The Shoe Box - Memorial Box Monday

Memorial Box Monday is coming a few hours early around this place.  We are packing up and I don't know if I will get to my computer tomorrow and this is just too fun not to post!

David's piano recital was today.  The dress code is:  Nice slacks, button-up shirt with a collar, and dress shoes.  Basically, business-casual for kids.  The problem:  My son is 13.  When he was 5, he had 3 different suits, ties, and dress shoes in black and brown.  He looked so handsome!  Now he wears jeans.  Even to church.  To enhance the problem:  we are moving.  This is a two-fold issue.  First, I don't have time to shop.  Second, I don't have money to shop.  (and truthfully, if I did have money, I wouldn't want to buy something he is only going to wear one time.  That seems very wasteful.)

David with Katie at about 7 years old

I found a pair of cords and a button up shirt that were handed down to him and still hanging in his closet.  By God's grace alone, they fit.  The only problem I still had were his shoes.  I felt really bad because the instructions were explicit about NO TENNIS SHOES.  But, I couldn't justify the expense. 

After church today, I stopped to tell a friend I had been praying for her and her family.  I have been praying for her a lot and she didn't know it, so I wanted to make sure I told her.  She said she had been driving around with a box of clothes to hand down to us for weeks and was glad she saw me...In the bag were a pair of dress shoes in the PERFECT size!  (That was a miracle in itself.)  They were exactly the size David wears!  How awesome is that! 

It's the little things.  God cares for each and every little thing.  As I seek to please HIM with my behavior, spending etc...He rewards me with His provision.  I was at that "last minute."  I couldn't have changed my mind, and he provided.  And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Matthew 6:28. 

Paper Chase - a slightly different tale

While pursuing adoption, one of the first steps is the Paper Chase.  This is the period of time when the dreaded forms are filled out, reconsidered, filled out again, and then turned in, lost and then resubmitted.  It takes awhile.  If you are pursuing an international adoption, this part can be a nightmare if you are pursuing a domestic adoption, this part is merely a bad dream.

I am not going to talk about that type of paper chase.  Our next adoption is starting with a different kind of paper chase...News paper.  I bet you didn't guess that one!  Since this is "Memorial Box Monday," I thought I should share about God's recent and wonderful provision. 

As I began packing boxes for The Move, (it seems that I mention it enough that I should give it a formal title) I began receiving the daily paper.  I didn't order a subscription.  It just showed up wrapped in a thin rubber band on my front porch, daily.  At first, I started for the recycling bin thinking, "One more thing in the house while I am trying to pack."  When I realized, WAIT!  I need newspaper to pack!  I piled that newspaper right up in a corner and have been using it since.  I have yet to run out.  That newspaper shows up everyday wrapped in the thin rubber band, unless it is raining - when it comes in a thin yellow plastic sheath.  One day I was close to running out and my neighbor and my mom made a donation to my dwindling paper supply, but I have yet to actually need more.  Does this remind anyone but me about the Israelites and the manna???

Reflecting on this, I realize that I wouldn't have had to worry about packing paper.  Worst case scenario, I may have had to go to my neighbors and ask for their old papers or I may have had to go to the actual paper and ask for old papers.  I don't think I would have had to spend any money no matter what.  But, what was so special about this was that God provided even though it would have only cost me energy.  God provided just to show me He was there.  For all who would question this...I don't know the paper boy.  This started before our house was listed for rent and before there was a sign in the yard.  This started before any of our neighbors knew we were moving.  I am also pretty sure the paper boy isn't one of the 3 people (including me) who read this blog.  Oh yeah, I didn't order a subscription.  I am pretty sure that is usually the only way of getting a paper delivered to your home regularly in any ordinary circumstances. 

So, do I trust God?  If He is going to choose to make sure I have packing paper for our move, why wouldn't He take care of the other concerns that might come up?  Of course I trust Him!  I am so thankful that He chooses to show Himself to me.  Why He makes that choice is amazing to me, but I am sure glad He does!!!  I can't wait to see how He continues to provide when I officially start the other Paper Chase!

Out of Laodicea

While God was preparing Revelations for the churches, He was also preparing a message for us. I have heard a number of sermons on the letter to the church of Laodicea. Each sermon makes a clear connection between that church and the church of the United States, particularly the church of the “rich.” Revelations 3:15-17 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are luke-warm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Yup. We are blind, naked, wretched, pitiful, poor, and can I add: asleep. Twice in Proverbs God warns us about “sleeping” Proverbs 24:33 and Proverbs 6:10 both say: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come upon you like a poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” God has shown me the connection to staying spiritually awake!




I beg God to keep me spiritually awake. It is sometimes way too easy to nod off in our culture. Another great example from scripture is also in Proverbs: Proverbs 30:8-9 “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”



If I am really to draw a parallel between falling asleep in the spirit and being like the church of Laodicea, I have to realize that the solution is to stay awake. But staying awake is very uncomfortable. And one thing I realized is that I don’t like being uncomfortable. In fact, if I really examine my response to the prayer in Proverbs 30, I actually would rather have “too much.” YIKES! That is a scary place to be. Ahhh, too much and I get comfortable, I rely on myself, I forget about God, and I go. To. Sleep…



NO! Stay awake! In the garden at Gethsemane, Jesus BEGGED his disciples to STAY AWAKE! No caffeine pills there. But this is a different type of awake. To stay awake, I am trying to do what God has for me even if it seems uncomfortable.  Actually, especially if it seems uncomfortable!  Sooooo, the move is on! We are off to a new city in a few days. And we have already taken the first step in the next adoption process.  We are wasting no time bringing more kids home. One thing that all parents can attest to is that kids keep you AWAKE!



Another section of scripture that was brought to my attention was the battle of Joshua. As they prepared to enter the promise land, they had Passover and then they ate from the fruit of the land and that was the end of the manna. 2 things crossed my mind as I was reading about this: 1. God expects us to work. When work can be done, we need to get out the hoe and do it. 2. God’s provision is there when we need it, but it won’t be there if we rely only on our own strength and provision. Wow.



God made all things. Why then do I get comfortable with my own provision, focus on my own resources, and then fall asleep? Why after the clear lessons here would I allow myself to do that? Easy: It is EASY! Staying awake is HARD and uncomfortable at times. But the rewards are huge! Here is the promise: Revelations 3:19-21 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am ! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and him with me. To him who over comes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne just as I over came and sat down with my Father on his throne.



Francis Chan reminded me in a sermon this week about what that throne looks like: There was a sea of glass as clear as crystal; creatures singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was, and is, and is to come.” There were elders in white robes with golden crowns…etc. And we can sit there. An honored guest. Witness to all of this! It is ours if we “overcome.”



Please God. Please keep me awake. Please stop me from becoming to content so that I don’t forget you. Please keep me in your power so that I don’t become afraid. Let me look to you as my Rock, my Fortress, and my hiding place. Thank you Lord for the promises that are true. Amen.

Memorial Box Monday

A letter about answered prayer I wrote to my "friend" Linny (who I have mentioned before - here -)

Hi Linny,

I am so thankful that you have been calling these “corporate” days of fasting and praying!!! God is so good and is so faithful to answer the prayers of his people! I have been able to participate with everyone and it is so awesome and amazing. This last time, I asked for prayer. I wanted to post an answer right away, but I didn’t want to post until the answer was complete. Now, I am not sure where to put this, so I am sending it to you. Maybe it is only meant for your eyes, but I am so giddy with excitement!

My prayer request was for our purchase of our new home. We are “legally” maxed out in this home. We want a HUGE family, (We have 4. 2 bio kids and 2 adopted through foster care.) We think God has 2 to 4 more through foster care and then a bunch of kids around the world. We hope at least 2 in Uganda. So…our small house wouldn’t cut it. There were so many things that had to fall into place, that I thought there would be no way we would get this home. Another email, I will tell you how great this specific house would be and how it came in right under budget! Anyway, my friend Leah had posted an email asking for prayer for our adoption ministry. She got an awesome answer to her prayer and stopped at my house to share and we jumped for joy! (You posted her answer.) I walked into my house after hearing that news and found my husband telling me that one of the major hurdles to the new home was CLEARED!!! I wanted to post then, but we had one more big one to go. That big hurdle was cleared yesterday!! It looks like we have a move date of Mid November! Woo Hoo!!! God is so amazing! I finally feel I can share. BUT! It is so awesome that the very day after our day of prayer, the very moment after I learned of a wonderful answer to an important request made by my friend, God would also give an answer to me and then follow it through to completion! I am looking forward to starting the homestudy as soon as we move! Talk about Yipee Jesus!

THANK YOU so much for listening so carefully to God’s voice and following through! I sure hope you are as encouraged and excited as I am. (Oh and also, I have to meet you in person one of these days because when I refer to “my friend, Linny” people look at me funny.

Love to you!

Sandi

Psalm 121

We walked through the lanes of "Fright Fest" at Discovery Kingdom this weekend.  Not on purpose.  We went for a cheerleading competition and the fact that "Fright Fest" existed was not on my radar.  As we navigated through the park, avoiding the scariest routes, my little guy noticed some frightful decorations and displays.  Passing us to get to the performance areas were more costume wearing "zombies."  The festivities honored the name.  It was repulsive to me, but very frightening for my littlest two, especially Emilio.

As we walked, I was diligently previewing the upcoming visual displays being sure to distract Emilio as often as possible.  There were times, however that there was simply no where to look except at Kevin, his dad.  I would say to him, "Emilio, just look at your dad.  Keep your eyes focused on him and you won't even see the scary stuff.  Just don't look anywhere but at your daddy."  Emilio did.  He watched his dad like crazy and when he looked away, he quickly covered his eyes and refocused them back on Kevin.  When he was looking at Kevin he felt happy and safe but as soon as he turned to look away, he was scared.

Everyday God uses these precious treasures to teach me just what God wants me to know.  Of course, the common theme lately:  The Move.  I am scared.  I am also scared about having a big family, about adopting again, etc.  So, where do my eyes need to be focused?  On my Heavenly Daddy.  If I keep my eyes there, not look to the "left or the right" I will not be afraid.  I can feel happy and safe and satisfied.  If I allow myself to glance around.  I will be scared.  God asks me to keep my eyes on Him.  I am so thankful!  Psalm 121:1-2 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD the Maker of heaven and earth.

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As we get closer to the move and to what we believe is God's will for our lives, I am frightened.  I worry about everything.  I know how hard it is when new kids come into our home.  I know it will be a challenge for all of us.  Unfortunately, (or so I thought) everywhere I turn these days, God is showing me that His path isn't always easy.  In fact, it can be down right painful. 

As of last Sunday, the message of "difficulty" was brought to my attention 3 times.  Then, I read Katie's blog and realized that she also gets discouraged sometimes.  After that, in my own studies, I read about Paul in Acts 21:10-14  After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.  coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "the Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and  will hand him over to the Gentiles."  When we heard this, we and the people other pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.  Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?  I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."  When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done."

I prayed.  Please LORD!  Give me the strength of Paul.  How do I knowingly walk into danger and still embrace it?

The "funny" thing is that I know I am not entering into any sort of "danger" but I have no illusions as to the difficulty of my journey.  When I allow the fear to enter my thoughts, though I am hesitant to take the next step.  Then God showed me that it isn't MY courage that I will need.  I won't need courage at all.  I will be compelled.  Like I found in Jeremiah 20:9  But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name, his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.  I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."

God is answering my prayer for courage, first by showing me in scripture that His will is compelling, but also through the book "A Million Miles in a Thousand years" by Donald Miller.  He writes:  "...and once you live a good story, you get a taste for a kind of meaning in life, and you can't go back to being normal;  you can't go back to meaningless scenes stitched together by the forgettable thread of wasted time."  and then, talking about when things get tough..."I think this is when most people give up on their stories.  They come out of college wanting to change the world, wanting to get married, wanting to have kids and change the way people buy office supplies, but they get into the middle and discover it was harder than they thought.  They take it out on their spouses and they go looking for an easier story."

As I have come to the conclusions:  It will be hard.  I am compelled.  I was still left with the wonder of how to proceed, not quit, through the tough times.  God gave me Francis Chan.  I am so thankful for God's provision of shepherds to help me find His way.  God showed me through Francis' sermon the last link that I was missing.  This is "GOD'S PARTY."  I am NOT inviting God to join me, but God is inviting me to join Him.  God showed me:  Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."  (Mathew 28:19)  It is the God who made the world, who hung the stars, who creates the "supernatural" events that leaves people in wonder.  What do I have to fear if He is with me...better yet, I am with Him!  It is His party, I am just a guest.  One of the last chapters in Donald Miller's book was titled, "A Tree in a Story about a Forest."  That was a great reminder.  I am just a tree.  God's story is about the whole forrest and that story is way more interesting. 

My prayer now is:  Thank you Lord for letting me be that tree in this story.  Help me remember that YOU are the one in control of all things.  To Jesus, You have given power and authority over everything - that there is nothing left out.  If I believe this is true then there is nothing I have to fear.  Praise You Lord that I can be invited to Your party.  That I can watch Your majesty unfold in the world.  I pray that when I am weak, You will refocus my attention back to You so that I won't quit and look for an easier story to belong in.  Through Jesus' authority, I pray.  AMEN

Loaves and Fishes and 3 Staples Boxes

1200 square feet, 6 people, 3 dogs, 1 homeschool, 1 dad who works from home...the house gets a little crowded sometimes.  I have been purging.  First the yard sale at church to raise money for the adoption ministry, second the yard sale at a friends to raise money for Amazima ministry.  Finally, I thought I was done.

Since Leah, her daughter, Katie (my daughter) and I are traveling soon to help with a fund raiser for Amazima ministry, we thought it would be nice if we could bring a gift.  The first fund-raising yard sale was a success, so I wanted to do it again.  I cleaned out what was left of my house and could only come up with 2 boxes of "stuff."  We have really gotten down to only owning stuff we are using now, nothing extra (or very little extra) and even that still fills this little house quickly.  I rummaged through the pantry, the cupboards, and closets and found enough to fill a third box.  I told Leah, "I don't really think I have enough stuff for another yard sale, but I will see if any of my friends have anything to donate."  I put the message out on Facebook.

I cleared a corner of my living room since our garage has the car, the drum set, and the bikes...too full for yard sale stuff...and put my 3 boxes there.  A few days before the scheduled sale, 3 people with pick-up trucks full of stuff came and dropped their stuff off.  (My living room was getting a little full.  We could no longer walk freely through it!)  I packed things in as tightly as I could.  THEN!  I got a call from my oldest son who was on a walk.  He had found a "free" dresser that was in good condition.  It had a broken drawer, but otherwise, it was nice.  Kevin and David fixed the drawer and we added that to the living room pile.  We had another call, and the stuff now had to be piled on the front porch.

My friend asked if I had put an ad in the paper, and I said no because I was worried about wasting the money since I didn't know how much we would earn.  I was really worried the morning of the yard sale that I had made a big mistake by not putting in the ad.  I had put it on Craigslist, but not the paper.  My fears were relieved when at 6:30 am we had a line of people waiting. 

The stuff was selling even as I was unpacking it.  It sold before I had even seen it or knew what it was.  We raised about 600 dollars!  The free dresser sold for $25! 

I was contemplating how sometimes we work so hard, pinch every penny and it still doesn't seem like enough.  I was reading in Haggai and came across this verse:  You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little.  What you brought home, I blew away.  Why?" declares the Lord Almighty.  "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house."  (Vs. 1:9)  I see that as we focus on ourselves, we only earn what we "control" - which is nothing.  Sometimes we might have a blessing, but really, without focusing on the eternal it is garbage.  I have had yard sales before that made very little money.

I had 3 boxes (small.  Staples boxes.)  We made $600!  I have to think, God was in this.  This was for His kingdom.  This was for His house!  It reminded so much of the "Loaves and Fishes" story in John. Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. (Vs 6:8-13)



When the yard sale was over, I still had some things to sell on Craigslist and enough to fill the back of my 15 passenger van to give as a donation to a homeless shelter in town.  God used those 3 boxes, multiplied them through the generosity of others and allowed us to have a substantial gift for the ministry and have a van full of blessings left over!  Our God is sooo good.




God, You choose to bless us even though we don't deserve it.  You allow us to work for the good of those You love!  Thank you for the privilege of seeing Your miracles in action.  Help me obey You as a slave.  Let me "Offer myself to you  as a slave , I who am a slave to the one whom I obey - a slave to obedience, which leads to righteousness." (Romans 6:16)  Amen.