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| 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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| 4/15/2006 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, he said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'" Having said this, He breathed His last.
I have to admit. I have never been able to watch Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ movie. I know, I know, good Christians watch it and reflect on it. I just don't think I can stomach it. Just reading my Bible, reading about all of the pain, all of the agony this perfect Lamb experienced for ME, for sinful, onery me. It is almost too much to bear. I just don't think I can watch it in action...the vivid imagery of the Bible is enough for me... It was a good day. I cannot say it was a deep spiritual day like I would have liked (discussing the Resurrection eggs, making the Jesus cookies...). But it was a good family day. We went to RazorFest. We did a LOT of walking. Enjoyed some good food. Watched a little of the red/white game. And the kids did some of those jumpy activities on inflatibles. Then we came home, took naps while Mark went to the Razorback game, and ended the night with a pizza picnic while we enjoyed our Saturday night TLC shows. It was just a nice day as a family. Well, as most of a family. Anytime we do activities like that, my mind immediately goes to Maria, wondering what she would think, how she would react to a Volkswagon Bug that looks like a Razorback. Stuff like that. And there were times I would catch sight of a little one the size of her or we would get asked, "How is the case going?" that I would feel those eyes starting to water...and I just have to trust that God is in control of this. That He knows the right time for that Embassy to accept our paperwork, for us to emerge from PGN as Maria's parents, for us to bring her home. But it still takes my breath away... I am having dreams about the trip. I cannot tell if it is excitement about seeing her or the tremendous terror I feel about flying to a different country. Whatever it is, it is apparently more on my mind than I thought it was. I pray that you will have a blessed Easter Sunday! We will enjoy searching for baskets and eggs, but we know that the true meaning of Easter is God's love for us. I hope you experience it too! |
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| Part of us Clouds on Easter morning...next year, Daddy's lap will be full! |
| 4/16/2006 Luke 24:1-6a "Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!'" 'Nuff said! Happy Easter! |
| 4/17/2006 Whew! I am tired! I went from school to a meeting after school about sleep disorders and ADHD (it was really quite fascinating) to a meeting at Lauren's school for Teacher Appreciation Week to home for a quick dinner and bedtime preparation because Hunter had an 8:00 game. Yes, 8:00. Our normal bedtime for kids. So it has been one of those nonstop days! I have to say a HUGE thank you to Mike who works for Arkansas' Vital Records. He will never read this, but I just have to brag on him. I first contacted him last year when assembling my dossier. We had ordered a new marriage certificate and it was delayed in coming. I happened upon his e-mail address, e-mailed him, and I had a copy within just a couple of days. Well, after we applied for the passport for Hunter, I decided I needed to fix my little name error on his certificate. I contacted him again. I won't go into all of the nitty gritty details, but I will say he has gone above and beyond the call of duty helping us get it revised as well as get a new copy. I hope we won't even need the new copy, but just in case, it will be nice to have on hand. I am just so grateful for the wonderful people God has sent along the way to help us. I am reminded over and over of His abundant love. A quick prayer request for a special group from our church: Kevin, Rhonda and Eddie, John and Jane, John, Clay, and Kelli. As I type, they are on their way to minister and witness to the Kuvi tribe in India. The Kuvi tribe is an unreached people group, meaning they have had little Christian witnessing or experiences. These people going are mothers, fathers, spouses, not lifetime "missionaries" but regular churchgoers with a heart for Christ...and they will be gone for TWO weeks. Please pray for their safety and protection as well as divine inspiration for them as they witness. Okay, onto today's verse...Jeremiah 29:13, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all of your heart." Wow! That is so true. It seems like right now while we are seeking Him, I see His presence everywhere. Whether it is in the timing of pictures or the help of a kind state worker or an e-mail from an old friend. But the key is searching with ALL of our heart. Not partial, like I tend to want to do if I am stressed or upset. But ALL of it. Our big prayer this week: That our attorney will get into the Embassy and that the Embassy will ACCEPT our paperwork and we will be granted preapproval quickly....in His time. Thank you for waiting with us! |