Ladies Lunch

Finally I am sitting down to write on this blog that Jay has labored to create.  I haven't started our adoption story yet, but my goal is to complete it before Elena is with us! Saturday was very special for me (Lauren) as I had a chance to spend much of the afternoon with a very sweet group of ladies.  Sue, a dear friend of Flora's, hosted a woman's luncheon in her home which is like being at a lovely retreat center.  It is just a lovely home but not as lovely as the person inside it!   Amy Rider of Promise 686 attended and shared a bit about Promise 686. Among friends I was able to share Elena's story, our story, God's heart for adoption throughout the Scriptures and even three key lessons learned (so far)! For the 3 lessons, please see below.  Additionally, I shared a  wonderful video that Jay worked hard to prepare.   We will send it out  individually when we have completed a letter we have just begun.   I haven't done any public speaking in a very long time, but the ladies were incredibly gracious. A highlight was meeting Flora's sister-in-law (a Greek Jewish woman) and seeing Kim again after way too long.  Actually sitting for a long stretch of time without constant interruptions, with delicious homemade food, sweet fellowship in such a beautiful setting truly was like a retreat for me!   I enjoyed hearing some ladies bare their hearts with me,sharing challenges and prayer requests individually was a joy.  At the end, praying with Julia was a special delight and highlight as well!   Three lessons learned in a nut shell are 1) Submit to the Lord and to your husband (if you are a married woman). Let your husband lead and praise him when he does!  2) When you have prayed for years and years and trusted and waited, keep trusting, and praying!  He IS faithful!  3) There is greater living through faith.........Hebrews 11:1  Often I get questions such as "what if.......", "have you considered.............." and they are good questions, but the equalizer of it all is YES and what if we trust the Lord as we continue to entrust it all to Him!  I have much to thank the Lord for and much to thank three lovely ladies for a very special day; Sue, Flora and Julia.  What strikes me the most about that day also is how amazing these ladies poured out their lives in humble service.  You may ask what is so special about that. Well, besides that being special enough, two of these three ladies are widows.  How incredible it is to me that these widows are eager and excited to bless the orphans!!!    Lauren