Rainbow over the Ramsdell home...

This is actually my neighbors house, but that rainbow went clear across the street to my house! It just didn't turn out so obvious in the pic.

Last Day of School

Ok, so here's a good story. This was going to be different summer for us. So...I wanted to start it off in a way my kids would remember. Thus, the water balloon war.

Billy and I spent the morning (and I do mean the entire morning) filling up 250 water balloons. If you have not done this in awhile -- it takes longer than you might remember! When the kids got home from school, I asked them to go sit on the back deck for a "Last Day of School Picture". I counted 1, 2, 3 and when they all said, "Cheese", Billy started drowning them with the balloons. They were truly surprised and throwing things at one another seemed to be quite therapeutic for our family!

Thoughts on sending my child 1/2 way across the world....

This morning at 6am Billy helped drive our oldest daughter, Elizabeth Joy, and 29 other New Lifers to the Denver International Airport. I was secretly thrilled when they asked if Billy would drive them. I just felt better knowing her father would see her off as far as he could.

She couldn't be more excited. She enjoys hard work and being a member of a team. She is a leader and likes to push herself. She thives on adventure. Lizzie's extroverted, friendly nature makes her easy to get along with, and a friend to everyone. God's favor on her life opens doors for her. She talks about becoming a missionary. Her words were, "Mom, I just like the idea that the entire job is about growing the kingdom of God." I quietly think, "Whose child is this?"

I couldn't be more nostalgic. Yesterday, we looked at Elizabeth's baby pics as a matter of fact. I remember being pregnant with her like it was all too recent. Billy and I were only married about 5 months when I took the test. Positive. He was at work -- making pizzas -- about 30 miles away. So naturally, the first person I told was a close college girlfriend. We immediately drove to surprise Billy with the tinest pair of athletic socks the world had ever seen. This was Billy and I's "signal". It was a Friday night -- and Pizza Hut was slammed. I'm not sure Billy could even make it out of the kitchen, but somehow I got the point across.

On June 22, 1995 (14 years ago, today) -- at 12:30pm -- Elizabeth Joy Ramsdell entered the world. She's been on the go ever since.

For 9 months we had prayed for a name. We believed that God saw this child and her future. We believed that God knew what He had to say about her -- and her name would be a sign, a source of faith, a vision for God's origional purpose for her life. It would reflect the way He saw her. Elizabeth means 'Consecreated and Set Apart for the Lord'. For the past 14 years we've prayed and reminded ourselves, her, Heaven and hell that she was created for God's purpose and plan...she is set apart...different...to do that which God would have her do. She is a "joy" to her Heavenly Father, us and others. We believe God is opening doors for her to bring joy to the impoverished around the world as well.

I've always had a suspicion that one day, her name (consecrated and set apart to the Lord) was going to have to mean something to me as a mother as well. So today, I open my own heart and mind up to what God is calling my daughter to do. I release her to accomplish the good work God has planned in advance. I also smile, bc in a very little while, I'll call her dad's cell -- just to make sure he got her on the plane safely. We'll continue to hold her hand and walk beside her as long as we can. ;)

Life in the Fast Lane....

This past week has been a series of amazing celebrations for the Ramsdell Clan. Some may speculate that we didn't plan very well. (June 18) First, our 15th wedding anniversary! I'm so blessed to be married to Billy. It was been a journey that I couldn't have imagined. On Thursday, he picked me up and took me to a quaint picnic in the middle of a rose garden in a beautiful part of Colorado -- complete with my favorite sandwhich, wine and ice cream! It was wonderfully special and I totally loved it! We ended the day with Billy's parents and a Chili Dog at a local ice cream parlor. Perfect.

Next we celebrated Elizabeth's 14 bday (actually on June 22)! A beautiful day at the water park and gourmet burgers at Red Robin were the ticket. She requested her own camera and loved the red one we picked out. About 10 male waiters came over to sing her a happy bday song -- and Billy loudly informed them all that she was only turning 14. She's grown into this amazing young woman and we are sooooo excited about her future. Tomorrow morning at 6am she'll leave for 10 days in Germany. She can't wait.

Celebration number 3, Father's Day (June 21). So far -- this has been a quiet day soon to be filled with steak, car shows and Oreo cookies.

In the midst of it all, we've finished shopping for both international trips, Germany/China. We meet a 2 1/2 year old (same age as Eli) and were shocked how small they are! We've bought plane tickets, attended church events, went swimming, shown the house, and set up toys and a bed for our newest family member.

We are LOVIN this summer!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Today, we have plane tickets in hand! We leave at 6am on July 8th from Colorado Springs airport! We will be going through San Fransico, California to Beijing, China. We tour a couple of days and then fly to the capital city of Eli's province in Henan. We hope to get Eli on July 13th. We fly to Guangzhou and then to Hong Kong where we'll leave for the US on July 24th. Bc we'll be "flying back in time" -- we'll arrive home at 4pm on July 24th. Can't wait!

The Father's Heart - SPREAD THE WORD

Billy Here --

Hello everyone, as we prepare to journey accross the big ocean, please help us by doing a few things.

1. Spread the word about the blog. If you know others who know us, let them know about our journey and send them the link. The love we feel for Eli and other Orphans is contageous.

2. Pray for us. We need intercessors to stand in the gab for us over the next month and 1/2. We will be sending our daughter to Germany this weekend then preparing to leave for China over the next few weeks. There are many exciting and demanding things going on in the RamFam so please pray for our Protection, Energy, Health/Safety, Finances and Wisdom to make the adoption work for Eli and glorify God along the way.

3. Check us out on Facebook as well. Shanna is up to date and I am not, but we will keep some version of pictures and updates posted.

I have a longer blog for later, but for now, thanks for your support and love.

The Father's Heart,
Billy Ramsdell
2COR517

Watch Out China, the Ramsdell's are on their way!!!

Today, we got a phone call from the adoption agency. They have our Travel Approval in hand!!! They would like us to fly out on June 24th, but we've found ourselves in need of delaying just a bit. So, barring any problems with our appointment at the U.S. Consulate, we will fly out July 8th and be gone for 16 days!

We are surrounded by lots of people in various stages of adoption right now. Many times it has felt like we were fighting on behalf of our little boys destiny -- trying to get him home. My friend Jamie (a fellow adoptor, courageous and true) said that lots of people think that adoption is all teddy bears and hearts ---- really, it's mostly blood, guts and glory. I'm sure that's what Jesus would say too. I certainly couldn't agree more. Tonight, I find myself with renewed energy to fight awhile longer to bring Eli home.

Count down to China......30 days.......