[lifessence]

Prayer Times- 9-9:30 AM and 9:30-10 PM (Eastern Time)

"We shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed." 1 Cor. 15:51

[lifessence]

I hope the picture brought a smile to your face and caused you to stop and think for a minute what does that really mean.

The book of 1 Corothians is written by Paul - in hopes to show us one very important thing: Our motives and behavior are extremely important to God. The message of doing everything out of love is very clear as you read through 1 Cor. 13.

The simplicity of the baby needing to be changed is a great way to look at how God wants to change our hearts - constantly because we soil it often by our thoughts, our actions and the things we say.

1 Cor. 15:51 is really talking about being changed by death. To those that know Jesus Christ will never die - they will just be changed. We are changed the moment we take Him into our hearts and ask for Him to be the center of our lives. Many only ask or desire to be saved - it saddens me to see how many don't want Him to be their Lord.

This is my story of how I went from being saved to a deep desire for Jesus to be my Lord and King!

Some of you know I am Jewish and found Jesus almost 2 years ago. So much has happened in the past two years it is often hard to believe I lived without Him for so long. It is NOT hard to see why I had made so many mistakes and suffered the pain of this world and felt so empty no matter how much I tried to fill it up with success of the world. (I still make mistakes now - the difference is I now have a way to be forgiven and washed clean of them forever and I see them truly as growing opportunities...)

I'm a fairly private person - sharing this with you is in my obedience to God. He has put this on my heart - trust me it was NOT what I sat down to write about or found that I planned to share wit all of you today. God Thank You for giving me the courage to listen and follow You today!

I am preparing a girls bible study for 12 - 18 year olds and reading the books I bought for them to enjoy. I knew going into leading this bible study and doing the prayer chain that it was "I" who would do just as much changing if not more than each of them or you.

Because I have been praying to God to give me the passion to be what I have heard about since knowing His name - a true Princess of the King. I have been praying for the passion to be what we are called to be - set apart from the world. Live in but not of it! Love all people - hate the sin. Be a wife above all others - a mother who rejoices in her children and raises them by God's standards not my own. To have a passion for the word like my DH and others around me that I have met.

My prayers are being answered in His way - not the way I would have thought. I didn't ask to be the prayer chain leader - He told me to say yes. So here I am three weeks into doing this and I am already forever changed, humbled and seeing how much growth is needed for me to be who I truly want to be for God - not me. I want to be changed in all of my ways - from the core so that no matter what my outside shows - you will only see God in me. I want my children and husband to know I live for the Lord - not just hear me say I give my life to him.

I want to be a jewel in our Kings crown. I want to shine so bright that there is no denying I'm a proud daughter of the greatest King to live.

Being changed is painful sometimes - it means we have to step out of our comfort zones and do things we never thought we could or would. It means doing them with a smile and not complaining the whole time. It means learning new things. It means taking a whole new look at who you really are and giving yourself over to God every day or moment when needed to get through the changing taking place. It means living out Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

That very verse was the first one given to me and the one I meditated on for almost six months - because as a Jewish woman none of what I was reading, believing or hearing made sense to me. I was so confused and being turned inside out. I was still trying to understand it all in my own strength all of that time - until one day it all hit me at once...stop! You are still doing it - give it to me and I will help you understand, hear, see and feel all the things your heart is crying for. This all came crashing on me when I read two books - The Key: How to Let Go and Let God and Why Should I be the First to Change? both by Nancy Missler.

First, I apologized to my husband and then asked if I could order these books for all of my friends? I then invited everyone over that asked for the book and read it - to discuss the book and what they learned. I asked them to allow me to humble myself before them and wash their feet like Jesus had done for his disciples. After that event my life was once again forever changed! There have been so many defining moment in my walk with Jesus - that I feel blessed beyond anything I deserve. None of us truly deserve the blessings we receive - we deserve the pain He endured for our lives. He paid the ulitimate price and we get to reap the benefit of that forever!

Another huge leap of faith is being a first year home schooling Mom all while being a new mother of five children (went from 2 - 5) this year - being changed seems to happen very quickly these days. I'm fumbling through as we figure out home schooling and how to make sure everything doesn't suffer as we care for our new children. This year may not be the strongest academically in the worlds eyes, but it certainly is the strongest in growing as a family, learning how to serve one another and to become set apart together for Him! There is no amount of academics that is better to learn then what seems to be taught in our home right now - God's grace on each of our lives and how to forgive and love above all else. No school can touch what I see happening in our home every day.

I like to call it being refined or molded into His image. Sometimes the fire of refinement hurts. Sometimes the molding of my heart for His ways doesn't always look or feel as I would want it...but I trust in Him because I know I lived my life on my own and saw where I was before He chose me to become close to Him. I never want to rely on myself ever again. I never want to live my way - without first praying to Him and knowing it is ok to move forward.

I share my heart and this story with each of you - because you too can feel safe knowing that if you walk one step towards grace - God will walk every step for you after that. I never really knew what it meant to die of self and let Him live in me literally until this past year. We have all heard, through Christ all things are possible...and I am living proof that is so very true. Anything He leads you to - He will get you through. Even if that path is literal death as we know it on this earth - because He is just walking you to His side forever in bliss with Him. There is nothing put before us that He can't get us through. He will use all people and situations to change you, mold you and to grow you for the good He has prepared before you that we are about to see, hear or do! I personally stand in awe of that very notion everyday.

Matthew 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

After all the wrong I had done and the things I am still learning are sin in His eyes today - I am so thankful and grateful that I have found my way to sit at the feet of Jesus and cry out to Him for all of my needs and He so graciously fills every single one - in His perfect timing. I am so grateful to be washed clean, set apart and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ for all that are ready to hear, see and feel the love of the greatest Father!

I want to share one more book that will encourage you - A Jewel in His Crown by Priscilla Shirer

My prayer today as I sit humbled before each of you:
Father, Thank You again for giving me the courage to share my heart. Thank You for knowing there is someone out there today needing to read each word on this page. Thank You for knowing my heart and that You are refining me still every day to be more like You. I am in awe of who You are as I truly for the first time get to know You! Thank You for healing my heart and washing away the pain of yesterday, my childhood and all the hurts done to me. Thank You for showing me the way to be the wife, mother, friend, and daughter You call me to be. Thank You for changing me ever so perfectly day after day - showing me just what I need to see, hear or do today to be more like you. I want to live for You and once again today I give myself to You completely. I ask You to guide my steps and light my path. I ask that You provide the wisdome for all situations and places I have go today. I am humbled before You Lord. I am proud to be a daughter of the King and will serve You graciously. Thank You for being all that I will ever need. I pray to you in Jesus' precious name. Amen!

[lifessence]

Praises: January 15, 2007

Welcome Home Forever!!!
LCaroll
nykrissy
blueprints
Saya
LISAKAYE

PINK!!!!
SisterBear
AdoptingAbaby
ElizabethMG
JusthavFaith
Guatmom2006
Jennshelley
Sally Greeson
Jules17
BigT
shazzoooee
starryeyes

OUT OF PGN!!!
Jules17
Waiting4him
Mindybeth
marypat31
SheilaCo
bookbin
pudding
JCB1975
Whitmirefamily
JLlewd
RyanB
Jennyabee
Disneycrazed
Krambk
PabloanadCarlosMama
Princess1976
lmitchem
mandiga


PA

DNA MATCH
Mommy2Paul
TLOch
CurlysGirly


PrayerRequests:

Lifessence - Please pray for my wisdom as I seek for the perfect devotionals. Pray for our DD that is going to turn 5 this month in GC -that her heart is being healed from all the pain of her past, and that God is preparing her to come home to our family. Pray for her quick out of PGN so she can come home and finally learn what it means to trust, love and to have parents in her life. Thank you...

PRINCESS1976 – Update OUT OF PGN!!! Praying for quick Pink and to get home to the USA!!

BusterLeroy - A prayerfor Jonathon, that he has found love, security, safety and stability. A prayerfor C., thank you for the most amazing gift of our son, I pray that God always blesses you and a prayerfor J., that God blesses him richly on his new path.

Riverview – for the health of her child, to be OUT of PGN and to be reunited forever!

Jules17 - Praying for an easy embassy appointment and safe travels home with our precious son Sam!

Ethan2luv – their case has gone on for almost 19 months. Please pray for their son Ethan that his heart is being prepared for the time when he comes home. Pray for his safety and health until he is home. Please pray that the attorneys will do their job – get her into PGN without stalling her case any longer. Pray for her strength and patience as she waits on the Lord to bring home her son on the perfect day.

Arthmom –Update – got a KO sadly – please pray our documents fly back to GC for a quick resubmit and that we are OUT of PGN soon and home with our daughter! Also, my close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread some. I am hoping that her surgery, recovery, and the end to her nightmare comes quickly to a full recovery. This has been the hardest start to a new year that I can remember. I want the strength to stay positive about my friend and about not bringing our daughter home yet.

Mommytoeli – update - Alex has found his forever family! Thank You God for hearing our prayers!

GuatMommy2Be - We pray that we enter PGN the third week of January!

Mildredjohn - a prayerfor an OUT from PGN to bring home our son.

MadiMom – praying to be OUT of PGN!

When you wish - A prayerfor everyone and their babies. A prayerfor a quick, quick process.

Hesabanana - Please pray that Bug is safe and loved. Please pray that her bmom changes her mind and allows her to see her brother, my son. If we could get Cristian out of PGN, that would be great too.

Sheena7112 – Update - my mom (Cecilia)has started a new way of eating. The diet is from a book that suggests what is good for you and not and it is from what God tells us is good for you. So far she has been doing great! Please pray for her continued will to follow God’s design for our bodies and strength as she makes all the necessary changes. My friends daughter Haley (13) is doing better and had the test done just the other day and they didnt see anything that look wrong but they did a biopsy and we dont have the results yet. Her blood level stayed the same since they gave her the blood. So it is still a mystery. Please keep praying for her. Thanks so much for all the prayers again and God Bless, Kim

Krambk - Upate My MIL, her continued strength and courage to fight her cancer, For her to be able to hold and love Max as long as she can!

For all the caretakers at the Hogar where Max is as they prepare to say good-bye to him forever. Pray for his birthmother that she finds peace in her heart knowing Max is coming to a family who is forever grateful for her choice of life!

Guatemomtobe - bless all of those that care for our children. For our children to know how much we love and yearn for them and for their birthmothers to find peace in their heart after making this wrenching decision.

Also, please bless those that are reviewing our cases that they will do what is right to bring these children to their forever families as quickly as possible.

Ms. Judi – Update Elaina had to go to the doctors – she went through a very traumatic experience while they tried to take blood. We are waiting for results. While we wait please pray for her healing, the doctors wisdom and the courage we will all need to face whatever is going on.

Oceanmom23 - Please pray for my mom, she has congestive heart failure and needs a heart transplant. Please pray that Gage comes home soon so my mom can spend time with him.

Jemmawag - Please pray for our DS Marcos that he has a speedy PGN stay and is able to hold off on surgery until he comes home! Also for his loving and kind FM who is having difficulty letting go.

leifjackie - Our heartfelt prayer is that Senior Barrios sign-off on our file so that we can exit PGN and bring our little angel home. Her mami and papi miss her so much.

Whitmirefamily – Update – congrats on your OUT!!! Praying for a speeding BC and PINK! God is good – Jayden is coming home!

TruthDefenders- -update- making plans to go visit Vanessa. Please pray for our travel and her heart to be prepared for our visit. Please also pray that our case continues to progress and they work out all the details!

Larue-Update- Our hearts grew 10 x bigger after our visit with Sabrina this past week. Please pray that we are OUT of PGN quickly and we can finally bring her home.

Nathansvolunteers – Please continue to pray for their peace after the loss of their referral. Pray for her 7 yr old son that his heart is healed and has an understanding that only God can give during this time.

Wvamom- We are going to adopt again. we are adopting a 9 month old baby named Brayan, and thank everyone for their prayers.

Kelley Jones - My prayer is for guidance and strength to move through this journey that is so hard. Please help us see the light and please see that our case finalize soon so our son can come home. Also, please pray for my friend and her son Hunter. He has been home only a short time and is sick and has been admitted into Duke University for lots of tests. They are going through so much and need our prayers.

WVUMom418 – Update – please let us know how Mia is doing. Thanks – until then Please keep her in your prayers, it's so hard to see go through one more test or another day of discomfort. Pray for her healing and my strength as I watch her suffer each time an attack happens.

Mamma -Please pray for our baby girl; after 8 1/2 months, her case has (or will) become an abandonment. We believe God led us to her and will give us the strength to continue on. Also, keep us in your prayers as we take a huge step of faith and begin the process for another child while we continue our first process, believing that God will provide financially and continue to give us the strength and determination to make it through and bring these girls home.

mummi2be - Please pray for me as I begin my adoption journey

bamagirl - Please pray for our baby Sydney while we are not with her. Pray that the process will go smoothly and that our agency will be good communicators during the adoption (I might go crazy if they aren't). Update –surgery went well, please pray for continued healing.

Rhsinnc - I am praying that God will give us all patience. His timing is the perfect timing but that is hard for us to handle sometimes. We just pray that he will grant us the patience to understand and follow him.

Carlyincali - My husband and I are considering adopting a sibling group. I want this more than my husband, but he is coming around. Please, please pray that the Lord's will be done in this situation. If God wants these children to join our family, please pray that He will make it clear to us.

Lcaroll – Update – The doctors have not told my uncle the results of his CT scan yet- probably not a good sign. They are now waiting for a PET scan to be done, but it won't be done until the end of the month. Doesn't sound good. My prayer for him is that he will find God in this troublesome time. I also pray that he will have the strength to hear whatever news comes.

Waiting4Celeste – Update: Celeste’s surgery went well…please pray for her continued healing.

Hopingsoon –I will offer a prayer of thanksgiving that my church daycare has openings, and John will be able to be cared for by them.

Isabel41206 - pray we are out of PGN soon. Please pray I find patience. Pray I find my faith and a way to talk to God.

Melissa41 – We just accepted a referral of a baby boy – please pray for his Fmom Irma – for her patience, wisdom, strength and health as she takes care of our son.

mountainmama - Update - Just wanted to let you all know that my uncle has gotten much worse. He is on a vent now and will probably be removed from that today. Please keep our family in your prayers. Please continue to pray for my husband as he goes back to Ohio State Feb. 9 for another follow-up.

Dillpickle – Do you have an update? 4 mo old is in GC Hospital. please pray that we get the full story so we can make a quick decision as to whether to travel or stay home. please pray for our baby’s quick recovery and for the wisdom of the staff helping to take care of our precious child.

ncurry3 - friends niece died at 3 days old. please pray for the mother and their entire family now - that they find comfort in Him.

Coachmom - update on daughter- we found out she has allergies to dairy and that she picked up some kind of parasite while we were in Guatemala a yr ago! She has been having stomach problems that long! I never thought it would be that!
So we have her on a detox and some other nutritional things so hopefully the headaches and stomach issues will resolve themselves in an few weeks . I sure hope this is the answer to her headaches and fatigue.
Thanks for praying..God is putting the right people into place and I pray He continues to do so.

chriscinger - After being in PGN for six months, we just found out that our case may have to go through abandonment. Our child has been moved from foster care to a hogar. Please pray that our child is safe and well cared for, and for all the officials involved in making the decision that will affect our child's future, and that God's will be done.

sld - Please pray that the Bom feels at peace with her decision and will now come to all appointments to keep our case moving. Please pray for my peace and strength to wait patiently to have the DNA/SW completed on Jan. 24th. Please, send your angels this way.

dldkaiser - Please pray that my brother, Peter, is converted back to God and all things that are holy. Please pray that our little Guatemalan angel, Matthew, comes home soon. (We've been in PGN since 11/7 with no word.)

SaraAvaandLileesMama - Please pray that we get Lilee's papers in order to get our new POA. We are starting over w/ a new lawyer now. Please pray for this new lawyer that he may work and get evrything going to bring her home in a timely fashion. We have wasted almost 9 mo. of her life w/ her old lawyer who had lied to us about being abandonment case when we never needed to be.

My isela - My prayer is for our birthmom to get ANOTHER cedula for the embassy, so they can issue our PA. Our little girl just turned 4.5 months old and we still have a long road ahead. Please pray for our birthmom: this must be hard for her to continue dealing with issues pertaining to this adoption. I hope she still has peace in her heart about her decision.


little_rich1991 - My 1st request is for a family that so willinyly opened up there home to us when our house flooded in OCT,Her sister and family got into a car accident and their 3 month old baby was killed and she is paralized from neck down. Please keep them in your prayers.My 2nd request is for our 2and a half yr old guat prince (Jacob) he is having surgery 1-24-07 for removal of is tossils and adenoids. Please keep him and us in your PRAYERS GOD BLESS

[noelia]

Thank you so much for your wonderful prayers each morning. I look forward to starting my day with the wonderful message you bring.

I have pink and am traveling 19th -23rd!

God Bless,
Sandy
finally leaving to pick up Hope!

[lifessence]

congrats sandy on your PINK!

JulieR1 - OUT OF PGN!

[melissa41]

Thanks for the great devotion and I will keep you in my prayers as you homeschool your children.