Clear the Stage!

Last post September 15...REALLY!  SEPT-EM-BER?

Indicative of the last season of my life.

A season in the shadowy places of sin.

A season of things left undone.  Too many things UNDONE!

A season that will end and be birthed into the BEAUTY of Spring and NEW LIFE!

Last Thursday...this made me WEEP!

Psalm 6 (New Living Translation)

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight-stringed instrument.

 ¹ O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger
      or discipline me in your rage.
 ² Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak.
      Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
 ³ I am sick at heart.
      How long, O Lord, until you restore me? ⁴ Return, O Lord, and rescue me.
      Save me because of your unfailing love.
 ⁵ For the dead do not remember you.
      Who can praise you from the grave?
 ⁶ I am worn out from sobbing.
      All night I flood my bed with weeping,
      drenching it with my tears.
 ⁷ My vision is blurred by grief;
      my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.
 ⁸ Go away, all you who do evil,
      for the Lord has heard my weeping.
 ⁹ The Lord has heard my plea;
      the Lord will answer my prayer.
 ¹⁰ May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.
      May they suddenly turn back in shame.

I love that scripture meets me where I am.  That someone, a sinner like me, can so completely sum up how I feel. 

Scripture is that healing ointment I spread over the hurting places.  

We are about to the most difficult season of our life. Ever. ...and that is saying a LOT! I am expecting miracles. I am expecting tears. I am expecting to want to quit! Turn back! Run...I was contemplating escape yesterday. 

...And so I ask you, if you love us, to PRAY! God knows. 


Here is a song that I was talking about this week at Zero Hour, our youth program at church.  It's a beautiful, tough, song. Enjoy!

Ross King "Clear the Stage"

Lyrics are in the video...but in case you aren't sure you want to take the time to watch....here's a TASTE:

"Take a break from all the plans that you made
And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper.
Beg Him please to open up his mouth and speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they blister.
Shine the light on every corner of your life
Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open.
Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard
Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken."

PRAY!

I talked about it a LONG time ago: HERE

well TODAY! Please PRAY!

http://heartgrownfamily.blogspot.com/2010/07/pray.html

Monday, July 19, 2010

PRAY!

I know we have been silent for such a LONG time.  That does not mean we have given up or not been working on getting our kids home.  I have prayed many days about posting on here and every time I hear God whispering, "wait".  I don't know why, but I do know that I have been learning to listen when God speaks, even in a quiet whisper.

Well today, I got a strong feeling that my silence is over.  We need your prayers!  We just found out that our MP (member of Parliament - federal government representative) is meeting via conference call with the Minister of Immigration @ approx. 2PM TODAY.  He is advocating on ours and our kids' behalf to the minister.  We are praying for a miracle to happen today.  We are praying the minister's heart is SOFTENED, TOUCHED and SPURRED into action for our kids and for all the kids who are stuck, not just in Uganda, but around the world, from coming home to their forever families! This is the man who has the power to end this.  This is the man who can get our kids' visas issued.  This is the man God can use to bring our kids home in His perfect plan.  Please join us in praying!  Blessings,

Fighting in Canada,
Teach

Father Will You Come

Today I am PRAYING for James & His Family!  Thank you for those of you who are joining me! 

If you would please pray for them.  Yesterday's post: HERE

I was not able to make it to the corporate call today; God had other plans for my morning and they were delightful!  If you made it I am sure you were BLESSED! Just "knowing" they are praying-I can feel the POWER! 

I am still praying and fasting and asking FATHER WILL YOU COME!



I got this song from a fellow ifaster, Jena,  this morning-her shared songs are always TIMELY! 

Lyrics: HERE

What FAITH Can Do!

Maybe you know God has given me a HEART for Uganda. 

Maybe you know that I follow a few adoption blogs about Ugandan adoption.

Maybe you know I am a PRAYER WARRIOR!

Well if you didn't, then now you do!

In February:

I told you about a family that needed a MIRACLE!

Many families in fact...

A time of corporate prayer was organized and "The Call"  was AMAZING! 

Well, it's MARCH and:

One family is home... but another is NOT! 

I read this post today and NOTHING else has been on my mind:

Attacks Keep Coming

He said:

The thing the devil doesn’t know or is failing to see is that I serve an even bigger God!  An awe-inspiring, mountain-moving, gasp-giving, wonder-working, all powerful God that loves me and is taking care of me here.  Yes, I was discouraged.  Yes, I wallowed a bit in my own self-pity.  Yes, I was angry (still am a bit) BUT then God picked me up, brushed me off and told me to “keep on”. 

All I kept thinking is my brother is battling!  He is under attack!  I need him to know he is not alone!  Jesus please help him see he is not alone. I feel a responsibility to battle with him in prayer! 




I went on about my morning and in the shower this "tune" was dancing in my head and I could not "think" of the lyrics I new bits and pieces and I had to come and find the song...

Well, if you have read my blog very long you will not be surprised when I say:

IT BLEW ME AWAY

I want you to know his story, I want you to care.  I can't make you.   But I invite you...

Tomorrow is my ifast58 day. I don't usually publicize it, but I am inviting you to join me tomorrow if you feel led to fast and pray for James & his family. 

In whatever way you see fit...between you and God.  Please consider THIS family!

If you would like to participate in our weekly corporate prayer call-you are welcome to! 

Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed! Wednesdays 9:30 AM (eastern) at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101

Brandi always posts the requests from participating organizations on Wednesdays: HERE

What can our faith do?  

Bring a father and his two babies home...Prayerfully so!

To God be the glory!

What Faith Can Do by Kutless
lyrics:

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

Lyrics from : HERE

If My People Called by My Name

It's right above my computer.  A reminder.  A challenge. A promise.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

I listen to it.  In song. Running through my mind this morning is this,

If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray

What if His people prayed!

You may remember me telling you about my friend Amy who is in Uganda to bring home her medically fragile daughter.  Here is a link to her latest blog: Glimmer of Hope

Well, James is from Canada and has been in Uganda for MONTHS because he can't get visas to come home. 

There are other families that I am not aware of that are effected as well.

SO, what if WE prayed? Do you believe that we can move the mountains from here to there? 

A fellow ifaster, Jena, who is also a Ugandan Momma, is organizing a TIME OF PRAYER!  Here is her message to save a step. This is the same momma that sent the email I posted in my UPDATE. 

I know there are lots of different bits of information floating around out there right now. There is a lot of fear. There is a lot of confusion.

"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints." I Corinthians 14:33.

I would ask that we all pray for this situation. Pray it will be resolved. Pray there would be no more confusion. Pray that those obtaining legal guardianship in Uganda would be filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding and can only come from Him. Pray He will do more than we could have ever asked for or imagined for these precious little ones in Uganda. God loves each of these children more than we ever could. He formed them, He knows them, He adores them!

I have been thinking about Matthew 18:20 a lot today. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." On Wednesdays I am blessed to sometimes get to join a conference call with other people who have a heart for orphan care. It is a wonderful time of coming together praying for God's heart for the least of these. I think that we are better together and would love for us to go to the throne room together on behalf of the people in Uganda, the judges, the lawyers, the babies, the kids, the families...

Would you please join me in a time of corporate prayer this Sunday, February 7th at 5:00-6:00 PM EST? We won't be spending time discussing the situation. We won't be asking or answering questions. Those who wish to pray can simply pray what is on their heart. I will open us in prayer at 5:00 PM EST and I will close us in prayer by 6:00 PM EST. Please join us for the entire hour or five minutes, whatever works for you.

Some particulars about the call:

*The call will ask you to introduce yourself. If you are calling in after we have begun, please just remain silent and join in the call.

*Please don't use headphones or put the call on speaker. This will prevent a lot of noise and make it easier for all to focus.

*Please press *6 to mute yourself once you join the call. Press *6 to unmute yourself if you want to pray out loud.

You can join in the call by calling:
Conference Dial-in Number: (605) 475-4850
Participant Access Code: 244388#

***UPDATE***
Within 10 minutes of posting I received two emails informing me I may want to change the time because the Super Bowl Pre-Show will be on during that time and the call would interfere with Super Bowl Parties. It is my opinion some things are more important than football, just sayin'...

I can tell you I have never been more blessed than to gather at the throne of the King of Kings, with people from all over the country and unite ourselves in one-voice! My Wednesdays are the highlight of my week.  So, I am SO excited to have this opportunity again on Sunday.  

So, want to JOIN ME? 

THIS Sunday: 5pm-6pm EST

If you are in Uganda that would be 1am Monday. 

In case you haven't had the pleasure of hearing this song:



Casting Crowns
"What If His People Prayed"

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let Satan have one more

What if the church for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took and stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates

What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way

He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He’s answered loud and clear, Yeah
If only we would pray

If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray

What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face, Yeah
And turn from their own way

He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He’s answered loud and clear, Yeah
If only we would pray

What if His people prayed
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/castingcrowns/whatifhispeopleprayed.html

UPDATED NEED a Miracle!!

Please join me in praying for this family!

http://james127family.blogspot.com/2010/02/devastated.html

They are in Uganda to bring home their medically fragile daughter and are being denied a visa to come back to the US.  Please pass it on!

UPDATE: LET'S FOCUS OUR PRAYER!!

I got this in response to an email I forwarded to my ifast58 prayer group:

I know this is a horrible situation. 

We should all truly get our our knees and plead for a miracle. 

This precious little one needs to get home with her family. 

She is so sick, so fragile. 

Her family must be weary, exhausted, frustrated and filled with all sorts of other emotions. 

In fact, praying right now would be a good time! 

And then again in about 30 minutes, and then before bed, 

and then when you wake up for that midnight potty run... 

well, you get the idea! 

Being a Uganda Mama I would like to point your prayers in a certain direction, 

if you would oblige me. 

A little history... there aren't many rules in regards to obtaining legal guardianship

in Uganda. 

One of them clearly states that the court order AND/OR court ruling (only one) 

must clearly state "legal guardianship with full and final adoption abroad". 

This is not a new requirement, this should not be a surprise to anyone. 

I think the surprise here is that as of today, the rule is being enforced without exception. 

In the past the consular would make an appt with the judge and verbally ask if they understood

the child in the petition would be fully adopted abroad. 

They could then issue the visa. 

This is such bad timing for this sweet family to have to be the first to have the rules enforced. 

Miraculous big prayers I am praying are that the judge would rewrite the court ruling. 

Since they only have to have one of the two documents say 'full and final adoption abroad' 

and the ruling is one page, this would be much easier and less time consuming to change. 

Even though it is culturally a slap in the judges face to ask, it could be what has to be done. 

Please, please continue to pray for favor for this sweet family. 

Their little blessing is such a gift. 

I pray their family can bring her home and love her up big!
 
Jena

I went to the Us Embassy site and clicked CONTACT US and sent an email.  Besides

prayer and emailing nad more prayer I don't know what else to do. 

http://contact-us.state.gov 

When you click the link you will see "questions and Answers" then to the right of that is an 

EMAIL A QUESTION OR COMMENT!!!! box and that's what I did!

under topic I selected "International Adoption" 

and for subject I put HELP!! PLEASE!!!

If anyone has any other suggestions, please comment here.  Thank you for listening as always!

Love, Jen

continued from yesterday:
I have never posted 3 blogs in one day. Here are links to the others to save you a step...


Miracle in My Mailbox

Temporary Home

Prayer for 2010

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, 
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi


We read this today out of THE RED LETTERS: Living a Faith That Bleeds by Tom Davis I thought:

THIS is my prayer for 2010!  

it didn't say 

where there are funny moments share them with friends

but  I'd add that!

when I went to get the book off the coffee table-this was what I found 

HUBBY WATCHING THE NEWS

The big dog is my grand-dog Daisy (who wasn't supposed to be on the couch)

The little guy is Reese (yes, he's always that cute)

UPDATE RE: Pray for Walter!

I read this about Walter and figured I would share it with you all. Walter is now with our Savior.

Here is a the story from a volunteer at the orphanage. Such an amazing young lady!

http://trustingalways.blogspot.com/2009/09/first-week.html
_________________________________________________________________________
Old-Post 9/5/09
Dr. Soxx in Uganda has a Prayer Request: Click to Read



Please, pray!

 ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15, New King James Version)