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Kind of funny, don’t you think, how Grateful/Thankful Thursday seems to come at such strategic times in my life.
Yesterday we heard that Ch*na had withdrawn their approval of us to be Jubilee’s parents. Today is Grateful/Thankful Thursday.
A few months back, on a Wednesday, our home was destroyed by fire. The very next day, being a Thursday, was Grateful/Thankful Thursday.
I am reminded that we are to be grateful/thankful in ALL circumstances, because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning me/us.
Even as a young girl that verse troubled me. In All circumstances? I mean, come on Lord, really? ALL? I wondered about it for years.
Every year I meditate on a different verse for the entire year. Sometimes it is just a phrase. Sometimes it is a whole verse. I ask God to melt it into my heart, making my heart beat to His, so that I can understand Him and His will for me.
A few years ago I meditated on this very verse, “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning you.” (I Thes. 5:18)
You wouldn’t believe the stuff that happened that year. Wow! And each time I would say, “Even this?” To which the answer was always, “Yes, this too.” And I would audibly say, “I give thanks for such-n-such because this is your will for me.”
That year was a good learning curve. So yesterday when I heard this news, I knew that God was still working and that inspite of it all, I needed to give thanks. True thanks. I may not understand. Infact, that’s a given. I definitely don’t understand. But I know intimately the One that does.
When Ch*na said, “no” to Isaiah after giving us pre-approval, the Lord showed me this verse, “He who hopes in Him will not be disappointed.” (Is. 49:23)
Because of God’s faithfulness and miraculous movement on the government of Ch*na during Isaiah’s adoption we are confident that He can do it again. Infact I am confident that He WILL do it again. I am trusting Him, and according to His word, I will not be disappointed.
When we were naming Jubilee, we could not come up with a middle name for anything. We tried everything, it just didn’t sound right. I was upstairs in our bedroom in our little log home and I had just got down on my knees and said, “Come on Lord, we need a middle name for her, please speak.” And instantly, out of nowhere, in an almost audible voice, “Promise.” We loved it. It fit perfectly. She had been a Promise to me about 10 years prior. Here’s what I journaled about her that day. I just had no clue the double significance (completely prophetic) of her middle name – until yesterday.
So today, I am grateful/thankful for those of you who are standing with us…..being our Aaron and Hur – holding up our arms through this very spiritual battle. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am grateful/thankful for the Promises of God….His living word, so alive today….His promises that we can cling to, for He is completely faithful. Never for even a moment in time has He removed His faithfulness. He is our friend. Completely faithful. Totally trustworthy. Rock steady. Able to move foreign governments. Able to change c*mmunist hearts. Able to bring a Promise home.
Thank you Sarah for this:
The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you! May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion. May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans. May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand. Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright. Give victory to the king, O Lord; answer us when we call. Psalm 20
Do NOT be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. Ex 14:13
(my life verse)
Remember Pastor Mark's teaching on STANDING when that fast ball is coming at you? You dig in your heels and wait for the ball to come. It might just curve out away from you or might not. You don't know what it is going to do, but you STAND and wait for it.
Praying! xx
Amen to that!!
Still praying…..
AMEN!! The only words I can say right now is I'm praying and fasting. I firmly believe that God is going to do a miracle here. I love Jubilee's middle name "Promise". There was definitely a reason He gave you that name.
Hugs and love
Dear Linny,
As always, I am in awe of your faithfulness and I have learned over the years, that as a witness in your life, without a doubt, the Lord will fulfill this Promise and break through the barriers that have presented themselves. I am praying fervently and standing with you in faith.
Love, Lori L.
i have fasted for jubilee today and am resting on the PROMISE of God. He is faithful, trustworthy, sovereign, and GOOD.
rest well, friend. what a beautiful post.
Oh Linny.
I am not skilled to understand
what God has willed what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
stands One Who Is "our" Savior!
I stand with you believing God that His promises NEVER fail.
I don't understand the technicalities of what's been going on but is it impossible to go forward getting the papers to send to Ch*na as if they didn't just say what they said yesterday?
Perhaps then when they have the papers they will be comforted?
Maybe it is more technical than that.
Jubilee Promise is worth fighting for and many many are fighting in the spiritual realm for her future.
Jer. 29:11 I know you know it by heart.
Trusting in His plans,
love,
Holly
Our God is so good…he's got great things in store for yall 🙂 cant wait to see what happens!!!
Confident in Jesus, Linn.
Praying, my friend.
We are praying for your family Linny and praying Jubilee home very soon. Hugs, my friend. Jubilee will have the best family ever..yours.
Praying for a miracle, and thankful/grateful that God is in control. "Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted." Job 42:1-2
Hi, not sure if I've ever commented before. I saw a request for prayer for y'all and popped over. A firend of mine passed on a prayer for us becasue we are facing difficulties as well and I prayed it over our adoption and your tonight. Wondered if you might like me to pass it on. It is from a book, "Prayers That Avail Much", maybe you've seen it before? If you'd like it I'd be happy to pass it on to you. Get back to me at: hismissionmine@yahoo.com
I also just recently felt like the Lord revealed our little sweetie's middle name. I think it's supposed to be a name that means Victory. So, your story of Jublee's name felt sort of like a confirmation to me 🙂
Linny- I love your heart and the depth of your faith. Truly, you are such a wonderful witness to the Lord- I am so thankful that you share your faith and life so openly with us- it truly teaches me.
Psalm 20 is so beautiful and give us hope through our dear Lord! Praying for your sweet Jubilee!
Linny…I will pray that Jubilee will be safely in your arms VERY soon.
Thank you for the lesson learned…giving thanks in ALL things.
Jill
Praying for God to move heaven and earth for your beautiful daughter to come home!!!!! Our God is sooo much bigger than all of China!!!!
Speaking the "Promises" of God over your family–and your sweet Jubilee. How wonderful to know that He is fighting THIS battle for you too, dear Linny. The victory will be His, I just know it.
Sending you a huge hug.
Adeye
I will be lifting Jubliee Promise up in prayer daily, in fact many times a day. Thank you for sharing just how much our faith with stretch us at times and just how amazingly faithful our dear Lord is!
Linny, It's been a while since I have left you a comment but I want to let you know that the whole Saunders family has been heavy on my heart. I've been praying for you throughout the day and night. And praying for your sweet daughter, Jubilee. I pray the Lord moves another mountain and brings your daughter home and softens the heart of the Chinese authorities towards being more helpful in allowing families to care for and love and adopt the orphans of the country.
May God bless you and comfort you.
~Jaime
You are in our prayers. We pray the Lord will allow China to give the approval for you to bring Jubilee home. We will continue to keep Jubilee in our prayers pray she is blessed with a family so very soon.
Many Blessings
Awww, you're welcome (((((((sweetie)))))). Glad it encouraged you. Still praying here. Can't wait to see how God gets Jubilee home to you!!
Sarah
Praying with you that Jubilee Promise will be home soon.
Michelle
Linny, I am so sorry your family is once again facing spiritual warfare! Please know we are praying for you. The enemy hates families, and he hates obedience. He has been attentive to your family's obedience … but do not let him take a foothold. Do not become discouraged! Our God's plans cannot be thwarted. He has moved so many mountains in our journey, and He has and will continue to do the same in yours. Here's a hug to you, my precious friend (((((((hug))))))
Love~
Connie