This is the end of the Scrambled Eggs blog. My life is still scrambley, only it is now being posted on a new site. If you need the new site, send me a comment and I'll let you know what it is.
It's been fun. The adventure continues elsewhere. Peace out.
Lilypie Waiting to Adopt tickers
7.13.2011
6.05.2011
5.13.2011
How do you spell stressed?
Wow! Getting ready to leave has been crazy. We have so much to take! We ar so nervous and excited all at once. The new blog is up and running, so I will post most adoption information on that blog. But keep checking, I will put some adoption stuff on here too!
Brent may use this for a devotional blog while we are gone.
If you want to join him in this devotional, pick up A Call to Die by David Nasser. I think you can get it anywhere.
It's a great challenge to go deeper with God. Hope you choose to do the study.
Pray for us.
Brent may use this for a devotional blog while we are gone.
If you want to join him in this devotional, pick up A Call to Die by David Nasser. I think you can get it anywhere.
It's a great challenge to go deeper with God. Hope you choose to do the study.
Pray for us.
5.10.2011
Steven Curtis Chapman - Beauty Will Rise - Lyrics
I love this song. Just thought I would share it.
Enjoy.
Christ will do this for you! Isaiah 61:1-3.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, (JESUS)
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Our private blog is available. If you want to follow it send your email to me in a comment. I will not publish the comment.
Enjoy.
Christ will do this for you! Isaiah 61:1-3.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, (JESUS)
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Our private blog is available. If you want to follow it send your email to me in a comment. I will not publish the comment.
5.07.2011
Saturday, 9:58 AM
That was the time of which we received an email from our agency saying that WE HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO TRAVEL!!!!!! WE ARE GOING TO BE LEAVING VERY SOON!!!! AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Any travel advice??? :)
Any travel advice??? :)
5.04.2011
P.S.
I meant to add a few more people to that prayer list before I published it yesterday.
Please pray for the house parents and orphanage directors as they prepare the children to be adopted.
Also they have had such an influential time in the kids lives. I know they will miss the kids very much. Pray for them as the kids leave the orphanage. Thanks
Please pray for the house parents and orphanage directors as they prepare the children to be adopted.
Also they have had such an influential time in the kids lives. I know they will miss the kids very much. Pray for them as the kids leave the orphanage. Thanks
5.03.2011
To pray for the children
Hair bows. We don't have hair bows. Football. We have one. A swingset. How much did you say?
It's the little everyday things that you use in life that I think of at night that we need for the kids. I think that we have to have it right now. I have to remind myself that it's okay, we will aquire all of these things - at some point. :)
But then I panic a little when I walk into Hobby Lobby or JCPenny. I think "I just want it all to be perfect." To be everything they like to do, that will match their gifts and hobbies and talents, that they will love to have in their room, to play with, to share with each other and friends. I see items and get excited thinking it will go in his room! It will match her bedspread! Then my heart squeezes and sinks - what if he hates sports? Would he rather have music? Will she play with it? Does she like this? I love music, Brent loves sports. I taught my stuffed animals and played with Barbie as a little girl. Brent played sports and video games when he was little, actually he still does! :)
I know it will take time, maybe a long time, maybe years, maybe months, for the kids to feel at home. It may take awhile to feel like a family. I guess I think if their rooms and our house is just what they wanted, then it help the matter go much more quickly. I posted a question on facebook one day asking for suggestions about what do 10 year old boys like. An old boss wrote "the love their mom and dad."
We are about the ask these kids to leave their home. Their house parents, friends, who have become their family. They will leave a place where the sights and sounds and holiday traditions are familiar and come to a place where nothing is familiar or normal. I know that no amount of decorating or toy supply will heal their grief when they walk through our door. They are in need of so much prayer.
Please pray for them as....
*They have lost much in their life. They will miss their country, their family, friends, etc. They will grieve for all that has gone on in their life. Things we don't even know about, things we do not understand.
*They have to learn a new language.
*They start school in the fall.
*They make new friends
*Adjust to living in America - it is going to be completely overwhelming for them.
*Pray for us to know what to take to Peru and how to pack
*Pray for safety and protection as we travel to Peru and live in Peru for a few weeks
*Pray for the first day of meeting the children and they meet us!
*Pray for our Embassy appointments and medical appointments
*Pray for the plane ride home :)
*Pray for our families
*Pray for us for wisdom as we get into their world and help them walk their pain and grief.
*Pray for us as this is stressful time for us.
*Pray for us as we become parents for these kids and we become a family.
Whatever God the Father lays on your heart, we will need your prayer and Jesus presence and wisdom and healing.
One of my favorite quotes from Russell Moore's book, Adopted for Life, says:
"But then there's Jesus....."
He is Everything.
It's the little everyday things that you use in life that I think of at night that we need for the kids. I think that we have to have it right now. I have to remind myself that it's okay, we will aquire all of these things - at some point. :)
But then I panic a little when I walk into Hobby Lobby or JCPenny. I think "I just want it all to be perfect." To be everything they like to do, that will match their gifts and hobbies and talents, that they will love to have in their room, to play with, to share with each other and friends. I see items and get excited thinking it will go in his room! It will match her bedspread! Then my heart squeezes and sinks - what if he hates sports? Would he rather have music? Will she play with it? Does she like this? I love music, Brent loves sports. I taught my stuffed animals and played with Barbie as a little girl. Brent played sports and video games when he was little, actually he still does! :)
I know it will take time, maybe a long time, maybe years, maybe months, for the kids to feel at home. It may take awhile to feel like a family. I guess I think if their rooms and our house is just what they wanted, then it help the matter go much more quickly. I posted a question on facebook one day asking for suggestions about what do 10 year old boys like. An old boss wrote "the love their mom and dad."
We are about the ask these kids to leave their home. Their house parents, friends, who have become their family. They will leave a place where the sights and sounds and holiday traditions are familiar and come to a place where nothing is familiar or normal. I know that no amount of decorating or toy supply will heal their grief when they walk through our door. They are in need of so much prayer.
Please pray for them as....
*They have lost much in their life. They will miss their country, their family, friends, etc. They will grieve for all that has gone on in their life. Things we don't even know about, things we do not understand.
*They have to learn a new language.
*They start school in the fall.
*They make new friends
*Adjust to living in America - it is going to be completely overwhelming for them.
*Pray for us to know what to take to Peru and how to pack
*Pray for safety and protection as we travel to Peru and live in Peru for a few weeks
*Pray for the first day of meeting the children and they meet us!
*Pray for our Embassy appointments and medical appointments
*Pray for the plane ride home :)
*Pray for our families
*Pray for us for wisdom as we get into their world and help them walk their pain and grief.
*Pray for us as this is stressful time for us.
*Pray for us as we become parents for these kids and we become a family.
Whatever God the Father lays on your heart, we will need your prayer and Jesus presence and wisdom and healing.
One of my favorite quotes from Russell Moore's book, Adopted for Life, says:
"But then there's Jesus....."
He is Everything.
4.29.2011
We are okay
Just letting you know we are okay. As you know the tornados destroyed parts of downtown and many other places cities, towns, and homes and families. Our house is fine. We are fine. Just waiting for power to come back on which may be a few days. I'm at moms, so that's why I can blog. They have power and hot water. :)
Thanks to everyone who checked on us. We sure felt loved!
As it comes to mind, pray for the 6 or 7 states and the families who were affected by the storms. There is much rebuilding to be done now.
We still haven't received word from the Embassy yet. But wow, the skymiles are flooding in! So exciting! We are SO thankful for everyone who has donated their skymiles! If you have any Delta skymiles and would like to donate, leave a comment of how we can reach you and Brent will gladly give you instructions.
Thanks to everyone who checked on us. We sure felt loved!
As it comes to mind, pray for the 6 or 7 states and the families who were affected by the storms. There is much rebuilding to be done now.
We still haven't received word from the Embassy yet. But wow, the skymiles are flooding in! So exciting! We are SO thankful for everyone who has donated their skymiles! If you have any Delta skymiles and would like to donate, leave a comment of how we can reach you and Brent will gladly give you instructions.
4.24.2011
The Folded Napkin
Brent told me something that he learned this week that neither of us knew.
We knew that when Jesus left the tomb, he left the linen cloths there. Now this is the meaning what we did not know and where it gets really interesting. John 20 records that the cloth that covered Jesus' face was folded and laying separate from the other clothes.
In Hebrew society, during meal time if a man got up from the table and threw his napkin down, it meant he was finished with the meal. BUT if he got up and folded the napkin and laid it down, that was the signal that he was coming back and not to remove his plate.
I LOVE IT! Jesus wasn't even out of the tomb before He was leaving a promise of His second coming! He's coming back!
I don't know about you, but I think that is awesome.
Happy Easter!
4.19.2011
Information
Just a heads up, I finally just decided to make a new private blog for when we travel. I'm getting it ready. If you wish to view this blog, I will have to email the link to you. If you want to follow along while we are in Peru, send your email in a comment (I will not publish the comment) or email me or send a facebook message.
Thanks.
Thanks.
S.N.S.
S is for Shower
We had the 3rd adoption shower a few weeks from our home church. It was just as great as the other two! But there was an extra suprise. There is a class of senior adults who said they were going to do the "grandparent" gift. So they got 2 bikes and tricyle for the kids! They even got 2 helmets. WOW! We were so excited! We started to purchase some bikes one day, but we weren't exactly sure what to get and decided to wait. Then these gifts came and they were perfect! They were exactly what we wanted! (even though we didn't know it until we saw them! haha!)
There are lots of miles to be driven on those tires!
Since the world (or rather part of the world) is celebrating Holy Week, our agency said all activity (i assumer legal activity) has ceased in Peru and will start again next week. Hopefully then the Embassy will send our approval and we can be on our way. We didn't realize we had to wait for this part, so it's MUCH longer than we thought. But God has His timing, so for now we are still waiting.
N is for Notice
I also turned in my notice at work the other day! WHAT?!?! I don't know why I got so nervous, they have know about the adoption and me leaving from the day they hired me.
S is for Skymiles
This is the most important paragraph in this post.
If you have any Delta skymiles you wish to donate to us that would be fabulous! Just leave a comment or contact me and I will get you the information.
We had the 3rd adoption shower a few weeks from our home church. It was just as great as the other two! But there was an extra suprise. There is a class of senior adults who said they were going to do the "grandparent" gift. So they got 2 bikes and tricyle for the kids! They even got 2 helmets. WOW! We were so excited! We started to purchase some bikes one day, but we weren't exactly sure what to get and decided to wait. Then these gifts came and they were perfect! They were exactly what we wanted! (even though we didn't know it until we saw them! haha!)
There are lots of miles to be driven on those tires!
Since the world (or rather part of the world) is celebrating Holy Week, our agency said all activity (i assumer legal activity) has ceased in Peru and will start again next week. Hopefully then the Embassy will send our approval and we can be on our way. We didn't realize we had to wait for this part, so it's MUCH longer than we thought. But God has His timing, so for now we are still waiting.
N is for Notice
I also turned in my notice at work the other day! WHAT?!?! I don't know why I got so nervous, they have know about the adoption and me leaving from the day they hired me.
S is for Skymiles
This is the most important paragraph in this post.
If you have any Delta skymiles you wish to donate to us that would be fabulous! Just leave a comment or contact me and I will get you the information.
4.13.2011
If Life Had Background Music......
then this would have been my theme song the past two weeks. :)
Song: "This Is The Stuff"
By: Francesca Battistelli
Okay! No more complaining!!
Song: "This Is The Stuff"
By: Francesca Battistelli
Okay! No more complaining!!
4.10.2011
This past week = no good.
Well the government shutdown did not happen, Thank You, Lord and we got our offical approvals from USCIS yesterday. We found out that the papers we received about two weeks ago were just papers saying that our case was in process. Now that we have the official approval, we will talk to the agency tomorrow or Tuesday when P is in the office to find out what to do. The past two weeks have actually been the longest for me during the entire adoption. They went by so slow and were probably the most frustrating.
Work was insane! Inside I had no patience with any customer. All of us who work together were so frustrated last week! Finally Friday we could just laugh about it, but Friday had it's share frustrations too! Needless to say we were all MORE than relieved when we finally locked the doors on Friday afternoon.
I held a hostess apprecation party for my jewelry hostesses on Thursday and Friday this week. Kelly was a life-saver and did the show for me. I was so not prepared. I hope to keep doing the jewelry shows when we return from Peru. So I've got to get rolling in lining them up!
On the one and only fun and stress-free day of the week - which happened to be Saturday - Brent and I did some kid shopping yesterday! That was fun! We got some bathroom decor, bedspreads, closet organizers, and a bed and desk!
That same night some of the youth through a surprise birthday party for 2 of the kids. It actually was kind of a disaster, but ended up okay. I think.
This week has got to be better!
Work was insane! Inside I had no patience with any customer. All of us who work together were so frustrated last week! Finally Friday we could just laugh about it, but Friday had it's share frustrations too! Needless to say we were all MORE than relieved when we finally locked the doors on Friday afternoon.
I held a hostess apprecation party for my jewelry hostesses on Thursday and Friday this week. Kelly was a life-saver and did the show for me. I was so not prepared. I hope to keep doing the jewelry shows when we return from Peru. So I've got to get rolling in lining them up!
On the one and only fun and stress-free day of the week - which happened to be Saturday - Brent and I did some kid shopping yesterday! That was fun! We got some bathroom decor, bedspreads, closet organizers, and a bed and desk!
That same night some of the youth through a surprise birthday party for 2 of the kids. It actually was kind of a disaster, but ended up okay. I think.
This week has got to be better!
4.07.2011
PRAY FOR AMERICA
Just a quick note:
Please pray without ceasing for the government tonight and tomorrow. They must reach a decision about the budget by tomorrow at midnight! If they do not reach a decision, then I think there is a mandatory shut down. I don't know details, I just know that means no pay check for government workers and their families! It also means delays for us going to Peru!
Our country needs the Lord.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16
I think this song by Casting Crowns might be appropriate
Hear our cry, Lord, we pray
Our faces down, our hands are raised
You called us out, we turned away
We've turned away
With shipwrecked faith the idols rise
We do what is right in our own eyes
Our children now will pay the price
We need Your light, Lord, shine Your light
If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out
All our hearts, all our strength
With all our minds, we're at Your feet
May Your kingdom come in our hearts and lives
Let Your church arise, let Your church arise
If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out
We're reaching out
If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out
If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, reaching out
We need You now
Revive us now
We need You now
Please pray without ceasing for the government tonight and tomorrow. They must reach a decision about the budget by tomorrow at midnight! If they do not reach a decision, then I think there is a mandatory shut down. I don't know details, I just know that means no pay check for government workers and their families! It also means delays for us going to Peru!
Our country needs the Lord.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16
I think this song by Casting Crowns might be appropriate
Hear our cry, Lord, we pray
Our faces down, our hands are raised
You called us out, we turned away
We've turned away
With shipwrecked faith the idols rise
We do what is right in our own eyes
Our children now will pay the price
We need Your light, Lord, shine Your light
If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out
All our hearts, all our strength
With all our minds, we're at Your feet
May Your kingdom come in our hearts and lives
Let Your church arise, let Your church arise
If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out
We're reaching out
If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out
If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, reaching out
We need You now
Revive us now
We need You now
4.06.2011
4.05.2011
Basketball and Weddings
His
I guess we will see what will become of Lebron and the Heat. I can't wait for the royal wedding. I don't know if the Heat play on April 29, but I'm thinking Lebron will have to wait on the DVR!
4.03.2011
Shower #2
Tonight was our 2nd adoption shower. It was hosted by the church I grew up in. We are grateful for the people in this church. They helped to shape my life. I have so many good memories there. We enjoyed getting to share with them about the adoption. My camera is broken. It quit working last night at Stadium Fest. I do not have any pictures now of this shower. It was so nice. They had a fiesta theme! Bright colors and food. It was so nice. I know there was a lot of hard work that was put into the shower.
At the same time that Brent and I are running around making rooms ready, sorting toys and clothes and getting ready for three new lives in our family, my uncle is fighting for his life. In fact, I don't even know if he will live through the week. He has heart problems. And as far as I know, he is not believer. Yes, he has heard the gospel. More than once I am told. His daughter, Tracy, is a believer. I'm not sure about my aunt.
When was a teenager, he teased me about getting a red convertible when I turned 16 and then again when I graduted high school. For fun, my cousin Jeffrey bought me a red toy convertible at gradution. One of my all-time favorite gifts. I still have it.
My family needs your prayer. I can't imagine what Tracy and my Aunt Sandy are going through and the decisions they have to make tomorrow and in the coming days. My uncle is in desperate need of prayer, maybe the Lord will allow him to live and be coherent and decide to trust Christ. Thank you for praying.
At the same time that Brent and I are running around making rooms ready, sorting toys and clothes and getting ready for three new lives in our family, my uncle is fighting for his life. In fact, I don't even know if he will live through the week. He has heart problems. And as far as I know, he is not believer. Yes, he has heard the gospel. More than once I am told. His daughter, Tracy, is a believer. I'm not sure about my aunt.
When was a teenager, he teased me about getting a red convertible when I turned 16 and then again when I graduted high school. For fun, my cousin Jeffrey bought me a red toy convertible at gradution. One of my all-time favorite gifts. I still have it.
My family needs your prayer. I can't imagine what Tracy and my Aunt Sandy are going through and the decisions they have to make tomorrow and in the coming days. My uncle is in desperate need of prayer, maybe the Lord will allow him to live and be coherent and decide to trust Christ. Thank you for praying.
3.28.2011
I'm still here. We were gone for a few days. We head to SC to see some friends and then GA to a marriage conference - which was phenomenal! Then we went to MS to visit some more friends. It was a very nice vacation. I still have a few days off so that is terrific!
The marriage conference was put on by FamilyLife.
There were about 500 something people, so it was nice to be in a smaller conference. The longest married couple there had been married for 46 years and there was a couple there who were only married a month ago! I love where Brent and I are in our marriage. I would not want to go back to being a newly married couple, but I can't wait to be married for 46 years!
I may blog more about the topics at the conference a bit later.
There has been a little movement in the adoption area! YES!! We got our approvals from Immigration in the mail today! We got these back so fast! Amazing! Our agency said Peru will approve those approvals and then on to the next step!
Well I'm tired from travelling. Just wanted to check in!
The marriage conference was put on by FamilyLife.
There were about 500 something people, so it was nice to be in a smaller conference. The longest married couple there had been married for 46 years and there was a couple there who were only married a month ago! I love where Brent and I are in our marriage. I would not want to go back to being a newly married couple, but I can't wait to be married for 46 years!
I may blog more about the topics at the conference a bit later.
There has been a little movement in the adoption area! YES!! We got our approvals from Immigration in the mail today! We got these back so fast! Amazing! Our agency said Peru will approve those approvals and then on to the next step!
Well I'm tired from travelling. Just wanted to check in!
3.22.2011
April Showers....
Well it's close enough to April anyway. We have 3 adoption showers to celebrate! Our family did one for us this past Sunday and we have 2 more in April to look forward too!
It's so exciting to see everyone come together and give towards the lives of these kids! One of my favorite surprizes was gift in the mail from Angela! A box from Amazon full of Max Lucado children's books! I love these books and I can't wait to read them to the kids! My mom and I also went to consignment sales this weekend. Confession: it was bit overwhelming. I wasn't completely sure what to get, but picked up a 2 games, a puzzle, some legos, and some more books! Brent and I are going to a marriage retreat soon and we will get to go to IKEA! Maybe we will find some goodies for their rooms!
We have a lot go get ready around the house so we have got to get moving!
We are still waiting to hear back from Immigration. They said it could take up to 5 weeks. I think this starts week 2 of waiting. So we are okay.
Here are the only pictures from the shower. I wanted to take more, but with all the people to see and talk to, I forgot.
It's so exciting to see everyone come together and give towards the lives of these kids! One of my favorite surprizes was gift in the mail from Angela! A box from Amazon full of Max Lucado children's books! I love these books and I can't wait to read them to the kids! My mom and I also went to consignment sales this weekend. Confession: it was bit overwhelming. I wasn't completely sure what to get, but picked up a 2 games, a puzzle, some legos, and some more books! Brent and I are going to a marriage retreat soon and we will get to go to IKEA! Maybe we will find some goodies for their rooms!
We have a lot go get ready around the house so we have got to get moving!
We are still waiting to hear back from Immigration. They said it could take up to 5 weeks. I think this starts week 2 of waiting. So we are okay.
Here are the only pictures from the shower. I wanted to take more, but with all the people to see and talk to, I forgot.
Ethiopia
Well I got a text message today from Sharon! Ethiopia has everything in order - at least getting everything in order in the area of their adoptions. It looks like Sharon and Tim will be able to proceed as normal!! Thank you for your prayers!
3.18.2011
Pray for our friends
Our friends are adopting from Ethiopia. They need your prayers right now. Ethiopia needs your prayer. Tim explains their situation well on his blog. Please pray for them, so their dreams can come true too! Thanks!
3.16.2011
3.06.2011
Sitting still is not an option.
It's 10:30 at night and I can't sit still. I haven't been able to sit still for 2 days now. Friday night there was a women's conference at church and I finally had to leave for a second and ask God to help me calm down enough to listen. On Saturday, work was good, but the 4 hours lasted forever. Then I locked my keys in my car! ha! So I just paced around in front of the bookstore waiting for the locksmith. My mom and I went to Huntsville and then her car started smoking! Not a good car day! It also rained all day, but I love the rain. So I didn't mind at all.
But I can't seem to stay in one location very long. I gotta keep moving.
Why? Because we have the MOST BEAUTIFUL pictures!! They keep coming! I wish you could see them! Big brown eyes, adorable smiles from all three kids! Every picture is filled with laughter and smiles!
WE CANNOT WAIT TO MEET THEM! We wish we could have left yesterday!
Brent and I went through our pictures on our facebook last night trying to look at them through the eyes of people who haven't ever met us, WOW! The picture of us HILARIOUS! We laughed till water was pouring out of our eyes!
Brent is always making a funny face or being silly. I love him. :)
I feel like I have been attached at the hip to the computer looking at pictures over and over, waiting to see if there are new ones. I guess I think if I look at the pictures enough, we will magically be beamed over to Peru! haha!!
Sitting still will not be an option for awhile. Ecclesiastes 3 says "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Well this is definitely a time to LAUGH and a time to DANCE!!
"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
Psalm 126:2
"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." Job 8:21
"Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness" Psalm 115:1
"..so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it." Isaiah 41:20
Thank you for rejoicing with us! Keep dancing!
But I can't seem to stay in one location very long. I gotta keep moving.
Why? Because we have the MOST BEAUTIFUL pictures!! They keep coming! I wish you could see them! Big brown eyes, adorable smiles from all three kids! Every picture is filled with laughter and smiles!
WE CANNOT WAIT TO MEET THEM! We wish we could have left yesterday!
Brent and I went through our pictures on our facebook last night trying to look at them through the eyes of people who haven't ever met us, WOW! The picture of us HILARIOUS! We laughed till water was pouring out of our eyes!
Brent is always making a funny face or being silly. I love him. :)
I feel like I have been attached at the hip to the computer looking at pictures over and over, waiting to see if there are new ones. I guess I think if I look at the pictures enough, we will magically be beamed over to Peru! haha!!
Sitting still will not be an option for awhile. Ecclesiastes 3 says "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Well this is definitely a time to LAUGH and a time to DANCE!!
"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
Psalm 126:2
"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." Job 8:21
"Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness" Psalm 115:1
"..so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it." Isaiah 41:20
Thank you for rejoicing with us! Keep dancing!
Happy Birthday
Michael, my brother, and I celebrated our birthday's in February! I know these pictures are a bit late, but better late than never I guess!
Michael's birthday is one day and mine is the next day. I love sharing birthdays with him.
Happy Birthday to us!
Michael's birthday is one day and mine is the next day. I love sharing birthdays with him.
Happy Birthday to us!
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
As you know I was reading the book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala. I finished it a week or so ago. Brent has it now.
We have also enjoyed reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and Radical by David Platt. Both of these books have the same message. But what I noticed about Jim Cymbala and his wife is that they have been living out what Francis Chan and David Platt talk about in their books for years and years! They have a firey love for Christ and follows Jesus' teachings in the Bible, not a five step program. They also has a sincere love for people to be changed by Jesus. Jim Cymbala is a humble man. This shows even through his writing. He is a man of prayer. When he prays, he obeys. He doesn't come up with 1000 excuses not to do what God asked of him, he just does it and trusts God through it all.
I also love that in this book he talks about the struggles and doubts along the way that he and his wife have faced. They are not super Christians, they have fears and sins like the rest of us, but they pray and obey and let God use their weaknesses and their love to display His glory.
We had a women's conference the church this weekend. Our speaker gave a definition of the word glory. She said glory means the exact or correct estimation of who God is. How am I showing God's glory each day in my life? How are you?
I encourage you to read the books above. But mostly model your life after Jesus. He is who the world needs anyway, not another program.
We have also enjoyed reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and Radical by David Platt. Both of these books have the same message. But what I noticed about Jim Cymbala and his wife is that they have been living out what Francis Chan and David Platt talk about in their books for years and years! They have a firey love for Christ and follows Jesus' teachings in the Bible, not a five step program. They also has a sincere love for people to be changed by Jesus. Jim Cymbala is a humble man. This shows even through his writing. He is a man of prayer. When he prays, he obeys. He doesn't come up with 1000 excuses not to do what God asked of him, he just does it and trusts God through it all.
I also love that in this book he talks about the struggles and doubts along the way that he and his wife have faced. They are not super Christians, they have fears and sins like the rest of us, but they pray and obey and let God use their weaknesses and their love to display His glory.
We had a women's conference the church this weekend. Our speaker gave a definition of the word glory. She said glory means the exact or correct estimation of who God is. How am I showing God's glory each day in my life? How are you?
I encourage you to read the books above. But mostly model your life after Jesus. He is who the world needs anyway, not another program.
2.24.2011
A story while you wait part 2
So we drove home December 15 feeling pretty low. What happened? Did we hear wrong? What was going on? There was not a booming voice from heaven with an explaination. So we just waited. We didn't really do anything with the adoption for the next few weeks. Christmas and New Years kept us busy!
Then one day, we got an email from our agency. It contained a list of children waiting for a home. There was very little information. Just names, ages, and a sentence or two about the child/group. One group of 3 caught our eye. Honestly, it was because of their ages. So we decided to inquire about them. About a week later, we got a bit more information. A reference card if you will. Containing basic, non-detailed information about each child.....and a picture. Whoa. Cuteness was everywhere! We thought for a while and decided to tell our parents that we were considering these kids. By now it was the middle of January. The snow came and went and Brent's hand had been bothering him greatly for a few weeks.
We decided to send a letter of intent. Our updated dossier was translated and re-submitted. This took about a week. The consejo for January was the last weekend. We were told that our dossier was held up and did not make it to that consejo. We were pretty thankful for that. The doctor scheduled Brent's surgery for the middle of February and recovery was either going to take 1 month or 3 months depending on what he found during the surgery. According to the MRI and the doctor, Brent had DESTROYED all the cartilige in his wrist. He could not even pick up a bottle of water and was in EXTREME pain and had not slept through the night since before Christmas. He usually only got about 2 hours of sleep a night. We were both having a very hard time spiritually and emotionally, Brent physically, we were struggling really bad. In fact, moving to Antartica was very appealing! So if we had been assigned the kids in January, there may not have been enough time for Brent's recovery nor our spiritual/emotional recovery.
So we were ready set for the February consejo. :) We decided not to mention to anyone except our immediate family that we inquired about the 3 siblings. Just wanted to keep it on the down low since the last time it didn't go so well. It was hard when everyone would say, "well how are things going with the adoption?" My usual response was that we were just waiting. Which was true, we just didn't specify that we were waiting on a certain 3 kids.
My birthday came - I am now 30! Wierd! Brent's surgery was the next day after my birthday. That was the best day. Ever. He was instantly out of pain (except for normal surgery soreness) and he has slept through the night since the 2nd night! PRAISE THE LORD!! Also the Sunday before our pastor preached on Psalm 55. It was great. In the Psalm, David says he wants to have wings like a dove so he can fly away. Funny - so did we! Then at the end David still places his trust in the Lord, even though his own son is trying to kill him. God used that in our lives. Hope was reborn!
This brings us to present day! Sunday came and we told our Sunday school class - hey we might get kids Wednesday. So we had a few more prayer warriors with us. Then Wednesday came, the day of the consejo. I was off from work and headed to the doctor. Wow. I didn't even know what to pray. The only thing that kept coming to mind was "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." There were 2 other families in our agency who had requested children and Peru does not like to show favortism by giving children to more than one family in the same agency. So we knew there was a possibilty that we would not get placed with the children this time around. Then Brent got an email around noon saying it was very possible that we were getting them. Then at 4:55, I got a phone call. It was not my area code, so I debated on whether or not to answer it - could have been a wrong number and I have our agencies in my phone and their name was not popping up - but I answered. It was P from our agency! What?! She had just gotten a call from her daughter! Peru had just posted everything on the site! It was offical! We had the 3 kids. They never post anything early - it's usually the next day. P said she and her daughter usually have a race to see who can check the site first the day after the consejo. Wow! Amazing! I called Brent.
We had to print off our acceptance letter. So we also printed the picture we had a few times and after church headed off to our parents to show them the picture of their new grandchildren!
I emailed P today, just to make sure it was till official and that they had not changed their minds. It's official! We got the docutments today.
We are so excited. We don't have a clue what to do next. The next few months are going to be a whirlwind I think. Thank You Lord!
"Tonight’s the night......Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all up tonight
When we step across the line.......We can sail across the sea"
Then one day, we got an email from our agency. It contained a list of children waiting for a home. There was very little information. Just names, ages, and a sentence or two about the child/group. One group of 3 caught our eye. Honestly, it was because of their ages. So we decided to inquire about them. About a week later, we got a bit more information. A reference card if you will. Containing basic, non-detailed information about each child.....and a picture. Whoa. Cuteness was everywhere! We thought for a while and decided to tell our parents that we were considering these kids. By now it was the middle of January. The snow came and went and Brent's hand had been bothering him greatly for a few weeks.
We decided to send a letter of intent. Our updated dossier was translated and re-submitted. This took about a week. The consejo for January was the last weekend. We were told that our dossier was held up and did not make it to that consejo. We were pretty thankful for that. The doctor scheduled Brent's surgery for the middle of February and recovery was either going to take 1 month or 3 months depending on what he found during the surgery. According to the MRI and the doctor, Brent had DESTROYED all the cartilige in his wrist. He could not even pick up a bottle of water and was in EXTREME pain and had not slept through the night since before Christmas. He usually only got about 2 hours of sleep a night. We were both having a very hard time spiritually and emotionally, Brent physically, we were struggling really bad. In fact, moving to Antartica was very appealing! So if we had been assigned the kids in January, there may not have been enough time for Brent's recovery nor our spiritual/emotional recovery.
So we were ready set for the February consejo. :) We decided not to mention to anyone except our immediate family that we inquired about the 3 siblings. Just wanted to keep it on the down low since the last time it didn't go so well. It was hard when everyone would say, "well how are things going with the adoption?" My usual response was that we were just waiting. Which was true, we just didn't specify that we were waiting on a certain 3 kids.
My birthday came - I am now 30! Wierd! Brent's surgery was the next day after my birthday. That was the best day. Ever. He was instantly out of pain (except for normal surgery soreness) and he has slept through the night since the 2nd night! PRAISE THE LORD!! Also the Sunday before our pastor preached on Psalm 55. It was great. In the Psalm, David says he wants to have wings like a dove so he can fly away. Funny - so did we! Then at the end David still places his trust in the Lord, even though his own son is trying to kill him. God used that in our lives. Hope was reborn!
This brings us to present day! Sunday came and we told our Sunday school class - hey we might get kids Wednesday. So we had a few more prayer warriors with us. Then Wednesday came, the day of the consejo. I was off from work and headed to the doctor. Wow. I didn't even know what to pray. The only thing that kept coming to mind was "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." There were 2 other families in our agency who had requested children and Peru does not like to show favortism by giving children to more than one family in the same agency. So we knew there was a possibilty that we would not get placed with the children this time around. Then Brent got an email around noon saying it was very possible that we were getting them. Then at 4:55, I got a phone call. It was not my area code, so I debated on whether or not to answer it - could have been a wrong number and I have our agencies in my phone and their name was not popping up - but I answered. It was P from our agency! What?! She had just gotten a call from her daughter! Peru had just posted everything on the site! It was offical! We had the 3 kids. They never post anything early - it's usually the next day. P said she and her daughter usually have a race to see who can check the site first the day after the consejo. Wow! Amazing! I called Brent.
We had to print off our acceptance letter. So we also printed the picture we had a few times and after church headed off to our parents to show them the picture of their new grandchildren!
I emailed P today, just to make sure it was till official and that they had not changed their minds. It's official! We got the docutments today.
We are so excited. We don't have a clue what to do next. The next few months are going to be a whirlwind I think. Thank You Lord!
"Tonight’s the night......Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all up tonight
When we step across the line.......We can sail across the sea"
2.23.2011
A story for you while you wait.....
My friend Sharon and I have been chatting a bit the past couple of days. She and Tim are adopting from Ethiopa. They will be adopting 2 for sure. We both realized that it takes a while to get where you are going in adopting. You can read about her experience here.
But here is ours:
When Brent and I started all this it was 2008. We were getting ready to leave seminary and staying with some friend for a couple of weeks. They were also considering adopting. An adoption camp from the Ukraine was passing through the church we attended. We also found out that Brent's mentor and his wife were starting to adopt from Nepal. It's so neat how God puts you on the same road with other people, even before you know that you are going on that road! Brent finally told me that during his time with God he was really being impressed upon to start adopting. I was just waiting on him to tell me. I had been praying for a few weeks about it myself. But I did not want to tell Brent and then have him just agree with me. It needed to come from the Lord.
We arrive here in August and I called the pregnancy center that I volunteered at for some months years ago to ask if they knew of any adoption agencies. I only knew of one and their office was in Texas.
They pointed us to Lifeline. We made an appointment to meet with a domestic social worker and an international social worker, just see what all this adoption stuff was about. :) I can't really remember anything about the meeting. I guess I knew this was where we were going and we just had to figure out a place. At the time Lifeline only worked with about 5 countries. We weren't old enough for China, the Ukraine wasn't for us, Guatemala is closed, so there were just 2 left. Should we go with a different agency with more countries? I asked Brent if he could adopt from anywhere in the world where would it be? His answer: Brazil. Brent has been to several South American countries and Mexico several times. So we landed in Peru. It was the only South American country that had a contract with Lifeline.
We finally mailed in our application in May of 2009. A social worker called me the next day and we talked about a few things on the application. A few weeks later talking with the social worker for Peru, we thought there were some red flags and maybe we should consider a different route.
Enter the domestic portion of our adoption.
We began our home study meetings in August of 2009 with Renee. We loved our domestic social worker, she is a fabulous social worker. But Peru would not leave us alone. October came and we were headed to Lifeline for the last meeting for the home study. We made it through the last of the normal home study meeting and took break. Next we were to begin discussing the information that was just for domestic adoptions. After the break, we took a deep breath and told our social worker that we really needed to switch back to Peru. Whewww! That was actually more nerve-wracking than you would think! But you must understand, we felt very wishy-washy. We had just switched from Peru to domestic and now we were changing back? What was going on with us! But our social worker was incredibly understanding. She even told us that through-out our whole home study with her, she thought there was just something not quite right.
Enter the Peru home study. We pretty much did our entire home study again, only this time with our Peru social worker! We worked with her from October 2009 to March 2010. Unfortuantely, we did not really click very well with her nor the director of the program. We usually left very discouraged from the meetings with them. So we made the decision to switch agency and we have a new placing agency. We instantly fit with them! It was great. They helped make the switch and getting documents sent over very easy and understood what was going on. They have also had a Peru program for 23 years! They helped us with our dossier documents.
After all the switching around our dossier finally made it to Peru in August 2010! A few weeks later an email came to our inbox with the information of 4 siblings needing a home. I sent the email to Brent as a joke asking him if he wanted 4 kids. He took me seriously! So we pondered and talked and emailed our agency telling them yes, we would take them. Our agency was very excited. I thought they would tell us we were crazy, but they went to work, emailing the lawyer in Peru and getting information.
But we discovered that we were too young. In Peru, you must be 18 years older than the oldest child you adopt. In our case, we would have only been 16 years older than the oldest child. We were totally okay with this information and went on about our business.
Fast forward to November 2010, another email hits my inbox. This time Peru is telling us that if we still wanted to adopt these 4 kids we could. WHAT!?!?! This is crazy! Wow! So for some weeks, we thought and prayed and thought and prayed and discussed this idea with our parents and some other families who adopted 4 or 5 siblings at one time. We made the decision to go ahead. Our letter of intent was submitted on December 1. That same night we received a phone call from someone saying they wanted to make a donation to our adoption fund. Another person set up a page with information for our friends to give to our fund as well. We thought, "surely this is the Lord blessing this decision! We are headed in the right direction."
With updating the home study for 4 kids, we also had to have a new psych evaluation (i think to make sure we really weren't crazy! haha!) We drove down on December 15 to meet with the psychologist. The meeting went well. She asked for pictures when we got the kids and we walked across the hall to our agency where they told us an email was sent to them from Peru that morning saying our letter of intent was rejected and we could not have the kids. I really didn't understand was she meant when she told us. I thought okay, so we just submit it again. Then she said it again and I realized - "oh, we can't have them at all. Okay. Well now what?"
Too be continued........
But here is ours:
When Brent and I started all this it was 2008. We were getting ready to leave seminary and staying with some friend for a couple of weeks. They were also considering adopting. An adoption camp from the Ukraine was passing through the church we attended. We also found out that Brent's mentor and his wife were starting to adopt from Nepal. It's so neat how God puts you on the same road with other people, even before you know that you are going on that road! Brent finally told me that during his time with God he was really being impressed upon to start adopting. I was just waiting on him to tell me. I had been praying for a few weeks about it myself. But I did not want to tell Brent and then have him just agree with me. It needed to come from the Lord.
We arrive here in August and I called the pregnancy center that I volunteered at for some months years ago to ask if they knew of any adoption agencies. I only knew of one and their office was in Texas.
They pointed us to Lifeline. We made an appointment to meet with a domestic social worker and an international social worker, just see what all this adoption stuff was about. :) I can't really remember anything about the meeting. I guess I knew this was where we were going and we just had to figure out a place. At the time Lifeline only worked with about 5 countries. We weren't old enough for China, the Ukraine wasn't for us, Guatemala is closed, so there were just 2 left. Should we go with a different agency with more countries? I asked Brent if he could adopt from anywhere in the world where would it be? His answer: Brazil. Brent has been to several South American countries and Mexico several times. So we landed in Peru. It was the only South American country that had a contract with Lifeline.
We finally mailed in our application in May of 2009. A social worker called me the next day and we talked about a few things on the application. A few weeks later talking with the social worker for Peru, we thought there were some red flags and maybe we should consider a different route.
Enter the domestic portion of our adoption.
We began our home study meetings in August of 2009 with Renee. We loved our domestic social worker, she is a fabulous social worker. But Peru would not leave us alone. October came and we were headed to Lifeline for the last meeting for the home study. We made it through the last of the normal home study meeting and took break. Next we were to begin discussing the information that was just for domestic adoptions. After the break, we took a deep breath and told our social worker that we really needed to switch back to Peru. Whewww! That was actually more nerve-wracking than you would think! But you must understand, we felt very wishy-washy. We had just switched from Peru to domestic and now we were changing back? What was going on with us! But our social worker was incredibly understanding. She even told us that through-out our whole home study with her, she thought there was just something not quite right.
Enter the Peru home study. We pretty much did our entire home study again, only this time with our Peru social worker! We worked with her from October 2009 to March 2010. Unfortuantely, we did not really click very well with her nor the director of the program. We usually left very discouraged from the meetings with them. So we made the decision to switch agency and we have a new placing agency. We instantly fit with them! It was great. They helped make the switch and getting documents sent over very easy and understood what was going on. They have also had a Peru program for 23 years! They helped us with our dossier documents.
After all the switching around our dossier finally made it to Peru in August 2010! A few weeks later an email came to our inbox with the information of 4 siblings needing a home. I sent the email to Brent as a joke asking him if he wanted 4 kids. He took me seriously! So we pondered and talked and emailed our agency telling them yes, we would take them. Our agency was very excited. I thought they would tell us we were crazy, but they went to work, emailing the lawyer in Peru and getting information.
But we discovered that we were too young. In Peru, you must be 18 years older than the oldest child you adopt. In our case, we would have only been 16 years older than the oldest child. We were totally okay with this information and went on about our business.
Fast forward to November 2010, another email hits my inbox. This time Peru is telling us that if we still wanted to adopt these 4 kids we could. WHAT!?!?! This is crazy! Wow! So for some weeks, we thought and prayed and thought and prayed and discussed this idea with our parents and some other families who adopted 4 or 5 siblings at one time. We made the decision to go ahead. Our letter of intent was submitted on December 1. That same night we received a phone call from someone saying they wanted to make a donation to our adoption fund. Another person set up a page with information for our friends to give to our fund as well. We thought, "surely this is the Lord blessing this decision! We are headed in the right direction."
With updating the home study for 4 kids, we also had to have a new psych evaluation (i think to make sure we really weren't crazy! haha!) We drove down on December 15 to meet with the psychologist. The meeting went well. She asked for pictures when we got the kids and we walked across the hall to our agency where they told us an email was sent to them from Peru that morning saying our letter of intent was rejected and we could not have the kids. I really didn't understand was she meant when she told us. I thought okay, so we just submit it again. Then she said it again and I realized - "oh, we can't have them at all. Okay. Well now what?"
Too be continued........
2.22.2011
OH. MY. WORD.
So tomorrow is the consejo. Oh. my. word. We could have kids. WHAT!?!?!?! This reality hasn't hit me until now. My heart is pounding with excitement! Calm Down! :) The crazy thing about adoption is that you totally have to trust the Lord. There is absolutley no control over anything. So....I'll let you know soon. =)
Psalm 46:10.
Psalm 46:10.
2.19.2011
2.09.2011
I know how she feels.....
So...I may have written this before, but I can't remember.
Sometimes it seems like we are not really adopting. Almost as if one day we will jump out from the behind the curtain and shout "surprise! Just kidding!" Especially during this time of waiting. We are waiting on an email or a phone call for our referrel(s).
But mostly I feel unequipped for this task. We have several friends who are adopting or have completed their adoption, but they all live in different states. So sometimes I feel alone on this journey. Brent and I will be first time parents, most of our friends who have adopted were already parents, so Brent and I are going brand-spankin' new to this whole new world of parenting. Granted, sometimes I feel like we have 40 kids with our youth at the church. But we send these kids home!
We are not able to talk much with our out-of-state friends, so I don't know how they feel or their emotions.
So, it leaves me wondering - isn't this adoption thing for real adults who have their ducks in a row and don't have to wonder if they can make it on one salary? Do they have to fund-raise and then run out of ideas and people or does the money just appear on their doorstep? Do they have an adoption support group and resources available all over their city or not?
I don't know. I just have to believe. Even if I don't feel it.
My friend Kelly sent me this link to a new blog. I laughed when I read a post from her Big Adoption Series, here is the excerpt:
"I noticed right away that most of the other couples
seemed infinitely more knowledgeable about adoption.
They all looked like real adults - capable, earnest,
not especially given to the whims of fashion or style.
They were sensible and generous in the exact way that
parents, in my mind, should be. I tugged at my cute cardigan,
probably found in the Junior's department, and wished
I hadn't even bothered with make-up. I did my very best
to appear mature and motherly and all the while, I felt
like an impostor. We nodded our way through muddy terminology
dossier, referral, home study. We sat up straight and drank
Sprite from paper cups as we swatted imperceptibly at
nagging thoughts - we are too young, we don't know how
to be parents, who would ever give us a baby? The swinging
seat lurched ever-so-slightly, for the very first time
as we came to understand all that would be required of us,
when all I wanted was to sign a paper and order up my baby."
I know how she feels!
- you can check her blog out: www.flowerpatchfarmgirl.blotspot.com
Sometimes it seems like we are not really adopting. Almost as if one day we will jump out from the behind the curtain and shout "surprise! Just kidding!" Especially during this time of waiting. We are waiting on an email or a phone call for our referrel(s).
But mostly I feel unequipped for this task. We have several friends who are adopting or have completed their adoption, but they all live in different states. So sometimes I feel alone on this journey. Brent and I will be first time parents, most of our friends who have adopted were already parents, so Brent and I are going brand-spankin' new to this whole new world of parenting. Granted, sometimes I feel like we have 40 kids with our youth at the church. But we send these kids home!
We are not able to talk much with our out-of-state friends, so I don't know how they feel or their emotions.
So, it leaves me wondering - isn't this adoption thing for real adults who have their ducks in a row and don't have to wonder if they can make it on one salary? Do they have to fund-raise and then run out of ideas and people or does the money just appear on their doorstep? Do they have an adoption support group and resources available all over their city or not?
I don't know. I just have to believe. Even if I don't feel it.
My friend Kelly sent me this link to a new blog. I laughed when I read a post from her Big Adoption Series, here is the excerpt:
"I noticed right away that most of the other couples
seemed infinitely more knowledgeable about adoption.
They all looked like real adults - capable, earnest,
not especially given to the whims of fashion or style.
They were sensible and generous in the exact way that
parents, in my mind, should be. I tugged at my cute cardigan,
probably found in the Junior's department, and wished
I hadn't even bothered with make-up. I did my very best
to appear mature and motherly and all the while, I felt
like an impostor. We nodded our way through muddy terminology
dossier, referral, home study. We sat up straight and drank
Sprite from paper cups as we swatted imperceptibly at
nagging thoughts - we are too young, we don't know how
to be parents, who would ever give us a baby? The swinging
seat lurched ever-so-slightly, for the very first time
as we came to understand all that would be required of us,
when all I wanted was to sign a paper and order up my baby."
I know how she feels!
- you can check her blog out: www.flowerpatchfarmgirl.blotspot.com
2.03.2011
Adoption and the Bible
"In the process of adoption, an individual assumes parental responsibility for the child of another, as Mordecai adopted his young relative Esther after the death of her parents.
Joseph adoped Jesus to be recognized as his own sone in the eyes of God and man. This gave all legal inheritance rights traceable through Joseph to Jesus - see Matthew 1:1-25 - assigning Him to legal claim to the Davidic throne. Spiritually, we are the children of God by adoption just as Jesus was the child of Joseph by adoption. This process of adoption give to the one adopted full family standing and rights - Romans 8:15-17. This transacation is a divinely authorized, God-blessed, and legally binding means for adding to the family unit and passing on the family inheritance - Galatians 4:5 and Ephesians 1:5.
Though the Bible does not present explicit legal process or rights and responsibilities demanded for adoption, Old Testament examples are found in Esther's adoption by Mordecai - Esther 2:15. Also from Moses' adoption by Pharaoh's daughter - Exodus 2:10 and in addition to the use of the adoption motif in explaining God's relationship to His people Israel - Deuteronomy 14:2. In the New Testament, adoption describes the believer's relationship with the Lord - Galations 4:3-7 and Ephesians 1:1-6.
When an individual accepts Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit completes a transaction of adoption of their behalf. The individual becomes God's child and He becomes his/her Abba. As God's adopted child, we will inherit a perfect home with Him and in the meantime we have immediate access to Him for comfort, direction, provision, etc. He adopted us with pleasure and will never revoke our adoption."
(Taken from an excerpt from the Women's Study Bible)
Joseph adoped Jesus to be recognized as his own sone in the eyes of God and man. This gave all legal inheritance rights traceable through Joseph to Jesus - see Matthew 1:1-25 - assigning Him to legal claim to the Davidic throne. Spiritually, we are the children of God by adoption just as Jesus was the child of Joseph by adoption. This process of adoption give to the one adopted full family standing and rights - Romans 8:15-17. This transacation is a divinely authorized, God-blessed, and legally binding means for adding to the family unit and passing on the family inheritance - Galatians 4:5 and Ephesians 1:5.
Though the Bible does not present explicit legal process or rights and responsibilities demanded for adoption, Old Testament examples are found in Esther's adoption by Mordecai - Esther 2:15. Also from Moses' adoption by Pharaoh's daughter - Exodus 2:10 and in addition to the use of the adoption motif in explaining God's relationship to His people Israel - Deuteronomy 14:2. In the New Testament, adoption describes the believer's relationship with the Lord - Galations 4:3-7 and Ephesians 1:1-6.
When an individual accepts Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit completes a transaction of adoption of their behalf. The individual becomes God's child and He becomes his/her Abba. As God's adopted child, we will inherit a perfect home with Him and in the meantime we have immediate access to Him for comfort, direction, provision, etc. He adopted us with pleasure and will never revoke our adoption."
(Taken from an excerpt from the Women's Study Bible)
1.30.2011
Revolve Tour
This past weekend Julie, Michelle, and myself took 12 girls to the Revolve Tour. We had a great time. The Revolve team is very good. Britt Nicole, Hawk Nelson, Group 1 Crew performed concerts - they all put on fantastic shows. Jamie Grace and Kathyrn M (from So You Think You Can Dance) were also on the team and performed well.
The theme was Dream On. Going for the dreams you have in your life, yet realzing that maybe God has different dreams for you or wants to use your dream in a different direction than you originally intended.
Jenna and Chad were the main speakers. They do a great job at getting to the heart of the matter and saying things just right! Topics included (but were not limited to): boys and relationships, friendship, drama, teen suicide, trusting God, heaven, focus, telling the truth, and being yourself. We hope to go again next year....with even more girls! :)
The theme was Dream On. Going for the dreams you have in your life, yet realzing that maybe God has different dreams for you or wants to use your dream in a different direction than you originally intended.
Jenna and Chad were the main speakers. They do a great job at getting to the heart of the matter and saying things just right! Topics included (but were not limited to): boys and relationships, friendship, drama, teen suicide, trusting God, heaven, focus, telling the truth, and being yourself. We hope to go again next year....with even more girls! :)
1.22.2011
New Book
I Am Second - Brant Hansen
I love to listen to Mornings with Brant on the radio. So I was excited to see him on the I Am Second videos. Enjoy.
1.19.2011
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is coming! More importantly the new commericals are coming! Let's just hope the advertising industry didn't go too far.
Not only is the Super Bowl, it's coming to the DFW area! Brent and I love this city, esp. Fort Worth. While the living in the city is extremely fun, we mostly love the people that we met there.
I worked with a guy named Paul at an Air Brush store for awhile. Paul is a true Jets fan. The Jets were always his team, even through all the losses, he still had hope for them. I wish I could hear him now! I know he is hoping the Jets can make it this year! Paul was one of my favorite people I have worked with. He and I had conversations about Christ. When I left, my gift to him was a Bible. I don't know if he ever opened it. I hope so. I hope he will believe.
But as my friend Tim said, the outcome of Super Bowl doesn't really matter. There are more pressing matters we have to consider. Here is one:
"Thousands of lost souls will flock to the Dallas area and they will embrace the things that lost people do. Among those will be predators who are looking for women and children to exploit for their sexual pleasure or profit. I am ashamed to say this, but the thought probably would have never crossed my mind without a friend sending me a document today that revealed statics of human trafficking in Texas and Houston in particular. Hundreds of women and children will be brought into the Dallas area so that others can pay money to do with them as they please. That takes some of the excitement out of watching the big game doesn't it?"
"Of course this happens every year at the Super Bowl but the awareness of this problem is being raised to a new level this year because of the game's location. In 2006, 25% of reported trafficking victims were in Texas. Our state is prime territory for the trafficking industry's 9-32 BILLION dollar annual business. Several things contribute to this. The I-10 corridor, our unsecured border, the vast size of our state, and the ability for traffickers to blend their victims into the Hispanic culture. Unfortunately, it gets even closer to home for NEHBC. The majority of the 25% of victims reported were in Houston. Our city's proximity to I-10, the Mexican border, and our port make us a prime spot for this industry. This is happening in our Jerusalem and our Judea. We cannot ignore it. So what do we do?"
"First of all, I'm not asking you to boycott the game like some groups are advocating. If you feel called to do that by all means do so. I will be watching the game. However, I bring this to our attention because it should matter to us. It should shake our souls and wrench our hearts with pain. Certainly this happens worldwide. Just ask our missionaries in Estonia, Tom and Jennifer. This is a major problem in Tallinn where they live. Yet it is happening at an alarming rate right outside our front doors here in Houston, TX. This is where God has placed us to live our lives and to reach the lost for Jesus. We must be aware of what is happening around us and that includes the spiritual needs of those we are called to reach. The chances of you and I encountering someone sold into slavery through human trafficking are great. I raise this issue only to open our eyes once again to the pain, suffering, and sin that is destroying lives around us. This practice violates the image of God and devalues human life which is precious to our Lord."
"Second, I am simply asking you to pray for these victims and for those who exploit them for profit or pleasure. Pray for the families whose children have been kidnapped and sold or forced into this industry. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to what is happening around us and to reveal to you ways that you can help these victims or change the hearts of their abusers. Pray for the ministries at Farrington Mission as they are in a high risk area for human trafficking. This is just one of many social justice issues that we face as believers in a lost world. May God give us the wisdom and resources to face these challenges with the gospel and change lives for His glory."
Not only is the Super Bowl, it's coming to the DFW area! Brent and I love this city, esp. Fort Worth. While the living in the city is extremely fun, we mostly love the people that we met there.
I worked with a guy named Paul at an Air Brush store for awhile. Paul is a true Jets fan. The Jets were always his team, even through all the losses, he still had hope for them. I wish I could hear him now! I know he is hoping the Jets can make it this year! Paul was one of my favorite people I have worked with. He and I had conversations about Christ. When I left, my gift to him was a Bible. I don't know if he ever opened it. I hope so. I hope he will believe.
But as my friend Tim said, the outcome of Super Bowl doesn't really matter. There are more pressing matters we have to consider. Here is one:
Natalie Grant and Tenth Avenue North PSA for Traffick 911 from Nate Bernard on Vimeo.
Below: This is an excerpt off of Tim's recent blog."Thousands of lost souls will flock to the Dallas area and they will embrace the things that lost people do. Among those will be predators who are looking for women and children to exploit for their sexual pleasure or profit. I am ashamed to say this, but the thought probably would have never crossed my mind without a friend sending me a document today that revealed statics of human trafficking in Texas and Houston in particular. Hundreds of women and children will be brought into the Dallas area so that others can pay money to do with them as they please. That takes some of the excitement out of watching the big game doesn't it?"
"Of course this happens every year at the Super Bowl but the awareness of this problem is being raised to a new level this year because of the game's location. In 2006, 25% of reported trafficking victims were in Texas. Our state is prime territory for the trafficking industry's 9-32 BILLION dollar annual business. Several things contribute to this. The I-10 corridor, our unsecured border, the vast size of our state, and the ability for traffickers to blend their victims into the Hispanic culture. Unfortunately, it gets even closer to home for NEHBC. The majority of the 25% of victims reported were in Houston. Our city's proximity to I-10, the Mexican border, and our port make us a prime spot for this industry. This is happening in our Jerusalem and our Judea. We cannot ignore it. So what do we do?"
"First of all, I'm not asking you to boycott the game like some groups are advocating. If you feel called to do that by all means do so. I will be watching the game. However, I bring this to our attention because it should matter to us. It should shake our souls and wrench our hearts with pain. Certainly this happens worldwide. Just ask our missionaries in Estonia, Tom and Jennifer. This is a major problem in Tallinn where they live. Yet it is happening at an alarming rate right outside our front doors here in Houston, TX. This is where God has placed us to live our lives and to reach the lost for Jesus. We must be aware of what is happening around us and that includes the spiritual needs of those we are called to reach. The chances of you and I encountering someone sold into slavery through human trafficking are great. I raise this issue only to open our eyes once again to the pain, suffering, and sin that is destroying lives around us. This practice violates the image of God and devalues human life which is precious to our Lord."
"Second, I am simply asking you to pray for these victims and for those who exploit them for profit or pleasure. Pray for the families whose children have been kidnapped and sold or forced into this industry. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to what is happening around us and to reveal to you ways that you can help these victims or change the hearts of their abusers. Pray for the ministries at Farrington Mission as they are in a high risk area for human trafficking. This is just one of many social justice issues that we face as believers in a lost world. May God give us the wisdom and resources to face these challenges with the gospel and change lives for His glory."
1.09.2011
The trouble with ligaments
It is snowing again! This time they are predicting inches! It's so cold here! I do wish that the snow had waited a few days. Brent has torn ligaments in his wrist and was scheduled to go see a specialist tomorrow. But now he will not be able to go because of the snow and ice. It is causing him a lot of pain and I hope that there are no long term effects since he has had to wait so long to see the specialist. I hope that they can reschedule him for sometime this week. He has some pain meds and anti-inflammatory, but they are really no help. His hand is so swollen that is looks like the hamburger helper hand in the commericals!
How did he tear the ligaments, you ask? Well he tore them by rolling a frying pan. Yes, really. He has a presentation that he does with feats of strength. He really enjoys it and incorporates the gospel while doing the feats. He even got to do a show in Colorado with Team Impact a long time ago. One of his stunts during that show was to blow up the hot water bottle and bust it! Well he blew up the hot water bottle and busted it! I was glad I was not there to see that! It's a dangerous stunt! But feats of strenth might be over for awhile - at least for his right hand!
So while you are reading this please say a prayer for Brent's hand/wrist.
Thank you!
How did he tear the ligaments, you ask? Well he tore them by rolling a frying pan. Yes, really. He has a presentation that he does with feats of strength. He really enjoys it and incorporates the gospel while doing the feats. He even got to do a show in Colorado with Team Impact a long time ago. One of his stunts during that show was to blow up the hot water bottle and bust it! Well he blew up the hot water bottle and busted it! I was glad I was not there to see that! It's a dangerous stunt! But feats of strenth might be over for awhile - at least for his right hand!
So while you are reading this please say a prayer for Brent's hand/wrist.
Thank you!
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