Thursday, June 21, 2012

We Need Prayers!!

So you all know that there has been so much happening in our lives lately.

The Lord has been working overtime on our family and on our hearts and on the path that He has laid out for us.

I have felt for a very long time that we were supposed to sell our house.


I just felt like that was how He was leading us.

We needed to be free from the burden that this house had become but it was our home and we loved our neighbors and we loved our neighborhood and and and 

So, after much prayer and discussion and letting go we made the decision to downsize.

Crazy right?

Right when we are "upsizing" our family...

We downsize our house...

but we both felt as though this was what the Lord wanted us to do, what He was asking us to do.

So, as of yesterday, our home officially went on the market 
 
and just in time...

and this is where we need prayers y'all
 
because...

Hubby lost his job today

with NO warning

as a matter of fact his boss had just signed his letter of employment for our adoption
 
and are you ready for this...
 
signed it JUST YESTERDAY!

However, we are trusting in His perfect plan and know that He has this all figured out and just because we can't yet see the big picture, we know that the Lord has our backs!

We know that this happened with His knowledge and that He sees it all and that He has this all mapped out and while it may get harder before it gets better...

WE WILL WAIT WITH JOY!
 
We have BTDT and the work that the Lord was able to do within our hearts the last time hubby was out of work was amazing and So worth all the struggle we had to go through, so...

We will rejoice in Him knowing that He is working for us, even when we are unable to to see it or feel it, He is working for us and ...

HE LOVES US

more than we could ever imagine.

So, I come to you not asking for sympathy but simply asking for prayers

Please pray that we will continue to be strong, that we will continue to trust and to let go and give it all to Him, allowing him to mold and shape us even more.
 
Pray that we will continue to wait on His perfect plan and His perfect timing and please pray 
 
 
that our precious Xiaomeng is a part of that perfect plan.

51 comments:

  1. We love you and your family Annie, even though we've never met you. You helped make our family and we know the BEST thing we can do for you is pray for yours. You have our faithful prayers. :-)

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  2. Praying, praying, praying!!!!!!!

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  3. Annie, I will absolutely keep you all in my prayers. There's a lot of things I'm sure I could say that would sound really nice and encouraging bc we've had tough financial times too, but what you really need you already have... Faith that God WILL provide... Bc He always does. He can be trusted. He is faithful. And He is the God who sees and He is looking to STRONGLY support those whose hearts are completely HIS.
    To God ALONE be the glory for what He's going to do in your lives.
    Xo,
    Rebecca

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  4. I believe that sometimes things happen to force us to rely on the Lord totally. He knows our every need. He brought you to this adoption, he'll see you through it! Praying for faith, strength and blessings to you at this time of "why". Peace!!

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  5. Wow! God is certainly up to something! Praying for you and your family during this time of transition!

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  6. Annie, my prayers are with you!!! Trust in the Lord he certainly know what he's doing!!! I know everything will work out, because the Lord will make sure of it!! God Bless, Love, Sindy

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  7. Annie,
    I am so praying for you and I can so understand how you feel. I dont know if you know that my hubby was budget cut and lost his job ON HIS 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY of working at his job and 5 years too soon to draw full retirement. This happened a year ago. What alot of folks do not know was that we had been offered a referral to a child and were moving forward when that happened. It practically killed me inside. We were not as far along as your family was in the process and we were not able to adopt the child, but we have to trust God's timing is perfect and even when we do not understand or like it. I will so be praying or your family. Praise God you got the emloyment letter so you can at least have that! :) Praying a much better job for you. It took a year but Bobby starts Monday on a new job with a very good future to it. Big hugs to you
    Tami
    childofmyheart@aol.com

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    1. Dear Tammy, thank you so much for sharing your heart and experience with me. I am so sorry you lost that precious child. I know how badly you have wanted to bring home another. I am thrilled though that your hubby has now got such a great job! I know the Lord has great things in store for you and your family as well!

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  8. Oh, Annie...I will pray for you ever so faithfully. I have come to firmly believe that this is one of Satan's main "fiery darts" that he throws at families in the process of adopting. he doesn't want these precious babies to come home and learn about Jesus and what more potent way to try to stop it. It happened to us right after we received our TA and I've watched it happen to so many other adoptive families that I believe it's no coincidence. Be strong and courageous dear Annie. And love, love, love your man, even when it's hard. God has you in His mighty hands and He knew that this would happen today, it is no surprise to Him. (It is NO coincidence that his boss signed the employment letter yesterday...that was of God! It is amazing to see His handiwork even amid the trials) I will pray, pray, pray for you and your family. I wanna say I love you even though we've never met....oh what the heck, here goes....I love you Annie. Most important, God loves you. and He loves your husband and all those precious kiddos...all 6 of them! I'll be faithfully praying. You will come out the other side of this...you know that.
    Cherie

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    1. Oh dear sweet Cherie!!!!! Thank you so so much! Your very very kind heartfelt comment means SO SO much!!!!! Love you too my precious friend!!!!!

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  9. La mode est une laideur si indolérable que nous devons changer tous les six mois.-- Oscar Wilde

    Camisetas de futbol

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  10. Lifting you up in our prayers....
    'Now therefore stand and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes'.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  11. Annie, I will keep you all in my prayers. You are already a living, breathing testimony of faith. God will use that and what He has planned for your family will be incredible.

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  12. So praying for you friend!!! BTDT too, I am praying that God will lead your husband to THE job he has for him.

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  13. Annie, I am praying my heart out for your family right now! I'm so sorry. God is working and moving on your behalf in and Xiaomeng's behalf as well.

    "I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you--the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121

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  14. We are praying for your provision, protection, and peace during this challenge! The Spurgeon devotional Morning and Evening on June 20th morning was all about how God issues challenges to draw us closer to Him. I know that doesn't make the hard parts go away, but I do find it helps me to put them in a better perspective. I hate that this loss has happened to your husband and to your family. I pray that you will feel God holding you and providing for you! I pray that Chris will be able to find something quickly! Please let us know if we can serve you in any way!! We pray that God will work out all of the details of the house sale and that you will visibly and mightily see Him at work! Blessings my friend, Jenni

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  15. I found you through a link from Ginger G on FB. I can say that I have BTDT with the job loss while adopting. On a Friday afternoon the whole office was called into a meeting and we were told that the office was closing immedately. My heart sank as we were 14 mos into our wait time for a referral. Thankfully the unemployment I was drawing was enough for us to still qualify. As difficult as it all was God had a plan. I had always wanted to be a sahm and this was the push we needed to make this happen. Megan has been home from China for five years and I have been able to fulfill by hearts desire of being a sahm.

    Okay that was longwinded just to say that you are not alone and someone understands where you are. I will be praying that you sell your home quickly, hubby finds a job and your little guy is home with his forever family soon!

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  16. Annie I remember when we were there in 2008. Remember that God is ALWAYS faithful and He will see you through this!! Praying that God blesses your finances they way HE helped us through. It was a scary road, but knowing we had love and support and God on our side we made it through and everything was more than OK. Praying that God gives you peace in the circumstances, blesses the move into a new home, and selling of your home, and that your husband's new job will meet all of your needs! Sending a hug & a prayer! - Gretchen

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  17. Thank you all so much! The outpouring of love and support has just left me in a puddle of tears this morning! I am so grateful for each one of you and for your prayers. I was trying to reply to each of you separately but was overcome! Please know that your comments and your prayers are helping tremendously and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!!!

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  18. We are praying and praying over here. Sending big hugs & lots of love to your family.

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  19. Glynis HinschbergerJune 22, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    Annie,
    We’ve never met, but I know through your posts on AdvocateforWC, MAAWC, and your precious Wonderful Waiting Kids site, that you are strong and true in your faith. You help & encourage so many, I know God will not let you down. Stay strong. Keeping you in my thoughts.
    Glynis

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  20. Oh, Annie!!! We will definitely be praying. We too have been blessed through times of unemployment...God is Faithful. Just proof that the devil doesn't want us to do God's work!! GOD WILL WIN!!!

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  21. Annie,
    We will certainly be praying for you and your family. I pray that God will pour out His blessings and that many doors will open wide and be filled with abundance overflowing with grace and mercy and give you and your family peace of heart that all will work out according to His plan and will for your lives. Thank you, Annie, for your unselfish willingness to be an advocate and a voice for the orphan. May the Lord touch your life in an amazing way through these unforeseen turn of events and your ears be open to His voice and direction. Love and hugs, Lisa Ketelsen

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  22. Annie, we join you in prayer! God will bless your family and guide you to your sweet girl waiting for you in China. He has a plan that is far better than any we could imagine.

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  23. I will be praying for your family. I know it is so hard to have job losses and be waiting on a child to come home. In 2008 we brought Elijah home from China and my husband was laid off, then he found another job and we were waiting for Sneha to come home from India and he was laid off, then God gave him a job within a week and we were able to bring Sneha home in 2009. Then in 2011 we started with our adoption of Joy from Ghana and in June of 2011 Brent was laid off again. Since 2008 we have had 2 moves and 3 jobs, but Joy is home from Ghana. God loves adoption and will bring your treasure home. Praying for all of you!
    Best,
    Holly Arnold
    www.arnoldfamilynews.blogspot.com

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  24. Praying for a quick sale of your house. Praying for a new job for your husband and a peace that only God can provide.

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  25. Annie, 15 years ago my company went bankrupt, three-quarters of my department was laid off in one day and while I was one of the few remaining, we knew our days were numbered. I thought it was the worst thing in the world that could happen. Instead I found a BETTER job with a nice pay raise, reasonable hours and a wonderful boss, and I was finally able to realize a dream that I thought would never happen -- becoming a mom through adoption. I hate to think what joy I might have missed had I stayed at that incredibly stressful, life-consuming job. Better things are just around the corner for you, I am sure!

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  26. Thank you all so so much!!!!! I honestly soothes my heart to know that so many wonderful families are praying for us!

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  27. Praying for you Annie! Praying for your family, for your hubby and for your sweet daughter in China!

    HUGS,
    Jean

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  28. You are in my thoughts and prayers Annie. It will be so fascinating to see how God uses this to touch others and HE will. You are a woman of faith and an inspiration to others.

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  29. I completely understand. We no sooner got our dossier in China and I lost my job. I frantically looked for a job. Five months and 3 weeks later with only 1 week of unemployment to spare, I got a better job in another city. They paid for my relocation, closing costs, signing bonus, etc. Got settled into a new house, a new job, new home study, fingerprints expired. Then I broke my foot, husband was panicky on how he was going to carry me and the baby around China as we thought our referral would be any day. Long story short, God had it all under control. Got the cast off, had 2 months to spare before the trip to China. This is going to really grow your faith. But continue to trust God - his timing is perfect. Praying for you!

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  30. Heavenly Father, You say that you have a pan to prosper Annie and Chris and to NOT harm them. That you know the very number of hairs on their head and have every tear bottled up. Father, I am agreeing in prayer for Annie and Chris that there is a MUCH better job awaiting Him and that He has COMPLETE favor. I am also praying that friends and family come along side of this couple and help to bring their sweet child home. What the enemy may mean to kill, steal and crate panic, you use for your complete joy. Thank you Father for protecting this family as they navigate through. I pray for Godly angels to be all around this family working on their behalf. I pray that discouragement does NOT enter in and that a peace that surpasses all understanding ushers in. I pray that everything good thing comes to pass for Annie and Chris. Thank you Jesus. In your precious name Amen
    Tammy
    www.beavocie.me

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    1. Precious Tammy, my sweet friend, thank you so much! I am forwarding this on to Chris!!

      Annie

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  31. Praying for you and your family, Annie.

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  32. So inspired by your faith and strength in Him! I will be praying for you and your entire family. Thank you, thank you for all you do for His children. God is in control, He is forever faithful, and I can't wait to see His goodness in all this revealed. Standing with you and sending you hugs!!

    P.S. I think we're at about the same point in our journey to our daughter waiting in Guangdong.

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  33. Annie, I read this last week and am just now getting to comment. You have been on my mind and in my prayers all week. God is certainly working through you all and I know you will stand strong in the path that God has placed you. This will work out. God hasn't taken you down this road for nothing! HAng in there!

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  34. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

    Annie,

    It will be a wonderful thing to watch unfold as to how God is going to get the glory out of all of this. I know your trust is in the Lord! He will use your testimony! Of course, I will be praying for you!

    Hugs from Joy and me both!

    Tammy

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    1. Dear, sweet Tammy!! Thank you and thank you to your beautiful Joy!!!

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  35. Praying for you! Truly believe God has a plan. Our unemployment 3 years ago led us to amazing Godly opportunities...mission work, Bible studies and adoption of our sweet Molly! We are also downsizing in the spring as our family grows. :)

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  36. Oh My
    I have seen you remain so faithful, and while this has to take your breath away, you remain poised, positive, and praising Him IN ALL!!!
    Thank you for your testimony, and for sharing-I will try to remember to pray for your family in the coming weeks-you are a blessing to so many, I know He has something BIG in store for you:)
    Lots of love

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  37. Oh Annie,

    Please know I am lifting all of you in prayer to our great and amazing God!

    Blessings and (((hugs)))!

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  38. Hebrews 10:23 ESV

    Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

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