Waiting from Struggle to Strength

Honestly I don’t know how to put into words all that is going on in my heart. I am truly feeling all mixed up inside and struggling to sort things out. We never had planned on being on this huge financial journey but the Lord put pieces together and asked us to walk in faith. I clung to the verse. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” And we stepped in faith. I have learned that not all those steps go as planned or as expected but that God is the one who is always there. When I look at that verse, faith is being sure of what we hope for. I have to ask what have I been hoping for? After watching story after story of God doing amazing things and moving mountains to provide for others adoptions, what is one to think when things just happen in baby steps and you just keep walking in faith hoping. I have found that I have to be careful not to put my hope in other stories because when you look there it can lead to doubt when things don’t go as planned but I have to come back to God’s truths. He created me and does love me. He is love and he does care about our every need. In October in Honduras we shared a video about George Muller. It was in Spanish but the one English word that would be repeated was George Muller. He was a man of faith who prayed for his needs. As I look back on this journey of selling, crafting, fundraising and doing so many things trying to raise the funds needed I am exhausting working to bring our son home. I have come to a point where God has reminded me to “Be still and know that I am God.”  He has been continually calling that verse to me over the past 5 years and this past year I sometimes wonder if I have been doing things again because I thought it was what I was suppose to be doing or if it is what God wants me to be doing. George Muller’s life story of prayer has come into conversation several times the past few months and again just recently. As I had been pondering on all this wondering if I am to be still and only pray fervently as George Muller did there appeared an envelope in my mailbox with no name attached filled with money for our adoption. Is this what I am supposed to be doing? I honestly don’t know. I thought God was asking me to be humble and ask others to help but maybe I was wrong maybe He is suppose to do the asking. Like I said I am all confused right now as to when you are to say something and when you are not and when to just pray so from now on I think I will just be praying. He knows our needs and I will continue to pray and be still before my God.

George Muller (1805-1898) was an English evangelist who founded orphanages in Bristol.  He trusted God for his daily needs to feed the orphans.

“God’s plan is there shall be none of self and all of Christ. The very people who are doing the most for God in saving souls, in mission work, in the care of orphans, are those who are working on short supplies of strength, of money, of talents, of advantages, and are kept in a position of living by faith and taking from God, day by day both physical and spiritual supplies. This is the way God succeeds and gains conquests over His own people, and over the unbelief of those who look on His providences.” - George Muller

I wrote the above a few nights ago and have been wrestling still with so much in my heart. Tonight as I went to Bible study and God gave me the words to understand and sort through it all. It was all about waiting and I have been doing a lot of that. Waiting for paperwork, waiting for funds, waiting for fundraisers, waiting for more paperwork, waiting for phone calls, and most of all waiting for our son!  Honestly these past few weeks I have been so discouraged, so exhausted and under attack in so many areas. I really felt at my breaking point or as Beth Moore said tonight. I thought my head would explode!. She then began talking about the Isaiah 40:31  but those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

^{I know this verse but today after all the waiting there was a lesson to be learned. The verse says to wait upon the Lord!  We loose our strength when we are waiting upon the event or thing such as waiting for papers, funds, even waiting for our son. It becomes exhausting and we loose our strength but when we wait upon the Lord we will renew our strength. We will soar, run and not grow weary. Thank you Lord for loving me so much to keep reminding me that even when I am doing good things I need to always be waiting upon you!}

Update

Praise the Lord after a week strait on the phone with the government, I finally got the needed email to complete our first of the last 3 steps. We are moving to step 2 which will take 2 weeks and then we wait for our call to travel!!

Praise- we raised over $800 at the silent auction.

Please keep praying as we are waiting to hear if we were approved for a grant. They were reviewing it today.

The Run for One 5K/ Family 1 mile fun run is on April 13th but preregistration ends one week from today on April 1st. If you want to be sure to get a T-shirt make sure to get your registration in by the 1st!  :)  here is a link to print out the forms.

 http://www.runningmoose50.com/run-5k-philadelphia-running-race/
We also need volunteers to point people in the right direction. You can sign up here http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0549AEAD29A02-race 

Ending this Thursday March 28^th, our online fundraiser at http://www.celebratinghome.com/fundraiser/provinceoflove/OnlineFundraiserHome.aspx

This is the last week for our Chinese gifts on our blog. We have cut all prices. There are beautiful bags in many sizes and much more.  Remember Mother’s Day is just around the corner.   http://provinceoflove.blogspot.com/p/chinese.html

You are invited this week Thurs. March 28^th 11-3pm  or Sat. March 30^th  1-4pm to join us in creating a community art piece on what it means to be a family. Everyone any age is welcome to join in this great piece. You will be able to create a leaf sharing what family is to you and you will be able to weave a strand of material or yarn into the Chinese symbol for family. You can bring something to weave in that is meaningful to you or you can use materials provided. We hope to see you there.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us your prayers are greatly needed and appreciated!!

Getting Closer!!

Great News! Our next paper came in the mail today. We are only 3 steps away from getting our travel approval. This means we are praying for those funds to come. We have approx $10,000 to raise in less than 8 weeks. Please pray for us as we have a grant being reviewed on Monday the 25^th and pray for our silent auction (March 23rd) and our race (April 13th). We need lots of prayer!!! We appreciate your help in spreading the word about our events and items on our blog for sale. All donations can be made through PayPal on the right of our blog or can be mailed to us. Pray the Lord will lead people to join us in this incredible journey!

Washed in prayer

They last few days have been very difficult. I have felt under attack in so many ways. I asked my Jewels sisters for prayer and they began to pray and I could feel their prayers lifting me up. Today I was able to visit with 2 beautiful woman of the Lord who prayed with me. As I poured out my heart and they poured out their prayers the Lord just washed his peace over me. Sometimes we get lost in what we are doing for the Lord. We are using OUR strength to accomplish great things for him. I was feeling very overwhelmed with the final fundraisers. Details are in place but items or registrations or sponsors are just not coming. I was becoming very discouraged but today God opened my eyes. I did not doubt for a moment that he would provide the needed funds I have faith that he will, even when the mountain of $10,000  needs to come in less than 8 weeks. I really had to ask myself why I was feeling so discouraged and God showed me it is because my eyes were on the events and not why He is walking me through this journey. Honestly it is not about the money that needs to be earned but the incredible God that is calling for all of us to be adopted into His family. I pray through our journey if nothing else, it will draw people  to seek Jesus in a deep personal relationship because he has chosen you  to be a part of His family. Here is a video that was sent to me. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vFXuyz6gIVQ )

It reminded me so much about our incredible savior who came so far, came to this earth to rescue us and adopt us into His family. As I could not sleep and got up to write this a dear Sister in Christ sent me this song by Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ooYWCAG3veo I just wept because. It captured it all. How Christ came so far to find us (He is calling for you). And now we are going so far to find Cargan. I can’t wait to see all God will do until I can hold him in my arms.  My prayer is that you will know Jesus more deeply; you will never be alone again.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

 Hebrews 11:1

HELP Approximately 8 WEEKS!!!!!

Well 2-3 months sounds like I have time but when I look at the calendar and translate that into weeks there is so much happening and many needs yet. We are closing in on needing $10,000 and we could have only 8 more weeks left to raise it. I just watched the miracle of $30,000 being raised in 4 months down to the week before take off. (You can check out the story here: http://rylandsfamily.blogspot.com ) God is amazing but he needs His hands and feet to help. A few people have asked how they can specifically help. Here are our next 7 weeks events and all the ways you can help. ( I think God is keeping me busy for a reason.)

Pray! Please pray for our family especially Cargan, that God will prepare his heart for all that is coming. Pray for all the papers to keep moving and for God’s perfect timing in traveling. Pray for travel details to come together swiftly once we get our call. We have short notice to book our flights. Please also pray we will hear favorably about the grants that we have applied for.

Come! Come and join us at any of the events you are interested in. There are so many incredible people I have been meeting along this journey. We hope you can join us.

Volunteer/Help- we have several events that we still need help with.

Donate- We appreciate any donations. They can be done directly or through pay pal on the right.

Events:

Now until March 28^th Online Fundraiser-CelebratingHome  http://www.celebratinghome.com/fundraiser/provinceoflove/OnlineFundraiserHome.aspx

Check out the beautiful candles and more!

NEED: Orders

March 14^th 11-3 and March 16^th 1-4  Planning Community Art project for Cargan at The Independent Space 19 W. Main St. Kutztown  (Free)

NEED: Come join us!

March 20^th  Donations for the Art Show at the Independent Space are due- donations will be sold to help bring Cargan Home. 

 NEED: Artists to create and donate. (Message/email me for specific guidelines.)

March 23^rd Adoption Silent Auction and Dinner  4-7pm  $13 adults, $6 kids ages 6-12, free for kids 5 & under

Menu: includes pig stomach, pepper cabbage, applesauce & homemade desserts. 

Jacob’s Church Activity Center  8373 Kings Highway, New Tripoli, PA

NEED: Silent Auction Donations (themed baskets or other items)

            Volunteers to help that night.

            Come join us!!

March 28^th 11-3 and March 30^th 1-4 Community Art project. Come and share what family is to you and be a part of a project for Cargan.  (free)

NEED: Come join us!!

April 5^th   affordable art show opening   7pm  at  The Independent Space 19 W. Main St. Kutztown  One wall will be designated to Cargan. All purchases from that wall will be donated to help bring him home.  

NEED: Come join us!!

April 13^th  Run For One: Adoption Journey 5K/ 1 mile family fun run/walk

  9:00am at the Fleetwood Park.

NEED: Runners and families to register(preregistration due April 1^st)-email me for a form or you can print from here: http://www.runningmoose50.com/run-5k-philadelphia-running-race/

Business Sponsors needed: We have several levels and we can help advertise your business. (email me for a form)

Volunteers needed to help that day.  Please message me or email me if you can volunteer that day.

April 27^th  Bake Sale at Renningers (This will go towards Pierson’s plane ticket!!)

NEED: People to bake items- We will need a lot as this is the Extravaganza weekend

Shop: We also have several items for sale on our blog. We have tutu's, necklaces and lots of items from our home. Check out the tabs under our picture.

Thank you!!! We appreciate your support and prayers.

Please email me with any question- lang4@hometownu.com

Adoption Silent Auction

                                               You are Invited

                                                                                    to

The Adoption Silent Auction at Jacob’s Church's Community Pig Stomach Dinner.

The auction will help bring Cargan Home. It will take place on March 23^rd, 2013. The dinner and auction will starts at 4pm and bidding will end at 6:45 (dinner ends at 7pm). You do not need to be present the entire time to participate in the auction. It will be held at the Jacob's Church Activity Center 8373 Kings Highway, New Tripoli, PA. Dinner is $13 adults, $6 kids ages 6-12, free for kids 5 & under. Dinner includes pig stomach (plain stuffing mixture also available), pepper cabbage, applesauce & homemade desserts. 

So many incredible strangers!

The one thing that has been so amazing to me through this journey is the people that God is bringing into our lives to help bring our son home. So many have been kids and strangers. Another incredible woman Shelle has touched my life. She herself has an incredible story. Our lives connected from her seeing my blog which she learned about from Regina (another amazing woman) the owner of Gatherings and Blessing the store where Sarah has been invited to sell her tutus to help raise money to go get her brother. Shelle contacted me wanting to help and offered to do a fundraiser for us. This blew me away! All the way on the other side of our state a complete stranger wanted to help us. God is so amazing how he continues to bring people to walk along side us during this hard long journey to our son. We are so humbled and thankful for those who have given of themselves to help us. It has meant so much to us. Below is the link for the fundraiser. Take a peak at some special items that will help to bring Cargan home. Thank you!
http://www.celebratinghome.com/fundraiser/provinceoflove/OnlineFundraiserHome.aspx