Wowzer. Your Grammy always reminds me that our God is never early, never late, but always EXACTLY on time. Today's news gave this a whole new meaning for us. We FINALLY received our travel date!!! We are bringing you home, Luda...in just FOUR more days!?!?!
You can imagine how totally insane we were this morning (more so than we are on any normal given day...this is a troubling thought when you come to really know us).
Throughout the day, however, all of the pieces that have fallen so perfectly into place, so worthy of His praise, have risen to the surface despite our panic. Just last week we didn't have any peace with how to handle your schooling or which group of friends to connect you with. We were being attacked on all sides personally and within our marriage. We didn't have a clue what to expect when you came home, where we were going to stay when in Ukraine, or what on earth we truly needed to pack. We didn't even have enough warm clothes or suitcases to travel, period!
Today, we have all of that and more :)
Ignited by one phone conversation with one of your favorite families, the Walle's, an explosion of answered prayers practically knocked us off our feet. That connection from one int'l adoptive mom to another last Sunday bolstered my confidence in the comprehensive support He has surrounded us with. The interview we had with the very first school we looked into for you confirmed this even further, as the teachers were amazing and supportive and reflected what we know His heart is for you. Not to mention, the thoughtful friend who wrote you, Jasmine, will be there...AND she and your other new friends-to-be have already been making special preparations for your arrival, as well as special gifts for us to bring to give to your old friends upon your departure!!
My thoughtful Sista-from-Anutha-Mista heard our need for a quick marital refresher and gave her evening off to keep your brothers overnight, allowing Dad and I to step back, take a deep breath, and prepare mentally and emotionally for the adventure to come. And this is where the perfect timing became so obvious.... Literally minutes before the boys returned, and after we felt all conversations were had, the call about your court date came! It was as if God used our time and prayer together to wrap up some last minute details and seal the deal, to let us know we were officially ready.
And the miracles just keep coming together...
Thanks to a few well-traveled peeps, we were able to compile a legitimate list of things we needed to pack before all of this and just in time for us to use in the midst of our whirlwind of shopping and borrowing today. Because of so many selfless friends (one who dropped everything to be my brain this afternoon), we even managed to gather everything on that list in just three hours, three stores, and Facebook (props to the power of social media)!
I can't lie. There are so many things we are still tempted to worry and wonder about. But the reality is clear: God's really got this. We surrender all <3
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. -Is. 30:21 (NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. -Ro. 8:28 (NLT)
I can't wait to hug you--finally!!
Love,
Mom
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Rising Above the Rubble
This past Sunday, I happened upon a class at church that I don't normally attend. I sat front and center, a spot I wouldn't normally sit in. And I listened intently to a lesson, which I'm not normally able to do (I'm a self-diagnosed ADD mess). All this abnormal wasn't planned…by me, anyway. But I'm convinced that God orchestrated everything exactly so, that I wouldn't miss what He had to say.
The lesson was on Nehemiah, Chapter 4. Backstory: Nehemiah has been led by God to rebuild the temple that was previously destroyed. Some jerks (Sanballat, among others) decided they didn't like this plan, and set out to be the town's official naysayers:
Nearly one year ago, we set out to accomplish this task that God has set before us: to care for His orphans. Since, He made His will even more clear by leading us directly to you. We have collected our groupies and our grumps along the way…those who faithfully walk beside us and keep us encouraged when we're tired and worn out and those who love to remind us of the "rubble" before us. Daily, I cry out to God to hear us, to prove our naysayers wrong and to reveal Himself in a most incredible way so many will come to know and believe He is God. I pray for the determination to carry on even though the situation looks more impossible to us by the minute, and He has unquestionably answered, giving us our share of victories worth praising Him for. But, just as it went for the Jews long ago, it seems that our opposition grows stronger the closer we come to completion (bringing you home).
Rubble schmubble. We need not be discouraged, girl--"Our God will fight for us!" Like our ancestors, we too will continue to work but with ALL of us clothing ourselves in armor...of prayer for protection and perseverance. And, as with the temple, He will complete the work He began in us (Phil. 1:6)! I can't wait to see what God has in store!! All of the twists and turns in this story He's weaving definitely have us all on the edge of our seats! But, at the very least, we can rest assured it will all end well :) Hold tight to His promises <3
I think He has a handful of hearts He's bringing Home, and we're praying without ceasing that He will use your story to get them there ;)
The lesson was on Nehemiah, Chapter 4. Backstory: Nehemiah has been led by God to rebuild the temple that was previously destroyed. Some jerks (Sanballat, among others) decided they didn't like this plan, and set out to be the town's official naysayers:
Nehemiah 4 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Sanballat Ridicules the Jews
4 [a]When Sanballat heard we were rebuilding the wall, he became enraged and made fun of the Jews. 2 In front of his allies and the army from Samaria, he said, “What do these miserable Jews think they’re doing? Can they rebuild it by themselves? Are they going to offer sacrifices? Can they finish it in a day? Will they get the stones out of the rubbish heaps, burned as these stones are, and give them new strength?”
3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside Sanballat, said, “Even a fox would make their stone wall collapse if it walked on top of what they’re building!”
Nehemiah Overcomes Opposition from Sanballat
4 Nehemiah prayed, “Our God, hear us. We are despised. Turn their insults back on them, and let them be robbed in the land where they are prisoners. 5 Don’t ignore their guilt, and don’t let their sins disappear from your records. They have insulted you in front of these builders.”
6 So we rebuilt the wall, which was rebuilt to about half its original height. The people worked with determination.
7 When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people from Ashdod heard that the repair work on the walls of Jerusalem was making progress and that the gaps were being filled in, they became furious. 8 All of them plotted to attack Jerusalem to create confusion. 9 But we prayed to our God and set guards to protect us day and night.
10 Then the people of Judah said, “The work crews are worn out, and there is too much rubble. We can’t continue to rebuild the wall.”
11 Our enemies said, “Before they know what is happening or see a thing, we will be right in the middle of them. We’ll kill them and bring the work to an end.”
12 Jews who were living near our enemies warned us ten times that our enemies would attack us from every direction.[b]
13 That is why I positioned people by their families behind the wall where it was lowest and most exposed. The people were armed with swords, spears, and bows. 14 I looked them over and proceeded to tell the nobles, the leaders, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of our enemies. Remember how great and awe-inspiring the Lord is. Fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
15 When our enemies heard that we knew about their plots and that God had prevented their plans from being successful, we all went back to the work on the wall. Each person performed his own job.16 From that day on, half of my men worked on the wall, and the other half were wearing body armor and holding spears, shields, and bows. The leaders stood behind all the Judeans 17 who were rebuilding the wall. The workers who were carrying loads did the work with one hand and held their weapons with the other, 18 and each builder had his sword fastened to his side. The man who was supposed to sound the trumpet alarm was with me. 19 I told the nobles, the leaders, and the rest of the people, “So much work has to be done in different places that we are widely separated from one another on the wall. 20 When you hear the trumpet, assemble around me. Our God will fight for us!”
21 So we continued to work. Half of us held spears from early dawn until the stars came out. 22 At that time I told the people, “Every man and his servant should stay overnight in Jerusalem so that we can set a guard at night and work during the day.” 23 My brothers, my servants, and the guards assigned to me never changed their clothes. Neither did I. We each kept our weapons at hand.
Nearly one year ago, we set out to accomplish this task that God has set before us: to care for His orphans. Since, He made His will even more clear by leading us directly to you. We have collected our groupies and our grumps along the way…those who faithfully walk beside us and keep us encouraged when we're tired and worn out and those who love to remind us of the "rubble" before us. Daily, I cry out to God to hear us, to prove our naysayers wrong and to reveal Himself in a most incredible way so many will come to know and believe He is God. I pray for the determination to carry on even though the situation looks more impossible to us by the minute, and He has unquestionably answered, giving us our share of victories worth praising Him for. But, just as it went for the Jews long ago, it seems that our opposition grows stronger the closer we come to completion (bringing you home).
Rubble schmubble. We need not be discouraged, girl--"Our God will fight for us!" Like our ancestors, we too will continue to work but with ALL of us clothing ourselves in armor...of prayer for protection and perseverance. And, as with the temple, He will complete the work He began in us (Phil. 1:6)! I can't wait to see what God has in store!! All of the twists and turns in this story He's weaving definitely have us all on the edge of our seats! But, at the very least, we can rest assured it will all end well :) Hold tight to His promises <3
I think He has a handful of hearts He's bringing Home, and we're praying without ceasing that He will use your story to get them there ;)
Thursday, October 30, 2014
With Total Abandon
I. am. exhausted. Spiritually, emotionally…. I know you are as well. Two weeks ago, you completely shut me out. You made a decision that you wouldn't discuss certain topics, but these uncomfortable ones for you happen to be the very topics that lend us opportunity to know you more intimately and to disciple you :( Since, you've been very obviously angry, actively posting things aimed to hurt and to snub all the breakthroughs we've made up until this point. The worst comment prefacing them all was, "I'm done pretending that everything is okay."
After the phone call we received yesterday, I was (frankly) about done, too. All of our paperwork has expired. It has taken up so much time putting out these small fires to get everything just right, that our agency completely overlooked a raging fire that ultimately destroyed everything. In order to move forward, we have to start over. We're devastated. And, if you've already given up, where will this news leave you?
I am so thankful we worship a God Who can make beauty from ashes (Is. 61:1-3).
Yesterday, I saw red; today, I see hope. Jesus feels us, Sweet girl. From the moment I woke up this morning, He has been showering me with comfort. Overnight, He dispatched the Church, putting it on hearts to pray, to call and speak encouragement into us, to text us Scripture we can hold fast to, and to email us devotions that all scream the same message: "Persevere!" and "Radically obey!"
Through my own awesome devotional, He perfectly provided a fresh outlook on an age-old account that, paired with the emails, gave me a crystal clear view into His will for this mess:
"Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5). …How many times have I found myself in Peter's position and not responded in obedience the way he did? It saddens my heart to remember the occasions I've ignored Jesus' call for my radical obedience because I was tired, or because I didn't really believe Jesus would work miraculously in a particular situation, or mostly because the Lord's request made no sense in human terms. …We have to remember that Simon Peter didn't know that something as mundane as lowering his net into the water would change his life--but it did! And that's how it can be for us. …That's what's remarkable about radical obedience. You don't know where it will lead. You don't know how God will use it" (Terkeurst, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God Devotional, 69-71).
From one of the emailed devotions (author: Greg Laurie):
Lastly, the loudest message from another emailed devotion put on your grandmother's heart to send:
After the phone call we received yesterday, I was (frankly) about done, too. All of our paperwork has expired. It has taken up so much time putting out these small fires to get everything just right, that our agency completely overlooked a raging fire that ultimately destroyed everything. In order to move forward, we have to start over. We're devastated. And, if you've already given up, where will this news leave you?
I am so thankful we worship a God Who can make beauty from ashes (Is. 61:1-3).
Yesterday, I saw red; today, I see hope. Jesus feels us, Sweet girl. From the moment I woke up this morning, He has been showering me with comfort. Overnight, He dispatched the Church, putting it on hearts to pray, to call and speak encouragement into us, to text us Scripture we can hold fast to, and to email us devotions that all scream the same message: "Persevere!" and "Radically obey!"
Through my own awesome devotional, He perfectly provided a fresh outlook on an age-old account that, paired with the emails, gave me a crystal clear view into His will for this mess:
"Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5). …How many times have I found myself in Peter's position and not responded in obedience the way he did? It saddens my heart to remember the occasions I've ignored Jesus' call for my radical obedience because I was tired, or because I didn't really believe Jesus would work miraculously in a particular situation, or mostly because the Lord's request made no sense in human terms. …We have to remember that Simon Peter didn't know that something as mundane as lowering his net into the water would change his life--but it did! And that's how it can be for us. …That's what's remarkable about radical obedience. You don't know where it will lead. You don't know how God will use it" (Terkeurst, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God Devotional, 69-71).
From one of the emailed devotions (author: Greg Laurie):
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Lastly, the loudest message from another emailed devotion put on your grandmother's heart to send:
"Because you have kept My command to persevere..." (Rev 3:10)
Perseverance means more than endurance--more than simply holding on until the end. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, "I can't take any more." Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God's hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15)
Faith is not some weak and pitiful emotion, but is strong and vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. And even though you cannot see Him right now and cannot understand what He is doing, you know Him. Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is the supreme effort of your life--throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence upon God.
God ventured His all in Jesus Christ to save us, and now He wants us to venture our all with total abandoned confidence in Him. There are areas in our lives where that faith has not worked in us as yet--places still untouched by the life of God. There were none of those places in Jesus Christ's life, and there are to be none in ours. Jesus prayed, "This is eternal life, that they may know You..."(John 17:3) The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we will take this view, life will become one great romance--a glorious opportunity of seeing wonderful things all the time, God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power. Oswald Chambers
Right now, we're understandably the saints saying, "We can't take anymore." But He is blatantly calling on us to persevere, to radically obey, to trust Him even when that means His terms make no sense or our faith in the miracles He could perform is faltering. "He wants us to venture out with total abandoned confidence in Him"!! We need to settle in and faithfully press on, working out this challenge He's set before us while we wait on Him. He has a plan…and my gut tells me it will surpass even our wildest dreams.
In a text sent to me, also this morning, by a sweet friend and prayer partner-in-crime:
"Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of Him, so He endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought Him. Then, He received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God. Think about Jesus, who endured opposition…so that you don't become tired and give up" (Hebrews 12:1-3 GWT).
Friday, October 10, 2014
He's Still Driving
I received an exciting call from a friend last night. Her and her husband have been facing similar spiritual challenges as us…trusting God's plan even when it seems to be veering far from their own. He recently took a job in Fort Worth, moving their family from comfort and close knit friends in Montana to a bustling city full of busy people. Neither he nor she feel settled or connected to their new life. It hasn't helped that he's already been struggling with difficult relationships at work and she with building any lasting friendships at home. This, in addition to other events, led to his decision to apply for different job…hopefully one that would lead them back to their "quality" life in beautiful Montana (even if it meant sacrificing the "quantity" that led them to Texas).
One door of opportunity after another seemed to discouragingly slam in their faces. It made no sense. They haven't felt at peace where they're at, but there's been no direction as to where they're supposed to be going. I know you're thinking their exciting call was the announcement of an open door…. I thought so too. It wasn't. A savvy thought on their mother's part helped them thankfully discover that his job contract would require they reimburse all moving expenses if he were to quit before a 24-month period. Had any of the jobs he had been applying for gone through as they had initially hoped, they would have lost A LOT of moola!!! They were certain that God WAS shutting the doors…not to cause them suffering and pain, but to protect them from financial disaster!
Their situation gave them and us fresh perspective. Lysa Terkeurst says it best in her devotional, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God:
"Sometimes God's power is shown as much in preventing things as it is in making them happen" (p.41).
I can't begin to understand why the process of bringing you home was effortless months ago, then seemed to come to and stay at a screeching halt. I can't begin to lie and say I'm finding joy in all of this right now. But I CAN rest assured that His Hand is still on this. He is still at the wheel. He can see what's around the corner and has chosen to press on the brakes for our protection.
One door of opportunity after another seemed to discouragingly slam in their faces. It made no sense. They haven't felt at peace where they're at, but there's been no direction as to where they're supposed to be going. I know you're thinking their exciting call was the announcement of an open door…. I thought so too. It wasn't. A savvy thought on their mother's part helped them thankfully discover that his job contract would require they reimburse all moving expenses if he were to quit before a 24-month period. Had any of the jobs he had been applying for gone through as they had initially hoped, they would have lost A LOT of moola!!! They were certain that God WAS shutting the doors…not to cause them suffering and pain, but to protect them from financial disaster!
Their situation gave them and us fresh perspective. Lysa Terkeurst says it best in her devotional, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God:
"Sometimes God's power is shown as much in preventing things as it is in making them happen" (p.41).
I can't begin to understand why the process of bringing you home was effortless months ago, then seemed to come to and stay at a screeching halt. I can't begin to lie and say I'm finding joy in all of this right now. But I CAN rest assured that His Hand is still on this. He is still at the wheel. He can see what's around the corner and has chosen to press on the brakes for our protection.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Great Expectations
For years I've battled feeling like a failure. With every disappointment I've caused somebody, another figurative chink in my armor left me questioning my worth in this world. I can never get it right.
Not until this long stretch of time waiting for you, have the standards by which I've been measuring myself against been challenged. A sweet mentor gave me some sound advice (that your grandmother has been trying to impart on me forever): we're only responsible for living up to God's expectations of us...and sometimes this might mean we'll have to suck it up and be okay with disappointing everyone else. I don't think I'll ever relish the idea of bearing some scarlet letter or holding the reigning title of "Black Sheep" among my peers, but I can definitely say that without a doubt I dread the eternal implications that would come with rejecting the Holy Spirit.
<ENTER ANOTHER LESSON ON EXPECTATIONS>
Over the summer Dad expressed his desire to do something bigger for God. He's no longer content living his dream, he wants to live God's for our family. I was and am still overwhelmed with awe at how your Dad has grown--finally he's taken hold of his role as the spiritual head of our home!! And it couldn't be better timing :) I couldn't wait to learn what eXoTiC mission the Lord would take us on!! Oh, the possibilities! Ukraine?? Thailand?? China??
Nope.
Location of leading thus far: middle of nowhere, Arizona.
Message after message via several different means has clearly been challenging my own expectations of God and how He would answer my prayers. Naturally, it would be within His will to answer this deep desire in my heart to be a famous missionary in a third world country rescuing trafficked women and orphaned babies. Right?
Wrong.
It's only recently dawned on me how ignorant I am. Who am I, mere flesh and blood, to be placing any expectations on my Creator?! His will isn't to be my Santa Claus, granting me every desire on my bucket list. Yes, He wants all of His children to have the desires of their hearts. But, first and foremost, He wants us to give Him our WHOLE heart. Following Jesus doesn't mean saying a magic prayer and waiting to be showered in blessings. Following Jesus requires a "turn from our selfish ways". Blessings do come, but not always in the form of fame, fortune, and fascinating travel experiences.
Not everything is beneficial, even if everything we dream is within His will (1 Co.6:12).
I have admittedly been consumed with expectation after another that He's failed to meet lately, that I've completely overlooked all of those unimaginable ones He has! He has provided me the opportunity to stay at home with my children, to walk alongside of each of you and disciple you. He's given me a husband with a renewed heart and a shared dream. And He's giving us you.
So. On that note, I can hereby confirm that when "you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life [and what you expected it would look like] for [Jesus'] sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it" (Mark 8:34-35).
Not until this long stretch of time waiting for you, have the standards by which I've been measuring myself against been challenged. A sweet mentor gave me some sound advice (that your grandmother has been trying to impart on me forever): we're only responsible for living up to God's expectations of us...and sometimes this might mean we'll have to suck it up and be okay with disappointing everyone else. I don't think I'll ever relish the idea of bearing some scarlet letter or holding the reigning title of "Black Sheep" among my peers, but I can definitely say that without a doubt I dread the eternal implications that would come with rejecting the Holy Spirit.
<ENTER ANOTHER LESSON ON EXPECTATIONS>
Over the summer Dad expressed his desire to do something bigger for God. He's no longer content living his dream, he wants to live God's for our family. I was and am still overwhelmed with awe at how your Dad has grown--finally he's taken hold of his role as the spiritual head of our home!! And it couldn't be better timing :) I couldn't wait to learn what eXoTiC mission the Lord would take us on!! Oh, the possibilities! Ukraine?? Thailand?? China??
Nope.
Location of leading thus far: middle of nowhere, Arizona.
Message after message via several different means has clearly been challenging my own expectations of God and how He would answer my prayers. Naturally, it would be within His will to answer this deep desire in my heart to be a famous missionary in a third world country rescuing trafficked women and orphaned babies. Right?
Wrong.
It's only recently dawned on me how ignorant I am. Who am I, mere flesh and blood, to be placing any expectations on my Creator?! His will isn't to be my Santa Claus, granting me every desire on my bucket list. Yes, He wants all of His children to have the desires of their hearts. But, first and foremost, He wants us to give Him our WHOLE heart. Following Jesus doesn't mean saying a magic prayer and waiting to be showered in blessings. Following Jesus requires a "turn from our selfish ways". Blessings do come, but not always in the form of fame, fortune, and fascinating travel experiences.
Not everything is beneficial, even if everything we dream is within His will (1 Co.6:12).
I have admittedly been consumed with expectation after another that He's failed to meet lately, that I've completely overlooked all of those unimaginable ones He has! He has provided me the opportunity to stay at home with my children, to walk alongside of each of you and disciple you. He's given me a husband with a renewed heart and a shared dream. And He's giving us you.
So. On that note, I can hereby confirm that when "you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life [and what you expected it would look like] for [Jesus'] sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it" (Mark 8:34-35).
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Бог с нами
This morning, I received these three short Russian words from you: Бог с нами!
(translated: God is with us!).
Yes, Sweet Girl, He is!!
There have been no shortage of obstacles these past few months…the process coming to a screeching halt over a transposed notary stamp; your frustrations over the standstill causing upheaval in our home as we worried about the decisions you were making as a result; the conflict in Ukraine, leading to even a civilian plane being shot down; our own parents' fears for our safety fighting to blur God's promises of victory; financial distress as both of our vehicles inexplicably broke down, then our dryer, now our garage door, all among other minor household issues that need to be taken care of…. It has certainly been one wild ride!! But with every twist and turn, our loving Father has been there waiting in the wings to keep us on track. Answering prayer after prayer, and filling us with Word after Word, we have learned the most important lesson in this pause: our "faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Co. 2:5).
He knows what He's doing, even when we haven't a clue. We praise Him for this peace that transcends all human understanding!
"My child, do not be dismayed by any calamity that befalls you. Your times are in My hand. Your way is open before Me, and I have all in My control. Never doubt My care. Never question My dealings.
You will know that I am leading you by the narrowness of the way. It is often a difficult and precipitous path; but I would assure you of My hand of protection. Do not think it strange that I bring you by this route…because in the solitary and the steep and narrow way I will have the opportunity to deal with you and teach you; and you will be blessed and will learn to praise Me with uncontrollable joy." -Roberts, Come Away My Beloved, p.225-226
I'm so glad He's speaking to you, too <3
(translated: God is with us!). Yes, Sweet Girl, He is!!
There have been no shortage of obstacles these past few months…the process coming to a screeching halt over a transposed notary stamp; your frustrations over the standstill causing upheaval in our home as we worried about the decisions you were making as a result; the conflict in Ukraine, leading to even a civilian plane being shot down; our own parents' fears for our safety fighting to blur God's promises of victory; financial distress as both of our vehicles inexplicably broke down, then our dryer, now our garage door, all among other minor household issues that need to be taken care of…. It has certainly been one wild ride!! But with every twist and turn, our loving Father has been there waiting in the wings to keep us on track. Answering prayer after prayer, and filling us with Word after Word, we have learned the most important lesson in this pause: our "faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Co. 2:5).
He knows what He's doing, even when we haven't a clue. We praise Him for this peace that transcends all human understanding!
"My child, do not be dismayed by any calamity that befalls you. Your times are in My hand. Your way is open before Me, and I have all in My control. Never doubt My care. Never question My dealings.
You will know that I am leading you by the narrowness of the way. It is often a difficult and precipitous path; but I would assure you of My hand of protection. Do not think it strange that I bring you by this route…because in the solitary and the steep and narrow way I will have the opportunity to deal with you and teach you; and you will be blessed and will learn to praise Me with uncontrollable joy." -Roberts, Come Away My Beloved, p.225-226
I'm so glad He's speaking to you, too <3
Friday, May 9, 2014
A Blustery Day
Yesterday marked yet another milestone to which we build an altar of thanks to God, our Jehovah Jireh!! I realized that in the chaos of compiling everything needed to submit your dossier (dealing with some rather difficult people in the process), we had forgotten to give praise where praise was still due. God has been in control of the ups and the downs, and we would do better not to forget it!
After confessing where our hearts went wrong, I lifted up every obstacle and prayed for them to be destroyed in a way that continues to bring Him more glory. It wasn't but a few hours later, when Dad received a call that the medical form was finally notarized and ready to be picked up (Obstacle #1: decimated). Shortly after that, Dad noticed on one of the forms we've been struggling to have completed, that a realtor could complete what we've been fighting the mortgage company for weeks to do (Obstacle #2: destroyed)!! And guess what our neighbor does for a living? Realty. He was able to get us in and out within the hour (Obstacle #3: completely avoided). THEN, on our way home from our neighbor's office, Dad received an email from Ni Ni and Yeh Yeh (your paternal grandparents) that they would like to support us by paying for the airplane tickets we're about ready to purchase (Obstacle #4: non-existent)!
It was a CRaZy day of AMAZING highs. For this reason, this morning's devotional reading wasn't adding up at first:
I wasn't fearing! Providence was less fickle than ever, and the utter chaos seemed to finally be behind us!!
…then this afternoon happened. Upon picking up the medical form, that took weeks to have completed, Dad discovered it hadn't been completed properly and would be rejected by the Ukrainian government if it wasn't fixed. Back to Square One on that obstacle. So frustrating. Something so small, which could so majorly set us behind : /
I was almost discouraged, until all that I read this morning came flooding back. It is incredibly cool how our Lord proved once more that nothing happens that He's not already aware of. He's gone before us and has got this whole process in His hands; He has a plan in the works that will end in victory for us--if we endure faithfully.
I praise Him for reminding us that our hands our tied--that we need Him. As the devotion continues:
Our desperate awareness of our complete helplessness will help His grace operate more effectively, and His victorious plans to more quickly come to fruition <3 He's a God worth praising, even when a storm arises:
24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. 25And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”26He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. 27The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” -Matthew 8:24-27
After confessing where our hearts went wrong, I lifted up every obstacle and prayed for them to be destroyed in a way that continues to bring Him more glory. It wasn't but a few hours later, when Dad received a call that the medical form was finally notarized and ready to be picked up (Obstacle #1: decimated). Shortly after that, Dad noticed on one of the forms we've been struggling to have completed, that a realtor could complete what we've been fighting the mortgage company for weeks to do (Obstacle #2: destroyed)!! And guess what our neighbor does for a living? Realty. He was able to get us in and out within the hour (Obstacle #3: completely avoided). THEN, on our way home from our neighbor's office, Dad received an email from Ni Ni and Yeh Yeh (your paternal grandparents) that they would like to support us by paying for the airplane tickets we're about ready to purchase (Obstacle #4: non-existent)!
It was a CRaZy day of AMAZING highs. For this reason, this morning's devotional reading wasn't adding up at first:
I wasn't fearing! Providence was less fickle than ever, and the utter chaos seemed to finally be behind us!!
…then this afternoon happened. Upon picking up the medical form, that took weeks to have completed, Dad discovered it hadn't been completed properly and would be rejected by the Ukrainian government if it wasn't fixed. Back to Square One on that obstacle. So frustrating. Something so small, which could so majorly set us behind : /
I was almost discouraged, until all that I read this morning came flooding back. It is incredibly cool how our Lord proved once more that nothing happens that He's not already aware of. He's gone before us and has got this whole process in His hands; He has a plan in the works that will end in victory for us--if we endure faithfully.
I praise Him for reminding us that our hands our tied--that we need Him. As the devotion continues:
Our desperate awareness of our complete helplessness will help His grace operate more effectively, and His victorious plans to more quickly come to fruition <3 He's a God worth praising, even when a storm arises:
24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. 25And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”26He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. 27The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” -Matthew 8:24-27
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