This is the Day

Today is a new day.  We actually are fortunate enough to have 365 of these potential new days each year!  Today is a new day so why not live like it! You see, today is not only a new day but it is a day that the Lord has made so why not rejoice and be glad in it people!
Today is a new day and for me, I have FINALLY been able to be glad in it!  It has been 7 weeks already that LyLah has been home and for a good 6 of those weeks I have been sick with some thing or another.  These last 2 weeks in particular have been the ones to really wear me down.  BUT I am here to say that last night was the first night since we've returned that I haven't felt the need to go to bed when LyLah did!  Praise Jesus!  I have been trudging along each day with the most amazing little girl there ever could be, as she too has been sick but you would never know it!  Unlike her momma, she continues on with a smile on her face and is the same happy go lucky girl that I met from day one!  She certainly has a knack for putting a smile on your face, even if you are feeling pretty cruddy.  Of course there are my faithful parents too who have continued to be by my side and  helped me take care of LyLah when I wasn't up to par. I thank God for them daily!
Today is a new day and I realized that these last 7 weeks have gone and went and it's about time to get kickin again and take every advantage of this new day He has made!  It's not easy to do when you're feeling tired or weary, but I'm here to tell ya those days fly by so fast they are here and gone!  I have learned that just because I am feeling tired or weary is no excuse not to rejoice in the day.  Each one of those days during that 7 weeks I woke up, didn't I?  That is reason enough right there to rejoice, but I know that I had plenty of other opportunities to be rejoicing ... and her name is LyLah!  So don't waste another day, or better yet 7 weeks like I did.  Today is a new day ... a day that our Lord has made ... let's put a lil' extra effort into some mighty fine rejoicing and being glad in it, okay?!  Oh yeah!
Today also marks the beginning of one of my favorite times of the year .... Christmas!  We have the tree up and decorations out and have already enjoyed nights with only the lights of the tree in the room.  How awesome it is to be able to celebrate Jesus, the creator of the universe, our Savior, not only today but everyday!  Don't wait until December 25th to celebrate Jesus, why not give Him the whole month of December?!  In fact, why not give Him all 365 days of the year?!  He is gracious enough to give us each day we awake, yeah?!  Celebrate Jesus!  Today and everyday!  Because this is the day that He has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Praise God for today!  Praise God for everyday!  Praise God for all that He is!  Praise God for Jesus!
Pray that today would mark the first day, if you don't already do so, that you would truly live like it's a day that He has made - Pray for that same spirit of joy everyday - Pray for a deeper understanding of who God is - Pray for someone to cross your path that does not know Jesus, and for words/actions to make known who He is and what He has to offer ... salvation ... shining the light on Him!

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24

Love,
amy

Do Not Fear

So basically my question is ... "How in the world do any of you with more than one child plus a dog get ANYTHING accomplished?" Ha! Just joking of course! Well, sort of ;)
Life for me has completely changed.  Of course I was expecting it to and I am learning daily as I go what the important things are that need to get done and the things that can wait. Obviously I haven't exactly found the perfect spot to squeeze in my weekly blog so as I was telling my mom the other day, maybe I will try to do one every other week ... or maybe once a month! We will see!
One of the things that I have been struggling to get into my schedule is my quiet time, well maybe I should say a "productive" quiet time! At any rate, this is something that I crave so I know God will show me the way ... eventually ;)
The other day though I was actually able to squeeze in two different devo's (woot woot!), and ironically they both had to do with fear.  The first one came from Our Daily Bread and the second from a devotional by Joanna Weaver called "At the Feet of Jesus".  The words that got my attention right away read this, "Fear hinders faith, but trust kindles confidence." Wow! When life brings out uncertainties, things that aren't exactly going our way or as we have planned, how easy it is to allow fear to take over.  At least for me, this is what has been happening over these last three weeks.  I am confident in my head God's plan for LyLah in my life but am struggling with the confidence that has to come from my heart that I am capable of taking care of her. I am so very blessed to have such loving and encouraging family and friends that are getting me through this but I have definitely felt the struggle.  My mom and dad have either been here or I go to their house alot of the time, but every time I leave or they leave the tears begin to roll as the fear creeps in. The fear creeps in and which in turn then, hinders my faith. I wanna faith that has overcome fear ... of everything!  And this, God has promised me! All I gotta do is trust Him!
The one thing that continues to hold me up is the simple truth that in fact, I do not have to fear! God will help me!  God is helping me and it's okay to struggle.  This is a learning process and is going to take time. Yeah, so you all know me too well by now to know that I would rather have things go smoothly NOW ;)
Funny how LyLah herself has a bit of a temper if she doesn't get what she wants! Ya think God knew that ahead of time, ya know, that LyLah might be a bit impatient! Ha! Just like her momma!
On a brighter note, LyLah is absolutely amazing! She is catching onto things pretty quickly, I think anyway! She is crawling ALL over the place and wanting to pull up to things but doesn't quite have that mastered ... yet! Praise God! She is drinking from a sippy cup and doing well with the food we have started. She even got to try Grandpa's homemade noodles this week in which she loved!  Smart girl!  She loves to chatter and it sounds like she tries to say her name.  She dances whenever music plays and is starting to make some pretty funny faces.  LyLah is a little bit of a momma's girl (praise Jesus!) but she loves her Grandma and Grandpa, too!
Praise God for making my life complete with my beautiful baby girl! Praise God for being there 24/7 even when we feel far away! Praise God that we never ever have to fear anything ... ever! Praise God for Jesus!
Pray that we would not allow fear to creep in and hinder our faith - Pray that we would grow in our trust so that we can be confident of whatever God throws our way - Pray for God to reveal Himself in ways that we could feel when we feel distanced - Pray for my sweet baby LyLah to continue to grow and be a strong and healthy baby girl ... a child of God!

"Do not fear; I will help you" Isaiah 41:13

Love,
amy

Tiny black ringlets, Poopy diapers, and Mr. Crab

These are just a few of my favorite things. Tiny black ringlets rubbing against my cheeks as I rock my baby girl to sleep.  Poopy diapers ... with just the right consistency! Lol!  Possibly TMI but this means that my baby girl is getting better so bring 'em on! And last but not least the infamous Mr. Crab! One of LyLah's very favorite toys!
This last week and a half have been one heck of a ride but I am happy to say we are home at last and LyLah is lovin every minute of it! Of course momma is too!  LyLah is such a good baby and healthy as well as I took her to the Dr as soon as we returned, praise God!  She has been eating and sleeping well.  She is starting to eat rice cereal and green beans in between her bottle feedings. She is scooting around on the floor and beginning to learn how to crawl.  She has two bottom teeth. She is quite the social bug and likes to wave.  LyLah will put her arms out to go to pretty much anyone and gets annoyed when I don't let her go to strangers! Ha! She can say "momma" and is beginning  to respond to her name.  She is such a joy and I have been truly blessed!
God's hand continues to be in this adoption daily as He is guiding me.  He also provided the opportunity for my mom to stay with me this week. She has been covering a maternity leave at the Dr's office in town and just so happened to have last Thursday through today off!  Coincidence? I think not! God's perfect timing once again as He knew I would need her to stay with me!
God also decided to show His greatness in the fact that the Sunday LyLah was born in my heart was the Sunday that Marti Boal and Marcia Baldridge shared about their mission trip to Ethiopia to deliver water filters.  God then paved the way for their mission trip this year to coincide with my court trip and the team was able to come to the care center where LyLah was taken care of on the last day that I was there when I was struggling big time and their prayers were just what I needed at that particular time.  So the first Sunday that I will be bringing LyLah to church is the Sunday in which they will be speaking of their mission trip from this year!  How crazy is that?! Nope, not crazy at all.  Once again, this is God and I LOVE it!
This opportunity that I have been given to care for an orphan, a child of God, is such an honor but at the same time I am scared to death! But I know that everything will be just fine as I keep my eyes fixed on Him and listen for His leading and guidance through it all.  Of course there will be some ups and downs but it's nice to know I have a God who will be watching over us!
Praise God for LyLah! Praise God for providing such an awesome opportunity for me to share His love! Praise God that we can count on His wisdom and guidance! Praise God for Jesus!
Pray that my sweet baby LyLah would continue to adjust well to her new home and surroundings - Pray for God to make known opportunities He might have for you to spread His word and show others His love - Pray for His wisdom and guidance daily - Pray for the rest of the gals in my prayer group and their processes to be completed and cleared so they too can bring home their precious babes!

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing" Psalm 127:3

Love,
amy

This is it!

It has been a crazy 3 days as I received an unexpected email from the US Embassy early Friday morning.  I was anticipating an email with the date of the interview scheduled with the policeman who found LyLah ... instead it was an email that was entitled "Case Cleared"!  My case was cleared by the US Embassy, I don't even know if the interview was done or not but at this point that is the least of my worries! This does not make any sense to me, but I know that it makes perfect sense to God and I will take it!  Funny thing was I have been saying all along that I can't go back until after October 6th because that was the day for my last 2 road races and my last 125 points needed for the discount on my health insurance at work.  I would of thought God would of at least gave me a week or so to prepare!!! Once again, what do I know!! :)
Needless to say, I scrambled Friday morning trying to get in contact with my travel agent as well as my agency to make arrangements all before heading to work that day.  I went ahead and booked a flight to leave bright and early Monday morning from Chicago and we are to return the following Sunday night as long as everything goes as planned.  My appointment with the US Embassy has yet to be confirmed so there is a chance that we would have to stay longer if it does not.  Booking the flight without that confirmation was taking a bit of a risk, although I did not have much time to make decisions at that point, however my God is bigger and my faith is in Him alone!
My sister will be making the trip with me this time and she did quite a bit of "scrambling" herself! Trying to get last minute stuff at her school ready for the substitute principal that will be taking over for her while she is with me.  In fact she had to go in today to finish up! 
It's Sunday afternoon and I'm about to head out to go get my baby girl! It's been a crazy ride this last year but God certainly has been in control and had His hand in every single part of it.  The entire process has gone about as smooth as it can get in the world of adoption, to God be the glory!
Praise God for His perfect timing!  Praise God for giving us strength to get through any circumstance that requires waiting!  Praise God that His plan in everything is perfect! Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for a new understanding that God's timing is in fact perfect - Pray for God's strength to be revealed in whatever circumstance you are facing - Pray for trust in knowing God's plan is perfect - Pray for my Embassy appt  for Thursday to get confirmed and that all would go smoothly!

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1

By the way, next time I write a blog my baby girl will be right by my side ... just sayin!! :)

Love,
amy
 

Forgiven

A bit of a different week this week ... filled with excitement, disappointment, joy, frustration, but the most important thing of all this week ... was that in everything, no matter what, it was filled with Jesus!
I have a couple of songs on my heart that I will post the lyrics to, as well as the link to you.tube.  These songs have their own special place in my heart for my own reasons, but they also share something we all can gain insight from.  These songs shine the light on Jesus and the cross!  If nothing else, let's let go of everything of this world for just a few moments and give Jesus some praise!

"Hero" by Abandon

He walked the dirty streets famous for nothingHe said, "Come follow me" and they cameA face like all the rest, but something was differentThe Son of God would lead the way
And soon they all would say
There He goes, a hero, a savior to the worldHere He stands with scars in His handsWith love He gave His life so we could be freeThe savior of the world
He spoke with clarity, walked across the seaA single word would calm the stormHis touch could heal the sick, but He was called a hypocriteLaid behind the stone, his death was shortly mourned
He left the curtain torn
There He goes, a hero, a savior to the worldHere He stands with scars in His handsWith love He gave His life so we could be freeThe savior of the world
He chose to take the cross, shed tears for the lostThe broken and the needy, forgiving those who were and will beThe angel made it clear, he told them, "Have no fearHe's not here, He's not here"
There He goes, a hero, a savior to the worldHere He stands with scars in His handsWith love He gave His life so we could be freeThe savior of the world
http://youtu.be/kiXBVAJtj2k

"Lead Me to the Cross" by Hillsong United
Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemption's hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lossLead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross
You were as I
Tempted and tried
Human
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross
http://youtu.be/StW6ZKHRCFo

As for the adoption process, I was submitted to the US Embassy on Wednesday morning!!! Praise God!!! Another step closer! Typically it has been 4-6 weeks then before final pick-up but I am still banking on having her by Halloween!
Praise God for forgiveness!  Praise God for the cross!  Praise God that He is enough!  Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for God to make known any area in your life where you might need forgiven or perhaps need to forgive - Pray that God would help you to then lay down that thing or person at the foot of the cross - Pray for a new awareness of God and understanding that He is in fact all we need - Pray for my sweet baby LyLah!

"Lord our God, we have been ruled by others, but You alone are our Lord." Isaiah 26:13

Love,
amy

One Week Closer

Another week gone by means one week closer to bringing LyLah home! Oh yeah! This week I was able to get the car seat and a high chair which makes it even more real. I never thought I would have such fun going through Babies R Us! Oh how hard it was not to cram pack an entire cart full of stuff!
I eventually learned that "I" do not need a new pair of jeans or shoes for every day of the week ... I'm thinking this lesson is gonna take awhile to catch onto when it comes to LyLah's wardrobe! Ha! At least I am a bargain shopper, yeah?
Satan has started to creep in again and of course this is not surprising as the process gets closer. He is filling my head with doubts that stem mostly from the fact that I am going to be a single mother.  What will I do if she is sick and I can't take off work?  Will I be able to provide financially for her? Will she be confused because she doesn't have a dad around?  Am I going to be able to raise her up as a child of God and not just a good kid? And the doubts keep filling and flooding and overflowing in my head ... BUT I am fully aware that this is just Satan trying his best to bring me down so I know very well how important it is going to be to armor up! The battle is on and it's stronger than ever but my God is greater and with Him, I can overcome anything!  He has already won the battle! Praise Jesus!
As for the adoption process, Tuesday I found out that my agency had in fact received LyLah's medical report which means that most likely my case will be submitted to the US Embassy this coming Wednesday! Typically, it has been 4-6 weeks following submission that dates for pick up have been scheduled, however my God is not "typical" by any means! He has sped up the process on many occasions and I'm counting on Him doing so again!  I received new pictures of LyLah today and I learned that she is now able to sit up! She was not able to do that a month ago when I was there.  I am truly blessed to have the access to all of the pictures that are taken by the families that are in and out of the care center, but at the same time it makes me miss her all the more.  One week closer it is!
Praise God for His promises that we can stand on!  Praise God for His armor!  Praise God that the battle is already won!  Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for reminders of specific promises when various situations come about in life - Pray that we would remember to put on the FULL armor of God, not just part of it, when faced with trials - Pray for strength in the Lord and in His great power - Pray for my sweet baby LyLah to continue to grow strong and healthy and get ready to come home to her momma!

" be strong in the Lord, and in His great power" Ephesians 6:10

Love,
amy

Life As We Know It

I've been thinking alot lately about "life".  I've been thinking alot about how I often take for granted this simple, yet indescribable word.  Life. So I decided to google it and see what they had to say.  According to Wikipedia, "Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased (death), or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate."
Life as we know it consists of going about our daily routines and activities. Some of which may include: sustaining a job perhaps - raising children - taking care of the house, finances, yard, animals - getting together with friends, family - spending time with your spouse - going to sporting events, band concerts,  dance recitals, plays - going to church and various church activities - the list could go on and on and on and on!  These things that "life" consists of can be pretty overwhelming at times and we can easily get frustrated when we don't seem to have the time to fit it all in.
I've been thinking alot lately of how very blessed that I am because every morning I wake up is a gift from God.  He has given me the ability to live and move and breathe - to see and taste and smell - to think and speak and hear.  He has given me a new chance at life every single day I awake and I'm hear to tell you that I have taken advantage of that for way too long.
I've been having some crazy thoughts running through my head about things that could happen and how would I take care of LyLah. Key word there is could! Ha! Satan get behind me or God preparing me?! Either way, I have a new awareness of the fact that I need to be thankful for each day that I am given. Each day God gives me is yet another chance at life because I am alive! Better yet, in Christ! I have self sustaining processes that God has given me! Each day God gives me is yet another chance to live the life He has planned out for me, and be that light shining bright giving all glory to Him! Praise Jesus!
As for the adoption process I am still waiting on word that my agency has received the final medical report.  Once they have that in hand, my case will be submitted to the US Embassy. I watched a "Gotcha Day" video posted on a blog I follow from a fellow IAG mom last night, and it brought me quickly to tears. Every day that goes by I am missing out on something new perhaps that LyLah might be doing and it definitely makes me sad, but I am going to hold onto the fact that she is in God's hands, safe and being loved on, and I am one more week closer to bringing her home!
Praise God for life! Praise God for new chances every day we awake! Praise God for the Spirit within He has given us!  Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for a new awareness of the life you have been given - Pray for remembering to be thankful each day you awake - Pray for His Spirit to move inside you and fill you with joy - Pray for my sweet baby LyLah to witness Jesus in some way while she is far away from her momma!

"In Him we live and move and exist ..." Acts 17:28

Love,
amy