Giving Thanks

This year I gained a few more things to be thankful for...
~I am thankful for this call that God has put on our hearts and what it means for the future.
~I am thankful for our family and friends that are supporting us and cheering us on as we navigate this adoption process.
~I am thankful for Stephanie, our wonderful social worker, who is a voice of wisdom and reason.
~I am thankful for all the ways that God has provided and for all the ways that he is going to provide.
~I am thankful for the sweet baby that is in my heart; I can't wait to meet her!

"O, Lord that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." Shakespeare

Hearts that are Captured by a Higher Calling

On Veteran's Day, I was in Chicago for a conference. As we walked downtown, I saw a group of soldiers walking and smiled to myself as someone called out a "thank you" to them, and everyone started cheering. It is amazing to me that these soldiers are aware of the thousands before them that paid for our freedom with their lives, yet they still enlist to serve their country. They are giving all they have for a cause greater than themselves; their hearts are captured by a higher calling.


Tomorrow is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. In countries around the world, believers face violence, imprisonment, and death because of their faith. Yet, they still believe. They do not wait for conditions in their countries to improve for them to serve the Lord; their hearts are captured by a higher calling.

"O use me, Lord, use even me, Just as thou wilt, and when and where..." -Frances Havergal

Orphan Sunday

The first Sunday in November is Orphan Sunday.  There are an estimated 147 million orphans worldwide.  If you're like me, that number is hard to wrap your mind around, but we can't let that number discourage us from being the hands and feet of Jesus.  Let's keep our hearts open to opportunities for us to show God's love to a child in need.

"Seek justice; encourage the oppressed; defend the cause of the fatherless; plead the cause of the widow."
Isaiah 1:17

God Already Knows

Yesterday we had our 3rd home study visit, and we were filling out the paperwork that goes along with that.  One of the forms requires you to put the child's name that you're adopting, and it says write "child unknown" if you don't have a referral yet.  I wrote "child unknown."  If I could go back in time and change what I wrote I would write "child known only to God at this time" because that is the truth that God showed me this morning.  Although Jeremy and I don't know yet who our child will be, God knows.  And that realization gives me peace.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb; I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  Psalms 139:13-14

Status of cake sale: Total Success

We held our Silent Cake Auction/bake sale last night at our church Harvest Fest, and it raised nearly $600 for the adoption!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone that helped us make our first fundraiser a success; we really do have the best church family around :0).

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."  Numbers 6:24

God's Call

In the new issue of Home Life magazine, there is an article on finding your calling.  The author of the article writes, "Our calling is the knowledge that God first calls us to Himself; it is our best understanding of who He has created us to be; and what He desires us to do.  It's the very thing that if we are listening well, inspires, fuels, and gives our lives meaning.  Our calling is how we can make an everlasting difference and bring glory to God."
I believe with all that I am that God has called me and Jeremy to care for orphans.  This call truly has inspired me, fueled me, and given my life meaning.  I am thankful for God's call, and I am trusting  Him to enable us to fulfill it.

"Calling is the truth that God calls us to Himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to His summons and service." Os Guinness

Harvest Fest Cake Sale

It's my favorite time of the year--fall, and that means it's time for the Harvest Fest at church!  Everything at the Harvest Fest is free for people to enjoy.  This year though we are going to be accepting donations for the desserts and using this money for the adoption fund.  I know there are going to be some very good desserts, so make sure you stop by early and often.  Thank you to everyone that has volunteered to make desserts!
Next week, we also have our third home study visit.  I said last time that my brain would have time to rest up before this visit, but I don't know if that's happening-at least it doesn't feel that way tonight.  Maybe I should just let Jeremy do all the talking next week....on second thought that's probably not a good idea :0).

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."  Ephesians 3:20