For everything, a season

I've had this strong sense lately that it is time for a season for praise and thanksgiving.

Perhaps it's all of the intercession I've been doing while running to prepare for the 1/2 marathon.

Perhaps it's my own heart longing for the intimacy of worship with our Lord.

Whatever it is, I've been feeling overpowered by the desire... need.... compulsion ....  to show gratitude to my King.

I think part of it must be my habit of asking God for things.

I do it a lot.

And He asks us to.

"Ask and it will be given unto you," He says.

Matthew 7:7.

"Praying at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication."

Ephesians 6:18

But equal parts (more?) of scripture speak to gratitude and praising the Lord.

Dancing.

Cymbals.

Celebrating God's daily mercies.
All of the Psalms....

And so, I'm grateful.

While I pray for a new *bigger* house and for mine to sell, I praise Him that I have a home that we love.

While I beg for physical healing for so many, I praise Him that I have legs and lungs and can run for hours without stopping.  *miracle*

While I seek His face about another child, I praise Him for the beautiful treasures I've been entrusted and thank Him for blessing me beyond measure.

While I cry out about life's injustices, I praise Him for righting all wrongs and bringing his faithful home, on that day.

While I pray for adoption after adoption among friends, I praise Him for the rising up of the Church to care for His children.

Lord, I worship You, praise You and THANK You for so many blessings now, in my past and for our future.  You are awesome.  Amen.

Visitors from afar

In May, I traveled to Uganda with Pastor Dwight, the hubby of Linn.  It was a wonderful trip, as I've mentioned about two dozen times.... Of course, prior to that trip, I didn't know Dwight or Linn or any of their kids.  In Uganda, I had the pleasure of getting to know Dwight, Emma, Graham and Josh (among a lot of other very cool people). 

Since May, Linn and I have become great friends.  I adore that woman.  She is so Godly and wise and loving and real.  So last week when she asked me if I would be around on Tuesday I wondered what might be up.  Yes, we planned to be here all week.  Linn asked whether I had room for she and eight of her kids and two dogs to crash here on their way to New York.  Are you kidding me?!?!  Um, YES!

So, on Wednesday afternoon, I met Linn and the little kids for the first time on Michigan Avenue, downtown Chicago.  The boys were off to a Cubs game and the kiddos (plus Em) to American Girl.  After the shopping and game extravaganza, we all drove out to our place.

While Seth was a bit overwhelmed by the activity (not unusual) it was great fun.  I feel like I've known Linn forever and her children . . . well . . . they are simply precious. 

Can you see sweet Elijah sleeping with his new American BOY?

Liberty

Em and Josh

Isaiah

Elizabeth

Mommy, may I puh-leasssee?!?!?

Elijah

Jubilee and Seth

Elizabeth

The gang!

I could spend hours talking with Linn and soaking up her faith.  I'm sooo thankful for the brief time we had together this week!  Now to get us to Durango....  Love you Saunders family!!

In more mundane news, Seth "graduated" from Early Intervention this week.  They have a graduation party and ceremony for kiddos who have aged out since the last graduation or who will age out before the next. 

Seth was most interested in his "special treat" (a lolly)

And he didn't want to wear his hat....

Happy graduation, sweet boy!  First of many, I suspect!!

Nothing but blue skies...

Well, there's alllll good news over here!  I found out Friday night that my brother-in-law decided that Kathryn can go to Uganda with us.  Wuh hoooo!  I'm so excited for Kathryn to experience Uganda and be with us.  It will be life changing for sure.  Kathryn found out the good news on Saturday when she returned home from a mission trip of her own.  Now she's off brainstorming careers in missions.... Nice.

Kathryn and Anna have accepted the challenge to raise $500 for the Ugandan street kids and Betty's orphanage -- skin officially in the game.  :)  You can see their blog or donate here.  If you live in their area, watch out for the fundraisers!!

Then, Friday night, there was a stinkin' monsoon around here.  Something like seven inches of rain in a few hours' time.  But this time (having flooded twice in one month two years ago) I was prepared.  Flood control system?  Check.  Dry basement?  CHECK.  So happy.  :)  Praying for everyone who got swamped out.  It's the worst.  Been there.  I get it. 

Today, it was great to see my friends at church and talk about Betty and pray.  I had a completely unexpected surprise when I got home.  Turns out our social worker (who has a 9 week old baby at home) GOT MY DCFS APPROVAL ON FRIDAY and sent out packet to USCIS.  So as of Monday, USCIS will have the documents necessary to approve Betty's immigration to the US.  And all of our docs are in Uganda, so we're ready.   Go, go, go GOD! 

Last, on a less, um, clean and appropriate note, Seth requested poo-poo in the potty three times today (before going) and did it in the potty each time.  NICE!  We're almost there -- determined to have only one in diapers!