Yesterday we received word that the two girls were given to another family. We are thrilled they will go home faster with this family who already has their dossier in the country. Amazingly, we also are very peaceful about this. Remember how I am praying for peace and joy? Well, it's working!! :)
Stacy and I have our psychological exams tomorrow and we already received our appointment to drive to St. Louis to have our fingerprints taken for immigration (I-800a)! Theoretically we could be ready to mail our dossier to the Philippines by mid September! I can't believe we can see the light at the end of the tunnel of paperwork.
That being said, we realized we need to find a whole lot of money to go with our dossier to the Philippines so we held a garage sale last weekend. Can I just say God is amazing?! I know you're not supposed to talk money (especially to strangers) BUT if I don't share you won't get the full effect of what happened. We had received some small donations to put in our garage sale and then we went through our closets and basement. We had a lot of little stuff. I think the biggest ticket item we had for sale was a 15.00 chair (which didn't sell). Our mindset was that if we had 1,000 items that sold at $1.00 we could make $1,000. I know, I'm a math genius....
Well, we had a very slow weekend. We had been told people would give extra money or write a check for $50.00. This was not our experience. We did have 7-8 people pay an extra $5.00, so we can account for $40.00 in gifts. And our new neighbor came over and handed us $20.00 to help because he thought it was so cool what we were doing. Anyhow, the clothes piles went down somewhat and in the end we were left with a lot of things to take to Goodwill.
To our amazement we made $600.00!!!!! What in the world?! We racked our brains to figure out what our largest sale was ($55.00) and how many people gave extra (7-8).....The next day my friend asked how it went. I tried to recount and explain what happened. She said, "So what was your big ticket item?" HA! We didn't have one!! God is AMAZING! That's all we can say. There is no way we can account for the money made, but He can. He provided it for us.
We had too much fun talking to the people about our adoption. People are very encouraging and they get so excited to hear about our story. One of our first customers of the day was a single mom who adopted her daughter from China 12 years ago. She talked, and talked and in the end gave me a HUG and said she'd be praying for us. How cool is that?!
I think the nicest comment came from a lady who has an autistic son. I couldn't help myself but to bring up the GAPS Diet. We got to talking about alternative/complementary care which led to homeschooling. She was such a nice lady. As she paid for her books she said to Stacy and I, "I can tell you two are on the same page together. That's so nice to see. It's taken my husband and I 18 years to get there." I thought to myself what an honor it is to have a marriage that others can see that with one chance meeting.
The garage sale may have been long and full of hard work, but in the end we were not only blessed by God but encouraged by his people.
Candie
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Unexpected Phone Call
Our passports arrived! I guess my multiple names growing up didn't become an issue!
To date we have gotten our home study into the State of Illinois. We are one of two states in the nation that require the government to approve of our desire to adopt. How's that for fun? We are hoping to have an approval at the end of the week so we can apply to immigration to get their o.k. to travel and bring home one or two children. Once that is approved (up to 8 weeks time) THEN we get to send our dossier to the Philippines. We have decided not to request any more children until our full file is in their hands. It's kind of exciting, because things are starting to move. Paperwork is filled out just waiting for approvals. We also get to have psychological exams, and maybe even an IQ test! My friend and I joked that at 46 years of age maybe the exams are to prove we are crazy to adopt multiple children from another country!! HA!!! Just kidding.....:)
So here we are cruising along, thinking of nothing important. We're enjoying our summer weather and hitting the pool often. Oh, that's kind of a funny story to mention.
The other night at the pool Stacy asked Faith and I if we'd been thinking about what it's going to be like next year (Lord willing) to be at the pool with more siblings? He was so funny because he didn't want to offend our oldest daughter by suggesting it would be more fun with MORE daughters (or sons). Faith and I just looked at each other and laughed. Who is this man that keeps dreaming about more and more children? Isn't that a chick thing to do? We are continually amazed at how God has put a passion in our husband and father.
Then out of the blue I got a phone call from Michelle.
She just wanted to let me know that she doesn't have all the information, but evidently the Philippine government has requested to look at our file again. For guess who? The girls we were just told had been given to another family 8 days ago!
Now before we all have a party, there is another family they are considering for the girls. She told us she would call us as soon as she found out more information.
This is highly unusual. This is adoption. And as I type this I realize I am at total peace.
Only time will tell, but I thought it fitting to document it. Just in case.
Candie
To date we have gotten our home study into the State of Illinois. We are one of two states in the nation that require the government to approve of our desire to adopt. How's that for fun? We are hoping to have an approval at the end of the week so we can apply to immigration to get their o.k. to travel and bring home one or two children. Once that is approved (up to 8 weeks time) THEN we get to send our dossier to the Philippines. We have decided not to request any more children until our full file is in their hands. It's kind of exciting, because things are starting to move. Paperwork is filled out just waiting for approvals. We also get to have psychological exams, and maybe even an IQ test! My friend and I joked that at 46 years of age maybe the exams are to prove we are crazy to adopt multiple children from another country!! HA!!! Just kidding.....:)
So here we are cruising along, thinking of nothing important. We're enjoying our summer weather and hitting the pool often. Oh, that's kind of a funny story to mention.
The other night at the pool Stacy asked Faith and I if we'd been thinking about what it's going to be like next year (Lord willing) to be at the pool with more siblings? He was so funny because he didn't want to offend our oldest daughter by suggesting it would be more fun with MORE daughters (or sons). Faith and I just looked at each other and laughed. Who is this man that keeps dreaming about more and more children? Isn't that a chick thing to do? We are continually amazed at how God has put a passion in our husband and father.
Then out of the blue I got a phone call from Michelle.
She just wanted to let me know that she doesn't have all the information, but evidently the Philippine government has requested to look at our file again. For guess who? The girls we were just told had been given to another family 8 days ago!
Now before we all have a party, there is another family they are considering for the girls. She told us she would call us as soon as she found out more information.
This is highly unusual. This is adoption. And as I type this I realize I am at total peace.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27For our family tonight we are asking God, "Are these girls ours?"
Only time will tell, but I thought it fitting to document it. Just in case.
Candie
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Did I Say We Were Going to China?
The "ink" had barely dried on the last post when literally the next day I saw that our agency was advocating for two sisters, ages 8 and 5.....from the Philippines. Honestly, my first thought went something like this, "Oh CRAP, what if those were supposed to be OUR girls?"
I said we were going to China, right?
Do you feel a U-turn coming up?
I tried to play it cool that night when the family was home and nonchalantly told them that Madison was advocating for two girls. And I left it at that. We had made a decision, we were going to China.
But the next day I still had this nagging feeling. I texted Stacy, "Do you think we moved to China too soon? What if these are our girls?"
His response: "I was thinking the same thing."
Super. Great. I just blogged about going to China!!
So I emailed our liaison at the agency and said, "Don't kill me.....could we look at the girl's file?"
Do you remember we JUST finalized our home study that week? China, boy 0-3, girl 0-10.
Michelle, being so sweet as she is, said that people change their minds all the time. No problem. Our caseworker's response when we asked, "Could you hold off for a couple days sending the final report in?" was, "Wow, you guys are on a roller coaster."
Weee......(I hope you can hear my sarcasm!)
We saw the girls and fell in love (again). One thing I know, our capacity for love is enormous. And yet it's just a fraction of our Father love. Pretty cool to think about.
Here's one of the hard parts about Fillipinos: they are on their own slow timeline compared to us Americans. So the wait began. And two weeks passed. During this time we were tempted to not fall in love and think about how the girls would fit in. But then we decided that IF these were the girls, how cool would it be to say, we fell in love with you the first time we saw you?! We looked up their names (which we liked) and found out they meant "Messenger of God" and "Gift from God". We put their pictures on our screen savers and prayed for them when we saw them.
Lord, please let them be ours.
So we waited, and prayed, and waited some more.....
Then we found out that even though the government called and asked our agency to find a home for the girls, they gave them to another family!!!!!
NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We deleted their pictures off our screen savers (which we've done 3 times now for 3 sister-groups) and we added two more girls to our prayer list that their new forever families would love them like we would have.
What was the lesson for these two weeks? For one, we realized that our hearts are in the Philippines, not China. We love the kids in China and believe one day we'll go there, but for now, when we think about picking up kiddos and bringing them home, we see Philippines. Secondly, (as if this is a new learned lesson) we know that God has planned from the beginning of time who is to be ours. He puts governments in place and he is big enough to put our family together.
Adoption is a step-by-step, day-by-day journey. The cool thing is that even though we feel we've had a set-back, I still have JOY. God is so good!
Candie
I said we were going to China, right?
Do you feel a U-turn coming up?
I tried to play it cool that night when the family was home and nonchalantly told them that Madison was advocating for two girls. And I left it at that. We had made a decision, we were going to China.
But the next day I still had this nagging feeling. I texted Stacy, "Do you think we moved to China too soon? What if these are our girls?"
His response: "I was thinking the same thing."
Super. Great. I just blogged about going to China!!
So I emailed our liaison at the agency and said, "Don't kill me.....could we look at the girl's file?"
Do you remember we JUST finalized our home study that week? China, boy 0-3, girl 0-10.
Michelle, being so sweet as she is, said that people change their minds all the time. No problem. Our caseworker's response when we asked, "Could you hold off for a couple days sending the final report in?" was, "Wow, you guys are on a roller coaster."
Weee......(I hope you can hear my sarcasm!)
We saw the girls and fell in love (again). One thing I know, our capacity for love is enormous. And yet it's just a fraction of our Father love. Pretty cool to think about.
Here's one of the hard parts about Fillipinos: they are on their own slow timeline compared to us Americans. So the wait began. And two weeks passed. During this time we were tempted to not fall in love and think about how the girls would fit in. But then we decided that IF these were the girls, how cool would it be to say, we fell in love with you the first time we saw you?! We looked up their names (which we liked) and found out they meant "Messenger of God" and "Gift from God". We put their pictures on our screen savers and prayed for them when we saw them.
Lord, please let them be ours.
So we waited, and prayed, and waited some more.....
Then we found out that even though the government called and asked our agency to find a home for the girls, they gave them to another family!!!!!
NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We deleted their pictures off our screen savers (which we've done 3 times now for 3 sister-groups) and we added two more girls to our prayer list that their new forever families would love them like we would have.
What was the lesson for these two weeks? For one, we realized that our hearts are in the Philippines, not China. We love the kids in China and believe one day we'll go there, but for now, when we think about picking up kiddos and bringing them home, we see Philippines. Secondly, (as if this is a new learned lesson) we know that God has planned from the beginning of time who is to be ours. He puts governments in place and he is big enough to put our family together.
Adoption is a step-by-step, day-by-day journey. The cool thing is that even though we feel we've had a set-back, I still have JOY. God is so good!
Candie
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Changing Directions
According to my girls, last nights post was exceedingly negative. One of them even suggested no one would want to read another post! So if you had the courage to come back and read this post, I hope to be of some encouragement to YOU. See here's the thing. I'm a very REAL person. I don't do fake. I don't like to read between the lines. I think people should just say what they mean and mean what they say. Life would be SO much easier if people took my advice! Then all of these pretend ideas that life is rosy and all rainbows and giggles could be put to rest. In case you don't know, (brace yourself) sometimes God asks us to do very hard things and not always will we feel rosy, and full of giggles. Anyhow, I'm on a bunny trail....
After four months of 'detours' Stacy and I were beginning to think we needed a new game plan. It was so easy to run down this road, or go down another road, and honestly we felt led in every one of those situations. But I certainly had lost joy in the process. Some people I know grin and bear stacks of paperwork, and unnecessary parent training and jump through hoops and 'stick' their landing with a smile. Not me.
If I had a dollar for every time I've said, "You're kidding, right?" I could have paid to bring an orphanage home. Like when I was getting fingerprinted, which by the way you have to do TWICE. Yep, you're kidding, right? Fingerprints never change! Anyhow, the guy says to me, "We seem to have a problem with your pinky and ring finger. Those prints wear off the fastest. Do you do a lot of dishes?" You're kidding me, right? EVERYDAY! (Maybe Stacy should start washing and I'll do the drying!)
Or the time we applied for our passports, which last for 10 years and the guy looked at our emergency contact names which happened to be each other and told us that wouldn't work because we'd be traveling together. You're kidding, right??!! I know, doesn't sound like a big deal, however, to me, it is. But here's what I realized: I tend to get stuck on little details that don't really matter. Their joy-suckers.
So here we were at a crossroad. Our homestudy was about to be done and we had to choose a country to adopt from. We had no idea this was required and because we have been totally open to God's leading we were having a very difficult time making this decision.
It was at this time we went back to our original call to adopt and we looked at God's visions and dreams he had given us and others for us which included:
1. Before we started our fast I was looking for Daniel Fast ideas and 'happened' across a blogger who writes this blog: http://nihaoyall.com/ She has adopted seven children with special needs from China.
2. A friend of ours had a dream of me changing an Asian baby girl and saying, "I'm too old to be doing this!"
3. A picture I've always had in my head is of our family, much larger, and very ethnically diverse.
4. Watching The Little Couple as they adopted their son Will from China. (And dare I say are hearts are open to a son?)
5. As our family prayed together I had a picture as clear as day of me squatting down with my arm around a boy at an orphanage and he had two friends, a boy and a girl with him. I looked at them and said, "We'll be back to get you. Promise."
And so it is that tonight, as we finalized our homestudy, I can tell you we are going to China. After much deliberation, consternation and prayer we are being approved for a boy age 0-3 or a girl age 0-10. We are approved for two children, however we plan to bring one home first and go back in a year for another. I laugh as I type that because plans change....doors open and doors close. And if you've ever looked at waiting children on the Internet you'd understand that it would be really easy to fall in love with two faces and want to bring them both home! We'll see....
My personal hope is that I can find joy in this process. And patience. And wisdom. And peace.
But I serve a faithful God. How do I know? Today when I checked my email I found this quote:
"Until God opens the next door, praise him in the hallway."
How fitting! Right now I'm in the hallway and I will find joy when I praise God for who he is. For his perfect plan and timing. For his perfect provision.
So tonight I leave you with the same encouragement He has given me. Despite your circumstances, praise God for WHO he is. Put on some great worship music and lose yourself in HIM. Then come back and tell me how soon your joy appeared. :)
Candie
After four months of 'detours' Stacy and I were beginning to think we needed a new game plan. It was so easy to run down this road, or go down another road, and honestly we felt led in every one of those situations. But I certainly had lost joy in the process. Some people I know grin and bear stacks of paperwork, and unnecessary parent training and jump through hoops and 'stick' their landing with a smile. Not me.
If I had a dollar for every time I've said, "You're kidding, right?" I could have paid to bring an orphanage home. Like when I was getting fingerprinted, which by the way you have to do TWICE. Yep, you're kidding, right? Fingerprints never change! Anyhow, the guy says to me, "We seem to have a problem with your pinky and ring finger. Those prints wear off the fastest. Do you do a lot of dishes?" You're kidding me, right? EVERYDAY! (Maybe Stacy should start washing and I'll do the drying!)
Or the time we applied for our passports, which last for 10 years and the guy looked at our emergency contact names which happened to be each other and told us that wouldn't work because we'd be traveling together. You're kidding, right??!! I know, doesn't sound like a big deal, however, to me, it is. But here's what I realized: I tend to get stuck on little details that don't really matter. Their joy-suckers.
So here we were at a crossroad. Our homestudy was about to be done and we had to choose a country to adopt from. We had no idea this was required and because we have been totally open to God's leading we were having a very difficult time making this decision.
It was at this time we went back to our original call to adopt and we looked at God's visions and dreams he had given us and others for us which included:
1. Before we started our fast I was looking for Daniel Fast ideas and 'happened' across a blogger who writes this blog: http://nihaoyall.com/ She has adopted seven children with special needs from China.
2. A friend of ours had a dream of me changing an Asian baby girl and saying, "I'm too old to be doing this!"
3. A picture I've always had in my head is of our family, much larger, and very ethnically diverse.
4. Watching The Little Couple as they adopted their son Will from China. (And dare I say are hearts are open to a son?)
5. As our family prayed together I had a picture as clear as day of me squatting down with my arm around a boy at an orphanage and he had two friends, a boy and a girl with him. I looked at them and said, "We'll be back to get you. Promise."
And so it is that tonight, as we finalized our homestudy, I can tell you we are going to China. After much deliberation, consternation and prayer we are being approved for a boy age 0-3 or a girl age 0-10. We are approved for two children, however we plan to bring one home first and go back in a year for another. I laugh as I type that because plans change....doors open and doors close. And if you've ever looked at waiting children on the Internet you'd understand that it would be really easy to fall in love with two faces and want to bring them both home! We'll see....
My personal hope is that I can find joy in this process. And patience. And wisdom. And peace.
But I serve a faithful God. How do I know? Today when I checked my email I found this quote:
"Until God opens the next door, praise him in the hallway."
How fitting! Right now I'm in the hallway and I will find joy when I praise God for who he is. For his perfect plan and timing. For his perfect provision.
So tonight I leave you with the same encouragement He has given me. Despite your circumstances, praise God for WHO he is. Put on some great worship music and lose yourself in HIM. Then come back and tell me how soon your joy appeared. :)
Candie
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Bumpy Roads
It's hard to believe I haven't written for almost 4 1/2 months. I'm so sorry. After the fast things started happening at rapid pace, and then stall and then go, and then stall....I hear this is the way of international adoption. I'll just say up front: I'm not a fan. (How's that for starting off on a negative note?!)
How bout I get you caught up with our adoption happenings??
Remember when I said that the adoption part was the EASY part, but the following God was the hard part? I'm officially taking that back! It's just all hard! (There I go being negative again. Can you see why I haven't written?)
Within a week of deciding to adopt, a friend of ours who is involved in orphan care told us of two girls who were needing a home. Their names were Anne and Barb (I'm making up names as I go to protect the innocent!) Anyhow, they were 14 and 10 with a dad who died and a mom who allowed horrible things to happen to them. They were in foster care and needed/wanted a Christian family. At the time the mom was expected to go to jail and her parental rights would be terminated.
This was our first test. I say test, because I KNOW that the road to a child or children is always full of tests. Tests from God to see if we are listening. Tests from God to see if we are obedient. Tests of our faith, etc.
Lots of questions ran through our head. You want us to adopt older children God? What if Anne and Abbi didn't get along? The what-if's abound! But we believed that we needed to walk down the road until the doors closed. So we called the State Agency who had the girls. Dead end. Twice! We soon heard the girls were placed in a lovely Christian home. CLOSED DOOR. And we learned that we were not cut out to work with the State Foster System.
I'm not sure I mentioned that from the beginning both Stacy and I were certain that we would be getting more than one child. We weren't totally sure if it's to be a sibling group or multiple adoptions. Selfishly a sibling group sounds like a "one and done" deal, but we have to remember, this is God's plan, not ours. But we're not getting any younger, remember God? :)
To fulfill part of our training for a foster adopt license (don't even get me started on the experienced parents of 21 years, who have also adopted a child who HAVE to go to 15 hrs of parenting classes), we went to a class and met Michelle who told us she had just seen the most beautiful group of sisters who needed a home from the Philippines. FOUR sisters. So while we sat through the class Stacy couldn't get them off his mind. Me, on the other hand, didn't give it another thought once I heard 4 girls. But my husband, who wants to bring home all the orphans was not to be deterred. He said, "We just have to hear about these girls." I'm thinking, "ARE YOU NUTS?! 4 GIRLS?!!??" Well, we fell in love with them and our daughters fell in love with them. I started thinking about them when I folded laundry and wondered how it would be to have 8 sets of clothes to wash and put away. Their names were Cheryl, Danielle, Eveyln and Francine and they were 14, 11, 8 and 4. Our agency had reserved these girls which means that only our agency could find a family for them. This was a done deal, for sure. We frantically started our paperwork and submitted it to the Filipino government who much to our agency's surprise had given the girls to another family from another agency!!! Seriously?!
But you know what I love about God? He knows who is to be ours and he knows what's best for us, and he has a perfect plan. So while we were disappointed, we could rejoice that the girls got a forever family sooner than we could get them and we could praise God for his sovereignty. We also added 4 more girls to our list of kids to pray for.
Almost as soon as we heard about the girls my girlfriend from Washington called to tell me about a brother and sister she knew of who most likely were going to need a home. Their mom has terminal cancer and the dad most likely will not parent them. They are 6 and 3. Let's see, we'll call them Greg and Hannah. All of us started planning for these kiddos and we started dreaming of how we would get to go back to Washington and how all our friends and family would get to see our newest addition.... It just seemed so perfect. But it didn't happen. We have started to learn that our family has big hearts that will love any orphan(s) God puts our way.
Then we get a call from our agency about two sisters, Ivy and Julie who are 8 and 6. Ivy has my birthday and Julie's birthday is one week before Stacy's birthday. Michelle was certain these girls would be ours. She believes that sometimes God shows you who is to be yours by a simple thing like an important date. Another letter is sent to the government and we wait, and wait, and find out the government is on holiday for a week or so, and wait some more. And then we hear the news: They gave them to someone else who was farther along in the paperwork process. Seriously? This is starting to get OLD. The fun and excitement is waning.
God, what are we missing?
So by the third month we have had 2 "for sure sibling groups" fall through, one really ideal situation fall through and then we hear about a pregnant mom locally. While we have always had a heart from domestic adoption we haven't been thinking we wanted a newborn. It may sound weird but besides the fact that newborns wake up often in the middle of the night, we know there are so many women who haven't been able to hold their own newborn in their arms, and we feel like we've been blessed with two newborns already. BUT when God opens a door, you gotta walk through it. So we talked with the doctor a few times and really felt like this birthmom was not ready to make a commitment. She has a one year old daughter and the child she is carrying has the same father. There were some serious doubts that in the end she would not relinquish her child. And that's her right. But we just felt like God was saying no.
Some would say, "Why would God say no if he opened the door?" To that question I would reply that I believe He want to see if we'll walk with him. Sometimes the road doesn't even look like one you want to be on, but for us, if we believe God is leading, we'll follow. He does know best, that is the comfort I have tonight as I write this. So far there have been a lot of detours, and the travel has made me weary. Lots of highs and lots of lows, yet through it all I know that His plan is perfect. I know that before the beginning of time He knew who would be a Shipman. He knew.
So where does that leave us? Check back tomorrow and I'll finish getting you caught up. :)
Candie
How bout I get you caught up with our adoption happenings??
Remember when I said that the adoption part was the EASY part, but the following God was the hard part? I'm officially taking that back! It's just all hard! (There I go being negative again. Can you see why I haven't written?)
Within a week of deciding to adopt, a friend of ours who is involved in orphan care told us of two girls who were needing a home. Their names were Anne and Barb (I'm making up names as I go to protect the innocent!) Anyhow, they were 14 and 10 with a dad who died and a mom who allowed horrible things to happen to them. They were in foster care and needed/wanted a Christian family. At the time the mom was expected to go to jail and her parental rights would be terminated.
This was our first test. I say test, because I KNOW that the road to a child or children is always full of tests. Tests from God to see if we are listening. Tests from God to see if we are obedient. Tests of our faith, etc.
Lots of questions ran through our head. You want us to adopt older children God? What if Anne and Abbi didn't get along? The what-if's abound! But we believed that we needed to walk down the road until the doors closed. So we called the State Agency who had the girls. Dead end. Twice! We soon heard the girls were placed in a lovely Christian home. CLOSED DOOR. And we learned that we were not cut out to work with the State Foster System.
I'm not sure I mentioned that from the beginning both Stacy and I were certain that we would be getting more than one child. We weren't totally sure if it's to be a sibling group or multiple adoptions. Selfishly a sibling group sounds like a "one and done" deal, but we have to remember, this is God's plan, not ours. But we're not getting any younger, remember God? :)
To fulfill part of our training for a foster adopt license (don't even get me started on the experienced parents of 21 years, who have also adopted a child who HAVE to go to 15 hrs of parenting classes), we went to a class and met Michelle who told us she had just seen the most beautiful group of sisters who needed a home from the Philippines. FOUR sisters. So while we sat through the class Stacy couldn't get them off his mind. Me, on the other hand, didn't give it another thought once I heard 4 girls. But my husband, who wants to bring home all the orphans was not to be deterred. He said, "We just have to hear about these girls." I'm thinking, "ARE YOU NUTS?! 4 GIRLS?!!??" Well, we fell in love with them and our daughters fell in love with them. I started thinking about them when I folded laundry and wondered how it would be to have 8 sets of clothes to wash and put away. Their names were Cheryl, Danielle, Eveyln and Francine and they were 14, 11, 8 and 4. Our agency had reserved these girls which means that only our agency could find a family for them. This was a done deal, for sure. We frantically started our paperwork and submitted it to the Filipino government who much to our agency's surprise had given the girls to another family from another agency!!! Seriously?!
But you know what I love about God? He knows who is to be ours and he knows what's best for us, and he has a perfect plan. So while we were disappointed, we could rejoice that the girls got a forever family sooner than we could get them and we could praise God for his sovereignty. We also added 4 more girls to our list of kids to pray for.
Almost as soon as we heard about the girls my girlfriend from Washington called to tell me about a brother and sister she knew of who most likely were going to need a home. Their mom has terminal cancer and the dad most likely will not parent them. They are 6 and 3. Let's see, we'll call them Greg and Hannah. All of us started planning for these kiddos and we started dreaming of how we would get to go back to Washington and how all our friends and family would get to see our newest addition.... It just seemed so perfect. But it didn't happen. We have started to learn that our family has big hearts that will love any orphan(s) God puts our way.
Then we get a call from our agency about two sisters, Ivy and Julie who are 8 and 6. Ivy has my birthday and Julie's birthday is one week before Stacy's birthday. Michelle was certain these girls would be ours. She believes that sometimes God shows you who is to be yours by a simple thing like an important date. Another letter is sent to the government and we wait, and wait, and find out the government is on holiday for a week or so, and wait some more. And then we hear the news: They gave them to someone else who was farther along in the paperwork process. Seriously? This is starting to get OLD. The fun and excitement is waning.
God, what are we missing?
So by the third month we have had 2 "for sure sibling groups" fall through, one really ideal situation fall through and then we hear about a pregnant mom locally. While we have always had a heart from domestic adoption we haven't been thinking we wanted a newborn. It may sound weird but besides the fact that newborns wake up often in the middle of the night, we know there are so many women who haven't been able to hold their own newborn in their arms, and we feel like we've been blessed with two newborns already. BUT when God opens a door, you gotta walk through it. So we talked with the doctor a few times and really felt like this birthmom was not ready to make a commitment. She has a one year old daughter and the child she is carrying has the same father. There were some serious doubts that in the end she would not relinquish her child. And that's her right. But we just felt like God was saying no.
Some would say, "Why would God say no if he opened the door?" To that question I would reply that I believe He want to see if we'll walk with him. Sometimes the road doesn't even look like one you want to be on, but for us, if we believe God is leading, we'll follow. He does know best, that is the comfort I have tonight as I write this. So far there have been a lot of detours, and the travel has made me weary. Lots of highs and lots of lows, yet through it all I know that His plan is perfect. I know that before the beginning of time He knew who would be a Shipman. He knew.
So where does that leave us? Check back tomorrow and I'll finish getting you caught up. :)
Candie
Monday, January 28, 2013
We're ADOPTING!!!!
It is with excitement and peace that I get to say we are adopting!!!!! We serve a faithful God and we feel blessed that he would honor us with his presence and ask us to be parents of more children.
I am amazed at the total paradigm shift that has happened in our hearts these 21 days. I know it can only be of God.
I have so much to say....but where to start???
Saturday late morning when Abbi woke up her first question of the day was, "Are we adopting?" Then, "Mom do you know the answer and just aren't telling me?" "Maybe." I said. :) So the girls went on a sister date and Stacy and I sat down to talk.
If you've been reading our blog maybe it's seemed obvious to you, and if I'm honest from the beginning I felt like this idea of adoption would become a reality. But it seemed like such a hard decision. Not the adopting. That part is easy. But to lay down our will and give up our American ways of thinking and be DIFFERENT. That, my friends was the struggle.
And as we struggled God changed our hearts and our perspective, and there has been so much peace.
So when the girls came home they were besides themselves to know the answer. I, being the faithful wife, thought it would be best if Stacy told them.
And so in a monotone voice he said something like this, "Well we think it seems inevitable that we will adopt someday......" He also said some other stuff but in the meantime I was thinking in my head, "Your killing me Smalls!" And then I said, "Girls this is such a great picture and reminder of how guys are different from us."
Well Faith was jumping up and down even though he hadn't really said anything and Abbi being ever so blunt screamed, "Will you just spit it out! Are we or are we not adopting?!!!"
I could handle it no more. I finally just said, "Yes. We are adopting!!!!!"
Let the screaming be heard through all the dirt fields. :)
Stay tuned. The fast may be over but the game has just begun. (Sorry for another sports metaphor. I can't help myself.)
Tomorrow I want to tell you about all the other signs around us we passed as God led us to this conclusion....We're ADOPTING!!!!!
Candie
I am amazed at the total paradigm shift that has happened in our hearts these 21 days. I know it can only be of God.
I have so much to say....but where to start???
Saturday late morning when Abbi woke up her first question of the day was, "Are we adopting?" Then, "Mom do you know the answer and just aren't telling me?" "Maybe." I said. :) So the girls went on a sister date and Stacy and I sat down to talk.
If you've been reading our blog maybe it's seemed obvious to you, and if I'm honest from the beginning I felt like this idea of adoption would become a reality. But it seemed like such a hard decision. Not the adopting. That part is easy. But to lay down our will and give up our American ways of thinking and be DIFFERENT. That, my friends was the struggle.
And as we struggled God changed our hearts and our perspective, and there has been so much peace.
So when the girls came home they were besides themselves to know the answer. I, being the faithful wife, thought it would be best if Stacy told them.
And so in a monotone voice he said something like this, "Well we think it seems inevitable that we will adopt someday......" He also said some other stuff but in the meantime I was thinking in my head, "Your killing me Smalls!" And then I said, "Girls this is such a great picture and reminder of how guys are different from us."
Well Faith was jumping up and down even though he hadn't really said anything and Abbi being ever so blunt screamed, "Will you just spit it out! Are we or are we not adopting?!!!"
I could handle it no more. I finally just said, "Yes. We are adopting!!!!!"
Let the screaming be heard through all the dirt fields. :)
Stay tuned. The fast may be over but the game has just begun. (Sorry for another sports metaphor. I can't help myself.)
Tomorrow I want to tell you about all the other signs around us we passed as God led us to this conclusion....We're ADOPTING!!!!!
Candie
Sunday, January 27, 2013
God at Halftime
Remember how I said that God will show us his will and that often times we are too busy to see the signs pointing to Him? I have to say that these three weeks have been an overwhelming time of God revealing himself to us.
Friday Abbi had a basketball game and during halftime there is a talk given to the fans. This time when the girls left the court they shut the door to the gymnasium. "CLUNK" Anyone who knows me or has sat with my for any amount of time knows that I'm a one-liner girl who really tries to behave. But I somehow manage to always throw a side comment around. Now mind you, I'm not saying malicious things. For instance after I heard the door clunk I said to Stacy, "Oh boy they really don't want us leaving! We're stuck! Let me out!!!!" Got it? Just juvenile stuff like that.
So imagine to my surprise when the referee was the speaker and she said, "I'm the pinch hitter tonight." (Did I mention Stacy and I have been baseball and fastpitch coaches? We get that language.) And the ref had our attention.
Guess what she wanted to talk about?
Unconditional love that we should be giving to those around us.
Guess what else she talked about? Adoption. Yep. Is anyone surprised by this if you've been reading our blog?
Didn't think so.
So while the ref talked about how she adopted 2 kids who are African American and how proud she was of that fact, Faith elbowed me in the side.
And then when she told us that her sister adopted 3 kids from different countries, Faith elbowed my in the side.
And when she told us that her brother adopted a son, Faith elbowed me.
3 siblings adopting 6 kids......
By now my side was sore and I began to think that the door that is never closed during halftime was slammed shut by God. And I had a picture that he was in Heaven saying, "Got them now."
But it's only Friday and we still have another day to fast. Maybe we'll really hear from Him on Saturday. :)
Friday Abbi had a basketball game and during halftime there is a talk given to the fans. This time when the girls left the court they shut the door to the gymnasium. "CLUNK" Anyone who knows me or has sat with my for any amount of time knows that I'm a one-liner girl who really tries to behave. But I somehow manage to always throw a side comment around. Now mind you, I'm not saying malicious things. For instance after I heard the door clunk I said to Stacy, "Oh boy they really don't want us leaving! We're stuck! Let me out!!!!" Got it? Just juvenile stuff like that.
So imagine to my surprise when the referee was the speaker and she said, "I'm the pinch hitter tonight." (Did I mention Stacy and I have been baseball and fastpitch coaches? We get that language.) And the ref had our attention.
Guess what she wanted to talk about?
Unconditional love that we should be giving to those around us.
Guess what else she talked about? Adoption. Yep. Is anyone surprised by this if you've been reading our blog?
Didn't think so.
So while the ref talked about how she adopted 2 kids who are African American and how proud she was of that fact, Faith elbowed me in the side.
And then when she told us that her sister adopted 3 kids from different countries, Faith elbowed my in the side.
And when she told us that her brother adopted a son, Faith elbowed me.
3 siblings adopting 6 kids......
By now my side was sore and I began to think that the door that is never closed during halftime was slammed shut by God. And I had a picture that he was in Heaven saying, "Got them now."
But it's only Friday and we still have another day to fast. Maybe we'll really hear from Him on Saturday. :)
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Abbi's Dream
Jesus loves the little children of the world. He is not a God who is reserved for adults who can intellectually converse about the finer points of Christianity. He is a God who welcomes children into his arms. He's their protector. He's their Father. He desires that they know Him.
I believe last night God had in mind to show Abbi how important she was to him. He wanted to speak loudly to her. He wanted to make himself known to her.
Abbi had a dream!
In her dream she was walking into Family Video to get a movie. Behind her was a toddler girl wearing a white knitted winter hat and a white coat. Abbi turned to this little girl and picked her up and said, "Sarah, which American Girl Movie do you want to watch?"
And the dream was over.
Abbi tried to recall her face but she only remembers she was fair skinned but with some type of ethnicity that she couldn't name.
What a fun morning the two of us had! I should mention that Abbi is very insistent that God is telling us to adopt. As a matter of fact she thinks we should adopt a girl from Boston. No joke. It's what she's been saying for weeks.
Anyone who knows Abbi knows that she is very driven. When she gets an idea in her head....watch out! So since Day 1 of our fast she has asked the question, "Do you think God is telling us to adopt?" I remember looking at Stacy and thinking, "Oh gosh, this is going to be a LONG 3 weeks!"
In case you need reminding, Stacy and I have been totally content being the four of us. Totally content to walk into the next phase of our lives.
But how ironic that the little girl in the dream was named Sarah. The first thing that came to my mind when Abbi told me her name was the picture of Sarah in the Bible who was listening (eavesdropping) while the LORD told Abraham:
Tonight as I write this and meditate on this passage I'm struck by the fact that Sarah was afraid. Was she afraid because she got caught laughing? Or was she afraid because the dream she had her whole life to be the mom of a son was going to come true? How many years did she want to be a mom? How many months passed and her menstrual cycle testified that she would never be a mom?
I know infertility. I can identify. And yet God says, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"
I don't know if you want a baby. I don't know if you have longed for something that has never come to pass. But I want to encourage you. Nothing is too hard for God.
And tonight I apply that truth to myself. God can give me energy and all that I need should one day I have a daughter named Sarah.
Candie
I believe last night God had in mind to show Abbi how important she was to him. He wanted to speak loudly to her. He wanted to make himself known to her.
Abbi had a dream!
In her dream she was walking into Family Video to get a movie. Behind her was a toddler girl wearing a white knitted winter hat and a white coat. Abbi turned to this little girl and picked her up and said, "Sarah, which American Girl Movie do you want to watch?"
And the dream was over.
Abbi tried to recall her face but she only remembers she was fair skinned but with some type of ethnicity that she couldn't name.
What a fun morning the two of us had! I should mention that Abbi is very insistent that God is telling us to adopt. As a matter of fact she thinks we should adopt a girl from Boston. No joke. It's what she's been saying for weeks.
Anyone who knows Abbi knows that she is very driven. When she gets an idea in her head....watch out! So since Day 1 of our fast she has asked the question, "Do you think God is telling us to adopt?" I remember looking at Stacy and thinking, "Oh gosh, this is going to be a LONG 3 weeks!"
In case you need reminding, Stacy and I have been totally content being the four of us. Totally content to walk into the next phase of our lives.
But how ironic that the little girl in the dream was named Sarah. The first thing that came to my mind when Abbi told me her name was the picture of Sarah in the Bible who was listening (eavesdropping) while the LORD told Abraham:
"I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."What did Sarah do? She laughed to herself as she thought:
"After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" (They were already old and well advanced in years and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.)I love the next part:
"Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, "Will I really have a child now that I am old? Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son." But Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh."But he said, "Yes, you did laugh." (Genesis 18:10-15)I titled a blog "The Laugh Could be On Us" yesterday. I'm not sure that it was prophetic, but I do think it's funny. It's almost so funny to me that I could laugh out loud. But I won't.
Tonight as I write this and meditate on this passage I'm struck by the fact that Sarah was afraid. Was she afraid because she got caught laughing? Or was she afraid because the dream she had her whole life to be the mom of a son was going to come true? How many years did she want to be a mom? How many months passed and her menstrual cycle testified that she would never be a mom?
I know infertility. I can identify. And yet God says, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"
I don't know if you want a baby. I don't know if you have longed for something that has never come to pass. But I want to encourage you. Nothing is too hard for God.
And tonight I apply that truth to myself. God can give me energy and all that I need should one day I have a daughter named Sarah.
Candie
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Asking for Dreams
This is the last week of the fast. We still don't have an answer. Mostly God has been working on our hearts. Which is great, but now we are asking for dreams from Him.
I believe dreams are one way God talks to us. I've often laughed in the past that sleeping is the one time God fully has my attention. So the dream I'd like to have would look like this: There would be a child, or baby, or children and they would be wearing a uniform with the name SHIPMAN on their back. Or maybe it would be all of our family walking off into the sunset with matching jerseys. A bright light could shine on this child or children. I'm just saying...obvious would be awesome!
And so last night I had a dream. I was telling Abbi that I had to get on a plane right away and that she would be coming right behind me in a couple of hours. Then I got on a plane and looked out the window to the runway of our small airport in town. And then I woke up!
When Abbi was born we all flew together to Oklahoma. This could be a whole other blog post but suffice it to say, we flew from Washington to Oklahoma via Colorado and got to the hospital with time to spare. Abbi's birthmom wanted me to be at her birth so badly she refused an epidural so that Abbi didn't come before I got there. At 3:30 a.m. when Abbi came into the world the doctor asked who was to get Abbi after he cut the umbilical cord. Jenny said, "Give her to Candie, she's her mom." I will forever love that woman.
Anyhow, needless to say, I've thought a lot about that dream but I don't have any answers so I'm praying God reveals something to me.
Stacy had a dream the other night that he was at a home building site. He was with an inspector who was there to inspect the foundation. As the inspector brushed off the dirt from the foundation he revealed that it was made entirely of stone. And he said, "Wonder why they did that? Most people don't build a foundation out of stone."
So Stacy prayed and asked for wisdom. When he talked to me about it we agreed that we felt God was telling us that we were building our family on a firm foundation. Matthew 7:24-27 testifies:
Candie
I believe dreams are one way God talks to us. I've often laughed in the past that sleeping is the one time God fully has my attention. So the dream I'd like to have would look like this: There would be a child, or baby, or children and they would be wearing a uniform with the name SHIPMAN on their back. Or maybe it would be all of our family walking off into the sunset with matching jerseys. A bright light could shine on this child or children. I'm just saying...obvious would be awesome!
And so last night I had a dream. I was telling Abbi that I had to get on a plane right away and that she would be coming right behind me in a couple of hours. Then I got on a plane and looked out the window to the runway of our small airport in town. And then I woke up!
When Abbi was born we all flew together to Oklahoma. This could be a whole other blog post but suffice it to say, we flew from Washington to Oklahoma via Colorado and got to the hospital with time to spare. Abbi's birthmom wanted me to be at her birth so badly she refused an epidural so that Abbi didn't come before I got there. At 3:30 a.m. when Abbi came into the world the doctor asked who was to get Abbi after he cut the umbilical cord. Jenny said, "Give her to Candie, she's her mom." I will forever love that woman.
Anyhow, needless to say, I've thought a lot about that dream but I don't have any answers so I'm praying God reveals something to me.
Stacy had a dream the other night that he was at a home building site. He was with an inspector who was there to inspect the foundation. As the inspector brushed off the dirt from the foundation he revealed that it was made entirely of stone. And he said, "Wonder why they did that? Most people don't build a foundation out of stone."
So Stacy prayed and asked for wisdom. When he talked to me about it we agreed that we felt God was telling us that we were building our family on a firm foundation. Matthew 7:24-27 testifies:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rains came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."As I read this verse I am convinced that 'doing' the will of God is not optional. If I don't do what God tells me, the Bible says I am a fool. And so tonight before I go to sleep I'll pray for dreams and wisdom to know God's will for our family. And then I'll pray for courage to DO what he is asking us....whatever it may be.
Candie
The Laugh Could be on Us
Do you ever wonder why random thoughts show up in your brain and you can't stop thinking about them? Maybe it's because it's single digit degrees outside. I don't know. But today I've been thinking about the pool/water park.
Last year was our first summer in the cornfields and one of the perks is a water park. We spent lots of hours on the lazy river. It was glorious!
Now you can't see the layout of the park so let me explain. You go through the clubhouse and the first area is the kiddie/baby area. This is where all the new parents or parents of multiple little ones stay. You see many pregnant moms and much younger-than-me-looking women. Then you walk by the 3 foot pool that is for older little ones, but still mostly for parents and their kids. Next is the lazy river with an 'island' in the middle of it. This island is where we sit. It's close to the lap pool and deep end with diving boards and a slide. We can watch the girls do their pencil jumps if we feel the need. But pretty much we just lay there and soak up the sun and read a book.
Every time we went to the pool Stacy and I would say as we walked by the baby pool, "Yep, we just get to keep walking. Bye-bye babies." Or we would say, "Thank God we aren't in this section!" Or, "Aren't those the good times...strollers...umbrellas...paraphernalia." And we would happily walk to our island with a water bottle and a small bag. Please don't be offended. We don't hate babies. They are really cute. We just were so happy to get to our lounge chairs without the worry of a drowning child! We were free!!!! Definitely that chapter of our lives was closed.
Yet today as I think about our walk to the island I kind of feel like the joke might be on us. What if God tells us to adopt and we get a baby?!!! There goes our island.
But it's been a good chuckle for me today. This summer I may be crying. Just kidding....maybe.
Candie
Last year was our first summer in the cornfields and one of the perks is a water park. We spent lots of hours on the lazy river. It was glorious!
Now you can't see the layout of the park so let me explain. You go through the clubhouse and the first area is the kiddie/baby area. This is where all the new parents or parents of multiple little ones stay. You see many pregnant moms and much younger-than-me-looking women. Then you walk by the 3 foot pool that is for older little ones, but still mostly for parents and their kids. Next is the lazy river with an 'island' in the middle of it. This island is where we sit. It's close to the lap pool and deep end with diving boards and a slide. We can watch the girls do their pencil jumps if we feel the need. But pretty much we just lay there and soak up the sun and read a book.
Every time we went to the pool Stacy and I would say as we walked by the baby pool, "Yep, we just get to keep walking. Bye-bye babies." Or we would say, "Thank God we aren't in this section!" Or, "Aren't those the good times...strollers...umbrellas...paraphernalia." And we would happily walk to our island with a water bottle and a small bag. Please don't be offended. We don't hate babies. They are really cute. We just were so happy to get to our lounge chairs without the worry of a drowning child! We were free!!!! Definitely that chapter of our lives was closed.
Yet today as I think about our walk to the island I kind of feel like the joke might be on us. What if God tells us to adopt and we get a baby?!!! There goes our island.
But it's been a good chuckle for me today. This summer I may be crying. Just kidding....maybe.
Candie
Everyday Encounters
Today marks the fourth week that I've been sick. Needless to say I'm not a happy camper. And yet I wonder if God has allowed me to stay sick so that I have no energy to do life as usual? Instead I have enough energy to think and nap and if I'm really lucky, do the dishes. Mostly I've had time for God encounters. I've been able to see Him in ways that most likely would have never happened with a healthy body. So I'm choosing to be thankful tonight.
I think everyday God wants to share with us his will. But I also think most days we are too busy to hear his will. I love that a random thing can happen and after thinking about it, we realize that it was God. Take for instance Stacy's encounter with an old friend today.
While getting milk at the farm tonight Stacy ran into a guy with whom he did bible study 15 years ago. They hadn't spoken in years and yet tonight they both were getting milk for their families at the farm. (I should mention that we haven't gone to that farm to get milk in almost a year.) As they started talking about how we've settled in and where we were going to church "Bob" mentions that he and his wife are getting ready to go to the Philippines to bring 4 children home. Their oldest child is 25 and the youngest at the house is 13. And now in a couple months they will have 4 more...through adoption.
He goes on to say that he has grandchildren and has worked at his job for 25 years. He wonders when the next phase in life will start and when they'll stop bringing home children. Stacy guesses he's close to 50....much older than us. (The italics is sarcasm. We are 44 and 45. 50 used to seem OLD, but not anymore!)
The men get their milk and go their separate ways. Stacy gets in his truck and dials my number. "You aren't going to believe who I just ran into...."
Coincidence or a God ordained encounter? What do you think?
I think everyday God wants to share with us his will. But I also think most days we are too busy to hear his will. I love that a random thing can happen and after thinking about it, we realize that it was God. Take for instance Stacy's encounter with an old friend today.
While getting milk at the farm tonight Stacy ran into a guy with whom he did bible study 15 years ago. They hadn't spoken in years and yet tonight they both were getting milk for their families at the farm. (I should mention that we haven't gone to that farm to get milk in almost a year.) As they started talking about how we've settled in and where we were going to church "Bob" mentions that he and his wife are getting ready to go to the Philippines to bring 4 children home. Their oldest child is 25 and the youngest at the house is 13. And now in a couple months they will have 4 more...through adoption.
He goes on to say that he has grandchildren and has worked at his job for 25 years. He wonders when the next phase in life will start and when they'll stop bringing home children. Stacy guesses he's close to 50....much older than us. (The italics is sarcasm. We are 44 and 45. 50 used to seem OLD, but not anymore!)
The men get their milk and go their separate ways. Stacy gets in his truck and dials my number. "You aren't going to believe who I just ran into...."
Coincidence or a God ordained encounter? What do you think?
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Saturday Morning Breakfast
God has been faithful to show up for breakfast during this fast and today was especially epic. I can't think of a time where Stacy, Faith and I ate breakfast together with our Bibles open and then shared what we each had been reading. Usually we read the newspaper and catch up on what is happening in the media, so while Abbi was sleeping in her teenage slumber, we sought after God and enjoyed his Word.
The cool thing is the thread that spoke to me. Can you see it?
I was reading in Matthew. Matthew 16:24-26 says:
Then Faith read 1 Peter 3:13-17:
But I thought about the off chance that God asks us to adopt and decided that would be a HUGE life change that would most likely bring lots of questions and comments from other people. And I thought, "What kind of answer would we give? Would we impact others and point them to Christ with our answer?" And even if it seems like we would suffer from a worldly point of view (ex.: starting all over in the middle of our lives with a "second chapter" family), wouldn't we be blessed by God if we were doing his will?
Then Stacy finished off with 1 John 2:15-17:
I'm not sure words are necessary.
So thank you God for showing up to the breakfast table. Thank you for your Word and for the wisdom and instruction it brings to those who seek you.
Candie
The cool thing is the thread that spoke to me. Can you see it?
I was reading in Matthew. Matthew 16:24-26 says:
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"Today I've been thinking about that cross. I may not be headed for death carrying a cross like Christ, but what are the things in my life that I'm needing to give up? And I saw a picture of me taking papers and nailing them to the cross. Each paper representing what? What do I need to give up? What do I need to sacrifice?
Then Faith read 1 Peter 3:13-17:
" Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."There's the "W" word again....
But I thought about the off chance that God asks us to adopt and decided that would be a HUGE life change that would most likely bring lots of questions and comments from other people. And I thought, "What kind of answer would we give? Would we impact others and point them to Christ with our answer?" And even if it seems like we would suffer from a worldly point of view (ex.: starting all over in the middle of our lives with a "second chapter" family), wouldn't we be blessed by God if we were doing his will?
Then Stacy finished off with 1 John 2:15-17:
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."Are you serious?
I'm not sure words are necessary.
So thank you God for showing up to the breakfast table. Thank you for your Word and for the wisdom and instruction it brings to those who seek you.
Candie
Thursday, January 17, 2013
The Daily Walk
How do you know if you're on the right path in life? How do you know it's God speaking to you?
I believe God speaks to us in many ways: dreams, the Word of God, through other people, through nature and through circumstances to name just a few ways. Sometimes it's obvious. Loud. And sometimes it is in the still quite times. But I love that the God of the universe is willing to talk to me!
Today I was reminded of that as I read His Word.
My bible has some commentary and so today how fun it was to read this:
Now it would be super nice if God had a BIG sign that said: ADOPT or DON'T ADOPT. I'd really like that....a lot! But I'm reminded once again that the life of faith is one day at a time with God. How my flesh and the coach in me would love to see the whole game plan and then run it myself. But you know what, that would defeat the purpose of life in Christ. I need him daily to speak to me and let me know if I'm on the right path.
On another note, God has been impressing upon me that I need to get back to the basics with our budget. Since moving to Illinois this Nutritional Therapist has been in shock as to the food choices we now have and I haven't really gotten in the groove of knowing what grocery stores have what or where the best deals are. Stacy is my 'hunter-gatherer' for groceries so I make the meal plan and list and he gathers for us! While I'm totally blessed by his willingness to go to the store, God has been disciplining/rebuking me a bit with regards to the things I need to be doing to help our budget. So it's time to suck it up and get back on track. I'm praying God will show me how to cut our food budget and yet still eat to the standards we have for our family.
And another thing: I'm so blessed by my girls. Every night we talk at dinner about if any of us have heard from God about adopting. Both of them have such big hearts. They both have plans to adopt when they have their own family, so Faith said yesterday, "I'm always going to say yes to adopting". Stacy and I just looked at each other and said, "Well we must have done something right, they both have the heart of Jesus." I just love them! :)
Candie
I believe God speaks to us in many ways: dreams, the Word of God, through other people, through nature and through circumstances to name just a few ways. Sometimes it's obvious. Loud. And sometimes it is in the still quite times. But I love that the God of the universe is willing to talk to me!
Today I was reminded of that as I read His Word.
"O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty and they store up wealth for their children. And I - in righteousness will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness." Psalm 17:14-15Anyone seeing a pattern here? I'm not searching topically while I have my quiet time, and yet the same subjects keep coming up! I know that God historically has to tell me things more than once. (Hmmm.....what does that say about me?) But when discerning his will, or trying to figure out if I'm thinking right, I've noticed that I see the same things over and over again. It's almost like on the path there are road signs from God saying, "Come on Candie, you're on the right track. Stay the course."
My bible has some commentary and so today how fun it was to read this:
"We deceive ourselves when we measure our happiness or contentment in life by the amount of wealth we posses. When we put riches at the top of our value system, we let power, leisure, and financial security overshadow the eternal value of our relationship with God. We think we will be happy or content when we get riches, only to discover that they don't really satisfy, and the pleasures fade away. The true measurement of happiness or contentment is found in God's love and in doing his will. You will find true happiness if you put your relationship with God above earthly riches." Life Application BibleI was just tickled when I read that! Yep, his will is all that matters. Am I beginning to sound like a broken record?
Now it would be super nice if God had a BIG sign that said: ADOPT or DON'T ADOPT. I'd really like that....a lot! But I'm reminded once again that the life of faith is one day at a time with God. How my flesh and the coach in me would love to see the whole game plan and then run it myself. But you know what, that would defeat the purpose of life in Christ. I need him daily to speak to me and let me know if I'm on the right path.
On another note, God has been impressing upon me that I need to get back to the basics with our budget. Since moving to Illinois this Nutritional Therapist has been in shock as to the food choices we now have and I haven't really gotten in the groove of knowing what grocery stores have what or where the best deals are. Stacy is my 'hunter-gatherer' for groceries so I make the meal plan and list and he gathers for us! While I'm totally blessed by his willingness to go to the store, God has been disciplining/rebuking me a bit with regards to the things I need to be doing to help our budget. So it's time to suck it up and get back on track. I'm praying God will show me how to cut our food budget and yet still eat to the standards we have for our family.
And another thing: I'm so blessed by my girls. Every night we talk at dinner about if any of us have heard from God about adopting. Both of them have such big hearts. They both have plans to adopt when they have their own family, so Faith said yesterday, "I'm always going to say yes to adopting". Stacy and I just looked at each other and said, "Well we must have done something right, they both have the heart of Jesus." I just love them! :)
Candie
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Inheritance
Part of my daily devotions includes reading the Proverb of the day that corresponds with the date of the month. An example is on January 13th I read Proverbs 13. Lo and behold I read this verse:
I want to have the mind of Christ to understand his will for us regarding adopting. I really don't want to use verses out of context to fit my thinking.
Job 27:17 says:
He gives me everything I need. He will give my girls everything they need. And my future grandchildren. Because God is a good God who promises to take care of his children. (Matthew 6:25-34)
I don't think that money is the issue of the inheritance but the passing on of the example of a family who pleases God. A family who does His will regardless of their own will.
I'm pretty sure God is not fretting about my girl's inheritance. They'll receive it and more when they see him face to face. Which reminds me that I need to keep storing up my treasures in heaven not worrying about my treasures on earth. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Candie
"A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous."I must admit when I read that verse my first thought was, "A-ha! That's the verse I've been looking for!" I need to have a nest egg to leave to my girls and their children so we aren't suppose to adopt. (Least any of you think that nest egg exists, let me put your thoughts to rest. It only exists in theory.) But a nagging thought kept arising: What does that verse really mean? What did God intend by that? And so I meditated on it, and cross referenced, and prayed and thought some more.
I want to have the mind of Christ to understand his will for us regarding adopting. I really don't want to use verses out of context to fit my thinking.
Job 27:17 says:
"what he lays up the righteous will wear, and the innocent will divide his silver." (Job is talking about the fate of the wicked.)Ecclesiastes 2:26 is the other cross reference for Proverbs 13:22:
"To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."In all of these verses I see that the wicked sinner's wealth will be paid to the good, righteous man who pleases God. And I thought to myself, "Then why do I worry about inheritance?" And I tried to think like Christ.
He gives me everything I need. He will give my girls everything they need. And my future grandchildren. Because God is a good God who promises to take care of his children. (Matthew 6:25-34)
I don't think that money is the issue of the inheritance but the passing on of the example of a family who pleases God. A family who does His will regardless of their own will.
I'm pretty sure God is not fretting about my girl's inheritance. They'll receive it and more when they see him face to face. Which reminds me that I need to keep storing up my treasures in heaven not worrying about my treasures on earth. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Candie
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The "I" in W-I-L-L
We have a saying in the coaching world: There's no "I" in TEAM.
I've been saying that over and over these past day with an addition: But there is an "I" in WILL.
Frankly I've been sick, I've been irritable, and I've been too tired to care. So as I've been mulling silently in my head this saying a part of me says back, "WHO CARES!" Until I read Matthew 7:21.
I suppose some would say, "That's EASY, life would go smoothly." But I think I'd have to challenge that. Is it easy to love those who hate us? Is it easy to turn the other cheek time and time again? So just because it's God's will for us, doesn't mean it's going to be easy.
One of my favorite things to do when I'm looking for meaning in a word is to look at different bible versions to see the richness of a word. You know what I found when I looked up the word "will" in the different versions? WILL.
"That's a lot of help!." (NOT!)
Then I looked at the concordance.
Thelema means:
But how do we know what God wants us to do? Does he want us to adopt? This of course is the big question.
My prayer today is that my mind would be like God's mind. That the Scriptures will be written on my heart and that every time I open the Bible revelation will be made so that I can know the good and perfect will of God. I pray that for you too!
Candie
I've been saying that over and over these past day with an addition: But there is an "I" in WILL.
Frankly I've been sick, I've been irritable, and I've been too tired to care. So as I've been mulling silently in my head this saying a part of me says back, "WHO CARES!" Until I read Matthew 7:21.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."Did you notice it's God's will we're suppose to do? Not whatever I feel like doing, even if it is good and righteous. But the will of my Father. How much easier would life be if I took myself out of the equation and just did God's will? I wonder what that would look like?
I suppose some would say, "That's EASY, life would go smoothly." But I think I'd have to challenge that. Is it easy to love those who hate us? Is it easy to turn the other cheek time and time again? So just because it's God's will for us, doesn't mean it's going to be easy.
One of my favorite things to do when I'm looking for meaning in a word is to look at different bible versions to see the richness of a word. You know what I found when I looked up the word "will" in the different versions? WILL.
"That's a lot of help!." (NOT!)
Then I looked at the concordance.
Thelema means:
1) what one wishes or has determined shall be done
a) of the purpose of God to bless mankind through
Christ
b) of what God wishes to be done by us
1) commands, precepts
2) will, choice, inclination, desire,
pleasure
But how do we know what God wants us to do? Does he want us to adopt? This of course is the big question.
John Piper has the following to say about the will of God, which requires the renewing of our minds to think like Him:
Three Stages of Knowing and Doing the Revealed Will of God
Stage One
"First, God’s will of command is revealed with final, decisive authority only in the Bible. And we need the renewed mind to understand and embrace what God commands in the Scripture. Without the renewed mind, we will distort the Scriptures to avoid their radical commands for self-denial, and love, and purity, and supreme satisfaction in Christ alone. God’s authoritative will of command is found only in the Bible.
Stage Two
The second stage of God’s will of command is our application of the biblical truth to new situations that may or may not be explicitly addressed in the Bible. The Bible does not tell you which person to marry, or which car to drive, or whether to own a home, where you take your vacation, what cell-phone plan to buy, or which brand of orange juice to drink. Or a thousand other choices you must make.
What is necessary is that we have a renewed mind, that is so shaped and so governed by the revealed will of God in the Bible, that we see and assess all relevant factors with the mind of Christ, and discern what God is calling us to do. This is very different from constantly trying to hear God’s voice saying do this and do that. People who try to lead their lives by hearing voices are not in sync with Romans 12:2. There is a world of difference between praying and laboring for a renewed mind that discerns how to apply God’s Word, on the one hand, and the habit of asking God to give you new revelation of what to do, on the other hand. Divination does not require transformation. God’s aim is a new mind, a new way of thinking and judging, not just new information. His aim is that we be transformed, sanctified, freed by the truth of his revealed Word (John 8:32; 17:17). So the second stage of God’s will of command is the discerning application of the Scriptures to new situations in life by means of a renewed mind.
Stage Three
Finally, the third stage of God’s will of command is the vast majority of living where there is no conscious reflection before we act. I venture to say that a good 95% of your behavior you do not premeditate. That is, most of your thoughts, attitudes, and actions are spontaneous. They are just spillover from what’s inside. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:34-36). Why do I call this part of God’s will of command? For one reason. Because God commands things like: Don’t be angry. Don’t be prideful. Don’t covet. Don’t be anxious. Don’t be jealous. Don’t envy. And none of those actions are premeditated. Anger, pride, covetousness, anxiety, jealousy, envy—they all just rise up out of the heart with no conscious reflection or intention. And we are guilty because of them. They break the commandment of God. Is it not plain therefore that there is one great task of the Christian life: Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. We need new hearts and new minds. Make the tree good and the fruit will be good (Matthew 12:33). That’s the great challenge. That is what God calls you to. You can’t do it on your own. You need Christ, who died for your sins. And you need the Holy Spirit to lead you into Christ-exalting truth and work in you truth-embracing humility.
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/what-is-the-will-of-god-and-how-do-we-know-itGive yourself to this. Immerse yourself in the written Word of God; saturate your mind with it. And pray that the Spirit of Christ would make you so new that the spillover would be good, acceptable, and perfect—the will of God."
My prayer today is that my mind would be like God's mind. That the Scriptures will be written on my heart and that every time I open the Bible revelation will be made so that I can know the good and perfect will of God. I pray that for you too!
Candie
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Dreams
Do you know women who always want to have a baby?
I was never one of them.
Or when their child leaves one stage they are sad and wish it would never have to end?
I'm not that woman either.
I have always loved the new stages and ages of my girls, and I guess you could say have always been satisfied with the season they entered.
I remember when Abbi was born 13 years ago I had no desire to have another baby. Today while I thought about her, I heard Sid the Sloth from Ice Age say, "She completes me." And that's what Abbi did. Not only did she complete our family, but she was born of my heart and completed me.
Which is exactly why Stacy and I have never wanted to adopt another child.
This season we are in...one in college...one starting the teen years is perfectly fine with us! Comfortable you might say. I even got a new car that doesn't look like a mini-van. I love Antonio! (He's my Murano who drives me around town.) I am working on building my nutritional consulting business. We downsized when we moved and are dreaming of what we want the next decade of life to look like.
Adopting is not in that picture. Surely God can understand that we have hopes for our children? We want to break the spiritual chains that have taken down our families of the past. We want to be available to them. We want to buy music lessons for future grandchildren, take our family on trips. If one day our girls marry and move away, we want to have the financial freedom to visit multiple times a year. We want to lavish them with love, not just monetary things but give them a new generation of Christian family that they will be able to pass on to their children. We have dreams....
Pretty sure our heart motives our pure, and God would honor that, right?
Well the other night Stacy received a word of prophecy. (I hope to do it justice since I wasn't present.) His friend saw a kite and the tail kept getting added on to. Evidently the longer the tail of a kite the more stable it becomes. And he heard the word LEGACY.
Well crap. Is the addition to the tail a picture of us adding to our family? I got the legacy part. I like that word. I'm not certain I like the other part.
Actually to coin Stacy's words, "My will is totally screaming NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!"
And so today as we both struggle with not only missing our coffee, we struggle more with our will. Do we really want to hear God? Are we willing to put aside our dreams? Our will?
You see, I've never seen God give someone the whole game plan for their life in one day. Regardless of this outcome, it is always the road that we are willing to travel that matters. This journey called faith isn't a "one and done", it's an everyday choice to walk his path. And as I type this I see us walking the journey looking at a hill ahead. I'm thinking we might need to lose some weight to make it up this climb. But is it weight or is it our will that needs to go?
Candie
I was never one of them.
Or when their child leaves one stage they are sad and wish it would never have to end?
I'm not that woman either.
I have always loved the new stages and ages of my girls, and I guess you could say have always been satisfied with the season they entered.
I remember when Abbi was born 13 years ago I had no desire to have another baby. Today while I thought about her, I heard Sid the Sloth from Ice Age say, "She completes me." And that's what Abbi did. Not only did she complete our family, but she was born of my heart and completed me.
Which is exactly why Stacy and I have never wanted to adopt another child.
This season we are in...one in college...one starting the teen years is perfectly fine with us! Comfortable you might say. I even got a new car that doesn't look like a mini-van. I love Antonio! (He's my Murano who drives me around town.) I am working on building my nutritional consulting business. We downsized when we moved and are dreaming of what we want the next decade of life to look like.
Adopting is not in that picture. Surely God can understand that we have hopes for our children? We want to break the spiritual chains that have taken down our families of the past. We want to be available to them. We want to buy music lessons for future grandchildren, take our family on trips. If one day our girls marry and move away, we want to have the financial freedom to visit multiple times a year. We want to lavish them with love, not just monetary things but give them a new generation of Christian family that they will be able to pass on to their children. We have dreams....
Pretty sure our heart motives our pure, and God would honor that, right?
Well the other night Stacy received a word of prophecy. (I hope to do it justice since I wasn't present.) His friend saw a kite and the tail kept getting added on to. Evidently the longer the tail of a kite the more stable it becomes. And he heard the word LEGACY.
Well crap. Is the addition to the tail a picture of us adding to our family? I got the legacy part. I like that word. I'm not certain I like the other part.
Actually to coin Stacy's words, "My will is totally screaming NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!"
And so today as we both struggle with not only missing our coffee, we struggle more with our will. Do we really want to hear God? Are we willing to put aside our dreams? Our will?
You see, I've never seen God give someone the whole game plan for their life in one day. Regardless of this outcome, it is always the road that we are willing to travel that matters. This journey called faith isn't a "one and done", it's an everyday choice to walk his path. And as I type this I see us walking the journey looking at a hill ahead. I'm thinking we might need to lose some weight to make it up this climb. But is it weight or is it our will that needs to go?
Candie
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Lessons from Riley
I've learned in life that often when God is speakng to me He will use other situations to show me truths. Case in point: Riley our new Mi-Ki.
The girls had been begging us for a dog and we were not being moved by their pleas. Then suddenly one day we thought, "Maybe we should look at getting a dog." Both Stacy and I looked at each other like, "Who said that?! Are we crazy?!" Then Abbi found out we had been covertly talking about a puppy and the rest, as they say, is history. (HINT: delete important private text messages.)
We drove 2 hours to look at some Mi-Kis and while on our way we prayed, "Lord, would you make it really obvious which dog we should take home?" The breeder had sent us pictures and oh how I wish I still had the picture of Riley! He had a crazy look to his eye and we thought, "LAST CHOICE". When we pulled into the driveway the breeder was waiting in the yard with three puppies. Guess who came running to me? Riley! The other two dogs wouldn't give us the time of day. Well none of us wanted Riley. (I know, this sounds terrible....bare with me.) Abbi tried her hardest to get the other puppies to play. Nothing. And all Riley kept doing was licking us and rolling on his back wanting us to pet him.
I kept thinking, "Really God, this dog? The wild-eyed one? How could this be? Are you sure?" But I also kept hearing the Spirit say, "You asked me to make it obvious."
Why do we ask something from God and then when He answers we question him? Silly people.
Despite what we thought was best for us, God made it so obvious that Riley came home with us that day. And we're thrilled we listened to His voice. Riley has brought such joy and laughter to our family. We're in love.
Reminded when I'm tempted to think I know what's best, I look at Riley and think to myself, "No, God knows what's best."
So Lord we ask you again: Make it obvious.
Candie
p.s. Update on basement: Stacy found a $200.00 fix to enable us to make the bedroom happen.
The girls had been begging us for a dog and we were not being moved by their pleas. Then suddenly one day we thought, "Maybe we should look at getting a dog." Both Stacy and I looked at each other like, "Who said that?! Are we crazy?!" Then Abbi found out we had been covertly talking about a puppy and the rest, as they say, is history. (HINT: delete important private text messages.)
We drove 2 hours to look at some Mi-Kis and while on our way we prayed, "Lord, would you make it really obvious which dog we should take home?" The breeder had sent us pictures and oh how I wish I still had the picture of Riley! He had a crazy look to his eye and we thought, "LAST CHOICE". When we pulled into the driveway the breeder was waiting in the yard with three puppies. Guess who came running to me? Riley! The other two dogs wouldn't give us the time of day. Well none of us wanted Riley. (I know, this sounds terrible....bare with me.) Abbi tried her hardest to get the other puppies to play. Nothing. And all Riley kept doing was licking us and rolling on his back wanting us to pet him.
I kept thinking, "Really God, this dog? The wild-eyed one? How could this be? Are you sure?" But I also kept hearing the Spirit say, "You asked me to make it obvious."
Why do we ask something from God and then when He answers we question him? Silly people.
Despite what we thought was best for us, God made it so obvious that Riley came home with us that day. And we're thrilled we listened to His voice. Riley has brought such joy and laughter to our family. We're in love.
Reminded when I'm tempted to think I know what's best, I look at Riley and think to myself, "No, God knows what's best."
So Lord we ask you again: Make it obvious.
Candie
p.s. Update on basement: Stacy found a $200.00 fix to enable us to make the bedroom happen.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Sweet Devotions
After my post last night admittedly I thought, "Yeah juice!" (Not sure how to show sarcasm in fonts.) Which I know is such a human thing to think especially after being certain it was the best offering I had. But God, despite me, was so good to show up with my juice!
The girls and I were having devotions this morning and since I'm sick I wasn't going to read out loud, however Abbi insisted I read Psalm 91. When I asked her why I would read that she responded, "I saw one of the Raven football players had a tattoo with that scripture on his chest." That's all I needed to hear! Imagine our amazement when we found the following verses:
A bit down in the chapter, verse 14-15 says:
Yes, I think I LOVE JUICE for breakfast! God is so faithful to answer prayers.
A couple answers for our questions today:
The girls and I were having devotions this morning and since I'm sick I wasn't going to read out loud, however Abbi insisted I read Psalm 91. When I asked her why I would read that she responded, "I saw one of the Raven football players had a tattoo with that scripture on his chest." That's all I needed to hear! Imagine our amazement when we found the following verses:
"He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge, his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."Besides the fact I posted that verse yesterday this verse was a foundational verse we clung too when we found out we were moving last year. Faith and I had been doing a Kay Arthur study and both of us had pictures or words from God surrounding this verse! For me the words were gathering our family together. I sensed Him saying, "I'm going to gather you under my wings and bring your family closer than ever." We have felt God perform this work time and again since we moved almost 14 months ago. :)
A bit down in the chapter, verse 14-15 says:
"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."
Yes, I think I LOVE JUICE for breakfast! God is so faithful to answer prayers.
A couple answers for our questions today:
- Are we too old to adopt in the U.S.? We talked with our friend at Special Link, an adoption clearing house we used when we adopted Abbi. Carri's answer was, "No, you guys are not a bit too old. I've placed with couples in their 50's."
- Can we get our plumbing moved in the basement to get back to a future bedroom? The plumber's answer: "Very, very costly to move the existing plumbing."
Sunday, January 6, 2013
FASTING
I had a friend ask me this question (actually she asked if it was okay to ask this question cause it might be wrong to ask it!):
What are you fasting from?
Anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE breakfast! I love getting up, making eggs and toast, maybe a sausage, and most of all my mocha. Then I love sitting at the table. Not just a breakfast table...our formal table with placemants and cloth napkins to read the paper. I like to plan 45 mins for this ritual. It's my best-way-to-start-a-day routine. Right now as I write this it's late and breakfast is a few short hours away. It's honestly made me happy just thinking about my breakfast as I write this. But guess what I gave up to God?
My breakfast routine.
For the next 3 weeks I will be having vegetable juice for breakfast. And toast. And no paper. Instead I'll be reading God's Word and praying. Not that that's a horrible thing to do in the morning. It's just not my routine.
I'm already missing my mocha. It's so bad that when we prayed with Abbi tonight she asked if I wanted to adopt and I said, "I'm not worried about that right now, I'm worried about not having my mocha for 3 weeks."
I'm certain I need help. And prayers. But I'm also certain that I found the biggest offering I could give to God. And I'm counting on him to faithfully hear my prayers and pour out his blessings upon me for the next 20 mornings.
I know I don't NEED my breakfast routine, but I do NEED God!
How about you? What have you fasted and how were you blessed?
Candie
What are you fasting from?
Anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE breakfast! I love getting up, making eggs and toast, maybe a sausage, and most of all my mocha. Then I love sitting at the table. Not just a breakfast table...our formal table with placemants and cloth napkins to read the paper. I like to plan 45 mins for this ritual. It's my best-way-to-start-a-day routine. Right now as I write this it's late and breakfast is a few short hours away. It's honestly made me happy just thinking about my breakfast as I write this. But guess what I gave up to God?
My breakfast routine.
For the next 3 weeks I will be having vegetable juice for breakfast. And toast. And no paper. Instead I'll be reading God's Word and praying. Not that that's a horrible thing to do in the morning. It's just not my routine.
I'm already missing my mocha. It's so bad that when we prayed with Abbi tonight she asked if I wanted to adopt and I said, "I'm not worried about that right now, I'm worried about not having my mocha for 3 weeks."
I'm certain I need help. And prayers. But I'm also certain that I found the biggest offering I could give to God. And I'm counting on him to faithfully hear my prayers and pour out his blessings upon me for the next 20 mornings.
I know I don't NEED my breakfast routine, but I do NEED God!
How about you? What have you fasted and how were you blessed?
Candie
DAY ONE
Today marks the 1st day of our family's journey to seek the Face and Wisdom of our GOD. As our church begins a 21 day fast we feel led to fast and pray to hear the will of God in the matter of adopting. We have SOOOOO many questions!
- Should we adopt?
- From where? U.S. or Overseas?
- Boy or Girl?
- How old?
- Special Needs?
- How would we pay for it?
- Sibling group?
- And so many more questions.....
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Ps. 91:4
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