Growing Faith

Hello dear friends and family,

My, the weather here has been beyond beautiful!!! We are certainly enjoying the beauty and warmth of fall. As someone who does not enjoy winter and detests cold weather, you won't be hearing me complain of the unseasonably high temps.

The last couple of weeks have been a little hectic. Cate had pneumonia and we had to take her in several times to get the right medications and an inhaler to relieve her of high (103-105) temps and make her comfortable. On top of that Jack had speech and we enrolled him in preschool, and Evan and Grace had band trips and volleyball games. So, we are really blessed with a reprieve from some of that busyness right now. Jack started preschool yesterday and it was a HUGE success!! He attends four mornings a week and even rides to and from on a school bus! He is a big boy! On a side note, he has gained seven pounds and grown 5.5 inches in a year!! I MAY have shed a few tears ;) yesterday, but we are so thrilled for him and ever amazed at his courage and bravery. He is one special kid!! He also had his fitting for his long-awaited obturator on Friday. It's not quite the fit we need, so he will be going under general anesthesia for a better impression to be created as well as a few adjustments to the new one. It will really help him out and we are constantly humbled by and grateful for our team of doctors that take such great care of Jack. The are so wonderful! We will be going in for that in the next month.

I talked to a friend for quite a long time on Saturday and we prayed for one another's families and adoption situations. I can't even put into words what a blessing that was! As I listened to her pray for my children, Jack and Sophie, I was both laughing and crying. Laughing because I knew that every word she said was praying was spot-on for their needs. Crying because my heart was broken for my children and here was this other mom praying for my kids the way only a mom can. Isn't God good? Isn't God merciful? Isn't God faithful? I have also been reading two thought provoking books: Reckless Faith, and The Hole in The Gospel. WONDERFUL books!! I want to share a line from Reckless Faith that has really challenged me.

" Is my faith reckless enough to trust first and think second? Can I grow my faith strong enough (like a muscle) that when faced with a heavy reality, I can easily lift it and still have hope?"

WOW!!! I want to get to that point!! I want to face my life in a way that I don't shrink back in fear and depression in the face of hardship and opposition, but hold my head up and declare the truths of our Lord!! I want to stand on The Foundation and NOT BE MOVED!!! I want to be that tree, planted by the River that never runs dry!! I want that!

I have also been reading a lot more about the promises that God has made to and about the orphans: that He will not leave them, the He will maintain their cause,that He will incline His holy ear toward them, that He will provide for them, the He will be their Father. Thank you God!!! I am 14,000 miles away from my daughter. I am able to make NO decisions concerning her care and nutrition, hygiene, stimulation, administering of medications...NOTHING!!! BUT, I can rest in the knowledge that God is not restrained by distance or time. I can rest in the knowledge that HE watches over her and gives His angels charge over her. He will sing and dance over her. He will be her sustainer. He is and will be her provider!! The money that we need WILL COME!! He WILL get her home in record time. I have been praying a verse over her since God led me to it: Isaiah 5:26 "He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, He whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily!"

I'm closing my eyes and seeing God throw that banner over Sophie's homeland and I can hear His whistle to call her home!!! Praise God!!! No longer will she be from desolation and oppression! No longer will she hunger and thirst night after night and day after day! No longer will she be an ophan!! She is part of OUR family and most importantly, THE FAMILY OF GOD!!! Praise God!

Please pray for a few friends of ours that are going through hard times. I will not reveal names, God knows who they are. But please pray for healing, answers, peace, resolution, and joy. Thank you!

Have a wonderful week!!

Leslie