Joy Comes in the Morning.....

 

Psalm 30

¹ I will exalt you, Lord,
    for you lifted me out of the depths
    and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
² Lord my God, I called to you for help,
    and you healed me.
³ You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
    you spared me from going down to the pit.

⁴ Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
    praise his holy name.
⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning.

⁶ When I felt secure, I said,
    “I will never be shaken.”
⁷ Lord, when you favored me,
    you made my royal mountain^[c] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
    I was dismayed.

⁸ To you, Lord, I called;
    to the Lord I cried for mercy:
⁹ “What is gained if I am silenced,
    if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
    Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
¹⁰ Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;
    Lord, be my help.”

¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
¹² that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

 

 

 

God is always with us....even when it seems as though

 He has left us.

In those moments last week when things were so hard and so unclear He was with me.

I believe that in those moments when I was trying so desperately to "DO" I was

only relying on myself. My own strength and my own capabilities. 

God does not expect me to do it all on my own. 

He knows that I cannot..... Sometimes I forget that I cannot...

God used one of my devotion books to remind me that I need Him to DO things.

He also used my own words to give me a vision of what I look like!

 

 

Beloved, this should be a typical scene in the life of everyone who has been transformed.  If God has called us to His highest and best, each of us will have a time of crisis, when all our resources will fail and when we face either ruin or something better than we have ever dreamed.  But before we can receive the blessing, we must rely on God's infinite help.  We must be willing to let go, surrendering completely to Him, and cease from our own wisdom,  strength, and righteousness.  We must be "crucified with Christ" (Gal.2:20) and yet alive in Him. 

 

God knows how to lead us to the point of crisis, and He knows how to lead us through it!

 

Many times I am always reminding Levi that he doesn't have to be "as smart" as his older brothers.  He so desperately wants to be "like Sam and Jacob".  I tell him to just be 6!  No one expects him to be as wise as a 14 yr. old.  You are the only one who thinks you should be that wise.!

OUCH.... how much am I like my little boy

Thinking I can "know all" and "handle" everything on my own.

God must just smile every time I speak those words to my little boy.

Hello! Laurie....are you listening!?!

 

 

In my heart and soul I know that God allowed this time of trial in my life to draw me unto himself. 

I have been there before in different aspects...

but for me, it is all about letting go and allowing God

 

letting go of another piece of myself

letting go of another piece of my life that I am trying to fix

letting go of not being labeled "adequate"

allowing Him to lead the next step

allowing Him to direct the day

allowing Him to complete me and make me "whole"

allowing me to "allow" Him everyday!

 

As I have said, He is so very good!  I am most thankful for being able to "hear" Him. 

I want to be a child of God first and foremost in my life.

The rest will follow if I am putting Him and me first!

He is always refining me and I am so thankful for that....

and for the wrestling He is willing to do with me!

That He loves me enough to not let me have my way on my own.

 

Another slice of wisdom from my time with the Father this week...

 

We cannot claim to know anyone intimately whom we've not known in the

intensity of both agony and elation. 

Anyone with eyes willing to truly "behold" Jesus will at times be confused and shocked by what he sees.  You see, if we're willing to be taken to the extremes of His

glory where intimate knowledge is gained, we will undoubtedly see things of

Him we cannot explain and that sometimes disturb. 

 

When we give our lives to Jesus, we are His!

When we call out to Him He is there (James 4:8)

There is nothing that can separate us from Him. (Romans 8:38-39)

As new born believers we desire Him  (1Peter 2:1-3)

He uses all circumstances to show us Himself (Romans 8:28)

 

He is there....

Don't try to go it alone

He is there....

 

In His Embrace,

laurie

 

 

 



He Speaks.............

Sometimes it seems strange to me that God would prompt me to post while I am spending my time with Him..... in His Word.....seeking Him....and pouring it all out to Him...... then it hits me....

It is all about Him

It makes perfect sense to share about Him

He is in it all

 

 

 

Here are some of my random thoughts from this yesterday and this morning.....

AND some of His purposefully, gently spoken to me...

 

I am laying here in the dark... wishing I did not have to do this another day...

I don't want to....

it is hard...

what will today be like

OH I SO HOPE NOT LIKE YESTERDAY!

 

God I don't like me

I do not like who it seems that I have become in the past few days...

(I bet that little boy can top me with feelings of self loathing)

This cannot possibly be who YOU want me to be

It isn't suppose to be like this

I AM trying....

I want to "take a break" like the therapist says

What in the world does that look like?  He never takes a break!

Really God ( I said this out loud), you would give me more of your most precious treasures to take care of when you see me like this!

Oh do I have to get out of this bed and start all over? 

Maybe I can go back to sleep... sleep will help

Oh rats..... can't do that... yesterday God spoke to me.... Don't sleep PRAY

My readings were about how Jesus went to pray and asked those closest to him to stay awake

and PRAY!  Oh how many times I want to just sleep.... I can't anymore... I need to pray...

 

Please Father....take all of me out of this day.... make me all and only you.....

(interesting that in these past few days... I am up early, wile it is still dark, able to get the day going and have my much needed Me time.  Thank you Lord)

 

 

He speaks....

 

I am here

I am here

You are not alone

You are enough just the way you are

You are complete in Me

I am enough for you

 

you must come to me

come to me

come broken

 

you cannot see it all

I am working.... you cannot see it all

You only see a little bit

You will see it all at the right time

 

you are mine and I love you

I will do this for you...

you cannot do this but I can

 

I am here

Stop trying to be someone else....

You were chosen to do this

You are good

You are beautiful

 

I am here

Lay it down

 

It is all coming together

I am working  all things together

I have the power to do this

I will put it all together

 

You are wrestling...but there will be blessing

It has to be this way, but it will get better

 

I am here....

I am with you always

 

 

Thankfully, In His Embrace

laurie

 

 

A Little of This and A Little of That......

Where have the past 2 weeks gone?!
I have a few little bits of info to share ...really just some random things to catch up on!

Saying Goodbye..

On August 3rd  we said good-bye to our friends, the Schuenkes!  They left for El Salvador to serve at Envision Wired in San Salvador.  You can follow their journey here.  There is a link to their blog Broken Vessels on the side bar of my page.

Oh how raw are the emotions when we have to say good-bye to those we love so much....

That morning when it was still dark we got up and went to the airport to say our good-byes to our dear friends who are like family to us....   They are headed out for a 2 year commitment to serving those in need, those who are broken, those who are lost, the fatherless and those without hope in San Salvador!  Never was it more true and real to say  "our loss is their gain". 

It has been a friendship that is truly more like family for all of us.  It has been years of growing together in Christ and years of being in the trenches of family life. What a treasure they are to us.  We know that God has been preparing them for this call and we are so honored to walk this journey with them!  As we look back at their lives we can clearly see how God has orchestrated the events that led up to this day of travel!  It is obvious that God has placed in each of their hearts His heart for the broken! They are not new to reaching out to the lost and broken hearted.  It is who they are...all of them.  There are many families that have been touched by at least one member of their family.  But they would be the first ones to tell you that it has absolutely NOTHING to do with who they are but WHO Christ is IN them!  They are not perfect, but they are sold out for Him!  They are obedient to Him.  They are willing.....  Oh what God can do with those who are willing! 

Last Sunday in church our pastor was talking about how we can seem "Crazy" to the world!  When we give everything to the Kingdom. When we are willing to leave in all out on the table for the Kingdom.  When we follow in obedience to what He is asking us to do!  That is how our friends are.  I pray that we will never forget the level of sacrifice they have displayed in leaving it all behind to reach those who need the Gospel! I remember one time when Lisa and I were talking about the reality of leaving their family...her parents....her brother..... all of her dear friends... She showed me a verse that brought her so much comfort....a verse God gave her a long long time ago...

 

Matthew 19:29

And everyone who has left houses or brother or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

 

 God answered her prayer...He saw her heart....He gave her His promise and His comfort!                    Oh How He Loves Us!

We grieve their missing presence in our lives....for now... We know that we will see them again and thanks to the technology of SKYPE we will see them via the net! 

 

Happy Birthday Sarah....

Would you like to bless a child on behalf of a special teenage girl?!  Our friends sweet daughter, Sarah just turned 15!  For her birthday this humble orphan loving girl was asking for donations towards bringing home a special boy also 15, who needs a forever family and is running out of time! 

You can read her blog and story here

Happy Birthday Sarah! We love you and are blessed by your heart!

 

The Storms of Life!

On Tuesday, August 6th our area was hit with 5 tornadoes!  Roger and I were awakened by the incredible winds....our windows were blown open and we had a hard time closing them.  The house shook and I said "Is this a tornado? Should we get the kids up?"  Roger said we would be ok.... And we were.... Outside things were a different story. We lost power for 2 days...lost a tree in our front yard...and parts and pieces of things on the house and in the yard...but we are all ok!  We will be blessed to have a new roof put on....completely a blessing from God! Along with a few things to be repaired and replaced!  Thankful for our trials and storms....

 

I have been hit with some sort of infection in my throat.....I have had "bouts" of this 3 times since coming home from Ethiopia...but this one I cannot seem to kick!  It is kicking me!  Up and down for a good month now.....it is hard to keep the daily routines on track.... I would love prayers for my health as we head into the new school year and the arrival of our boys!

 

Saying Goodbye part 2......

A few days ago we got word that Roger's brother had passed away.  He was 60yrs. old and lived alone about 1.5 hours north of us.  Ray was the oldest of the kids.  He lived alone and chose that...we didn't see him much...I think I have only seen him 3 times since I met Roger...21yrs ago.  So sad for the family.  We will be up there for the funeral in a few days to say a final good bye to Ray. 

 

David and Jonathan Update

Well we did not get the "miracle" we spoke of....but we are really ok.  As I have said before, I would get on a plane tomorrow if it was time, but it is so very clear to us that God is setting the pace and the perfect time for their arrival!  Most of it is about Levi....but there are other things He is working out!  We are anxious to bring them home...and that looks like it may be October...or even November...  For now we are waiting to hear of a court date...and praying for the boys continued progress in their foster home!  We will keep you all posted!

 

 

With love,

In His Embrace

laurie

Seriously..............

I would like to introduce you to Daisey.

Oh
MY
YUMMY!

Daisey is just 1 year old..... she has beautiful thick black hair, olive skin and the deepest and darkest eyes ever.  She has some issues.....she will have life of mountains to climb.....she will require some serious medical attention, (which will most likely not happen in her birth country) she will need to be taught to do allot of things at a much more intentional and slower pace than most children her age AND she will NEED a family!  A Mommy and Daddy who can love her and show her how special she is..... how much she matters....how her existence is more than just laying in a crib or being propped up in a corner for the rest of her life.

to learn more about Daisey go here .

 

Ok What is it with me?

My husband just shakes his head......

my kids roll their eyes......

most people with good intentions gently remind me that my plate is full.

 

Seriously......

Why is it that my heart beats faster and my mind spins faster when I see a little one like Daisey who needs a family?  My eyes fill with tears.  My mind wonders why I can't add a few more rooms onto this house to bring a few more children here to be loved on and cared for and treated to the Love of the Father.  I cry over these children who wait..... I wish I could do more....

Oh Father show me what I should do!

I would do it.... as hard as it can be.... I would do it...IF He put it before me...I WOULD!

 

Seriously......

Why is it that I just can't seem to "get it"?

Why is it that I cannot seem to justify and rationalize the talk and chatter that I hear from so many.... just too busy

or

too old

or

too poor

or

 too unqualified to care for Daisey or any other child with special needs?

Seriously..........

 

Call me naive! Call me crazy! Call me (in the words of my mom) Out of my Everlovin' Tree!

I do not get it....

I do not understand what can possibly be SO hard to do to care for one of these children!

I know there are issues.... financial, medical, emotional.....but God does not call the equipped He equips the called..... but you have to ask, move and trust.....

NOPE! I do not have any children with "physical" special needs in my house at the moment.

YES I have twin boys with Cerebral Palsy coming home soon!

I do have a boy with tremendous special needs....emotionally and spiritually....it is hard

These days are hard....but at the end of the day when I can lay in my soft warm bed with blankets that smell like my mom's house used to......

I just cannot rationalize that Daisey and many many others with special needs will spend their lives living in an institution instead of with a family! 

WHY..... why can't we take a leap of faith...

why can't we just ask ourselves what we are really REALLY afraid of?

Why are we caught up in worrying about what we might "miss out on"? 

After all...... we were here first...we have worked our whole lives to get to this place of quiet..... peace.....grandchildren.....

Why oh Why would we ever dream of bringing another child in NOW?

Maybe we just simply "don't want to"........

Romans 15:2-4

We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.  For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

 

I know.... I know.....  not everyone can or should adopt a child....

I know.........

Seriously.....

If  you can.... would you consider seeking the Father for your answers...

If you cannot.....would you consider seeking the Father for how you can help someone else adopt or how to help someone else care for their adopted children.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do good.
Seek justice.
Help the oppressed.
Defend the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights of widows.

 

Seriously............

We are in this together.... we are suppose to carry one anothers burdens....have their backs...... HELP!

Galatians 6:2

 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

 

 

What are you doing?

Seriously.........

 

In His Embrace,

laurie

 

 

Together 4 Adoption

Always wanting to know about the places where people gather to share their hearts, passions, dreams, trials and love for the orphan!

 

Together 4 Adoption is holding a conference in October!  Check it out here

 

on the home page of Together 4 Adoption!......

 

 

 

we need all of the help we can get to care for these precious to Him!

 

In His Embrace,

laurie

Schuenke Fundraiser and Farewell

It is with a bittersweet heart that we invite you to say farewell to our friends the Schuenkes as they prepare to leave for San Salvador to reach the lost, broken and Jesus needing people there!

 

 

 

Saturday, July 27   Join us in supporting the Schuenkes with

a Brat Fry/Car Wash 9am - 3pm

at the Express Gas Station

on the corner of Kensington and College Ave. in Appleton! 

 

Later join us for a Family Fun Night and Silent Auction at the Heart of the Valley YMCA from 5pm to 7:30pm

 

You can follow their journey here

Without A Miracle......

Good Morning!  We Have News!

Yesterday we received some news about our adoption of David and Jonathan!  It is good news!

We learned that on Monday our papers were submitted to the courts.  Apparently, we had received the approval of the Ministry of Justice and are moving to the next step. That step, as I understand it, is that we will have our papers submitted to receive a court date.  We do not have to be present for the court hearing but will be represented by our agency in country.  After the judge approves our adoption, there is a 7-10 day waiting period before the official decree is "in force".  THEN the biggy, we wait for the decision to be printed before we can travel. 
Yes, you read it correctly, we w....a.....i....t  for the decision to be printed!  

There is a "hitch"........ 

The courts shut down for 6 weeks beginning in August. 

 

Here is where the "miracle" comes in! 

 

We all know that August is right around the corner...much to our disbelief that 2/3 of the summer is about done, August is just about here!   With my calender right smack in front of my face, I can see very clearly that gives us just 10 DAYS to have done what has been taking 2-3 weeks for many families.  In the words of my patient and peaceful case manager....

Without a miracle you are looking at a mid to late Sept. court date and then pick up in                 October or beginning of November. If you manage to get into court before they close you would      pick up at the beginning of September.

 

I am thrilled to have this news.  We had been waiting 8 weeks without a word.  All along I truly have had a peace about the timeline of this adoption and honestly, it remains even today.

I believe with every cell in my body that this needed miracle to accomplish what seems  impossible to man, can absolutely be done by my Father in Heaven! 

Without a doubt He can make this happen. 

There is nothing that is too hard, too heavy, too much for Him to do! 

Most of us know this verse     

Matthew 19:26 

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 

or this one...

 

Jeremiah 32:17

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

 

But here is the thing....... WILL HE?

 

 

For all of the questions... As we pray for answers and His will to be revealed,

I can only go to the ONE place I know will bring me the answers

The ONE place where I will find PEACE and TRUTH

 

HIS WORD!

 

I want to stand firm in my faith.

1 Corinthians 1:8-9

He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

I want to trust Him for all of it....for all of the questions... for all of the why's?  

Isaiah 42:16

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.

For all of the "how come they Lord? and why not us".

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
 He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.

 

My thoughts are not like His...

 Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

 

I do not see all that He has planned......

 Jeremiah 29:10-11

 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans

to give you hope and a future.

 

  

I know that even in this, even in the pain of this waiting and wondering part of the process, there will be good to come!  I know that God sees the right and perfect time for the boys to come home....

I will choose to trust Him for all of it...

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

 

I know my God is faithful and He can move mountains....

but even if He chooses not to...

 I will praise Him!

 

Psalm 71:21-23

You will increase my honor
and comfort me once more.

 I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
Holy One of Israel.
 My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered.

 

 

to Him be the Glory!

thank you for praying with us!

I will keep you posted!

In His Embrace,

 Laurie