Impatiently Waiting

This is a very hard and emotional time for us. We are mid-home study and moving forward as quickly as possible. However, it is so difficult to hurry up and wait! It is so hard to look at pictures of children (especially one you really feel a calling to adopt)and know that you must follow guidelines and wait for the process. I have to confess that I have been selfish. I wanted to only pray for a child to come home with us. This is wrong. I have asked forgiveness and now I am praying for that child and every child to find a family - even if it is not ours. God has plans for us - big and important plans. I was just being tempted. Please pray for us - for patience, serenity, and peace. Please pray for the orphans of places like Torez. Pray for their little hearts to endure.

Trying to Conquer Fear

Am I afraid if I do God's will, I will go against the wishes of my family and friends? If I know God has been calling me to make a difference, why am I arguing and procrastinating? Anytime I choose to stand up in the face of fear, I am going to go through some difficult times. Difficult times will strengthen me. Whatever I want to do, I should pray to God for direction and guidance. Then, I will go full speed ahead! This was my prayer this morning. When I feel down and out - just tired of the battles every single day - I tell myself this! This adoption will not be handed to us on a silver platter. We will have to work and fight and let go. We will have to let God lead the way - even if it is a difficult, scary path.

More Thoughts on Faith

This is another daily affirmation that I would like to share because it just fits how I feel this week:

We all have the Power - God's Power - on the inside that will help us get through anything on the outside. Bad things happen in our lives. The reason why we are sane is because we didn't give up on God. No matter how bad the situation may be, always trust in God. When we remain faithful in what appears to be a hopeless and helpless situation, God steps in and does something awesome.

This is what I pray every day now. This adoption journey is not easy - on any level. Is anything really really important easy? I hope this experience makes me a stronger, more humble, more caring wife, mother, and friend.

Step Into the Winners Circle

This was in my daily affirmation and I had to share it with all of you:

When people around you tell you something's impossible because of your lack of expertise or experience, they have no understanding of divine intervention. Laugh at them because you can use their hateration as motivation for your elevation. It's about believing that God is able to use you inspite of your flaws. From family members, to friends and coworkers, and even to people who claim to be children of God, you'll have people trying to defeat you. But you must always rise above the negativity and shout 'I'm a winner today!' As long as you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you'll never be defeated.

I am so grateful that this fellow Christian shared these inspirational words. Today, I will begin praying for us to be winners! Winners in God's Circle!

Thought For Today (and Everyday)

"I'd like to ask God why He lets poverty and injustice exist, why there are so many orphans and why He does nothing about it.....but I am afraid He will ask me the same question".

Right in the Middle

We have now been finger printed! We will mail these and our other forms off so that we can have our background checks! I am also in the middle of lots of educational reading. Since I am a bookworm, I love it! Much of this information applies to all of your children, so it is very helpful to read. Keep our family in your prayers as we continue this adventure. It is a thrilling ride, and I become more "on fire" inside my heart for adoption! God is a show off sometimes! He never does anything small - what He is doing with us is amazing. We are in awe of His goodness and His precious children around the world.

The Next Steps

Finger Printing and doctors appointment tomorrow! Here we go! We are very excited and nervous! Please pray for us to have successful appointments. Our family has been sick with all sorts of fun viruses etc. so we are ready to get back on track and healthy again! We have been having dreams and thoughts about the children of Torez again. I want to share another wonderful quote that I read on a fellow adoptive parent's blog:

God does not call the equipped. He equips the called.

We are praying that this is true! For - we are truly unworthy servants, but we will fight just as hard as we can to save these children!