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| 4/12/2006 Before I type today's entry, please say a prayer for Jake Owen. I have mentioned him before. I don't know him, but I have "followed" his story for some time. And tomorrow morning he is having another brain operation to remove a tumor. (He just had one a few weeks ago) He is an amazing little boy to read about, and I would encourage you to read his story and let his family know you are praying. It doesn't matter that you are a complete stranger...I am. I just know that the encouragement means THE WORLD to them. Psalms 100:1-3 "Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness. Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." I have probably used those verses before. But I continue to be reminded daily this week as we approach the celebration of Easter...the celebration of His death and resurrection...I am so thankful I am His people...I am the sheep of His pasture. I only have to look to Him for direction and guidance. He can see the WHOLE picture. I can see only my little part. Thank you, Jesus, for loving me, dying for me, and walking beside me each day we are waiting for Maria. I don't think I mentioned a semi-answer to prayer. Hunter's birth certificate is being fixed. I hope if the Passport office needs it though, they will let us know soon, instead of close to when we leave... I just have to say how thankful we are to our agency. I know I get frustrated, fretful, and probably a little annoying. Okay, a lot. But I am thankful for them. I firmly believe God led us to them for a reason...and not just because they represented Maria. And I am grateful for their care of our case. Other than that, it is Holy Week. No adoption news to report. On a personal note, I am wiped out. And I need some time at my house. With school and baseball, that time is becoming more and more scarce. If you know me at all, it is hard on my soul to NOT be at home. Have a good night! |
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| 4/13/2006 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shados of turning." James 1:17
We knew there would be nothing happening with our case since it is Holy Week. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is shut down in Guatemala. Of course, just because it opens up again on Tuesday doesn't mean something will happen. Our lawyer has to go camp out again, hope to get into the US Embassy, and we have to pray our forms will be accepted and we will get preapproval quickly. But apparently there is one thing that IS working in Guatemala this week. Cameras! Oh, yes, just when we had settled in for several days of NO news, we received Maria's latest measurements (weighing almost one more pound but STILL not growing in height :) and PICTURES. I have placed one of my favorites at the bottom of the page. She looks like a little angel to me. Okay, maybe a little mischievous, but an angel nonetheless. :) And what thrills my heart even more than just getting pictures, in some of the pictures, she is coloring a picture. (We cannot seem to determine whether she is a rightie or a leftie...she appears ambidextrous in the pics) That is something I just take for granted with my kids here...they have been coloring for years. It is one of Lauren's favorite things to do. But something about seeing our daughter all those miles away, doing what kids her age should be doing...it just gives this little bit of peace. And isn't it neat that God knew I would need that peace? I mean, what a Great God He is to take care of that one little thing, a tiny little detail, this Holy Week. (Now I am praying He will take care of those Embassy details too:) As we do sit here and wonder about the details of our adoption and nonprogress, I have to smile at a little quote one of my dear friends sent to me. "God's will is what you would CHOOSE if you knew all the facts and circumstances." So that is my prayer tonight and for the weekend...especially when the "high" of new pictures wears off, that I will remember God DOES know what is best for me. Thank you again for visiting...we would love to know you stopped by (hint, hint, guestbook :) |
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4/14/2006 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galations 2:20. I have been thinking today about Jesus hanging on the cross. And I have been especially hearing this verse in my head as a song. I cannot think of who sings it. (It is Friday night...you know what that means! Complete exhaustion!) But I can hear it over and over and over. And as we think about Jesus hanging on that cross, just so I can live...WOW! (of course, the best part of that story is the ending...where he ROSE again. :) Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross for all of my many sins and shames. I know you love me anyway, that you endured the cross and came back to life just for me. (And everyone!) That is perfect love. As I mentioned, I am exhausted. But overall it was a good day. We had out Easter Egg hunt today at school, which is always fun to do. And then we went to my parents' house to dye eggs. Thta is a famiy tradition. We like to get creative with the eggs. (Of course, there is a Maria Elizabeth egg...in our two favorite colors for her...lime green and bright pink.) And finally we went to eat with one of Mark's customers and his fiancee. We went to Shoguns which is always a fun show to watch and a particularly yummy meal. It was just a good day. I am thankful for those! Well, I am struggling to stay awake, which is a clue to go to bed. If you need any kind of prayer request, please being praying now for the Embassy to take our next set of papers. And that he will get in quickly, as well as that we receive preapproval very quickly. And of course, for the safety, development, and growth of our little Maria. I wonder if she is at all aware of the commotion and ceremony happening in Guatemala this time of year. We will seem very boring after all that! Have a good weekend! |