A 'Priceless' Friend

Melanie (in the green shirt) was a wonderful lady that we met while we were at training at WEC back in the Spring. She always has a wonderful sense of humor and has come to our rescue, more than once, when we have had 'issues' with our computer.

She left Pennsylvania last Friday with and is traveling south to Texas where she will attend language school for 9 months. She will be learning Spanish before she moves to Mexico in the Summer of 2009 as a full time missionary.

We were grateful that Melanie (and her friend Luci) found time to stop by our home for about 5 hours. We had time to catch up, play a game and share a meal before they had to leave for their overnight stop in Springfield, MO. If you would like to read more about Melaine and her journey, to Texas, and as a missionary, you can find her blog here.


Michelle

Another week, another birthday!

At this time of year birthdays come often in the Northcutt home. Last week it was Jeremiah's turn. As you can deduct from the cake below, it was his 5th birthday. We tried to make it special for him by inviting his friend, Matthew over to play for the day. Matthew normally goes to day care during the Summer, so his Mom dropped him off here early. Well, I guess 7.30am isn't too early, but when you are sleeping in, like Jeremiah was that day - it's early. Matthew went into Jeremiah's room and had fun waking him up. Matthew was able to stay all day as his Mom came and ate dinner with us too. Jeremiah did tell us it made his day special. Normally he has to share friends with his 5 siblings, but that day Matthew was all his!

Jeremiah has not been with us 5 years yet. He came to live with us on 15 September 2003, when he was 7 weeks old. He truly is a gift from God. He was born at 29 weeks gestation weighing just 2lb 13oz. Despite his early birth and low birth weight he was born fairly healthy. He did have a little trouble breathing at first, but never had to be put on a ventilator. When he was allowed to come home to us he weighed 5lb 13oz and was doing very well.

We thank God for our youngest son.

Michelle

Difficult .... Impossible .....

One thing we were told while in training at WEC was that often when we try to do things that the Lord wants us to do they may seem difficult at first, then become impossible and finally they are done, only by the miraculous work of God, so we can give Him all the glory.

Well, we now find ourselves in one of those situations.

Since we have been back in Missouri we had planned to leave for England in September. This would have been possible if the children had been automatically entitled to British citizenship. Once we discovered we needed to register them as citizens first we realized it would delay our departure. We still had a glimmer of hope that a September date may still be possible when I was told at the beginning of July that they could process the applications in 2 months, if not quicker. Since then there has been delay after delay. First, our caseworker mailed our supporting paperwork to us without a stamp, thus delaying it's arrival by 3 days. Next, we mailed the completed application to my parents in England (the Registration Office doesn't accept international mail). This should have taken 5/6 days, instead it took 9! My parents forwarded the package on to the Registration Office. We assume it arrived in a timely manner, but are unable to check because that Government office spent several days last week on strike!!!

So, it did seem difficult to get to England in September, now it seems impossible as we still have to get passports and Gary's visa after the registrations have been approved ...... will God get it done? We can only wait to find out. I do know that He is in control of all circumstances and we will reach our destination when He decides it is time (Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps). In this I take great comfort.

Michelle

A New Wardrobe

I have a Father in Heaven that has given me more than I dreamed of, or hoped for.

It has been a long time since I have purchased new clothes. Recently I noticed that most of my clothes were wearing out, even my 'going out' shirts were fraying at the seems. As I looked through my wardrobe I did desire some new clothes but knew it wasn't in our budget and quickly reminded myself that I have plenty of clothes - they may be worn, but they still work. God promises to provide what we need (Matt 6:33) and I really didn't need any new clothes. I put the matter out of my mind, but God decided to bless me anyway.

Last week we were visiting with friends and I commented on how pretty her earrings were. She promptly removed them from her ears and told me she wanted me to have them. I tried to refuse, as this was not my intent when I complimented her, but she insisted. So I grateful received the gift.

The next day, in church, another friend told me she wanted to take me shopping at the sales in the mall for new clothes. She gave me a very generous budget and took me shopping. I ended up with many items including a jacket, skirt and many shirts.

Just 3 days later I received a call from another friend who inquired as to my shoe size. She knew we would be doing more walking in England and had a couple of pairs of shoes that might work for me. She kindly gave me 3 pairs, all fit and only 1 pair had been worn just once before.

So in just 5 days the Lord saw fit to provide me a new wardrobe, from jewelery to shoes, from 3 friends. I am so grateful for their generosity and the Lord's provision.

Michelle

PLEASE READ THIS

Lately the Lord has laid on my heart that I have not been keeping the blog true to the original intention for which we started it. The 2 main reasons were to keep in touch with friends and more importantly, to give God the glory through sharing with others about the way He is leading and providing for us.

Sharing about God's provision is where I have been lacking. The reason why is because I have feared what people would think. When we were in Pennsylvania I found it easy to share how God was providing but on our return home we received a comment of "Well from what I've read on the blog I know you don't have much". After that comment I didn't want to continue to write about God's provision, because we DON'T want people to even think we are hinting that we need money. Nothing could be further from our thoughts when we share with you what God has done for us - we are just excited to be able to show that God does keep His promise of providing for us as we seek to follow Him.

For 9 months now we have been without a paycheck as we have attended training and now prepare to move. We have our adoption subsidy which helps but doesn't cover all the bills, but God has been faithful and we have never been without what we have needed (please note, nowhere in Scripture does God promise to give us what we want, instead He promises to give us what we need). When we have seen a need we have taken it to our Heavenly Father and he has provided. Sometimes it has been from a generous gift from a friend or anonymous giver. Sometimes we have sold something we own. On other occasions he has allowed our bills to be reduced.

So, to make up for where I have failed in my blogging I have listed below just a few ways in which God has recently provided.

We received our economic stimulus check and a gift from a friend less than a week before we left Pennsylvania. This was God's perfect timing as before that we had no money for gas to get us home.

When we had no money to pay our mortgage He brought along a contract that closed in just 14 days - so we were never late on our payment!!

When we were needing to get 4 of the children their American passports He laid it on someone's heart to give us $400. They said it was to help with passports, they wish they could have given us more but that is all they were able to give. Unknown to them (and us at that time) was that the final cost of the American passports was exactly $400.00!!

Before we even realized we needed tires God caused someone to see our need and offer two of their used tires.

We had someone offer to buy one of Gary's work trailers even before we had thought about selling it.

There are other examples of God's provision, some of which I cannot write because the giver has requested that we do not tell anyone.

As you can see God has been faithful and will continue to be. The more I reflect on His provision the more I am in awe of what a loving Father He is. So, please do NOT take this as a hint that we need anything, that is not the purpose of our posts. I am only writing on God's provision to give Him all the glory and to encourage others and myself.

Michelle

Happy Birthday Naomi

Last week we celebrated Naomi's 7th birthday. It is hard to believe that almost 7 years have passed by since she came home to us when she was just 12 days old. She was such a fussy baby, but has now developed into a friendly and helpful girl.

I think she had a great time on her birthday. First, there was no school!! This is a standard rule in our home - when it is someone's birthday, school is cancelled for all. Late morning we drove to her best friends' home where we ate pizza and birthday cake. Next we went to Riverchase in Fenton to go swimming with friends. This was the first time they had been swimming this Summer - the weather was hot so the water felt very good.

After several hours of swimming we took some very tired children to the mall. Naomi had wanted her ears pierced for her birthday, so that is what we did. This picture is her just about to 'suffer' the piercing! She did really well. Her eyes did fill with tears but not one dropped onto her cheeks. She was very brave and is pleased with the results of her suffering.

Michelle

Applications arrived in England

Yesterday I received a call from my parents to let me know the applications for citizenship registration for the kids had arrived at their house. Today they mailed it on to the naturalization office in Liverpool. It should arrive there on Monday. Please continue to pray that it will be processed expeditiously. Thanks

Michelle

Finally sent

After a few weeks of compiling paperwork (from both sides of the Atlantic), filling out mounds of forms we have finally sent off the children's applications to register them as British citizens.

We were waiting for a letter from WEC in England stating that they wanted Gary to start in September. We were told by officials in the UK that sending this with the application may help the applications move through the system quicker. Thankfully, this letter arrived to us at least 10 days ago.

Another statement we needed was from our adoption agency stating that the adoptions were legal etc. I was told this would be sent out last Thursday. By Tuesday the letter had still not arrived. When I called to inquire as to when it was sent I was given this response "Do you want to know when it was sent or, when it was sent with postage!" Apparently they forgot to put a stamp on it so it was returned to their office on Tuesday then mailed out again with postage. We finally received it Wednesday afternoon and then mailed our package to England on Thursday. What a package it was - the applications for the 6 children included 85 sheets of paper!!!
It feels really good to have that taken care of.

Now we wait on the Lord to see how long it takes for their registration to be approved. Please pray with us that it will happen in a very short time. While we wait I need to work on my application for my US citizenship .... more paperwork!

Michelle

Tires for the Van

A couple of weeks ago Gary was talking to someone at our church. During the conversation the friend noticed that the back tires on our van were worn out. (Neither Gary or I had noticed that the tires were so worn out that the cords were beginning to show on the outside edge.) He mentioned to Gary that he had a couple of tires that might possibly work. So last week Gary was at the store and realized he was near this man's house and decided to go by and check out the tires. Unfortunately they were too big for the van. As he was leaving their subdivision Gary drove pass another friend's house and noticed their garage door was open so he stopped to say hello. Gary explained what he was doing in their subdivision and our friend then mentioned that he had a couple of tires that might work. They were tires that he had taken off his trailer 5 years ago and had decided to save the best two - having no clue that 5 years latter we would need them. The tires fit well.

God's provision didn't stop there. He even provided a friend that helped Gary mount them and even asked to have our old tires to use on some farm equipment he had.

We have been so blessed. Two free tires, free mounting and free tire disposal. God is good and provides all our needs.

Michelle

Jeremiah - Growing Up

Jeremiah offically started Kindergarten last week. His school day is short and his work load is light, but he is so proud to be 'doing school' like the big kids. I was amazed at how well he could guide a pair of scissors and color within the lines.

Teaching him will be a little more challenging for me. He is my first, and only, left handed child which will be interesting. Also he is another child to teach in my already busy day. I do not worry about how I will fit it all in as God has given us these children and has instructed us to teach them at home, so He will give me the ability to do it. I am just curious to see how it all works out.

Michelle

Fishing

A couple of weeks ago we all attended our Church's 'Children's Division Annual Fishing Derby'. Due to a little miscommunication we arrived just 10 minutes before the fishing ended - we didn't even get our hooks wet before they awarded the prizes etc! We did return to the lake when everyone else went home, but were unsuccessful at catching any fish. One of the kids almost caught a turtle - but that doesn't count.

The desire to fish had been ignited and they wanted to go again, so a few days later (while I was at the Homeschool Conference) Gary took all the kids fishing at Suson Park. They did a lot better and several fish were caught (as shown in the pictures). Even Jeremiah caught one, although he and Deanna didn't have much desire to practice the patience required for fishing!!

Then, three days later someone from Church suggested fishing with the kids. Of course they eagerly jumped at the opportunity. So while I was preparing for the new school year Gary took them fishing again. This time they had a very successful trip. Everybody caught fish and Daniel managed to reel in 10! A great time was had by all and only 1 managed to fall in - somehow Elaina was standing on the edge and the next thing she knew her feet were wet??!!

Michelle

A Glimmer of Hope

Yesterday I had to call the Citizenship office in the UK (through which we have to apply for the children to be registered in order to become British citizens) to ask a question about their applications. Then I also decided to ask how long it is currently taking for the applications to be processed. This was their reply - "It is now taking about 2 to 3 months, although it might be processed quicker than that." This was exciting news as we have been previously told that it could take up to 6 months (and their website states that it could possibly be longer)!

So, we are waiting now on a statement from our adoption agency which should be here by the end of the week. Therefore we will have the applications in the mail by the weekend and hopefully we will have acceptance within a couple of months.

Being informed that this might not take so long was encouraging for us as we know we are leaving - so now we just want to get there, start settling in and serving in the role that God has given us - this waiting is tough on all.

Michelle