NOTE: We live-feed our services and tomorrow morning Dw and I will be talking for a bit about the fire. Lord willing, I will be posting the hyperlink to the live-feed later later today. Please check back later if you are interested in sharing these personal moments with us.
Thursday as we waited during Graham’s surgery several friends came and waited with us. It was so good to have company. I, at least, just want to have friends around me. I don’t want to be alone, not for awhile anyway.
Rebuilding after a fire is monumental. I cannot even (at this point) begin to put into words what it feels like. I came up with a bit of a word picture. Imagine going through your entire day from the moment you go to reach to shut off your alarm clock – ooops – it isn’t there….or you go to slip into your slippers before walking across the floor….except your slippers aren’t there. The light next to your bed isn’t there. The soap in your shower isn’t there – of course it’s not – cause your shower isn’t there either…It’s crazy!!
We have been overwhelmed on many fronts. Overwhelmed first with what happened. Overwhelmed second with all that must be done. Everything that remains in every room has to be written down. Everything. And I mean everything! In a room where there has been complete destruction…..we must try to remember all that was there. That’s just for starters…
And then we have been most overwhelmed by the outpouring of support…..
Friends started praying immediately – hitting their knees on our behalf. Friends here just doing what needed to be done. There was no way we could ask them to do it, we just couldn’t think. Like the outfit for each of us that had been laid out with our names on it when we got to Seth and Maria’s. I had no idea they were doing that. I had thought that I was going to have to go in my bathrobe and buy something to wear. I know that if the general population knew that our home had just burned they would not point fingers at me in my bathrobe and nightgown, most would show mercy and kindness. But still! Who wants to go shopping for something to wear in your bathrobe? Not to mention shopping for an outfit for each of us to wear – after all – there were 8 of us living at home!!
But friends had been thinking for us. Thank you guys!! You will never know how much it meant to us. Emma was so excited that the jeans you guys got her fit. When you wear a size 0 or 1 it is usually hard to find clothes.
Knowing my babies were not only being cared for but snuggled and held while our home burned – thank you! Details of things that we just can’t or couldn’t even think of – you guys covered for us.
The church office had over 1,000 phone calls the first day. WOW!! We keep crying as we think of it all!! Pastors in the area have called, came over, reached out. The body of Christ has been so caring – we are so thankful for such support!
And then there’s the “friends” that have joined in at A Place Called Simplicity. You guys are unbelievable! Again, we are overwhelmed. We are humbled when we see how many of you are allowing us to be vulnerable while we walk through this most recent tragedy; sharing our pain, constantly praying for us and grieving with us. You guys are rockin’ awesome!!!!!
Thursday while Graham was in surgery, while talking with these close friends, we started to process what all this fire stuff means from a spiritual perspective. First off, we are confident in our conviction: “Though He slay me, yet will I serve Him.”Three (3) days before the fire Dw had preached his whole sermon about Convictions. He talked about the ONLY things that matter are those of eternal significance. We had no idea just how prophetic that would be as we lived it out on a very real level just 3 days later. ((I will give you the link to the podcast when I am able should you choose to listen to my hubby – he’s an awesome preacher!))
We continue to grieve for the precious treasures that serve as reminders of special people, events, and memories. Actually, it is not just okay for us to grieve, it is very necessary. We are grieving the familar, the memories, the things that represent special times in our lives. We need to grieve so we can be healthy. Emma had the idea of taking things that are treasures, but burned badly. Maybe if there is just a little square of it, or some part of it that we could put all the pieces together (like a collage) and frame it. We will have our own Memory Picture that we can look at and point to the little piece and say, “oh yes, remember when?” I loved her idea. Anyway, back to sitting up in the hospital waiting during Graham’s surgery. We started talking with our friends. We are beginning to understand that there is spiritual significance to exactly what the fire destroyed. The laundry room is where the fire started. It is badly, badly damaged, the floors collapsed. But the thing that struck us is that the fire spread across the hall and completely destroyed Elizabeth and Elijah’s room – beyond recognition. We do not believe that it is coincidental that their room is gone, charred to a crisp.
AND….interestingly enough, my Prayer Journal was damaged, but the worst page with damage was the page dedicated to our sweet Jubilee Promise who waits for us in China. Coincidence? I don’t think so….read on…..
We are confident that the Enemy of our souls HATES adoption. He HATES the orphan. He HATES when people adopt orphans. He HATES it all. We are convinced that the Enemy of our souls would say to Dw and I, “I hate you, I hate you for bringing orphans home, I hate you for saying you are bringing more home, I hate you for telling people about the plight of the orphan, I hate you for helping bring orphans home, I hate you for taking people on missions trips to care for the orphans, I hate your kids because they show the world how precious orphans are, I hate your home, I hate your ministry, I hate your church, I hate friends who are caring and loving you, I even hate your blog which shares the plight of the orphan and because I hate you so much I am going to try to destroy you, discourage you, defeat you.”
So if there is any doubt in anyones mind, let the entire world take note of the following –
Our CONVICTIONS are simple:
WE COULD NOT BE MORE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED TO LOVE THE ORPHAN
WE COULD NOT BE MORE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED TO BRING MORE ORPHANS HOME
WE COULD NOT BE MORE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED TO SHOW THE WORLD THE JOY OF BIG FAMILIES
WE COULD NOT BE MORE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED TO SHOW THE WORLD THE JOY OF BRINGING ORPHANS HOME TO LOVE FOREVER
WE COULD NOT BE MORE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED TO LOVE THE PEOPLE THAT GOD ALLOWS US TO PASTOR
WE COULD NOT BE MORE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED TO TAKE PEOPLE ON MISSIONS TRIPS
WE COULD NOT BE MORE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED TO SHARE OUR JESUS WITH OUR HURTING WORLD IN HOPES THAT THEY, TOO, WOULD COME TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR PERSONAL SAVIORWE COULD NOT BE MORE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
WE COULD NOT BE MORE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED TO HELP OTHERS ADOPT MORE ORPHANS
WE COULD NOT BE MORE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED TO LIVE SIMPLE LIVES THAT HONOR AND BRING PLEASURE TO THE GOD WE SERVE
The enemy of our souls CANNOT destroy us. He can destroy all our earthly possessions, but he cannot destroy us and he certainly cannot destroy our conviction to speak on behalf of the orphans of the world.
We need to grieve, but even in our grieving our CONVICTIONS DO NOT CHANGE. We need to find a place to live, but even in looking our CONVICTIONS DO NOT CHANGE. We need to find necessary things for day to day life but even in figuring all that out – Our CONVICTIONS DO NOT CHANGE!!!! Even in the midst of it all, we are praying for our Jubilee, direction from the Lord as to which children the Lord would add to our family NEXT (after Jubilee gets home). We continue to pray even in the midst of the necessary things we must do for Gracie, Sydney, the Chapman family, military families, our friends who lost their son Josh, Cecelia and her family who lost Brian almost a year ago, the Q family whose dad needs a job, Bill and Lynsay and family so far away and desperately needing a van to care for the orphans they care for in Ch*na, friends whose businesses are suffering from the economy, families we know in the midst of adopting, upcoming missions trips and a boatload of other things.
And let it also be known to all: We WILL continually PRAISE ALMIGHTY GOD in the midst of this storm. WE will tell EVERY single person the Lord brings across our path about His Faithfulness and yes, we will continue to tell every person that will listen that we serve a Miracle-Working, Mountain-Moving, Awe-Inspiring, Gasp-Giving God!
And if Satan thinks he is going to defeat us or discourage us or ruin us he can just think again! He is a liar from the pit of hell and he can just drag his ugly butt straight back to his home…..we are more than conquerers because we have a Faithful God who never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever slumbers or sleeps. He is the God of the Universe who interacts on a daily basis with Dw and I. He whispers secrets to us and even in this I fully understand that although this storm is very real, my Heavenly father “rescued me and the kids because He delights in us” (Ps. 18:19 – one of my very favorite verses)
Years ago, while dealing with my painful childhood the Lord comforted me with Psalm 18:
Psalm 18
1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of the grave coiled around me;the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called to the LORD;I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
7 The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook;they trembled because he was angry.
8 Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.
9 He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet.
10 He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky.
12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
13 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.
14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies , great bolts of lightning and routed them.
15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
PS Thank you Tammie for buying and bringing us Bibles (pretty and cool ones too) and Journals…My precious Bible, will Lord willing, be able to be restored, but for now I desperately needed one! She just went and bought beautiful Bibles and journals for the big kids and us. Thank you so much! We love you!!
PSS I am trying to upload pictures from the fire when the house was burning, but not successful yet. My camera was in our home. If only I had remembered to bring it out with me.
AMEN!!!!!! Yippee Jesus!!!!! Still praying for each of the details to be worked out through HIM!
much love!
Kelly
This is just my second time to your blog.. but I have to shout “BRING IT!” (waving my hankie) PREACH IT, what the enemy thought would destroy God is already reaffirming and bringing strength. GOD IS ON THE THRONE! AMEN!!!!!!
I can only imagine what you are going through. Praying for all of you.
Continuing to pray for your entire family now and in the days ahead. Thankful that all of you are safe and if anything had to be lost at least all of the precious lives were saved! That is what is most important after all. You are an inspiration to all that you share your journey with here..thank you for that!
Linn, through all of this your strength has encouraged me to keep walking out our convictions. God does indeed love the orphan. Many prayers still being said for you and your family.
Hugs
~carol
AMEN!!!
Talk about Dw being a great preacher, you must give him a run for his money! Preach on and put Satan in his place! I had tears of joy and sadness both as I read this post. Your faith is awesome and God will be glorified through your lives!
We will continue to lift you up in prayer as you grieve and heal!
Your faith continues to astound me…Your family is so amazing and I have confidance that you will come out of this experience with many blessings.
We continue to pray for you and your family.
God Bless!
Your faith continues to astound me…Your family is so amazing and I have confidance that you will come out of this experience with many blessings.
We continue to pray for you and your family.
God Bless!
AMEN!! God Bless you all! We continue to pray for you, you have touched our hearts.
Oh Linn…that was an extremely powerful post…one that the enemy did not want out for ALL your followers to read. But praise be to our Savior Jesus! Even in your darkest moments, you are revealing the lies of the hater of our souls. You have ousted his cowardly attack and give all glory to our GREAT GOD.
To satan..the liar and hater of all people: You have no authority over us, for we have victory over YOU in Christ JESUS whose blood was shed for US because HE loves US. You will not steal our joy or lessen our convictions.
Linn, I have said this to many people since your fire, the enemy attacked the WRONG family…and there will be so much GLORY brought to God through this that satan will shudder the day he ever messed with you.
Praise our Sweet Savior who loves us more than we could ever imagine.
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
We stand beside you and will be covering you in prayer as God puts back together all the pieces the enemy tried to steal. The LORD will make beauty from ashes.
Oh do I know how the enemy tries to steal our joy! We are sitting at home waiting for Daddy to bring home our 8th child – 6th through adoption in the last 2.5 yrs. We are blessed beyond measure and it sure sounds like we have very similar passions for the lost and least of these!
God bless you and know I’m standing in the gap with you and your family. Praising God that none of you were hurt and that Graham is doing better after surgery!
In His amazing grace,
Jill
I love you, Linny!!! I’ve laughed and cried. Preach it sister! Amen!
I found your blog just a couple days ago. I just wanted to say that I have been praying for your family since that time. Thank you for your amazing testimony! We are also waiting to adopt a little girl from China; our adoption agency is AWAA. Thank you again for sharing. Praying in Ohio
I am SO THANKFUL that you see our enemy’s hand in all of this!!! When I read your last posted I wanted to comment that i was certain of warfare but I’m new to your blog and didn’t want to freak you out. Silly me! So now that I know you recognize warfare when you see it, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, BACK OFF SATAN!!!!
Praise God he has already given you the exact weapon you need for this fight….looks like he has been training you for this battle for awhile. And praise God you have already won!!!
Your Emma has such a sweet spirit! I love her idea for a memory picture! I can’t wait to see it on your blog someday!
Holding up your arms in West Texas,
Lisa
Lovin’ you and your family! Praying continually.
So good to hear the fire and testosterone back in your writing Linny. :o) you sounded so down on the last one, (with good reason) we continue to stand with you in prayer.
Your faithfulness is contagious! You are all so amazing! Blessings, Lisa C.
Dwight, Linn, and kiddos,
I just have to say that you guys bless my heart more than you will ever know. To see a glimpse of what you were going through and to rejoice with you yesterday when you founf the baby books for Elijah and Elizabeth and Isaiah, though they were covered with ash, it almost made me cry. I am glad that the “junkies” as Isaiah called them were a blessing. You are each so very precious to our family and I want you to know that we are going to be there for you all. Remember Psalm 34:18 and that God is close to you even if you are broken-hearted. You will have victory through Him at the end of the day. Love you guys.
You go girl! I had been praying specifically that God just create a stronger testimony in you, and that He uses what Satan meant for evil for good. What Satan doesn’t realize is that by trying to discourage you he brought an even bigger audience for you to bless and encourage!
Thank you for posting details – This is such a scary situation – I was crushed that your kids were worried they were being left somewhere – our dd adopted 3 years ago only recently began to be confident we will always pick her up from preschool.
Its helpful to go back through and hear what happened, what you did, what you might have done, what you need to do now. It may help us to prepare. We will be changing the batteries in our 2 smoke detectors and testing the hard wired one this weekend. 🙂 Also, we are going to try to list the things in the rooms, put it on a disc and in the safe deposit box, along with pictures, for insurance purposes. We have been trying to compile important documents and copies in a fire safe and in safe deposit box and keep a list of priorities if we need to evacuate due to wildfire.
I am so amazed b your faith after all you have gone through.
May your faith always be that strong. I hope you will soon feel home somewhere with your beautiful family.
All the best from Germany!
Silke
Linny….I will explain more in an email, but God gave me a vision and a scripture:PSALM 67: God arises; His enemies are scattered and those who hate Him flee before Him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire, so the wicked perish at the presence of God.
love from ft. Leavenworth
Linn – That was such an awesome and touching post. I know it sent spine tingling chills into the enemy camps (as well as brought tears to my eyes). What courge and faith the Lord has given you through your many trials and triumphs – it is a testament to us all.
I believe this post is more powerful than we will ever know – in the physical world and in the spiritual. Even for me to be further convicted about my desire to adopt and to be encouraged by my pastors who are laying it all down to serve. I’m sure this has touched many more lives than just mine. As I read, it was almost as if the Lord was showing me that it was so powerful a post that even if the effects of it were the only good thing to come out of your past few days it would have given Him so much Glory it would have been enough. And yet to think of all the other good things that I know God desires to bring from your disaster and how much more Glory He will bring to Himself because of it. I really can not wait to look back on this event a year or so down the road when we can see it(as you say) “as waters that have passed by” and we can percieve with a new light all that God has worked through your devestation.
Much love to you and all the family. Praying.
Linn, your daughter Emma’s idea warms my heart…what a Spirit-filled daughter-to look at the positive and what beauty could be brought from ashes. Your family is a wonderful example of not being defined by your grief over losses, but instead using them by the grace and strength of God as stepping stones to a deeper life–challenging us who are praying for you to live our lives with thankful hearts.
We continue to lift you all up to our Father…
Amen Linny, Amen. Keeping you in prayer.
Ann Marie
Linn your written words are like music the angels sing. I can’t wait to hear about your service tomorrow.
Thanking our Heavenly Father for your steadfast devotion to Him in spite of the enemy. Once again God sees the end from the beginning and when we are in the middle of the storm we can remember He is at the helm. Oh how precious is his love. You rock girlfriend!
OK, if I were Satan, I’d be scared of you, my friend!!!
HoooRah God!
i was listening this morningt to the song by Casting Crowns…I will praise YOU in this storm and I will lift my hands. For YOU are who YOU are, no matter where I am. For every tear I cry, YOU hold in YOUR hand. And though my heart is torn, I will praise YOU in this storm!
My friend, I will be glad to help hold your arms up in this storm. I love you
xx, c
Can’t stop thinking about your family, and praying everytime I do. Your faith is encouraging to me, your family is an inspiration of strength, thanks for sharing.
Hugs.
YIPPEE, JESUS! There she is!
Watch out, Satan…Linn has turned that destruction you wrought into a VEHICLE for GOD’S GREAT GLORY
Miss Linn is on her CHARIOT of fire!!! And on that chariot she will lead believers of all nations to the New Jerusalem!
Psalm 10:14, 17-18
…You are the defender of orphans… LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them.
“Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD— and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalm 68:4-5)
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy.” ~Psalm 82:3-4
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” Proverbs 31:8,9
Religion that God our Father Accepts as pure and faultless is this:
to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
— James 1:27
And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
— Matthew 18:5
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:14-17
Blessing beyond measure will rise from these ashes!
I love you, Linn, Dwight and Precious Kids…continuing to pray and to praise,
Amy
Passionate and Determined… I just love you guys so much. This is so YOU Miss Linn. Your heart is soft and sensitive but when it comes to the Lord Jesus and making a positive difference in the lives of orphans… you are bold and passionate and determined. NOTHING… and I mean NOTHING will stop you. That post was incredible, it represents the almighty strength of the Lord God and Jesus who died for us. The enemy’s efforts are the blink of an eye compared to what God will do to make this situation that looks bad now… SO SO good to move the kingdom forward. I will join you… Linn in your efforts to educate others about orphans, to adopt and to move forward with passion AND DETERMINATION that God LOVES orphans and wants them ALL to have Mommies and Daddies. I encourage all of your blogger friends to tell their friends about the orphan too… Let this be the first step towards watching the enemy shrink back… and watch God be glorified in it ALL! Amen sister. YOU ROCK! lv u always, jen
Take care!!
I don’t think I have ever commented on your blog, but I started ‘following’ while you were in Africa.
I am just blown away by your journey to your children, your life, your family, and you are a huge inspiration to me!
Thank you for sharing so freely about all the miracles in your life.
And the tragedies.
And the victories.
May you find rest, peace, and comfort during this difficult time. HE IS STILL LORD.
Thinking of you and praying for your family
Barb
ahh the First thing i want to say Linn is AMEN!!! you didn't only bind the work of the enemy, you told him the serpent, that YOU are still God's child and you remind me Linn so much of Jobe, he lost everything and he still praised the Lord's name, what a testament of faith you just gave!! i want to applaud this beautiful post!!! i am sure God was so proud of you for posting that and the angels too!
YOU made Him smile dear one =))
You are a jewel in his Crown..you are a very special lady and i just feel it!!
I know honestly if this has had happened to me and i lost all my earthy possesions (my apartment) i would probably be a lot less joyful than you are now!! i have so much to learn from you and your wonderful family! And from this blog!
Today is the 2nd day that i'm visiting..i'll be back again honey!!
And you won this battle, you really did, you didn't let the enemy get to you! AND you won in God's eyes =))
please if you get the chance come on by and visit my blog my little kneck of the woods =))
i only started bloggin in October, but i have a few posts..please read them and comment anytime =))
my web address is
http://www.princess0479.blogspot.com/
i'll keep praying for you dear one!
sending you lots of hugs, love, and prayers to you and your hubby and your 10 children, and more to come =))
P.S. thanks also for this post, because you reminded me yet again of the Truth God had instilled in me a few years ago about adopting 1 or more children …i forgot about that, thanks for the reminder!
well i better go!
Blessings & HUGS!
To God be all glory!
In Him, Jane.
Go Linn Go! You are amazing and more importantly EVERYONE that comes in contact with you KNOWS our ALMIGHTY FATHER THRU YOU!
Still praying for you! let the blog world continue to lft up this mighty familY!
Linn,
This post is so beautiful; it is so well said. We are still praying for you and your family. Even amist your pain you are blessing people with your words. I think your example will be bringing more orphans home as well. I have been sharing with my family about your family and we have been praying for each of you by name. My kids said today that they think we need to adopt again and maybe this time from Africa. My youngest son prayed tonight for his sibling in another country wherever he or she may be. He doesn’t know where they are or when they may come home but he believes that God is picking one out for us. Now we just wait for God to reveal His plan.
I just love how you put Satan in his place too! I’m sure when you awake in the morning and your feet hit the floor Satan says oh great, she’s up!
Hugs,
Robin
Oh, I am soo glad to read this post! I was hoping you guys were spiritually okay. I think this is my favorite post you’ve ever done. Of course you have to grieve, and I am so glad you are not letting Satan defeat you! That is one of my favorite psalms. I remember loving it since the first time I read it and thought, “Wow, God really loves me!” 🙂
Praying for you still,
Holly 🙂
“I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8
Looking forward to hearing your powerful, faithful testimony to God’s goodness in the morning.
I only just found your blog a week or so ago, thanks to a link from a family currently adopting in China. You and your family are such a special gift placed on this earth by our gracious God. The trials you have endured this week would easily break the average person, yet you have used them as an opportunity to demonstrate the mighty power of our Lord that shines that the love of His people. I do not know you guys, but love you for who you are and what you represent.
With love from the adoptive father of angel from China,
Chris
AMEN!!!!!That is a wonderful thing to remeber!!! How wonderful.
Samantha
Your testimony gives me such strength…such joy! I tried to comment the other day to tell you how much a threat you are to the enemy! He wouldn’t have attacked you so strongly if you and your family weren’t so strong. I love your determination and it is such joy to His ears! Praise the Lord for faithful servants such as you and your family!
Linn,
My husband got home from Hatti and I told him all you have been through. His words were,”They are under attack”. We stopped what we were doing and prayed for you and your family.
Thank you Linn for sharing. I have and will continue to pray for you and yours!
Bring it Girl!!!! AMEN a thouseand times over. AMEN! Love it! and to use Linn’s word’s Yippee Jesus!!!!!!!
Love you tons girl. Looking forward to “joining” you in service today!
Praying!
Hugs~
Amie
Oh Linn, you rock!! Your faith and strength are absolutely amazing!! We are praying for you here in Ohio, and we will not stop. God bless you all!!
All the best,
Nicole A. in OH
Amen!! Bring it!! Bring Kingdom!
Oh Linn – what an encouragement! Dear hubby and I were just talking last night about we were certain it was enemy that denied our boys their Visa’s! The enemy certainly doesn’t want us to complete this adoption – he knows those boys will grow up in our home and learn to bring Kingdom to Earth – to make change for God – he doesn’t want that and will try anything to stop our adoption.
We know God wins! We know God will triumph and our boys will come home – God will undo the enemies evil plan and change the heart of some ‘ruler or king’ and our boys will be allowed their Visas!! We are searching for someone right now in Washington to help us – God will put in our path the person that will do His work on our behalf!
And we will claim the victory for GOD!!! We will praise Him, for He is good and His mercy endurs forever!
Peace to you,
Cheryl
All God’s people said “AMEM” Keep up the faith.
A family in our community just lost their home this week too. and they are experiencing the same outpouring of love. God’s people need to stick together.
Still praying
Chris
Praise the LORD for your faithfulness. Praise Him for His faithfulness. Praise Him taht you recognize the enemy for the rotten liar he is. Praise the LORD for your testimony, your blog, and your family.
Robbie
Wow! What an awesome post! Praise our Lord! I know you are so busy but I wanted to thank you for your kindness, your thoughtfulness and your encouragement- I have an entry in my Simplfy, simplyfy, simplfy blog for you- please read it when you can. God bless you! I love your determination!!
Blessings,
Jean
I am a new follower just since the fire, and I am SO glad to see you feeling better and seeing how God will use you and these terribly difficult experiences to glorify Him and to bring others to Him. That is exactly what I have been praying for, for your family.
Amen!
Amen !!!!!!!!!! How awesome. God will bless you even more I know it. We are praying peace for you all.
Melissa
An adopting, missionary, pasor’s wife, big family, orphan living mama in Uganda is praying for you! http://www.fromglory2glory.blogspot.com
Well, YOU are living my dream. That is what I want more than anything: not only do mission trips to HELP the orphans (our Youth minister goes to Cambodia on missions a LOT and is setting up connections there to start working with the orphanages), but I want to bring them HOME! Where I will not be able to bear more children, the Lord has NOT closed my heart to more CHILDREN. This is my strong desire…
So I read your blog to maintain hope that the Lord will provide us with ways of doing this…