

Everyone was very impressed to see Campbell's stitches.  We are working on getting some pics on the blog, but be prepared, the pics are a little much for folks with sensitive stomachs.  (CJ looks like a cage fighter!).  You see, Campbell got off balance on a little chair she was sitting in and tumbled into the corner of the fireplace.  That resulted in a quick trip to the medical clinic in BV, 3 stitches in her forehead and a new experience in parenting for me and Lisa.  I'm sure we'll never forget that morning, although it seems that Campbell has already forgot all about it. She'll get a sure reminder today as we have an appt. to get her stitches out this afternoon in Houston. 

be safe out there!

Promises Promises

well, Lisa and I and Campbell Jane are loading up for another trip.  Heading to Texas and all points in between! Lisa made me promise that we'd go to Schlotzsky's at least once and I counter-promised to her that we'd go to Whataburger at least once.  Now that's good marital communications. 

But more than just planning our fast food future, there's been some great encouragement on our family future!  We received our first check from 'Just Love Coffee' and for the month of September, and enough people purchased coffee that we received a $221.00 check to go towards our adoption!!  Thank you everyone who purchased coffee from the site.  I've often said that if the gov't ever made caffeine illegal Wilderness Ranch wouldn't operate, but I guess if that ever does happen then...well I don't even want to think about it.

Also, we are one of two families that are applying for a grant from 'CARES'.  This is a Colorado agency that distributes funds twice a year for adoptive families. The grant is for between $100 and $4,000.  Please keep praying for favor with this grant.

And, in addition to Just Love Coffee, another business "Critter Meds" is also contributing to our adoption a percentage of their sales.  Please note their logo on the right.  If you need pet medicines and other pet related goodies...please check out the site.  It is a small business started by some good friends of ours in Ft Worth.  Jay & Mandy are great folks with a sweet family and they really care about animals and you'll know that if you get to talking to them.

Finally, keep checking out the blog.  There is another business we have heard from that is getting set up to partner with our adoption funding.  It isn't finalized yet, but keep back often, especially as we near the Christmas season, as great gifts can be found on this companies website.

So, wow.  Lisa and CJ and I are so overwhelmed it's almost unspeakable.  God is so good.  Just to have people be so generous and supportive.  Why are finances such a step of faith every time we venture outside of the so-called realities of our checkbook when it comes to things the Lord is leading in?  I know how excited Lisa and I get when we can fund others in ministry and in times of need.  We love it!  I try to keep that in mind as folks talk to us about money.  We have folks in our lives who are sincerely thrilled to give where the Lord directs them. As humbling as it is for me to be on the receiving end..I know this is God's hand and plan for us and for our future child and Campbell's future little brother or sister.  THANK YOU!!

get on down the road

hey hey!  We are back in BV and better than ever!  We demolished that 10 day road trip and really had a blast.  It's time to shout out to my sister Carolyn for a fantastic time in Chicago!  And also Sarah & Benji in Findlay, OH and Johnny Nichols and Midge  (of course we want to include Dance and Acie).  WOW...we had an excellent time...everyday packed with fun and laughter.  We had a great return home getting some great time with Wilderness Ranch friends in Indianapolis and St. Louis.

I am heading down to WR tomorrow to meet with the guys who are installing two new pumps for the water system.  The guy I am meeting was part of the crew that installed them 30 years ago!! 

We got our life book back from snapfish (or shutterfly..) anyway, it looks great and I know it won't be long until we get to hand that book off to the adoption agency for birth moms to look at. 

Did I mention that BV football is rolling!  Way to go!!