Monica281

I read this today and wanted to share. Read | Psalm 25:20-21 What are we to think when God withholds His answer to a prayer? Most likely, you’ve wondered this at some point. As creatures stuck within time, we can find those ticking seconds very frustrating. We must realize that God doesn’t see us simply in the here and now; He perceives the big picture all at once—where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. He knows exactly how every little decision, action, or blessing will impact our lives. Do you think God wants to bring some- thing into your life that would absolutely destroy you? Of course not! He knows that what may be a tremendous blessing for you later could completely wreck your life now. For this reason, though the Lord hears your prayer, He often pauses to give you time to prepare for that blessing. Learning to wait on God demands at least three things of us. First, we must be sensitive to Him. That is, we must nurture our relationship with the Father so we can hear Him when He says “Wait.” Second, we must trust His judgment. Does God know more than we do? Yes. Then we should trust Him. Third, we must be obedient to Him. If we try to make something happen on our own after God tells us to wait, then we’re heading for disaster. The Lord blesses obedience—even obedient waiting. God doesn’t operate in a vacuum; He works within His relationship with you, on the basis of His omniscience, omnipotence, and love. Never forget He’s actively walking with you, even when He withholds an answer to prayer. It doesn’t mean He’s not there; it means He’s looking out for you even more. Copyright 2013 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only.

I'm pretty sure you are correct Ellen.

What wonderful news!!

I always love going back and seeing posts like these... nobody had any clue sweet Madelyn was just a little over a week away from making her grand entrance when this post was written. It is funny how everything works out and another example of everything will happen as it is supposed to and when it is supposed to. (Even if we don't want to always believe that) One of the things the J told us about why she selected our family was one of my fears about already parenting, but she said when she saw our family picture on the last page and saw that we had a son she just knew that we needed a daughter and Garrett needed a baby sister.

Mari, I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers! Praying for great results!!

Thank you so much for the beautiful announcement! I brought tears to my eyes, I will be printing this out for her book for sure. We so appreciate all your thoughts and prayers for all of Madelyn's family.

Yes, thank to all of you out there supporting and cheering us on. I know we couldn't do this without all of your support, so thank you!!

Well I'm not having a girls weekend but my hubby is gone on business until Sunday so Garrett and I are going to play this weekend too! I'm thinking no cooking, a trip to the zoo and park! Enjoy your weekend!!

Thanks Elizabeth and Suzi! In my heart of hearts I do know that the right match will find us and the waiting will all have been in perfect timing. I appreciate the encouragement and cheering us on as all the PIWS do I am sure!!

I have been thinking about this post for a few days. First thank you Elizabeth for your kind words and wisdom!! I know that this time around for us we have tried to be more "laid" back and know that in God's perfect timing we will find the right family to join ours. I will admit that it has been harder than I first anticipated. I am not sure why really not sure what I was expecting to happen, I guess we only have our first expierience to compare it too and we only spoke to two expectant moms and were chosen by the first one I spoke to. (I know no two adoption stories are the same but when it is all you know you can't help but compare the two) I have more fears/worries than I thought I would, I thought the fear of not being chosen would be gone but it was just laying dormant I guess. I worry that all the expectant parents will want their child to be the first in the family or that we are "too old" to them. I know that these are mostly irrational and I know parents that have adopted that are older than we are and that have more children than we do. I can say that we are good most days but the fears do sneak in some days. Another fear I have is that I am such a shy and reserved person that my phone calls with the expectant parents are to short and that they don't get a good feel for us. It takes me a while to warm up to people and I have been this way my entire life, I try my best to open up and have good conversations but I am not sure that they always come across this way. I do hope that more future birth families will consider againers and remember that giving their child a family often times includes a sibling, and that is a great blessing too! I know I wouldn't know what to do with out my younger brother. I have been wondering if we should update or profile and include more about how we are ready to welcome another child and their first family into ours. I guess I will think some more before making any hasty decisions.

Happy Birthday to your beautiful granddaughter! They do grow up so fast!!

Welcome to the world Jayden! Congrats to all who love this baby boy!!

Congrats on Scott, Jocelyn and Landon on the arrival of Baby Micah!! We continue to pray for him to grow and get stronger everyday!

Not funny at all, I am not sure when people are going to realize that "joking" about adopting or placing a child isn't and never will be funny.

Welcome to the forum, I hope you hear something soon !!

Wow!! So happy for you Mark and Adria! Welcome to the world Jordyn and congrats to all who love you so much!!

Yeah! So excited for your family!!

Ha Ha! I think that should be every husband's resolution!

Prayers for this family and all who loved her during this time of loss.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year too!

Saw this on Facebook today and it rang true with me, I know that sometimes I get so caught up with trying to be the "perfect" mom and I forget that to Garrett I am the "perfect" mom and that I really need to enjoy these little moments because as someone said the little moments often are the big ones. I may lose some friends over this post but here it goes: watching Kaden fall asleep earlier tonight I reflected on the disappointment I sometimes feel that I may never be the mom that makes cake pops for every holiday or hand crafts his Halloween costumes. . .. I can build a mean fort out of twine, sheets and 3m hooks and make an impressive Smurf city out of Legos but when he was a baby I did not ...feed him homemade organic baby food and sometimes wonder if he will be as healthy as the kids who's mothers did. I have a friend who feels like a "bad mom" because she didn't send out Christmas Cards this year and another who is opening a new profit center for her business venture and feels "guilty"that she had to buy cookies at the store instead of hand making them for her son's school Christmas party. Here is my point: I'm Afraid that the pinterest era is turning us into wanna be Stepford freaks....I have friends who are pregnant with their first child and they are more overwhelmed with decisions like what kind of diapers the "best moms" buy than the things that will actually matter. As mothers, the measures I believe we should judge ourselves on are actually simple: its not the size or "pinterest-worthiness" of their first birthday cake. It's the amount of unconditional love and affection we give to our children, the values and confidence we instill in them, the quality of the time we spend with them, the examples we set for them in our actions as their role models.....this to me includes how we treat others, the way we treat ourselves, the appreciation we show for family AND our demonstrated work ethic (whether its cleaning the kitchen, volunteering, or working on your next business plan) and lastly AND MOST IMPORTANTLY the effort we put into developing their faith in GOD. If this post makes even one fb mom think twice about beating herself up because she bought the cheaper brand of diapers tonight at Walmart; then it was completely worth posting what has officially been the longest fb status I have ever written.

Merry Christmas Mari, thank you for all you offer on the forum!

Congrats to Kama, Elva and B on the arrival of your new son!

Me too, I wouldn't live anywhere else even though I complain every summer!!

No joke... I have a sister in law that lives in Portland Maine and the one that lives in Maryland (lived at one time in Africa)... Of course it's taken them years to get used to their weather now but when they come back to SA, they feel the heat... the humidity is the killer for them, including for my daughter who has lived in Vegas for almost 9 yrs....Good thing they aren't made of chocolate or they would melt in just 75 degree weather now… Personally I can tolerate cold better then heat (prefer spring and fall)… I can layer up in cold weather, but in the 100 plus temps we (I) can only take off so much in public before frightening anyone , getting arrested or worse getting put in a loony jacket and locked up a different way… It is so funny when people come to Texas that aren't from here, the first thing they say is "Is it always this HOT here?" I tell them you should come and visit in late August and then you will know what HOT is. I tell people that all the time, you can always put more clothes on to stay warm but I can never take enough to get cooler!