4 years ago
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy 1st birthday Marie!!!! Can't wait to bring you home and celebrate!!! You big brother Colten is dreaming about you tonight and said he's going to dream about flying to Liberia and bringing you some pink and purple balloons. We love you and can't wait till we get to come see you again :)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Praises and Prayer Requests...
Since Matt never writes on our blog I figured I'd cheat the system a little bit and use his words without him knowing it :) He sent out an email today that was very to the point and a good update so I thought I'd post it here...
Praise 1:
Onah and Marie are both doing well. Onah is officially walking (which we kinda knew) and Marie will turn one on August 19th!
Praise 2:
We received word last week from our adoption agency that Hillary Clinton would be meeting with the Liberian President. The AFAA families wrote/faxed letters to Clinton asking her to talk about adoptions while in her meeting. This topic was not on her agenda.
This morning we found out that her office has received all the letters and has given Mrs. Clinton several talking points to discuss adoptions with Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf. BIG PRAISE!!!!
Praise 3:
God is allowing us to be a part of this journey with Him. I was reminded last night at a Mercy Me/Jeremy Camp concert that everything we do is for and about God's glory. We began this journey desiring a closer walk with our Creator and that is exactly what we have gotten. Today and tomorrow will be an even closer walk with Him!!! You are a part of this journey with us!
Prayer 1:
All the people of Liberia!
The Malaria/Wet Season will be drawing to a close soon. The people of Liberia (all of them) could use our prayers for clean water, protection from the elements, food, peace, provision for basic needs. They can also use your prayers that more churches will come alongside us and be a part of the Amazing 80 project!
Prayer 2:
Pray for Hillary Clinton's meeting. We are specifically praying that God will move the Liberian President to open adoptions for all trusted and approved agencies while the other agencies and government workers are investigated. This will allow all the children we have met to come home while openning up spots for other children on the Liberian streets to find hope. We see this as a really big meeting!
Prayer 3:
Pray for Terah and I to give God praise no matter how long we weather the storm! This is not about us and two babies. It is about showing the people around us that God is still on His throne and that He is a mountain mover!!! It's about us learning to trust Him with everything (EVERYTHING) that we are and have!
I can't get the lyrics to one of the songs we heard last night out of my head. Jeremy Camp was talking about all the trials we go through in life. He shared about his wife dying of cancer and how that broken road prepared the way for him to glorify God in a bigger way. I couldn't help but thing about how our journey is preparing us...
"I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see. Well, becuase this broken road, prepares your will for me."
Thanks for lifting these praises and prayers to God! We know that HE is the only one in control!
Praise 1:
Onah and Marie are both doing well. Onah is officially walking (which we kinda knew) and Marie will turn one on August 19th!
Praise 2:
We received word last week from our adoption agency that Hillary Clinton would be meeting with the Liberian President. The AFAA families wrote/faxed letters to Clinton asking her to talk about adoptions while in her meeting. This topic was not on her agenda.
This morning we found out that her office has received all the letters and has given Mrs. Clinton several talking points to discuss adoptions with Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf. BIG PRAISE!!!!
Praise 3:
God is allowing us to be a part of this journey with Him. I was reminded last night at a Mercy Me/Jeremy Camp concert that everything we do is for and about God's glory. We began this journey desiring a closer walk with our Creator and that is exactly what we have gotten. Today and tomorrow will be an even closer walk with Him!!! You are a part of this journey with us!
Prayer 1:
All the people of Liberia!
The Malaria/Wet Season will be drawing to a close soon. The people of Liberia (all of them) could use our prayers for clean water, protection from the elements, food, peace, provision for basic needs. They can also use your prayers that more churches will come alongside us and be a part of the Amazing 80 project!
Prayer 2:
Pray for Hillary Clinton's meeting. We are specifically praying that God will move the Liberian President to open adoptions for all trusted and approved agencies while the other agencies and government workers are investigated. This will allow all the children we have met to come home while openning up spots for other children on the Liberian streets to find hope. We see this as a really big meeting!
Prayer 3:
Pray for Terah and I to give God praise no matter how long we weather the storm! This is not about us and two babies. It is about showing the people around us that God is still on His throne and that He is a mountain mover!!! It's about us learning to trust Him with everything (EVERYTHING) that we are and have!
I can't get the lyrics to one of the songs we heard last night out of my head. Jeremy Camp was talking about all the trials we go through in life. He shared about his wife dying of cancer and how that broken road prepared the way for him to glorify God in a bigger way. I couldn't help but thing about how our journey is preparing us...
"I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see. Well, becuase this broken road, prepares your will for me."
Thanks for lifting these praises and prayers to God! We know that HE is the only one in control!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Pray for Clinton's Visit
Hillary Clinton leaves on the 5th to make a trip to Africa. During her trip she will be visiting Liberia to speak with the president there. We have faxed her as well as the group going along with her, a letter about our adoption and the hold that we are under right now. We also have sent letters to our congressmen to see if there is anything they are able to do.
We made it clear to Clinton that we understand and support why the adoptions are on hold in Liberia, but we have been told several times, personally at one point while there and speaking with government officials, that the government has no problems with our agency and they are not under observation here. (Matter of fact, the government of Liberia continues to place orphaned children that THEY find in our AFAA house.) We have asked Clinton to speak on our behalf as to why adoptions could not be allowed through our agency if there's no problem with them. Also, to help her understand that the longer they take to pass this bill the more children will ultimately suffer because they aren't being given the chance to a new life whatsoever. The children currently being adopted need to move out so that other children who desperately need a home and care can move in.
Please join us in prayer that Clinton will hear our plea and speak to the president about this issue, and that the president will gain understanding from our side and try to hurry up this LONG AND DRAWN OUT process. God is still moving though I cannot see his hand or the outcome! He has a plan, and I trust it.
We made it clear to Clinton that we understand and support why the adoptions are on hold in Liberia, but we have been told several times, personally at one point while there and speaking with government officials, that the government has no problems with our agency and they are not under observation here. (Matter of fact, the government of Liberia continues to place orphaned children that THEY find in our AFAA house.) We have asked Clinton to speak on our behalf as to why adoptions could not be allowed through our agency if there's no problem with them. Also, to help her understand that the longer they take to pass this bill the more children will ultimately suffer because they aren't being given the chance to a new life whatsoever. The children currently being adopted need to move out so that other children who desperately need a home and care can move in.
Please join us in prayer that Clinton will hear our plea and speak to the president about this issue, and that the president will gain understanding from our side and try to hurry up this LONG AND DRAWN OUT process. God is still moving though I cannot see his hand or the outcome! He has a plan, and I trust it.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Mosaic: A New Way Of Thinking...
I know it's long...but please read, I feel this is something that God has laid on my heart and wants you to hear...
I've had a change of perspective. Hopefully I'll be finding my way out of my spiritual funk, and maybe some of you who read my blog will be following? Who knows what my (God's) words speak.
I was asked to do the jr. high group this Sunday as Tom will be out of town. We are studying this book, "It's Not About Me" by Max Lucado. I read it through completely about 3 months ago but, sorry Tom if you're reading this..., haven't picked it back up since then :) Anyway, this week I was forced to study it again, and I realize now that God had something to say to me, really something to remind me.
Since coming back from Liberia, I guess, I've been in a 'funk' you could say. I haven't wanted to do quiet time with God, ok...let me be honest here...I haven't picked up my bible, (with the exception of church and bible study, when we have met) since being back almost 6 months ago. The only time I pray is at night with Colten (cause I have to set a good example) and at dinner time. Even then, it's not really talking to God, It's a 'must do' kinda thing. I'd get frustrated cause I don't like being this way, but had no real reason to fix it, and no drive to get out of it.
I read a chapter titled: "My Struggles Are About Him". Let me tell you some of the things that stuck out to me...
1. A faithful missionary and his wife were kidnapped and while an attempt to rescue them the husband was shot and died, the wife shot in the leg and left a widow with children to raise, a quote in the book stuck out to me, "Is this how God honors his chosen?" Through our journey, I've had the mentality that I'm doing this for God shouldn't we get an extra dose of "God favor" on our journey?
2. Psalms 103:8-11)
"God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in fulll for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him.
3. Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end-the glory of God.
Pslam 50:15
"Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory."
4. Speaking of the 'cards' you've been dealt by God to reveal his glory, a conversation that might have taken place while God was creating...
"Mary, be a mother to my son."
"Peter, you'll be my first preacher"
"Matthew, the first gospel? It's all your's?"
The God turns to another man, "And You?"
"Yes, Lord?"
"You'll be blind for my glory."
"I'll be blind?"
"Yes."
"For Your glory?"
"Yes."
"But I don't understand?"
"You'll see"
I don't understand the 'cards' God has dealt me lately, but I am reminded it is for a purpose, for his Glory, and I've forgotten that simple fact that I'm not my own, I exist to bring Glory to Him, ALL OF ME, even my struggles.
I first created this blog so I could let God's light shine through our journey and hopefully through our amazing journey people would be drawn to him. This blog was supposed to be a means for you to see that light and I'm sad to say it hasn't been lately.
My favorite quote of all from this chapter reminded me of something I heard at a conference at one time.
Here's the quote from the book, POWERFUL!
"HIS LIGHT PRISMS THROUGH THEIR ACHING LIVES AND SPILLS FORTH IN A CASCADE OF COLORS. GOD-GLIMPSES
This quote reminded me of the beauty of a mosaic. What is a mosaic???
"Broken pieces that form a picture (my life, and yours), but when the light (Jesus) shines through, it is beautiful and people are drawn to it."
We are all a work of art, a beautiful mosaic being formed for God's Glory.
May His light shine through me till this journey comes to an end.
I've had a change of perspective. Hopefully I'll be finding my way out of my spiritual funk, and maybe some of you who read my blog will be following? Who knows what my (God's) words speak.
I was asked to do the jr. high group this Sunday as Tom will be out of town. We are studying this book, "It's Not About Me" by Max Lucado. I read it through completely about 3 months ago but, sorry Tom if you're reading this..., haven't picked it back up since then :) Anyway, this week I was forced to study it again, and I realize now that God had something to say to me, really something to remind me.
Since coming back from Liberia, I guess, I've been in a 'funk' you could say. I haven't wanted to do quiet time with God, ok...let me be honest here...I haven't picked up my bible, (with the exception of church and bible study, when we have met) since being back almost 6 months ago. The only time I pray is at night with Colten (cause I have to set a good example) and at dinner time. Even then, it's not really talking to God, It's a 'must do' kinda thing. I'd get frustrated cause I don't like being this way, but had no real reason to fix it, and no drive to get out of it.
I read a chapter titled: "My Struggles Are About Him". Let me tell you some of the things that stuck out to me...
1. A faithful missionary and his wife were kidnapped and while an attempt to rescue them the husband was shot and died, the wife shot in the leg and left a widow with children to raise, a quote in the book stuck out to me, "Is this how God honors his chosen?" Through our journey, I've had the mentality that I'm doing this for God shouldn't we get an extra dose of "God favor" on our journey?
2. Psalms 103:8-11)
"God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in fulll for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him.
3. Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end-the glory of God.
Pslam 50:15
"Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory."
4. Speaking of the 'cards' you've been dealt by God to reveal his glory, a conversation that might have taken place while God was creating...
"Mary, be a mother to my son."
"Peter, you'll be my first preacher"
"Matthew, the first gospel? It's all your's?"
The God turns to another man, "And You?"
"Yes, Lord?"
"You'll be blind for my glory."
"I'll be blind?"
"Yes."
"For Your glory?"
"Yes."
"But I don't understand?"
"You'll see"
I don't understand the 'cards' God has dealt me lately, but I am reminded it is for a purpose, for his Glory, and I've forgotten that simple fact that I'm not my own, I exist to bring Glory to Him, ALL OF ME, even my struggles.
I first created this blog so I could let God's light shine through our journey and hopefully through our amazing journey people would be drawn to him. This blog was supposed to be a means for you to see that light and I'm sad to say it hasn't been lately.
My favorite quote of all from this chapter reminded me of something I heard at a conference at one time.
Here's the quote from the book, POWERFUL!
"HIS LIGHT PRISMS THROUGH THEIR ACHING LIVES AND SPILLS FORTH IN A CASCADE OF COLORS. GOD-GLIMPSES
This quote reminded me of the beauty of a mosaic. What is a mosaic???
"Broken pieces that form a picture (my life, and yours), but when the light (Jesus) shines through, it is beautiful and people are drawn to it."
We are all a work of art, a beautiful mosaic being formed for God's Glory.
May His light shine through me till this journey comes to an end.
A Little Light...
Well, it's not much but it's something! We learned today that this past week, the minister of Justice was moved to another position in the government of Liberia. This is great news b/c this was the man who refused to sign paperwork when families were finalized and ready to bring home their children. He is against adoptions in Liberia and was a major hold up for families.
Now there is a new woman in his position, who apparently is frustrated with adoptions not going anywhere. This could be good news for our adoption. We'll see how it all plays out. Just thought I'd pass along some positive news to all of you.
Still has nothing to do with the ban being lifted, but is hope that God is working when we can't see it.
Now there is a new woman in his position, who apparently is frustrated with adoptions not going anywhere. This could be good news for our adoption. We'll see how it all plays out. Just thought I'd pass along some positive news to all of you.
Still has nothing to do with the ban being lifted, but is hope that God is working when we can't see it.
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