A New Level of Trust

There seems to be a pattern in the passages of scripture that impact me lately. They seem to always focus on trust. The most recent I have been pondering for over a week. I was discussing some things with a person from my home group, she mentioned this passage and it's impact on her, and lately I've read and re-read it. So, here's my stab at it:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego...do you ever wonder why we refer to Daniel as his given Israelite name and not the name Nebuchadnezzar gave him, but we refer to these men as the names given by the king? Okay, that's a side note...anyways. So these men refused to bow to the king's idol. I don't know why Daniel wasn't accused as well, as we read later he refused to follow a similar order later on, but he isn't. Only these three men, Daniel's friends, are accused here. And what was their response?

Daniel 3:17-18--"If our God whom we are serving exists, he IS ABLE to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he WILL rescue us, O king, from your power as well. BUT IF NOT, let it be known to you, O king, that we don’t serve your gods, and we will not pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected." (NIV)

Once it was discovered they refused to bow, the king's men arrested them and began stoking the fire SEVEN times hotter than usual. So hot that the guards putting them in the fire were killed from the heat. Yet, look at their expression of faith! Our God can...and He will...but even if He doesn't save us. What a level of trust. faith. testimony. Even if He doesn't...

Can I say that? Even if my dreams don't come true...even if the end result isn't what I planned or believe I've been promised. I believe He can do it...and I believe He will...but even if He doesn't, I will trust Him, believe in Him and serve Him.

Family New Addition

Proud New Mommy & Daddy

Brooklyn Dawn

Our new niece has arrived! She was born last night at about 8pm. I guess she decided she wanted to participate in Thanksgiving...or at least allow her parents too (she was due on Thanksgiving)! She is 7lbs 10oz. Photos finally arrived!

Look at all that hair??!!! So cute!

Amazing!

WOW are these powerful. The first is an interview with Mark Schultz on a song he wrote about adoption, the second is the video and song. Be sure to have your tissues ready...they are AWESOME!

Thanks, Debbie for calling attention to them in honor of National Adoption Month.

On the Other Side

Whew! Qualifying exams are over...well, the major portion is over. I still have oral exams once I have passed written exams, but I'm not concerned about them like I was the written exams. I wrote about 25 pages of answers over the past 2 days, answering about 10 questions, plus about 9 additional questions on a research scenario. I'm so glad they are over. I'm spending the next couple of days taking a break, but then I'm beginning dissertation research and writing beginning on Wednesday. One final step and I will be done.

Referrals began arriving on Friday, but the majority will likely arrive on Monday. It is believed the cutoff is December 8. That means only 11 days before they get to us! It's possible that we could be in the December batch, but we are expecting to be in the January batch. Just TWO months before we see Megan's face!! WOOHOO!!!