Sunday Snapshot~Belmont Bound

Ever since Zach knew a Belmont University existed it was his dream to one day to go to Belmont and and seek a degree in Commercial music~voice. He wanted to be close to home for the first two years, and was delighted to attend Point University as a commuter for his Freshman and Sophomore college years. There he has met wonderful friends, and great faculty that have been like family. He is especially close to his music professors and has learned a great deal from them that has helped prepare him in his goal to attend Belmont University.

First he had to be accepted to Belmont University! He sent in all of his transcripts and applications several months ago. He received his acceptance in early January. So glad he has maintained a high GPA and and remained on the Dean's List. Glad he takes after his dad in the grade department and not his mom. LOL Once accepted to Belmont, he could then proceed to audition for the school of music, which he did in late January. He even shared his dream with one of classmates, Hunter, and he too, decided to audition.

A letter of acceptance to the University

Once accepted to the university, he could proceed with his audition. He and his friend Hunter prepared  for weeks. The professors judging the auditon asked Zach, "Why Belmont?" and he said it had always been his dream to go there. After his audition they told him he had a lot of potential and a great voice and they were glad he auditioned. He was told that he would know something in about 3 weeks.

After three long weeks, which really turned into 4 weeks, the letter finally arrived. Zach had been calling home everyday during the time that the mail truck had usually already passed...and would you believe it, that whole week that he was waiting and stalking the mailbox, the mail was late 

every. single. day!

He liked how the folder says, "welcome home"...

The long awaited letter finally arrived and Zach called to see if the letter had arrived. He had not made it home yet. He had us open it and read the letter to him over the phone.

AND! HE! MADE! IT!

 This is a photo of THE letter and it says Congratulations on your approval as a commercial music major with a voice principle...
He wants to frame it!

Zach doing what he loves...

He called Hunter to see if he had gotten his mail yet, and of course, Hunter was not yet home, and he had to wait and wait until Hunter made it home and checked his mail. AND finally, Hunter made it home and read his mail and he too made it.

Hunter ripping up the keys.

We went to Outback on Saturday night to celebrate!!! The hard part was telling their friends and professors at Point that they would be transferring.

Signature Voices~Point University

Hunter and Zach are looking forward to attending Belmont in the fall. We are all proud of them, and are thankful that the Lord opened this door for them.

Zach and Hunter
Belmont Bound!!

Thank you momma!

Yesterday Karl brought home supper from Shanes Rib Shack. I had to run out the door to a meeting for about an hour so I hugged everyone bye, as the rest of the family were about to sit down to eat. When I got home, Karl and the kids told me what happened at supper. Karl told me that he mentioned to Jolie that the day was a special day because this time last year we were in China getting you. We had been talking about the special day coming, looking at our China photos, and openly talking about our forever family day. Karl said, that Jolie looked at him and very seriously said over and over, "Tank you momma, tank you momma getting me."

Forever Family Day 2011

Signing those official papers and sealing with a thumbprints

When he told me about it, he said it was quite touching how she said it. AND she was dead serious. I got a lump in my throat just hearing about it. Karlie said she didn't mention dad!! While  the two were describing the event to me, Jolie looked at me and repeated the whole thing. "Tank you momma, tank you momma getting me."  Although she just said momma, I know she meant daddy too.

Summer 2011

Now that lump in my throat turned to tears, as I was hearing my baby girl tell us thank you for coming to get her.

Sibling love

We are truly blessed at the Berry House, and our hearts melted into puddles last night. Thank you Jolie for being our sweet baby girl! Thank You Lord for sending us on the journey!

Forever and Ever AMEN

One year ago this very day, Baby Girl was placed in our arms, and my blog  count hit an all time high that day.

Jolie arrives at the civil affairs office this time last year.

Her first impressions of the whole ordeal...

Our Guide Christine tries to comfort her.

Sill upset...

but Karl is the baby whisperer, and she quickly calmed down with him.

This photo was snapped the next day at the official adoption paper signing...she was blowing kisses to everyone, and was very happy. This is my favorite photo of adoption day. We both were joyful here and our hearts were captured on film. 

1 year later!

WOW! How she has grown! I can't believe it's been a year! Jolie has bonded well with our family it's if she has been here all along. We can't imagine life with out her in it. She is quite the social butterfly and knows how to work a room. She loves to go to church and learn about Jesus.  IF she has to miss church, because she has a cold, or something she cries and cries. I am glad she is delighted to go to church. She sings Jesus loves me all the time, afterall that was the first English song she heard as Karl sang this to her every night as she went to sleep. She goes to speech 2 x a week, she's had her palate repaired. She is speaking English words right and left, she holds up 3 fingers to tell how old she is, I always remind her that she's only 2 1/2, don't rush it. We talk of China, she calls it Tinna, she watches little youtube videos of the 4 princesses, (girls singing  songs in Chinese). We enjoy looking at her China pictures, I tell her that we came to China because we are her parents and her foster family took care of her until we could get there.

She has learned to pose, and if she finds something in the store she wants she stands by it and smiles similar to a Price is Right model..It's quite cute. 

She's big on giving and getting kisses and hugs

Sister love

Jolie loves to share your supper especially if your name is Zach!

Momma love

momma and 2 out 4 babies

Dad with 3 out of 4 kiddos

I end this post with a line from the old Randy Travis Hit  and a quote from Love you forever,
To our kids:
 "I'll (we'll) love you forever and ever amen!"

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my bab(ies) you'll be."

Happy Forever Family Day, Baby Girl! 

Best Decision I ever made

Life is full of decisions and choices to be made. I have made my share of good and bad choices over my lifetime, but the best decision I ever made was to follow Jesus. At the age of 13 years old, I  finally asked Jesus to take control of my life. You see I  knew who Jesus was, but I didn't KNOW Him. I knew I needed HIM, I knew I was a  mess. So, my mom talked me through the scriptures, and I asked Him to take control of my life and HE did. I have not been the same since! Sure, I have grown a lot, made mistakes, struggled with bad thought life, and even with doubts. BUT I am thankful that although I am growing in Him, I know that He is not done with me yet...I have one of those under construction signs with the orange cones  right in front of my life. I am thrilled that I am a work in progress~HIS work in progress.

At church, our focus has been The Frontier Awaits. Our church has partnered with other churches around the globe, seeking to share JESUS with those who have never heard of HIS saving grace. Also, our pastor challenges us to be a missionary in our own mission field, at work,  in our community, and with our family. After all we are missionaries everywhere we go, our lives are speaking to others,but what is it saying? If we know JESUS then are we being that light in this dark world?

So, I want to make the most of those divine appointments in my life, I want to take this opportunity to share a sweet little card that was given to us at church it was designed by the Billy Graham organization. The card's fold is called the never ending card ...and that's just what eternity is~ never ending.

The never ending card opens like this, and has STEPS to peace with GOD...

Fold the card to see step 2...we see what separates us from GOD and that is sin!

We can see that no matter what good we think we can do, it won't bridge the gap between us and GOD, but one bridge does and it is...

The Cross! God's bridge is The Cross.

Our Response is to TRUST JESUS.

Admit that you are a sinner.

Be willing to turn from your sins.

Believe that Jesus died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.

Pray to Jesus like the prayer listed on the card above.

Next!

 LIVE for JESUS..

If you have asked Jesus to take control of your life for the first time, let somebody know, comment here, or email me, I will be happy to pray for you as you live for JESUS and grow in HIM!