Prayer Changes Things

These are a few of the many (impossible to list them all) things people have prayed for in our lives within the past 7 (or so) years.  I believe with all of my heart, that prayer changes things.  I know it does - I have seen it.  I want to thank everyone for these prayers.  Please allow me a moment to give God some glory...and thank you for taking the time to lift us up.

1.  That Josh and I's marriage would be healed and healthy.
     Not only are we well...but we are the happiest we have ever been - and that is amazing considering
     we have been through so much in the past almost 7 years.  When two people really surrender to God,
     He can really change things up.

2.  That I have a healthy Gracie.
     She is perfect in every way.  Though our pregnancy was a little on the complicated side, she is our
     first taste of what it is like to love whole hearted...REALLY love with all that we have without question.  To think that God loves us more than we love our children blows my mind.

3.  That we be lead to the child God has for us as our 2nd child.
     Owen wouldn't fit any better into our family if I had delivered him myself.  Not only did God lead us
     directly to him, but he placed everything into place SO perfectly, that there is NO doubt at all.

4.  That Owen be safe until we got to him.
     He had a hedge of protection around him.  We got to him right in time.  Not a moment too soon.  Not
     a moment too late.

5.  That our adoption process be smooth.
     God moved mountains.  We went to and came home from Uganda together.  The embassy, the babies
     home, our lawyers, our friends in Uganda, our Inn owners, the lady at the airport who approved our
     entry to the plane (reluctantly), the American customs, our social worker....all pretty much flawless.  So much opportunity for growth and lessons to be learned.  So much opportunity for learning the "hard way"...yet we look back and think about how blessed we are to have had it all fall into place.

6.  That our transition would be good when we got home.
     Owen and Gracie love each other.  They hug.  They laugh and play.  They don't always get along...they are siblings...so it would be weird if they did.  Owen loves Josh and I ...without any (apparent) attachment or bonding issues at all.  It isn't always easy and I get overwhelmed, yet for some reasons (your prayers and God's grace), I remember that I will never be in "over my head".  I will always have what I need, who I need, the support I need, and the peace I need.

7.  That our children be healed.
     Owen needs emotional and mental healing due to the situations he has been in.  Gracie needs physical      
     healing from her Juvenile Arthritis.  Though we feel like we are in the midst of these...we feel prayer.
     We KNOW that even though it may be harder before it gets better...that they will be healed.  Owen
     will overcome the past.  And we will all help him through it with God's healing hand.  Our Lord is
     bigger than limping, throbbing, bruising, progression, effects of scary medicine, and He knows what is ahead for Gracie.  I trust that he will heal BOTH of our children.  In the mean time, we will grow closer to Him and trust His plan.

I want to celebrate these things.  It is so easy to just take a deep breath and say a quick thank you to God sometimes.  When there was a potential for something horrible and it passes you by quickly...to think briefly...Phew...that would have been awful.  Then, you go on with the day and forget about it.  The things I listed above are, of course, only a few (yes, the biggies) of the many things that could have turned out differently.  They, in my opinion, are a perfect example of God's grace.  He didn't have to heal, provide for, straighten out, lay down a path, or overcome.  But HE DID.  He didn't have to send his son to die for me and everyone I love so that we could have eternity in heaven together.  But HE DID.
The last number I listed, (healing) is one that He is still working on.  And we have come to understand that this life isn't easy...God never promised us that it would be.  But, regardless, it is LOADED FULL of blessings.  I often find myself thinking and thanking God that things are as great as they are.  There is always someone going through something I consider harder.  And my heart breaks for them.  And I pray for them.  I offer to make meals (food really does help sometimes), help out, and do anything I can...but the truth is that prayer is the most important.  It changes everything.
Thank you for praying for us.  I can't create words to express my gratitude.  I can't help but smile when I think of what a role others have played in our lives...just in the past year.  It is nothing short of miraculous.

I would like to pray for you.  Whatever it is - anything.  Really.  How can I pray for you?  Please email me at courtandgracewillis@yahoo.com and let me know what I can pray for.  Prayer changes things.
God bless!

To Our Sweet Owen,
You wake up in the morning, yell for me (not really patiently), and I come to you.  I laugh at how impatient you are and I stare.  I just look at you.  I can't help it.  You see, you get cuter every day.  And I didn't think that could happen yesterday, but this morning you are cuter.  I'm sure you will be cuter tomorrow morning too.  You are getting bigger and bigger.  Your Daddy can't stop talking about your ball throwing skills.  I like to remind him how into your big sister's dress up dresses you are just to give him a hard time.  You kiss me without reason or notice.  I fall more in love with you every day.  Your smile.  Your kind heart.  Your laugh.  Gosh...you are just amazing.
Love you more,
Mommy