little confirmations and encouragements

Why India? (part 4)

Our God is so very kind.  He loves to encourage us and He loves to answer our prayers.  He loves to give us little indications that we are on the right path, and He always shows us if we are on the wrong path.  This simple journey to India has been a lesson in listening to our Lord.  He has been gently guiding me along the way, and there is no doubt in my mind where He is leading.  He has used a variety of creative ways to show me His will and to help me engage my will.

For example, a few months ago, I had emailed Jennifer, asking for prayer regarding a decision that David and I were making. I mentioned later that this possible decision might interfere with whatever God wanted to do in India (of which I had no idea what it could be!).  This is how Jennifer responded.

"I spent time at a woman's conference at our new church two weekends ago...there I met an American woman, married to an Indian man and they have 4 children...after living here for 3 years so he could attend Bible college, they are moving back in the fall to open another children's school/orphanage.  She spoke of her life as it is when they are in India at the conference. He spoke of their work in detail on Sunday morning. It was so hard to hear how tough it is there; but it's funny...I thought of you over and over and over."

a little confirmation

Then, after God had made it clear that I should go to India, and I was knee-deep in paperwork for our visas (okay, okay, I admit that I am a big wimp when it comes to paperwork!), God did something so thoughtful.  I was filling in the information for my passport and I realized that if I had waited even just a few days to start this process that my passport wouldn't have had the required 6 months left on it to apply for the visa.  I would have had to get a new passport, and I probably wouldn't have been able to go until later in the fall or winter.

another little confirmation

Then, one day when I was feeling a little overwhelmed with all that needed to be done to get ready for our trip, God did something so very kind.  I was driving by a garage sale (I hardly ever go to garage sales and hadn't been to one all summer), and I said to the Lord, "Lord, I need a little encouragement.  Could I find a skirt (to take to India) at this garage sale?"

Well, I stopped and looked around for a few minutes.  There was a small pile of clothes near the side of the yard.  And guess what?!  In that pile was an ankle-length (necessary for women in India), cotton (necessary for the heat) skirt in my size!  I tell you that is really a miracle.  I am tall and it is very hard to find long skirts in my size.  This one was perfect.  When I went to buy it (for $2.00), the woman said, "I still really like that skirt, but I just thought that I'd put it in the sale.  I wore it in Europe."

"Oh.  I'm going to wear it in India."

She smiled.

a little encouragement

Don't you just love Him?!  Isn't He so incredibly thoughtful and kind?!

Thank you, Lord, for your care in every little detail of our lives.

I do so love you, Father and I love following wherever You lead.

Quote of the day

"When I grow up, I'm going to have no self-consciousness. I'm going to go the grocery store in my bathrobe."

Honestly, I have no idea where she comes up with these things!

contributions for SCH (updated)

Update: for those of you who have asked, if you could get these things to me by August 27th, that would be very helpful. That way, I can get everything packed up the weekend before I leave.




A couple of people have asked me if they could ship some things to me to take to SCH.  That would be wonderful!  You can send me an email if you're interested in contributing and I'll give you my address.

Here are some of the things that they need.  Used would be totally fine on a number of these things, as long as they are still in good condition.  Thanks so much!

--CPR Manikins like these.

--"Pumie" sticks (pumice sticks for cleaning hard-water stains from tile & porcelain)--they could use tons of these
--Hair bows & jewelry for girls
--Baby toys
--Bottle brushes
--Duffel bags/sports bags (used is great)
--Baby bags/backpacks
--Tape: Masking, duct, clear strapping
--Cheap washcloths from Walmart
--Caladryl Clear
--Cranberry pills for UTI's
--Kiddie scissors

lol!

This guy is just too funny...

so grateful

Friends, thank you so much for your prayers!  I've felt them and am doing much better.  Sunday and Monday were exhausting, but Tuesday and Wednesday have been great!  I know that my sweet hubby would appreciate your prayers, as well (he's pretty tired, too).

I'm so grateful for the adoption community.  You guys really are incredible!  You understand the struggles and joys that these special children face, and are always ready to pray, offer wise counsel and send a word of encouragement.  After my last blog post, Jennifer sent this email:

So glad to read that Jadon is doing well. Really....really, really thankful.  I'm SO sending prayers of thanks that things are moving along well for Jadon!! And definitely prayers for you that you get some rest....totally "got it" why you might be physically and emotionally spent right now!!!

If I were there, I'd take your other kids for playdates to give you a little break and bring you a dinner. Sigh...guess I have to send you an "e-dinner". So, would you rather have Tex-mex or Chinese? I've learned to make a pretty mean eggroll-in both ethnicities. If you choose Tex-Mex, then I'd add some fresh salsa....everything but the lime and salt from our garden. With those chips shaped like little bakets for dipping. But, Jadon needs something soft....so I'd work on softening up a small batch of our southwest chicken casserole or skillet tortilla casserole. Peaches are in season here....I'd have to include a peach crisp for dessert. And fresh peaches to whip up a smoothie for Jadon. Hum....I guess you better pick Mexican; I'm much better at that. See 'cause out here in DE where many people actually don't even know what a burrito is, I've had to learn to 'do for ourselves" if we want to fulfill our Tex-mex needs. So, even though you can't actually "eat" the e-dinner, you know I'm sending it with lots of hugs, love and care!!

Now, how sweet is that?!  Really!!

Jennifer also wrote the most wonderful, thought-provoking blog post on the day of Jadon's surgery here.  And she had a part to play in my deciding to go to India, as well (I'll write more about that on another day)!

Just think!  I might not have known Jennifer or so many of you if it weren't for our precious children, in whom we have so many things in common.  I'm so very grateful for you, friends.  You have truly been a blessing to me in so many ways.  I thank God for each of you!

He answers

"Why India?" (part 3)

At this point in the story, God had given me two dreams about SCH, and it was clear to me that He had something in mind.  I just didn't know what!

Then, David and I heard about a group of women who were going to SCH to visit and help for two weeks in September. We were praying about my going. On a Saturday morning close to when the group was going to buy their tickets, I told David that we would need to make a decision very soon. David prayed in faith that God would give an answer. Later that afternoon, David went to the Prayer House (if you want to know about the Prayer House in our city, go here.  You will be so encouraged!)

 It was a prayer week (we have 24/7 prayer one week per month at the Prayer House) and a sister who was there asked David if she could talk to him for a minute. She said that while she was praying, the Lord said to her, "Sarah should go to that orphanage." Now, this sister knew a little bit about SCH, but she had NO IDEA that David and I were praying about my going.  She also said that she wasn't praying about anything related to us or to orphans or India (etc.).  She simply heard His voice.

Isn't our God so very kind?!  He just loves to answer our prayers.  He gives us the answers we need, right when we need them.  The sister shared some other things that I'll have to save for a little bit later.  But, honestly, I can't wait to see what God is going to do!

*************

And in other God-answering news:  Jadon is doing great!  The doctor said that his mouth looks good.  Please keep praying that the tissue would heal together and the stitches would not break (so far, so good).

The doctor also said (drum roll here...) Jadon can actually do whatever he wants to do, as long as he doesn't bump his hip or mouth!  So, I'm not sure what happened to 5 weeks of restricted activity, but I can say that Jadon (and his parents!) were very grateful to hear this news!

If you have a moment, I would sure appreciate your prayers, because even though Jadon is doing wonderfully, Jadon's mom is pretty tired :).  Please pray that I would be a blessing to my family and all those around me, and that I would have sweet fellowship with Jesus.  Thanks so much, dear friends.  I know that He'll answer!

a little sympathy

Today, we decided that we wanted to show love to our little Jadie, by ALL sticking to a liquid diet and limiting our activity (no jumping on the neighbor's trampoline, no bike-riding, etc.).  It was GREAT, because it helped us to feel a little more sympathy for Jadon, who is on a liquid diet for 2 weeks and who has limited activity for 5 weeks.

One thing that made it super-fun to be on the liquid diet was the popsicle maker that Aunt Joyce sent to Jadon.  Wow!  I've never seen anything like it and certainly have never had such a fancy kitchen-gadget.  We had a great time making watermelon popsicles, and an even greater time eating them!

Aunt Joyce also sent Jadon two cards in the mail!  What a special encouragement she has been to Jadon!  In fact, there have been MANY people who have done such special things to make Jadon's surgery and recovery SO MUCH easier.  Thank you to Aunt Joyce, Aunt Cindy and Uncle Mark, Oma, Opa, Grammy, Grandma and Grandpa, the Penrods, the Bursheks, the Schroeders, the Croslands, Aunt Mercy and Uncle Ken, the Days, the Perkins', the Vigils, Jadon's ZhangZhou group, many of you blog-readers, and others.  All of these people have either called, sent emails, watched our children or given gifts to our precious little guy.  We love you all and are so grateful for your kindness to our family!