Less than 7 days to go. This week I thought I would post an entry each day so that you can be privy to our last-minute preparations. It’s hard to believe that we are here, counting down the remaining hours.
This morning our pastor and friend, Bill, wrote and read the following prayer with us during our church service as a "sending off blessing" of sorts. Thanks, Bill, for helping me to loose it the one week I didn’t have a spare tissue in my purse. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this church…
Oh Lord our God, the author of all life, who receives us each by grace and adoption, we pray with thankful hearts. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church universal, that it may receive, nurture, guide and protect all who are joined to it by your grace. May we join brothers and sisters around the world who serve the least of their community with a lively sense of your holy presence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those gathered here, parents and grandparents, teachers and leaders who advocate for the education and general well being of children from all walks of life. Bind us together in love and nurture our faith, that we might build safe communities, sound minds, strong bodies and souring spirits. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for Donovan and Julie today, and their new daughter, Noemi, that you grant them safe passage on their journey to be one family. Bind them together in love and thankfulness as a family in Jesus Christ. Grant them wisdom and patience as together we bring up our children in your ways. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We lift up the needs of those who have given children for adoption, especially the family and community of Noemi. We know they are known, understood, and cared for by you. Comfort them in any sorrow. Give them grace and confidence that their actions are wise. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for children around the world whose lives are threatened by abuse, whose health is endangered by poverty, malnutrition and disease, who have been abandoned, and who wait in the orphanage of our world for someone to come and love them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who desire the gift of a child yet are disappointed. We ask that you hear their prayers are answer their pleas. We give you thanks for families who have created space in their lives for adopted children and those who otherwise would not know the love of a place called “home.” Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Amen.
Ta Da! Many of you have been asking to see pics of the nursery. My mom and I made the curtains last week from a bolt of vintage fabric I have been hoarding for years--if only you could see the detail of the pomegranates and blue birds--oh, so fancy. Gifts from friends and family are sprinkled all over, like the sweet handmade doll I had been eyeing on Etsy that my friend bought for Noemi. Just a few things remain to be hung such as my cherished print of Lucy the Elephant from the Jersey shore, the light above the rocking chair for night-time stories and the paper and wire mobile that I am currently in the process of constructing. I’m afraid that if I don’t get it finished this week, I likely never will. T minus 5 days to go…
