We Vogel...do You?

Ahh! We just returned from our annual two week camping trip at Vogel State Park. It was a great time of refreshing and renewing. Emma, being the "shy" kid, spent the entire two weeks meeting new friends, riding her bike, and spending time at the "beach".  Some nights we would have to walk around the campground to meet all the families of the kids Emma had met. She loved every minute of it.

We have often said that Vogel is a verb. That confuses a lot of people. Vogel State Park is nuzzled in the North GA mountatin and you can just chill. There are paddle boats, putt-putt course, playgrounds, streams, beach...No schedule...we LOVE IT.

The stream right in front of our camper...

We eat breakfast around 11am...that's right, everyone around else was fixing lunch but we were frying up bacon...yummy. Most of the time we skipped lunch and would just have snacks at the beach. Then my wonderful husband would cook us up something on the grill. He is a master on the grill :)

She's such a funny girl :)

People have asked me what we did for 2 weeks. Well the answer is, we Vogel. I highly recommend it.

Isn't this beautiful !!!

My favorite girl!

Almost every year, we head to Cleveland to the famous Cabbage Patch Hospital. Every year, we leave without one. Except this year...Phillip finally caved in and agreed to let Emma adopt a baby. It was quite an experience. We walked around the "hospital" to let Emma find just right one and then began the adoption process. Oh my...she had to raise her right hand and everything...Here is Emma with Kara Elizabeth...

Jack Update:

There is no real new news on our adoption. All we know is that they are still processing paperwork...granted we are not sure who they is :)

We are learning a lot about ourselves through this process. We are also learning alot about God. Thank you Lord for the constant reminders that You are in control and You walk this road with us. Keep us focused on You. I pray we walk each step in obedience with You. Here are a few pictures sent to us by the last team that went to Haiti...remember to visit http://www.jbahaiti.org/ to see what's happening with the ministry.

There are 45 other children at Cabaret Baptist Children's Home in Bercy, Haiti. They are all beautiful children. They all just want someone to love them. Many need sponsors to help with daily needs...all of them need loving families. What is your part? Are you willing to help care for these? What can your family do to make a difference in the life of an orphan? I encourage you to pray and ask God how He wants to use you and your family to impact the life of a child?

Need a good read? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND:

Adopted For Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches

 written by Dr. Russell Moore. This is NOT a how-to book on adoption. This is not just for those who are considering adoption. This book caused me tears, laughter, and a deeper look at my own relationship with Christ. I am still processing some of the things God showed me in this book.

One reviewer states: As a church, we're called to be at the forefront of adoption. This book would be a good place to start for anyone who wants to know how he or she can respond being an adopted child of God. Not everyone is called to adopt. But we're all called to participate. As Moore writes, "The Father adopts children, and we're called to be like Him. Jesus cares for orphans, and we're being conformed into His image. If you're in Christ, you're called to be involved in this project somehow."

I would be happy to allow you to borrow my copy...however, I've already loaned it out. You will have to get on the list :)