LID!

Once again, our God has come through for Hudson, and for us.  After a painstakingly long stateside approval process, our dossier was sent to China.  We were cutting it close on a few of the dated documents which would expire.  We received a logged-in date of 6/28/12, within the timeframe necessary for all of our documents to be accepted!  Good is good!

"Spin."

Sometimes, it is amazing and God's presence is so close. Other times I feel like I am under qualified and overwhelmed. God feels so far away. Today started well with a good devo and prayer time, but quickly turned into one of those far away times. 
I was praying and seeking direction over an upcoming trip while the kids were playing school. They were getting along really well, when one of my children began having some behavioral challenges and a violent rage began.  I so didn't want to compassionately connect with my child, but went against my feelings and kept my child close...

A few moments later, with my child on my lap I prayed (begged God to intervene) out loud. Almost immediately, I got a clear directive and obeyed.

"Spin." 

Closing my eyes and cuddling my child close I began to spin us around in the chair. 

Not sure if it was surprise, confusion or a combination of both, but my child began to settle.  I fought back the nausea and kept spinning slowly one direction then the next. My child seemed to calm with each rotation...until my child asked, " Can I stop spinning?"

My child sat calmly in the chair beside me and after a quick "redo" was ready to go back and play. We had compassionately connected. Relived and amazed, I knew that I had been compassionately connected with and God, my Daddy was close by.

 

A Rest In Between

Dossier is enroute To Country!!! Yay!  This is the fancy way of saying that the major part of our paperwork and approvals are completed and now headed to the other country. What I thought would take maybe 6 months has taken almost a year. In that time God has changed me and by His grace I am not the same.

There have been so many people that have prayed and loved us through this process.  Truly, we THANK YOU!!!

Our mountain-leveler has continued to provide a way through the impossible while being lavishly faithful. My heart is full and I am enjoying a rest in between.

Pang & Relief

Today was our first fundraiser for our adoption. I was nervous. I've not ever managed a yard sale alone and really did not want to either. Each time I drove by the community signs about the upcoming sale, I felt a mixture of relief and a pang of something else.

Yesterday, it became clear that the pang was to take some of our stuff and put it out to sell. After more time in prayer...and eventual yielding I got busy getting our stuff together. I facebooked the sale and wondered how God was going to supply? Staying up way too late I finished the magnets that the kids helped me make and stuck them on the back of a cookie sheet. Pang...

He did.
We made $60.00 from the sale of items and a sweet surprise $10.00 purchase of magnets the kiddos helped me make. $70.00 towards our remaining fees. Relief.

Be Still  and Know.

Our remaining fees are about $13,000.00  well $12,930.00:)

Not Beyond My Redemption

I am continually amazed at how over-the -top-bordering-on crazy God's provisions have been. This journey has been hard, this week has been filled with challenges and unexpected events. Despite that, Brian & I agree that 2008 was an awful year filled with much pain and possibly one of the worst ones of our journey together.

Tonight, Brian and the kids are playing a game and I am making pizza and worshiping to vintage Casting Crowns and a thought overwhelms me...

Hudson was born in 2008.

In 2008, God was at work on a blessing so perfectly made for me. A provision of peace and love that reaches beyond my pain to speak to me a truth that I will always remember.

I AM.  I was with you in 2008 and I was at work on a blessing for you as a reminder of my goodness. I AM.

You are my daughter. You cannot go back, but my beloved even 2008 is not beyond My redemption.