Excuses, Camera & Orphans

So apparently I'm a bad blogger. I do have my excuses. Most of the time my computer doesn't work, and Dave was in Canada for a week so I was unable to use his work laptop (he's back and I'm trying to get all of my computer time in before he takes it with him in the morning:)). And no pictures because my camera was stolen... or so I thought.

For 3 weeks I have been turning the house upside down looking for our camera. The new camera we bought in December. The one with a memory card full of pictures not saved anywhere else. We prayed that we would find it. Hailey and Ava didn't forget to pray for its safe return even once. I finally figured out where it was stolen and was getting ready to start camera shopping again. Today in Primary I was asked last minute to cover sharing time. As I was reaching in my Primary bag for a piece of paper, I instead pulled out my camera. I had looked in that bag probably 5 times for the camera, and never found it. It worked out perfectly that I was able to tell the children how Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. And what a great lesson and faith-building experience for my daughters.

So many of you have asked how to help with the children in the orphanage, and the posibility of adoption. Unfortunately only 5 of the 36 children in CONIN are currently available for adoption. Because of some corrupt laws, horrible parents can have their children taken away, but unless the parents release their parental rights, the children will not be available for adoption- instead they will live with a ton of other kids, not enough adults, and lots of crib time. As far as adopting the few that are actually adoptable, it is almost impossible for a US citizen to adopt them.

On a happier note, the website for helping these children will be up and running soon!

Update

Hailey updated her blog. Check it out at http://mommyiwantablogtoo.blogspot.com/.

It's True

On Sunday Dave was set apart as Bishop of our ward. I have had many thoughts and feelings going through my mind about this change in our lives. Everything from 'we're too young for such an experience' (even though my mom was also 28 with 3 little girls when my dad was called as Bishop), to excitment for the challenges that are ahead of us, as well as nervousness for those same challenges. Although these next years won't always be easy ones, I think they'll be ones we'll look back on with fondness. I have never doubted Dave's ability or worthiness to serve in this capacity, but I have doubted my ability to serve as a Bishops wife. I've always looked up to the wives of my past Bishops and I just worry that I lack so many of their quailities. At first I was feeling very overwhelmed (haha... and I'm not even the Bishop, just his wife... poor Dave!), but then I thought of my favorite scripture, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37) and realized that as long as I allow God to help me during my times of need, as well as when I'm not feeling so needy, all will be well.

Ava and Jinnie seem a bit clueless as to their dad's new calling. Hailey on the other hand has pondered it a great deal and is loving having conversations about it. Here are my 2 favorite things she has said thus far:

1. As the US phone (Vonage), Chile home phone & Dave's cell phone were all ringing at the same time: "Wow, with dad's new calling we sure are popular... at least dad is popular anyway."
2. A conversation between Dave (D) and Hailey (H) regarding Sundays blog post...

• H- "So daddy, when you're not Bishop anymore mommy will have to take down her blog post, right?"
• D- "She'd better!"

I'm Sleeping With My Bishop