Deportation?

I don't think I knew what this word really meant until a little over two years ago.  One of the most meaningful journeys of our lives took a detour...yes, we were deported from another country.  It's sad to say that we didn't catch the date error on our Visas prior to traveling half way around the world... 

I learned so many valuable lessons from that experience, but one of the most important lessons I learned is DON'T EVER GIVE UP!  If you believe that there is something you are meant to do, then do whatever it takes to get the job done.  Don't give up.  Don't waver.  Keep fighting.  Keep trying.  Stay focused.  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

So glad we GOTCHA!

Great thoughts about focus:

http://www.perrynoble.com/2011/09/22/where-is-our-focus-10-gut-check-ideas/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+perrynoble%2FZvVU+%28Perry+Noble+dot+com%29

9-11 and emotional stewardship

I can't believe it has been 10 years since 9-11.  My heart is heavy with sadness for all the families who lost loved ones and for those who endured the terror of that day.   I am amazed by the stories of the individuals who sacrificed their lives to save others.  In such times of fear and terror, those individuals demonstrated an outstanding ability to keep their emotions in control. 

A buddy of mine posted a note about emotional maturity on his facebook page.  It was very interesting and it made me think about individuals who are able to control their emotions in tough times.  It made realize that these individuals are really good stewards of their emotions.  They use their emotional energy wisely.

Clarity, courage and an irrisistible urge to act

We prayed for these three attributes several years ago.  The result was that we were led into one of the best adventures and activities of our lives.  Thanks Andy Stanley for talking about this in your "Heroes" Podcast series.

The Greater the Problem...

the greater the opportunity for a miracle.  When it seems like there is no way out, no solution, no hope... hang on!  Never quit.  Our creator is not limited by things that limit us.

Faith and Fear

Both faith and fear are a belief in something that one cannot see or touch.  They are similar in that they represent responses of something that is about to happen.   Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Fear is an emotional response to a known or definite threat. 

Both represent extreme confidence in an event that may or may not come to pass.  Both could change physical responses in our bodies in different ways.   Faith causes peace and fear causes fight or flight.

http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/understandingpanic/a/fearandanxiety.htm
Hebrews 11:1

"Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf."

What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?  How much planning/preparation did you do?  Have you ever taken a big chance hoping that somehow something or someone would intervene?

Two years ago, we were a few days away from beginning one of the most valuable and exciting adventures of our lives.  One of our theme sayings was, "Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf."  This was Jonathan's prayer when he prepared to take on the Philistines with his armor bearer.  (1 Samuel 14:6)

God sized adventures will only be a success with God's help.  It is with this type of risky living where we feel most vulnerable.  Because we feel vulnerable, our faith and confidence that God is with us is the fuel we can use to drive us forward.    Our goal was to adopt a child from Kazakhstan.  We new nothing about the child we would adopt, but believed there was a child over there who we were meant to parent.