I am with you....

This past month God has been speaking to me in so many ways, it just continues to encourage me, and help me to grow in my relationship with him. Its been so uplifting that we continue to receive confirmations of what he was already speaking to us through other people.

Last week I posted about Not Giving Up... when I went to church on Wednesday we were talking about Running the Race, and guess what... not giving up! The woman leading the study shared this video... these 2 women were running this marathon and were at the point of their bodies giving out on them. I somewhat have felt the way these women look, falling clumsily and exhausted trying to just get to the finish. God has been totally amazing in blessing our fundraising efforts for our adoption. We have raised over half of our costs so far! Don't get me wrong, I could not be more thankful and happy about this. It is truly unbelievable the amount we have raised, and how far we have come in such a short time. All glory goes to God! We have worked SO hard to get this far, and this past week I just sat and looked at how much more we had to go, and it is hard to picture doing everything we have done already again to finish the other half. Lately I have just had to ask people for forgiveness because I am somewhat in a fog. I am tired, I cant remember what I did yesterday, let alone a week or month ago. These past few months feel like a blur! I do not want anyone to think this is a pity party or complaining post... We CHOSE this -yes, and we would rather work really hard and do everything we can to earn the funds than have other people just hand us money... but that doesn't mean that its always easy. Right now I feel we are at the bottom of a mountain about to run up it, and looking at the one we just climbed and came back down thinking how in the world can I do this AGAIN? My answer.... Christ's strength! He is going to get us through this, our only job is to look to him, not the mountain! Look above it, and passed it! They always say, don't tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is... SO TRUE in this circumstance! I refuse to sit back and think, I can't its just too big, not again, I've already gotten this far- I just need to keep pushing and finish strong, even if it is crawling to the finish like these women.

So after a few days of focusing on pushing through my race. I was listening to a Christian radio station and the DJ shared a verse he said God had showed him. It was Matthew 28:20 I am always with you. This just gave me peace of knowing all these times of barely pushing through, and struggling to get through the next fundraiser... he is ALWAYS with me! With each step in this race I am taking, he is there. Not only did this give me a peace in that situation. But lately I have become more and more aware of the fact that the first several months of our child's life... we wont be a part of it. And God told me, not only am I always with YOU but I am always with your son too! God will be with him in the orphanage every day, and with him in every circumstance. And that even though I can't be with him for those first few months... God is! And I couldn't ask for a better babysitter :)

I just wanted to share my heart with you, and allow you to see a glimpse of the things God is showing me, and reminding me of.

I won't give up!!!

Lately I have just been taken away by the song I wont give up by Jason Mraz. Its hard not to think about our future boy all the time... But this song grabs my heart in so many ways, and makes me think of him, and our adoption! Just because no matter what comes at us in this entire process, I am not quitting, I will not back down or give up on our future boy! God is getting us to him one way or another, and I refuse to give up on that promise! Not only is the song amazing, but the video is pretty awesome as well. Jason Mraz definitely outdid himself on this one. I wanted to share the lyrics and video:

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not
And who I am

I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)
God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)
God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

Thirty One Fundraiser

We are having a Thirty One Fundraiser for our adoption Fundraising. 100% of profits goes towards our adoption costs from this fundraiser. This is July's Customer Special, what a deal!!! The items do not have to be in this print, just those specific items are $5! Please order online at: http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E1998296&from=DIRECTLINK

Or contact me to place your order.

Smiling in the face of adversity...

Lately I have been on somewhat of a blog reading kick. Cant stop reading others adoption blogs...one thing that stands out. The adoption community is constantly scrutinized and under attack, in some way or another. Breaks my heart that this is an ugly truth about our world. Why don't people see or understand? Why cant they see our intentions, and that we are doing as we have all been called? Our decisions do nothing to them, has no effect on others outside of our family... so why do they care so much?

I love Dr. Phil, and I was watching one of his shows we had DVR-ed. It was about a Pastor's wife who had been murdered. There was a man in their community who was upset that the pastor was putting some of his poor actions into light within the community. This man was doing everything possible to run this family from their home from shooting bullets into their home, setting off dynamite outside of their home, etc. Eventually he set up the town drunk to believe a lie, which then led to the murder of the pastors wife. The children of the pastor, who are now adults, share that their family had asked their father why they weren't moving when all of the threats and harassment was going on... that maybe God wanted them to go ahead and move from the town. They then shared their fathers response, one of the wisest statements I've ever heard, that has probably impacted the remainder of my life.... "If God wanted us to move from this town, he wouldn't send the devil to tell us that." Such an amazing perception of their situation! As soon as I heard it just made me think of all these adopting families that have had such controversy and hurtful things said to them. I for one have never doubted our decision to adopt, and no matter how many hurtful things that are said to us... I never will! But what an amazing truth and way of viewing those that oppose our calling. That if God wanted us to do something different, he definitely wouldn't send the devil to inform us! I hope this encourages anyone that has had very evil and hurtful things said and done to you because of your vision or calling that God has given you! Take it and run with it! Have faith in knowing our God will speak and guide you during that time, and that the sinful actions of others are not anything to judge your actions upon.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Vision

This Sunday at church the pastor spoke of vision. I was so blessed by this sermon, and thankful to have the opportunity to be changed by it!

He stated, If God has given you a vision, DO IT!! You are the only person who can see his vision for you, he gave that vision TO YOU - No one Else! And if he has given you a vision, then he will equip you to make it happen! BE your vision! Share your vision with others and get them excited about it with you!

As he continued to share on this topic he continued to share that God has given all of us a passion and vision for something that fuels us. He then asked, whats the one thing that gets you excited, the thing that pushes you!? He also said when was the last time that you stepped out and did something God told you, having no idea how it would work out or happen. I just sat there, so thankful for Daniel and I's obedience thus far in God's vision for us. We were terrified when considering starting the adoption process. Both of us still learning just to be adults, and how to handle stuff like taxes and insurance! lol. We had no clue how to do all the paperwork, or even how we would raise $36,000! But we knew God told us the time is NOW! So we acted in faith, and look at how far he has brought us! I am BEYOND ecstatic that God has trusted us with ALL of this. He saw something in us that we couldn't see ourselves. He gave us this vision, gave us this fuel that pushes us to do things we never thought possible. What's next was the next thing that crossed my mind.... Yes we were obedient in starting our adoption process, getting us to our child. But then where does he want me? Whats his vision for me after that?

I know one thing. God has very much laid on my heart to start an annual craft show. My goal for this craft show is to use funds generated from booth rents, etc to fundraise for our adoption... and in future years pick other adopting families to support their adoptions as well. Not only for the sake of fundraising... but also use this time to open peoples eyes to the needs of orphans and families to stand in the gap for them. I am praying for God's direction as I start trying to work all this out, and to find ways to implement the sharing of the need throughout the craft show as well! If you have any input or suggestions on this please contact me. I would love to hear them!

And lastly, what is God's vision for you? What is that thing that you know hes prompting you to do... but you sit back waiting for someone else to get it started. Waiting for someone else to grab ahold of your dream?? Why wait any longer?? Step into what he has for you and see the AMAZING blessings and future that is to come!