Faith Questions

At church our pastor, Andy has been leading a series called, "Big".  He has been highlighting that we need to be praying in big ways.

A lot has been going on in my church family and there are many things that require me to pray big prayers.  Here is a list of some of the big prayers I want to  faithfully pray:

-Heal CG from lymphatic cancer   -Heal my friend from malignant breast cancer   -Give some dear friends a healthy baby   - Heal a friends unborn baby  -send us a child to love and care for  - double the amount of children's volunteers  -double the tithes to our church

I have had a hard time praying well for these things and I think I figured out why. When I was stumbling over this some questions came to mind and I felt called to share them.

1) Do I really believe that God can do or wants to do anything?

2) Can I choose to lead my heart in this even if my mind gets stuck?

3) Is my faith strong enough to understand when God's plan doesn't seem to match up with my big prayers?

4) I want to be okay with God not answering my prayers in the way I hope because I automatically assume the plan is not heal so we depend on Him more.  However, why don't I assume the plan is to heal and to provide abundantly? Why do I think the reality will be the opposite of the miracle?

I have been mulling over all these things today and it has been amazing. Even though there are so many questions I am asking myself, I have felt God's spirit so intimately today.  It feels like a soft pressure in my chest that I believe comes from a growing soul.

one for the book

 In some of our adoption training, we read about how we need to keep what they call a "life book". It is basically a collection of special things you kept as you were preparing for a child's arrival. It helps the children feel valued and chosen.  Today, God gave us another story for the Life Book.

Inside this beautiful card was a  generous gift. What touched our hearts most though, was how the gift came about.  This couple that we love and respect dearly told us a touching story of how God spoke to them on our behalf.  They both felt the Lord leading them to give but didn't know how much.  So they prayed about it, and then said what number God had laid on their heart.  You can probably guess, it was the SAME number. Then before they sent the check, they prayed that it would be a sacrifice.  It is so clear that it was from the Holy Spirit!

We keep hearing stories like this and all I can think about is how much God loves us and how much He must love our future child.  I keep picturing God putting the call on us and then saying, "I can't wait for them to see what I have planned." 

... and in case you want an updated number, when we started in November we needed 16,800.... now we only need 6,000.  You all have been so generous and I am so glad that Sully and I are not going this alone. 

We love you!