tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52498570995676949112024-02-20T07:12:49.263-08:00His Glory Our JoyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-61861070259771262412015-09-05T13:07:00.001-07:002015-09-05T13:08:15.605-07:00ANSWERED PRAYERS<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, we are celebrating and rejoicing in the faithfulness and steadfastness of God and answered prayers! A few weeks ago, we asked for specific prayers for our birth mother to make it to at least 36 weeks before she had the baby. Today she is 36 weeks!! We are so thankful for each prayer that was said and for a God who hears and cares about those prayers! He has proven himself so faithful through this journey, it makes me wonder why I ever doubt in the moments of so much unknown...because even in those moments when I don't have a clue what is around the bend...He does and that is all I need to know.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-25654206282756446212015-07-29T13:14:00.001-07:002015-07-29T13:24:31.981-07:00UPDATE + PRAYER REQUESTS<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The last few weeks have been busy and full of excitement! From talking about baby names with the kids, to buying diapers and preparing for Baby H, to talking with our birth mother for the first time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My first conversation with the birth mother went very well. We talked for over an hour and connected quickly. She did have some news that we were unaware of, and it came as a bit of a surprise. Without going into too much detail, we found out there is a good chance Baby H could be making his appearance a few weeks early. While we are super excited to meet him and have him home in our arms, the thought of a possible extended stay at the hospital and being away from home for so long at the beginning of the school year for G + Q makes for one anxious Momma. Not to mention the fact that our son will be born much healthier and stronger if he can stay in his birth momma's womb for a few weeks longer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Our first look at Baby H!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We have relied on prayer so much through this whole process and now, more than ever, I feel an urgency to pray very specific prayers for our son. We believe that God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20) and know that He hears and answers prayers! So, we are humbly asking you to consider joining us in praying for our baby boy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Some specific things we are praying....</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">-For God to put a hedge of protection around our son and keep Him safe and sound in his birth mother's womb until at least 36 weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">-For the birth mother to remain steadfast in her decision to place her baby with us, and for peace about that choice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">-For God to prepare our hearts and G + Q's hearts as we bring our little one home, that bonding will happen quickly and our son will always know he is loved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">-For trust in God's plan and purposes, no matter how the next few months play out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">-For all the details to fall into place....we know God is orchestrating it all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">-For God to be glorified in the last few months as He brings this journey to completion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">-For provision in these last few months of fundraising. We have been so blessed by so many people who have given so generously toward our adoption. The cost of adoption just might be the worst part of the process, but we know God has brought us here and that He will provide! If you would like to give toward the cost of bringing Baby H home, you can donate here:</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.adopttogether.org/hisgloryourjoy"><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">https://www.adopttogether.org/hisgloryourjoy</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And know that we are beyond grateful for donations of any amount!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-28140930390047003722015-07-06T12:10:00.000-07:002015-07-07T07:31:17.848-07:00IT'S A.....BABY!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been bursting at the seams to make this announcement! Last Monday evening, we got a call from our consultant. We had presented to a birthmother the week before and were waiting to hear if she had picked our family. I don't remember much about the call other than our consultant saying "This is the call we have been waiting for!!" We have been matched! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Our BABY BOY is due October 2nd!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We could not be more excited and are thanking God for leading us to our baby! He has made his presence known so clearly in this process and we are so, so thankful for the entire thing...the waiting has been incredibly hard at times, but it has brought with it so many opportunities to lean fully on Him and His strength, to teach our children love and patience and the power of prayer, and to watch God work in all the little details.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I realized the other day that baby boy's due date is almost exactly 9 months from when we started with Christian Adoption Consultants. I love how God works out little details like that. And now, suddenly, it seems like I am 6 months pregnant...minus swollen ankles and jokes about me accidentally swallowing a watermelon. Really though, there is always a loss in adoption and I have been feeling that now that we know our baby is on the way. I don't get to feel him kicking and moving. Grant and Quincey don't get to talk to their baby brother through mom's belly and Eddy doesn't get to give me a foot massage every night and put my shoes on for me in the morning because I can't reach. He might not mind that loss at all! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">BUT...we do get to love our baby with all our hearts from a distance...we get to pray for him and his birth mother every single day. We get to tell him that we chose to love him from the day we knew about him. We get to, with God's help and strength, live out a gospel picture of what He did for us when He adopted us as His sons and daughters. And we are so excited for all of it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Along with this exciting news, came a reminder that we have not yet reached our goals for funds for this adoption. We have been so, so blessed and humbled by the willingness and excitement of our friends and family who have supported us through prayer, encouragement and donations during this process. We have seen God work through people to provide so much more in so many ways than we could have imagined. We have a few weeks to come up with the rest of the funds. We are brainstorming some fundraiser ideas, and have also set up a profile on <a href="https://www.adopttogether.org/hisgloryourjoy"><span style="color: orange;">Adopt Together</span></a> (link to our profile). <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a non-profit, crowd-funding platform that bridges the gap between families who want to adopt and the children who need loving homes. We encourage you to watch their <a href="https://www.adopttogether.org/about"><span style="color: orange;">video</span></a> (link to video) explaining how it began and how you can contribute. If you feel led to give a donation of any amount, we would be so grateful!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also would love support through prayer! We have relied on the prayers of so many people and we don't want to stop now! Please be praying for our son...for safety and health as he grows. Pray for his birth mother...for peace in her decision and for wisdom. Pray for Eddy and I and Grant and Quincey as we prepare to bring our little guy home! We have been so excited to share this news with all of you, knowing that so many people have played a huge part in this journey. We plan to blog weekly from here on out with prayer requests, news and updates on financial needs.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-26262832065028228952015-05-11T07:55:00.000-07:002015-05-11T09:57:20.693-07:00Today Is Mother's Day<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eddy was up and gone for work before the kids and I had even budged an inch in our beds. Every other year, he gets the kids excited for making a big breakfast for me to eat in bed that comes with my favorite handmade cards. They apparently plotted and planned a little earlier this year since Eddy wouldn't be home. I woke up to Grant (he was super excited for "The Plan") telling me I <em>had</em> to stay in bed. I heard him go wake his sister up and over the next hour, they made me toast with approximately half a stick of butter on it, went outside and picked flowers, made me cards, cleaned up their rooms and made me a comfy bed on the couch and turned Little House on the Prairie on (they know me well). It was completely different than past years that usually included waffles and strawberries and big bouquets, and I loved every minute of it. I am so blessed that those two kids call me their mom. They are two of the greatest gifts I have ever been given and I couldn't love them more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">because of this overwhelming love I have for my children, our third child's First Mama was on my mind a lot. I think about her every day, but today, with all of the extra attention on moms, my thoughts wandered to her often. I have no idea if she is expecting her baby yet. Maybe she knows and is trying to make that life changing, selfless decision to make an adoption plan and put her baby's needs before her own. Wherever she is at, and if she knows about the little life that she is/will carry, what does Mother's Day look like for her? There is always a loss in adoption....will she feel that loss every year on this day? Will she question her choice? Will she wonder what it would have been like to be called mom? I pray she knows that in her decision to place her child into a loving family, she made the best, most motherly, loving decision she could make and that is reason to celebrate her as a wonderful mother. I don't know what our birth mother's life and circumstances will be and what the reasons for adoption will be, but God does. He is orchestrating the whole journey and knows the beginning, middle and end. I know He has a plan and purpose for our unborn child, their birth mother, and our family in all of it. I pray He will be glorified and made much of through it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">just like the last three Mother's Days that have past, my heart aches to meet our third child. I just got done saying I know God has a plan and purpose, and I know that His plans and purposes are far bigger and better than my dreams are. But, it doesn't make it easy...this wait is hard. So, so hard. I love that it puts me in a place where I am completely and totally dependent on Him. It's still hard. But He didn't lead us to adoption because it would be an easy, smooth path. He brought us on this path to glorify Himself, change our hearts and teach us things about Himself that we probably never would have known otherwise. As the time gets longer and longer, I do wonder how much more He has for me/us in this wait, because, I'm not going to lie...most of the time I am just sick and tired of waiting...I want my baby home. I want to know they are safe. I want to be done with paperwork. I want, I want, I want. But because none of this life is about me, I realize that all of those wants are me-centered and have nothing to do with God's plans for my life. They are all about my dreams, plans and comfort. And I desire to have His plans as my top priority and focus in my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I desperately want our baby home. I can hardly wait to see G & Q love on their baby brother or sister and watch Eddy care for his newborn baby. I am so ready for that amazing newborn smell and tiny clothes and learning all about our third child...memorizing their face, knowing their routine and teaching and loving them. But I also know that God has a plan that I can trust without hesitation or question. He already has our baby's face memorized. He already knows everything about them. Just like he already knew G & Q before we ever knew about them. So until His plans and His timing come to bless us with our sweet third child, I know he/she is good hands. I know God is watching over our baby's First Momma...He loves her and has a plan for her. He is so good to care and watch over us...seeing every last detail of our lives. My prayer today is that our birth mother will know that love He has for her. I pray she responds to that love and gets to experience being adopted as a daughter of our Heavenly Father...a perfect picture of love and sacrifice. I pray she knows that the choice she is making for her baby reflects that love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so thankful God has made me a mother. I am blessed each and every day by my children. Today I am thankful that God is faithful and sovereign and I can put my full trust in Him and his plans. Today I am thankful for our baby's First Momma, wherever she may be. This is a day to celebrate her and all the other mothers who have made such a hard decision, felt such a great loss...and gave one of the biggest blessings to another Momma.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-16709819710265484452015-03-08T13:43:00.002-07:002015-03-08T13:45:31.758-07:00HIS GLORY!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last weekend's online auction fundraiser is finally coming to an end! After a week of contacting and pick ups and deliveries, we have almost everything done! It was such a blessing and so much fun seeing our friends and family and many other people who we have never met come together and support us in our adoption process through this fundraiser. We were completely overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity and donations from so many people. Truly, we are so, so thankful.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">During the auction, a friend of ours said that only God could take an online auction and make it grow the way it did. She is so right. There is no explanation other than Him. He has used this long adoption process to prove Himself over and over again...and we want to make sure that He is glorified because of who He is and how faithful He is! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The waiting for our child to come home is not easy. Every day I remind myself that God has a plan in the wait. We aren't just waiting for a baby...we are waiting for our baby. So, I ask myself, "What is the purpose in the wait....because I know God has one." I have found purpose in all the birth mother situations we have been presented with. I don't want to just read through these situations and forget about them if it isn't "the one" for us. I want to pray for these birth moms and these babies. I want to remember their names and cover them in prayer...because who knows if they would be prayed for otherwise, and because this may be the one reason God is bringing so many situations our way before we are matched. I want to be diligent in my prayer for each of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've also realized that this whole waiting thing makes me see just how little control I have and just how much God is in control of everything. That's a good place to be. A hard place to be at times, but so good. I am having to constantly give up my false sense of control and I am thankful for that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've also learned to embrace this waiting period because of the amazing opportunities it gives Eddy and I as parents to teach our kids. When they ask "Why does it cost so much money to bring our brother or sister home?" and "Why is it taking so long?", it can be pretty difficult to answer those questions, because really, why does it cost so much money? But the answer for why it is taking so long...because God has a plan and we don't have to understand everything. Through our fundraisers, I have also watched them wrap their little minds around just how much other people are selflessly giving to us to make this adoption happen. What an awesome example for them to see how to walk out being the hands and feet of Christ!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Through the waiting and through the fundraisers, Eddy and I both have repeatedly had to lay down our pride. God has humbled us so much in so many ways through this whole thing. When He puts you in a place that you just know you can't do it without Him working mightily on your behalf, get ready to be humbled and amazed at what He can and will do!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know a lot of you have been waiting to hear how much closer the auction got us to our goal. And we are so excited to share it with you all because, good grief, aside from God and all of you amazing people, this wouldn't have happened! We were expecting the auction to get us about $3,000-$4,000 closer to our goal of approximately $35,000. We are so thankful for God's faithfulness and provision in this process and we want to make much of Him because it really is all about His glory!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-55570127520030002562015-01-22T20:17:00.001-08:002015-01-22T20:17:55.434-08:00ONLINE AUCTION ADOPTION FUNDRAISER<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We started receiving birth mother situations this week. The feeling I got when we received the first one was a mixture of total excitement, a little nervousness, a little scared and completely overwhelmed. We are so happy to be at this point in the adoption process! It seems like its been years...oh wait...it has been years...since we started this whole thing. Getting an email about a birth mother situation made it suddenly feel so very real, which is wonderful. Another very real aspect of the process is the financial end of things. We are still very much in need of some more mullah to bring our sweet child home. After contemplating and throwing around some ideas, we decided to have an online adoption auction next month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have seen a few of these auctions and they always seem to be a success. We are praying that God will use this fundraiser to get us much closer to bring the littlest Hostetler home. If you feel led to donate an item or a service to be auctioned off, please let us know! The items do not have to be new, but we ask that they are in good condition and it can be ANYTHING that you think someone else might want.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are so thankful that God is allowing us to be a small part of His big plans and so blessed by so many people wanting to be a part of it as well! Asking for help is not something that either Eddy or I like to do. It seems God has put us in a situation to help us grow in that area! We fully trust that He can and will provide...because He who called us is faithful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He doesn't need us, but He invites us to be a part of His plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't think His plan is just to raise money for our adoption. I think part of His plan is to allow others to "help orphans in distress". I think most of His plan is to show His power, prove His faithfulness and be glorified because of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span class="selected" original-title="">Now to </span><span>him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, </span><span>according to the power at work within us, </span><span>to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Ephesians 3:20-21</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-33303903097290662282014-12-15T19:50:00.002-08:002014-12-15T19:50:41.527-08:00Praying in the waiting...<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we get so close to finishing our profile needed for our agency for our domestic adoption, we wanted to send out a little update and ask for some specific prayers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWkBYSFWjzaI5V4xHwbWLBXCTgIaEKpwwOuLn2Xflcrr9jz4XrIz3X3VyhjIFcXgOwYvh1thnYalcDD2meFqnMK0cxm3q71ObJJqTPiauiUX2WjMQdB0UbIomNisYInolnqw96vBJyIo5/s1600/DSC_3701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWkBYSFWjzaI5V4xHwbWLBXCTgIaEKpwwOuLn2Xflcrr9jz4XrIz3X3VyhjIFcXgOwYvh1thnYalcDD2meFqnMK0cxm3q71ObJJqTPiauiUX2WjMQdB0UbIomNisYInolnqw96vBJyIo5/s1600/DSC_3701.jpg" height="264" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Making the profile has been time consuming, a little draining and a lot of fun. Time consuming because I am entirely too picky about it. Draining because it is writing letters to our baby's birth mother and, surprise....that is not an easy thing to do. Fun because I love designing it and seeing it all come together. </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUSiXc0V4SqHAJRFHcr9nvWUF-PVehD7IVHTtJjNj3FNrwdJ5sfD-l79Zl9wwp75bYuSTu0Ep5K7nVtz2RJLUFjjPY3dVi2johkfhPj33ch6fUhNVa1tde3slY6HMsS637zGAAmVPhebP/s1600/Quincey+Drawing+JPG.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We only have a few more tweeks to make to the book and it will be sent off to get printed. We have our applications to agencies and our home study all ready and waiting to go, so once we send it all to our consultant, we will start the process of viewing birth mother profiles and requesting for birth mothers to see our profile. Talk about nerve-wracking! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through this time of preparing the profile, I have felt God working in my heart and opening my eyes. Giving me a compassion for these mothers who so selflessly look beyond themselves to their baby's best interest. He has laid it on my heart to pray for these brave women....especially one in particular. We don't know her yet, but God does and He wants us to pray for her. She will be giving our family one of the most precious gifts....and losing one at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, we would love if you would join with us in lifting up our child's birth mother in prayer. Pray for her health and safety. Pray for her heart. Pray that we might be able to minister to her in some way when we are matched. Pray for our baby...for his or her health and safety. Pray that he or she would feel loved before he or she is even born and that God would have a hold on that little heart from the very beginning. Eddy and I would also love if you could pray for us and Grant and Quincey....that God would prepare our hearts to walk this out in a way that would bring Him much glory. Adoption is messy. It takes God turning painful things into beautiful things. Pray that He would do that in our child's life. Please also pray for financial provision. God has been so, so faithful to provide and we trust 100% that He will continue to be faithful in that.</span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-32339267745795721432014-11-16T21:00:00.001-08:002014-11-16T21:21:03.544-08:00A LONG OVERDUE UPDATE!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although the progress has been slow and the waiting long,
God has continued to do a work of preparation in our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patience is not easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, we are thankful for the real opportunity
to rely on the fact that God’s timing is perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has also given us the opportunity to teach
Grant and Quincey the importance of being <span style="color: #f6b26b;"><strong>persistent</strong></span> in our prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rate of international adoption continues to decline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because of fewer families desiring to
adopt, but because of the ever changing regulations and additional paperwork
that slows down the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a
country, we’ve gone from almost 23,000 placements in 2004 to only 7,000
placements in 2013. That number will
certainly be fewer for 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon our
acceptance into our agency last October, the average number of placements per
month was 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have been only 5
placements in the last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been
told that we should accept this slowdown as the new norm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since the beginning of our journey into international
adoption, we planned on adopting domestically as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Our
plan</span></strong> was to pursue a domestic adoption a few years after we adopted
internationally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #f6b26b;">BUT GOD...</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His plans do
not always look like our plans but we know His plans are always far better than
ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After months of praying and
waiting on His direction, and with the state of international adoption as it
is, we have decided to switch the order. We have begun the process of a
concurrent adoption, which means we are still waiting on our child in Ethiopia,
while beginning the process of bringing our baby home within the U.S. At first Quincey was not sure about this. She
was concerned for her brother or sister in Ethiopia, to which we explained that
we are not giving up on them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We believe
God will bring our precious child home in His perfect timing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With this change of events, we find ourselves realizing that
we may have a <span style="color: #f6b26b;"><strong>BABY</strong></span> in only a few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
We</span> can’t even express how excited we are at this possibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process of a domestic adoption looks
quite a bit different than an international adoption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are back to filling out papers, along with
making a profile for birth mothers to view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will continue to update you here and on
our Facebook page (His Glory, Our Joy).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Keep a look out for more of our fundraisers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are
excited about the Christmas Mini Session Fundraiser coming up this weekend at
McClellan’s Tree Farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lib has also been
busy making more earrings, which would make great gifts for the holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are so thankful for everyone’s continued
support! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">-Eddy & Libby</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-13363400356785054992013-07-25T11:58:00.004-07:002013-07-25T14:44:31.504-07:00JUST LOVE COFFEE FUNDRAISER<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We found this awesome website a few months ago and knew we wanted to use it as a fundraiser for our adoption.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that the yard sale is over, we finally got around to setting it up! It's a pretty simple, but great concept...you buy some coffee, and part of the proceeds go toward our adoption! It's a win-win situation! :) The company does all the work, other than us marketing our "store front" on the website. So, if you are a coffee lover (really, who isn't?!?), please consider trying some coffee from Just Love Coffee. You can follow the link below and it will take you to our store front on the website and you can start shopping! Or, you can click on the Just Love Coffee Button on the side of our blog and it will get you there as well.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> If you aren't into coffee, would you please share this blog post to let more people know about our fundraiser? </span><br />
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<a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/hisgloryourjoy/">https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/hisgloryourjoy/</a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you all so much for your support and help in this process! God is using it to teach us so many things, and a lot of it is through people who are so eager to be a part of this and encourage and help us as we take this journey! If you do buy a bag or two of coffee, while you sit back and enjoy a cup, we would greatly appreciate it if you would say a prayer for our family...all 5 of us! :)</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-44677024647773520012013-07-20T19:33:00.001-07:002013-07-20T20:16:02.950-07:00OUR GOD IS SO BIG.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I finally have some time to sit down and write a post to update on the outcome of the yard sale. Now that we can finally park in our garage again and life is semi back to normal. I could have done it sooner, I'm sure....but I wasn't sure what all to say. So, this will be my attempt at explaining just how big and strong and mighty our God is.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know the kids song....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Our God is so BIG, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing our God can not do!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've always believed that song, and had fun singing it with my kids, but boy, did He prove Himself much bigger, stronger, and mightier than my mind can fathom the weekend of our yard sale.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got started with this idea for a yard sale fundraiser after I read a few adoption blogs that suggested it...most said it was their biggest fundraiser (up to $2,000). That sounded awesome to us, so we started asking people for donations.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And donations we got. So many donations, Eddy decided it would be nice to make $4,000. I still thought $2,000 sounded like a lot.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were overwhelmed with the amount of donations. Thankful, but very overwhelmed. We tried to keep things orderly and have a little bit of an idea as to what we were storing in our garage. But when it got to the point that we had to start storing things in our basement, then in a shed beside the church, then asking people to keep things at their house until the day of the yard sale...we kind of lost track...we really had no idea what we were going to find when we unpacked all of it for the sale.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(I did know there was a very scary clown mask and a stuffed monkey that shrieked so loud when you squeezed it that it made Quincey cry....I will admit, it was kind of fun sorting through those boxes.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway...the day before the yard sale, we started taking loads of STUFF to the church.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><strong>LOADS AND LOADS.</strong></span> </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had so many people come help with setting up. It was awesome. They were awesome. We really couldn't have done it without every single person who came and helped. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We started unpacking things around 1:30 on Thursday. We had everything set up and ready to go by 9:30 or 10:00 that night....I cant remember for sure...I was delirious by that time. Eddy slept at the church that night on a couch that was for sale. Good nights sleep, I'm sure. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mom took our kids home for a sleepover, which was awesome, considering I had to get up way early the next morning to be at the church and they would have been a little scary to wake up bright and early after such a long day. </span> </div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the morning of the yard sale...people again...show up to help. I cannot say enough about our friends and family who showed their support by offering their time, baking skills, muscle, and whatever else we needed. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">We truly are very blessed to have each and every one of you in our lives.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We started the yard sale at 8am, praying with a group of friends beforehand that the day would be successful, fun and that God would be glorified. And from then until at least noon there was not a break. We had a huge line of people most of the morning waiting to pay for their things. I went into this thing doubting that we were going to be able to make it worth it, worried that about what in the world we were going to do with all of this STUFF. By the end of the day Friday (it was a whirlwind of a day), we were exhausted. I was sad that I didn't get to have any of the amazing cupcakes from our bake stand, but glad they sold out. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(My very thoughtful aunt sacrificed one that she bought and brought it to me the next day though!) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We started cleaning up and counting up money. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">And I had to ask God to forgive me for doubting and worrying. For underestimating His ability to provide. For not really relying on His faithfulness. For not being able to trust in just how big He really is.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the money was all counted up...we were shocked. Wayyy more than what we had hoped for. Like thousands more. And by the end of the next day...even a few more thousands more. So many people went above and beyond in giving. It took days for it to sink in and realize just how much God showed up at that yard sale (or flea market, as some people were calling it.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were amazed, overwhelmed, and just so speechless...hence the lack of updates on the yard sale until now. God used that yard sale for more than a fundraiser. It was a faith builder for us. To see Him provide in a way like that was just awesome. To realize just how much He wants to bless this was amazing. God used it to touch other people's lives. We heard from numerous people how He revealed something in their life when they saw this huge thing...a community coming together to help with one family's call to adopt. It touched people...people who don't attend church. People who aren't a part of something like what we have at Freedom Fellowship. A church family. God uses things for so much more than we can see.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We came away from the yard sale much closer <em>(almost half way)</em> to our goal for funding this adoption. We also came away from it with changed hearts. Seeing the generosity of people, seeing their excitement to be a part of this...to get this child home, made us want to be more generous. God stirred in our hearts to give more toward things like this.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like I said before...I went into this doubting. I walked away from it with a much clearer picture of just how much God is in control and a heart full of trust and dependence on Him. He got us half way there in two days. I am not worried about the other half. He will provide. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite part about the entire thing is the fact that in <em>no way</em> can we take credit for any of it. God led us to adopt. He blessed this fundraiser. He provided. He proved himself....His sovereignty. He was glorified. He was made much of. <em>Exactly the way it should be.</em> Nothing that we did or have done or will do made this happen. He brought us to this place and</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HE MADE HIMSELF SHINE.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span class="line">The Mighty One, God the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="ln-indent">speaks and summons the earth</span><br /><span class="ln-indent">from the rising of the sun to its setting.</span><br /><span class="line">Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, </span></span><span style="color: #e69138;"><span class="ln-indent"><em>God shines forth.</em></span></span></span><br />
<span class="ln-indent"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 50:1&2</span></span><br />
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<span class="ln-indent"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are trusting Him to continue leading us through this adoption process. We really have no idea what we are doing! Each step is new to us. But it is such a comfort to know that He sees the end. He sees our third child in our arms, running and playing with their brother and sister. He sees the hard times it will bring and the good times. </span></span><br />
<span class="ln-indent"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">And it is good to know that we can trust Him in all of it.</span> </span></span><br />
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lemonade stand!</div>
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earrings!</div>
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awesome friends!</div>
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my sister and cousin manning the lemonade stand!</div>
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our garage getting emptied out the morning of the sale!</div>
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flea market!</div>
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two cute helpers!</div>
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more stuff!<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">yes...there were bunnies at the yard sale...and we somehow ended up bringing two home.</span></div>
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lemonade man!</div>
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<span class="ln-indent"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours, O <span class="sc">Lord</span>, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O <span class="sc">Lord</span>, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. </span></span><br />
<span class="ln-indent"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Chronicles 29:11&12</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-22946195955672332982013-06-11T18:49:00.000-07:002013-06-12T07:19:07.034-07:00A LITTLE UPDATE! AND A LIST OF YARD SALE ITEMS!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, it sure has been awhile since we last posted anything on here! Just wanted to update everyone and let you all know our adoption process is moving along....slowly, but surely. We just had our first ever home visit with our social worker. Talk about nerve wracking! I couldn't find a good balance between cleaning up our house so it looked presentable or cleaning up so much that it looked like I tried wayyy too hard. So, I was kind of running around like a crazy women for an hour or two before our social worker came after I decided it definitely needed to be cleaner. And my wonderful husband headed to Grant's room to clean up train tracks and race car tracks and Legos and Matchbox cars...I don't know if he did this out of the kindness of his heart or just to avoid me in my crazy mode. Probably a little bit of both, but either way, it was helpful and I appreciated it. Most of what I did was completely unnecessary considering our social worker didn't seem to notice or even care about things being in place and clean, but hey, our house is clean...and organized....and I like that feeling whether a social worker is coming over or not! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, the meeting went well, I think. I was kind of dying to know what was being jotted down on the social worker's paper as Grant and Quincey zoomed around the house with a big beach ball, throwing it against the wall and bouncing all over the place. I'm hoping she was thinking, "Wow, this home is just so kid friendly, yet the kids are disciplined and under control and everything is sooo clean!" :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As far as where we are at in the process and what our next step is...we are finishing up some initial paper work for our agency and after that is complete...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">MORE PAPERWORK!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And more paperwork. Did I mention paperwork?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can get frustrated thinking about how long this process is, but am reminded often to use this time wisely and be content in the waiting. God knows the day that our third child will come home, and until then, He is preparing our hearts, and working out all the little details. At this point, I am mostly just excited that He has brought us to this place and is allowing us to go on this journey. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I try not to be impatient. It doesn't always work....but...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">GOD IS GOOD AND HIS TIMING IS ALWAYS PERFECT.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">Jumping into another topic...I wanted to post a partial list of yard sale items. So here goes...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-antique tool collection</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-entertainment center</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-queen size mattress and box springs</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-kitchen table</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-small kitchen table</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-kitchen stand</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-primitive cupboard</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-pottery</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-treadmill</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-mini fridge</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-couch / chair</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-rocking chair</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-3 red upholstered chairs</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-3 dressers / 1 night stand</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-great condition comforters</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-NEW handmade quilt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-Willow Tree Angels</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-kitchen appliances, utensils, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-snowboard, snowboard boots, roller blades</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-misc. furniture...small end tables, desks, coffee table, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-televisions</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-shelves</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-house décor</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-holiday decorations (tree stands/xmas décor, easter, fall, etc.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-baby and kids clothes...lots of name brand, great condition</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">(newborn up to 5T for babies and toddlers)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">(size 6, 7, 8, 9 for older kids and xs and small...pretty much all sizes)</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-crib bedding</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-high chairs</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-shoes and boots and lots of them!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-maternity clothing (all sizes)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-men's and women's clothing (all sizes)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-baby and kids toys...lots and lots of them!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-rocking horse</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-train table</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-kid's easel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-little tykes turtle sandbox</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-kid's riding toys (john deere tractor with wagon / 3 wheeler)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-fish tanks </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-outside chairs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-punching bag machine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-lamps</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-printer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-shredder</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">craft table includes:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-homemade coasters</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-His Glory, Our Joy homemade earrings </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-beautiful crocheted hats donated by The Crocheted Dog</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">-scripture prints</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">AND MORE</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">We are also having a lemonade stand and bake sale! Come early for some coffee and a cinnamon roll, come for lunch for a hotdog, lemonade and a dessert (pie, whoopie pies, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, rice krispie treats...take your pick!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;">We really are excited for the yard sale and would love your prayers for a successful, fun day!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-58410799838229846012013-06-04T20:49:00.000-07:002013-06-04T20:49:11.415-07:00YARD SALE UPDATE<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AFTER GIVING IT MORE THOUGHT, WE DECIDED WE DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE 4TH OF JULY ORGANIZING AND GETTING READY FOR OUR YARD SALE, SO WE MOVED THE DATE UP ONE WEEK. WE ALSO HAVE THE LOCATION...IT WILL BE HELD AT OUR CHURCH...115 FREEDOM DRIVE, IN MIFFLINBURG. HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE! COME HANG OUT...HAVE SOME LUNCH...WE WILL HAVE HOT DOGS, LEMONADE, AND LOTS OF DELICIOUS BAKED GOOD!</span><br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-14925679438177370232013-04-22T12:56:00.003-07:002013-04-22T12:56:58.302-07:00YARD SALE!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">to everyone who bought anywhere from 1 to 8 pairs of earrings! The fundraiser is still going on and I have plans for some more jewelry making, but I just have to say....wow! I think I used the word "overwhelmed" at least 100 times last week. I was so overwhelmed in such a good way by the response to the earrings. God had His hands all over it, and blessed us so much through all of you....so again, I just have to say THANK YOU!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I also wanted to let everyone know that we are planning on having a BIG yard</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">sale this summer, once again, with 100% of the proceeds going toward helping with the cost of our adoption. We are looking for donations, so if you are spring cleaning, moving, or just need to get rid of some things, we will glady take them off your hands! We would like the items to be in good condition, but other than that, there are no rules on what we will or will not take. Clothes, household items, outdoor items, handmade, homemade...we will gladly take it! We are also planning a lemonade/food stand, so if there are any expert bakers out there, a donation of cookies, brownies or whatever you like to make would be a huge help as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-60672766519178901342013-04-15T22:09:00.001-07:002015-09-05T13:24:47.589-07:00CHOOSING GOD'S PERSPECTIVE<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be honest, I never thought
adoption was for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always believed it was a
wonderful thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed helping other
families who were going through the process of adopting and I certainly loved
getting to know the children they adopted.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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I just didn’t feel like it was a <span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: orange;">calling</i></span> for me. </div>
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But, then there was my wife (the
beautiful Mrs. H) who felt adoption was always something she wanted to
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was on her heart at a very young
age. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I remember in our first year of
marriage, when she brought up adoption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We knew we wanted biological children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wasn’t super receptive to the idea of adopting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought we could do our part by sponsoring a
child (I’m not knocking this idea – reputable child sponsorship programs/organizations
do a lot of good).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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If I would have been
honest, all of the reasons why I wasn’t willing to adopt were based on fears
and selfishness (I’ll expand on this later).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We sort of left it at, if we do adopt, it would be after we were done
having biological children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years
later we had our first, G.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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It’s not very often that you get to
experience a new feeling at the age of 24, but that’s exactly what happened
when I first laid eyes on G.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
absolutely loved being a dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I loved
watching Lib be a mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed so natural
for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b>And on top of motherhood being a
natural gift, she worked hard at it.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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She was intentional about teaching
and making quality time happen (she still does).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a blessing to watch and be a part
of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>13 months after G was born, we
decided to start trying for another child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>2 days later, we found out that Lib was pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And 8 months later, we were holding a
beautiful little girl, Q.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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As
much as having G changed my world, having a baby girl did the same all over
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fathers with little girls, you
know what I mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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By the time G was 3 and a half
and Q was almost 2, we decided to begin trying for another child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As quickly as God blessed us with our first
two children, we did not expect any problems as we tried for a third.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 6 months of trying with no success, we
started to worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a year, we knew
there was something different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b>After a year and a half, Lib was
emotional drained; 18 months of believing that this could be the month, only to
find out it wasn’t, had taken its toll. </b></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout this whole time, I tried to stay
positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The days that followed each
negative pregnancy test were very tough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s pretty evident that God wired men and women differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one better than another, just
different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, part of the way
God has wired us as men includes what I call the “Fix-it Mentality”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell us a problem and we’ll try and fix
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many times I would get myself in
trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Lib was crying I would
suggest solutions or try words of encouragement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me a long time to realize that this
wasn’t what she was looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b>She just needed my <span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: orange;">comfort</i></span>.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span></div>
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Why do I bring all of this up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I am beginning to see the richness of
God’s comfort. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Earlier I mentioned that my reasons
for not adopting were based on my own selfishness and fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that adoption was expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that it would take a great deal of
sacrifice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about dealing with
the emotional struggles that adoptive children may have. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went as far as thinking about the
implications that adoption would have on my children’s inheritance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of this was self-focused, faithless, and
weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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A few months ago, it hit me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Could you imagine if God would have
this same perspective?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness
He doesn’t . . .</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>“In Love he predestined us for
adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to
the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the
Beloved. In Him we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches
of his grace, which he lavished upon us” – Ephesians 1:5-8</b></span></div>
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My adoption as a child of God cost
Him more than I could ever offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any
sacrifice on my part pales in comparison to His sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He deals with the emotional struggles that I
have, by addressing my doubt and reminding me that I have been given a new
identity <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">as His child</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has lavished an
inheritance upon me that is better than I could ever imagine (don’t just take
my word for it – check out <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 Corinthians
2:9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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God comforts me by reminding me, that
this is not about me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great opportunity adoption is to
reflect what He has done for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I
pray that this will be all for His glory and not our own.</div>
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{E} </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-66036894812366424592013-04-15T07:26:00.000-07:002013-04-15T17:36:22.840-07:00HOMEMADE EARRINGS....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5iEY3p0cxNMI_TmaAhFWILOE6gv_gudkugASi8aMFaTUyYNoJtCEJP4wLI93glBJvZK_rj2zOxZAfbyu9qDyexIW8GrKkK0aag9kN6qRGp0tqzM6ggGK4JeQj5KrcU6V2SOuMcPc7hxB/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+EARRINGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5iEY3p0cxNMI_TmaAhFWILOE6gv_gudkugASi8aMFaTUyYNoJtCEJP4wLI93glBJvZK_rj2zOxZAfbyu9qDyexIW8GrKkK0aag9kN6qRGp0tqzM6ggGK4JeQj5KrcU6V2SOuMcPc7hxB/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+EARRINGS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Started selling these fun earrings to raise money to help with the cost of our adoption. Contact me if you are interested! :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83wbhPDVQjds2csvgnTBYdRd-63uqniTfpEEBe-Y_suBnnABN-b2kwhqCNZcSLd265C3tj8twZGy2RyNExukAd3UvpC8aAdr7-B91cje3rEnV0B5zVfPmAW0i-j8ZS8xJjJ77sqFDbuL-/s1600/much+love+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83wbhPDVQjds2csvgnTBYdRd-63uqniTfpEEBe-Y_suBnnABN-b2kwhqCNZcSLd265C3tj8twZGy2RyNExukAd3UvpC8aAdr7-B91cje3rEnV0B5zVfPmAW0i-j8ZS8xJjJ77sqFDbuL-/s320/much+love+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-17366579598903868332013-04-13T09:43:00.001-07:002013-05-07T19:25:29.973-07:00GOD'S POWERFUL GRACE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fuwjoHXZH4sEeD-pSpJr5U81N6S5FjIGQF7HWqUJ9fBrSQsLiPup3q2T-IAujmazTu6pTeAJA2t-Q0FNHpgM0M04nM_FRJq2Dnhdt8SgwPe32tGplvItuD-FZZXgYbTJoMtFCwFPXshv/s1600/God%2527s+Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fuwjoHXZH4sEeD-pSpJr5U81N6S5FjIGQF7HWqUJ9fBrSQsLiPup3q2T-IAujmazTu6pTeAJA2t-Q0FNHpgM0M04nM_FRJq2Dnhdt8SgwPe32tGplvItuD-FZZXgYbTJoMtFCwFPXshv/s640/God%2527s+Grace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5249857099567694911.post-65668611681500189962013-04-11T14:23:00.000-07:002013-04-13T16:39:00.605-07:00ADOPTING FOR HIS GLORY AND OUR JOY<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, here we are...starting a blog. Something that kind of terrifies me. Something I don't know much about. Something else that God is having me do, so I can learn to rely on Him more and not myself. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are starting this blog mainly because in the last few months, God has shown us that our plans for ourselves are not His plans for us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;"> He has a bigger, better plan that we can't fully know or understand, something far beyond ourselves.</span></strong> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Through a long process of trying for a third child, we have felt God pulling us toward adoption. Adoption is something I have always loved, and felt I would do someday. My wonderful husband, however, wasn't always so sure about it. I remember talking about adoption as a teenager...I had watched a few people go through the process and felt drawn to it. I remember talking to Eddy about adopting when we were first married. Even after being blessed with two beautiful children, adoption was still something I thought about often.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvom0d_D85MBYm2nKhG10GhLdFlSWWy0ZwSgWm-WVYtGL-e7obOrDBlF6AzYuTnJCImu8yz990_ImRVy3jfxY7RngombPgQD_jKZZPyl6VSmd7fpW3lNZVgCa3HLf5I0N47C-BGErDDPBx/s1600/DSC_0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvom0d_D85MBYm2nKhG10GhLdFlSWWy0ZwSgWm-WVYtGL-e7obOrDBlF6AzYuTnJCImu8yz990_ImRVy3jfxY7RngombPgQD_jKZZPyl6VSmd7fpW3lNZVgCa3HLf5I0N47C-BGErDDPBx/s320/DSC_0112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I truly feel adoption is something God laid on my heart long ago. And now he has laid it on my husband's heart as well! We will be starting our home study classes in a little over a week. I feel nervous...knowing that there is not a whole lot I know about the <strong><span style="font-size: large;">HUGE</span></strong> process of adoption, yet excited, because God has already shown us that it is where we need to be.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One reason for this blog is to keep friends and family updated as much as possible as we go through the process. But another reason is to share how God works in our everyday lives...how he works in the smallest details of our lives...and to glorify Him because of it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A friend of mine sent me a message about adoption about a month ago. I put it on my mental "to do list", knowing I wanted to listen to it at some point. When we found out that our classes were soon starting, and decided to start a blog, I started trying to think of a blog name. Eddy and I prayed about it, looked at Bible verses and tried to come up with something catchy. The only thing that kept coming to my mind was "His Glory, Our Joy." I tend to over analyze and second guess myself, so I wasn't sold on the name. I told Eddy about it and he loved it. So we decided to go with it. I made up a header for the blog (my lovely friend Katie did the rest, since I am clueless about such things.) The next night, I remembered the message my friend had sent me and decided to listen to it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">One of the main points? Giving God glory and receiving joy because of it.</span></strong> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was working on editing pictures while listening and heard the phrase..."His Glory and our Joy." I called Eddy out and told him to listen, and we both knew this was just a small blessing, a confirmation from Him. He cares about these details. And He wants to be glorified in them. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>He deserves all the glory.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong> And we find joy in glorifying Him.</strong></span> </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/E15ILjACbiQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">{Please listen to it if you get a chance...it wasn't just a confirmation for us about our blog name, it is full of so much truth about God's relationship with us, and just the beauty in Him adopting us as sons and daughters.}</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I hope you will stick around to hear about these little and big details that God is working on in our lives. We would LOVE to have people praying for us...all of us...even the little one we don't yet know. God knows our child. And He loves them and knows exactly when we will know them as well. We are praying that God will use the long process to prepare and transform our hearts. To teach us and grow us. To bring glory to Him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Until then, we will trust in <strong>HIS</strong> plans, <strong>HIS</strong> timing and <strong>HIS</strong> sovereignty.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653903456130757199noreply@blogger.com5