Today we send off the papers for the I-800A. All forms need to be send to Chicago for the immigration of our daughter Maria from China.

I am so tired of applying for the grants, so much paperwork. It’s fun! We applied for various Financial Assistance Grants and Loans and I have to do three more.

I do have some wonderful news too. A complete stranger I met of Twitter.com has donated today $100 towards our adoption. Thank you! May God bless you.

Today a year ago we made the decision to adopt our daughter Maria Okelani from China. We completed the home study and are in the progress of submitting the I-800A  papers to the Immigration office in Chicago. Meanwhile we are also working on getting the papers to the State Secretary of VA to accept my German birth certificate and my Marriage certificate which was from Denmark. NC would not accept those, so I pray that VA will accept them.

I have been using twitter as a way to communicate with people and meet some new friends. I have meet some very nice people that were very willing to help me during this hard time. They have been giving me hints and tips. Most of all I would like to thank the Star News On-line for adding me to their list for readers to help and donate.

http://theparrot.starnewsonline.com/default.asp?item=2273028&mode=

Papers for our adoption was rejected by NC State of Secretary, not sure why, but will find out soon.

Why do some prayers get answered and others seem to be ignored? Discover what God needs you to do so He can answer your prayers.

Jesus gives an exciting promise in Luke chapter 11 verses 9-10 when he says: “So I tell you to ask and you will receive, search and you will find…Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find, and the door will be opened for everyone who asks.” If that’s true, then why doesn’t God answer our prayers every time we ask for something? It turns out that the Bible holds the keys to getting your prayers answered; and if you master all of the keys, you’ll unlock the secret to answered prayers.
Key #1: Repentance Is Required
Sin gets in the way of getting our prayers answered. Bitterness, anger, temper and grudges all grieve the Holy Spirit and interfere in our communication with God. What can we do about it? We need to confess and be relieved of our sin (1 John 1:9). If you want to get your prayers answered, confession is necessary, says God. “If my people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Key #2: Forgiveness Is Fundamental
Before you ask God for anything, you’ve got to let go of grudges and forgive. This is the other half of repentance, as you will only be forgiven as much as you forgive others. “Whenever you stand up to pray, you must forgive what others have done to you. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins.” (Mark 11:25-26)
Key #3: Obedience Is Obligatory
The Bible says we receive because we obey (John 3:22). What rules do we have to obey? Just two: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” and “Love others as much as you love yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) Obedience is the mark of a righteous person and the prayer of a righteous person is highly effective. Elijah, who was a very righteous man, prayed that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t for three years. When he finally prayed for rain, down it came. (James 5:16)
Key #4: Persistence Is Paramount
“Never stop praying, especially for others.” (Ephesians 6:18) It’s easy to get discouraged when you don’t see immediate results, but hang in there. Be persistent in your praying because “God will bless you if you don’t give up.” (James 1:12)
Key #5: Belief Is Binding
“You gotta have faith” is more than just the catchy lyric of a 1987 George Michael tune; it’s actually the most important key to getting your prayers answered because “…without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) In Mark chapter 11 verse 24 Jesus tells us “Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith.” And in James 1:6 we‘re reminded: “When you ask for something, you must have faith and no doubt.” You have to believe to receive.
Key #6: Delight Is De Rigueur
“Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” says Psalm 37:4-5. Delighting in the Lord means feeling connected to Him; staying joined to him. “You cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me,” says Jesus.(John 15:4) “Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayers will be answered.” (John 15:7) Once you are truly hooked up to God, securely joined to Him, your will and His will supernaturally align and all of your prayers will be answered.
Remember, God hears all prayers but his ability to answer yours is limited by your own faith in Him and your beliefs about Him, so getting your prayers answered is really up to you. Use these keys to align yourself with God’s will and have faith that your prayers will be answered.

Author: Francine Morrissette
Published: Apr 1, 2008

This song I sang at least three ours a day at the bed-site of my Papa when he was in his coma.

Dieses Lied habe ich fuer Dich gesungen jeden Tag 3 Stunden an Deiner Seite.

Tip: Turn off the music to hear this clip.

Today was a very hard day. I think we are getting closer and closer to the adoption and the devil is trying with all his mighty power to discourage us. We could not make it to church, Christopher could not find his belt and had nothing to hold up his pants. The belt was broken and I have thrown it away. We tried other belts, but they were way to small or way to big. Tim’s router for the computer stopped working and we could not get on-line to finish our papers for grants, Christopher’s computer broke on the same day. After crying and lot’s of frustration, Tim and I knelt on the floor for a prayer that Jesus will protect us and give us his strengths. I love my Lord so much and I know he will bring us through this. Financially, emotionally, and physically. We need all the prayers we can get. Pray that we don’t feel so lonely and that the devil is mighty small to my Lord and Savior.

Tip: Turn of the music below to hear this clip.

Tip: Turn off the music below to hear this story.

Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one.
One became your guiding star, The other became your sun.
The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
One gave you a nationality. The other gave you a name.
One gave you talent. The other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions. The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile. The other dried your tears.
One saught for you a home that she could not provide.
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me, through your tears,
The age old question unanswered through the years.
Heredity or environment? Which are you a product of?
Neither my darlying. Neither. Just two different kinds of love.
-Author Unknown

Registered to become certified in Reflexology. Did not take long for Tim asking me to practice on his feet. But they are clean and pedicured, so I guess he can have one. The training starts in January and takes 3 month.