So, 9 more days until Lilie is here!!! We are ALL soooo excited to have her back in our home. This morning, Jack asked me "Mom, is Lilie coming?!" with so much excitement sparkling in those little eyes of his and the biggest smile on his face. When I said, "Yes, next Thursday!" he screamed with joy! Rachel is thrilled to be having her sister back, she is outranked around here most of the time with two little brothers. She has been counting down since she found out that we were hosting again.
Yesterday, we recieved confirmation that Homeland Security received our I800A application, so now we wait for a fingerprinting appointment. I am really hopeful that we can get done with this dossier before Lilie arrives so that it can be sent to Latvia. It seems like the time is just flying by and I'm not getting everything done like I wanted to, but I keep reminding myself that it will get done! God has been so faithful and good. He has been putting it all together, piece by piece, just like a puzzle. I can't wait to stand back one day and look at the whole thing finally complete and see how beautiful it is!
Speaking of puzzles...while Lilie is here, we are going to be having her pick out a puzzle that she likes so that we can begin to sell pieces of it, putting it together with everyone's names on the pieces, and hang it in her room when she comes back forever. We know that this will be a beautiful reminder to her and to us in the years to come of just how many people prayed for us, supported us and loved us through this journey! We would love for each family to buy a piece for each member of their family so that everyone's name will be on there individually. Once we have purchased the puzzle, I will post a picture of it on here. If you would like to purchase pieces now, that's fine. They will be $5.00 a piece and you can send cash or checks (made out to "Love for Lilie") to this address:
609 Spring St.
Scottdale, PA 15683
Just be sure to indicate what name you would like written on each piece (one name per piece is all that will fit). Thank you for being a part of this journey. One day, when it is complete, we will stand back and see it completed and we will remember that you had a part in this beautiful plan!
June 30th, here we come!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Moving ahead!
So much has been happening around here lately, and while I cannot share every detail, I would love to share some of it. We have received our approved home study and have filed for CIS Immigration approval!! It is finally time to get our dossier together and get is sent to Eastern Europe and we can't believe that we are moving forward. The timing couldn't be more perfect for us as we were hoping to have it all wrapped up by the end of June when Lilie arrives for hosting. God has been answering prayers "on speed-dial" as I like to say. We had a crazy week a few back and I was feeling pretty frustrated. After asking for prayer and calling on His promises myself, He started answering (and quick!)...
Now that things are coming together so well, I feel that I can share some more of the information that I couldn't before. Back in February we found out that Lilie was not yet legally "free" to be adopted! What a difficult thing to hear. We had believed that she was even when she was here with us so this news was rather devastating. We found out that there was a chance for her to be "freed" in March, however the day came and went and she was NOT "freed". More devastation...So, we waited and we waited...Our next opportunity was June 2nd. Praise GOD!! She is now "free"!!!
It has been such an exciting time for us. We are anticipating Lilie's visit from June 30th through August 4th, we are working to get our dossier together, and anticipating a referral to adopt! We have raised and saved so many funds toward our adoption that it is surely only because of God's greatness and love. We have been able to pay every fee and expense as they have arisen and it looks like that's just going to keep on going! It is amazing to watch Him working out every detail, truly amazing! As I sit here, I am preparing to write out another check to pay for upcoming expenses with our agency and I know that our account will be drained, yet I am not fearful of this. I am confident that He will provide the next fee and the next until we bring our girl home.
This journey has been one of many ups and downs, but mostly it has been filled with blessings. Every time that we have felt weak, He has given us strength. Everytime that we have doubted, He has given us peace. Everytime that we needed the finances, He has provided (in so many ways). Journeys are amazing things. They test your endurance, they test your faith and they give you an amazing new perspective on life. While ours is far from over, we are thankful for all that we have learned so far and we are looking forward to what the rest will bring. We are moving ahead!!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1
Now that things are coming together so well, I feel that I can share some more of the information that I couldn't before. Back in February we found out that Lilie was not yet legally "free" to be adopted! What a difficult thing to hear. We had believed that she was even when she was here with us so this news was rather devastating. We found out that there was a chance for her to be "freed" in March, however the day came and went and she was NOT "freed". More devastation...So, we waited and we waited...Our next opportunity was June 2nd. Praise GOD!! She is now "free"!!!
It has been such an exciting time for us. We are anticipating Lilie's visit from June 30th through August 4th, we are working to get our dossier together, and anticipating a referral to adopt! We have raised and saved so many funds toward our adoption that it is surely only because of God's greatness and love. We have been able to pay every fee and expense as they have arisen and it looks like that's just going to keep on going! It is amazing to watch Him working out every detail, truly amazing! As I sit here, I am preparing to write out another check to pay for upcoming expenses with our agency and I know that our account will be drained, yet I am not fearful of this. I am confident that He will provide the next fee and the next until we bring our girl home.
This journey has been one of many ups and downs, but mostly it has been filled with blessings. Every time that we have felt weak, He has given us strength. Everytime that we have doubted, He has given us peace. Everytime that we needed the finances, He has provided (in so many ways). Journeys are amazing things. They test your endurance, they test your faith and they give you an amazing new perspective on life. While ours is far from over, we are thankful for all that we have learned so far and we are looking forward to what the rest will bring. We are moving ahead!!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Spring...new life, new hope
Oh, how I love spring! Everything's beginning to grow and bloom and spill over with color in our yard, and I love it!! The garden is planted, the strawberries will be ready for picking in another month, and the backyard has come to life with our new hens. With spring, comes the promise of new life and a hopefullness that I don't find in any other season of the year. I love the smell of flowers blooming, freshly mown grass, and rain in the air. I love watching my children run and play in the yard, giggling and jumping. I love the way the sun warms my back as I work in the garden and the way the dirt feels in my hands. This has to be the best time of year.
We have been taking pictures of all of the things we are doing around the house to send to Lilie. We hope that she will enjoy the gardens, the chickens and all of the things that our family values and enjoys. We know that she will enjoy the pool! We took the cover off the other day and we are anxious to tell her that we are getting it ready for the summer. She talks about it every week when we talk on the phone. We are praying that this time next year, she will be here with us, helping plant the garden, feed the chickens and enjoy the outdoors during spring. She can't believe how warm it is here in the spring and summer since it is so much cooler in Eastern Europe.
School is winding down, too. Both here for our children and for Lilie. She was telling us the other day about her grades and the end of the year school trips that she is looking forward to. She seems to be doing well in school and we are proud of her efforts. It is hard to imagine what a big change it will be for her when she is here. School is so very different in America. But, we are confident that she will rise to the challenge and with lots of support and encouragement, she will do well. Our Rachel is so excited that school is almost over. She is in those final days where field trips and fun days abound, and she is loving it! Nathan is about to finish up his first year of school and is anxious to spend lazy days by the pool and in the sand box. We are so proud of him for how well he did this year. Jack will be "graduating" from his first year of preschool in just another week and a half. It's hard to believe how much they are all growing up.
So, everyone, enjoy your spring! Take time to look around at all that is new and beautiful in the world around you. And, when you see a lilie in full bloom, say a little prayer for our Lilie that she will be home with us soon...And, remember that with spring comes the promise of new life and new hope!
We have been taking pictures of all of the things we are doing around the house to send to Lilie. We hope that she will enjoy the gardens, the chickens and all of the things that our family values and enjoys. We know that she will enjoy the pool! We took the cover off the other day and we are anxious to tell her that we are getting it ready for the summer. She talks about it every week when we talk on the phone. We are praying that this time next year, she will be here with us, helping plant the garden, feed the chickens and enjoy the outdoors during spring. She can't believe how warm it is here in the spring and summer since it is so much cooler in Eastern Europe.
School is winding down, too. Both here for our children and for Lilie. She was telling us the other day about her grades and the end of the year school trips that she is looking forward to. She seems to be doing well in school and we are proud of her efforts. It is hard to imagine what a big change it will be for her when she is here. School is so very different in America. But, we are confident that she will rise to the challenge and with lots of support and encouragement, she will do well. Our Rachel is so excited that school is almost over. She is in those final days where field trips and fun days abound, and she is loving it! Nathan is about to finish up his first year of school and is anxious to spend lazy days by the pool and in the sand box. We are so proud of him for how well he did this year. Jack will be "graduating" from his first year of preschool in just another week and a half. It's hard to believe how much they are all growing up.
So, everyone, enjoy your spring! Take time to look around at all that is new and beautiful in the world around you. And, when you see a lilie in full bloom, say a little prayer for our Lilie that she will be home with us soon...And, remember that with spring comes the promise of new life and new hope!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Mother's Day and such...
This Mother's Day was so bittersweet. I enjoyed a beautiful breakfast in bed from Bob, Rachel, Nathan and Jackson along with gifts and cards and lots of snuggle-time! What a great way to start the day. We went to church and spent the afternoon visiting our moms. It was a lovely day, really. But, as is so often the case lately, something was missing. The absence of our sweet girl is ever-present on my heart and mind, especially on days such as these. I am so looking forward to next year, and praying that our family will be complete. For the first time, I will be the mother of four! That is something that I never anticipated saying, but it sounds great!
Life has been crazy and hectic with so much going on. We finished up our homestudy on April 23rd and the draft was sent in to our agency today to be approved!! Now, we begin the moutains of documents that need to go in our adoption file and dossier as well as begin the application process for our I800A. The list goes on and on and sometimes I wonder if it will ever end?! I know that it will though, someday. I also know that it is well worth every signature, initial, dollar, and stamp.
Summer is quickly approaching and with it comes the joy of seeing Lilie again, spending long days with the kids swimming and biking, camping, and gardening. We are so looking forward to all of the blessings in store for us this summer and pray that we will take the time to savor them as they rush by.
Life has been crazy and hectic with so much going on. We finished up our homestudy on April 23rd and the draft was sent in to our agency today to be approved!! Now, we begin the moutains of documents that need to go in our adoption file and dossier as well as begin the application process for our I800A. The list goes on and on and sometimes I wonder if it will ever end?! I know that it will though, someday. I also know that it is well worth every signature, initial, dollar, and stamp.
Summer is quickly approaching and with it comes the joy of seeing Lilie again, spending long days with the kids swimming and biking, camping, and gardening. We are so looking forward to all of the blessings in store for us this summer and pray that we will take the time to savor them as they rush by.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
It's been a long time...
Oh my goodness, it has been a long time!! The past month has been absolutely full of things to do and somehow I just never had the opportunity to sit down and write! So, here I am...
First, to update everyone on what has been going on with Lilie and the adoption process. Our home study paperwork is complete and we are preparing for our interview with the social worker on Saturday!! We are thrilled to be wrapping up this part of the process as it has taken us much longer than we anticipated. Who knew that paperwork could take so very long?! We are prayerful that all will go well and we will have an approved home study within a few weeks so that we can move forward with the next step. God has been so good to us through this all. Every financial need that has come along has been met just when it was needed. It has been amazing to see His provision and the generosity of others as well. It is an awesome experience to physically see God at work in your life!
Lilie is doing well. She is enjoying some new activities such as gymnastics and basketball at the orphanage. She also recently was able to go swimming and to the circus! She has been busy with school as well. We keep telling her that she needs to learn English, "study hard and practice" we say. She just laughs! She continues to look forward to our phone calls each week and giggles her way through each one. It is so good to hear her laughing. She is becoming full of questions and loves to share her thoughts with us too. She always wants to know what we are doing, what Rachel is doing, and she always asks if she has to go back to the dentist this summer!! Her director told us this week that she has been asking lots of questions about God and reading books about Easter and God. We were so glad to hear that she is curious and that she is in a place where her caregivers are willing and able to provide her with answers! She may even begin to attend a local church and be able to participate in Sunday School there! God is working out every detail and we are so grateful!
As we have mentioned before, when you follow God's calling and are doing His work, Satan always attacks. It seems that he does not want to give up yet. In our personal lives, we have been facing some challenges. We would like to share some of those with you now in the hope that you would join with us in prayer. The following are the things that we most need your prayers for:
- Bob's dad has been feeling ill for quite some time now. He is weak and tired. He runs high temps for no reason and his blood counts continue to be low. The doctors are trying to find out what is wrong and are running many tests, however we still have no definite answer. The stress of this is great on Bob, his dad and his wife, and on the whole family. Please surround him in prayer. Pray specifically that answers will soon come and that the family will move forward with whatever treatments are necessary. Also, pray for peace and strength for his dad as he battles with doubts and fears that cause his faith to be shaken.
- Please pray for me. I have a very difficult time asking for prayer for myself, however I feel that it is necessary at this time. I am not going to go into detail, but I will share with you that I feel that attacks of others are becoming stronger. I guess that my honesty and the passion that I have for ministry is being misinterpreted as judgement by others. I would like to say that I have never said anything that wasn't from my heart and said with honest and pure intentions. I am a person who believes that God intends for us to share what He is doing in our lives so that others may be able to see Him and want what we have. Pray that my words would be tempered with a lot of love and that they may have a positive impact on those around me.
- Finally, pray for our family and Lilie as we prepare for her to return to our home for hosting this summer. Pray that we will be able to implement the appropriate amount of structure and rules so that she will know what is expected of each member of this family. We feel that this is an opporunity to begin to integrate her into the family and begin to form attachments that will be so important down the road. We are praying for wisdom in handling behavioral issues and developing a healthy routine.
I would like to finish by saying that we are so grateful for everyone who reads our blog, keeps in touch with us through FB, e-mails, and phone calls. We feel your prayers and your support is one of the things that keeps up going. We will continue to pray for all of you. Our prayer is this, that everyone who follows our journey will be touched by God's amazing love and that this will motivate each one of you to action. We pray that whatever it is that God is calling you to do for Him, you will do it and do it well!!
If anyone feels that God may be calling you to host a child this summer or winter, please check out New Horizons website at www.newhorizonsforchildren.org
The current child photo listing is available there if you complete a very brief pre-application (for safety and security reasons). Lilie is not alone and the other children who have stories much like hers are in need of hope and love too! Have a Blessed Easter with your families, and take time to remember all of those who have no family this Easter!!!
First, to update everyone on what has been going on with Lilie and the adoption process. Our home study paperwork is complete and we are preparing for our interview with the social worker on Saturday!! We are thrilled to be wrapping up this part of the process as it has taken us much longer than we anticipated. Who knew that paperwork could take so very long?! We are prayerful that all will go well and we will have an approved home study within a few weeks so that we can move forward with the next step. God has been so good to us through this all. Every financial need that has come along has been met just when it was needed. It has been amazing to see His provision and the generosity of others as well. It is an awesome experience to physically see God at work in your life!
Lilie is doing well. She is enjoying some new activities such as gymnastics and basketball at the orphanage. She also recently was able to go swimming and to the circus! She has been busy with school as well. We keep telling her that she needs to learn English, "study hard and practice" we say. She just laughs! She continues to look forward to our phone calls each week and giggles her way through each one. It is so good to hear her laughing. She is becoming full of questions and loves to share her thoughts with us too. She always wants to know what we are doing, what Rachel is doing, and she always asks if she has to go back to the dentist this summer!! Her director told us this week that she has been asking lots of questions about God and reading books about Easter and God. We were so glad to hear that she is curious and that she is in a place where her caregivers are willing and able to provide her with answers! She may even begin to attend a local church and be able to participate in Sunday School there! God is working out every detail and we are so grateful!
As we have mentioned before, when you follow God's calling and are doing His work, Satan always attacks. It seems that he does not want to give up yet. In our personal lives, we have been facing some challenges. We would like to share some of those with you now in the hope that you would join with us in prayer. The following are the things that we most need your prayers for:
- Bob's dad has been feeling ill for quite some time now. He is weak and tired. He runs high temps for no reason and his blood counts continue to be low. The doctors are trying to find out what is wrong and are running many tests, however we still have no definite answer. The stress of this is great on Bob, his dad and his wife, and on the whole family. Please surround him in prayer. Pray specifically that answers will soon come and that the family will move forward with whatever treatments are necessary. Also, pray for peace and strength for his dad as he battles with doubts and fears that cause his faith to be shaken.
- Please pray for me. I have a very difficult time asking for prayer for myself, however I feel that it is necessary at this time. I am not going to go into detail, but I will share with you that I feel that attacks of others are becoming stronger. I guess that my honesty and the passion that I have for ministry is being misinterpreted as judgement by others. I would like to say that I have never said anything that wasn't from my heart and said with honest and pure intentions. I am a person who believes that God intends for us to share what He is doing in our lives so that others may be able to see Him and want what we have. Pray that my words would be tempered with a lot of love and that they may have a positive impact on those around me.
- Finally, pray for our family and Lilie as we prepare for her to return to our home for hosting this summer. Pray that we will be able to implement the appropriate amount of structure and rules so that she will know what is expected of each member of this family. We feel that this is an opporunity to begin to integrate her into the family and begin to form attachments that will be so important down the road. We are praying for wisdom in handling behavioral issues and developing a healthy routine.
I would like to finish by saying that we are so grateful for everyone who reads our blog, keeps in touch with us through FB, e-mails, and phone calls. We feel your prayers and your support is one of the things that keeps up going. We will continue to pray for all of you. Our prayer is this, that everyone who follows our journey will be touched by God's amazing love and that this will motivate each one of you to action. We pray that whatever it is that God is calling you to do for Him, you will do it and do it well!!
If anyone feels that God may be calling you to host a child this summer or winter, please check out New Horizons website at www.newhorizonsforchildren.org
The current child photo listing is available there if you complete a very brief pre-application (for safety and security reasons). Lilie is not alone and the other children who have stories much like hers are in need of hope and love too! Have a Blessed Easter with your families, and take time to remember all of those who have no family this Easter!!!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Blessings in disguise
As I sit here still basking in the glory of this day, I felt compelled to write it down. Amidst the normal everyday duties of motherhood and the sad news of a family member not feeling well, God shined today.
I spent this day not doing household chores or even work, but rather praying for my father in law and enjoying my life the way that it is TODAY. And, great things happened as they often do when I spend my day this way. Bob's dad is being discharged from the hospital with no major complications found, praise God! And, as we do each Friday, we spoke to our girl!
However, today was even more special and exciting. Rachel, who has been missing Lilie like crazy became very upset last night when our impending phone call was mentioned. Not surprisingly, as this has become a source of frustration for her every week. With the 7 hour time difference, we always call in the morning. Calling after school would mean waking everyone over there up out of a deep sleep! So, Rachel has missed every conversation only to hear about them from us later. Not today! Today, we decided that she should stay home from school until after our phone call. She was elated! And so it is that our girls were able to hear one another's voices for the first time in over two months...
Lilie has also been asking about Rachel you see. "How is Rachel?" "What is Rachel doing?" "What is she playing?" Etc and so on... It was so fun to hear them giggling and chattering back and forth on the phone. Lilie (with the help of a translator) wanted to know why Rachel was home, what time is it there, what are you doing tomorrow, Rachel, no school????? And, Rachel, all she wanted to hear and say was "I love you and miss you, big, big, big!" When we were getting ready to head out the door to school afterward, she said, "Mom, she sounds even cuter on the phone then in person!" That girl went to school with the biggest smile on her face.
We are so excited that we are going to be hosting Lilie again this summer. While we would love to know that she never has to leave again, we are thankful for the opportunity to make memories with her and get to know her even more this summer. This time, when she gets on that plane, we will know with certainty that it's just a "see you later"! And, we pray that it will not be long until we are on a plane flying to her! Sometimes the things that are the biggest disappointments turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Our hopes of traveling in the summer slipped out the window a little over a week ago and we were devastated. But, we have chosen to rejoice in this opportunity to see her and hug her and bond with her through hosting. That's what we're going to do! In God's time, we will have her here forever...
I spent this day not doing household chores or even work, but rather praying for my father in law and enjoying my life the way that it is TODAY. And, great things happened as they often do when I spend my day this way. Bob's dad is being discharged from the hospital with no major complications found, praise God! And, as we do each Friday, we spoke to our girl!
However, today was even more special and exciting. Rachel, who has been missing Lilie like crazy became very upset last night when our impending phone call was mentioned. Not surprisingly, as this has become a source of frustration for her every week. With the 7 hour time difference, we always call in the morning. Calling after school would mean waking everyone over there up out of a deep sleep! So, Rachel has missed every conversation only to hear about them from us later. Not today! Today, we decided that she should stay home from school until after our phone call. She was elated! And so it is that our girls were able to hear one another's voices for the first time in over two months...
Lilie has also been asking about Rachel you see. "How is Rachel?" "What is Rachel doing?" "What is she playing?" Etc and so on... It was so fun to hear them giggling and chattering back and forth on the phone. Lilie (with the help of a translator) wanted to know why Rachel was home, what time is it there, what are you doing tomorrow, Rachel, no school????? And, Rachel, all she wanted to hear and say was "I love you and miss you, big, big, big!" When we were getting ready to head out the door to school afterward, she said, "Mom, she sounds even cuter on the phone then in person!" That girl went to school with the biggest smile on her face.
We are so excited that we are going to be hosting Lilie again this summer. While we would love to know that she never has to leave again, we are thankful for the opportunity to make memories with her and get to know her even more this summer. This time, when she gets on that plane, we will know with certainty that it's just a "see you later"! And, we pray that it will not be long until we are on a plane flying to her! Sometimes the things that are the biggest disappointments turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Our hopes of traveling in the summer slipped out the window a little over a week ago and we were devastated. But, we have chosen to rejoice in this opportunity to see her and hug her and bond with her through hosting. That's what we're going to do! In God's time, we will have her here forever...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A change in perspective
I have recently been attending a ladies bible study in addition to my "regular" church activities which include Sunday School, Worship Service and Wednesday night bible study. During this time, I have been noticing God orchestrating a theme, weaving together the lessons and prayers of those around me in a spectacular way. He has been revealing this "lesson" not only to my heart, but also to my husband's. Therefore, I thought that I must share this most valuable "lesson" with all of you! I pray that my writing may do justice to it.
Let me begin by saying that throughout this journey (from hosting to adopting) there have been those who have supported us through prayer and words of encouragement and their gift to us is priceless. However, there have also been those who have caused us to feel discouraged at times. Some people have said that we were "crazy" to bring an adolescent from another country, culture and background into our home to live with our 3 children. She may be dangerous in some way, they said. How will you communicate with her? How will you afford it? Aren't you worried? You can imagine the hundreds of responses that we have received...and the fear that Satan tried to root in our hearts. And so, it was that God began to battle Satan for our hearts and minds. It took a change in "perspective" to teach us such an important lesson.
Service and Love. Isn't that what Jesus's ministry on earth was all about? He came not for those who were healthy, wealthy and righteous, but rather for those who were sick, hungry, thirsty and poor. He spent his entire 3 years of ministry helping others. He healed bodies, he healed hearts, he provided for the needs of all of those who demonstrated their need for him. Jesus never used words without action! This is how he won the hearts of so many. It wasn't a great sermon, although he spoke with wisdom and authority. Jesus Christ went where there was a need, he stepped out of his comfort zone and right into the midst of sin and darkness. After all of this, he gave the Great Commission, and he said that we (anyone who calls themselves a follower of Christ) are to go and do the same!
Finally, I have gotten to the point of all of this. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! When we say that, we attach ourselves to what it really means. We recognize that we must be like Christ, that we must love the unlovable, we must care for those who cannot care for themselves and we must demonstrate God's love to all of those around us through action! We also recognize that we will often feel uncomfortable, worried, maybe even frightened and that it is during these times of personal sacrifice that God will be glorified! We have decided to choose to see the world through His eyes and not our own. What a change in perspective!Each day we must decide that we need Him to help us, to guide us, and to forgive us. We are humans who struggle with pride and selfishness, just like everyone else. But, we know now that we are capable of so much more because He is in US! He feels up all the empty spots, strengthens our weaknesses and quiets our fears. If only we ask Him to.
One of my favorite scriptures lately has been this one, "So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!" (2 Corinthians 5:16) When it is tempting to listen to those that list the things that we should worry about, I remember this verse and I stop evaluating this situation from a human perspective. Instead, I look at it through Christ's eyes and I know without a doubt that we are doing what Christ would do. Isn't that what it's really all about? We trust in Him completely. He will provide all that we need. We are just people. There is nothing amazing about us. What is amazing is how God can use us if only we change our perspective!
Let me begin by saying that throughout this journey (from hosting to adopting) there have been those who have supported us through prayer and words of encouragement and their gift to us is priceless. However, there have also been those who have caused us to feel discouraged at times. Some people have said that we were "crazy" to bring an adolescent from another country, culture and background into our home to live with our 3 children. She may be dangerous in some way, they said. How will you communicate with her? How will you afford it? Aren't you worried? You can imagine the hundreds of responses that we have received...and the fear that Satan tried to root in our hearts. And so, it was that God began to battle Satan for our hearts and minds. It took a change in "perspective" to teach us such an important lesson.
Service and Love. Isn't that what Jesus's ministry on earth was all about? He came not for those who were healthy, wealthy and righteous, but rather for those who were sick, hungry, thirsty and poor. He spent his entire 3 years of ministry helping others. He healed bodies, he healed hearts, he provided for the needs of all of those who demonstrated their need for him. Jesus never used words without action! This is how he won the hearts of so many. It wasn't a great sermon, although he spoke with wisdom and authority. Jesus Christ went where there was a need, he stepped out of his comfort zone and right into the midst of sin and darkness. After all of this, he gave the Great Commission, and he said that we (anyone who calls themselves a follower of Christ) are to go and do the same!
Finally, I have gotten to the point of all of this. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! When we say that, we attach ourselves to what it really means. We recognize that we must be like Christ, that we must love the unlovable, we must care for those who cannot care for themselves and we must demonstrate God's love to all of those around us through action! We also recognize that we will often feel uncomfortable, worried, maybe even frightened and that it is during these times of personal sacrifice that God will be glorified! We have decided to choose to see the world through His eyes and not our own. What a change in perspective!Each day we must decide that we need Him to help us, to guide us, and to forgive us. We are humans who struggle with pride and selfishness, just like everyone else. But, we know now that we are capable of so much more because He is in US! He feels up all the empty spots, strengthens our weaknesses and quiets our fears. If only we ask Him to.
One of my favorite scriptures lately has been this one, "So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!" (2 Corinthians 5:16) When it is tempting to listen to those that list the things that we should worry about, I remember this verse and I stop evaluating this situation from a human perspective. Instead, I look at it through Christ's eyes and I know without a doubt that we are doing what Christ would do. Isn't that what it's really all about? We trust in Him completely. He will provide all that we need. We are just people. There is nothing amazing about us. What is amazing is how God can use us if only we change our perspective!
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