| 2/27/2006 Can you believe February is almost over with? Obviously we were hoping to be almost done with the adoption in February. Since we haven't really started yet, that isn't going to happen tomorrow. :) But it is still in Jesus' hands. Which leads me to a verse...Psalms 37:7a "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." I cannot say I have been the most patient while waiting, but I do know I should be. God knows His plans. I just cannot see the "big picture". Instead I have this one little puzzle piece. I don't know where it fits. I thought we were completing a picture of our family, but apparently the piece I have either doesn't fit at this time or needs some other pieces to complete the puzzle. So I am praying for that "rest in the Lord". We have a couple of prayer requests. Well, beyond the BIG request of a birth certificate. That is just an every minute request for us. One is my car. I have had my car for 18 months. It was one of those answers to prayer you didn't even know you had. I have thoroughly enjoyed my car, particularly the heated seats. (It is a Honda Accord) I found it on E-Bay, and though I didn't actually purchase it through Ebay, we got a good deal on it. And it has been a dream come true for me. (And I am not a very materialistic person, but I really LIKE my car...even my kids who don't LIKE ANY CHANGE like my car...) Well, we have just gotten a new booster seat for Lauren. And so tonight I thought I would see what it was like to have two booster seats and a car seat in the back. I have always joked about how tight it would be. Guess what? THEY DON'T FIT! I am so upset. I have done a little research and I am not so sure any combination of any brand will fit with three of them. I know we have some time to figure this out, and I am praying that we can find some combination. We don't really have the money to buy a new vehicle, nor do I really want to. But the reality is that after school, I have the kids. I am praying for an answer (a cheap one!) to that... Our other request is more my request. Maria's birthday is in June. I had at one time thought about doing a quick trip to be with her on her birthday. Well, when we thought we were in the adoption phase, I didn't worry about it much, since I figured our pickup would be close to that time. Obviously now, short of a miracle, that won't happen. And my heart's desire is to be with her on her birthday. But I also realize it is not the best financial decision since we are trying to pay off some of hte loan, not add to it. Please just pray for wisdom for this matter. If you know how much I dislike flying, it is crazy talk for me to even mention this. I guess unless we win Publisher's Clearinghouse...well, I need God to change that desire to go. Thank you for your prayers! Have a blessed day tomorrow! |
| Day by Day |
| 2/25/2006 Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." We get asked often what our kids think about the adoption. I will admit...when Hunter first learned about the idea, he wanted a brother not a sister. In fact, he wanted a six year old boy (which was his age at the time) rather than a little girl. We know his personality...independent, marching to the beat of his own drum. We just didn't feel like that was where God was leading us (for us, or for him). Once he saw Maria's picture though, he was okay with the decision. Now Lauren was pretty much for it from the get go. (Ask us this time next year and see what she says... :) In fact, in Lauren's mind, it is almost like Maria is here, just invisible. Of course, we got bunkbeds for the girls' room. So we have a "spot" for Maria. But not a day goes by that Maria doesn't come up in Lauren's casual conversation at least once. "I will save this candy for Maria." "I will help feed Maria when she gets here." "We can save this shirt for when Maria is here." It just a normal, everyday thing for her. I am sure she wonders at times if we are making this up. It has been 7 months since we told the kids about this venture, and we only have pictures and a little video to show for it. But we still pray daily for Maria, and we often do act like she is already part of the family even though legally she is not. Which leads me to the verse above. I was reminded this week by one of my adopting friends to enjoy the family I have right here. And I do. Both kids (and husband) are treasures. But I have found myself thinking, "We will wait to do this or that until Maria is here..." or "When our family is complete..." And she is a part of our family, at least in our hearts if not on paper. If someone asks how many kids we have, I always mention we have two here, and one more on the way. (You get some funny looks when you mention you are expecting a 2 year old. :) But I am praying for contentment with what is here right now. That I will remember we are a complete family even at this time. That I will be content with what God has given us today and not worry about tomorrow. (Of course, please continue to pray for that darn birth certificate!) If Paul could be content with all of the trials and tribulations of his life (beatings, jail, exile, shipwrecks, etc.), surely I can be content with the life God has given me. Even while we are waiting for Maria Elizabeth. Thank you for your prayers! Please sign our guestbook (even if you have before...) We both get so excited to see new entries...) |
| If you return to the Main Page, we hope that you will sign our guestbook. We hope to share the encouragement and kind words with Maria someday. |
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| 2/26/2006 Happy Sonday! Our day started off actually in the middle of the night when Hunter came into our room. Our children for the most part do NOT get out of bed (except for bathroom breaks), so when one comes into our room, it is usually NOT a good thing. His comment was, "Daddy (I trained him well :), I throwed up in my bed." Since he came to Daddy, Daddy took care of it. That meant I had church duty with Lauren. I like to go to church and am always happy when I am there, but I have to admit, I am usually the one who stays home if a child is ill. (I am a homebody) But Lauren and I were troopers, we went on our own. I am SO glad I did. One of the first things about church was our Bible Study lesson in Bible Fellowship. This verse from Jeremiah 32:27 nearly toppled me over. "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" Wow. What a verse. Our teacher asked us if we really, truly believe that. Wow again. I felt complete conviction. I know I believe that when things are going well. Like when our check account looks healthy (usually before a huge gas bill arrives...) Or when we flew through the preparation for adopting (our homestudy and INS approval). But how about this past week. Am I truly believing that NOTHING is too hard for Him? Even a birth certificate? That doesn't mean that by believing, it will just happen tomorrow. But I am not sure I was putting my full faith in Christ. Especially when I have been the one complaining that I don't feel like He is hearing me. Wow. I am thankful for those quick but painful reminders of where I am failing and where God is not. After Bible Fellowship, I enjoyed some more moments in church. Like a couple of baby dedications. We dedicated both Lauren and Hunter as babies. Obviously, we will not be able to dedicate a baby Maria, but as soon as she is our daughter, I look forward to the day we can present her to the church and to God. After all, she is already God's child...we are just getting to "borrow" her for this time. Then I was able to witness a baptism of a friend's child. Another time of reflection and reminder ot pray daily for my own children to accept Christ one day and follow in baptism. And finally some good friends joined the church. It was a day of blessings. Still praying for that birth certificate...thank you to our church, our family, friends, and Cole's warriors for praying too! |
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