We are on our journey to meet L and J! We arrived safely in Los Angeles yesterday.Yesterday we took a long walk and ate at the famous In-N-Out Burger. Today we went to Manhattan Beach and pier, ate at Uncle Bill's Pancake House, and rode the Ocean Express Trolley.In just a few hours, we will be enroute to Manila!It is an almost surreal experience for us. It has been soooo long in the making, I can hardly believe this moment is finally here!I will you leave with a quote I read yesterday. It's a good reminder of what we have already gone through with the Lord's help and it encourages me for the future. "Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."-Christopher Robin to Pooh
Until later,
Jo Anna
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Gearing Up
We are just days away from traveling half-way around the world to bring home L and J. And the attack has started up again. You know, the spiritual attack, of the one that wants to discourage and defeat us, place fear in our hearts and put us in panic mode.
Unexpected dental work yesterday-$500
Unexpected necessary van repair today-$1200
We need to "gear up" and put on the armor in Ephesians 6, as the battle is sure to get more intense...
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. "
We choose this day to trust HIM.
Psalm 94:19
We covet your prayers on our behalf, as well.
Jo Anna
Unexpected dental work yesterday-$500
Unexpected necessary van repair today-$1200
We need to "gear up" and put on the armor in Ephesians 6, as the battle is sure to get more intense...
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. "
We choose this day to trust HIM.
Psalm 94:19
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
We covet your prayers on our behalf, as well.
Jo Anna
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Travel Plans!!!!!!!!!
For those of you who do not know, our journey began in May 2007 when God planted the seed of adoption in my heart. We officially began our paperwork pregnancy in January 2009. We "found" our special boys on the SHF list on July 29, 2011. Although there have been many delays and setbacks, we believe God is sovereign and HE has chosen these boys to come into our family at this very time. Almost exactly 5 years later! We humbly give God all the Glory for what HE has done and will do in our lives.
Yes, finally!!! We will be traveling in 2 weeks to the Philippines!!!
The boys have their visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Manila on Tuesday, April 17th. Please pray for all to go well. Their visas should then be processed in 1-2 weeks.
Only Scott and I will be going-the girls will remain at home.
Our flights are booked and accomodations and transportation is being coordinated.
Gifts are bought and the packing has begun!
Jo Anna
Psalm 20:5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
Yes, finally!!! We will be traveling in 2 weeks to the Philippines!!!
The boys have their visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Manila on Tuesday, April 17th. Please pray for all to go well. Their visas should then be processed in 1-2 weeks.
Only Scott and I will be going-the girls will remain at home.
Our flights are booked and accomodations and transportation is being coordinated.
Gifts are bought and the packing has begun!
Jo Anna
Psalm 20:5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
God is never in a hurry.
I read that sentence this morning in my devotional. It stopped me in my tracks. I KNOW this. But in my human flesh, I resist this statement. Knowing something doesn't always equal liking something. Our adoption process that has had so many ups and downs, twists and turns; it leaves me wanting the outcome I desire in my expected time frame.
"Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. And God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been interested only in His blessing, instead of in God Himself. The sense of God's blessings is fundamental.
"...be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33) Unyielding spiritual fortitude is what we need." Oswald Chambers
And so, we wait to hear the latest update. We hope to learn more later this morning. I need another dose of spiritual fortitude...
We ARE coming L and J. Soon, sweet babies, soon.
Jo Anna
"Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. And God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been interested only in His blessing, instead of in God Himself. The sense of God's blessings is fundamental.
"...be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33) Unyielding spiritual fortitude is what we need." Oswald Chambers
And so, we wait to hear the latest update. We hope to learn more later this morning. I need another dose of spiritual fortitude...
We ARE coming L and J. Soon, sweet babies, soon.
Jo Anna
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