I feel like I did when I was pregnant... especially towards the end. The closer I came to my due date, the less I was able to think about anything else.
I feel that way now.
NOT PREGNANT...
But the closer it comes to Vlad's arrival date, the less I'm able to NOT think about it.
I had a dream about Vlad last night. I don't remember much about it, except he was an impish 10 year old (Vlad is 13), didn't have lice (Vlad most likely will), he was fluent in English (HA!), and he took to our "strange" American ways without batting an eye. Any guesses as to what I'm most stressed about? :-)
Just like with a pregnancy, I've prepared for Vlad's arrival. For a baby... well, I don't think you're ever *really* prepared for a baby; but for a baby you have the clothes, and the diapers, a crib or bassinet, a monitor, etc.
In getting ready for Vlad's arrival, I've had our "Welcome letter" and "House/Family Rules" translated. I have my labels about halfway finished. His room is ready, minus a few last minute items. I've called the newspaper, learned a little Russian, make his airport welcome sign, and attempted to make Blini http://www.traditional-russian-food.com/Blini.html. I have google translate bookmarked on both computers, found a bike, bought a few clothes... and countless other things- both large and small, that fall into the "getting ready for Vlad" category.
But as I lay awake at 4:30 this morning- laughing at the ridiculousness of my dream and thinking of what still has to be done, I had one of those "Duh" moments.
I've been so wrapped up in "doing", I haven't spent a whole lot of time in praying.
I mean, yes, I've prayed about Vlad and his coming, our role in his life, and what we can do for him physically and emotionally. That it's an easy transition for him-- and us, how we can meet his needs, etc.
And meeting those physical, earthly needs is important... but I've been negligent in praying for the spiritual side of this equation.
I will never know what it's like to grow up as Vlad has. That his life has been far more difficult than mine is a vast understatement. And while he's here, we can feed him and love on him, have him as part of our family, and hopefully fill a void in his life.
But without Christ, Vlad can have no real hope.
One of the challenges put out by New Horizons was to spend time in prayer asking for a verse specifically for Vlad.
I did... sort of... for a little while... when I thought about it.
So while it was quiet this morning, before everyone else was up... even though there were flash cards to make and laundry to do (isn't there ALWAYS laundry to do??!!) I spent some real time in The Word and in prayer.
Psalm 34
1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
While he is here, I want Vlad to see the hope we have in Christ.
My prayer, is that he see Jesus, in me.
I feel that way now.
NOT PREGNANT...
But the closer it comes to Vlad's arrival date, the less I'm able to NOT think about it.
I had a dream about Vlad last night. I don't remember much about it, except he was an impish 10 year old (Vlad is 13), didn't have lice (Vlad most likely will), he was fluent in English (HA!), and he took to our "strange" American ways without batting an eye. Any guesses as to what I'm most stressed about? :-)
Just like with a pregnancy, I've prepared for Vlad's arrival. For a baby... well, I don't think you're ever *really* prepared for a baby; but for a baby you have the clothes, and the diapers, a crib or bassinet, a monitor, etc.
In getting ready for Vlad's arrival, I've had our "Welcome letter" and "House/Family Rules" translated. I have my labels about halfway finished. His room is ready, minus a few last minute items. I've called the newspaper, learned a little Russian, make his airport welcome sign, and attempted to make Blini http://www.traditional-russian-food.com/Blini.html. I have google translate bookmarked on both computers, found a bike, bought a few clothes... and countless other things- both large and small, that fall into the "getting ready for Vlad" category.
But as I lay awake at 4:30 this morning- laughing at the ridiculousness of my dream and thinking of what still has to be done, I had one of those "Duh" moments.
I've been so wrapped up in "doing", I haven't spent a whole lot of time in praying.
I mean, yes, I've prayed about Vlad and his coming, our role in his life, and what we can do for him physically and emotionally. That it's an easy transition for him-- and us, how we can meet his needs, etc.
And meeting those physical, earthly needs is important... but I've been negligent in praying for the spiritual side of this equation.
I will never know what it's like to grow up as Vlad has. That his life has been far more difficult than mine is a vast understatement. And while he's here, we can feed him and love on him, have him as part of our family, and hopefully fill a void in his life.
But without Christ, Vlad can have no real hope.
One of the challenges put out by New Horizons was to spend time in prayer asking for a verse specifically for Vlad.
I did... sort of... for a little while... when I thought about it.
So while it was quiet this morning, before everyone else was up... even though there were flash cards to make and laundry to do (isn't there ALWAYS laundry to do??!!) I spent some real time in The Word and in prayer.
Psalm 34
1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
My prayer, is that he see Jesus, in me.
Thank you for sharing, Marty. I needed the reminder, too. It's so easy for me to get caught up in all of the details and forget all about why we decided to do this in the first place. You have perfect timing with your post - once again. :)Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like your rules and the verse you picked is beautiful!
ReplyDelete