"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!”
1 Samuel 12:16
Standing Still? Well, it has been a while since I have posted. Much has gone on in the last couple of months.
On May 18th we became very proud grandparents of an 8lb 12oz baby girl. Claire was born at 6:24 a.m. And her name is Claire Isabell. She is beautiful and healthy. Ashley had 14 hours of hard labor and ended up having to have an emergency c-section. When she was ready to deliver it turned out that Claire was breach, a BIG surprise to everyone. A full breach at that!!!! Ashley was a real champ and is recoverying well! We thinkg that Claire is absolutely beautiful and perfect. Truly every good and perfect gift does come from above.
The girls in the family are all very happy with our newest addition. Here is the "Princess" crowd. I'm taking the picture!
June is prom again. It is official that our son is Prom King. Every year he is always taking someone to prom who just needs a date. He loves to dance and is our social one.
June turned out to be a busy month for us. Every year we get a chance to go to Newport Beach with the family. It is very low key and a time to refresh and really just take a break. We had true June gloom when we went, but it is so beautiful there we had a great time just relaxing!
In June we also had our annual AWAA picnic. We have such a wonderful group of friends. The beauty with the long wait has been that we have made some good friends while we are all in this process. In our group people are waiting for children in China and El Salvador. The adoption process can be very stressful and it truly has been a blessing to be with others who are standing with and next to you. God's ways surely are not our ways as He increases our extended family.
Well in June I accidently caught our stove top on fire and as a result the stove top is finished and the small repair has turned into a full kitchen remodel. This was an unexpected surprise. Honestly, we would have never done the remodel had it not been for the fire. We have had this kitchen for 17 years and truly it is time to update and replace what we have. All things are in God's perfect timing. I am learning one way or another His will will be done!
Now a small update about adoption: We have now been logged in over 8 months. Honestly the time as flown as well as it seems we have been waiting forever. Referrels just came yesterday. I always love referrel day as it truly is a celebration of the new birth in a new family. So many lives will be changed forever as a result of adoption.
I am guessing that we won't be going to get Katherine for quit a while. I will not venture a guess as so many things change in the IA world. I do know that there is much work to be done now and with our growing family it is just as important to spend time with them as the new life we are waiting for. All things and plans are in God's hands and IA is one of those things that is completely out of our hands. We must stand still and wait for the Lord to do as He so pleases.
April 23-25
AWAA has asked families and those who have a heart for orphans to join in a fast with them.
"Just as Esther and the Jewish people prayed and fasted and had a ruling overturned, our prayer is that the policies preventing orphans from entering families will be changed (Esther 8:5-8).
Another passage that has been an encouragement to our agency is from the prophet Isaiah—showing us the hope that God can do new things—and providing a way through terrain that seems impossible:
"This is what the LORD says—He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters… See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." -Isaiah 43:16 & 19"
I am so greatful to have an agency that calls us to pray. The fast was a great experience for me and very meaning. This journey to Katherine has been wonderful. I feel so close to God's heart as we wait for her.
Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Well it has been quit a long process already. We were in the paperchase for 6 months and have been in the waiting period now for almost 5 months.
So much has already happened in ths year. What a busy year. Gracie is just adjusting beautifully. She is doing so well now. We are sure that she is now able to make the big trip to get her sister in China. Deborah is getting so big. She looks like a big girl and has been such an easy child.
During this wait we found out that we were going to be grandparents. Our grand daugther is due May 10th. It was a surprise. We trust that God is in control of all things and that His plans are higher than ours.
The wait this time has not been as difficult as the first one, even though at this point it will be significantly longer. The house is very busy and there is much to do and much to prepare for. I guess the Lord knows exactly what I need as we wait.
During the wait, Jeff has been diligently working on developing an orphan ministry at our church. We had our first kick off on March 2nd. He and several other families have been working on this for over a year. Jeff feels a calling to help orphans get placed into homes. By God's grace we will get to be a part of God's heart in this area of His work.
Now it's off to do the work laid before us.
Blessed mom of 4 soon to be 5 and soon to be grandma to 1. And wife to the best husband!
Mom
