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K

119 on the waitlist

We are on the waitlist! #119 for a girl. Thanking, praising and glorifying God! Its been a journey. We filled out our application to adopt in December of last year. We worked to compile our homestudy documents and had 4 homevisits from our social worker(Maria from Illini Christian Ministries, who by the way is wonderful). AGCI (our adoption agency) approved it and the state of Illinois had to approve it also. Then we began getting together documents for our dossier and getting them notarized... and notarized and notarized...and notarized. Our agency approved and we were put on the waitlist. God has provided!

We are thinking possibly 18 months (estimate) until we get a referral, then more paperwork, more waiting, traveling to Ethiopia for the first time and meeting our daughter, coming home and waiting, then traveling to finally bring our little girl home. Thank you for praying for us, our daughter and birth parents/caregivers! Keep those prayers coming!

Vintage Sweet Lil' S

God's Answers to Prayers.

Our Adoption Case manager shared with us the coolest quote:

“God sometimes answers our prayers

by giving us what we would have asked for

had we known what He knows.”

–anonymous.

The F family

Love is Patient, Love is Kind

God's Perfect Timing

Today's Lesson from God:

Don't run before God, let Him lead, and we follow. His way and His timing are perfect.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

God knows and sees the bigger picture. We just see with our limited teeny pea sized minds.

And He's got it all under control, we don't have to mess with it. What God wants from us is our obedience and He wants us to trust Him. Not to take things in our own hands and do it "faster" or "easier" just because of what we want. Throughout our adoption process, God keeps pressing on my heart that "God Has Perfect Timing". So many things you don't know why happen, just trust.

Day by day, the learning continues.....and I've got a lot to learn.

the bible is ALIVE

Sunday we visited another church for a cousin's baptism. (wonderful testimony, by the way)

Guess what we learned about? Being extravagantly kind to people regardless of how they treat you.

hahahah! (see last post!) God is so cool. The bible is A-L-I-V-E and so relevant to our life.

Praying for rude people

Today, God is teaching me that when someone is outright rude to me (and completely hurts my feelings), I need to pray for him. He could be struggling with major life issues. Maybe his mom just died or maybe he just found out he has cancer or found out his wife was cheating on him. We don't know what's really going on in a person's life. God knows. He loves everyone and He cares about the details of our lives.

Lord, please help this man with his struggles. Give him strength and help him to seek you through hard times. Help me to show him love regardless of how he treats me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Life is not about us, but reaching out and helping others. Help me to love everyone like you do, Jesus, unconditionally.

While I'm Waiting ...

*A song that brings tears to my eyes. A song about waiting, obedience, and trust, being confident in God's plan, worshipping and serving, even when we don't understand. GOD IS FAITHFUL.


I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

song by John Waller

K

True Love

"Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Fellow dudes and dudettes, starting with ourselves first, let's have this kind of love in our hearts. Just listen to the news and our world is full of hate and selfishness and hurting. Let's look around at the people God has placed all around us, and show them Christ's love, the only true love.

C

R + G = FUN!

homestudy approval - woo hoo!

We are praising God that our homestudy was approved by the State of Illinios. YAY! One step closer! Now, to dig deeper into our dossier stuff. We have some stuff done, but it can be a little overwhelming. We are trying to keep our eyes on the goal--bringing our daughter home.


It will still be a looooong time, but we know that this is what God is calling us to do. The timeframe? Maybe a couple years? We don't know, but we do know our God. God has a little girl picked out for us (she might not even be born) and His timing is perfect even when we wonder why. Ups and downs and unknowns, but GOD is faithful and in control.

Are there unknowns in your life? Are you unsure of the future, fearful, sad, frustrated? Let's take our issues to God and let Him work them out! He is the answer, dude.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

I will stand, I will stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground, all other ground
Is sinking sand, is sinking sand
So I stand

Lord,
Help me live each day like its my last. We never know when our last day will be. Help me to use my time for YOU.
Love,
Hope

G Fam Sneak Peek

Fun Little N and L

Trusting in God's Hand

We can trust His hand even if we don't understand His plan.

"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
 
 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 
 
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
 
 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
 
 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
 
 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
 
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
 
 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
 
 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
 
 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
 
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
 
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
 
 Rejoice evermore.
 
 Pray without ceasing.
 
 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
 
 Quench not the Spirit.
 
 Despise not prophesyings.
 
 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
 
 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
 
 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
 Brethren, pray for us.
 
 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
 
 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
 
 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. "

I Thessalonians. 5

Sweet Lil J

The Joy

That's my Saviour

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” - Phil 2:5-8

The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords did this for me. wow. The person who created the Earth, the entire UNIVERSE and everything in it, did this for me. He did it for you. He did it for everyone.

Easter!

Little S

Joy comes in the Morning

Tomorrow is Good Friday. Let's all remember what it is truly about. Jesus dying on the cross, willingly, for each one of us. Taking on the sins of the whole world and even though He was sinless and didn't deserve to die, He chose that for us. God told Him to do it and He did it. For us sinners. For people He knew would fail Him, mock Him, spit on Him, pound nails into His hands and feet. He died for me, conquered death and AROSE on Easter!!!

I ran from God for years before I finally, by his grace, turned to Him. He loved me and pursued me, even though I rejected Him. I'm so thankful I know Him now, and so thankful for His sacrifice of unconditional love. So thankful for His love and guidance.

So, tomorrow, let's remember GOD and HIS SACRIFICE. Let's remember tomorrow and what its all about. Let's rejoice on Easter because of Jesus Arising from the grave. Are YOU ready for HIS return? He IS coming back.

Abundant Life

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

Life abundant with Jesus does not promise that everything works out great or having lots of money. It is having hope in Christ that no matter what bad stuff happens on earth, if we have given our hearts to Christ, we have a home in Heaven awaiting us. God will wipe away all our tears and we can live forever with Him. Life abundant with Jesus is that through the hard stuff, Jesus is always with us, helping and guiding. Life abundant is looking to others' needs above your own, and you will be blessed. NOTHING better in life than Jesus.

Little T

Forgiveness

God is teaching me about forgiveness. I've got a lot to learn.

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

Christ forgives me for all my junk (thank you, Lord!!) , why is it so hard to forgive others? Satan wants us to dwell on it and harbor bad feelings which, in turn, will eat us alive. Christ can be seen to others through our forgiveness. Lord, its your girl, Hope, here, HELP! Are you struggling with forgiveness? Let's let go together and give it to God.

M, A, and the forlorn tree

Strength

:) God WILL be with us and He WILL give us strength. It is His promise.

AJ

Praying, praying, and praying. So much is going on in the world, we are not promised tomorrow, BUT Christ is our only hope and constant.

So, we gather up the pieces, trudge on, and keep putting our faith in JESUS CHRIST, who is in complete control. He knows, He cares. Thank you.

"Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, and today, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8.

 Here is some bible prophecy for you:

¹⁰Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
 ¹¹And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
 ¹²But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

¹⁶And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
 <sup>17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

20</sup>And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
 
 
 ²⁵And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
 ²⁶Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
 ²⁷And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
 ²⁸And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21:10-12, 16-17, 20, 25-28 

"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Rev. 22:20

NO ONE knows when Jesus Christ is coming back, but we do know for sure HE WILL. Are you READY? Have you trusted Christ as your Saviour? Is He Lord of your life? Do you believe He died and shed His blood on the cross for you? Are you willing to live and die for Him? Have you given Him everything?

He is the only thing that will get you through life. Read the bible everyday, pray, and find a bible believing church. Let Him change your life. He loves you. I don't deserve it, but He does! Make your decision today......

Little More of C

Hope

"Each life has its share of disappointments--those dark moments when something you were counting on fails to materialize or when someone you believe in lets you down. When you are struggling with uncertainty that people and plans bringto your life, it is a great comfort to know that God will never fail you and that every plan he sets in place will prosper.

As you travel through the dark places on your journey through life, that old bandit disappointment may jump from the shadows and challenge you, threatening to rob you of your dreams. But disappointment cannot take what is yours as long as you rememmber that you are a child of God. With God on your side, your future is secure and settled in heaven."

           ---from Moments of Peace in the Presence of God.


 "THE LORD ON HIGH IS MIGHTIER THAN THE NOISE OF MANY WATERS, YEA, THAN THE MIGHTY WAVES OF THE SEA."  Psalm 93:4

welp. Kind of a weird word. I find I type it when I'm not sure what to type. :)

Welp, we are traveling down the road God has led us----adopting a little girl from Ethiopia.

Please pray that God would protect, comfort, and love our little girl as she waits for us to hold her in our arms. Please pray for us as we trudge through paperwork and wait.

Please pray for our kids, A & J as they adjust to the changes in our family and Matt and I traveling 2 times to Ethiopia.

If you would like to help bring our little daughter home, you can give to this link lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html and under PURPOSE type "sauder #1796". It is greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless you.

#3 of 4 homestudy visits is scheduled for Monday. Another step!

Victory!

Thankful to God for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. My victory, my hope, my everything. Without Jesus I am nothing.

E

All I can say on this one is.... STUD!