Pray, Pray, Pray!

Prayer is powerful. Prayer works. God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him. He cares. He delights in us. He delights even in the little details of our lives. There is nothing about our life that is insignificant to Him. He is our Father, and He loves us. He wants to be intimately involved. We know that Jesus prayed. In Hebrews 5:7 it says, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” In John 15, Jesus prayed for us! In Hebrews 7:25 it says that Jesus lives to intercede for us. We are to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Prayer can be done anywhere and at any time. While doing dishes, driving, in the shower, lying awake in bed, cooking, doing chores, while on hold on the telephone, exercising...we are to pray continuously. Let’s strive to incorporate prayer into every aspect of our daily life. God LOVES prayer, but more than that, He LOVES the heart of the one praying. Give Him your heart and let’s pray!

We want to be covered in prayer while we are in Africa. Everywhere we go, everything we say, everything we do, we want the path to already be paved in prayer. Praying is hard work, but it may be the most important part of this entire trip. Know and believe that the Holy Spirit is alive and working and accomplishing His purposes. There are no coincidences... We want God to be lining up every single person we will come into contact with, at every specific moment. Please join us in praying and let’s wait in excited anticipation for the outpouring of God’s answers. This is for God’s glory, for His pleasure. It is His will.

Pray for...
Katie to be appointed the same court date as Christopher's
Our health—no cold, flu, stomach problems...
Not one mosquito bite
Safe, smooth, and on-time travel whether by plane, car, boda boda, bus, piki…
Safe food and clean drinking water
That our belongings, supplies, money would be kept safe
God would show us who to bless with our supplies and Bibles
God would protect us everywhere we go
Get good sleep and no bad dreams (which can be common with the malaria medicine, stress, etc.)
That there would be unity and a deepened friendship among our team of 4
That we would be filled and led by the Holy Spirit
No fear, worry or anxiety
No contact with bats or snakes
We would be willing and obedient wherever God leads
Powerful times of prayer, worship, devotions, and reading the Bible
We would hear God speak to us
We would come home sooner than 5 weeks
That Katie would be healed of her Sickle Cell Anemia
We would experience God’s presence, comfort, security and strength
We would get a positive court ruling with the exact words that the US Embassy needs
All passports would be ready immediately—no delays, lost, or soiled…
Judge would be feeling well, hear our case and rule favorably
That we would have the opportunity to share the gospel with the officials and citizens of Uganda
Visas would be granted efficiently
Children would be healthy
We would come home with ALL four children
There would be no homesickness
Erryn and Jenny would both get their written rulings on the same day as the court date
We would have electricity everyday
Children would know/recognize me as their Mommy, God would already have our hearts knitted together
We would have time and a place to blog regularly
God would place a hedge of protection around us and defeat the ways of the enemy
Protect, provide, encourage, and love on our families here at home
We would be used by God in the most effective way possible
God would be glorified

Bring me anything that brings You glory

This is one of my favorite songs. It is so hard for me to sing the words, but it is my heart's desire. With a worshipful heart, this is my prayer.
I believe this could be the theme song to our entire adoption process. It has been a roller coaster ride of emotions and circumstances, but we have truly believed that whatever it takes, we want God to receive the glory. We want the spotlight on Him.

bring the rain

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I’ve gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It’s never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you oh Lord
My only shelter from the storms
But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know There’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You
Jesus Bring the Rain

I am Yours regardless of
The clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what’s a little rain

Chorus

Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Is the Lord God Almighty (repeat)

Written by MercyMe© 2006 Simpleville Music(ASCAP) / Wet As A Fish Music(ASCAP)All rights administered by Simpleville Music, Inc. All rights reserved.

Shouting from the roof-top!

I literally want to pull out the ladder, climb on top of the roof and sing praises to our Lord!

WE HAVE OUR COURT DATE!!!!!!

It's finally happening. The date is March 17. We also got the news that Deke and Erryn, who also are adopting two from Uganda, got their court date--March 12! It is always exciting living for the Lord and we are continually being reminded of His sovereignty, love, and faithfulness.

Thank you Jesus!

Here is the link to our news story and spot on KULR 8 News. Make sure to click on 'watch the video'
http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/15149336.html

Here am I. Send me!

I love this passage...Isaiah 6:1-8

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Tonight I was reading a long (12 page) testimony of Deke and Erryn's time in Africa last summer. It is an incredible story of the power of God and His unfailing love. It's amazing how we never tire of hearing about the workings of God's hands. I was in tears several times as I saw how God had orchestrated this entire trip and how He accomplished His purposes through willing and obedient people. Lives were changed for eternity!
God began creating a fire of enthusiasm within me. He has stirred my heart for His people. I am filled with awe, with joy, and with a longing to be sent and to be used by God. I am excited at the thought of what God has instore for us to accomplish while in Uganda. I have already known this, but tonight I have been brought to another level of understanding...this is not just about bringing home two children from Africa. God has such a bigger picture of what He wants accomplished. God renewed my perspective of how I will be spending my time in Uganda. Although 2 weeks to a month is a relatively short time, God can use that time to change lives for eternity. I want to be available. I want to be ready. I want God to choose me, to send me, to use me to the fullest. So Lord here I am, send me!

Where's Waldo... Where's Katie?


Christopher and his friend Amberly




Christopher peeking out from the bottom of a stroller

Psalm 105:1-5 "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 judgments he pronounced."

Psalm 126:3 "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

God is at work around us. He is powerful, He is our mighty fortress, He loves us and He has done great things for us. Le us praise Him. Let us love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind.

We are still waiting....waiting for a court date that God had planned from the beginning of time. We have had many spiritual attacks in the last few days. I am refusing to be discouraged. I am doing my best to keep my eyes fixed upon my Lord and Savior.

** We are rejoicing that our friends Tim and Leala, who are adopting Melody and Joseph from Amani Baby Cottage, just received their court date for March 10. We are so excited and praise God.
** Our friends Deke and Erryn are adopting two children from Uganda. They have an amazing story of how God has led them to these precious siblings, Bosco and Nancy. Read their blog to see God's fingerprints all over their lives... http://lundmanzoofollowinghim.blogspot.com
I will be travelling with Erryn and her mom, Cheryl, to Uganda. If it's God will, we will be bringing home four children!!
** Our friends Jordan and Lacey have been extremely supportive and encouraging through the entire process of our adoption. Just recently we found out that Lacey will be travelling with us to Uganda! It is such an incredible joy and blessing to have friends that love the Lord and with whom we can do life together.

So there are four of us going to Uganda, and we will make our flights as soon as Todd and I receive our court date. Erryn and I will be appearing before separate judges and awaiting their approval to bring home our children. We will also have to obtain visas and passports. Although our priority is meeting with the officials and receiving our positive court ruling, we will also be meeting the needs of the Uganda people. We are collecting Bibles, toothbrushes and other hygiene items, medicines, flip flops, bouncy balls...basically anything we can squeeze into our luggage to bless the children and families of Uganda. We are so excited for this trip, we can hardly contain ourselves. Please cover us in prayer.

Psalm 150 "Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."

Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."