We may not be able to save every child, but we can respond one at a time. Do not be discouraged by numbers, but instead be encouraged that when we feed, visit, love and clothe an orphan- we did it for Christ. I tell you the truth- whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40

Thursday, March 25, 2010

10 things you may not know

I saw this on Beth Moore's blog and thought it would be fun to do. After you read mine share in the comments or do a post on your personal blog. I'd love to "see" more of who you are!

1) I have been self employed my whole life besides recently. I took a part time job, which I'm no longer doing and it left a bad taste in my mouth for time clocks and bosses.

2) If my whole family was on board I'd sell everything and live as a missionary.

3) Jamie and I have been together 15 years, divorced for 1 1/2 years until God radically changed our lives and brought our family back together. Stronger and better than ever with Him smack dap in the middle!

4) I have an older brother who everyone thinks is actually Jamie's brother and 1 younger sister who is like a best friend.

5) 3 years ago I was done having kids...

6) Our family building isn't ending after Amara gets home. I'd love to carry another child some day.

7) I have 2 biological boys Tristan - 13, Austin - 11 and a beautiful daughter Amara in Russia waiting for us to take her home forever.

8) I have 2 inside dogs (Coco and Chloe) an outside dog (Jade) a bird (Baby) and many fish...I love animals.

9) We are now licensed foster / adoptive parents in the state of Iowa.

10) I'm content just the way I am. I'm a sinner and I fall short every day but all that matters to me as that I obeyed the Lord's command to the best of my ability and He loves me no matter what.


Your turn share, share, share!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Isaiah 46: 9-11

So Wednesday night is our night to get together with some friends from church to pray and spent time in fellowship and tonight this passage was shared and it really spoke to me.

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do. Isaiah 46: 9-11

Thank you Lord for giving me your peace and strength. As the days near and everything is so uncertain give me ears to hear and eyes to see exactly what it is your calling me to do. A friend today told me that she admired my strength. My strength??? I don't think my human strength could of brought me to this point. May you get all the glory and may the completion of this adoption by all for your glory for without you it can not be completed. I love you Lord.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Love those girls


We're starting something new in the Verduin home. We've decided that with every ones different schedule and me working nights and not days that Friday night was going to be family night. Playing games, watching movies, skating, swimming, bowling or whatever sounds fun. This Friday we went skating. Tristan had a sleep over at church so it was just Austin and the girls. I love these girls they are a family from church that we spent alot of time with. This is the 2nd time we had them skating and it's fun to see how much better they get every time, well the 2 older ones anyway. Jamie didn't skate but he had his hands full with the 2 little ones.

The girls didn't last as long as Austin so we stopped early and went to Mc D's until Austin was ready to go. We had a great night!

"One hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, how big my house was, or what kind of car I drove. But the world may be a little better, because I was important in the life of a child."–Forest E. Witcraft

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Yes Lord Yes Lord Yes Yes Lord

Yes we heard from our agency Thursday with an update, nothing specific but at least it's something but before I share that I have to share what God is doing right now as we wait. Last August when we got our referral we started applying for grants, 13 of them, heard back from almost all of them but with news that because of the economy there where no funds, we were approved for one. Well after that many months we figured we wouldn't hear from the rest and started planning for ways to fund the rest, God is moving and this morning we got a call from one of those we hadn't heard from and we where just up for another review and we were approved. Yipppeee thank you Lord. Now I know that is a God thing!!! We are humbly grateful for this especially since the judge in our region has decided to change a few things which will require more funds.

Now onto what our agency said...They received word from the staff in Russia that we would probably have travel dates mid April, that's only 4 weeks away however due to the Russian holiday that takes place the 1st week and half in May we may have to wait to travel til after those. Please pray that we go before May 1st so we are home prior to the holiday. Anything is possible with God.


As the time gets closer I see can clearly see God moving. He has protected little Miss A this whole time which to me is a miracle! We started at 29 weeks and today we are down to



The rest of the family is wonderful. Jamie is back working full weeks after a long winter. He just said this morning that he is ready to mow and sit on the deck. We love summer. We had conferences for the boys last week. Austin is pulling all A's and B's and Tristan could be, he is very smart however 7th grade has him thinking that as long as he gets a C it's OK. We informed him that was OK if losing some of his privileges was also OK. Amazing enough homework has been coming home more this week and he even studied for a Science test! As for me, well for anyone that truly knows me I'm still changing things around, I do that often. It's like I told Jamie I'm glad I'm not a tree I can easily move so I closed the club March 1st as you already know and started working for my land lord. They are great people but I'm not so hip on all the stress and drama that comes with a time clock so I have decided to quiet there which was probably going to happen after Miss A came home anyway, God is just alittle more organized than I am. We have been praying about a way that I can still supplement my Herbalife but not have to pay daycare, I do not want her in daycare...PERIOD! So God did it, I got a part time job at night that pays a tad more than the job I was doing and it's from 2:00am - 5:00am, yep it's an adjustment but that means no daycare and full days at home with Miss A, that to me is worth alittle less sleep!

God has been so good to us and it's amazing what happens when you pray about things and than just turn them over to Him. I used to try to plan and figure everything out 1/2 the time stressing myself out. If I only would of know how easy it was to pray and let God handle it. Life is good.

We are so looking forward to summer days in the sun, at the pool and playing on the new play set!

This Tuesday is our last MS MAPP class which means after our 3rd and last home visit in April we will have our foster and adoption licences in the state of Iowa. Our home will not be on the call list until we are home and settled with Miss A but it will be nice to have that completed when we are ready to open up our home.

Thank you Lord for the wonderful life you have allowed me to live!

Love Jill

Sunday, March 7, 2010

God's Heart: Adoption

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Too cute

A dear blogger friend shared these and I couldnt resist. I think they will look great in her room next to her nesting dolls we got from Russia.


Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Give me an.....



That's right can you believe we are down to 8 weeks. I'm so excited it's like a giddy feeling. All the new paperwork is there and we're still hoping to make 1st trip before we need to amend our home study. God willing we have travel dates mid April!!

Besides that there isn't much exciting happening around here just terribly busy. We finished our 8th week of PS MAPP classes tonight so that means 1 left and than a pot luck for the 10th one. Its been a great class but I'll be happy when my Tues night is free again. We have another home visit this coming Monday.

My nutrition club is completely closed and funny thing is with it being closed most of last month and doing everything from home around my schedule my sales are up, kinda funny. I'm working about 6 hours a day at my job and loving it. I picked up a few houses I'm going to be cleaning to help our travel fund.

Jamie is back to work full time. Yipppee, not that I didn't like him home getting things done but it's hard on the pocket book. Boys are great, we have parent teacher conferences tomorrow.

I am expecting an update from our agency sometime this week!!

3 of my friends were in Russia this week and picked up their children. Praise the Lord!!