Faith

Noun. Confidence, Belief, Christian religion.
1: unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence
2: unquestioning belief in God
3: a religion or a system of religious beliefs
4: full of faith, esp. religious faith- the faithful- true believers, the loyal adherents or supporters

Today we received good news and bad news. Oh, how I wish I could share the details with all of you... please pray that the Lord directs our steps as we pick up the pieces and move forward once again. Please pray that the goal of getting the kids home isn't too far in sight and that our heavenly Father continues to comfort the Liberian children (and us!) while we endure this wait.

Thank you for all the emails, posts & especially the prayers. We are grateful for all of you!

Invisibly shaken

Not earth shattering- but definitely troublesome news. We continue to trust in the Lord's leading...

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4: 12-13

God speaks?

Do any of you think that God speaks just at that moment when you don't expect Him to? Do you think He shows Himself in the little things- maybe just to see if He'll get your attention?

If you haven't noticed by now, I love to explain things in 'story' form. Maybe this comes from my grandpa, who used to tell everything in a story. Sometimes a very long story... Anyway, this is what happened tonight.

I've encountered quite a few people today, who when I tell about where we are with the adoptions, they say, "You know, God has a perfect time." I agree and have told each one of these people today that I realize there is a perfect plan and that we're praying and trying to be patient. Looking back at today, I think I had 4 or 5 encounters with this same phrase.

Here's a confession thrown into this 'story': I always walk through the office, jiggle the mouse & check for new emails. I don't know why- maybe I feel like the computer is my link to the outside world. I'm not expecting anything important so I really don't know what I'm looking for. Hubby laughs at me and gives me a hard time because I will route myself through the office just to do 'the jiggle.'

Tonight, on one of my passes past the computer- the screen saver was on the monitor. I've had this same screen saver for about a year- it has beautiful landscape pictures with scriptures/Christian sayings. Just as I was about to do 'the jiggle,' I saw a phrase that I have never before seen on my screen saver- in the entire year I've had it on my computer! This is what it said:

"NEVER THINK THAT GOD'S DELAYS ARE GOD'S DENIALS."

Hmmmmm, a sign? Maybe. If so, thanks God- I'll remember that. You have a perfect time and you're not denying your promise to us. We're just being delayed a bit until everything falls into place....

That's my story for the night- sleep tight!

Tiny tidbit

I just wanted to post quickly this morning with a few things...
I just got off the phone with Dear Son #1 again & he told me a 'tiny tidbit' of reassuring information regarding himself. Unfortunately, I can't disclose it here but this 'tiny tidbit' really helps Hubby and I breathe easier as we all wait for the adoptions to come to a close. Any positive 'tidbit' at this point, is like a breath of fresh air...

As I called Hubby to tell him about DS#1- we were remembering our home study agency & their response to us when we asked to adopt 3 children- and then went back and asked to also adopt our eldest son. We love these people & have a great 'working' relationship with them. Hubby and I were laughing about how they must talk about us, possibly laugh and shake their heads at "those crazy people from ****, Arkansas." I say all this in light-hearted fun... after all, they are the ones that saw potential in us and gave us the go ahead. Anyway, as I was laughing with Hubby about the home study folks- I was reminded that God is in this & has been from the very beginning.

I can only imagine that it seemed absurd to the home study agency- our request to them. It could have only been God- and the prompting of the Holy Spirit- for such a request to not only be heard, but accepted. So, in the midst of all that's going on I don't want to forget that God is in this race- moment by moment.

Thank you, Father for having the patience with us as we try to control what it is you're trying to do. Please give us the wisdom to step back & continue to trust in you.

2 down...

Ok... please pray with us! We now have 2 Liberian children who are 'sick.' I really don't know details or how sick- 'sick' really is. What does sickness mean there & in that environment? Anyway, the second child now requires medical attention (she must leave the orphanage and go to a hospital)- so 'sick' must mean-- SICK!

My sense of urgency is working overtime and I feel like a mama tiger on a short chain. However short the chain, it sure is stretched tight! SHEESH!

From a mama's point of view, I would really feel much more comfortable with all the children here where they can be evaluated and I can watch them and care for them. I'm afraid I'm in the middle of learning a valuable lesson in trusting God with my ENTIRE being. Wait & pray are the words of the day...

Here are the lyrics to another song that's speaking to me today:
IF YOU WERE MINE- FERNANDO ORTEGA
When my heart is troubled and I am weighed down,
Then I like to think of how this lonesome world would be
If I could see your face, or hold you in my arms
If you were mine, if you were mine.

If you had a bad dream I would jump inside it,
And I would fight for you with all the strength that I could find.
I would lead you home by your tiny hand
If you were mine, if you were mine.

I would sing of love on the blackest night.
I would sing of God, and how His goodness fills our lives.
I would sing to you, til the morning light
If you were mine, if you were mine.

Much better....

I forgot I had these scroll-candle things...I'm sure there's a much more pretty name for them but my vocabulary escapes me at the moment. **SCONCES** Someone commented on the story of the wall hanging but I'm afraid I don't have much of a story. I'm sure this is a print from some great painting somewhere- but it actually just caught my eye when we were out buying fabric. Dear daughter #3 wanted an African lappa (wrap skirt) for her birthday and wanted her friends and cousin to have matching lappas (for when we went on vacation). I spent the week before we left sewing and packing so I could bring 6 lappas along. Anyway, when we were looking at fabrics I saw this quilt block and thought it would be pretty hanging on our wall. So, here it is...

I also wanted to share the lyrics to a song that are really speaking to me today. I've had it for a long time on my itunes & listen to it every now & again. Have a great day!

I AM YOURS
Father here I am in this place again
I know that You're no stranger to pain
To loneliness

Father here I come, lay my burdens down
Knowing that You'll take me as I am
So I come with freedom as Your child
And I run to Your arms

My heart is aching for my Father
My eyes they long to see my God
This world has nothing I desire
You are what I'm looking for
Hide me underneath Your shelter
Cover me and I will say
I am Yours, surely I am Yours

Have you lost your song?

I've had many people ask me how we can be so happy all of the time? How can we be so filled with faith during so many trials and how can we keep such a positive attitude towards life when we're thrown curve-balls. I just want to talk a little about that today.

God has put a well of joy inside of each of us. If we can just learn to tap into that joy, we can be happy in spite of what comes against us. Ephesians 5: 18 says to continually be filled with the Spirit. Continually doesn't mean that we should be filled just once, but always. How do we do this? Verses 19 and 20 tell us, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The way to stay full is by keeping a song of praise in our heart. This could take on many forms: having a grateful attitude, humming, whistling, singing (out loud or even in the shower!). Under your breath are you giving praise to God? How many times are you thanking the Father in a given day? When you continually give praise to God, He is replenishing your joy, your strength and your peace. He is filling you back up.

God has put a song in everyone of our hearts- it would do us all good to start the day making a melody in our hearts...singing a song of praise. Make a point to get your song back, don't sit and dwell on the negative. If you stop dwelling on the negative things that come against you and thank God for His goodness, you can start to see all the things that are right in your life. Meditate on His promises.

You'll enjoy life more and see things change, in your favor. The Lord wants to bless you! Don't let anything take your song, make a melody unto the Lord and keep a song of praise in your heart. It's a decision you must make, develop a habit of:
#1~ Smile on purpose! Smile by faith or 'fake it until you make it.' Smile and then the joy will come. Smiling sends a message to your body that everything is ok...Your smile is a million dollar asset. God is concerned about your countenance, it is mentioned 53 times in the scriptures. When you smile, it's a good witness to others. Be pleasant to be around.

GET YOUR SONG BACK!

Don't allow your problems, circumstances or other people to steal your joy. Make others want what you have- bless the Lord at all times. While on our vacation, I got news that Dear Son #1 had been diagnosed with Malaria. My immediate reaction was to become overwhelmed and weap in desperation. Instead, I went upstairs and started to sing. I sang over and over again, "I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed." I had the baby strapped to me in the baby carrier and before long, she was moving and 'singing' with me. It wasn't long before the spirit of fear, frustration & desperation was completely gone. I had given it over to the Lord and will continue to pray for our son that the meds do their job and he will get better soon.

God wants us to have victory! Romans 8: 37 says, "In all things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." In the middle of adversity, we can enjoy our lives! Bless God in the good times and the bad.

Develop a habit of:
#2~ Check your posture. You are a child of the Most High God, hold your head high & put your shoulders back. Not in arrogance, but in quiet confidence. We are not supposed to go around feeling weak or defeated. The scriptures say we are Ambassadors of Christ. You represent Almighty God, you are to be communicating strength, determination and confidence. Subconsciously, are you proud of who you are? You were made in the image of God and you are the apple of His eye!

So much of communication is non-verbal. Learn to walk tall, we represent the Most High God. Scripture also says our joy should overflow... inspire others! When you're around other people, are you always taking and not giving to the relationship? Have you lost your song? You may have to develop new habits and make a melody in your own heart. Fill yourself up, don't dwell on your problems~ shake it off, dig your heels in and praise God. Know He is still in control. Hebrews 13: 15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise- the fruit of lips that confess his name."

You can chose what kind of song you are going to have. Talk to yourselves the right way and declare today is going to be a good day! Thank you Lord for your strength, thank you Lord for my health!

GET YOUR SONG BACK!

Vacuuming, doing dishes, driving in traffic, changing a diaper, or mowing the lawn can prove perfect opportunities to offer a prayer of thanks to the Lord. Every time we do that, He is filing us with His joy, His peace, His strength, His victory & His favor. We are being filled. Get your song back if you're missing it & keep that in your heart throughout the day.

Praise the Lord!

Wall hanging

I finally finished the wall hanging, nothing fancy~ just simple & beautiful (in my mind!).

I'm still trying to decide what to do on either side, there's enough room to fit something.... but for my over-analytic mind, it has to be just perfect. I'm trying to keep in mind that I will want to add pics of Liberia (from hubby's trip) after he returns home and new pics of our ENTIRE family. I love doing stuff like this, which makes me so happy I finally painted the living room! It's been like Christmas dragging all of our 'old' decorations out. Fun, fun...

Have a good weekend!