147 million orphans shower

I wish I threw more showers like the one we had already scheduled for Ashley 2 weeks after they returned from Ethiopia.  We hosted a 147 million orphans shower in order to bring awareness of the orphan crisis and to feed children in Uganda.

Jesus says, "...whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me". 
Matt. 25:40

The Browns setting the example for the rest of us by loving the least of these.

We wanted everyone to come find out how they could play a part in changing the life of an orphan.


I had some mighty hostesses who basically brought all the food and left me to clean my house.

We gave away these shirts by coding a sticker on some of the nametags people were wearing.

We had 147 cookies made from Memorial Bakery and attached the website card to each one for people to look into the ministry further.

Very quick put together gallery from photos from the airport.

Half of the jewelry and apparel purchases go to support one of 8 ministries that 147 million orphans supports.

Yay for hostesses that bring all the food!  They blessed all of us with their cooking.

Joel Skaggs put together a video of all the photos from the airport arrival that we put on the computer.

We had computers set up to make a donation in lieu of a gift.  147 sent a video that we played on repeat with photos from Uganda.  The computers were completely full the entire time.  We were all stunned at how generous everyone was.

Mariana made magnetic prayer cards for every one to take to put on their fridge. 

This was the first time all the guests stayed in my small entry way for a good 30 minutes.  It was quite comical but endearing at the same time.

People making purchases.

We had a sweet prayer time as we prayed through the prayer card over Ashley and her family.

These ladies lead us all by example...on our knees...

Hostesses minus Devon - Mariana, Emily, Erica, Ashley, me, & Kasey.  We all got to sport out 147 million orphans attire.

On the donations website we raised $1863!  Ashley chose for
the money to benefit an HIV/AIDS orphanage in Jinja, Uganda.  More
information can be found at  www.africaourownhome.org/

On the merchandise website, 50% of the proceeds were donated to feed one
child for 53 weeks, or one year.

Praise the Lord for kingdom minded ministries.  Praise the Lord for obedience like the Browns.  Cheers to all the families continuing to follow in this same obedience.  For His Glory!

My cousin Grant

My sweet cousin Grant.  The best manners around.  Loves him some burnt orange.  Always great to encourage the other cousins to go to church with him. 

Some of you know he was recently in a hit-and-run accident that has left him in very critical condition due to a ruptured liver among his internal injuries.   The Lord in His Goodness had a med student find him and call my uncle Tim.  Got him to a hospital and has had the best surgeon operate on him 4 times in the last week.  My aunt and uncle didn't know the severity of it all until they were almost in Ft. Worth, enabling them to drive in sane conditions.  Grant continues to be in critical condition but daily the reports get better.  My cousin Valerie is a better writer than I and wrote a sweet report here.  Please continue to pray for healing from the Healer Himself.  That lives would be changed.  For His Glory!

Browns return with their newest two

The Browns and their Ethiopian adoption.  What a testimony to the Lord's goodness!  How the Lord weaved His majesty to show His Glory.


We went from a prayer vigil on Sunday evening praying for mountains to be moved in the final leg of paperwork of Edil's (and Eyob's) journey to the states.  Something that had not been done before in Ethiopia.  The Browns went on a flight to Ethiopia and came home on that same trip, versus 6-8 weeks later, with their new children.

Monday morning we got the phone call that they were coming home.  That afternoon we were at the Hughes' house with the Wetherells making homecoming signs.  Mariana the teacher had the kids set up to make their own signs.

I came dressed as if we were going to get dirty from painting.  Lucky for everyone that wasn't the case.

Love this family that Mariana drew~

The kids loved looking at everything on the signs we made.

The following morning, on May 24th, 60 some-odd people gathered at Houston's Intercontintental E terminal to welcome the Browns home.  We somehow met up with half of our Logos class in the parking garage.

Justin was showing Braden the egg-head family he made of the Browns.  Egg stickers, stick bodies.  I loved watching his heart pour into his project. 

All the signs.  All the love pouring out from everyone as the excitement was building.

So fun to be a part of the masses.  If you ever have a chance to be a part of a orphan's homecoming, you will be richly blessed.

Some of the fellas that were able to take off work to be a part of the celebration.  Lantz was a servant in keeping our Sunday School class abreast of all the current happenings of all the details.

And then they came through the sliding doors.  I was behind the camera lens the entire time, so when I edited the photos later I once again encountered a new emotion while experiencing the day all over again.  It was beautiful - and it will be so much better in heaven!

The Brown kids meeting their new siblings.

How deep the Father's love for us. 

The new family!

Eyob had never seen balloons before.  Or playgrounds.  Or an airplane. 

Some of the Logos ladies present that day.  I love our class for being so committed in sharing in each others joys together.

Kennedy is such a great big sister!  Since this day Edil's little body has healed in so many ways, as well as she is walking and smiling huge smiles!

Me and Ashley & Edil.

We have already made so many memories with Edil Ainsley and Eyob Titus this summer.  Looking forward to many more!  Derek and I were both so moved by this day, which helped stirred us on to desire siblings to adopt.  Praise the Lord for the Browns who walk in obedience to what the Lord calls them to do.

Finishing up May

Let's finish up May (and some forgotten photos from my phone).


Thinking we are getting too big for the ride on toys at Kroger.  This was on a Tuesday, our fun day, from this spring.

We took our yearly rodeo trip with the Pines back in March and let the boys do this.  I think I would be so claustrophobic in this.

Justin couldn't really get up and walk in it.

Luke & Justin just floating around.

Saw this at a stop light.  Brings on a whole new meaning of letting your dog stick it's head out the window.  Hysterical!

Shane stopped by in his new wheels to take our boys for a jaunt around the block.

In May I had the privilege of going to Field Day at Yellowstone.   Loved seeing Jaylen and all the other kids as well.  i did a booth where they threw a fishing pole and "caught" a toy.  I loved being on the side interacting with the kids - asking their names, putting my hand on their shoulder or backs, asking what their favorite game was.  They were all very receptive to the attention.  Lord, may these children see you through our examples.

We de-toyed the entire house and were putting lots of things up in the attic.  Justin has had this toy since 4 months old and wanted to keep it out in case we had a little friend over.  Sure enough Ainsley was playing with it today.  Justin can still play with this one toy almost 5 years now.

Our rainy evening visitor.  There is a small gap by the tree and the fence that I assume this fellow came in by.

Everyone wanted to say hello.

We named him Flower, from Bambi.

He stuck around for three days before we let him loose.

I remember my aunt Joannie feeds her turtle, Toby, green beans.  Sure enough this little guy finished entire can of green beans in his 3 day stay.

We busted out the washers for a few weeks as JT wanted to play this every evening after dinner.

Derek is of course the master at it.  He tried to coach me on how to throw it, but I stuck with my awkward yet successful throw.

Made it!

JT had lots of dry pull-ups at night which led to lots of football stickers to add to his 2011 NFl sticker book.

Last day of school sporting the new attire from Chicago.  This might turn into a Halloween costume at the rate we are going these days.

We loved Mrs. Walstead and how she blessed out life with the talents the Lord has blessed her with.  We will miss her next year!

Uncle Shane joined JT and I for dinner one night when Derek was working late.  We had a basketball game that Shane invented for us that we still play on occasion.

You have to stand on a number and make the goal.  Then you have to progress down the numbers until you miss.

Needless to say both were extremely sweaty after the game was finished.

Without the rain this summer these numbers were set for awhile.

Family photo out of focus but showing us wearing out navy before going to the Rice vs. Baylor regional baseball game.  So the Bears won but we supported daddy by wearing the home team's colors.  And no, Roxy didn't go to the game.

At this rate we'll be in August when December roles around.  Pressing on...