Christmas Eve at Hosanna!

Here are the pictures from the Christmas Eve Service at Hosanna! We went to the 3:00 p.m. service and saw a record attendance....overflow everywhere! While I haven't seen the count, we think there had to be upwards of 3,500 people at this service (1 out of 6)! It was amazing to see how smoothly it all flowed! The staff and volunteers at our church are incredible! The live animals really made the manger come alive for me this Christmas!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Well..no more dreaming, it is here:-) Welcome to MN blogger friends! What a great Christmas! The best is that we don't have to leave our house to go very far. Not fun for those who need to travel. Our big adventure for today will be going to church to see the LIVE animals! I love my church!Here is what it looks like at our house on Christmas Eve morning:
Actually the neighbors have now joined the fun and there is a big snowball fight going on!!! Our neighbor also brought his big snowplow over and it looks like that is working much better than our smaller one!!!

(I FINALLY got the presents wrapped last night!)
Last week in review:Sam and his buddies got to play in the church worship band:
We had Christmas with Scott's sister and family before they headed off to Cozumel. Hard to believe they are having Christmas in the SUN:) They tricked Josiah and let him open up Abby's Christmas gift and THEN gave him his gift...an awesome splash for his drum set!
So fun that they gave Abby a gift! She may not be with us physically, but she is here in everything we do! I love the thought that next year Abby will be with us for Christmas!
Scott and I before the Hosanna! Staff and Vision Board Christmas Party. A date night with my hubby is worth taking the time to photo. Doesn't happen enough:-)
Merry Christmas Everyone!

Primal by Mark Batterson

My new favorite book! Last year when I was really struggling with our adoption finances and did we really hear God right...and some of the negative comments people made were starting to get to me, I found Mark Batterson's book, The Wild Goose Chase. It inspired me to keep going and I have often said, it was the best "adoption book" ever:) Funny, as I posted about it one year ago and now I am posting on his newest release, Primal, and feeling that this book again validated what I am feeling from the Lord now. His compassion for the orphans. In the book he says:

Let me ask you a question: what will kill you if you don't do it?

What makes you glad or sad or mad? What puts a holy smile on you face? What causes your spirit to sob uncontrollably? What makes you pound your fist on the table out of righteous indignation? Somewhere in the mixture of that gladness, sadness, and madness is your God-ordained passion. Or maybe I should say compassion, because you are feeling what God feels. And once you identify it, doing something about it isn't optional. You can't not do something about it.

So true! After Scott and I went on our mission trips, 143 million orphans became more than a statistic, they became faces. Faces that we had to do something about! We are so excited that God is trusting us to take care of one. She is precious to our Heavenly Father and he is sharing her life and weaving her destiny with ours. But....there are so many more! I see their faces. I cry out for them. God is breaking my heart for 143 million orphans and giving me a glimpse of how it breaks HIS heart. Batterson says, "...if each of us simply took ownership of our unique, God-ordained passions, we'd start a coup de compassion the likes of which has not been seen since the first century."

"The only question that remains is this: what are you going to do about it?"

So, I have a suggestion. Consider making Primal the first book you read in the new year. Figure out your passions and ask the Lord to show you what you are to do about it?! This book will inspire you to dream!

Celebration Dinner

Over a month ago, this awesome family invited us over for dinner. With crazy sports schedules, it has taken us this long to get a date on the calender! HOW PERFECT that it was TODAY! We said it was the best way to celebrate our NOC! The Indian food was SO GOOD!!! The kids tried it and also had pizza:-)

This family was one of the first families that I met that adopted from India. They have been such a great support and encouragement to us!

Good News

We have our NOC! YEA!!!! My caseworker said to be prepared for it to take a few weeks to get submitted to court with the holidays. I am praying that will not be the case! I want to go to court (in India, that is) for Christmas...lol:-)

We also got our first video of Abby! It was so fun to see her "in action". She even took a step in the video and then fell back on her bottom. I feel so blessed to have a video of her "first step"! That is the big milestone that I was feeling sad about missing and now I feel like I didn't miss it!!! They said she likes to be carried all the time and they are working on her leg strength. So glad she is in an orphanage where they will carry her and that she likes to be held!

Learning How to Get Pictures Bigger

Thanks to Andrea, a computer programmer and blogger, I am learning how to get my pictures larger:)

My first attempt "medium" sized:

Fun goofy picture of Sam's BB team:)

Radio Interview

Well, here is the link if you want to listen... I talk about 7 min. + mark:) It was fun to do! My only regret is I wish I would have been able to say a few things more about adoption and the Lord....giving him the credit for provision! It's all from HIM....we could NOT do this on our own so HE gets ALL THE GLORY!

It was fun and the producer was wonderful. I really enjoyed talking with her and getting to know her story and her personal connection to adoption. It was a great experience and if I ever get interviewed again, I will have a few more ideas on how to word things:)

N.P.R.

Get this....Thursday morning in my prayer group, I had prayed and asked God to use our adoption. It's amazing that we get to be used by God to change the life of one, but there are SO MANY MORE orphans in need of a home!

So Friday morning, I get a call from a producer from National Public Radio asking me about the Gold Party that I hosted. They are doing a segment on gold and why the price of gold is so high, and on gold parties. When searching the internet, she found my blog talking about our GoldSwap Party to help raise funds for our adoption and she was intrigued by our story. After asking some questions, she asked if I would be willing to be interviewed via phone for their "All Things Considered" broadcast this Sunday. Wow....I prayed for God to use our adoption and the next day I get a call from National Public Radio. Coincidence....I say "God-incidence"!

I was interviewed at 9:30 a.m. today. It will be interesting to hear what I said after all the edits...lol:) I didn't get to say some of the things that I hoped to get an opportunity to say, but I did my best. I know Father God is pleased with me and loves me no matter what. I have given up the drive for perfection in my life and am resting in his peace today (fyi....the "old" me would have beat myself up after the interview with the "should have said...." blah, blah blah). I am just tickled pink with the opportunity to have a voice for adoption today and pray that the person the Lord wants to speak to through the interview will be tuned in to their NPR station this Sunday!!

Shots Today!

I went to the travel clinic for shots today. In a weird sort of way, it was kinda fun...I was actually "doing something" for our adoption trip:) When I saw the building, I got butterflies thinking of my last visit two years ago. I was so nervous the first time going to India and the travel clinic made the reality come alive. Today, however, I had good butterflies of anticipation that we are going to pick up our daughter! I bought another pair of travel socks, since I can't find my other ones. All I know is that I did not have swollen ankles and many were jealous of my socks on my last mission trip. I am going to start gathering the supplies, as I like to have meds and things, "just in case". I joked with everyone on our mission trip that I was a walking pharmacy. They teased me, but guess who they came to when that needed something...lol! I didn't have powered Gatorade packets, but other than that, I was set. I think taking acidophilus helped keep my stomach out of trouble, Tylenol PM worked wonders on the plane and in the evenings. Will be a different story having a toddler with us this time!

I wanted to share the fun gift one of my students (I have a tutoring business in our home) gave me. I thought it was a great idea!

A vase, cute ribbon, plastic ball decorations and candy.

Lastly, here are the words the Lord has given me that I am focusing on today:

RELAX

Rest

Rejoice!

Still no NOC, but I am not going to let that steal my peace and joy! Standing firm in my TRUST! RRR...

Blessings to you!

Happy 12th Birthday Sam!

Wow...hard to believe that it was 12 years ago that Sam came into the world! He has been such a blessing to us from the start. I would love to do the "blogger style" 12 things I love most about Sam, but as a pre-teen, I am probably embarrassing him enough with this post...lol! If I were to do that, I would tell you about his sweet spirit, compassion, love for others and the Lord and just how proud of him we are:) Abby is so lucky to have this guy for her big brother!!!

12 years ago:

This is our Christmas Card in 1997! I was so excited to shop for his 1st outfit at Gymboree! I STILL love it and the blanket is a favorite to this day!!!

Fast forward 12 years and this is what you see:

Sam had his 1st traveling basketball tournament this season. He was quite the rebounder:) Go #41!!

Happy Birthday Sam! I love you!!

Mom

Answered Prayer!

VIDEO of ABBY! Prayers have been answered! I don't have it yet, but was told that they were able to get it. How wonderful! AND....new pictures taken 2 days ago! So fun to have! Once again, since I can't post her full picture, I will leave you with her beautiful eyes that I could stare at all night:)

I have been thinking a lot about adoption in the natural and our spiritual adoption in Christ. God has broken my heart for what breaks his...orphans. God continues to demonstrate to us over and over his faithfulness as A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families...Psalm 68:5-6a. God is setting Abby in her family and preparing the way for the day we get to wrap our arms around this precious little girl and bring her HOME.

My heart is also breaking for all the spiritual orphans around us that don't know the love of our

Heavenly Father and how the Lord's heart breaks as he waits to bring his children HOME (and

oh how HARD it is to WAIT to bring a child HOME). I have a new perspective on Eph. 1:5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Thanking God for adopting me and praying that I live in the FULLNESS and claim the full inheritance here on earth that He freely gives! Praying that for you as well. Don't stop short of receiving ALL our Abba Father has to FREELY GIVE. This Christmas, may we all be still and receive all the Lord has for our lives.

Fun Friday Find...

Okay...so I am stretching things a bit with the title. However, I had to post the fun thing we bought to wrap up for Abby so she has a gift under the Christmas tree. Sam wants to find her a toy cell phone, which is a very appropriate gift from him:-) Sam's ornament this year is a phone that says, "Super Texter!" Too funny.

So, this one will be from Josiah:

Notice the BUTTERFLY! Had to get it:-)

I can just see her carrying this around at baseball games this summer! Oh, please Lord, let her be home by Spring! Today's update was no NOC and that the surgeon has not scheduled her surgery yet. Obviously, not what I hoped to hear, but I do have peace about it. Would appreciate your continued prayers for getting Abby home!

Adoptive Family Photos

I have posted before about our friend and christian worship artist, Peder Eide's new song, Why Wouldn't I. He is looking for some adoptive family pictures to use during his concert while he is playing the song. It is an idea he just thought of, but needs them asap:-) So...if any of you adoptive families would be so kind as to email a photo to him, that would be awesome!

peder@pedereide.com

Thanks!

Orphanage Donations and Abby's 1st Gift

Last week I was able to send a big package of blankets and vitamins to Abby's orphanage. Our children's ministry offering bought 2,500 vitamins and generous friends donated blankets. We heard a couple weeks ago that Abby's orphanage needed these items and I put the word out on facebook. Family and friends who live out of town sent directly to the family who will be traveling the 1st week in Dec. (the family that is also taking the photo album to Abby for us) and I sent this bundle to a family traveling this week. At least they'll have about 25 more blankets. I also added a little Christmas gift for Abby! It was fun to buy some Christmas jammies for her! I am also hoping the family will be able to personally deliver the gift to Abby:-) Our first gift to her!

The vacuum Space Bag worked great!

Sure hoping this will fit in their suitcase!

I sure have been doing my best to remain positive during the wait. However, I am finding that the holidays with our daughter half way around the world and so many steps left to go in our process is HARD. I am really missing our little girl!!!

As we make last minute preparations to sit down with family and friends, we truly do have much to be thankful for! No one is exempt… our Father really is good… good all the time! King David realized this and wrote about this in Psalm 100. A Psalm of Thanksgiving.

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.

Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

I am thankful for "bloggy friends" who take the time to read my posts and pray for our adoption! Thank you and God bless you!

God is GOOD!