I was reading quite a bit today about adoption and I thought I'd share some of it with you (see below). Call me crazy, but when I am reading and I see a verse (or in this case -many verses), I know God is speaking to me. I can remember when I began 'seeking'. I read so many books on adversity (thanks mom) and I would stumble upon a verse pertaining to my circumstance. The next day, someone on the radio would quote that verse, or I would read it somewhere else. It freaked me out at first, but all these years later, I know where it comes from.
Ten years ago when someone would say "...God told me...", or "...God whispered in my ear...", etc., it would aggravate the heck out of me! I remember thinking that person was a 'fruit loop', or that they just wanted attention. For some, this may be the case, but I needed to know more. I needed to find out just how true it could be that the Creator would 'whisper' or 'speak' to the least of me. Needless to say, I began paying attention...I waited and waited to hear God's voice. Don't laugh! I really DID think it was a literal VOICE of God that I would hear! I really thought He'd say (in a big, BOOMING voice)..."SHANNON! I WANT YOU TO...."...
Ok, so now I know better (and all you mature Christians can stop laughing now). I have come to realize that if a direction, maybe an idea, or a verse pops in my mind-followed by confirmation of some kind-and is in step with God's word, it is indeed from Him. If you don't believe me, try it yourself. It's exciting to know that God, El-Shaddai, will 'speak' to you!
Here's what spoke to my heart today:
Matthew 25:40 - And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' [NKJV]
Jesus says this in the midst of a teaching that begins in verse 31 and continues through verse 46.
Simply put, it means that the way one treats other people is seen by Christ as the way they treat Him.
An extremely significant aspect of the overall teaching is that one's treatment of others weighs heavily on the criteria by which they'll be judged. All the "religion" in the world won't amount to a hill of beans unless its practice results in service to others.
Mark 10:45 - "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
James 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Could He be speaking to you?
Jace
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Classroom Visit
Hello!
I am excited to go and visit Brynn's classroom tomorrow where she will introduce me to the deaf children she teaches. I have been looking forward to watching and learning everything I can so I know what to expect for Jace. Also, I found out that my family and I can take sign classes at a pre-school in York for free every Monday evening starting in April. So much to look forward to this Spring!
It's funny, I know so many signs, but putting them all together is work for me! I don't sign very fast at all. It's like I have to stop and think before I do it. I remind myself that I will at least be faster than Jace is---well, for how long, I am not sure. We all know how quickly the little ones pick it up! He will be teaching me someday!
Hopefully, we will know 'something' by late April--maybe get our formal LOA...I wish we could get updates on him, but that's not the way it works, unfortunately.
The 100 wishes quilt is coming along nicely! I'll send a pic when it is completed!
xo,
Shannon
I am excited to go and visit Brynn's classroom tomorrow where she will introduce me to the deaf children she teaches. I have been looking forward to watching and learning everything I can so I know what to expect for Jace. Also, I found out that my family and I can take sign classes at a pre-school in York for free every Monday evening starting in April. So much to look forward to this Spring!
It's funny, I know so many signs, but putting them all together is work for me! I don't sign very fast at all. It's like I have to stop and think before I do it. I remind myself that I will at least be faster than Jace is---well, for how long, I am not sure. We all know how quickly the little ones pick it up! He will be teaching me someday!
Hopefully, we will know 'something' by late April--maybe get our formal LOA...I wish we could get updates on him, but that's not the way it works, unfortunately.
The 100 wishes quilt is coming along nicely! I'll send a pic when it is completed!
xo,
Shannon
Saturday, March 13, 2010
My Babies
Hi everyone!
Still quiet with the adoption process. I am still in the waiting stages. However, I have been busy making Jace's 100 wishes quilt, thanks to everyone who gave their blessings with the fabric and buttons. You guys did a great job in picking out some really cute prints--the buttons are equally cute! I love that nothing matches and it is all 'random'...I think he will LOVE it because it is SO visually stimulating. In fact, Nick really wants me to make HIM one. They will be so cute on bunk beds in the boys' room.
Nick came down with a virus last week-- Ava's turn was this week. I hate when the littles' are sick. I'd give anything to take it from them! When their little bodies are burning up and their eyes are dark and sunken, it makes a momma feel helpless. We've been through two bottles of Tylenol in two weeks. Thankfully, both are feeling themselves again and bouncing off the walls. All Ava wanted to do was to go to church on Sunday. When her little warm body lay next to me in bed two nights ago, she said "Mommy? Do you think Jesus will heal me? I really want to go to church". Do you know what that does to a mothers heartstrings? She GETS it. At 6 years old, she knows. She asked me to pray nightly that she would get better. Never once did she get discouraged even though fever crept over her night after night. This child is a prayer warrior. She takes after big sister, Alex. Alex is always asking me to pray about this and that. Mostly for other school mates--Thank you God, for these treasures...
Then there is Nicholas. Oh, he knows God alright. He can't WAIT to tell me that God is in charge and not ME! lol...He uses that little nugget of truth a lot to try and spin things in the Pierro house. He definitely keep us laughing, even though it is exhausting to try and stay two steps ahead of his logic.
I wonder what Jace's personality will bring to this family. Alex is the heart of our family--a defender in heart--sensitive to others needs. Ava is the free spirit-embracing every moment yet compassionate in her soul. Nick is a warrior-reserved by nature with his guard up--taking it all in--always watching--protective. A warrior for Christ is my wish for him. But what about Jace? His institution given name (Chen Chen) means strength. It was given to him 'with the hope that his personality will be that of the first morning sunshine-strong and shining'. It is my prayer that he will shine for Christ. I pray that he will be surrounded by the love of Christ-saturated in His truth.
As Ava and Nick were begging me to hold them these past weeks--to lay with them-- I wondered about Jace and the times he's been sick. Do his care givers show him the attention he desires? Do their faces soften with compassion as they hold him when he cries out? Does he know the difference in their touch? And what about those late night fevers that unmercifully overcome a small, weak body? Oh, how strong he MUST be! He MUST be a fighter to survive life in an institution. Sadly,this is the only life he has known. It is my passion to change that little life. To somehow erase all of the hurt, the anger...the abandonment. Is it even possible? That I doubt. But I CAN show him a mother's heart. A happy home. A safe place to love and worship his Creator. It is a BIG job. But God has called me to begin this undertaking....As long as He is in front of me---the rest will just--be...
If you are actively praying for us, I cannot thank you enough. I see a change that only God can explain in this family. We feel every prayer. And we NEED you! We NEED you to pray for God's leading--His will--His grace...
...And We Give Thanks For Every One of You---
xo,
Shannon
Still quiet with the adoption process. I am still in the waiting stages. However, I have been busy making Jace's 100 wishes quilt, thanks to everyone who gave their blessings with the fabric and buttons. You guys did a great job in picking out some really cute prints--the buttons are equally cute! I love that nothing matches and it is all 'random'...I think he will LOVE it because it is SO visually stimulating. In fact, Nick really wants me to make HIM one. They will be so cute on bunk beds in the boys' room.
Nick came down with a virus last week-- Ava's turn was this week. I hate when the littles' are sick. I'd give anything to take it from them! When their little bodies are burning up and their eyes are dark and sunken, it makes a momma feel helpless. We've been through two bottles of Tylenol in two weeks. Thankfully, both are feeling themselves again and bouncing off the walls. All Ava wanted to do was to go to church on Sunday. When her little warm body lay next to me in bed two nights ago, she said "Mommy? Do you think Jesus will heal me? I really want to go to church". Do you know what that does to a mothers heartstrings? She GETS it. At 6 years old, she knows. She asked me to pray nightly that she would get better. Never once did she get discouraged even though fever crept over her night after night. This child is a prayer warrior. She takes after big sister, Alex. Alex is always asking me to pray about this and that. Mostly for other school mates--Thank you God, for these treasures...
Then there is Nicholas. Oh, he knows God alright. He can't WAIT to tell me that God is in charge and not ME! lol...He uses that little nugget of truth a lot to try and spin things in the Pierro house. He definitely keep us laughing, even though it is exhausting to try and stay two steps ahead of his logic.
I wonder what Jace's personality will bring to this family. Alex is the heart of our family--a defender in heart--sensitive to others needs. Ava is the free spirit-embracing every moment yet compassionate in her soul. Nick is a warrior-reserved by nature with his guard up--taking it all in--always watching--protective. A warrior for Christ is my wish for him. But what about Jace? His institution given name (Chen Chen) means strength. It was given to him 'with the hope that his personality will be that of the first morning sunshine-strong and shining'. It is my prayer that he will shine for Christ. I pray that he will be surrounded by the love of Christ-saturated in His truth.
As Ava and Nick were begging me to hold them these past weeks--to lay with them-- I wondered about Jace and the times he's been sick. Do his care givers show him the attention he desires? Do their faces soften with compassion as they hold him when he cries out? Does he know the difference in their touch? And what about those late night fevers that unmercifully overcome a small, weak body? Oh, how strong he MUST be! He MUST be a fighter to survive life in an institution. Sadly,this is the only life he has known. It is my passion to change that little life. To somehow erase all of the hurt, the anger...the abandonment. Is it even possible? That I doubt. But I CAN show him a mother's heart. A happy home. A safe place to love and worship his Creator. It is a BIG job. But God has called me to begin this undertaking....As long as He is in front of me---the rest will just--be...
If you are actively praying for us, I cannot thank you enough. I see a change that only God can explain in this family. We feel every prayer. And we NEED you! We NEED you to pray for God's leading--His will--His grace...
...And We Give Thanks For Every One of You---
xo,
Shannon
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Open House Today 1-3pm
So happy to report that 9 couples came through our home today for the open house from 1-3! We have been praying like crazy, and asked for extra prayer in church and on our adoption forum.. God hears us! Even if we don't have a contract, the amount of prospective buyers coming through sure feels good! I'll be crazy anxious wondering all week if anyone was REALLY interested...
No news on the adoption end of things but I find myself dreaming about Jace every night now. Sometimes it feels so real and I wake up so excited to get him! Can't Wait!
xoxo,
Shannon
No news on the adoption end of things but I find myself dreaming about Jace every night now. Sometimes it feels so real and I wake up so excited to get him! Can't Wait!
xoxo,
Shannon
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
It's That Time Again...
...no, no...nothing new with the adoption paper chase as of yet...BUT it does relate a LITTLE...
In May, I will again attempt to sell things at the New Freedom Flea Market to help cover some adoption costs. If you have any unwanted/unused items in good condition that you'd like to donate, please let me know. Ron and I will come and pick them up. Last time the household items were the big hit. I still have books left that I am listing/selling on Half.com...We appreciate your help so much!
I am guessing that I will hear from China within a month, give or take...can't wait to post more about that!
Also, I attached a photo of the 100 Wishes Quilt that I am making for Jace. This is a Chinese tradition for a new baby...everyone gives a piece of fabric sending blessings, and good wishes his way...Thanks to everyone who has wanted to take part in it!! I have a few more pieces to attach. Don't laugh at my sewing...lol!!!
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