Praise Jesus for Spring

Yesterday I was doing my Bible study titled, "Giving God Your All."  One of the verses was Isaiah 40:11

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
   He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
   he gently leads those that have young. (NIV)

Then the book says in a later paragraph, "There's nothing more endearing than a little lamb in the springtime, frisking and dancing in the meadows for the sheer joy of living...."  "Sheep need a shepherd -- one who can see over the flocks and oversee their care."

We were driving home (the long way because the bridge is out), and there were more than 20 little new baby lambs on a farm about 5 miles from our house. 

I praise Jesus for letting us see those little ones. 

This book also has a quote from Nicole Johnson, "Jesus prayed, 'Not My will, but Thine be done.'  That's the most terrifying prayer in all of Scripture."

Last night I was speaking to God begging Him to take away my worry.  I wasn't really worried about legals, but we have a slight chance for being submitted for EP in April.  I was worrying about EP.  I gave it to God and He gave me rest.  I've got to continue to believe in His timing.  I'm trying to will myself into submission and let Him lead.

Sometimes it is really hard for me to follow Jesus, even though I have seen so many miraculous signs and wonders.  Those very little lambs that we saw are a miracle.  Then once I do follow Him, I see how foolish I was for not trusting in the first place.

1 Peter 2:25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

This morning a little after 7:30 a.m. we received a call.  I figured it had to be about Legals because it was the Main agency number.  We should receive them early next week!  Praise God!  At least papers will be moving on this side of the world.

Jesus thank you for being my Shepherd.  Amen.

God Closes Doors to BLESS Us

After Shawn and I were married for approximately 5 months, he was diagnosed with cancer.  That was 12 years ago.  He has been cancer free since the end of March 1999.  At the urging of his parents he received his cancer treatments from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX.  The health care providers and staff there were wonderful.

We came home to (at the time) Kansas.  At the go ahead of the Doctor at MD Anderson, we had tried to start a family.  After about 18 months of not being able to conceive, my lifelong dream of becoming a mother seemed like God wanted something different for me.   I was in a pretty sad state of mind and heart.  I decided that it was a good time to change my state of mind and life.  I decided to go to nursing school with the hopes of paying it forward and working with oncology patients (or infertility patients).  I haven't had that opportunity up to this point and didn't think I ever would (we live in a rural area).

One week after being in nursing school, I found out I was pregnant with our first son.  I believe two things:  God did not allow me to get pregnant when I wanted or I wouldn't have become a nurse.  Secondly,  I cherish my children so much more because of that initial wait.

I have been a stay-at-home Mom for 3 years (we weren't able financially for me to stay home until then).  Due to some job things (circumstances that I'll keep private) at Shawn's work, we decided that it was time for me to at least go back to work PRN (as needed) as a RN.  I applied for a job at the original hospital that I worked for after becoming a nurse.  I wasn't really wanting to work at this hospital again. Let's just say I don't fit in.  God closed that door.  I PRAISE God for not getting that job.

I applied at a different hospital that is an hour from our home.  I received an interview 2 days later (usually this takes about a month). I had a job offer for 2 different floors.  They required 12 weeks of training.  At the time of the interview, I thought that Faith might be home right during or right after the training.  Then I would need to take 12 weeks off.  I didn't see it as being fair to the other employees on the floors where I would work.  Shawn and I were really struggling over the decision.  We decided to put our family first and decline the position.  I called the nurse recruiter, told her why I couldn't take the job, and I declined the position.  She said, "I'd really like to get you on our payroll. . . We have a PRN position open in our oncology clinic. . . ."  This clinic is only 25 minutes from our home.  We decided that this position fits our family.  The training isn't as long.   To God be the GLORY!  Can you believe that?  An oncology clinic only 25 minutes from our home?  The hours are 8 to 4:30 and no weekends/holidays. 

To be honest when I didn't even get an interview with the first hospital I was hurt, but I trusted God.  The money for the first job offer was substantial and was difficult to turn down, but our family is worth SO much more.

I praise God for the entire journey He has given us.  His blessings overflow.

Romans 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

So even in this wait, I need to remember Romans 8:28.  His timing is for His purpose.  Our Faith Evelyn is for His purpose.  The fact that we get the honor of being her parents is for His purpose. 

1 Peter 5:6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (NIV)

If you are reading this right now and you haven't seen the hand of God in your life, then maybe it is time to open a Bible and seek Him.  If you have any questions on where to start, I'd be more than happy to help you along His way.

May you be BLESSED by the presence of the King!  In His name, Amen.

Raising Money For Someone Else

When we started this adoption process, the MOUNTAIN of money that it was going to take to pay for it was very daunting.  We have asked no human to donate to us.  We asked an individual if they would lend us the money and we'd pay them back.  They said, "no."  The bank was more than happy to give us a loan if we needed one.  Believe me, we did not have the money sitting in the bank.  I was going to apply for a grant until today, it just doesn't seem right and someone else needs a grant more than we do.  

As of today, we will not be seeking assistance from the bank for the molehill of money either.  God has provided. 

SO. . .

That brings me to my request.  My friend's daughter, Chelsea, has a type of Muscular Dystrophy.  I am helping to raise money for her and kids like her for MDA.  Here is the link if you wish to donate to the Muscular Dystrophy Association  for our team https://www.joinmda.org/2011kcmusclewalk/ChelseasCrew

If you don't feel comfortable donating to our team, you can donate directly to MDA at www.mda.org/musclewalk 

Donations are tax deductible and they will send you a receipt to file with your taxes.   Donations are accepted year round, but our money raising efforts end 3/25/11. 

Thank you in advance and on behalf of Chelsea's Crew!

Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

Next Steps in Adoption

The next steps in our adoption are these:

First we need to receive Legals (which are the paper's that state the birthparents relinquishment of our baby).  These should be here anywhere from next week until a month from now.
Then on the US side we have to submit our I-600 which takes anywhere from 2 weeks to 2.5 months to be approved for.

Meanwhile, on the Korea side:
EP - Emigration Permits are submitted and then approved by the Korean government for Faith to leave the country.  Once you receive your submission for EP, then it could take up to 12 weeks before baby comes home (of course some have come home as early as 3 weeks later).   It might still be 2 months before we are even submitted for our EP. 

Then a whole list of items need to happen:
P3
Visa Physical
Visa Interview

Then we will receive "TRAVEL CALL".  Which is the call that means the baby is ready to travel home.

There are no set timelines in adoption, there are just endless possibilities.

Her Name and WBC

I shared a faith story at church on Sunday and didn't want to reveal her name until after I had told my church family.  Her name is:   (drumroll please)

Faith Evelyn

We were having troubles coming up with a name.  I told my husband I wanted her name to mean something.  My husband gave her her first name (for no reason according to him).  Evelyn is my grandmother's middle name.  Eve (the first part of Evelyn) means beginning or life.

I was SO surprised today to receive a Well-Baby Check.  It was a holiday in Korea today, so I didn't expect anything.  The date of the WBC was 2/24/11.  She's walking, she's grown some and she is on track developmentally.  That is fabulous. 

I will live in my little bubble of happiness for a day or so. 

Fearfully, Wonderfully made

Coincidence -- NOT!  God is REALLY trying to tell me something.  This is about the 4th or more times this verse has come up in the last couple of weeks.  I gave a faith story in front of our congregation last Sunday and Psalm 139:14 was one of the verses I shared.  It was in my Sunday School class 2 weeks in a row (this rarely happens). And I heard it on the radio, and I found it in a card.  Then today, it is in one of my daily devotionals. Wasn't looking for it, it just keeps coming up.  Do you think He is trying to tell me something?  I must not be listening, or I haven't figured out what I'm supposed to be doing with the information,  or maybe He is comforting me.  Not sure.  What I am sure of is that it will be revealed to me when it is supposed to be revealed to me.

So folks here it is:  Psalm 139:13-16

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.  (NIV 2010)

 Seek the Lord.  Have a BLESSED day!