it's fall!

-or in our house, the most wonderful time of the year! We love the fall season around here. We celebrate our firstborn's birthday and our anniversary, hunting season begins and I bake, bake, bake. With all the pumpkin recipes floating around I decided to share my bread recipe instead of something seasonal. It's the only bread recipe I make anymore...no more dead duck day in our house.

This recipe uses a bread machine-
Add ingredients to pan in order listed, set machine to dough cycle and start:
-1 cup milk, lukewarm
-1/4 cup water
-3 tablespoons butter, soft and cut into pieces
-2 tablespoons coconut oil (can use butter)
-2 tablespoons sugar
-1 1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 cup whole wheat flour
-2 1/2 cups bread flour
-1/2 cup wheat germ
-1 tablespoon wheat gluten (can skip but really improves texture)
-2 teaspoons or 1 pkg yeast

When cycle has finished, punch down and divide dough in two. Let dough rise in buttered loaf pans until doubled in size and bake at 350* for 18-20 minutes- tops should be golden. I brush butter over the tops when they come out of the oven to keep the crust chewy. Cool in the pans for about 30 minutes, then turn out on a cooling rack. If you have will power, do not cut until completely cooled. Otherwise slice and serve warm with that new pumpkin butter recipe you've found :) As my son says, dee-yish-ish!

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall not thirst".

sweet P's birth story

Our baby turned 6 months this past weekend- what better way to celebrate than to share her birth day story!

On that Sunday morning at 7:30, I received a text from our agency- 'her water broke call you in 10 minutes! ' Aaaahhh- the day was finally here! We had been told for the past 2 weeks that she would not make it to the due date and had packed and set everything by the door, ready to be thrown in the van. After a frantic rush to get dressed and about 10 oh goodness-es, I got the kiddos up and joined the hubs in the van. Off we went, offering thanksgiving that the call came at the most opportune time- all were at home, well rested and we were able to get on the road in a half hour.
I was also praying we would make it in time for delivery. We didn't want her to have a long labor but were sure hoping it would be just long enough for us to be there when sweet P was born. We texted back and forth with our case worker (who was the best! ) for updates and to let her know how far out we were. The kids were absolute champs during the long car ride. Everyone was excited to get there!
We made it- her birthmother was still laboring when we arrived! Such a blessing. My mom was able to meet us at the hospital and take the kids to the hotel. Then we spent the next two hours visiting with her birthmother waiting for delivery time; precious moments those were. At 11:45 pm I heard our girl's first cries and saw her adorable smushed face :) Surreal is the only word that comes close to describing it. She was perfect at 7# 8 oz and 20" long.
We stayed in a room with sweet P at the hospital, caring for her from the start. We had more time the next day to spend with her birthmother. My mom, sister, Gramma, miss M and UJ were so happy to have the chance meet her. (My sister and grandma were visiting my mom at the time- bonus! )
We spent 12 days in state until the adoption was finalized in court. We were able to spend another afternoon with her birthmother during that time and really enjoyed getting to meet her birthfather over breakfast before we left. Those two will forever be in our hearts and we are so thankful for the brief moments we had with them. We left as changed people and the parents of three.
The Lord paved this path for us in ways that we could not have imagined. It was a time of many emotions, but never once fear or anxiety. He gave us strength to believe that He indeed does work all things out for good for those who love Him. Psalm 9:1 says, I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. And that's why I share this story. Though adoption is complicated and there are many different stances, one fact remains. Jesus Christ died so that we could be adopted into God's family, born again as sons and daughters of the Most High. That adoption is all together miraculous and the best -most perfect- thing that could happen to anyone. Physical adoption of children, while a beautiful picture of spiritual adoption, is not the "best thing" that could happen to a child, but it is a large necessary part of solutions in a sin-marred world where things are far from perfect. We don't rejoice that certain events took place that caused sweet P to become our daughter- but we do rejoice that she is.

may He grant your petition

Last year at this time our dear friends came to visit. The two things I remember vividly from their time here- how beautiful she looked pregnant and our time of prayer before they took off for home.
We were standing in the garage saying our goodbyes. You know that bittersweet moment when you're thankful for the time you had together but sad to see it end and no one really wants to get in the car so you pause for a moment, just looking at each other? She broke the silence saying she thought God would have brought us our son or daughter by then. For the last seven months we had been waiting for a birthmother to choose our family. Can we pray for this? she asked. That time of prayer was powerful and sweet as all four of us petitioned before God. Hope filled our hearts that He had given ear to our prayer as our friends drove away.
Then day after day, it appeared that He had not answered that prayer. We waited and waited, prayed and prayed. When we were matched five months later, we rejoiced! So He made us wait for our desired answer for months- He is good and His timing is perfect- no big deal. However, judging from the due date, our baby had her beginnings right around that precious time of prayer with our friends. Our prayer had been answered in the way we had hoped months ago- when we had prayed- we just weren't aware of it.
I encourage all of you who are waiting for answered prayer, trust Him, hope in Him. Our eyes cannot always see the mountains He is moving right at the moment our lips are asking. It may take days, months or years to see the fruit of our prayer. We can rest knowing He is faithful.
“Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to Him.”

1 Samuel 1:17

blessed

I've been procrastinating. How does one possibly capture the shower of blessings we've experienced the last 2 weeks in one post? As much thought as I've given, all I can come up with are the words to a favorite hymn.

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Not because our prayers were mighty, some prayers were never even uttered. Not because the issues at hand were big, even the smallest details were brought to fruition. Not because we are special or good; we do not deserve anything much less this precious gift. No, it can only be because the LORD is good, He gives out of His goodness, to see His will fulfilled. All we can do is humbly bow our heads with immeasurable thankfulness and praise Him. We are now a family of five, baby P is settling in nicely. She is precious.

 

 

 

 

"I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord,
    the praises of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord has granted us...according to the abundance of his steadfast love."

Isaiah 63:7

Jehovah-Jireh

The day we've been anticipating- your prayers are appreciated.

 

New Days and New Paths

"You have not passed this way before!" Joshua 3:4 

"Abraham named the place Jehovah-Jireh (which means 'the LORD will provide')" Genesis 22:14 

As you begin meditating on this verse, write deep in your heart this word with the strongest confidence: Jehovah-Jireh. This name tells you that you can trust God always, that no promise of His ever fails, that He does all things well, and that out of all seeming loss and destruction of human hopes, He brings blessing.
You have not passed this way before. There will be both sorrows and joys, both failures and successes. You cannot predict your future experiences. You cannot see the next step before your feet. Yet Jehovah-Jireh calls you to trust Him calmly. He bids you put away all anxieties and foreboding, because the Lord will provide!

-- J. R. Miller

oops, sorry about your toes

This post has been brewing for a while. I've been in avoidance mode. I've heard critical thoughts regarding adoptive parents ... they all think adoption is the only way to build a family, they only ever talk about adoption and they think everyone should adopt. Well, here I go. I'm going to tell all you to adopt :)
Have I done this before? I truly only want to encourage, to say- if the Lord is opening your heart to adoption, don't shut Him out. Last Sunday, that is what the message for us presented clearly. Do not let your ears become dull to His prompting. For me, that means speak up. For you...?

Today was the last straw. An agency emailed a list of waiting children. I scrolled down the list of short descriptions for each child waiting for a family. The last one on the list: a two year old boy. He has been given the same name as our two year old son. A name that is not common or trendy, or coincidental. A name that hit home. A name that made him and the rest of those children on the list very, very real. I broke. I want to rouse hearts that have already been awakened to adoption. Fight dullness and heed if He is telling you to move. Obediently open your hearts and home to children like U . They say he loves loud toys, hugs, cuddles and tickles- melts my heart.
No, adoption is not the only, nor do I claim superior, way to build families. Yes, it is a financial sacrifice. Yes, there will be many unknowns. Yes, it is hard. No, the Lord does not call everyone to adopt. But is He speaking to you?

"Indeed God speaks once, or twice, yet no one notices it." Job 33:14

a couple things

  I wanted to share that Paypal is offering to match 1 % of all donations to charitable events now through the 31st! How awesome!! Organizations must have a 501(c)3 to qualify. A few favorites of ours HeartCry Missionary Society, Gospel for Asia, Lifesong for Orphans, and Sole Hope. Or, if you're interested in supporting 'locally', the MICAH Fund is also qualified and can be designated to support our adoption. So, make the most of this offer and support where the Lord would lead. We certainly are going to.
  ... have you heard about the law passed in Russia? President Putin signed a bill that includes measures to ban all Russian adoptions by Americans. Heartbreaking to think of, especially after reading about the conditions in orphanages there. And the families that are in the process of bringing their children home... Much prayer is needed for all.
  It's disheartening to hear the callous responses to the news. People stating this is a good thing, now we (Americans) will start taking care of "our own", adopting domestically instead. Or the only reason adoption from Russia is popular is because the children will be blonde and blue eyed. So wrong.  Judgement should not be passed on what the Lord's will is for an adoptive family. Just as He ordains what child is born into a family, He does for a child that is adopted. If the child He has for a family is across the ocean, then we trust in His perfect plan. The other argument falls through as well; American international adoptions are mostly from China followed by Ethiopia.... definitely not seeking blondes and blue eyed babies from those areas of the world.
  After hearing these responses, I remembered a story by an adoptive parent. They had been questioned why they went so far away to adopt when there are many children in the U.S. that need a home. He asked the questioner if her convictions about American children had led her to do anything about the need. She dropped the issue after responding "no".  If we belong to the Lord, we have a heart for the things He does. Orphans- no matter if they are born in the U.S., in the foster system or a distant land. How we demonstrate His love will look different for each of us. But they all have a need and we all can bring it before the Father who created them and loves them more than we can imagine. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son..."

wait for it

Waiting once you have been matched.... it's still waiting, not quite so, hmmm... sanctifying, but it is still waiting.

We're getting the last details ready around here. The little pops of gender appropriate color in the nursery, new carseat cover finally sewn, newborn clothes unpacked and waiting to be washed. Still thankful for the time for lots of prayers for all involved. Sometimes it helps to read what those that are past the waiting period are up to. I came across this post on Give1 Save1. This family was once featured and she posted this to encourage those who are still waiting. I wanted to pass it along to those of you who are waiting on the Lord.

"and the Lord answered me. Write the vision, make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time, it hastens to the end- it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not delay."  Habbakkuk 2:2-3

By...

This stuck with me all day after hearing it in church service this morning.

"By repentance, we cast away our weapons of rebellion; and by faith, we give and devote ourselves to Jesus Christ as His peculiar people." 

And to that I add, by grace you are saved.

October 17th

  Last year on this day we signed the final copy of our homestudy. It was a good day; we were officially able to adopt. We sent it in and the next week we signed on with Abba Adoption. And now we're scheduled to update our homestudy; they are only valid for one year.
  Our social worker told us when we finished up last year that domestic adoptions usually take 1-2 years before bringing a baby home. She mentioned that she penciled us in for an update in 2012. I thought, okay, but we won't need it. I mean, we're pretty awesome, right... who wouldn't choose us? : )  In all seriousness though, we had a peace that gave us confidence: this is the next step the Lord would have us take. I assumed that if we were on the path He had for us, it would be a short one. We had heard the stories about the Lord quickly working out these beautiful adoptions and were encouraged by them. How can this be His will for our family if it hasn't come to pass?

  How soon I forget the examples in His word. Don't look around, look at what God says. How long did Abraham wait for his promised son's birth ? How long was Joseph tested before his dream became truth? Remember how long Moses was in the desert? Why did David have to run for his life for years after God told him he was to be king? While I certainly do not lump myself into the same category or situations of these great saints, I am a child of God. He loves and sanctifies all that belong to Him. This time has passed to test, try and refine my faith, and my patience. Just as it did for those men in the bible. As we continually seek His will and continue to have peace, I rest in that thought.

  Obviously, my thoughts here are not original. You can listen to this encouraging message by C. Leiter here.

Happy Birthday to You!

To my sweet baby girl, who is no longer a baby but still sweet.... happy 6th birthday! Thanking the Lord for these six years; what a blessing indeed.
Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,  always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you..."

6 weeks

6 years

Waiting

Psalm 27:14 tells us,

"Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

But what shall we do while we wait on Him? What shall we do while we wait for direction or an answer? Let us not repine, be anxious or waste our thoughts wondering. Our answer is in Matthew 6:33,

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, 

and all these things shall be added to you." 

No one who waits on the Lord is ever disappointed.

Teach them diligently...

"We don't teach our children the bible because we think if we do our children are going to be converted. We primarily teach our children the bible because God commands us to teach our children the bible." Paul Washer

Jesus Storybook Bible

Note to self: the bible says “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved," Acts 16:31, not 'teach them the bible and they shall be saved'. Teach them the bible as unto God.

A few of my current favorite things

~Blooming tulips 

~Homemade granola bars

~Voddie Bauchum Ministries’ FB page

~This text from Romans 4 and 5.  “In hope against hope he believed… and hope does not disappoint"  Why?  "because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit”  Beautiful.