Hey there

I realize I haven't posted in a while. We have been very busy here in the O'Neal house.

So, here's a quick update on Sofia:

She's doing well and should be home in just a few short weeks. Her dossier was submitted to the Embassy some time last week. So... We are just waiting for the news that we can begin the "birthing" process, so to speak. I'm ready to push!!!! LOL

I'd like to solicit your prayers at this moment. Please pray that we are able to get the visa with no porblems and that we can receive the "call" soon. Also, please pray that we can find flights that are reasonable. We're praying for a non stop flight from PAP to JFK. They are out there it's just hard to find at the last minute. Thanks in advance for your prayers!

While we wait these last few, long, weeks I made Sofia a new dress.

Take a look and tell me what you think. I love yellow on her, beautiful, skin. I did use a store bought pattern for this(I usually don't) but I managed to tweak it a bit and line it fully and add the little flowered fabric at the bottom as well as the buttons. I can't wait to see how it looks on her.




TTYL

Laura

All who know me well, know that I am not a fan of traditional church hymns... I know, I know... for me it's a matter of what meets my spiritual needs and in MOST(not all) cases hymns don't meet me there. I grew up on hymns and love the memories I have of singing them until my voice wore out. But as I've grown older my needs have changed and hymns have more sentamentality than true meaning for me...

I say all this to say...

There is a song that has been burnt on my heart for the past several weeks and it's a song that's just the opposite of what I thought my heart would be singing...

I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like thine can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need thee, O I need thee;
Every hour I need thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby;
temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.
(Refrain)

I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
(Refrain)

I need thee every hour; teach me thy will;
and thy rich promises in me fulfill.
(Refrain)

I need thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son.
(Refrain)

How amazing are these words? They are trued EVERYDAY!

Lord, I need you more than I even know! I need you in ALL things. Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord to thee.

I wanted to take a moment to post a quote from an email from last week. It's from a dear friend of mine (that I haven't even met in person).

"I have to say that if we can endure on our own strength then we wouldn't need Jesus. You can do this you are more than a conqueror. Hang in there and hang onto your faith! The facts are different than God's truth speak God's truth over your situation. God works all things out for our good. Trust in Him He loves you. The Bible says that if we have the faith of a mustard seed we can tell the mountain to move and it must move. So then tell your mountain to move! Tell whatever it that is keeping you from getting your baby before the director leaves to move. Stand boldly before the Throne of God and proclaim the things you are believing God for. You can do this! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! I am hoping that I am not being to forward and that what I have said didn't hurt you in any way or offended you. That is not my heart but rather to stir the waters and to stir up something inside of you! Stand up and be bold you are a child of the King and He has given you His authority here on earth. Call those things that are not as though they are! That is the evidence of faith! I know what it is to be tired and I also know what it is to have a friend that will carry you to the feet of Jesus and that is what I hope that my words have done for you."

I have been reading and rereading her words as well as pouring the Words of God into me heart.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (New Living Translation)

6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Philippians 1:6 (New Living Translation)

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Romans 8:38 (New Living Translation)

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

Merci Jezi

Hope you enjoy this pic from the first time we met Sofia in May 2007. Let's pray her home!