(This is Krissy writing)
Praise the Lord! We've got a date set for our homestudy! We're so excited about this fact because it's a step toward the goal! AND it's been such a headache trying to find a date that would work for both us and the social worker. We'll be meeting with her on Saturday, April 25 at 4:00pm. It seems as though every single Saturday this spring is jam-packed with stuff, and I hate the fact that I have another big event scheduled for the same day. But I know that it's that day and time for a reason.
It's so amazing how God works His hand in our lives, weaving and connecting all the threads together, writing His story. This morning was one of those GOD MOMENTS that I need to document, so I can remember it. The last few days, I've had a hard time just getting up and getting going, for several reasons that I won't go into. I've just been tired, and stressed about all that's going on, and waking up in the mornings has just been weighty, so to speak. I've just woken up "bummed" every morning for the last 5-6 days, for whatever reason. Well, this morning was no different, and after I had gotten ready for the day, I went into the kitchen to scrounge for breakfast. Lo and behold, I had received a text message from a number that I didn't recognize. The text message was a scripture verse from Deuteronomy 2:7, "For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. *He knows* your TRUDGING through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked NOTHING." (The asterisks and capitalization were in the text.) Now I thought, "Who would have texted me this scripture? It speaks exactly what I needed to hear at this exact moment..." thinking that it might be someone I had shared with recently about what was going on in my life, or someone who at least had a clue that I might be stressed about something. I had NO clue who's cell phone number that was. I looked through all my contacts in outlook, in our church directory, I called Gary to see if he recognized the number, and he searched as well, and neither of us could find it. So I decided to just text back and said, "Who is this? You have no idea how perfectly timed this text was. Thank you so much for following the Holy Spirit's leading."
It turns out that it was a former student of mine, Sandra, who I haven't talked to or heard from in several years (an absolutely amazing girl!!) who was just totally following the Lord's leading to text me that particular scripture this morning. Praise You, Lord. The weird thing is that she doesn't know what's been going on in my life at all - has no clue that we're adopting, that I left Klein (well, she may know that - but not what I'm doing now), that I've been waking up not wanting to get up in the mornings lately... and yet this scripture - God's Word - is so living and active that whatever it meant to her today, and prompted her to text it to me, touched my heart in such an awesome way.
So, I just thought I'd share this moment, and just rejoice that God is so good. Thank you, Jesus.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
First Sunday
We had an absolutely amazing first Sunday in our new building yesterday. There were absolutely no kinks in the actual service (that I was aware of). Everyone knew where they were supposed to be, the sound guys were great, and the video guys did a fantastic job, too!
The things that I heard about: children's check-in has gone all electronic, with a really cool new card-scanning program (kind of like a library card, or a Kroger's card), and everyone was just getting used to that. Plus, we ran about 1000 in attendance yesterday (about 250-300 more than normal - and this was just our SOFT opening! Grand opening month starts next Sunday!! WOW!), so the parking was a MAJOR issue - we are required to hire cops now that we're in the building and on a major street (Kuykendahl), and that went pretty smoothly, but we just don't have anywhere left for people to park! Grass would probably have worked, but it's been raining all week, so the mud would not be good. And the time between services was a headache...we may need to start parking in the Lowe's lot down the street and shuttling people, until we get more parking lots poured.
Yesterday evening, we had a dedication service, which was a little more mellow worship time, and lots of prayer and praise. It was just amazing (lasted a good hour and a half). I was able to help lead worship at both services (morning and evening) by singing back-up, which was just humbling, to say the least. I loved standing up there, being the "prompter" and hearing the voices of people singing their praise to God. I had the best seat in the house!!!
The energy of yesterday, for me, still hasn't worn off. I'm so excited to go back and do more of yesterday!!
Gary stayed home today (took a sick day) to rest and relax after an extremely exhausting and strenuous week last week moving everything and getting it all set up for the first Sunday (I encouraged him to). His health has been so good for the entirety of our marriage (almost 4 years!), but we both know that even the slightest bit of stress can bring on bad things with his Crohn's.Well, I'm off to clean a little. Moses threw up last night in two places, so I'm going to pull out the carpet cleaner (that was actually on my to-do list for Spring Break...Moses just held me to it!). We've put him on new food, Beneful, because we couldn't find his normal food last time we went to the store, and he loves it so much that he scarfs it down really fast. Also, he gets into the trash cans and pulls out the trash and chews on it, and yesterday he got into the one that Gary had thrown away a paper towel with shoe polish on it. Moses pulled that out and started tearing it up. I think that probably had something to do with his regurgitation, as well... (sorry - TMI??)
The things that I heard about: children's check-in has gone all electronic, with a really cool new card-scanning program (kind of like a library card, or a Kroger's card), and everyone was just getting used to that. Plus, we ran about 1000 in attendance yesterday (about 250-300 more than normal - and this was just our SOFT opening! Grand opening month starts next Sunday!! WOW!), so the parking was a MAJOR issue - we are required to hire cops now that we're in the building and on a major street (Kuykendahl), and that went pretty smoothly, but we just don't have anywhere left for people to park! Grass would probably have worked, but it's been raining all week, so the mud would not be good. And the time between services was a headache...we may need to start parking in the Lowe's lot down the street and shuttling people, until we get more parking lots poured.
Yesterday evening, we had a dedication service, which was a little more mellow worship time, and lots of prayer and praise. It was just amazing (lasted a good hour and a half). I was able to help lead worship at both services (morning and evening) by singing back-up, which was just humbling, to say the least. I loved standing up there, being the "prompter" and hearing the voices of people singing their praise to God. I had the best seat in the house!!!
The energy of yesterday, for me, still hasn't worn off. I'm so excited to go back and do more of yesterday!!
Gary stayed home today (took a sick day) to rest and relax after an extremely exhausting and strenuous week last week moving everything and getting it all set up for the first Sunday (I encouraged him to). His health has been so good for the entirety of our marriage (almost 4 years!), but we both know that even the slightest bit of stress can bring on bad things with his Crohn's.Well, I'm off to clean a little. Moses threw up last night in two places, so I'm going to pull out the carpet cleaner (that was actually on my to-do list for Spring Break...Moses just held me to it!). We've put him on new food, Beneful, because we couldn't find his normal food last time we went to the store, and he loves it so much that he scarfs it down really fast. Also, he gets into the trash cans and pulls out the trash and chews on it, and yesterday he got into the one that Gary had thrown away a paper towel with shoe polish on it. Moses pulled that out and started tearing it up. I think that probably had something to do with his regurgitation, as well... (sorry - TMI??)
Monday, March 9, 2009
Adoption Tax Credit
The federal adoption tax credit has made our adoption much more affordable. And we are hoping it will still be around when we complete our adoption so we can take advantage of it. The tax credit is set to expire in December 2010 unless Congress votes to continue it.
The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213, would keep the adoption tax credit from being repealed, and may make the tax relief measure permanent.
It only takes a few minutes to email or call your senators and congressmen — it’s important for them to hear from families impacted by the tax credit.
Write your U.S. Representative
Write your U.S. Senator
If you have a blog, you can post the widget/button about H.R. 213 to your sidebar to raise awareness about this legislation (see my sidebar) - just cut and paste the following code to your site:
The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213, would keep the adoption tax credit from being repealed, and may make the tax relief measure permanent.
It only takes a few minutes to email or call your senators and congressmen — it’s important for them to hear from families impacted by the tax credit.
Write your U.S. Representative
Write your U.S. Senator
If you have a blog, you can post the widget/button about H.R. 213 to your sidebar to raise awareness about this legislation (see my sidebar) - just cut and paste the following code to your site:
Movement...
It was brought to our attention that while reading this blog, it usually takes the reader a second to determine which one of us is actually writing the post. So we'll try to be better about labeling who's writing.
KRISSY SAYS:
We finally heard from the social worker! Yay! We received a slough of files and paperwork to fill out before she comes and interviews us (we're not sure when that will be). These items include:
1. Criminal background checks on both of us
2. A sign-off sheet for our physicians to "okay" us physically/medically
3. Personal Data Form (our financial, work, residency, educational, etc. histories)
4. A list of documents they need copies of (ie. birth/marriage certs, drivers' licenses, etc.)
5. Autobiography (VERY detailed)
6. References
I got a surge of energy last night when I received the email, printed out all the paperwork and started filling it out at 10:00 last night (that's past our normal bedtime, FYI). :)
I also re-organized the kitchen yesterday afternoon (NESTING, much?!). I am in heaven right now (me and my organized neat-freak self). It looks great, and we're not having to try to stuff things in the cupboards or pantry any more. Can anyone say "GARAGE SALE!" That will be my June project, after I get through the millions of tasks that lay before me through the end of the school year.
It's spring break right now for our school district, so I decided to take the week completely off, too, from the other school I teach at, whose spring break is next week. I have a to-do list a mile long, and am SO excited to get working on it (that's actually not sarcastic - I'm really motivated to do these things around the house!)
I finally found a program that I can use with my handy-dandy built-in laptop web-camera. I'm really excited about it because that means I can record my students, how they actually look while they're singing. The internal microphone on this computer isn't the greatest, but I have a great little headset mic that I use to record them and me singing. (Okay, okay, I agree...I am a total choir nerd!)
Anyway, I was playing around with it last night and took some "family pictures" (minus princess Lucy, who refused to let us take her picture).
Oh, and I'm on SKYPE now, too. If anyone wants my screen name, just send me an email or write on my Facebook Wall. I'd love to chat with ya!
Moses is trying to smile, but doesn't have lips. :)
Daddy's getting some lovin'!
Lots of it!!
KRISSY SAYS:
We finally heard from the social worker! Yay! We received a slough of files and paperwork to fill out before she comes and interviews us (we're not sure when that will be). These items include:
1. Criminal background checks on both of us
2. A sign-off sheet for our physicians to "okay" us physically/medically
3. Personal Data Form (our financial, work, residency, educational, etc. histories)
4. A list of documents they need copies of (ie. birth/marriage certs, drivers' licenses, etc.)
5. Autobiography (VERY detailed)
6. References
I got a surge of energy last night when I received the email, printed out all the paperwork and started filling it out at 10:00 last night (that's past our normal bedtime, FYI). :)
I also re-organized the kitchen yesterday afternoon (NESTING, much?!). I am in heaven right now (me and my organized neat-freak self). It looks great, and we're not having to try to stuff things in the cupboards or pantry any more. Can anyone say "GARAGE SALE!" That will be my June project, after I get through the millions of tasks that lay before me through the end of the school year.
It's spring break right now for our school district, so I decided to take the week completely off, too, from the other school I teach at, whose spring break is next week. I have a to-do list a mile long, and am SO excited to get working on it (that's actually not sarcastic - I'm really motivated to do these things around the house!)
I finally found a program that I can use with my handy-dandy built-in laptop web-camera. I'm really excited about it because that means I can record my students, how they actually look while they're singing. The internal microphone on this computer isn't the greatest, but I have a great little headset mic that I use to record them and me singing. (Okay, okay, I agree...I am a total choir nerd!)
Anyway, I was playing around with it last night and took some "family pictures" (minus princess Lucy, who refused to let us take her picture).
Oh, and I'm on SKYPE now, too. If anyone wants my screen name, just send me an email or write on my Facebook Wall. I'd love to chat with ya!
Moses is trying to smile, but doesn't have lips. :) 
Daddy's getting some lovin'!
Lots of it!!One other prayer request: My parents both left yesterday for Costa Rica on a mission trip (their third trip there), to work with the Kabekar (sp?) people. Please pray for their trip to be successful, for their health and stamina in making a VERY GRUELLING backpacking hike (8-10 hours) up the slick mud of a mountain to the reservation. To give you an idea, my mom has been training for this hike for the last six months, at least. They'll be gone until March 17. Pray that the Lord would continue to work in this people group, opening their hearts to receive the Truth and live in the Way.
That's all for now! Have a wonderful week...
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Ephesians, Spirit, A Call to Die, and Prayer Requests
I have been studying Ephesians quite a bit lately, as you can probably tell by the last few posts I have made. I have been teaching Ephesians in our adult Sunday School class. It has been a great class, but will be interrupted as there is not room on Sunday morning in our new building for the class. So, I am doing something interesting this weekend. I told everyone to finish reading Ephesians (we are halfway through chapter 3). I told them to make a list of questions, and we will discuss some of them next week. So how do I study for such a class? I was struggling with that today. As I was beginning to study the end of chapter 3, I came to the realization that I know how to study the Bible. If others have questions, maybe it would be best if I just helped them see how to study this for themselves and come to a conclusion. Perhaps that would be ten times better than spitting out answers to their questions. You think?!
Interestingly enough, as I was studying the last part of chapter 3, I was amazed at Paul's prayer. If I prayed like this, perhaps the power and strength he is praying for would be clearly manifested in my life. He bows his knees on behalf of the saints, in order that they would be strengthened with power through the Spirit, which is in our inner being. When I read that, I stopped. The Spirit is in my inner being. If you are a saint, one who is in Christ, then the Spirit is in your inner being. Now the Holy Spirit being resident in our inner being is huge, but how often do we, saints, Christians, actually live our lives as if the Holy Spirit is residing inside of us. How often do we indulge in something as if the Spirit of God was nowhere near us? The Spirit of God dwells within me, and I have the nerve to disobey Him. So here is the question, which I heard second hand from a preacher: Is the Spirit residing in you, or is the Spirit presiding in you?
The Spirit presiding in us is exactly what Paul was praying for. It is only then that we will be strengthened with power and will comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Paul says that is when we are filled with all the fullness of God. WHOA! I pray that I may submit myself wholly to the Spirit in my inner being. Adopting a child and raising him/her in this world without living by the Spirit is dangerous. As Krissy and I will be the chief role-models for this child, I want nothing other than for our lives to reflect the presence of Christ in our hearts. I want it to be so evident that our children grow up knowing the love of Christ better than we do. May my flesh be put to death, and the Spirit preside in my life.
Speaking of being put to death...we (the ministers at church) are reading through a book by David Nasser, A Call to Die. We began last Wednesday, and are going through the season of lent. The subtitle is: 40 days of fasting from the world and feasting on God. It is a great work. It is just as the title says, a call for us to die to ourselves and submit ourselves to God. I recommend the book to anyone. It is best if you go through it with a group of people, so you will be held accountable. The Spirit is working on me through this book.
Thank you to all who are praying for us. We are still waiting to hear from the agency that the social worker has signed their agreement. Once that takes place we will schedule time with her and get moving. We ask that you all continue to pray for/with us as we seek God's hand through the entire process. Our main prayer concerns (in my view) are: patience, provision (money), preparation (for being parents), something else that begins with a p, and peace. Thank you for being the body of Christ with us!
Interestingly enough, as I was studying the last part of chapter 3, I was amazed at Paul's prayer. If I prayed like this, perhaps the power and strength he is praying for would be clearly manifested in my life. He bows his knees on behalf of the saints, in order that they would be strengthened with power through the Spirit, which is in our inner being. When I read that, I stopped. The Spirit is in my inner being. If you are a saint, one who is in Christ, then the Spirit is in your inner being. Now the Holy Spirit being resident in our inner being is huge, but how often do we, saints, Christians, actually live our lives as if the Holy Spirit is residing inside of us. How often do we indulge in something as if the Spirit of God was nowhere near us? The Spirit of God dwells within me, and I have the nerve to disobey Him. So here is the question, which I heard second hand from a preacher: Is the Spirit residing in you, or is the Spirit presiding in you?
The Spirit presiding in us is exactly what Paul was praying for. It is only then that we will be strengthened with power and will comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Paul says that is when we are filled with all the fullness of God. WHOA! I pray that I may submit myself wholly to the Spirit in my inner being. Adopting a child and raising him/her in this world without living by the Spirit is dangerous. As Krissy and I will be the chief role-models for this child, I want nothing other than for our lives to reflect the presence of Christ in our hearts. I want it to be so evident that our children grow up knowing the love of Christ better than we do. May my flesh be put to death, and the Spirit preside in my life.
Speaking of being put to death...we (the ministers at church) are reading through a book by David Nasser, A Call to Die. We began last Wednesday, and are going through the season of lent. The subtitle is: 40 days of fasting from the world and feasting on God. It is a great work. It is just as the title says, a call for us to die to ourselves and submit ourselves to God. I recommend the book to anyone. It is best if you go through it with a group of people, so you will be held accountable. The Spirit is working on me through this book.
Thank you to all who are praying for us. We are still waiting to hear from the agency that the social worker has signed their agreement. Once that takes place we will schedule time with her and get moving. We ask that you all continue to pray for/with us as we seek God's hand through the entire process. Our main prayer concerns (in my view) are: patience, provision (money), preparation (for being parents), something else that begins with a p, and peace. Thank you for being the body of Christ with us!
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