marthaj
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Here the the remaining spiritual virtues for days 29-31.
Day 29 Prayerfulness
I ask that my children would be committed to prayer, and not faint, lose heart or give up. (ref: Luke 18:1)
Day 30 Gratitude
Lord, help my children to live lives that overflow with thankfulness, always giving thanks to You. (ref: Ephesians 5:20)
Day 31 Boldness
I pray that my children would fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel of Christ Jesus. (ref: Ephesians 6:19)
I hope that you have gained some insight from these verses.
Even if you don't embrace the Christian faith, there are some universal concepts among these virtues that cross religious differences and boundaries.
Certainly, concepts like integrity, self-control, respect, kindness, compassion, responsibility, wisdom, and perseverance are desirable traits for us all!
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"Oh, I just couldn't adopt, it just wouldn't be the same as having my own baby."
(I say, if you want to own something, go buy a car!! Or a dress, or a new purse, or a pair of shoes, why don't cha!???)
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Sabrina,
I have been practicing these "rules" for years myself!
Great rules, for singles or marrieds, with or without kids!!
Thanks for sharing!
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Here are the next 7 virtues, for days 22 through 28.
Day 22 Contentment
"Father, teach my children the secret of being content in every situation, through Him who gives them strength." (ref: Philippians 4:12-13)
Day 23 Faith
"Lord, help my children to fight the good fight of faith, taking hold of the eternal life to which they were called." (ref: 1 Timothy 6:12)
Day 24 A Servant's Heart
"God, help my children develop servants' hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly." (ref: Ephesians 6:7)
Day 25 Hope
"God of hope, grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit." (ref: Romans 15:13)
Day 26 Patience
"God, strengthen my children with all power, so that they may have great endurance and patience." (ref: Galatians 5:22)
Day 27 Passion for the Lord
"Lord, I pray my children's souls would pant for you as the deer pants for streams of water." (ref: Psalm 42:1)
Day 28 Wisdom
"Father, I pray my children would ask and that you would generously give wisdom to them as you promise." (ref: James 1:5)
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Sabrina,
What beautiful thoughts!
It's reminds of the saying "I'm not perfect, I'm just forgiven."
Thanks so much for sharing that with us!!
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Here are the next 7 virtues, for day 15 through 21.
Day 15 Generosity
"Lord, I pray my child(ren) would be rich in good deeds, generous and willing to share." (ref: 1 Timothy 6:18)
Day 16 Peace Loving
"Father God, help my children make every effort to do what leads to peace." (ref: Romans 14:19)
Day 17 Joy
"Heavenly Father, grant that my children would be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (ref: 1 Thessalonians 1:6)
Day 18 Perseverance
"Lord, teach my child(ren) to persevere in all they do, and help them run with perseverance the race set before them." (ref: Hebrews 12:1)
Day 19 Humility
"God, please cultivate in my child(ren) the abiltiy to show true humility toward all."
(ref: Titus 3:2)
Day 20 Compassion
"Holy Father, I pray that You would clothe my children with the virtue of compassion." (ref: Colossians 3:12)
Day 21 Responsibility
"Lord, grant that my children would learn to be responsible, for each one should carry his own load." (ref: Galatians 6:5)
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With the start of a new year, I wanted to share something I received at my Mother's Enrichment Group. It is a calendar, but not for any specific month. It is a calendar of 31 Christian virtues, with a short prayer and supporting scripture reference. You can use this calendar to pray 31 different biblical virtues into your children.
Here are the 7 virtues for this next week, days 8 thru 14 of our one month of virtues.
Day 8 Prayer for Mercy
Oh Father, grant that my children would be full of mercy and compassion.
(ref: James 5:11)
Day 9 Prayer for Respect
Lord, help my child(ren) to show proper respect to everyone. (ref: 1 Peter 2:17)
Day 10 Prayer for Self-Esteem
God, help my child(ren) develop a strong self-esteem, rooted in the realization that they are Your workmanship. (ref: Ephesians 2:10)
Day 11 Prayer for Faithfulness
Let faithfulness never leave my children, but bind this virtue around their necks.
(ref Proverbs 3:3)
Day 12 Prayer for Courage
Lord, may my children always be strong and courageous in their character and their actions. (ref: Deuteronomy 31:6)
Day 13 Prayer for Purity
Create in my children pure hearts, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their lives. (ref: Psalms 51:10)
Day 14 Prayer for Kindness
Father, I pray that my children would be kind to each other and to everyone else.
(ref: 1 Thessalonians 5:15)
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For more info about positive adoption language, please see the following Forum topics:
Adoptees->Heart to Heart->ADOPTESE
Homestead->Family Room->Positive Adoption Language Primer
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Bumping up this topic for MarkLaurie, for all those who are thinking about entering the adoption process, and for those of us who just need a "review."
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With the start of a new year, I wanted to share something I received at my Mother's Enrichment Group. It is a calendar, but not for any specific month. It is a calendar of 31 Christian virtues, with a short prayer and supporting scripture reference. You can use this calendar to pray 31 different biblical virtues into your children.
I wanted to share the 7 virtues for the first week (Sunday Jan 1st thru Saturday Jan 7th.) Then each Sunday I will add 7 more for the following week. You can pray each one per day, or just pick the virtue that has the most meaning to you.
Day 1 Prayer for Salvation
Lord, I pray that my child(ren) would obtain the salvation that is in Jesus Christ, with eternal glory. ( ref: 2 Timothy 2:10)
Day 2 Prayer for God's Grace
I pray that my child(ren) may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (ref: 2 Peter 3:18)
Day 3 Prayer for Love
Father, grant that my child(ren) would learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who lives in them. (ref: Ephesians 5:2)
Day 4 Prayer for Integrity
Lord, may integrity and uprightness protect my children because their hope is in you. (ref: Psalm 25:21)
Day 5 Prayer for Self-Control
Father, help my child(ren) not be like many others, but to be alert and self-controlled in all they do. (ref: 1 Thessalonians 5:6)
Day 6 Prayer for Love for God's Word
Lord, may my child(ren) regard your Word as more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. (ref: Psalm 19:10)
Day 7 Prayer for Justice
God, help my child(ren) to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do.
(ref: Psalm 11:7 & Micah 6:8)
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With the start of a new year, I wanted to share something I received at my Mother's Enrichment Group. It is a calendar, but not for any specific month. It is a calendar of 31 Christian virtues, with a short prayer and supporting scripture reference. You can use this calendar to pray 31 different biblical virtues into your children.
I wanted to share the 7 virtues for the first week (Sunday Jan 1st thru Saturday Jan 7th.) Then each Sunday I will add 7 more for the following week. You can pray each one per day, or just pick the virtue that has the most meaning to you.
Day 1 Prayer for Salvation
Lord, I pray that my child(ren) would obtain the salvation that is in Jesus Christ, with eternal glory. ( ref: 2 Timothy 2:10)
Day 2 Prayer for God's Grace
I pray that my child(ren) may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (ref: 2 Peter 3:18)
Day 3 Prayer for Love
Father, grant that my child(ren) would learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who lives in them. (ref: Ephesians 5:2)
Day 4 Prayer for Integrity
Lord, may integrity and uprightness protect my children because their hope is in you. (ref: Psalm 25:21)
Day 5 Prayer for Self-Control
Father, help my child(ren) not to be like many others, but to be alert and self-controlled in all they do. (ref: 1 Thessalonians 5:6)
Day 6 Prayer for Love for God's Word
Lord, may my child(ren) regard your Word as more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. (ref: Psalm 19:10)
Day 7 Prayer for Justice
God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do.
(ref: Psalm 11:7 & Micah 6:8)
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I just bet all the other brightly wrapped presents under the Christmas tree will surely pale in comparison to this priceless gift! Enjoy your new year of firsts...first Christmas together, first New Year's, first Valentine's Day, first Easter, first Mother's and Father's Day, first 4th of July....in fact, why not make each and every day together a holiday!
Congratulations!
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I think we all speak from the side that we know and understand. I am glad that both adoptive parents and birthparents are able to state their point of view. We just have to be willing to be open and try to understand the other side. When we meet in the middle there is a beautiful baby!
Sabrina,
Beautifully said! When we put our focus on what is best for the children, then everyone wins!
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When Laura posted her comment about who should shoulder the financial responsibility in a failed match, she was for the most part responding to Sherrie's post about being out the $4000+ monies for the adoption in which the b/mother they were matched with, who was due in 3 days, left the state for a more lucrative financial arrangement in California. Obviously the b/parents must have been working "behind the scenes" with the adoption attorney in Calif, while still accepting monies from Abrazo. I saw Laura's post simply as her being sympathetic to Sherrie's plight. I know all of us who were on the Forum at that time were as hurt and outraged as Sherrie was.
But even this story had a happy ending, as Sherri's beloved Brenli came home not too long after that, and their hearts were healed!
So I did not view Laura's statement as an indictment against all b/mother's, but as a response to Sherrie's specific situation.
Just my opinion.
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Jean,
I forgot to say...I am not the author of that beautiful prayer. I received it as a hand out at my Mother's Enrichment Group meeting.
I'm glad you liked it!
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I wanted to share this beautiful prayer. I found these words to be most meaningful for me, a mother by adoption.
A MOTHER'S PRAYER
O Lord
I need your help today.
I want to care
for those you've sent into my life,
to help them develop the
special gifts
you've given them.
But I also want to free them
to follow their own paths
and to bring their loving wisdom
to the world.
Help me
to embrace them without clutching,
to support them without suffocating,
to correct them without crushing.
And help me
to live joyfully and playfully,
myself,
so they can see your life in me
and find their way to you.
Amen
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Looks like Santa just added one more name to his "nice" list this year. (And what could be nicer than having the child of your dreams home for Christmas!!)
Congratulations to the happy family!
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How sad and tragic that such a young life, with so much potential, was taken so suddenly and without warning.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Lily Ann, Kara, the Sheyker family, the Delgado family and all who knew and loved this amazing young man.
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I saw Colby's picture in the photo gallery, and he is really a doll baby!!!!! What a cutie!!
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Just in time for Halloween, a sweet treat for another Pea Biscuit couple!!
Congratulations, and here's wishing sweet treats all around for the rest of the Pea Biscuits-in-waiting!!
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Claudia,
Reading thru this topic tonight, I found your post from this summer, and it jogged my memory.
Just a week...yes, I believe it was just one week, more or less, before our B.O.G. Catherine was born....I was at work and Abrazo attempted to call me. I worked evenings then, taking claims calls for an insurance company, and I had left my desk for just a few moments to go to the bathroom. As I came back and approached my desk, I saw my private extension flashing. However, before I could reach my phone, the line stopped flashing. I picked it up and the caller was gone. There was no message.
When I got back home after work, I discovered that Abrazo had left a message on our home ans machine. They had also tried to reach my husband that evening as well (he frequently stayed late at work back then) but he wasn't able to take their call either. When I got in touch with Abrazo the next day, I learned that a couple had come into the office right at closing time with a toddler (I don't recall the exact age, but the child was under 2 years old) whom they could no longer care for, and wanted to make a placement plan that very evening! The reason Abrazo didn't leave a message on my work number was that they needed to get in touch with someone right then. I only missed their call by a few seconds!!
I often think back and say to myself...What if I had been at my desk to take that call? Yes, we might have become parents a week or so earlier...but of a toddler, not a newborn, and we would have missed all those milestones that happen in a child's first year of life! And the bonding experience would have been totally different.
No, I believe there must have been a reason why I was away from my desk at that exact moment. If I had taken that call, we might not have our Catherine today!!
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I wanted to share a little bit about a conversation I had with Catherine this morning.
She overslept, and did not want to get out of bed for school this morning, so of course we were rushed to get dressed, fix her hair and eat breakfast. She was adament that she did not want to wear tennis shoes, she wanted to wear flip flops! I compromised and let her wear slip on sandals. I rushed her out the door with a Nutri-grain breakfast bar and a juice box. When we got in the van, she told me "You're not my real mother!!"
She continued with "Do you know who my real mother is??" I paused, waiting to hear her say something in relation to her adoption. (Since we just reconnected with her birthmother, I was certain she would say something like "I bet my real mom would let me wear flip flops!") But what she did say next gave me food for thought. She said "My real mother is Mary." (as in Mary, Jesus' mother!)
I relaxed a bit, and explained that, yes, Mary is our Spiritual Mother. She is in Heaven watching over us along with Jesus her son. But since she can't be here on earth, I was given the responsibility to make sure you get to school on time properly dressed!!
Catherine is enrolled in Religious Education (the Catholic equivalent of Sunday School) again this year, and they have been studying the Holy family (Mary, Joseph and Jesus) and how they loved and cared for each other, in relation to how we can care for each other within our own families.
If you don't think children benefit from religious education, think again! They are obviously listening and learning more than we realize!!
Homestudy Updates
in Looking to Adopt
Posted
Fingerprints were required as part of our homestudy here in Texas. We drove up to Austin, had them done at the TX Dept of Public Safety HQ in the morning, and the results were back by afternoon. We then handcarried the results to our Social Worker.
I think that the fingerprints are probably still required. The laws are probably in effect to ensure that you're not a convicted felon, on parole or on probation.
Maybe they are not required in Pennsylvania, and so your local social worker is not aware of this.