I know who blesses me...

The last couple of weeks, we've had some decisions to make, some that maybe someday I'll be able to share here. It's been an intense time of seeking the Lord...and trusting in Him...and believing that we hear Him. 

I've had people ask before in the past, how do I know when I hear the Lord speak to me. That's a good question! Sometimes I ask this myself...over and over...Is that you Lord!? This past week I've been in thought of all that the Lord has done for me. I become overwhelmed at the thought of ALL that He has indeed done for me. And I can't deny that it was Him. Because when I look back, I just know that He did indeed bless me. 

And in my thinking of all that He has done for me, I look at my family, all of who have also given their lives to Christ (which in itself is another blessing!), and it can't be denied how much He has blessed us all.

Take a look at what I have been pondering over the last week.

This may not seem like much to many of you, but this picture represents so much to me. See those darling girls? They are my niece, Emily, my Katie, and my Lexie. I think they might have been 5, 11, and 4. And what may be so special about this picture you may ask? Well, I remember, quite vividly, talking to my sister-in-law that very evening, and telling her of my longing to adopt from China. I remember weeping---telling her that I was so sure that someday I would.  And she believed me. And she prayed for me. This is my first memory of really being called to adopt from China. And sharing it with someone other than my husband. And I have this picture that always reminds me of that time.

Several years passed after this picture was taken. I had spent years of roller-coaster emotions wanting to adopt, and Karl not feeling like it was time. One of the last things I did, before I finally gave over my desire to adopt to the Lord, was that I bought a little Chinese doll, named Ling. It was my last ditch effort of pleading to the Lord, before letting Him take complete control.  I still have the doll, never got rid of her, although for years she spent time in the very back of my closet, hidden, because at times it was painful to see her--and I admit--embarrassing, because she also represented me wanting to control my life and what I felt was supposed to happen.

Just a couple of days ago, Karleigh Mei found this doll in her pile of things, and she carries her around ALL THE TIME. And when I see the two of them together, it reminds me of so many promises the Lord has had for me concerning adoption and trusting Him.

Ling and Karleigh Mei. Oh the promises the Lord has kept! How cool is God!!??

I've also been reminded of how the Lord has blessed mine and Karl's siblings over the years. All of us believers.

Karl's sister, Jennie, who is also a Believer, has for all of the years I've known her, written worship songs. I remember long conversations with her over the phone (we spent MANY hours talking on the phone when our children were little. Those talks kept me sane! HA!) about adoption. And she would pray for me. And she would also have me listen to the songs she had been writing. She'd put the phone down and go to her piano and sing to me her latest praises to God. And I would close my eyes and listen and worship with her. 

Next week, Jennie will be in Nashville, being honored for her music, and possibly winning a Dove for Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year. How cool is God?

She sent this little write up on her this week:

JENNIE LEE RIDDLEJennie Lee Riddle is a Top 25 CCLI writer and Dove Award nominee best known for "Revelation Song" recorded and made popular by Gateway Worship and Kari Jobe, then carried to No. 1 at Christian radio by Phillips, Craig & Dean. Her catalog includes songs recorded by Christ for the Nations, Gateway Worship, and JJ Heller, among others. She enjoys mentoring young artists, leading worship, and writing and is a regular speaker at several Bible colleges and conferences. Riddle currently travels with New Nation Music, the ministry she founded.

Here is Jennie and her beautiful family. How cool is God!!??

My sister, Sarah, who is also a Believer, and I are very close. Even though we are 6.5 years apart. :) When she was a teenager, she was told, for various reasons, that having children would be difficult for her. She may not be able to have any. Do you know what this does to a young girl, who longs to be a mother someday? I tried to tell her that the doctor didn't know what he was talking about--and not to worry. But I did pray for her, and I know she prayed and also trusted in the Lord for her future and any children she may or may not be able to have.

I'd say the Lord has blessed her. :) He even threw in a girl this last time! Yay! A princess for my sister Sarah and her husband! God is so cool!!

Karl's younger sister, Tanya, also is a Believer. She and her husband had some struggles early in their married life. But they persevered so beautifully! They kept their eyes on Christ. I am so proud of them and all they have overcome through Christ! One of the things that her husband wanted to do, was to be a full time worship pastor. The Lord has blessed this beautiful family, and now he is just that!! How cool is God??!!

Here they are with their beautiful crew!

My brother, Brian, is also a Believer. Brian's first marriage ended in divorce. It was a tough time for him, but he turned to the Lord and trusted in Him. He kept his eyes on Christ and he was blessed because of that. Today, Brian and Amy have a beautiful blended family! How cool is God!!??

And if this isn't enough, my ENTIRE family + some and Karl's ENTIRE family + some :) all like each other! And every couple of years or so, we have gotten together at the beach for Thanksgiving. A time we can all come together and thank the Lord who blesses us all!

And this is how I know that the Lord hears our cries. These are just tiny bits of all that the Lord has done for me and for my family. And with these reminders, I can continue to keep my eyes on Christ and trust that I will hear Him when He calls me on to the next thing He has planned for me and my family.

And just to add, we are all sinners and have ALL had trouble pasts. If you can think of it, we've probably have done it/gone through with it/were stupid enough to do. None of which we are proud of. But all of us could easily say that it was through the Lord that we overcame our past life mistakes and CONTINUE to overcome through Christ alone.