Conversation Starter.......

Thanks to The Seventh Diamond for the inspiration for this post. Come on over I'll share my pickles and ice cream with ya. Earlier today I read a post on her blog called "Searching for The Idenity of an Adpoting Mother" and it got me to thinking:

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Listen friends and family we here in the adoption community are any where from 1-20 months + pregnant and some days we just feel so excluded from the mother-to-be community. I know sometimes you may feel guilty because you think perhaps you have something we don't but you are so very wrong.....we may not have a belly to put our hand on but we have our heart. You may be able to go to your Dr. and hear the heart beat but we can walk into a nursery that has been eagerly awaiting for in some cases 20 months and sit on the rocking chair and hear in the stillness a faint giggle and smell her blanket that is resting on the corner of her crib. Don't get me wrong I'm so incredibly happy for you, you are truly blessed in different ways than I.

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Please include me in your circle when your telling all our other friends that diapers are on sale, I'd love to hear the stories of your delivery.....Please don't look on me with saddened eyes when you tell me your pregnant cause guess what!!!! We have something in common! I am pregnant too.....allow me to be a player....please don't leave me on the side lines....please.....Invite me to all the baby showers, I love to give all my friends children squeaky shoes! plus a portion of all the sales go back to where my daughter is sleeping at night right now....it's ok you can hand me your baby to hold for a moment while you tie your shoe.....I promise I won't run off with him/her.....I am patiently waiting for delivery of my very own.........yes it is oh so much longer than 9 months....and I'm really doing ok with that....I do not want to rush what is already Gods great plan....and I'm pretty confidant that He has her all ready picked out for us.

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So go ahead ask me anything you want to know about where we are in the process.....you don't have to ask other people what's going on with us, you won't get a more accurate answer than from me and you won't at all upset me by asking...I LOVE to talk about it.

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I know many of you are praying for us....feel free to pray for specific things that are going on....for example that we swiftly exit the review room, and that we would continue to dream about her and that she will be safe in our Fathers arms of protection until she is in our own. Have faith with us my friends and family....she will be here with us one day.....in the mean time we have the LONGEST gestation of a pregnant person you will ever know and we need you more now than ever.

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As for those of you who are there for your friends who are adopting....Thanks.....more than you'll ever know.

Wow! I can't believe it is over. I miss it already and can't wait until we do it again.

Friday: I drove one of the four vans and for 3 hours we sang and told stories. I had the Youth Pastors van, I think it's a 1995 windstar! I thought going up a couple of hills we were going to have to get out an push. We nicknamed it the "Donkey" LOL!
We arrived at the ranch at 8:30 and unpacked the u-haul. The kids all ran to the rooms to pick their bunks and out of 29 kids I ended up with 12 of them in my room! ( Help I'm new at this!) So the other 6 leaders had 17 to share. We got everyone settled in after snack and worship and we all stayed up to talk about the game plan for the next day.

Saturday: I was waken up at 5:30!zzzzzzzzzzzz! A few of the girls wanted to go for jog. So I told them to keep the noise down and go ahead. So we started pretty early. We rounded everyone up and headed in for breakfast by 8am. We split the kids up into 4 groups with 2 leaders to 3 and 1 to the other and did a rotation to four of the activities, air rifles, canoeing, horseback riding and wall climbing. This took up a good part of the day with a lunch break in between. A couple of highlights with my group during our rotation of activities were:
1. Marissa shot half the cans off the wall in about 5 shots and I only hit one! She decided afterwards that she wanted a rifle for her birthday :o0!!!!!!
2.The nice picture of "Tropical Trevor" up there in the slide show was taken before he tried the kayack which capsized on him 30 seconds after he go in it! Lucky for him he was too quick for the leeches to get him!
3. I had 3-4 of the kids ask if they would be allowed to canter the horses and we asked the lady in the stables and she said they couldn't. We got on the horses just in the coral and they taught the kids how to steer them before we went on the trail and the 3-4 who wanted to canter got apprehensive and decided to just stay in the coral while the rest of us went! Not so brave after all he he! The lady said it happens all the time.
4. The wall was hilarious, Marissa decided she no longer wanted a rifle for her birthday..whewww....she found her new passion! She made it to the top and rang the bell but when she came to the bottom she fell onto the ground like a bag of bones! DH scaled the wall in 36 seconds! I was not so brave.

We headed back to regroup all the youth and did a scavenger hunt. The hunt took a long time which was great because it gave some of us a break. By the time that was done it was BBQ time. The ranch put on a huge meal. They had chocolate chip cake for desert!!!! YUMMY! The kids then had some free time some played field sports, some walked, some "tried" to organize another canoe trip. UGG! Others went to their rooms to chat and hang out. When the sun went down over the tree tops we ventured out to the campfire, sang songs, gave testimonies and worshiped, let me tell you there was some worshiping from these children that would have brought a grown man his knees. I mustered up the courage to get up and speak and that opened the flood gates, I just asked them to all close their eyes and I painted them a picture of the Lords coming and how I thought that day might look. Wow, I get chills even now thinking about it. DH got up and gave his testimony, he did a wonderful job. We had one young lady dedicate her life to Jesus that night, God is soooo amazing. So that was the ultimate highlight of our trip. I'm in tears thinking about how nothing else in the world mattered to that young girl she just knew she needed the Lord in her life and wasn't going to lay her head on the pillow until she knew Him in her heart. Mission Accomplished! (sigh)the glow on her little face was pure beauty. We worshiped with glow in the dark bracelet's and sparkler's until everyone was ready to retire for the night. The leaders stayed up to give an account of how they felt their day went with their group and we prayed then went to bed ourselves.

Sunday: Woak up at 6:00 with someones cell phone ringing! (Why do 13-17 yr. olds need cell phones?)(story for another post!) I told her to shut it off and told the 12 of them not to budge for at least another hour. I didn't sleep very well.....I never in my life new that girls could burp, fart and grind their teeth so much! I had to open the door to allow the fresh air to flow threw! Whewwwww! I should have slept with the horses! at least they wouldn't have cell phones! Finally after they were all asleep again "I" got to wake "them" all up!!! YEAH bitter sweet revenge!LOL
We headed out for breakfast then to Church which we had at the campfire. Pastor Jeff did a speech on "Are you in our are you out, there is no in between." It was a great sermon. We then split into groups of 3-4 ad prayed for one another. The little one I had in my prayer group asked for prayer for her mom who has cancer.........I prayed for her and let me tell you I could NOT do it without tears gushing down my face. We then prayed for strength and encouragement for they family.
We packed up the vans and went in for lunch, talked about our weekend and took lots of pictures. Then We headed out. I made it back to the ministry center in the "Donkey" and no one had to push it up hill!
The weekend was amazing, I totally let loose like I said I would and I just enjoyed being myself. The younger gals seemed to really take to me. I am so glad that God put it on me and my DH hearts to do this. Our confirmation came in a very tangible way, our Church seem to find dimes everywhere we go and it seems like it is always a confirmation for something we are waiting on God for. So I found a dime on the ground at the entrance of the ranch and while Shane was giving his testimony he pulled one out of his pocket that he had found and my mouth dropped to the floor, I'd forgotten to tell him I found one earlier in the day! Then the lead Pastor dropped his change out onto the floor by mistake and 5 dimes fell out in the shape of a sail which is on our ministry sign for our church! I believe we are supposed to dedicate or lives to the youth of our church now more than ever. The youth pastor and his beautiful girlfriend thanked us and told us we were a perfect fit for what they were looking for as leaders. I had a lot of fun and I can't wait to join in to youth group every Thursday night from now on.

A lady was talking to a friend who was in the process of adopting from China and asked her if she was approached by someone to adopt privately would she be interested. Confused by the question and where she was going with it the lady asked for clarification and it got her to thinking with the wait being so long, could this be too good to be true, could she adopt privately while also waiting for her daughter from China? Needing more information the lady offered the friend phone numbers to give the person who was looking for a home for a 9 month old child. The caregiver of the child (who was legally allowed to place the child with the assistance of a licenced adoption lawyer) then called the adopting lady and they spoke but only about the basics. The adopting lady wanted to guard her heart so she only asked the basic questions and told the caregiver of the baby that she would speak to her husband about it and if agreed to, would seek legal counsel.

After the lady spoke to her husband they took a couple of days to search their hearts and pray about it. They felt lead to take the next step and see what they would have to do to see this happen. The lady called someone in the system who knew all the legalities of adoption and asked a few questions. What she found out was that they would have to put their China adoption on hold for a year after the private adoption took place and that the log in date would take effect again once the file was reiterated. The couple adopting from China was then left with a choice. Do they put their China adoption on hold and adopt domestically or do they continue on their way happy that they did not emotionally attach themselves to the child they new nothing about who could potentially be placed in their arms in a matter of weeks..................

They new right away in their hearts that God didn't lead them through 4 years of hard labour from infertility to their current 10 month LID in vain. They knew they had to lay the opportunity down and walk.

She also knew in her heart during the whole 6 day ordeal not to ever ask what the babies name was for fear that it would have stigma attached to it and she was very grateful to God for revealing that to her. Today the lady had to call the caregiver of the baby and explain to her that could not put on hold what God had already put on their hearts.

So now the lady feels both joy and sorrow. People always say that everything happens for a reason so perhaps the reason this happened to this adopting couple was so that they would be gently reminded to continually have faith, trust and belief that their time will come in God's time and perhaps this baby was put in their path just to be prayed for.

The lady later learned that according to the meeting from all the adoption agencies in San Antonio, the CCAA has said it will reject applications that have had additions to their families in the wait time. They also said that agencies that do so could loose their accreditation standing with China. This was something that the legal councel she sought did not tell her. (They may not know this themselves.)

Those who know trials and have survived from them a better person understand the comfort of knowing someone is there listening to you, someone who understands you, all those hurts you’re going through. Someone who doesn’t judge you or condemn you, just someone who loves you and trusts you that if you will only hang in there a little more, you shall surely make it through.

She has found her greatest joy in the arms of God in her darkest hour. She felt him hugging her, comforting her, crying with her. He didn’t just watch her. He didn’t scold her and reprimanded her to get up and be strong and stop being such a fool. He cried with her. He knew her pain and he claimed it as though it were His own.

....I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. -2 Tim. 1:12


So now that the lady has felt the tiny drops of humanity slide down her cheeks and splash on the floor of her heart she is going to do some blog hopping for referral therapy.

Things that made me smile this week.

Virginia Tech College in fear again...

I heard this prayer on a Christian radio station today and I thought I would share it all with you.

Father, the unthinkable happened on Monday and then again this morning with the threat of a bomb at Virginia Tech, we come to you with open arms not knowing what to do. Please be with the families, friends and roommates of those who lost loved ones. Father also be with those who's hearts are full of fear. The country is emotionally wounded and those who are right there on the VT campus are shattered and anxious Lord. I also know that there are college campus all over the country who are fearful, I pray that you would calm their hearts, be with those who are struggling emotionally today and help them to deal with what has happened. Lord be with the counselors and faculty as they work on trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. I pray too that the Christian organizations that are also on campus at VT that your hand be on them as they reach out to minister to the hurting. I pray that you give them the words of life that only you can give. I pray for clarity, comfort and healing to those who are there struggling through this confusion. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Happy Easter Everyone.

EASTER COOKIE RECIPE

To be made the evening before Easter.

You need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don't wait 'til you're half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.

Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus
was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed through repentance and the Atonement. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.

Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9

It could happen to ANYBODY!

This is a really cute video, pure example of Gods "GRACE", oh and justice like he says! (Watch his eyes after his blooper.)
PS. This is not my paster. But we are such a fun church that we would never get over it I'm sure!!!! Thought it was a good Sunday post for anyone who may stop by! If you are curious about what Lot "actually" did, check out Genesis 13:5-18.
If anyone from my church is reading todays post forgive me ;O) I couldn't resist!!

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