Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Another Gotcha Day ...
Just some random pictures ... I know how you all like pictures ... hee hee 
This post is late today, but only because today has been another full day with the boys on spring break ... I love seeing all my kids together, playing, arguing, wrestling, building legos, and so much more ... Today is Emily's Gotcha Day and you can look back on the last 3 if you want to hear how this Angel has changed my life, my heart, my mission for the Lord, and my world ... I guess today has been full of thoughts about all the others waiting for their Gotcha Day ... Waiting for someone to do a post about them and waiting for someone to come and change their world !!
I have a lot of things God has called me to do right now and I am trying to figure out how to do them effectively and for His glory ... How to organize my life so that I can hear Him clearly and have the TIME to obey and erase the clutter of the world ... I know being called to something by the Lord doesn't mean it is easy or always the road you would choose, but I do hold fast to the fact that being in the center of God's will is where my family wants to be .... Please continue to pray for Maggie's health, the little boy at Amani (we are still waiting on some medical test), Jeremiah's sweet heart, Elijah's temper, Emily (changing from baby to big girl), Scott's outreach and influence at his school, and me as wife, mother, friend, and daughter of the King ...
So many have come along side of us during this time ... Meals, phone calls, support, rides for the kids, and prayers ... I have come to learn since bringing Maggie home from China that sometimes you need help and God will bring people to do just that HELP ... I used to think if I couldn't do it all by myself I was somehow failing ... I know for a fact that when Abigail and Joseph come home that there will be times when I need help, when I can't get it all done or get everyone where they need to be, and that is ok because Christ has called us to community and there will be someone who He sends along to help me during this season of my life ... I think of all the meals I have taken, the friend's kids I have watched, the favors I have done, and remember how blessed I felt to help ... We are truly all in this together and it is up to us to throw our hand in and say HERE I AM USE ME LORD!
Love You All and to my sweet girl Emily ... You are a LIGHT in this dark world and you gave me purpose as child of God, your smile lights my heart, and you are the light in our family that keeps us directed to the Lord ... We love you !!!
P.S. Check out my friend Steffie, we traveled together 4 years ago to bring home our daughters and again today she has received the greatest gift ... ANOTHER SON ... She was blessed on April 7th 2005 and now 2009 to have children placed in her arms in China ... Thank You Lord !!
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19 kind words.:
I always look forward to your updates and pictures. Have a blessed Easter, Gwen.
PS. I'm thrilled for Steffie. I've been glued to her blog.
Happy gotcha day dear friend. I had been thinking how much I wanted to see some pics of your family....and of Emily and Maggie home together after all that hospital stuff. You must have heard my thoughts. Did my heart good to see all the photos. We too are on Spring break and it feels good to have us all together as the boys stay so busy during the school weeks. Also been following our Beckering friends.....amazing! They are so in my thoughts and prayers! Have a wonderful week Oatsvall Team!
Happy Gotcha Day, Emily! Not only do you bring a ray of sunshine to your family, but also to those of us that read your mommy's blog!
Gwen, you continue to amaze me. I love your attitude & your dedication to your family & God. What an inspiration you are to others!
You guys continue to be in my prayers!! Have a blessed Easter week!
Happy Gotcha Day Emily and the rest of the Oatsvall Team!
Blessings!
Happy Gotcha Day! Scott and the kids sat behind Jennetta and I at church on Sunday and I was so impressed at how good they were! It was a loooong service. :) They are absolutely adorable, too (Maggie also, even though I've only seen her via the blog). Jennetta brought my shirt and I love it! Then yesterday, I got another one in the mail. I'll be out of town this weekend, but will send the 2nd shirt with Jennetta.
Blessings to you all this Easter and always.
Amy
I enjoyed seeing all your photos and all of the family updates. Just wanted to let you know that I received the necklace yesterday and I love it! You are right, the women of Uganda did a fantastic job creating such a beautiful piece. Best wishes to you and your family during the rest of your journey to the additions to your family.
Happy Gotcha Day!!
Ah, sweet sister, yes, that need for listening stillnes--may you find it as you seek it this week... and showers of Easter blessings as well!--a song for you:
"Still" by Watermark
The more I get alone
The more I see I need to get alone more, more
Cause just when I think that I'm alone
Your Spirit calls out to me
And even silence has a song
Cause that's when You come
Sing over me
Still, let me be still
Let me be okay
With the quiet in my heart
Still, I want to be still
I'm so quick to move
Instead of listening to You
Shut my mouth
Crush my pride
Give me the tears
Of a broken life
Still
Of this world, it falls around me
And flutters all it's beauty in my eyes
But let me choose the solitude
Simplicity has always simply changed my life
Cause even stillness makes me move
Cause that's when my heart
Learns to dance with you
Still, let me be still
Let me be okay
With the quiet in my heart
Still, I want to be still
I'm so quick to move
Instead of listening to You
I'm your child
Tame my heart
Obedience
To me impart
Still
la la la la la. hold me
la la la la la, cleanse me
la la la la la, change me, oh God
Change me while I am
Still, let me be still
And know that you are God
And You're always enough
Still, I want to be still
To take all that I am
And simply lift it up
Shut my mouth
Crush my pride
Give me the tears
Of a broken life
Still... Still.. Still.. Still
Love, Gillian
I will never forget the day you received emily.. it was such a real picture of how our Heavenly Father loves us by holding his arms out and asking us to come to Him! It was something I will never forget!
(I also will never forget the baggage I carried for 2 weeks while in China..lol!)Love you Emily Rui!!
Hey Girlie...
Thinking of you today... thanking God for you...
you little spark plug, you...
:)
Tina
Love the photos and Happy Forever Family Day! I too have been following along with Steffie's journey to Andrew...it is truly amazing!
hey girl....it wa s a special day for all of us....I remember you in that room with that purple silk blanket you had for Emily.....you were screaming that "I have a girl" look from across the room. I loved it.
Glad to hear M is home....we are doing well....had our first possible night terror last night....I wonder if I will be dealing with these for a while? It wasn't bad....but he never woke up....we'll talk when I get back....and the tribe is planning to come down whether we have a reunion or not..... ;)
Love you sista.....
Steffie
Beautiful!
We are all truly in this together...I have found myself having to be on the receiving end of help at times, and that doesn't come easily to me. The Lord has shown me what a beautiful community His body is made of!
I love this statement you made:
"I know being called to something by the Lord doesn't mean it is easy or always the road you would choose, but I do hold fast to the fact that being in the center of God's will is where my family wants to be"
Amen!
Praying for you all...
Happy Gotcha Day...enjoy Spring Break!
Love ya!
Gwen,
I teach with Scott at FRA and was so blessed when you came to talk at the middle school! You seriously inspired me- I came home and talked to my husband about adopting. He laughed so now we're just praying about how to support those who do adopt! Anyways- be encouraged! Our Savior is doing HUGE things through you!
lots of love, julie cochran
You are an inspiration and a blessing to so many sweet sister!
You have a beautiful family! I look forward to following along as you bring home your Ugandan babies!
Happy Gotcha Day for precious Emily!
Keeping you ALL in my prayers!!
What a story to share Gwen :) You are an army of faith, that is a fact!
happy gotcha day emily! the first of many doors to the nations for your sweet family!
love you!
Happy late Gotcha Day. that was such a good trip. Carlee, I remember you carrying all those bags. I remember Greg and I saying you were her pack mule. Wonderful memories.