PRAYING UP THE SUN

Jesus did it.

 

He retreated to be alone with His Father.
He sometimes did this at great length. He stowed away, sought refuge, and He prayed.

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."
Luke 5:16

Likely, Jesus found Himself praying up the sun, often. As my heart grows more and more dependent upon Him for each breath, each minute of even very normal days, the desire to retreat with Him grows in unison. I find myself praying up the sun.

"O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch."
Psalm 5:3

If I wake to sleepers all around me, sun still resting too, I leap inside to think of the communion I'll have "alone".
Me and Him, awakening the dawn...there is no greater joy, nothing more content. HE is everything!

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23

Oh, the joy of a new day! The possibilities, come what may! I find myself praying in the morning:

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."
Psalm 143:8

Someday, when I meet my Lord and Savior face to face, there is a very real sense of knowing Him that comforts me.
I look to that day with great expectation. And in the interim, while my love for Him grows,
I find it one of the most dear interactions on earth, this gift, this praying up the sun.

"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark,
[Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."
Mark 1:35

ON MY LAP

Nearly every morning for the past 3 years I've had a certain little buddy by my side for my morning devotion time with the Lord and more times than not this particularly precious sidekick prefers to snuggle himself into his favorite spot...on my lap.

  

 

The look of contentment in his eyes, the knowing that he is loved and cherished and welcome...it melts my heart and spurs me on.
How easy it is to push away and ask for aloneness. I'm quite sure there's enough of that down the road.

 

For now, I'll take the snuggles while I can. I'll savor them as long as possible, and they'll fit...on my lap.

 

"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'”

Matthew 19:14

AH, THE SOUND OF SILENCE...

 

...when the toddlers are asleep.

 

I really couldn't love these two any more.

 

 "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, oh Lord, make me dwell in safety."

Psalm 4:8

MAKING IT WORK...OUTDOOR TABLE & ARBOR PROJECT

We LOVE to make it work here in our home as we multiply and absorb guests.

 

This past month, we started hosting a home fellowship church and we've cherished the times we've had already! So much so, that we hope to continue as long as the Lord allows and confirms. But, as we grow and share in our fellowship meal after service (a highlight of our gathering), we're hoping to make our backyard as hospitable as possible and this next project is all a part of that.

 

This is one way we can aim to glorify God in our home, by welcoming others in and worshipping together and breaking bread through fellowship meals. We feel so blessed! The heart behind our gathering definitely outweighs the size of our space,
but nevertheless, we're loving our time together and hoping to please the Lord as we do.

This week, during our Easter break from schooling, we are building a large 14' long table, benches, and arbor to accommodate outdoor family style meals. Our goal is to have it done before our Easter luncheon this Sunday. It's the perfect project for our break time because, as always, we're constantly learning!

I've always loved family style dining. Children and adults mingled around XL portions and laughter and conversations down a mile long table are just my thing! What a joy to bring such fellowship into our own backyard!

 

One project at a time, we're making it work around here and thoroughly enjoying the process!

Here's to documenting our latest space maximizing project:

 

This is our outdoor eating space before:

 

 

We eat as many meals as possible outside, but our family alone hardly fit here anymore.
Now, with other families regularly sharing meals with us, we've decided it's time to make better use of our space.

 

So, first, we listed our picnic table and gazebo for sale.
(We almost always sell what we've outgrown in order to buy the supplies for our projects. Sometimes we make a profit, sometimes it's an even trade, and sometimes we put minimal $ into it, but it's always affordable or free! The beauty of recycling.)

 

Next, we bought the wood with ample helpers galore...always a group effort, but of course!

 

 

 

For the record, India didn't need Nova's help...

She carried more than one of those planks all on her own, the determined girl she is!

Nova, on the other hand was thankful she had India on her team. :)

 

The benches and table are the first to be built. The arbor will follow. We wanted to have plenty of time for the stain to dry in time for our big Easter meal celebration! So with just one week to build, Brodie and the rest of his trusty crew got started right away.

 

First, the boys worked on the table frame:

 

 

 Simple 2x2's, 2x4's, and 2x6's were all they needed for the job:

 

Next, they built one 14' long bench along the back fence:

 

 

The 2 mobile benches on the other side will double as seating for our church services indoors:

This is where I get involved...staining is my job. I love to stain or paint anything I can!
(...and I just might have gotten so inspired that now everything else wooden in our
backyard has a fresh coat of stain as well. Hey, at least now it all matches!)

 

 

After two days of teamwork, the table and benches are complete!
(Swing and forts freshly stained too. :))

 

 Next, it's time for the arbor.

I've always loved vines that run amuck. Our existing bower trumpets and wisteria will eventually shade the tables with white flowers and periwinkle grape-like clustering blooms in the spring...I LOVE wisteria arbors! I've always wanted one and it's so fun to think that now we finally will! Wisteria is so beautiful when it blooms and it grows like CRAZY!

 

The frame takes shape and cross slats will hold the vines as they
grow into their new home with a bit of redirection and TLC:

 

Look who came to help:

 

 Final stain then finishing touches...and our outdoor table & arbor project are officially complete!

 

"FRIENDS GATHER HERE"

I can hardly wait to share meals in our new outdoor eating space with family and friends and lanterns and LOVE.

What a fun and functional project!

 

Thanks {again} Brodie, for your hard work to make our house our home and specifically "a house that absorbs guests"...
...the very kind of home I've always prayed for. Your labors of love are always a blessing to so many.

 

What a special Easter!!!

 

"And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes,
they received their food with glad and generous hearts."
Acts 2:46



BAPTISM

Last night, as we commemorated Good Friday and what Jesus accomplished on the cross,

we had the blessed opportunity to share a public baptism as a church family.

 It was beautiful and special and memorable and celebratory and symbolic.

 I've always wanted to be baptized, but never had an opportunity in the age range when I would have desired it at first.

Then as an adult, I have been waiting for a time that felt "right". Last night was just that.

 

For me, getting baptized in the ocean was always my first choice.

We spend so much time enjoying God's creation at the beach, I just can't think of any
other water source that would be so personal and significant.

To be baptized together with my children and niece and by my husband
and brother-in-law was even more special than I could have imagined!

 Each of our older children who have professed their faith in Christ took this event very seriously as we discussed the significance all month. They each came to their own thoughtful conclusions and we enjoyed many wonderful conversations in anticipation of this important moment in their lives as we affirmed them in their decision to be baptized.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

3 John 1:4

We had family and friends, worship and leis, sunset and cookies and laughter and LOVE.

   It couldn't have been better!

A blessed memory was made last night.

Thank you, Kari, for photographing this event for us...your time capsule gift will be cherished!

Thank you, Lord, for your forgiveness of our sin and for your offering of eternal life!
Thank you for your presence in our lives and for the precious, sacred gift of baptism.

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash way your sins, calling on his name."

Acts 22:16

WATER JUGS OUT

The story goes, pray for rain...and put the water jugs out.

 

In other words, wait in expectation for what the Lord CAN do.

 

If faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1), then one who prays for certain rain

and expects, by faith, that it WILL rain is one who puts water jugs out for collection.

 

This is but common sense.

 

And yet, how often does our faith deny all rationale?

How readily do we dismiss the impossible in view of what we see from our finite perspective?
How often do we miss the blessing?

 

“What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Luke 18:27

 

But faith is SURE of what it hopes for. It is CERTAIN of what it does not see. The centurion had faith like that.

 

"When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 'Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.' And he said to him, 'I will come and heal him.' But the centurion replied, 'Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, "Go," and he goes, and to another, "Come," and he comes, and to my servant, "Do this," and he does it.' When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, 'Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' And to the centurion Jesus said, 'Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.'

And the servant was healed at that very moment."

Matthew 8:5-13

 

Lord, please bless my heart with faith like the centurion. Help my heart to trust like that!

 

By grace, may we expect the rain and go on and put the water jugs out.

 

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

John 15:7


MORE NEW PHOTOS!!!

This has been an incredible month! God has been on the MOVE!
It seems every day there has been something going on either in deep valleys or high heights.
And God has been good in both. We're amazed!

 

Yesterday, we received updated photos and information about our little Beck. We couldn't be more thrilled!!

He is healthy and happy and apparently a "sweet pumpkin" according to his nannies! :)

 

To say we are smitten with our little guy is an understatement!!

I said it about Bea and I'll say it again:
"The borders of my heart have expanded. There's no division in LOVE...just multiplication."

Sure enough, I've multiplied.

{again!}
 

No matter what the report would have said, we knew he was our son. We would have proceeded no matter what.
It's just been too obvious that this is God's plan. But, to have a positive report about his health in particular,
then also about his lovable personality has been more than we could ask for in terms of confirmation.

 

So what comes next...???

PRAYER!!!

We're praying for speed in Beck's process so Bea won't wait longer due to this change in plans.
We're praying for miraculous funding. (We submitted an application for a grant today...more to come.)
We're praying for physical health for both children. Their hearts are frail but God is the Great Healer. He can help them.
We're praying for their spiritual hearts as well...and God is the Great Healer. He will help us help them. He holds them now.

We're trusting God, by His grace and with immense faith, for ALL of these things, knowing He is more than able to provide!

 

Yesterday was such an encouraging day and it's been a highlight of the month to have received
our new photos of Bea and now also these new photos and information about Beck.

What a JOY to welcome these two sweethearts into our family.
I can hardly wait!!!

 

We're coming little ones...SOON!!!

 

"But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31

CHINA ADOPTION UPDATE #5

It's a.......BOY!

 

(That's NOT a typo.)

 

It's a GIRL.......AND........a BOY!!!

 

And God never ceases to stun us with His plans! He's given us a wild ride this adoption journey so far.

He keeps us clinging. We can't write stories like He writes. Who could ever be so creative but Him?!

 

It's quite the personal story, this portion of our process, but to share mildly what God has done...

 

He brought us to adoption in China through a mission trip which grew love for a boy. That boy now lives in Italy. He was never to be ours. BUT, his purpose in our life was to bring us to this place where we fell in love with another boy...and girl.
Through a heart wrenching series of events, we would only be able to adopt one.
 

But God...

 

The email came through. The phone call followed. Could he be ours too???

 

Prayer...and more PRAYER!

 

It's an easy answer really, because when you LOVE someone...you'll do ANYTHING for them.

 

We LOVE the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength...and He has given us His LOVE for this boy.

 

And so, the answer is joyfully and willingly YES!!

Though there were some hoops to jump through this past week, all has played out smoothly and in the end the answer is what we have prayed it could be. We're on our way to both children! And, we are AMAZED at what God has done!

 

We prayed our little boy would come back to us...we prayed he might be ours. We checked the website every now and then,
wondering if he had been matched. But, how could he have been? He's ours after all, the missing brother I'd just written of
literally the very same day that the email came through. Clearly God was priming our hearts for this boy.

 

Lord, you're just so remarkable, the way you write your story. The possibilities, the twists and turns, no one writes like YOU.
Thank you for what you're doing here in our lives through these children. Thank you for bringing our beloved boy back to us.
Thank you for answering prayers with No's sometimes, Yes's others. You're ALWAYS good!

 

Hang in there, buddy...we're coming for you too, after all.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

 

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted."

Job 42:2



LOVE

 

Just what the loft bed needed.

 

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13

 



MIRACLES...AND MORE MIRACLES??

That's what we're praying for anyway...

 

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Matthew 21:22

 

We've seen miraculous prayers answered through our adoption process in China. God has strengthened our faith through His workmanship. There were times when things seemed bleak and times when we have been flabbergasted by what God has done.

 

Today was one of those days.

 

As we have submitted our LOI (Letter of Intent) to adopt B, our little boy who we've been able to place back on hold through a string of miraculous events, we have prayed for speed in the process because our little girl waits. It was already a miracle to begin with that we've been able to pursue him again. Then, we saw another miracle occur when we almost lost him again. But, our awesome agency found his file, locked it, and basically we went into fast forward mode because of the 72 hour lock rule. ("Coincidentally", we had been praying for SPEED in the process. God, you're so amazing!!)

 

Now, today, after being told that it would likely take 3-4 weeks to receive our PA (Pre-Approval) for a second child...

IT CAME after just a few days!!!

 

What?!

 

This is just one more reminder and confirmation that we are right where we are supposed to be...in God's will...in His story...the one HE is writing to graft these children into our family where they can be loved and learn about Him and prayerfully thrive and sing of His glory in their lives. This is God's plan. We can see it.

 

It's been a privilege to watch on as God orders His will and performs miracles to show Himself to us.

His fingerprints are all OVER this adoption and we feel so so blessed to soak it in.

 

So...we're praying for more miracles. We need miracle funding for this adoption like we've never needed before but we're trusting that God has that all planned out. He can do ANYTHING and we believe it! We need miraculous healing for our children's hearts and miraculous speed for this second paper process so our little girl doesn't have to wait any longer than necessary.

We need miraculous faith and trust in our Good Shepherd and we know that He will provide ALL of the above!

 

We're praying and stepping and blind-following the Leader. We're thanking the Lord for miracles...and praying for even more!

 

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

GRATITUDE

 

Gerber daisies...one of the visual reminders of care shown by loving friends during my difficult recovery.

 

Meals, texts, calls, visits, flowers, cards, taking our kids to the park, the Peace Lily that came to the door, friends by my bedside,

all of these things communicated God's comfort and concern for me. He used people to wrap me up in His LOVE.

 

 Lord, help me show the same comfort and care for another in their time of need as I've been shown in mine.

 

Gratitude.

 

"Be kind to one another."

Ephesians 4:32

RECOVERY

Oh, the sweetness of communion with Christ.

 

Oh, to be bedridden...not a typical longing, I know. But, the fellowship of sufferings is one not easily replaced.

 

It's been a few days now of beds and meds and pain and recovery. More than we expected. And, what a gift!

To think that we hustle and bustle through days filled with pleasures and stressors, missing the opportunity to saturate in the presence and nearness of the Lord through the gift of nothingness. It's a fellowship worth longing for.

 

Hymns by my side all day and all night...words with depth and richness only to be truly ingested through the comradery of sufferings, I've tasted it. Again. And, nothing is sweeter. I remember this place.

 

The lessons to learn, the retrospect coming, I ponder it even now from afar. Hours turn days and soon I will hustle and bustle again, but prayerfully changed once more with layers upon layers of God's handiwork on my heart. This is grace. Receive it.

 

Thank you for meeting me here these past few days, Lord. What a wonderful Savior!

 

"One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet."

Proverbs 27:7

PSALM 91:4

 

 

A friend sent me this in prayer for my surgery today...praying likewise.

 

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

Psalm 91:4


ON HOLD...

It's an odd thing to be "on hold".

 

I remember the last time we found ourselves in this place, I thought for sure nothing could stop us.

 

BUT...

 

Oh the grief of our untold story...the letting go, the ripping.

 

AND...

 

It seems we've been offered a second chance. How in the world is this so? We can hardly believe it.

Only God. He writes such amazing stories.

 

Believe it or not, he's back on hold...and I'm not even going to try and guard my heart, though history might beckon I do.

It's just not me to erect walls. I'm fine with vulnerability...because God's got this whole thing nailed. His plan is perfect and wise.

 

WOW!

 

This journey has been quite the surprising road. With an unexpected turn of events this week,
the seemingly impossible has occurred. The VERY closed, "real no" door has swung "yes" open.

And so, we find ourselves JOYFULLY in...all in...and once again on hold.

 

"But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'”

Matthew 19:26

NEW PHOTOS!

We received new photos of our little sweetie yesterday!!

Oh wow, it's so real and she is so precious. Her countenance seems dear. She has the headband on we sent. She is holding the teddy bear, stamping the stampers, twirling the ribbons. She is pointing to the photos of Mama and Baba and seems to be saying our names with her mouth as she points. She looks so much older than the other photos we have of her. She is, after all, nearly 4 now. It's difficult not to long for those 4 years with her. And, it's comforting to know the Lord had them, every one.

Abba Father held our daughter every day of her life. He was near to her before we even knew she had been born.
He created her fearfully and wonderfully in His image because He LOVES her. He had a plan A for her life
and we're blessed to be scripted in. I can hardly wait to be the ones to tell her these things.

"For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them."
Psalm 139:13-16

Our little girl...she is on the other side of the world. My mommy heart is ready to welcome her in.
Once again, the borders of my heart have expanded. There's no division in LOVE...just multiplication.

I've multiplied.

{again}

Little one, we are coming soon. Jesus is your Best Friend. He is with you now.
He will never ever leave you nor forsake you! He will hold you until we can. SOON...

Until then, we are cherishing this gift...our new photos!

"God places the lonely in families."
Psalm 68:6