I GOT MY CLEARANCE IN THE MAIL TODAY!!! Thank you, Jesus!!! Praise God!!! One step closer to my baby girl!!! What this means is that the USCIS decided that I am indeed able to "furnish proper care to an orphan"! Now, I've got the referral fee AND the clearance so bring on that phone call saying they have that baby girl for me!!!
Keep praisin!
"Let all that I am praise the LORD;
with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name." Psalm 103:1
Love,
amy
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Be a Mary!
"Our Daily Bread". Today, February 25th. "Let Your Hair Down". Read it!! Devotions like these are the kind that get me all crazy excited about our God, who we can be REAL with! It seems a bit odd though that it is so much easier to be "real" with the Creator of the universe, the One who knows it all anyway, the One who one day we will stand before in judgement, than it is to be "real" with the guy next door or even someone in the group we hang with.
This devotion gives an example of a gal who did not hold back, who was oh so very real, despite the fact she was risking her reputation. Mary was not worried about what other people were thinking at that very moment. Mary was not worried about the fact that it was not custom to let your hair down and the risk it might involve. Mary was worried about one thing. Giving herself freely to Jesus and expressing her love to Him in the only way she knew how at that very moment in time. She gave up what might have been her life saving's as well. Now that I've got to say is some sacrificial and spontaneous worship that I'm wondering just what that might feel like. Pretty stinkin' awesome I am sure!
For me, it also makes me wonder why then, we can't just be "real" in our everyday lives to the people around us we are trying to witness to and disciple. We try so hard to be perfect and because we are not even close, we tend to back off for risk that people might criticize OR even worse, they might think this "Jesus talk" is just that .... a bunch of nonsense. Yes, there are people who may very well do just that BUT the beauty of it all is that it doesn't really matter. Jesus IS perfection and if you have received Him as Lord and have Him in your heart, you don't have to walk around in shame feeling as if you are a failure or have failed someone else. Jesus wants us to be "real". He doesn't want us to hide our flaws because it is only when we admit to our weaknesses, that we will in turn find true Strength!
I'll be the first to admit I struggle with this daily. Who wants to go around telling people all the things you stink at or things that may very well be hard to admit to and talk about. I do know that over the last year that God has been preparing me for this adoption, I have had to admit my faults, my weaknesses, the "ugly" stuff from my past BUT I can tell you that every time I tell it to yet another person, it makes me feel that much better. For me, I get more out of hearing the Truth from someone who has "lived" it. From someone who has fallen short and then been lifted back up by the grace of God. From someone who then goes on to profess it! So, let's be like Mary and let our hair down! Don't hold back! Instead of worrying about what "we" have done, let's tell people about what Jesus has already done and will continue to do!
As for the adoption process, I found out that my Dossier has been in Ethiopia since January 27th! Praise God! I anxiously go to my mailbox daily in hopes of receiving that letter from the USCIS saying I have been cleared - still have yet to receive it. I also anxiously look at my phone every time it rings in hopes that it will be my agency saying they have my referral - my match - my LyLah! Still have yet to receive that, either.
Praise God for who He is and what He has done - Praise God that we can be real, knowing He is gonna love us anyway - Praise God for the example of Mary - Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for the church, for those who are in Haiti right now, that they would be the hands and feet of Jesus and for His protection over them - Pray that we would be like Mary, and not hold back when we are witnessing to and discipling those God brings across our paths - Pray that I would be cleared by the USCIS and that my referral would come in the very near future - Pray for my sweet baby girl, that God would protect her and strengthen her and love on her every day that I am apart from her!
"Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance." John 12:3
Love-
amy
This devotion gives an example of a gal who did not hold back, who was oh so very real, despite the fact she was risking her reputation. Mary was not worried about what other people were thinking at that very moment. Mary was not worried about the fact that it was not custom to let your hair down and the risk it might involve. Mary was worried about one thing. Giving herself freely to Jesus and expressing her love to Him in the only way she knew how at that very moment in time. She gave up what might have been her life saving's as well. Now that I've got to say is some sacrificial and spontaneous worship that I'm wondering just what that might feel like. Pretty stinkin' awesome I am sure!
For me, it also makes me wonder why then, we can't just be "real" in our everyday lives to the people around us we are trying to witness to and disciple. We try so hard to be perfect and because we are not even close, we tend to back off for risk that people might criticize OR even worse, they might think this "Jesus talk" is just that .... a bunch of nonsense. Yes, there are people who may very well do just that BUT the beauty of it all is that it doesn't really matter. Jesus IS perfection and if you have received Him as Lord and have Him in your heart, you don't have to walk around in shame feeling as if you are a failure or have failed someone else. Jesus wants us to be "real". He doesn't want us to hide our flaws because it is only when we admit to our weaknesses, that we will in turn find true Strength!
I'll be the first to admit I struggle with this daily. Who wants to go around telling people all the things you stink at or things that may very well be hard to admit to and talk about. I do know that over the last year that God has been preparing me for this adoption, I have had to admit my faults, my weaknesses, the "ugly" stuff from my past BUT I can tell you that every time I tell it to yet another person, it makes me feel that much better. For me, I get more out of hearing the Truth from someone who has "lived" it. From someone who has fallen short and then been lifted back up by the grace of God. From someone who then goes on to profess it! So, let's be like Mary and let our hair down! Don't hold back! Instead of worrying about what "we" have done, let's tell people about what Jesus has already done and will continue to do!
As for the adoption process, I found out that my Dossier has been in Ethiopia since January 27th! Praise God! I anxiously go to my mailbox daily in hopes of receiving that letter from the USCIS saying I have been cleared - still have yet to receive it. I also anxiously look at my phone every time it rings in hopes that it will be my agency saying they have my referral - my match - my LyLah! Still have yet to receive that, either.
Praise God for who He is and what He has done - Praise God that we can be real, knowing He is gonna love us anyway - Praise God for the example of Mary - Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for the church, for those who are in Haiti right now, that they would be the hands and feet of Jesus and for His protection over them - Pray that we would be like Mary, and not hold back when we are witnessing to and discipling those God brings across our paths - Pray that I would be cleared by the USCIS and that my referral would come in the very near future - Pray for my sweet baby girl, that God would protect her and strengthen her and love on her every day that I am apart from her!
"Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance." John 12:3
Love-
amy
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Wholehearted Devotion
Now, to do anything wholeheartedly takes some pretty serious time and commitment that for most of us does not exactly come easy. We can be wholeheartedly devoted to our spouses, our kids, our friendships, are jobs, and so on and so forth. It does come a little bit easier, however, when it involves those things or people we love .... with all our heart and soul. So, this brings a question to mind that God layed on my heart earlier this week. What is it going to take to be wholeheartedly devoted to God's Word?
I used to be able to come up with a verse fairly easily that had to do with a given circumstance that might arise, but I am finding out that it is taking quite a bit more effort to spurt one of these out unexpectedly. For instance, this week a friend of mine was in need of a verse to give a friend of hers, and she asked me what to use as she knows I enjoy sending scripture texts on occasion. Well, it didn't come so easy to me this time and it made me realize just how much I have been slacking in really reading through God's Word lately. Now don't get me wrong, I read through His word every day like a good Christian gal would, right?! BUT if I had been really reading and thinking through it and allowing the Word to be "written on my heart", then those unexpected times when a bit of God's Truth can be used for encouragement or praise or whatever, will most likely come a whole lot easier!
On Tuesday God brought to my attention the lack of real reading I have been doing and then on Friday of course, He layed it all out for me! Not only did He lay it out for me but He brought to mind the importance it will be once I get my baby girl here as well. God reminded me of how important it is going to be to talk about His word ALL the time with her ... how I need to repeat His Word over and over and over again, in the morning and at night, when we're on the road and when we're at home, He even says to tie them to your hands and write them on your foreheads. So I'm thinkin He is telling me something here. I NEED TO STUDY AND STUDY AND STUDY AND STUDY so I am prepared for that very special day when I get to bring home baby LyLah and begin loving on her and raising her up not just to be a "good" child, but more importantly a godly child.
As for the adoption, I was able to get the document the USCIS wanted this week and sent it off in the mail. They should have received it on Friday, so I am hoping to get that letter I have been waiting for with a notice of approval rather than a request for more information, in the very near future. I also continue to wait on the referral for my precious baby girl.
Praise God for watching over us always - Praise God for bringing to mind those things we need to know in order to continue to grow - Praise God for His Word and for the access we have to it in SO many different ways without the worry of persecution - Praise God for Jesus!
Pray that we would desire to be wholeheartedly devoted to God's Word - Pray that His words would indeed be written on our hearts - Pray that the document I sent to the USCIS is in fact what they needed and that the clearance would come very soon - Pray for my sweet baby LyLah!
"The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today." Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Love-
amy
I used to be able to come up with a verse fairly easily that had to do with a given circumstance that might arise, but I am finding out that it is taking quite a bit more effort to spurt one of these out unexpectedly. For instance, this week a friend of mine was in need of a verse to give a friend of hers, and she asked me what to use as she knows I enjoy sending scripture texts on occasion. Well, it didn't come so easy to me this time and it made me realize just how much I have been slacking in really reading through God's Word lately. Now don't get me wrong, I read through His word every day like a good Christian gal would, right?! BUT if I had been really reading and thinking through it and allowing the Word to be "written on my heart", then those unexpected times when a bit of God's Truth can be used for encouragement or praise or whatever, will most likely come a whole lot easier!
On Tuesday God brought to my attention the lack of real reading I have been doing and then on Friday of course, He layed it all out for me! Not only did He lay it out for me but He brought to mind the importance it will be once I get my baby girl here as well. God reminded me of how important it is going to be to talk about His word ALL the time with her ... how I need to repeat His Word over and over and over again, in the morning and at night, when we're on the road and when we're at home, He even says to tie them to your hands and write them on your foreheads. So I'm thinkin He is telling me something here. I NEED TO STUDY AND STUDY AND STUDY AND STUDY so I am prepared for that very special day when I get to bring home baby LyLah and begin loving on her and raising her up not just to be a "good" child, but more importantly a godly child.
As for the adoption, I was able to get the document the USCIS wanted this week and sent it off in the mail. They should have received it on Friday, so I am hoping to get that letter I have been waiting for with a notice of approval rather than a request for more information, in the very near future. I also continue to wait on the referral for my precious baby girl.
Praise God for watching over us always - Praise God for bringing to mind those things we need to know in order to continue to grow - Praise God for His Word and for the access we have to it in SO many different ways without the worry of persecution - Praise God for Jesus!
Pray that we would desire to be wholeheartedly devoted to God's Word - Pray that His words would indeed be written on our hearts - Pray that the document I sent to the USCIS is in fact what they needed and that the clearance would come very soon - Pray for my sweet baby LyLah!
"The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today." Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Love-
amy
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Flee!
He's trying to creep in again but this time I'm Not Letting Him! Yes, Satan is at it again. He LOVES messing with me and knows exactly how to do it ... and do it again and again and again. What Satan doesn't know is that this time I am holding onto God's Truth that tells me if I humble myself before Him and resist the devil, he will flee from me so watch out Satan! God's truth is by FAR worth more than any of your lies!
God's Truth also tells me how very real these evil forces are, that we are fighting against evil rulers and mighty powers in a very dark world. Satan is real, but he also is under God's authority. He is going to do everything he can to rip us apart to the point of separation from Christ BUT the good news is our God is greater than all of that filth, and He has provided us with weapons .... spiritual weapons in fact that will destroy Satan's schemes if we use them correctly.
So put on your armor people! God has already warned us that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion just looking for someone to deceive and devour. "So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you." Ephesians 6:14-17. Now that is some pretty powerful ammo to fire out, so let's stand firm together and knock that dirty devil out with every piece of armor fully intact!
As for the adoption process, I just received a letter in the mail from the USCIS stating they need more paperwork before they can continue my review. God's hand has been ALL over this adoption process so I'm gonna put on my armor and carry on! Still no word on a referral, yet.
Praise God for providing the armor - Praise God for the strength we gain when we do in fact overcome the devil - Praise God for His power in this dark and evil world - Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for strength for ALL of us to stand firm - Pray that we would trust God's authority in every situation that we might face - Pray that I am able to get the paperwork needed for a USCIS clearance - Pray for my sweet baby girl.
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Love-
amy
God's Truth also tells me how very real these evil forces are, that we are fighting against evil rulers and mighty powers in a very dark world. Satan is real, but he also is under God's authority. He is going to do everything he can to rip us apart to the point of separation from Christ BUT the good news is our God is greater than all of that filth, and He has provided us with weapons .... spiritual weapons in fact that will destroy Satan's schemes if we use them correctly.
So put on your armor people! God has already warned us that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion just looking for someone to deceive and devour. "So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you." Ephesians 6:14-17. Now that is some pretty powerful ammo to fire out, so let's stand firm together and knock that dirty devil out with every piece of armor fully intact!
As for the adoption process, I just received a letter in the mail from the USCIS stating they need more paperwork before they can continue my review. God's hand has been ALL over this adoption process so I'm gonna put on my armor and carry on! Still no word on a referral, yet.
Praise God for providing the armor - Praise God for the strength we gain when we do in fact overcome the devil - Praise God for His power in this dark and evil world - Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for strength for ALL of us to stand firm - Pray that we would trust God's authority in every situation that we might face - Pray that I am able to get the paperwork needed for a USCIS clearance - Pray for my sweet baby girl.
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Love-
amy
Saturday, February 4, 2012
We are Fam-ily
So, what exactly defines the word family? Well, according to "thefreedictionary.com" it has several meanings. Some of which include: A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children - Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place - All the members of a household under one roof - A group of persons sharing common ancestry - Lineage, especially distinguished lineage - A group of like things; a class - A group of individuals derived from a common stock.
Each definition I would have to agree with, but I believe that "family" defined means so much more. Family to me means sticking together through the good and the bad - encouraging, praising, rejoicing with one another - grieving, weeping, simply "being" there for one another. Family to me means holding each other accountable - discipling one another - praying for each other. Family to me means being generous to one another - serving one another - being available for whatever need there might be.
I have certainly been MORE than blessed with the family that God has provided me with. Once again, spoiled actually. Starting with my immediate family, to my church family ... NLCC (just throwing that out there!), to my family of friends, my family of co-workers, even my patient's that I get to work with at the hospital get to the point of feeling like family! I know there are many people out there who don't get the luxury of having this blessing and my heart breaks for them. Families are a must and I think that everyone should get the opportunity to share in that kind of love.
The smallest, most simplest, teeny-tiny little act of kindness can mean the world to someone ... I'm wondering what it would look like if we could share that kind of love - togetherness - carrying each other's burdens - just being there in a "family" kind of way to the rest of the world who maybe have yet to get to experience it. Let's show God just what His family is capable of doing!
As for the adoption process, my Thursday appointment in Des Moines went well. I was informed that I have "nice" fingerprints ... LOL! Well great! That surely means I'll be a wonderful mother then too, right?! Just give me the clearance already!! God's hand in this adoption process was made crystal clear last Sunday, as what was left of the referral fee was met through the luncheon, thank You, Jesus! So, I am ready for that phone call to inform me that they have my sweet baby girl, whom was chosen by God, available to me if I would accept her.
Praise God for family - Praise God for His example of showing us what a true family looks like - Praise God for His providence - Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for all of those who might not have a "family", that God would allow them to cross our paths and we would in turn, love on them - Pray for my fingerprints to be processed quickly with a USCIS clearance to follow - Pray that I would continue to prepare as I await my referral - Pray for my sweet baby LyLah Lucille!
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other." John 13:34
Love-
amy
Each definition I would have to agree with, but I believe that "family" defined means so much more. Family to me means sticking together through the good and the bad - encouraging, praising, rejoicing with one another - grieving, weeping, simply "being" there for one another. Family to me means holding each other accountable - discipling one another - praying for each other. Family to me means being generous to one another - serving one another - being available for whatever need there might be.
I have certainly been MORE than blessed with the family that God has provided me with. Once again, spoiled actually. Starting with my immediate family, to my church family ... NLCC (just throwing that out there!), to my family of friends, my family of co-workers, even my patient's that I get to work with at the hospital get to the point of feeling like family! I know there are many people out there who don't get the luxury of having this blessing and my heart breaks for them. Families are a must and I think that everyone should get the opportunity to share in that kind of love.
The smallest, most simplest, teeny-tiny little act of kindness can mean the world to someone ... I'm wondering what it would look like if we could share that kind of love - togetherness - carrying each other's burdens - just being there in a "family" kind of way to the rest of the world who maybe have yet to get to experience it. Let's show God just what His family is capable of doing!
As for the adoption process, my Thursday appointment in Des Moines went well. I was informed that I have "nice" fingerprints ... LOL! Well great! That surely means I'll be a wonderful mother then too, right?! Just give me the clearance already!! God's hand in this adoption process was made crystal clear last Sunday, as what was left of the referral fee was met through the luncheon, thank You, Jesus! So, I am ready for that phone call to inform me that they have my sweet baby girl, whom was chosen by God, available to me if I would accept her.
Praise God for family - Praise God for His example of showing us what a true family looks like - Praise God for His providence - Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for all of those who might not have a "family", that God would allow them to cross our paths and we would in turn, love on them - Pray for my fingerprints to be processed quickly with a USCIS clearance to follow - Pray that I would continue to prepare as I await my referral - Pray for my sweet baby LyLah Lucille!
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other." John 13:34
Love-
amy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)