Haircut

I gave Riley a long a-line bob!

Icicles

16 years ago!

16 years ago Eric was picking me up for a date. A walk on the beach..... I figured I would make blueberry muffins to bring along..... Little did I know we were going to be getting engaged that day! He planned a whole breakfast on the beach, including blueberry muffins he made..... We laughed and laughed years to come that we always seem to be in sync! Blueberry muffins on New Year's Eve morning have been a staple since..... So many things to celebrate from this day. So glad the Lord chose him for me!

Next steps!

Woke up to an email from the embassy..... They have made the decision to find the person that found Yisak 3 1/2 years ago and have him come to court and testify about finding Yisak. We were hoping with such a detailed report on this gentleman's testimony that we could avoid this step, but nope...... but we are hopeful! Taking up the shield of faith!!!! That our finder will make it to court and that the process will be smooth and expedited! Pray with us! This is a huge step...... Once this step is done, we will be issued our P.A.I.R letter and move on to the court phase for us to go to Ethiopia once our FEDERAL MOWA letter is signed..... Steps closer! Still a ways to go! Praying soon. #brewersadoptionjourney #pray #internationaladoption #shieldoffaith

Praise from this last Monday!

An email sent to our whole
Church from David and Ranell....

"Compel~ We wanted to share with you the GREAT news of the Brewers
receiving their SIGNED MOWA letter!!!! Thank you for Praying and lifting
them up with support and encouragement....Many of you were praying all
week and especially on Sunday when it was CRUCIAL timing in Ethiopia. We
serve a GOOD and FAITHFUL God who loves each of us so much...Always in
AWE!!! He is ASTOUNDING and AMAZING."

An email went out inviting everyone to stop and pray at 9pm Sunday night which would mean it is 8am Monday Ethiopian time......
Monday we got the email saying we got our MOWA letter...... So many people were stopping to pray! We love testifying to the Lords miracles and all he provides and we know this was all because of the Lord! So thankful!

Winter days!

It's been snowing for days! And it's gorgeous! We did loose power last night for about 4 hours but we were at The Bonds house having a bunco night so it didn't effect us too much! We had a blast last night! I wish I had taken some photos! Anyhow this morning about 10 of us went out to breakfast to celebrate Buffy's birthday! Another amazing day! So many amazing days!!! Such fun with friends!!!! I only got one photo from breakfast! Wish we had one with all of us! Such amazing women of God! These women mean the world to me!

Choir

Riley just started special choir at school.... Today was their first concert for the school sing-a-long. They did awesome!

Eagle cruise!

Riley went on their school eagle watching boat cruise on the lake! They saw 89 eagles! Here are some photos that were given to us! Such great fun pictures to capture the day!

Praying!

We gathered as a family..... First, we Listened to worship music.... Then entered into a time of prayer. Got rid of distractions. Had a fire in the fireplace. Lit the candles and turned off all of the lights in the house and just sat and prayed...... It was such a special time together as a family.... And so special knowing there are so many people praying for Yisak with us....... The most amazing thing seeing people gather around the cross in prayer for our family...... Words cannot describe what that means..... Believing in the power of the spoken word. Believing in the power of the holly spirit. Believing in the power of Gods word. The Lord will deliver his promises. We pray and trust the time is now.....

Please pray

At 9 pm we are stopping to pray. Our church is joining us in this! And we would love for you to join in too! It will be 8am in Ethiopia and we are trusting that the official we need to sign our MOWA letter will be there to sign. Please pray with us! Believing the Lord for this miracle! Praying with expectations that the Lord will make a way for this to happen. Thank you in advance and we look forward to reporting good news on Yisaks case.

Soldier

2 weeks ago I preached on carrying the shield of faith as part of the armor of God.... Judi, a gal at church came up to me and said she felt it on her heart to give this to me.... It's a soldier she said..... And as I fight Spiritual battles I am to fight as a soldier would..... This week has been the hardest week of our adoption journey. We've really hit some huge obstacles but you know what, I saw this sitting on my bedside table this morning, and was reminded to be strong..... The Lord will fight for Yisak..... The Lord will finish what he has started...... The Lord has begun a great work..... And we will fight for Yisak, like soldiers..... Never giving up on him. He will get home to us. We have faith.

Updates

The dogs are cute as ever! And quite the companions for me during the day! I've been sewing a bit again.... Made a pillow sham for Christmas..... Eric hung shelving in Yisaks closet and we got his toys all organized on the shelving..... Busy around here..... Getting things done!

Compel Christmas party

Such a Great night at our church Christmas party at the Carlson and Arno home! This year the theme was "made in Idaho".... We took one of our frames and some log candle sticks..... We came home with a whole ice chest full of lighthouse products which are made in Idaho :) and a knife. Such a fun night! Thanks zack and Buffy! We only got a few photos all night! There were about 50 of us at the party! A blast!

Piano project!

We've had this piano from erics parents since we were married..... I tackled the project of painting it..... Quite a big task but I'm ecstatic with how it all turned out! My neighbor gave me a set of frames and I ordered 12x12 photos of each of our kids and a photo of us and hung them above the piano! When she gave them to me I knew exactly where to hang them! It inspired the whole project actually! I painted the wall a gray-blue first, did the frames and took all new photos! Sent them to Costco.... Did the piano.... In 3 days the whole project was complete. Love decorating and creating beautiful spaces that make me hAppy! Love seeing our 3 kiddos up on the wall in huge prints! Such a fun spot! My favorite spot in the house.... Eric sits and plays the piano, beautiful music on the piano.... The fireplace has a warm fire, coffee in hand, and looking at photos of our blessings. So much to be thankful for.....
Praying Yisak is home
Soon. It's been a hard season knowing he still isn't home.... Last Christmas we said next Christmas..... We've gone so long trying to get him home.... Just one last signature on our regional MOWA letter.
Praying it's today! Ethiopia is 11 hours ahead so it's 8 am there.... Praying the time is now!

Decorating

Moving things around and decorating....

Painting!

Keeping busy..... The adoption stuff has been so long and hard..... Getting projects done and continuing to prepare our home for Yisak....

Thanksgiving for 16.

We have a full house this year. 16 people around the table.....