Thursday, January 23, 2014

New Things In the New Year




John and I are hopeful for the changes that may happen in 2014. We aren't sure what God has planned, but we have specific things we are praying for.  Growing the family, is one thing we really hope for.

We have another 8 hour training to be certified to be a foster parent coming up on Saturday with Koinonia Family Services. We are so excited! We get to meet other families who have a heart for adoption and see some friends we have met at previous trainings. Hopefully, we'll be done with all the classes, finish the home study, and be certified soon!

Also, I don't know if this is TMI, but John and I started our second round of IUI. Unexplained infertility has been something John and I have struggled with for years and I'm totally comfortable to talk about it freely (as seen here and here). I know it can be a sensitive subject and people don't know how to react to some information I share, but I'm thankful for my friends, family, and church family who have openly loved us, prayed for us, and cried with us.

Thinking about all that's going on in our lives, and new things happening this year, I've been reflecting a lot about how the struggles the past few years have pushed me closer to the Lord.  I heard this Matt Chandler sermon (here) and it reminded me that even in this time of "suffering", God is good! Matt Chandler says,

"God is not a genie in a lamp, and you are not Aladdin. Any preaching and teaching from the Word of God that does not take into account we live in a fallen, broken world and we will have very sad days, we will have very hard days, we will, at times, feel like all is lost, is not preaching the full counsel of God and is doing no one any favors. The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is God will be enough on the sad days, and God will sustain us when we are weak. God will sustain us when we are confused. God will sustain us when we feel dry and desolate and angry and empty. God will sustain us."

Praise God for people like Pastor Chandler! His sermons are playing in the house and car often. Also on repeat, this song by Shane and Shane. I dare you to watch it and not weep. Such a great song and then add Pastor John Piper to that?! Amazing.

If you're the praying type, please pray for John and me. We want to build our family but more importantly, we want to learn to be content in God in whatever situation He has ordained for us.

3 comments:

  1. Amen! Words I need to hear in this season. I'm excited to hear the sermon :)
    Praying for you and John. Love you guys <3

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  2. Praying for you and your husband :)
    God bless!

    ReplyDelete