GRACE & updates

grace: HIS unmerited favor ...

Oh how HIS GRACE flows over me.

The outpouring from those around, known & unknown, to help in building our adoption fund can only be due to HIS AMAZING GRACE!

There is NOTHING I have done to deserve this amazing blessing, masked in financial help ... I am so unworthy of the help that is pouring over us now. Only because of what Jesus did for me and you, am I able to accept these gifts, blessings ... my heart is humbled over & over.

I am so thankful to be offering the double blessing bracelets, as a way to offer something in return to building our adoption fund. It is my prayer that as our family is blessed, we will be positioned to pay the blessing forward. Bracelets can be ordered & purchased through the pay pal button to the right.

ADOPTION UPDATE

Tuesday 2/22, Double Blessing Bracelets available to purchase in Capstone Cafe at Northview Church

Thursday 2/24, we have officially retained an Attorney for our adoption

Friday 2/25 (tomorrow) Aaron and I are meeting the Expectant Mom, we will have some paperwork to be signed demonstrating our intent and her intent for this little boy (DUE APRIL 4th)

Please pray that this process will continue to bring glory to God our Father, through all things HIS name will be praised.

GRACE AND PEACE!

oh wow!

we continue to be blessed by those that God has placed in and around our lives!

since posting about the upcoming adoption, needing to raise funds and availability of the "double blessing beads" - the words of encouragement and action taken by folks around us : OVERWHELMING! and loving it.

my heart continues to expand ... i accidentally landed on a scripture yesterday at church when trying to get to where the pastor was .... of course it was one that was revealed to me in October, and i have been looking for it since.

"Make room for us in your hearts.
We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one"
2 Corinthians 7:2

There was a note in my bible, i wrote 4 months ago: CHILDREN

Since that time, the Lord continues to expand my heart, in ways i never knew possible. Not just for the family that HE is preparing - but expanding my heart to receive help.

I have always had a VERY hard time asking for and receiving any kind of help. But the Lord continues to do a great work in me, and it is all because of JESUS, I am able to receive this overflow. My eyes and heart are open to HIM - THANK YOU!

For those of you that have ordered bracelets, my life group girls and I are getting busy working to meet the demand, and build a supply so we can sell them at Capstone (northview church) and have them on hand ready to ship. THANK YOU for your continued help for our family building and the women in Uganda!

i praise the Lord for this growing heart, knowing freedom i have never imagined.
PRAISE HIM!

GRACE AND PEACE!

double blessing bracelets

I have ordered more loose beads from BeadforLife, to begin creating "double blessing bracelets"

1st Blessing - the loose beads are made by women in Uganda, BeadforLife pays the beaders fair trade prices ... and the women many HIV+ or war refugees build income for food, medicine, homes, schools and HOPE!

2nd Blessing - the profits from our sales will help us to grow our family and pass blessings to others.

If you would like to be place an order, click on the BUY NOW button to the right. You will be connected direct to pay pal. Each bracelet set will be handmade with loose multi-colored beads from BeadforLife.

GRACE AND PEACE!

my jericho road

This morning during my quite time, I surprised myself when I wrote: The journey to building a family is like the Jericho road.
I feel like I have been traveling this road, minding my own business - I have been attacked by bandits. These bandits have left me exposed on the road.

I have been left vulnerable, exposed, bare. Such a contrast to my personality of being a do it your self person - self reliant to a fault.
I am in need of a good neighbor, a samaritan, a friend ... to pick me up, care for me. Helping along this journey to a family.


Who could have foreseen how treacherous this road would be for me, for us.

GOD did, HE knew, and uses all things for HIS glory.

HE knew, it would take something huge to bring me to my knees again and again to fully trust, obey and place all my hope in HIM. SURRENDER.


What is so amazing to me, that the Lord has already placed around us, good neighbors, samaritans, family, friends .... help is here, help is on the way.

The man on the road would not have received help if his wounds were not exposed.
With that said;
I PRAISE THE LORD that I have been left exposed, needing help.
I PRAISE THE LORD, for those he has sent and is sending.
I PRAISE THE LORD, that he loves me.

Parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30-37

GRACE AND PEACE!

Fear doesnt listen to logic.You must move against it in faith. DO what you fear & the panic will subside. -RickWarren

encouraged

I am excited and encouraged, the Lord has continued to be faithful.

Two weeks ago I had a follow up with my Doc, I have been cleared. Aaron and I have the "go-ahead" to begin trying again. Lord willing, it will not take 2 years!

I also had the opportunity to see my Special Nurse ... (I do know her name, I just like to think of her as my special nurse!)

We talked at length, about loss and life - and HOPE.

She provided a step for me, a fantastic support center, able to help us adopt locally. . We are certain the Lord has a plan to provide for us.

What I had not expected was to receive another call (before we could even begin work with the center) that there is a possible baby for us, due in April.

I am feeling an urgency to raise funds "quick", because we have a possibility of adopting in 2 months!!

I spoke with an attorney, I am completely overwhelmed with the financial aspect of adoption.

the BIG ASK ... we need help!

I have been amazed at those around us that have said they would like to assist us in raising the money needed to pursue building our family. Therefore, to help make that easier - we have added a "donate" button to our blog, the button connects with paypal.

your prayers are much appreciated as we continue along this path.

GRACE AND PEACE!

wow!

I am continually amazed with possibilities opening to build our family - in ways never imagined.

This week, we made first contact with an attorney, to help us begin to prepare paperwork and steps needed to be eligible for adoption. We are waiting to hear back, yet - I PRAISE THE LORD, for preparing the way - I could have never seen this on my own.

I am so very thankful for all the perfectly placed people in our lives - what an amazing blessing!!!

Brag on Him Today

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria I love David’s attitude in today’s verse. He was declaring the goodness of God and bragging on His faithfulness! We need to always remember that every blessing in our life is from Him. That promotion, good break, healing or new opportunity — that was God’s doing. Scripture says that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above.

We used to sing a song growing up, “Look What the Lord Has Done.” It was a song that just bragged on God. It was a great reminder that all through the day we should be bragging on God’s goodness. We should be remembering His mighty acts. See, when we give God all the glory, that’s when He will pour out His blessings in greater measure. When we are humble and don’t try to take the credit, His grace and favor increases on us.

Today, look for opportunities to brag on God. If you are breathing today, brag on Him as your Creator. If you got to work safely today, brag on Him for being your Protector. If you are facing a difficulty, brag on the fact that He is your Deliverer and breakthrough is on the way! Keep declaring His goodness and faithfulness and watch what God will do on your behalf!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father God, You alone are worthy of all the praise and glory for the good things in my life! Thank You for blessing me, thank You for the breakthroughs in my past and the breakthroughs in my future. I bless You because You are good, and I choose to brag on You today! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

GRACE AND PEACE!!!