Blessings and Concerns

At our church today we celebrated the blessings of a family who has adopted 4 children. They wanted to have a large family and do have one son of their own but were not able to have more children. They decided to work through an adoption agency and then strongly felt God was calling them to work through the Department of Social Services instead. I will make this long story short for you, in 8 years they have adopted 3 young boys and a little girl all siblings. This couple asked God for children and boldly asked that they meet specific criteria. God graciously granted them all. It has been a joy to watch the family grow from just 3 to 7 and to share the sometimes funny, sometimes happy and sometimes difficult journey of this unique family. They are an inspiration to me and a constant reminder of the great love and care our heavenly Father takes in our lives when we live trusting in Him. Truly what a blessing.

On the other side of things my young niece Lauren who is in the Army Reserves left on Friday for California and pre-deployment training to go to Iraq in March. Not having human children of my own makes all my nieces and nephews very special to me so I feel just a bit of concern for her. But I can remain calm as my sister Donalyn, Lauren's mom, is admirably able to place her little girl in the hands of our Father and trusts Him to care for her. Lauren actually belongs to Him anyway so I guess that's the smart thing to do. So I will as well, though I have not had Donalyn's practice.

Prayers for our soldier girl are much appreciated. My sister is praying Psalm 91 for Lauren daily, please join us if you like.

I send Lauren off with this strengthening Psalm as well.
Psalm 144:1-2
Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for
war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my
fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield,
in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.