Dill Family Adoption

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Cool Story - God has a plan!

Before I share the story, let me announce our official October numbers:
#49 girl
#36 boy
We didn't get our numbers this time until October 28th.  That is REALLY late!  We are glad to see a little movement, but are praying for more during the month of November.  We really thought we would at least have a referral by now.  It seems crazy to think that we could be waiting for "J" another 9-12 months.  Things are moving slowly without a clear reason as to why.  The courts closed in Ethiopia mid-August through October.  Now that the courts have re-opened, hopefully things will start to move again.   Unfortunately, even before the government shut-down, there wasn't much movement.  If I allow myself to think too long about it, I get so sad!  So - I have to just press on and turn it over to the Lord.  HIS timing is perfect and I pray for patience in the waiting.  We will have to start re-doing some of our paperwork as some are time-sensitive and may expire soon.  We know the wait will be worth it once we see our precious "J".  Please pray for our journey!

OKAY - here is the cool story of God's divine providence in our lives.  

My reaction as my Mother-in-Law tells the story

As our family sat around the table on Christmas Eve 2010, my mother-in-law, Marilyn Dill, tells us that she has something to give us.  She begins to tell the story of her mother, Mary Valentine (aka GiGi), crocheting baby blankets for all of her great-grandchildren.  GiGi never met her great-grandchildren in this life, but made baby blankets that she gave to Marilyn to give to the children as they were born.  I have treasured both Evanne's and Watson's blankets.  David's brother, Chris and wife, Michelle, also have two children that have each received blankets, as well.  Marilyn gave each blanket to each child upon birth, knowing that four blankets is all that her mother had made before she passed away in 1993.  We announced our plans for adoption to the family in August of 2010.  When my mother-in-law was pulling things out of a drawer to decorate for Christmas, she discover another baby blanket that her mother had crocheted!  Marilyn had been rummaging through that same drawer for years, unaware that another blanket existed.   She did not remember her mother making "five" blankets - but there it was - just for "J"! 
God's plans are not our own.  He provides before we know ourselves what we need.  Now "J" also has the inheritance of a blanket from his/her great-grandmother, who in her divine wisdom made one more "just in case".  How awesome is that?!?!?







Blessings,

Ashley

Where are my actions?

"Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty,
suffering and injustice when he could do something about it."
"Well, why don't you ask Him?"
"Because I'm afraid He would ask me the same question."
-Anonymous

That stings a bit, doesn't it?  We have been blessed BEYOND belief!  I am good at talking the talk, but where are my actions?  I give - but truth be told - usually not until it hurts or I really "feel" the sacrifice.  What does God think of that?  Do the blessings I encounter everyday mean anything if I don't pay them forward?  Following are the lyrics to "Somewhere in the Middle" by Casting Crowns.  This song brings me to my knees every time I hear it.  So why don't I live my life full-throttle for Jesus?  Why am I always "somewhere in the middle"?  

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle you'll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Just how close can I get Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Fearless warrior on the picket fence, reckless adondon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God who was and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His
or our we caught in the middle

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the alter and the door
Somewhere between centered peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me

Just how close can I get Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights, when I'm caught in the middle

I don't want to live my life stuck "in the middle".  Lord, help me to surrender fully to Your will and purpose for me!  Help me get out of the safety of the boat and go DEEP with YOU.  Thank you for loving me despite myself!  Keep working in me and through me to bring glory to Your name! 

Blessings,


Ashley


September numbers and such...

Ok - I know it's November 3rd!  Yes - we got our September numbers toward the end of September.  We were #52 on girls list and #39 on boys.  It was exciting to be in the thirties on the boys list!  Progress is still SO slow, though...

We were at an event in late August for Kids Across America (KAA).  KAA is a ministry that serves urban and inner-city kids by giving them a summer camp experience in Branson, MO.  It is a wonderful organization that we are proud to be a part of.  The fund-raiser was held at Michael W. Smith's farm in Franklin, TN.  It was a fun evening in "the barn" with wonderful entertainment!  The highlight of the evening for us was getting to hear Brandon Heath live - and meeting him afterward!  He is a a down-to-earth, kind young man.  He was excited to hear that his song "Give Me Your Eyes" (which he sang for us that night) plays right hear on our blog!  I took pictures with my phone, so, with no flash, the quality is pretty bad :-(  You can tell it's him, though.  Thanks, Brandon, for having a heart set on spreading the Good News of Jesus and for calling us to account through your music!

Evanne and Brandon

Brandon singing "Give Me Your Eyes"

Ed Cash and Mariah Peters 
(She's gonna be BIG - watch for her)

So blessed to have our family with us that night!
Callie, Briana, Brandon, and Ashlyn

Picture quality not so good - but the evening was fabulous!  To find out more about this wonderful ministry, log onto kidsacrossamerica.org.

Blessings,
Ashley