We are waiting for you Noah...please come home soon!!!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Diarrhea of the mouth & other topics...
Today I had the honor of driving you-you & Judah to the Louisville airport. I was glad to have this opportunity because although I had seen them twice during their stay here prior to today, I had not really had any one on one time with them. So as soon as we took off I started talking...and I didn't stop with the exception of letting you-you answer my questions & stopping for a snack, until we got to the airport. Then I continued to talk until we said our good byes at the security check point. I'm sure when I left she was shaking her head & saying to herself, "Wow...I didn't know she could talk so much!" Yes, I can! I don't always talk that much. I'm a good listener too but today I guess I felt compelled to talk non stop.
So I brought my camera so I could take some more pictures of you-you & Judah before they left...but I totally forgot about it & didn't take any :o( but I do have a couple that I took last Friday morning at prayer group.
Thank you so much you-you & Judah for coming to visit us!!! We were all blessed by your visit & look forward to seeing you again soon!!!
Spiritual Warfare...
I been in the "thick" of some major spiritual warfare lately. During times like these it is sometimes hard to remember that we're not fighting against people but against spiritual powers. Randy sent me this devotion this morning from Dr. David Jeremiah, & I must say it was perfect timing. We need to identify our "real" enemies & put on the full armour of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18.
The Real Enemy
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For many years, medical researchers thought that stomach ulcers were caused by stress and spicy foods. Then, in 1979, two Australian researchers rediscovered the helicobacter pylori bacterium and proved that it was the cause of stomach ulcers. In 1994, the National Institutes of Health agreed and recommended treating ulcers with antibiotics instead of milk.
In medicine, the enemy has to be identified before the proper defense can be used. And the same is true in the spiritual life. Many Christians, while believing in the devil generally, have not identified him as being the enemy of their personal life. The apostle Paul wrote that the Christian's struggle in life is against spiritual powers under the control of Satan. To fail to identify one's true enemy is to fail to defeat him. It takes spiritual defenses to defeat a spiritual enemy.
When you find yourself in a soul-sick state, make sure you identify the cause. If it is spiritual in nature, only God's spiritual remedies will cure you.
Jesus invited us not to a picnic but to a pilgrimage; not to a frolic but to a fight. Billy Graham
The Real Enemy
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For many years, medical researchers thought that stomach ulcers were caused by stress and spicy foods. Then, in 1979, two Australian researchers rediscovered the helicobacter pylori bacterium and proved that it was the cause of stomach ulcers. In 1994, the National Institutes of Health agreed and recommended treating ulcers with antibiotics instead of milk.
In medicine, the enemy has to be identified before the proper defense can be used. And the same is true in the spiritual life. Many Christians, while believing in the devil generally, have not identified him as being the enemy of their personal life. The apostle Paul wrote that the Christian's struggle in life is against spiritual powers under the control of Satan. To fail to identify one's true enemy is to fail to defeat him. It takes spiritual defenses to defeat a spiritual enemy.
When you find yourself in a soul-sick state, make sure you identify the cause. If it is spiritual in nature, only God's spiritual remedies will cure you.
Jesus invited us not to a picnic but to a pilgrimage; not to a frolic but to a fight. Billy Graham
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Stephania part 2...
I forgot to mention this in my earlier post about Stephania but if you have any pictures &/or encourgaing things to say about this precious girl, please E mail them to me so I can pass them along to the wonderful family that I know who has been praying about her. Thanks so much!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Please pray for this precious girl...
and her adoptive parents. I know a wonderful family that has been praying about adopting Stephania but seem to be caught up in the what if's. Please pray for a clear answer from God to them one way or the other & that they be filled with peace regardless of the decision. Thanks!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Pleasant Surprise!
I had no idea that my friend Lara (aka: Mama Nata & Fritzon) who lives about 4 hours away was going to be at Michelle's Sunday so I was very pleasantly surprised when we pulled up the drive way & I saw her standing there. It was so good to see you again Lara! I can't wait to see you soon with Nata & Fritzon! :o)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Austim Forum for the Tri State...
Well, I wanted to put the flyer for this forum on my blog but for some reason I can't seem to get that accomplished :o) So, here's the information:
A WNIN/PBS COMMUNITY FORUM
"UNDERSTANDING AUTISM....HELP & HOPE"
What does a diagnosis of autism mean for a family? What are the sigsn of autism?
What resources are available locally to provide assistance?
Hear from individuals knowledgeable & experienced in autism, & 3 Tri State families who offer revealing insights they have gained through their own experiences.
THIS FORUM IS FUNDED IN PART BY EVANSVILLE ARC
Independent lives for people with disabilities.
LIVE FORUM AIRS THURSDAY JULY 24TH AT 7PM
Information at evansvillearc.org or wnin.org
A WNIN/PBS COMMUNITY FORUM
"UNDERSTANDING AUTISM....HELP & HOPE"
What does a diagnosis of autism mean for a family? What are the sigsn of autism?
What resources are available locally to provide assistance?
Hear from individuals knowledgeable & experienced in autism, & 3 Tri State families who offer revealing insights they have gained through their own experiences.
THIS FORUM IS FUNDED IN PART BY EVANSVILLE ARC
Independent lives for people with disabilities.
LIVE FORUM AIRS THURSDAY JULY 24TH AT 7PM
Information at evansvillearc.org or wnin.org
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Blog Promotion...
Just thought I would interuppt your day to promote my friend Kelly's blog. If you haven't had a chance to check it out...please do so! She's a wonderful person & a very amazing friend! I can't wait to see her be the wonderful mama that I know she is! Click on Kelly under my blog favorites or go to www.openvessel4jc.blogspot.com
Thanks!!! :o)
Thanks!!! :o)
Excited about Sunday!!!
Sundays have always been my favorite day of the week even if it wasn't always for the same reasons. Now I like Sundays because I start the day by worshiping the Lord with other people who like to worship the Lord & it sets a good tone for the whole week even if I am convicted by something said in the sermon...you know that if we only heard good things about ourselves we wouldn't grow much. I also like Sundays because Randy & I decided a long time ago to try to keep them very simple & leisurely. For the most part you won't find us doing a long list of "things to do" on Sundays. We generally come home from church & just "hang out."
We are really excited about tomorrow because tomorrow afternoon we get to go to a friend's house who brought their two girls home from Haiti a week and a half ago. That's exciting enough but we also get to see another couple who just brought their two children home from Haiti this past Tuesday. And if that's not exciting enough...we get to see Angela aka: you-you & her daughter Judah!!! We are really pumped to see all of them...and of course all of the other lovely faces that will be there! :o) See you all tomorrow!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Psalm 145
"I will praise you, my God & King, & bless your name forever & ever.
I will bless you every day, & I will praise you forever.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery!
Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor & your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy of your righteousness.
The Lord is kind & merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.
The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
All of your works will thank you, Lord, & your faithful followers will bless you.
They will talk together about the glory of your kingdom; they will celebrate examples of your power.
They will tell about your mighty deeds & about the majesty & glory of your reign.
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule generation after generation.
The Lord is faithful in all he says; he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen & lifts up those bent beneath their loads.All eyes look to you for help; you give them their food as they need it.
When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger & thirst of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.
The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help & rescues them.
The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.
I will praise the Lord, & everyone on earth will bless his holy name forever & forever.
Psalm 145 NLT
My Life Application Study Bible only footnotes one verse of this psalm which is verse 14. Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear, & we wonder how we can go on. David stands at this bleak instersection of life's road & meditates on the Lord, the great burden bearer. God is able to lift us up because (1) his greatness is beyond discovery(145:3), (2) he does mighty acts for each generation(145:4) (3) he is full of glorious splendor & majesty(145:5), (4) he does awe-inspiring deeds(145:5-6) (5) he is righteous(145:7), (6) he is kind, merciful, patient, loving, & compassionate(145:8-9), (7) he rules over an everlasting Kingdom(145:13), (8) he is our source of all our daily needs(145:15-16), (9) he is righteous & kind in all his dealings(145:17), (10) he remains close to those who call him(145:18), (11) he hears our cries & rescues us (145:19-20). If you are bending under a burden & feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up & bear your burden.
I am curious as why they just footnoted verse 14. I think this psalm is very "meaty" & warrants more footnotes...but of course, that's just my own personal opinion.
Right now I feel like verses 1 & 2 are really speaking to me. I know I should praise God & bless his name. I do that but go onto verse 2. "I will bless you every day." That is a different story. I'm sure I don't bless God every day...I should...but I don't...and this is where I am convicted. It continues with "and I will praise you forever." Of course I will praise Him forever when I'm with Him in heaven but what about now? Do I praise Him all the time now? Of course I would have to say, "No." Then I have to ask myself," Why not if He is worthy to be praised all the time?"...something to think about.
I will bless you every day, & I will praise you forever.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery!
Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor & your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy of your righteousness.
The Lord is kind & merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.
The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
All of your works will thank you, Lord, & your faithful followers will bless you.
They will talk together about the glory of your kingdom; they will celebrate examples of your power.
They will tell about your mighty deeds & about the majesty & glory of your reign.
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule generation after generation.
The Lord is faithful in all he says; he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen & lifts up those bent beneath their loads.All eyes look to you for help; you give them their food as they need it.
When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger & thirst of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.
The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help & rescues them.
The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.
I will praise the Lord, & everyone on earth will bless his holy name forever & forever.
Psalm 145 NLT
My Life Application Study Bible only footnotes one verse of this psalm which is verse 14. Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear, & we wonder how we can go on. David stands at this bleak instersection of life's road & meditates on the Lord, the great burden bearer. God is able to lift us up because (1) his greatness is beyond discovery(145:3), (2) he does mighty acts for each generation(145:4) (3) he is full of glorious splendor & majesty(145:5), (4) he does awe-inspiring deeds(145:5-6) (5) he is righteous(145:7), (6) he is kind, merciful, patient, loving, & compassionate(145:8-9), (7) he rules over an everlasting Kingdom(145:13), (8) he is our source of all our daily needs(145:15-16), (9) he is righteous & kind in all his dealings(145:17), (10) he remains close to those who call him(145:18), (11) he hears our cries & rescues us (145:19-20). If you are bending under a burden & feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up & bear your burden.
I am curious as why they just footnoted verse 14. I think this psalm is very "meaty" & warrants more footnotes...but of course, that's just my own personal opinion.
Right now I feel like verses 1 & 2 are really speaking to me. I know I should praise God & bless his name. I do that but go onto verse 2. "I will bless you every day." That is a different story. I'm sure I don't bless God every day...I should...but I don't...and this is where I am convicted. It continues with "and I will praise you forever." Of course I will praise Him forever when I'm with Him in heaven but what about now? Do I praise Him all the time now? Of course I would have to say, "No." Then I have to ask myself," Why not if He is worthy to be praised all the time?"...something to think about.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Enough to make a proud Mama cry!
Below is an update that I recieved from the orphanage today:
Shakira has been her usual energetic and bouncy self! I think she is enjoying summertime and having her friends around to play outside with in the mornings. Sandy says that her toe is completely healed now. Praise God! Shakira always wants to be part of the action and try what the other kids are doing. Recently, she played baseball with me and got a hit! Today, she tried out puzzles with some of the kids. She has a special relationship with her night nanny, Makile, and it’s so cool to see how excited she gets when Makile arrives!
Samara is her usual cuddly and smiley self! While the medical team was here, she made a new friend Colleen's son, Tim. He took a special interest in Samara and played with her a lot during the week. She loved the extra attention! I really appreciate how Samara goes with the flow and seems to be happy with whatever we are doing at the moment. What a sweet girl!
Caleb is doing well in the nursery. He’s still working on the whole walking thing since he took his first steps during your visit. The other day I was in the nursery, and Caleb was having fun playing with Peterson. I love Caleb’s smile. He’s such a good and content boy.
Shakira has been her usual energetic and bouncy self! I think she is enjoying summertime and having her friends around to play outside with in the mornings. Sandy says that her toe is completely healed now. Praise God! Shakira always wants to be part of the action and try what the other kids are doing. Recently, she played baseball with me and got a hit! Today, she tried out puzzles with some of the kids. She has a special relationship with her night nanny, Makile, and it’s so cool to see how excited she gets when Makile arrives!
Samara is her usual cuddly and smiley self! While the medical team was here, she made a new friend Colleen's son, Tim. He took a special interest in Samara and played with her a lot during the week. She loved the extra attention! I really appreciate how Samara goes with the flow and seems to be happy with whatever we are doing at the moment. What a sweet girl!
Caleb is doing well in the nursery. He’s still working on the whole walking thing since he took his first steps during your visit. The other day I was in the nursery, and Caleb was having fun playing with Peterson. I love Caleb’s smile. He’s such a good and content boy.
Together at last...
I can't stop looking at this picture. It's been a long time coming for this family but they are finally together...Praise God!!!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
A year full of wonderful memories...
A year ago today, Randy & I went to Haiti to meet Shakira, Samara, & Caleb. It's been an up and down emotional roller coaster ride ever since but it has been a year of making wonderful memories with our children & I thank God for that!
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