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| 7/18/2006
Part I (Make sure to read Part II if you haven't already; it is below :) Before I forget (like I did yesterday), please add Julie�s name to the prayer list too. She and her husband are also waiting on PGN�they are even adopting from the same orphanage. I was thinking about her when I added others yesterday but failed to type the name. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.� Sometimes I have to remind myself about the character of God. When you can�t see (physically) His face or feel (physically) His touch, it is easy to let the imagination run wild. Sometimes I picture Him like this BIG genie. I am just waiting to find favor in His eyes to grant my wish. Sometimes I think of Him more like an ATM�I think if I can just make enough deposits (good deeds, kind words), that I will be able to withdraw what I really want. And sometimes I just think of Him as this puppeteer. He is in charge of the show, moves the strings that He wants, and the rest of us are just stuck. I am sure my kids feel like that with me sometimes. The truth is I love my kids. I want the right things for them. When I know we are going to have a yummy dessert and I won�t let Lauren eat the sweets she wants RIGHT NOW (which would be all the time with her) so she can eat the dessert later, I am not trying to be mean. I just want what is best for her. When we discipline our children, we aren�t trying to be �All Powerful��we want to instill certain values and positive behaviors in their lives. I am constantly reminded about God�s character through my own children. He loves me. He loves Mark. He loves our kids. And He loves Maria. It is easy for me to wonder why He is not bringing her home. We have so much love to give her. We could be talking with her, praying with her, teaching her His ways. But God knows the plans He has for her. They are not plans to hurt her. They are plans to give her a future and a hope. I will just have to trust on Him to show us those plans, as well as give us strength to wait on Him. Adoption Tip of the Day: Reach out to someone who is adopting. They are going through so many emotions and though processes. In some ways, it is very similar to the hormone rushes of pregnancy. When they are dealing with those feelings and thoughts, it is difficult to reach out to others. So give them a call, a hug, a note that just says �We are praying for you�. It will make a HUGE difference in their lives. I know. Thank you for waiting with us. |
| 7/18/2006 Part 2
Psalm 145:1-13 I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your might acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. All your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power, To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.� Sometimes God says "Yes". We are so grateful to God for an answered prayer. Tonight at 5 o'clock, I received a phone call from our agency to let us know it was the phone call we had been waiting for. I couldn't speak, think, feel...still can't really. We are both just in shock. But we do know enough to say... We are pleased to announce the addition of Maria Elizabeth Cloud to our family. We don't know yet when pickup will be. She has to get a new birth certificate, a new passport, and an appointment with the US Embassy. We will be notified within a week (more than likely) of when we need to be there. It is called "getting pink". Our agency estimates that it will be in about 3 weeks. Right now, we don't even care. She is coming home. Thank you SO much for waiting for us. The Clouds |
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