Oh Boy...or should I say Oh Girl!

I received a referral tonight from my adoption agency! The big switch-a-roo is that it is for a GIRL! I have been preparing this whole time for a boy. What are you doing, God? After having talked to many family members and friends, I think I am going to accept the referral.

God has a sense of humor. As I look at this event, I think of the gift of life that He is allowing me to mold and form into a follower of Christ. What a huge responsibility. So...Samuel is going to be Samantha. I still like the idea of calling her Sam. I guess I need to tweak my blog site.

Thank you God for this night!

Good-bye 5th grade Hello 6th grade!

We did it! We have promoted the class of 2017. They are no longer mine, but the middle school's gain. I have enjoyed teaching this motly crew. Many great memories with each one of them.

God has blessed me with another wonderful school year and now a relaxing summer to enjoy. I feel so grateful tonight. It is my prayer that He keeps His hand over everyone in this photo and that they grow up to be leaders for the cause of Christ.

On the adoption front, there has been a hold up on abandonment cases at Ethiopia. Grace, our point person for our orphanage, seems to think this will blow over in the next couple of weeks. My orphange has received 10 new babies that are abandoned and they are getting their medical reports done. If all works out, I could be recieving a referral pretty soon. So...please pray for Samuel and his health.

Look what a year can do

I just received some pictures from my friend, JP, tonight. He was the leader of my mission trip to the Dominican Republic last year in Feb. While down there I met a 5th grader named Rafelina. She came to the church the night we set up the clinic and we connected. Throughout the week she would sit with me while I did blood pressure on people and helped me to translate. We did not communicate well, but ended up giving each other a gift on Valentine's Day.

Now JP takes care packages down to her every now and then and we have set up an account for her future education. I can not believe how much she has grown in a year. He and I are meeting up this week to exchange information and to see when he will travel again to her home. This has been such a great way to continue the lines of communication with Rafelina. I really appreciate JP and his love the DR.

I feel like I should make another trip to see Rafelina once more before I become a mom. JP has offered to take me down there and see her again. God is so good. He continually provides for all of my needs and then the needs of others. I do not take any of this for granted. I am feeling very grateful tonight.

Now What?

Well...I received word from my adoption agency today letting me know that they have merged with another group called Nightlight Adoption. I checked out their website and seemed a bit confused. They have advertisement for frozen embryos. What? I didn't see anything about Ethiopia on their site, so that concerns me. I did email my contact person and will probably call tomorrow if I don't hear back from her.

So my question still remains..Now what? Does this change anything for our wait on a referral? Will this help us in the future with connections and are we still with Hope Adoption in St. Louis? I will have to say I often question my agency about what is going on. I am sure this is part of the process. Still trying to rest in God's plan and not mine. Easier said then done.

A friend asked me the other day if I am still asking myself "What am I doing?" I have to say that I am not asking that question of myself anymore. I guess I have crossed that bridge and feel like I am finally getting used to the idea of being a mom.

Speaking of being a mom, the little girl that I carpool almost threw chunks in my car this morning. We were at a stop light at Providence and Rea Rd. and she opened the car door to gag. Her brother had a bunch of school supplies in a grocery bag and I dumped those contents like no ones busy and had that bag at her face in seconds. Now I have to say that I did that out of some selfish reasons along with their safety. I can not hear, see or smell throw up without feeling sick myself. I hope that problem changes for me in the future. Turns out I am not quite there yet after all. God has a way of reminding me of my weaknesses.

Good Friday

Boy oh boy is God ever talking to us tonight. The day has been overcast and rainy off and on. As I sit here typing, watching tv, petting the dog and drinking diet coke, (Yes...I am ADD) I hear the thunder roll. Isn't it always neat how Good Friday seems so dark and mysterious?

I went to the Maundy Thursday service last night with Jen and Jenny and it was amazing. Forest Hills does such a great job of presenting the message. I sat afterwards for awhile to reflect on what I had just heard and seen. There were parts of the movie called "Passion of Christ" shown on the screen during the service. Candles lit and then extinguished as the story of his betrayal was told. One candle was left for the last supper. The bread is his body and the juice is his blood and it was given for our forgiveness of sins.

Wow...the atmosphere was just right to help you imagine the pain and suffering that He went through. How can we be sad or discouraged when this act of ultimate love was done on our behalf? God, forgive me for being consumed with myself and the daily activities that take me away from you.

The thunder is still rolling...thank you for the reminder...

We've got to pray just to make it today

This DC talk song reminds me of how we should be living our life each day. I heard news this week that a family in my adoption group just received sad news. They were supposed to travel next week and just found out that the parents came back for their future son. Woah...I suck in my breath and think "How would I respond to this?" God is in control and he has a plan. I am so thankful that my pastor is speaking on this topic right now. It is in the " whisper moments" that we can listen the most to God's voice.

Please pray for my adoption agency and those incharge of our adoption process. I am waiting for the referral of Samuel. Pray for his health and his parents. God, give them a peace about their decision.

Waiting on His timing...

H2-africa

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