Time to blog is hard to find.  I just had to share how good our God is.
 
    This week Abbie called me into her room. She was so excited to tell me that God was working in her heart. She began to pat her chest with excitement and wipe away the tears as she shared how God was showing her the things that she thought was so important when she came here like (boys, clothes, music) was not  nearly as important as she thought. She told me that she wanted to change a project that she was working on at school. (shopping in the Ukraine) Abbie went on to tell me of a demonstration that was shared in church on Sunday and how she felt like God wanted her to use this as her project for school. So she changed the story for her project and made it about her personally.  Mike taped Abbie sharing her project . Abbie told her class how God has  helped her and how He can help them.
    Watching this video, Carson commented "Its amazing what God can do in such a short time". Abbie and Gage have been here for 6 months.  They new very little about God when they came.  I cannot tell you how good God is!

    If God nudges your heart to do something (and its out of your comfort zone) please don't let fear hold you back.  Trust and obey their is no other way...

SOWETH AND REAPING

GALATIONS 6:7 FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP...

AS I COME HOME TODAY TO A HOUSE FULL OF SCREAMING AND FUSSING AND A TEN YEAR OLD 
BEING IN TOTAL DEFIANCE OF HIS MOTHER. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAD MORE FLASH BACKS 
OF MY CHILDHOOD. WE HAVE RAISED 4 BIO CHILDREN WITH VERY MINIMAL ISSUES THANK 
GOD. BUT I SEE ME REAPING MY YOUTHS OATS WITH ONE RIGHT NOW. ITS NEVER ANYTHING 
OF A BIG ISSUE TOO START WITH IT'S LIL THINGS LIKE READ THE LAST THREE SENTENCES 
OF YOUR READING BOOK OR PUT YOUR CLOTHES IN THE HAMPER THAT START WORLD WAR 987 
FOR US BUT WHO'S COUNTING. I AM STILL AMAZED AND IN AWE ABOUT THE CHANCE TO 
CHANGE THE LIVES OF TWO CHILDREN GOD HAS GIVIN US. HE NEVER PROMISED THAT THE 
CROSS WOULDN'T GET HEAVY. BUT I KEEP ASKING MYSELF WHY WAS I SO BAD? WHY DID I 
SOW SOO MUCH AS A CHILD? WHAT WAS I THINKING??? WE HAVE HAD ALOT OF DIFFERENT 
EMOTIONS AND QUESTIONS SINCE WE HAVE STARTED TO SETTLE IN GOOD WITH OUR NEW 
FOUND WAY OF LIFE.  CAN YOU SAY IT'S NEVER BEEN A DULL MOMENT.  WE GO FROM ONE 
DAY I WANNA GO BACK TO THE HOME IN MARIPOL, TO MOMA I WANT YOU TO ADOPT ANOTHER 
GIRL FROM THE UKRAINE SO THAT I WILL HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO:::GAGE IS ALWAYS IN 
TROUBLE AND CARSON WHICH IS PLAYING FOOTBALL NEVER COMES HOME.. SOO I DON'T SAY 
ANY OF THIS FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO MAY READ THIS AND IS 
GOING THRU SOME OF THE SAME KIND OF ISSUES. YOUR NOT IN THE BOAT ALONE. I DON'T 
LIKE TO SUGAR COAT THINGS IT KINDA CRAMPS MY STYLE.. I KNOW THAT GOD WILL MAKE 
THIS TRIAL A BLESSING  AND HE WILL MAKE YOURS A BLESSING AS WELL..WE HAVE ISSUES 
YOUR FAMILY HAS ISSUES BUT IN GODS EYES WE ARE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS WORK.. 
FOR THOSE WHO ARE ON THE FENCE TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH TRUST HIM. GIVE IT TO HIM. 
GO ALONG FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE. HMMMMM YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE MISSING 
UNTIL YOU TRUST HIM AND PUT YOUR FAITH IN HIM... WHY DID I SAY ALL OF THAT I 
DON'T KNOW FOR SURE BUT I WOULD DO EVERYTHING OVER AGAIN IF I HAD THE CHANCE TOO 
TURN BACK TIME..... NOW FOR OUR KIDS SAKE WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON ENGLISH WITH 
TEACHERS ALL SUMMER LONG AND HAVE MADE SOME LEADWAY IN GETTING READY FOR 
SCHOOL.. WHICH ACTUALLY STARTED FOR US THIS PAST MONDAY AND LET ME TELL YOU 
SOMETHING ELSE HOW CONFUSED MY KIDS ARE THEY ARE MAD BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GO TO 
SCHOOL ON SATURDAYS I BET THAT WON'T LAST LONG IN THIS CULTURE. THE BLOGGING 
TIME GETS HARDER AND HARDER TO FIND TIME BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO MY NEW 
NORTHERN FRIENDS I HAVE MEET THROUGH THIS JOURNEY:::: KEEP THE FAITH FIGHT A 
GOOD FIGHT.. SOME OF Y'ALL HAVE HAD SOME HORRIFIC TRIALS WITH YOUR JOURNEY I 
STAND IN AWE IN YOUR FAITH... I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE TEARS OF PAIN FROM YOUR 
HEARTS..BUT GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING... I LEAVE YOU WITH THIS THOUGHT AGAIN 
""WE CAN'T CHANGE THE WORLD BUT WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD OF A CHILD"""


Psalms 66:1
 God didn’t deliver them from the fire; He delivered them through the fire. 
Maybe you are going through the fire today. Know that God is with you. He’s 
doing a work in you, and He’s displaying His glory through you. Remember, on the 
other side of the fire is a place of abundance and blessing! Stand strong and 
see the fulfillment of the promises He has in store for you!

YAHOO DON'T WE SERVE A AWESOME GOD!!!!!!

THANKS FOR READING THE GURLEYS


Have a wonderful day. And GOD bless

IF IT WAS GOD THAT BROUGHT YOU TOO IT HE WILL BRING YOU THRU IT

15.5 HOURS ON THE PHONE WITH AIRLINE

149 HOURS OF TRAVEL

21,600 MILES OF PLANE RIDE

48 HOURS ON A TRAIN

28 DAYS OUT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

COST: GOD DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE,,,FOR OUR FAMILY PRICELESS!!!!! 

 

 

" I HAVE FOUND OUT WHY PEOPLE DONT BLOG AFTER THEY GET HOME"

WELL I GUESS YOU HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHERE I HAVE BEEN WELL TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH I HAVE BEEN DOING THE SAME THING AS YOU...CAN YOU SAY WOW!!!!!!!   I CAN EVEN IN RUSSIAN..WELL HERE IS A QUICK UPDATE ON WHAT IS GOING ON SINCE I HAVE LAST HAD TIME TO WRITE... I MADE IT OUT OF THE UKRAINE MOSTLY IN TACK SOME BATTLE SCARES TO GO ALONG WITH A HECK OF A STORY.. FIRST HERE IS A RABBIT I NEED TO RUN... FOLKS LISTEN IF YOU DONT EVER LISTEN TO A DUMB PORK-N-BEAN SALESMAN AGAIN LISTEN TO THIS::::::  YOUR GONNA HAVE YOUR NEW YUNGGENS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IT"S NOT FAIR TO PICK THEM UP FROM THE HOME UNTIL YOU DONT HAVE TOO..  DONT THINK YOUR GONNA HAVE SOME SORTA MINI VACATION WITH YOUR CHILD AND TIME TO BOND... TRUST ME  TRUST ME DONT SPEND 7 DAYS WITH THEM WAITING FOR THEIR PASSPORTS, AND VISAS GET IT ALL THAT YOU CAN DO DONE THEN AT THE LAST MINUTE GO AND GET THEM... I AM NOT INTO SPREADING MY DIRTY LAUNDRY OVER WWW.  BUT IF YOU WILL CALL ME I WILL BE HAPPY TO EXPLAIN IT IN REAL TERMS..BUT THERE I WAS IN KIEV WAITING ON A PASSPORT WHAT DO YOU KNOW ONE MAN FAILS TO SHOW UP FOR WORK THAT DAY TO STAMP THE KIDS PASSPORT SO WE WERE A DAY LATE WITH THEM. THAT PUT US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUDGET WAR IN THE US ON THAT FRIDAY. AS I SAT IN THE EMBASSEY THAT FRIDAY MORNING TO GET THE VISAS I DIDNT KNOW WHETHER WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUT ON MONDAY IT IS A TWO DAY PROCESS.. IF THE US GOVERNMENT WAS TO DECIED TO PLAY POLITICS AND SHUT THE GOVERNMENT DOWN THE I WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE UKRAINE UNTIL IT WAS OVER...THE DAY BEFORE I WAS ACTUALLY SICK AT MY STOMACH FROM WORRYING ABOUT IT... BUT I HAD SAT AND WORRIED LONG ENOUGH TO THINK OF A WAY OUT AND BACK INTO THE COUNTRY WITH THE CHILDREN MY ONLY PROBLEM WAS THE CHILDRENS PAPERS I DIDNT HAVE CONTACTS TO FORGE ANY IMMAGRATION PAPERWORK.. #2.. I HAD EVEN FIGURED OUT HOW TO GET TWO US SENATORS  ON THE PHONE TO HELP ME.. BUT I HAD FAILED TO GIVE THOSE WORRIES TO GOD  I WAS TRYING TO MAKE THIS A MIKE GURLEY PROBLEM, BUT THIS JOURNEY WAS ABOUT GODS PLAN FOR ME.. I WAS JUST TOO HARD HEADDED TO GIVE IT TOO HIM.. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO TELL MY PROBLEM HOW BIG MY GOD WAS.... THE BUDGET WAR WAS OVER WITH THE USUAL SONG AND DANCE IN WASHINGTON AND AFTER 5 TRIPS TO THE US EMBASSY FOR THE RECORD "IT USUALLY ONLY TAKES 2"  BUT THE OTHER 3 I GUESS WAS GODS HUMOR IN IT..WE WERE GONE OUT OF THE UKRAINE ON THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY..14 HOUR PLANE TRIP I WAS IN THE GREAT STATE OF GEORGIA..

 

OUR KLAN IS FINE WE HAVE BEEN HOME FOR 22 DAYS AND WE HAVE BEEN AS I WOULD LIKE TO CALL A FULL "BLENDER"  YOU KNOW HOW WHEN YOU PUT TOO MUCH MILK AND ICECREAM IN A BLENDER YOU KNOW WHEN YOU MASH THE BUTTON ITS GONNA GO EVERY WHERE WELL THATS US   WE ARE FULL AND I SOMETIMES THINK THE DEVIL HAS HIS FINGER ON THE BUTTON READY TO MASH IT... GIVE A LITTLE MORE TIME WE WILL BE READY FOR THE SPIN CYCLE.. TODAY GAGE AND ABBIE BOTH STARTED SCHOOL AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE HAD A GOOD DAY.. WE SHALL SEE ABOUT THIS SCHOOL THING MY HOPE IS THAT THEY WILL FIND SCHOOL; TO BE FUN AND WANT TOO LEARN..

 

SO IF YOU HAVE READ THIS MUCH THEN I FEEl SURE YOU READ TO THE BOTTOM  HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME I HAVE HEARD FROM FRIENDS, SOME I READ FROM SOMEONES BLOG, SOME I HONESTLY DONT REMEMBER WHY I HAVE IT IN MY HEAD BUT ITS GOTTA COME OUT.:: PS. SORRY FOR ANY RAMBLING

 

THIS IS WHAT KEEPS COMING THRU MY MIND THE MOST::

 

"THERE ARE NO BAD CHILDREN ONLY UNPREPARED PARENTS"

 

I CAN'T CHANGE THE WORLD BUT I CAN CHANGE THE WORLD OF A CHILD..

 

IT'S TIME WE STOP PUTTING PICTURES OF ORPHANS ON OUR REFRIGERATORS AND START FEEDING ORPHANS OUT OF OUR REFRIDGERATORS....

 

 

 I left a lot of kids back at the orphanage wondering why they weren't chosen. Wondering if someone would pursue them and pay the price in so many ways they aren't even aware of.  I do know that taking care of the defenseless and those who find themselves in places and situations outside of their control is NOT a calling it has the tone and tenor of a command. Anyone who thinks that we, as Christians are called to affluent lifestyles and that God simply wouldn't want that for them is a fool. Those who feel the least qualified(me)need to do this. Don't be a member of the "Pansy Christian" crew. God has no use for those who cloak themselves in comfort and buy in to the notion, "You're Best Life Now". That view of the Christian life is nothing short of a load of false teaching crap! What about the best life now for those who are in the greatest need? Trust me; if you're one of those who have the lifestyle of home ownership, good job, great kids, way to many gadgets, comfort beyond description, routines that cannot be altered and are making you feel safe-you ARE thee very ones who need to get out of the rut, take a chance, walk in faith and make a difference. Don't be the servant who buried the talent. Again, God has NO USE for inaction, none!!!!!! It's NOT a ticket to heaven, it's a ticket to a deeper, closer relationship and understanding of Gods will.

GOD DOESN'T CALL THE QUALIFIED,HE QUALIFIES THE CALLED...IS HE CALLING YOU?  ARE YOU WORRIED YOU CANT HANDLE IT?  YOU CAN'T... BUT HE CAN IF HE'S CALLED YOU TO IT!!!!!!!!!  

 

I AM OUTTA HERE AFTER THIS ONE...ONE DAY WE MUST ALL STAND BEFORE GOD AND HAVE TO ANSWER NOT FOR OUR SINS "THEY ARE FORGIVEN" BUT FOR WHAT WE HAVE DONE OR NOT DONE...

 

THE GRASS CAN'T GET NO GREENER ,,AND LIFE CANT GET NO SWEETER!!!!!

 

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYER,LOVE AND SUPPORT   THE GURLEYS

welcome home!!!

FROM A THOUGHT TO A BLOG

FROM A FOG TO A BLOG

HEY I GUESS YOU HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ME IN A FEW DAYS WELL THERE IS ABOUT
7,465,893 REASONS WHY YOU HAVEN'T.. I GOT TIME HOW MANY WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR..
BUT WE WILL KEEP IT POSITIVE..FOR TODAY A VERY SHORT STORY THE VERY NICE AND
SWEAT LADY THAT WAS TRYING TO HELP ME YESTERDAY AT THE US. EMBASSY TOLD ME THAT
I WAS "A TYPICAL MALE ADOPTIVE PARENT,,BUT THAT I WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BETTER
ONES". I HAD ALL MY PAPER WORK FILLED OUT CORRECT EXCEPT ONE LINE ON ONE FORM..
IF ANYONE THAT READS THIS THAT'S BEEN THROUGH A ADOPTION PROCESS YOU KNOW WHAT
IT'S LIKE..WE STILL HAVE SOME ISSUES TO DEAL WITH MONDAY WHEN WE GET BACK TO THE
EMBASSY BUT I KNOW GOD HAS BROUGHT ME THIS FAR HE WON'T LEAVE ME IN A TIME OF
NEED.  I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN GOING THRU A TEST WITH THAT GOSH AWFULL WORD 
"PATIENCE"  AGAIN.. BUT I HAVE BEEN SCREAMING HEY YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION NOW GOD
I GOT THIS PATIENCE THING DOWN..  LETS GO.  BUT I KNOW WE ARE ON GODS TIME AND
SURLEY NOT ON MIKE GURLEYS TIME CLOCK..  IT WILL HUMBLE THE BEST OF A  PERSON
THAT LOVES TO BE IN CONTROL,,FIX IT PERSON LIKE ME TO PUT YOUR FAITH IN HIS
HANDS AND GIVE IT ALL TOO HIM.. THERE ARE SO MANY STORIES I COULD TELL THAT
WOULD BOGGLE YOUR MIND.. BUT GOD WILL ALWAYS BE ENOUGH TOO KEEP MOVING
FOWARD...TODAY IS SATURDAY THE WEATHER IS GONNA BE 35 // 40 degrees 25mph WINDS
SO WE HAVE BOUGHT A WHOLE CHICKEN. USED THE BREAST THAT I BONNED OUT LAST NIGHT
WITH SOME DUMPLINGS NOT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING,, GONA USE THE OTHER PARTS TODAY
AND MAKE SOME CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP.   TODAY IS GONNA BE A GOOD DAY.. FOR ALL OF
THOOSE LIL AMERICANS THAT THINK YOU CAN PLAY UNO. I HAVE TWO THAT HAVE COME UP
WITH WAYS THAT WILL REALLY BOGGLE YOUR MIND ON HOW TO CHEAT I MEAN PLAY THE
GAME.. ALL I CAN SAY BRING YOUR MONEY LEAVE YOUR POCKET KNIFE AT THE DOOR AND
COME PREPARED TO LOSE,AND GET YOUR FEELINGS HURT..WE LOVE Y'ALL AND MISS Y'ALL
WE HOPE TO BE HOME BY FALL MIKE,TOM,ABBIE,GAGE

THE ANGEL FETCHED PETER OUT OF PRISON, BUT IT WAS PRAYER THAT FETCHED THE
ANGELS..       ~THOMAS WATSON

Mike,Abbie,& Gage

SOME THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED...

WELL BY NOW YOU MAY BE THINKING WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING?  WELL PRETTY MUCH AFTER THAT WIRLWIND OF A TRAIN RIDE WE HAVE TAKEN IT EASY TODAY PRETTY MUCH. BUT HERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT WE AND I UNDERLINE WE HAVE LEARNED.. AS MY PREVIOUS BLOG HAD MENTION WHEN I THRU TOM OUT AT THE HOME THEY WERE GOING THRU THE SUITCASE THAT LEEANN HAD PACKED FOR THEM..ABBIE PULL OUT THIS BOTTLE OF SPRAY AND IN HER VERY CHEERFULL MANNER ASK TOM WITH ALL ALL HAND MOTIONS WITH THE BOTTLE OF SPRAY WHETHER IT WENT UNDER THE ARM OR IN HER MOUTH. SHE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW i THINK ITWAS BODY SPRAY.. #2 FOUR PEOPLE CAN GET INTO AND RIDE FOR A HOUR AND HALF IN THE BACK OF A LIL FORD FOCUS AND STILL BE FRIENDS.. #3 WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE are NOT ONLY BACON CHIPS BUT ALSO CRAB,CALAMARI, TO ME IT TASTE LIKE THEY SWEPT THE FLOOR OF THESE PLACES AND USED IT FOR FLAVORING.. #4.WE LEARNED THAT IF YOU GIVE A TEN YEAR OLD BENADRYL FOR A OVER NIGHT TRAIN RIDE THAT IT DOES THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT IT DOES TO AMERICAN CHILDREN YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF WAKING UP AT ONE AM TO SEE HIM STANDING UP ON THE TABLE CLOSSING THE BLINDS SO HE CAN CHANGE FROM PJS TO HIS DAYTIME CLOTHES. #5..WE FOUND OUT THAT HAND SANITIZES DOESN'T HURT YOU IF YOU USE IT FOR MOUTH WASH.. #6..WE FOUND OUT IF YOU TALK TO THE NON FRIENDLY CASHIERS IN SPANISH IT REALLY DOES MESS THEM UP. AND THEY STILL WON'T SMILE. #7..WE FOUND OUT THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE TWO EXTRA PEOPLE. THAT IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY CAN TOTE A SUITCASE FOR YOU, TRY PUTTING ON A 25lb BACKBACK ON A NEW CHILD AND THEY THINK YOU ARE TRYING TO KILL THEM.. #8..WE FOUND OUT THAT EVEN IF YOU HAVE TWO CHILDREN, DON'T THINK THEY CAN WALK VERY FAR. WE WALKED,, NOW, TWO WORE OUT, BAD BACK, BAD KNEE, OLD MEN WALKED DOWN TO THE RIVER, ONLY ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF. BUT BY THE TIME WE STARTED TO GO BACK MAN YOU WOULD OF THOUGHT THE KIDS HAD RAN TWO MARATHONS IN A ROW.. THEY WALKED RIGHT BY ICE CREAM AND DIDN'T WANT ANY.. #9..WE LEARNED THAT IF YOU PUT TWO PRETTY GIRLS ON SKYPE IN FRONT OF A TEN YEAR OLD THAT ALL HE CAN DO IS LAUGH IN A VERY FUNNY WAY.. #10..WE HAVE LEARNED TODAY THAT IF YOU GIVE  TWO OLD MEN ALL DAY TO WASH A LOAD OF CLOTHES IT'S FASTER  TO USE A BATHTUB TO WASH THEM.. TRUE STORY WE HAVE DOWN LOADED THE MANUAL FOR THE WASHER AFTER HAVING TO TRANSLATE IT. AND WE STILL CAN'T GET THE THING TO WASH SO BATHTUB IT IS.. WE WILL TRY SHOWERING WITH OUR CLOTHES ON TO SEE IF IT'S FASTER TOMORROW.. #11 WE HAVE LEARNED TO SAY AMEN AFTER WE PRAY... TOMMOROW IS ANOTHER DAY WE HAVE PLANS TO GO TO THE DREAM MALL AND WALK AROUND BUT IT'S ABOUT A MILE WALK I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE GONNA BE UP FOR IT BUT WE SHALL TRY..MAYBE MY DAY WILL BE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN WITH A PHONE CALL SAYING THE PASSPORTS ARE READY AND WE NEED TO GO GET THEM AND THEN GO START WITH THE US.EMBASSEY...WE ARE GONNA KEEP ON KEEPING ON AND HAVE SOME FUN.. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS..MIKE,TOM,ABBIE,GAGE

kicking my dear friend under the bus

IF YOU DIDN'T READ MY BLOG FROM EARLIER TODAY JUST READ THIS PART. .WE HOPE BY THE END OF THE DAY WE WILL HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS TO REPORT ON EVERYTHING... BUT WHILE WE ARE WAITING I KNOW GOD HAS A PLAN AND I AM WILLING TO FOLLOW IT..THIS JOURNEY HAS BEEN A TRUE TEST OF PATIENCE AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO FOLLOW IT TO THE END... Proverbs 16: 4 the lord works out everything for his own ends. HERE GOES THAT LIL WORD PATIENCE AGAIN. WHEN WE GOT OFF THE TRAIN WE SCREAMED TO MARIUPOL AT ABOUT 80 MILES AN HOUR. COME INTO TOWN AND GOT DROPPED OFF SAID WAIT HERE WE WILL NE BACK IN A HOUR MAYBE TWO. WELL AS WE WERE SITTING DOWN FOR LUNCH 5 1/2 HOURS LATER WE WERE SCREAMING AROUND TOWN .RUNNING IN THIS BUILDING THEN THE NEXT. WE WERE GOING BY THE HOME TO TAKE A PASSPORT PICTURE. NEXT THING YOU KNOW MY FRIEND SAYS LET'S GO AND WE LEAVE TOM THAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE CHILDREN ALL OF ABOUT THREE MINUTES. WE RUN OUT THE DOOR TO DO SOME MORE PAPER WORK. I HAVE TO EMAIL TOM AND TELL HIM TO PUT SOME CLOTHES ON THEM AND IT DIDN'T MATTER WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE.. SO AFTER DOING THE NEXT BIT OF PAPER WORK WE GET BACK TO THE HOME.. AND I WAS THERE FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES. IN WHICH I WAS SIGNING MORE PAPER WORK.. THEN WE HAVE THAT HOUR AND A HALF RIDE BACK TO THE OTHER TOWN TO GET PASSPORT INFO. FILED WE HAD TOO CALL AHEAD BEG BEG AND BEG SOME MORE FOR THEM TO WAIT ON US. SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN THAT TOWN.. SO WE MAKE IT IN TIME GET THE PAPERS DONE AND WE FIND THE FRONT DOOR LOCKED WE ARE LOCKED IN THIS GOVERNMENT BUILDING.. WE FOUND SOMEONE THAT WAS CLEANING THE BUILDING TO HELP US GET OUT.. THEN WE HAVE A TWENTY MINUTE RIDE TO THE TRAIN STATION THAT THE TRAIN LEAVES IN THIRTY MINUTES..WOW I JUMP OUT THE FRONT DOOR SEND TOM AND KIDS AROUND BACK I GO GET THE TICKETS. SWING BACK TO GO FIND THEM GO BY THIS PLACE THAT I USALLY WOULDN'T EAT AT FOUND FOUR PIECES OF THIS PIZZA LIKE SUBSTANCE COLD DIFFERENT FOUR BOTTLES OF WATER AND MY CHILDREN'S FIRST MEAL WAS TOGETHER .. WE GOT INTO THE TRAIN CAR GOT SETTLED AND ALL SAT TOGETHER AND PRAYED HOLDING HANDS THANKING GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE..I HAVE TRAVELED ALMOST SIX THOUSAND MILES TO GET THEM AND NOTHING HAS BEEN TO PLANS TODAY..I NEVER THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD TURN OUT LIKE THIS BUT "GOD KNOWS". IF I WOULD OF HAD A HOUR TO TELL ALL OF THOSE OTHER CHILDREN GOODBYE I LITERALLY THINK I WOULD OF HAD A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK. I DON'T THINK I WOULD OF EVER BEEN ABLE TO WALK OUT WITH MY OWN POWER.. GOD KNOWS WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO AND I THANK HIM MUCH FOR THAT.. PS. WATCH OUT KIEV WE GONNA BUST THAT TOWN WIDE OPEN TOMMOROW.. THANKS MIKE,TOM,ABBIE,GAGE Have a wonderful day. And GOD bless

april 2nd &3rd

As I SIT ON A PLANE GOING BACK ACROSS THE BIG POND. ONE MORE TIME I WOULD LIKe
TO SAY THANKS ONE MORE TIME FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS HELPED ME MAKE IT THIS FAR
FROM THE PERSON WHO HAD THE SMALLEST PART TO THE BIGGEST PART IN THIS JOURNEY..
SOME TIMES IT'S BEEN HARD TO STOP AND SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE
DONE..ITS BEEN A WONDERFUL JOURNEY SO FAR AND I KNOW WITH GODS HANDS IN THE
MIDDLE OF THIS IT'S GONNA BE FINE.

ITS NOW MONDAY MORNING I NOW SIT IN DOWNTOWN MARIUPOL AND GUESS WHAT I AM
DOING. YOU GOT IT WAITING. WE HAD A PRETTY MUCH UN-eventful TRIP SO FAR THE
TRAIN RIDE LAST NIGHT WASN'T HOT THANKS TO THE WOOL BLANKETS PACKED ON TOP OF
THE HEATER MADE IT AT LEAST WARM AND NOT HOT.. SUPPER LAST NIGHT WAS A LOAF OF
BREAD NOT SLICED AND SOME SORT OF SMOKED SAUSAGE AND PRETZELS.. I MADE SURE
LAST TRIP THAT MY BRIDE GOT TO EAT GOOD.. BUT MY DEAR FRIEND TOM MAY LOOSE SOME
WEIGHT IF THIS KEEPS UP..

JUST AS WE GOT INTO THE TRAIN LAST NIGHT MY LAWYER FRIEND LOOKED AT MY PAPER
WORK THAT I BROUGHT AND SAID THAT I WAS MISSING A PAGE... WELL GUESS HOW MUCH
SLEEP AFTER THAT COMMENT..NOT MUCH!!!! SO THIS MORNING THE US EMBASY WILL GET A
CALL ON DO WE REALLY NEED THAT LETTER OR NOT... MY PRAYER IS THAT WE WILL BE
OK.. BUT IN THE MEAN TIME WE ARE LOOKING FOR A WOMAN THAT LOOKS LIKE LEEANN SOO
THEY CAN GO SIGN THIS PAPER WITH ME... THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THAT THERE NOT ANY
IN THE UKRAINE THAT GOOD LOOKING BUT WE WILL TRY..

WE HOPE BY THE END OF THE DAY WE WILL HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS TO REPORT ON
EVERYTHING... BUT WHILE WE ARE WAITING I KNOW GOD HAS A PLAN AND I AM WILLING TO
FOLLOW IT..THIS JOURNEY HAS BEEN A TRUE TEST OF PATIENCE AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO
FOLLOW IT TO THE END...

Proverbs 16: 4 the lord works out everything for his own ends.




Have a wonderful day. And GOD bless

ON YOUR MARK !!!!!!

ARE YOU READY WELL ITS TIME TO GO AND GET MY BABIES I WILL BE LEAVING PUMKIN CENTER GA. SATURDAY MORNING.. CAN ANYONE SAY HOOORAAAAYYYYYYY...   I PROMISE NO MORE HALF HEARTED BLOGS THIS TIME. I PLAN TO HAVE JUST AS MUCH FUN AS I CAN POSSIBLE HAVE ON THIS TRIP. I CANT WAIT TOO SEE THEM..  IT S UP TO MY FRIEND ACROSS THE POND FOR MY NEXT POST.... THANKS FOR THE PRAYERS..

They are Gurley"s YAY!!!!

I COULDN'T MAKE UP SOMETHING LIKE THIS!!!!

TRUE STORY I PROMISE WITH ALL MY HEART

IF I WANTED TO MAKE UP A STORY I COULD NEVER BE ABLE TO MAKE UP ONE LIKE THIS.. I DID MAKE UP SOME OF THAT OTHER BLOG BUT NOT THIS.. YESTERDAY AFTER WE HAD GOTTEN OUR COURT DECISION WE WERE SUPOSE TO GET A APPLICATION FOR  THE CHILDREN'S PASSPORT FILED OUT GO BACK AND PACK UP SIT AROUND FOR A LIL BIT THEN GO TO THE HOME FOR A CELEBRATION THEN ON TO THE TRAIN STATION IN THE TOWN WE WERE IN..FOR OUR TRIP HOME... WELL DO Y'ALL REMEMBER MY BLOG ABOUT PATIENCE WELL I GUESS" I DIDNT " GOOD ENOUGH BECAUSE HERE IS HOW MY DAY WENT .. FOR REAL WHEN WE GOT UP TUESDAY AM I HAVING  SOME COFFE DRINKING TIME AND I HAD STARTED WRITTING MY BLOG FOR YESTERDAY ALL I NEEDED TO PUT IN WERE THE DETAILS ABOUT THE COURT TIME..  
WELL MY LAWYER TELLS ME SHE HAS NEVER BEEN IN FRONT OF THIS JUDGE AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.  WELL THEN WE WAITED FOR TWO HOURS AFTER THE TIME WE WERE TOLD TO BE THERE.. WHICH WASNT BAD BECAUSE  I HAD BROUGHT MY LIL NOTEBOOK AND ADDED SOME THINGS I FELT WAS WORTH THE METION IN THE BLOG. I HAD ABOUT 3 PAGES WRITTEN OUT JUST HAD TO TYPE..THE NIGHT BEFORE I TRIED TO CHANGE OUR TICKETS TO WED. FROM SATURDAY NO PROBLEM I GOT ON THE PUTOR GOT ALL THE WAY TO THE LAST PAGE AND THE CONNECTION JAMMED UP.. MY CREDIT CARD HAD THE PENDING CHARGE BUT I WASN'T ON THE AIRLINES WEBSITE SO I KEPT ON CHECKING ON THAT.. THE PHONE WOULDN'T CALL A 800 NUMBER
WHEN YOU CALLED THE AIRLINES NUMBER I GOT UKRAINIAN PERSON "NO ENGLISH CALL 800 NUM".. WELL AFTER COURT WE GO TO THE NOTARY THAT MY GROUP LET'S  DO ALL THEIR WORK..YEP CLOSED FOR THE DAY."LEEANN HAD TO WALK ABOUT A MILE IN HIGH HEELS" WE GET TAKEN BACK TO THE APARTMENT WE PACK .. I HAD TIME TO WRITE THE BLOG I GO LOOK IN THE BACKPACK NO YELLOW NOTEBOOK I THOUGHT TO MYSELF LORD WHAT DID I WRITE THAT YOU DIDNT WANT ME TO SAY.. I HADNT GOT A CLUE NOW .. SO IN HAST BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS IN A HURRY AND I KNEW OUR FAMILY WOULD WANT TOO KNOWN ABOUT COURT I PUT MY THOUGHTS BACK TOGETHER IN THE POST AND SENT IT..IN A HURRY WE THOUGHT WE WERE IN A HURRY TO GET BACK TO THE HOME.. OUR DRIVER SHOWS UP AND SAY WE GOTTA GO..A  BABY, CAR TO MUCH LUGAGE REMEMBER DON'T BRING MUCH..SO THEN WE ARE OFF TO GO WAIT IN THE CAR WHICH SEEMED LIKE FOREVER ONLY REALLY A HOUR.. THE PAPERS ARE READY WE SIGN.. OUR LAWYER HAS SOME BAD NEWS NO TRAIN WE HAVE TO TRAVEL TWO HOURS TO THE NEXT TOWN TO CATCH A TRAIN.. TIME LINE WE HAVE ABOUT 28 minutes TO HAVE A PARTY IN THE HOME.. NEXT TO COURT EARLIER THAT WAS GREAT .. MORE ON THAT LATER.. WE THEN RUSH OUT from the home a FAMILIAR FRIEND,, A DRIVER THAT WAS GONNA TAKE US TO THE TRAIN.. BEFORE WE LEAVE THE PARKING LOT I LOST MY INTERNET CONNECTION TO THE WORLD. MY STICK WAS GOING TO THE ECHOLS THAT WERE COMING TO TOWN THE NEXT DAY. I STILL HAD MY IPAD THAT WE HAVE KINDA RIGGED UP SOME INTERNET ON..WE STOPPED AT A GROCERY STORE TO RUN IN AND  GET SOME FOOD FOR THE TWELVE HOUR RIDE. I GO GET SOME WATER AND SNACKS I LEFT LEEANN AT A LIL DELI.. WE GET BACK IN THE CAR WITH FIVE MINUTES TO MAKE IT TO THE TRAIN,,WE GET ON THE TRAIN OPEN THE IPAD IT WON'T COME ON AT ALL BLACK SCREEN NOTHING... WE CHARGED THE THING NOTHING.. WE SHOOK IT,,MASHED ALL THREE BUTTONS EVERY WAY THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE,,,NO CONNECTION TO THE WORLD..
No checking on THE KIDS AT HOME NO CHECKING ON PARENTS, NOTHING,,STILL DON'T KNOW ABOUT PLANE TICKETS..MY FRIEND   "ARM" "JOE KNOWS" MET US ON THE TRAIN  THE NEXT MORNING AIN'T NOTHING LIKE A FACE YOU KNOW. WE MAKE OUR WAY TO THE AIRPORT WE STOP AT A MCDONALDS I WAS ABLE TOO USE  THEIR WIFI TO SEND JUSTIN A MESSAGE TO BE AT THE Airport..WE GET TO THE AIRPORT I TRY TO CHECK IN AT THE KIOSK PROBLEM!!!!!!  PLEASE   CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE.... HELLO... SO I WAIT WITH THE PATIENCE OF "A OLE MOTHER HEN".. TWO HOURS FOR THE DESK OPENS WITH MY AIRLINES.. YEP YOU GOT IT I WAS THE FIRST IN LINE.. THE LADY TOLD ME IN PLAIN ENGLISH THERE IS NO PROBLEM YOUR FLIGHT WILL BE ON SATURDAY..WHATWOE,!!!
I SAID CAN I PLEASE GO TODAY SAME FLIGHTS TIMES SHE HAD A FEW STRANGE LOOKS TO HER COMPUTER AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE CHARGE ALL I COULD SAY WAS DA!!  We GET OUR TICKETS GO STAND IN THE WRONG LINE FOR A WHILE. GOT TO BE OUR TURN IN THE CORRECT LINE AND GUESS WHAT THAT EXTRA BAG THAT I PAID FOR WHEN I BOUGHT THE TICKETS FOR SATURDAY...WELL    IT DIDN'T TRANSFER OVER THE LADY TOOK MY BAGS AND TOLD ME I NEEDED TO GO BACK WHERE I WAS BEFORE AND PAY FOR THE EXTRA BAG.. GO THRU SECURITY WITH NO PROBLEM.. WE TAKE THE BUS TO THE PLANE CLIMB ON BOARD SIT DOWN AND FOR SOME REASON I PULL OUT THE IPAD LIKE I HAVE 100 TIMES SINCE IT WOULDNT COME ON WHEN I NEEDED SOME HELP..AND SURE AS I AM MIKE GURLEY THE THING COMES ON.. I LOOKED AT LEEANN,, AND I SAID YOU DON'T THINK MY GOD DOESN'T HAVE A GREAT SENCE OF HUMOR THEN YOUR CRAZY... SEE I NEEDED GOD, I DIDN'T NEED THAT "WWW"....HE WAS ALWAY ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET US THROUGH THIS LEG OF OUR JOURNEY..
I GUESS THAT'S WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO SHOW ME.. I AM JUST GLAD I NEVER LOST IT..WOW. AS YOU MAY WELL KNOW THIS IS NOT OVER YET.  

FROM TWO HUMBLE SERVANTS FOLLOWING WHERE HE LEADS US THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS, MIKE AND LEEANN  

SOMETIMES LIFE JUST GOODER AND GOODER!!!!!

I HAVE BEEN TO COURT 100 TIMES BEFORE AND I AIN'T NEVER BEEN NERVOUS.. WELL TODAY IS THE DAY COURT FOR A JUDGE TOO DECIED IF WE CAN ADOPT OR NOT.. IT MAKES IT WORSE BECAUSE WE HAD TO PRACTICE WHAT WE WERE GOING TOO SAY...  KINDA REMINDS YOU OF COURT IN WARREN COUNTY...

Well as we GO OUT TO DINNER LAST NIGHT WITH OUR UKRAINE LADY FRIEND AKA.MRS.S WE SOMEHOW GOT TO TALKING ABOUT CARTOONS IMAGINE THAT THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW WE ARE WATChING THIS CARTOON ON YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS DONKEY YEA DONKEY DON'T TURN AWAY NOW I AM GOING SOMEWHERE WITH THIS... THIS DONKEY WAS NAMED ENOCH SHORT AND GRAY WITH BIG EARS KINDA REMINDED YOU OF THAT ON ON DISNEY.. WELL HE WAS LOOKING IN THIS WATER HOLE THAT HAD THE APPEARANCE OF BEING ABOUT SIX FEET IN DIAMETER.. HE WOULD LOOK AT HIS SELF IN THE REFLECTION WALKED TO THE OTHER SIDE AND LOOK WITH HIS REAL DISTANCE LOOK ON HIS FACE,HE WOULD GO INTO THE MIDDLE LOOKING INTO TOO THE WATER.. THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN HOW HE LOOKED NOTHING CHANGED UNTIL HE STEPPED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE WATER HOLE THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE..  I AM NOT ASKING YOU TOO GO HALF WAY AROUND THE WORLD TO ADOPT A CHILD THO THAT MAY BE WHAT YOUR SUPOSE TO DO.BUT WHAT IS GOD ASKING YOU TOO DO THAT YOU WON'T RIPPLE THE WATER..WHY WON'T YOU HAVE FAITH LIKE A CHILD THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL...WE ACTUALLY HAVE PUT OUR HEARTS,LIVES,AND MONEY IN THE HANDS OF GOD AND LET HIM LEAD US TOO WHERE WE WERE SUPOSE TO BE WITH WHEN WE WERE SUPOSE TO BE THERE NOT A MINUTE LATER...

AFTER WE WAITED OVER TWO HOURS IN THE HALL FOR OUR JUDGE TO HAVE TIME FOR OUR APPOINTMENT WE GO INTO COURT.. PS."GAGE AND I WERE THE ONLY TWO MEN IN THIS GROUP OF 12 AND MAY I SAY FOR THE RECORD THEESE WOMEN WITH THE PATIANCE  OF A FLY BETTER WATCH-OUT CAUSE GOD MAY WORK ON THAT FOR THEM..". WE GO THREW ALL THE GARBLE JUNK OF THE OFFICIAL TALK AND WHEN THE JUDGE WAS ASKING ABBIE AND GAGE ABOUT GOING FAR AWAY AND HAVING THE HARDSHIPS OF A NEW PLACE TO LIVE,NEW SCHOOL,NEW HOME,NEW LANGUAGE,NEW FAMILY THEY STOOD UP JUST AS PROUD OF A HUMAN-BEING COULD EVER BE AND SAID "DA,DA,DA" AS I LOOKED AT THOSE CHILDREN IT HIT ME LIKE A TRAIN LOAD OF BRICK I WAS SHAKING  YOU GOT IT CRYING WAS NEXT...YEP CRYING OUT LOUD I DIDN'T CARE... WOW GOD,!!!!! I WAS THINKING....I  CANT BELIEVE IT,YOU HAVE USED THESE  CHILDREN,TO COME INTO MY LIFE, HELPED ME BE A BETTER  PERSON,TOUCHING OUR FAMILY IN WAYS WE CAN'T DESCRIBE.   AND WOW!!!!! AGAIN GOD IT JUST GETS GOODER AND GOODER WE HAVE OFFICIAL PERMISSION FROM THE COURT TO BRING OUR TWO NEWEST CHILDREN HOME....                                   

IF WE WOULD OF WORIED ABOUT THE WHAT IF'S IN ALL OF THIS, IF WE HAD NOT WANTED TO MAKE A RIPPLE IN  OUR LIVES DOING WHAT GOD HAS CALLED US TO DO THEN WE WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD ALL THIS FUN,TEARS,SWEAT....AND JOY!!!!
    AND HAPPINESS!!!!!  
Thank you all from the bottom of our HEARTS For your part in this..
     Mike and Leeann

WELL.

WELL AS WE SIT WAITING ON SOMETHING TO HAPPEN AFTER BEING IN THE SAME PLACE FOR OVER A WEEK.WE WENT TO EAT LUNCH. SALAD FOR LEEANN AND UKRAINE BOOSCH SOUP FOR ME.. IT WAS GREAT SO AS WE STILL SIT AT THE TABLE MY FRIEND HAS JUST PHONED ME AND SAID THAT WE HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN TOLD THAT OUR COURT DATE HAS BEEN SET....YAHOOOOOOOO. TOMMOROW MORNING AT 9 AM. WOW I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE FINISH LINE..THANK YOU LORD FOR THE NEWS I AINT SAYING WERE GOING TO BE DRAGGING ACROSS PUT OUR BAGS MAY VERY WELL...SO WE ARE IN A PACE TO BOOK TICKETS ON THE TRAIN,CHANGE OUR FLIGHT SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TILL SATURDAY NIGHT TO LEAVE. WE WILL BE INTOUCH WHEN WE WORK OUT TRAVEL PLANS SO CARSON CAN HAVE THE HOUSE CLEANED UP BEFORE WE GET HOME....

OK SHE WAS RIGHT AGAIN//WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!

Lee Ann Young Gurley March 20 at 3:17pm Reply• Report

this morning we visited a church that a friend recommended. we were late b/c our driver showed up late.finally found the worship service (hard bc we couldnt read the signs. and i stepped in mud.Ugh..
found out b4 that service was in russian but decided against mikes better judgmt to go anyway..(the things he does for me.. :0)) as we entered late sat near the back. they were having testimony time. then a girl behind me leaned forward and ask if she could translate for us. i knew then God was making a way for the worship we needed.
the people there were praising God for everything from food to clothing , for their health ,one lady even gave praise for sick son saying that he may have his eyes opened by his healer. It was awesome.
The hymns sung in russian(song book had english on one side and russian on other) were sung w/ sweet humble spirit. How Great thou art,tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,and more.. The preacher spoke on faith and prayer and trusting God :0)
service lasted from 11 til 1:20 . afterwards Tanya,alady that runs transitional living center(for kids that age out of orphanage were no where to go) took us on tour of the center.
The center has about 12 teens there. they have strict rules there . they teach them how to care for home and work on learning trades.
I wish we could have spent some time there this last week.
We went from there to childrens home to visit for about 2 hours.Abbie and Gage are getting so excited about coming to america. we were able to skype w/ carson ,nanny, and Luke, buck and suede too.was really nice.
Really thankful today for my family ,friends,church family. I am also thankful for humble people onthis side of the world worshipping MyJesus and allowing us to join..

IT,S A BRAND NEW DAY,!!!

  ON THE WORLD SIDE OF LIFE I HAVE NO EXPLANATION OF WHY I SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE UKRAINE, ON A FRIDAY NIGHT.. BUT I BELIEVE WE ARE IN THE PERFECT WILL OF THE LORD... WE HAVE PEACE AND JOY THAT CAN'T BE OVERCOME,, WE HAVE HAPPINESS THAT'S BEYOND WORDS FOR THIS SOUTHERNER,, WE HAVE SOO MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR.. I HAD A FRIEND SEND ME A EMAIL LAST NIGHT AND IT REALLY MADE ME STOP AND THINK,,AND NOT SLEEP ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS BUT HE WAS RIGHT.. LET ME START BY SAYING MY FAMILY, AND MY CHURCH FAMILY INCLUDED WE HAVE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK GOD FOR AND WE SOMETIMES WOULD RATHER NOT THINK ABOUT THE POSITIVE AND HAVE A LIL PITY PARTY FOR OURSELVES. IF THIS IS FOR NO OTHER PERSON IN THIS WORLD OTHER THAN ME WELL I NEEDED IT.. 

1. SALVATION.. JESUS DID FOR US WHAT WE COULDN'T DO.
2.OUR HEALTH..THAT WE ARE HEALTHY.
3. OUR COUNTRY..WE LIVE IN THE GREATEST,!!!!
4.OUR FREEDOM..YOU ARE ALLOWED TO BE STUPID IF U CHOOSE IN OUR COUNTRY..
5.OUR CULTURE.. SOUTHERN!!! ENOUGH SAID..
6.OUR CHURCH..A GOD LOVING,GOD FEARING,BIBLE BELIEVING,
7.OUR PARENTS..HERE IS A RABITT. THANK GOD FOR OUR PARENTS THAT SACRIFICED WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP SO THAT WE WOULD BE BETTER PEOPLE,,THANKS FOR SHOWING US A TRUE LOVING WAY TO HAVE A FAMILY, AND TO SHARE LOVE WITH EACH OTHER..THANKS FOR CHOOSING TO HAVE A FAMILY POSSESSIONS AND NOT WORLDLY POSSESSIONS.. THANKS FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT.. YES THIS INCLUDES MY MOTHER IN LAW..PS I AM THE BEST ONE SHE HAS.
8.OUR FRIENDS..WITHOUT OUR FRIENDS SUPPORT AND PRAYER THIS WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING.
9.OUR CO-WORKERS..WHO HAVE MADE ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE..
10.OUR NEWEST CHILDREN'S BIRTH MOTHER,, WHO LOVED THEM ENOUGH TO PUT THEM IN A HOME..
11.CAREGIVERS,,I DONT KNOW EVERYONE ALONG THE WAY OF THESE CHILDREN'S LIVES WHO HAVE HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH THEM BUT GOD DOES.. TO THE WOMEN WHO HAVE RAISED THEM TO THE THE COOK THAT HAS FEED THEM.   THANKS

AS THE DAYS OF THIS JOURNEY START TO DWINDLE DOWN.I JUST NEEDED TO STOP AND THANK THE LORD FOR BRINGING US THIS FAR.THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO......


Psalms 66:1
 God didn’t deliver them from the fire; He delivered them through the fire. Maybe you are going through the fire today. Know that God is with you. He’s doing a work in you, and He’s displaying His glory through you. Remember, on the other side of the fire is a place of abundance and blessing! Stand strong and see the fulfillment of the promises He has in store for you!

YAHOO DON'T WE SERVE A AWESOME GOD!!!!!!

JUST ONE DAY CLOSER

OK TODAY I WILL START FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY WHAT WE DID ALL DAY,TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ON MY BLOG FROM YESTERDAY..BUT ATER ALL I MAY JUST BE IN DISTRESS. SO FIRST LET ME TELL YOU WHEN I WENT TOO BED ACTUALLY ASLEEP ON THE SOFA IT WAS 3.34 yep 9.34 AT HOME LEEANN IS SMART SHE GOES TO BED AFTER SUPPER THEN GETS BACK UP TO TALK WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.... ME I TRIED THAT ONE TIME AND YEP UP ALL NIGHT AFTER A THREE HOUR NAP..SO I GET UP ABOUT 8.30 GET ME SOME COFFEE INSTANT. CHECK MY EMAIL.START TRYING TO WAKE MY BRIDE UP AROUND 10 WITH THE PROMISE OF GOING FOR A WALK AND GETTING LUNCH BEFORE WE GO FOR OUR DAILY VISIT.. SOMETIMES FOOD OR A PROMISE OF A GOOD WIFI CONNECTION IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL GET HER OUT OF BED.. YOU KNOW SHE HAS BEEN HANGING AROUND ME TOO LONG "MY MIDDLE NAME IS NOT DANG FOR NOTHING". WE ARE IN THE DAY 12  YEAH OF THIS LEG OF OUR JOURNEY. WE HAVE HAD NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER OF GROWING CLOSER IN OUR MARRIAGE, HONEYMOON IT HAS NOT BEEN... GROWING PAINS YEA... WE MUST REMEMBER THE LONG ROAD,FOR THE LONG HAUL... WE HAD OUR FRIEND//PREACHER TAKE US TO THE AIRPORT WHEN WE LEFT. COMING HOME BY THE TIME IT'S OVER HE IS GONNA NEED TO BRING A VAN LOAD OF PREACHERS FOR THIS MARRIAGE COUNSELING SESSION.."FOR MY CHILDREN YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD THE "BUCKET" WORD SO MUCH IN YOU LIFE. JJ"    NA I AM JUST KIDDING THRU IT ALL IT'S BEEN GREAT.SO WE ARE GOING FOR A WALK SHE'S READY.  WALK UP THE HILL A COUPLE OF BLOCKS TO A COFFEE SHOP WITH WI FI HAVE A SLICE OF CAKE A DELICIOUS CUP OF JAVA.   SOCIAL NETWORK CATCHING UP THO NOTHING MUCH HAS HAPPEN CONSIDERING IT'S ONLY SIX AM AT HOME WHERE ALL OF OUR FRIENDS ARE.  SO WE CATCH UP ON THE NEWS BOY DON'T WE NEED TO SAY A PRAYER FOR JAPAN.. YOU KNOW,,I AM AS DEDICATED AS THEY COME FOR A JOB BUT FORGET IT IF IT'S GONNA REALLY KILL ME... YIKES HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHEN YOU WOKE UP THIS AM YOU HAD TO GET INTO A HELICOPTER AND FLY OVER THAT SMOKING BOMB to DROP WATER ON IT... SO WE MAKE OUR WAY TO THE HOME JUST LIKE BEFORE THIS TIME THIRTY MINUTES LATER BECAUSE THE KIDS HAVE BEEN HAVING TO HURRY THRU LUNCH TO BE ABLE TO SPEND TIME WITH US..SO IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR VISIT HERE COMES A WOMAN. WALKS RIGHT UP TO THE TABLE AND SAYS "WHAT ARE Y'ALL DOING HERE" IN BROKEN ENGLISH REALLY KIND OF HATEFULLY BUT AS ANYONE WHO HAS HEARD THIS LANGUAGE BEFORE YOU NEVER KNOW IF THEY ARE ASKING YOU IF YOU WANT A ICE CREAM OR HAND ME THAT KISER BLADE SO THEY CAN CUT YOUR HEAD OFF... IT WAS LIKE SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHY WE WERE THERE AND WHAT WE WERE DOING.. LEEANN SAID WE WERE VISITING WITH THE KIDS.. LEEANN TOLD HER SHE WAS SUPOSE TO CHECK IN THE OFFICE FIRST. SHE WITH HER BROKEN ENGLISH WAS GONNA HAVE ENGLISH CLASS COME TO FIND OUT... LOL... SO LEEANN BEING FROM THE SOUTH GETS UP SHOWS HER THE WAY.  MOMENTS LATER HER SHE COMES BACK AND WE GET RAN OUT OF OUR ROOM AND HAS ABBIE TAKEN AWAY FROM US SO THEY CAN HAVE ENGLISH CLASS WITH ABOUT TEN KIDS..SO WE WENT AND FOUND US ANOTHER SOFA TO SIT ON AND FINISHED OUR VISIT WITH GAGE. OUR FRIDAY NIGHT DATE WAS DINNER AT A PIZZA JOINT.. AND SOME SHOPPING FOR SOME HEALS FOR THE BRIDE..NOW WE WAIT ON ANOTHER HOOP TO JUMP THROUGH BEFORE WE DO SOMETHING ELSE.. WE ARE ABOUT 75 PERCENT SURE WHEN OUR COURT DATE IS BUT WE CAN'T SAY YET SORRY.....

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

I THINK  WAS ONE OF THE MEN AT THE DOOR  YIKES

havin a lil fun



MY FRONT DOOR TO GET INTO BUILDING



MOMA HAVIN A LIL R+R WITH THE I PAD

SUPPER ONE NIGHT!!!!!

7 OF THE 76 STEPS   

WOW WHAT A LAST COUPLE OF DAYS THIS HAS BEEN.TODAY WAS SUPOSE TO BE LEEANNS DAY
TO BLOG BUT AS YOU CAN TELL THAT DIDNT WORK OUT LIKE I HADE PLANNED...SO YOU
WILL NEVER GUESS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING WELL I WENT FISHING THE OTHER DAY,TOM
BENTLEY AND I GOT THROWN OFF OF A BOAT.. THERE ARE 76.  YEA 76 TALL STEPS FROM
THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP OF WHERE WE ARE STAYING. SEVENTY SIX.  THATS ALOT FOR A
WORE OUT WASHED UP FAT BOY FROM THE SOUTH.. AS I WAS WALKING DOWN THE OTHER DAY
LEEANN PUSHED ME AND I FEEL DOWN ABOUT TEN OF THEM AND LAID THERE FOR ABOUT A
HOUR.
THEN WHILE WE WERE ASLEEP CARSON CALLED AND SAID HE GOT SHOT IN THE FOOT WITH A
ARROW BY LUKE HE WILL PROABLY JUST LOOSE A TOE... LEEANN WAS A LITTLE UPSET.  
WELL ABOUT 4AM THIS MORNING TWO MEN BEAT ON OUR DOOR.. YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT
THE FIRST DOOR YOU GO THRU FROM OUTSIDE IS REALLY A 1/4 INCH SHEET OF STEEL..NO
JOKE THE NEXT DOOR IS JUST A REGULAR DOOR THEN 76 STEPS I WAS TALKING
ABOUT..THEN YOU COME TO THE TOP OF 76 steps? And it's our Door another big steel
door with a wild lock on it then comes our regular front door..... Do you get
the picture.. Any way. Two men had open the last of the four doors. They WERE
RAISING CANE ABOUT THE FACT WE WERE USING THEIR WIFI CONNECTION WITHOUT PAYING
FOR IT..Well THEN WE WERE HUNGRY I GOT MY DRIVER TO CARRY US TO THE GROCERY
STORE....WHAT HAPPENS THEN...YOU KNOW THE NUMBER IN YOUR PASSPORT YOU HOPE YOU
NEVER HAVE TO CALL... YEA THE ONE IN CASE YOUR IN TROUBLE THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
YEP THE YOUNG CLERK AT THE GROCERY STORE SAID I PUT SOMETHING IN MY POCKET..
WHICH I DID IT WAS A EMPTY BAG I BROUGHT FROM THE APPARTMENT. WHY YOU SAY THEY
CHARGE YOU AT THE STORE FOR EVER BAG THAT YOU GET.. SO I WAS SAVING ME SOME
MONEY... YOU KNOW IT ALL ADDS UP AT THE END OF THE DAY.   WHAT NEXT I DON'T KNOW
I AM SCARED TO GO TO SLEEP. THIS IS ALL I DREAMED THE LAST TWO NIGHTS....WHO 
KNOWS WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GONNA GO THRU THIS HEAD TONIGHT.............   SO YOU
WANNA KNOW WHAT WE DID TODAY WE WENT AND HAD A VISIT WITH THE KIDS I DOWNLOADED
A COUPLE OF KIDS LEARNING BOOKS ON MY IPAD. YOU WOULD BE AMAZED WITH THE
LEARNING TOOL IT REALLY CAN BE... BOY IF THEY HAD THAT WHEN I WAS A KID I WOULD
PROABLY BE SO SMART I WOULDNT  BE IN THE  PORK N BEAN BUISNESS.. SPEAKING OF
THAT WE WENT TO THE MINI WALMART GROCERY STORE TODAY I THOUGHT I WOULD FIX
SOMETHING FOR SUPPER. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW I REALLY CAN'T REMEMBER NOT
BEING IN A GROCERY STORE REALLY SINCE I WAS TEN YEARS OLD I HAVE SEEN ALOT OF
STUFF. BUT WOW IS ALL YOU CAN SAY ABOUT SOME OF THIS.. IT WAS REALLY A CHALLENGE
TO FIGURE OUT A MEAL WITH NOT KNOWING WHAT STUFF IS... I AM SERIOUS PICTURES
DON'T WORK ON THE LABEL OVER THE POND.. ANY WAY WE HAVEN'T LOST ANY WEIGHT YET
OVER HERE.. NOT TOO METION THE 76 STEPS EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING...OR
HAVING TO TOTE WATER A MILE FROM THE STORE IF YOU CAN'T FIND YOUR DRIVER...    
SOME OF MY FAVORITE SAYINGS FOR THE WEEK FROM MY BRIDE:::"DON'T TALK TOO ME". 
"GOD IS GETTING TIRED OF YOU TALKING TO ME LIKE THAT". YEP SHE HAS BEEN A REAL
TROOPER STUCK IN AN APARTMENT THE SIZE OF OUR BEDROOM AT HOME ALL WEEK WITH NOT
MUCH GOING ON....WE KNOW WE ARE ON THE LONG ROAD,FOR THE LONG HALL,IN OUR
JOURNEY TO MAKE A DIFFERANCE... WE
LOVE YALL AND MISS MOST OF YALL MIKE AND LEEANN..

PS.IF SOMEONE SEES SPOGGIE TELL HIM DADDY IS COMMING BACK....  HE IS MY FOUR
LEGGED FRIEND..PLEASE DON'T CALL HIM A ---


Have a wonderful day. And GOD bless

SOMETIMES ITS JUST EASIER

I HAD TO WRITE A NEW POST BECAUSE I WASNT SMART ENOUGH TO EDIT MY LAST ONE FROM THIS AM.. MY TECHNICAL SUPPORT STAFF HASNT GOT OUT OF BED YET..MAY I SUGGEST MEN IF YOUR WIFE HAS BEEN DOING ALL THE BLOGGING AT HOME BEFORE YOU GET TOO  THE IFFY, SLOW INTERNET WORLD. KNOW HOW TO DO IT BEFORE YOU GET HERE YOUR NERVES WILL BE IN SHAMBLES BY NOW ANY WAY..ANY ONE THAT WILL BE COMMING BEHIND ME TO THE REGION I AM AT. AND THE TOWN THAT I AM AT THERE IS A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN BUY A INTERNET CARD THAT WILL GO INTO YOUR I PAD SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE CELLULAR WHICH WAS A GREAT HELP TO US BECAUSE THATS WHERE MY GOOD TRANSLATOR WAS THAT WONT WORK WITHOUT INTERNET...WORKED FINE AT HOME. I  HAD IT DOWN BUT DUMMY ME DIDNT THINK ABOUT A CONNECTION ISSUE...WE WENT TO THE CHILDRENS HOME TODAY MEANING TUESDAY.HAD A GREAT VISIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND THEN WE HAD TO LEAVE I ASKED MY DRIVER TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE......  WHERE DID HE TAKE US TO NO OTHER THAN TO THEIR VERSION OF A WAL-MART   IT WAS ABOUT 1/8 THE SIZE OF YOURS.  WE ONLY HAD A VERY FEW MINUTES FOR LEEANN TO SHOP BUT ONE MORE TIME IT WAS A EXPERIANCE TO SAY THE LEAST....AGAIN...... ONE OF MY LAST ONES THE OTHER DAY I WAS EATTING LUNCH WITH MY FRIEND FROM THIS SIDE OF THE POND AND ATE EVERYTHING HE DID FOR LUNCH CAN YOU SAY "LARD ON BREAD"   THATS CORRECT LARD,SALT,PEPPER,SOME GREEN HERB IN IT  ON BREAD YOU SAY DID I EAT IT???  YEA  YOU CANT KEEP MY KIND OF FIGURE UP BY TURNING FOOD DOWN.....WOULD I EAT IT AGAIN??? DOES A DOG WAG HIS TAIL???  FOLKS COMMING AFTER ME PACK SOME EXTRA IMMODIUM AND ENJOY THE FOOD JUST NOT THE WATER...WE ARE GOING TO PLAY THE SNAIL GAME TODAY  WHICH IS WAIT TILL TIME TO GO TO THE CHILDRENS HOME AND THEN GO EAT..I THINK ATLEAST THATS WHAT I THINK I WILL BE DOING.    PLEASE ENJOY THIS PART OF MY MORNING DEVOTION I THINK YOU WILL ENJOY::::::::
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, James 1:27.
Observe, (1.) It is the glory of religion to be pure and undefiled; not mixed
with the inventions of men nor with the corruption of the world.        False
religions may be known by their impurity and uncharitableness; according to that
of John, He that doeth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth
not his brother, 1 John 3:10. But, on the other hand, a holy life and a
charitable heart show a true religion. Our religion is not adorned with
ceremonies, but purity and charity. And it is a good observation that a religion
which is pure should be kept undefiled. (2.) That religion is pure and undefiled
which is so before God and the Father. That is right which is so in God's eye,
and which chiefly aims at his approbation. True religion teaches us to do every
thing as in the presence of God; and to seek his favour, and study to please him
in all our actions. (3.) Compassion and charity to the poor and distressed from
a very great and necessary part of true religion: Visiting the fatherless and
widow in their affliction. Visiting is here put for all manner of relief which
we are capable of giving to others; and fatherless and widows are here
particularly mentioned, because they are generally most apt to be neglected or
oppressed: but by them we are to understand all who are proper objects of
charity, all who are in affliction. 
It is very remarkable that if the sum of religion be drawn up to two articles
this is one--to be charitable and relieve the afflicted. Observe, (4.) An
unspotted life must accompany an unfeigned love and charity: To keep himself
unspotted from the world. The world is apt to spot and blemish the soul, and it
is hard to live in it, and have to do with it, and not be defiled; but this must
be our constant endeavour. Herein consists pure and undefiled religion. The very
things of the world too much taint our spirits, if we are much conversant with
them; but the sins and lusts of the world deface and defile them very woefully
indeed. John comprises all that is in the world, which we are not to love, under
three heads: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life;
and to keep ourselves unspotted from all these is to keep ourselves unspotted
from the world. May God by his grace keep both our hearts and lives clean from
the love of the world, and from the temptations of wicked worldly men.
  

THIS HAS BEEN A STRUGLE FOR PICTURES ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!1

DOWN THE HILL

MOMA GOTTA CHECKTHAT FACEBOOK

HAPPY TIMES AGAIN



WHAT I DO FOR YALL







STEEL MILL ON THE SEA



FROM THE TRAIN

ONE HAPPY MOMA

ONE LUCKY WOMAN     

THE WHAT IF'S IN LIFE

                  THE WHAT IF'S IN LIFE


 WHAT IF THE BOYS DIDN'T BEHAVE IN SCHOOL. WHAT IF They would rather go lay on the beach with the crowed. Instead when we went hunting that morning It was zero yea zero degrees and we went    
Laid in the snow to try and kill a deer. WHAT IF RUSS SR. HADNT BEEN THE MAN HE WAS OR MRS.LORI HADN'T BEEN THE PERSON SHE WAS FOLLOWING GOD TO MAKE A DIFFERANCE IN THIS WORLD,WITH SOME CHILDRENS LIVES, WHAT IF I HAD ONLY SENT A CHECK TO SUPORT THE CAMP AND CALLED IT A "GOOD DEED" WHAT  IF I WENT DID MY WORK AT THE CAMP AND CALLED IT MY "GOOD DEED". WHAT IF I ONLY TOOK THE TIME TOO HOST A CHILD, WHAT IF THERE WASN'T A MAN "EVEN IF HE IS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF AMERICA" WILLING TO BE IN THE BUSINESS THAT HE IS IN TRYING TO DO RIGHT FOR THE CHILDREN.        WHAT IF THERE WASNT SOMEONE ON THIS SIDE OF THE WORLD ACROSS THE BIG POND THAT DIDNT HAVE A HEART FOR CHILDREN,,WHAT IF THERE WASN'T A FATHER ------------  TO HELP CHILDREN.   OK TIME OUT HERE GOES A RABBIT LET ME RUN IT FOR A MINUTE::::::::::::::

MONEY YEA IT COST FOR A ADOPTION YEA IT COST EVERYTHING  THAT WE DO. YOU CAN'T GET AWAY WITHOUT MONEY IN LIFE THE WAY WE LIVE IT. I DON'T SAY THIS TOO BRAG OR BOAST ABOUT MYSELF I GIVE GOD THE CREDIT. I NEVER NEVER ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT THE COST. I TRUSTED THAT THE LORD WAS IN WHAT I WAS DOING  AND THAT IF HE WAS IN IT THEN I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT.   SO WHAT IF SOMEONE IS GONNA MAKE MONEY OFF OF IT.   LOOK AT YOUR BANK STATEMENT WHICH DEBIT DIDN'T SOMEONE MAKE MONEY OFF OF YOU... GET THAT THOUGHT OUT OF YOUR HEAD THAT THE DEVIL NOT LETTING YOU HAVE PEACE ABOUT IT...   IS IT YOUR MONEY?? OR GODS MONEY ???IF YOU TREAT IT LIKE IT'S GODS MONEY LIKE WE SHOULD THEN WHO YOU SEND IT TOO, WHETHER IT BE WAL MART  OR  DELTA OR A ADOPTION FACILITATOR IT'S ON THEM YOU HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING....
"IF YOU CAN TRUST GOD WITH ETERNITY, THEN WHY CAN'T YOU TRUST HIM WITH YOUR MONEY".      THANKS FOR THE RABBIT TIME.......THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT FOR NOW.

WHAT IF CHRIST HADN'T WENT ALL THE WAY FOR US.. WHAT IF HE STOPPED SHORT...

ARE WE MAKING A DIFFERANCE IN THE WILL OF GOD WITH OUR CHRISTIAN WALK AND LIFE AND GIFTS???ARE YOU SERVING GOD AS HE WOULD HAVE YOU......???

HOW FAR ARE WE WILLING TO SERVE HIM??  ARE WE WILLING TO TAKE IT TO OUR JOBS. THATS A HARD ON FOR ME SOMETIMES,ARE WE WILLING TO TAKE IT TO SCHOOL,ARE WE WILLING TO TAKE IT TO THE FOOTBALL GAME,, are we willing to take it TO OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR ARE WE REALLY WILLING?????

I SAY ALL OF THAT TOO SAY DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE WHAT IF"S IN LIFE TRUST IN GOD....FOLLOW YOUR HEART KEEP GOD IN FRONT OF YOUR LIFE NO MATTER WHAT..........
    THANKS FOR READING ALL OF THAT JUST SO THAT YOU CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH US.

WE VISITED THE CHILDREN HOME CAN I SAY THAT MICROSOFT SHOULD HIRE THIS DIRECTOR TO HELP THEM BUILD A FIREWALL SECURITY SYSTEM..... WE SEE ONLY OUR KIDS..

WE HAD SOME GREAT VISITS WITH THEM,THEY HAVE PICKED THEIR AMERICAN NAMES AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN PRACTICING WRITTING THEM..OUR FAMILY TOGETHER HAVE CHOSEN THEIR NAMES.......

Victoria abigail gurley. Aka. Abbie Gurley  meaning from the Hebrew word stream of joy


Slavic gage gurley  aka.    Gage Gurley. Meaning we couldn't call him shotgun like his big brother wanted..

WE HAVE HAD ALOT OF DOWN TIME CAN WE ALL SAY IT'S KILLING MIKE GURLEY. BUT WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT WHILE WE ARE HERE.. MORE ON THE FUNNIES TOMORROW I KNOW THAT THIS BLOG SEEMS DIFFERENT THAN ALOT BUT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO BLOG FROM THE HEART........


                     THANKS MIKE
PS.THOUGHTS SHARED ARE NOT ALWAYS GONE THROUGH LEEANN BEFORE I SHARE THEM.

a wonderful day. And GOD bless

YAHOO,TRAVEL TIPS,PATIENCES

AS PROMISED THE YAHOO PART SATURDAY WE WERE ABLE TO GO TO THE CHILDRENS HOME AND SEE OUR CHILDREN WHAT A BLESSING CAN I SAY IT WAS GREAT,EMOTINAL,CRAZY,FUN ALL ROLLED UP IN ONE. WE SAT THERE GIGGLIE LIKE SOME TEENAGERS THAT DIDNT KNOW HOW TO TALK. IT WAS REALLY KINDA FUNNY. WE ARE PLANNING TODAY TO GO BACK BUT NOT SURE FOR HOW LONG TODAY... WE SHOWED UP ON A SATURDAY, AMERICA A SATURDAY AND BECAUSE LAST MONDAY WAS A HOLIDAY "WOMENS DAY" THEY HAD TO WORK ON SATURDAY TOMAKE UP FOR THAT COULDNT WE LEARN FROM THAT????????????

TRAVEL TIPS:::::::::::::
#1 PACK UR BAGS THEN TAKE AT LEAST HALF OF IT OUT.
#2 DONT BRING A HAIRDRYER IT EATS AMERICAN ONES
#3 BRING TWO LAPTOPS SO YOU DONT HAVE TO SHARE.
#4 GO BACK TOO YOUR LUGAGE AND TAKE SOME MORE OUT.

PATIENCESS
FOR A VERY LONG TIME IN MY LIFE WELL REALLY ALL OF MY LIFE THAT I CANREMEMBER I HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THE PATIENCE OF A FLY AND THAT I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HAPPY WITH THAT.THAT WAS PROABLY TRUE IN MY EYES BUT NOT IN GOD'S EYES. I MUST HAVE BEEN VERY WRONG ABOUT THIS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING ALL MY LIFE TO BE INCONTROL BUT GOD HAS BEEN THE WHO NEEDED TO BE IN CONTROL. ITS LIKE ALL MY LIFE GOD HAS BEEN LETTING ME "TAKE THE LINE" IN LIFE AND WHEN IT CAME TO THIS CHAPTER IN MY LIFE HE HAS SET THE "HOOK" SOO HARD HE HAS MY FULL ATTENTION NOW. MY PATIENCE LEVEL HAS BEEN DROPT ON ITS UGLY HEAD 4,678,264 TIMES DURING THIS PROCCESS BUT WHOIS COUNTING ANYWAY. FROM RAIN DELAYS,SENT AROUND THE STATE OF GEORGIA FOR FINGER PRINTS,I HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED BY A PARTIME PERSON WITH HOMELAND SECURITY DEPT WITH NO PHONE OR E-MAIL "TRUE" I HAV BEEN SENT TO ATLANTA 2.5 HOUR THERE AND 2.5 HOUR BACK WITH A PIECE OF PAPER WITH "A" SINGULAR WORD BEING WRONG ONLY TO HAVE TO GO BACK THE NEXT DAY. I EVEN HAD TO REMODLE CLOSETS SO THE KIDS COULD HAVE SOMEWHERE TO PUT THINGS.... YEA I KNOW IT WAS A LEEANNS IDEA THAT GOT OUT OF CONTROL ON THIS ONE. PS.DONT EVER HAVE A CABINET MAKER FRIEND TELL YOUR WIFE "YOUR WISH IS MY COMAND" SCREAM OUT LOUD AT THIS ONE......IN THE END IT TURNED OUT GREAT....THEN AS YOU MAY WELL KNOW I GOT A CALL FROM DAVID WHO BY THE WAY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB FOR ME AND LEEANN SO FAR "DONT DROP THE BALL NOW DAVID" AT 2:15 MY HEART SANK WHEN I SAW HIS NAME THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT ABOUT WAS MY BRIDE WAS SHE GOING TO BE HEART BROKEN AT THIS CALL BECAUSE WE HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER MONTH......THEN I ANSWERED DAVID SAID WE HAVE TO BE THERE NEXT THURSDAY............... I HAD TO SIT DOWN MY KNEES WERE SHAKING MY HEART HIT THE FLOOR IT WAS LIKE OHHH NOOOOO I HAD A MOMENT WITH MY LIFE FLASHING THRU MY HEAD..... I MUST LOOKED BAD BECAUSE JUSTIN LOOKED AT ME AND ASKED IF I WAS OK..I POINTED TO THE CALENDER TO THE NEXT THURS THEN MY REPLACEMENT "JUSTIN" HAD A LOOK OF OH NO. I HUNG UP FROM DAVID I HAD HEARD EVERYTHING I WANTED FROM HIM I CALLED LEEANN WE LAUGHED,CRIED,SHOUTED FOR JOY THEN REALIZED IT TAKES A FULL DAY TO GET HERE,TIME DIFFERANCE,AND SOME BUILT IN TIME FORTHE UN-SEEN WOW!!!1 WE GOTTA LEAVE MONDAY NO AIRLINE TICKETS,NO TELLING CUSTOMERS AKA LEEANNS FRIENDS SHE WASNT GOING TO BE THERE NO GETTING THING READY AT THE STORE. NO PLANNING FOR MR. CARSON GURLEY.. CAN YOU SAY WIRLWIND....NOW MY PATIENCE ARE REALLY GOING TO BE TESTED.. SO WE TRAVEL REPORT ON THAT LATER AKA CHAPTER#3 AS YOU MAY TELL I DONT US SPELL CHECK WHEN I CLICK ON IT IT LOOKS LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE

how a deer horn changed my life

How a calcium deposit has changed my life
Well I have been thinking about this for a while so here goes.have you ever
stopped and think about the what if's in life my journey starts a long time ago
with a child growing up loving hunting.that's right justin WE HAD A DEAL IN
SCHOOL FOR HIS GRADUATION TRIP TO GO HUNTING OUT OF TOWN TO KILL A NICE DEER. SO
TIME CAME AND ME JUSTIN,STEVIE,CAL,AND PAT TOOK A TRIP TO OHIO LONG RIDE WITH 3
Boys. We were rewarding these boys with A trip for making Good choices In LIFE
Good School work and graduation. Little that I know GOD was doing his handy work
on me. We meet a man soft spoken,very mild manner,loved too sleep even in the
deer stand. AKA.RUSS SR. HE MADE A IMPRESSION ON ME THAT LASTED. We had a blast the boys got what the came after we came home. My
younger son Carson who is 15 now began too bug me a couple of years later about
going hunting like his big brother got to do so we used the idea for a Christmas
present. And we set off for tyrone Penn had a blast had fun with the walk family
it felt like we were among family. Well A YEAR OR SO LATER one morning I opened my email it
was a letter from mrs.Lori walk she was sending out a Email looking for support
for a hosting camp for some children who needed a family. I can remember
sitting on that wooden stool at work thinking GOD what is this a test? I
thought to myself ok LORD I am in. immediately i sent back a email saying to
Lori I will send a donation to help and asked her what else she needed. She said
she also needed some volunteers to work in the camp. Here was another test.
Once again LORD I am in. Short story Hannah my oldest daughter was in school for
teaching and she got the call to go and help in the camp and the rest is history
for her part. Back up on the blog and read her story she says it better than I
ever could.....I had several things that really tested my faith in GOD in the
time leading up to camp. Camp had to be some of the best time I have ever had in
my life. You never know how much fun picking up trash,pouring
koolaid,making scrapbooks,playing catch,roasting marshmellows emptying trash
cans could ever be before you stop to think that are your truly are doing it
to be making a change in a hopeless lives. But as my
friend "father ---------- ". Said while we were at camp if we did nothing else
we have.

#1.We have changed their lives forever.
#2.we gave the hope.
#3.we gave them reason.
#4.we showed them someone loves them.
#5.we gave them the gospel. Jesus will save them!!!!!!!!

That has to be one of the most powerful things that I have ever heard.



We as Americans especially our children are so far as I am concerned have got to
be the most ungrateful bunch of people anywhere. We did nothing more than have a
little "well planed" mrs.lori week long camp. Nothing more nothing less. And
look at 1 thru 5 again..............
If we had done this for our kids they would complain about the flavor of koolaid
or something.

As camp was going on the entire walk family and there was a lot of the kept
asking me who I was gonna take home. My answer keep on being the same I am here
to work not pick out a child. I tried from the first second I laid MY EYES ON THE KIDS NOT TO THINK
ABOUT THAT PUT GOD IN CONTROL AND TO DO WHAT I AS SENT FOR. I KEEP ON TELLING FOLKS THAT GOD HADNT PUT A CHILD IN MY HEART AT THAT TIME.THERE WERE A FEW PEOPLE WHO GOT TO WITNESS GOD SHOWING UP AND SHOWING OUT IN THE DINE ING TABLE THAT NIGHT. HOW HE PUT EVERYTHING IN PLACE WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE RIGHT TIME EVEN STARTED YEARS AGO FOR A GREAT SON. MY WIFE AT HOME 700 MILES AWAY THAT SENT ME A TEXT MESSAGE ASKING HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO MAKEA DIFFERANCE IN A CHILDS LIFE. ITS FUNNY HERE I SIT IN A TRAIN CAR 9 HOURSINTO A 12 HOUR RIDE AND PEOPLE SAY GOD DOESNT HAVE A SENCE OF HUMOR. I WILL NEVER FORGET MRS.LORIS ASKING VIKA IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO COME HOME WITH ME AND HANNAH. IF I LIVE ANOTHER 100 YEARS I DONT BELIEVE IT COULD EVER BE DUPLICATED. BEFORE I HAD KNEW ITI WAS GOING HOME WITH VIKA AND HER LITTLE BROTHER SLAVIK. I THEN HAD TOO TELL LEEANN WHAT I HAVE DONE. WHEN I CALLED THE NEXT MORNING TO TELLHER SHE WAS OVER JOYED..THANK GOD BECAUSE THERE WASNT A DROP OF FIGHT LEFT IN ME AT THIS POINT..... OK CHAPTER TO TO COME IN A DAY OR TWO LOVE MIKE AND LEEANN

today we have our 1st sda appointment

WELL WE ARE SITTING IN THE VAN WAITING ON SOMETHING WHAT? I DONT KNOW I WAS JUST TOLD TO SIT HERE SO I SAID DA.OUR SDA APPOINTMENT WENT WELL AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED WE SAT DOWN SAID A FEW WORDS SHE PULLED OUT OUR FILE BY NOW IT HAS GROWN TO AT LEAST 4 INCHES THICK BY NOW. THERE WAS SOME EXCHANGE OF WORDS ABOUT THE NAMES ALOT OF HEAD SHAKING AND THEN I SAW THE PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OH NO THEY GOT THE WRONG KIDS IN OUR FOLDER TALK ABOUT A OH NO. MY HEART FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HALLWAY 2 FLIGHTS DOWN ALL THAT WENT THROUGH MY MIND WAS THIS AINT GONNA BE GOOD DELAYS,MORE PAPERWORK,MORE WAITING ON THE "ISLAND TIME CLOCK" IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.THEN I CLOSED MY EYES AND SAID "HEY LORD I COULD USE ONE RIGHT HERE THIS AINT LOOKING GOOD" I LOOKED AT MY HELPER HE HAD A LOOK THAT I DIDNT LIKE. THE LADY GOT UP LEFT THE ROOM WENT DOWN THE HALL FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE IT TOOK FOREVER. MY HELPER WHICH HAS TRAVELED WITH ME BEFORE IN THE STATES SAID TO ME YOUR BEING REALLY QUIET I TOLD HIM YOU TOLD ME NOT TO SAY ANYMORE THAN I HAD TOO.HIS REPLY WAS "SILENCE IS GOLDEN" I SAID "YOUR IN TROUBLE BECAUSE "I AM DIRT IN THAT REGARD" ITS BEEN ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT.OUR LADY CAME BACK INTO THE OFFICE WITH ANOTHER FILE.YOU GOT IT THE CORRECT ONE OUR CHILDREN AND ALL. YAHOOOOOOOO THANK YOU LORD. THERE WAS SOME TALK BETWEEN US ABOUT THE CHILDREN SHE ASKED IF WE HAVE CHANGED OUR MIND I SAID NO MAM WITH A SMILE. NO INTERPRETOR NEEDED SHE SMILED BACK AND FILLED OUT SOME PAPERS HAD US TO SIGN TOLD ME TO BE BACK TOMMOROW TO PICK IT UP. WE ARE NOW TRYING TO GET OUR TRAIN TICKETS TO TRAVEL TO THE REGION FRIDAY NIGHT. i just got my internet connection back for the day 8 hours of no internet makes a long day..thanks for prayers.....mike and leeann

WELL AFTER A VERY UN-EVENT FULL TRIP. I CANT BELIEVE I WENT THROUGH THE AIRPORT SECURITY TWICE AND NO PAT-DOWN THIS IS A RECORD FOR ME. THANK GOD WE HAVE MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO OUR APARTMENT WE WILL BE AT FOR A FEW DAYS IN KRIOV WE HAVE OUR SDA APPOINTMENT IN THE MORNING THURSDAY THE 10TH. WE SHOULD GET PERMISSION TO TRAVEL TO THE REGION ON FRIDAY TO SEE THE KIDS. WE WILL HAVE A 12 HOUR TRAIN RIDE THAT I CANT WAIT TO SEE IT SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO SAY THE LEAST.I AINT BEEN ON A TRAIN SINCE I WAS IN THIRD GRADE. I BET THEY DON'T EVEN USE COAL ANYMORE. WE ARE NOT SURE ABOUT INTERNET CONNECTION BUT FOR NOW WE HAVE IT.THIS MODERN TECH STUFF IS GREAT WE WERE ABLE TO SKYPE HOME LAST NIGHT I DONT KNOW WHAT I WOULD OF DONE IF MOMA HEN COULDN'T HAVE SEEN HER CHIC'S I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO WRITE A STORY ON THE BLOG FOR A WHILE I HAVE IT WRITTEN ON PAPER FOR THE MOST PART SO IN THE COMMING DAYS WHEN I FIGURE ALL THIS OUT I WILL GET IT POSTED SO STAY CHECKED IN..I WANA SAY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HADE A PART IN THIS FROM OUR FAMILY WHO SUPPORTS US WITH OUR DECISION TO ADDOPT,TO MY HELP AT THE STORE WHO IS WILLING TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF MY BUSINESS LIKE ITS THEIR OWN,TO MY FRIENDS WHO ARE GONNA GET MAD BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET TO DO ANYTHING BUT WERE 100% WILLING TOO,TO ALL OF LEEANNS FRIENDS WHO WERE 100% WILLING TO HAVE THEIR ROOTS SHOWING FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER,TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY WHO HAS BEEN PRAYING FOR US. AND ALL OF THE POOR FOLKS THAT ARE ON THE LIST TO HELP WITH CARSON HIS MOMA REALLY REALLY APPRECIATES IT,AND LAST BUT NOT AT ALL THE LEAST JUSTIN DONT LET THE MONSTER GET YOU YOU GET IT FIRST AND HAVE SOME FUN WITH IT. ALL WE CAN SAY IS THANKS NO YOU HAVE NOT TRAVELED HALF WAY AROUND THE WORLD TO CHANGE THE WORLD IN THE LIVES OF TWO CHILDREN BUT YOU HAVE DONE YOUR PART AND FOR THAT I AM TRUELY GRATEFUL. GOD DIDN'T CALL ALL FOR ADOPTION BUT HE HAS CALLED US ALL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THANKS AND WE LOVE YOU MIKE

True test of faith!

Let me start by saying this is Hannah again. I have been battling myself all day on whether or not I should write this blog. In these past few days I have been filled with so many emotions that I can hardly put into words. When I woke up Sunday morning the realization hit me.....this is it....its finally happening. For the past 7 months I have dreamt about the day my parents would leave to go and pick up the kids. I prepared myself for extra gas money driving the further distance to work, helping Carson with homework, skype conversations with Vika and Sly.....but what I didn't prepare for is the feeling I would have when I said goodbye.
God has been preparing my family for us to have two new children. This past week I have been majorly struggling but I have not wanted to burden my parents or anyone else with all of my thoughts. Two main things have been tugging at my heart, the fact that I let other things keep me from truly praising God for all that I have (especially a new brother and sister) and that I wont be a "good enough" big sister for them.
God has been working in my heart for the past few weeks and dealing with me about my thankfulness or lack there of. Vika and Sly mean the absolute world to me. I am so thankful that God chose my family to be theirs. But at the same time God would constantly question me with "have you truly thanked me?" I have been very selfish. I let the fact that God was dealing with me about certain areas in my life overtake my praise and thankfulness to Him. I can tell you here today that I will spend everyday of the rest of my life thanking God that I was able to be a small part in this entire process. I heard once "When you quit getting thankful for things, you quit getting things!" I pray that God continues to work in my life. I pray that my praise never gets as slack as it has been. I don't deserve to be a part of these kids lives but thank God He is allowing me to be!
Now the next thing has been the hardest thing. Maybe it is God trying to prepare me for the kids or maybe it is me just being emotional, but none the less it has been on my mind. I have been battling with being the "only Jesus people may see!" I want to be the kind of Christian that has people questioning, what does she have? I want people to know that they can come to me, I want people to know that I will pray for them, I want people to know the God that has blessed me so very much. You ask what does this have to do with Vika and Sly? Well recently I have felt like I haven't been the sister that I should have been or should be to any of my brothers. I feel like there have been times that I have failed them and it breaks my heart. I want to make sure that I am the absolute best that I can be for Vika and Sly. They deserve a sister that puts God first, but that puts them second. And here today that is what I promise to be to them. I don't want a second to pass that they feel like they aren't important to me. These two kids have changed my life in a way that I can't put into words. They have showed me a side of life that I didn't know exsisted. They along with the other kids at camp showed me there is more to life than money, school, a boyfriend, and even friends. Since the week I spent with these kids God has done a major work in my life which brings me to my title.
God has proven Himself faithful to me in so many ways. Every time that I have prayed and asked God to comfort me and my family, it was as if I could almost feel His arms around me. Everytime I asked that He could ease my mind of worrying about the kids, He would have me thinking about something else in no time. We prayed for God to quickly let us get our kids and days later my parents were on a plane! God has proven to be my comfort so many more times than I could ever imagine. So today as I rode home from spending time with Carson, Nanny, Luke, and the kids God began to speak to me. He filled me with an assurance like He was saying "I will make sure you are good enough....stay true to me and I will continue to mold you." It was while riding in my car listening to the song He'll Be Enough that I finally gave me every fear, worry, and concern over to the Lord. This verse rings true tonight....."There's no place that I can go that He doesn't know exactly where I'll be....He's always aware of whereever I am and just what I need!"
Praise God I know that He is in Ukraine comforting both my parents and my new siblings! This is just one more time that I know God will show Himself faithful to not only me but my family. I challenge you tonight, whatever you may be facing in your life....thank God for your circumstances and let Him be the amazing Comforter that He has been to me. I promise you the road won't always be easy, but God will bring you through time and time again!

Dad and LeeAnn....I miss you both already! It was so great getting to talk to you today. Tonight we had dinner and spent time playing with the kids. LeeAnn-Brook asked about you quite a few times and I kept telling her "She went to go get Vika and Sly" to that she responded "Vika, Vika, Vika!" Justin was able to come by and spend a few minutes. Dad he says that he will have the computer on in the morning! I love you both so much! I pray constantly for God to keep you safe and to ease your minds. We have this over here just enjoy yourselves there! Remember I couldn't go so you both have to take enough in for me! I love yall and cant wait to skype again!