Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Desires Of Ones Heart?
Today and the rest of this week I am watching to adorable little girls. My heart has melted and I am in love. :) A 1 3/4 old little girl and a 1 month old little girl. This is the desire of my heart. This is what I long for. This is what I hope God brings to our home. It doesn't have to be two, one would work. It is such a difference from the two sweet children we had a few weeks ago. I am not exhausted but content, I am not fearing what the older one will get into next but content to watch her play and to play with her. As she naps I think about how wonderful today is and how much I look forward to the rest of this week. This is the desire of my heart. Do you see this Lord? This is what I ask for, this is what I long for, this is what we need added to our home.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Blessings Flow
Our Thanksgiving was calm and quiet, just our little family. Not by choice, we had a sick kid the night before and didn't feel we should share that with anyone else. It ended up being a great blessing for our family. At the supper table we went around and each stated what we are thankful for. It was neat to hear what our children said and all of their answers included thankfulness for our home, food, clothing, family. We then opened our blessings box which we made last Christmas. Sad to say there were not a ton of things written and slid into the box but it was still fun to read them. We plan on doing better next year!
After we all took our turns talking about blessings, Brad and I brought up World Vision and the catalog we received from them. In the catalog were many items we could purchase for people that do not have clothing, food, water, medicine etc... Brad and I new we could ask the kids to pick some things out for others but we wanted to make it more personal to our kids. We wanted our kids to give of themselves, not of their parents, but of themselves. Each of them received money for their bucket calves that were sold this fall. We talked about how much is tithed, how much is put into savings and how much they would have left over to spend how they wanted. We asked each of them to think about spending some of their extra on others who don't have. It was so much fun to see them think and look through the magazine and pick out exactly what they thought would help someone else. Here is our list of what our kids picked out and also what we will give as a family. One more thing, we told our kids what ever they spent in their money we would match it so they could pick out even more for others. It does a mama proud to see her kids so willingly give of themselves and not complain! So... here is what we will be giving to others this Christmas...
3 goats, 16 chickens, 1 pig, 1 sheep, 1,100 dollars in new clothing(we don't spend the 1,100 a company adds to our donation of $100)! 10 fruit trees, seeds for a garden for 2 families and $250 dollars in emergency food, we will not pay the full 250, once again a company adds to our donation of $50 dollars! Isn't that exciting and fun and gives us a sense of "giving" in a time where others need so much and us not as much!
In our talking with our kids we also allowed them to understand Christmas wouldn't be as extravagant this year. We were cutting back so we could give to others. We talked about us having everything we need and how we are having a hard time giving ideas of what we do want for Christmas to other family members. I do know it is fun as a kid to get some fun things for Christmas, I didn't forget that in my old age. But, I also remember how much more fun it is to give to others. Let the blessings flow out from us in Jesus name and find another loved one belonging to our Precious God the Father!
After we all took our turns talking about blessings, Brad and I brought up World Vision and the catalog we received from them. In the catalog were many items we could purchase for people that do not have clothing, food, water, medicine etc... Brad and I new we could ask the kids to pick some things out for others but we wanted to make it more personal to our kids. We wanted our kids to give of themselves, not of their parents, but of themselves. Each of them received money for their bucket calves that were sold this fall. We talked about how much is tithed, how much is put into savings and how much they would have left over to spend how they wanted. We asked each of them to think about spending some of their extra on others who don't have. It was so much fun to see them think and look through the magazine and pick out exactly what they thought would help someone else. Here is our list of what our kids picked out and also what we will give as a family. One more thing, we told our kids what ever they spent in their money we would match it so they could pick out even more for others. It does a mama proud to see her kids so willingly give of themselves and not complain! So... here is what we will be giving to others this Christmas...
3 goats, 16 chickens, 1 pig, 1 sheep, 1,100 dollars in new clothing(we don't spend the 1,100 a company adds to our donation of $100)! 10 fruit trees, seeds for a garden for 2 families and $250 dollars in emergency food, we will not pay the full 250, once again a company adds to our donation of $50 dollars! Isn't that exciting and fun and gives us a sense of "giving" in a time where others need so much and us not as much!
In our talking with our kids we also allowed them to understand Christmas wouldn't be as extravagant this year. We were cutting back so we could give to others. We talked about us having everything we need and how we are having a hard time giving ideas of what we do want for Christmas to other family members. I do know it is fun as a kid to get some fun things for Christmas, I didn't forget that in my old age. But, I also remember how much more fun it is to give to others. Let the blessings flow out from us in Jesus name and find another loved one belonging to our Precious God the Father!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Exhausted
I am exhausted and could use some prayer. We have two placements with us right now. 1 1/2 boy and 2 1/2 girl. Adorable, needy, young, happy, messy, God's children. We don't know if they will be with us permanently or not. The prior care giver gets to decide if she wants them permanently. She is a good woman so I don't fear for the children. I am just exhausted in the now. Gives me a lot more appreciation and respect for people who foster all the time and do day care. Wow... I could use some prayer though. Actually we could use some prayer. Satan is attacking while I/we are exhausted. Please pray for these kids, for us, for God's hands to be on this situation and Satan to flee back to his hole. Thanks for your prayers!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
"Dew on the fleece, not on the grass."
Have you ever had one of those moments where you asked God to give you a sign? Gideon did in Judges 6:36-39. God told Gideon he would save Israel with his hand. Gideon needed some assurance God would be with him. Here is what he asked God.
36 Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised- 37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.
39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew." 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.
Now I can't say that I have made it a habit to test God in this way. I don't even know that I would say we have the right to test him in this way. BUT... I do think he cares about us and the decisions we make and the way we follow what He wants of us. It is no secret I have highs and lows in the adoption arena. I prayed about it for 2 years before Brad said yes about it. I have now been praying about it for 3 1/2 years. We have been offered one placement and we stupidly said no. I still get frustrated with it. It was fear and Satan I am sure. We thought we should only take one child and limited God. So, not a year and 1/2 later I am wondering if this is really what God wants of us or does he want us to help orphans in another way. Does he want us to give money someplace instead of bringing one or two kids home? Am I on a selfish track and pulling my family along or has our time just expired for adopting. I didn't have the answers and as I prayed I asked God for a sign. It was a simple sign for God really. It wasn't a sign for what child we should have, but for the direction of adoption or starting another course.
A week and a half ago we submitted our finger prints for KBI/FBI background checks. We had been told in the state of Kansas it would take 4 to 6 weeks to get them back because Kansas put all finger printing for adoption or foster care on the back burner and put everything else above it. We were ready to wait that 4 to six weeks. So, 3 days after sending them in while I was praying and feeling lost I asked God for the "dew on the mat and not on the grass sign." I asked if he would please have the finger print checks back in two weeks for me to know if we should continue on the path to adoption. This is very quick return for the prints and I knew it would be God working if we got them in two weeks. Much to my surprise we got the prints back on Friday. That is only one week since I sent them in. Can you say God moment? I am so thankful my heavenly father takes the time out of his HUGE every day job to hear my prayers and then answer them even faster than I had anticipated him doing. So... we will stay on the path of adoption, be amazed at how God's hand works, pray for our little girl or girls or daughter and son whom ever they may be where ever they are right now and wait for word that they are coming home. To God be all the praise and Glory for great things he hath done. In Jesus name I can depend and tell the world of his mighty works!
36 Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised- 37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.
39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew." 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.
Now I can't say that I have made it a habit to test God in this way. I don't even know that I would say we have the right to test him in this way. BUT... I do think he cares about us and the decisions we make and the way we follow what He wants of us. It is no secret I have highs and lows in the adoption arena. I prayed about it for 2 years before Brad said yes about it. I have now been praying about it for 3 1/2 years. We have been offered one placement and we stupidly said no. I still get frustrated with it. It was fear and Satan I am sure. We thought we should only take one child and limited God. So, not a year and 1/2 later I am wondering if this is really what God wants of us or does he want us to help orphans in another way. Does he want us to give money someplace instead of bringing one or two kids home? Am I on a selfish track and pulling my family along or has our time just expired for adopting. I didn't have the answers and as I prayed I asked God for a sign. It was a simple sign for God really. It wasn't a sign for what child we should have, but for the direction of adoption or starting another course.
A week and a half ago we submitted our finger prints for KBI/FBI background checks. We had been told in the state of Kansas it would take 4 to 6 weeks to get them back because Kansas put all finger printing for adoption or foster care on the back burner and put everything else above it. We were ready to wait that 4 to six weeks. So, 3 days after sending them in while I was praying and feeling lost I asked God for the "dew on the mat and not on the grass sign." I asked if he would please have the finger print checks back in two weeks for me to know if we should continue on the path to adoption. This is very quick return for the prints and I knew it would be God working if we got them in two weeks. Much to my surprise we got the prints back on Friday. That is only one week since I sent them in. Can you say God moment? I am so thankful my heavenly father takes the time out of his HUGE every day job to hear my prayers and then answer them even faster than I had anticipated him doing. So... we will stay on the path of adoption, be amazed at how God's hand works, pray for our little girl or girls or daughter and son whom ever they may be where ever they are right now and wait for word that they are coming home. To God be all the praise and Glory for great things he hath done. In Jesus name I can depend and tell the world of his mighty works!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Do Not Grow Weary
Hebrews 12:1-3
1.Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2.Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
It is so easy to become weary when we are not getting ahead to where we think we should be. In adoption I have been very weary. I have not gotten things done like I want and have begun thinking maybe God doesn't want us to adopt. Just as things start feeling this way God renews my hope in adoption and renews my vigor to keep persevering. God is faithful in all he does. He is faithful to all who persevere. God is faithful according to his will in our lives. I have not gotten a no in adoption, but a wait on me. This applies to so many areas in our lives. We get down because things are not going the way we would like or think. God never said it would be easy. His Son had to endure the idea of dying on a cross and as Hebrews says, "Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame," faced the cross and persevered thru it all to sit on the right had of God. Isn't Jesus the perfect example of things not going the way we would want them to go and still persevering through it. I pray all of us can persevere toward what God is calling us to do and to do it with strength, God's strength which he gives freely to all who will ask it of him.
Lord God, Creator of all things. You alone deserve all glory and honor. You alone know what has been, what is and what is to come. You persevere every day through all our human blunders, questions and bad judgements, and you rejoice in all things we learn and use for your glory. Lord I pray you give me the strength to persevere through doubts and inpatients. I pray you give me the strength and guidance of your Holy Spirit that I may bless you in all that I do and show all around me how I run the race with you running before me. I pray for all who read this that they too will be reminded that you are here in the midst of our struggles and triumphs running beside us and waiting to help us be used by you and for you. In your Gracious name Jesus I pray, Amen
1.Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2.Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
It is so easy to become weary when we are not getting ahead to where we think we should be. In adoption I have been very weary. I have not gotten things done like I want and have begun thinking maybe God doesn't want us to adopt. Just as things start feeling this way God renews my hope in adoption and renews my vigor to keep persevering. God is faithful in all he does. He is faithful to all who persevere. God is faithful according to his will in our lives. I have not gotten a no in adoption, but a wait on me. This applies to so many areas in our lives. We get down because things are not going the way we would like or think. God never said it would be easy. His Son had to endure the idea of dying on a cross and as Hebrews says, "Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame," faced the cross and persevered thru it all to sit on the right had of God. Isn't Jesus the perfect example of things not going the way we would want them to go and still persevering through it. I pray all of us can persevere toward what God is calling us to do and to do it with strength, God's strength which he gives freely to all who will ask it of him.
Lord God, Creator of all things. You alone deserve all glory and honor. You alone know what has been, what is and what is to come. You persevere every day through all our human blunders, questions and bad judgements, and you rejoice in all things we learn and use for your glory. Lord I pray you give me the strength to persevere through doubts and inpatients. I pray you give me the strength and guidance of your Holy Spirit that I may bless you in all that I do and show all around me how I run the race with you running before me. I pray for all who read this that they too will be reminded that you are here in the midst of our struggles and triumphs running beside us and waiting to help us be used by you and for you. In your Gracious name Jesus I pray, Amen
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
"Summer Lovin, Havin a Blast"
Summer has been so much fun this year. We have played in the water lots and lots. Here are some pretty good shots from our MN. trip in August. We went tubing with Brad's brother and his family. We were minus three kids but oh did we have some fun on the water!
Monday, August 2, 2010
What I have learned in almost 38 years...
I am going to be 38 very soon. I can't believe I am closer to 40 than 20. As I ahem... mature, I seem to think more of what it is I need to do in life or who I need to be. I look at "younger" people and think, "if you only knew!" I have learned many things and I am sure my millions of faithful readers would love to know what it is I have learned or am learning and trying to place into my life.
I have learned from the book of Romans I am not the judge. I am not the jury and I am not better. I have learned I need to leave the judging up to God. I have learned I am no better than the person not doing anything for God's kingdom if I am going to judge anyone while I do my work.
I have learned I can try very hard and still fail. I have learned God can pick me right back up, pat the dust off of me and say try again. I have learned my time is only my time. God's time is the ultimate and I must wait on His timing. That one is a hard one. I have learned a person was talked to by a donkey and a thistle in the bible. I have found that to be amazing and crazy, yet a lot of the old testament is amazing and crazy to me. I have learned I CAN read through the bible in a year and it is actually really fun! I have learned Paul's letters are some of my favorite new testament passages. I have learned I am definitely not mature in my faith even though I have been a Christian for 33 years!
I have learned I love Jesus very much and that means more to me now that it ever has in my life. I have learned the urgency in wanting my children to all know Him as I know him. I have learned money is nothing in really loving God, but money is a way to help others when I am showing the love of God.
I am still learning to hear the Holy Spirit when he speaks. Or maybe I am learning I do hear him but don't always want to obey. I am learning how much I am blessed with my dad, my sister, my husband's family, my dad's wife and her daughters. I am learning I am blessed even though I don't have my biological mother here on this earth. I am blessed with the examples she set, the time I had with her, the memory of her and the legacy she left behind.
It is amazing how much learning goes on even when one is almost to 40. I am also learning I need to keep praying God uses me to bless him and others in my life even if I have to learn some harder lessons along the way. I am learning it is scary to pray this because it is hard to get out of my comfort zone. I am learning I need to get out of my comfort zone so I can be used, I can bless others for Jesus. Won't you join me in praying for teachable moments for myself and others. That God would use me and use you for his glory, for his greater plan? Take the leap of faith, don't look back and say yes Lord, use me please!
I have learned from the book of Romans I am not the judge. I am not the jury and I am not better. I have learned I need to leave the judging up to God. I have learned I am no better than the person not doing anything for God's kingdom if I am going to judge anyone while I do my work.
I have learned I can try very hard and still fail. I have learned God can pick me right back up, pat the dust off of me and say try again. I have learned my time is only my time. God's time is the ultimate and I must wait on His timing. That one is a hard one. I have learned a person was talked to by a donkey and a thistle in the bible. I have found that to be amazing and crazy, yet a lot of the old testament is amazing and crazy to me. I have learned I CAN read through the bible in a year and it is actually really fun! I have learned Paul's letters are some of my favorite new testament passages. I have learned I am definitely not mature in my faith even though I have been a Christian for 33 years!
I have learned I love Jesus very much and that means more to me now that it ever has in my life. I have learned the urgency in wanting my children to all know Him as I know him. I have learned money is nothing in really loving God, but money is a way to help others when I am showing the love of God.
I am still learning to hear the Holy Spirit when he speaks. Or maybe I am learning I do hear him but don't always want to obey. I am learning how much I am blessed with my dad, my sister, my husband's family, my dad's wife and her daughters. I am learning I am blessed even though I don't have my biological mother here on this earth. I am blessed with the examples she set, the time I had with her, the memory of her and the legacy she left behind.
It is amazing how much learning goes on even when one is almost to 40. I am also learning I need to keep praying God uses me to bless him and others in my life even if I have to learn some harder lessons along the way. I am learning it is scary to pray this because it is hard to get out of my comfort zone. I am learning I need to get out of my comfort zone so I can be used, I can bless others for Jesus. Won't you join me in praying for teachable moments for myself and others. That God would use me and use you for his glory, for his greater plan? Take the leap of faith, don't look back and say yes Lord, use me please!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)