Ok, why haven't I been posting more often? Because I was scared! Why can I post now? Because I'm not scared anymore. Don't get me wrong, at no point did I question weather we should be adopting. That was the one thing I was sure about, but I have been terrified of making wrong decisions. I have to admit that I have wonderful support in my family and church family, but it is very difficult to share how you feel with someone who hasn't been there. I can tell mid-sentence that some people just don't understand. When I talk about international adoption, cost, time frame, and the process I see more confusion and fear in their eyes than I have ever felt. It does make me wonder if I shouldn't be more scared. What's more scary (and sometimes frustrating) is when you tell people your heart's desire and they say, "Well, have you thought about doing this instead?" or "I still think you should try a fertility treatment." or "You realize what ethnicity kids from there are, right?" Ouch. Scary.
Well, back to that wonderful support. There are many people who have been so encouraging and I know have been praying for us. I have a wonderful friend who put me in contact with her sister who has recently adopted. There is a certain indescribable peace that comes from talking to someone who has not only been there, but who absolutely loves the Lord. How amazing to take time out of her busy schedule to talk to someone she's never met. I have to say, our entire 20 minute phone conversation all I could say was, "I know," and "it's true." Not because I know everything or because I didn't have anything else to say, but because I couldn't stop crying! If you know anything about me you know I'm a crier and that I don't like it. She was so encouraging, suggesting scripture to read, sharing her story with me, reminding me that adoption was a picture of what God has done for us. But what hit me the most were the things she said that I hadn't really thought about. Like "a decision well prayed about doesn't bring regret." She is also the only person who has said, "Maria, just go for it. God will help you while you are stepping out in faith." And she suggested I read Proverbs 16, which I did as soon as I got off the phone. I am forever grateful.
Well, in my last post I told you I had some great news, and this hasn't changed (especially with my new-found strength). I have been reading (and rereading) about a few agencies in particular and we are planning on filling out the application this weekend. This is a big step of faith. I predict many fundraisers in the near future but I'll post about that later. To apply you have to know what country you would like to adopt from and we do...we are going with...Uganda! Yes Uganda, Africa! I am so excited! But I haven't even told you the biggest part...we are applying for...two! It's my heart's desire to adopt a sibling group. We have many reasons for choosing Uganda and for choosing siblings, but again, I will post about that later:) For now please pray with me as I share my heart with you and God:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I praise you for your immeasurable love towards me,
and pray that you continue to enlighten us and direct our paths.
You have laid the desire of growing our family through adoption on our hearts,
and I know you will carry us through it.
Help us rely on you, keep you first in our lives, and take the next right step without looking back.
Most of all, please be with our children even now. Draw them to yourself, that when they are finally
home we could worship you as a family.
Thank you for leading our steps and always wanting what is best for us.
In Jesus's name, Amen.
"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps." Proverbs 16: 3 and 9
No Looking Back
taking the next right step...without looking back
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Something is Brewing...
Ok, I haven't posted in a while and have no (very good) excuse, but I will say SOMETHING IS BREWING!
Please pray for our family. We have been praying, thinking, considering, acting, and so on, and are feeling at peace about something big! God has been working in our hearts even when we act too busy to listen. Thank you Lord, for your patience and love towards us.
More soon...very soon...
Pray, pray, pray!!!
Please pray for our family. We have been praying, thinking, considering, acting, and so on, and are feeling at peace about something big! God has been working in our hearts even when we act too busy to listen. Thank you Lord, for your patience and love towards us.
More soon...very soon...
Pray, pray, pray!!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A Few Things I Love
Whew! Where did these last few weeks go! I have been so busy, you know, living life. Each past weekend has been such a blessing: Easter, a very special bridal shower, Mother's Day, our church Couples Retreat, and then throw in there gardening and potty training! Life's been full of excitement.
I have had a lot of time to reflect on some of God's great blessings and have found some new things I love right now, and I would like to share them with you:
Hydrangeas, so pretty. And they're doing so well here in Colorado.
The Once Upon A Potty for little boys DVD. My son sits on his potty and watches this over and over. I really think this is why he is so excited to go potty (that and stickers). When you are trying to potty train a two year old boy(!), you learn to really appreciate all these little helps.
City Harmonic's new song, Manifesto. The words come from the Apostle's Creed and the Lord's Prayer. How cool is that!
Living in a friendly neighborhood. Our new neighbors from across the street have already been over four times, I baby sat their little boy once, and they came to church with us this past Sunday! I love it. I really like my other neighbors too. We are all getting WaterWorld season passes together this year. How many neighbors get season passes to a water park?!
and,
a particular blog: http://weloveourlucy.blogspot.com/
They just came home with their second Ethiopian baby! I love reading this blog. This family now consists of 6 kids, two from Ethiopia. They are beautiful and look so happy. There is a button on my sidebar called Praying Wes Home. Well, Wes is home:)
Jared and I are continuing are Foster Care preparation. We pray that the Lord allows us to start our adoption process soon too, but in the mean time I will be living life, watching for new things I love, and staying busy with my two year old (going to the potty!).
I have had a lot of time to reflect on some of God's great blessings and have found some new things I love right now, and I would like to share them with you:
Hydrangeas, so pretty. And they're doing so well here in Colorado.
The Once Upon A Potty for little boys DVD. My son sits on his potty and watches this over and over. I really think this is why he is so excited to go potty (that and stickers). When you are trying to potty train a two year old boy(!), you learn to really appreciate all these little helps.
City Harmonic's new song, Manifesto. The words come from the Apostle's Creed and the Lord's Prayer. How cool is that!
Living in a friendly neighborhood. Our new neighbors from across the street have already been over four times, I baby sat their little boy once, and they came to church with us this past Sunday! I love it. I really like my other neighbors too. We are all getting WaterWorld season passes together this year. How many neighbors get season passes to a water park?!
and,
a particular blog: http://weloveourlucy.blogspot.com/
They just came home with their second Ethiopian baby! I love reading this blog. This family now consists of 6 kids, two from Ethiopia. They are beautiful and look so happy. There is a button on my sidebar called Praying Wes Home. Well, Wes is home:)
Jared and I are continuing are Foster Care preparation. We pray that the Lord allows us to start our adoption process soon too, but in the mean time I will be living life, watching for new things I love, and staying busy with my two year old (going to the potty!).
Psalm 100:4--Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Easter Resurrection Cookies
I read this in a bolg I follow, called Foster2Forever, and I thought it was a great activity to do with the kiddos in your life. Enjoy!
"These cookies are to be made the evening before Easter to demonstrate the story of Christ’s resurrection. Our family will be making these together for the first time this year.
You will need:
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 c. sugar.Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him.
Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read Matt.27:65-66.
GO TO BED!Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.
Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!
On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty!
Read Matt. 28:1-9
Enjoy!
Have a great weekend celebrating the resurrection of Christ!"
"These cookies are to be made the evening before Easter to demonstrate the story of Christ’s resurrection. Our family will be making these together for the first time this year.
You will need:
- 1c. whole pecans,
- 1 tsp. vinegar,
- 3 egg whites,
- pinch salt,
- 1c. sugar,
- zipper baggie,
- wooden spoon,
- tape,
- Bible
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 c. sugar.Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him.
Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read Matt.27:65-66.
GO TO BED!Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.
Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!
On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty!
Read Matt. 28:1-9
Enjoy!
Have a great weekend celebrating the resurrection of Christ!"
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Cupcake Fundraiser Results
We had a great time fundraising on Saturday. The weather was perfect and almost all our Youth Group showed up to help, along with eight special little kiddos. We set up behind our church office and worked our table for two hours, and we made $197.36! Praise the Lord! That's $197.36 more than we had that morning:) If you still don't know exactly where that money will go, I encourage you to visit SixtyFeet at www.sixtyfeet.org. Here is an excerpt from their website:
That's a little bit about SixtyFeet. Thanks to everyone who donated cupcakes! We also want to thank you for your support and words of encouragement.
"But thou, O Lord, are a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter of my head." Psalm 3:3
Bringing Hope and Restoration to the Imprisoned Children of Africa
Government facilities called “remand centers” exist throughout the continent of Africa. These facilities were created for children who have committed a crime. The homes are overcrowded and horribly underfunded. The living conditions are shocking.
The worst part is this – the vast majority of the children in these facilities have not committed any crime. Mostly, they are children who are simply unwanted. They are street beggars who have been rounded up by the police, unwanted children who have been dropped off by a stepparent, handicapped and mentally disabled orphans and orphaned refugees fleeing war torn countries in Africa.
SixtyFeet was created to bring hope and healing to these children through the love of Jesus Christ. We are improving the facilities by providing clean water, sanitation, bedding, clothing, medical care, nutritious food and schooling. We are also working to remove the most vulnerable children and placing them in a loving, safe environment.
That's a little bit about SixtyFeet. Thanks to everyone who donated cupcakes! We also want to thank you for your support and words of encouragement.
I want to leave you with a Bible verse I read this morning. It reminds me of my church back home in Jersey. We used to sing it there a lot, and I have always found it encouraging.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
10 Things Not Typical of My Home
1. My microwave is clean, inside and out. Sorry to say, not typical.
2. There are two desserts wrapped in plastic, sitting on my counter top. I usually don't have any desserts.
3. My bedroom looks staged to sell.
4. My baseboards are clean. Friend Krista cleaned them for me!
5. My floors have been sanitized. Friend Dennae steam cleaned them for me!
6. My vents are clean. Friend Krista did those too!!
7. All my kitchen cabinets are clean and decluttered.
8. My coat closet is now holding coats! and some of Sawyer's toys. Friend Krista did that too!!!
9. All bedroom closets were cleaned out. Anything not being used got boxed up and sent to the basement. Friends Krista and Dennae helped with that!!!!
10. You can eat off my bathroom floor, although I wouldn't recommend it. I bleach-cleaned them...with a toothbrush.
All in preparation for my Foster Care interview yesterday. Now let me tell you how it went:
She showed up right at 6:00pm. She came in, sat at the kitchen table, explained the 40+ page application, asked us about ourselves (this step took 5 minutes and included questions we asked about her), and left. I even offered her something to drink, and she said "No thanks." At 6:29pm she was leaving my house. THAT WAS IT?!?!?! When she asked if we had any questions, I almost asked if she wanted to come upstairs and see my bathroom floors! When we shut the door behind her, me and Jared looked at each other and in his sweetest voice he said, "Yeah, I thought you were over-doing it. But I didn't want to say anything." I gave him a kiss. He has learned so well how to deal with a "worrisome, over-doing it" wife.
Oh well, such is life. I have to say, I am thoroughly enjoying my wonderfully clean house, just as I enjoyed laughing with friends.
So now we are getting all our paperwork together and getting this snowball moving, woohoo! Thanks for all the prayers, comments, and support. She was very nice and we felt very comfortable with her, which is important since she would be the one giving the training classes and placing a child in our home. I will keep you posted on any new developments.
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" -Philippians 1:6
2. There are two desserts wrapped in plastic, sitting on my counter top. I usually don't have any desserts.
3. My bedroom looks staged to sell.
4. My baseboards are clean. Friend Krista cleaned them for me!
5. My floors have been sanitized. Friend Dennae steam cleaned them for me!
6. My vents are clean. Friend Krista did those too!!
7. All my kitchen cabinets are clean and decluttered.
8. My coat closet is now holding coats! and some of Sawyer's toys. Friend Krista did that too!!!
9. All bedroom closets were cleaned out. Anything not being used got boxed up and sent to the basement. Friends Krista and Dennae helped with that!!!!
10. You can eat off my bathroom floor, although I wouldn't recommend it. I bleach-cleaned them...with a toothbrush.
All in preparation for my Foster Care interview yesterday. Now let me tell you how it went:
She showed up right at 6:00pm. She came in, sat at the kitchen table, explained the 40+ page application, asked us about ourselves (this step took 5 minutes and included questions we asked about her), and left. I even offered her something to drink, and she said "No thanks." At 6:29pm she was leaving my house. THAT WAS IT?!?!?! When she asked if we had any questions, I almost asked if she wanted to come upstairs and see my bathroom floors! When we shut the door behind her, me and Jared looked at each other and in his sweetest voice he said, "Yeah, I thought you were over-doing it. But I didn't want to say anything." I gave him a kiss. He has learned so well how to deal with a "worrisome, over-doing it" wife.
Oh well, such is life. I have to say, I am thoroughly enjoying my wonderfully clean house, just as I enjoyed laughing with friends.
So now we are getting all our paperwork together and getting this snowball moving, woohoo! Thanks for all the prayers, comments, and support. She was very nice and we felt very comfortable with her, which is important since she would be the one giving the training classes and placing a child in our home. I will keep you posted on any new developments.
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" -Philippians 1:6
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Two Events to Pray For
Today is the day.
I have been cleaning, organizing, de-cluttering like a mad woman for our Foster Care Interview this afternoon. She is coming over at 6:00pm, so if possible, pray with us.
I have to say that we have been blessed beyond compare. Some of our friends from church were sweet enough to give any extra babyproofing stuff they had to us. How sweet is that?!?! Today, I have a friend coming over to help me distribute all that stuff throughout the house. I have already placed the door knob covers on ALL the downstairs doors, and immediately my son went to "test" them out. Once he finally gave up trying he came to me and said, "Keys please." He cracks me up....everyday!
As soon as I can get on the computer tonight, I will let you know how our meeting went.
Our second event you can pray for:
Our cupcake fundraiser. It's this Saturday, at 10:00am. Again, we are so blessed to have so many friends baking cupcakes and participating. One family has even signed their kids up to be sign holders:) Too funny. Do pray that God would do a mighty work there.
That's all for now. Here's a verse a sweet friend shared with me.
"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
Isaiah 26:3
I have been cleaning, organizing, de-cluttering like a mad woman for our Foster Care Interview this afternoon. She is coming over at 6:00pm, so if possible, pray with us.
I have to say that we have been blessed beyond compare. Some of our friends from church were sweet enough to give any extra babyproofing stuff they had to us. How sweet is that?!?! Today, I have a friend coming over to help me distribute all that stuff throughout the house. I have already placed the door knob covers on ALL the downstairs doors, and immediately my son went to "test" them out. Once he finally gave up trying he came to me and said, "Keys please." He cracks me up....everyday!
As soon as I can get on the computer tonight, I will let you know how our meeting went.
Our second event you can pray for:
Our cupcake fundraiser. It's this Saturday, at 10:00am. Again, we are so blessed to have so many friends baking cupcakes and participating. One family has even signed their kids up to be sign holders:) Too funny. Do pray that God would do a mighty work there.
That's all for now. Here's a verse a sweet friend shared with me.
"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
Isaiah 26:3
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