Making decisions through God's perfect peace...

Well, I know many of you are wondering what my post on friday was all about...

That phone call that you never expect...

We are still wondering and waiting on God...

It would involve adding another child to our family...baby C's full brother...

A child who was not ever supposed to enter the system again...

Who was in the process of adoption by a relative and it should have been finalized a year ago...

For some reason it wasn't...

Now he needs a safe place...and a forever family...

Is it us?

Only God knows...and whether or not this little boy joins our family...we will be at peace...because it's the Lord's perfect peace that will carry us through and show us the way...

No WAY!!!!!!!!!!

I appologize for this post....but I really, really, REALLY have to vent right now.

Casey Anthony was found NOT guilty....where, WHERE is the justice in this world????

I accidentally got hooked on watching this trial, because a few weeks ago, I was on a long car ride, and I started listening to it on the radio to stay awake while driving and I was hooked!

The jury came to their conclusion in only about 10 hrs. that she was not guilty on all counts. There is noone that would have thought this would happen. Everyone knows she's guilty of killing her daughter. I am so shocked, as is everyone else I have seen. They interviewed this huge group standing outside the courtroom in Orlando the people felt exactly as I do--many of them were even in tears--crying--totally shocked and appalled that the jury did this.

It is so obvious-it's common sense. This girl never reported her daughter missing, never looked for her, and her car smelled like there was a dead body inside. Where is the justice? Even her parents felt she was guilty and there was no look of relief on their faces when the verdict was announced. Wow. I am stunned.

Stop Forced Abortion -- China's One Child Policy -- Women's Rights Witho...

Another twist in our foster care journey!!!!!!!!!!!

We were out of town all day today, and while we were away, I recieved a call from our new adoption social worker-since we have finally been switched over to the adoption unit as DCFS!

It was a call I NEVER expected!! She asked me something that had never even crossed my mind. I was, literally, shocked!

I hung up the phone...and told DH that he would never guess what she was asking...here were some of his guesses, and none of them were even close:

Oh no! The relatives are back in the picture for baby L now that we are so close to adoption?? Nope.

Baby L's mom is pregnant again?? Nope.

Baby C's mom is pregnant again?? Nope.

Baby C's parent's are making some kind of false allegations? Nope.

So, he also was stunned when I told him what it was all about...

Like I said before, this is something we never saw coming, never even thought about, or discussed, because it is something that we never thought would or could happen. We don't know what we will do. She wants us to call back next week after we have thought about it. Obviously we have a lot of soul searching and praying to do...I am still baffled and surprised and honestly just need to go spend some quiet time with the Lord.

What's missing...

We have jumped full force into summertime...swimming daily, playing in the yard, at the park, play dates, popsicles....

As I was on my early morning walk today, I realized something is missing, something is seriously missing. I have failed to ask the Lord something. I have failed to say, "Lord, how can I serve you this summer??"

I can serve my family, serve through fostering, serve through teaching them more of Him every day...but something is still missing. I know there are so many more ways I should be putting myself out there to serve our amazing, loving, wonderful living God. I know that there are hurting people right here, in my state, city and neighborhood, I know there has to be a better way. There has to be some way I can step out of my comfort zone and serve. There has to be something we can do to serve the Lord this summer. Something my children could be a part of, to see how christians serve the Lord in their own communities...how they show the love of Jesus. They need to see this! Our kids need to see us modeling a life of service. They need to learn to be a part of that, as if it was just normal routine.

Yes, something is missing, and it will take taking our eyes off of ourselves, what we "want" to do this summer, what we want to plan this summer for our own fun and entertainment. It will take some sacrifice, and seeking God to guide us. It will take stepping out in places we may not like or feel comfortable in, but it will be more important than anything else we could do this summer.

It will take looking at ourselves and surrending to Him, and serving in a way that is sacrificial, and with a servant's heart.

What if??

What if there are children in the world who will suffer somehow because I failed to obey God? What if my cowardice costs even one child somewhere in the world his or her life?"
~Richard Stearns.

The reality...

It's heartbreaking...but this is the reality in Russia. I just stumbled upon this blog the other day, and having worked in russia for a short while, and having adopted a son from there, from a place just like this, I have to tell you-this is the harsh reality. What this woman is doing there is commendable. I hope to do the same one day...yes, I know I have already adopted one from there...but there are so many more, and the sad fact is, they need to be adopted sooner than later. Our son was almost 12 when we brought him home, and the damage...is, well, damage beyond comprehension at that age, in many, many cases. We have adopted, but there are thousands more needing a chance...needing someone to claim them as their own...or to at least GO there...and show them what love really is. It's not the drunk guy from the local village who comes in and abuses them, or other orphans who themselves have suffered abuse, and no nothing more than to perpetrate on other younger, more vulnerable children they live with. These kids need to see adults showing real, genuine interest in them...they need to see Jesus through us. They are at such a huge risk. When they have no parenting, they parent each other, and they have no guidance and no way to learn what right or wrong is, what compassion is, and what it means to be fair, kind and just. It is incomprehensible in so many ways. When I left russia, I was numb. I knew a part of it would stay with me forever...and 10 years later, it has. I think of these kids, just like the ones on her blog, and cry. They are so alone. They are so misguided. They are so used and abused. They need us.
I love this blog, and this woman is doing an amazing work. I just wish thousands more would step up and step in to do the same. Go look at their faces...these are real kids, right now, in a very dark, sad place, lost and alone. Will you pray for them?