Running the Race: March 2015

Monday, March 30, 2015

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

Life is all about seasons. It works best when we remember God's faithfulness in the past, prepare with hope for the future, and embrace today with gratitude & faith. (Matthew West)

"Day One"

by: Matthew West

Well, I wish I had a short term memory

Wish the only thing my eyes could see

Was the future burning bright right in front of me

But I can't stop looking back

Yeah, I wish I was a perfect picture of

Somebody who's never not good enough

I try to measure up but I mess it up

And I wish I wasn't like that

I wish I wasn't wishing anymore

Wish I could remember that nobody's keeping score

I'm tired of throwing pennies in a well

I gotta do something

Here goes nothin'

It's day one of the rest of my life

It's day one of the best of my life

I'm marching on to the beat of a brand new drum

Yeah, here I come

The future has begun

Day one

Well, every single day Your grace reminds me

That my best days are not behind me

Wherever my yesterday may find me

Well, I don't have to stay there

See my hourglass is upside down

My someday soon is here and now

The clock is tickin'

And I'm so sick and tired of missing out

It's day one

And here comes the sun

Every morning, every morning

Every morning, mercy's new

Every morning, every morning

Every morning, I will fix my eyes on You

Every morning, every morning

Every morning, mercy's new

Every morning, every morning

Sun's coming up, the beginning has begun

Starting over, I'm starting over

Starting over, I'm starting over, starting now

I'm starting over

Starting over, I'm starting over

Starting over

Starting over, starting now

I'm starting over end of lyrics

I'm so thankful for God's mercies which are new every morning!

Continuing to give thanks...

-safety as Paul and Nicole had their road trip to Pennsylvania to see Matthew West (her graduation gift)!

-the fun that they had together on the road, at the concert, and shopping together!

-having VIP passes and meeting and talking to Matthew West before the concert

-her love for various Christian artists

-his love for Christian artists

-how he was so inspired by the concert and the amazing, Christian artists

-Matthew West's inspiring and motivating lyrics

-how over 1000 children have been sponsored through Compassion International during his tour!!
Praise the Lord!!

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Adoption Update

"those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength"

(Isaiah 40:31).

We received news yesterday that we need another MOWA (Ministry of Woman's Affaors) court date. This will be on April 4. This is rather frustrating because we already passed our MOWA court 5 months ago. Since then, though, we had to update our paper work and now we need another MOWA court date for them to review our updated paper work. Hopefully, when we pass our MOWA court, we’ll get our family court date soon thereafter and meet our precious little boy.

Please join us in praying for our little boy, that we’ll have

no more delays, and that we'll have renewed strength

and patience.

Monday, March 23, 2015

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

(2 Peter 3:18)

After receiving a compliment recently from a former student, I sighed and said to my husband, "Oh, but I would be such a better teacher now than I was then". He asked if I was referring to being a better spiritual mentor. "Yes", I replied. He encouraged me that that was a good thing, because it means that I am growing and changing in my years, trying to be more Christ-like. It wouldn't be good, he explained if we didn't grow and change. I was again reminded of what he said when I came across this quote in a novel that I just finished reading. The author writes, "But all growth in life must be forward. To remain still is in fact stagnation and regression." (quote from Michael Phillips' novel, Heather Song).

I do not want to be stagnant in my spiritual life. I desire to learn more about my amazing heavenly Father, and it is my desire to grow and change to become more and more like Him, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I have experienced some difficult things in my life. However, I believe that these experiences have contributed to my growth. I have been put through the refiner's fire and I have learned more, and I am continuing to learn more about the love of Christ.

Currently, our wait for our precious little boy has been laying heavily on us. There are days that I need to remind myself, instead of asking God, "why", I need to ask Him, "what". I need to ask Him "what is it that He is trying to teach me through this process"? I want to learn more about Him and try to be more like Him and have a heart of gratitude in all circumstances.

I am thankful for the growth and changes that have happened already and I eagerly anticipate what else God has in store for my life.

Continuing to give thanks...

-for growth in my spiritual life
-a husband who is wise and is also growing spiritually
-that we as husband and wife are able to grow together
-for the Word that helps me learn about God's amazing love and His gift of grace
-experiences that have contributed to my growth
-family devotional time
-hearing the Word of God being preached weekly
-learning and gleaning so much from the wise, beautiful senior ladies in my Bible study group

-changes in the seasons

-being able to sit on my deck and watch my niece (on my IPad) play volleyball

-bringing spring into our house (thank-you, Vos Floral)

-his prize for his perfect multiplication quiz

-how she loves her yarn extensions

-a super fun start to the March Break, shopping with my sister and some of our children

-being the only male, how he was such a good sport about shopping with the ladies!!

-having fun with his sister

-a great dinner with my family, supporting an amazing school!!

-the inspiring short testimony from one of the Science teachers about the awe and wonder and privilege of teaching about EVERY thing small and large made by our awesome Creator

-longer sunny days

-hanging out the laundry again (even though I have to walk across the ice rink to get there)

-getting one last skate for the season

-enjoying the ice to skate on and to eat!

-many hands to help in the greenhouses during the March Break

-enjoying working with cousins (which helps those who are less inspired to go to work in the greenhouse!!)

-looking forward to the growth and changes that will take place over the next month in the greenhouse

-how she loves riding her bike in the greenhouse (which unfortunately made family pictures rather difficult!)

-enjoying the gorgeous flowers

Monday, March 2, 2015

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"'But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds', declares the LORD, 'because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.'" (Jeremiah 30:17)

Suffering in Silence

For those who mourn the loss of a loved one, even years later

For those who sit by themselves every evening

For those who seem to be doing well, but daily struggle with cravings and addictions

For those who sit looking at the same picture all morning without realizing it because their memory has failed them

For those who struggle with broken relationships

For those who struggle with hidden sin, guilt, or shame

For those who are living their dream, but still feel so unhappy

For those who have don't dare complain about things for fear of being judged

For those who suffer in silence, there is Someone who hears. There is Someone who knows.

Our pastor preached about the woman who suffered from bleeding and from being an outcast from society. He reminded all of us who suffer from a bleeding heart, or a bleeding soul, that we need not suffer anymore, because Jesus bled for us when He was nailed on the cross and took our sin, and our pain. He gives us spiritual healing. We just need to go to Him, as the woman in Mark 5 did, because Jesus came to heal the world and He is the King who has healing hands. Thank-you, Jesus!!

Continuing to give thanks...

-healing and comfort that comes from the Great Physician

-that he bled for us and heals our bleeding souls

-when the dark cloud is lifted

-a nice visit with a new friend, fellow adoptive Mom and sharing our stories/passion about adoption

-a loving, and patient husband-my friend, my teammate