Pray for Betty

February 23, 2006
We received a phone call from the adoption agency earlier this week regarding our caseworker, Betty. We were told that Betty's doctor has put her on medical leave due to stress. We don't know how long she will need to be on leave.

This doesn't affect our adoption at all- they have other caseworkers in the office to take care of things as needed. We just want to remember Betty in our prayers! (And this is definitely a good reminder of how stressful adoption really is!)

Mystery Groceries

February 18, 2006
Today, our mail brought us another surprise! God sure works in mysterious ways, sometimes. We opened up an unidentifiable envelope that contained a grocery gift card, with a large enough value for a month's worth of groceries! Wow!

It is such a blessing! With having groceries provided, we are able to save up more toward adoption (and pay our taxes!). As we say, every little bit helps- although, this is more than just "a little bit!" Thank you, anonymous person, for being used by God.

God's Divine Purposes

February 17, 2006
Today I received my weekly e-mail for "church leaders" at work, and I thought I'd share a part of it with you. It was encouraging to know that God's divine purposes are at work; we don't have to know all the details. But, He will give us the discernment and knowledge we need at just the right time, in order to do His will.

The Divine Purpose of God
Genesis 41:32 “…the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.”
"There is something mysterious about the divine purpose of God. He makes use of an endless variety of people and circumstances to accomplish His divine purposes. Whether its Potiphar's wife, Pharaoh's chief cupbearer, Pharaoh's dreams, Pharaoh himself, the dungeon, the throne, the famine, the enslavement of the people--all of these are instruments in the development of God's ultimate will for His people and all mankind.

How are you and I to understand this...? A well-known church leader in the New Testament told us, "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:10). God gives to "the spiritual man" the discernment needed to comprehend these truths. All of this flows from God's plan to redeem us by His love so we can be "participators in the divine nature!" (2 Pet 1:4). Yes, His promise to US is that we can have "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16), and understand the divine purpose of God! Isn’t that exciting? Rejoice today in the knowledge that... YOU are a vital, participating part of God’s plan!"
Larry McKain, Executive Director-New Church Specialties

A Point-of-View

February 15, 2006
Right now, we are praying for our future child's birthmother- whomever she may be. We don't know her, but God does. So, we pray. (Although praying for her is a step of faith in itself. Sometimes it seems hard to believe that such a person really exists... and yet we pray.)

Meanwhile, I came across a great article that wonderfully articulates a birthmother's point-of-view. It is a precious and rare look at a birthmother's heart. Here is the link: http://lifemothers.com/spoken.html . I highly recommend everyone read through it!

It also underlies the heart of our dream for adopting. We don't want to add to our family at the expense of someone else. It isn't our goal to "get a baby as soon as possible." We have taken this step of faith of being available within the ministry and miracle of adoption. Yes, we pray that God would fulfill our dream of being parents, but we also want birthmothers to be empowered to make their own informed choices between parenting & adoption. We only want to be entrusted with their child, if they truly choose it- not because it was "required."

God's Valentines

February 14, 2006
Isn't it nice when God sends those little "valentines," letting you know that He cares?

This "waiting time" is tough, especially when so many people around us seem bored or discouraged with our adoption journey. I think they expected it to happen faster, and to be more "exciting" or something. Meanwhile, we are surrounded by families in our church who are pregnant. Since this is so visible, it is obviously more exciting than our Expectant Wait right now. People don't want to stop and hear how we're doing... it's much more fun to go pat a pregnant belly!

But God knows. And He sent me "valentines" just because. On Sunday, He sent a little 6-year-old boy to sit with me at church. I was sitting in a pew all by myself (while Calvin was in Worship Team), and little Kaelen came up during the service, and snuggled up in my arms! It was so fun to share his joy in the music!

Then, yesterday at work, a single mom came in to the office carrying her adorable 17-month-old girl. She set her daughter down to run around for a minute, and she immediately came running to me for a hug! What a sweetie! She snuggled up in my arms, and gave me a huge smile. She's only been walking for a few months now, and I was one of the first people she walked to! It's so special that she still loves to run to me.

Several days ago, Calvin was able to take this little girl's big brother (age 9) to the community pool. Stephen was thrilled to spend the evening with him, and apparently spent the day talking of nothing else! (He even chose his special "Hawaiian" print swimming outfit to wear for the "special occasion!") Stephen had a blast munching on Life Saver candies in the car, talking about Star Wars movies, and showing off his new swimming skills. (He's in swimming lessons right now.)

These kids may not know it, but they're blessings. Their parents are greatful that we love to babysit, and spend time with their kids. But I don't think they fully understand what it means to us to hold a tiny little hand, share a giggle, and join in a smile.

To top things off, I was awakened this morning not only with a beautiful rose and breakfast in bed... but snow falling outside the window! We haven't had snow since Jan. 2004, so this was such a special surprise. I really missed having snow this year, and it made the morning all sparkly and magical! Thanks, God, for your Valentines!

A Verse For Today

February 6, 2006
Part of walking in faith with God is continually praising Him, even in tough times. We don't just praise Him for the specific blessings He gives us; we praise Him for the blessing that He is! In my reading this weekend, I came across The Message version of Psalm 113, that reminded me to keep praising God as we wait. He is the joy-giver!

"Hallelujah!

You who serve God, praise God! Just to speak his name is praise!

Just to remember God is a blessing-

now and tomorrow and always.

From east to west, from dawn to dusk,

keep lifting all your praises to God!

God is higher than anything and anyone,

outshining everything you can see in the skies.

Who can compare with God, our God, so majestically enthroned,

Surveying his magnificent heavens and earth?

He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,

Rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash,

Seats them among the honored guests,

a place of honor among the brightest and best,

He gives childless couples a family,

gives them joy as the parents of children.

Hallelujah!"