When we were in college, many, many, many moons and dollars ago, we had a Bible professor that would start our class time off by having us sing a rousing chorus of Count Your Many Blessings. Now we would never sing loud enough on the first run so we would have to sing it several times to get it right and thoroughly annoy the other professors down the hall. God has really given me some insight into counting blessings during the three years that we have waited to adopt Jake. When we count the blessings we tend to shift our focus to God rather than the problems we face. Today we did not get a date. Actually the judge told us to “Come back tomorrow.” Her favorite statement. I know that many, many of you are praying for us. I can’t tell you how evident it is that you are continually praying for us and our family. So many of you have sent messages of hope and encouragement that I can’t begin to say thank you enough. You have helped to resift our focus back today on God and His plan for us here. So, I would like to count some blessings that happened today for you so that you too can praise God for His goodness on your behalf. So here goes…
1. Lam. 3: 22 & 23 “Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
The alarm didn’t go off this morning—Why is this a blessing, well strangely enough I WOKE UP EARLY. Yes, that is right. I woke up and asked Jerry what time it was. He looked at the clock only to realize the alarm had not gone off and it was exactly 3 minutes before we were supposed to leave. We were able to be ready and made it to Vasilivik before the judge arrived! Thank you Lord for mercy this morning and helping us to make our appointment on time. He cares for even the most tiny details of our day, and He does it day, after day, after day…
2. Lam. 3:26 “It is good to wait quietly for deliverance from the LORD. “
When the judge arrived she didn’t even allow us to go upstairs to her office, she didn’t allow us to even talk to her and she wouldn’t even take our paperwork that we had corrected as she directed us to do. We were made to wait down stairs and then give the paperwork to a secretary that would carry it up stairs to her office. Why is this a blessing, well the worry of what to say and the weight of the responsibility of saying the wrong things were taken off of our shoulders today. We have really been on “display” for so many days and didn’t realize how tired we were of being in the spotlight. We have been very concerned that we might say the wrong thing and cause more damage than help. This morning, on a rushed morning, on a tired morning from our long day yesterday, on a morning with no coffee, on a morning when we were really too grumpy to be good witnesses, God closed our mouths and allowed His presence to be enough. He gave us the love to smile at her and the others in the courthouse and he gave us the stability to hold our tongues and not get angry. There is more than an adoption at stake here—there are many that are looking at us knowing we are Christians. God gave us the reminder that although the judge may think she is in control, she isn’t. God will deliver us and SHOW HIMSELF mighty in the process. God I am thankful for your mighty acts for our family and the pleasure of waiting on You in child-like anticipation for Your gifts of deliverance.
3. Eph. 5:22 “Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord .”
Law me, today I signed it. Yes, I did, I signed over power of attorney to Jerry Michael. In Ukraine that document is good for 3 YEARS!!! This old gal signed her Janet Marie right on the line and gave Jerry the POWER. HOW in the world can this event possibly be a blessing. Well for one thing I didn’t have to hesitate and wonder if Jerry would use it wisely. Actually I thought about how wonderful it was to have a husband that I could FULLY trust with my very life. As a matter of fact last night my bible study was on this very verse and the details of what Paul wrote under God’s inspiration. I an thankful that Jerry doesn’t treat me like I am substandard. He sees all my wonderful qualities and is offended when I bring up those of , well let’s say, those that need work (p.s. there are only two that need work—I’m good like that!). I am thankful that he doesn’t lord over me, and he is too because it would shorten his life. I am thankful for my OWN husband. We are a team and God has DESIGNED for me a wonderful man that is my compliment and my defender and my partner and best of all, my friend. I am so thankful that I have a husband that I can trust with the best interest and welfare of my children. Jerry and I are in this thing TOGETHER and that is a blessing many couples don’t have. I am thankful that the act of submission glorifies God and that my child sees that submission can be a safe thing when placed in the right person. Lord, I am so thankful for Jerry he is truly a vision of Christ for our family. Readers, please don’t tell Jerry all this, it might damage his humbleness.
4. Ps. 139:3 “You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways. “
We have completed everything except the court hearing and it took going ALL over Ukraine to do it. We have spent HOURS in a car. Now court is all we lack—having a court hearing. How is lacking the one and only one thing you need a blessing? Well, for one thing we were tired today. We have been so very, very busy. Today God knew that we needed rest for our bodies, minds, emotions, and souls. We were able to come back home and get some much needed down time. God knows that I am without my meds and that physically my body is weaker than usual. Today was a time for me to rest and take care of myself. I had time to take a hot bath, wash clothes, drink a wonderful cup of tea, lay on the couch, even tweeze my eyebrows!!!! We needed time to just be a family today without having the extra worries of what needs to be completed next—God enabled us to get EVERYTHING done, there was NOTHING to occupy our thoughts expect having fun together. Jon has been a total blessing and trooper. There have been times that having him with us has lightened the atmosphere and people could see we had a loving family. Jon has been this family’s ambassador. Today the boys got a day to just wrestle on the bed and eat ice-cream. Our minds were free to enjoy each other. There was no ups or downs today—just the normal—waiting. We didn’t have the roller coaster emotions that come with adoption. We had a day to let our emotions rebalance. And today more than any other day, we have had a SLEW of emails and comments of encouragement. I can’t tell you how EACH and everyone were just a word from God to our souls. Reminders, encouragements, thoughtful memories, good advice – we had time today to read and pour over these emails and comments unlike other days. We NEEDED them. We needed to feel connected to you. God was AWARE of exactly what we needed. He delivered and as usual it was far above what we even expected. God thank you that every mile we have clocked was with YOU and that You are aware of ALL of our ways! How loving and caring our God is.
So today I have counted only a short few of my blessings. I could go on and on! God is a good God, you are wonderful sistas and bros in Christ and we love you. We are refreshed and ready for tomorrow. We are ready to not only circle the roses, if need be, but I feel like we just might sing Count Your Many Blessings while doing it. My mom told me this afternoon that we might as well tell the judge to give in—too many people are praying for us. The judge is on the losing side! I feel so blessed to know that hundreds of you, from children to pre-heaven, are lifting us up today and tonight and in the morning and placing our needs at the feet of the Lord. YOU are a blessing to us and I want to be there when God shows you the impact of these prayers when we all get to heaven. We are loving you from Ukraine you bunch of blessings!!
