God is So Cool!

Do you ever find yourself pondering about all the cool things God orchestrates in your life? Last week I saw a commercial for Avon on TV which prompted me to sign up on their website to find out more information.

I'm trying to find a way to raise more money for the adoption without spending tons more time out of the home working. So today I get a call from a local training rep and she asked me what prompted me to contact her. I explained we were trying to raise money for our adoption. She paused for a moment and proceeded to tell me all three of her kids are adopted and that she herself is adopted. We had a really great talk and she is coming Friday morning to give me the scoop on selling Avon products.

I'm so thankful for the people God has put me in touch with since we started this process. You are all amazing & bless me in many ways!

Baby It's Cold Outside

It's been down to -40 degrees outside with the windchill. I am thankful that although my home is not the biggest or best I still have a home. A home that is warm and protects me & my family from the bitter cold winter. Please pray for everyone without shelter. Imagine for a moment what that must be like...

Hear our prayer today for all women and men,

boys and girls who are homeless this day.
For those sleeping under bridges, on park benches,

in doorways or bus stations.
For those who can only find shelter for the night

but must wander in the daytime.
For families broken because they could not afford to pay the rent.
For those who have no relatives or friends who can take them in.
For those who have no place to keep possessions

that remind them who they are.
For those who are afraid and hopeless.
For those who have been betrayed by our social safety net.
For all these people, we pray that you will

provide shelter, security and hope.
We pray for those of us with warm houses and comfortable beds
that we not be lulled into complacency and forgetfulness.
Jesus, help us to see your face in the eyes

of every homeless person we meet
so that we may be empowered through word and deed,
and through the political means we have,
to bring justice and peace to those who are homeless.

Amen.

This prayer was written by Carol Penner of Vineland, Ontario

Ouchies, Pokies & Doctors...Oh My

We were off to the doctor's office today...hooray! D & K were due for checkups for some of our home study paperwork. All three kiddo's had to get shots today also. The boys each had 1 and D had 3...poor D. Guess who was the most calm, cool, & collected? D, of course - proving once again that girls are made of strong stuff! K literally had to be drug into the room for his. He grabbed the door frame & held on for dear life. What made it difficult was the fact that he is one super solid almost 7 year old (he is in the 95th percentile for both height & weight). B didn't really know what was coming, but screamed ouchie, ouchie and calmed easily. So the most brave shot taker award goes to D who sat calmly and didn't even flinch. We all celebrated having the shots done by eating chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches. Somehow ice cream just makes everything better (even in 35 degrees below zero weather with the wind chill).

Jesus Help Me to Stand

Through trials, troubles and care
I know Jesus my savior is there
Giving me faith through darkest days
Keeping me on the narrow way

Jesus savior, help me each day
Fill me with hope, fill me with faith
Darkness retreats at the touch of Your hand
Jesus savior, help me to stand

Jesus lived through darkest pain
Rejected by men, despising the shame
Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief
He gave his life so we may be free

Jesus savior, help me each day
Fill me with hope, fill me with faith
Darkness retreats at the touch of Your hand
Jesus savior, help me to stand

I know that Jesus died for me
Cancelled my debt at Calvary
Rose from the dead, unlocked Heaven's door
Trust in his love and live evermore

Jesus savior, help me each day
Fill me with hope, fill me with faith
Darkness retreats at the touch of Your hand
Jesus savior, help me to stand

Feeling filled with the Spirit today & thanking God for His gift on Calvary! God is working through His people & showing us we are on the right path with this adoption. Thank you Lord!

Ode To My Husband

Some could say I have the perfect man - he not only sells snack foods, but he is also a massage therapist. I guess he can bring me a bag of chips and rub my back at the same time. Now that's talent!

The list of great things about this man does not end there. He loves God, he loves his kids, and every day he shows me how much he loves me. He is truly my best friend who loves and supports me and makes me laugh all the time. Most days we are just a bunch of goofballs.

It never ceases to amaze me the things that he manages to get involved in. He came home today with a cappuccino machine from the gas station. This thing is HUGE! It's not exactly something I want sitting on the kitchen counter. He "happened" to come in to pay for his gas when the attendant mentioned they were discontinuing this particular cappuccino and they wondered if anyone would want the machine. Well, of course he could not resist taking said item - after all it was free and wouldn't it be a great tragedy if they just threw it out! So they help him carry it out to the "chip truck" along with a case of the powders & flavorings. He did let me know that "all we need" to get it going is a water line.

Gotta love him...

Ancient Chinese Secret?

OK, so I'm not a believer in "luck" or "fortunes", but I cannot deny it's cool that we got this in our fortune cookie after a recent dinner out for Chinese. The wording is particularly interesting. I know God is in control of this adoption - maybe He chose to encourage us this day with a fortune cookie?!

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

When we began this journey we literally had no idea where the money to complete this adoption was going to come from. We did, however, believe with our whole hearts that we were following God's calling for our life. And while to some it would appear that we had enough children or why in the world would we want to do this when we could have more of "our own" children, we could not deny His plan was the plan for us. So we took a huge leap of FAITH and decided to begin the process - one step at a time.

Yesterday our home study worker called to schedule our final in-home visit. While I was excited to know we would soon be done and ready to begin the next phase, I also knew that meant a bill would be coming that we could not pay in full. We chose to schedule the meeting anyway, believing God would make a way for us. I am beyond thrilled to report that as of today we have the entire amount needed to pay the home study!!!! I am humbled that my Lord and Savior knows my needs. He knows me personally and when I cry out to Him He hears my call. He does not turn away, but allows me to lean on Him and provides for me in His perfect time. To God be the glory!

Our next financial need will be $4,000 to pay the agency fee so we can get working on our dossier, but then again He already knows that...

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Comment Envy

OK, I just checked out http://steppingoutoftheboat.blogspot.com/ and enjoyed the latest post requesting people to comment on her blog. I am nothing if not envious of blogs who receive a lot of comments. I need some encouragement people! Won't you help me out???

Blessings...

Thought of the Day...

Love is not something you talk about,

love is something you do.

Faith is not something you talk about,

faith is something you do.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:1

http://www.panoramaproductions.net/tours/haiti/tour.html

Bodily Noises & Other Topics of Interest

After my little Mr. B came out of his room this morning I took him to the potty right away. We're working on training so I try to get him there ASAP. So he sits down on the potty and passes a little gas. He starts laughing at himself and proudly exclaims, "I'm burping". I tried to explain to him that he was "tooting" and not burping. He sat there smiling and continued to announce he was "burping". What a kid! He also played back seat driver this morning telling me to "slow down mama". Geez...cut me some slack kid!

On a more serious note...

I heard a great message this morning on Focus on the Family called "Adoption: Families Stepping Out in Faith". Please take the time to listen to this wonderful message about adoption, our responsibility to care for orphans & how He provides for His people. Warning: have your Kleenex ready!

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/archives.asp?bcd=2008-1-10

Woo Hoo...Autobiographies Are Done & Sent!

I just hit the send button on our autobiographies for the home study! Hooray!!!!

Mine has been done for a few weeks, but Jeff was struggling because the holidays were so busy for him at work. We are thrilled that this is done! Another thing checked off...

We are praying for the Lord's provision so that when our payments are due for the home study that we will have the money to pay them. We move forward in FAITH...trusting God to be our provider.

Blessings...

The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.
The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most —
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.
Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.
Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 27