Hello.....
This weekend has been amazing!! We started out our Friday night with a tornado warning and sirens blaring several times throughout the night. It was a sleepless night, as I worried about the fears that may be going through all of my children's minds. I however was very concerned as my two new sons are not used to our southern United States spring thunderstorms. We here on the Kilgore farm are becoming very accustom to the sound of the sirens as a few years ago we experienced a terrible tornado and lots of damage to our home and farm. But.....as we all know God has a way of bringing a rainbow following a storm. We awoke on Saturday to a beautiful sunny day.
We spent a wonderful day together as a family. We ate lunch at a Mexican restaurant...(which was very interesting for the boys), then visited Ole McDermitt farm to pet the spring animals and then on to Newnan, Georgia for glow in the dark mini golf! It was a very special outing and the kids truly enjoyed the first full day together being brothers and sisters! We finished our day at Barnes and Noble.....our family's favorite hang out! We introduced our new members to our love of books!! I just love to walk in a bookstore and I want my boys to love the adventure of reading. I guess it is the teacher in me. I want them to soak up all that life has to offer....!! Anyway....as I was watching them walk around and look at the books...something hit me that truly almost made me double over.....I am not kidding....here....it is....God used my life to change the future of two boy's lives! I don't know why He would use me or believe that I am worthy of such an honor. One of my sweet friends here on this blog used the word radical in a comment.....this word made me smile because it truly captures the essence of what God is doing in my life. He has changed me forever and I pray that He is not finished and that our family has only seen and witnessed the tip of the iceberg. I never dreamed that I could love so openly....but I know it is God who is opening this door. I can feel His power and I know that He is in control. He knows my tomorrow and I pray that I will pass forward these blessings that have truly been given to my family.
We finished our beautiful weekend with our church service this morning. It was amazing to sit in the service and listen to the beautiful praise music and know what God has done for my children. I am so thankful that He adopted me into His family and that I am a daughter of the King!!!
Love,
Penny
I don't have pictures today....because my camera was stolen in Latvia. :(
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Home Sweet Home
Home is a beautiful word. Our reunion with our children was amazing. When we arrived at the airport and finally made it to our family and friends....Mike and me were very emotional.
Our welcoming committee greeted us with posters and flowers. Our dear friends, the McDermitts and Mrs. Karen Lim were waiting with big smiles. Of course, it was after midnight, but love crosses all time zones! I am so very thankful that God places just the right people in our lives at just the right time.
When we arrived home, both David and Peter were so excited. They ran and found their room. Our dogs, Riley and Joe, both took to the boys. They greeted them with lots of love!! I cannot express the honor that I felt as I watched these boys put their things in their very own room and find their place in our home. A home full of family, love, dreams, and strength to persevere! Life is full of ups and downs, but now these boys will have a family to stand behind, beside and under them when they need us.
Thanks for your prayers! We have truly felt each one of them. I will continue to post in this blog....because so many wonderful memories are ahead. God Bless each of you who have commented.....you have been such an encouragement.
Love,
Penny
P.S.
I am also so very thankful to my sweet friend, Mrs. Cindy Muse, who delivered two large boxes of wonderful clothes for my boys. I love you....!! I would also like to thank my beautiful and precious mother who sacrificed a month of her life to keep my children. Momma, you are my hero! I could not have traveled so far for so long without your love and support.
Our welcoming committee greeted us with posters and flowers. Our dear friends, the McDermitts and Mrs. Karen Lim were waiting with big smiles. Of course, it was after midnight, but love crosses all time zones! I am so very thankful that God places just the right people in our lives at just the right time.
When we arrived home, both David and Peter were so excited. They ran and found their room. Our dogs, Riley and Joe, both took to the boys. They greeted them with lots of love!! I cannot express the honor that I felt as I watched these boys put their things in their very own room and find their place in our home. A home full of family, love, dreams, and strength to persevere! Life is full of ups and downs, but now these boys will have a family to stand behind, beside and under them when they need us.
Thanks for your prayers! We have truly felt each one of them. I will continue to post in this blog....because so many wonderful memories are ahead. God Bless each of you who have commented.....you have been such an encouragement.
Love,
Penny
P.S.
I am also so very thankful to my sweet friend, Mrs. Cindy Muse, who delivered two large boxes of wonderful clothes for my boys. I love you....!! I would also like to thank my beautiful and precious mother who sacrificed a month of her life to keep my children. Momma, you are my hero! I could not have traveled so far for so long without your love and support.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Beautiful Memories
Our time in Latvia has come to an end and today we will fly home. We packed our bags and have just straightened up the apartment. It is now time to wait for the our taxi to the airport and then wait for our 2:30 flight. This will be the longest day as we....travel back in time! Our hearts are full. minds carved with memories and plans made for the future. I would say that the last four weeks have taught me more than all of my.....years on this earth. Perseverance, strength, forgiveness, and hope.....all words that describe every emotion that has run through my mind in a month. The essence of human strength...my heart is captured by how God has taken care of my boys for all of these years. I have a difficult time fighting back the tears.....I cannot wait to see them succeed!
Anyway....this is a morning of rejoicing and I am praising my precious Savior for grabbing my heart. I am forever changed by this journey....which still requires 2 more trips. God has placed Latvia on my heart and I pray that I will have the opportunity to come back through missions.
Rejoice with me as we return home and begin joining our family.
Love,
Penny
Anyway....this is a morning of rejoicing and I am praising my precious Savior for grabbing my heart. I am forever changed by this journey....which still requires 2 more trips. God has placed Latvia on my heart and I pray that I will have the opportunity to come back through missions.
Rejoice with me as we return home and begin joining our family.
Love,
Penny
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Color Yellow
The color yellow is everywhere! Spring is here and Latvia is transforming into a city of celebration. The street cafes are bringing out tables for dining outside. Musicians are all out playing on the side streets. The park is full of people including all of the American families in the adoption process. We spent 4 hours on Sunday in the park enjoying time with friends! What an amazing day!
Our Monday was a full day as we traveled down to Peter's region for our second court visit. It was a long and FAST ride....., but we survived! The court session was successful and we were approved as adoptive parents. This means that we can continue the bonding time at home. This was a very special day for our family! Peter finally has a family to love and take good care of him.
Tuesday morning was a special day for David as we attended his court here in Riga. It was a very emotional morning as he brought the whole room to tears. His speech to the court broke my heart! God truly has plans for this precious young man. Mike and I are overwhelmed by the love that we already feel for these boys.
After court, we enjoyed a quick lunch and then went back to the apartment. On our way home, we found two pieces of broken stone. We decided to bring the pieces home and write the boys old names in permanent marker on the stone and then toss them in the Daugava River. We believe the past is in the past! God has plans for these two boys to prosper....great plans for the future. We feel so honored to be a part of this plan.
Our night ended with a special birthday dinner for our friend Marci Burkhart. We had dinner over by the Riga center with the Burkharts, our translator Dace, and her husband and daughter, and their friend Alina. It was a wonderful day of special memories.
Tomorrow is our visa interview at the US Embassy. We are so excited as we are beginning to make plans to travel home. I miss my sweet children and cannot wait to grab them and give them lots of hugs and kisses. My heart is longing to have all of my loved ones together under one roof.
Our Monday was a full day as we traveled down to Peter's region for our second court visit. It was a long and FAST ride....., but we survived! The court session was successful and we were approved as adoptive parents. This means that we can continue the bonding time at home. This was a very special day for our family! Peter finally has a family to love and take good care of him.
Tuesday morning was a special day for David as we attended his court here in Riga. It was a very emotional morning as he brought the whole room to tears. His speech to the court broke my heart! God truly has plans for this precious young man. Mike and I are overwhelmed by the love that we already feel for these boys.
After court, we enjoyed a quick lunch and then went back to the apartment. On our way home, we found two pieces of broken stone. We decided to bring the pieces home and write the boys old names in permanent marker on the stone and then toss them in the Daugava River. We believe the past is in the past! God has plans for these two boys to prosper....great plans for the future. We feel so honored to be a part of this plan.
Our night ended with a special birthday dinner for our friend Marci Burkhart. We had dinner over by the Riga center with the Burkharts, our translator Dace, and her husband and daughter, and their friend Alina. It was a wonderful day of special memories.
Tomorrow is our visa interview at the US Embassy. We are so excited as we are beginning to make plans to travel home. I miss my sweet children and cannot wait to grab them and give them lots of hugs and kisses. My heart is longing to have all of my loved ones together under one roof.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Friend....A Beautiful Word
The last couple of days have been filled with lots of laughter and special memories. Mike and I have been blessed to have found a sweet couple, the Burkharts, who are staying in our apartment building. Our new friends and their precious three boys have brightened our life and helped pass the time the last few days. Our boys love their youngsters and the adult company has truly been an encouragement. It reminds me of how friendship is truly a gift to be treasured and never taken for granted. I love having another mother to share the fears, concerns, joys and dreams that are running through my mind. I also feel so lucky to be a part of the first few days of their bonding with their young boys.
Our boys are doing very well and we are bonding quickly. I love both of them deeply and cannot imagine our family without Peter and David. Peter keeps us all laughing! He is so full of energy and interesting humor. He never meets a stranger! He loves our new friends. He is constantly taking Marcy's or Craig's arm and telling them a silly joke. We love him and know that God sent sent him to us at just the right time.
David, our "fix it" man has grabbed hold of our hearts. He is very intellectual and always has great insight on most subjects. I cannot imagine what his life might have been if God had not opened this door. He is going to amaze us all!
I once again have tears in my eyes as I think of how God has changed me these last few months. My heart is so full and my mind is spinning from all of the emotions. I am forever changed by the blessing of our time in Latvia. I know that God sent me on this journey to open my eyes and brand my heart with a desire to help orphans.
My boys are looking forward to their future in America. God is a faithful God and has shown His mighty power through much answered prayer the last few months. I cannot explain how blessed we have been through all of the prayer that has surrounded this adoption. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.....we have felt each prayer.
I am posting some beautiful pictures of our boys and new friends. Please notice the beautiful happy faces.....faces of children who now have families. Each time I look at the faces.....unspeakable joy.....a joy that resonates through my soul.
The picture of all the boys standing on a wall is amazing. The concrete is a piece of the Berlin Wall. Freedom.....future....hope ....all words these boys will now understand.
Thank you God for grabbing hold of my heart and sending me on this journey. You and only you are worthy of all honor and praise!
Our boys are doing very well and we are bonding quickly. I love both of them deeply and cannot imagine our family without Peter and David. Peter keeps us all laughing! He is so full of energy and interesting humor. He never meets a stranger! He loves our new friends. He is constantly taking Marcy's or Craig's arm and telling them a silly joke. We love him and know that God sent sent him to us at just the right time.
David, our "fix it" man has grabbed hold of our hearts. He is very intellectual and always has great insight on most subjects. I cannot imagine what his life might have been if God had not opened this door. He is going to amaze us all!
I once again have tears in my eyes as I think of how God has changed me these last few months. My heart is so full and my mind is spinning from all of the emotions. I am forever changed by the blessing of our time in Latvia. I know that God sent me on this journey to open my eyes and brand my heart with a desire to help orphans.
My boys are looking forward to their future in America. God is a faithful God and has shown His mighty power through much answered prayer the last few months. I cannot explain how blessed we have been through all of the prayer that has surrounded this adoption. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.....we have felt each prayer.
I am posting some beautiful pictures of our boys and new friends. Please notice the beautiful happy faces.....faces of children who now have families. Each time I look at the faces.....unspeakable joy.....a joy that resonates through my soul.
The picture of all the boys standing on a wall is amazing. The concrete is a piece of the Berlin Wall. Freedom.....future....hope ....all words these boys will now understand.
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