Trusting your plan

Ok, this is going to be the longest post I have ever written. So if you don't have time to grab a cup of something warm and sit down you may want to come back. :)

I want to make sure that I remember as many details as I can, thank you for letting me share my story with you.

Isn't it funny how we plan our lives thinking that we are in control?
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" proverbs 16:9 


We started this "Journey to our Beloved" with a desire for a baby girl.  Over the course of the past 14 months the Lord has been opening our hearts for the change that was about to happen that we knew nothing about.
Most recently on our agencies waiting child list two precious little girls who are in need of a forever family tugged at my heart.  So began a deep soul searching and prayerful time as to what the Lord was asking us to do.  Believe me, fear had a grip on me. Dear Lord this was not MY plan.  We prayed and we talked, we prayed some more.
 Our pastors wife, Nancy prayed with me before I sat down to hear the message.  Rick was home sick in bed. I actually think he already knew in his heart and he was just waiting for me to catch up.  I believe that I was there by myself so that I would have the ears to hear. It needed to penetrate my heart.  We are studying the book of Joshua and when I look at the notes that I took I am in awe.  I needed to hear this!

• Put your trust in God - step out and let me move
• You are rooted in Gods promise and plan
• I'm going to do this and I'm going to give you the confidence it's Me.
• To see me move, you are going to have to obey

Our associate pastor Trevor went on to say that God is going to do things that we can't do on our own.  Pause and prepare yourself spiritually so that you are in His presence. Let Gods power work in you and through you. 

I had two different people give me something to think about at church. I love when people share like that. 

After coming home the soul searching began intensely.  My poor hubby, I am analytic, I'm a women and I process ALOT... it was good though, I needed to ask myself the hard questions, I needed to face my fears and search my soul.  It really all came down to His plan was different than mine and I was stomping and kicking my feet.  The funny thing is I have prayed all along "Your will, not mine" I just didn't take into consideration that His plan might look different. I wrestled with confusion too.  I am so thankful God is patient and merciful. I knew deep in my heart that I was being asked to say yes to these sweet, precious girls.  However to do that it would take surrendering and a heavy dose of trust. Did I mention that I have trust issues?  I know right?! 

One of the moms from Emily's school had joined us for some impromptu prayer earlier in the week and she took me aside afterwards and said "God is going to make a direct path to your girls".  I should have appreciated the encouragement but I was still not sure what that meant.   

I am happy to say that God is bigger than my fears, my hang ups and I can trust Him. I took that step of blind faith and when I said yes, I felt peace!! 

We are going to be the proud parents of two cute little girls from Ethiopia.  My husband is so happy and our daughter Emily cannot wait to meet them and play with them. I already can envision "The Three Musketeers" running and playing.  

We appreciate any and all prayers,

hugs,

Connie :)

Aloha

Aloha! To anyone still taking a peek at my blog I am still around!! Let's just say November up til now has been a whirlwind; good times and of course unexpected changes. I have a lot of catching up to do so please check back often, I promise to try to be more proactive with posting!  ;)

Our good friends vacation on Maui and on one of their trips back home they surprised Miss Emily with this hula dancer attire.  We always wondered what the special occasion would be for this particular outfit. Now we know...it was "Hawaiian" night for AWANA's and she had the perfect outfit! She was so excited to wear it and I must admit she looked adorable.  She is going to have a ton of fun playing dress up in it again.  Thank you M family!

The Nutcracker

Over the holidays my hubby surprised us by taking the family to see The Nutcracker.  He put so much thought into the evening.  As I was getting ready he brought me in a necklace and earrings to wear with my outfit that he had picked out and purchased for me.  He did great, I like them both.  He also made dinner  reservations for us at PF Changs for after the show.  Even though we had 3 seats I was able to stand up and over on the side for the performance due to my back and not being able to sit for more than 30 minutes.  It worked out great. The dancers were so graceful and the sets were amazing.  We thoroughly enjoyed it.  Emily even saw her BFF and we were able to snap a few pictures of them together.  After the performance they had goody bags for the kiddos which consisted of chocolate milk and cookies.  Emily is now confident that she wants to be a princess and a ballerina. :)

Thank you honey for a wonderful time and the happy memories! We love you!!

Twas the night before....

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse...the stockings were all hung by the chimney with care in hopes that Saint Nicholas would soon be there!

stockings all hung..the furbabies, Emily, mommy and daddy's

cookies and milk for Santa

Emily all snug in her bed while the elves dash around "working"

mommy and daddy happy and thankful


One of my favorite parts about Christmas Eve is going to church with my family.  For me personally it touches my heart in such a way that I feel so full of love and thankfulness.  While decorating a Christmas tree is fun, baking is fun, buying and making gifts for family and friends is fun I am grateful that long, long ago God sent His one and only son Jesus not only for me but for every single one of us.  If you have not ever read the Christmas Story you should, it is amazing.  My heart goes out to anyone who for this holiday season may not know the joy and love of Jesus, family and friends. We may not know who you are or what exactly your circumstances are but we are praying for you.  Jesus really does love you!

Wishing you all a very Merry and blessed Christmas.

When the moon hits your eye

"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, thats amore"

Ok, I admit it we are pizza lovers, must be those carbs! :)  So of course we all were very excited when Papa M's came out with the "Mini Murphy". As Emily would say "it's just my size" and she has so much fun putting it all together.  Funny how simple things with a four year old turn out to be the some of the most fun things!

Ta Da !

Baby Love

Miss Emily has approximately 10 babies that she loves up daily.  She is a busy momma with all the feeding, rocking, changing diapers and taking her girls for a stroll.  I love watching her interact with each of them.  She seems to really have a heart for babies both pretend and the real deal.  Here are few of her favorites out on a stroll.  They are from left to right: Baby Kai, Ling Ling, Lou Lou and Baby Emma. 

And while on the subject of babies we moved up one spot today! Woohoo! We are now #24 officially & #13 unofficially.  I hope more baby girl referrals are on their way as movement has been so slow lately.  Please add that to your Christmas lists. :)

Me and my baby girls

Let It Snow, Let Him Reign

"Let It Snow, Let Him Reign" the given theme for the Christmas Tea

Today was a special day for me. I was able to go to the Christmas Tea that our womens ministry at church puts on each year. Ladies from our church sign up to host a table of seven and provide the tea set along with decorating their table in a festive manner. This year there were 30+ tables. A local high school choir provided caroling as we meandered around the room looking at all the beautiful tables. We then opened up with some awesome worship music, a choreorgraphed dance, light lunch and our guest speaker spoke.

Did you know that each snowflake is created uniquely and wonderous? That no two are alike? The analogy given covered multiple ways that snow is like Jesus. First just as snow can blanket the drab and dreary landscape and make it beautiful again so can Jesus do that with each of us. He can take our hurts and our sins and bind them up. He can heal those places in our heart that ache and fill them with His love. He is a God of restoration; He can make beauty from ashes.

Just as snow is beautiful so is each person, both inwardly and outwardly. This is a tough one for many of us to remember let alone believe. Yet we are created in His image and this is how God sees each of us. I will say it again YOU are beautiful.

This brings me to the next point. Snowballs. So while each individual snowflake is amazing you can't make a snowball with only one snowflake. We are created for fellowship. Ladies we need each other. Unfortunately todays society tends to have women view other women as the enemy when in reality that is a lie. In my moms day for example women got together for crafts, canning, babysitting swaps, chatting over a beverage. I believe that there are women right now who would love to have someone to share their hearts with, that could use some encouragement or maybe just making a new friend. Not to mention that while our hubbys may be great listeners they will never truly be able to understand a womens heart. That is why I believe God gave us girlfriends. My hope is that we will reach out a bit more to one another even if it's only one small step at a time.

There was so much more said that was thought provoking and rich however I am at a loss for putting it into words right now. 

Thank you to my friends who met up with me at the tea, you bless me and I had a wonderful time.

 

Our table that Amber graciously hosted, beautiful!

Isn't this like a winter wonderland

Mary,Me, Debb and Amber

 Asian inspired

For God so loved the world...