It has been a rough couple of days for this adoptive sister. From the looks of things the wait may be a little longer than we had anticipated. If I could have it my way there would be another sweet child coming home tomorrow. But it is not my way; it is His way and His ways are always better than mine. As hard as that is to see right now.
If you think of it pray for the Altman family. Pray for my mom and dad as their hearts ache over missing a little girl on the other side of the world. Pray for my brother, sister and I as we anxiously await a new sibling. And most importantly pray for that sweet girl who has no idea she has a family waiting for her. Pray that she experiences peace and joy while she waits.
For now, I leave you with this video that has been a great challenge in my life. Just watch.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
I'm Backkkkkk!
Yes, I know I haven't blogged in a while.
No, not because I don't have anything to say.
And no, not even because I have been super busy (Although school is back in full gear and I even have a part time job at a preschool- LOVE it!).
I promise I will write more in depth at a later time. But for now I will leave you with a few highlights of what has been going on.
-Adoption update: Home study is this weekend. Once done our paperwork is ready to go to China and we wait to be matched with a precious soon-to-be Altman! I sometimes get anxious hoping things could speed up but I must trust in know that God's timing is perfect.
-I may or may not have an obsession with buying adoption fundraiser t-shirts. Most of my free time is spent reading adoption blog surfing websites of organizations that love on orphans. I think I am up to 7 shirts but I'm sure there will be more. That's normal, right?
- I may or may not be in love with Tim Tebow. Let's go with may though. I may be in love with Tim Tebow. He loves Jesus hardcore, has a heart for missions, and is a pretty great football player (while still giving God all the glory), what's not to love?
There is more in my life.
But for now.
That's all folks.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Airplanes in the Night Sky
So in case you haven't heard, my family is adopting. And yes, we are pretty stoked about it. I love the beautiful picture that adoption creates; we were once orphans and God has adopted us into his family! And of course I love love LOVE the fact that there will be one less orphan in the world. My God never stops amazing me in the way He provides and the people He sends to be an encouragement. Praying that this process will go quickly and smoothly.
On my way back to school from my nannie and papa's house there is this little airport I pass. It's tiny, but still you can see the runway and at night all the lights are lit up. There is something about it; this weird adrenaline rush I get when we drive by. It is the same chill down my spine I get when I hear an airplane fly over as I sit in class. It's the same emotions I feel as I spend hours reading blogs on orphan care and reading how I can be involved. It is hearing God whisper, "Go."
My major at school is communications. Partly because I like communications, mostly because I don't know (or didn't know...not sure how to word that) what I want to do once I graduate. But what I do know is God is working on this heart of mine. And orphan care is something He is turning my attention towards.
There is a huge part of me that wants to hop on a plane tonight and go feed the orphans in Africa, cuddle with the orphans in China, teach a preschool class for the orphans Mexico. But I know God has me right where he wants me "for such a time as this" and I must patiently wait on Him. And maybe He will never send me, maybe I am just supposed to stay right where I am and be a voice for the fatherless here; and I am ok with that. And I am ok with going.
I don't know what my God is doing in my heart, but I am listening, and I will follow.
Please pray for my family as we go through this adoption process and pray for my soon to be sibling as well that she can feel our love all the way on this side of the world. (Trust me we have enough for you, sweet girl to reach that far!) I will keep posting as the process continues.
On my way back to school from my nannie and papa's house there is this little airport I pass. It's tiny, but still you can see the runway and at night all the lights are lit up. There is something about it; this weird adrenaline rush I get when we drive by. It is the same chill down my spine I get when I hear an airplane fly over as I sit in class. It's the same emotions I feel as I spend hours reading blogs on orphan care and reading how I can be involved. It is hearing God whisper, "Go."
My major at school is communications. Partly because I like communications, mostly because I don't know (or didn't know...not sure how to word that) what I want to do once I graduate. But what I do know is God is working on this heart of mine. And orphan care is something He is turning my attention towards.
There is a huge part of me that wants to hop on a plane tonight and go feed the orphans in Africa, cuddle with the orphans in China, teach a preschool class for the orphans Mexico. But I know God has me right where he wants me "for such a time as this" and I must patiently wait on Him. And maybe He will never send me, maybe I am just supposed to stay right where I am and be a voice for the fatherless here; and I am ok with that. And I am ok with going.
I don't know what my God is doing in my heart, but I am listening, and I will follow.
Please pray for my family as we go through this adoption process and pray for my soon to be sibling as well that she can feel our love all the way on this side of the world. (Trust me we have enough for you, sweet girl to reach that far!) I will keep posting as the process continues.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Help our Family Adopt
Friday, October 7, 2011
Happy Dance
I periodically like to do the happy dance.
Just for exercise. You know.
But mostly when I am happy.
Like right now.
So I shall continue in my happy dance.
For many days to come.
Just for exercise. You know.
But mostly when I am happy.
Like right now.
So I shall continue in my happy dance.
For many days to come.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
I'm A Big Kid Now!
I have been a college girl for about a week and a half now. It still feels weird to say that. I don't feel any different or act any different or see things differently. But at the same time everything is different.
I am not a little kid anymore who needs my hand to be held (even though sometimes I desperately want it). I am having to learn how to manage my time in order to get all my reading and homework done. I am adjusting to not seeing my family everyday. I am missing my sweet youth group and church family. So a lot of things are different and a lot of stuff is changing.
I am the kind of person who likes consistency. Too much change too fast makes me nervous and uncomfortable. I am the kind of person who enjoys the people who answer on the first ring because they are always there for you. I enjoy knowing exact plans and exactly how something is going to take place.
But let's be real, that is not reality.
But there is one thing that never changes.
My God.
In an inconsistent world with roller coaster emotions and constant change, God is constant. He loves me the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is continually calling my name, wanting me to draw near to Him. He knows my plans for tomorrow, and He has known them all along!
Psalm 26:3- "For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness."
Even when change comes, inconsistency surprises me, emotions scare me, and plans turn out unexpectedly, I will walk in His faithfulness. I will turn to His love; His perfect lover that never changes.
I am not a little kid anymore who needs my hand to be held (even though sometimes I desperately want it). I am having to learn how to manage my time in order to get all my reading and homework done. I am adjusting to not seeing my family everyday. I am missing my sweet youth group and church family. So a lot of things are different and a lot of stuff is changing.
I am the kind of person who likes consistency. Too much change too fast makes me nervous and uncomfortable. I am the kind of person who enjoys the people who answer on the first ring because they are always there for you. I enjoy knowing exact plans and exactly how something is going to take place.
But let's be real, that is not reality.
But there is one thing that never changes.
My God.
In an inconsistent world with roller coaster emotions and constant change, God is constant. He loves me the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is continually calling my name, wanting me to draw near to Him. He knows my plans for tomorrow, and He has known them all along!
Psalm 26:3- "For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness."
Even when change comes, inconsistency surprises me, emotions scare me, and plans turn out unexpectedly, I will walk in His faithfulness. I will turn to His love; His perfect lover that never changes.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Someday I'll be livin' in a big ol' city
In just a little over a week I am moving out and heading to CCC. My room looks like a storm hit (not that it doesn't always look that way, but that is beside the point) as I am in full prep mode for college. The process for getting everything finalized for school has been a little stressful for me but my Savior is the ultimate provider!
As it gets closer and closer I get more excited about college, living in a dorm, meeting new people, and so much more. But as it gets closer and closer I also realize how much I am going to miss my family. Not having my mom, dad, Matt and Abby around all the time is going to be hard. All of them are some of my best friends and it will be weird to live without them. It is all part of growing up though.
It has been nearly 2 months since I left for China. Not a day goes by (actually, it's more like not 5 minutes goes by) without me thinking of that precious blue building on the other side of the world. I miss the laughter and the tears. I miss my team and the nannies. I miss everything about the country and the 140 beautiful children I had the opportunity to spend time with. My heart hurts so bad when I think of their faces and how each of them was uniquely created by my sweet Jesus and then I remember that they are still waiting for forever families. God is there though, and I have to rest in that.
It is coming into a new chapter in my life and God is teaching and showing me all sorts of new things. He is stretching my faith and gently reminding me He is still in China with the orphans and at the same time He is right here in Florida taking care of my school bills. He will be with me as I move out and He will also stay with my family and be watching over them.
My God is so big! So strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do!
As it gets closer and closer I get more excited about college, living in a dorm, meeting new people, and so much more. But as it gets closer and closer I also realize how much I am going to miss my family. Not having my mom, dad, Matt and Abby around all the time is going to be hard. All of them are some of my best friends and it will be weird to live without them. It is all part of growing up though.
It has been nearly 2 months since I left for China. Not a day goes by (actually, it's more like not 5 minutes goes by) without me thinking of that precious blue building on the other side of the world. I miss the laughter and the tears. I miss my team and the nannies. I miss everything about the country and the 140 beautiful children I had the opportunity to spend time with. My heart hurts so bad when I think of their faces and how each of them was uniquely created by my sweet Jesus and then I remember that they are still waiting for forever families. God is there though, and I have to rest in that.
It is coming into a new chapter in my life and God is teaching and showing me all sorts of new things. He is stretching my faith and gently reminding me He is still in China with the orphans and at the same time He is right here in Florida taking care of my school bills. He will be with me as I move out and He will also stay with my family and be watching over them.
My God is so big! So strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)