Saturday was it....last class! A few things still do to....but we are much closer to having a child or children placed with us. We aren't rushing it though. The house will be done in probably 1 month or so...HOPEFULLY! And we will then schedule our final home visit.
The last class was amazing. We met a foster family and an adoptive family. The story from the adoptive family was so moving. They have adopted 3 children! A sibling group, 2 and 4 at the time of adoption. Then most recently, a little boy that was supposed to be 6 months but when they went to pick him up he was 6 weeks!!! Their whole story was such a God thing....And they praise Him for working in their lives. It was AWESOME!!! I cried, Cliton teared up...I think everyone teared up. The foster mom came with her little one she's had for 6 or so months, the little girl is 9 months old now. The birth mom does not make visits and is pregnant again. The reality of what's going on in our world today. I can't help but think that the young girl is just searching for love...and and is looking for it in all the wrong places.
Haven't we all looked for that love in all the wrong places....jobs, partying, shopping, all that. Does it ever fill us up? No? Does it ever provide the comfort and joy and peace that we all are looking for? No. The only place that we will ever experience true love and true acceptance is through Jesus Christ. People fail us, we fail ourselves....but He is never failing. He is forever faithful. There's a song called, "A God Shaped Hole". We all have a hole, he created us that way...so we would look to Him.
God is so good. Are you letting Him fill your hole?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Time.....
Have you ever wondered why just all of a sudden you can look up and your old! :) How about the fact your kiddos just started to walk and now they are almost teenagers! Even better, how could it just be the beginning of 2008 and somehow we are in December!!! Time is flying by....
Class this Sat. and then the final one on the 13th. One step closer in being approved through the state. We still have to do our CPR class and I still have to fill out SOME MORE paperwork the state needs. NO FUN!!! But it will all be worth it when our new family member joins us.
I saw a little ornament today and it said, "two more feet added to the "let's just say the Evans" family." My heart swelled up with love and smiles- I guess your heart can smile....anyway, I was happy! Everyday, is one day closer. Still not sure when or how but I remain faithful to God because he is ALWAYS faithful to me.
In probably the most busiest time of the year, Enjoy! Family & Friends. Don't try filling your time up so much that you miss out on the important stuff! You know exactly what I mean!!! LOL!
Please pray that we remain steadfast and true to His word and His guidance. Sometimes I want to take it over and do something! So I need a little help with that, too. Pray we don't grow weary in this journey. Sometimes the ole devil wants to creep in and tell me that it will never happen. I'm crazy to even think we will ever get a little girl. Even so much as that I need to quit talking about it, cause people are beginning to think you are crazy...for believing for all this and like looking to God to make it happen. He says all that, sometimes daily!!! You know all that negative stuff. But I know, that I know, that I know -God is the Author and Finisher of of our faith. It is written! Our faith believes that one day we will hold that sweet child. Our family stands in agreement and we will not be moved!
Class this Sat. and then the final one on the 13th. One step closer in being approved through the state. We still have to do our CPR class and I still have to fill out SOME MORE paperwork the state needs. NO FUN!!! But it will all be worth it when our new family member joins us.
I saw a little ornament today and it said, "two more feet added to the "let's just say the Evans" family." My heart swelled up with love and smiles- I guess your heart can smile....anyway, I was happy! Everyday, is one day closer. Still not sure when or how but I remain faithful to God because he is ALWAYS faithful to me.
In probably the most busiest time of the year, Enjoy! Family & Friends. Don't try filling your time up so much that you miss out on the important stuff! You know exactly what I mean!!! LOL!
Please pray that we remain steadfast and true to His word and His guidance. Sometimes I want to take it over and do something! So I need a little help with that, too. Pray we don't grow weary in this journey. Sometimes the ole devil wants to creep in and tell me that it will never happen. I'm crazy to even think we will ever get a little girl. Even so much as that I need to quit talking about it, cause people are beginning to think you are crazy...for believing for all this and like looking to God to make it happen. He says all that, sometimes daily!!! You know all that negative stuff. But I know, that I know, that I know -God is the Author and Finisher of of our faith. It is written! Our faith believes that one day we will hold that sweet child. Our family stands in agreement and we will not be moved!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Winter Jam!
Last year we attended our first ever Winter Jam in Little Rock, AR. It was AMAZING!!! If you are a lover of music, YOU MUST ATTEND! Where else can you pay $10 bucks to see such great headliners like Toby Mac, Brandon Heath and other great bands! Last year they had MercyMe, Mandissa, BarlowGirl and Skillet. The boys LOVED Skillet! (They Rock it out!!)
Last year thousands dedicated or rededicated their lives to Christ that night! Since I'm older and the mind doesn't retain as much information as it used to....I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY!! But it was A LOT!!! Praise God! And like 4,000 orphan children recieved help from Holt International, the national sponsor, of Winter Jam.
This year the concert is on Feb. 6th! So mark your calendar. Email or call me if you want to know more about it 870-321-1222 or cpevans@yellville.net. My hope is that we get so many folks wanting to go we have to take bus loads!! My boys are already inviting their friends! What a great opportunity for our children to be ministered to and a fun night for all!
Last year thousands dedicated or rededicated their lives to Christ that night! Since I'm older and the mind doesn't retain as much information as it used to....I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY!! But it was A LOT!!! Praise God! And like 4,000 orphan children recieved help from Holt International, the national sponsor, of Winter Jam.
This year the concert is on Feb. 6th! So mark your calendar. Email or call me if you want to know more about it 870-321-1222 or cpevans@yellville.net. My hope is that we get so many folks wanting to go we have to take bus loads!! My boys are already inviting their friends! What a great opportunity for our children to be ministered to and a fun night for all!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
PRIDE Classes
Well we've went through 2 class sessions with 4 more to go. They have been both interestingly informative and helpful...not just with the foster/adopt process but understanding child behavior and the very sad reality of what many of the children in our community, state and nation our faced with every day.
The foster system in Arkansas is committed to reunification. I guess you'd say it is a catch 22 in most cases. So many of these parents don't know how to parent and because of poor choices,bad decisions and what I call generational curses...their children never have a chance to have what we know as a normal family life.
It is with heartfelt prayer that I pray our Lord will look down and protect these children and give them peace and strength in their time of need. We as Christians need to understand our responsibility to these lost souls. I know that many of you aren't called to adopt. But, please think of a way that you, your family, your church family could offer some hope to these children.
Thank you Lord for guiding and directing our path. Thank you for knowing our every step. We turn to you and know that you are the Author and Finisher of our faith. You know our every step before we even think about it. I pray that we continually search for your guidance and wisdom. Bless the lost children here and every where. May a people rise up to embrace them and offer them the same hope that you have given us. Open our hearts Lord that we feel your Spirit and act on your call. May we all become more obedient, loving and faithful. Your Son's blood has made us free, healed and blessed beyond measure. Let us bless each other. Amen and Amen!
God is good- ALL THE TIME!
The foster system in Arkansas is committed to reunification. I guess you'd say it is a catch 22 in most cases. So many of these parents don't know how to parent and because of poor choices,bad decisions and what I call generational curses...their children never have a chance to have what we know as a normal family life.
It is with heartfelt prayer that I pray our Lord will look down and protect these children and give them peace and strength in their time of need. We as Christians need to understand our responsibility to these lost souls. I know that many of you aren't called to adopt. But, please think of a way that you, your family, your church family could offer some hope to these children.
Thank you Lord for guiding and directing our path. Thank you for knowing our every step. We turn to you and know that you are the Author and Finisher of our faith. You know our every step before we even think about it. I pray that we continually search for your guidance and wisdom. Bless the lost children here and every where. May a people rise up to embrace them and offer them the same hope that you have given us. Open our hearts Lord that we feel your Spirit and act on your call. May we all become more obedient, loving and faithful. Your Son's blood has made us free, healed and blessed beyond measure. Let us bless each other. Amen and Amen!
God is good- ALL THE TIME!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
I love Jesus!
I love Jesus. I love His ability to take something bad and make it good. I love His soft whisper when I feel beyond dispare. I love His loving way when I want to get really mad. I love Him. He loves me. Not one thing do I have to do but to sit right beside Him and soak it in. I don't have to recite memory verses. I don't have to know all the bible stories. I don't even have to do everything right. He loves me, no matter what.
Do we love no matter what? Or do we store it all up? Do we play it over and over in our minds? Do we keep blaming? Do we keep hashing it up? Until we can love no matter what, we will never understand how utterly amazing His love is for us. Or even better let's grasp how amazing and forgiving our Savior is and use that freedom in loving others. I LOVE JESUS!
Do we love no matter what? Or do we store it all up? Do we play it over and over in our minds? Do we keep blaming? Do we keep hashing it up? Until we can love no matter what, we will never understand how utterly amazing His love is for us. Or even better let's grasp how amazing and forgiving our Savior is and use that freedom in loving others. I LOVE JESUS!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Next step
Today a guy from DHS comes to inspect the house. Hopefully, he can overlook the fact we are living like sardines in here. Our house will be done in about 2 months. Praise God!!! Anyway, our paperwork is approved and this is the final step in approval for attending class. We will begin the Foster/Adopt PRIDE Classes in Harrison Sat. Every Sat. for the next 6 weeks! After that, we will just wait. Boy there is a lot of waiting....
It's been a long time coming and we feel really good about pursing this option. We still have the international adoption option as well as a private adoption (if that may come available). International just doesn't seem right because of the expense. We know that God does not want this to be financially burdensome on us and just the initial amount to get started is something we could not afford. Now we may win the lottery tomorrow. Oops, you have to play the lottery, to win, right?! Anyway..we may come into lots of money at some point, and then we'd know. But for now, this is where we stand.
We are all very excited. The boys helped me clean and then this morning they were so excited. He's coming today right? You start classes Sat, right? Can we get a sister right after you're done with classes? I just love it. I'm afraid when this little girl or girls gets here, she's going to be so spoiled it won't be funny. She will definetly have the love and I'm sure a just a few pink things!!
Please pray for the children in foster care. Please pray that God will move on those that want to do something but may be scared of the process. Children are waiting. They need homes. God is good.
It's been a long time coming and we feel really good about pursing this option. We still have the international adoption option as well as a private adoption (if that may come available). International just doesn't seem right because of the expense. We know that God does not want this to be financially burdensome on us and just the initial amount to get started is something we could not afford. Now we may win the lottery tomorrow. Oops, you have to play the lottery, to win, right?! Anyway..we may come into lots of money at some point, and then we'd know. But for now, this is where we stand.
We are all very excited. The boys helped me clean and then this morning they were so excited. He's coming today right? You start classes Sat, right? Can we get a sister right after you're done with classes? I just love it. I'm afraid when this little girl or girls gets here, she's going to be so spoiled it won't be funny. She will definetly have the love and I'm sure a just a few pink things!!
Please pray for the children in foster care. Please pray that God will move on those that want to do something but may be scared of the process. Children are waiting. They need homes. God is good.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
What do you see?
It's funny as I sat doing online banking tonight...I started feeling an overwhelming sense of peace and joy. Not quite sure how that happened looking at online banking but it did and it wasn't because a bunch of zeros were line up behind my balance! It was an overwhelming feeling!!! Like God had put His hand directly in mine and said, "Come here, I want to show you something!" So here I am sitting in my chair in my little, messy office with God right here by me! Tears begin to just fall and I just got happy all over...I see our little girl!! He showed me her face, her little hands, he gave me peace that she is there. Now don't get me wrong, I've pictured her before...but tonight it was different. It was Him showing me her, reminding me that He is the Author and Finisher of my faith! As I try and type...I can't even put it in to words. Except...God is so good.
Now don't get me wrong...boy I'd love to have her right now, I'd love to know that this "plan" was laid out and I had my timeline in place....but I don't....no timeline, no plan....just faith...Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Don't you just love that verse!!! Our God will never loose faith in us, let's not loose faith in Him.
So what do you see in your faith eyes?
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age -- and Sarah herself was barren -- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Hebrews 11:11.
Now don't get me wrong...boy I'd love to have her right now, I'd love to know that this "plan" was laid out and I had my timeline in place....but I don't....no timeline, no plan....just faith...Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Don't you just love that verse!!! Our God will never loose faith in us, let's not loose faith in Him.
So what do you see in your faith eyes?
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age -- and Sarah herself was barren -- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Hebrews 11:11.
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