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Monday, July 13, 2015

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you" 
(Isaiah 54:10).

As Lynda Randle sings, "The God on the mountain, is still God in the valley", I am reminded of how faithful God is no matter what we are going through- whether it's being in the dark valley or high on a mountain top.  It's amazing how easily we feel like we're in a dark, low valley and that we're all alone.  It's also amazing how easily and soon thereafter, we are able to be back on the mountain top! Through the cross, Christ experiences every valley that we are in, and all of our pain and struggles.  He is always WITH us in the valleys and on the mountains!  God is good all the time; all the time, God is good!  He is faithful and His love is for all generations.

Continuing to give thanks...
-for the valleys
-for the mountain tops
-His faithfulness
-a mountain top experience, celebrating my mom's 79th birthday and her good health

-how her love for her grandchildren and children is always pouring out of her
-siblings, and how we will always look out for each other 


-two goofies
-how they all had so much fun in the pool together, including the adults!

-enjoying sports in the pool and out of the pool

-how all of the cousins get along and play so well together

-how the older cousins had fun with the balloons as well



-practicing their dives

-enjoying two hours at Opa and Oma's pool


-a beautiful brunch, celebrating my mom's birthday

-the tight knit group of single ladies from church
-my sister's talent of floral arrangements
-her amazing hostess talents
-all of her time and effort for a beautiful, successful brunch

-enjoying the magician show at the library and how that has inspired him to do some more tricks again!  
-how he was such a good participant!

-her BFFs

-enjoying the gardens and Paul's beautiful flowers
-a "budding" photographer and her love for taking pictures

-getting lots of move it minutes
-playing basketball with the two youngests

-how he has taught her how to catch a baseball
-how he has taught her to enjoy yet another sport!

Monday, July 6, 2015

One Thousand Gifts (continued)


"Do not let your hearts be troubled.  
Trust in God" (John 14:1).  

I'm a bit of a planner.  
When we go on trips, I like to google everything possible and print off various maps, places of interest, restaurants, etc. 
So, this whole adoption thing is tricky for me.
The unknowns are very difficult.
Today was a bit of a big deal.  
Today was Seber's third Ethiopian court date.  If the results are favourable, we could get issued our adoptive family travel court date before the courts close mid-August.  This is our hope and prayer.  
Today we received update pictures of him.  He's simply adorable!  We long to meet him, to hold him, to love him, and to give him a forever family.  

I'm trying to trust in God and His perfect timing.  His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways, but I know that He knows what is best for us.  

I’m going to put it into God’s hands, start living on God’s plans
Going to do the best I can, that’s all I can do
I’m going to put away my doubts, somehow it’ll all work out
And I can rest easy now that I’ve put it into God’s hands 
("Put it into God's Hands" by Johnny Cash)


Continuing to give thanks... -His promises and His faithfulness -that He knows what's best for us -His perfect timing -a great get together with fellow adoptive mommies and children -the love and support from friends
-our precious daughter's grade 8 graduation
-the small, but tight graduating class

-her great valedictorian speech
-how she loved receiving a hug from her Uncle Harvey (board chairman)

-how beautiful she is inside and out!

-her supportive grandparents
-how proud he was of his baby girl
-how our hearts were swelling with pride and joy
-receiving the honours roll
-the honour of representing her class as the class valedictorian
-best buddies



-starting off the summer with a very fun family vacation

-early morning swim in the ocean (after Paul's early morning run)
-how she ran out to meet him for a swim early in the morning
-how delighted he was to play baseball on the beach with his dad
-enjoying the waves 
-best day ever (so much fun in the ocean)!

-enjoying the sand
-our precious children and how they got along (most of the time) on our holiday!
-celebrating 21 years of marriage and God's blessings
-having fun jumping the waves
-our family photo and the best that it gets
-how his silliness never ceases to amaze me
-seeing wild horses on the island

-up close and personal with a variety of God's creatures
-their non-stop energy
-enjoying their leisurely stroll together and spotting things in the water
-how she wanted her picture with the ice cream man
-his creative hobbies -the origami shark that he had to make to remind us of our exciting trip
-how she gets swallowed up in a good book
-early morning start to enjoying the waves
-another early morning swim

-planning our trip around one of our favourite restaurants
-our view from the balcony
-how she never tired of looking at the ocean
-a fun day out with amazing reclining seats at the theatre
-excitement on the beach as there was a shark swimming around
-that everyone was kept safe from the shark

-her highlight: being buried and burying others in the sand
-how we loved eating all of our meals on our balcony overlooking the ocean
-celebrating our anniversary and our awesome family

-enjoying various mini-golf courses and having fun at all of them
-how others are witnessing through sand sculptures!
-our shark memory of Maryland!
-getting knocked over by waves while posing for a family picture
-so many fun memories!
-our amazing balcony and view of the beautiful, majestic ocean
-entertaining themselves after breakfast
-his goofiness
-a good sport, by joining Deborah and Curtis on the high ropes, even though he thoroughly does not enjoy it! 
-safe travels and an awesome driver!

-remembering/celebrating Canada Day
-the fun that they had at the ball game
-our beautiful country and the freedom that we have

-relaxing in his new chair for Father's day

-enjoying a day out with the ladies
-Mom's first selfie and how she thought that was quite funny!
-how we all had a very fun, relaxing day, making great memories