In light of yesterday's post which you can read if you haven't already by clicking this link, this just seemed like a mighty good quote to share today:
“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendours.” -from C. S. Lewis' famous sermon Weight of Glory
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
The One Thing of any True Worth
Do you know what happens when you eat like a pig and neglect anything resembling exercise? I'll make this personal so as not to offend on this particular point. When I eat like a pig and neglect exercise, I get fat. True confession. It is my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault. And I can be a really good excuse maker as I open the next chocolate truffle BAG or nibble the next dozen cookies. Is food bad? No. The food isn't the problem. Food is a gift from God to be thankful for. It is to be eaten for His glory ("whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" - 1 Cor. 10:31). It is to be eaten from faith ("for whatever is not from faith is sin" - Rom. 14:23). One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control and truth be known, I don't always limit my intake appropriately. And I can pretty much guarantee that when I'm sneaking, yes sneaking food like a regular ole white-washed tomb that wants to look good while being sinfully self-absorbed, I am not eating it from faith and with thankfulness to God for the glory of His name. And it doesn't take terribly long for the plain truth to be evident. It's evident once again.
The book of Judges seems to display a cycle of God's people falling into sin, God warning them, God judging them, repentance, restoration for awhile and then a new fall into sin starting the cycle all over again. I relate. The verse my family just memorized is Proverbs 24:16 which says: "For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity." A Japanese proverb restates it this way: "Fall seven times, stand eight." By God's grace, I am getting up again, but before you think this post is all about some close-to-the new-year's-resolution to be a better steward, I want to shift gears.
Last night I started reading a book about the reality that there is no other way to have peace with God other than through Jesus. He is THE WAY, the only way. I believe that with all my heart. On THIS point, I will risk offending. The author writes with an urgency because in our day of pluralistic, I'm okay-you're okay, egalitarian mindsets, we need to be reminded that there are many yet who need to hear the gospel preached to them, and that if God has entrusted the gospel to us and made us His children, WE have a part to play in that.
So this morning as I was exercising, and remembering what it feels like to use my muscle's for something other than lifting more food to my mouth, I was listening to the music on my blog's playlist. Songs that sing of God at work in the city, of facing giants in faith with nothing but a sling and a stone, and how our God saves filled the air and stirred my mind. What prompted this post was not any innate need to confess to the public my recurring sin-issues with food (though now that you know, you can pray for me and that would be nice!). I was thinking about how so many people make it their new year's resolution to lose weight (for reasons that range everywhere from pride/vanity to seeking to be a good steward for the glory of God). And I was thinking about how a cannibal would currently find me to be a nicely marbled treat so I better start now. But let's get to the point. 1 Timothy 4:7-10 tells us: "...exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come...for to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men..." Let's put bodily exercise in perspective. Americans spend gobs of time and money and effort on dieting, but truth be known, whether we're lowered into the grave fat or skinny isn't the biggest issue...will we use the resources God has given us to plan and exert effort in exercising ourselves toward godliness? Those of us who trust in the living God have the promise of life, but what about those who don't?
Rom 10:13-17 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I joked about my potential of being a marbly treat for a cannibal, but DO I CARE about the cannibals of the world? Do I care enough about ANYONE who has not yet heard the good news of our great and gracious King to put effort into sharing Jesus with them? How many of us put "seek to make the most of opportunities to share Christ with others" at the top of their New Year's resolution lists?
In Ephesians 6:20, Paul asked for prayer that "utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel." In 2 Cor. 5:18-21 we are reminded that God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...we are His ambassadors "as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." May God plead through us as He gives us opportunity in the lives of those in our sphere of influence ...may we be granted the joy of seeing men, women and children come to know Jesus as we offer them the only thing we have of any true worth, the hope of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The book of Judges seems to display a cycle of God's people falling into sin, God warning them, God judging them, repentance, restoration for awhile and then a new fall into sin starting the cycle all over again. I relate. The verse my family just memorized is Proverbs 24:16 which says: "For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity." A Japanese proverb restates it this way: "Fall seven times, stand eight." By God's grace, I am getting up again, but before you think this post is all about some close-to-the new-year's-resolution to be a better steward, I want to shift gears.
Last night I started reading a book about the reality that there is no other way to have peace with God other than through Jesus. He is THE WAY, the only way. I believe that with all my heart. On THIS point, I will risk offending. The author writes with an urgency because in our day of pluralistic, I'm okay-you're okay, egalitarian mindsets, we need to be reminded that there are many yet who need to hear the gospel preached to them, and that if God has entrusted the gospel to us and made us His children, WE have a part to play in that.
So this morning as I was exercising, and remembering what it feels like to use my muscle's for something other than lifting more food to my mouth, I was listening to the music on my blog's playlist. Songs that sing of God at work in the city, of facing giants in faith with nothing but a sling and a stone, and how our God saves filled the air and stirred my mind. What prompted this post was not any innate need to confess to the public my recurring sin-issues with food (though now that you know, you can pray for me and that would be nice!). I was thinking about how so many people make it their new year's resolution to lose weight (for reasons that range everywhere from pride/vanity to seeking to be a good steward for the glory of God). And I was thinking about how a cannibal would currently find me to be a nicely marbled treat so I better start now. But let's get to the point. 1 Timothy 4:7-10 tells us: "...exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come...for to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men..." Let's put bodily exercise in perspective. Americans spend gobs of time and money and effort on dieting, but truth be known, whether we're lowered into the grave fat or skinny isn't the biggest issue...will we use the resources God has given us to plan and exert effort in exercising ourselves toward godliness? Those of us who trust in the living God have the promise of life, but what about those who don't?
Rom 10:13-17 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I joked about my potential of being a marbly treat for a cannibal, but DO I CARE about the cannibals of the world? Do I care enough about ANYONE who has not yet heard the good news of our great and gracious King to put effort into sharing Jesus with them? How many of us put "seek to make the most of opportunities to share Christ with others" at the top of their New Year's resolution lists?
In Ephesians 6:20, Paul asked for prayer that "utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel." In 2 Cor. 5:18-21 we are reminded that God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...we are His ambassadors "as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." May God plead through us as He gives us opportunity in the lives of those in our sphere of influence ...may we be granted the joy of seeing men, women and children come to know Jesus as we offer them the only thing we have of any true worth, the hope of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
My "in the vicinity" Friends
For all the locals (Portland area peeps):
Save the dates (Dec 3 &4)...this coming Friday and Saturday from noon til 5pm, my niece Leah Marl will be kissing her job with Party Lite goodbye with this fantastic fund-raising event. Here is the info from the Facebook event page:
Also note...if you order anything, you will be given the option of writing "Shubin" or "Marl" or "both" on your order form, and Leah (having been taught well) shall do the math to make sure the appropriate funds go to the earmarked families. We'll have treats available and hope you will stop in to be a part of this event. This event is open to all so please help spread the word.
Save the dates (Dec 3 &4)...this coming Friday and Saturday from noon til 5pm, my niece Leah Marl will be kissing her job with Party Lite goodbye with this fantastic fund-raising event. Here is the info from the Facebook event page:
Leah Marl's home
17626 SE Emerald Drive
Milwaukie, OR
To raise funds for 2 adoptions!
Kenny & Amanda Marl &
Steve and Angie Shubin
Come stock up on candles, or do some Christmas shopping and support a good cause too! 50% of sales from Leah's stock and items sold from the Fundraiser brochure will go to support the adoptions & 25% of sales from the regular catalog or December specials flier. We will also have donations jars and other ways to give available. Thanks for prayers and support for these two couples!
Open house for 2 days from 12-5pm.
I should also mention to bring cash or check. Party Lite accepts credit card payment for regular catalog purchases, but not for fund-raising orders.
To raise funds for 2 adoptions!
Kenny & Amanda Marl &
Steve and Angie Shubin
Come stock up on candles, or do some Christmas shopping and support a good cause too! 50% of sales from Leah's stock and items sold from the Fundraiser brochure will go to support the adoptions & 25% of sales from the regular catalog or December specials flier. We will also have donations jars and other ways to give available. Thanks for prayers and support for these two couples!
Open house for 2 days from 12-5pm.
I should also mention to bring cash or check. Party Lite accepts credit card payment for regular catalog purchases, but not for fund-raising orders.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thankful to...
Hello friends in Blogville,
Today I was reading in Exodus of God's mighty deliverance of His people from the hardened-hearted Pharaoh. The day before I had re-listened to a sermon by one of our pastors, Chris Wilson, about how only that which is within us can defile us...we are quick to think our biggest enemies are "out there" somewhere be it other people or our circumstances or whatever, when in reality our very own flesh produces passions of all kinds that wage war against our own souls and are in opposition to the King of all kings. I do not sin because Suzy said something mean to me first or because the snow outside is messing with my plans or because someone else got what I wanted and I didn't or any other excuse I might try to justify myself with. I sin because by nature I am a sinner...that's what messes me up....that's what defiles me. We confess at church our sins that we each commit as being "my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault." Yep, that's right. I'm my own biggest enemy.
Today, as I was considering the Exodus in connection to Pastor Wilson's sermon, I was overcome with gratitude TO GOD for His mighty deliverance of me from myself. He has made me a new creation in Christ Jesus which is no small feat, and promises to continue the good work He has begun until it is completed. I can guarantee He's not finished with me yet, but how thankful I am to know He is at work. Apart from His grace, I am a hardened-hearted pharaoh with my own little kingdom of me which stands in opposition to Him. From the Exodus story, it is clear just how foolish a notion that is. No one can stand against the Lord and win, but until the Lord delivers us by His mighty and merciful hand, we sure give it our best shot. Apart from His grace, we are so far removed from any appreciation of Him or fear of Him, that we go about our business suppressing His truth in all our unrighteousness without batting an eye. When He graciously opens our eyes and we begin to behold Him in all His glory and power and wisdom and love and mercy and His every other perfection, He is delivering us from an enemy as powerful as Pharaoh...with His outstretched arms, He begins to deliver us from our own sinful selves as He brings us into His glorious Kingdom.
I'm a pilgrim bound for the Celestial City because the Living God has rescued me and continues to deliver me from all my stumblings...He is drawing me to Himself and it is to Him I am thankful. Every good thing I enjoy is a gift from His hand. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and many will gather with loved ones and share with each other things they are thankful for. Great. But let us also remember to Whom we owe all thanks.
I'm thankful to God for...
Today I was reading in Exodus of God's mighty deliverance of His people from the hardened-hearted Pharaoh. The day before I had re-listened to a sermon by one of our pastors, Chris Wilson, about how only that which is within us can defile us...we are quick to think our biggest enemies are "out there" somewhere be it other people or our circumstances or whatever, when in reality our very own flesh produces passions of all kinds that wage war against our own souls and are in opposition to the King of all kings. I do not sin because Suzy said something mean to me first or because the snow outside is messing with my plans or because someone else got what I wanted and I didn't or any other excuse I might try to justify myself with. I sin because by nature I am a sinner...that's what messes me up....that's what defiles me. We confess at church our sins that we each commit as being "my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault." Yep, that's right. I'm my own biggest enemy.
Today, as I was considering the Exodus in connection to Pastor Wilson's sermon, I was overcome with gratitude TO GOD for His mighty deliverance of me from myself. He has made me a new creation in Christ Jesus which is no small feat, and promises to continue the good work He has begun until it is completed. I can guarantee He's not finished with me yet, but how thankful I am to know He is at work. Apart from His grace, I am a hardened-hearted pharaoh with my own little kingdom of me which stands in opposition to Him. From the Exodus story, it is clear just how foolish a notion that is. No one can stand against the Lord and win, but until the Lord delivers us by His mighty and merciful hand, we sure give it our best shot. Apart from His grace, we are so far removed from any appreciation of Him or fear of Him, that we go about our business suppressing His truth in all our unrighteousness without batting an eye. When He graciously opens our eyes and we begin to behold Him in all His glory and power and wisdom and love and mercy and His every other perfection, He is delivering us from an enemy as powerful as Pharaoh...with His outstretched arms, He begins to deliver us from our own sinful selves as He brings us into His glorious Kingdom.
I'm a pilgrim bound for the Celestial City because the Living God has rescued me and continues to deliver me from all my stumblings...He is drawing me to Himself and it is to Him I am thankful. Every good thing I enjoy is a gift from His hand. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and many will gather with loved ones and share with each other things they are thankful for. Great. But let us also remember to Whom we owe all thanks.
I'm thankful to God for...
- making me His child and giving me His Word to live by.
- my loving and faithful husband.
- my beautiful and joy-filled children.
- a great church to be a part of , and for our elders and deacons.
- my extended family.
- wonderful friends.
- kind neighbors in a beautiful neighborhood.
- health.
- clothes to wear.
- tasty food to eat and utensils to eat it with.
- popcorn (yes, it get's its own listing!)
- opportunities to serve and bless others.
- indoor toilets.
- clean water to drink that comes right out of a faucet in our house.
- conveniences like stoves and washing machines, etc.
- our cars.
- great books to read.
- our house with a working heater while it is below 20 degrees currently outside.
- doctors and nurses who study so many years so they can help us when needed.
- stores stocked with all kinds of useful and decorative things.
- our garden.
- the seasons of all kinds (Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall; seasons of life such as childhood, parenting, etc; and the seasons of joy and sorrow all in their God appointed times).
- the beauty of His creation...plants, animals, etc. in all their variety, color and wonder.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
hmmm, is it okay to list more than five things?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Shopping Spree
Hi there...just a very quick post today to let you know (if you are interested) about a fantastic Christmas sale going on over at Desiring God Ministries. There are a handful of authors that I return to over and over again, and John Piper happens to be one of them. I heartily encourage those with the means to go on a shopping spree while so many resources are greatly reduced in price (for your own edification, or to give as gifts).
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for stopping by!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Compassion's reward
"Compassion is being moved by the plight of another, coupled with action to help him or her." - Paul Tripp
There are times I lay open opportunities on my blog for my readers to exercise some compassion. And from what I overhear, the responses range everywhere from annoyance (ugh, another plea) to joy. There will be no plea today (but not because there are a lack of opportunities). Today I am bubbling over with happiness and want to share some pics I saw for the first time yesterday with you.
Let me set them up first. Over a year ago, my friends Joe and Rachel were moved by the "plight of another" and began, with only enough money for the application fee, to take steps of action to make one less orphan in the world. This child, though still nameless and faceless to them, began to grow in their heart and they prayed for her; filled out trees worth of paperwork for her; submitted themselves to the rigors of a home study for her; raised funds through blood, sweat and tears for her; and committed themselves to loving her, providing for her, and protecting her for the rest of their days.
But this is not just a tribute to Joe and Rachel's compassion. They wouldn't want that anyway...they'd want all the glory to go to the One who is most worthy of all our praise. They have gone about this journey prayerfully, entrusting themselves and the child in their heart to the One who knows ALL the faces and names. And this One, the Living God, raised up a small army of compassionate people who would come alongside Joe and Rachel. We started praying for them and the child God knew by name, laboring alongside them for this child, sacrificing and giving financially to them, and helping in other ways as able.
God was (and is) at work. For those of you who are annoyed by the opportunities laid out there to show some compassion, be encouraged to not miss out the next time (by the grace of God, we can all grow in this arena)...and for those of you who responded in this story with joy, let your joy be increased as you see what God has done and allowed you to be a part of:
We get the privilege of being a part of this! Happy tears are flowing here! And yet, Joe and Rachel may have the toughest stretch of their efforts still ahead of them. Please join me in praying for them as the Lord brings them to your mind. The Ethiopian program made some changes this past year and now requires two trips...this is their first. They have met precious Abby and begun the bonding process, passed court and obtained legal parental status, but now they will be required to leave until the end of next month when they can return to bring her home (hopefully Christmas Day). Talk about tearing your heart out. Yes, compassion has a price to pay and sometimes you keep paying. They will be reminding themselves that God has a plan in all of this, and He does.
This story overflows from His greater story. Our Father had compassion on us in our desperate need. We were traitors, erecting our own little kingdoms in opposition to His. While we were shaking our fists in His face, He pitied us and sent His Son to bear the punishment due to us for our rebellion against Him. Amazing! His Son (Jesus) came willingly, lovingly, compassionately to rescue us, redeem us, and claim us for Himself. Talk about a price to pay! He had to bear the infinite wrath of God to claim us (the equivalence of an eternity in hell) ...think on that the next time you think the price is too high for adoption. When we adopt, we're imitating the Father...of course there will be a price (financial, emotional, blood, sweat, tears, the whole shebang, but nothing compared to what Christ bore for us). We cannot even begin to fathom fully His compassion, but we can rest in it and rejoice as only rescued ones can.
Jesus returned to the Father, leaving us behind for a season to prepare a place for us, and will one day return to bring all who belong to Him home to be with Him forever. I long for that day! Do you? We haven't forgotten Him and we cling to His promise to return as we live out these in-between days by faith. Little Abby won't forget Joe and Rachel either, and knowing of her longing can remind the rest of us to long all the more for our homecoming, the day when we can see Jesus face to face and be with Him forever. The Walser's are living out a picture of the gospel story, and the heart that God rips out of them as they have to leave little Abby behind for a season will be replaced, I believe, with one that can hold even more love in it for the glory of our great God and King.
There are times I lay open opportunities on my blog for my readers to exercise some compassion. And from what I overhear, the responses range everywhere from annoyance (ugh, another plea) to joy. There will be no plea today (but not because there are a lack of opportunities). Today I am bubbling over with happiness and want to share some pics I saw for the first time yesterday with you.
Let me set them up first. Over a year ago, my friends Joe and Rachel were moved by the "plight of another" and began, with only enough money for the application fee, to take steps of action to make one less orphan in the world. This child, though still nameless and faceless to them, began to grow in their heart and they prayed for her; filled out trees worth of paperwork for her; submitted themselves to the rigors of a home study for her; raised funds through blood, sweat and tears for her; and committed themselves to loving her, providing for her, and protecting her for the rest of their days.
But this is not just a tribute to Joe and Rachel's compassion. They wouldn't want that anyway...they'd want all the glory to go to the One who is most worthy of all our praise. They have gone about this journey prayerfully, entrusting themselves and the child in their heart to the One who knows ALL the faces and names. And this One, the Living God, raised up a small army of compassionate people who would come alongside Joe and Rachel. We started praying for them and the child God knew by name, laboring alongside them for this child, sacrificing and giving financially to them, and helping in other ways as able.
God was (and is) at work. For those of you who are annoyed by the opportunities laid out there to show some compassion, be encouraged to not miss out the next time (by the grace of God, we can all grow in this arena)...and for those of you who responded in this story with joy, let your joy be increased as you see what God has done and allowed you to be a part of:
Friends from church praying for them before they left for Africa:
The Walser family (eager to grow by one)
Joe and Rachel, packed and ready to go on a very long flight
This is Abby...God knew her face and name
and He knew she needed a family.
He put it into Joe and Rachel's heart to add her to theirs.
And YESTERDAY, in reality, God added Abby to the Walser Family!
What do you think? Compassion has a price, but it also has reward.
And we can NEVER out-give God.
Compassion is a win/win operation of grace...to God be all glory!
We get the privilege of being a part of this! Happy tears are flowing here! And yet, Joe and Rachel may have the toughest stretch of their efforts still ahead of them. Please join me in praying for them as the Lord brings them to your mind. The Ethiopian program made some changes this past year and now requires two trips...this is their first. They have met precious Abby and begun the bonding process, passed court and obtained legal parental status, but now they will be required to leave until the end of next month when they can return to bring her home (hopefully Christmas Day). Talk about tearing your heart out. Yes, compassion has a price to pay and sometimes you keep paying. They will be reminding themselves that God has a plan in all of this, and He does.
This story overflows from His greater story. Our Father had compassion on us in our desperate need. We were traitors, erecting our own little kingdoms in opposition to His. While we were shaking our fists in His face, He pitied us and sent His Son to bear the punishment due to us for our rebellion against Him. Amazing! His Son (Jesus) came willingly, lovingly, compassionately to rescue us, redeem us, and claim us for Himself. Talk about a price to pay! He had to bear the infinite wrath of God to claim us (the equivalence of an eternity in hell) ...think on that the next time you think the price is too high for adoption. When we adopt, we're imitating the Father...of course there will be a price (financial, emotional, blood, sweat, tears, the whole shebang, but nothing compared to what Christ bore for us). We cannot even begin to fathom fully His compassion, but we can rest in it and rejoice as only rescued ones can.
Jesus returned to the Father, leaving us behind for a season to prepare a place for us, and will one day return to bring all who belong to Him home to be with Him forever. I long for that day! Do you? We haven't forgotten Him and we cling to His promise to return as we live out these in-between days by faith. Little Abby won't forget Joe and Rachel either, and knowing of her longing can remind the rest of us to long all the more for our homecoming, the day when we can see Jesus face to face and be with Him forever. The Walser's are living out a picture of the gospel story, and the heart that God rips out of them as they have to leave little Abby behind for a season will be replaced, I believe, with one that can hold even more love in it for the glory of our great God and King.
We're told in Isaiah 53:11 that Jesus
"shall see the labor of His soul, and be SATISFIED."
Compassion has a price, but it also has reward.
Shubins and Walser boys celebrating Abby's adoption
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Marls
Are there people in your life that you love dearly and that you would do whatever you could for? One such person for me is my niece Leah. And she must love me too because she is always helping me out (like when I had surgery and she came to live with me for A WEEK to take care of my then two little girls, or like ALL the times she's been there to babysit, or like when I decided to do some garage sales last summer to benefit friends who are adopting and she came over to pitch in ALL DAY LONG, etc.). This is Leah (to the right of myself and my daughter MJ):
and this is her hubby and firstborn son (she's expecting child number two...yeah, yippee, and praise be to God!):
Ryan has a couple of brothers, and one of them (Ken) along with his wife (Amanda) reached the decision to grow their family by adoption recently. And amazingly enough, before they could really put together a plan, they were chosen by a birthmom (a situation of someone knowing someone) who is due to give birth in late December. Wow! That's coming up fast. There are a lot of hoops to hop between now and then, and in a hurry!
Leah brought Amanda over to my house a couple of weeks ago to brainstorm the to-do list and fund-raising ideas. We had a blast! Now I not only love Leah, I love Amanda! It didn't hurt that Leah had shared her own esteem of her beforehand, but what a joy it was to begin getting to know Amanda for myself. So what started out as a "do something for Leah" deal proved to be the pathway to a new friendship with built in opportunity to help another fatherless one be grafted into a Christian family...THIS is right up my alley folks!
Meet Ken and Amanda Marl
I'm telling you all this because I KNOW many of my readers live in Oregon and TOMORROW the Marl's will be having a huge indoor garage sale/bake goods/raffly sort of event in Oregon City to help raise funds quickly for their adoption and I want everybody who can to come to it. Here's a link with the address and more info.
If you don't live in Oregon or you just can't come, please get acquainted via her new blog, follow their journey and begin to keep them in your prayers. Thank you to all my bloggy friends!
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