Adoption Update

(Ethiopia flag)

Adoption update:
Today we received our first "official" e-mail from Imagine. The agency has been reconstructed and is up and running!! It was mainly a "general information" letter. We will be notified as to our where our position is on the list waiting for a referral. We're very excited that things are progressing, even if it means more waiting. We continue to pray for patience, and for all the children waiting to be adopted into loving homes.

Encouraging Others

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:26).

Last weekend, some family members went to Buffalo to cheer for our nephew, Erik. I would have loved to have been there to cheer on my nephew, however I was home with sick children. Apparently it was a great game, with Erik getting a goal and an assist. Way to go Erik!

My dad was notorious for his loud cheering at hockey games, but he was also good at encouraging others and "cheering" them on in their endeavors (especially his children). His smile could light up a room and his hand shake and pep talks would give people the lift and encouragement that they need. Sometimes, I am too busy to "meet together" as it says in Hebrews and to give the encouragement that others need. Or, other times, I don't see the need or feel that I am adequate to help others. I pray that God will open my eyes to the needs of others and help me to "cheer" on others and to encourage one another.

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

46) Colourful leaves
"Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens" (Psalm 148:13).


47) Fall decor - new seasons
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).



48) Books
"let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance" (Proverbs 1:5).




49) School Work
"All hard work brings a profit" (Proverbs 14:23).



50) Daddy and Daughter's Love
"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children" (Proverbs 17:6)


51) healthy bodies that we often take for granted
52) legs to run, walk, bike
53) hands to administer medicine
54) little nurses and doctors taking care of their siblings
55) medicine
56) fresh air in the house
57) ears to enjoy Christian music while jogging
58) insects- even the swarms of lady bugs in the fall!!
59) our faithful and responsible bus driver
60) playing basketball with my son while waiting for the bus

Rest

"Jesus said, 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."' (Matthew 11:28-30)

This is such a comforting passage. As we are burdened with sicknesses, stress, busy schedules, etc. etc., it is so comforting to be reminded that God will give us rest if we go to Him. I pray that I can lay all my burdens down before Him and receive His grace and the rest that He is so willing to give me.

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

36) Hills (for rolling and playing)!!
"I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes form the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1,2)


37) Hiking Paths
"Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path..." (Psalm 27:11)



38) Creation
"For everything God created is good..." (1 Timothy 4:4).



39) Brothers
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

40) Animals

"God made the wild animals according to their kinds....And God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:25).

41) a cup of tea

42) preserving family memories (scrap booking)!

43) women's evening Bible study

44) packing away summer furniture and getting ready for another season

45) weekends

Good Fruit

"I am the vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while ever branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.... If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:1,2,5)

We certainly have been enjoying the delicious fruit that we picked from the apple trees. I am reminded in John 15 that I too can bear good fruit, if I remain in Christ. Without fellowship with my Father, I can not bear fruit, and I am like a branch cut off from the vine -lifeless. I pray that I will remain in the LORD and live a godly life, thereby producing good fruit, like the apples we picked!

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

21) Love notes
"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)


22) Physical activity
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

23) Music

"Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre." (Psalm 33:2)

24) Children

"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" (Matthew 19:14)

25) Marriage

"Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (Matthew 19:6)

26) change of seasons

27) smell of homemade soup

28) cousins

29) siblings

30) outdoor play time

31) turkey and Thanksgiving dinners!!

32) God's grace and the gift of salvation

33) piano and organ duet

34) family gatherings

35) our home

50 Years!!

"As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15)"

They pray, they laugh, they work hard, they serve others first, they love the Word and study it faithfully, they ski, they walk, they bike, they are musical, they are devoted to each other and to their children and grandchildren... they are my wonderful in laws!

It is with deepest thanks to the LORD that we celebrated our parents' 50th wedding anniversary this weekend. Joshua 24:15 was their wedding text 50 years ago, and we are so blessed and thankful that they have lived out that verse for the past 50 years! This blessing has been passed on to their children and to their grandchildren.

At the festivities on Friday night, each of their children proposed a toast with words of thanks for different things that have been exemplified by their parents. They spoke words of gratitude regarding living a balanced life of work, leisure, and serving others, being spiritual role models, strong work ethic, enjoying various physical activities and family time, and faithfulness for 50 years. It is my prayer that we as a family will be continue to be blessed by their godly marriage for many more years and that we learn to follow their example and also make the choice "As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

6) SAND and the reminder of God's many blessings and His promises

"I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore" (Genesis 22:17).

7) the SEA

"God called the dry ground "land", and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God say that it was good" (Genesis 1:10).

8) Sisterly LOVE

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).

9) Holidays and RENEWAL

"Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16).

10) Safety

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8).

11) routines and schedules (as much as I enjoyed my holidays)!

12) our home

13) a successful young adults conference this past weekend

14) noise of the children running and playing (words of life)!

15) the warm sun

16) cool fall breeze

17) daily breakfasts together as a family

18) fun-loving, Christian volleyball teammates/friends

19) yummy baked goods from our tenant (thanks, Mom)

20) sharing personal things with close friends

Good Times

"May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful" (Psalm 68:3).

We had a really fun and relaxing time in Florida with my sister and brother-in-law's family. It is so nice to be able to be able to have fun, and laugh! I pray that I will find my true joy in the love of my Saviour who died for my sins. Even during the tough times, frustrations, busy schedules, flu bugs (welcome home), and everything else, I am thankful for the many opportunities to celebrate the good times!