Praise the Lord! For this is the day the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad! We are up and heading for Ukraine to meet our daughter. I can't believe the day is here. Please keep us in your prayers, and we will update through Tonya and my parents when we can. Thank you for your support and prayers. This part of the journey has just begun, so please remember us in your prayers when you can. We will be sending all your love to Kristina. Hugs!
Jon and Linda
Friday, May 14, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
6 more days!!!!!
Life changes . . . sometimes we are "looking" for change, and sometimes "change" just finds us. This morning during my quiet time, I was reflecting on the changes our family has experienced over the past few years. We have been through some rough roads that have directed us to some wonderful blessings in the end. I was thinking about how important it is to keep your focus on what is important, and what God is calling you to do, even if you don't see the entire picture all at once. He says in Isaiah 55:8-13
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
"For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth,
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
"For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace,
The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,
And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree,
And it shall be to the LORD for a name,
For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."
You know, even though we have been through many changes as a family, we are stronger, and more peaceful than ever before. We know that we are preparing for another change, and even though it takes work, we can look back at the trials and blessings from our past, and KNOW that God is walking with us on this new journey, and will not leave us nor forsake us. That really does give me such peace and excitement about what He has for me and my family. We have 6 days left until we begin our journey to meet Kristina in person. I can't put into words what it feels like waiting to meet a new 16 year old daughter. After having 4 foreign exchange students, and other experiences with teens, we are always blessed by the individual personalities they each have. Each one has their own gifts and strengths as well as their struggles and trials. All different, but all deserve to be loved and have an opportunity to know God loves them too. We are being given a chance to be part of Kristina's life and it is a huge gift but responsibility as well. I will be praying we will be all we can be for her, and that above all the worldly views of what coming to America means for her, she will ultimately feel loved, by our family, and by her Father in heaven.
So, I guess I now am saying, "Bring on the change!" because showing others the love of Christ is a blessing to us, and if by chance you receive any back, that is just a bonus.
Update: We are $2000 away from the travel goal we have. Thanks to all who have helped in so many ways. We can use your prayers still, as we have a lot of things going on at once. Please pray for me leaving our 3 year old for so long. I know she will do fine, I am just going to miss the kids.
Prayer for today: by Stormie Omartian
Thank you, Lord, that when I look into Your Word I find You. Help me to know You better through it. Give me ears to recognize Your voice speaking to me every time I read it. I don't want to ever miss the way You are leading me.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
"For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth,
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
"For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace,
The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,
And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree,
And it shall be to the LORD for a name,
For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."
You know, even though we have been through many changes as a family, we are stronger, and more peaceful than ever before. We know that we are preparing for another change, and even though it takes work, we can look back at the trials and blessings from our past, and KNOW that God is walking with us on this new journey, and will not leave us nor forsake us. That really does give me such peace and excitement about what He has for me and my family. We have 6 days left until we begin our journey to meet Kristina in person. I can't put into words what it feels like waiting to meet a new 16 year old daughter. After having 4 foreign exchange students, and other experiences with teens, we are always blessed by the individual personalities they each have. Each one has their own gifts and strengths as well as their struggles and trials. All different, but all deserve to be loved and have an opportunity to know God loves them too. We are being given a chance to be part of Kristina's life and it is a huge gift but responsibility as well. I will be praying we will be all we can be for her, and that above all the worldly views of what coming to America means for her, she will ultimately feel loved, by our family, and by her Father in heaven.
So, I guess I now am saying, "Bring on the change!" because showing others the love of Christ is a blessing to us, and if by chance you receive any back, that is just a bonus.
Update: We are $2000 away from the travel goal we have. Thanks to all who have helped in so many ways. We can use your prayers still, as we have a lot of things going on at once. Please pray for me leaving our 3 year old for so long. I know she will do fine, I am just going to miss the kids.
Prayer for today: by Stormie Omartian
Thank you, Lord, that when I look into Your Word I find You. Help me to know You better through it. Give me ears to recognize Your voice speaking to me every time I read it. I don't want to ever miss the way You are leading me.
Monday, May 3, 2010
HELP ME APPLY MY HEART . . .
Apply your heart to instruction,
And your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:12
Show me when I am not doing what it says. Help me to continue to apply my heart to Your instruction and my ears to Your Words of knowledge. Lord, we don't want to be just hearers of Your words, but doers. As you give us an opportunity to travel to a place on the other side of the world, strengthen our faith, give us courage to be a light in a dark place. May we bless those we are privileged to come in contact with, and may we show genuine love and care to the children and others in Mala. May we not worry about our family back home, and be focused on your plan for this journey. May you be preparing Kristina's heart for these changes about to come her way, and give her courage and peace about joining our family. Thank you Lord for all You have done, and continue to do.
So, 11 days and counting! Amazing! We still need to raise around $3000 and pray for His provision and timing in all we are doing. We have been blessed with a church donation of $100 for shoes for the kids at the orphanage. We still need more funds for this if anyone wants to make a donation. Please keep us in your prayers, as this has been a fast, but amazing journey. We are not sure how God is going to provide the remaining balance, but we know He will. Thanks so much for all your prayers and support along the way. Please continue to pray for our trip, for Kristina, and for the people of Mala. They are really a hurting community and in need of prayers. We ask for your prayers in being able to bring Kristina home in one trip. Please pray the courts make this as simple as possible and in a realistic time frame. We pray for favor in their eyes and hearts.
Please pray for our children and their caretakers while we are away.
VERY EXCITED!!!!!! VERY GRATEFUL!!!!! VERY AMAZED!!!!!
WHAT A WONDERFUL GOD!!!!
And your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:12
Show me when I am not doing what it says. Help me to continue to apply my heart to Your instruction and my ears to Your Words of knowledge. Lord, we don't want to be just hearers of Your words, but doers. As you give us an opportunity to travel to a place on the other side of the world, strengthen our faith, give us courage to be a light in a dark place. May we bless those we are privileged to come in contact with, and may we show genuine love and care to the children and others in Mala. May we not worry about our family back home, and be focused on your plan for this journey. May you be preparing Kristina's heart for these changes about to come her way, and give her courage and peace about joining our family. Thank you Lord for all You have done, and continue to do.
So, 11 days and counting! Amazing! We still need to raise around $3000 and pray for His provision and timing in all we are doing. We have been blessed with a church donation of $100 for shoes for the kids at the orphanage. We still need more funds for this if anyone wants to make a donation. Please keep us in your prayers, as this has been a fast, but amazing journey. We are not sure how God is going to provide the remaining balance, but we know He will. Thanks so much for all your prayers and support along the way. Please continue to pray for our trip, for Kristina, and for the people of Mala. They are really a hurting community and in need of prayers. We ask for your prayers in being able to bring Kristina home in one trip. Please pray the courts make this as simple as possible and in a realistic time frame. We pray for favor in their eyes and hearts.
Please pray for our children and their caretakers while we are away.
VERY EXCITED!!!!!! VERY GRATEFUL!!!!! VERY AMAZED!!!!!
WHAT A WONDERFUL GOD!!!!
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