A Sweet Consolation

I read this devotion for last night and it was perfect for us during this time of waiting. I have been so encouraged this week since Lindsey and Cortney got their referral! But I am praying ours comes sooner than the 11-12th week mark because that puts us traveling around Christmas. We will trust that God's timing is PERFECT either way. Please read the devotion below from CH Spurgeon's Morning and Evening book. If you don't have it - get it! You will always find your heart is turned out of yourself to Christ and your conscience pricked. It has been one of the sweetest blessings for me in my times with the Lord.

“She gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.”
Ruth 2:3

Her hap was. Yes, it seemed nothing but an accident, but how divinely was it overruled! Ruth had gone forth with her mother’s blessing, under the care of her mother’s God, to humble but honourable toil, and the providence of God was guiding her every step. Little did she know that amid the sheaves she would find a husband, that he should make her the joint owner of all those broad acres, and that she a poor foreigner should become one of the progenitors of the great Messiah. God is very good to those who trust in him, and often surprises them with unlooked for blessings. Little do we know what may happen to us to-morrow, but this sweet fact may cheer us, that no good thing shall be withheld. Chance is banished from the faith of Christians, for they see the hand of God in everything. The trivial events of to-day or to-morrow may involve consequences of the highest importance. O Lord, deal as graciously with thy servants as thou didst with Ruth.
How blessed would it be, if, in wandering in the field of meditation to-night, our hap should be to light upon the place where our next Kinsman will reveal himself to us! O Spirit of God, guide us to him. We would sooner glean in his field than bear away the whole harvest from any other. O for the footsteps of his flock, which may conduct us to the green pastures where he dwells! This is a weary world when Jesus is away—we could better do without sun and moon that without him—but how divinely fair all things become in the glory of his presence! Our souls know the virtue which dwells in Jesus, and can never be content without him. We will wait in prayer this night until our hap shall be to light on a part of the field belonging to Jesus wherein he will manifest himself to us.

Humbled

"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation...you restored your inheritance as it languished, your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy." Psalm 68:5;9-10

We were invited a couple weeks ago by Shaohannah's Hope to be guests at a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. They said they would provde us with tickets but they didn't mention any specifics about a grant or anything but just that they like to use real couples to encourage others to adopt and that we could come backstage after the concert. We were so excited and thankul that God would choose to use such a thing to spur us on in this process, especially during this waiting time because it can be hard but it was just a sweet encouragement for us. We went last night and had a blast. My sister, her husband and our good friends from church as well as my parents were all able to enjoy it with us.

Afterward they let us go back and introduced us to Steven Curtis Chapman. He was very kind and we could see in his eyes he genuinly cared. Throughout the whole evening there was such a huge emphasis on the orphan and hope through giving them Christian families to be raised in. As we talked a few moments, he shared with us that we had been given a grant from them! Let's just say it was a God-ordained and perfect amount for us. We are so humbled that God has chosen to use this means to provide for us. Isn't it amazing that this journey builds our faith in God's power and ability to provide? It honors him that we DO need his help and his provision. He is overflowing with goodness and delight to provide what we need and to put it on his people's hearts to give. HE HAS DONE IT - NOT US. Isn't this the theme of our Christian lives in all areas? May he get the glory. I pray this post encourages those in the process (or even have other needs...) that he is faithful to glorify and show HIMSELF strong in our inadequacy.

Fun Fall Days

We had a wonderful Monday filled with much needed daddy time. We went to a local pumpkin patch and did a hay-ride, big slide, barn-yard animals and just plain fun. The boys got to pick out their pumpkins and bring them home. Phinehas, of course thought they were balls and insisted on picking them up and throwing them, or trying to kick them like a soccer ball. After he realized they were pretty dense when kicked, he wasn't doing it as much. Boys are so fun. Here are some fun pics of our day:

I've been tagged!

I have been reading other's "taggings", if you will, the past month or so and it's come around to me, thanks Keva!
Ok, here goes:

Jobs:

1. Starbucks barista (very fun!)
2. Worked at a bagel shop for 6 months, let's just say it's not fun smelling like an "everything" bagel the rest of the day....
3. Retail, worked at a clothing store for a while - Delias
4. I got married at 19 and had Job 10 months later, so I have had the joy of being at home with my adorable boys since then.

Places Lived:

1. Born in Alaska (Palmer) and lived there until 11, it's so beautiful there
2. Moved to Las Vegas (long story....we had some family with house there)
3. Came to NC for college

Favorite TV Shows:

1. Prison Break (I am so hooked!)
2. 24 - though now the plots keep repeating...you know...there's always a "mole" in CTU and Jack is the sacrifical lamb to save everyone....good but I can count on the outcome so it's not as much fun.
3. I realize I appear as a nerd with this list...you have found me out (I love to read and have to limit entertainment for my own good)

Books I love:

Oh where to start? I really think books have been a huge grace in my life - especially since I used to hate reading anything but magazines!
1. Sheperding a Childs Heart - GREAT parenting book
2. The Cross-Centered Life by CJ Mahaney
3. Morning and Evening by CH Spurgeon, a devotional
4. ANY good christian bio's - Tortured For Christ, My Heart in His Hands, A Chance to Die....
5. A Better Way by Simon Austen
*In my currently purchased/reading pile:
6. Getting Organized by Stephanie Winston
7. Hearts of Fire from Voice of the Martyrs
8. Uprooting Anger by Robert Jones
9. Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall - AN AMAZING BOOK on living the Christian life
10. Heaven at Home by Ginger Plowman

Food Favs:
1. Love Middle Eastern/Greek food
2. Adore Mexican and spicy stuff
3. I really like On the Border Restaurant
4. Red Robin has great burgers

Places I've been:
1. Israel
2. Holland
3. Switzerland
4. Cayman Islands
5. Can't wait until we are in Ethiopia!

Things I enjoy:
1. Coffee - specifically Starbucks
2.Srapbooking...yes...I am one of "those" moms
3. Date night with my husband
4. Doing something fun and spontaneous as a family-a day trip, going to the park, having a picnic
That's as interesting as I get :o)

I will tag
* Tracie over at Our Journey of Adoption
* Larissa at Living in Liberty
* Shelly (Roberts Fam) over at Our Journey Together

Draw My Soul to Thee

This song brought sweet encouragement to my heart today. As I listened to the lyrics I found comfort that I can roll my troubles onto the Lord and trust Him in His plan for our little one, our referral call and his constant provision for us all. I know I sound like a broken record sometimes but I have to preach to my heart to trust him (especially the closer we get the more antsy I am about that call!) I think sometimes I can forget that these children are God's and not mine. My boys look so much like Paul and me that I often forget they are not "ours" but given to us as precious loans and the same goes with our little one out there. They are in God's loving care and that is the best place to be, even when it's outside of my own loving care. This will be a good reminder when I see that face, even more so that they will not have our features - what a sweet reminder that they came from God and are given to us for a time to care for them and lead in them in God's truth. If you want to hear the song with it's music (which I recommend!!) click here. Red Mountain Music has some amazing CDs.

Draw my soul to Thee, my Lord; Make me love Thy precious word!

Bid me seek Thy smiling face; Willing to be saved by grace.

Dearest Jesus, bid me come; Let me find Thyself, my home;

Thou the refuge of my soul, Where I may my troubles roll.

Lord, Thy powerful work begun, Thou wilt never leave undone;

Teach me to confide in Thee; Thy salvations wholly free.

Dearest Jesus, bid me come; Let me find Thyself, my home;

Thou the refuge of my soul, Where I may my troubles roll.

Update...

I emailed Mary at Gladney yesterday to ask if the courts opening would speed up any of the referral process for waiting families. I guess I figured that if everything was up and running things would go smoother and faster for referrals but she said that you only need the courts when you have accepted a referral, so it doesn't speed up anything. It was good to hear from her and she informed me that : "In the meantime, your dossier has been translated and held ready with B. (in-country rep) for when you receive and accept your referral". That's good news! It's good to know we are just waiting on the Lord to work out the details and we will see that sweet face - hopefully sooner rather than later! We will be at 6 weeks this Monday but my heart is aching for those out there who have been waiting longer than us - Lindsey and Cortney & The Atwoods for example - your the real troopers! I will be so excited for these couples when they get that call. Isn't it neat that God is orchestrating so many different hearts and stories and backgrounds to make a family through adoption? I think its neat to see how each of us anticipate our babies and how different all of our lives will look with an added little one. And what is even more incredible is that God is big enough to sustain us all in the midst of our waiting and He's doing so much behind the scenes work across the world and in the Gladney office right now! It brings me encouragement and hope when I think about it. It's gotten harder to wait the last week or two, the longer we go the more near it seems and I am more on the edge of my seat!