Thursday, October 30, 2008

Makes Me Wonder...

So, as all of you know, I'm an adoption blog addict. Yep. That's me. Can't keep myself away from reading about these families as they grow through adoption. Watching them carry out the most beautiful form of love and grace to a child in need. Seeing the first moment they meet their child. Hearing their stories. I LOVE it, take it all in. And it makes me wonder... what does God have in store?? Does He have a moment planned out like this for me:
Will I get to see my husband reach to hold our daughter for the first time??? Will I even get married? lol

I sure hope so. But God's will is hidden from our eyes, forcing us to trust Him, that what He has in store for us is perfect. And, it makes me focus on this chapter of my life as well. I have to finish this before I can move onto the next one! So as I dream and wait I'm trying to embrace the season He has put me in even though my heart longs to be somewhere else! I know that He has lessons for me here and now!!

"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

These are a few of my favorite things....

I hope that all of you are humming that song to yourself now! :)

I felt like being fun and random this morning and took this picture:

Some of my favorite things...

1.Hot chocolate

2. my phone (and all of the wonderful people I communicate to with it!!)

3. my car (hence the pic of the keys)

4. Diet Dr. Pepper (the best pop in the world),

5. painting my nails (that I just cut super short. my piano teacher will be so proud!)

6.peanut M&M's (my greatest weakness lol i can resist most anything but not these!)

So that's my silliness for the day....

What are your favorite things??

Baby Adoption Shower!!!

The shower was a success!! It was lots of fun and fellowship. I had put together a couple of special gifts for her and it was fun to finally be able to give them to her!! :)

A New Day

I'm sitting here with a steaming hot chocolate at my desk watching the rays of sunlight stream through the trees. It's so beautiful. It makes me thankful that God's incredible beauty is so evident through all of creation- in the trees and flowers, reflected in the enchanting eyes of a child, wrapped up in the loving arms of a friend's hug, glimmering in a smile. I rejoice in my God who is worthy of praise!!

It has been so long since I have blogged. I guess you could say I took a little sabbatical. And I decided to come back this morning (when I should be doing schoolwork...)! :)

So I'm not really sure where to start! It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I've been very busy with school, as well as working some extra shifts for people at the office. Tonight we're having a baby shower for the Juvinalls, since they're going to get Iona pretty soon! I'm very excited for tonight, and I think that it will be very special. I will definitely post pictures and details when it's over! :)

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

God has been so incredibly good (as always) to me and I see His kindness reflected every day. He has been so faithful to show me hope the past few weeks. For the most part, I think I've adjusted to the new plan for school. The changes have allowed me to re-evaluate my priorities, and just my life in general. The question I've been asking myself is, "How then should I live?" This is a question that Franciss A. Schaeffer asked when he wrote his book, "How then Should We Live?" which I have not read. I think that it is probably too intelligent for my brain! lol. Anyway, this question has been weighing heavily on my heart and I've really been trying to seek out the Lord's will on this. The ache in my heart for the orphans is overwhelming. So, knowing there are 143 million orphans in this world, how am I to live?? How can these next years best be spent to aid these precious children?

My mom and I had a really good conversation last weekend about the future and I was filled with excitement and anticipation for everything that God has in store for me. I'm humbled by the grace that He shows. That He offers me a new day, a chance to try again, to grow, and to seek Him more fully. The beauty that is revealed when I seek Him just overwhelming. The grace and mercy I find is indescribable.

You, oh Lord, are worthy of praise. Thank you for showing me hope and love, great Father!

Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
tell of all His wonderful acts.
Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength,
seek His face always.
Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgements he pronounced.
O descendants of Israel his servant,
O descendants of Jacob his chosen one.
He is the Lord our God;
his judgements are in all the earth.
He remembers His covenant forever,
the word he commanded for a thousand generations.
1 Chronicles 16:7-15

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Wow



Noah showed me this video today. All I said at the end was, "Wow." It's no wonder girls have anorexia and bolemia. Or just the fact that we think that we aren't beautiful. If air brushed models are the standard, then yeah, we don't reach that. Our self-esteem is low because we compare ourselves to them and we don't look to God for affirmation of beauty! Anyway, just something I've been challenging myself on and thinking about.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

NYC Video/Slideshow!!

I put together a video of my NYC pics from this past summer (i know, i'm about 5 months late.. but better now than never!). Thought everyone would like to see it. Any of you NYCers reading this feel free to post a comment about whatever comes to mind after seeing the pics! :)

(pause my music in the bottom right hand column so you can hear the video music!)


Saturday, October 18, 2008

Fun Saturday

It was a great Saturday!!! This morning was my annual pedicure with Corinne (we always go in october for our birthdays). It was very relaxing and fun!! :) Definitely a treat.

Then we headed to the mall to eat lunch and do some shopping. We really didn't buy anything. I used a Bath and Body Works coupon and got my favorite lotion free. :)
I babysat this afternoon until 8 tonight. It was my first time babysitting for this family. They have a little baby girl who's almost 1. It was fun. :) She was a cuddler. I was reminded of the little cuties I held in Guatemala. They would nestle up and just lay their head on your shoulder. So sweet.
This evening I got back from babysitting and took Caleb with me to go get ice cream. We'd tried 3-4 times this week to get some because I've been craving it all week but it hadn't worked out. So I finally got my DQ! :)