God, Me and Poverty.

The new question at RLC is..."What verse or passage of scripture has touched you or changed your thoughts on poverty and how the Lord sees it and responds to it?" Strangely enough, my mind flew to a passage of scripture in Philippians 4:10-19. I grew up very familiar with verse 19..."and my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." However, just as recently as last year, the Lord opened my eyes to the rest of that passage. Paul was talking about learning to be content. He was thanking the Philippians for providing for him when he had need...when no other body of believers would. Now, what does that passage have to do with poverty? Well, verse 19, the one we claim so frequently for ourselves, was actually a promise from God, through Paul, for those who were giving to those in need. It kind of shocked me. I realized that God promised if we would care generously for those who have nothing and are suffering, then He would supply all of our needs. We would not have to worry about giving too much and then not being able to care for ourselves! The problem with me is the "learning to live content." I love a quote I ran across in my devotions a couple of months ago. It is by C.S. Lewis and it says, "God gives where He finds empty hands." I love it! Usually my hands are so full of stuff and wants and desires for things for myself here on earth, that they are "too full to fill." I would love to let go and let God fill my hands so abundantly that His gifts would pour out to those in need! ...back to my knees! :)

Immigration Approval!

Hooray! Today we got our I-171H in the mail! We have been waiting on it for 6 months. It is our paperwork from USCIS, immigration, stating that we have been approved to bring an orphan into the US! It doesn't really change anything in our process. However, it does mean that there is finally some paperwork on its way to CARA, the central adoption agency in New Delhi, India, stating that our family has been approved to adopt from there! Yeah! One more thing I can check off of my list! :)

Happy 4th Birthday Nathan!

Happy 4th Birthday to my son, Nathan! We had lots of fun tonight at his Scooby Doo Pauwty! :) I can't believe that he is already 4 years old. I wish his little brother was already here to help us celebrate. I was also hoping that Nathan and our new little boy would be a little closer in age. Since we switched agencies after 6 months, we are a little behind where we would have liked to be. I know it will all work out for the best in the end.

Just a note. We did have a fun day...lunch at Chick-fil-a (his favorite), a trip to pick out a balloon bouquet and goody bag stuffings, and then the fateful trip to Wal-mart to pick up the birthday cake. That ended up with a fall from the cart, an unexpected trip to the pediatricians office, and a broken nose. I guess we will have great pictures and great memories of this 4th birthday! Of course he told everyone we met today that Mommy broke his nose. :)

Moving up to #5!

I found out this afternoon that we have moved up to #5 on the waiting list for a referral! Yeah! I thought this sign was most appropriate since it shows how I feel...proceed with caution...twists and curves ahead. I know there are some awesome things waiting ahead for us, but I don't want to get too excited just yet. We still have a ways to go. The judges in India have pushed some things through this week so...

Some of you have been asking, "So what does this mean in your timeline?" Well, there really is no way to know. Adoption truly is a journey filled with surprise twists and turns around every corner. If every family in front of us wants a girl, then we would be next in line for a little boy. Of course, that is not likely...just wishful thinking. :) We could receive a referral in two weeks, or it could be January or February. Once we do receive a referral for a specific little boy, however, then the wait is an average of 4-6 months waiting for the judges in India to grant the documents necessary to travel and pick up our little boy. All the offices in India shut down during the months of October and December to celebrate their holidays. We are in the same boat with many of our Dillon friends hoping that the judges will keep processing that paperwork so that our children can get home to their forever families!

My new niece!

I have a new niece! Her name is Camryn Isabella and she surprised us this week by coming early! I got to be there for her delivery and was again amazed at the miracle of life! Such an awesome thing, and mom and baby are doing well.

I'm not sure, but I am thinking that our little boy in India is either getting ready to be born, or has been already. Either way, it makes my heart ache to think that he is already formed in the image of God, and God is preparing for him to join us soon.

Watching my sister with my niece also made me think of my son's birth mom. I sometimes wonder what she is doing right now. What has she gone through to get her to this point? What is she feeling as she is placing her little boy up for adoption? No matter what the circumstances, it has to break a mother's heart.

I am so excited to have my niece finally here with us so that we can hold her and kiss her little cheeks. :) I can't wait till I can hold my new son and kiss his precious cheeks too!