It looked to be pretty cold and she was standing by herself in a playground, with a look on her face like she was thinking about what she was going to do next.
We were so happy to get the pictures. Our last ones were from the end of September.
If we want pictures and an update-then we need to purchase them. All the funds go to the orphanage, but it is $80 each time...that's why we have only requested it one time so far.
However, on Christmas, we got a gift for $80 for Elsa's next update! Hooray! I'm so looking forward to getting new pictures as well as a written update on everything she is learning. I'm thinking I will try to have new ones around Valentines day. This year on Valentines day, the date will be 2/14 in 2014. Fun. :)
We were also blessed with a donation check towards our adoption fund. Yah! :)
Sold a couple more items online...our rummage sale and subsequent online sales have totaled $1921 so far.
I recently read the book Kisses from Katie. If you haven't read it- it's a really good book. I had a tough time putting it down.
Katie has adopted 14 girls in Uganda.
Here is an encouraging short video which includes an interview with Katie at the end: http://vimeo.com/32869973
Katie writes (on pages 72 & 73): "Adoption is wonderful and beautiful and the greatest blessing I have ever experienced. Adoption is also difficult and painful. Adoption is a beautiful picture of redemption. It is the Gospel in my living room. And sometimes, it's just hard."
Then she talks about how much the children had to go through -as orphans- before they were adopted by her...and how much she missed out on while they were growing up before she met them.
Then she said: "Adoption is a redemptive response to tragedy that happens in this broken world. And every single day, it is worth it, because adoption is God's heart. His Word says, 'In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will" (Eph 1:5).
"My family, adopting these children, it is not optional. It is not my good deed for the day; it is not what I am doing to 'help out these poor kids.' I adopt because God commands me to care for the orphans and the widows in their distress. I adopt because Jesus said that to whom much has been given, much will be demanded (Luke 12:48) and because whoever finds his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for His sake will find it (see Matthew 10:39)."
Just like Katie's girls had to go through things before they were adopted-we sometimes go through things before we are adopted by our Heavenly Father. He wouldn't want us to endure painful things, but our world is broken, and adoption is His redemptive response.
When reflecting upon her calling to Uganda, Katie quotes Frederick Beuchner:
"The place God calls us to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet" (page 88).
I can't find the quote, but John Macarthur was reflecting on the joy the Israelites had in (re-)building their temple, and he said something to the effect of: true joy comes when we are doing God's work. It's a joy that others don't always understand, because it may not make sense to them...but it comes because He gives it to us...because we are engaged in His work.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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