LOVE

Hi everyone! We still continue to wait and pray for Kylie Hope. With the Olympics beginning next Friday, we are unsure right now if the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) will be working on referrals. The next referrals are for part of the month of February '06. As a reminder, our date is 7-14-06. We do know that families from our adoption agency will be traveling to China during the Olympics, which is a praise because originally we were informed that families would have to wait until the Olympics were over before traveling. I do believe God was behind that. :-)

Brad, Karsten, and I pray and think about Kylie so much. Even though she is not with us yet, she is already a part of our family just like Kyler is and will always be a part of our family. As much as I love my children, I can't even fathom how much more God loves them. After all, they are His and He has given us Karsten and eventually Kylie to raise for a while. I know that they are in God's hands and protection. I am blessed that He has given Brad and me the privilege of being their parents and being able to point them to Christ and to live for Him.

Getting back to 'love', I was curious about how many times that word appeared in the Bible. Depending upon the translation, the average was about 550 times. Wow! Enough said right there. Jesus says a lot about love. Here are just a few:

*God loves us (John 3:16)
*God is to be our first love (Matthew 6:24; 10:37)
*We are to love God (Matthew 22:37)
*We show that we love God when we obey Him (John 14:21; 15:10)
*Those who reject Jesus don't have God's love (John 5:41-44)
*Jesus proved His love for us by dying on the cross so that we could live forever with Him (John 3:14,15; 15:13,14)
*God loves those who hate Him and we are to love those who hate us (Matthew 5:43-47; Luke 6:35)
*We are commanded to love one another (John 13:34,35)
*Jesus extends His love to each person (Mark 10:21, John 10:11-15)

Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life for us, so we are to love others as Jesus loves us. Just as we want to give our children good things, imagine how much more our Father wants to give us, His children. Whether or not Kylie has been born yet, I know she is being loved by God. Each of us were valuable and loved by God before we were ever created in our mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5). We were on His mind when He was on the cross. If Kylie is already on this earth, again I know she's loved by God and we pray that someone in an orphanage or foster home is loving her. Thank you all for your continued prayers for Kylie and us. Thank you church family for already caring so much about Kylie. It's so encouraging to us each week when asked about our adoption. Keep praying! We love each and everyone of you.

Love & blessings~
Jennifer

God's Faithfulness

We live in a world that is constantly changing, but I am so grateful that we serve a God who never changes. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." It has been encouraging to me reading this verse again, for I have an unspoken prayer request and would appreciate your prayers.

I have enjoyed focusing on God's promises. Not only is He unchangeable, God is holy, just, righteous, sovereign, loving, faithful, compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and forgiving. Psalm 33:4 says, "For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does." God's promises are always fulfilled. His Word says that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and God will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19).

All of us, I'm sure, can testify that we have broken a promise at least once in our lives. Aren't you glad that God never has nor never will! He is the promise keeper. Even in Noah's days we read where God promised to never again destroy the earth until the judgment day when Jesus returns to wipe out evil forever. Even the change of seasons is a reminder of God's faithfulness and promises, "as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease" (Genesis 8:22).

As I ponder on God's faithfulness to me, I realize my need to be more faithful to Him. God is faithful to those who obey Him. Just like how God was faithful to Noah because he was righteous, blameless, and obedient. I am reminded that being faithful to God springs from a trusting, believing heart. This summer I have been doing a Wednesday morning Bible study called "Believing God" by Beth Moore. I actually did this same study four summers ago at a time when I really needed it because it had only been a few months since Kyler went to heaven. I know that God knew then what I needed and even then, He was and still is faithful. Now 4 years later I'm doing the same study, and again it's at a time when God knew I would need it. In that study, there is a five statement pledge of faith we do every week and I wanted to share them with you.
1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God's Word is alive and active in me.

I'm believing God!

If I allow any unbelief to take root in my heart then I cannot be faithful to God. Hebrews 3:12 states, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God."

What an awesome reminder that our faith is in the God who created the whole world by His word. God's Word is powerful and it is alive. I am living proof that God and His Word can transform lives. He is the King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, El Roi--the God who sees, the First and the Last, God Most High, along with many other names. God knows all that we're going through and He wants us to come boldly to Him. Jesus experienced all that we go through plus much more. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." The Lord preserves the faithful. While I've been typing I've had the song "Great is Thy Faithfulness" going through my mind. It's something worth clinging to. I'll close with the lyrics of a verse and the chorus. May we all remember to live by faith and God's promises, not what we see.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

In Christ alone,
Jennifer

2 YEARS TODAY!

Our precious Kylie Hope,

You've been growing in our hearts for quite some time now. For me, 3 1/2 years. Today is the 2 year mark we've been "officially" waiting for you. When we started the adoption process it was only suppose to be an 8 month wait. Now it's over 2 years. We love you and pray for you everyday. I believe and pray that God is preparing you for us. Your Daddy and Mommy and big brother, Karsten, love and adore you. We know that our loving Heavenly Father is watching over you and protecting you. He loves you so much!

Romans 15:13 spoke to my heart this morning. "May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit."

We love you, Kylie,
Mommy, Daddy, & Karsten

Patiently Awaiting God's Timing

I wish I could say I have stuck to this title over the last 2 1/2 years, but I haven't. Patience is not easy, but it is one of the nine character traits of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). God wants us to live by the Spirit and walk in the Spirit; therefore, we need to be patient people.

Monday, July 14, will be 2 years since our dossier (pronounced "doss-ee-ay") was logged in at the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs). Two years waiting for our daughter, Kylie! We long for the day we will hold her and tell her we love her. We know that God has a plan and a purpose for the long wait. Ultimately, God is in control. I have learned that we need to trust God to give us patience during those times when all we must do is wait. Our desires are worth waiting for...Kylie is worth the wait...God is worth waiting for. Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

God has taught me a few things while waiting for Kylie. He has showed me that it's not about what I want in my life rather it's what God wants. God knows what is best for each of us. God has been teaching me and maturing me as I wait for Kylie. Lamentations 3:24-26 tells us to wait for the Lord and that He is good to those whose hope is in Him. In addition, I have had the privilege of telling others about Christ and what He's doing in my life. I usually get asked the question, "Is Karsten your only child?" My reply is, "No, I have another son who lives in heaven, and I have a daughter in China who we're waiting to adopt." From there I am able to share God's goodness and faithfulness. God always has a purpose for everything He does and I truly believe He has a purpose for our waiting. I have to keep believing God that He is who He says He is.

How I pray that I choose to learn and grow in the Lord as I wait rather than complain. Complaining never changes the outcome anyhow. I serve a patient God...oh how He has been so patient with me over the years! 2 Peter 3:8-9 tells us, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." If a thousand years are like a day to God, then our waiting 2 years is probably less than a minute to Him. Waiting for God doesn't mean we sit around and do nothing. Walk with God and live for Him. He is what really matters.

Love & blessings~
Jennifer

Treasures in Jars of Clay

First let me start by saying thank you for the sweet comments, emails, and for your prayers for Kylie. I know that God is still working. Yesterday I was thinking about what to post on the blog. In the adoption process, we have been in the "waiting period" for almost 2 years so it's only about once every month we receive an update from the adoption agency. (The next referral batch will be for the February 2006 LID, our's is July 2006). So I began to pray and ask God to help me what to say. I believe that the Holy Spirit living inside me does give power to my words so it isn't just me, it's God speaking through me. He truly is amazing! I was thinking about and remembering my friend, Paige Pickard, this morning. Today is her birthday. She would have turned 33 today. God took her home to heaven when she was 17. I always remember Paige as being a one-of-a-kind friend. She had a glow and sparkle about her that I had always envied. Paige wasn't like most of my other friends when I was a teenager. She lived that separated life (that I now know about). What made her different than my other friends? Paige loved Jesus. She lived a godly and holy life. After she departed this earth, God used Paige to have an impact for Christ. I heard things at her funeral that I had never heard. I wanted what she had. God used Paige to plant seeds in my life and then God did the rest. I didn't surrender my life to Christ right away; in fact, it was 5 years later when I gave my life to Christ and trusted Him as my Savior. I thank God for Paige. I want you to know that if you are going through a difficult season in your life right now, hand it over to God. If you don't have a personal relationship with Him then tell me, I want to pray for you. God will not waste a single hurt that we endure. He is loving toward all He made and is faithful in keeping His promises.

I know of other people who gave their lives to the Lord after Paige's death. Thinking of Paige, I am reminded of how our lives here on earth are so short compared to eternity, whether it's a really short time like Kyler's or someone who lives to be 100. James 4:14 says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist (or vapor) that appears for a little while and then vanishes." I realize in my own life I need to be doing more for Christ. Think of all the persecuted Christians in other countries that are being imprisoned or even killed for telling about Jesus. How I pray to have more boldness and courage in witnessing to others.

I am weak, that's why I need Jesus. Those of us in Christ are His personal representatives. 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 says, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." How I pray that we draw attention to the treasure that is inside us and not to ourselves. I want to end by asking you all to please pray for continued strength and comfort for Paige's mom, dad, and sister. I think Casting Crowns' song "Who am I" would be perfect to listen to. Enjoy.

Love & blessings,
Jennifer