Just a step

orphan care and adoption have been at the forefront of my mind for quite a while. I won't lie. I really desire to go serve overseas for a short time and care for and just love some chidren. I would have gone yesterday! But there is that oh so important word "timing". I feel like the time is soon but not yet. so I continue to pray and wait, and be encouraged by so many people who are living out " serving the orphans and widows" . Now don't get me wrong. I am not sitting idle, just waiting for a lightning bolt or something. I don't believe that God always works that way. I know that I need to step somewhere. Like Peter getting out of the boat. 

He got out. 

I need to step out. 

So currently our family has several things on the go:
1. We have just become prayer warriors to 2 little guys waiting to be welcomed into their forever family. They captured out hearts the moment we laid eyes on them! Too bad neither of us are 3- which is required in order to adopt them! Check out my husband's blog for more details!
2. We are in the final stages of wrapping up RUN 143 and planning for next year. Start training! 
3. We currently sponsor a beautiful little boy through a great organization and support several entrepreneurs through KIVA.
4. We are in the middle of our next adoption.

Stepping out into the unknown. giving of our time and our resources. investing and caring for orphans and widows. To me, it sometimes seems small. But it is important as I hear how it is impacting people. And how it is impacting our family to step out further. To Trust in God and to rely on Him even more.

And I say this all not to be boastful but to encourage you that even when you think you can do nothing, there is always something. Enjoy these words & be encouraged...

Isaiah 58: 6 - 12


 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: 
to loose the chains of injustice 
   and untie the cords of the yoke, 
to set the oppressed free 
   and break every yoke? 
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry 
   and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— 
when you see the naked, to clothe them, 
   and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, 
   and your healing will quickly appear; 
then your righteousness[a] will go before you, 
   and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; 
   you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
   “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, 
   with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry 
   and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, 
then your light will rise in the darkness, 
   and your night will become like the noonday. 
11 The LORD will guide you always; 
   he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land 
   and will strengthen your frame. 
You will be like a well-watered garden, 
   like a spring whose waters never fail. 
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins 
   and will raise up the age-old foundations; 
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, 
   Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.




And i will share more about this in my next post. Stepping out into the world of 5 ( or possibly 6!) kids and why are we adopting again? What does it look like for our family? And a little more of my heart...

And to end, here are some random pics that have made me smile this week!

my newest ballerina

learning to crochet from the best!

playing with daddy!

the kids think they have the most super coolest dad
in the whole world - and I tend to agree!
This is part of what was on the menu yesterday....blue rice!
Super. cool. dad.

Blessings,

Candra

Sick but good.

This last week has been LONG!!! Riley was away teaching a class on Biblical Leadership at a bible college. He loves teaching it and always has such an amazing time while he is there; I am so thankful that he has been given opportunities like this. But that wasn't the long part. Riley is away about 5-7 times a year for various board meeting and ministry related things, and the kids and I support and encourage it 100 percent. I am usually super organized when he is gone so the time flies by. 
This time I got sick. On the first day. I haven't been sick in about a year and given that it was back to school/ back to daycare I knew a full on cold would happen sometime. It decided to show up the day Riley left. By Tuesday 4 out of 5 of us had it. By Thursday....all of us. It is not surprising, as I know that when we are being obedient to God's calling in our lives- we often face trials and it requires perseverance, trust, and leaning on him to get us through it. So we made it...barely. Through swimming lessons, ballet, school, work, daycare and birthday parties. I have 4 amazing children who did so well together this week, helped me out, slept through the nights, played together and taught me so much about being and living in the moment! 

We were blessed Friday night to spend a gorgeous hour at a new play park as the sun was setting and in the moment I whispered thank you God for the good things that he gives us and how much He loves us, even when life is tough. 
Riley was home a half hour later and even though we are 6 for 6 for being sick, and it has been a LONG week- it was worth it. God has been teaching me some tough but good things and keeping them in my face so I don't forget about them. He taught me about encouragement through my son. He taught me about generosity and compassion through my daughters. And he reminded me that I am his daughter. Loved beyond measure and he will take care of me - even when I am sick......

Links

So, I am so sorry I have been so quiet on the blogging front. I have so many posts started, so many thoughts running around in my head and yet no coherent ones!

I am continuing to think & pray about my role in how I can serve orphans and widows in our world. How I can be the hands and feet of Jesus. And I am learning and have been encouraged by many things recently. So the quick post is just a few links to check out....

 Idiot builder

This is my husband's blog and you are just gonna have to read it if you want to figure out the name! He is an incredible writer and has shared some of his thoughts about orphan care and adoption in his recent posts...check it out to see what our family is up to these days.

Amazima Ministries

I have been following this amazing woman of God for a couple of years and this is the NPO she has developed. She has 14 girls that all call her mommy! How awesome is that! She is coming to Catalyst to speak this year, but alas, we are not able to go.....

Visitng Orphans

God does not ask us to care for orphans & widows. He demands it. This organization allows people to experience it, sometimes for the first time. I am hoping to go in the next year or so...pending our adoption! Anybody wanna join me???

RUN 143

The dates have been set for 2012!!! Mark it off in your calendar!! Run, join us, START TRAINING NOW!!!!  We raised an incredible amount of money this year and look forward to VERY soon, seeing it be given to the family, the baby homes and Adoption Support Centre!!! See you all next year...

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Candra

reflection

Tomorrow I will share why this song has impacted me so much, but suffice to say that He is more than enough...

when things are changing

when I am waiting to become a mom for the 5th (&/or 6th time)

when I am wanting know what is next & how I can serve more

when I try to rely on my own strength and know that I cannot

when we are living simply

I trust in Him

Enjoy!

Blessings,

Candra

God is good

life has seemed rather hectic these last few days. But tonight I have had some time to reflect. I find it so much easier to do this when everything is taken care of in the house. And tonite it is...My husband surprised me and got a one time top-to-bottom houseclean today and it is so so good. It is one thing (I will admit!) that gets put to the bottom of the list. I am a good tidier...a thorough housecleaner - not so much. I guess I did not get those genetics as my mom & grandma are/were amazing at this! Anyways, it is peaceful and I was reminded that God is good. Amidst all the seemingly craziness there have been many, many, good things this week. And I thank God.


I thank God that I got to take my kids to the zoo! It was a last minute decision and it was awesome!!! WE had a great time seeing all the animals, riding the train and playing at the playground!

 I am thankful for quite moments with our family...reflecting on the beauty that God has placed all around us! And I am thankful that my kids have a daddy that takes them off the beaten path to explore. They were so excited to be "hiking"!

I thank God for his goodness through my daughter, who just turned 8!! Wow. We celebrated with a teaparty with her choice - blueberry cheesecake! And she was shocked to receive Kanani - her newest doll. And 30 degrees for her party - can't beat that!

teaparty fun - decorating cookies, nail painting, making jewelry!

nails done!!

Happy Birthday #8!!

with Kanani

I thank God for education and a new school for the kids. The started this week at a new school. I am praying ferverently that Both kids, but particularly our oldest, will find good, quality friends. This is hard, espcially for one who likes to watch and observe first....I know He has all things in His hands but sometimes a momma's heart just want to move things along!
And as for this guy, he has had a great start...in a class of 28 kids (yikes) of which 18 are boys (doulble yikes!!) He thinks it is awesome!

i don't think I am old enough for this!!!

first day of school!!! Oh how little princess wishes she was 5!

I thank God for opportunities. Our house build is an incredible opportunity. We have been humbled to be in this situation - to build a house, to gain a bit more space and to be able to have the space to expand our family! Basement was poured today and siding is over 1/2 way! Soon I have to start actually helping with choosing things.....

siding...love it!!

I Thank God for his stirrings and His leading....
For those of you who read this blog, you know that my heart is for orphans in our world and for adoption of these little ones. I am praying through how this may become more tangible in my own life.  Hopefully a missions opportunity in the nearer future?? Any others interested?!? I am reading "Father for the Fatherless" right now, which as been an incredible read thus far.

I  Thank God for our 5th child....
I know I haven't written a lot on this blog about our next child, but I will soon, I promise. I have been feeling more of an urge the last few days to bring this child home. Right now, that is not possible. Many things have to come into place with processes and governments (policy & procedure). If you would, pray with me that these fall into place, and be honorable and just, and that many children would be able to join their families.  I know there is a child that God has to join our family. And He loves him/her more than anything...and so we place our trust in that promise. "I will never leave you or forsake you".

Thanks for listening/ reading. It has been a good night. And I am thankful.

Blessings,
Candra