MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Well, it was sad to go through the Christmas season without even knowing who are children will be, but we had a good Christmas all the same. As Christmas isn't a day--it's a person!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”- Isaiah 9:6

I'm so thankful for God's greatest gift of Jesus Christ and the salvation to all humanity that is found in Him. Because we are imperfect and sinful we can not approach or dwell with the perfect heavenily Father--but that Father loves us so much He provided a way for us to draw near to Him.

From the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 10--

"Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, O God'".
*****
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
*****
"And this is what he promised us even eternal life."
--from the Book of 1 John chapter 2 verse 25

Our family's wish for all who read these words would be eternal life in heaven through Christ Jesus the Lord. Now THAT would truly be a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Antique Chairs

A very generous friend of mine gave us 6 beautiful antique cane bottom chairs to sell for our adoption fund. Trouble is, I'm not sure who wants them. I decided I would post them here in case some reader would come along who was looking for just this type of chair! They are in good shape and have had the caning redone. I have close up pictures if you are interested. My friend was told when they were recaned several years ago that they are worth about $60 each. I'd like to get $300 for them. They are such fun chairs, I'd almost love to keep them! But those cane bottoms would last about 6 months in my home! That is why my friend is parting with them too! I think cane bottom chairs were one of the reasons Victorians were so strict with their kids!
Blessings, God is so GOOD! Debbie :-)

God is good

God provides encouragement when we need it most. I came home from work a few days ago to read this in "Shaohannah's Hope Today"

"You aren't waiting on man, you are waiting for God.
God isn't going to send you where he is absent.
God is not bound by geography, timelines, politics, or finances.
God hasn't asked you to walk this path alone. Not only will he remain with you each step of the way, He has prepared many warriors to go into battle with you. You'll be amazed at who he uses to meet your needs.
Don't put serving the King on hold. Waiting doesn't equate to idleness. Invest in the wait, don't waste it.
God's gifts to us are never late. They are always on time and far beyond what we could ever imagine."

Amen to that.

The Waiting Game

These past couple of weeks have been really hard for me to be patient. I just want to know when we might get a referral so I can start making plans for next year. I'm starting to wonder how possible it would be to teach ESL in Taiwan. . . At this point I doubt we will have the kids home by this summer,so I could go to Taiwan then, teach, learn some Mandarin, and be a little closer to my siblings- and even meet them when we do get a referral. :) I have a feeling they will be home by next summer though, which would mean that if I wanted to be back at home when they were home, I couldn't stay for a year, which means I can't get a visa to teach. . . Oh well. I know God has a plan, not only for my siblings, but also for me. Faith is all about trusting even when the way isn't clear, and that is what I need to practice doing. God has not brought us this far and worked so clearly in this adoption only to leave us here. His plans may not be what I would have chosen, but He is good and omniscient and his plans are infinitely better than any I can make, so I must learn to trust, and to patiently wait.