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| 7/8/2006
Isaiah 35:4 "Say to those who are fearful-hearted, Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you." Fear...that would be me. We should be getting a "Maria update" this week. We hope to see a SMILING face. We still are so fearful that we hurt her when we left. We have been praying every night (at 10...thanks for praying with us) that she can feel our love even so many miles away. We pray that she will know how much we love her and miss her, that God will wrap Himself around her since we cannot physically do that. Then we have fear of PGN. Recently our monthly updates (which I really thought we wouldn't need anymore...thinking she would be home) have included a statement of our "standing". Really our attorney doesn't know much about where we are in the PGN process. He (or someone from the office) goes by daily to check on the status of all of his cases (I know of at least three others in PGN from the same Hogar). They will be told if the case is still pending, is approved, or has a previo (kickout for a mistake). Oh, one more thing...if there is anything "suspicious" which could even mean just a minor error, then it could be sent to "Minor's Court" for "investigation". That is what I am fearful of. I am just praying for God to take that fear away. That doesn't mean I expect to get out this week. I have actually quit trying to "expect" when it will happen. And if God wills it to go to "investigation", then it is part of His plan. I cannot change it, I can only trust it. So I shouldn't be afraid, right? *sigh* So much easier said than done. On a more positive note, and I am sure some of you are ready for that :), we had a good day today. I took Hunter to football sign-up. Seeing him in the big shoulder pads and helmet...well, I thought he was adorable. Then we spent a little time at the park. It was really nice outside and the kids always enjoy doing that. When we came home, I spent a couple hours cleaning and organizing in the garage (we need a garage sale...BIG time) while the kids played in the yard. After lunch, I continued to organize and clean the office and utility room. I am getting closer to having it "done". For dinner we had bacon wrapped shrimp...yum! Then my sister came over. We enjoyed TLC (as in the channel...Trading Spaces and Property Ladder) while we scrapbooked. She lives in Kansas, so it is always a treat to have her here...I miss her so much. It was just a good day, though I am tired and achy from all of the sitting and bending for the activities today. Have a Happy Sonday! |
| 7/9/2006
Exodus 3:6-7 "Moreover He said, I am the God of your father- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. And the Lord said: "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows." Have you ever had a Sunday School lesson that you thought the teacher was teaching JUST for you? I know, it sounds a little egocentric. But I was squirming in my seat today. Our lesson started with these verses. I am pretty sure Mr. Lloyd, our beloved teacher, was saying it just for me. He reminded us that sometimes, even when we don't think God is listening, He is. After all, the Israelites had been oppressed in Egypt for many years. It was not a pleasant time for them. The Egyptians made their lives miserable. And they called out to God over and over. They probably thought (like I am prone to do) that He wasn't listening. But this verse says...he saw the oppression, he heard the cry, he KNEW their sorrows. Hmmm, seems like it might be a little applicable to someone else's life right now. We keep crying out to God (all day, but especially at 10!) and hope that He hears us. It does feel like many times He doesn't. Either that or I am being punished for the many many faults and sins in my life. (though that would not match up with my whole grace revelation this past week) He is working. We don't see it, but He is. Please continue to pray this week. I am still reading the boards which is probably a big mistake. I am seeing cases that went in much later than us getting out. And I am "hearing" negative stories about abandonment cases, which would be what Maria's case is. But we still believe God is bigger than that. (One reason I still read "the boards" though is that I try to be an encouragement to others when possible...which I am sure seems ironic since we have been dealing with discouragement :) The thing is, it could be a whole other year before we can bring Maria home. That is in Mr. PGN Director's hands. But we believe with all of our hearts that Maria is worth it. So we continue to wait. Thank you for waiting with us. PS If my posting is sporadic this week, don't fret...I am in class this week. |
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| A blast from the past...what a beautiful girl! |