Abundant Blessings

Sorry for my horrible maintenance of the blog the past several weeks. I have been trying to finish the school quarter, and Systematic Theology has been a challenge to my schedule :) I am so very excited to have the opportunity to study Biblical text with such amazing professors and an awesome group of classmates, more like family than not, but it certainly requires discipline!

I have to admit that I have been thankful for the distractions, though. As many adoptive parents can attest, the wait seems to get harder and harder, your emotions easier to rattle, and your heart ready to explode at any minute the closer you get to "the call". I think we find ourselves unofficially in single digits now for (at least) a baby boy, and so much closer to the fulfillment of the dream that God placed upon our hearts so long ago. Although it looks like a little man will be joining our family in the next few months, we know that our God is a big, BIG God, so anything could happen :) No matter what, we will be full of joy.

Brandon and I are certainly starting to realize that we actually have to get some things ready for our little one(s), and we have enjoyed starting the hunt for all that baby stuff, although it isn't too realistic to buy much yet, considering we don't know exactly what we will need. Looking is fun, none the less!

So many adoptive families report feeling burdened around the day something happens with their little one- on the day of their birth, the day they enter the orphanage, or other significant days in their lives; somewhat of a revelation from the Holy Spirit. We have not felt that burden yet, although we continue to pray fervently for the life of our Ethiopian family (Baby, Parents, Grandparents), whatever the factors that drive them hopelessly to adoption. Maybe our little one is not yet born, maybe they are still in the arms of their mama, or maybe they are suffering great loss in an African orphanage. No matter where you are, little one, mommy and daddy love you, God is holding you in His arms, and we are coming for you soon.

Mostly now, we live in the moment and the realization that our lives have been abundantly blessed. We have a wonderful family, a marriage rooted in love and in God, and the hope of Christ and His rich promises for each tomorrow. We feel that there is so much that He is calling us to do for Him and His children, and continue to walk the path that He has laid out for us. Each day, the light shines on a little bit more of the path, and we are called in obedience to take the next step. Sometimes, in our humanness, we want the light to shine a little brighter, illuminating the path a little further into the future, yet God's plan is perfect, and His revelations come at exactly the right time. Thank you, gracious Father, for our abundant blessings, and those yet to come. You are faithful; help me to be faithful unto You.

In Christ Alone...Blessings.

Kindra

The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. Psalm 145:13

I LOVE (BIG HEART) REFERRALS!

YEAH FOR REFERRALS!!!!!!!






Can I tell you how much I love referrals?! They bring so much joy to my heart and renew the Spirit of this wait. There have been some wonderful families receive referrals in the past couple of weeks, and it is such a blessing to share this part of life with them! I feel that my life is so incredibly enriched by the fact that we can share these moments together, and I just wanted to shout a PRAISE!!!!! for this gift God has given me! Someday, we will be celebrating MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kindra

Psalm 23

This morning I had the immense privilege of hearing one of my Seminary professors give a message on the 23rd Psalm. It is a Psalm that we hear often, especially after a death, however its message runs deeper, and can apply to every valley in our lives, no matter how deep or how dark.

At those times we are standing before a valley, we are often frightened and sad; the valley is dark, uncertain. Yet our Shepherd calls us deeper and deeper into the darkness, into the valley.We cry out, "But Lord the things in the valley are bigger than I; the walls in the valley are steep and jagged!" Yet, He tells us, "Do not look at the walls, look at Me. Nothing in the valley is bigger than Me. I am your Shepherd, and I will not leave you. I have been through this valley before, and I know the way. I promise that there will be green pastures on the other side. There you will be refreshed, you will receive rest, and your faith in Me will be stronger, because you will see that I have brought you forth from the dark, closing walls of the valley."

So, stay close to the Shepherd- He is shaping you to be a follower that clings to Him in all things. Soon you will be able to lift your arms in praise and say, "I was blind, but now I see; Jesus you kept the faith in me!"

Friends, our life journey, and specifically our journey through adoption can certainly have its share of valley's- they are dark, uncertain, and often terrifying. God has written your name on this path, and He is walking it with you. As He calls you deeper and deeper into the darkness, cling tightly to Him and His promise that there are green pastures waiting for you, children to call your own will be yours on the other side! We can see His promise to us in Psalm 23. Write it on your heart...

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I feel no evil for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen Psalm 23

Kindra