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Sunday, November 25, 2007

Sing to the Lord!!

I really wish you could come to church with me sometime. Actually anyone who would ever like to go, just let me know and I'd be happy to take you!

You know, it's one thing that I leave every Sunday blessed, but today it really hit me because I honestly believe that our worship and our praise blessed Jesus today!!

Isn't that a cool idea? Blessing Jesus. I've started moving things into my apartment. I've almost got my kitchen done, but I'll probably rearrange everything 20 times before I find a way I'll like it! I'll be taking things little by little everyday all week and my wonderful brother, brother-in-laws, and daddy are helping me move Saturday morning. I am more excited than I can explain!!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Happy Late Thanksgiving everyone!

I had an excellent Thanksgiving in Georgia with my family. I have to say, I love coming from a big family!! I feel for those who don't. They really don't know what they're missing! It doesn't matter if I'm with my dad's side, mom's side, or stepmom's side of the family, and especially when it's just my immediate family... I always have so much fun! That is something to truly be thankful for. There are so many people who do not have that.

I am also thankful for my family who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior! It couldn't make me happier and it brings us that much closer together because we do not just have the same blood running through our veins, but we have the blood of Christ poured over us! It is such a blessing!!

I am also thankful for my daughter who I pray will be with me by spring. I cannot describe with words how blessed I feel to have her in my life. She has already began to fill a piece of my heart that I didn't even know was missing.

I'm thankful for a God who is in the details. He knows my heart and my desires. He takes care of me even if I don't know I need him. He provides.

BE THANKFUL THAT GOD IS "I AM", HE IS ALL WE NEED.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Brotherly love

Can I just say that I have the best brother and sisters in the world?!?

When I moved home, instead of having to buy a car... my brother gave me his!!

When I decided to move out, Connie told me I could have all of my moma's furniture, her couch, end tables, a chair, and some of her kitchen stuff.

Now that I'm getting ready to move out (in 2 weeks) Stephanie let me go "shopping" in her kitchen and I left with three boxes of really nice stuff that I will really need.

So, I ask you... do I have the best siblings in the world or what?!? I mean, seriously.. what did I do to deserve all of that? I am truly blessed!!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

The Home Study Continues

My home study meeting went great yesterday. It was crazy to drive to Birmingham for a 1/2 hour meeting, but I had to do it. My social worker interviewed me, and we basically went over a lot of stuff I had written in my autobiography. It was kind of fun to get asked all those questions about my family and my relationship with them... but it's hard to answer questions like, "How would you describe yourself?" But I did the best I could!!

My third and final meeting will be either on the 7th or the 14th... depending on a few things. But I am excited about that one.

She gave me more of a time line, which was very encouraging. She said that once the home study was over, it would be sent to DHR in Montgomery, They would have it for about 2 weeks, then it will get sent to CIS in Atlanta. Which is usually 4 to 6 weeks, she said. All things have variable factors that could affect it either way, but it was encouraging and that's what I needed yesterday!!

This is encouraging too:

Thursday, November 15, 2007

FYI:

I gave my landlord my application and security deposit... I am commited now!! I could move in as early as Thanksgiving weekend, but I will probably wait another week and start fresh at the beginning of December. I'll have more time to plan and pack, and not have to pay for that extra week of rent.

Monday, November 12, 2007

There are some crazy things happening in Guatemala and no one really knows what to think. The only thing that I can hold onto is that I was promised a daughter and the One who promised me never fails!!

Please keep Flor and the rest of the children of Guatemala, Steve and Shyrel and the ministry God has placed in their care, all of the families who are adopting, and the government who seems to hold the fate of our future families in their hands.

My 2nd home study meeting is Friday in Birmingham. My reference letters went out last week and I sent in my autobiography. We'll get to go over what I have left to do so I can be getting in done before my third and final visit which will actually be in my "home".

Speaking of "home", I am turning in my application tomorrow for my new apartment. They are doing some home improvement work to it; replacing kitchen counter and sink, replacing the flooring in the foyer, and ripping up the carpet in the bathroom and laying tile. I will be renting a one bedroom for now. I wish I could rent a two bedroom, but renting a 1B/R will save me about $50/month until Flor gets here. So, that will help a lot in the long run. But it sure would be fun to get her room ready for her... I'm excited about the move though.

But I'm more excited about this face:

Friday, November 9, 2007

Nice to 'meet' you!

Visit my website at www.clayinhishands.com

or go directly to my blog at www.clayinhishands.com/serendipity

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Prayer request

big news: The JCICS posted an update yesterday:

November 7, 2007

Joint Council has continued to advocate for a rational and child centric transition to the Hague Convention in Guatemala. During our recent presentation at the Adoption Ethics & Accountability Conference in Washington, D.C., Joint Council called for the completion of adoptions in-process, the implementation of the Conventions core elements, an effective implementation date of April 2008 and funding for capacity building. We have continued to work with our colleagues in Guatemala along with members of the Guatemalan Congress in developing a functional child welfare system.

We can now report that members of the Guatemalan Congress, including numerous party chiefs, have submitted a new legislative proposal which;
- Includes a strong ‘grandfather’ clause,
- Designates April 30, 2008 as the effective implementation date of the Convention,
- Allocates $5 million Quetzales ($650,000 USD) for the creation of the Central Authority
- Allocates a percentage of the total government budget for child welfare services
- Creates a new government entity to act as the Central Authority in Guatemala,
- Provides for private non-profit accredited entities to provide services to children,
- Allows single potential adoptive parents to apply for adoption,
- Creates a functional process by which children can find a permanent, safe and loving family.


The new legislation is scheduled to be introduced to Congress early next week. In line with our mission of advocating for the right of each child to a permanent family, Joint Council will continue to work with our colleagues in Guatemala towards a positive and child centric implementation of the Convention.

It all sounds good to me, but I'm trying not to get too excited. This could be an answer to prayer!! Isn't it awesome when you can actually see evidence of your prayers?!? This is one of those times. What an encouragement to pray even harder!!

Please continue to pray for me and Flor. Pray that if this is the extra time I needed, that all that needs to get done, will. Pray for swift processing and for favor in the eyes and hands of everyone that my paperwork comes in contact with. Pray for Flor's health and well-being while she waits for me. I know she is so well taken care of, but it hurts my heart not to be able to be the one doing the taking care of!!

God is good!!

1 John 5:14-15
14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Fellowship is God's gift

I have met so many people, at least 6 couples, who are adopting and/or have adopted. Some through my website that I haven't met yet in person, some at church, and I've been reconnected with old friends who are now adopting as well!! Last Saturday, I drove up to Franklin with a few of them to meet a few more for brunch. It was a great time of encouraging and showing off pictures of our babies!!! It is so encouraging when God brings people into your life that relate to what you are going through.
Bill (who graduated high school with me), Melodie, myself, Lindsey (who I met years ago in Guatemala), and Chris had such a good visit!!


Just the mommies!



Please keep these families in your prayers... The Schroders, Wheelers, Sellers, and Linders

GOD BLESS!!

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Properly Named

Daddy wasn't in the country for 4 days when left again on a mission trip to Scotland. People ask me all the time how he does it.. How he can afford it... How does he just leave his work and home... The answer is simple. When God calls you, He always prepares your heart and a way for you to go. It's so simple as a matter of fact. Trusting God may be hard to do at first, but when He has provided for you so many times before, it's hard to forget. That's what has happened with me and my dad.

I've been apartment searching these past few weeks and found one I really like. I was actually supposed to go Friday, but the lady was sick all week, so my appointment was postponed until next week. I am really excited about having a place of my own. Finances are a big question with a lot of people. But God provided for me to live in Guatemala for 3 years and for over three months here without a job. He called me to move out, so why would he not provide the means for me to do so? He provided me with a job, just in time for me to start my home study, why would he not use that same job to provide for me a way to live?

And just the same: God called me to be Flor's mother. So then won't He provide the finances for me to do all that is necessary to bring her home? Money to pay for my home study, the fingerprinting, the lawyer, and finally travel to go get her?!? It is in HIS hands, and so am I!!

Have a lovely day, knowing that you are there with me as well!!!