I feel that I am constantly asking for your prayers. However, I truly feel God telling me to ask those of you who faithfully read, to lift us up in prayer. We have now submitted four grant applications. We should be hearing back from them at the beginning of the new year. One in particular is meeting on January 10th. Please pray specifically that those who review us would find favor with us. In the book Prayers That Avail Much, there is a specific prayer that we will be praying over in these upcoming weeks. If you feel led, we would ask you to do so as well.
Father, in the name of Jesus, You make Your face to shine upon and enlighten Chris/ Vanessa and are gracious (kind, merciful and giving favor) to them. Chris/Vanessa are the head and not the tail. Chris/Vanessa are above only and not beneath.
Thank you for favor for Chris/Vanessa who seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness and diligently seek good. Chris/Vanessa are a blessing to You, Lord, and are a blessing to these adoption grant funds. Grace (favor) is with Chris/Vanessa who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. Chris/Vanessa extend favor, honor and love to adoption grant funds. Chris/Vanessa are flowing in Your love, Father. You are pouring out upon Chris/Vanessa the spirit of favor. You crown them with glory and honor, for they are Your children-Your workmanship.
Chris/Vanessa are a success today. Chris/Vanessa are people very special with You, Lord. Chris/Vanessa are growing in the Lord-waxing strong in spirit. Father, You give Chris/Vanessa knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom.
You bring these adoption grant funds to find favor, compassion, and loving kindness with Chis/Vanessa. Chris/Vanessa obtain favor in the sight of all who look upon them this day in the name of Jesus. Chris/Vanessa are filled with Your fullness-rooted and grounded in love. You are doing exceeding abundantly above all that Chris/Vanessa asks or thinks, for Your mighty power is taking over in these adoption grant funds.
Thank you, Father, that Chris/Vanessa are well-favored by You and by man in Jesus' name! Amen.
Thank you to those of you who are upholding us in prayer. We had a busy, but very fulfilling Christmas. I will try and jump on here in the next few days to update you with a few pictures of Zoelle and maybe (if I am brave) a pregnancy picture. Blessings to all in this New Year!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
All I Really Want For Christmas
On this cold December day, my thoughts, once again turn to adoption. Here is an absolutely beautiful music video by Steven Curtis Chapman on the miracle of adoption.
As we come closer to Christmas, I can't help but think all I really want for Christmas is my baby to be in my arms. However, there are millions of children out there who only want a family for Christmas. So instead, in honor of my child to come, I pray and focus on those children this Christmas season.
As we come closer to Christmas, I can't help but think all I really want for Christmas is my baby to be in my arms. However, there are millions of children out there who only want a family for Christmas. So instead, in honor of my child to come, I pray and focus on those children this Christmas season.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Birth Day
Today is my birthday! I say that not because I want lots of "Happy Birthdays", but rather because it has me thinking about a very special "birth day" that one day (hopefully soon) I get to be a part of.
Since having Zoelle 18 months ago, the two birthdays I have celebrated have been so different for me. I understand and know now exactly what my mom went through on the day she gave birth. There was nothing more exciting, terrifying, painful, emotional, etc. for me then the day I gave birth to our precious Zoelle Grace. I'm sure my mother felt the same way when she had me. Which brings me to thinking again about our birth mom and the birth day she will one day experience.
No, we don't have a birth mom yet, or not one we know specifically. However, God knows who she is, and He has shown me the need to pray for her and today on my birthday, I think of her. What an absolute sacrifice it is for her. To go through the amazing, terrifying experience of birth only to look at that child and give him/her to their adoptive parents. The love I experienced for Zoelle upon birth was like nothing I have ever experienced before. She too, will experience that love, and because of that love, will give us her child to raise as our own. Seriously, is that not a direct show of God's love for us in giving His son to us to save us? Think what Mary must have felt as she laid Jesus into God's loving hands. It is the ultimate love sacrifice for your child, and I am grateful for whomever God has chosen to be our birth mom.
In the meantime, thank you to those of you who have facebooked me, e-mailed me, or managed to catch me and ask how I am feeling this pregnancy. Thanks to many of your prayers, I believe I am officially done with the "all day sickness". It lasted about 3 weeks shorter then it did with Zoelle. Praise God! Just last week, I felt the baby move for the very first time, and what a joy that is to me!
Chris and I also want to thank those of you who make it a point to ask us about the adoption. You have no idea how much that means to us. Many people avoid asking because they aren't sure what to say. However, to us, it is just like we are carrying this child. This child may be in our hearts instead of my tummy, and it may take longer then 9 months, but we still love to talk about the adoption!
We have heard back from both adoption grants places and currently both are just waiting to hear back from our references before moving forward. May I just ask for your prayers in that our references will respond quickly to their questions.
Love to you all, and enjoy this "birth day" with me in praying for our birth mom.
Since having Zoelle 18 months ago, the two birthdays I have celebrated have been so different for me. I understand and know now exactly what my mom went through on the day she gave birth. There was nothing more exciting, terrifying, painful, emotional, etc. for me then the day I gave birth to our precious Zoelle Grace. I'm sure my mother felt the same way when she had me. Which brings me to thinking again about our birth mom and the birth day she will one day experience.
No, we don't have a birth mom yet, or not one we know specifically. However, God knows who she is, and He has shown me the need to pray for her and today on my birthday, I think of her. What an absolute sacrifice it is for her. To go through the amazing, terrifying experience of birth only to look at that child and give him/her to their adoptive parents. The love I experienced for Zoelle upon birth was like nothing I have ever experienced before. She too, will experience that love, and because of that love, will give us her child to raise as our own. Seriously, is that not a direct show of God's love for us in giving His son to us to save us? Think what Mary must have felt as she laid Jesus into God's loving hands. It is the ultimate love sacrifice for your child, and I am grateful for whomever God has chosen to be our birth mom.
In the meantime, thank you to those of you who have facebooked me, e-mailed me, or managed to catch me and ask how I am feeling this pregnancy. Thanks to many of your prayers, I believe I am officially done with the "all day sickness". It lasted about 3 weeks shorter then it did with Zoelle. Praise God! Just last week, I felt the baby move for the very first time, and what a joy that is to me!
Chris and I also want to thank those of you who make it a point to ask us about the adoption. You have no idea how much that means to us. Many people avoid asking because they aren't sure what to say. However, to us, it is just like we are carrying this child. This child may be in our hearts instead of my tummy, and it may take longer then 9 months, but we still love to talk about the adoption!
We have heard back from both adoption grants places and currently both are just waiting to hear back from our references before moving forward. May I just ask for your prayers in that our references will respond quickly to their questions.
Love to you all, and enjoy this "birth day" with me in praying for our birth mom.
