Helen

Went to Helen this weekend with a friend for a few days. Did a little hiking, shopping, looking for her a house and adopting a dog. I also took a few moments to take out my camera and took some photos. I really have missed using my "big" camera, my digtal rebel. I miss the feel of it. I have a few shots that I wished I had taken a little more time with because there are some washed out places because of all the white but I didn't really go for shooting, another day maybe.

Farewell to the Candy Man

Today I attended the funeral of one of the greatest men I have ever known. Colonel William LeRoy Kinney died Sunday. This 94 year old man has live a long life showing others how to be Christ like. He has extended his heart to many, many people. He was like a grandfather to me. He and his first wife, Mrs. Ruthie used to baby sit me and my brother and then my other brother and sister after we adopted them. He came into my life when I was just a baby. He was known then as the “Candy Man” at church. He always had candy and hugs for us little ones and this never stopped even after I grew up and moved away. Every time I would visit Zion Baptist Church, I would go and see him and he always gave me a hug and a kiss along with a piece of candy. He even had candy at his funeral. This made everyone smile and cry. He was always willing to help those in need. He would take people to the doctors, pray for them, help out with finance, and call the department of family and children services to help others get on their feet. One lady at DFACS asked how he came to find so many people in need or how did they came to find him. A story was shared today about 2 men who showed (in the pouring rain and soaked to the bone) up after church services wanting a place to crash. The preacher asked him “What do you think?” and the Colonel said that “every man needed a dry bed to sleep in.” That night they put them up in the hotel next to the church. The men asked if they could repay them and they said if you like you can come tomorrow and stack chairs. These guys actually showed up. The Colonel stated that he could count of one hand the number of people who have paid him back. He would do this even if it cost him. Such as the time when the people he put up in the hotel stole everything from the room from towels to the T.V. He was a man who loved everyone regardless. He was an investor, not just in stocks and bond but in the lives of others. He would never take credit for the deeds he has done, but always gave credit to his father in heaven.

He also shared in the excitement of others and never forgot them. I had told him a while back that Mike and I were adopting from China and when I went to see him last month while he was very sick asked me about my China doll and when I was going to get her. I told him it would be a while. This is a man that I would have loved for my daughter to have met. I just hope that I can in some small way be able to exhibit the Character of Christ that this man has. Good bye, I love you and will miss you.

The photos was taken in January of 2006 with his 2nd wife Bobbie whom he has been married to for 10 years after the death of his first wife, Mrs. Ruthie Kinney.

WE'RE IN BEIJING!

Or at least or paperwork is. I have tracked it from Atlanta, GA to Memphis, TN to Anchorage AK to Beijing China. What a trip!

So What!!!

So What if I talk to Squirrels! I also take thier picture. See Peacefullness from Mike's blog for futher explanation.

We are DTC Finally!

As of today (yesterday) July 14th, we are finally DTC (Dossier to China). Sorry I check my email at midnight. This has got to be one of the happiest moments yet. We can officially begin the countdown. As I said before wait time to referral is 13 months and then another month before we travel. Lets all pray that the time does not go up. I am attaching photos of the finished product.

Quilt Square 2

After somewhat of a depressing week of still waiting on the final piece of paperwork before sending everything to China and logging on to the agency web site to see that waiting time to referral is now 13 months plus 1 month before receiveing our travel arrangement. The time continues to go up. Hopefully by the middle of next week we will finally be DTC (Dossier to China) and we can start counting. So something to make me smile came in the mail and it was the 2nd square to the quilt all the way from Charleston SC from Kate Heare. If you are interesting in participating please see the Need Help! from a previous post. Only need 98 more to go.

FIREWORKS!!!!

Last night for the 4th we went downtown to River blast. We haven't gone to see fireworks in a while. It was a nice evening. I had a funnel cake and some cotton candy while Mike had some BBQ and beer. The fireworks were really nice but unlike what we heard about last year the music was not really there. We heard last year that the music was loud and seemed to be in rhythm with the fireworks. This year there must have been something wrong. We were very close to the truck and could not hear the music over the PA's. They sound system was working fine because we heard the announcements but that was it. We still enjoy the fireworks and relaxing under the sky trying to count stars before everything go started. I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July celebration.

Approval 2

Well before the paperwork goes to China has to go to Atlanta to get authenticated first, this will take about 2 weeks then everything goes to China.