I have returned after taking a much needed mental vacation.
I spent the past few weeks running in circles trying to find people who can help with very specific information, and while I was finally able to find someone, I still felt very frazzled. In the midst of it all, I attended my weekly bible study and learned a great lesson.
The topic of our study last week was on "today" and how we need to stop living in the past or hoping and worrying about the future, but instead focus on today. This was my wake up call! I have been so tired and frazzled because not only am I carrying today's burdens (in the form of paperwork), but I am worried about tomorrow's burdens (again, in the form of paperwork).
The weight of today's burdens are enough, but to add tomorrows burdens on top of that has proven to be too much.
Consider the following:
Matthew 6:27, 34
27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
That is the truth!
I realized something. I was so concerned with tomorrows burdens, that I couldn't focus my energy on what needs to be done today. This resulted in me becoming stagnant and unproductive. Talk about stress!
I decided to lay down tomorrows burdens and carry only what I need for the day, and let me tell you, my energy has returned and my mind has cleared. I can now function in all my daily tasks, and at the end of the day, I know that my burdens of the day are done. They are behind me and I can move forward.
Breathe
Labels: Adoption Process
We have done so much paperwork, that the thought of doing more makes my stomach turn! We have started the second segment of our dossier, but it is no longer just filling out paperwork. We are having to hunt people down that can help with very specific requirements.
For instance, Russia requires us to send them a certified warranty deed for our house. We we able to pick it up at the county recorders office. However, our zip code has changed since we bought our house and because the zip code on our warranty deed differs from the zip code on all of our documents, we have to find someone who can verify that change.
After hearing about this, I just had to breathe. It's not a big deal. I am sure after a few phone calls I will find the right person, but it is still another thing that needs to be done. Adam and I realized though, that we needed to take a break from it, just for the weekend. I must say that I am now feeling refreshed and ready to start again.
On another note, we just received Novembers monthly newsletter, and the wait times are, at this time, 1-6 months. They have seen a trend where families who adopt are bringing their children home within 1 year of completing the homestudy. Our homestudy was completed the end of August, so that is exciting news!
Please pray that we have the time and energy to complete all the coming papers. I am struggling with concentrating on them, making phone calls and researching information, while taking care of the boys at the same time.
Blessings,
Anna
For instance, Russia requires us to send them a certified warranty deed for our house. We we able to pick it up at the county recorders office. However, our zip code has changed since we bought our house and because the zip code on our warranty deed differs from the zip code on all of our documents, we have to find someone who can verify that change.
After hearing about this, I just had to breathe. It's not a big deal. I am sure after a few phone calls I will find the right person, but it is still another thing that needs to be done. Adam and I realized though, that we needed to take a break from it, just for the weekend. I must say that I am now feeling refreshed and ready to start again.
On another note, we just received Novembers monthly newsletter, and the wait times are, at this time, 1-6 months. They have seen a trend where families who adopt are bringing their children home within 1 year of completing the homestudy. Our homestudy was completed the end of August, so that is exciting news!
Please pray that we have the time and energy to complete all the coming papers. I am struggling with concentrating on them, making phone calls and researching information, while taking care of the boys at the same time.
Blessings,
Anna
Update
Labels: Adoption Process
I wanted to let you all know that we have officially been put on the waiting list for a child referral! We also found out that our wait time started as soon as our dossier was sent to Russia, meaning that we have been considered to be waiting since October 28th. That is 2 weeks down, and no idea how much longer we must wait.
Blessings,
Anna
Blessings,
Anna
In the words of my pastor, Christians are considered either acutely aware or blissfully ignorant. I think it safe to say that most people assume the latter.
These words, in fact, were used by my pastor to describe Paul's greater reality. In Acts 27, Paul is aboard a ship that has encountered a violent storm. He and those on board had been tossed at sea for 14 days, seeing neither sun nor stars. This is significant because sailors of this time used the stars to navigate, and since they couldn't see them, they had no idea where they were.
During the storm, when the crew on board had lost all hope, Paul spoke to them saying:
vs. 23 "Last night,an angel of God whose I am and who I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some Island."
I would guess that Paul, at this moment, was acutely aware. You see, Paul was experiencing the same storm. It wasn't as though he was taken aboard some alien spacecraft for the duration of the storm, only to be returned at the end to say "God says you will be okay." He was in the midst of it, hungry, thirsty and tired. But, he also was grounded in a greater reality, God's reality.
I am sure there are many people who think I am blissfully ignorant. Sometimes I wonder myself! It seems to me that this is a crazy time to be adopting. Things don't seem like they should match up, financially or politically, but we must choose to live in a greater reality, even if we are assumed to be blissfully ignorant. After all, if God's reality brings acute awareness, then that is where I want to be!
These words, in fact, were used by my pastor to describe Paul's greater reality. In Acts 27, Paul is aboard a ship that has encountered a violent storm. He and those on board had been tossed at sea for 14 days, seeing neither sun nor stars. This is significant because sailors of this time used the stars to navigate, and since they couldn't see them, they had no idea where they were.
During the storm, when the crew on board had lost all hope, Paul spoke to them saying:
vs. 23 "Last night,an angel of God whose I am and who I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some Island."
I would guess that Paul, at this moment, was acutely aware. You see, Paul was experiencing the same storm. It wasn't as though he was taken aboard some alien spacecraft for the duration of the storm, only to be returned at the end to say "God says you will be okay." He was in the midst of it, hungry, thirsty and tired. But, he also was grounded in a greater reality, God's reality.
I am sure there are many people who think I am blissfully ignorant. Sometimes I wonder myself! It seems to me that this is a crazy time to be adopting. Things don't seem like they should match up, financially or politically, but we must choose to live in a greater reality, even if we are assumed to be blissfully ignorant. After all, if God's reality brings acute awareness, then that is where I want to be!
This title gives me a great visual of those who trust completely in the Lord...they are unshakable. Regardless of what happens in life, they know that God is in control and therefore they cannot be torn down. Consider the following passage:
Psalm 125: 1-2
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion.
It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.
Jerusalem - the mountains surround her.
And the Lord surrounds His people,
both now and forever.
This certainly doesn't mean that Gods people won't come upon hard times. Nor does it mean that we should put on a front whenever we face life's difficulties. Because we are all experiencing the same thing....life....with the same emotions.
Our circumstances don't have to define who we are, but God can use them to take us where he wants us to be. We can trust that the Lord will surround his people...he says so!
What does it mean to "trust" in the Lord?
The Hebrew word for trust is batach, meaning confident, secure, sure. I think of these three words as an all encompassing trust. Put those words in place of "trust" in the passage above and read them, one at a time.
Now, take that trust and put it to work. Whatever happens this week whether it be at work, at home, with your finances and even the election, we can be confident, secure and sure in the Lord.
Psalm 125: 1-2
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion.
It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.
Jerusalem - the mountains surround her.
And the Lord surrounds His people,
both now and forever.
This certainly doesn't mean that Gods people won't come upon hard times. Nor does it mean that we should put on a front whenever we face life's difficulties. Because we are all experiencing the same thing....life....with the same emotions.
Our circumstances don't have to define who we are, but God can use them to take us where he wants us to be. We can trust that the Lord will surround his people...he says so!
What does it mean to "trust" in the Lord?
The Hebrew word for trust is batach, meaning confident, secure, sure. I think of these three words as an all encompassing trust. Put those words in place of "trust" in the passage above and read them, one at a time.
Now, take that trust and put it to work. Whatever happens this week whether it be at work, at home, with your finances and even the election, we can be confident, secure and sure in the Lord.
Isaiah 8
Caleb 6
Naomi 2
