It wasn't until I started adding Justine's posts that I realized how important it was to Justine to be God's instrument for touching as many lives as possible. And after reading about how important the comments on this blog are to Justine, I realized a few things I'd like to share. So often we are moved, blessed, changed, challenged, or whatever by the faith of another. And more often than not, we never take the time to really tell that person who influenced us all that we may want to or should.
This morning I was reminded of a time in Scripture: Joshua 4. After the Jordan was parted so that the Israelites could pass through with the ark of the covenant, God Himself, instructed Joshua to set up a memorial. Twelve stones were placed as a reminder so that "when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel forever."
This has been a tremendous walk of faith for Justine and her family. But just like the children of Israel, the sea did not part until they exercised their faith by taking that first step. In the days and months and years ahead, they will face more and more situations requiring faith. And you can bet that the enemy will at some point try to rob some of their joy--because that's what he does! It will do their hearts good in days of doubt and discouragement, to be able to look back and remember all that the Lord has done by and through the adoption of two little girls from Ethiopia.
I would like to ask each and every one of you to post a short testimony--even a couple of sentences--of how this process has touched you--a memorial of sorts. You may not be eloquent writers, but I am sure you all have something to share. Justine's blog has had over 23,000 hits! That tells me that this seemingly impossible dream is not just about one family's desire to have a daughter. Please continue to post comments to her individual posts as before, but consider adding a memorial stone to this one for her as well!
Be blessed!
Denise
This morning I was reminded of a time in Scripture: Joshua 4. After the Jordan was parted so that the Israelites could pass through with the ark of the covenant, God Himself, instructed Joshua to set up a memorial. Twelve stones were placed as a reminder so that "when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel forever."
This has been a tremendous walk of faith for Justine and her family. But just like the children of Israel, the sea did not part until they exercised their faith by taking that first step. In the days and months and years ahead, they will face more and more situations requiring faith. And you can bet that the enemy will at some point try to rob some of their joy--because that's what he does! It will do their hearts good in days of doubt and discouragement, to be able to look back and remember all that the Lord has done by and through the adoption of two little girls from Ethiopia.
I would like to ask each and every one of you to post a short testimony--even a couple of sentences--of how this process has touched you--a memorial of sorts. You may not be eloquent writers, but I am sure you all have something to share. Justine's blog has had over 23,000 hits! That tells me that this seemingly impossible dream is not just about one family's desire to have a daughter. Please continue to post comments to her individual posts as before, but consider adding a memorial stone to this one for her as well!
Be blessed!
Denise
4 comments:
This truly had become a bigger work of the Lord than I ever imagined. I have never in my life met anyone who could coordinate an effort quite like you, my friend.
I recently read a line in a book that will probably stay with me forever. It said that some years are for asking questions, and some years are for answering questions. So many questions have been answered this year as you have seen how the Lord has played out each and every moment of your life for such a time as this!
Every move, every friendship, every birth of a boy brought with it questions. And now, you have so many answers!
We've been through many things together, and I am so blessed to see how you have grown in your faith and how much deeper your walk with God has gone.
Thank you for being willing to share your impossible dream with me!
You know I love you like a sister!
Denise
I have been following Justine's blog since about the beginning of spring when I came upon it as a new blogger to homeschoolblogger, Upon reading her blog and realized the family she had and what she was about to do, I was very uncertain, I do believe would be a good word (sorry not great with words)...but, through the time I have read and read how she wrote I could see what a wonderful person Justine is.
She is so free, loving, kind, giving...I could see her as a Missionary she has that way and special heart about her as well as her family.
She has touched my life in a way that my family and I haven't been able to go to church in about 4 or so years and this year we were able to return.
Thank you Justine for touching my life and my family's life. I share what your write with my family, how another culture is different from ours and how we are spoiled.
I thank you again for touching our lives the way the Lord has led you to touch our lives, please don't ever stop blogging even when you return home, I long to hear more and learn more and learn from your family and spirit.
Thank you and again I say thank you,
Hugs,
Sheila
Hi Justin, as computer savvy as you are making me, it took me awhile to figure out how to leave a comment. So I hope that this reaches you. I haven't been able to ready every day but I am trying to catch up on your news so that I am not too far behind.
You are having too much fun and I want to go with you next time with my family. In saying that, thank you for being so detailed, I am able to walk the walk with you. And like I always say and your doing it 'being Jesus with skin on' *grin*. I am so proud of you guys.
Cassidy is having fun, we have kept him pretty busy last week with soccer and then hanging out with the boys. I told the boys that enough with the vacation it was time to do some work LOL! They shared the mowing of the grass and today we cleaned the house (Sunday).
We have spent most of last week going through boxes of storage for our garage sale we had on Saturday. Jacob and Cassidy were very excited to discover that we had a real gumball machine. We went to the grocery store and bought some bulk gum balls, calculated the cost of purchasing and prayed for profit the next day.
The garage sale was busy and the day was warm but not a lot of people purchasing gum balls, as you can imagine. The boys made about $2.00 profit each. Not exactly what they were hoping for but happy to have some money in hand.
We saw Austin at Church today and Cassidy asked him if he would like to join us, he refused! Austin said he had fun at camp.
Cassidy is calling Cooper and Briton every other day. I will get in touch with Erin on Monday. Everything is going great on our end, no need to worry about us.
We are covering you in our prayers. Love Tammy & family
Grandad & Shelagh here......We read your blog every day.....this is about so much more than picking up your daughters.......You are bringing much joy through your gifts & visits to the beautiful Ethiopan people. Please give hugs/kisses to Mesay & Gadise from us.......really looking forward to seeing pics! By the time you get back - maybe I'll have a walking cast on!!!! I can see you guys deciding on becoming Missionaries in the future.......??? Hi to Colt/Dane.....Stay safe. Love, Grandad & Shelagh XX
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