The highlight that took the proverbial cake? Unveiling the surprise of our oldest child's new room on Christmas morning. We have been in the process of finishing our basement since last January (it is very time consuming to do awesome on a budget!) and have always dubbed the room that was to become our oldest room as the "storage room" - although it was finished out like the rest of the basement. To say the surprise was a shock to my eldest would be an understatement! However, this gift of space has been a gift to us all........and at the perfect time, right before we bring home another.
There were definitely moments of hard this Christmas, as we had all imagined Little Miss home by now, but the hard was tempered since we are experiencing forward movement IN our process, praise Jesus. It is also an added bonus in the waiting process when time moves fast - and with all the activity of the holiday, family and friends? It flew, and I have never been more excited then this New Years as we put 2014 in the books. I am bounding into 2015 - believing that good things are around the corner!
How are things with our little one? We did find out last week that she had another bout of pneumonia. Boo :( We haven't heard anything since, however no news is good news with our agency, so we assume all is well and are hopeful for a clean bill of health when we get updates this week. Little Miss has now crested 13lbs - which is incredible. After taking more than 4 months to put on one pound, little miss has put on 1 1/2lbs. in the last 2 months.....what a reason to rejoice! Our first court date (that we do not travel for) is next week so we are inching forward one baby step at a time. Typically families find out the "travel" court date a few weeks after this 1st court date. We are SO excited about experiencing the finale of this story which has been unfolding for so long!
As we get nearer to the end of our process things, with so much emotion on the line and Little Miss feeling like she is in arms reach, I have to fight the temptation to slip into worry. Over the last week there have been some timely words specifically about worry which have made the minute adjustments, bringing freedom once again. Today I had yet another encouraging word that I knew was for me. I was reading in Jesus Calling (a devotional), which I don't read everyday. In fact I haven't picked up this particular devo since June, as I was currently in another one. However, today I picked it up and flipped to today's date. Um - wow. So good. It was seriously one of those times when you find yourself reading something and you know it is no accident that is what you grabbed.
I decided to include it below, not because I want to be an over-sharer and I think people want to know the ins and outs of my day to day ;) but because it might be an encouragement to someone else. It might be something that someone reading this blog desperately needs to see. It might be a right now word for intended for YOU too. I have some friends in the adoption process along with me who are going through struggles. Friends who are in situations that make my heart just ache and I am not going to hold back anything that has encouraged me - that could also encourage others. As my mama always has said (or implied with her actions) if you have it to give? Do so. Every time.
So here you go folks, I'm just passing on the encouragement that the Lord gave me this morning.
Be encouraged.
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I AM ABLE to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine. Come to Me with positive expectations, knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish. Ask My Spirit to control your mind, so that you can think great thoughts of Me. Do not be discouraged by that fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered. Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust Me in the dark. The more extreme the circumstances, the more likely you are to see My Power and Glory at work in the situation. Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for My glorious intervention. Keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Romans 8:6
....the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Revelation 5:7 -8
What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and not denied my name.
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Since it happens to be a Tuesday, and I love alliteration? I'm including a Tuesday's Tune ;) A new favorite of my oldest son, who keeps telling me to put it on the blog because it is so parallel to our adoption story. He is one intuitive 10 year old. It is quickly becoming favorite of mine. Worth the listen. Here you go son......
Shoulders
by King and Country
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