Ramblings

Hey, at least I didn't title it "Rumblings". Or would rumblings be rambling and mumbling put together? Anyway, I taught 5 Abstinence classes this morning that went pretty well. Sometimes those kids crack me up.

Happy Birthday to A!! She had party number 2 last night. Friday was the friends party and last night was family. She was happy to get shoes, a purse with lots of bling, the willow tree angel with the kitty and of course money. Money always makes them happy. Oh, and she got a "Fashion Diva" sign for her room. We are getting ready to do a little makeover in her room so it looks more like a 15yo's than a 10yo's. I can't believe we've lived in this house almost 5 years. Time flies whether you're having fun or not.

It's rainy and windy today. My dad finished up the fencing yesterday and moved the horses today, in between rain showers. They seem pretty happy about the new territory. Sometimes we stop to talk to them when we drive up the driveway and they (well, Bridget) talk back to us, or at least show a little interest in us. I tried to talk to them today and they were too busy eating to even look at me.

I've spent a LOT of time in the Psalms during this whole adoption process. One that was brought to my attention at our prayer time Sunday night is Psa 82:3-4 "Defend the rights of the poor and the orphans; be fair to the needy and the helpless. Rescue them from the power of evil people." I love that. Another one that I read often is Psalm 20 "May the LORD answer you when you are in trouble! May the God of Jacob protect you! May he send you help from his Temple and give you aid from Mount Zion. May he accept all your offerings and be pleased with all your sacrifices.
May he give you what you desire and make all your plans succeed. Then we will shout for joy over your victory and celebrate your triumph by praising our God. May the LORD answer all your requests. Now I know that the LORD gives victory to his chosen king; he answers him from his holy heaven and by his power gives him great victories. Some trust in their war chariots and others in their horses, but we trust in the power of the LORD our God. Such people will stumble and fall, but we will rise and stand firm. Give victory to the king, O LORD; answer us when we call." My favorite parts from this one are "May he give you what you desire and make all your plans succeed" and the part about "Some trust in their war chariots and others in their horses, but we trust in the power of the Lord our God." I've come to the realization that I can't trust in people to do their jobs or to do the right thing but I can always trust in God. Even if I feel like people aren't doing their jobs (like signing the papers!) ultimately if God is in control, and I believe He is, He doesn't need them to do His work. He does work through human beings but He also performs miracles. I have to trust that if the time were right for J to be home, then he'd be home. I have to believe that God loves him more than I can and He has J's best at heart. I also think there should be laws and accountability and maybe legislation to be able to apply for US passports for our adopted children. That's what we're waiting on right now. Even though J has been legally adopted by us in Haiti, we have to wait for a Haitian passport to be able to put him on a plane to come to the states. We've been in the process for 29 months now and waiting on the passport 8 1/2. Maybe that's all part of the "why" of the wait for us (working towards the legislation for adopted children). It's definitely something that's on my mind.

Another Psalm that I go to often is Psalm 43 "Judge me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation. Rescue me from deceitful and unjust people. You are my fortress, O God! Why have you rejected me? Why must I walk around in mourning while the enemy oppresses me?
Send your light and your truth. Let them guide me. Let them bring me to your holy mountain and to your dwelling place. Then let me go to the altar of God, to God my highest joy, and I will give thanks to you on the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God." I feel like this one is asking God to rescue J. I've had some discouraging and depressing times in this adoption process and have asked God for light and truth. I love that it says "Put your hope in God, because I will still praise Him." There is that recurring theme of "praising God anyway!" So, I guess I'll end with another thankful list. Let's see, I'm thankful for washers and dryers (guess what I'm doing right now?) I'm thankful for young minds and having the time to volunteer to teach Abstinence. I'm thankful for pets and the joy they bring. I'm thankful for flannel sheets. I'm thankful for the way God's word speaks to me. I'm thankful for dark chocolate (have I listed that one before?). I'm thankful for a hubby who loves me and a church family who prays with us.

Praying for good adoption news this week yet surrendered to His will.
Amy