A Walk to Beautiful

It takes some time to watch this, but it shows what many women in Ethiopia have to go through and some amazing people that are helping these women heal.  What struck me, is how even though my circumstances are far different than these women's circumstances, my heart was right there with them.  One lady talked about wanting to be a good wife and mother, and if she could not do that because of this medical issue that she didn't know what to do.  There is a bond between women, even if we are on the other side of the world from each other.

Click here here to watch this special.

Beauty for Ashes

Isaiah 61: 3 "and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Emotions and Feelings.  Ugh.  Happy/Sad ...  Joy/Despair ... Included/Excluded ... Peaceful/Overwhelmed ...  the list goes on and on.  I've been stressing over things that I didn't need to stress over.  I know in my mind and in His word that the Lord tells me that I can and should go right to Him and most of the time my heart knows that too.  But lately, I'm not sure what it is ... life just seems hard.  So many changes and challenges seem to be happening, which I think are all great.  Each of them are growing and stretching our family.  And then, I have read story after story of orphans being rescued and see the hurt that goes with it.  My heart hears songs like Matthew West's song "My Own Little World" that tells me about there being a "bigger picture" and I feel motivated.  Then the next day, I am still motivated but something happens to make me loose the wind from my sails.  I think often about what our little one is doing right now on the other side of the world.  I think about how when that little one is here with us how that will change the dynamics of our family.  How it will change my marriage and our kids that are here now.  

Then amidst my stewing my best friend came home with some flowers and said, "I love you".  I sure do love that man.

God is so much bigger than how I'm feeling.  He has all the answers I need.  He reminded me - He has promised a crown of beauty for ashes, oil of gladness for mourning and a garment of praise instead of despair and it's all for a display of His splendor.  It is really not about me and how I am feeling.  Not that I'm not important or how I'm feeling is not important - but to God be the Glory.  

Thankful Heart

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."  Psalm 30:11-12

I'm so thankful that God sees hurt and heals!  I've been reminded today of how God not only redeems, but turns wailing into dancing!  As I think about our little one in Ethiopia, I'm sure the the story includes wailing as all stories that include adoption do.  I'm so anxious to see how God turns that into dancing.

Today is my mom's birthday.  My dad's birthday was last month.  We usually try to make sure we have dinner together on these special occasions!  Tonight we doubled up and celebrated both Mom and Dad's birthday with Chicken Wild Rice Soup, homemade bread and Apple and Apple Raspberry Pie for desert.  

I remember as a little girl, about 8 years old I asked my Dad what I could bake for him.  He said, how about an apple pie.  My mom was always so patient and let me just dig in and cook and bake in her kitchen.  I called my grandma who was the "pie baker" in our family.  She talked me through and I was able to proudly present my dad with an apple pie that day.  It just reminds me of how much little girls long for approval of their daddies.  I'm so thankful that my Dad has always took such good care of my heart.

And my dear mom.  She is such encouragement to me.  She is (as we all are) wonderfully made.  She keeps life light with her humor and has been a better mom than I could have ever asked for.  I often hear what a neat mom I have from others.  I agree - she is an awesome mom and I am so thankful for her.  

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well"  Psalm 139:14

On another note ...

We got the certified copy of the document that we were waiting on back from the State today!  Yeah.  Now it is the authenticating process and our Dossier will be complete.  We are getting there!  

My Crazy Adoption Mission Trip Giveaway CORRECT information

Oh My!  Please forgive me.  I'm not sure what I was reading or thinking (or not thinking) when I read about My Crazy Adoptions Mission Trip Giveaway yesterday!  I for some reason thought it was only a one day thing.  I believe I was confused with the T shirt that she gave away yesterday - and yesterday only.  There is still time to enter the free mission trip giveaway.  You can still enter!   Here are the details.

Missions Trip Giveaway ENDS 10/28!!!!!!!  Winner announced 11/2 9:00am (CT)

• Prize: Mission Trip to Ethiopia, February 17-26, 2011
• Prize value: $3100
• Number of winners: 2
• Number of Tee shirts to sell: 183 + 183
• Ending date of the giveaway: 10/28/10
• Where it can be won: My Crazy Adoption Blog
• The prize is from: www.mycrazyadoption.com
• To enter this giveaway, you can: purchase a tee shirt at My Crazy Adoption Store

Good Luck!

 

My Crazy Adoption Mission Trip Giveaway

Since we've started the adoption of our child from Ethiopia I started following a blog.  My Crazy Adoption. Check it out.  Kari has amazing stories to share like her recent trip to Ethiopia that lead to finding out more about her daughter she adopted a few years ago.  She is an inspiration to me and is passionate about caring for orphans.

But, right now My Crazy Adoption - http://mycrazyadoption.org/last-mini-giveaway-1-tee-1-free-missions-entry  is giving away a mission trip to Ethiopia.  You could win a mission trip to Ethiopia!

Here are the details:

• Prize: Mission Trip to Ethiopia, February 17-26, 2011
• Prize value: $3100
• Number of winners: 2
• Number of Tee shirts to sell: 183 + 183
• Ending date of the giveaway: 10/28/10
• Where it can be won: My Crazy Adoption Blog
• The prize is from: www.mycrazyadoption.com
• To enter this giveaway, you can: purchase a tee shirt at My Crazy Adoption Store

Outside My Own Little World - Matthew West

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Fingerprints

We received a letter today.  We are one step closer to be officially on the "wait list" to bring home our little one. We have an appointment set to go to Fargo and get our digital fingerprints done.  Soooooo exciting!

We also received word from our agency that our Dossier is set.  They had us submit a copy of the Dossier paperwork that they look over before we send it off to be authenticated and they think it all looks good and is ready to go.  We are now waiting for one form to come back from being state certified and then we need to get it authenticated and it is off to Ethiopia with the paperwork.  Can't wait till I can say we are off to Ethiopia!

Drawn from Water Story

Here is a video that tells about Drawn From Water.  The people at Drawn from Water are doing amazing work in the tribes and their love for the children is so evident.  They are being a Father to the Fatherless.

"It Began with Bale" from Drawn From Water on Vimeo.

As I watch the faces of these children and think about the pain that comes with needing to be "rescued" my heart breaks for where our child is right now and what his or her family and friends are going through.  We know that the children living in the orphanage Drawn from Water are not available for adoption but we do know that our child is in a hard place like any child that lives in an orphanage rather than a home with their family.

This website http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rescue tells me the definition of rescue is "to free from confinement, danger or evil."  It goes on to tell synonyms for the word rescue. 

Deliver - implies the release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery or suffering

Redeem - Implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary

Ransom - Specifically applies to buying out of captivity

Reclaim - Suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased

Save - May replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence.

After reading that, I am reminded of how I have been rescued too. 

I'm so thankful that the Lord has delivered me and continues to redeem me from myself.  The Lord paid my ransom by sending HIS SON, Jesus Christ to die for me - for you.  I have been redeemed, reclaimed by Him. Thank you for saving me, Lord Jesus.  I am honored to be preserved for usefulness and pray that my continued existence will be for your Glory.

So, again today I entrust the Lord with my life and hand my children over to Him, including a precious little one that I only dream of right now and can not wait to hold. 

Another Drawn From Water T Shirt

It's so exciting.  Another Drawn From Water T-Shirt out!  A new design - New Colors - Women's Children's and Men's!  We have put this shirt out as a pre-order sale only.  This shirt is only available for a limited time.  Remember, 100% of profit goes directly to Drawn From Water.  Check it out and order your's at the Drawn From Water Store.

Unfailing Love

Sometimes life seems hard. But I am reminded of God's Unfailing Love for me - for you. The morning does bring word of unfailing love. God does show me the way to go. I'm so thankful for the path that he has created and that not only does my God show me the way to go He has gone before me.

Ryan and I spend a evening at Inspiration Peak this summer. This picture from that evening has reminded me that God shows me His path and that even though there is sometimes only just the beginning of the path clearly shown He will continue to pave the way to take the next steps on the journey of life with Him. I love the flowers along this path. They make me smile. I will will choose to rest in His hands as we journey together.

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

¹ O LORD, hear my prayer,

listen to my cry for mercy;

in your faithfulness and righteousness

come to my relief.

² Do not bring your servant into judgment,

for no one living is righteous before you.

³ The enemy pursues me,

he crushes me to the ground;

he makes me dwell in darkness

like those long dead.

⁴ So my spirit grows faint within me;

my heart within me is dismayed.

⁵ I remember the days of long ago;

I meditate on all your works

and consider what your hands have done.

⁶ I spread out my hands to you;

my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

Selah

⁷ Answer me quickly, O LORD;

my spirit fails.

Do not hide your face from me

or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

⁸ Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul.

⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD,

for I hide myself in you.

¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God;

may your good Spirit

lead me on level ground.

¹¹ For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life;

in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.

¹² In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;

destroy all my foes,

for I am your servant.

Eribo Kala

Have you checked out Drawn from Water's Child Sponsorship? We are honored to be praying for a specific child in the orphanage - Eribo Kala. What a cutie!

Go to www.drawnfromwater.org and check it out. There are still kiddos that need people to commit to pray for them along with helping support them financially.