Thursday, October 23, 2008

Less than two weeks away...

Less than two weeks away...we will be on a plane to CHINA!! AAAAAAHHHHHHH! Need I say more? Only 18 days until we meet Lydia for the first time! After almost 4 years of the adoption process...it is so good to be able to say days......

Since I am currently unemployed outside the home, I have had time to get things ready prior to us leaving. Let me tell you, there is a lot more to do than most think! I am also a list maker and I have had to be cut off from adding more items to it. I know that I will not get everything done..and that is okay.

*Thanks to all who are making our transition to a family of 3 easier than what we expected. May God bless you for being so generous with your time and talents!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We covet them for the weeks ahead...

Highlights from Baby Shower #2

This gift was so big that I needed some help from my friends!

A lady from our church made Lydia's baptismal gown. Yea, there were tears!

Barb giving a devotional..some words of encouragement from God's Word.
(TRUST THE LORD!)

Anna testing out the rattle!

Chloe smiling pretty for the camera.

I just love the Murray family! So glad they were there.

Yummy food!

Precious gifts.

What a beautiful baby shower cake!
What else can I say...thank you so much for everything.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Lydia is 18 months today!!

Momma and BaBa love you very much! We are only weeks away from meeting her for the first time! We found out today that we will meet her on November 10th in Nanning, China!

We are excited beyond words!

All praise to our God!

Lessons I learned from a furnace.....

Oh, the joys of owning a home! I for one am so glad we bought our house almost 2 years ago. With the adoption process, we were putting things on hold. When we figured out that our adoption process wasn't going to be completed soon as we thought, we bought our first home.

2 weeks ago, our furnace stopped working. We shuttered to think how much this would cost us. What timing....well, we were resolved not to stress out about it and knew that God was in control of all things and was working for our good.

Well, a dear friend came and looked at it. The next day, he put the part in and it was fixed.

When I asked what the damage was..he said.."no charge." I then proceeded to tell him.."A laborer is worthy of his wages.." He said, "I knew you were going to say that." "Have a seat.." he said. So, I sat...I told him that I would feel so badly if he wouldn't allow me to pay him. He said, "Here is the reason why we are not going to charge you...(he looked around) we love you guys...consider it a contribution to the keep-Lydia-warm-fund." I really didn't know what to say. I kept going on about how I needed to pay him..but he was pretty firm on his answer.

He left...and later that night as I was lying in bed..I began to think about this. I was praying over and over...with gratitude in my heart for this family. Thanking the Lord for such generosity.

I was telling my husband (the next morning) during our family worship my confession. I told him that it was like someone coming to my home for dinner (all those who know me...know I love to cook) and having that person say.."No thanks. Really, I can't accept this meal." Really, what I was saying to my friend was no thanks to grace.

As my southern friends would say...your robbing God of the blessing He wants to give you! Who am I (in my own pride) to say no to God..if He is truly wanting to use this man as means of grace in our lives?

I was busted. Then, this began to dig much deeper into my soul. What areas in my life where I am saying no to God? Putting Him in a box...in such a way that I am missing out on some really amazing lessons.

I repented of my prideful heart and asked God to help me learn how to accept grace...

Funny...yesterday was my last day at my job (so that I can get things ready at home before we go to China) and my friend took me out to lunch. (Earlier, I shared this "profound" lesson to her) The waiter asked how to split up the checks. She said that she wanted my bill on hers. I replied..."No, really...that's okay. I got it." She looked at me and said..."what was that lesson you learned about the furnace?" I hung my head in shame...stated that I was sorry and accepted grace...

Boy, I have a lot to learn...thank goodness the Lord doesn't throw us off the Potter's wheel..He continues to mold us and make us...

May the Lord help us all know more about His grace.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

First Baby Shower Highlights


On Friday, October 10th, 2008, we received our first Baby Shower for Lydia! My workplace put it on and it was so special. These people have been through this entire process with me...ups and downs....they have been a huge support and I am grateful for them. Thanks to those who made it happen (you know who you are!) and for all the yummy food, and wonderful, thoughtful presents for our daughter Lydia. We will not forget your kindness.
Posted by Picasa

Consulate Appointment & Travel Confirmed!

Well, yesterday was a wonderful day! We experienced our first shower for Lydia that my workplace put on for us....then we received confirmation for our travel plans and our Consulate appointment!

We thought that our Consulate appointment was going to be on November 10th; however, the Consulate was booked that day...as well as November 12th. So, we got in at 9am on Monday, November 17th!!

Travel plans have been confirmed...

Taking off on November 5th and arriving back home on November 19th!

I can't believe it's finally here. We are on our way Lydia...just a few more weeks!