Introducing....Mr.Lips, Scaredy Bat, Zippy Cat and Mr.Ribs

Yep, the Padilla Six officially had their first pumpkin carving party together on Sunday. And we're happy to say that nobody got their eyes poked out with a knife, etc. So no trips to the emergency room, thankfully. It was a little tricky for Mo and I to help out all four at once (and take video/pics) but we managed and had a lot of fun too!! Ama carved her silly Mr.Lips, Shayley did Scaredy Bat, Jo/mommy did Zippy Cat, and Reece/Mo did Mr.Ribs. Now onto organizing costumes, yikes.......

Happy (early) Halloween.... Love, Jo

A Special Dedication

On Sunday, October 18, we had the privilege of dedicating Amaleah and Jonathan to the Lord in front of our congregation at Journey of Faith in Manhattan Beach. It is our utmost desire as their parents to raise them up in the Lord in order that they may have a personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ, loving and serving Him wholeheartedly. So we, as well as several other family members who share this same desire, stood in front of hundreds of other believers (and close friends!) on Sunday to make our commitment to God. Pastors Glen and Claire shared with the congregation about our dreams of becoming an adoptive family and that God in His indescribable grace and mercy made our dreams come true when Ama and Jo joined our family this year. Then Pastor Glen kneeled down and held both kids' hands as he prayed for all of us. At the end of the prayer the whole congregation said AMEN with Glen so loud that it made us feel really encouraged to feel their excitement and communion with us. What an incredibly awesome dedication this was for all! After Pastor Glen prayed he told both Ama and Jo that he loved them and of course Jo, the ham that he is, had to have the last word (or laugh) so he grabbed Glen's leg and said out loud, 'I love you' and then again (just in case he didn't hear it the first time), 'I love you'! Priceless ;-) Here's a pic of us on stage during the dedication. Ama was so excited that I was wearing my Ghana shirt and Mo was wearing his authentic shirt we bought in Ghana also. Just have to add this too, Ama's beautiful blue dress and Jo's handsome tux were both bought at Hume Lake during the Labor Day Country Fair for only a few dollars each!! So sweet.