Joy

 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  Psalm 30:5 (KJV)

This verse came to mind today.  God and I have been on a journey the last few days and this morning I felt my joy return.  It is hard to explain, but I feel like I can live again.  I am excited about life and the future.  When I tried to think about the last time I felt excited about life and optimistic for the future, I cried because it has been so long.    I have lived long enough to realized that the future probably holds more challenges and days where I will have to survive on the truth of God's Word instead of my own feelings, but right now I am praising God for this gift He has given me.  Thanks for the continued prayers.  I am humbled by my many faithful prayer warriors.  

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29: 11-13 (NIV)

Worship While I'm Waiting

I was blessed by a conversation today about trusting God even when life seems uncertain.  God placed the person in my life at just the right time to give me the encouragement I needed to face the day.  The person followed up our conversation by sending me the following verses  and song.  The song reflects a lot of what I am feeling today.

Psalm 62:5-12

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defense; I shall not be moved.

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. 

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. 

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

Five months ago today, Zach when home to Heaven.  Almost daily, Zion or Moriah says "I want dada"  and I can only say that I agree with them and remind them that he is in Heaven.  Tonight I read them special letters that he wrote them before he died and we looked at pictures in his memory book.  It is hard to explain to them the eternal purpose God had in taking their daddy away.  My hope is that as they grow they will come to love Jesus enough that they can accept this plan for our lives.  

Since I last wrote, life has continued even though at times I wish I could just stop everything for a while and take more time to heal.  In early September, I ended my employment at Gateway Woods Family Services.  It was a hard decision after being blessed to work there for 10 years.  During my time at Gateway Woods I was privileged to work with seventy adoptive families.  When I think of the number of adopted children that are being raised in those godly Christian families my heart rejoices.  I miss the connections with the families and am thankful for the updates that I get from some of them through face book and emails.

After making the decision to be done working at  Gateway Woods, God opened the door for me to accept a part-time job working at Loving Shepherd Ministries.  I am thankful to use my experience with adoption to encourage and support some of the hundreds of families LSM assists in starting their adoption journey each year.  I normally work while the kids are at school and am set up to work from home too.  Moriah enjoys "Grandma Carmon Day" and "Elly Day" after preschool two days a week, so I can spend more time at the office. 

In September the kids and I traveled to Indianapolis to the Childrens' Museum with Christa W., Sarah S., Jack, Willis, and Selah. The kids had a great time digging for dinosaur bones, putting together a Clay Army, and playing in the many activity areas.  At the end of the month we went to Ohio for a Bauman family reunion and enjoyed spending time with some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins.  A group of us spent a day at the best pumpkin patch and corn maze I have ever been to.  I think Zion and Moriah's favorite part was playing the giant corn box (think sandbox). 

The first weekend of October we went to a corn maze with the Bertsch  Family.  Then on October 17th/18th we made the eleven hour drive to Kansas to see Brandon and Heidi.  While we were there,Zion got to ride with Brandon in the combine and both kids enjoyed the Bern Park.  The kids also enjoyed playing on the round hay bales with Brandon's nieces and nephews.  After spending a great weekend in Bern, we headed to Missouri and spent a few days with my Aunt Leslie.  The kids loved playing with their second cousins (my Cousin Connie's kids) and visiting a park, nature center, and the Bass Pro Shop.  On Thursday the 24th we stopped at the Science Museum in St. Louis on our way home.  The kids did really well thanks to ipads, a dvd player, coloring books, Legos, and Johnathan Parks Adventure Stories.   

 

On October 31st my roommate from my first three years in Indiana, Terri Witzig, came to visit for the day.  It was great to catch up since we don't see each other often.  Later that day I dressed up my little super hero and princess to visit their great grandparents and get their special treats.  

   

On November 1st Christa, Jack, and Willis came to play/talk.  Friday evening we attended the play "The Family Nobody Wanted."  We started in the front row and then ended up in the back when Moriah decided she had enough.  Next time Zion and I might have to leave her behind unless the story is about a princess.  Saturday we had family pictures taken and attended the Kingdom Academy Auction.  Then on Sunday I traveled to Southern Indiana to represent LSM at an Orphan Sunday Event while the kids enjoyed time with Brad and Sonya. On Monday Moriah enjoyed a play date with Samantha and Delany and Zion spent some time at Tristan's house.  My mom, Joy, Josie, Adalynn, Cameron, and Weston came Monday night and stayed until this afternoon.