Amazing Grace

Talked to Dana early this morning...Suzanne and Renee had just gotten on their plane headed home. Continue to lift up their travels in prayer. She did however sound at peace because Danny will be arriving in Entebbe on Tuesday!!! It is amazing to look back on her journey and see how the Lord knew she needed Danny at the end of her trip...we never would have seen that, but He did! Danny will be staying until Sunday and hopefully she and Asher can head back with him...but, if not, then we arrive Monday morning and can hug her neck (and Judah's).

The GREAT NEWS IS THAT ALL OF JUDAH'S TESTS CAME BACK CLEAR!!!! He is one healthy little guy...thank you Jesus! Honestly, when you think your child could be extremely sick and there is nothing you can do to help...you realize just how much you have to trust.

There has been something on my heart to share for awhile but lots of updates have been needed so I have not felt it was the time. But tonight...I feel I need to share with you my heart. Our pastor here in St. Louis preached a few weeks ago on self-righteousness...something he shared has not left my heart and mind. He recalled the hymn that we all know and love. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound...that saved a wretch like me. He emphasized the word wretch. The hymn does not say that saved an all "put- together" mom like me. It says that saved a wretch like me....a wretch...wow does that not put it into perspective? Many people through this process have encouraged us and complimented us on our adoption. And I thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for you spurring us on....but I need everyone to know that I am a wretch. The Lord loves me where I am...and that is...a sinner...a sinner saved by grace. I am a child of God who sometimes puts her own selfish desires...getting a manicure...going shopping... before our Lord. I am a wife that sometimes chooses to love myself before serving or loving my husband. I am a mom that sometimes loses her patience and can become frustrated instead of showing self control before my children. I do not have it all together...and that is okay. That is why I need a Savior...I will never have it (no matter how hard I try) all organized, all wrapped in a perfect bow, all cutely dressed with smiles all the time. In fact, I am far from that...my family is far from that...but that is okay...because He loves me in my imperfection. He loves you in your imperfection. For those of you who think you can not adopt because you do not have the perfect family...with the perfect house...the reality is that you never will. He uses us for His glory where we are...and the beauty of our Lord is that He does not leave us where we are...He is continually shaping us...continually transforming us into His image. So, there are days when my house is a wreck...the clothes are not washed...and I am very late. But that is okay because He saved a wretch like me.