Mary treasured up all these things....

The above title is a portion of the passage of Luke 2:19:

"But Mary treasured up all these thing, pondering them in her heart." (ESV)

A few Sundays ago our pastor referred to this passage in conjunction with the passage from Luke1:66:

"and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts saying "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him." (ESV)   This passage is in reference to the birth of John the Baptist.

    Both of the passages struck me.  From the time my children were born I have tried to store up my memories of them and treasure my time with them.  During my time in Ukraine and when we were home for 3 weeks, the task seemed to be even more important.  I want to treasure every moment with my children..... both at home and here.  My heart is full of things to ponder.  God has been so benevolent to me.  I am so thankful for his blessings in these, His children.  Our time with Karina has been so sweet and dear.  I have loved just watching her.  She has had so many "firsts" in just the last 2 days.  She has handled them so well.  She is truly entering a new world....even here in her own country.  She now has to make many decisions that before were made for her.  She is rising to the challenge.  I am inspired just to watch her as she navigates through many new tasks.  We went shopping yesterday,(see the above new outfit for the product of our labors) and it was so much fun.   Not many moms can say that about their teenage daughters.  She was so thankful and thoughtful during the whole experience.   I want to treasure all these experiences.  I want to remember the goodness of God in all of these blessings.  Even the little things like shopping with my daughter.  I so often forget.  I am like the Isrealites..... I need stones of  remembrance.      I love the second verse of  "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing":

    "Here I raise my Ebenezer hither by Thy help I've come, and I hope by Thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home, Jesus sought me when a stranger wandering from the fold of God, he to rescue me from danger interposed His precious blood."(Trinity Hymnal)

   I need a pile of stones to constantly remind me of God's mercy and blessing!!!  I do not want to forget one of His blessings from this journey to adopt Karina.  If you wonder what I am doing while I am here..... I am piling up stones and pondering them.

     Please continue to pray for us as we spend time with our daughter.  We love her and we so enjoy this time with her.  May God bless this time that we have with her .  Thank you all so much for your prayers already.

Sheila