| 7/24/2006
1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. I am back. I cannot really say I feel much better, but I am here. I did go to the doctor. He thought my back pain was "neuromuscular" which I take to mean a "pulled muscle". (Hmmm, maybe showing Lauren how to do a "bridge" for gymnastics a couple of weeks ago was not a good idea for my aging body...) As for the other pains, there was no strong conclusion. Apparently I had some indications of a UTI, so I am taking an antibiotic. I am praying that it was it is. I still just don't feel good or "right". Thank you for the prayers though! I was AGAIN reminded of God's goodness tonight. It was a hectic day with gymnastics, doctor's appointment, swimming lessons, and football practice. Lauren and I ran an errand and decided to check in on Hunter's football practice. As we got out of the car, it suddenly occurred to me that I was supposed to be at a "Bible Study" reunion with lettuce in hand at that exact moment. I will tell you that two years ago, maybe even one year ago, that would have sent me over the edge in panic. Not too much tonight though. I calmly handed Lauren over to Mark, reminded him where I was supposed to be, and drove there (stopping for the lettuce). I was a little late, but I am so grateful to God for that nudge to go. I was in Bible Study with these women on a weekly basis (Tuesday nights) for probably 7+ years. I have missed our time together, but when we return to one another, we just "fall" into that same familiar and comfortable relationship. It is a precious group of women. The Bible says iron sharpens iron. I am a sharper woman after being with these ladies. Adoption Tip of the Day: From what I have gathered from others, once we return with Maria, there may be a little "letdown" or kind of "postpartum" thing...Please know that even though we have prayed for this for so many days now, it is not always going to be an easy road, much like parenthood or marriage is. I thank you in advance for your continued prayers and the times you look me in the eyes and say without any judgement or condemnation, "Now, how is it really going?" |
| 7/22/2006
Sorry for the lack of update yesterday. We had an incredibly nice evening out (which I will share in just a little bit). I just had to add this picture. A friend of mine (via Internet) is in Guatemala right now with her son. He was adopted from the same Hogar last year. She recently visited that Hogar and took this picture of Maria waiting to eat. She is growing up SO quickly! Psalm 116:12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? We just continue to be amazed by God's goodness, though I don't know why. He has shown His goodness over and over the almost 35 years I have been alive! Last night we had a dinner with our Bible Fellowship at a local restaurant. It has been planned for some time, so it wasn't technically a "celebration". However, it ended up being a celebration. What love and generosity our friends, our brothers and sisters in Christ have shown us! They not only bought our meal, but also had a special dessert brought to our table to say "Congratulations." Then they presented us with a bib full of money to be used for Maria. It was very kind and touching. As you may know if you have been around me, I am not a good gift receiver. I embarrass pretty easily and don't know how to respond without displaying every bit of emotion within me. I can tell you though that even if I didn't show it on the outside, inside I felt blessed, loved, and more grateful than I know my face showed. Thank you, Lloyd class! I do have a quick prayer request. I am having some pain in my stomach. It seems to float a bit from one side to the other. Tonight I thought we were heading to the emergency room. I am running a slight fever and have some pain in my lower right abdomen (where the appendix is). However, when I researched, websites for appendicitis kept mentioning "loss of appetite". Well, that is most certainly not me. :) At least not yet. I am probably going to go to the doctor this week if possible, but I will admit...I am scared. Every scary possible diagnosis comes to mind, which is scary any time, but for me, more scary right now with the life changes going on. It scares me to think I could bring Maria home and not have the precious time I had dreamed of. I know, I know, I am jumping to conclusions. I have always just felt pretty good, so pain is a new thing for me. I haven't heard anything about our case since Tuesday. Our last payment was sent in and received. Hopefully the birth certificate is being processed. At home, we are just trying to prepare. We are finally going to get our yard fenced completely in (backyard). I also ordered the high chair, which was my last "holdout". And I am gathering Maria's clothes for our trip, so they will be ready. I have also started work in my classroom, so hopefully I won't have to deal with that when I come back. It could be two weeks or a month and a half before the phone call...we still have a lot to do. But we WILL be ready when that call comes. Thank you for praying and waiting with us! And a special thank you to the sweet messages in the guestbook! |
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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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| 7/20/2006 Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. We are still in complete amazement. Our prayer the other night at 10 was so different than any we have prayed. The only word I can think to use is humility. We went to God in complete humility. Feeling humbled that we, so undeserving, are getting this sweet blessing. And humbled by the fact that just as we praised God for who He was on that day, we praise Him EVERY day�even in the storms. Because God is the same yesterday, day, and forever. The same God who delivered us from PGN is the same God who was with us each day as we waited. And all I could say was �Wow�. And that is STILL all I can say. We have been blessed in SO many ways the last couple of days. All of the encouraging phone calls and e-mails. Prayers and praises of joy. Offers to help get ready and for meals. Today we paid our final bill and found out that a dear friend had donated to Maria�s case�we had no idea until today! We also received a gift from some of our family that will pay for some of our travel expenses. Other family members have given books, toys, and clothes. One of Hunter�s friends just gave us two big bags of girls� clothing that Lauren can wear now and Maria can wear someday. We are very blessed. Thank you! We are just busy running around trying to get things done. We won�t know the exact day for a couple of weeks (probably). We sure have a lot to do though to be ready. All of this time I thought we WERE ready, but there were some things we couldn�t do in advance. Now I feel like a deer caught in the headlights. I am a little overwhelmed and don�t know what to do first. Plus I am in a rush to get my classroom taken care of. Anyway, please continue to pray for �pink� for us�that is the final step and appointment for us in Guatemala. And pray for all of our friends who are still waiting. |
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