Back to the Blog just in time for Christmas

It's been a long time but I am back to the Blog if for no other reason than to instill discipline in myself.

I have always wanted to write more but I never make the time. '

Let's change that.

More Christmas Home!

Christmas Time at the Garwoods

What I did not expect

Two Weeks:

God is so good and we are so thankful for our little Hunter. He has been home for two weeks and it has been a blast. We have had so much fun with him and the girls are really enjoying him. Abby thinks she is the mama and wants to do everything for him; change his diaper, dress him, etc.  Fiona had a harder time at first but this morning when he got up she wanted to talk to him and play with him.  

Expectations:

I expected the diapers and I expected people to stare and ask odd questions.

Something I didn’t expect: people touching him and how enamored they would be with him. It is really quiet strange. Strangers touch him. They don't ask, they just touch.....bizarre. Nothing like this happened with the girls.  

 

Saturday at the YMCA waiting to sign the kids up for swim lessons, the guy next to me pulled out his keys to entertain Hunter.  No problem. But then he reached over to take him. He didn't ask or say anything. I held Hunter and said, “No.”  The man was shocked and asked, “Why?” I wanted to say, “Because you are a stranger and I don't know you.” but instead I was sweet and explained that he had only been home a week or so and only mama and daddy are holding him right now until he gets used to us.  

Sunday was an even stranger moment. We took the kids to the aquarium. I was playing with Hunter and Abby in front of the large tank waiting for Tom, Fiona and our friends to come down stairs. A couple approached me and asked to take a picture with Hunter. I said, “no.”  They were surprised and I just held him until they were done with their pictures. Now, Hunter is very handsome but still it is odd that a stranger would want a picture with him.   

The sermon in Crossroads (college group at GCC) was such a blessing Sunday. We need to have urgency with others to share the gospel. On the subway coming home from the aquarium a sleeping traveler woke up and asked me if Hunter was mine and where he was from. I explained that he was from Uganda. He said, “Oh, like Madonna?” I said, “I didn't know where she adopted her child from. Not like Madonna, no, more like Jesus.”  He looked at me puzzled and I explained what Jesus did for us. He then asked, “didn't that Angelina Jolie adopt too?” I said, “Yes, there are many children that are orphans in Africa that need mamas and daddies.” He then closed his eyes and went back to sleep.  I pray that our lives will constantly be a reflection of the love of Christ to adopt us as sons.  

   

Croatia and Beyond

After much preparation Team Croatia arrived in Zagreb without incident. We met at Grace Church at midnight to get all the luggage weighed and organized. Some, deep down inside there hears, questioned to need to meet at midnight for a flight that departed at 6:15 AM from LAX. Those questions proved unwarranted. By 2am we were on our way to Denny's for a earl, early breakfast joined by our newly wed friends the Kricks. After Rich Downer graciously deposited us at terminal 7 we hoped in line, checked out bags and boarded our plane to Chicago. From Chicago to Munich was a very fast flight. Munich to Zagreb was even faster. Kris Brackett and Todd Dick were there to fetch us an take us back to their respective homes. Tom, Jessica F., Susannah and Mark said goodbye to Keith, Jason, Doug and Jessica Y. and headed for Krapina with the Bracketts.

Once at the Brackett's we took a short drink and snack break, after which we started loading up the van with all the camp supplies. We drove to the new church facility. I like it. It's a bit cooler than the previous location. The landlord seems to be much nicer. We met up with Momir at the church and pulled the rest of the camp supplies together and loaded the van and trailer so that they would be ready for this afternoon when the advance team departs to make camp ready.

We four American STMers were guests at Misko's home for dinner. As dinner wound to a close I couldn't keep my eyes open. Kris took the girls to Vestna's home in Zabok and dropped Mark and I at the Brackett home. I took a nap and shortly after waking up I want to me room to sleep. I awoke at 4am and spent the morning revewing me message.

We went to church her in Krapina this morning. I preached out of John 15 about Jesus the Vine. Misko translated. It was a great service.

After church Mark and I joined the Bracketts for lunch while Jessica headed down to the sea early with Veastna to pick up Vestna's daughters and neices and bring them to camp.

Kris just left to take Mark to the church. Mark will join Momir and his family along with Antune to go ahead and set up camp.

I think I will go take a nap

Hunter's Second Birthday Part 2

It's Hunter's birthday today. Once Yetta realized that we didn't have anyone's phone numbers to call and wish him a happy Birthday she found herself in tears. I pulled out my trusty Moleskine journal and asked Yetta for the phone card number. She said, "Why" Who are you going to call?" I said, "Abdulla." She said, "Who's that?" I said, "a taxi driver." She though, "(I am not sure what she thought but maybe something like, "How in the world is calling a taxi driver in Uganda going to help?")." So I call him. After he answers, I tell him who I am and he remembers me. I asked him for Danyne's phone number and he ended up passing the phone to a woman in the cab. She said, "Hello." I ask who she is and it turns out that it's Debbie from Amani who happens to be in Kampala on her way to the equator in Abdulla's cab. She gave me the phone number for Andrea who is filling in as nurse while Souixanne is away. We were able to call Andrea and sing happy birthday to Hunter and talk to him. He was able to talk some gibberish back to us. Yetta even woke the girls to say Happy Birthday.

God is good whether or not we got to talk with Hunter this morning but we are so thankful to the Lord that He worked it out for us to get to talk with Hunter on his birthday.

Happy 2nd Birthday Hunter!

Today Hunter turns two! Happy Birthday son. We wish you were here with us to celebrate but we know God's timing is perfect. We hope your day is full of fun and laughter. We are praying for you and celebrating you today! We love you! Daddy, Mommy, Fiona and Abby

We have a court date

As many of you know we are in the process of adopting Hunter from Uganda. He will turn 2 on July 1. We now have very exciting news. Ditte emailed Yetta to let her know that we have a court date of August 22. This will be a crazy time since Tom will be in Croatia from the 1st to the 18th on a short term Ministry trip. I will have to reroute myself from Germany on the way home to head to Entebbe to make it to court. It should take at least a week following the ruling to get a written ruling and then we try to get a passport and visa. Please pray for us that we will continue to trust the Lord and his timing. Pray also for ticketing and pricing that God would continue to provide the funds needed. I will try to keep you updated as we have more news .

Tiger's Roar in Cubbies Tonight

Fiona received her awards tonight during her last Cubbies event of the year. Abby will be joining her as a Cubbie the time she goes. Awana ministry is a great time for kids to be challenged to memorize scripture and I am thankful that the church continues this ministry.