themoodyblogger

We have been in a process of cleaning out before the boys get here. I am finding pictures of D when he was little, pictures of Bill and me when we were first married, little notes, craft projects, etc. Reminiscing is fun. It can also be sad.

I can never go back. The baby D is gone. The toddler D is gone. The younger me is gone. Poof. But do I really want to go back there? Sometimes I think I do, but I really don’t. My relationship with Jesus was nowhere near as vibrant then as it is today. Going back would mean sacrificing that.

I think about my sweet D. How these boys coming are going to turn his life upside down.  But isn’t our faith like that? Upside down? Less is more. Least is greatest. Empty is full. Death is life. Sometimes turning your life upside down is exactly what Jesus wants you to do.

I cannot hold so tightly to our past that I do not embrace God’s present. I cannot hold so tightly to our past that I do not move into God’s future. The best is yet to come!

Love, Lori

1 Corinthians 1:23 NLT So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

Matthew 20:16 ESV “So the last will be first, and the first last.”

First things first. We have our LOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the document we have been waiting for. Once we sign this document and get it back to China, we will be issued our travel approval. The estimated time until we travel is 5-8 weeks. “A” will turn 2 on September 23, 5 weeks from tomorrow.

It is amazing to look back and see God at work through this process. He has taken care of so many details . Details that you would not think the Almighty would deem important. He does so because He loves us. Oh, how He loves us. There is nothing too small or too big for Him to handle.

Right now, my family is in a process of transition. We have been in this process, but now it is really ramping up. D just started First Grade. I just started a full-time position with a local nursing home. My hubby broke his toe last night and has to have a pin put in it tomorrow. No Tae Kwon Do for a month (his black belt test was supposed to be Saturday). Thought I would throw that in there, because he is really bummed. Most of all, in less than two months, we will go from a 3 person family to a 5 person family. Overnight.

Over the last few months, we have slowly let go of some of our responsibilities. However, it seems we are busier than ever! That has to change. Family time. That is what we are after. Time to be together before the boys get here. Time to process. Time to prepare. Time to pack!!!! Our hearts are yearning for these boys. We have to continue to be intentional about our time with our Lord. Time to pray. Time to study. Time to lean in close. Time to fight. Who you ask? Satan.

Satan hates this. He will attack. Please pray for us.

Love,

Lori

1 Corinthians 2:9  NLT “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

At the recommendation of a friend, I am reading a book by Ann Voskamp. It is called One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. On the surface, it sounds like another feel good book. It is not. The first chapter had me in tears and raw.

Ann says, we “enter the world like every person born enters the world: with clenched fists”. I read that line two weeks ago. I cannot seem to get it out of my head. God has so many blessings for me. I am so ungrateful. I clinch my fists and stomp my feet. “Not your way God. I want it my way!”

Last week, I was reading Steven Furtick’s blog. His topic was also about being thankful. He says before we ever say please, we should say thank you. Backwards from the way we teach our children.

When I thank God for a messy house, I accept my house (and the people/animals living in it) as gifts He has given me. When I thank God for my infertility, I accept my sons D, E, and Z as my gifts. When I thank God for this wait we are going through, I accept this time as a gift to be cherished. He has so many gifts for me, I just have to open my hands and take them. Not living life with clenched fists, but with open hands.

Jesus broke bread and gave thanks the night before He was to die. The biggest, most awesome gift we have ever been given. The miracle of all miracles. Jesus gave thanks beforehand. We must give thanks, before miracles can happen in us and through us.

On my list of gifts:

1. The feel of a jellyfish.
2. Cool sand.
3. The smell of ripe peaches.
4. The taste of a orange mango smoothie (that I had wanted to be strawberry).
5. Tearful prayers.
6. A loving God.
7. Miracles.

What are you thankful for?

Psalm 100:4 (ESV) Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

James 1:17 (ESV) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Matthew 7:11 (ESV) If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will you Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!