Our Advent Calendar

After admiring many advent calendars, I finally put this together yesterday.  A little late...I know.   I borrowed ideas from Ann Voskamp's jesse tree advent devotional.  She is offering it free here... http://www.aholyexperience.com/.  I love the idea.  Each day the kid's have a new challenge... all centered on celebrating God's love.  Today's challenge... they have to be extra special nice to each other ALL DAY LONG!  So far, so good!  :)

Our first update!

After waiting (im)patiently for 3 weeks, we got our first update.  YAY!!!

He has a brilliant smile in the top picture, and is showing off his 8 teeth!

Waiting....

I’ve never been good at it!  I’m learning patience in this process… well, I’m trying!  Our dossier is on its way to China!  Now we WAIT… and pray that it goes quickly!  There are no guarantees on how long this step will take.  The last few days have been hard.  I don’t even know why… maybe the holidays.  I should be celebrating our dossier… that’s a big deal!  But, instead I am hurting!  I just want Jude in my arms!  I didn’t expect this part to be so hard.  Adoption is messy!  It involves loss, brokenness, “broke-ness”, and tears.  It is also the most beautiful thing I have ever been a part of.  Jumping into something that I have absolutely no control over…. something that, in my own strength, I could never do.  Then, watching in amazement as God moves mountains.  I am thankful that God is bigger, that he heals broken hearts, and that he has reminded me over and over again of his love.  I am thankful for the love and support of friends… and even strangers.  I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to love this precious little boy!  He is worth every falling tear!

It's in the mail!

I just mailed our dossier!!!  Please pray that it arrives safely... and that I didn't make any mistakes!  I also mailed a package to Jude!  We were able to send him a photo book and a lullaby CD.  As soon as our dossier is logged in, his caregivers will tell him that he has a FAMILY!!! 

Thanks to another adoptive Momma, we have been in contact with a foster home in Beijing.  We will be volunteering there for a few days before heading to Shanghai to meet Jude.  I've started collecting hats for the kids.  I'm so thankful for the people helping me with this project!  I got these in the mail today... So CUTE!

John 15:12

My heart hurts today and my arms are aching to hold my baby.  I pray so often that someone will take a few minutes today to hold Jude… to just love on him.  With 700 other kids in the orphanage, I’m sure the caregivers are extremely busy! The thought of one of them taking the time to show love to Jude makes me happier than you can imagine! 

 

Then it hit me…  All 700 of these orphans are God’s children!  The love and desperation I feel for Jude is just a fraction of the love God has for him.  The world is full of God's children.  So many who are lonely, hurting, and just needing someone to stop being “busy” for a couple of minutes and just show them love.  I wonder how that makes God feel. I wonder how many opportunities I have missed because I have been too “busy”.  God, break my heart for what breaks yours.

"My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you."  John 15:12

I Saw What I Saw

I saw what I saw and I can't forget it
I heard what I heard and I can't go back
I know what I know and I can't deny it

something on the road, cut me to the soul

your pain has changed me
your dream inspires
your face a memory
your hope a fire
your courage asks me what I'm afraid of
and what I know of love

we've done what we've done and we can't erase it
we are what we are and it's more than enough
we have what we have but it's no substitution

something on the road, cut me to the soul

I say what I say with no hesitation
I have what I have but I'm giving it up
I do what I do with deep conviction

something on the road, cut me to the soul

your courage asks me what I’m afraid of
your courage asks me what I am made of
your courage asks me what I’m afraid of
and what I know of love
and what I know of God

By Sara Groves



Sunday Snapshot