Drumroll please..........

I know........

you've been waiting......

On the edge of your seats.

Without further ado........

Woodbine United Methodist Church Nursery.

You cant tell but the peacocks are painted with Iridescent paint..... perfect in the infant room.

The Zebras are my favorite and I put them in the infant room since they are black and white. See the bunnies too!

This is my daughter adding the finishing touches on the doves. I love having someone that can "see" your vision even when you don't have words. I think my favorite part of this project was all the alone time we had together. Just before bringing home her new sister. She will be giving up her "only daughter" position/title. She will never give up the title of firstborn.

Tomorrow I will get better pictures. She took pics with her hubby's camera when it was all complete and the room was put back together. I wanted some of her working.... glad I took them. Her pictures are such huge documents we couldn't get them loaded yesterday.

The pandas, sheep and penguins...... SO adorable!

Then the giraffes and camels....... I am in love.

I sobbed.

Can I just tell you that I am proud of it?

Not prideful.

Just pleased.

Just the thoughts of her children and our little G playing in there....... a dear home school friends daughter is expecting.

The thoughts of our grandchildren playing together.

In this room.

It took four long hard weeks but I pray Its something that leads others to the Glory and Promises of God. What a story. To step out in faith when others are mocking you and build a ship....... because of a FLOOD??? Noah. What a man. I smiled in my heart yesterday. It was raining at my house and right down the street nothing...... I thought. "there is a rainbow somewhere..... Maybe I'm right under it."

Only a week to go till you-know -what!

Tomorrow is our last Sunday with our church family.

I remain,

Under His wings,

Anna

signing time videos

I am not being paid to say this. I just need to tell you that there arent enough adjectives to describe how wonderful these videos are. You might not know that Signing time videos were just released with Spanish options. Just in time for them to go to Ecuador with me. They are so sweet and perfect for me to watch with my new daughter. I can put it in to play in Spanish and have English captions to know what is being said while we learn together. HOW GREAT IS THAT?! I have to tell you that if you have been sitting on the fence waiting to purchse these in any format. Just do it. My daughter commented on how wonderfully made they are. The music is great, the children are sweet and even as an adult I just let it play over and over as I painted on the mural. It is actually helping me with my spanish..... really!? Who knew?! I am very visual and the audio CDS are just taking time.......

Gods timing is perfect.
He still knows how to sneak up on me and take my breath away.

Still no pictures of the Nursery mural.
I almost cried yesterday when we left and it wasnt done.
I cannot sign my name on it until it pleases me.
This will be our last Sunday.
My heart is so full.
Overflowing.
Many tears.
God knows.
He is holding my little one until I get there.

Orphanage Director wrote, "I received an e-mail from the child psychologist and Gs therapy is going well. She is affectionate towards your photos. (the children carry around their photo albums and kiss the pictures and sleep with them.) Many many happy tears. I hope she will love the people in the pictures. the people that will take her away from everything/ everyone she has known and loved.

My sweet little G........
Mommy IS COMING...........


I remain,
Under His wings,
Anna

Think Happy thoughts

If only flying were this easy......

Id be in Ecuador already!

Can you guess what my happy thoughts are?????

There are WAY too many....

but you know me I need to name a few at the top of the list.

My darling husband.

My beautiful children.

There are friends that have held my hand through this journey.

My bloggy friends.....

People that dont know us and are going out of their way to help - in Ecuador.

Im going to be a mommy again! At 40-something! (I will have a birthday in Ecuador so theres no need to let you know how old I am now..... wink wink)


Let me just say,

God

is

faithful.

Pause dear friend,
think some happy thoughts with me.........
Aaahhh doesnt that feel better?
;) wink wink.


To close, here are a few pics of MORE note cards.
These arent as dramatic ,
but they will do for Graduation thank- yous .....dont ya think?

Flying in under two weeks!

I remain,

Under His wings,

Anna

Audrey Quote

" I believe in PINK

I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.

I believe in Kissing, kissing alot.

I believe in staying strong when everything seems to be going wrong.

I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.

I believe that tomorrow is another day.

And most importantly,

I believe in miracles.

- Audrey Hepburn

Which reminds me....... I need to watch "Funny Face" before we fly.

Yes you read right.

Tickets are purchased.

Little Gs suitcase is packed.

In a little under 2 weeks we are flying to Ecuador to meet our newest addition to the family!

I remain,

Under His wings,

Anna

See it to the end...... dear friend

Whatever course you decide upon,

there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong.

There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right.

To map out a course of action

and follow it to an end

requires

Courage.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The picture above is of Grace taking her first steps....... December of 2008.

We may have missed this event........ But I am trusting God has so much more in store for us!

I remain ,

Under His wings,

Anna

Growing and stretching

I dont have much time before I dash out the door today but I want my fellow bloggers to know that God is continuing to grow and stretch me in areas of my life
that
I
do
not
care
to
grow
in.

I hope its okay with you that I am that honest.
God has dangled a little carrot named Grace before me for almost two years now and this would be about the time I said,"okay, this is not fun anymore. I am ready to start something new."

But we all know that
a child
is not a watercolor painting,
a child
is not a knitting project,
a child
is not a sewing project,
a painting or remodeling project,
a mural in the nursery,
or notecards that need to be printed, boxed and mailed
hey, not even a flower bed.
This is a child......
and not just any child I might add.
this is our sweet little G.
Grace.

ALL of those things I listed are real tho.
things I have hanging over my head
WHILE
I try to buy airline tickets,
figure out money issues to pay for the next steps in the adoption,
and find accomodations.

Husband is not happy.
Typically his secretary handles his trips and she does a much better job than I am presently.
She makes sure he knows all the little details months in advance for even just a day trip.
And here we are talking about leaving in two weeks to be gone for 6 weeks out of country.
I am trying,
really I am.
maybe I should hire her?


Instead of the mantra in my head," I just cant do this. I just dont know how."
I keep reminding myself that I CAN do all things through Christ.
Christ is with me and I know he will not let me fail.
I just wish I could go hide my head under my pillow until its all over......

Thats the whole truth.

But do I want to really miss it?
When He has all these things to grow me and create me into this new woman?
no.

What is God up to?

The other day I posted about making notecards.
And I am painting a mural.
And we are adopting a little girl that just happens to have Down Syndrome from Quito, Ecuador.
These are things that God has given me talents and abilities...... yes the best word is PASSION for. Now just because I have a passion doesnt mean that it comes easy to me. I struggle with alot. There, I said it. I always wanted to be an artist when i grew up. I was accepted into Ringling school of Art and Design and due to a few circumstances (which I will NOT discuss) was not able to attend. But being an artist is still a passion of mine. But I wrestle with being a "real" artist. That I have talent. Just because I want to doesnt mean I am..... do you get where I am going?
Fast forward and I am a young mother, raising a family.
Then the ability to have more is no longer mine........
(Ask my husband how many tears have been shed over that.)
Praying the Lord would remove the desire.
Back to the issues at hand.
just because I have a passion for children and being a mother doesnt mean I can.....

After all of these years I really thought we were too old, didnt have enough money, you know the list........ But God was still knocking on the door. Not just my heart but my husbands as well. If you are like me, and your husband is your compliment, you know that when you are on the same page it is God. The end. If hes not..... talk to God about it.

We can fast forward to our adoption of this sweet little girl that captured my heart over 20 months ago...... you can look back and read our history. Its been hard. I am an artsy girl not a paperwork girl...... So God dangles this carrot before my nose for me to learn, "hey this isnt my passion. But I CAN do paperwork." I may be an artist but I CAN use that to get from point A to point B. He is working on creating a new self image. And I dont know about you dear friend but that is good. It is very very good. I said awhile back ago that this isnt about adopting little G. this is about so much more........ the Journey my friends.......

Today the lawyer is meeting at the consulate to start Gs visa process. They took her picture and asked more details and today at 10am Ecuador time they will be starting this...... simply amazing.

I have painted on walls.
But nothing like the magnitude of the mural in our church nursery.
This is BIG.
I walk in and it seems like that wall grows each day.
Im serious.
Ask my daughter- it is!!!
But I was willing to say, " I need to do this for Grace.
I know the little meager budget we have cannot support this adoption.
But I CAN do something about it.
I am willing.
Lord use me, use these gifts and talents.
Hopefully one day soon I will be able to show you a picture of it.
Dangling that carrot........

We found out that our accommodations had fallen through and the airline tickets had gone up. So, Linny asks what we are doing for fundraisers and I thought to self. "we tried this before and it didn't work out so well. But I am going to step out in faith and try it again. I cant sit here and do nothing but fret about our situation. I NEED to go meet my daughter. Im at peace about Gods timing mind you, But I need to do something about this."

You can look back and see the note cards I put together.
I ended up having to research BULK envelopes.
I now have orders for 42 SETS- meaning FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY cards and envelopes! Not to mention a few extras for my BIL to display.
And thats just orders as of bedtime last night.
I'm not being a complainer in the least but I need Gods strength to get this mural done and get these note card orders together. ( and CRAZY ME is praying in _______ more!)

this new creature he is working on.......

Im starting to like her.......
I always wanted to be like her......

I think I am an artist........

A thought from one of my favorite people of all time

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

- Audrey Hepburn

Blank notecards

Drumroll please........

Hot off the presses!

Just want to let you know I got one more thing marked off my list.

thank you Son in law- Jonathan.........

The painting I did a few years ago. Its one of my very favorites. I titled it "tea for two".

If youd like a set let me know.

Under His wings,

Anna

Mothers day sermon pt 2

Dear friends,

You need to know how faithful God is.

I'm talking, "Nitty gritty get down in the dirt with you, pick you up and brush you off, rock you in His loving arms and whisper in your ear" kind of faithful. NOT stand by and watch YOU pick Yourself up (as you look around to see if someone saw how you looked on your b*tt) and just stand there shaking His head thinking,"clutz, stupid, did you learn your lesson this time?" Kind of God.



Here I stand.
Humbled again.
He met me at church Sunday morning.
It was a beautiful day.
In the 50s when we got up.
The air was crisp and I met my grandpa early to get him my mothers gifts before he made the trip( a few days earlier than expected.) I got home and thought it was my day(not God's) and maybe we should stay home and enjoy the spring in the air. I was running later than I thought because my aunt and uncles home alarm went off and they drove back to figure it out. Back to the story...... I thought , "no one will miss me. Its my day to relax" I am so glad I didn't listen to that voice in my head and went to church anyhow. My twenty yo son had worked all night and got up 15 min before we left to go with us. I was so glad that I got ready since he was making the effort. Could you imagine how that would've felt to have him get up after 2 hours of sleep and get ready and me not be ready to go? "Sorry its my day. I decided we are staying home."

And yet God met me there.



We arrived at church, and as I found my seat and got everything arranged I looked up to see that sign on the altar and it really took my breath away. "Grace". I leaned over to my P. "Do you see that sign. On mothers day? Are you serious?!" (thinking, "God please don't let me be the crying person again." ) Have I told you how sick I am of being "the crying person"? Well I am. Tired of being tenderhearted. Tired of being the person waiting for her turn. ("But God. She said it would take less than 6 months to bring little G home!" ) waiting......whining.

Our message was titled grace. At our house we say "you mean Grace with a little G or a big G-

? verb or noun?" He talked about Gods grace and it was beautiful. The part that got me was the last little bit about Gods grace equipping us to do what we cant on our own........

And remember I mentioned 20 YO son came..... we sang his favorite song. Amazing Grace. May not seem unusual to you but our church is not traditional and we rarely sing the "oldie but goodies." The ones I miss from my childhood that bring the memories and smells flooding back into remembrance........

As usual while he was preaching I was reading the before and after..... thank you Kay Arthur for teaching me that. And here's what I found:



1Peter4 Message Learn to think like Him

Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him (ouch says me. no more "stinkin thinkin") Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting your own way(ouch ouch ouch) Then you will be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.(ouch)



now skip down or go ahead and read on and we will meet up with you at vs. 4:7-11



Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide awake in prayer. MOST OF ALL (emphasis mine) Love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.( yes it does!) Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless-cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you(GRACE at work), passing them around so all an get in on it: if words, let ie be Gods words; if help, let it be Gods hearty help. That way, Gods bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and He'll (emphasis his) get the credit as the One mighty in everything- encores to the end of time. Oh Yes!



then we read :

Ephesians 2;1-10 Go ahead and find your bible and read it. its the same message. God has given us Grace and mercy so we need to pass it on.........



Gods Grace equips us to do the things that we cannot do on our own!

I don't have to deal with figuring out our plans on my own.

That was Gods message for me.

His grace is available.



Thank you for standing in the gap.

Holding our arms up.

Cheering us on as we run the race set before us!

All of us, the body of Christ, longing for the finish line!



I remain,

Under His wings,

Anna

first picture of little G



PS I cant wait to share with you..... note cards. So so pretty.......

Para Sus Ninos

I just wanted to take a minute to break for a commercial!

This was written by a dear family that sent us this picture.

She tells of the Orphanage where little G has lived since she was 5 days old. Para Sus Ninos.

They shared details about their trip that made me LONG for little G. To know that they were watching her.... I was so moved by their experience.

Without further ado.

In Rebeccas words.

Mothers Day

I wasnt going to post today.

Really I am Not going to POST!

I just want to tell you tomorrows post about todays Sermon and some showers of blessings that have been arriving at the Wallis Household.

This is similar to what was on the altar this morning.

I was minding my own business shuffling papers and setting phone to silent and I looked up to see it. It literally took my breath away and tears started flowing down my face. That our pastor would pick that topic on this mothers day as I count the days and plan a trip........

Gods knows me.

He knows my heart.

Under His wings,

Anna

Crazy Love- third time around

If youve been reading my ramblings long youve read that One of the bloggy ladies(Linny) out there has been encouraging us to show some "Crazy love".

This third time she wants those of us that are adopting to post about our fundraisers. This is a sticky subject. I started working on notecards when we started this adoption about 20 months ago. I have the blank cards and we had taken pictures of several of my paintings to print on them. Due to my picky-ness and inability to do computer stuff I just couldnt get it how I wanted. Then our church rallied around us and we thought we had all we needed without the whole notecard idea.Well last week I kept thinking I needed to "try it again sam", I really cant go into details to explain why.

I am taking a leap in faith that maybe someone out in bloggy land might want to purchase a set or two of blank notecards with envelopes. I asked son in law to retry it. I will let you know if scanning the pics works better. I felt like since it had been hounding me all last week, I even told a friend this early afternoon that I wanted to print some out for a gift for a friend that just lost her father. Then I read Linnys blog and thought, "Well okay, if this is what you want me to do." If you are interested keep checking or comment and I will post in a day or two. Or if you enjoy watercolor..... I just might have a painting that you might want to purchase? Im not taking commision requests but I have a box full that I just might be willing to part with.........

What a weekend!

Im not sure if I mentioned that my In -laws were coming to visit. They arrived on Friday. They have ended up staying with my daughter and her husband since they have an extra guest room and bathroom. I am hoping mom and Dad feel comfortable. I have been feeding them lunch and cooking supper each night. Spagetti and the works the first night, ur favorite Mexican restaraunt the next night, I did baked chicken last night, hamburgers on the grill tonight.

Mom taught us how to knit. The girls loaded up and went knitting at Kings sewing and knitting on Saturday afternoon. When I got there the room was filled with women chatting it up and enjoying a rainy afternoon catching up on the weeks latest. There were seats reserved for us and I found out why! My dear friend Micki had a present for Grace and family...... She had mentioned she was embroidering a sampler for Grace, a few months ago I told her not to get it framed just yet. I really didnt think we were going to be completing our adoption dear friends. I wanted her to be able to easily rip out the name if need be. God has been faithful. Our prayers have been answered. Of course seeing it was beyond words for me. let me explain. Of course we will keep Graces first name. its so fitting. It is what she is used to and really hasnt even been a consideration. In Ecuador they name the children with mother and fathers last names. Obviously she will take on our last name. When I thought about middle names I wanted her to be part of the family and gave her my middle name. That was my fathers mothers middle name as well. But just understand that even though the name has been picked for quite awhile I have never written it out or seen it in print. How appropriate and meaningful to see her name like this for the first time. I will never forget that. Tears were shed by all. Even though she told me not to cry...... I rarely listen to directions you should know! Ha ha!

Sunday was Law Enforcement Appreciation day at a local church. We go each year for Paul to represent his Department. her gets a beautiful plaque, they have a beautiful service, luncheon afterwards and have door prizes. This year E, my youngest, won one of the door prizes. A 13 lb basket of feminine goodies....... Hair, facial, hands lips, nails, pedicure, calendars and pretty pen and key chain to name a few of the things.......OVER THE TOP GOODNESS. So I got mothers day a week early. I am separating stuff out to share with Mother in law and daughter..... just too much for one woman!

I was teary during the pastors sermon.

It was on Nehemiah.

He talked about Moses, Noah and Nehemiah... leaders.

I was so moved.

It was a timely word.

My husband has had some really

really difficult things happen in his workplace this last week.

I feel like I am partially to blame.

Part of my job is to be interceding on his behalf.

As his wife I am to be his cheerleader and I have allowed myself to be distracted by the adoption.

Please pray for us.

I know that he will handle this appropriately and just pray that it will be okay.

God is in control.

I remain,

Under His wings,

Anna