Kings & Queens

I use to be an avid reader.  These days it seems all I read are facebook statuses and lots of blogs.  But most recently I actually finished a book that has been on my sidetable for at least a year.  I read MaryBeth Chapman's "Choosing to SEE".  I do recommend it, but be ready for laughter and tears.  She wrote some funny stuff and then some gut wrenching "Why God?" stuff.  I believe the overall theme is "Trust God" especially when your plans are not going exactly as you planned.  Appropriate for us, huh?

Then I started Kisses from Katie.  Ugh!  I only have read 3 chapters and boy I can't believe a 22 year old single college girl can convict me so much.  But the night that I read quite a bit I was out of town and could NOT sleep.  For the first time, I had a different longing for my girl.  It was a "Please, she needs to be home now" kind of a feeling, more than our normal, "Please, I want her home now." 

We are getting closer.  I know it.  I know that God is fighting for us and her.  And Ethiopia.  And ALL His people all over the world.  I fear that at times my friends our sick of me and our continual, not-ending-anytime-soon story.  I do believe we are more than this adoption....But sometimes as I shared recently it is SO hard to not just be about the adoption.  All the time.  After 19 months waiting and a 6 month paper chase, it is like I have almost been "pregnant" 3 times as long.  When you are in your final semester and you feel huge and can't eat very much and can't sleep well, it is hard to forget you are pregnant and it is hard not to think about it.  So it is for us as well and yet at this point, my due date has changed drastically---actually I really don't have a due date yet. Anyways, every song on the radio, every sermon my pastor preaches, every blog and book I read now just points to our journey in a blaring way. 

And yet I am continuing to learn.  I'm not sure I can articulate all that God is teaching me.  I know I am memorizing more of His word (although that may be due to Eden's Bible Bowl as well).  I know I am learning what faith means and trust.  And spiritual warfare.  And the all encompassing love the Father has for me. 

                   "How great is the Love the Father has lavished on us, that we should
                         be called children of God.  And that is what we are!"  1 John 3:1

Disclaimer:  I sat on this for 24 hours letting it settle and planning on publishing this post on our 19 month waitiversary (tomorrow).  And then God had me chewing on something for a bit today.  IT IS ALL ABOUT ADOPTION.  Not our particular adoption, or all of our friends adoptions, but THE adoption we all recieve into Christ's family.

              ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 
Ephesians 1: 3-10

  It has been about adoption since the beginning of time.  He loved us that much he knew he wanted to adopt each and every one of us.  He came down and loved "the least of these" which was me--- and dear friend which was you so that we could become Kings & Queens.  So with that in mind, I am sure you have heard the song.....but if you have not watched the video PLEASE do so HERE. 



Melkam Genna! (+ 18 months waiting)

 

Well a year and a half on our agency's waitlist.  It was 2 years ago on Jan 3rd that we sent our application and started this process officially.  And it has been 18 months since we've just been waiting.  About 12 more months than we ever imagined.  8 months at that time was a decent wait.  But none the less, we will continue to wait until God puts her in our lap and we see her face for the first time.

We are getting closer and that gives us lots of HOPE.  We got Chloe a bunch of Christmas ornaments and hair bows this year to let her know we were thinking of her at Christmas.  Today (our 18 month mark) is actually Christmas in Ethiopia (Melkam Genna!).  Such a rich history of Christianity in Ethiopia.  Legend has it that King Balthazar was from Ethiopia and was one of the magi who presented frankinscence to our Lord when they came to worship the newborn King.  I keep learning bits here and there about this wonderful land that we already love and that will be a part of us forever.  Every family that travels comes home with a deep love and appreciation for Ethiopia's people and culture.  I can't wait to have our turn!

So unofficially we are #

 



Please pray that we can move to the teens soon.  Or for there to be the perfect toddler girl for us.  Although there is quite a wait for girls in front of us, I am not sure about the ages that they are requesting.  We could be #5 for a 2-3 year old girl. I do know someone who received their referral at 19!!!  Others have received them in the 20's and even low 30's. 

Anyways, even though I get down a bit---I have been so blessed with words of hope and encouragement this past month, especially at Christmas and from our pastor.  I know God's timing is perfect and I will rest in that.  But continue to pray, because I do believe in miracles.  I have faith that we will meet her sooner than later!  Our kids are so ready to meet their sister.

25 Days of My Favorite Christmas Music - Day 5-8

Hey y'all,
I got a little busy things to do and things on my mind.  I will catch you up in short order.  First....

DAY 5
After thinking through Christmas music for this blog, I keep coming across a couple of songs that I really DON'T like.  I'm sorry if you do, I'm sure there are song I like that you do not.  But I have to say...
The Little Drummer Boy
1.  It's boring
2.  The story takes too long
3.  The Ox and Lamb kept time?!?

Following closely to Little Drummer Boy is Do You Hear What I Hear.  I could tell you why I don't like it but I will let Tim Hawkins bring out why this song is whacky.

Okay, back to songs I like....

DAY 6
When I was in college I had the privilege to sing this song with a dear friend.  It was a great memory.  I like songs from the perspective of Joseph.  A classic

DAY 7

Unlike anything posted thus far, this next song is one of my favorites for sure!  Everyone likes Away In A Manger as it conjures images of kids singing in church Christmas programs.  My favorite version of this song is with another tune written by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895.  I like this tune best.

DAY 8
A Christmas music MUST is the entire soundtrack to It's Christmas Charlie Brown.  I love this show and it's simple truths.  Linus tells us the true meaning of Christmas when everyone else is concerned with the play, finding the right tree, and decorating dog houses.  The music of all the Charlie Brown episodes a favorites of mine.  Much of the music is by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.  ENJOY!  

There you have it! Day 5-8!

25 Day of My Favorite Christmas Music - Day 4

Growing up just 45 minutes from this artist's  birthplace of Tupelo, MS, how can this not be a favorite song of mine?!?  This is one of the songs that while it's content screams sadness and melancholy, it is part of the sounds of Christmas that makes me smile.  We played the whole Christmas album (yes, I said album...a record player was last year's Christmas present to myself) while putting up the tree this year.  The kids love it.  I think Amber tolerates it.  :)  There are a TON of different versions, some pretty good, but nothing beats the original.  Have fun singing along with the backup singers...you know you want to.   Don't be surprised to see Elvis again in the coming days (on the list of my favorite songs that is...not that you will see him alive....he is not).

25 Days of My Favorite Christmas Music - Day 3

Okay, so I started my list with some serious songs that had thought provoking (hopefully they provoked thought) reasons as to why they are favorites of mine.  Today, let me swing the pendulum the other way. 

Sometimes you like a song, not necessarily for the content of lyrics or the thought behind the song, but just how it makes you feel while listening.  This song, while it does have great content, just makes me happy. I could put this song on repeat and just listen over and over and over again.  It's just fun.  My head starts bopping, I play a mean air piano, and dream of being the lead singer on stage with a band that sounds like these bands sound. (Some guys dream of being in the world series or NBA finals, I dream of this stuff) I have two versions of it.  I think the Harry Connick Jr.  version is my favorite but the Dave Barnes version is quite good too.