Daily Surrender to Jesus

The Little Things

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:44:00 +0000

As my 14year old woke up and walked down the stairs this morning the first thing he said was... "Dz said to tell everyone hi, and he misses us."

Joy. :) "When did you talk to him?"

"He sent me a message at 2am, so we were chatting on Facebook."

Mom mode... What were you doing awake at 2am Nick? And shouldn't you be in school at that time Dz?

But I let those thoughts go unspoken, because knowing that they are connecting makes my heart smile. And isn't connection more important really?!

Thanking Jesus today for so many little things he's sent my way to help carry us along... A nice lunch at a friend's house filled with good conversation, a light at the approaching end of this "paper chase", bloggy friends who sent words of encouragement my way (thank you!!), boys who made us pancakes for breakfast this morning, and a relaxing day to spend in God's Word. He is so good to me!

In the Waiting...

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:40:00 +0000

Yesterday was a beautiful Mother's Day. Church, lunch with my family, a drive to the river, and a walk, browsing the gift shops with my boys, ice cream cones, home for dinner that I didn't have to cook, a family game of cards, and ending with a show with my teens after the littles and their dad went to bed. A beautiful, full day.

Only one thing was missing... Dz.

You all may ... or may not ;) ... have noticed that I haven't updated the blog in awhile. 2 months actually. I haven't been able to get on this blog and write encouraging words lately because, quite honestly, I've been discouraged. Our adoption of Dz has had many delays and uncertainties. Our spiritual lives have been tested. And I have struggled with weariness. Who wants to read that!? In fact, I think I just lost a few of you. ;)

Well faithful friends,
When Dz was here for Christmas and we sent him back on the plane to Latvia, I thought we would only have to endure the separation until May. But May is here. We are still waiting. We don't have approval for travel dates and likely won't travel this summer after all. :(

The Lord has been walking with me through a season of learning greater sacrifice and surrender. And though the battle may weary me, I still know that Jesus is faithful and true. His ways are perfect. His plans are always for good. And the battle is ultimately His.

Because of the wait, we are hoping to host Dz again through New Horizons For Children. If you've been around here awhile you may remember this post. He has been so faithful to provide for us, through YOU his faithful ones, with each step of the process. We thank you! We are trusting The Lord for financial provision, now for the hosting fees in addition to the adoption expenses.

Admittedly I am not a salesperson, nor am I gifted with fundraising. In fact you might call me the queen of "no pressure". But I'm going out on a limb with slightly more pressure than I'm comfortable with, to tell you all that...

We. Need. Help.

We will need to raise approximately $3000. for the hosting fees. And because we were hoping to travel to Latvia, ...so we didn't sign up for hosting until the very. last. minute. ... the fees are all due... now. Although New Horizons has been gracious to give us a deadline of ASAP!!! No pressure. ;)

So many of you have already been generous with us... donating close to $5000. to Dz's adoption so far. And amazingly, that has been exactly the provision we have needed at exactly the moments we have needed it. God is good!! And we are grateful!!

If you feel led to help us with Dz's hosting fees, tax deductible donations can be made directly to New Horizons For Children here. PLEASE make sure that you make a note ... "Donation for L97 Dzintars' hosting fees", otherwise it will be added to the general donation fund. Checks can also be sent, with the same notation of "Donation for L97 Dzintars' hosting fees" in the memo, written to "New Horizons For Children", and mailed to 3950 Cobb Pkwy, Suite 708, Acworth, GA 30101. Thank you!!!

Donations can also still be made toward our adoption expenses by clicking the donation button at the top right of our blog. And if any of you are gifted at selling t-shirts... we could surely use your help there too. ;)

God bless you friends! And praying for great encouragement to fill the pages of Daily Surrender to Jesus again in the very near future! Because really, God is good ALL the time, even in these moments of discouragement. Trusting Him!

Will you help us bring Dz home?
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This is Why

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 20:42:00 +0000

Sunshine peeking through the blinds this morning offering a hint of hope to this cold season.

"Mom, how do you spell believe?"

I look down at his journal and my heart melts with joy, because right there on his paper is hope found in his words, and the answer to "why?".
Why we desire to keep walking the bumpy road, enduring the spiritual battles, sacrificing worldly gain, and pouring love out for God's little ones. This...

My Sheep Hear My Voice

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 03:42:00 +0000

We received a donation today from a family who loves Jesus and wants to honor Him. I'm humbled. Because it's not the first donation they've made and I know they can't afford to give it. They risk the comfort of a safety net for their own needs, and people ask them, "why?". But they know they can't afford to keep it when God asks them to give, so they give generously. And Jesus shines through them. Because it's not about what the world thinks, it's about listening to the voice of God. "Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done."~Jesus. Luke 22:42

Their faithfulness spurs me on. I too want to esteem God's voice above the world's thoughts.

Too many people have asked their questions... "Why adopt if you have to ask for donations?"

"Why Ethiopia, and why Latvia, when there's so many needs right here?"

"Why at 15, when his childhood is nearly over?"

But I hear... "Why your journey instead of mine?"

And the only answer I have is the best answer there is; that God said, "This is where I want to take YOU. Will you follow?"

And we said, "yes."

We've said yes before when the path looked bumpy, and people asked why, and gave their two cents. "Can't you settle in to some comfortable plans?"

"Can't you settle down here and make this your home?"

But sometimes God changes our direction, and this world was never our destination. And we don't want to "settle". We want to follow.

When He says move, we move. When He says stay, we stay. When He says go and everyone else says stop, still, we go! Because our calling is to "follow the Lamb wherever He goes" Rev 14:4.

So we listen for His voice and keep moving in His direction. And yes, I'm "hearing impaired", so sometimes I'm wrong about His leading, but I choose the step of faith anyway, because dropping to his feet when we realize we heard him wrong, is better than falling on our face because we refused to step when He tugged at our heart, saying "We're quite comfortable planted where we are, thanks."

Comfort doesn't last. And comfort doesn't accomplish God's will.

And I wonder... "How comfortable are you, my friends?"

My flesh doesn't want to offend you by posing such a question. Who am I after all? I face the same battle, and sometimes I fail. Who is not tempted by comfort? But The Spirit whispers, "Speak. It is a challenge I want them to hear." For when our days here are over, and we stand in the presence of God and see His glory, who of us will regret having stepped out of the safety zone of popular opinion, to follow His will? Do you hear Him calling? "My sheep hear my voice... and they follow...." John 10:27.

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Tis So Sweet

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:05:00 +0000

My heart is singing the words of this favorite song... 'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus. I've often stopped to ponder this line... "how I've proved Him o'er and o'er". Lord, how do I prove you? For He gives wisdom to those who ask.

My life is filled with flaws. Though I want to live righteously, I often fail. My flesh nature is so ugly. But I trust Jesus. To trust Jesus, means I don’t need to dwell in my shortcomings. I just need to trust that Jesus is enough to make up for them. My failures and limitations are not meant to be hidden away as if they don't exist, but confessed and displayed so that God's grace can be seen. For in my failures, and in my limitations, I prove God.

Prove:
1. to establish the truth or genuineness of, by evidence

2. to establish the authenticity or validity of, by demonstration or action.
3. to show oneself to have the character or ability expected of one, especially through one's actions.

I prove his strength not by being strong, but by being weak, and leaning upon His strength.
I prove his love not by deserving love, but by being loved even when I don't deserve it.
I prove his faithfulness not by living a perfect life, but by trusting him to always uphold me in the midst of an imperfect life.

I prove Him over and over.

God does not require that I get it all right, He just wants me to keep moving forward, trusting Him to lift me when I fall; to know that He will meet me right where I am and fill the gap. There is such a peace in that.

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

Jesus, Jesus, How I trust you.

When we feel weak, we can trust him to give us the strength we need.
When we feel defeated, we can trust him to be victorious over our circumstances.
When we feel guilty, we can trust him to cleanse and restore us.
When we feel anger and hurt, we can trust him to avenge justly and heal.
When we feel lonely, we can trust him to fill our void with his unconditional and unending love.
When we feel afraid, we can trust him to never leave our side.
When we feel insufficient, we can trust him to be completely sufficient. He is always enough.

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Doing What They Do Best

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 05:28:00 +0000

This boy has some seriously good plans for his life...

He's either going to "move back to Africa as a missionary", or... he's going to "play Batman on the show whenever the guy who plays him now gets old and retires." Cutie cracks me up. Something tells me this little ninja with his big personality has a few more surprises, and a lot more laughter for us in the coming years.

And this boy....

has no idea what he wants to be, but I know he won't lack the talent for it, whatever it is. And I'm quite sure, whatever life brings him, he'll be happy doing it, because he is truly the epitome of contentment!

These sweethearts are reminding me that it's time to get back to the blogging world after sulking for three weeks over sending Dz back to Latvia. I still miss him like crazy, but these two sweet faces are proof that God is faithful, and I'm happy to keep moving forward with our adoption, trusting God with the details. If you feel led to help us bring Dz home, we're still trying to raise funds and have a long way to go, and stacks full of t-shirts and hoodies still for sale.

We're grateful for your support friends!

Will you help us bring Dz home?
_____________________________________

Missing Dz

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 05:28:00 +0000

It's been a week since he left, and it's been a really hard week friends. We miss him!

But I'm thankful that we can stay in touch. He leaves sweet messages and tells us he misses us. I ask him about his day and remind him that we love him. Then I wonder how many messages will go back and forth before I hug him again. I pray that God would bring speed and favor to our paperwork so less time would pass apart. We've already faced delays we weren't expecting, but we press on because that's the nature of adoption. God's plan. God's timing. And we learn again to trust.

For the wondering minds...
We are still knee deep in paperwork. (Working on USCIS approval and preparing our dossier, for those who know the process)
We are still fundraising. We've had two recent inquiries about our fundraising and whether or not we've reached our goal. We haven't. We have received less than 1/3 of our need so far. But God is faithful, and we are still very grateful to all of you who have helped us. Each step of the process has been provided for as it has arisen! Thank you!!

I know in my mind, God's faithfulness will continue, but I've found myself in the part of this adoption journey called "discouragement" because of the length of this process. I've been on this leg of the journey before with adoption #1, and I know from experience that we'll pass through it. So I pray for God to remind me of His faithfulness. Because I know He is faithful. But I become forgetful when Dz is on the other side of the world and I'm waiting for him. I need to be reminded daily. I need to surrender my doubts and my worries daily. I need to trust Jesus daily. Because He is faithful daily!

Thank you for your continued prayers friends!

Shared from my heart ~ Stacy

Will you help us bring Dz home?
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Letting Go and Trusting God

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 02:54:00 +0000

Letting go at the airport was heart-wrenching. None of us were quite ready for how hard it would be. My sister's family stood beside us as we all watched these kids we grew so attached to, walk away through the security gates to board a plane to the other side of the world.

Through glass windows and tears we all lifted our hands high with "I love you!"s, and savored the "I love you!"s waved to us in return until they walked beyond our view.

For my sister's family, tears were poured out because they do not know if they will see Alekks, Arturs, Aina, and Dmitrijs again. Like the precious family who first hosted Dz over the summer, my sister's family did not host with plans to adopt. At first they were simply following our story with Dz, peeking now and then at the photo listing of available children. As the hosting date grew closer and the waiting children list grew smaller, they recognized that most of the children still waiting were only waiting because they were sibling groups. This particular sibling group captured their hearts because they also have four children of similar ages. They wondered to themselves... "What if our children were in this same situation; left to wait simply because there are four of them and they did not want to separate?" When the final days of hosting registration were here and these four darlings were still smiling back at them on the photo listing of waiting children, God reminded my sister and brother-in-law that even if they are not the family who will adopt them, they can still make a difference in these children's lives. They could still invite these little ones into their home for one month and continue to love them, pray for them, and advocate for them. So they stepped out in faith. They brought them home. They loved them well. And now that they have fallen in love with these kids, they hope more than anything that their family will find them.

Would you consider sharing the story of these four kiddos?

Here is just a glimpse of their hosting story. It wasn't an easy month, but God was written all over it...

Where would 8 children sleep? How would they transport all of them around for a month? And a big one... how would they work this into their lives in such a short time when they were also scheduled to move into their almost-finished-being-built-home at the very same time that the children were scheduled to arrive? But God loves the orphan. He worked out every detail. Their home was ready to move into early and with some help the move was completed before the kids arrival, along with beds for all the kids. Then a local summer ministry was about to park their large van for the winter when they heard of my sister's need. It was given over generously for their use while the kids were here. Whatever hesitations you might be having over hosting or adoption, I'm telling you, God will take care of it! He loves the orphan and He is faithful!

The kids arrived exhausted from the longest of long trips, but it was quickly seen that one of them was also sick. My brother-in-law recognized the signs of pneumonia. Arturs was taken in to be checked and his chest x-rayed. Sure enough, pneumonia. Thank God for a host dad who knew what was needed for this boy who apparently had been sick for quite some time. That first week for Arturs was rough. Not only was he terrified when he was taken to the doctor on day 3, but he then spent the rest of the week recovering from sickness. But sometimes even the hard things can be used for God's good plans, like allowing the nurturing love of caring for a sick child to help build Arturs trust for this family who was caring for him, and the love they shared with him. He was the one who most easily bonded and accepted with a smile every hug that came his way.

Pneumonia wasn't the only challenge during their month. They also experienced the flu, and a broken collar bone when little Dmitrijs fell off the bed. Even in a sling, sweet little Dmitrijs had a smile on his face, giggling the whole month through. No doubt the enemy of our Lord doesn't want to see God's people stepping out in faith, and the impact it can have for these precious kiddos. But our God is bigger!

Our God is faithful. He spoke truth again and again into the lives of these 4 children. Alekks, the oldest of the four, arrived as the protector. The strong one prepared for reprimand. But he was met with forgiveness and unconditional love instead. By week 2, when Christmas arrived, his strong walls had softened. My sister and brother-in-law found him in tears one day as he sat listening to the story of Jesus on his gift, an MP3 player. He didn't understand why Jesus would endure the nails through his hands, and the gospel was shared with him; the good news of just how much God loves him!

Friends, hosting these children is so much more than just a month of adventure, and even more than a month of challenge or a month of joy. One month truly can have a powerful impact on the children's lives! And even through the challenges, my sister's family doesn't hesitate to say "Yes, we would do it all again!"

Like her brother, we continue to pray that Aina would recognize how much God loves her. How she craves love and the boundaries that true love provides. She craves attention and affection. She craves what we know a loving mom and dad could give her. When it was time for them to leave us and walk toward the boarding gate, she clung tightly to my brother-in-law, crying at the top of her lungs because she did not want to leave. She had grown quite attached to their constant love.

From my sister, the things that touched her heart most:

Alekks being touched by the gospel story so much, and having the time of his life on the ski slopes for his birthday.
Arturs being so sweet and honest, and loving to help cook and clean. (He created many new and interesting ~~recipes~~ concoctions and always referred to them as Latvian food.)
Aina loved the pets! She was always the first to pray and would include everyone in her prayers...including Nana, Papa, and Ginger(dog) and Sierra(cat).
Dima (Dmitrijs' nick name) was always smiling, happy, and wanting to play with all the kids. He could say yes, no, and thank you quite well, so every night he would serve a big plate of food, taste everything, and then point to each thing and say No Thank you, no thank you, no thank you, always to end on his potatoes with a big Yes thank you!

If God is speaking to your heart about these four precious kiddos, I would love to share more information about them, or connect you with my sister and brother-in-law. You can contact me by email at stacypelzl@gmail.com.

If God is speaking to your heart about stepping out in faith to host one or more of the hundreds of children hoping to be hosted this summer from Latvia, Ukraine, or China, I would love to answer questions, or direct you to the website for New Horizons For Children. Pictures of Alekks, Arturs, Aina, and Dmitrijs can also be found on their site, along with many others. Look for the available children's photo listing.

Please consider sharing this with those you know. God bless you friends!

Focusing On Joy

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 02:51:00 +0000

My heart is breaking into pieces today. We are on our way into San Francisco where we will have to send Dz off on an airplane back to Latvia. We don't know how long it will be until we can see him again. I had myself a good little cry over it last night, and I'm not convinced the tears won't flow again today. Especially when he tells me again and again that he wants to stay.

May God strengthen us to walk in the difficult and the unknown. May He give his angels charge over Dz, to guard him in all his ways!

Since we have a little time in the car, and I happen to have Blogger for iPhone, I think I'll help my mind to focus on the joys by sharing a few more with you...

Game night playing Swap. So. Much. Fun! We all cried that night too, but only because we were laughing so hard! The first few rounds of racing to slap the table took him by surprise, but by the 3rd time, he called out "oh, I understand!" Then look out! This boy likes to win.

Hiking in the Redwoods with 7 adventurous boys. My husband Adam at the lead. Over and under, climbing, jumping, swinging, running. I follow behind praying hard for no broken bones. And a beautiful moment stopped along the river watching all of the boys skipping stones.

A favorite moment yesterday as we all walked on the beach. Because bonding with me seems easier for him, it filled me with joy to watch, ahead in the distance, Adam and Dz walking and talking and laughing with their arms over one another's shoulder.

And a moment of humor... Adamant that he wants to stay, he jokes with us and tells us in his English that he is going to "poop" the car tires so that we can not drive him to the airport. Then the other boys through laughter, begin charades to explain to him the difference between "poop" and "pop". He laughs. I don't think he'll have trouble remembering that one.

Kids on bicycles and skateboards, Adam and I on foot. We go to the park around the corner and spend the afternoon with a little sunshine peeking through, circling the bike path and tossing the football. Adam throws it long, Nick and Dz run and wrestle for the victory of catching it. But 8 year old Indy sneaks in, grabs it from the midst of them, and runs off victorious. All they can do is laugh and help each other up from the grass. Then offer high fives to the victor. And another loop around the bike path, he pulls up beside me and says, "I stay here."

Oh how I wish you could stay here. But I promise you, we will do our best to bring you back just as quickly as we're able!

5 Weeks Can Change A Life Forever

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:46:00 +0000

Half a year ago God stirred the hearts of a family in Southern California to share 5 weeks of their lives with an orphan from Latvia. They didn't know what the outcome would be. But they knew that inviting him to America for a part of their summer would not only be an adventure so often only dreamed of by a child who has spent his life in an orphanage, but it would also increase his chance of becoming part of a family forever from a mere 2% to more than 60%!! That's a significant impact that 5 weeks can make!

My heart is forever grateful that they chose to pour their time and love into his life. It is because of their obedience to follow God's call, that Dz's sweet smile appeared in my email inbox one day. It is because of their willingness, that I was able to laugh with him today, and hug him good night, and tell him I love him. And I pray one day soon we will be able to tell him that his adoption is complete.

Have you ever considered the difference you could make in the life of an orphan by simply saying yes to hosting him for 5 weeks? 5 weeks could change a child's life forever.

I know it's only January friends, but would you begin praying about the possibility of hosting an orphan this summer? Then visit newhorizonsforchildren.org to stay updated on their Summer hosting program. There are hundreds of kids hoping to be chosen.

Adoption and Joy

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 21:18:00 +0000

"You will be my mom? Forever?"

Please tell me how I am supposed to avoid the discussion of adoption when he hands me google translate with those words across the screen? I want him to KNOW that he is chosen and loved. I want him to KNOW that we hope it is forever. I smile and I hug him and I remind him to be patient because we are still not allowed to talk with him about it. It is VERY VERY hard not to talk about it.
There are many good and valid reasons why adoption is not supposed to be discussed while he is here; why we must wait for many details to fall into place first, and many valid reasons why I long to comfort him with answers and dispel his fear that he might be left without a family again. I am torn. I tell him again and again that I love him and hope that will be enough to carry him. I see little flashes of understanding behind his eyes and smile. Even though I can't share every detail I see peace settling over him as he pieces together glimpses of the truth. He is loved. Forever.

Such a picture of my Heavenly Father's love for me. I don't understand every detail that God has set in motion, but I know He loves me. And there will be a day when I will be in His presence forever. There is peace in the knowing. And in the waiting there are many moments of joy, and I am comforted in that.

Joy.

Photos are still not allowed, but may I attempt to paint a few pictures of the joy we've been experiencing?...

A beautiful quiet day at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom without lines. We race to the next ride and weave through and around and under and over the stalls. Walking between rides Nick stands on his right, taps his left shoulder and pretends it isn't him. He catches on and we all laugh. He later returns the joke successfully and we laugh harder. We sip hot cocoa to warm us as we watch the dolphins swim.

I tuck in the younger boys with tickles and smother them with "cootie" kisses. They giggle and squirm and I catch a glimpse of Dz watching from around the corner with a giant smile, so he receives a few "cooties" of his own.

Late into the night we sit together on the couch with google translate in hand and he begins to share bits and pieces of his life. My heart is broken and blessed simultaneously.

All of us gathered around the computer screen watching YouTube videos of favorite music. Singing (the boy can sing!), dancing, laughing (a lot) and "fighting" over whose taste is better, everyone's arms reaching for the mouse to choose the next song. An accidental click on a skimpily clad dancer and he cracks up laughing when I cover his eyes. Clearly he is not used to that kind of love, but he jokingly attempts to click another because he wants me to cover his eyes again.

Nerf darts flying in every direction as Dz savors a playful day with both of his host-families together. Tickles and wrestles and surprise nerf attacks; love coming from both Peter and Adam. All the kids laughing together. Hugs and yes, surprise nerf attacks, from both Stacey and I too. A beautiful reunion that didn't end in tears, but smiles, because hope is seen.

A houseful of 14 kids at Nana and Papa's gathered around the table singing happy birthday as Nick blows out his 14 candles and everyone piles the whip cream high upon their cheesecake and pumpkin pie. My health-nut sister shrugs her shoulders in defeat and laughs saying, how much more chaos could a little extra whip cream add to this rambunctious group of running, laughing, chasing, playing kids anyway?

And these words... "I love you with all my heart. I am very happy. I want stay here." bring me the greatest joy of all!

Thank You Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 20:38:00 +0000

I can not even count how many times my heart has whispered "Thank you Jesus." over the last week.

Merry Christmas friends! May your hearts be just as full.

Shared from my heart ~ Stacy

Will you help us bring “Dz” home?
_____________________________________

Night 5 is my Favorite

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:23:00 +0000

Night number five and he returned the words "I love you" when I tucked him in. I'm just about the happiest I could be right now.
Communication has been difficult since his English is still not clear and Google only translates correctly half the time, but I certainly understood those words!

We decorated our tree today. Yes, quite late in the season, but we waited for him. I was so happy to see him jump right in and help. Yesterday we drove up to the mountains to cut the tree down and it was quite the adventure. I think he would have enjoyed it, if only it hadn't caused his cough to return. He's still battling that, so a lot of rest is on our agenda! But a restful day today gave us a lot of time for conversation and I'm thankful to be learning so much more about him.

And a question from left field... Do you think a dog just knows when someone is meant to be here? Because our dogs never fail to bark at anyone or anything even slightly new to them, but they never barked at Dz. The night he arrived they just sniffed at his pant legs, wagged their tails, and went on with life as usual.

I Hope He Knows

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 02:30:00 +0000

Today was a beautiful day. My sister and her family made it safely over the snowy Sierras with all 8 kiddos, and we had some time to begin bonding with Dz. He talked more today and smiled a lot. He asked a lot of questions and laughed with us over a game of Monopoly. I made chicken soup for him because that's what we do when the children we love are feeling a bit sick with a cough. I hope he understands that some day. And I hope he feels better tomorrow. And I hope he knows how happy it made me when he hugged me good night.

Waking Up To 14 Sweet Kiddos

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 02:24:00 +0000

We are home. Dz is here with us! I know you're all crying "update!". But we're all crying "sleep!", so the update will come soon friends. The quick version is... We love him! He is either very shy, or completely exhausted, or both. And he made us the sweetest card thanking us for inviting him here.
My sister and her family of 6 also picked up the 4 children they are hosting, making it 10 in their home over Christmas. They headed toward their home, got caught in a snowstorm, had to turn around and after 8 hours on the road they pulled up to our house around 4am, and they are all asleep now in our spare room and living room.
So, coffee in hand, I'm looking forward to this beautiful new day and all that God will bring. Updates will come. God bless you friends! And thank you for prayers!

He is Coming!

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:17:00 +0000

Dz will be arriving in less than a week! Our family is getting so excited! We've been planning out our days that we will spend with him. One month. Our adoption is still in process, but we will host him over Christmas through New Horizons for Children. A part of me is heartbroken that he will only be here for one month, and we won't yet be able to tell him anything about adoption. But the other part of me is thanking God that we will have one more month to spend with him, and I trust he will return when the timing is right.

As we prepare for his coming, the Lord has been speaking to me a lot about Advent. Do you celebrate Advent friends? Oh what a blessing the Advent season is for our family! Advent simply means... coming. To celebrate the coming of the Christmas holiday, in parallel with the coming of Christ. So as Christmas approaches, we take time together as a family each day to focus our hearts on the one who came into the world as a small child and will return again as our reigning King.

This year we are reading Bartholomew's Passage together. (Get this book! Seriously.) In the midst of it all, the Lord has asked me... "What have you done to prepare for the coming of Dz?" And as I thought through each thing we've done, The Lord has shown me that I need to make the same preparations for Him. He is coming.

When we first started down this path, we began by praying for each of our hearts. Praying that each of my children would easily accept him, that he would experience comfort in our home, that our hearts would find connection and joy in one another's presence. Christ has the same prayer for us.

..."In His presence is fullness of joy..." Psalm 16:11

We then moved forward with the preparation and began making a space for him. We rearranged rooms and cleaned out closets. We purchased another bed, so he will have a place to rest. And the Lord whispers... "Have you made space for my Spirit to rest upon your life?"

"Create in me a clean heart, O God..." Psalm 51:10

As Dz's arrival date gets closer we have spent a lot of time trying to learn as much as we can about him. What is his personality like? His character? What does he enjoy doing? What kind of food does he eat? We have had the privilege of having many of these questions answered for us by people who have met him personally in the past. I've sent many questions by email to Stacey and her replies have been so helpful. Jesus speaks to me again... "I am coming soon. Are you taking time to learn about me? Have you read the letters written by my disciples, my personal friends, as they share what I have revealed to them about my character? Will your recognize me when I come?"

"As for God, His way is perfect, the Word of the Lord is proven, He is a shield to all who trust in Him." Psalm 18:30

We are choosing gifts for Christmas and I want to know enough about who Dz is, to choose the right gifts for him. What makes these men wise? I wonder about this as I place my wise men figures on the mantle. And I see the gifts they hold. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. "They knew who to expect." Jesus whispers again. "They had asked questions. They studied and learned all they could about who was coming."

They brought myrrh, a perfume used to anoint the bodies of those who had died, because they knew this was the one who would die for the sins of the world.

They brought frankincense, which the priest would burn on the alter as an offering to the Lord, because they knew this was the one who would become our high priest, interceding for us at the right hand of the Father.

They brought gold, like the crown and value of royalty, because they knew this was the one who is King of all.

Do you know Him friends? Are you prepared for the coming of The Son?

Come Lord Jesus.

Shared from my heart ~ Stacy

Will you help us bring “Dz” home?
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The Year of the Good Family

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 04:48:00 +0000

The year that everyone helped...

Nate... stuffing

Teddy... cranberry sauce

(Can I help?)

Kaleb... roasted winter vegetables

(Can you believe he's laughing at me for taking his picture? Imagine that! haha.)

Nick... pumpkin pie

(Can I help?)

Indy... mashed potatoes and gravy

Everyone... dishes

Bet you can't guess which child kept asking, "Can I help?" The same child made my whole year when he also gave me a huge hug and said, "You're the best mom ever. I'm thankful for you, and for dad, and for my brothers. I have a good family."

A good family indeed. I will always remember the year you spoke those words my sweet boy.

Blessed!

Shared from my heart ~ Stacy

Will you help us bring “Dz” home?
_____________________________________

Love

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 22:22:00 +0000

And The Seasons Change

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 02:10:00 +0000

If all were ideal, time would move much slower and never run out. Every flower's fragrance would reach my nose, and the kids would dissect them in their minds as we strolled by. I've never wanted the calendar to be all filled up, and the gas tank to keep hitting empty. But I've found myself in a season of being scooted along by full schedules, paying too close attention to the tick of the clock.

As I place dinner in the oven, I hear His whisper... "Life is meant to be led by the Spirit, not by the clock." and I realize He's saying, "slow down."

I'm thankful to look around my home and see a slower season approaching.

I leave the meatloaf to cook in the oven and I pick up my camera. A glimpse of our world...

Drum practice. (Another reason to be thankful I'm hearing impaired. Shhh, don't tell him I said that! Oh wait, he can't hear you anyway when he's playing drums.)

Father-Son football time

Legos, Legos, everywhere. Really, EVERYWHERE!

And look who's driving himself to school.

Shared from my heart ~ Stacy

Will you help us bring “Dz” home?
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Looking Forward to Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 23:33:00 +0000

I have been a mess lately. A beautiful, end of myself, trusting Jesus through it all, MESS. The best kind of mess to be.

It could have easily gone the other way ya know. The ugly, poor-me mess. Except for Jesus! 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.

I've been a little quiet around here lately, with so much going on in my day to day world, but I have a TON to fill you all in on. Might take me awhile, but let me start with just this...

Tomorrow I will have the chance to hug the necks of two ladies who mean so much to me, despite the fact that I haven't actually met them in person yet. Both of these ladies have had a huge impact in the life of Dz, and without them, I don't know how we would have found him. So grateful for Stacey and Angie! We will have the added blessing of spending our weekend together at a Women of Faith Conference. Oh Father, how you knew the timing of this weekend would be so perfect!

When I return I'll start the updates rolling. But just a glimpse...

Guess who we get to spend Christmas with?!!??!

No, the adoption won't be complete that soon, but we will be hosting him for 4 weeks through New Horizons For Children!! So thrilled! Praying we'll be able to share pictures and more on the blog by then.

Now, time to pack.

Shared from my heart ~ Stacy

Will you help us bring “Dz” home?
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Which Way Is Up?

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 23:31:00 +0000

You know how sometimes life is so full you're just not sure which way is up? But you're pretty sure you know which way is down, because you're falling fast, and it seems any moment could be that impending crash? When the kids get sick, and you sleep through the alarm, and you ruin your diet, and the bicycle gets a flat tire again, and the screen shatters...

(Ya. Bummer.)

When you can't figure out where those tears are coming from, or why it was that you walked into the kitchen, and you're behind on the to-do list, and the laundry's piled high, and all you can muster up for dinner is corn dogs. When the bills keep coming in, and you know the doctor way too well, but the pain is still there, and you're buried in paper-work, and another trip out of town, and you forget to pack your pjs, but it doesn't matter because you're tired enough to sleep in your jeans?

Yep. You know it.

Yet, there is a peace.

Peace.

Because there is hope.

Hope.

A calm smile and a joy-filled heart, because you know...

He won't let go!

The circumstances don't change friends, our response to them does. The expressions on our face and the attitudes of our hearts... that is what changes. Our confidence in Christ.

Life is full, and sometimes it's hard.

But Christ still reigns!

And day in, and day out, we get to choose again and again to trust Him. To lay down our burdens and pick up our cross.

A continual response of living in the presence of God. Daily surrender.

No matter what we are facing today... Jesus is enough!

Love, Beautifully Painted

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 07:07:00 +0000

Just Five Minutes to let the words flow. No over-thinking, no backtracking, no agenda. Just our thoughts on a given word. I need this now and then, and I'm so thankful that there's a whole community of friends who need this right along with me...

This week the word is Graceful...

She chooses her words carefully. She knows how the tongue can revive a dying soul, and she reaches for the words that bring life. There is no judgment in her tone, only grace. Her own scars are deep and she recalls the lies that left her feeling empty. Words spoken without thought, forever etched into her memory. The insecurities she was forced to battle with for so many years.

Aren’t we all like an empty canvas seeking beauty? Waiting for a masterpiece to be painted upon our hearts? And the vandal spreads lies across this work in progress, but she would not do the same. With precision she chooses to paint love into my life. Intently she seeks to recall His Word, full of grace and truth. And she speaks it with delicate timing, never hastily, never harshly.

The words flow out smooth, and soft, and sincere, as if they are read directly from the page, but I see the passion behind her closed eyes; she means every word. To me, she is more graceful than the ballerina, more beautiful than the fair maiden. She is a conveyer of life, and forever my example.

Shared from my heart ~ Stacy

Will you help us bring “Dz” home?
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Only God

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 07:23:00 +0000

It's a huge decision.... Family size. At what point do we say we're complete? It seems everyone has differing thoughts about that... Even spouses sometimes can't agree. My own thought is that only God can determine when that time is, even if we think the decision is ours.

Many years ago my husband decided in his own mind that our family size was full. It was in the midst of the busy, sleep deprived baby stage and terrible twos, so no one blames him. Sometimes the difficult days send us dreaming of a nice small number. And the joy filled days lean us toward dreams of a family size much larger. But the day my husband decided that our family's growth would stop, I was in tears. I was grateful for my children, but I wasn't ready for a final number. My heart is drawn to motherhood. I had often hoped for a large family, and the thought of having the option taken away, broke my heart. But still I accompanied him to the doctor to make the decision "permanent".

Those were his pre-Jesus days, but Jesus changes things. He changes people. He changed me. I spent several years crying to the Lord over the heartbreak of that decision, and He gathered my tears in his bottle, all the while knowing... how much more magnificent this journey would become because of my husbands choice. There is nothing that slips by our sovereign Lord! He knows the beauty that can be made from our ashes. He whispered, "trust me child" and He changed my heart. He brought me to a time of peace over our family size. A time when I could finally say, "If this is your will Lord, then I am fully content." And I was. Only God.

Only in that moment when we fully surrender our hearts to His will, can He give us the blessing of His peace. And when we are at peace within His will, He begins to stir up mighty things! ...

In the midst of finding my contentment in Christ, a man who had once "made up his mind", began to have his mind transformed by the truth of God's Word. The truth... that says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...." James 1:27.
My husband arose from those pre-Jesus days; the days of self-striving and feeling overwhelmed, and he began to march forward into the will of God. He began to see things in a light that was far brighter than my dimly lit wish for more children. He saw the heart of God, and one day, quite unexpectedly, he shared with me... that he felt the Lord had placed a call upon our lives... to love, like Christ, the ones who waited with hope for a family to love them. A call to reach out to the orphan and invite them in, to become our family.

Now here we are, many years later... two beautiful adopted sons already in our arms, another in our hearts, eagerly awaiting the day that we will become a family of 8. Only God. He is faithful!

(And a small glass bottle goes into the memorial box, because I know He held every tear, and did not let even one, drop unnoticed. And in His love and mercy, He answered my cry.)
Shared from my heart ~ Stacy

Will you help us bring “Dz” home?
_____________________________________

Yes is a Beautiful Word

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:39:00 +0000

It's been a downpour of adoption paperwork and homeschool lesson plans for weeks around here, but I have to share a little secret with you all... I truly love the rain; the fresh renewal it brings! There's excitement in the air when the rain comes, and it makes me want to dance. I'm glad to settle into a fresh new school year and thrilled to see things progressing with our adoption! Today life has slowed to a steady sprinkle so I thought I'd take a moment to fill you all in...

He said yes!

Dz still doesn't know anything about this family who is pursuing his adoption, and we are respecting the request of our adoption agency not to post pictures or personal information about him for now. But today... our agency let us know that they received a confirmation from their Latvian attorney that he was asked about adoption. As a teenager, he has a choice, to accept or deny the hopes we have. Many of the kids have become so accustomed to the life they live, that perhaps the changes just seem too overwhelming, and they deny the option to become part of a new family. He still doesn't know anything about our family, but he knows he wants to be a part of one, and he said yes. Yes to adoption. Yes to entering into a whole new life. Not really even knowing what's ahead for him, just choosing by faith to take the next step, and accept the love of this family that hopes for him.

Isn't that just a crazily perfect parallel to the request of our heavenly Father? He hopes for us, and we have a choice to accept or deny our adoption as His children. So many, accustomed to the life they live, can't accept the changes that it might bring to become a part of the family of God. But others... Oh such Love, from the one who hopes for us!!

God's love for Dz has been so apparent to me! I've seen his sovereign hand over details and I just can't help praising Him!

Do you all remember that I mentioned in another post about my dear friend who sent me the email about Dz? Her name is Traci. About a year ago I ran across her blog. It caught my attention because she wrote the sweetest letters to her newly adopted son from Ethiopia. I felt a connection, not only because of her son adopted from Ethiopia which we have in common, but also because I love to write letters to my children that perhaps they'll read someday. Although most of mine get tucked away in a journal, I loved that she chose to share hers. They touched my heart and I started following her blog. A short time later, my husband was offered a job in a new city. We moved. Eventually I met a friend here who invited me to an adoption fellowship, where I met a wonderful group of ladies. One of those ladies, can you believe it, was Traci, whose blog I had started following a few months before. Isn't that just like our God, to connect my heart with this friend who would lead me to Dz, even before we moved here and had the chance to meet in person? He is good like that!

(To read more of her family's adoption story visit her blog at http://ouremptychair.blogspot.com/. )

And speaking of empty chairs....
.

Casual dinner night, sitting around chatting, and I had to get up and snap this quick shot. I know, not the greatest photo... closed eyes, full mouths, but do you notice that empty chair? Can't you just picture a certain someone sitting there? I know it's a bit blurry, but look at that word in the distance above our fireplace.... that's exactly what we continue to do... as we wait for him to make this photo complete. Will you continue to pray with us?

Shared from my heart ~ Stacy

Will you help us bring “Dz” home?
God bless those of you who have kindly shared gifts with us! We are so very grateful!
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Breathe

noreply@blogger.com (Stacy) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:58:00 +0000

Life has been full lately. Really full. And I'm not the kind of person who thrives with busyness. The only thing that keeps me from hyperventilating is prayer. Prayer for the Holy Spirit to permeate my life, to calm my every thought as I breathe Him in deeply. Yes, deeply... expelling fully every last bit of stagnant air from the depths of my soul and replacing it with the clean vital oxygen of the Holy Spirit.

I find that it's not a coincidence to read the Hebrew word for breath... "ruwach",

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath (ruwach) of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7

and then find the very same Hebrew word, "ruwach", later translated Spirit.

"I will pour my Spirit (ruwach) upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring." Isaiah 44:3

God's Holy Spirit is our very breath. Like oxygen for our lungs, He is for our soul. Breathe in God, breathe out the stresses, worries, and unclean thoughts of this world that leave our Spiritual walks in a place of stagnancy, gasping for breath.

The difference between a stagnant Christianity and a healthy Spiritual life filled with vitality is the depth of our ruwach. And prayer is how we breathe more deeply. Pray these words with me friends...

(originally posted at encourage365.com.)

Shared from my heart ~ Stacy

Will you help us bring “Dz” home?
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