Faithful

Shame on me! I am so sorry that it has been so long since I last updated the blog! I didn't even realize how fast the time had gone by! I can hardly believe that January is already over! It has been a very busy month and there has been little time to update, but I have been consistently encouarged throughout the month! I want to see my little one so badly, I want to hold her, love on her and give her lots of kisses.... BUT this part of the process takes soooo long! However, she is in a good place and they love her there, so I am doing mostly ok with the wait until I can go get her!

Now, I already know your next question.... "When do you get to go?" Oh, how I hope it is soon! I am pryaing for the middle of March or before! But, as in all things, God has His own perfect timing.... yet, prayers do change things... so please pray that I get to go the middle of March or before!

Now, the next questions.... what is she like, what size does she wear, etc.? I have been so blessed by the director of her home, she has given me lots and lots of info and pictures! Sorry, I still can't post any... but as soon as I can, I most certainly will! She is beautiful, with a smile that will melt your heart! She is active and generally always very happy! She is a bit small for her age (at least by American standards), she wears a size 2T. Thanks to the generosity of so many, she already all the clothes she'll need while we are in Peru. Where she is, it is quite cool year round, so she has plenty of Fall/Winter clothes now! I have been receiving so many wonderful things from so many loving and generous things! Thank you to everyone who has been so generous! She is already a very LOVED little girl! This makes this Momma, very happy because I already LOVE her soooo much!

There are some things to be praying for, and I continue to covet any and all prayers that you might offer up on behalf of my sweet little one and me!
1. Please pray for God to prepare our hearts for one another. Please pray for bonding to go well.
2. Please pray for her to have resiliency in the midst of all the transitions that she will be going through.
3. Please pray for those who are caring for her! These women are so kind and loving and lover her very much! She is going to be very missed by those who care for her! While they are happy for her, it will be difficult to see her go. Please lift them up as the continue to care for so many beautiful children without homes!
4. Please pray for me, that I will be able to get everything done for work and here at home in the next month before I travel.
5. Please pray for all of our paperwork (I won't even try to explain all of that part) is processed in a timely fashion and that there won't be any hold-ups that would prevent me from going to get her as soon as possible!

Thank you for sharing in this journey with me! I have learned so much along the way, but the one thing that just screams at me is that He IS Faithful! REALLY! Faithful! Even when I don't understand and I don't like the wait or the circumstances, HE is Faithful! May I strive to be more like Christ with each and every step of this journey!

Blessings & I promise to update more sooner!

A Beautiful Start

Today was a beautiful start to 2011. Church this morning was great! It was good to be home and back in the choir. I love worship through song! It is a great avenue for me to tell my Jesus just how much I love Him! But, it also challenges me! Sometimes, the words to the songs are so profound that I either have to mean them or shut my mouth! And, sometimes, I have to sing them until I do mean them! This morning, this song was the "Hallmark Card" that just said what I couldn't put to words:

I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk apart, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.

I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk apart, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.

There are higher heights, there are deeper seas,
Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep aways the darkness, burn away the chaff
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.

I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk the path, I will run the race
And I will never be the same again.
And I will never be the same again.
And I will never be the same again.

I am so thankful for the songs God gives us that just speak what it is on our hearts that we are not able to express! This journey that I am on, He has brought me through, and yes, I have closed the door on the "old me", He and I are about to embark on an even greater journey in 2011! You see, 2011 is when my sweet Liliana comes home! I am so excited! But, as with any journey, choices will have to be made to TRUST Him and to SEE what He is doing! I am excited to see what He has for us this year!

Please continue to pray for Liliana and me on our journey! Today is a bittersweet day. My sweet baby girl has a birthday today.... but I would love nothing more than to have delivered her gift to her in person! But, soon, I will get to celebrate all her other birthdays with her! I am so thankful that her caregivers and those in the home love her and take such great care of her! I know that they will cherish this last birthday with her, as they have celebrated all her birthdays with her. I am glad that they get one more with her! Sad for me, but so very glad for these beautiful people who have loved her and cared for her, her entire life! Happy Birthday baby girl! Mommy loves you!

Thank you for continuing to pray! And, may you all have a Beautiful Start to 2011!