Blessed be the name of the Lord!

The last four or five days have been trying in regards to our adoption process. There have been rumors regarding the integrity of our adoption agency. We were alerted to these issues Friday morning by a family that was concerned that we make an informed decision before accepting a referral. We received this information just minutes before Scott was scheduled to leave town. For four days I was left to process this staggering information and seek more details. I felt as if someone had punched me in the stomach. I tried to research other options and pray for wisdom. When Scott returned Monday evening I shared with him the new information I had received. Scott said, "our child is in Liberia and we need to get him or her." That is what was in my heart all weekend. God is so good that He would bless us with this like mindedness. I still pray for His wisdom as we sort through the information that continues to come to us. I pray for protection for us and our child.

As I did my Beth Moore study on Sunday afternoon God blessed me with His presence.

"Have you learned how to let Christ minister to you? Let me make this assignment: let Christ love you today. Curl up in His arms and tell Him you need Him. Until you learn to let Him serve you at the point of your need, you will never be truly free to serve others. "

Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

I have never been overly good at visualization. But that afternoon in my kitchen, I let
God draw me up on His lap and comfort me. He is there to meet our every need.

Because It's Christmas

So, I've dug out my favorite Christmas music, my house is decorated (well, at least inside) and I need to get ready for our first Christmas party of the season. As I started to prepare my dish for this evening I was struck in a new way about the words on one of my favorite Christmas CDs. The CD is from Truth. I don't even know if they are still around. I see the song was written in 1986 and Barry Manilow was one of the writers. Who knew?

Because It's Christmas

"...Tonight the stars shine for the children
And light the way for dreams to fly
Tonight our love comes
Wrapped in ribbons
The world is right, hopes are high
From a dark and frosted window
A child appears to search the sky
Because it's Christmas

Tonight belongs to all the children
Tonight their joy rings through the air
To all the children everywhere
To see the smiles and hear the laughter
A time to give, a time to share
Because it's Christmas
Now and forever
For all of the children
Children in us all

Somewhere in an orphanage in Liberia my son or daughter waits for me. I can hardly type this with the emotion that is striking me now. I want to hold my child. Kiss him or her and sing "Away in the Manger" as I did to our other children. I pray that next Christmas that will be possible. Lord, I commit our children to your care!

On a lighter note: I have a recipe to share. I have been enjoying this Chai Tea Mix lately. If you put it in a mason jar it makes great gifts for teachers, etc. Enjoy!

1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup French Vanilla flavored powdered creamer
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cardamon

Mix all in a bowl and then a little at a time put into blender. Blend until fine powder. Mix 2 Tbsp into a mug of hot water or milk.

Happy Christmas preparations!