Week in a Day

So, I typically go to the grocery store once every two weeks or so. I end up with all sorts of things because I'm terrible at remembering what I already have (for instance, I currently have 3 containers of chili powder and approximately 7 boxes of spaghetti...you get my drift). About three days after said shopping trip, I realize that we have nothing to eat and I ask myself, "what did I spend $134.00 on at the grocery store if we have nothing but diet coke and onions for dinner?". Well, I have decided to put an end to my mindless isle wandering and start planning meals for every night of the week. I have also gotten a little over zealous and decided to cook everything ahead of time on Sunday. Whoa, whoa, whoa there Whitney, You mean to tell me that you are going to cook 5 different meals in one day?! Why yes conscience, that is exactly what I am going to do. I remembered that Rachael Ray has a show on the Cooking Channel called "Week in a Day". If she can do it, I can do it, and I'm going to do it with her help. I found the show's website here and I settled for the episode "Stick to Your Ribs". I made a list, checked it twice and headed out for the Meijer to do some controlled grocery shopping. To my surprise, shopping with a list is very liberating. For once I didn't feel like the shelves were hassling me to make a decision. I did but Gus a kitty condo that was not on the list but how could I resist.

All that to say, tomorrow.....It's going down. Stay tuned to see the deliciousness that ensues.

And here is a picture of J&J to brighten your day. 

Our new nest!

We have been in Louisville now for about three weeks. I STILL have not started my job because I am waiting on my license to get approved, so we have been hanging out, and enjoying each other. I thought it would be fun to put up a few pictures of our new apartment. We really like it here! We have found that apartment complexes are full of interesting people to say the least (which should lead to some fun blogs later...stay tuned). Enjoy!

This is our living room that I love! We went to IKEA when we first got here. I would take a vacation to IKEA. It was like my Disney World. "I want to go to there..." (any 30 Rock fans?)

This is the picture in the living room that we got in Uganda. I love it. I love the colors and I love that it reminds me of Africa.

Other side of the living room.

This is the Kitchen. I like that it is really open but I very much don't like mismatched appliances. (Just a pet peeve, there is nothing wrong with these appliances, I'm just crazy.)

Our bedroom! 

Freddy's office. Full of his things. And yes, that is a lightsaber...

That's it so far. 

SDG

"Adoption is Greater than the Universe"- John Piper

I've been debating for some time as to what my first post would be on this new blog. Nothing has seemed legitimate enough to get me going here. Until, I was overwhelmed with love for two boys that I have never met and are thousands of miles away!

A little background first: When Freddy and I were dating, we would jokingly talk about what we would name our children. We both want a big family (I want a big one with no daughters, sorry ladies) so we talk about names a lot. Freddy told me in the beginning that he has always wanted to name his first two sons James and John so he could call them 'the sons of thunder' (Mark 3:17). I love those names as well so we kind of decided that we would definitely use those two!

Fast forward: This past summer, our church (Living Hope) sent two girls (Rebecca Wattier and Caroline Edwards) to Uganda to work with Sonrise Baby Home and some other orphanages there.  It was very exciting to help them get there and read about there experiences in Africa (http://sonrise2010.wordpress.com/). When they returned, they shared about their time there and brought AMAZING PICTURES OF THESE PRECIOUS LITTLE SOULS. As we moved through heart wrenching stories of how the babies got there and things they have gone through in their little baby lives, these two come up:

                                                                

 James

 John

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!? Freddy and I turn to each other in church in absolute disbelief. Here are these twin brothers half a world away that need a Momma!

Fast forward again: Since we initially found out about James and John in Uganda, we have jokingly/seriously considered what it would take to bring them home= A LOT. Last night at Church Damali Miembre Wattier, who runs Sonrise, was there to share her story and about the orphanage (probably one of the most beautiful people I've ever seen btw). She brought pictures and videos of the babies, and shared their stories and I WAS WEEPING ALL OVER THE PLACE. When I read the story about James and John I just lost it. Their mother died in childbirth, father was an alcoholic... sadness, sadness, sadness, etc. And now they are thriving (clearly, I mean they are chubby bunnies) at Sonrise.

I am absolutely consumed by these two and Freddy is in love with them as well (he is an incredible man and husband). We are a long way off from even the possibility of adoption and we don't even know that they will be adoptable, but this consuming weight of love is such a reminder of how central adoption is to the gospel. 

Ephesians 1:1-6

          Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: ²Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵he predestined usfor adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Where do we go from here? Not a clue. But we took the first step and supported the boys. $30.00 a month provides a lot of care for the babies at Sonrise and you can help to. Head to Sonrise ministries and help out.
I don't know whats down the road for us but you can read about it here!

SDG


Read an amazing article about adoption here.