Thankful list for March

Thankful List for March:
*March 18th- the day we found out we had hit a major hurdle in our adoption process and that losing Aida was/is a possibility.  From Jesus Calling that day “exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances.  Don’t let your need to understand distract you from My Presence.”
*joy and peace in the midst of hard circumstances
*He has a plan for Aida; He has her best interests in mind; He loves her most
*the Riddles brought Joshua home from China!!  (in the spirit of transparency- I'm 95% excited for them, 5% jealous)

*canceled plane tickets… in the midst of our heartache He comforts us
*“give thanks in ALL circumstances…” 1 Thes. 5:17
*people who constantly check on me through text and facebook and email… it is so good for my aching heart and I appreciate their thoughtfulness so much
*my mom and dad still came to visit even though they no longer needed to take care of the kids… so grateful they’ve been here the last few days offering encouragement (AND distractions)
*we made it through the days I believed would be some of the hardest:  last Wednesday- the day we were suppose to leave to go to Africa, Friday- the day we were suppose to meet Aida, yesterday- the day we were suppose to go to court (I officially really dislike April Fool's day)
“I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into Me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency).  Phil. 4:13

And a few random things that have nothing to do with adoption:
*Tuck started going into the worship service with us every Sunday… oh how we’ve enjoyed worshipping with our son
*Meegan Weaver agreeing to do a photography workshop that benefits the BSM… so thankful for her generosity with her gifts
*good news for the Grubens!
*Tucker:  “when I get to heaven will I get to meet Peter, James, and John?”
*good news for Dianna!
*great Spring Break mission trip experiences for our students
*a husband that loves me well
*relief
*we received so much help from different people in various ways this past month… I can’t list it all… thankful to have such servant hearted friends in our life.
*Conviction... oh how it hurts but so thankful He wants me to look more like Him
*3 wonderful years with our creative, puzzle working, princess loving, animated, beautiful Libby

*hard days in motherhood remind of my great insufficiency as a parent and my great need for Him
*coloring and dancing with Libby
*playing baseball in the backyard with the Tiller’s
*how much entertainment a cardboard box, stickers, and some paint can offer
*an overnight family escape to Dallas... laughter really is one of the best medicines
*being here meant we got to celebrate Holy week/Easter with Tucker and Libby, my parents, and our church family

*my Dad and Ben transformed our pantry door and painted the difficult wall leading up our stairway
*my mom helped me paint our bathroom
*playing baseball in the backyard with my parents
*Jesus Storybook Bible videos and how much our kids enjoy them (you can find them on the Jesus Storybook Bible facebook page)
*Ann Voskamp’s beautiful blog: When You're Struggling Through Holy Week.  And a small quote from that post:  
”He has touched our tears. He has cupped our broken hearts with His scars.  He has whispered to the howl, “I know, I know. And I’ve come to begin the making of all things new.” We believe. Because we know.  He knows our grief. We know His goodness. And the truth is – we don’t need an explanation from God like we need an experience of God…”