... and we wait

the waiting continues.

we all know babies come when they are ready, not just because all of us on the outside are ready.

i turn to the word .... for assurance as i wait ...

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

We wait in hope for the LORD; HE is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

While I wait, I have completed some projects ... new curtains in the kitchen

... the black really makes the kitchen table pop.

Thank you all for the amazing prayers, looking forward to introducing our son - soon:)

GRACE AND PEACE!

a good word - a great reminder

Aaron & I are in a "final" stage of waiting. Our expectant mom, is in the beginning stages of labor!

He Answers You
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “I will answer them before they even call to Me...”
(Isaiah 65:24, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Have you ever thought about something you wanted or needed, and suddenly that need was supplied even before you had time to stop and pray? God knows your needs before you even speak them. He wants to provide for you and answer the very desires of your heart. Don’t ever think God is too busy to answer you. Don’t ever think your needs are too small or that you don’t matter. The truth is that He cares about everything that concerns you, and He loves to hear you call upon His name! When you put Him first in everything you do, when you faithfully follow His commands, He’ll pour out an extra portion of His goodness and favor upon you!

Remember, you are very special to God, and He hears you and answers you. It may not be in your timing or in the way you expected, but know that He always has your best interest at heart. He is working things out for your good, and He will always answer — sometimes before you even call!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. I trust that You hear me and that You will answer me. Show me Your ways and teach me to trust in You as I surrender to You every area of life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

GRACE AND PEACE!

she was right!

My Mom, my mother was right!

let me say that again - My MOTHER was RIGHT!

When Aaron and I learned of the baby due April 4th, it was the beginning of February. We had only just downloaded forms to begin the application process with an agency. I was so overwhelmed with the cost, we have been for the past few months cutting it real tight with just the 2 of us - how would we be able to sliver off any to begin an adoption fund. Then when we learned of this little one coming April 4th - our hearts are ready - it was our bank account that shouted NO.

After my first conversation with the Attorney, hearing just the retainer fee, followed by the total to complete the adoption made me sick to my stomach. Aaron was at work, so my mom was there to listen and offer encouragement to me. What stands out today, was that she encouraged us, me to move forward as if money was not a concern.

Little did she know that that day she was speaking truth over me .... since that conversation the financial blessings have poured in. Each time a cost has come up - our bank account has been ready. We have been blessed in ways I never never imagined or expected.

Double Blessing Bracelet sales continue to surge ... closing in on 300. 2 more Beads By Beth parties this month, 1 in April and 1 in May, my goal is at least 2 a month through the year. I am so thankful that the Lord reminded me of my gift of craftsmanship. THANK YOU!

Thank you dear prayer warriors - your prayers offer encouragement, protection and comfort! I am enjoying this feeling of overwhelming love, that comes from Our Father - through His precious children, thank you!

I lean on this scripture daily:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

It is my prayer that you will each trust the Lord with all your heart - and allow him to make your paths straight.

GRACE AND PEACE!

Children of God

I had the opportunity to see Third Day live, at Northview Church 3/9/11, they have been a favorite band of mine since 2001 ... when I was saved.

this blew me away, a must share

³All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. ⁴Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. ⁶So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. ⁷He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. ⁸He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1: 3-8

GRACE AND PEACE!

miracle

this past weekend Pastor Steve Poe preached at Northview Church, at the conclusion he invited anyone that needed a miracle to come forward for prayer ... the aisles filled and mighty prayers went up to the heavens.

i was frozen in my seat, basking in the goodness of our Lord, and relishing the miracle of Jeremy, while finding myself in the middle of a new miracle. (Or maybe this is part of the same miracle?)

i am so thankful that my spiritual eyes are open to see and recognize where i am and how the Lord is orchestrating everything. What an amazing place to be - so completely humbled.

adoption update:

• we officially have an attorney
• the expectant birth mom has an attorney
• the expectant birth mom and her attorney have a birth plan in place
• when she goes into labor, our attorney will be notified, then we will receive a call.
• when the little guy arrives, our attorney will be notified, then we will receive a call.
• the expectant birth mom will be able to sign papers 24 hours after birth, unless she has a c-section(which is unlikely, baby #1 was vaginal)
• when the expectant mom has signed, we will head to the hospital to meet our son.

Due date, April 4th. She has been having contractions for a week - but no "real" progress. It is my prayer that the little guy continue to grow on the inside as long as possible, with the arrival as close to April 4th as possible. We are ready for him, now - so let the Lords will be done.

We have a few more papers to be returned for our homestudy, and hope to have a social worker to our house BEFORE April 1st!

This is such an amazing time, the Lord continues to provide - for ALL our needs. He continues to humble my heart with the ability to receive the blessings. That too is a miracle!

thanks to help from lifegroup girls, the nursery is together ... still desire to get some black out curtains ... thinking brown

for his ride home ... we will put it in the car this week please pray that this process will continue to bring glory to God our Father, that through ALL things HIS name will be praised!

GRACE AND PEACE!

From Aaron ...

Today, Aaron shared the devotion during the monthly all-staff meeting at Northview Church.

POWERFUL!

happy to share:

Trials, trials, trials, trials, trials

When Beth and I where planning our wedding ceremony we chose Proverbs 3 verses 5 through 6, one of my all time favor verses to quote.

It says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Back in August of 2008 I was ordained here at Northview Church. And while I went through the ceremony with a smile, nobody knew except the Lord, that I was crying in my heart.

Two weeks previous to that glorious ordination day, my wife and I received a diagnosis about our 17-week old baby that he was afflicted with a condition called Trisome 13, which means the presence of an extra (third) chromosome 13 in all of the cells. And this condition is not compatible with life outside the womb.

The commentator Mathew Henry says, “May we learn to obey and trust the Lord, even in tribulation; to live or die as he pleases: we know not for what good ends our lives may be shortened or prolonged.”

Beth and I where completely shocked when we heard the doctor reveal the life of our son would not endure long. To be completely open I thought I was exempt, immune, protected from such affliction, but not so. Proverbs chapter 3 is so poetic and romantic; to me it is so inspiring to hear “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight,” but now, needing to apply it in the midst of trial was sobering.

Nobody’s faith is immune from testing. I thought it strange that we where experiencing this trial, but the Bible says,

In 1 Peter 4:12-13

¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

2nd - Beth and I are amazed that we didn’t fall apart during that trial. We actually became closer to the LORD and to one another in the midst that stormy season. This trial was lived out in the open and it could not be endured in secret. Not bothering others with our hurts, habits and hang-ups is so common, but so unhealthy.

This trial allowed us to see God working through our friends and family, Brookside Church, Northview Church and our Life Group as God demonstrated His love and compassion for us. We are now experiencing the body of Christ supporting and contributing to our calling to adopt a child.

Another calling, more trials, more grace, more joy.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

GRACE AND PEACE!