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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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| Waiting for Maria |
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| 5/11/2006 Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." I have thought a lot about friendship recently. When I was going through the "dark period" a few weeks ago from fatigue, feeling ill, and no adoption news, I knew I could count on my friends to be there for me...a support. Friends from school, friends from church, friends in my family, and Internet friends. When we did get the preapproval, again, my friends were there, this time celebrating WITH us the good news. Through thick and thin, our friends are here for us. And of course, when a friendship is in Christ, it is an eternal friendship...nothing can divide it. We have no news as of yet. We didn't really expect any, though deep down you hope that you might be that one case that gets through PGN in record timing. And we are still waiting for the monthly picture updates, which are always a joy for us to see and share. Am I down about it? Not especially yet. But I may be headed that way. It has been very busy recently which means little sleep for me. And little sleep is a hayday for Satan...I am just praying for some rest this weekend. (so is my family :) I do have some good news though! I am part of an adoption board that is just for people adopting from my agency. Well, today some of them got the news that they are approved for DNA testing (which comes before preapproval). They have been waiting and waiting, much like we were last week. And going back to that friendship thing...these people, though we have never met, have become my friends. We have this shared experience of the adoption roller coaster ride, and it creates a bond. I am so pleased for the good news for them! Then on sadder news, please continue to pray for my Bible Study friend who just lost her husband. Nobody expects to become a widow with four young children at 32. That thought crosses my mind when Mark leaves for out of town or when I feel my heart flutter (Is this a heart attack???) But deep down, we don't expect it, and it isn't really how God designed lives to be. But sometimes it does happen...I pray that I will be the friend that loves at all times. And I pray even more for a peace and love to surround her heart as she faces a new life without him. Still waiting. |
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| 5/13/2006 Deuteronomy 5:16 "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Happy Mother's Day tomorrow to all of you mothers, mothers to be, and even "substitute" mothers! I just wanted to say how very thankful I am for the mother God gave me. My mother has one of the most generous hearts I know. She accepts and loves others for who they are. She has this quiet faith that is such an example to me...when I ask her to pray for something, I never doubt for a moment that she won't. She is a hard worker...and she actually enjoys housework! In fact, she does the kids' laundry every week for us. I simply deliver it in their dirty clothes basket. The next day, we pick it up, all folded and ready to wear...what a HUGE help to us. She is also a model of a wife for me. She has taught me (though I am still learning) about patience and acceptance even when I don't feel like it. She also demonstrates submission and encouragement as a wife. She has kept both of our children and will keep Maria part of the time too...and trust me, that is one of the best things that could happen to any of our children. She is a teacher to them, not so much explicitly, but rather through her encouragement, patience, and agape love. She is a teacher to me. I don't know how many times I have called while making dinner and said, "Now how do I do this again?" Or how many times I have called asking for "parenting advice" or "wife advice". And she always has just the right answer. Even today, I was in the middle of a project and feeling overwhelmed and she came over and saved the day. My mom is my hero. I hope that someday I can be even a little bit of the mother and wife she is. Thank you, Mom, for who you are; I love you. I cannot let the day go by without saying Happy Mother's Day to my mother in law either. Of course, I will be forever grateful that she produced such a wonderful son I would marry one day. But I have learned so much from her too. She is a strong woman of faith. Even in the hardest times, she has relied on God to see her through. And throughout this long adoption process, we have felt the effects of her prayers and been encouraged by the Scriptures she sends. She is generous to a fault...always there to help. Her continued involvement in missions has always been a witness to us and others. Thank you, Melissa, for letting me be a part of your family. I love you! Happy Mother's Day! We would love to know who is waiting with us...the guestbook link is on the main page. (hint hint :) |
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5/12/2006 Hello. I am wiped out. I don't know if is all of the midnight + bedtimes this week, the pile of "to do" stuff, the waiting and waiting and waiting, the field trip to the Safari today, or baseball season for Hunter, but I am wiped out. So this is short and sweet. Well, short anyway. I am too tired to be sweet. Just know that we are still waiting and waiting, praying and praying, and hoping and hoping. We hope to have new pics soon...apparently my idea of "soon" is different than theirs. :) So we wait some more... Will update more tomorrow...good night! |