ROADBLOCKS

Well, it has been a discouraging day for us. We found out that I will not be able to use my sick leave with my family leave. I will be able to take 12 weeks off, but I will not get paid for any of it but 4 and 1/2 days or only if Josie has an appt. I was very sad and it was very discouraging. I had almost enough days to get paid for about 18 days and now it will only be about 8 (that includes her appts.). We will still make it $ wise, but it will be that much harder. I just keep thinking and saying that God is in this and He has a plan for all of this somehow. It is obviously very discouraging though. I have very good friends that have been very supportive and have sent me encouraging email and have said some very encouraging words. I keep telling myself that this little girl is waiting for her mommy and wants a family very badly. So, along with this and a couple of other little things, it has been a very stressful day. A very good friend told me that I have to just keep Josie's picture in my mind as I get discouraged and sad to leave my boys here.That gives me strength, and God gives me strength. I am reminded that I can't do any of this without Him. I listen to the song Mountain of God by Third Day, and it says that
"Mountain Of God"

Thought that I was all alone
Broken and afraid
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

And I didn't even know
That I had lost my way
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

'Til You opened up my eyes
I never knew
That I couldn't ever make it
Without You

Even though the journey's long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

As I travel on the road
That You have lead me down
You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me
I have need for nothing more
Oh, now that I have found
That You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I confess from time to time
I lose my way
But You are always there
To bring me back again

Sometimes I think of where it is I've come from
And the things I've left behind
But of all I've had, what I possessed
Nothing can quite compare
With what's in front of me
With what's in front of me


These lyrics really spoke to me, just when I needed it, especially the part about
As I travel on the road
That You have lead me down
You are here with me

I realize that God has led our family down this road of adoption and He sees what we are doing for His kingdom and He will protect me and go down this road with us and with me to Liberia and my family back here.
I am reminded that God never said that this is going to be easy, He just said we wouldn't go through it alone.

Another very good friend also sent me an email with just a verse to read. It was:

Psalm 91:

He who dwell sin the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord" He is my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Surely, he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling.....even the Lord who is my frefuge.....then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. YOu will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpant. "Because he loves me." says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

All of it spoke to me, but I just felt God truly speak to just me starting from where it says "Because he love me." That I acknowledge him and call upon Him, He will be there for me and rescue me and protect me.
This was just what I needed today, God truly spoke to me. I have a different feeling after reading these words, I do feel that a weight is off my shoulders and God will get us through everything. (Thanks Dawn E. for answering God and sending this to me, you will never know how it has helped).

I have enclosed a couple of updated pictures of the boys for the last couple of weeks. I always like to include a picture or two of them, just to show how they are doing. Also, it was Mike's birthday yesterday (the big 36:)) I made him his favorite breakfast (sausage and homemade gravy). Happy Birthday Mike, and many more!
I Love You!