Deuteronomy 28 My chapter for today.
Blessings for Obedience
1 If you fully obey the Lord your God by keeping all the commands I am giving you today, the Lord your God will exalt you above all the nations of the world.
2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:
3 You will be blessed in your town and in the country.
4 You will be blessed with many children and productive fields. You will be blessed with fertile herds and flocks.
5 You will be blessed with baskets overflowing with fruit, and with kneading bowls filled with bread.
6 You will be blessed wherever you go, both in coming and in going.
7 The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!
8 The Lord will bless everything you do and will fill your store houses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
9 If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he solemnly promised to do.
10 Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you.
11 The Lord will give you an abundance of good things in the land he swore to give your ancestors - many children (don't you just love that promise....I do!), numerous livestock, and abundant crops.
12 The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens to bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.
13 If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God and carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always have the upper hand.
14 You must not turn away form any of the command I am giving you today to follow after other gods and worship them.
The Lord has a plan to bring Jonah home and we are just "waiting" to see how he's going to do it!
Thank you Lord for speaking to us through your Word!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
It will be six weeks ago tonight that Mike had a very restless night. Every time he would doze off he would see letters that appeared to be a word, but not one he recognized.....BANAU. Early Friday morning while having his devotions he decided to Google banau to see if it was a word, and if it was what it meant. Turns out it is a small village in the Parbat district of Nepal. Hmmmm, now why would he dream about a village in Nepal?
We decided that we would take a look and see if there was an adoption program over there. After googling that we saw that they had just opened their doors in October of 2008. Again interesting....hmmmm.
Psalm 16:7 (New Living Translation)
I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
We have known that we would adopt again, but just assumed it would be China again and we were unsure about the time we would start. We have had the discussion as to whether or not we would mark on our application boy, girl or either. While we were looking over the requirements for Nepal it stated that if you have a son and daughter you would not be qualified to adopt. If you have boys you would only be able to adopt a girl. If you have girls....you guessed it....you would have to adopt a BOY!
So we were wondering if the Lord gave him this dream to lead us to into this country for a son? It's kind of a long but wonderful story. If you're interested in the whole story you can go to the beginning of this blog and read about how the Lord spoke to us. After six weeks of really seeking the Lord we KNOW he is calling us to Nepal for our son Jonah! Yes we already know his name! That's another story for another day!
We are very excited to see how the Lord is going to provide and bring us through another amazing journey of adoption...this time for a SON!
We decided that we would take a look and see if there was an adoption program over there. After googling that we saw that they had just opened their doors in October of 2008. Again interesting....hmmmm.
Psalm 16:7 (New Living Translation)
I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
We have known that we would adopt again, but just assumed it would be China again and we were unsure about the time we would start. We have had the discussion as to whether or not we would mark on our application boy, girl or either. While we were looking over the requirements for Nepal it stated that if you have a son and daughter you would not be qualified to adopt. If you have boys you would only be able to adopt a girl. If you have girls....you guessed it....you would have to adopt a BOY!
So we were wondering if the Lord gave him this dream to lead us to into this country for a son? It's kind of a long but wonderful story. If you're interested in the whole story you can go to the beginning of this blog and read about how the Lord spoke to us. After six weeks of really seeking the Lord we KNOW he is calling us to Nepal for our son Jonah! Yes we already know his name! That's another story for another day!
We are very excited to see how the Lord is going to provide and bring us through another amazing journey of adoption...this time for a SON!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Day One of Fast
Tonya's devotions....
Morning...
Psalm 32
vs.8
The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Psalm 34
1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
Afternoon....
I was reading in Ezekiel 22 it was talking about the sins of the people. How all the leaders within the city are evil. It did make me think of Nepal, well third world countries as a whole. I'm sure not every leader, but I would bet most are not looking after the best needs of their people, especially orphaned children, but looking out for number one. They are also a nations that does not worship the Lord.
vs. 7b
Orphans and widows are wronged and oppressed.
vs. 9
The city is filled with idol worshipers and people who take part in lewd activities.
Psalm 35
vs.9
Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because he rescues me. I will praise him from the bottom of my heart. Lord who can compare with you? Who else rescues the weak and helpless from the strong? Who else protects the poor and needy?
Psalm 37...Something that stood out to me.... the beginning of some verses...
vs.1 Don't worry
vs.2 Trust in the Lord
vs.3 Take delight in the Lord
vs.5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.
vs.7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.
vs. 23 The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.vs. 25 I have never seen the godly forsaken, nor their children begging for bread.
Morning...
Psalm 32
vs.8
The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Psalm 34
1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
Afternoon....
I was reading in Ezekiel 22 it was talking about the sins of the people. How all the leaders within the city are evil. It did make me think of Nepal, well third world countries as a whole. I'm sure not every leader, but I would bet most are not looking after the best needs of their people, especially orphaned children, but looking out for number one. They are also a nations that does not worship the Lord.
vs. 7b
Orphans and widows are wronged and oppressed.
vs. 9
The city is filled with idol worshipers and people who take part in lewd activities.
Psalm 35
vs.9
Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because he rescues me. I will praise him from the bottom of my heart. Lord who can compare with you? Who else rescues the weak and helpless from the strong? Who else protects the poor and needy?
Psalm 37...Something that stood out to me.... the beginning of some verses...
vs.1 Don't worry
vs.2 Trust in the Lord
vs.3 Take delight in the Lord
vs.5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.
vs.7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.
vs. 23 The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.vs. 25 I have never seen the godly forsaken, nor their children begging for bread.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tonya's Devotions
Proverbs 21
vs.1
The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;
he guides it wherever he pleases.
vs. 13
Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
will be ignored in their own time of need.
vs.12
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the LORD's commands.
Rephrase the verse...
And now Mike and Tonya, what does God require of you? He requires you to have a tender heart, to live according to his decision making, to love and worship him with all our heart and soul and to follow orders the Lord commands.
vs. 18
He gives justice to the orphans and widows.
vs.1
The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;
he guides it wherever he pleases.
vs. 13
Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
will be ignored in their own time of need.
vs.12
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the LORD's commands.
Rephrase the verse...
And now Mike and Tonya, what does God require of you? He requires you to have a tender heart, to live according to his decision making, to love and worship him with all our heart and soul and to follow orders the Lord commands.
vs. 18
He gives justice to the orphans and widows.
Friday, February 20, 2009
An Unexpected Call From AGCI
I received an email last night....found it this morning from AGCI. They said there was a development with the special needs department and to call if we were interested. Are we interested??? Yeah we're interested! Any news from Nepal interests us these days.
I called at 2:09 pm and Kiersten called me back at 4:30 pm. She told me they did in fact have a special needs program were we could request a minor sn. She told me we wouldn't fall into the 10 dossier quota. She said that when we have our home study that our social worker would include that we are open to special needs and then we would list very specifically what we could accept and the age range.
She told us to be prepared to be in it for the long haul. She said we most likely wouldn't get a referral in like 6 months, it may look more like 9-12 months. I told her that is in God's hands totally! He'll match us a just the right time with our son! I love typing that...our son!!! I would have never imagined us having a son. Now I'm so excited about it! Anyway she basically said we would need about 10-11,000.00 to get a dossier on it's way to Nepal. That seems huge do the the lack of money right now. But it's not to big for God right?.....Right!
I asked her if there was anything we could do now before we officially sign on with them. She said we could do the legal agreements between AGCI and CHCS...that could take a few weeks to a month. We would also be able to take our on line classes required by them. We would need to have that done before we do our home study anyway. So we could get started without really starting....with money that is. Then we would have somewhere in the vicinity of about 6 to 7 months that we would need to come up with that 10-11,0000.00 I mentioned a few minutes ago.
I also found out that only one parent has to travel although we would both want to go if it's possible.
So very interesting information! Mike and I are going to fast from Sunday 2/22 to 3/1 and are praying for a HUGE confirmation or a shut door....whatever the Lord wants. We just want to hear him clearly.
One last note, I'm doing a Beth Moore bible study on Esther and at the end of this weeks video she said this.....
Esther was called to obedience not to figure out how it was all going to go down. God was bringing the how! If we are willing.
Something to chew on.
I called at 2:09 pm and Kiersten called me back at 4:30 pm. She told me they did in fact have a special needs program were we could request a minor sn. She told me we wouldn't fall into the 10 dossier quota. She said that when we have our home study that our social worker would include that we are open to special needs and then we would list very specifically what we could accept and the age range.
She told us to be prepared to be in it for the long haul. She said we most likely wouldn't get a referral in like 6 months, it may look more like 9-12 months. I told her that is in God's hands totally! He'll match us a just the right time with our son! I love typing that...our son!!! I would have never imagined us having a son. Now I'm so excited about it! Anyway she basically said we would need about 10-11,000.00 to get a dossier on it's way to Nepal. That seems huge do the the lack of money right now. But it's not to big for God right?.....Right!
I asked her if there was anything we could do now before we officially sign on with them. She said we could do the legal agreements between AGCI and CHCS...that could take a few weeks to a month. We would also be able to take our on line classes required by them. We would need to have that done before we do our home study anyway. So we could get started without really starting....with money that is. Then we would have somewhere in the vicinity of about 6 to 7 months that we would need to come up with that 10-11,0000.00 I mentioned a few minutes ago.
I also found out that only one parent has to travel although we would both want to go if it's possible.
So very interesting information! Mike and I are going to fast from Sunday 2/22 to 3/1 and are praying for a HUGE confirmation or a shut door....whatever the Lord wants. We just want to hear him clearly.
One last note, I'm doing a Beth Moore bible study on Esther and at the end of this weeks video she said this.....
Esther was called to obedience not to figure out how it was all going to go down. God was bringing the how! If we are willing.
Something to chew on.
A Call to Fast
Mikes reading today....
Ezra 8:21 (King James Version)
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Tonya's reading today....
Ezekiel 16:4-5 (New Living Translation)
On the day you were born, no one cared about you. Your umbilical cord was not cut, and you were never washed, rubbed with salt, and wrapped in cloth. 5 No one had the slightest interest in you; no one pitied you or cared for you. On the day you were born, you were unwanted, dumped in a field and left to die.
Psalm 27:10 (New Living Translation)
Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.
Psalm 27:14 (New Living Translation)
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Ezra 8:21 (King James Version)
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Tonya's reading today....
Ezekiel 16:4-5 (New Living Translation)
On the day you were born, no one cared about you. Your umbilical cord was not cut, and you were never washed, rubbed with salt, and wrapped in cloth. 5 No one had the slightest interest in you; no one pitied you or cared for you. On the day you were born, you were unwanted, dumped in a field and left to die.
Psalm 27:10 (New Living Translation)
Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.
Psalm 27:14 (New Living Translation)
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Email from AGCI
Tonya,
Good Afternoon! I wanted to follow up with you today after speaking with my director in further detail about our Nepal special needs program and would love to talk with you more if you are interested in learning about some of the developments in our special needs Nepal program.
You can feel free to reach me via my direct line at 503-327-7400 or we could schedule a time to talk if you would like to email me some times that may work for you.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Peace & Mercy,
Kiersten Luginbill
All God’s Children International
Inquiry Coordinator
kluginbill@allgodschildren.org
1-800-214-6719
Direct Line: 503-327-7400
Fax: 503-282-2582
Good Afternoon! I wanted to follow up with you today after speaking with my director in further detail about our Nepal special needs program and would love to talk with you more if you are interested in learning about some of the developments in our special needs Nepal program.
You can feel free to reach me via my direct line at 503-327-7400 or we could schedule a time to talk if you would like to email me some times that may work for you.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Peace & Mercy,
Kiersten Luginbill
All God’s Children International
Inquiry Coordinator
kluginbill@allgodschildren.org
1-800-214-6719
Direct Line: 503-327-7400
Fax: 503-282-2582
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