Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)

Angeldove97 · Dec 20, 2006

Hello dear Friend! I just wanted to stop by and wish you a blessed holiday season and also a good morning

~Tatiana

ImHisServant · Dec 21, 2006

Thursday 12/21/06
The Journey

Flying down a hill on a bicycle, I always feel tremendously alive, in perfect balance. God helps me to balance my life as if it were a ride on a bike and to carry that vitality into each day -- especially when I apply the slogan, "Live and let live."

I try to embrace whatever life brings, with all its joys and sorrows, for it all has something to offer me. I made that discovery one night at women's group when someone asked, "What would happen if I started thanking God when problems occurred?" At first I had to force myself to say, "Thank you, God," through clenched teeth. By and by, my teeth unlocked and I replaced self-pity with gratitude. I truly began to live.

When I live my own life to the utmost, it is easier to let others live theirs. Aliveness is mine. I pray others are blessed with it too.

Today's Reminder:

I want the very best for those I love. I am growing to appreciate the joy of fully participating in life. And I choose to allow others to enjoy this sometimes difficult but rewarding blessing of learning from all of their experiences. Today I will "Live and let live."

"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end." --Ursula LeGuin

ImHisServant · Dec 21, 2006

At times I am better at this then others... I can thank God for my sorrows and accept the faults of others. Yet at other times I find it hard and I start getting into complaining and self-pity. At those times I am not fun to be around... usually very negative and grouchy. I know when I am that way and I don't like it, know it's wrong, yet can't seem to get out of that attitude/mindset even though I wish I could.

cristianna · Dec 21, 2006

Luckily I'm pretty good in this area. I can probably only credit that to God Himself, and the obstacles and challenges I endured during my childhood. Growing up there was no time for pity parties or complaining, so I was kind of molded rapidly.

Sadly, I know I lack in other areas. Don't be down on yourself ImHisServant. I'm sure there are areas you immensely excel in!

Sennaria · Dec 22, 2006

Everyone,
I wanted to take this time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! May the Lord bless you and keep you this weekend and on into next year. I shall be sporatic at best and didn't want to leave for the holiday without saying so.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Many hugs and in His Love
Sennaria

ImHisServant · Dec 22, 2006

I think we can just chat on this thread until the new year... I know everyone will be busy with their Christmas plans and many would not see or respond to topics even if I posted them... so let's just have some fun and friendly talk

ImHisServant · Dec 22, 2006

My oldest daughter Dayna is a freshman at Indiana State... she is at her Dad's house in Indiana for the holidays and working as much as she can while there. My middle child Kelly is 10 and in 5th grade... she left yesterday on a plane for Indiana to spend Christmas with her father and sister Dayna... they will also see my dad and siblings while in Indy... she will get back next Thursday night the 28th. The morning of the 29th will be the day we have Christmas morning here with Kelly and Spencer (my 4 year old son). My mom and uncle will come over that day.

cristianna · Dec 22, 2006

Sounds like everyone is busy, busy, busy preparing for Christmas. I'm feeling so stressed it's almost downright hysterically comical. But I figure eventually the house, laundry and menu will get planned and completed. I still have to finish shopping-- either tonight or tomorrow. I've never, ever been so late doing all of this it's ridiculous! I cannot believe I let myself fall so far behind, but so much has been going on.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone! I'm not too sure how often I'll be able to get back on before and immediately afterward.

LivingLifeHisWay · Dec 22, 2006

Hi everyone!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

We're having Christmas Eve dinner with my in-laws (we haven't spoken to them for 4 months but they have invited us - should be interesting) and then we're having Christmas Day lunch at my parent's. I'm excited about Christmas Day morning with my kids.

TTYS
Christina

ImHisServant · Dec 22, 2006

cristianna said:
Sounds like everyone is busy, busy, busy preparing for Christmas. I'm feeling so stressed it's almost downright hysterically comical. But I figure eventually the house, laundry and menu will get planned and completed. I still have to finish shopping-- either tonight or tomorrow. I've never, ever been so late doing all of this it's ridiculous! I cannot believe I let myself fall so far behind, but so much has been going on.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone! I'm not too sure how often I'll be able to get back on before and immediately afterward.

Sounds like you and I are in the exact same boat except that I have until Thursday instead of Monday. I have to do a meal and get my entire house cleaned by myself... since my daughter is in Indiana and my husband is working all hours to work his job and try to get a business started for the new year. Yikes - just keep doing one thing at a time and hoping it will all come together.

ImHisServant · Dec 22, 2006

cristianna said:
Sounds like everyone is busy, busy, busy preparing for Christmas. I'm feeling so stressed it's almost downright hysterically comical. But I figure eventually the house, laundry and menu will get planned and completed. I still have to finish shopping-- either tonight or tomorrow. I've never, ever been so late doing all of this it's ridiculous! I cannot believe I let myself fall so far behind, but so much has been going on.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone! I'm not too sure how often I'll be able to get back on before and immediately afterward.

Sounds like you and I are in the exact same boat except that I have until Thursday instead of Monday. I have to do a meal and get my entire house cleaned by myself... since my daughter is in Indiana and my husband is working all hours to work his job and try to get a business started for the new year. Yikes - just keep doing one thing at a time and hoping it will all come together.

cristianna · Dec 22, 2006

That's very exciting to start a biz! Prayers going out to you!

I was just pm'ing LivingLifeHisWay that it feels as if half the stress is gone with the school parties over with! Hallelujah!!!! Now I can really focus on being ready by Monday. =)

Best wishes for stress free preparations on your end!

rosiecotton · Dec 22, 2006

ImHisServant said:
My oldest daughter Dayna is a freshman at Indiana State... she is at her Dad's house in Indiana for the holidays and working as much as she can while there. My middle child Kelly is 10 and in 5th grade... she left yesterday on a plane for Indiana to spend Christmas with her father and sister Dayna... they will also see my dad and siblings while in Indy... she will get back next Thursday night the 28th. The morning of the 29th will be the day we have Christmas morning here with Kelly and Spencer (my 4 year old son). My mom and uncle will come over that day.

I live only an hour east of Indy!

rosiecotton · Dec 22, 2006

I'll be able to be on a little bit more this next week because the office is closed till January 2nd. Yay!! I will have to go in to work either Thursday or Friday to run the bulletins for Sunday, but other than that I'm off! Everyone have a great Christmas!

ImHisServant · Dec 22, 2006

rosiecotton said:
I live only an hour east of Indy!

Ohio?

ImHisServant · Dec 24, 2006

Well it's officially Christmas!!! Merry Christmas - if you have a moment to post... let us know how you are spending your day and what you gave/got, how it is going. I will have nothing to report since I am not having mine till the 29th.

rosiecotton · Dec 25, 2006

ImHisServant said:
Ohio?

I live just west of Richmond--which is right on the Ohio border.

rosiecotton · Dec 25, 2006

Well, Christmas is almost over!! (well, not exactly for us--we still have to have Christmas with my family out at my mom's on New Year's Eve).
My mom came out and spent the night with us last night. We went to the 5:00 Christmas eve service at our church, then went to my inlaws. They always have a little 'get-together' at their house. Not very many people come anymore though. It's usually just immediate family. She said something about me doing it next year, and I might. And I'll invite anyone and everyone who may want to stop in (it's an open house thingy). Anyway, after we left there, came home and I had wrapping to do. The boys went to bed around 11 and so did my mom.
My mom told the boys not to get up till 7...well, they woke me up at 6:15!!! I actually wasn't feeling very well for some reason. My stomach didn't feel very well. Dont' know if something I ate last night just didn't settle right or what.
Anyway....to what I got....I'll try to remember....
from hubby and boys....Pirates of the Caribbean DVD, VERY soft robe with matching slippers, watch, very soft sweater, Halo perfume (Victoria's Secret), and a blue hoodie. I think that was it...
My mom gave me a $25 gift certificate to Warm Glow Candle Outlet. (she only brought us each one gift today..she'll give us the rest next Sunday).
I then went back to bed for a bit, and woke up feeling better. Had a little bit of breakfast. Then had to make my corn casserole to take to my inlaws. Got in the shower. Headed up to my inlaws a few minutes after Noon (they just live up the lane). Ate, then played Sequence, read a little bit and watched the boys play a couple of their new Xbox games.
We had to wait for my niece and nephew to get there before we could open presents...they were over at their other grandmothers first.
Ok, up there I got.....a Jeff Gordon book, some real pretty placemats and matching runner, $40 to both of us from my hubby's oldest brother, $50 a piece from his other brother (all in one dollar bills!!), some bamboo spoons from Pampered Chef, a set of cookie decorator bottles from Pampered Chef and a real pretty carousel cookie jar.
I think that's it.
My dad called me while I was there! Him and my stepmom moved to Florida last year, right before Christmas and I haven't heard from them since! He called to wish me a merry Christmas and even told me he loved me before hanging up. (we have never had a real close relationship).
Now, we are back home, resting and watching Deal or No Deal!! And waiting for it to start snowing! We are under a snow advisory!! I soooo hope it snows. I really wanted a white Christmas, but this is close.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas!!!!

powerofprayer · Dec 26, 2006

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!! My family & I spent the week before Christmas in Mexico with our soon-to-be adopted daughter. We had a wonderful time. Perla had the best Christmas - I think we may have overwhelmed her alittle! Oh, well...she deserves it. We spent Christmas Eve making the 20 hour drive home in the rain .
But Christmas Day was nice. We spent it at my sisters house with my mom & all of my extended family...it was chaotic but lots of fun!
I did get some very upsetting news yesterday though. I've been praying & praying for Homeland Security to send us the pre-approval on our adoption so it can go before the judge in Mexico. They have had the paperwork for over 3 months and because this adoption is considered a special case because of her age (Perla will be 16 in April) we were told the paperwork would be completed within 2 months. Well, when we got home yesterday there was a letter from them dated December 21 - which is 3 days after my oldest daughter turned 18 - saying they could not complete our paperwork at this time because our oldest daughter Amanda is now 18 and will have to be fingerprinted, have a full background check by the Dept of Family & Children Services, AND we will have to have our homestudy updated to include her as an adult instead of a child. All I could do was cry. We are now looking at our adoption not only being pushed back by as much as 6 months but possibly being denied because she will have "aged out". I just don't know what to do anymore - I feel like our family & Perla is being punished because the U.S. government is upset with Mexico. You know, we could have just snuck her across the border but we chose to do it the legal way & now I feel we are being punished for it. I have put my faith in God every step of the way - but I'm starting to have doubts...what if this isn't meant to be? How do I know? My heart tells me "Yes" - to fight with everything I have, but then why is this so hard? How do I fight the U.S. government? How come I feel like I'm missing something, but I don't know what it is...maybe something or someone that would make this adoption happen?
Well, thanks for letting me vent my frustrations. Please please pray for this adoption & that God will point me in the right direction.

Sandy

cristianna · Dec 27, 2006

PowerofPrayer
I'm sorry of the obstacles you are hitting during all of this. It will be such a blessing once she is finally yours. Please don't let other forces pull you down-- just think how special she will feel with all the "fighting" you had to do!

Keep us updated!

Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)

I trust in You

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...dancing in the rain...

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Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord!!

Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord!!

...dancing in the rain...

If grace is an ocean we're all sinking.

Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord!!

Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord!!

...dancing in the rain...

Veteran

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Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord!!

Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord!!

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I will praise Him in this storm.....

...dancing in the rain...

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