The Crab Apple Tree

I don't know why it's been so long since I blogged.  Life - there is so much about that word that I could say today - that would be a post all it's own and likely go on for weeks!


My life this past week has been spent at home, sick.  But it's been a great time of just slowing down and resting.  I think I'm actually thanking God for allowing me to be ill!


I've spent every morning this week bundled up on my patio, enjoying the birds singing - and the fresh morning air.  It's been really wonderful weather here in south Texas this week.


Which brings me to my post today.  Studly - my dog, and trusty companion - and I - were enjoying another morning of cool air - when I noticed my crab apple tree. 


My husband and I planted this tree three years ago.  It was so spindly at times we didn't know if it was going to make it, so we staked it against one of those metal poles that farmers use to put up fencing.


 As I looked at the tree this morning - it reminded me of my life as a Christian.


When I first planted that tree it was weak. It blew anyway the wind took it. It's root system didn't have hold of any foundation.  The stalk was thin and it didn't have very many limbs, leaves or flowers during spring time. Then along came the stake to strengthen it - to hold it steady into the foundation it was given until it's root system started taking hold. 

I thought about my life, my past - how weak I used to be - going anywhere the wind took me - with no thought of the consequences. Then Christ came alongside me - and held me steady. He held me in the foundation He laid down for me before the beginning of time.  He shored me up in Himself and gave me strength.


The stake that has held my crab apple tree into the foundation - has helped it's roots take hold.  The tree has produced a trunk three times the width of when it was first put in the ground.  It is strong enough now to withhold the many branches that have grown upon it. In springtime - it has an abundance of flowers - and for the first time this year - it produced fruit! Those tiny little crab apples that will draw in the birds I love so dearly. 


Once again, I akin the  tree to my life.  Over the years Jesus has rooted me in His Word that has steadied my life.  I am rooted in His life and love which has given me the strength to bear the burden of life's many branches.  The love that over flows from a life lived in Him has produced many flowers in my life as well as the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.


I am so thankful that the stronger the winds of life become - there is the ever steady, non-changing peace and strength of Jesus Christ by my side.


Thank you Jesus - for Your crab apple tree and may I be ever reminded each time I look at it - as to who You are in my life!

Overshadowed by His Love

Now, when the spouse was sitting down, restful and delighted, she was overshadowed.  She said, "I sat down under his shadow."  I do not know a more delightful state of mind than that of feeling overshadowed by our beloved Lord.  I was black with sin, but His precious blood overshadowed my sin and hid it forever.  My natural condition was that of an enemy to God, but He who reconciled me to God by His blood has overshadowed that also, so that I now forget that I was once an enemy in my joy of being a friend.

I am very weak, but He is strong, and His strength overshadows my feebleness.  I am very poor, but He has all the riches of the universe, and His riches overshadow my poverty.  I am most unworthy, but He is so worthy that if I use His name I will receive as much as if I were worthy.  Indeed, His worthiness overshadows my unworthiness.

It is very precious to put this truth another way and say, "If there is anything good in me, it is not good when I compare myself with Him, for His goodness quite eclipses and overshadows it."  Can I say I love Him? I do, but I hardly dare to call it love, for His love overshadows it.  Do I think that I serve Him?  I want to, but my poor service is not worth mentioning in comparison with what He has done for me.  Have I thought that I had any degree of holiness?  I must not deny what His Spirit works in me, but when I think of His immaculate life and all His divine perfections, where am I?  What am I?

Have you not sometimes felt this?  Have you not been so overshadowed by your Lord and hidden in Him that you became as nothing?  I myself know what it is to feel that if I die in a poorhouse it does not matter, as long as my Lord is glorified.  Men may slander me (Luke 6:22), if they like, but what difference does it make, since His dear name will one day be written in stars across the sky?  Let Him overshadow me; I delight thatit should be so.   Charles Spurgeon - Grace & Power - pgs 316-317.

The Holy Spirit in Action

I'm sharing with you today, because maybe my experience will encourage you to see that Jesus is always right there with you.

The truth:  Prayer is difficult for me.  I have the best intentions of being dedicated to prayer, but I always fall short.  I start out with a bang, and end in a fizzle.  I fall asleep.  I ramble.  I get discouraged by my own failure of being dedicated.

I've decided that as I go through my bible reading, I'm going to write down every Scripture that mentions prayer.  Today was my very first day putting it in to practice.

In short, I am ............ in awe (for the second time this week) of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Below is what the Holy Spirit revealed to me today in my reading (you can click on it to enlarge).  I hope you can see it well enough - and make sense enough - of my notes.

If He can do this with me - speak so strongly into my life - what is it you need Him to speak to you?  Once you ask, just listen - you'll hear that resounding answer, or that silent whisper.

.

I'm guilty, I've done it!

The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.  But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations (Psalm 33:10-11)

My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways (Isa. 55:8)

If you're anything like me at all, you've done this...............

Do you remember that time that you were being fruitful - and doing good deeds - that were born out of your love for Jesus?

Do you remember all the planning the task may have required?  Did you get caught up in the planning - and all of a sudden, your prayer time - your devotional time - your time with Jesus - was finding itself in second place?

I'm not saying doing good things are bad - I'm just saying that when we do strike out to do something big, something that requires large effort, and lots of planning - we better make sure that God asked us to do it.  Otherwise, you'll find the tables all upside down!  Besides, when God tells us what to do - it's done is HIS power, and not our own wisdom.  Things done in God's power - Pour out His glory to the world.

Believe me, I'm here to confess - I AM GUILTY!!  I am a planner.  This is something I struggle with constantly.  I'm ashamed to admit, that on more than one occassion, I've put Jesus in the backseat of my life - because of getting caught up in all my planning. 

I know, that in those times, life's struggles become more apparent - I'm out of kilter - the God shaped hole in my heart is running on empty.  I've walked away from the ONE that has His arms stretched out to me always!

I love this quote from the Experiencing God Bible Study: "Planning is a tool God may lead you to use, but it must never become a substitute for trusting Him".

My prayer for you today (and myself) - is that you always seek Him first.  That you are able to develop a heart that waits for Him to speak.  That you devote your life to a relationship with Him, so you can hear Him.  That all the things that you do, are driven by His perfect guidance, and that you join Him in His Kingdom purposes.

Love in Christ, Donna~

Do you chose to be blessed?

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fullfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.  Luke 1:45

Wow!  Have you ever had that moment?  You know........when you are reading your bible, walking in the woods, praying, listening to your minister - and it happens! You hear that soft whisper, full of love from the Lord of your life. 

In some unique way, He speaks to you in a way only He can do.  You know without doubt He has spoken a revelation into your life.

For days you walk about full of the love of Christ.  You probably share your joy with your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Your relationship with Him has crossed yet another milestone.  You have to be near Him.  You wait expectantly, for that moment in which what He spoke to you, becomes fruitful in your life.

Time begins to pass. What seems like forever to you - - comes around the corner.  Have you let go of what He spoke into your life?  Are you still holding on?  Are you still filled with joy and drawing ever near to Him - or has life gotten in the way, and taken you away from your first love?

Chose to be a Mary today!  Chose to blessed by Your Creator!  Who wouldn't want that?

Hold fast and believe that there will be fullfillment, of what you know God has spoken to you!  Draw near to Him!  Let Him love you!

Don't let the world take away from you, your divine moment with the Lord!  His timing is always best!  His ways are not our ways!  Rest in His peace.

Are you anything like me?

Does the Holy Spirit ever reveal something to you, and you struggle to believe it's possible?

Well if you do, you're not the only one!  I've had my struggles with belief - and so have people in the bible.

Zechariah struggled with believing his wife Elizabeth, would have a child in her old age, even though he was being spoken to by the angel Gabriel.

Thomas struggled with believing he was looking at the resurrected Christ.

The list goes on.

But when the angel of the Lord came to Mary, to tell her that she would birth a child, who would be the Son of God, she believed.

What helps one believe and not another?  I don't know all the answers.  The one thing I do know, is that for me to believe in, to trust in another person, I have to spend time with them.  I need to get to know their character.

I do believe that to come to a place, where you trust God. You need to get to know Him.  How do you do that, you may ask.  Well it starts with reading your Bible.  To read for yourself, how God has been at work since the creation.

Luke 1:37 says:  For nothing is impossible for God.

So won't you challenge yourself today, to get to know the things of God?  Search and see that all things are possible for Him. Even that thing that has been revealed to you, that in your minds eye seems impossible.

You are Imperishable!

When we were born, our parents determined who we are genetically.  On this day, as we celebrate Mother's Day - we also recognize how much our Mother's speak into our lives.  How they model for us, what the love of Christ is.  She points us to the cross for hope and victory.  She imparts on us wisdom, and the meaning of good choices.  She shows us what love and forgiveness mean.  She lays the ground work, for us to accept the love of Christ into our lives.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, you are a child of God.  1 Peter 1:22-23 says:

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.  For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

You see, the genetics we get from our parents are fleeting.  We are from dust, we will return to dust, but the DNA we get from being alive in Christ is imperishable!  The seed that Christ places in your heart, is a seed that has eternal growth.

The seeds of the earth are cared for with rain and sunshine, pruning and weeding.

The imperishable seed you have is watered with mercy - He shines His grace into your life - you are pruned and weeded with life's circumstances and challenges - which produce in you good character, and a life that is filled with His spirit, which produces good deeds and fruit.

Today, as I give thanks for the Mother I have - I lift my face to heaven, give thanks for the SONshine I have in my life, and I give thanks for the imperishable seed that is taking eternal root in my heart and soul.

Happy Mother's Day to all you special women!

Pressing on......

The Holy Spirit is really showing me, that I need to PRESS ON!!!

Phillipians 3:12 says:  Not that I have already attained all of this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ took hold of me.

Why did Jesus take hold of me?  Well there are a host of reasons - not the least of which is to redeem me to God the Father.

But today, I want to talk about the fact that He took hold of me so that I could live in VICTORY!

I need to re-train my mind, in order to press on.  I too often get caught up thinking about the past and my failures.  Worrying about the future.  Dwelling on my weaknesses.  Fill in the blank _____________

That is NOT why Christ layed hold of me!

I purpose to set my mind on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - I will think on such things!

Christ lives in me!  Not the evil one - he may mess with my mind - but I don't have to accept his impressions of who I am, or where my life is going! 

God has a plan for my life!  He will prosper me!  He gives me HOPE - He has my future in the palm of His hand!

My friend - He wants to be your REDEEMER as well!  Your VICTORY!  He loves you and your name is written on the palm of His hand, if you have asked Him in to your heart.  Walk in His glory today....knowing you are PRESSING ON~

CONGRATULATIONS LIFT!

Well Ladies! You did it! You made it through 13 weeks with me and Beth!  You all have challenged me, inspired me, and filled me with joy!

My prayer for you, is that you take all you have learned about the fruit of the Spirit, and apply it to your daily walk with the Lord.

Peace be with you my friends!

Your humble L.I.F.T (Ladies in Fellowship Together) Leader~

I Found My Wall!

Beth Moore is teaching me a thing or two about my sanity this week!

Isaiah 58:12

And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.

In ancient times the thick walls that surrounded Jerusalem, were for the protection of the city.  They set a firm boundary. When the walls came tumbling down, in came the destruction of the city.

Christ lives in me, but self control is my wall, it's my boundary of safety. In Him, I have the victory to overcome all things.  But, the enemy is always lurking about, seeking to devour me.  He knows my weaknesses better than I do.  When he sees an opportunity to pounce, and try to destroy my relationship with the Lord - you can be sure he is ready and waiting, to do all the damage he can.

This past week, I temporarily lost my grip on self-control.  I let doubt and frustration crumble my wall!

Isn't God's timing always perfect?  (even though I embarassingly admit, I'm not always good at waiting). Could there have been any other Scripture more powerful for me to read today?  Praise God!! that He is the repairer of my breach in self-control!  Praise God!! That He encourages me to know, that in my obedience to Him, and all that He teaches me, the foundations of many generations will be raised up.

Oh yes!  I've made my mistakes, but what joy there is to know, that in Christ, all things about me are new!

This is a new moment in my life.  Against all odds I chose to hold fast to what I know God has revealed to me.  Even when the world tells me NO - He has told me YES!

Sing praises to the Lord, O you His saints

Isn't it wonderful to have saints in your life?  Those sisters who live out the life of faith - where would one be without them.  Oh, how I acknowledge that they are the divine intervention of God in my life.

God's encouragement and blessing comes in so many different ways.  Though I may feel so very lost and inept in my relationship with him at times - He never fails to be my compass in times of trouble.

While sorrows always come, it's a blessing to know joy comes in the morning!

Psalm 30
 ¹ I will exalt you, O LORD,
       for you lifted me out of the depths
       and did not let my enemies gloat over me.  ² O LORD my God, I called to you for help
       and you healed me.
 ³ O LORD, you brought me up from the grave ^[b] ;
       you spared me from going down into the pit.
 ⁴ Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
       praise his holy name.
 ⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment,
       but his favor lasts a lifetime;
       weeping may remain for a night,
       but rejoicing comes in the morning.
 ⁶ When I felt secure, I said,
       "I will never be shaken."
 ⁷ O LORD, when you favored me,
       you made my mountain ^[c] stand firm;
       but when you hid your face,
       I was dismayed.
 ⁸ To you, O LORD, I called;
       to the Lord I cried for mercy:
 ⁹ "What gain is there in my destruction, ^[d]
       in my going down into the pit?
       Will the dust praise you?
       Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
 ¹⁰ Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
       O LORD, be my help."
 ¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
       you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
 ¹² that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
       O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

And the walls come tumbling down.....

Well, I'm very sure this post is not going to be what you expected.

Certifications complete, hours and hours of classroom time put in, TB Tests done, Fingerprinting done, background checks done, applications, autobiography's - repetitive coaching to get your car seat, crib - and line up daycare........and then it happens!

You get the big phone call - - filled with excitement - it's time to make the appointment for your Home Study!

What started as a trepidous journey, began with an uncertain excitement, but as time went on, that excitement grew to an overwhelming joy - - you finally begin to let yourself believe - THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN!

What you didn't know - and what was not communicated to you in anyway, was that the appointment you set wasn't an appointment for your home study - you were about to be told: 

"You aren't a good fit for adoption".

I don't even think I can explain my feelings at that particular moment.  It felt as if the air had been sucked out of the room and no one noticed it, but me.  I can't speak to how my husband felt.  But I can tell you that I was in such shock, I could feel nothing but this eerie, stable,  calmness.  I walked out of the room at the end of the meeting, feeling amazingly well.  God is in control of my life, right?  If He chose to close this door in my life, that was His all powerful right, as The One who has authority over my life.  I'm still ok, with that part of this chapter in my life.

It was what I now refer to, as the calm before the tumultuous storm of emotion and thought.

My first thought was - WHY?  Why not - have an in depth interview with us from the very beginning - BEFORE all the investment of heart, resources and emotion?  Why, when we made our lives an open book, were we never pulled aside about any perceived red flags? 

The biggest problem for me:

How can I ever believe again, that I have heard from God? 

I prayed before I ever started this journey.  During my prayer time, I was so sure I heard this word from God: 

Proverbs 11:14  Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. 

As a Christian woman, and adopting from the state of Texas, I really needed to know, this was God's will for our lives.  I know God's Word says we are to care for the widow and the orphan.  Can you ever be wrong, trying to live that out in your life?  But as I said, I needed peace from God in this journey.  There was my marriage to consider.  The marriage comes first and foremost.

In reading the Proverbs Scripture, I felt God was approving and encouraging me.  Who better to counsel a lost child, and raise them to fullness in Him, than parents who have THE COUNSELOR inside of them.  The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ to give us life, to give us safety.  This child I had prayed for would not fall, he/she would have guidance, and an abundance of counselors within our church family.

I have three grown children I love immensely.  I do count my blessings, that this loss isn't the same as that of a woman who has had no children.  It is a mourning of a different kind.

In closing.......right now - all I can say is my heart is broken - my self-esteem has been crushed - and I can't even label why.  For the first time in many, many years - I feel depressed.  The wall of redemption and confidence, that has been built up in my life over the last 10 years, feels like it has all come tumbling down.

It feels like a slow moving roller coaster.....

I remember years back, having really unbalanced emotions.  Now that I am a much healthier person, I realize emotions can be healthy too.  Just because I'm in a better place in life, doesn't mean all of my emotional waves get tucked in a box, and left in the closet.  They travel with me, wherever I go.

The adoption process is living proof they are still traveling!  I have moments of joy while I am nesting, praying for our child, and see glimpses of the future getting ever nearer.

There are also moments where I come down off my cloud of optimism, to be faced with reality.

The reality is for the next coming year or two - maybe longer depending on what God's plan is....My life and my home will be under the close scrunity of the State of Texas.

I will be faced with moments such as these:  "The chip clip you have on your doritos isn't acceptable, it's open food, it must be contained in a plastic container" - - "The room may look vibrant and pleasing for the child, but you can't have those bumper pads on the crib" - - "Sorry, a high shelf isn't acceptable for your medications, they must all be locked in a box with a key - oh, sorry, I know your baby is only 3 months old - but......it's the rules".

When I ponder on these moments - I run to big Daddy God and pour out my heart to Him - pleading that He prepare me for what is about to come.

Where most days I am on the that slow steady climb to the top of the next hill in the roller coaster - and feel filled with excitement and joy - - today, I'm sliding downward a little.  But, this too shall pass and I'm blessed that I have the opportunity to kneel before my Lord and have Him build up my character in all circumstances.

Budget Shopping for my Future Child

Below are some pictures of the items I purchased on my weekend shopping spree.

This is a Graco Pack N Play that I scored for $40.00.  It is in perfect condition!

Walker $15.00

EvenFlow Stroller w/Shock absorbers - cup holders, diaper wipes holder, under carriage storage - lays out flat, canopy - over all excellent stroller - Cost you may ask?  $30!!!!!

Mobile $2

Playmat - musical, the little attachments twirl around - $5

Various clothing - most items a quarter, some 50 cents, a few $1 items - and the last item the really plush huggie coat with the split for the car seat $3.

I must tell you - it is a great feeling knowing I am being a good steward of my money, while all the while proactively providing for the gift God is going to place in our home.  Lord, THANK YOU for your provision!

Beautiful Breezy Sunday - Lots of "Think" time

Today I'm going to share a struggle that I have about adoption.  Well, maybe more than one.  I'm sure as the process moves along, my struggles will change as well.

When undertaking such a monumental responsiblity, there is nothing more important than knowing this is God's plan for our lives.  I'm working through the bible study "Experiencing God".  The one thing I don't want to do is strike out on something I want to do - then hope God will bless my efforts.  I need to know that this is God's plan - and I am being obedient to the call.

In the study, it talks about seeing God at work around you, and joining Him where He is.  In joining Him where He is already at work, you are always in His will.

I finished the book we were given yesterday at our most recent CE class.  Fields of the Fatherless by C. Thomas Davis.  Very insightful reading, in to what the fatherless people of today look like, and what God thinks about it.  It sites many Scriptures revealing God's heart for the orphan, the widow and the poor.

It was encouraging to my heart to see how God has commanded us to reach out of our comfort zone and engage in making a difference and to show compassion.  If it is His command to reach out to the orphaned.  Then I can rest in knowing our adoption is in His will.

Below are a few comments from the book:

There you have it.  The definition of compassion is about involvement.  To be compassionate means to get out of the boat of our current circumstances and get into the boats of those who are suffering.  We are called to bear the burdens of those who are in need of our companionship - to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15).  It's not exactly a popular message.


There's a common, very human reason for our resistance.  You see, the reason we don't help the beggar on the road, or the single mother we know is working herself to death, is the same reason we won't help the orphan dying on the other side of the world.  We flee from the need in front of us because of our ancient, ruthless foe, fear.


.......the fear of our lives being rudely interrupted enters into the equation of our attempts to help.


We overcome our fear when we refuse to give the enemy a foothold, and we refuse to respond to the fear.

So in closing today - I am thankful that God put this book in my hands.  By chosing to adopt, we ARE joining God in His work.  Fear is a normal reaction to our circumstances - however, we choose not to be paralyzed by it.  The best thing of all is that by being obedient to God's command to care for the orphaned, and relying on Him for all our needs - HE is the one that gets the GLORY - we are but vessels.

Holy Spirit, please cover the heart of the child you are bringing to our lives with resilience.  Grow our hearts with Your love so that we may be vessels of healing.  Amen.

Continuing Education of the Adoption Process

Well my previous update talked about the word "nurture". In really thinking about the word, I must be honest, I realized how deficient my nurturing skills were with my three grown children. The bad thing is, you can't go back and do it all over again. The good thing is, God gives wisdom. Nurturing can and does extend to even our grown children. I'm so thankful we have a God of redemption and forgiveness.

Today, we had two more continuing education classes for our adoption process:

1. SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Early Childhood Brain Development, Health & Safety Issues.
2. Transportatin Safety for Children Training

I won't go in to all the details, but I can tell you this - if you are going to be a parent, or if you are a new parent - INVEST YOUR TIME IN PARENTING CLASSES! Don't make the mistake of thinking it's all about on the job training! Education is PREVENTION! Things you'd never think of in everyday life are brought to your attention. It's amazing what I am learning, and I've raised (realizing now, how by the grace of God that really was) 3 grown children - and have been introduced to ideas, even now, I've never thought of.

NEWSFLASH!!!!!! BIG OLE WIVES TALE!!!!!!! DO NOT LET YOUR BABY SLEEP ON IT'S STOMACH - learn this motto - FRONT TO PLAY, BACK TO SLEEP! The statistics on SIDS are staggering - oh, your child won't suffocate on it's own spit up, another wives tale!

Have a plan for frustration when you bring your baby home! Oh, there WILL be days/nights they have fits of uncontrollable screaming that would even make a saint go nuts! Who are you going to call, to give you a break from the blood curdling, hours long screaming? A ten minute break can give you a fresh and softened heart to endure the situation.

WOW, cannot begin to tell you how much we learned about car seat safety! Heck, I thought - buy the car seat, pop it in - and wa la! We are good to go! Boy was I mistaken! What kind of car seat do you need, how is each one supposed to be installed, when to move shoulder straps, where to put it in the car, stress fractures, it goes on and on - If you want to know where you can go, to get your installed safety seat looked at and certified - check out http://www.safekidsgreaterhouston.org/ - for a location you can go to, just to make SURE your child is as safe as they can be.

When we left class today, we were given a wonderful book: Fields of the Fatherless by C. Thomas Davis. I'm almost through with it and plan to give my blog rating to the book tomorrow.....until then - if you are in Houston, enjoy this fantastic weather and be blessed!

Adoption, Day 1 of my story

Adoption.

The word brings about many thoughts and emotions, depending which side of the process you may be on. Today I'm going to share some of my thoughts, from my perspective.

We (David & Donna) are on the side of seeking God to bless us with a child.

David and I have been married 4 years today! David has no children, I have three grown children. Adoption???? What MUST I be thinking! I've done this all before - I know the CHALLENGES!! The nights with no sleep - the screaming ear infections - the teething that can make it seem like you have a fitful alien in your arms, rather than that loving, cooing, soft human being you love to bath, then sink your nose into - taking in the scent of precious life. Ah, then they get older, get a sense of independence, and start to let you know who they think the boss is.......need I say more?

But oh how precious the gift - when God is in the middle of you and your children - and you experience the the wholeness of what motherhood really is about - the relationship of serving, loving, extending patience and mercy - teaching them how to make choices - watching them grow in to maturity - then experiencing the day when they are adults - and you see that all those things you thought you did wrong - are still in God's hands!

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to do it all over again.

Hopefully, with more wisdom than I had the first time.

We need that extra wisdom. David and I have opted to adopt from our states Child Protective Services. There will be challenges.

But, with God, all things are possible. He is Great and Mighty to save! He is the healer of all hurts! It is going to be a privilige and an honor to bring a child in to our home. One that God alone knows we can nourish. What an enriching word "nourish" is - it just dawned on me how deep it is.......

1. to sustain with food or nutriment (I'd personally add to sustain with Spiritual food as well)
2. to cherish, foster, keep alive
3. to strengthen, build up, or promote

Wow, this word touches my heart. Isn't this a precious picture of what our Father does for us? Is it not an amazing blessing to have the opportunity to be a vessel of God?- to nourish a hurting child.....I'll have to stop here today - I'm speechless and humbled. More tomorrow.