If God guides, God provides...

I just read that from my adoption group and had to use it as my title for the day!
I have to remind myself that NOTHING is impossible when God is our guide. Some days I look ahead at how much we have to do, our adoption, coming up with travel funds, finding a hobby farm, being "nudged" by God to try homeschooling again, UGH! It can be overwhelming! All I need to do is just look back at how much God has already provided and proven how faithful and awesome He is!
Pursuing a material world, gathering up riches and pocessions,are FOR WHAT? I have finally gotten to the point where I "get" where God has been leading me. My husband, my children, my family and friends, are my riches that God has provided. Having our worldly pocessions are only temporary, and I can't take them to heaven!! I don't need to prove myself to the world. I want to live my life where God leads it. God has given me a heart for orphans. I still am following His lead and what He wants me to do with this. Right now, it's adoption. In the future, maybe it's working for an agency, or orphanage missions, or something else. He has also recently revealed to me, not only a heart for the orphan, but a heart for the orphan with physical deformities. Our Blessing, Josiah, I don't consider having a deformity. God changed my perspective so amazingly. Now, the world may see his deformed hand, but I see a gorgeous baby boy, that needs us, and, he has a cute little hand that has amazing potential!
I can't wait to scoop up my baby boy, touch him, smell his sweet smell, look in those beautiful eyes, and know that God chose him for us! How amazing!

There is a group of moms (and dads) in Liberia right now. Some are picking up their kids, and some are doing work for the orphanage. It is so comforting to know that they will be loving on our little Blessing. We were also told how the nannies sing to the babies at bedtime. How sweet is that????? As hard as it is to wait, I have full confidence that Acres of Hope is providing the most loving and highest quality care for all our little ones. I am so confident with Acres of Hope, and so glad that God led us to them.

Love,
Christina

Goodbye Elsi...

We have had some very sad few days. Our cat, Elsi, of 14 years, passed away yesterday. She had a very aggressive form of cancer and was in so much pain, we had to put her to sleep. This is the second cat in less than a year we have had to put down. Our other beloved cat died of kidney failure.
As much sadness that has filled our house, it is a good lesson for my kids. They have all cried and grieved. They all understand dying and death and the grieving process through it.
Some may think it's a little silly to get so upset over animals, but they are the ones that don't understand the companionship and love they have provided to each one of us.
Last night as I was pondering the events of the day, I started grieving for all the little ones in Africa that just couldn't hold on. Dying is such an everyday occurance for Liberians. They struggle to survive EVERYDAY, death is always so close to them. It scares me some days, knowing how vulnerable our little guys is. I just have to pray that God continues to watch over our precious one. He is in control, no matter what happens.

Love,
Christina

Watch this!

This video was forwarded to me. It is very moving and powerful!


http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

Another reminder from God...

As I was frantic a few days ago, God settled me. He gently kept saying..."Be still and know I am God." So, I did. I rested in that assurance. I know that Blessing will come home. God will see to it. Whatever is happening in Liberia, God is hearing our prayers! I also read scripture through Peter, and was so amazed how God keeps showing his faithfullness.

"There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while."
These trial are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whold world." 1 Peter 1, verse 6-7.

This week will be another busy week. We are going to another Christian camping weekend at "Higher Ground," just outside of Minneapolis. They have a camper decorating contest, so we decided to paint the camper with adoption awareness stuff, and pics of our Blessing. If we can make one person more aware of the desperate need to save a child, that is awesome!
Third Day will be the big group there this weekend, and we can't wait!

Patty from Acres of Hope will be meeting with the visa lady, either today or sometime this week. She could use your prayers!!!

Gotta go! God Bless,
Christina

Asking for prayer!!!

Please pray for Liberian adoptions! I have been so sick with discouraging news, about adoptions in Liberia. They are trying to change "policy", making adoptions harder and longer, on the waiting children, birth parents, and adoptive parents. It is so discouraging to hear of "officials" who enjoy playing God, regardless of what is does to these beautiful children waiting for families.

An amazing weekend!

We got in late last night from the "Festival of Hope." It's a gathering of families that have adopted or are adopting through Acres of Hope Liberia. It was an amazing time of chatting with other parents, seeing all the beautiful children, and meeting Patty and Donna, two truly amazing women! I wish I could bottle up some of that energy! Camping on Harold and Patty's farm was such a great experience for my kids. Makes me want to live in a compound with other "like minded" families, having children play together, grow together, be safe together.
This weekend was truly a validation to what we are doing with adoptions. Sooooo many children in Liberia, no hope, babies dying everyday, severe poverty, living conditions, etc. I could go on and on. Us as adoptive parents need to be advocates for all those little ones that need to have a families, be saved from such extreme conditions. Patty and Acres of Hope Liberia are doing so much for the orphanage and the local communities. There is so much of a need. God calls us to care for these orphans, this is our responsibility! How can we say no? I truly feel that EVERYONE can do their part. If it's not adoption, it may be providing funds, it may be providing labor, providing contacts to "get things done", it can be anything!! Sending donations, talking to others who have resources...
God has really stirred my heart, AGAIN. I don't know what the future holds, but I know that I will be doing something with this calling He has given me.
Another great piece of info we got from Donna, was that our little Blessing may be home by the end of the year. Since this is our second round through the adoption process, I realize that 'anything' can happen, so, it would be FABULOUS to get our baby home by then, but if he's not, God's timing is perfect!!
I gotta go do a ton of laundry now!

God Bless,
Christina