Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Delight of Praise

Maggie and James returned last night.  Their first flights ever, saving infancy.  They had visited arguably some of the most influential people ever in their lives. 
The Hillerys. 
These are the people we learned to butcher chickens with, castrated a large contingency of farm animals with, shared a LOT of food with, learned to bake bread with, shoveled a lot of manure with (literally and figuratively) and who, more than anything else, learned the fullest meaning of Grace with. 
That they were able to go and visit them in their new home was true delight to me even if I wasn't along for the trip.  Meeting them at the airport last night and hearing all of their wonderful stories was just a taste of heaven to me.  That we would be so privileged to have friends like these ... thank you Lord!  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

The sacrifice of Praise

"To bring the sacrifice of thanksgiving is to sacrifice our understanding of what's beneficial and thank God for everything  -  because He is benevolent.  A sacrifice of thanks lays down our perspective and raises hands in praise anyways - always."  A. Voskamp

Monday is Chinese New Year.  I can honestly say that this is the first year that I ever paid attention to the date, which changes each year.  We had hoped to receive our travel approval before the Chinese government shuts down for the holiday.  We did not.   That we didn't means that it will be yet longer before we get to go and pick up Ellie.

I understand fully that God "works all things together for the good of those who love Him".  I know it may very well be in our best interests in a 1000 ways for us not to travel early in February as I had hoped (most recently - there were hopes for October, November, December and January as well).  Still it is disappointing and the praise and thanksgiving I give just now is a bit of a sacrifice.  (a small one albeit)