Putting On Our Armor

I said I wasn't going to post anything else this week, but this needs to be said. We (or at least I) seem to be fighting against some strong and evil forces recently. To which I say, Bring.It.On. My girl is in Ghana. I am coming for her. There is nothing more powerful than the love of a Mother (or Father) for a child. My Heavenly Father is on my side, so do not stand in our way!
I am reminded of the words in Ephesians Chapter 6:

"...Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God...
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."

For my LDS friends, the same message is in D&C 27.

Game on. Let's get ready to rumble.

No News is Good News?

I really can't believe it has been a whole week since I posted our last non-update. Well, if no news is good news, then we must have GREAT news. Still waiting (im)patiently. How do you spell out a long, loud scream? Phonetically? I'm not a model of productivity or serenity right now. More like a big pile of whiny frustration with a side of attitude. Just keepin' it real.

J and I are headed to the travel clinic in the morning to get our vaccinations. I'm hoping that Heavenly Father will see that as an act of faith on our part, since he knows how I feel about shots, and he'll give our case a little push in Ghana. Maybe I'll get the shots twice! The kids were worried today that I would be scared, and Elena offered her special "Ni-Nite" to me so I wouldn't cry. Which made me cry. So I'm kind of a mess this week but I know it will pass. It's just the one-foot-in-front-of-the-other that is so hard sometimes.

For those who pray, please keep my friend B in your hearts. She and her husband J are about to bring their little girl home from Ghana, and they really need some peace and the warmth of our Savior's love to surround them. Thanks!

Little Sister Little Update

Things are moving along. Progress has been made, but we still don't know when we will get to bring her home. We're just praying and planning and enjoying the little miracles, and even the opposition. It is just more confirmation that we're doing the right thing.

We have learned a couple of things that are good for the adoption, but leave our hearts aching for our little girl. We appreciate beyond words the people who are working so hard to make it happen. We will update when we have more news, and until then we're filled with hope and confidence that Little Sister will be in our arms soon. The more we learn about her, the more we love her and the harder it is to wait. But she is loved and cared for and safe. She is already far ahead of so many children in her country.

As a special favor to someone dear to me, please pray for people to act according to the will of the Lord, and not their own. For comfort for a group of vulnerable children whose lives are being tossed every which way but the right one, and for some common sense to be granted unto those who lack it.

Happy Birthday, Bugs!

I woke up this morning to a 10 year old. I don't feel old most of the time, but his 10th birthday makes me feel a bit creaky! Especially since he is soon going to be taller than his Mom.

Bugs, you are our sunshine, our superhero, our little boy with freckled and dimpled cheeks. Your heart is always open and always kind, and you love fiercely and without fear. You were worth every minute of the wait, and you have blessed us every day since you were born. We could not ask for anything more than we have in you, our first baby, our Bugs, our sweetheart. Thank you for still blowing kisses to your Mom, even in front of your friends. Thank you for laughing because it is infectious and we can't stop ourselves from joining you. Thank you for being a friend to those who need you most and being loyal to them. You just get better the older you become and you make us so proud. We "love you MUCH!"

Happy Birthday!!

Shake it off and Step Up!

My 4th grader's teacher read this to the class and parents during their end-of-year party this morning. She must have wondered why I was in tears, but it came at just the right time for me and I know some of you will appreciate it too:

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule.
The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back...HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow.

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP.
You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US! Remember that FORGIVENESS--FAITH--PRAYER-- PRAISE and HOPE...all are excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves!

Are you smarter than a 2nd Grader?

Apparently not! But Dawg really enjoyed seeing me admit it in front of his class today. By the way, for those of you who may have been misinformed as I was, the DeathStar is NOT a battleship that his class studied this year. What kind of education is he receiving, anyway?

Tick...tick...tick...

Enough whining. Deleted!