In His Time - Psalm 27:14

Timing is everything. My current fav on Hulu is MasterChef. I can't really stand any of the judges. However, I enjoy rooting for the amateur chefs as they compete for the title. It's just fun. This past week, two contestants faced off making three different types of souffles, which had to come out of the oven at the exact same moment. Yikes!

Sometimes, the kitchen gets hot and the pressure is on. Even then, probably more critically than ever, timing is everything.

I shared a while back that I had put my book-buying-self on hiatus until we complete our adoption. This led to my use of a hymnal for quiet time prompts. What a fruitful source! There have been lots of pages scribbled in and one scripture referencing another, referencing another and so on, until I end up with my nose stuck in a commentary!

Today, the hymn that I read was In His Time (words and music by Diane Ball).

In His time, in His time;

He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Lord, please show me everyday as You're teaching me Your way,

That You do just what You say

in Your time.

 

In Your time, in Your time;

You make all things beautiful in Your time.

Lord, my life to You I bring; May each song I have to sing

Be to You a lovely thing

in Your time.

The scripture reference was Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful."

He has, indeed. And, He is doing so now.

I have felt for a while that I've had three "souffles" in the oven. But, everything seems to be coming together. Not all at one time. Not the way Gordan Ramsey would like it. But, I like it.

Today was a big day.

Today marked the end of the first week of school. Having three guys in school means a lot of careful calendar watching. It can be easy to miss dates, switch dates, and make-up your own dates when you have three children and a total of six teachers in the mix. We love the school our boys attend. There is not a complaint that I can muster. Our family is my #1 Souffle. The time that we spend together is my delight! The week before school started we had a wonderful week. We went to the Houston Zoo, Houston Children's Museum, the Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, toured Minute Maid Park, SpaceCenter Houston and SeaWolf Park. Of course, we also partook of glorious shakes at 59 Diner, where the shakes are (according to the menu) "Rich Enough to be Your Landlord!" Delicious!

But, as of today, we have one week of school and its routine behind us!

 

Today we sent the very last documents needed for our dossier. The adoption is my 2nd Souffle. We've have been on this step for ages! I know, I know...it has taken us a long, long time. It's not that we didn't have the paperwork done, funds for this step or the confidence that we were doing the right thing. We were waiting for the 3rd Souffle. But, we're done with our paperwork (other than periodic updates, depending on how long our wait time will be.)

Today was Larry's last official day with West Conroe Baptist Church. Larry's duties rounded out in mid-July, with a very sweet and endearing "Thanks, Larry" reception in the Garden Room at the church. The church was even gracious enough to allow Larry the last 6 weeks to prepare for his new position. We have received so many cards of encouragement and count the church family as dear friends. However, Larry has changed ministry paths to work with International Commission.

International Commission is the group where my father is the area VP of Africa. This is certainly the dessert course souffle! I love my daddy! I love my hubby! It is exceedingly, abundantly more than I could ever ask or imagine for them to love each other enough to work together! Blessing upon blessing...they will be working shoulder to shoulder to see people around the world come to Christ.

I could just cry like the guy at the end of Facing the Giants, "I'm overwhelmed!"

At this point, the kitchen of my life smells like three beautiful souffles! That's not to say that lots of little side dishes haven't burned, spoiled or bubbled over recently. And, there is still a lot of time to wait in our adoption. There is still a lot of administrative stuff to complete before Larry's boots are on the ground with International Commission. There are still many things going on with our four boys. There is much to do and much waiting still to be done.

But, He does make all things beautiful in His time! His timing is everything.

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

My Sister Makes Me Cry

Let me start by declaring that I have a precious sister.

This evening, I have been going through a bunch of adoption paperwork. At a moment of frustration, I stumbled across this letter of recommendation. Penned by my very dearest friend, it is one of my most valuable possessions.

To Whom It May Concern:

 

Lawrence and Laurie Daigle, who we call Larry and Colleen, are my brother-in-law and sister. Colleen is my big sister and best friend. I was eleven years old when she and Larry married, and it has been a joy and a privilege to watch, over the past thirteen years, their sweet example of a Christ-centered marriage, godly parenting, and a family founded on faith.

 

Colleen is Larry's biggest fan. No one loves him more, encourages him more, or fights for him more than she does. The reverse is just as true. They model for their boys and for others what it means to support each other through prayer, forgiveness, and laughter. Larry and Colleen love each other more today than they did when I saw them dating; more than they did when I watched them get married. Their commitment to each other and to their family is stronger even today than it was when their oldest son, Joseph, was born. I am confident that in years to come, that love and commitment will only grow deeper and stronger.

 

Joseph, Gideon, Jeremiah, and Caleb Daigle rarely meet a stranger. Larry and Colleen have taught them well how to welcome and befriend the friendless. They make room at their table for little boys from school who don't get enought to eat at home. They have taken under their wing teenagers who needed encouragement and the love of a family. The Daigles have, perhaps unwittingly, been practicing for years for this journey of adoption. Their homes and their hearts are so ready to embrace their new son and brother.

 

Sincerely,

 

Hannah....

Jeezalou! And, yes, I cried! What an honor!

Thank you, Hannah!