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| 4/9/2006 Dear friends, I had a good verse to share and more thoughts about our waiting process. And the last couple days as I finalize details about the trip, Maria is first and foremost in our thoughts. But today another verse kept coming out to me over and over. I think I am being encouraged to share... "But the angel answered and said to the woman, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.'" Matthew 28:5-6 It is easy for me to be consumed with thoughts of Maria, the adoption, the progress of our case (or the NO progress of our case :). But that is not where my thoughts should be. Really anytime. But especially this time of year. This time of year I am reminded of My Jesus and what He did for me. He loved me so much, imperfect as I am and continue to be, to go to the cross. Oh, He was sinless. I was full of sin. Yet, instead of letting me die a final death, He endured pain, humiliation, suffering, and crucifixion on a cross in front of soldiers who mocked him, among religious and political leaders who scorned him, and by a thief who blasphemed him. And He did all of that for me. So that I could become pure. He took my filth, my impurities upon Himself. He had to separate Himself from His own Father to endure all of my shame and guilt. All so I could be pure and blameless before God, so that one day when I leave this earthly home I can live in eternity in the perfect place of Heaven. Wow! And all I can think is "Why?" Why would He do that for me? I don't deserve it. I don't deserve anything I have. I am a sinner, and even years after I have accepted Christ as my Savior, I am STILL a sinner. Yet He loved me like a Father loves His children. Interestingly, this week in Guatemala, as I have complained about, is a vacation week for most people. It is Holy Week. La Semana Santa. In fact, in Antigua, not far from our daughter, one of the most popular and LARGEST celebrations occurs all week. Sometime do a search on google. You will be amazed by the work involved. And while I have complained about how it is going to once again keep us from progressing with our case, I have been reminded today about why we have this time of year. To remember that He is risen. He is risen indeed. Thank you, God, for loving me enough to die on the cross for me...for everyone. |
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4/10/2006 Dear friends, guess where I am right now? Here is a hint from Luke 7:37-38, "And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flak of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil." So where I am I? Sitting at the feet of Jesus. I am not sure where else I could be right now. I can weep (and probably will) while at the same time enjoy His presence. We got an update today. I am very grateful to my agency for supplying updates. I know their job cannot be fun with all of us grouchy waiting parents out there. (I try not to be grouchy with them, but I am sure it spills over...) Well, we have been praying for a good update. And we got a partial one. It looks like we may be about done with family court, which is one of the three major steps. We are just waiting for a final report on that one. The not so good news is that we found out that the US Embassy (yes, our OWN Embassy) has rejected not ONCE but TWICE our adoption form. Why? It could be because I dotted the i wrong or we used the wrong color of ink (though the form doesn't specify an ink color). Apparently that has become the "new thing" around the Embassy in Guatemala. Rejecting paperwork. Thus no preapproval. :( We are very sad, obviously. And irritated. And just sitting at the feet of Jesus. Because we know Jesus is bigger than the Embassy. And as our paperwork makes ANOTHER attempt to get in (which is challenge #1) and get accepted (challenge #2), we know specifically how to pray now. Thank you for flooding the gates of heaven for us and Maria. Oh, one more prayer request. Actually two. Jake Owen and Jacob. They are two boys I pray for. They have had a rough weekend. If you have never read their stories, I can promise you that your life will NOT be the same. |
| 4/11/2006 Dear friends, family, countrymen...oops, got carried away. :) Today was my day of prayer. Yes, every day is a day of prayer, but I have been taking one day a week to spend in even more prayer. Today was it. And I did pray, especially for the two little guys I mentioned yesterday. And numerous other prayer requests. And of course, for our little Maria. But instead of focusing the entire day on "God, please give us..." or "God, we want..." I found myself thinking more in terms of praise. Two "thanksgiving" songs have replayed in my head all day. In fact, today's verse is the latest one. Psalms 100:4-5, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations." Surprised? Yes, me too. I thought I would be a little more...depressed. After all, our own Embassy insists on rejecting our paperwork for no apparent reason. Maria is miles and miles away and not likely to be with us anytime soon. And this is Holy Week...NOTHING is happening until next Tuesday more than likely. But instead, I just feel thankful to God. Why? I have not one CLUE. But I do know He has been faithful even in this storm. And I will praise Him. (One of Mark's and my favorite new songs...) Just in the last few days, I have had some of the most encouraging e-mails. Some from friends I have known for years. Some from people I have just met via the Internet. And I don't even know that their intention was to encouage...but they did. You may have noticed, if you ever read the guestbook, that I get frequent postings from Dianna and Cole (and subsequently from Penny, a friend of theirs). I have never met them. I just started following Cole's story several months ago, including incredible testimony from his parents. And now they have become my encouragers. And in all of this, I am just amazed that God loves me SO much, He takes care of those little details. I may not be able to bring Maria home like I desire. But He has sent me friends, family, and support that I might not have ever gotten to enjoy/appreciate without this journey. And again, I can't help but say, "Thank you!" |
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