Saturday, October 20, 2007

Hudson Taylor

No news on the adoption front. We continue to wait for a referral. Here is a super quote from Hudson Taylor:

"I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: First it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done."

Praise God! That really touched my heart! Adoption is truly a miracle working journey! First it appears impossible, then WAM! another hair pin curve and another and another (difficult) and then it is done: ie-God sends you the right children for your family.

Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength! Thank you Lord for keeping me strong and trying to keep my focus on You and not the children or the storm around us. Thank you for sustaining me and watching over our whole family (including those not yet seen!)

Have a BEAUTIFUL weekend!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Great Quotes!

I love Jim Elliot quotes! Here are a few for you to chomp on!:

"He is no fool who give what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." I like our lives, eh? The lives of our children. Praise God they are eternal beings. I love all my kiddos and the ones to come and want each and everyone to impact this world for Christ and be World Changers!

Here's another one: "God always give His best to those who leave the choice with Him" God will give us just what we need according to His riches and glory. As we continue to wait on Him for the right children in our family, I have peace that He is in control and knows exactly what we need to give Him glory. Not an organization, any person, parents, etc.--only God gets the Glory!

Last one: "Wherever you are, be ALL there!" My life is not on hold while we wait for our referral. Of course, I pray continually and without ceasing for my bio children and those to come, but it cannot be come an IDOL in my life. God is jealous, so I want to always give circumstances in my life up to God. Put it on His altar and not put my UGLY claws back into my sacrifice of praise!

God please remind me to enjoy this moment of life and focus on You and not the storms/waves around us. In Your Holy Name. Thank you for your VICTORY!

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Peace continued!

Oops! I didn't know I had a limit on how much I could share! So to continue!:

Hosanna, like the rest of the Nelsons belongs to our team. To get out the door, it takes a team effort! To help our Liberian children, it will take the Nelson team effort! Praise God!

Josiah, is reading ! Praise the Lord! I find if you can get the children to read, they are well on their way in all academic ways. He is a little warrior for Jesus and loves to pray.

Tali, is just plain cute, expressive and comes up with the funniest sayings. She is wise beyond her years and knows it. Oh the bliss of being the baby of the family for now! She is very much looking forward to being a big sister and is already telling me how she will share. She is also a prayer warrior.

Paul and I are doing great. He is such a steadying force in my life. I am very much an extrovert and bring spontaneity to our marriage, but he brings calm. Thank you Lord for an awesome husband on this journey called life

Peace that passes ALL understanding!

God is so good! As we continue to wait for news about the children God has for the Nelson Family, we have peace! If I try and evaluate and think about everything too much, I will BONKERS! Since God is into sanity and not craziness (He is a God of order!), I will continue to look to Him to guidance, direction, wisdom and keep giving the adoption up to Him. He is the One to bring our children home, He is in control of all the timing issues, He has the right children picked out for us and we continue to trust Him--blessed be the name of the Lord!

Sorry this blog is so adoption focused! I do have 8 other children! Zac is doing great at Central Michigan University. He is on a full ride scholarship with ROTC, connected to a great church and doing well academically.

Em is continuing to seek God for her future. She desires to Calvin College here in Michigan and get a degree in International Development. The school's fee per year are ONLY $30,000! So God will provide a way for her to go and direct her steps. What a cool time to press into God and listen for His still small voice.

Sam continues to be the upcoming leader of the 6 younger children. He definitely is learning about household management when we have meetings, shopping to do, etc. He is learning to control his emotions in trying times. Oh the joys of being a hormonal 14 year old!

Malachi is quite the writer and is hilarious! He continues to astound us with his creativity. We have recently changed roommates. Malachi is now with Gabe and Jo is with Sam. Seems to be working out great

Speaking of Gabe. What a cool kid he is! He wants to be a soldier some day and will do a great job! He is a warrior and is continuing to learn to channel his zeal for the things of the Lord!

Hosanna, is what can I say? Sweet! She is our main laundry girl and does a great job. She is definitely going to be my right hand woman when our children come home. She, like the rest of the children, have a real heart for children. Praise God! This whole adoption adventure is a