We're having fun!

So we are in the wait, but we're trying to have some fun, too! Lately, Tommy and I have started a "Discovering Alabama Tour." We both grew up in Mississippi and know and love our home state very well. But, we have lived in Alabama for several years now and realized that we don't know much about our new home state. So far we've visited Rickwood Caverns, Noccalula Falls, Desoto Caverns, Auburn, Cullman, Cathedral Caverns, Cheaha State Park, Mentone, Gorham's Bluff, and most recently this past weekend Morgan Creek Vineyard.

Little did we know that Alabama has 13 wineries! Why go to California when you can just visit the great state of Alabama for some fine muscadine wine?!? This past weekend was Morgan Creek Vineyard's fall festival and annual grape stomp. We didn't decide to go until Saturday morning, and as we drove to Harpersville, I was a little afraid we might be the only ones there...that would be awkward...boy was I wrong! There were tons and tons of people there, and we had a blast! They had a band, barrels set up where you could stomp the grapes, wine tastings, winery tours, and Full Moon Barbecue served lunch. However, the best part of the day was definitely the Lucy Look Alike Contest! Here are some pictures and fun facts about Morgan Creek Vineyard.

The entire production process is done in this one room. They make muscadine, apple, peach, and blueberry wine. Muscadine wine does not have to age after the fermenting process, but they age the apple, peach, and blueberry wines about 6 months.

They produce 15,000 cases of wine a year, and ship to 400 stores across Alabama AND Mississippi.

Here is the vineyard. It was really pretty even in the sweltering heat!

One of the Lucy's competing in the Lucy Look Alike Contest

And...

Our favorite of the 30 something Lucy's that competed on Saturday! Hope ya'll had as much fun as we did this weekend!

Adoption Anxiety

So far, all my post have been reflecting the fun and exciting side of adoption. Adoption CAN be really fun and exciting. The sense of urgency that you need to be ready at a moments notice is very exciting. It is fun to anticipate when we are going to get the call, how we will tell our family and friends, will we get to meet our birth mother, will we be at the hospital when the baby is born...even in the delivery room? But...

The adoption road is long. There is a HUGE risk in adoption. There IS such a thing as a failed adoption. Our journey to adoption was long and hard. I have some days when I am flying high anticipating what the Lord has in store for us...and I have some days when my anxiety level is so high I feel like the Lord pulls me back just before I go over the edge. I have been so angry at times. The wait is hard. It is hard to see family and friends have babies. Sometimes it is even hard to celebrate with others. It just does not seem fair. But...

Tommy and I feel called to adoption. We feel called to this struggle, and that is what adoption is sometimes. It is a really hard struggle within yourself to stay committed, to stay strong, and to stay focused on the Lord, and remember that the Lord chose this precious child for OUR family from the beginning of time. Life is full of struggles, and there is no better place to find relief than in God's word. Here are some scripture verses that I look to to remind me of God's steadfast love and faithfulness and that He is my refuge and strength.

"...I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."

Jeremiah 31:3

"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling." Psalm 46: 1-3

"'Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!' The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46:10

I hope these verses lift your spirits, if you are struggling today. Thank you for your continued prayers and support!