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

Anticipation

A piece of scripture was brought to my attention today that I just can't seem to get out of my head.  I know that I have read this verse on many occasions, but it obviously did not seem important at the time or seem to "click".  Today I was given a verse that I am certain God wanted me to hear!
You see the last week or so my 6:30 daily prayer time has been seemingly repetitive.  The six of us from the agency who have committed to pray together daily continue on, but I must admit that I have been struggling with praying the same thing day after day after day.  If any of you know me very well you know I like "specifics", and there just hasn't been enough specific stuff to be in prayer for ... at least what I can see.  This is the kicker, "what I can see". Ha! Again, this is where I have gone wrong! Thinking that this daily prayer time is all about what "I" think or what "I" can see from where each of us in our prayer group stands! 
You see today I was reminded that we have a God who not only hears our prayers, but He anticipates our prayers with the blessings of His goodness. He knows in advance what our prayers will consist of.  And even better yet, before we finish getting our prayers out God is able to provide what we have, or should I say "would have", prayed for!
You see we have a God who wants us to know just how important hearing our prayers are! Praise God we also have Jesus who goes before us, on our behalf, to the almighty throne of God!
Today I was given yet another affirmation of just how much God loves me and knows exactly what I need when I need it.  He knows what I am going to be in prayer about before I can even get it off my tongue!  He even provides for me things that I have yet to be in prayer about!  It doesn't matter if I am at a loss of words sometimes. You know why? God's got this!
The adoption process continues to roll forward.  LyLah had her medical exam on Wednesday, so whenever the report is complete and translated my case will be ready to submit to the US Embassy! Submissions only happen on Wednesdays, so I will be anxiously checking my emails every Wednesday from here on out!  Once submitted, there still is a waiting period that again, I don't know for sure how long will take.  The US Embassy will have to clear my case and then give me the word to come get her!  My initial goal to bring her home was by Christmas so I could have her home by her first birthday, however things seem to be moving quickly therefore I have moved that date up to Halloween! My God is able and I have complete trust in Him to do this!
Praise God for His word! Praise God for using others to help us to grow! Praise God for His anticipated blessings!  Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for God to reveal new understandings as you read through His word - Pray for ears to hear Truth through the people He made cross your path - Pray for trust that God does in fact "have this" whatever "this" may be in your life - Pray for my sweet baby LyLah to remain safe and sound and loved on while she is away from her momma!

"I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers."  Isaiah 65:24

Love,
amy

"47"

I would like to introduce to you, two very special people in my life.  These people I have known now for nearly 36 years.  They have been there with me and for me through the good, the bad, and even the ugly!  These people you see, are my parents! Yes! I would like to take a minute, which is MUCH less than they deserve, to tell you just why I love them.
My parents I believe are pretty much my two biggest fans!  They have been and always are there for me. Every single ball game or band concert or whatever it might have been, they were there.  The support that they continue to provide is key in knowing I can always count on them, no matter what.
The love they have shown to me is neverending. Not only do they show their love through the three simple words ... I love you ... but through their actions as well. They have encouraged me, disciplined me, simply loved me in so many ways and I know this love is true. This love is genuine. They pretty much do ANYthing for me, even if it means sacrificing something of their own. There love for me is constant.  Unfortunately, they get the brunt of my irritabilities and frustrations a good portion of the time, but they continue to love and support me anyway. Not only do they love me, but they forgive me.
You see my mom and dad will be celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary in just a few short days and I just wanted to let them and everyone else know, just how much they mean to me.  I fall way short when it comes to telling them myself so here ya go mom and dad!  I love you more than you could know and I thank God for giving me you both!  You truly are a blessing to me and I'm not really sure what I would do without you. There certainly is no greater love than that of our Lord Jesus Christ, but I get to experience many characteristics of His love through you both. Thank you for that kind of love. Thank you for all that you do, always! I Love You and Happy Anniversary!
As for the adoption process, I received my MOWA letter and passport this week and the medical exam is scheduled for next week! Praise God! So I have 4/5 documents with the 5th one scheduled!  Once my agency gets the report from the medical exam, they then can submit my case to the US Embassy! Things continue to move! Prayers continue to be answered! God's hand continues to be revealed! This entire process continues to have God's hand written ALL over it! Oh yeah!
Praise God for my mom and dad! Praise God for His love that shines through others! Praise God for all the movement in the adoption process! Praise God for Jesus!
Pray for my mom and dad, that there love for God and for each other would continue to grow every day, and that they would enjoy their time together celebrating 47 years of marriage - Pray for God's love to shine through you in ways that give all glory to God - Pray for continued movement in the adoption process and that I would have baby LyLah in my arms very soon - Pray for continued protection, strength and health for LyLah and the nannies taking care of her!


"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love,
amy