I just finished reading the rest of the articles on counting the costs of adoption. I have enjoyed reading it and believe it would be very beneficial for everyone to read these whether you have adopted or not. So that we can encourage, pray and support the ones that have been called to bring another child into their home, and call them family.
You can read the last article on counting the costs of adoption here.
I am so thankful for all the family's that I know that have adopted, I know that it has not been an easy journey for them, but we know that His grace is sufficient in ALL things....
I desire to live my life for the One who Died for Me, where He leads me I want to follow with a surrendered and willing heart. This is my life changing journey of volunteering in Ecuador, the special miracle of Adoption, and my study abroad experience in Costa Rica.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Walk With Me: Reflections on Ecuador!
I met a dear girl in Shell, Ecuador, who was a volunteer teacher at Casa De Fe. She blogged along the way and I enjoyed reading her blog especially after I came home! I really enjoyed her last post about Ecuador, you can read it below...
Walk With Me: Reflections on Ecuador!: Saying goodbye to the kids and missionaries in Ecuador was incredibly difficult, I was so touched by each and every one of their lives which...
Walk With Me: Reflections on Ecuador!: Saying goodbye to the kids and missionaries in Ecuador was incredibly difficult, I was so touched by each and every one of their lives which...
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Adoption is forever continued...
More about adoption...
I know its something that you can never be prepared for, but I hope and pray that my family will be as prepared as we can be!
This is a continuation of the article I posted July 9, about Counting the Costs of Adoption, so read more about it here.
So much of this article reminds me of other things in life, I pray that it will be as informative and encouraging to you as it was to me.
I know its something that you can never be prepared for, but I hope and pray that my family will be as prepared as we can be!
This is a continuation of the article I posted July 9, about Counting the Costs of Adoption, so read more about it here.
So much of this article reminds me of other things in life, I pray that it will be as informative and encouraging to you as it was to me.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
THE PINEAPPLE STORY
This past week my brother wanted me to listen to this...I have listed to it before but honestly I couldn't remember what it was about....so as we were listening and laughing, God brought my attention to a few of my own pineapples I haven't allowed God to have ownership of. So this simple story helped me to lay aside a few of the things that have been wearing me down lately....
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Missing Ecuador
"O look, here is miss Ecuador!", said, one. "She doesn't look like she's Ecuadorian to me", replied another.
I drove over a hill and see a "Wisconsin mountain" looming in the distance and thought, O its almost like Ecuador....then I thought, ok, not even close!
I went to the IRS office and was sadly disappointed by the one, half asleep guard behind the desk...really? There would be at least 4 starched and attentive security guards walking the place in Ecuador....
I was driving my moms van with my siblings and I accidently hit the horn with my elbow as I back out of the farmers market...my siblings groan in embarrassment as everyone was staring at us....I simply laugh...believe me, I learned to get over my public embarrassment factor in Ecuador!
I still miss the laid back slower pace of life, the adventure of walking down to the corner store to buy water, the delicious empanadas and so much more! Most of all I miss the children, spending my days with them and the tias, and of course, I miss Senorita Natasha. Most days I feel like a heart divided...half here and half there.
I know that God has me here for a purpose, and a season, and He has given me ministry opportunities right where I am, but it just doesn't feel as important...perhaps because when I was there, I knew exactly what I was there to do and how long I was suppose to be there. But the truth is, I could not have a more important calling then the one God gives me every morning when I wake up with a heart ready to serve Him. So I'm thankful that I'm here today, but the truth is I miss Ecuador very much, it somehow became such a part of me in three short months...
Whoever would have thought that two comments could bring back so many memories?? Its already been 3 months since I returned from Ecuador, but I'm still adjusting and I still miss it like crazy!
I drove over a hill and see a "Wisconsin mountain" looming in the distance and thought, O its almost like Ecuador....then I thought, ok, not even close!
I went to the IRS office and was sadly disappointed by the one, half asleep guard behind the desk...really? There would be at least 4 starched and attentive security guards walking the place in Ecuador....
I was driving my moms van with my siblings and I accidently hit the horn with my elbow as I back out of the farmers market...my siblings groan in embarrassment as everyone was staring at us....I simply laugh...believe me, I learned to get over my public embarrassment factor in Ecuador!
I still miss the laid back slower pace of life, the adventure of walking down to the corner store to buy water, the delicious empanadas and so much more! Most of all I miss the children, spending my days with them and the tias, and of course, I miss Senorita Natasha. Most days I feel like a heart divided...half here and half there.
I know that God has me here for a purpose, and a season, and He has given me ministry opportunities right where I am, but it just doesn't feel as important...perhaps because when I was there, I knew exactly what I was there to do and how long I was suppose to be there. But the truth is, I could not have a more important calling then the one God gives me every morning when I wake up with a heart ready to serve Him. So I'm thankful that I'm here today, but the truth is I miss Ecuador very much, it somehow became such a part of me in three short months...
There is a sense of constant searching in my heart for things of value... Why is it that so many of us American Christians settle for less? Less than a complete surrender of everything to Jesus Christ? Less than living each day for the Kingdom of God? Less than seeing God's perfect will done in our lives and those around us because we want things to go according to our plans?
Why do so many American's have to be so shallow? The truth is...most American's don't know any better. So many have never seen, have never walked, and have never opened their eyes, because we simply don't have to, or want too.
God is teaching me grace and mercy.....to look into my own heart and see my own shortcoming, my own sinful habits and my own selfishness. To not just judge my heart by its intentions but by my actions. This is a daily struggle, a daily walk, I know the answer is not to pack up and go back to Ecuador! I want to walk through this and be made stronger and more beautiful in the sight of God. Everyone keeps telling me that everything I'm going through and struggling with is preparing me for what God has for me in the future....I usually laugh..not because I don't believe it, but because I get this feeling....its going to be great!
Why do so many American's have to be so shallow? The truth is...most American's don't know any better. So many have never seen, have never walked, and have never opened their eyes, because we simply don't have to, or want too.
God is teaching me grace and mercy.....to look into my own heart and see my own shortcoming, my own sinful habits and my own selfishness. To not just judge my heart by its intentions but by my actions. This is a daily struggle, a daily walk, I know the answer is not to pack up and go back to Ecuador! I want to walk through this and be made stronger and more beautiful in the sight of God. Everyone keeps telling me that everything I'm going through and struggling with is preparing me for what God has for me in the future....I usually laugh..not because I don't believe it, but because I get this feeling....its going to be great!
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all palace, and in all other places; Philippians 1:11-13
Yes, God, I want that to be me! I am willing....
Adoption is Forever
I came across this blog post the other day and thought some of you might enjoy reading it.
Adoption is a call from God for so many people and it truly is a forever commitment that most of us underestimate. I know there will be many struggles and trials ahead for my family when we bring our little girl home. But I have to say, I'm all in!
Adoption is a call from God for so many people and it truly is a forever commitment that most of us underestimate. I know there will be many struggles and trials ahead for my family when we bring our little girl home. But I have to say, I'm all in!
Monday, July 8, 2013
In God's Underground
I recently finished reading "In God's Underground", by Richard Wurmbrand. I really enjoy reading and I enjoy the challenge and blessing of reading biographies and books about my brothers and sisters in Christ.
As I was reading this book, my heart broke time and time again, as I kept expecting Christ to free this man from his imprisonment, because God is a loving God right? He doesn't want His children to be in prison does He? He doesn't want His children to suffer does He? In one moment God could free him! In one moment God could make everything right (at least in my eyes). Why does He not?
But Richard had a better attitude about his suffering then I did. He was willing to serve God where God placed him and through his suffering and obedience God saved hundreds of souls right there in those communist prisons. What better life could there be? What more joy could you have? His family stayed true and faithfully, following God through prison, losing everything they had, and being shamed.
Perhaps the reason it bothers me is the fact that I wonder could I hold up? Under this torturing? Could I endure? I"ll be honest, I enjoy my comforts! Could I hold up under the severest persecution without denying my Lord? I want to say Yes! But how can I? I cringe just reading the pages, would I be one that deserted my Lord? That blasphemed and cursed Him? Would I be true, and follow Him through the worst of persecution with a doctor standing by just to make sure you don't die. Your body malnourished, your mind on the verge of going insane from years of solitary confinement, your strength gone yet you are forced to go on lest they trample on you and beat you more, hold on through brainwashing and emotional abuse of the worst kind. Yet, love and pray for your guards, and all that do evil against you. Continue to tell fellow prisoners of Jesus Christ, when you look around you and it seems that Christ has forsaken....
But in it all there is such a beauty, how true is the faith of a christian who has held true in persecution, what a deepness they enjoy in Christ. They have partaken of His sufferings and they are honored and thankful that they are allowed the privileged of drinking from that cup. So once again I find myself jealous of this richness they have found and experienced in Christ, but I don't find myself asking God to allow me to partake of this suffering....I only find myself praying that if it comes to me, God please, let me stand true. Don't let me shame your name.
I believe, help Thou mine unbelief....
As I was reading this book, my heart broke time and time again, as I kept expecting Christ to free this man from his imprisonment, because God is a loving God right? He doesn't want His children to be in prison does He? He doesn't want His children to suffer does He? In one moment God could free him! In one moment God could make everything right (at least in my eyes). Why does He not?
But Richard had a better attitude about his suffering then I did. He was willing to serve God where God placed him and through his suffering and obedience God saved hundreds of souls right there in those communist prisons. What better life could there be? What more joy could you have? His family stayed true and faithfully, following God through prison, losing everything they had, and being shamed.
Perhaps the reason it bothers me is the fact that I wonder could I hold up? Under this torturing? Could I endure? I"ll be honest, I enjoy my comforts! Could I hold up under the severest persecution without denying my Lord? I want to say Yes! But how can I? I cringe just reading the pages, would I be one that deserted my Lord? That blasphemed and cursed Him? Would I be true, and follow Him through the worst of persecution with a doctor standing by just to make sure you don't die. Your body malnourished, your mind on the verge of going insane from years of solitary confinement, your strength gone yet you are forced to go on lest they trample on you and beat you more, hold on through brainwashing and emotional abuse of the worst kind. Yet, love and pray for your guards, and all that do evil against you. Continue to tell fellow prisoners of Jesus Christ, when you look around you and it seems that Christ has forsaken....
But in it all there is such a beauty, how true is the faith of a christian who has held true in persecution, what a deepness they enjoy in Christ. They have partaken of His sufferings and they are honored and thankful that they are allowed the privileged of drinking from that cup. So once again I find myself jealous of this richness they have found and experienced in Christ, but I don't find myself asking God to allow me to partake of this suffering....I only find myself praying that if it comes to me, God please, let me stand true. Don't let me shame your name.
I believe, help Thou mine unbelief....
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