China

I can barely hold in my excitement! My parents are headed to China soon to pick up my baby sister. She turned eleven months old yesterday and we are so looking forward to having her here with us. This process has been one of endurance, trust, faith and perseverance. My parents began the adoption process because they felt that the Lord was leading them to adopt a little girl from China after being approached with a verse from another couple they know really well. So, they jumped into the paper work. Originally, we were told this process would take a total of six months. Six months passed about eight times before we got a referral. That four years was really difficult for us as our heart as a family grew attached to our little "China-Baby." My sophomore and senior English classes prayed for the situation daily. We waited. I lost heart. My parents lost heart but again the Lord is perfect in His timing. It was actually just last week that I think Dad (it could have been Mom) was saying that this was more about the process than the actually getting a baby. Yes, they thought the Lord had that in the end but things aren't always as they seem. Lord-willing, we will have a baby in our arms soon. I look forward to holding our little "princess to remember." Her name will be Sarah Nian which means "princess to remember." Ah, the Lord is so good as His timing. Why would we ever doubt?

More on the SMR note, I have finished my support letters today. Now it is just the process of printing, folding, postage-ing, and such. May the Lord move on the hearts of those He wills that they give.

I also am preparing to lead Bible study tomorrow for Allison. She will be gone at her monthly staff dinner and thus has passed on duties to me. I am looking forward to this but am also very nervous. I make so many mistakes; I am surprised the Lord ever chose me that He might use me. We are going through James 3:13-18. We have been studying James the entire semester. Out of all the studies thus far, I must say this one was the most convicting and the most applicable especially with my preparation to be teaching and leading. It speaks of earthly wisdom versus heavenly wisdom. James 3:14 says, "But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to truth." This verse convicted me because the Lord has been making me more and more aware of when I am being in selfish in what I say or do versus seeking His glory and preaching Him and Him alone in what I say and do. This is so very difficult for me (not that sin is easy to deal with) because to be honest, I like to look good to those around me. So often what the "good conduct" referred to in verse 13 of the same chapter is done in selfish ambition and thus is completely pointless. Lord, humble me that I might realize how truly low I am before You and Your holiness. Humble me that I might realize there is nothing within me worth exalting. It is only You. It is You alone.