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.
Lilypie Waiting to Adopt tickers
2.22.2011
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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