Speak, Lord - Pt 2

     Continuing in our learning in preschool we read about Samuel being awakened by the calling of his name.  Man, we sure have been awakened here.  Nine months ago 2 of our sweet neighborhood girls and preschoolers were taken away from their parents.  Since that day each of our family has prayed for them.  We began by praying we could adopt them.  We searched,thought we had them, and so many other wild things.  Nine months later they are not with us.  And they have not returned to their parents either.

We've cried and prayed for the girls and spent time counseling their real parents.  Each week we are told another thing by the court systems here.  Their birth parents asked to sign the girls over to us and then we realized they no longer have any say over the girls and they are stuck in the system.  So, we kept praying for them.  But, we prayed for them to join our family.

This week the court decided to grant visitation back to the parents. Their mother asked if we could keep them, since she is not able to.  We were of course thrilled, gave her finances to get them, and then we waited.  Only to find out she had taken the money for other purposes, not shown up to get the girls and was using again.  Now her rights have been revoked again.

When Samuel finally realized it was God speaking to him, he said, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."  We are just praying.  We are praying for God to speak in how we can care for others here, whether is is bringing the girls into our family one day if the courts let them, or if it is helping their mom get on her feet.  And we are praying for God's will, not ours for the girls.  That the constant moves, and lack of parents and care, they would still see how much God cares for them.  And I am so thankful that as much as we want the girls here, God knows their name and loves them even more.

Answers - Pt 1

    One of my favorite times is teaching Bible stories in preschool.  The stories come alive and are real to the kids.....as we should be reminded THEY ARE REAL!  Last week we talked about the Israelites getting bit by all the snakes in camp, because of their wickedness. Thankfully, we made snakes wrapped around poles, since God told Moses in the Bible looking at those poles is what would heal them!  God is in the business of healing!

     This week is all about Hannah and Samuel.  Hannah wanted something so bad.  She wanted a baby so much and did not have one.  So, she prayed.  And God answered with Samuel.  We talked a lot about Hannah really wanting a baby.  All of our preschoolers jumped on the wagon and told me their moms were having babies too:)

     While we were on our alphabet hunt, I talked about finding the letters and the kids told me we needed to pray...like Hannah!

     Man, I forget this.  Praying for everything.  Even if God answers in a different way.

     Like how I was having trouble balancing everything and praying for help.  God, didn't take away things on my plate, but He brought others in to help.  As I wandered how to balance teaching children all the time, He brought a teaching team of women on Sunday morning, nights, and Wed nights to rotate.  Or how I could not figure out budgeting and accounting items, and he helped provide our cousin to step in and volunteer her vacation time to explain and teach me things.

Thank you, God, for answering prayers!