Blogsitter ... Check

Clothes packed ... oops

Tent or whatever we will need for our adventure-filled weekend ... forgot about that too .

Food purchased ... sorta, but not really.

Dog washed and toenails done ... yup, that was an easy one. I bathe her once a week; sometimes more if we go play in the mud.

Blogsitter ... well a girl has priorities and that was the first one. :-)

Hopefully we are going to do something great starting tomorrow morning. My hubby has taken a vacation day before he loses it. We had a great plan and then it unraveled due to it costing way too much $$. So then we thought we would just stay home and relax, but then we had an offer of a free cabin. Great (I sure hope it is really clean and not too dated, you know skungy carpet?), but that might not happen because the holder of they key is far away from town today and he sometimes forgets things. Now we are thinking of a backup plan that involves the great kind of dirt that I wouldn't mind rolling in. Yes, the great outdoors...no walls. Needless to say I don't have anything ready and it is 3:05pm Thursday. Not much time until tomorrow morning and yup, I'm blogging. Thankfully I will not have Internet all weekend so I have a little time to defrag and my hubby will remember who I am. j/k I'm not that out of control yet. lol

In my absence I have been crazy enough to give my blogger information to someone who will be bloggy-sitting. I know I'm only going to be gone a few days, but I thought it might be fun. She might be as quiet as a mouse and not say anything or she might be a prankster. I guess you will find out before me, but I have no worries about what she will post. Have fun my friend. Don't forget to leave a comment for her or me. :-)

I will be having a peaceful weekend somewhere away from crowds and I hope you all enjoy your weekend as well. I will try to take lots of pictures.

Do you need a new spring-do?

Are you needing a new look to your blog? Do you feel a little blue when you look at it? Do you need a new spring-do? I know I have mentioned Daleea doing blog design before, but I wanted to do something more to try and help get some business coming in.

This is taken from her blog:

"As many of you know, I have spoken of my longing to return to China one day. For several months now I have felt in my heart that we will have another daughter and I have given her the name Isabella. For now she lives only in my heart. We have no plans in the immediate future of beginning this journey. In fact, the Lord would have to move mountains for us to even begin. Certain things would have to come to pass for us to even start the paperwork. One of which is my husband would have to believe that she is meant to be ours too. He doesn't feel like we are to have another daughter but he has said that if it is God's will then He will open the door. I know this is true.... If she is just a longing in my heart then it will not be.... but if she is truly ours I know the Lord will move those mountains and bring her home.

I am designing blogs as a way to save the funds to hopefully bring our daughter home one day. I also will be using part of the proceeds to help the children in China who are waiting

Our blogs are very personal. They are windows in which we share the lives of our children, and our families. They are windows into our hopes, our dreams and our souls...
We here in BloggerVille laugh together, cry together, celebrate together, hold each other up and carry each other through the difficult times.... We are a community, we are extended family...

I would love to design something beautiful just for you...

I am asking for a donation of $50.00 for the blog and $25.00 for the header.
If you are interested please email me at jewelsofmyheart@yahoo.com Subject: Blog Design"

Daleea is such a beautiful person and I have no doubt in her ability to create a blog that will reflect who you are. She listens so well and has the gift to connect with you.

(Don't look at my blog as an example of her work. She does beautiful blogs...mine someday will be done by Daleea, but for now you can see her work here, here, here and of course Daleea's that is ever changing.

Video Monday what else can I say

I just have to share one or two more videos and have been meaning to share them for some time now. As you know in my house we are big fans of the classical guitar. So I thought I would share with you my favorite quartet. They are the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and they are so entertaining and great. The guy on the left is Andrew York and he is no longer with LAGQ, but I'm (well we are) thrilled that we get to see him in concert in April. Of course I will be doing a post on this. Andrew York is my favorite guitarist and next in line is John Williams and then David Russell. As you can see my husband has brainwashed me and I love it. :-) I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

If this video doesn't put a smile on your face...I don't know what will.

"Pachelbel's 'Loose' Canon"

This video is amazing in the fact that each person is playing only one small part of the piece.


"Bach - BWV 846, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Prelude #1"

If you love these like I do you can order the DVD from Amazon.

I can't resist.

Alaska_Moose_Video4
Uploaded by pivoineforumtosainu

I thought I was crazy until I saw this. Who knows...maybe I am crazy and someday I really will be a moose momma. Hopefully the CCAA isn't reading this. We may never get through the review room. :) I think Sierra takes up too much room in our bed and she is only 17.5 lbs. I can't imagine having a moose in your house much less our bed.

From my kitchen to your computer.

First of all I have to say thank you to Mrs. U at Making a House a Home. She did a post of homemade mayonnaise on Wednesday and so I gave it a whirl in my blender and it come out great. I usually use "Grapeseed Oil Vegenaise" instead of regular mayo, but I will say I really like the homemade mayo. I think I will make it with grapeseed oil next time and see how that comes out. You can get the recipe here. If you like or use mayo at all you should give it a try...don't worry it is really really easy.

The second item is my pots and pans. Take a look at the photo below.

Isn't this pitiful? I can't believe that I'm even putting it out there for you all to see. My friend Paula did a post yesterday about a pot party and so I thought I would see if you have pots and pans that look as bad as mine. I have had this set for 8 years or so and obviously I have used them a lot. I will admit I sometime put them in the dishwasher, but for the most part I wash them by hand. Can you tell which pans I don't really use?

Yea, the pretty ones. I never use metal in these but still you can see in the small sauce pan (upper photo) that the coating is chipping off. Costco states that there is a lifetime warranty on these pots and pans, but do I dare take them back after 8 years? I don't even have the receipt. Oh what to do?

Well, this is my dream set of cookware below. It is an All Clad Copper-Core set. I will just have to enjoy them from the picture because they are normally in the $1600 range, but wait...they are on sale right now for a limited time for ONLY $1150. Yeah, won't be getting those. :-) I would love it if you shared about your cookware...whether it is nice or not-so-nice. Obviously I love cooking.

Dropping like flies.

You know you are in big trouble when blogs you have come to know and love start dropping like flies. This China wait has opened up a world of bloggers of those who have gone before me and it gives me hope for the future and helps pass the time. I am sad though to say that three bloggers I have been watching have decided to quit. So if you watch my blog and have a blog and have never posted a comment can you PLEASE, oh Please leave me a comment so I can come for a visit more than likely over and over and over again. Thanks. I am going to go sulk for a bit and maybe when I come back there will be some new comments. :-)

Hey, on the bright side...spell check is finally working.

PS. Those of you who are not dropping like flies...don't even think about it!

One of Sierra and Miss Tilley's Adventures

I came across a couple of pictures that I have to share. The story behind these photos is the best part.

My parents had given us kites for our Anniversary (2006) so we went over to this soccer field to try them out. We had Sierra and her sister Miss Tilley (my parents dog from the same litter) with us. I had left the car door open because I needed to go back and get something, but before I got back Patrick had his kite up and flying. Miss Tilley got so freaked out she ran back to the car and jumped in the passenger seat with Sierra right behind her going..."what's wrong, where are we going in such a hurry." Tilley then jumped into the drivers seat leaving Sierra in the passenger seat. It was so cute as though Tilley was going to drive them away. I was taking the pictures with my phone so excuse the bad quality.

Is your home safe from lock bumping.

A friend just e-mailed me this video on lock bumping that robbers are using to get into homes. Is you home safe?

Mountain Solitude

Sunday, February 17th was our anniversary of our first date 13 years ago. We have never been ones to celebrate Valentine's Day due to the fact we were both home pining away wishing we were out together. It has become a tradition to celebrate on the 17th. Weird I know. Sunday topped the concert any day of the week for me. We packed a picnic lunch and ran to Starbucks for the morning cup of java even though it was around noon. We grabbed a bagel and sat at a little shopping center park (very quaint) and enjoyed our bagel in the warm sunshine. We then decided to drive to Mt. Baker Ski Resort and see how much snow was out there. There is between 180-195 inches or 15-16 feet depending on how high up you are. This doesn't even compare to "the 1998-1999 Ski Season it was said that Mt. Baker set the world record for annual snowfall. The peak of the mountain had an estimated total of 1,140 inches of snow which barely passed Mt. Rainier's record of the 1971-72 season. In total that is 95 feet of snow in one year. That is 126 inches of snow per month, over a 9 month period." Can you even imagine. Thankfully there wasn't that much snow up there or we wouldn't have been able to have such a lovely picnic in the snow.

In between the lower and upper runs there is a nice pull out and we saw that there was an area we could get up on the 15 foot snow berm. We got up on top to take in the view and found a wonderful place to have a picnic. So the trusty hubby went back to the car for our lunch. There was an area where someone had snow camped and so we laid out our water proof blanket and spent the next couple of hours playing with Sierra in the snow and napping in the sun. We explored a little bit, but with that much snow and no snowshoes or even snow boots it was a little tricky. At one point I went through the snow up to my hip and had to call for help.

Sierra LOVES snow and played herself to exhaustion. She sleep all day yesterday and is seeming like she might sleep all day today again. I do know if I were to say the word SNOW to her she would be full of life and spirit again.

The only frustration to the day was where the people snow camped they left all their garbage. We live by the rule or motto "Pack It In, Pack It Out" "Leave No Trace" so we cleaned up the area first. I wish everyone would practice those rules. Now we have beer cans and beer bottles in our recycling (how embarrassing), but I can't just throw them in the garbage. Even though it is very frustrating that some people are such slobs, I am happy we found all the garbage instead of it littering up such a beautiful place.

In the mountains I am so happy and free. Although I love Seattle for short periods of time...Sunday was the better of the two days by far. Once we were at our picnicking site we saw no one and it was absolute peace. I do not thrive on cities or lots of people. I much prefer the solitude of being alone with the ones I love in the mountains or someday on the water in my kayak. For now I will dream about the snow melting so I can put my pack on my back and hiking boots on and hit the trail for a couple of days at a time.

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Saturday Concert

Sorry this has taken me so long.  We really had a wonderful weekend. Saturday we drove to Seattle
to see the concert. We were a little early so we ran down (more walked very fast) to the waterfront
to get Ivar's Fish and Chips.  It started long ago when we visited Seattle for our 2nd Anniversary
and now anytime we visit Seattle we have to do it.  So we hurried and ate and then ran all the way
up the stairs back to the concert hall. We made it just in time for the doors to open (sweating and
all, what a great idea I had : ).  The seating was general so we really needed to be there just as the
doors were opening to get a good seat.  We got good seats and although Miss Yang was nervous
and seemed to be having pain in her hands, it was very enjoyable.  It was her first time in Seattle
and she seamed to like it.  Her English was very good and she was so soft spoken and just had such
a sweetness about her demeanor.  This was my hubby's birthday gift from November, so
HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY!

Please check back today for another post about our Sunday adventure.

Pre-Concert Enjoyment

Tomorrow night we will enjoy an evening with Miss Xuefei Yang. Just thought I would pass along a little bit of our excitement.



Excerpt Taken From Miss Yang's website:

Born in Beijing, Xuefei began playing the guitar at the age of seven, and took formal tuition at ten from Chen Zhi. Soon after, she made her first public appearance at the First China International Guitar Festival. She immediately gained such acclaim that the Spanish Ambassador in China presented her with a handmade concert guitar.

From the age of 13, Xuefei was educated at Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music.

At 14, she made her Madrid debut, which was attended by the composer Rodrigo.

In 1995 John Williams came to Beijing. He was so impressed with her playing that he gave two of his own Smallman guitars to the Central Conservatory of Music, in Beijing especially for her and other top students to play.

During her school years, Xuefei played extensively in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Spain, and Australia and gave concert tours in Taiwan, Japan and Portugal. Throughout this period, she appeared on numerous radio and television broadcasts in China and abroad. The pioneering spirit of the internationally acclaimed guitarist and EMI recording artist, Xuefei Yang, has been evident since childhood, as the first : • Guitarist to enter a music school in China • Guitarist to graduate with a BA degree in guitar, in China • Guitarist to receive an international scholarship from the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music, for her postgraduate study at Royal Academy of Music • Chinese person to receive such a scholarship • Person from mainland China to launch an international career as a guitarist • Chinese guitarist to sign with a major record label (EMI).

White Moose

Here are two home videos of white moose. I know I'm a crazy moose lady or crazy moose momma as some people know me.

Albino Moose

A friend of mine e-mailed me these pictures and I had to share them. Thanks Dianne for sharing them with me. We have no idea where these were taken as they were forwarded to her. At this point it is any bodies guess. Someday I hope to see an white moose (not albino), but till then I will enjoy the pictures.

Update: In general, moose have brown coats of hair. In some rare cases, the color of moose coats can range from predominantly white to a mixture of white and brown. White-colored moose are not a separate species, but are examples of a rare color phase that can occur naturally in wild moose populations.

Second Quilt Block

Thank you Klopfenstein Family!

Halfway to the $5,000 Goal

First a note from Breanna:

I just wanted to tell everyone Happy New Year! I heard that there are people out there that are helping get my heart fixed and I wanted to say a big "Thank You." I am trying to gain enough weight and get strong enough for my upcoming surgery. As you can see you have put a little smile on my face. Once my heart if fixed I will be able to give you a full smile. You just wait and see. Love, Breanna

Breanna is getting a lot stronger and has really started eating well in the last couple of weeks. There has been a total of $2,525 given so far. We are half way there! Thank you so much for your prayers and for your donations. They mean a new heart for a little girl. I will continue to keep you updated as often as I know something new.

I am so excited because I am getting ready to send a little care package to a friend in NY who is going to Starfish on the 25th. I have made her a tag blanket and I'm also sending her a 100 Good Wishes Quilt square and a little outfit. How special it is that we could do that for her in addition to helping with the surgery. Praise the Lord that He is providing.

If you would like to give there is a picture of Breanna on my sidebar that you can click on or Dontate Now.


Oops:
Special credit for the scrapbooking goes to my friend Daleea at Jewels of My Heart and For Isabella Blog Designs. I feel so bad because I meant to thank her in this post and I forgot. So Thank You so much Daleea for making such a beautiful picture of Breanna. If anyone is in need of a new blog look Daleea is very talented and is trying to raise the money to bring her daughter home from China.

Starfish Foster Home

Heather is at an agency!!!!!

Heather at Christmas I got the news yesterday that Heather's adoption papers are on a rotating list the CCAA sends out to a few agencies. I had never heard of this before. Live and learn.

Heather is one of the three flowers (Jasmine and Lily are in that group too) who was born with spina bifida and who had surgery in Shanghai by Dr Lazareff from UCLA. She is a really sweet and gentle girl, who is so affectionate and is very attached to us. She loves reading and watching Wiggles and the Teletubbies. She is somewhat physically delayed because she cannot walk yet, but she is getting stronger by the day and she is standing and weight baring. She is moving herself around in the walker and her legs are getting much stronger, she could very well be walking by gotcha date. She will need some physical therapy for her right hand. You are welcome to read the blogs I have sent about her to see just how much she has improved since she first came to us at Starfish.

I love this picture of Heather because I was "attacking" her with the reindeer. The photo captures her so well since she smiles a lot and was trying to "hide" from me.

If you are interested in adopting her or you know anyone else who would be please will you contact:

Kathy Storro
WA Director and China Specialist
Small World Adoptions
1-509-892-6789
kathy@swa.net
www.swa.net

I am praying that there is a family who will want to adopt and love her without reservation. It would make me so happy to know that she will also have her own forever family.

Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda


Starfish Foster Home
www.chinesestarfish.org
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com

I have a waiting child list.

I received this e-mail and have been asked to spread the word. I'm not sure how to link the list as it is a pdf file so if you know anyone who would like to see it please e-mail me and I will send it right away. (bay moose @ comcast.net please remove spaces) They are trying to get these children fast-tracked and into homes ASAP. Please spread the word to anyone and everyone. Let's get these children to their Forever Families.


"Families,

Attached is a new updated list of children. Please pass this list on to anyone you think may be considering a waiting child.

Waiting Children

Shared Agency Program

Small World is pleased to announce that we have received permission by the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) to place additional children who are waiting! This group of children will be "shared" by adoption agencies that have been approved for this program. This program is separate from Small World's already established Waiting Child program.

Most of these children are older and are "non-special needs". There are also younger children who may have multiple or more "serious" needs.

The process for the adoption of these children and the CCAA guidelines for qualifications of the parents will be the same as our Small World agency-specific list except for the following:

* This group of children will be constantly changing with new children being added by CCAA.
* We will be updating the list of children as new children are added or "matched".
* We are only giving a very brief description of the child and the needs. A complete file and more pictures are available for each of them.
* We can place a child on hold with CCAA for only 24 hours.
* We will not know if families outside of Small World are interested in a child and will not be able to place a child on "hold" if another agency has done so.
* Families will need to make sure that they are comfortable with the child's medical situation before or during the "hold".
* The family will need to move quickly through the submission of the Letter of Intent to Adopt. (LOI)
* The dossier will need to be completed quickly as it must be submitted to CCAA within 6 months of the family receiving the Pre-Approval (PA) from CCAA for the adoption of this child or the child's file will go back on the list.
* Families who are unable to complete a dossier within this period of time should not request more information on these children until they are close to completion or dossier ready.

Please contact Kathy (kathy@swa.net 509-892-6789) if you would like more information on this program or any of the children."

Janell Lucas
Small World Adoptions
Washington Office
9201 S. Madison Rd. Valleyford, WA 99036
509-892-6789
j.lucas@swa.net

100 Wishes Quilt

This evening in the mail we found SiJi's first 100 Wishes Quilt square. Thank you so much Kevin and Kathy. We are so thrilled to have the same LID as you. Sorry about the bad quality pictures. Something isn't going right latley with the operator of the camera. :-) I would love to swap if anyone is interested.

Light Hearted Friday

I was going to wait until Tuesday to post this, but I felt like something a little light hearted might be in order for the end of the week.

Three years ago on February 12 I received the best gift my husband has ever given me. Her name is Sierra Valentine. She has been such a joy and what a wonderful distraction from the infertility/adoption process. I can't imagine my life without her. We have our moments of frustration mainly due to her barking at the doorbell or knocking on the front door, but other than that she is really a dream dog who goes and does everything with us. She will always be my first child in a way and I can't imagine the love I will have for my daughter if I love my dog this much. I'm afraid my heart might burst. Thank you my husband for being such a wonderful loving husband and giving me a gift that has brought me so much joy. I love you.

Thank you for your prayers

This was taken from Daleea's blog Jewels of My Heart
If you have time can you please leave her a comment on her blog. I think she could use some sweet words of encouragement.

"Thank you all for your prayers... please keep praying for the people and families that are suffering right now. out of 102 people working last night at the plant over 40 were hospitalized, more than 30 of those people are in critical condition. They have found 6 bodies so far and 17 are still unaccounted for. I thank Jesus that I am able to look over and see my husband next to me...
It was really bad and these families desparately need our prayers. I can't really say much now... I just wanted to thank you all and update on this oh, so sad situation.
May God Bless You and Keep You From Harm's Way....
Hug each member of your family today..... tell them that you love them.... you just never know if you will ever get to tell them that again..."

Immediate Prayer Needed.

Update from Daleea:
"Now they are saying that 32 people have been injured critically. There are 9 people unaccounted for. It is so terrible but I thank God that there were not as many people as seriously injured as they first thought. Thank you for your prayers and please keep praying for these people and their families. Thank You Jesus that Jeremy is ok... Please help and comfort those who are injured and their families... please be with them."

My dear friend Daleea has just written for prayer and has posted details on Jewels of My Heart.
There has been an explosion where her husband works tonight. He is okay, but there could be as many as 200 people hurt. Here is the first story I found on it. Please also go to Daleea's blog for more information as her husband has been able to call a couple of times.

By Associated Press

PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (AP) - An explosion shook a sugar refinery Thursday night, starting a fire and injuring dozens of people in a blast felt throughout this Savannah suburb, authoritie said. No deaths were immediately reported.

There was no immediate word on what caused the blast at the Imperial Sugar plant, formerly Dixie Crystals, a Savannah landmark. A witness described widespread damage.

Sgt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Savannah-Chatham County police, reported an unconfirmed number of injuries, "well over 50 to 100 at this point."

Nakishya Hill, a machine operaator who said she escaped from the third floor of the refinery, near the Savannah River, described fire "all over the building."

"All I know is, I heard a loud boom and everything came down," said Hill, who was uninjured except for blisters on her elbow.

"When I got up, I went down and found a couple of people and we climbed out of there from the third floor to the first floor. Half of the floor was gone. The second floor was debris, the first floor was debris.

"All I could do when I got down was take off running," she said.

Imperial Sugar, based in Sugar Land, Texas, acquired Savannah Foods & Industries, which produced Dixie Crystals, in 1997. The acquisition doubled the size of the company, making it the largest processor and refiner of sugar in the country, according to the company Web site.

Imperial markets some of the country's leading consumer brands - Imperial, Dixie Crystals and Holly - as well as supplying sugar and sweetener products to industrial food manufacturers.

My First Gray or is it Grey Hair.

Okay, so however you spell it, it doesn't change the fact that I have one! I just noticed something while doing my hair. I know it is late to be doing my hair, but that isn't the point.

I HAVE MY FIRST GRAY/GREY HAIR!

I don't color my hair anymore, but I think I better get started again. Anyone have a good home brand of color...I'm adopting and can't afford the salon. :-) HELP. Don't worry, I'm really not that freaked out about it. I just know I am going to be all grey when we get SiJi. lol

Starfish Newsletter

GONG XI FA CAI FROM STARFISH!!!! The Year of the Mouse QUICK LINKS Register Now Last Month's Newsletter More About Us Dear April, I am writing to you rather late since Chinese New Year started last night in China. There is no doubt about that if you are living in China. The fire works exploded all through the night and as I am writing this it sounds like there are bombs going off all around me. We took a few pictures of the babies and I would like to thank Emily and Chris for their help. So here is a little bit more about this the most important holiday is the Chinese Calendar. On new years day it is very important to make jiao zi (pot stickers) and that is what we had for lunch. The is also the red envelops which are given by employers to employees and parents to younger children. When you get older then you give your parents a red envelope. As you might know the Chinese have 12 years in which different animals are represented and this is the year of the mouse of the rat. Here is some information from a website about this element of Chinese Culture: Though the Western rat is reviled as little more than a bottom-dwelling disease carrier, this animal is viewed much differently in the East. The Eastern rat is revered for its quick wits and its ability to accrue and hold on to items of value; rats are considered a symbol of good luck and wealth in both China and Japan. Clever and quick-witted, the Rat of the Chinese Zodiac is utterly disarming to boot. Possessed of excellent taste, this Sign flaunts its style at every turn. Its natural charm and sharp, funny demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone. The Rat likes to know who is on its side and will treat its most loyal friends with an extra measure of protection and generosity. I mention this because you will see the photos have mice in them. Another photo opportunity for us. The babies looked so cute. I had some more Chinese outfits but I could not find them. I have not been keeping all the CNY things together and that is a big mistake. I will have to do a better job at that. Life, Love and Laughter, Amanda Starfish Foster Home www.chinesestarfish.org http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com

Happy Chinese New Year!

Xin Nian Kuai Le

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year! Please continue to pray for the people in China. My heart aches for them and for our daughter that is more than likely born and somewhere in China right now. If you would like to donate to help babies that need food, diapers, warm clothes etc. please follow your heart and the link below.

Being Still Continued!

The Lord is continuing to show Himself to me today. My friend Paula sent me a link to a blogger that is adopting from China and Ethiopia. The following the most recent post from Baby Hoffman. The Lord always provides strength for the journey if we will just allow Him. I think I need to be still. I'm getting the point I think. :-)

The Rewards of Waiting...

Written by Tymm at 11:51 PM

"I have had the following excerpt sitting on my desk for - gosh - I dunno how long. A long time. I have been meaning to post it over and over and over - and for some reason I just never have.

I am not 100% sure where it even came from - probably from an adoption meeting or get-together or handout or something - because the content is all too relevant. Regardless of where it came from or how long I have sat and stared at it - I am now going to post it. Mostly because I need to read it.

---

We've all been forced to wait in doctors' offices, traffic jams, and checkout lines. During those times, we have nothing to do but try to be patient.

In God's Kingdom, waiting is defined as an "active stillness." We should be active because we are continuing in our present situation. And, we need to be still because we are focusing our attention on Him for guidance. Practicing a lifestyle of active stillness requires a purposeful and expectant attitude, a patient and determined frame of mind, and a prayerful and obedient heart.

There are rewards for waiting on the Lord. We receive the supernatural energy and strength we need for godly living. At times, when responsibilities overwhelm us, we might be tempted to get out of step with God. Even though we know He's calling us to keep a steady pace, we may fall behind. At other times, our schedules leave us little time to think. So, we make quick decisions, pushing ahead of Him. In either case, we risk becoming tired and emotionally spent because we are operating in our own strength.

Patiently waiting on God brings us the physical energy and emotional reserves we need to keep going. Being patient also enables us to discover His will, which is always for our good (Romans 8:28). We also gain spiritual victory over our trials and disappointments.

Our all-knowing and all-powerful God is always on time. But we often leave too early or arrive too late. Pick a situation in which you're tempted to overrule God's perfect timing. Then submit to Him, realizing the issue is a matter of trust.

---

Hits pretty darn close to home for those of us smack dab in the middle of an international adoption. Or two. I need to read this again and again and remember that a good chunk of the reward is found within the journey.

And I don't want to miss out on any of it."

The power has gone out twice while trying to post this...I hope I can get it out there. :-)

Being Still

This morning I woke up in a "tired of waiting" mood. The Lord has been ever so faithful in providing what I needed right when it was needed. Thank you Lord, You are so faithful. Please forgive my lack of trusting and being still. Amen.

“You will not leave in haste.” (Isa. 52:12.)

I do not believe that we have begun to understand the wonderful power there is in being still. We are in such a hurry, always doing, that we are in danger of not allowing God the opportunity to work. You may be sure that God will never says to us, “Stand still,” or “Sit still,” or “Be still,” unless He is going to do something. This our problem regarding the Christian life; we want to do something to be Christians, instead of allowing Him to work in us.

Think of how still you stand when your picture is being taken, as the photographer captures your likeness on film. God has one eternal purpose for us: that we should be "conformed to the likeness of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). But in order for that to happen, we must stand still. We hear so much today about being active, but maybe we need to learn what it means to be quiet. --- from Crumbs.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Nor deem these days-these waiting days-as ill! The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way, Hath not forgotten thy great need today! And, if He waits, ‘tis sure He waits to prove To thee, His tender child, His heart’s deep love.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord’s will! While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way Corrodingly within, because of His delay- Persuade thyself in simple faith to rest That He, who knows and loves, will do the best.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Not move one step, not even one, until His way hath opened. Then, ah then, how sweet! How glad thy heart, and then how swift thy feet Thy inner being then, ah then, how strong! And waiting days not counted then too long.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! What higher service could’st thou for Him fill? ‘Tis hard! Ah yes! But choicest things must cost! For lack of losing all how much is lost! ‘Tis hard, ‘tis true! But then-He giveth grace To count the hardest spot the sweetest place.
--- J. Danson Smith. Taken from Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

Book Suggestions

I'm in need of a good book. I'm in the middle of a couple which are good, but I want something that really gets to the heart of the Christian woman and mother to be. I want something that encourages and provides growth. Does anyone have a really good suggestion(s)? Can't wait to hear the suggestions and get to reading. Thanks.

Okay, revised it doesn't have to fall into those categories...I just want something really good. :-)

Urgent Help and Prayer Needed in China

If you have been watching the news you know that China is getting hit with massive storms that are causing so many problems. There are several orphanages that are either without or very low on heat, food, diapers, blankets etc. Half the Sky Foundation is taking donations and getting these items for the children. If you go to their website you can see all the areas that are really affected and what is needed. If you can help in anyway big or small, please don't hesitate. Above all please pray for these people! Souls are lost, dying, cold and hungry. Please pray for the underground churches in China that they will be able to help.

"The storm struck 19 out of 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in the Chinese
mainland, Xinhua said. It has been blamed for 63 deaths -- 25 of them when a bus slipped off a mountain in icy conditions in southwestern Guizhou province." CNN statement.

You can also visit Chinese Starfish for an account of what is happening from Amanda.

What Flower are you?

I am an Echinacea "You are a health conscious person, both your health and the health of others. You know all about the health benefits and dangers of the world around you." What Flower Are You?