First...we want to thank EACH and EVERY one of our beloved brothers and sisters for walking through these past few years with us. For supporting us with love, prayer, meals, notes of encouragement, scripture references, and hospitality through what has undoubtedly been some of the most trying years of our lives. God has been so gracious to our family by blessing us with such a loving body of believers, we have truly felt the prayers and love of Christ through you.
Update....starting to write is a lovely place, yes? :)
So, we have been going to the Drs so frequently over the past few months that its nauseating to think about. Every test has come back within a normal range. So anyhow, seeing as we have had 3 stillborns in the last 2 years and we have no further information.....we have decided to go a different route for now.
We have ALWAYS had a heart for adoption, we've always known we wanted to adopt. We just thought it would be after we were finished having our biological children. The Lord has greatly impressed in us both all of our lives the importance and beauty of adoption. One of Nyes best friends growing up was adopted and my bio sister was actually put up for adoption. Most beautifully, our Great God adopted us into His own family and has called us from the life of sin and wretchedness that we once lived. We have been praying for a while about the Lords will in timing for us to grow our family in such a beautiful way.
Side story: last year after we lost our last baby girl (Skyler)...I would not think of getting pregnant again, so I started scrambling around trying to find a way for us to save for adoption. Sometime this past fall, I grew frustrated with the living paycheck to paycheck and not being able to save, so I said 'ok God, I'm not meddling in this any more...we'll just wait for your direction' (THIS should have been the starting point). I just started being more diligent on praying about it and that God would direct my wonderful Husband in which way He would have us go. So just before Christmas Hubbs said after his quiet time one day "you know...I think we should just go ahead and put in the application and trust God to supply all our needs as we need them." I was so amazed that as quickly as I relinquished my power over the situation the Lord was so quick to answer my prayer. I needed that lesson. In the big things and in the small things of life, submission is really where we always ought to start.
SO HERE IS THE BIG NEWS: Last night we went to a meeting at an adoption agency and we are more excited than EVER to welcome whomever the Lord wants to bless our family with. We were surprised to learn that placement 'can' be as quick as 2 MONTHS!! Basically we have to do our home study, submit it...meet with a case worker and then we are put in with a 'pool' of parents waiting for babies. The birth mothers look at family profiles that match their desires for a family and choose a family to parent their baby. Here is the catch: the cost of the services are due at the time the service is rendered. We are thankful that this adoption agency works on a sliding scale so it makes adoption much more attainable. However, living on one income and in the area we live in we are still wondering where the money will come from. We have researched a few Christian agencies that we plan on pursuing a grant where they match $ for $ the donations on our behalf. Although, we dont know if the time frame for the adoption and grant will coincide. We can apply for the grant program after Feb 1 AND when we have our home study done. We have an inquiry in with another grant agency that hasnt gotten back with us yet. We will keep you updated as we continue in this journey.
This is what we KNOW: that God is bigger than any amount of money...that He has led us to this place...and that He will supply our every need. We just dont know what is between A and Z, and how the Lord wants us to get there. <3
We would like to ask for a commitment of prayer for guidance in all areas of this beautiful process. We THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS in advance, for you are such an important part of the work that the Lord is doing.
Please feel free to comment and share with us in our joy! Have experience with adoption? Have wisdom for us? Are you adopting too? Please let me know so we can also be in prayer for you.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
BOO! I told you I'd be back :)
I hope you all had a WONDERFUL New Year and a VERY Merry CHRISTmas?! Christmas was very simple for us this year, although as always our families spoiled us. :) As you well know, we are saving for adoption...so our limit was $30 a piece. Guess what every gift but mine was less than $20. I scored awesome boots for GQ at Lands end for $13 and Hubby a filet knife (from none other than Pampered Chef) for hunting and fishing for $19!
Did I mention I started selling Pampered Chef?! :) I'm really enjoying it! It combines my love for artsy food and quality products to do it with. Why, do you ask did I start selling Pampered Chef? We are using what I have been making with Pampered Chef for adoption. Please pray with me that the Lord would grow this business as He sees fit. That brings me to----WE PUT IN OUR APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION!!! (The 'free' application we put in a few months ago... we havent even heard back from that agency. So word to the wise: go through a reputable agency!!) We were just trying to save, when Hubby said after praying one day "you know I think we should just go ahead and put in the application and trust God to supply all our needs as we need them." There is a fee due at the time that each service is rendered. This is the best part---we have NO idea where that money is coming from. However, we know that the Lord WILL provide because He has led us to this place. I have explored a grant program where they match $ for $ up to 5k that our friends/family donate through that agency. We are applying for their grant Feb 1. So please pray with us about that.
Our meeting at the agency is Jan 9 when hopefully we will be assigned a case worker :). I CANNOT put in words how EXCITED we are about this!!! I will write :::insert girly squeal::: that we hope to have a baby in our arms before 2013 if it be in the Lords will :). We told GQ Christmas Eve that we put in the adoption application. He grabbed my face and said "THAT IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!" (In case you were wondering--we told him that Jesus Christ was the best Christmas present EVER!) He proceeded to tell me stories about how he will help his new baby with everything and he will teach him/her everything he knows. He then said "and Mommy! We will be thankful for a girl baby OR a boy baby. God knows what is best for our family!" Yes, my love...yes, he certainly does! Yes, we told him right before bed. :) He woke up on Christmas morning after having dreams about our 'new baby' and seeing 'my babies in Heaven' with LOTS of stories! How precious is that?! I will forever remember that conversation with my sweet little blessing. Every day since he has asked us if we know where our new baby is coming from ::smile::. We just tell him that God knows and we dont have to.
I'm afraid as much as I was hoping that the Rhumatologist appointment I had yesterday would give me some answers. It gave me NONE. The doctor told me that my blood work is fine, and I'm completely healthy. Might sound like a relief, but I've been living in pain on and off for the past several months. Add that to the list of symptoms of TIA, extreme fatigue (I'm talking cant do anything), migraines, 3 late miscarriages, 1 stillborn. Yea, I think you get the picture...I'm not convinced. He told me that he thinks I had a run in "with bad luck." First, I dont believe in luck. I believe that EVERYTHING that happens in my life has been orchestrated for me by my Loving and Almighty Father. Second, wow never mind....lets just talk it up to I'm praying that someone can figure out what is going on.
I have so much more to write about but I'm afraid I dont have time to finish....so I will be seeing you again soon here in blog land!
I have been reading about adoption in my daily readings of the scripture...its been very fun. If you would like to read for yourself:
Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Deut 24:19 "He defends the cause of the fatherless, giving food and clothing."
Eph 1:3-6 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved."
Psalm 10:14 "But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless."
Did I mention I started selling Pampered Chef?! :) I'm really enjoying it! It combines my love for artsy food and quality products to do it with. Why, do you ask did I start selling Pampered Chef? We are using what I have been making with Pampered Chef for adoption. Please pray with me that the Lord would grow this business as He sees fit. That brings me to----WE PUT IN OUR APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION!!! (The 'free' application we put in a few months ago... we havent even heard back from that agency. So word to the wise: go through a reputable agency!!) We were just trying to save, when Hubby said after praying one day "you know I think we should just go ahead and put in the application and trust God to supply all our needs as we need them." There is a fee due at the time that each service is rendered. This is the best part---we have NO idea where that money is coming from. However, we know that the Lord WILL provide because He has led us to this place. I have explored a grant program where they match $ for $ up to 5k that our friends/family donate through that agency. We are applying for their grant Feb 1. So please pray with us about that.
Our meeting at the agency is Jan 9 when hopefully we will be assigned a case worker :). I CANNOT put in words how EXCITED we are about this!!! I will write :::insert girly squeal::: that we hope to have a baby in our arms before 2013 if it be in the Lords will :). We told GQ Christmas Eve that we put in the adoption application. He grabbed my face and said "THAT IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!" (In case you were wondering--we told him that Jesus Christ was the best Christmas present EVER!) He proceeded to tell me stories about how he will help his new baby with everything and he will teach him/her everything he knows. He then said "and Mommy! We will be thankful for a girl baby OR a boy baby. God knows what is best for our family!" Yes, my love...yes, he certainly does! Yes, we told him right before bed. :) He woke up on Christmas morning after having dreams about our 'new baby' and seeing 'my babies in Heaven' with LOTS of stories! How precious is that?! I will forever remember that conversation with my sweet little blessing. Every day since he has asked us if we know where our new baby is coming from ::smile::. We just tell him that God knows and we dont have to.
I'm afraid as much as I was hoping that the Rhumatologist appointment I had yesterday would give me some answers. It gave me NONE. The doctor told me that my blood work is fine, and I'm completely healthy. Might sound like a relief, but I've been living in pain on and off for the past several months. Add that to the list of symptoms of TIA, extreme fatigue (I'm talking cant do anything), migraines, 3 late miscarriages, 1 stillborn. Yea, I think you get the picture...I'm not convinced. He told me that he thinks I had a run in "with bad luck." First, I dont believe in luck. I believe that EVERYTHING that happens in my life has been orchestrated for me by my Loving and Almighty Father. Second, wow never mind....lets just talk it up to I'm praying that someone can figure out what is going on.
I have so much more to write about but I'm afraid I dont have time to finish....so I will be seeing you again soon here in blog land!
I have been reading about adoption in my daily readings of the scripture...its been very fun. If you would like to read for yourself:
Joseph and Jesus--Matthew 1:1-17
Jacob's adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh--Genesis 48
Abram and Eliazar--Genesis 15
Eli and Samuel--1 Samuel 1
Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Deut 24:19 "He defends the cause of the fatherless, giving food and clothing."
Eph 1:3-6 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved."
Psalm 10:14 "But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless."
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
:) :0) :D
PRAISE PRAISE AND MORE PRAISE! ;0)
Today our little lovie buggie is 4!!! <3 What an AMAZING MIRACLE he is...the Lord surely blessed us when He knit him in my womb. Our lil guy has been struggling w/ asthma greatly the past week...so we've been in isolation to try to protect his little immune system from picking something else up. For those parents who understand how serious asthma can be...picking up a cold/flu can be life threatening ESPECIALLY after just getting better from a flare up. Please pray with me for protection over his sweet little body.
Before I go further...I would like to share an article from Answers in Genesis:
"Every once in a while, I am asked, “What’s it like to be adopted?” I was two days old when my parents chose me to be their son. Being adopted is an amazing thing. I was taken from a situation that probably would not have turned out well and was given the opportunity to grow up in a loving Christian home. I became a member of a new family. I had a new identity, a new name, a new opportunity, and eventually a new inheritance. I was chosen!
Adoption into God’s family is all of that and infinitely more. Scripture is very clear—a Christian is a chosen child of God (Ephesians 1:4–5).
As adopted children, we enter into a new relationship with God. Though we were chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), we lived as an enemy of God up to the moment of our salvation (Ephesians 2:1–2). At our conversion, we were adopted into God’s family through Jesus Christ. We have a new identity—the sons and daughters of God. The eternal God is our Father (1 John 3:1–2).
But as in any family, this relationship goes both ways. Just as I took on my father’s name humanly speaking, we take on the name of God—we are His children, His heirs, and His ambassadors. Our Father wants us to protect His name through our thoughts, speech, and actions—we are responsible for His reputation (Romans 12:1–2).
As adopted children, we have a new opportunity. Since the Holy Spirit lives inside us, for the first time we can please God (Ephesians 2:10) and be holy (Hebrews 12:10). We have a new blessing and inheritance—we are joint heirs with Jesus, receiving His eternal riches (Romans 8:14–17, 23).
If you’re a Christian, the next time you begin to ask someone who was adopted what it’s like, reflect on your own adoption … as a child of the infinite Creator of the universe!"
Isnt that absolutely BEAUTIFUL!?! :) What a beautiful picture of love, and I'm FOREVER thankful that I have been adopted as a daughter of God.
Health wise, the further I get from pregnancy...the better I seem to feel. Thats a praise but also saddening. For us, at least now...it means giving up on the thought of biological children. After the pain of loss and an empty cradle 3 times, I feel defeated in that area. God holds the keys to life and death for all of us...including our babies. We are praying that one day we may have more, but for now I'm learning to deal with the possibility that I may never feel more flutters in my womb. Thats hard, but God is faithful to give us what we need and then some. We know that He will carry us, just as He always has.
That being said....for some time now we've had adoption on our hearts not really knowing when or what we should do. We have been praying about it....A LOT. During our praying about it, we got a email from our daily devo w/ the scripture Ps 68 "to be a Father to the fatherless." We were blown away, and we just prayed for direction and we really feel a great peace about pursuing it. :0) We know that it may be tough, and have NO idea how the finances will come together...but we know that the Lord has led us to it, and He never leaves His children. So though at times it may be hard, we know that we have a Father that will carry us every step of the way. <3 Adoption parallels so much how the Lord adopted us into his family. It makes me cry to even think about the beauty of it. We are SOOO excited to start on this journey. So from here on out....let the ADOPTION JOURNEY BEGIN!! <3
1 application in
1 application being sent this week
1 meeting next week w/ an adoption agency
1 family case study soon to start
Lord willing, a baby will soon be in our arms <3
We so much appreciate your prayers and support during this journey! HUGS TO YOU ALL.
Today our little lovie buggie is 4!!! <3 What an AMAZING MIRACLE he is...the Lord surely blessed us when He knit him in my womb. Our lil guy has been struggling w/ asthma greatly the past week...so we've been in isolation to try to protect his little immune system from picking something else up. For those parents who understand how serious asthma can be...picking up a cold/flu can be life threatening ESPECIALLY after just getting better from a flare up. Please pray with me for protection over his sweet little body.
Before I go further...I would like to share an article from Answers in Genesis:
"Every once in a while, I am asked, “What’s it like to be adopted?” I was two days old when my parents chose me to be their son. Being adopted is an amazing thing. I was taken from a situation that probably would not have turned out well and was given the opportunity to grow up in a loving Christian home. I became a member of a new family. I had a new identity, a new name, a new opportunity, and eventually a new inheritance. I was chosen!
Adoption into God’s family is all of that and infinitely more. Scripture is very clear—a Christian is a chosen child of God (Ephesians 1:4–5).
As adopted children, we enter into a new relationship with God. Though we were chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), we lived as an enemy of God up to the moment of our salvation (Ephesians 2:1–2). At our conversion, we were adopted into God’s family through Jesus Christ. We have a new identity—the sons and daughters of God. The eternal God is our Father (1 John 3:1–2).
But as in any family, this relationship goes both ways. Just as I took on my father’s name humanly speaking, we take on the name of God—we are His children, His heirs, and His ambassadors. Our Father wants us to protect His name through our thoughts, speech, and actions—we are responsible for His reputation (Romans 12:1–2).
As adopted children, we have a new opportunity. Since the Holy Spirit lives inside us, for the first time we can please God (Ephesians 2:10) and be holy (Hebrews 12:10). We have a new blessing and inheritance—we are joint heirs with Jesus, receiving His eternal riches (Romans 8:14–17, 23).
If you’re a Christian, the next time you begin to ask someone who was adopted what it’s like, reflect on your own adoption … as a child of the infinite Creator of the universe!"
Isnt that absolutely BEAUTIFUL!?! :) What a beautiful picture of love, and I'm FOREVER thankful that I have been adopted as a daughter of God.
Health wise, the further I get from pregnancy...the better I seem to feel. Thats a praise but also saddening. For us, at least now...it means giving up on the thought of biological children. After the pain of loss and an empty cradle 3 times, I feel defeated in that area. God holds the keys to life and death for all of us...including our babies. We are praying that one day we may have more, but for now I'm learning to deal with the possibility that I may never feel more flutters in my womb. Thats hard, but God is faithful to give us what we need and then some. We know that He will carry us, just as He always has.
That being said....for some time now we've had adoption on our hearts not really knowing when or what we should do. We have been praying about it....A LOT. During our praying about it, we got a email from our daily devo w/ the scripture Ps 68 "to be a Father to the fatherless." We were blown away, and we just prayed for direction and we really feel a great peace about pursuing it. :0) We know that it may be tough, and have NO idea how the finances will come together...but we know that the Lord has led us to it, and He never leaves His children. So though at times it may be hard, we know that we have a Father that will carry us every step of the way. <3 Adoption parallels so much how the Lord adopted us into his family. It makes me cry to even think about the beauty of it. We are SOOO excited to start on this journey. So from here on out....let the ADOPTION JOURNEY BEGIN!! <3
1 application in
1 application being sent this week
1 meeting next week w/ an adoption agency
1 family case study soon to start
Lord willing, a baby will soon be in our arms <3
We so much appreciate your prayers and support during this journey! HUGS TO YOU ALL.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
MMmmsters
If you havent noticed yet, I REALLY enjoy cooking (almost as much as I enjoy eating ;). So do you mind if I share one of my favorite new SUPER EASY Italian dishes? Its not from an Italian or anything, it just seems very Italian to me. We have been eating very differently since all my medical craziness. Still no answers or relief, HOWEVER I notice when I eat better---get this----I feel better.
So Tasty Roma Momma Soup (bah ha ha---we havent named it yet. But that sounds good to me)
Chicken stock from 1 boiled chicken (I usually fill about half the stock pot w/ VERY LIGHTLY salted water, put chicken in and boil covered for about an hour, flip the chicken halfway through. Reduce to about 2//3 of the amount of water you put in---cool and freeze till you are ready to use it)
3lbs Roma tomatoes, halved lengthwise
A few cloves of UNpeeled fresh garlic (I use about 6-7)
Preheat oven to 350. I put the tomatoes cut side up on my Pampered Chef bar pan (it doesnt burn the skins). Stick the unpeeled garlic throughout. Drizzle Olive Oil over tomatoes and garlic. Fresh cracked pepper and salt (EASY) over tomatoes and garlic. Roast in the oven for 1 hour. If you want to smell yummy in your whole house---this will do it!
Boil chicken stock, garlic, and tomatoes for about 30 mins. Stir occasionally. Use immersion blender or blender (CAREFUL in the blender let soup cool a bit before you do this or it WILL explode) to make it smooth. PS immersion blenders are one of my favorite kitchen accouterments (as my Hubby would say). Add salt if needed. Garnish w/ fresh basil and Parmesan. UMM DELICIOUSO. I serve this w/ my garlic knots and baked chicken. :0) You can serve it w/ whatever you like though :)
So Tasty Roma Momma Soup (bah ha ha---we havent named it yet. But that sounds good to me)
Chicken stock from 1 boiled chicken (I usually fill about half the stock pot w/ VERY LIGHTLY salted water, put chicken in and boil covered for about an hour, flip the chicken halfway through. Reduce to about 2//3 of the amount of water you put in---cool and freeze till you are ready to use it)
3lbs Roma tomatoes, halved lengthwise
A few cloves of UNpeeled fresh garlic (I use about 6-7)
Preheat oven to 350. I put the tomatoes cut side up on my Pampered Chef bar pan (it doesnt burn the skins). Stick the unpeeled garlic throughout. Drizzle Olive Oil over tomatoes and garlic. Fresh cracked pepper and salt (EASY) over tomatoes and garlic. Roast in the oven for 1 hour. If you want to smell yummy in your whole house---this will do it!
Boil chicken stock, garlic, and tomatoes for about 30 mins. Stir occasionally. Use immersion blender or blender (CAREFUL in the blender let soup cool a bit before you do this or it WILL explode) to make it smooth. PS immersion blenders are one of my favorite kitchen accouterments (as my Hubby would say). Add salt if needed. Garnish w/ fresh basil and Parmesan. UMM DELICIOUSO. I serve this w/ my garlic knots and baked chicken. :0) You can serve it w/ whatever you like though :)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Milestones, Memories, Learning, and Encouragement
These last 2 years have been ones of great struggle for me physically and emotionally. The Lord has drawn me to Himself in a way that I have never known before. Many months of these past 2 years I have felt alone and isolated from everyone. Not a Dr that knows the answer and not a friend who understands. Nobody expects to lose their babies, and we have lost 3 babies in such a short period of time. This is a messy thing called grief. We all have grief in our lives, the Lord orchestrates every trial individually for each one of us. It is my personal conviction through my study of scripture that He allows these things for us to deepen in our walk in Him, and ultimately bring glory to His name. What a great calling and responsibility. I have struggled to cling to the hope I have in Christ at times and wrestled with some serious questions. The trials have ultimately strengthened my faith and deepened my appreciation for the many blessings that I have (yet I dont deserve). I dont deserve one--I am a wretched sinner who was accepted by a loving and forgiving God. Salvation alone is an incomprehensible blessing, but he blesses me so much more richly and abundantly than that (a home, food, water, family, etc).
May we all learn to embrace our trials for God to work our His will in our lives.
Sept 23 was my due date with Skyler, whom the Lord called home in April. I am remembering her today and imagining what joy she is now filled with before our Great God and King. I was praying that Skylers due date would be different than Avery and Levis due dates. I was praying that I would be holding a 3-4 week old baby in my arms right now (they were going to induce me bc of high risk). Smelling a newborn....staying up all night long trying to establish a 'routine'....trying to learn the cries of a new baby girl. As much as I was longing for this, the Lord doesnt have that for us right now. It will be so nice to feel like I am over this time in my life---maybe---someday?
Sept 24 marks one year since the day our little Levis body was removed from me in that HORRIBLE abortion office at 18 weeks. Here are the posts about that September 2010
It brings me great joy to know where our 5 babies are. Its so hard to believe that we are the parents of 6 children. Wow...so bittersweet. I know I say it all the time...but Grayden TRULY is a miracle. I am so blessed that the Lord sovereignly worked in my body so that Grayden could be carried despite a disease where the chance of survival for a baby is so slim. Every baby that the Lord chose to place in my womb has been a blessing, just not in a here and now kind of way :0). Every baby/child is a miracle, let us not forget that for ONE minute!
My medical issues continues to be a struggle, with no certain answers. All the medical tests for the disease they thought I had came back negative because it is still a newly discovered autoimmune disease that they are learning a LOT about. There is a team of Drs in England (where the study for APS is focused), who found that patients that have all symptoms of APS but dont currently meet the clinical diagnosis have an elevated number of IgA anti-β2GPI antibody titers in their blood. Which I have, but I am looking for a Dr who is willing to treat me even though the study and its results aren't yet published in the diagnostic medical manual. I am in process of transferring to a medical university where there is far more testing. Please continue to pray with us about that as we search for answers.
For those of you with me searching for a physical need, let us realize that we have a much greater need than a physical...that is a spiritual need to be ALIVE in Christ. WHEN we deepen our root in Christ, even in the midst of suffering we can have a GREAT joy. When we are questioning and grappling to find answers from God, let us do so in humility, brokenness, and a desire to please God. As my dear sweet sister in Christ said yesterday, "I began to understand the sovereign control of God and His gracious Character. God took me down a road of more personal suffering in order to answer my most pressing questions, that no one could answer." Yes, she is a very wise woman indeed (and I am blessed to call her my Titus 2 woman!). Let us seek to be able to say that in our own lives.
So, I leave you with a scripture that has been VERY near and DEAR to my heart since we lost our sweet glory baby, Avery Paige in February of last year. A brother in Christ shared it with us while visiting us in the hospital as they were inducing labor to deliver our precious little girl.
1 Corinthians: 50-57
"I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
THANKS BE TO GOD! HE GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. I cant imagine what grief would be like without the hope of Christ. REMEMBER: Not a breath of air do we breathe on this Earth without the Lord giving it to us. Not a death in this world hasnt been sovereignly designed by Him.
May we all learn to embrace our trials for God to work our His will in our lives.
Sept 23 was my due date with Skyler, whom the Lord called home in April. I am remembering her today and imagining what joy she is now filled with before our Great God and King. I was praying that Skylers due date would be different than Avery and Levis due dates. I was praying that I would be holding a 3-4 week old baby in my arms right now (they were going to induce me bc of high risk). Smelling a newborn....staying up all night long trying to establish a 'routine'....trying to learn the cries of a new baby girl. As much as I was longing for this, the Lord doesnt have that for us right now. It will be so nice to feel like I am over this time in my life---maybe---someday?
Sept 24 marks one year since the day our little Levis body was removed from me in that HORRIBLE abortion office at 18 weeks. Here are the posts about that September 2010
It brings me great joy to know where our 5 babies are. Its so hard to believe that we are the parents of 6 children. Wow...so bittersweet. I know I say it all the time...but Grayden TRULY is a miracle. I am so blessed that the Lord sovereignly worked in my body so that Grayden could be carried despite a disease where the chance of survival for a baby is so slim. Every baby that the Lord chose to place in my womb has been a blessing, just not in a here and now kind of way :0). Every baby/child is a miracle, let us not forget that for ONE minute!
My medical issues continues to be a struggle, with no certain answers. All the medical tests for the disease they thought I had came back negative because it is still a newly discovered autoimmune disease that they are learning a LOT about. There is a team of Drs in England (where the study for APS is focused), who found that patients that have all symptoms of APS but dont currently meet the clinical diagnosis have an elevated number of IgA anti-β2GPI antibody titers in their blood. Which I have, but I am looking for a Dr who is willing to treat me even though the study and its results aren't yet published in the diagnostic medical manual. I am in process of transferring to a medical university where there is far more testing. Please continue to pray with us about that as we search for answers.
For those of you with me searching for a physical need, let us realize that we have a much greater need than a physical...that is a spiritual need to be ALIVE in Christ. WHEN we deepen our root in Christ, even in the midst of suffering we can have a GREAT joy. When we are questioning and grappling to find answers from God, let us do so in humility, brokenness, and a desire to please God. As my dear sweet sister in Christ said yesterday, "I began to understand the sovereign control of God and His gracious Character. God took me down a road of more personal suffering in order to answer my most pressing questions, that no one could answer." Yes, she is a very wise woman indeed (and I am blessed to call her my Titus 2 woman!). Let us seek to be able to say that in our own lives.
So, I leave you with a scripture that has been VERY near and DEAR to my heart since we lost our sweet glory baby, Avery Paige in February of last year. A brother in Christ shared it with us while visiting us in the hospital as they were inducing labor to deliver our precious little girl.
1 Corinthians: 50-57
"I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
THANKS BE TO GOD! HE GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. I cant imagine what grief would be like without the hope of Christ. REMEMBER: Not a breath of air do we breathe on this Earth without the Lord giving it to us. Not a death in this world hasnt been sovereignly designed by Him.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Random thoughts....
I LOVE BABIES, I HATE that whenever I see them I cant even go close to them. Will I ever be able to look at a newborn and not get knots in my stomach or tears in my eyes? Thank you Lord for the miracle of Grayden!
God knows me and He knows my heart....He orchestrates EVERYTHING in my life. Let me not be in the way of His working. There is a purpose in everything, yes, even suffering pain and trial.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Jn 15:5
I am a vessel. Therefore, He WILL work through me...let me make sure I am keeping my eyes fixed upon Him so that He will get the Glory. Not my will, but His be done. I will continue to practice the art of casting my cares and burdens upon Him.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because He (alone) cares for you." 1 Pet 5:7
Worrying does nothing productive, it doesnt change tomorrow....if anything it makes things worse.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Rom 8:18
"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." 1 Pet 2:21
Psalm 68:19-20 "Praise the Lord, who carries our burdens day after day; He is the God who saves us. Our God is a God who saves; He is the Lord, our Lord, who rescues us from death.: 69:13 "But as for me, I will pray to you, Lord; answer me, God, at a time you choose. Answer me because of your great Love, because you keep your promise to save."
Medical situation---still a whole lot of confusion. : / Thankful the Lord knows what is going on, even when we dont :).
God knows me and He knows my heart....He orchestrates EVERYTHING in my life. Let me not be in the way of His working. There is a purpose in everything, yes, even suffering pain and trial.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Jn 15:5
I am a vessel. Therefore, He WILL work through me...let me make sure I am keeping my eyes fixed upon Him so that He will get the Glory. Not my will, but His be done. I will continue to practice the art of casting my cares and burdens upon Him.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because He (alone) cares for you." 1 Pet 5:7
Worrying does nothing productive, it doesnt change tomorrow....if anything it makes things worse.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Rom 8:18
"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." 1 Pet 2:21
Psalm 68:19-20 "Praise the Lord, who carries our burdens day after day; He is the God who saves us. Our God is a God who saves; He is the Lord, our Lord, who rescues us from death.: 69:13 "But as for me, I will pray to you, Lord; answer me, God, at a time you choose. Answer me because of your great Love, because you keep your promise to save."
Medical situation---still a whole lot of confusion. : / Thankful the Lord knows what is going on, even when we dont :).
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