Holding on

I just read an amazing post written by Angie Hook, who just returned from Maria's country with her newly adopted daughter. Please read:

The Orphan Mentality

I have it. I didn't realize I did until Evan came into my life.

We were in the hotel room in Moscow and she was playing with some bottles of water, a plastic cup, and a few paper napkins. It amazes me how she can find a few items and get so much enjoyment out of them. She lined up all the items, then wiped off all the items, then laid all the items down. But then Clark held out a new item and he was across the room.

You could see her look at "her stuff" and then at the new shiny thing. She did this several times. Then the gathering started. First, she picked up the napkins, then tried to hold two water bottles, but she couldn't hold on to the cup. She placed them all down on the floor and looked at the shiny item in Clark's hand - way across the room. She tried again. This time in a different order. It didn't work. She sat down and again looked longingly across the room. She would not leave her stuff. Finally she picked it all up again and was able to get it all in her arms, but the minute she started walking, her stuff started dropping out of her arms. She would not leave her stuff. Clark said to her, "Evan it's just a stuff, paper and water. Come on over here." It didn't happen.

It bothered me that she couldn't leave her stuff to go and see what her Daddy had for her. Her desire to hold on to her stuff was hindering her and it saddened me.

It was at this point that God laid out before me that I too had the same problem. How many times had God asked me to follow Him, asked me to travel in a different direction, asked me to just come and I couldn't because I was holding on to my stuff. My stuff that I think is so important that I can't lay it down and see what my Father has for me. How many of you have missed a blessing because you are holding so tight onto your material things, a job, or a lifestyle - that it is hindering you?

If it saddens me to see how Evan struggles with this, how much more must it sadden our Father?

I hope one day Evan realizes she is no longer an orphan who has to fear letting go of her stuff. I hope the lesson that Evan has taught me will help me to lay down my stuff and go to my Father when He calls me.

 

This is a daily struggle for me. We have been used to cutting back expenses and budgeting for a long time now. But why do I still get obsessed with things?  I still see things I want and am so tempted to have. The Lord has taught me how to depend on Him for our needs and He has always provided, yet I still sometimes try to "prove" my ability to do it myself. 

Thank you Angie for this reminder to let go of the unimportant things and keep our eyes on our Daddy.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34

Easter photos

I know I'm a little late, but here are some photos from our Easter day celebration.

Our church holds our Easter service outside at the downtown courthouse and they create makeshift "classrooms" for the children. This was our first year helping in the classroom for Easter. They asked us to be in the Spanish speaking classroom and of course we agreed. I started talking to one little girl and asked her if she knew what we were celebrating. "Easter" she said. And what happened at Easter I asked. She shrugged. I asked her if she had ever heard the story about Jesus dying on the cross. "No". What? Never heard before? This 3rd grader- the same age as my daughter- had never heard about Jesus! So I asked her if she wanted me to tell her then or if she wanted to wait until story time. "Now" she asked. So we continued talking for awhile and I could see how she was in shock and completely trying to take it all in. It seemed so foreign to her. She hadn't even heard of heaven. Now don't you start thinking maybe it was my Spanish skills. She actually preferred me to tell her the story in English. Anyway, I ended up sharing the story with another boy who also didn't know the story. It was a very blessed time being able to plant the seed of God's love for them in their hearts.

Some of the children doing crafts

My daughter and her daddy help with hand motions during worship

On the courthouse steps

After church we came home and then my sister in law and niece came over to eat and hang out and have cake.

Finally got to open their baskets, since we woke up late for church and had rush off!

Happy 16th Birthday Naty!

It was a good relaxing day to share about all the Lord has been doing in our life: His miraculous provision of a house, providing finances when we've needed them and the family of God who bless us so much.

p.s. Last week a 9 year old girl named Katie asked people to donate money towards our adoption in lieu of a birthday gift and raised $150 and then another Katie (3 year old I think) donated towards our adoption on behalf of Kelly Dirkes' birthday. Love how the Lord uses His children.

GOOD Friday

It’s a GOOD day today.

It’s my niece’s 16^th birthday: Happy Birthday Nataly!

 

It’s Kelly Dirkes’ birthday and she will NOT being doing any adoption paperwork today! She needs a break after finding out the psychologist made a costly mistake on her report. Pray that the Lord will provide the funds soon and it will not delay their adoption of Charlotte.

Isn't she a cutie!

It’s Earth Day: Thank you Starbucks for the free coffee!

It also is the anniversary of the death of my husband’s father.  He died more than twenty years ago, but he is not forgotten. He was my husband’s best friend and teacher. He was a beloved and lively singer/performer in Lima, Peru, before his untimely stroke and later passing at the age of 47. We rejoice knowing he met the Lord before his death and is now singing and dancing in heaven.

"Oh Jesus, I can't live without your love. Without your love, I'd rather die than stop loving you."

Until we meet one day, Pastor Zuzunaga…

More importantly, however, it’s the day Jesus Christ, the Son of God,  was crucified in our place, giving us total access to God the Father, forgiveness from our sins and freedom from death unto eternal life.



And that is what makes today a GOOD Day.