Attitude and Heart Adjustment in 2011

So how many of you have decided to take the Boss Your Heart Challenge?  I am having so much fun on it.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it's because we had ended the year on a not so high a note and getting back to basics is what I needed.  The fact that my family is excited about it as well certainly helps.  Not to mention hearing of all the wonderful adoption news.  Many are not only adopting one but adding to their family by two's.  Seeing children on waiting lists finding their forever families that seem to have been there for quite sometime.  Learning that "Kevin" has found a family is so awesome!!!  Yes, he has a family but we don't know who they are yet.  Soon, hopefully soon. 

Our adoption process has been halted for now.  When I said we had major disappointments, I wasn't kidding.  The two angels we were wanting to bring into our family were both taken off the wait lists for different reasons.  I guess we can look at it as blessings as we hadn't put any money towards things and then got denied.  It always happened right before we were going to make a BIG move and a holiday (the week of Thanksgiving and the week of Christmas). But it was still heartbreaking and sad.  But, what I am being reminded daily of is, I need to trust in the LORD.  He has it all worked out, none of this is a surprise to HIM.  If nothing else, He has closed these doors for a time.  Not forever.  He knew that we would probably be moving a lot sooner than anticipated (we should know exactly when in the next few months), which would not have worked with timelines and bringing the girls home.  He has the perfect agency for us to sign with - do need to ask - has anyone else had any issues with being denied a homestudy with one agency because the child/ren you want to adopt are with another out of state agency, and the hs agency would lose accreditation?  Yes, this has been one of our issues and then I laugh because the one agency that we could have worked with originally that would do a hs for our country of choice, is on their black list and we would have had to start over.  Why are they on the blacklist (which is most of them in our current state- they don't turn in their reports on time)  Ha!  God's hands all over this baby I tell you.   So, we wait.  I wasn't ok with it, and I'm not happy knowing that these two angels can't be adopted yet, but I am content in sitting at Jesus's feet, having Him minister to us and knowing He cares about these kids more than I do.  He knows them so intimately and knows exactly what their hearts need right now, and He is making sure they have it.  I do admit, my heart longs for them, my arms know that they are missing giving out the hugs that are meant specifically for them and there is room for two more littles to sit on my lap on the sofa watching a movie as I'm surrounded by the other 4 precious beings in my life, and if I don't have room, their papa sure does.  If he doesn't there are two big sisters and to big brothers that will be right there for them.  Their are lots of kisses that will be given as well.  But for now, we pray.  We love from afar and if for some reason, they never come into our home as we hope, they will never be forgotten, always loved and always prayed for.

I'm going to ask if anyone, in addition to the Bible challenge, would like to join in a fast?  Our family is doing the Daniel Fast starting this Sunday, Jan 9th, along with our church and a homeschooling group I am affiliated with that I asked to join us.  We will go until the 29th.  We have many breakthroughs that we would like to see for 2011, financial, with our house (selling or renting), marriages restored (people we have been praying for for a very long time), adoptions for others, salvation for many, and the list goes on but ultimately, just being with God is our greatest desire.  We want what God wants for our family this year and we would love to join in with you for God's best for you as well.  So, if you want to join in~ please do.  If you want to leave a comment for us to pray specifically for you~ Please do.  If not, that's ok as well.  We are excited.  We are expecting.  We are encouraged.  We are filled with anticipation for God's best and we want you to be as well.

Today's our first day back to school and most everyone is done but not quite all.  Trying to get back into the swing of things and ahead of schedule with a move on our horizon.  But be blessed and know that God is right there beside you in your joy or your storm.  He's faithful even when we are not.

STWTHE,
Laurie

The machine won

This was such a hard weekend. It was me VS the machine. What machine? The sewing machine. Everything I put my hands to working on this weekend just did not happen. The machine jammed more times than I care to remember. It even tore the fabric a couple of times. I know what??? Never had that happen before but it did. So, I left the machine alone yesterday and did things that could be done by hand. Got several of my orders completed so those will be going out today!!! Yipppeeeee!!!! I have cut out a new purse and will be sewing that and the messenger bag!!!! So excited.

Quick question, have you ever been disobedient while being obedient? Well, God spoke to my heart yesterday about that. You see, I had wanted to add a few projects to our sale. I was so excited about them. I thought, well, if I make 10 of these and sell them for $X, that will net us $X and it will get us that much closer to Anna. I'm still making handmade items. I'm doing what God said - Right? Yay, not so much. While listening to our sermon yesterday at church, it was all about obedience. It was about doing EXACTLY what God said to do. Not taking away from it. Not tweaking it to fit what you think should be happening. Not adding to it. In fact, in John 2:5, Mary tells the servants at the wedding in Cana,"Whatever He says to do, JUST DO IT!" (emphasis mine).  Can you imagine if Jesus said before making his journey to the cross,"Well, Father, I think, Me, taking the 30 lashes is all I need to do to save these people." or " Ok, Dad, I'll die on the cross but can you add a few more nails and piercings so that We can make sure the deed is done:"?  No, nothing was added or taken away from the death and resurrection of the Only One who could save us.  While sitting in that pew, God spoke to my heart and gently rebuked me saying He didn't call me to do all these extra projects. He called me to sew purses for now.  So, why did I think I needed to add to it?   I don't know if anyone will buy anything else I ever make. All I know is that I have to do what He tells me. He will provide the funds for our sweet blue-eyed angel to come home. I have to TRUST Him in this. I have to do EXACTLY what He has asked me to do. He told a sweet friend the weekend He confirmed that Anna Christine was ours that the money would be provided. I have to TRUST in that. I have to TRUST in the God I claim to follow. The Jesus I claim to be sitting at the right hand of the Father. The Holy Spirit I claim to be with me, dwelling inside of me to give me the capabilities to get things done that I have never done before. So, that's what I choose to do. Do it EXACTLY the way God tells me. To. Do. EXACTLY. WHAT. HE. HAS. TOLD. ME. TO. DO! Not adding to, not taking away from. EXACTLY what He speaks to my heart about. Anna will come home. Anna is the little sister to the big kids in this house.   Anna is our daughter. 

I'm not sure my thoughts will make much sense to most of you.  I didn't sit down to right this post.  I was going to do a short update and that was that. But this is what is coming out.   Doing what God says is a simple concept and yet why has it taken me so long to get it?  I don't know.  Maybe the fact that I am a mom to a child I have never met, with a heart that aches for this child, who looks at the picture on my fridge and sees nothing but sadness in her eyes, no smile, no joy and so desperately wants to bring her home to hear her laugh.  To kiss those sweet chubby 2 year old cheeks.  To see her eyes dance with joy.  To snuggle up with her while being surrounded by my other 4.  The point?  I will do WHATEVER it takes to get her home.  That's why I was adding to my list of things God said to do.  I just wanted to get her home faster!!!

 I know we just started this process but now I get it.  NOW I understand the desperation a  mom who is adopting a child feels.  To get that child, your child, home.  Where you know she is safe.  Where you can see her blossom into the woman God wants her to be.  Where she can feel and know the love of Jesus through her mommy, daddy, and sisters and brothers.  I get it.  Don't get me wrong.  I never dismissed or under valued the feelings that friends and many of you have gone through already.  That desperation, that want, that whatever you want to call it.  I just get it now.  It's real to me.  That's why I was being disobedient.  That's my poor excuse for disobeying God.

So, LORD, please forgive me for my disobedience and multitude of other sins.  You know my heart was not to disobey but in it, I was not trusting you.  LORD, you are the God of my days, The KING of my nights.  I can trust in You and Your perfect timing.  LORD, I TRUST You!  I Trust that you will bring our little girl home.  I TRUST that You will show us the way, bring in the money, and know that every step will be ordained and directed by You.  The God of the Universe.  The One who holds us in the palm of His hands.  Thank you LORD for loving me so much that you wouldn't allow me to continue working in my own strength.  Thank you God, for knowing exactly what needed to be done when Jesus took His journey to the cross.  Thank you Jesus for taking the journey so that we, the sinners, could be reconciled back to and join you in heaven when our day comes.  I praise you Father for who you are.  You are my best friend.  The lover of my soul.  The giver of life.  My bread. My portion.  My everlasting love.  My banner.  The One that goes before me, to protect me, my stronghold. My shelter in the storm.  You are so much more than I can express right here on this page.  Thank you God for choosing my family, me, to walk with you.  To know you.  To love you.  In Jesus' sweet, glorious, wonderful, miraculous NAME!!!

So off to do school with the kids, post office and sewing!!!!  I am excited.  It's a new day with a new perspective. Thank you God for your mercies being new everyday!

STWTHE,
Laurie

Reversible Bucket Bags Fundraiser

I have a friend who is adopting a little angel from EE.  Looks like they will be traveling sometime in November.  They are trying to raise the funds to go get their angel girl.  You can go here and read their story.

So, here's the deal....

For every bucket bag sold at $8.00, I will give the Skoda's $5.00.  You will not get to pick your bag.  It will be the first one that is pulled out of a bag that you will recieve.  If you have bought a tacky headband from Because Every Mother Matters then you know what I am talking about.  :)  I will eventually have some pictures of the ones made so you will know what  I have available.  I love these little bags.  They are perfect to use as an original gift bag.  The little girl who recieves this can have a purse as well as the goodies you decide to bless her with when you fill it. 

So, are you willing to help a family get to their little girl?  Jana has been waiting awhile now and so has the Skoda family.  It's been a  long road.  One that has tested their faith, yet they have not grown weary.  Can we help bless the socks off of this family?  Help them get to their daugher $5 at a time?  $5 really does make a difference. 

STWTHE,

Laurie

The day I knew!

Meeting several of my bloggy heroes was cool. Sharing with Lorraine, Amy and Angel about how Chrissie (Lorraine's Serbian Sensation who got to go home and sit in Jesus's lap a lot sooner than the rest of us) affected and impacted our life. Mine as a mom and our family as a whole. You see, I had forgotten how to go before the throne boldly and ask the LORD to intervene for my family. I had forgotten that God hears the cries of a mother even when things are bleak and tiresome. Through Chrissie, God reminded me of just that. He used her to water some seeds that had been planted not quite 4 years ago at the time of her Heaven-coming. A few short weeks after that event, God would cultivate in me a new desire for more children and boy did that desire grow. He would speak to Bella about that same exact thing. More babies were needed in this house - of course not by her! He would start spurring me on to start advocating for the lost, the broken, the least of these. He would start to speak to me about using my voice for something other than idle chatter. He would start to move in me, shake me up and cause me to step outside of my comfort zone. Something I don't do easily. My sense of adventure has dissipated as I've reached my ripe ol' age of - yeah I'll leave that number alone.

God didn't use T4A to impact me to move globally. Not to motivate me to run back to my church and start an orphan ministry. Though believe me, I so wish there was a desire here for it. Makes me very sad but that's not where God was working on me. He was asking me if I would go if he told me where? He was asking me to say yes to what seemed impossible. He was asking me if I would do whatever it took to make a difference. He was telling me, us - my family, that we were ready. He was using the women I came into contact with to encourage me, sing with me, gently shove lead me towards the scariest place I've been so far. During a song written and song by Aaron Ivey called Amos Song, God was asking me these questions. With out thinking, I was singing a song I had never heard of, I was saying "YES, LORD I'll go!". Then the next minute thinking what was that all about? Then hearing Robert Gallinas, a pastor out of Colorado, speak about my life. Ok, maybe not my life but one that was parallel to his own. There were several things that perked my ears and made my heart beat slower. Where are your heat and money when it comes to orphans? Your heart nor money know the difference when it comes to them. The second thing was,"when God calls you to adopt and you say,'We can't afford it.' You are saying God is a deadbeat dad.". Talk about an OUCH! moment. During all of this, I started crying and couldn't stop for the life of me. I'm not talking about a little crying, I'm talking sobbing. I knew in that moment, I had to, we had to step out in faith. No money saved, sometimes making it from paycheck to paycheck kind of faith. I tried calling Kevin and couldn't reach him. So who did I run to? No, don't step back into the 80's and go all GhostBusters on me. ;) did i just date myself? I ran to some bloggy heroes and shared the news. They all looked at me as if saying "DUH!" but really said,"Yeah, we knew that." Huh?! What do you mean you knew that when I just found out? They were sweet and loving and encouraging to me the rest of that whole day. God used the women to speak to my heart, bless me with shoulders to lean on and a wealth of information to call upon when needed. I met some amazing ladies last weekend. Outspoken for Jesus, lovers of the lost, encouragers to run the best race God has to offer and to say it's ok to be afraid but not ok to do nothing and not trust God! So here's a shout out to those wonderful ladies that I met, cried with, prayed with, laughed with, and thanked God for as they shared with me one of the most beautiful days of my life: Lorraine, Amy, Angel, Carolyn, Dawn, Julie, Layla, Elizabeth, and I'm sure I'm forgetting someone but not meaning to. Just know that you are treasured and loved.

Seeing the World through His Eyes,
Laurie

God is still in the miracle working business!

That's all I've got to say! He provided over $20,000 for one precious angel in the matter of 5 days! Yes, five days. Do you see that button on the right side of this blog? Little Yulia? The angel I talked about in the post just before this one? Isn't that awesome? Isn't that God showing Himself mighty one more time and reminding us that He will not leave her as an orphan? The battle is not over. The prayers still need to be full force for her forever family to find themselves and her so she can come home. So what do you say? Will you continue to pray in agreement with me and so many others so that she can finally be home in the arms of the family God has chosen for her? It's been really exciting to watch and be apart of.

Blessings to the Salem family for advocating for Yulia and for those who donated and prayed. I can't wait to see what he does next in this little girl's life.

Seeing the World Through His Eyes,
Laurie

Operation Rescue!

Many of you read Adeye's blog daily so you know what I am talking about. If you don't, well here it is in a nut shell. A child needs to be brought home to her forever family. A child who has no hope, while staying in an orphange, of having any kind of life. Though it may be a short one. Regardless, she needs to know that she is not forgotten by the world. She's not alone in this world. There are people with skin on who are willing to love her despite her diagnosis. She needs to know that she is not worthless but PRICELESS in the eyes of the Father.

Go and read Adeye's post about this little girl - it is a long one but it is very important. It will help save a life. It will shed light on a very desperate situation. It will give you an opportunity to see the world through our Creator's eyes. Are you ready for that? Are you ready to hear the plea of a woman who knows, who saw, who so wanted to embrace this little angel? If so, go! Now! Don't wait. Then after you have read it, ask God what he would have you do. Listen for His voice. Listen for His direction. When He asks,"Who will I send?" Will it be you {or me} who replies,"Here I am LORD,send me!" You can click on the button to the right for Yulia or click on the link above or right here and read all about it.

I've put the word out on fb. I'm putting it out here to you now. What are you are going to do? Ignore it? Turn a blind eye after you read it? Or will you be willing to be the one to be used to rescue this precious little one. You may say,"That's easy for you to say, but what about the money>" Well, let me tell you, Adeye and many, many in the adoption world are rallying to raise the funds for whomever it is that will say yes. People are responding to the call for this child. To help her get home. The safest place here on earth- her mommy's and daddy's arms. So again, don't delay. Go. Read. Pray. Donate. Help spread the word. Say yes if it's you who are to be her forever family.
Yulia. Sweet Yulia. Praying for what God would have us do.

Seeing the World Through His Eyes,
Laurie