Autumn Joy

November is National Adoption month.  Coincidentally, our annual Fall Farm Festival

occurred at the beginning of this month.  The weather cooperated and we were able to enjoy a lovely, outdoor evening under the autumn leaves with good friends

and bluegrass music.

It was our joy to host three dear families in the process of adoption from Africa.  They brought some of their gorgeous fundraising items,

two of which can also be found here and here.  It warmed my heart to no end to introduce 3 of my newer, local adoptive friends to some of our older buddies.  One of the mamas and her family traveled more than an hour to hang out, they're adopting 2 of the most adorable kids from the Babies' home that our mission team visited in Uganda.  It was surreal for the 3 of us who went to Uganda this summer, on this trip, to describe what it was like to meet their darling children, children they've yet to meet, but who'll hopefully be home before Christmas. Another amazing adoptive mama was here, they are waiting to be matched with a possible sibling group from Uganda .   Yet another dear friend who is hopefully just weeks away from traveling to Ethiopia to meet her daughter came with her adorable family.  Then there's my precious friend who warmly welcomed them all and whose heart for orphans is second to only One.  Four amazing women who share our passion for rescuing the orphans in their distress combined with countless other friends who supported them that night through prayers and financial support.  Thank everyone of your sweet hearts!  The blessings fill my heart to overflowing with such joy, so apparent it is to me how only His hands could have instrumented such serendipitous connections.  

Hats off to my better half and his good buddy who worked hard to create a spooky barn

and to our hardworking farm hand who hauled around hay bales to create a new favorite past time for the kids

 kudos to our dear sitter who turned our golf cart into a "hayride" when our regular hayride driver fell ill, and to the fire crew couple, Todd and Kristin, who created incredible bonfires, with wet wood nonetheless!

 Blessings and Happy Fall Y'all!