One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will- to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we have redemption through His blood..." (Ephesians 1:1-7a).

Another Monday.

No Visa to bring home our little girl.

I'm feeling quite down again today.


Christian music is so uplifting to me. As I heard Karen Peck and the New River's song, "Ephesians Chapter One" on my MP3 player, I was again reminded that "there is a place where I can find relief". I particularly like the line at the beginning where it says, "I wonder that the stress that I'm under is turning my joy into grief...I know that I can rely on Ephesians chapter one". And so, my list of thanks continues...


#896-#912




-Karen Peck and New River





-helpers cleaning the van (and themselves!!)



-fun with older cousins

-Jesse's inability to keep a straight face


-pumped about his new school shoes

-our 6 year old determined to learn to tie his shoe laces

-successful shoe tying

-fun at Ontario Place and CNE

-relaxing and fellowship by the pool with a friend

-corn on the cob

-chore chart

-brothers sharing

-celebrating 4 babies in our church

-updated pictures of our adorable baby girl

-prayers, phone calls, and e-mails today from supportive friends and family
-inspiring movie about Billy Graham

-satellite radio -all day gospel!!

Adoption Update

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on you own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you....Trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you....Trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge" (Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 37:5; 1 Peter 4:19; Psalm 62:8).

These are the words that are engraved on the cross that sit beside my computer. I look at them often, and yet it is so hard at times to trust in Him. Why does this adoption process need to take so long? As I type those words, and ask myself that question, I almost feel guilty. God sees the whole picture and His time is perfect. How can I even question that? It is my prayer that I can fully trust in the Lord at all times!

Today we it marks 12 weeks of waiting for Deborah's facilitation Visa. Most families did not have to wait more than 10 weeks for theirs, so we were really hoping to have her Visa by now. Again, I need to remind myself that God's timing is perfect, and it's not my timing.

Today we also received Deborah's monthly update. She's sooooo cute, and we can't wait to bring her home. She had the flu again and has lost some weight, which makes me long even more to have her home and in my arms. We are praying that if it's God's will, that we will receive the news on Monday that her Visa is ready. Please pray that with us.

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

"Don't worry about nothing, pray about everything"- those are the words from one of the songs on Guy Penrod's new CD. So fitting, as we've been very anxious as we continue to wait for our baby girl's facilitation Visa. A great reminder.

my list of thanks continues...
#876-#895

-new Guy Penrod CD!


-my co-captain, and great friend

-my 3 favourite sailors

-willingness to try new things

-enjoying yummy snacks and fun games at the same time!

-a week of praise and worship, and learning more about the mighty love of God

-a great week of V.B.S.

-50-60 children singing and learning the truths of God's Word

-summer entertainment (lots of building and constructing)

-helpers cleaning rooms

-my handy man hubby (and patient handy man)

-supportive adoptive friends (even those I don't even know)

-stay home day today

-excited children when their older cousins come over

-game night with my nephews (and Laura)

-rocking a baby to sleep in the church nursery (I can't wait to hold our baby girl!)

-a hubby to make me laugh even when I'm feeling really bummed

-all three children playing together all day

-sleeping in

-good night kisses

A giving heart

"The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor"

(Proverbs 22:9 TNIV).

Our daughter is a generous girl, with a very giving heart. As I was beginning this post, she came upstairs with a paper dove craft that she made for me (it's now sitting right by my computer). How appropriate as I was just about to write about the generosity that spills from her heart. This week, she eagerly and selflessly donated her hair for the second time to cancer. She said she didn't care how short it would be, she was just happy to do it.
Somebody else will be wearing her beautiful blond hair and hopefully be touched by her generosity.

*** BEFORE

***Is it long enough???

***Here it goes...

***the best part...the sucker!

***AFTER

Nicole, we're so proud of you and we love how your beauty shines outwardly from within! Keep shining brightly!

Preparations

"Direct me in the paths of your commands...turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word" (Psalm 119:35 a, 37).

Our theme for tomorrow's Vacation Bible School is based on this text. The Bible point is "God's Word is life-changing". Just like a steering wheel on a ship directs the boat, so the Bible gives direction in our lives. God's Word has definitely been life-changing in our marriage and in our personal lives.

We have been trying to prepare for our trip to Ethiopia to bring home our baby girl. Will we ever be ready? We've had 2 and a half years to prepare for this, yet it seems like we'll never be prepared. What about in a marriage, are we prepared for the storms that will come our way? We were hit with some pretty big storms, but God and His Word helped us through them. God's word is life changing- especially in a marriage!

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

I am thankful for these words, as I need to be reminded not to be anxious. Disappointment is weighing heavy over me right now. We were very disappointed that we did not receive the good news regarding our daughter's facilitation Visa today. Now, we need to wait another week to wait and see what the news will be next Monday. I am praying for peace and am thankful that God's Word is true (our V.B.S. theme for today)!

My list of thanksgiving continues...
#858-#875

-God's glorious artwork in the fields near our house

-affectionate cats and animal lovers

-the many children at our Vacation Bible School

-a successful first morning

-children memorizing Bible verses

-amazing volunteers

-last minute supply helpers (thanks, Mom)

-God's word is true!

-amazing group of friends/adoption mommies and a late night out as ladies

-loving church friends and another fun evening out as ladies

-marvelling at God's amazing animals at the Safari

-fun day out with friends

-support and prayers for Deborah's Visa to come in (keep those prayers going)!

-a day of reading and relaxing

-jumping on the trampoline with the children

-shooting soccer balls at my son (even though I can't score on him)

-daughter not needing glasses

-eye doctors and medical technology

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds those who trust in Him" (Psalm 32:10 TNIV).

I am so thankful for the Lord's unfailing love and His many, many blessings.
My list of thanks continues...
#841-#857

-fun day out with my mom, her friend from Holland and my sister

-my fun, generous sister


-my window cleaner (at least someone likes to clean windows- thanks Nicole)!

-good times, family bowling

-siblings playing games outside

-innovative brother-in-law who created a rather huge slip and slide!

-hours of entertainment and thrills

-summer fun

-adoption T-shirt purchased for me from my brother-in-law (so thoughtful)

-delicious lunch today provided by my sister

-having lunch with my aunt (and Mom and sister)

-rain

-God's unfailing love

-the prayers of our children eagerly awaiting Deborah's Visa

-VBS preparations are coming along

-awesome VBS volunteers

-great VBS co-director