Adventures in Our Home & Hearts: Enjoying the Outdoors

*I am enjoying catching up on blogging. Since I have a couple months still to do, please take note of the date (month) in the blog post title rather than the date I posted. Also, you'll notice I tried to write like I would have at the present time of the post rather than writing like it was many months ago.

Giving God Glory
God is great and can do powerful things! - Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20 The following is written by Woodmen Valley Chapel (the church that Adam and Wendy attend) and is a testimony of God's power in working out a Green Card issue for the Bromley family, who is the Worship pastor at Woodmen Valley Chapel. Wendy had asked us to pray for his family, and it was exciting to see how the Lord answered everyone's prayers! Testimonies like this encourage me of how God powerfully and personally works in the lives of those who seek Him and His will.

As many of you know, our congregation has been united in prayer over the last month regarding our Worship Pastor, Andy Bromley, and his application for a Green Card.

Over 10 months ago, we began what we believed would be a routine application for permanent residency for Andy and his family. We were assured that the applications were in order and we should be advised of a decision within months. We monitored the applications and assumed the process was on track.

As time drew nearer to the Bromley family’s deadline for returning to England (Friday, August 12), we began to increase our inquiries as to why we had not received an answer from the Immigration Service. It was then we discovered the application had been misplaced and had only arrived at the California Immigration Service Center on June 29. Unbelievably, we were informed that due to this delay, we would need to wait another six months for a decision — which far exceeded the deadline.

We then engaged in a number of interventions. However, it appeared that short of a miracle, nothing could be done to expedite the process.

In early July, we brought this need before the congregation and asked for your prayers for God’s intervention. As a result of your prayers, we are thrilled to report that this week the Bromleys’ Green Card applications were approved (only 10 days before the deadline)!

We also want to acknowledge the commitment and diligence of Congressman Lamborn’s office who “doggedly championed” Andy’s cause over the last several weeks. To say that this was an intervention by God is not an exaggeration, as expressed through an email received from our Congressional aide:

“You are more than aware of the position your claim was in just a few weeks ago. There is no question God worked to resolve this case. In my experience, USCIS does not expedite I-360 or I-485 petitions, even in the most dire circumstances. Due to miscommunication and an error in the USCIS system, your case did not arrive at the California Service Center until June 29, 2011. The general timeline for resolution after an application arrives at a Service Center is 6-12 months. God resolved this issue in five weeks.”

Please join with us in celebrating this joyful news! May this answer to prayer encourage your heart regarding God’s purposeful intervention in the lives of those who seek His will. Thanks for your faithfulness!

What's on the Harrisons' Hearts
Temptation to wallow in a pity-party - Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 We praise the Lord that overall during this season of desiring more children and that not be the Lord's will presently that the Lord has helped us to truly rejoice with those He has blessed with more children. There are occasional fleeting thoughts of longing, coveting, jealousy, bitterness, etc., but we are grateful that those thoughts are fleeting! This month with having three couples in our family (two siblings and one cousin) welcoming more children to their families within a couple weeks of each other, my emotions got the best of me. The thoughts that had once been fleeting overwhelmed my heart, and I became very sad and discouraged. Wes was at work and Noah was napping, so I felt alone in the sea of my sadness and longings. I am grateful the Lord drew me to Himself in a tender way and gently reminded me that He knows what is best for our family, even if it doesn't make sense to Wes or me. It was tempting to wallow in a pity-party, but I am grateful that the Lord reminded me of the importance of watching over my heart and not allowing thoughts of discouragement to take root. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 The Lord helped my heart move on in that moment from discouragement to greater trust and peace in Him. He also reminded me of some other important truths that realigned my perspective with His: thanking Him for Noah and focusing on all that He has blessed our family with (rather than focusing on what it feels like He is withholding, though we know that is not true that He is withholding - this is the same issue Eve struggled with in the Garden of Eden), seeking to glorify Him and witness to others through this trial, turning to Him and resting in His character, praising Him for how He has been growing us through this season, seeking to continue to rejoice with others and bless them, and seeking to fully engage in this present season of life and live it to the fullest. He brought a quote by Jim Elliot to mind, "Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." That's what I want...to live each day the Lord blesses me with to the hilt for Christ! Even though those tempting thoughts still fleet by at times, I thank the Lord for continuing to lovingly help me watch over my heart and not dwell on those thoughts but to dwell on Him and His truth.

Testing update - We praise the Lord for a very productive first appointment with our new doctor - consultation, ultrasound, and blood work were all completed. Here are the dr's thoughts and our game plan from here: Medically and statistically there is a good chance of my having a healthy pregnancy. There may be a medical cause for my miscarriages that testing may pinpoint. There are various rounds of testing that we plan to complete, and so far all the bloodwork has come back normal (antibodies, thyroid, prolactin, lupus coagulant, and clotting factors). The next round of bloodwork will include testing for MTHFR - the blood disorder that my relative has. Wes and I will be continuing to pray for God's will about pursuing adoption in the meantime.

Bible Study on the book, Idols of the Heart (Learning to Long for God Alone), by Elize Fitzpatrick - During the summer, I enjoyed growing in my love for Christ through this Bible study. The book in a nutshell: Matthew 22:37-38 shows us that Jesus wants nothing less than our undivided love and worship. We all struggle with loving Jesus with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Furthermore, we struggle with putting our hope, trust, and affections in something, someone, anything other than the true God, which is idolatry. We conveniently categorize idolatry as something that exists outside of us (little stone statues) rather than something that lives within our hearts. Idolatry is at the root of our lack of love for Christ, and it lies at the heart of every sin that we struggle with. God wants to change our hearts, remove our idols, and grow our love for Him. Only God through His Holy Spirit can do this in us!

2 out of my 3 neighbors that joined me are in this pic :)

Wes started up again with school - Wes took some time off of school with going to training in TX, selling our home, moving, and summer vacations. He is now back in the swing of school and taking 3 classes this fall quarter: Exposition of Prayer, Leadership in Ministry, and Spiritual Gifts. He is excited to learn and grow in the Word and his relationship with Christ, but the workload can be daunting at times.

Praises & Prayers
WVC Bromley Family - God showing His faithfulness in a powerful way in providing a Green Card for their family.
Neighbors - Praise for the Lord continue to work in some of our neighbors' hearts. One of them starting going to church again. Another one was invited by a co-worker to go to a Bible study at work, which she is attending every week, and another co-worker surprised her by buying a Bible for her.
Tami - Continued prayers for the Lord to give my dad and other loved ones His perspective and that God would heal Tami, but ultimately that His will would be done.
Kyle & Kristen; Derick & Shannon; Aaron & Kim - Praise for the Lord blessing them with the arrival of their healthy and precious babies, Nora (K & K), Oliver (D & S), and Joey (A & K).
Our Family - We continually praise the Lord for blessing us with our precious son, Noah. Continued prayer for God's will to be done with miscarriage testing and possibly adopting (Luke 22:4b). Continued prayer for wisdom, discernment, and clear test results either way for the doctors and wisdom for us as we look into adoption (James 1:5). Also, prayer for us to continue to find joy in God's greater purposes and plans through this trial (James 1:2-4). Praise for the Lord reconciling two relationships with people from our past church - one with Wes and one with Christina - a very sweet and over a year answer to prayer!
Wes - Continued praise for the Lord giving Wes wisdom in leading our family with decisions involved with medical testing and looking into adoption. Prayer for wisdom with priorities, discipline, and heart impact through this semester of classes at FRBI.
Christina - Praise for the Lord growing me in loving Him with my whole heart. Praise and continued prayer for the Lord to guard my heart (Proverbs 4:23) and to help me live each day fully for Him.
Noah - God would graciously save him at a young age and lead him to walk with the Lord all of his days, if that be the Lord's will. Praise for the Lord growing Noah in sharing his toys with others. Prayer for wisdom in teaching/re-teaching Noah that he is not in charge (i.e. can't tell Daddy and Mommy what to do or not do in a demanding way; for ex. taking pictures or video), that he is an individual under God's authority, and that God has put Daddy and Mommy in a position of authority over him (Ephesians 6:1-3).

Marriage Memories
Celebrating 5 years of marriage - Wes and I plan to enjoy an extra special getaway at each 5 year milestone of marriage, so this was our first. :) Our getaway was a little belated due to June & July already having some significant plans. We had fun going back to our honeymoon spot in Glenwood Springs and even stayed in the same B&B log cabin at 4 Mile Creek Bed & Breakfast. We had a wonderful time together!!!

Reminiscing at 4 Mile Creek B&B

Our 1st time tandem biking * Hiking to Hanging Lake

Enjoying the beauty at Hanging Lake & enjoying each other

We are thankful the Lord helped us get home safely. After we arrived home, we realized we had a flat tire.

The neighborhood boys wanted to help change it. ;)

Family Fun

One of our favorite family hangouts - the park! We are thankful that we have a park within walking distance. It is only a couple blocks from our home. We enjoyed spending a lot of time there this summer! :)

Multiple playgrounds with variety of equipment

Basketball court * Skateboard park

Noah's fav part - Giant sandpit (including a rock climbing wall) * Playing in his favorite spot = sand

Noah & Kelsey (neighborhood friend) * Daddy & son shoveling

Helping Daddy fix our sprinkler * Trying to fill up his pail * Having fun & getting soaked

A couple new traditions - We seek to eat healthy during the week and to enjoy splurging on "Splurge Sundays." This month we added a new tradition of eating popcorn together as a fam for dinner on Sundays. One of Wes' favorite aspects about it is that he enjoys Noah sitting still/snuggling with him on the couch for more than 10 seconds (since Noah's normally very active and running around). :)

Another tradition we started is to visit Daddy at the firestation on the Saturdays that he works. Noah really looks forward to this and frequently talks about "Daddy," the "woo-woos," and going "on Sa-ta-day." So cute!

Noah News

Age - 2
Cute communication - Saturday (Sa-ta-day) - for going to visit Daddy at work. :) "Help please" when he needs help with something; this has been very helpful for Wes and me! Noah is now in the phase of repeating everything we say and gaining new vocab every day.

Latest Loves
Playing at the park - especially in the sand
Bubble baths
Playing outside - especially in his sandbox
Popcorn
Counting - 1, 2, 3
Eating outside on the back step
Visiting Daddy at the firestation on Saturdays
Smooches ("smoo")
Sidewalk chalk
Helping put the laundry away - without being asked! :)
Cruising on his "bikes"
Taking his time making decisions
"Telling/showing" Daddy something when he comes home from work

Playing in his sandbox * Our little artist * Stylin' in his $2 Chuck Taylor shoes - one of Wes' favs

Other Intriguing Info

*Growing - Noah has been growing beyond being completely "me-centered," which is exciting to see. He is growing in playing together with others and also in thinking of others. For example, he wants to make sure to include Daddy & Mommy when he has a snack, so he will grab a snack for us too. :)

*What are you trying to tell us, Noah? - This week when we went to the library for Toddler Time the 2 books that Noah picked out were: "Waiting for Baby" & "Potty Time." Hmmmm...maybe Noah is trying to tell us something. If so, he is super smart in using such subtle tactics. ;)

Memorable Moment of the Month
Noah discovers a "hopper" in our backyard - Noah was super excited about and enthralled with the grasshopper he found! He kept telling me how he wanted to show it to Daddy when Daddy came home. :)