And we're back!!

I'm so excited to welcome you guys back!

God has used Psalm 90:12 to convict me over and over again, and creating in me a desire to not waste a minute of my life on things that don't matter to him. I wanted this journey to reflect that. In life, in our adoption, we seek to use each second of every day to bring Him glory. That's our prayer.


Jenn did an awesome, awesome job designing my blog to be just what I had envisioned. If you're ready for something new, big or small, please contact her. You won't be disappointed. She has worked super hard to make every detail just like I wanted, and I am so thankful! More than that, I've made a great friend in the process. :)

And while the look may have changed, I'm still the same me! Can't wait to share with you soon about some of the things God has been teaching me!!

regularly scheduled programing will resume soon...

Hey y'all!!!

I am SOOOO EXCITED for you guys to see the fabulous new design by Designs by Jenn!!

But before we can do that, we've got to get it ready.

So, I'll be gone for a brief period of time. Be back soon- with some great changes!!

top ten tuesday: books you must read

Because I've read a lot of "turn-your-world-upside-down-and-mess-you-up" books lately, here's a list of ten you should RUN out to find and read.  Because I don't want to be the only crazy upside-down lady. In no particular order:

1.  Radical by David Platt

2.  Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker

3.  Crazy Love by Francis Chan

4.  One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

5.  Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel

6.  One Million Arrows by Julie Ferwerda

7.  The Hole in our Gospel by Richard Stearns

8.  Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

9.  A Praying Life by Paul Miller

10.  and of course you can't leave out The Bible by God!

Happy Tuesday, and Happy Reading!

*all photos are from amazon.com

Miscellany Monday

1.  I'm making some progress on my birthday list.  Baby steps!  The clutter has been removed from the office, Jillian Michaels is kicking me into shape, I haven't missed my vitamins, enjoying a cup of tea at night...let's see if I can keep it up.  I do great coming out of the starting gate, and then I get distracted VERY quickly!

2.  I'm at camp this week with the 3rd-5th graders.  Fun times! 

3.  I like to think that caffeine doesn't bother me.  So I can drink coffee at night.  Except I NEVER. FALL. ASLEEP.  When will I learn?!

4.  My blog is getting a makeover by the fabulous Designs by Jenn, thanks to a birthday present!  Can't wait to show y'all!!  She's been amazing to work with, and she has a heart of gold!  If you're itching for something new, I would HIGHLY recommend sending her an email!

5.  This past Saturday, my Mamaw cooked me a delicious birthday dinner.  My Papaw has a big garden, and nothing beats fresh veggies in the summer.  I'd eat them for every meal.  MMMmmmm...

Come join the link up fun with Carissa at lowercase letters and share your miscellany monday!

life.

Jillian's no joke. I was sore last night, so I knew it would hurt today.

Good news: it's kinda like ripping off a band-aid. A VERY LARGE band-aid. It hurts like crazy for a short time (20 minutes, to be exact) and then it's all over. Until the next day.

We're packing and getting ready to be on the move for the next two weeks. Lots of church camp fun will be had. Along with exhaustion, I'm sure. :)

I'm not sure how much I'll be able to blog, or if I'll even be able to- but never fear, I've planned ahead! I'll be joining several fun link-up parties next week, and you should too! Don't miss out on the fun!

And nope, no adoption news to share. Just waiting. And waiting. And waiting some more. :) We'll let you know when we know something!

Working on Working Out

I needed something new to motivate my lazy unmotivated self to get off the couch exercise.

Insert Jillian Michaels.

(source)

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I'm pretty sure she's gonna kick my butt.  Hopefully into shape!

I'll let you know how it goes.  If I can move again, that is.  Happy Birthday to me!

I can do all things...

I spent some quiet time in Philippians this morning. As I came across a familiar verse, God spoke to my heart.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  -Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 is tucked away in my scripture memory bank. I've heard this verse many, many times. Usually, it's in reference to facing a fear, quitting a bad habit, or being victorious (on a ball field or in life). It's said with a muscle-flexing, intimidating roar, as if to say, "I've got God on my side, I'm gonna WIN!"

But, for the first time today, I actually saw the verses around "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" and heard something quite different.

"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

-Philippians 4:11-13

Can you hear humility in his voice?  Paul is acknowledging that through what we would deem the "good" and the "bad" times, Christ gave him the strength to be content.  To focus on Him and not his circumstances.

Whether the bank account is empty or overflowing, my eyes are on Christ and not dollar bills.

Whether I have many comments or none, my focus is on sharing what Christ impressed on my heart.

Whether I have months more to wait to see my child's face or a few short days, my heart is centered in Christ and what He would have me to do in the NOW.

Whether I get praise or criticism, my mission is unchanged.

And while I CAN do these things through Christ who gives me the strength, it doesn't mean I will. 

I must daily surrender myself to Him, and allow Him to work through me.  Because no matter the hurts in this life, His glory is worth dying to myself.


Help me take hold of your strength, as I lay all mine down.  

27 things to do in my 27th year of life!

Today is my 27th birthday.

I was inspired to write a list of 27 things I would like to do by my 28th birthday.  It's a work in progress.

So, be inspired with me!  Feel free to share some of yours and jump on board!

1.  Grow deeper in love with Christ
2.  Focus less on me, and more on how I can serve others
3.  Cultivate thankfulness, instead of discontent or complaining
4.  Meet and bring home our little one
5.  Be the best wife I can be by giving completely with the love of God
6.  Read more (my to-read list is ever growing!)
7.  Spend time each morning ENJOYING God, not rushing through a task
8.  Write more  (work on a book? devotional?)
9.  Be present in each day- not letting life pass me by
10.  Be on mission where I am, but also to go!
11.  Find new activities I enjoy
12.  Take more pictures
13.  Get back into scrapbooking
14.  Clean out and organize my office (I'll do some before and after pics for you!)
15.  Have a big yard sale to get rid of our extras and bring home our child
16.  Be more active - find a workout plan I enjoy and can stick to
17.  Get up earlier
18.  Drink more tea! (Peppermint or Sleepytime with honey are my favs!)
19.  Take my vitamins (How is it so hard to forget, even when they are out in the open?!)
20.  Learn from first year garden mistakes, and try again!
21.  Menu plan, menu plan, menu plan!
22.  I would love to learn how to make a quilt, but I don't know that I have the patience for that.  :)
23.  Get organized to efficiently do what has to be done for more time to do what's fun
24.  Focus on doing a few things well, instead of many things just so-so
25.  Pray more, worry less
26.  Find new recipes we enjoy to add into the mix
27.  Shine the light of Jesus in everything I do!

Miscellany Monday

1.  We sent off a mission team of 14 from our church to Belize very late Friday Night/very early Saturday Morning.  They will be working this week building huts for families who have no shelter, and sharing Jesus with upwards of 1500 children through Bible schools!  We were very sad we didn't get to go this time, but we are sharing in the trip through prayer!

2.  I might be slightly addicted to Sonic's Double Stuf Oreo Blast.  Maybe. 

3.   I'm working on cleaning out all the "stuff" in our house that we don't need.  I'm trying to sell the more valuable things on craigslist.  I must admit, it creeps me out a little.  You know, stranger danger..

4.  My creative side is in desperate need of a project.  The overwhelmed side of me disagrees.  We'll see who wins!

5.  We had company in town this past week, and they wanted to go to one of the many all you can eat seafood buffets at the beach.  While I stuffed my face, I was struck with the though of how many hungry people all across the world would be literally overwhelmed by the amount of food.  How ungrateful I am for provision every day that I can eat, and eat well.  It wasn't pretty.

6.  I'm working on the challenge of day 1 in 31 Days to Clean - writing my purpose statement as to why I keep a clean house.  It's taking a lot longer than a day, but I can already see the benefits.  I can't wait to share when it's done!!

7.  There's still plenty of time to enter our giveaway for your very own cake or snack keeper!  If you desire to be a part of bringing our little one home financially with ANY amount, check out the giveaway details here!

Come join the link up fun with Carissa at lowercase letters and share your miscellany monday!

making my life count.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom."
-Psalm 90:12

We've been to a lot of visitations and funerals.  It comes with the territory of being a minister's wife.  As we attended three this week, Psalm 90:12 continually played through my head. 

What does it mean to number my days?  I can't possibly predict when my life here on this earth will be over and I will be with Jesus forever.  I can't literally count the remaining days I have here.

However, I do know that my life is a vapor, quickly vanishing.  (James 4:14)

I also know that the days are evil, and I am called to redeem the time by walking according to the Word of the Lord. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

I am also told to make the most of every opportunity concerning sharing the Gospel.  (Colossians 4:5-6)

Numbering my days is about making my life count for what really matters.  Giving my life completely to God.  Being broken, poured out, spent...all for HIS glory and name.

Getting up each day, choosing to die to myself, take up my cross, and follow HIM unashamedly, unreservedly.

That's what I want shared in my eulogy.

But not to boast in me.  No, I have no merit on my own, nothing good to claim.  Everything good in me is Him, Christ alone. 

I want it shared to tell others about His redeeming love.  To show them how to number their days.  To make their life to count for what really matters.  To GIVE their life to the ONLY one that matters. 

Because while we are here on earth, it's never too late to start, and it's never too close to stop. 

I'm numbering my days.  Will you join with me?

oops. and an update!

Thank you, those of you who let me know that the Lifesong donate button wasn't working. I fixed it this morning. My apologies! I'm excited to give away the winners choice of cake or snack keeper- so don't forget to enter here by July 1 for your chance!! Here it is again:

In other adoption news, I briefly mentioned in my Miscellany Monday that we had been assigned a region. This is great news, although I quickly learned that all my google plans to research were thwarted by a lack of info. Oh well. I'm certainly learning patience along the way!

We had originally thought that we would be assigned a region at the same time we received our referral, but as everything else, this obviously changed. :) Welcome to adoption world. Our in country caseworker thinks we have the best chance for a Romani child referral in the region she assigned us to, but also said if they received a Romani referral from another region, they would move us there in a jiffy.

So, even the region isn't certainty. But, it's an ALMOST THERE step, so I'll take it. :)

provision. and a fun giveaway!

$45,000.00.


That's quite a daunting number to me.

And it's certainly not money we have laying around.

But that is the approximate amount of the financial barrier between us and our little one. 

And when God calls, there is no number too large or frightening to keep us away.

Each step of the way, God has been faithful to provide, showing us over and over again to trust, obey, believe, and follow in faith.  When He calls us to His task, He certainly equips us with all we need.  This provision certainly hasn't come on our own terms or in our own time, because if that were so, we would be fully funded and cruising down easy street.  He has provided for us one step at a time, as we step out in faith.

We've experienced His provision through parting with excess earthly possessions (aren't they all really excess anyways?), through generous friends and family with a heart to serve and give, a grant from Show Hope, His leading us to an agency that provided a discount because Ryan is an ordained minister, partnering with organizations like Just Love Coffee who have a heart for helping families do what God has called them to, selling personalized cake keepers, and stretching our savings far more than we thought possible, to name a few.  We are so incredibly thankful to each one of you who has been a part of God providing in our lives for this incredible journey!

We have been blessed to receive a $3,000 matching grant from Lifesong for Orphans to continue to tear down the financial wall to get to our child.  This means every gift given to our adoption fund from now til July 1 through Lifesong will be DOUBLED, up to $3,000- resulting in us being $6,000 closer to our baby. $5 becomes $10, $500 becomes $1,000! Incredible! 

If you feel God is leading you to be a part of this, Lifesong has made it a breeze to give online.  Just click the donate button below- it's already set up to let them know to direct your donation to our account. (Please note that Paypal does take a 2-3% fee before it goes to Lifesong.)

If you would prefer to send a check:

1. Please make checks payable to: Lifesong. You may preference how the donation might be used by writing “preference Peduzzi #1930 Adoption” in the memo section of your check. (*Note: In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use.)

2. Mail checks to:
Lifesong for Orphans
Att: Peduzzi #1930 Adoption
PO Box 40/ 202 N. Ford St.
Gridley, IL 61744

Thank you for sharing with us in this journey, however God directs.

Now, for the FUN STUFF!!

As a very small way to say THANK YOU, any donation between now and July 1 will enter you in a GIVEAWAY for the winner's choice of a personalized Cake or Snack Keeper.  There is no donation too small, and remember, your generosity will be matched DOLLAR for DOLLAR!!  Every penny brings us closer to our child.  Simply leave me a comment on this post so I can personally thank you and enter you to win.  :)

We truly appreciate you!!

Need Coffee? How about some for FREE!

If you're running low on coffee (like we are!), would you consider buying a few bags from our Just Love Coffee store? Not only will $5 from every bag go towards bringing our little one home, but TODAY (June 15) only, they have a special surprise for you!

When you order ANY 3 bags of 13 oz coffee, Jason will sneak into your order his favorite 13 oz coffee FOR FREE!  And really, what beats free coffee?!  (And for your brewing pleasure- if any of the 3 bags ordered are ground, the free coffee will also be ground.  If all 3 bags ordered are whole bean, the free coffee will also be whole bean.)

So go get your free coffee today!


Oh, and check back tomorrow to hear about some awesome ways God is providing... and how YOU can be a part!!

Miscellany Monday

1. I'm alive! I know I haven't been around for a while...it's been a combination of summer craziness, nothing to update, not being able to form the right words, and being stuck in crummy attitudes. I'm working on it. Please don't hold it against me!

(source)

2. My garden is producing more roma tomatoes than I know what to do with. Anyone have a great homemade marinara recipe to share? Or other ideas? Please?!

3. We got word this week that our dossier has been registered in the region our in country facilitators think we have the best chance of being matched with a Romani child. As far as I know, this is the last step until we get to see a sweet picture of our child! Any day now!

4. I've started taking Vitamin D. It seems everyone in my family is deficient, and I sure could use a little extra boost. We'll see how it does.

(source)

5. It seems obvious, probably because it is, but it just clicked (again, probably for the thousandth time...'cause that's how I am) that when I neglect my time with God, everything else in my life goes downhill, fast. My schedule is always crazy busy, but without keeping God in the center, I feel like I might just go under. When He is my focus and the reason I do all the things on my hectic schedule, it's tolerable. Now, if I can just STAY focused...

6. I'm working through several books and loving them: one thousand gifts, 31 Days to Clean - Having a Martha House the Mary Way, Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy, A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World, A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study, Gospel-Powered Parenting.... and learning a lot about thankfulness, creating a Christ-centered life, and where I need to change. All great things.

Come join the link up fun with Carissa at lowercase letters and share your miscellany monday!