Abiding

How good is our God? The day after I'm so burdened by our wait, what does He choose for our pastor to lead and teach about but abiding. I think it's only appropriate to document it here. God is so faithful. If we are willing, He speaks to us out of His bounty right when we need it.

So, from John 15:1-17 our pastor led us this morning on what abiding is, what it looks like, and how to do it.

True joy only comes from abiding in Christ. Abiding means to stay somewhere and not go anywhere. It requires dependency. Christ is our life source and our identity changes.

How do you abide? Verse 7 says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you...". That is abiding! It's so simple, but requires giving up control, which is so hard for me. Prayer and reading the word are how we abide in Christ. The results of abiding are God's glory, obedience, and joy.

The profile of a disciple then, 1. abides in the word (out of desire, not duty), 2. abides in prayer (prays the word), 3. is obedient to God's commands, 4. is joyful, 5. is loving, and 6. bears fruit.

God's timing is perfect. May this time of waiting strengthen us, change us, and help us learn how to abide in Christ more fully.

Waiting...

Tonight waiting is heavy on my heart. It's so hard. It doesn't get easier.

2 weeks ago Friday we entered the Waiting Child process. Yep, waiting... These children wait, we wait, and it hurts.

Our hearts have been changed. I guess waiting does that to you.

I feel like I'm in such limbo. Wanting to be excited about the possibility, but not wanting to want and not have. I told Mark earlier this week that I had decided I would be excited regardless. I am loving these children now, knowing that they may never be here in my home for me to put my arms around. Having gone through miscarriage, I think it's similar. I loved a baby I never held in my arms. So, tonight 2 little ones that may never be in my arms are heavy on my heart. God, put your arms around them, comfort them, let them know they are loved.

Please pray... in the next 3-4 weeks we will know if these 2 are ours. I know that are agency has these kids best interest in mind. But, oh how I hate the wait!

Why Not, Ethiopia?

This video was made by another adoptive family, and I thought it was too good to not share. It's all the statistics I still find shocking. It's our why...

Happy Birthday Jesus Party!

Drewie had a Happy Birthday Jesus party at preschool earlier this month. He was so proud of the little ornament that he made!

The funniest part was the kids gathered together to sing a song and Drew was obviously upset. His teacher asked him what was wrong. He pointed to another boy in his class and said, "I want one of those!" It was a tie!! :)

Later I asked him why he wanted a tie, thinking maybe because Daddy wears one everyday to work. His answer surprised me. He said because he wanted everyone to call him... Mr. Drewie Tie! What a silly boy. He keeps me laughing!

Feed the Orphan

Today the kids and I were shopping at a local boutique and I ran into the above. I squealed! The lady working there stared. :)

I knew about these candles because a sweet friend of mine from college's family owns the company. She and her husband have a heart for adoption and the orphan and adopted a son from Russia about 1 year ago. Wanting to do more they designed this candle. Buy this candle and feed an orphan for a week! It was so exciting to see them in little Waukee, Iowa! What a wonderful gift idea. Sorry I didn't see these before Christmas. The candle smells wonderful too. Included inside is a story about an orphan that you can use for a bookmark. A great way to keep the orphan on your mind... I don't need help with that right now. :)

They have a great video on their website that you must watch! Even better that my friend's dad and brother are on the video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0p0Lwcxrh0

Dancing for the King

Callie dances at a wonderful dance studio in West Des Moines, and this is her hard at work at a Christmas program they put on in the mall earlier this month. Love their sweatshirts!

Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family,

I wanted to give you all a quick update of our lives for the past year. So, without further ado...

Mark began this year with a practice change. He's now in a group practice, HALLELUJAH!! It's gone very well, and he likes his new partners a lot. We're enjoying seeing him more! He enjoyed going to not one but two bowl games this year (Fiesta and Orange). He also enjoyed watching Hawkeye football with season tickets, though they were a bit disappointing this year. He also enjoyed more wakeboarding and surfing this summer at the lake.

I spent more time at home this year, for which I am so grateful. The kids grow and change so quickly and I so enjoy watching them. I continued my work as medical director of a free clinic in Waukee and have seen it grow quickly. It's been very rewarding. I also continue to be on the school board of our older 2's school and have enjoyed getting to know more about the school. My most time intensive "job" this year has been paperchasing for the adoption of our fourth child. We began the process in May of this year, and are currently on a waiting list for a referral. Adoption is definitely not for the faint of heart, and God is teaching me patience above all. We made the waitlist at #58 on November 24th. I think, at this point at least, that I am not going to check our number monthly. We'll see if I can keep to that! :)

Callie is 9 and working hard in the 3rd grade. This year has definitely required more of her academically, but she is getting it! And we are so proud of her diligence. She is dancing this year with 3 good friends, and plans on repeating at softball. She tried that for the first time last spring, and really enjoyed it. She has such a sensitive spirit, and we've so enjoyed watching her blossom. She loves her brothers dearly, and is so excited for a new brother or sister (though she'd be the first to tell you she dearly hopes it's a sister - NO MORE BOYS!!) :)

Carson is 6 and loving kindergarten. He is learning to read and loves Bible time at school the best. He played football this fall and can't wait to play again. He also started taekwondo this spring and liked that. Carson is full of joy. He wakes up with a smile and is rarely anything but happy. Carson asked Jesus into his heart this fall, and it has been so exciting to watch his love for Jesus grow.

Drew is 4 and in preschool 3 mornings a week. He has grown and changed so much this year. He has missed Carson this fall so much, that transition has been hard for him. The boys have become much closer this year which is such an answer to prayer! Drew's motto is, "I can do anything my sister and brother can do." Physically he really does keep up! His speech has improved so much, and he's so funny. Today he told me "Mom, I'm a pistol." And he's right! He keeps me on my toes.

This year we have been reminded of the brevity of this life and of the eternity that we have to look forward to! Love to you all!! May the Lord bless you richly as you grow in the knowledge of Him in 2011.