Dream

I had a dream that just won't leave me.

God blessed me with wisdom when it comes to other people's dreams.  God will usually give me a very clear and accurate meaning if the dream was meant to convey something.  Sometimes it is just a dream...I believe, though, when we have dreams that plague us, the dream is there for a reason and God can use it to communicate to us.  In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.  Acts 2:17

I rarely have dreams that I remember and I rarely can find any special meaning in them, but this one won't leave me.  I think I will place it here and pray about any meaning that it might have.

I was at our old house and we left for some reason with the intention of returning.  As we were returning, I remembered that we don't live there anymore and when the tenants found out we had been at the house they were angry with us.  The scene cut to the store parking lot where I found out I was pregnant.  Someone approached me and told me.  I thought, during that time, that being pregnant made sense since my tummy had gotten bigger.  I was not big enough, though, so I knew I wasn't "due" but I didn't know how far along I was.  Right after she told me, I went into pre-term labor and cried because I knew a baby that young would never survive.  The baby was born the size of my hand and grey.  I delivered right there and "caught" the baby myself.  I thought the baby was dead until I was encouraged to bring the baby to my chest and the baby's color began to turn pink and it opened it's eyes.  It began nursing hungrily and became stronger in minutes.  I believe that is when I woke up.

More Blessed Feet.

Mari loves Jessie the Cowgirl.  She carries her Jessie doll everywhere, and anything remotely related to Jessie stops Mari in her tracks.  She got a pair of red "Jessie" boots for her birthday in August and LOVES them but they just don't "go" with everything.

Last year she had a pair of very cute warm boots that went well with most things, both dressy and casual.  She also loves those boots because she thinks they are also "Jessie" boots.  I don't bother arguing.  They are 2 sizes too small this year, though. 

In the midst of all the chaos of moving, I thought that I would keep an eye out for another pair of boots.  Unfortunately, this opportunity has only come along one time which left Mari wearing her 2-sizes-too-small boots.  I don't bother arguing.

See the boots by the bed?

After church last week, a sweet friend told me that she had just gone through her kids' closets and she had clothes for my 2 little guys.  I love love love hand-me-downs.  UNBELIEVABLY!  There were TWO pair of boots that were very similar to the boots I was trying to find!  How awesome is that! 

First, I am noticing a theme with the shoes and how cool is our God to do that!!!  I have to laugh when I think about God in the sense of WHO He is.  He is so obviously the provider of all that we have, but when he provides in such a way that it becomes a theme, you gotta know that I think of HIM as someone I would LOVE just hanging out with!  Did she need TWO pair?  NOPE.  Did God provide again abundantly?  YUP!  It literally makes me giddy to think about it.  OH, in case you have no idea what I am talking about, God just provided a pair of shoes for another one of my kids and I wrote about it here. 

I can't help but think of a verse I memorized a long long time ago:  Who am I and who are my people that we are able to offer as generously as this?  For all things come from You and from Your hand we have given you.  1 Chronicles 29:14

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.