{Day 5} You Are I Am--- MercyMe

31 Days of Songs that Speak to Me {Day 4}...

31 Days of Songs that Speak to Me.....

Well I remember doing 31 Days of Discipline last year and by golly it was hard.  :)  Who wants to be so disciplined to blog 31 days in a row?  But anyhoo, I have seen that October is the annual 31 Days series for many people and even though I am a few posts behind, I thought I would join in on the fun {again}.  For those of you that know me & my hubby---he is the music guy.  He leads worship at our church, he sang to me at our wedding, he loves trying to talk to me about music and stuff I don't quite understand.  But he isn't the only person who enjoys music in this house.  (Had I not liked music at all, I am not sure we would have been compatible).  And our dear daughter Eden can be found listening to Christian music for hours on end in her room by herself (she's a daddy's girl for sure!)  But lately, and especially while I run, I clearly see God speaking to me through music---mostly the wonderful lyrics of encouragement I hear while we are in this season of stretching and waiting......So I thought I would give 31 Days (-3) or perhaps my 31 Days will spillover into Thanksgiving. 

The new song I heard tonight for the first time while running was Mark Schultz's "All Things Are Possible".......what a testimony.  I ESPECIALLY loved the bridge:

 

My God is Strong and Mighty.
My God is Faithful.
My Hope is in the Lord,
For He is Able!

What a perfect motto to keep repeating over and over and over again.  In my worship, in my prayers, and in my heart.  I know it to be true, but the song echoes how we sometimes are weak and forget, yet He is faithful!  Enjoy!

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What is even cooler is to hear the story behind the song.  Go here for that.  I am not going to lie, probably 30/31 songs that speak to me right now concern God's faithfulness, adoption, going through a hard time/wait, etc.  Just keeping it real! 

{inspiration/creator of the 31 Days phenomenon is The Nester} 

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First Week of School.......

So the last 20 out of 23 posts in the last 11 months have been related to our adoption.  Strickland Sentiments (the blog) has been around 2+ years before we ever announced God's plan for us to adopt.  I just realized I am letting this be only about that....when there is so much more in my life, in my other three blessings lives, and what God is teaching me and showing me.  I should focus more of my attention on that and then perhaps the waiting won't be so hard.  (As if you believed I couldn't talk about it at all!)

Anyways, Tuesday was a first for me.  Since I have been a mom (9+ years ago), I have either been working or being a mom full time.  Yesterday all 3 of my kiddos went to school (Pre-K, 1st, &amp; 4th) at the same time for the first time (of course Pre-K is only 3 hours, but none the less) and I didn't have specific obligations/work.  I know that I have a lot on my plate coming up---MOPS, half marathon, Hannah's Refuge fundraiser, substitute teaching, volunteering at the school, etc.)  but for this week, I am just a stay at home mom wondering what to do when no one is asking me a million questions or telling me what to do.  Please don't get me wrong.  I have A BILLION things I need to do.  My house is not clean.  My files are not organized.  My work is not done.  And yet I kind of acted "lost" today and still just kind of wasted my time online (surprise, surprise).

So please pray that I adjust to a routine of being without my kiddos in the mornings and use the time to be productive and God honoring (which probably means more Bible reading/reading and less facebooking).  My procrastination characteristic hasn't changed.....so I am sure to start al of this "productiveness" next week.  Thanks for listening!



Chris praying for our kid's day and year....I am so grateful he is such a
 helper with our kids in the mornings and a part of their daily routine.

 

 So I got them each in a "traditional" front porch shot and a different pose that shows off a bit more of their personality. I love my kids!  And so far they are loving school!
                                    

Am I blessed or what???  :) 

13 month Waitiversary & a "little" encouragement

Today (even though there are only 30 min left in the day) marks our 13 month wait to meet our daughter.  It is getting tough to be patient.  It is getting tough to remain unobsessed with other's stories and trusting our own path (or God's path?).  SO.......

Meet Bek. 

Bek is our friends Jen & Trevor's son.  We met Bek for the first time at Christmas 2011 only it was via a photo.  Since then we have prayed and waited and wished and prayed some more to get this boy home to his forever family.  He became a dual citizen on July 2, 2012 and one month later we finally met him face to face.  You can read about Bek and his siblings at my friend's blog: Team Chase: 5 and Counting {our blessings}.

Why I am I sharing this?  Because meeting Bek gives me encouragement.  Although my friends did not wait as long as we have on the "wait list" to see his face for the first time......it was long for them.  They have their own story, and it has many ups and downs, including a long 8 month wait from referral to home.  But I know the Chase's believe with every fiber of their being that he was worth the wait.

Chloe IS too.

Please pray for steady movement.  For referrals, for those in the middle of the process, for Ethiopia, and for our sweet Chloe wherever she is.