Monday Morning Devotions

So, Monday was a pretty amazing day!  If you haven't read Monday's post, read it first.  You will have a better understanding of why I think this is so PERFECT!  Also, this is a copy of a post I wrote when we were matched with Jude in September...

I’m super excited to announce… we are having a beautiful baby boy!  He is just over a year old.  He has chubby little cheeks, a beautiful smile, and bright eyes.  I wish I could share a picture… because he is just so darn cute… and because I’m super excited to show him off!  His caregiver says that he is active, social, and a little naughty!  Ha… He’ll fit in well!  He was born without a right hand… but, they say that he doesn’t let that hold him back.  Now, before you read any further… go back to the top and read the verse in the title picture.

…..(waiting)…. 

 A fear of mine going into this was, how do you know?  How do you know that this is your child?  What if we accepted a referral for the wrong child.  Does this sound crazy?  I really need to stop worrying!  Throughout the adoption process, Isaiah 41:13 has been such a comfort to me.  When I started this blog, I decided to use it in the title.  I remember wondering why he said “right hand”.   Was there something significant about a right hand?  Do you think it is a coincidence that out of all of the verses, this is the one that I haven’t been able to get out of my head!  I think it’s a God thing!  :)

These were the devotions I read on Monday morning... 

Keep your eyes on Me!  Waves of adversity are washing over you, and you feel tempted to give up.  As your circumstances consume more and more of your attention, you are losing sight of Me.  Yet I am with you always, holding you by your right hand.  I am fully aware of your situation, and I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear. 
Your gravest danger is worrying about tomorrow.  If you try to carry tomorrow’s burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat.  you must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today.  It is in the present moment that I walk close to you, helping you carry your burdens.  Keep your focus on My Presence in the present. 

 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand. ~Psalm 73:23

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.~1 Corinthians 10:13

PERFECT!!! 

2 Corinthians 5:7

It has been hard for me to update this blog lately.  I’ve been really sad, and I have a hard time sharing when I’m struggling.  I always answer “how are you”, with I’m OK.  I haven’t really been OK… so, here’s the truth.  Having a child in an orphanage on the other side of the world is painful.  I don’t know if he has been held today.  I can only request an update once every three months… that is hard!  He is most likely sitting alone in his crib, and I am here... aching to hold him.  Our wait for approval has been unusually long.  I can’t make sense of this.  My heart hurts for him… and for the hundreds of other kids in his orphanage.  Most of them will never be adopted.  My heart is broken for the millions of orphans in this world.  So, in my sadness, I started to lose sight of God’s faithfulness. I started to forget all of the miracles I’ve seen which have gotten us to today.  I even started to question God’s goodness (please don’t judge).  The message at church yesterday was a much needed slap in the face.  One of those times where all the other people in the room kind of disappeared… and it was just me and God.   In my sadness, I was forgetting…



God’s timing is perfect!

                                                           God is good… all the time!

AND ...

Before I had time to post this, I got a call from our agency.

We just got our letter of approval !!!

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!!

Dear Jude,

I miss you!  I had no idea I could miss someone so much, someone I haven’t even met yet…but, I do!  I pray for you every day.  I pray that you are safe and that God would surround you with his love.  I pray that God is preparing you for the big changes that are coming your way.  I pray that you won’t be scared and that you will understand how much we love you.  I pray that our paperwork will go through soon, because I can’t wait to bring you home.  I thank God every day that he chose me to be your mommy.   I love you son!  xoxoxo

A Special Valentine From China!

LOVE... LOVE...LOVE

Frankie

Today, I wanted to introduce you to someone very special. 

This is Frankie.  Precious!  Although I have never met Frankie, he changed my life.  God used Frankie to break my hardened heart… and to teach me about life. 

A couple of years ago, my sister Rose spent a summer volunteering in South Africa.  She sent me stories and pictures of the kids.  This is how I was introduced to Frankie.  Frankie is an orphan.  He is the same age as my son.  As I cuddled with Sawyer, played with him, tucked him into bed, told him how much I loved him, prayed with him, cooked for him, held his hand, and loved on him some more… My heart ached for Frankie!  I wondered if he would ever have a family. 

I had heard the statistics.  147 million orphans!  How did that not break my heart sooner?  Now I loved one of the 147 million… and that changed everything! 

This little boy changed me.  He brought me closer to God.  He taught me about priorities.  Suddenly the big house, nice car, working endlessly for more "stuff"... seemed pretty ridiculous.  I felt guilty.. I still do.  

Frankie deserves to be loved fiercely by a mommy and daddy! 

He deserves a forever family! 

I am passionate about adoption... domestic and international.  I love both! 

While I realize that it is not for everyone... I do believe that everyone can do something to make a difference in the life of an orphan.  A figure like 147 million can be paralyzing... but, you can do something to change the world for one.  



Day 43

Day 43 of our wait for our letter of acceptance. 

This waiting is HARD!

I can not wait to kiss this sweet face!



Made For Each Other

A precious friend made this for Jude.  I've watched it over and over... and still tear up!