Lovely Libby

Took these pics of Libby dressed up in one of her Chinese outfits and I think she looks so beautiful!
Libby loves "feetball" which for some reason is her word for basketball. Try and figure that one out?!?! Brittany was Libby's nanny for our week in Cuero, TX. Brittany is such a sweet heart. She and Libby had a blast together. Thank you Brittany!
Libby loves to swing (finally!!). And yes, that's me wearing high heal black books in the playground gravel. That is not my normal playground attire, I promise! We were leading worship that evening and the playground was at the church. It was impossible to pass it by when Libby was asking "swingset? play? go down slide? So we had a little pre-service play time.Libby puckers up for her upswing kiss from Daddy! So sweet!
Libby and I in front of a 400 year old live oak tree in Cuero, TX.

Nini Cavasos Passed Away Tonight.

On the drive home from Cuero, TX tonight Billy received a phone call informing him his grandmother, Nini Cavasos, passed away. Nini Cavasos is the mother of Billy Foote, Sr. She was well into her 90s and recently came down with pneumonia and some other complications. While she had a long and good life, she is certainly better off tonight in the presence of Jesus. She will be greatly missed. As you think of the Foote family, just ask the Lord to fill them with His peace and comfort as they grieve. Billy Foote, Sr. currently has the flu, so he will need extra prayers as he is very ill and grieving the loss of his mother.

Billy (my husband) is doing well. While he is incredibly sad to see Nini go, he had the opportunity to drive home several weeks ago and say some special things to her and that makes the letting go a little easier. He will be driving to Longview on Friday to be with his family for the funeral service on Saturday.

Six Weeks Summary

Here's how the last 6 weeks have played out for the Foote family. Clean, pack, travel, catch a cold/allergies, lead worship, receive encouragement, travel back (under interesting circumstances), rest?, tackle adoption paperwork long into the night, do laundry, repack, start over.... multiply these steps by 5 and that's been our life for almost 2 months. (Did I mention we have a two year old, too????)

I am NOT complaining! The Lord has been so very good to us. Everytime I got sick I still had a voice. Everytime Libby didn't sleep in the hotel, we woke up with strength for the new day. Everytime we thought "we can't do this anymore", God sent amazing, precious encouragement. Every time I panicked that I wasn't getting adoption paperwork done fast enough, things went faster than planned. God has truly been showing us His provision, favor, love, and power!

Every one of the events we've been given the opportunity to lead worship for has blessed our socks off this year. The Spirit has been moving in fresh ways and God has used each event to speak hope and encouragement to our hearts as well - regarding what our giftings are and what the future holds. While we still plan on coming off the road for a while - we're realizing that this particular door is NOT completely closed. We have peace about not traveling in a full time capacity, but we are also thinking that we'll continue to do one event a month as the Spirit leads - and ONLY as the Spirit leads. We feel strongly that the coming slower season is just that - a season. And that's a big statement coming from us - you see, we really thought this last fall that we were D.O.N.E. Done! Period! But we have been revived and shown that God is NOT through with that part of our lives. We simply, for now, have the freedom to slow down and enjoy our daughter (s) and local ministries.

Side note - Libby is so incredibly precious. She's had a great time in Cuero, TX this week. We're doing a small town revival and since it lasts longer than 2 days (which is the length of most of our events) she's been able to get used to the schedule and routine. After the service tonight we were provided a great meal in the fellowship hall and Libby just ran around and entertained everyone with her AMAZING smile! While others wanted to sit and talk, I just wanted to stare at her and soak in God's goodness in giving me the opportunity to love and guide her precious spirit. I did NOTHING to deserve such an honor. His mercy and grace are so much more than sufficient. They are..... they are....beyond..... beyond words... there are no words to explain the magnitude of His grace and mercy.... they are just beyond....

May each of you know the grace and mercy of Christ. May He reveal them to you in a way that is profoundly relevant to where you are and what your needs are at this very moment.

Below are a few pics from the last several weeks. The first few are of Aria's room (and things in her room). It's coming together beautifully...



Crib bedding, up close. It's called Satin Safari by Cottontale. I found it at a baby boutique on a GREAT sale!!!




Here you see the Karen people from Burma who have been resettled in San Antonio. Every Tuesday night Billy goes with Larry Singletary and the Gager family to teach these precious families English as a Second Language. Last Thursday Libby and I went with Billy and had the opportunity to play with the kids. I had them doing a jump rope contest in a tiny little room of the apartment until (about 20 minutes into it) I realized that we were on the second floor and someone below had to be getting mad! Whoops!
Karen children from Burma. SOOOOOOOOO CUTE!!! Here they are being silly for the camera.

Libby and Daddy Libby jumped right into the jump rope contest. The Karen kids look similar to Libby and I think she felt very comfortable around them.

Libby continues to LOVE the drums. Okay, love is probably an understatement. "Obsessed" might describe it better. She plays drums all day and at every event she has to both play the drums and watch Kevin play the drums.
Valentine Banquet in Borger, TX.

Are we a hokey band or what? Great thumbs up Kevin! That really makes us look cool! HAHA!!!
Libby's hero (Kevin) helps her refine her drumming skills

Terry Singletary, me, and Karen Nolan. These precious friends and their husbands took my family and I out for my birthday dinner at Macaroni Grill. I love these sweet ladies! They are rare gems!
Libby the artist!
Becky, this one is for you since you wanted to see a pic of our new hard wood floors. Whatcha think?

Love you all!

Cindy

Keep Praying!!! - Good News!

My sister, Becky, called today and said that Jason has a job interview tomorrow morning (Thursday morning) for a job that would really be his dream situation. The company interviewing him is very impressed with him and it sounds like it will work out - but let's just ask the Lord to give Jason calm, peace, confidence and favor tomorrow morning!! I'm so excited to see what the Lord will do!

Also good news - looks like my brother, Kelly, has a promising job opportunity to be a worship leader at a local church in Charleston, SC. There's still some things that have to be communicated and decided so let's keep praying for him and his wife, Carissa, as well!

All is well on the Foote front. We have been truly immersed in traveling and adoption paperwork. It's been NON-STOP!! Seriously! But it's all been wonderful and we are so grateful the Lord has given us these opportunities and the strength/energy needed to push through!

I'll post some cute pics of Libby soon - I promise - Oh and Aria's room. Yep - you know me - I'm already decorating!

Blessings,
Cindy

Immediate Prayer Request

Many of you remember me requesting prayer for my sister and her husband because he lost his job. This happened several months ago and God answered our prayers immediately and provided Jason with another job. However, I received the following email from my sister just moments ago:

"Jason and I just found out that he will be laid off...again on Feb 15th. God is really looking out for us in giving us a two weeks notice this time. Because of being laid off 3 months ago, he will not be getting vacation or severance pay. He has to have a job lined up by the 15th. Please keep our family in your prayers. The market is very slow and land development is what Jason loves to do. He is also able to do Auto Cad and Surveying if anyone knows someone who needs help. He has contacted many companies and no one seems to be hiring right now. These are tough times for a lot of people but we know God will provide!"

Becky and Jason live in Charleston, SC and hope to find a job there. Please pray with me again for God's provision! Thank you!!!!

Cindy

Musical Toddler Talk

Libby is a talker - That's for sure! But sometimes I can't quite understand what she is saying. So many of her new words sound the same. Of course, this can be a source of great frustration when she is determined that I WILL understand no matter how many times she has to repeat it. But once I figure out her toddler talk she lights up with such confidence (and relief!). It's a beautiful thing.

Here are 2 cute things she said recently that took a little mommy revelation to decipher.

Libby loves to jam on the instruments she received for Christmas and she usually wants mommy to play whatever instrument she's not playing. So, the other day she was playing her guitar and she wanted mommy to play the keyboard and sing into the attached microphone. Libby stopped playing and got really close to me and said "kicking" very sweetly. I was immediately confused as to what she was saying. She continued to repeat "kicking" "kicking" "kicking". I tried distracting her from her determination to communicate by playing the keyboard more wildly. But she kept saying, "KICKING" louder and louder. Finally I stopped playing, looked at her and said, "Kicking what Libby?" in a somewhat frustrated tone. She said, "kicking 1, 2. kicking 1, 2." And then it dawned on me - she watched me in the studio the day before testing a microphone and saying "testing 1, 2, 3" repeatedly. When I started "testing" her $19.99 Wal-mart Keyboard microphone (which annoyingly feeds back with an ear-piercing pitch) she smiled real big. She was finally satisfied.

2. At 6:55pm central time tonight (Wednesday) Libby started saying something that sounded like "mickey I dra". She has enjoyed drawing a lot lately so I thought she wanted to draw Mickey Mouse or something like that. When she realized I was clueless, she looked at me like I was crazy, planted herself on the couch, and whined the words "mickey I dra" "mickey I dra" over and over - and over. Once again, her very slow mother needed a revelation. I noticed her eyes kept wandering back to the TV when she was whining these words. I looked at the clock, saw that it was 5 minutes to 7pm and realized what she was pleading for....."American Idol!"(Perfectly clear, right?- "Amickey Idra") Yep, our barely 2 year old girl loves to watch crazy, somewhat delusional people try to "sing (which, suddenly concerns me since she always enjoys watching mommy and daddy sing - are WE delusional???) Every time a commercial comes on Libby gets all worried that Amickey Idra is not coming back on and she continually signs "more" "more".

So much fun! - C

Christmas and the BEAUTIFUL BEYOND! (you'll definitely want to read the end of this one!!! HINT!)

This was a spectacular Christmas!

We traveled to Gilmer, TX to be with Billy's family for the week. Libby was already a little sick, but she quickly got more sick and ended up with early pneumonia. It was good timing, though, because we were able to find a doctor right before the holidays who gave her some antibiotics and she started getting better after the first 24 hours of meds. Billy was sick. I had severe allergies that ripped my voice to shreds, but.....(I bet you're waiting for the "spectacular" part) we all were feeling much better by Christmas Eve and Libby was such a delight to watch! The magic of Christmas came over her like a "love at first site" moment as she pranced in her Christmas dress into the Tompkins house. Then she "rolled up her sleeves" and played like a true tomboy excitedly bouncing around with Brooke. When it came time for presents she knew exactly what to do - TEAR PAPER, GASP and SQUEAL WITH DELIGHT! Her Gammy, Papa Boots, Aunt Wendy, Uncle Robbie and Cousin Brooke all gave her such wonderful presents - pjs, lap table, educational toys, beautiful clothes, blocks, sleeping bag, Dora chair, socks, children figurines from around the world, a spanish music CD and book, cash register.... okay, the list goes on. YEP, she's spoiled. Thank you Foote and Tompkins families for loving us and blessing are daughter so much! Your kindness and generosity are overwhelming!

We had a delicious meal at Wendy's house that night and just enjoyed watching Brooke and Libby prance through the living room pushing a toddler size grocery cart and stroller. They loved playing together and we loved watching. We also had a Happy Birthday Jesus ice cream cake and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. This picture below was of Libby right about the time we blew out the candle. Isn't she so pretty!!!

That night Billy and I set up a fine display of toys for Libby's Christmas morning. When she woke up we took her directly to the room and she spotted the small drum set right away. She sat down with a delightful grin and banged away.

She refused to open her other gifts or even try to ride her Dora car. The drums were the only thing in her world at that moment. Does she make you proud, Kevin? Finally she opened her guitar, keyboard, house-cleaning set, and eventually test drove the Dora car (Wal-Mart rocks - we bought all her gifts there!) She loved them all and probably felt like she was finally a real part of the Billy Foote Band. She jammed with her daddy the rest of the day and we took some adorable video. Priceless!

Our time in Longview was wonderful. Billy's whole side of the family joined us in making another family's Christmas really special and that was really the best feeling of all. Crystal, Samuel and Elijah - The Lord has not forsaken you. He never sleeps. He never slumbers. He watches you continually. He knows your coming in and going out. He loves you lavishly and sees your pain. His comfort is being poured out on you. His provision is faithful. He has a plan for you - to prosper you and not to harm you. The entire world will disappoint, but He never fails to amaze, astound, and bless beyond our expectations. May this New Year be full of hope, renewal, rest, peace, and new life! We love you!

We returned home Wednesday after Christmas and spent the night taking down the Christmas tree. The next day we moved all our furniture from the living room into the breaksfast in order for hardwood floors to be put in. No one told us how messy that would get. We didn't do the work of laying the hardwood floors down, but the dust that was stirred up was like a Sahara sand storm and we spent DAYS (and still are spending days) cleaning up that mess. We could write our names on everything we owned. UGH! BUT - the floors are amazingly beautiful - so it was worth it!

On to the "BEAUTIFUL BEYOND" part of the title.... DRUM ROLL..................................................

..........................................................................

We have officially started our journey to adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia!!!!

We sent our application in to AWAA on-line a couple of days ago. AND - we already have a blog for her. To follow our adoption journey and read the story of how we came to that decision go to: http://www.adoptingaria.blogspot.com/. Yep - that's her name: Aria Hope Foote. Now we just have to wait for the Lord to reveal her to us!

The Ethiopia adoption program will most likely take 13-16 months. So by spring 2009 we should be home with her. But as international adoption goes... you just never know. It's a wait, trust, and wait some more adventure.

Happy New Year to all of you and may the Lord's joy be your strength the whole year through!

Happy Happy Happy!!!

Cindy