Let's have faith like Horton for 2009

I was just reading an update I get from ICF and there was something that was in there that I felt was really good to share. Thinking back on 2008 we all had plans and hopes of certain things happening. Those in the adoption world especially. We all had hope that we'd have our little ones for sure for Christmas 2008. But Christmas has come and gone and we still have no children.

But...our paths are really chosen by God even though we have our own agenda...Right? We all have a day planner, but we have to give God the eraser. We have faith and we have to rely on it.

Having Faith in the Unseen
Horton Hears a Who" is chock-full of parables about taking things on faith. While the other animals in the Jungle of Nool where Horton lives believe only in what they can see, hear and touch, Horton has the openness and sensitivity--not to mention imagination--to make room in his heart for a larger worldview. His great (some might say godlike) ears can hear the tiny voices of the Whos on their microscopic world, and his even greater spirit can conceive of something wondrous that exists beyond the visible. Yet Horton's faith is also in himself--when others question his perceptions, Horton stands firm and continues to believe in that little voice he hears in his head, staying faithful 100%. Horton's faith allows for wonderful new experiences to come into his life. It also makes him a steadfast and true person with a strong sense of self. Though it can be tough for him when he's alone in his beliefs, it's ultimately vastly rewarding.

The Highlights from 2008:

Looking back the past year I wanted to list the "good things" of 2008. The past months have been sort of gloomy...either health issues, financial issues, etc...so I thought I'd at least put down the good things that have happened this past year.

• Our wonderful trip to Aspen/Vail in Sept.
• Meeting Ryan from the Bachelorette/Vail - Sept
• Our trip to the Wisconsin Dells - August
• Sharing fun times with friends that we don't see much - May /August
• Our new Church building - July
• Our new Office building - October
• Semi good news from Kyrgyzstan - Dec

Happy New Year Everyone!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Taking a blog break for the next couple days.

Merry Christmas!

Happy 2009!

May this coming year be the best yet!

Merry Christmas from our house to yours

L to R: Mary, Callie, Daisy, Gracie, Martha, Aspen & Snowball

Wishing Everyone a very Merry Christmas and a

Safe and Healthy New Year!

*******

For God so Loved the World, that he gave his only

begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him

should not perrish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

http://worriersanonymous.org/Share/Christmas/Marydid.htm

FTP Christmas Party and More

We had our First Trust party on Monday last week. It was fun to see so many families. There were a total of 1100 this year that attended. Another nice time though. For our Christmas gift this year...we all got Trek 7000 Bikes. Pretty cool Uh? They are supposed to be delivered in the next few days. Bad weather has delayed it's delivery though.

We attended another party a week ago with a law firm at a country club near by. Very nice spread for sure. No skimping on food that's for sure. It was a select group. We had a great table and had a good time talking with everyone. The other party we attended was with my yahoo adoption group. There were about 35 of us including children. It was sort of bitter sweet though to see so many cute little girls. Hard to imagine that will be us some time hopefully soon. Here's a picture of all the children.

Ginger Bread Cookies for the party

We need a Miracle

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hidingplace in the closet.She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times,even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Storewith the big red Indian Chief sign above the door. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing.She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone ofvoice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen inages,' he said, without waiting for a reply to his question.'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back inthe same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick .... and I want to buy a miracle.''I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist.' His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and myDaddy says only a miracle can save him now So how much does a miracle cost? ''We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little.'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs'The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?''I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.''How much do you have?' asked the man.'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audibly.'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.''Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.'He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet yourparents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.' That well dressed man was Dr.Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing inneuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't longuntil Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them tothis place.'That surgery,' her Mom whispered, 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?'Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost...one dollar and eleven cents...plus the faith of a little child. In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law..I know you'll keep the ball moving!Here it goes. Throw it back to someone who means something to you!A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see is the treasure of friendship you'vegranted to me.Today I pass the friendship ball to you.Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you.

MY OATH TO YOU...When you are sad.....I will dry your tears.When you are scared....I will comfort your fears. When you are worried.....I will give you hope.When you are confused......I will help you cope. And when you are lost .... And can't see the light, I shall be your beacon...... Shining ever so bright. This is my oath ... I pledge till the end.Why you may ask? ...... Because you're my friend.
Signed: GOD

Have Yourself and Warm and Cozy Little Christmas

glitter-graphics.com

Nothing really new...

Tuesday: 12-16-08
There really isn't good news anywhere. We have no idea now when anything will be resolved for Kyrgyzstan. Some are saying some of the delays are on our end/our government. We will wait to hear what the Ambassdor has to say after the 20th. Just not a good way to end the year.

Monday: 12-15-08
There was another update on Friday but mainly said stuff we already knew. So it wasn't really that informative. They said that due to holidays, etc. that things weren't going to be worked out until mid-January. Just really not sure what is going on there at this time. Pretty much bummed right now.

Monday: 12-9-08
There still really isn't much to report. The Kyrgz Ambassador has gone over there (Bishkek) to help clear up some of the problems. She will be there a week. From what I've heard she is a powerful lady and can move things along. But from the posting we don't expect to see much progress until 2009. But then that's only 22 days away now. We did speak with our contact person Kate last night and she really didn't have much news to report. They are mainly waiting for the Ambassador to return. This still doesn't really make sense to me. Why wouldn't they want their children taken care of. The orphanages are getting fuller and fuller and this delay isn't helping at all. So until we hear good news I won't be posting much more. Enjoy the holidays as much as possible everyone. Remember...it's always the darkest before dawn.

Friday: 12-4-08
We got an brief update on Friday that said that things just might moving along next week. Gave a little hope that they would start signing the back load of paperwork. There are so many children that need families now. The orphanages are filling up quickly and directors are really upset about this now. They have written to the MOE and others to get things moving again. Please pray this happen quickly.

There hasn't been much news on the adoption front. Things keep going around in circles it seems. I doubt we'll know much more until next year. Maybe 2009 will be a good year. But until then...I think we just have to keep going and enjoy the holidays. Not an easy task...It's of course all about a "Baby"... A baby that came to earth to save us from all wrong. I wrote a friend to ask her if she thought that God was telling us "No" about adopting from Kyrgyzstan? Here is her reply:

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has lead our family down this road. Does God promise that all things turn out how we want them to? No, but He does take us on each journey for a purpose. How it ends is up to Him. I know that God wants us to hang on and trust Him and whatever the end result is, is still under His sovereignty. Nothing about any of this has caught God off guard, He knew about it all before it happened and desires to use it in our lives to make us more like Him. I wish I could say without a doubt that we will bring babies home, but I don't know that. All I know is that God has brought us this far and He will be with us through the whole journey. He will never leave us or forsake us.

Think of when Jesus came to earth. People were so excited that the Messiah had come. He would rescue them from Rome and tyranny. And Jesus did come to rescue them, but God's rescue meant the cross. In the end, it is the cross that saves us. If the people had their way, Jesus woud be king of Jerusalem and not Savior of the world (small k in king intentional.)

So we'll keep praying and trusting God...