Moments to Remember

There have been some beautiful moments this week. Moments in which I PRAISE God with all I am and long to remember in the years to come. This is an incredible place to spend a week with my family...

Last night my precious little girl spent about twenty minutes pulling the grass and digging in the mud. We walked for miles around the lake, near the park, and all the while I was enjoying every moment. Holding her hand while she walks and watching her explore is a precious gift. I praise Him for her little spirit that is awakening each day and healing more and more as we just love her to bits.

She is so darn happy here. She loves to walk, run, walk, and run everywhere!! She is so exhausted by the end of the day. I waited so long to watch her truly enjoy herself. It has come. She is so happy. Last night in our condo, she held the attention of all 15 of us as we played with her, cooed over here, and watched her every move. She is so adored. The most beautiful moment was Sunday night when I held her in my lap during outdoor worship. Singing praises to the King with this little one in my lap is beyond words. So blessed that God has brought her to us.

Our favorite free time destination is the craft shack in the afternoon. We made magnetic picture frames together. Still a tradition despite the fact that she is growing up and wants to be with her friends more and more. She loves it here. (I just keep saying that BUT we love it here!!!) We had an awesome 70's theme night and tie dyed matching shirts for Jill and Em. God is so good.

The theme verse this week..

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

Catching Up

It seems like weeks since I posted last Tuesday about our delay. We have had a full week and are still waiting for news. Please continue to pray that God will move mountains and bring us quickly to our baby girl.


In the meantime, we have the joy of the Lord that is present in our hearts in spite of our circumstances. The rest of week looked like this......

National Pie Day was on Monday! Darling Kiddo made a chocolate cream pie (her favorite) to take to school for extra credit. Delicious extra credit!!!!

Off to Chicago to go to the.....

This was truly an adventure. So many beautiful Chinese faces all around us. We were definitely the minority. We waited two hours (heard it was a six hour wait the day before) for our chance to get to the window to apply for our visas. The woman at the window was kind though and even asked us about our Jill.

Then off to the new American Girl store. This would have been the highlight of our trip when darling kiddo was younger. These days, its just a chance to "remember when" as she is way too grown up to buy dolls now. We did buy the Chinese New Year outfit for our Ivy doll though. We also awed over the sweet matching clothes for the Asian Bitty twins. Hope those are coming to my house to play with soon!!!! So precious. Simply can't wait!


Darling Kiddo also had Civil War day at school. She dressed as a nurse and even took her lunch in a metal pail just like during civil war times. She loved it as history is her favorite subject.

Hope your week was as full as ours. Happy Sunday to you!

Running to My Arms

It was Wednesday night and I was running late as usual. I knew I needed to get to my ministry post as my students would be arriving any minute.

Then it happened...the sweet, chubby face of that beautiful girl who is my friend's foster daughter appears at the other end of the hallway. She spots me and, running the length of the hallway, jumps into my arms. I say over her again and again...I love you..I love you..I love you. Oh those beautiful girls, at 5 and 8, have no idea the impact that they have had on my heart. They have no idea how God has used them in my life and how I can't help but simply see the face of Jesus in their eyes. Each and every time that I see them I am reminded of God's call to care for the least of these. I praise the LORD for these girls every time I encounter them. What a precious blessing they have been. I think how God has used the less than perfect beginning of their lives for good already because it brought them into my friend's home and that has allowed me to know them. It is just magical to me as I watch these girls become the daughters of my friends. Ten months ago they were complete strangers, but now they are their family. Oh how that overflows my heart with the love of the LORD.

As I stare into the eyes of my beautiful baby girl this week, who doesn't even yet know me, I am more thankful than ever that God brought these precious treasures in my life so that I too was prompted to open my heart to the orphan. :)

Oaks of Righteousness

I have been doing some studying in Isaiah this week.. Love, love, love, Isaiah 61:3 that ends with

They (that's the people of God) will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor!

Oh THAT all in Him could grasp this truth. God calls me an oak of righteousness planted by him to display his splendor! What a glorious privilege to belong to the King. Hope you grasp that today my sweet friends..You are planted by him to display his splendor if you know him as Savior. Show it!

Just Like God

Isn't it just like God?

I started a new Bible study on Tuesday nights. I have been studying alongside a faithful group of ladies in my church on Tues. nights for a while now and we recently took six weeks off. This is the longest break I have taken in the last three years of being a part of this group and because of it I was starving.. Starving to get into some in depth group studying under the direction of Beth Moore via DVD. Don't let me mislead you..it is possible for you to study and hear from God in any context at anytime via any connection, but for this girl-my Tues. night group just really ministers to me.

So after our first session...

I open my homework book on Wednesday morning only to find that the topic is exactly the one that has been burdening my heart for months. Breaking Free (our new Bible study) has us studying the life of Isaiah. We were looking at his calling from God and its timing..in the year of the death of King Uzziah. We were called to examine King Uzziah's life-full of greatness and shortcoming. We were challenged to consider how this was the only king that Isaiah had known and how he was certainly looked up to as a hero and great man by the kingdom (Isaiah included). The point was God didn't call Isaiah until this "hero" was removed from his life. Until the "hero" was removed Isaiah couldn't really focus on the only "hero" he needs-the Lord.

For seven months..I have been boohooing about how God has removed some of the personal "heroes of the faith" from my life because of a move He led us to make over three years ago now. These heroes were such an example to me as a baby christian. They challenged me, loved on, inspired me, taught me. They were so important for that season in my life. Now, I don't have them. I have been holding on to this for seven months. Using it as an excuse to be less than productive. Using it as an excuse to feel sorry for myself, to be wounded, to point my finger at God. The last seven months this boohooing has become pretty intense and I have to admit I have been playing wounded far too long. The example of Isaiah's calling hit me like a ton of bricks. The ultimate hero in my life needs to be my Lord. Removing the earthly heroes, while they were so important to me and were used by God over and over, is God's way of putting my focus back on Him. Causing me to rely on Him for all of my needs.

Does it ever still just completely blow you away that God can know your heart so personally, that he can speak to you so directly, that he can know just exactly what you need and deliver it through a bible study book that is over ten years old on just the day you need it? Man, it blows me away. I just love that about my God!! He so knows my every in and out..I love Him so and am so anxious to see what this study is going to teach me about Him!

If you live locally, I would love to call you my sister in person and study with you face to face. We meet on Tuesday nights and are studying Beth Moore's Breaking Free for the next ten weeks.

Here is the study promo video..



Wrote in the margin this morning of my study book.. Aching today God because of this wait for Jill, but I know that this wait is yours and I will wait in you and expect that you will renew my strength each day just as you promise.

Living Beyond Yourself

Do you ever just come across people who live such big lives for the Lord that you are left saying..WOW!! Who does that? I want to do that..I was blessed this week to have a moment like that when I "met" this family on line.



Many of us saw pictures of this boy on line this week and read his story.. 16 years old in just two weeks, in Latvia, no family, no hope, no future, aging out of the orphanage in two weeks, to be turned loose into the streets, a family who has promised adoption backs out, left with no options-without hope.


THEN..this family hears of this boy, is adopting a son from Latvia already, was approved for two children in their home study (despite only planning for one), has the paperwork in place, is challenged by God, and by Faith living through the Spirit they answer God's call to reach the least of these by adopting this boy as their son! They had no extra money, no plan, no time to consider whether or not it would work for them. They just commit to do it! $10,000 dollars comes in from across the country in one day!! Her blog is a must read and follow as they journey to not only bring home one son from Latvia, but now two. She blogs here . You must check this out! I have been inspired by this family so much this week.

Obedient, Faithful, Living Beyond Themselves...This is what I desire in my life above all else. This is the life I want to live. I have such a long way to go.. Yet I know that by God's Spirit all that He calls us to do is possible. Praying for this special family as they travel this journey to their sons!

Ball Anyone?

We are so blessed to be able to parent darling kiddo..to watch her grow and mature..to see her develop her own identity and passions. She loves to play ball! She lives for it and to see her take charge, gain confidence, and experience success doing something that she loves is just pure joy for this momma.



Especially joyful because basketball is one of her daddy's passions too and it is so neat to see them side by side on the floor. He coaches her teams and she plays for him. Sharing the same passions with the ones you love is truly a double blessing.

We have found a way to use our passion for basketball to serve the Lord too. We are coaching and playing in the local Upwards basketball league in a nearby town. Upwards is a national ministry that uses sports to reach the lost with the gospel! (They have an awesome site here.) We get to play ball and spread the gospel side by side this season. God is so good to give us something in our lives that we enjoy so much while also giving us an opportunity to bring Him glory and serve Him while doing it! Hope Jill likes ball too. I think she may have many years on bleachers watching her big sis ahead of her. There are worst places to be.

Oh That These Days Could Last Forever

Waking up to this...

Spending the day like this....

Ending with this...

Enjoying our holiday staying with my dh's parents on the coast. Oh my girl is growing up so that I hardly recognize her walking the beach next to her daddy. The only thing missing is Jill. Can't wait to have that precious baby here. Looking at this ocean and sunset..You are Marvelous God and I am in awe of all that you given me. Post more soon. Hope you are enjoying your holiday and family this week!

Blessed-A Choice to Make

Yesterday I was given the privilege of being a part of bringing the light of Jesus to a needy family that has come in contact with our congregation through our food pantry and free Saturday meal ministry. Through these ministries the faithful volunteers from our congregation welcome the poor in the name of Jesus to be fed and send them off with food for their families.

Last week at the meal, a dear friend of my mine was confronted with a very real need facing one of the families she serves through these ministries. This family needed beds for their little ones. Their five year old and 18 month old had been sleeping on a couch. They-had-no-beds. They had never had beds. No-beds. My friend's heart was troubled when she discovered this and she couldn't sit by and do nothing. She started by asking for prayer in our women's Sunday School Class. Soon because of her efforts, our entire congregation was rallied around this cause and more than enough money was brought in to provide beds for these little ones. We were also able to get gifts, blankets, and pillows.

I was lucky enough to deliver these things yesterday to this family's modest home... Blessed.
Blessed by the experience.
Blessed by the chance that Jesus gives me to help others though in a small way.
Blessed to see the five year old boy shouting with joy-NOW WE HAVE BEDS!
Blessed to have the opportunity to have beds for my family and one waiting for little Jill already.
Blessed!

Immediately after delivering to this precious family, I went to the grocery store to buy more supplies for another gathering I have to cook for this week. The store was packed. The line was down the aisle, but I couldn't forget-Blessed! I had a choice to make in that moment. We have a choice to make in every momment. Choose to remember that I am blessed. Choose to remember that I am blessed to be able to walk into the store anytime I want and buy whatever I need anytime that I need it or choose to dwell on the time spent waiting. Choose to use the time to take in the blessing or choose to waste the time counting all the minutes ticking away. Blessed. So many of us are blessed this holiday season.

Today I am choosing to bask in the blessings I have and not dwell in the world that is so full of negatives. Hope you are feeling the blessings of a life in Jesus Christ this Christmas Eve. No blessing compares to the blessing of knowing my Savior!

Keep My Eyes Open

While I sit warm in my house, baking my 100th batch of cookies..Logging on to my email to find the sweet face in the video above. It is so easy to close my eyes to these images. They cause me to feel pain, but I can't keep them out. I can't close my eyes. May I keep my eyes open to the millions of children, widows, and poor who are struggling. Who are cold. Who are hurting. Who are in need. May my eyes continue to be open to the world around me..in my backyard and around the world. Jesus wants that. Jesus wants me to respond. Jesus wants me to feel the hurt of those in need and reach out. I have wasted so much of my life not doing what Jesus wants. This Christmas..I am trying so hard to keep my eyes open, to experience the need of others, and to respond. Thank you Jesus for the way that you don't give up on me and for the way that you challenge me each and every day to live out this life the way that you call us to. I am blessed to know you Lord! Praying that all who read this may know the blessing of knowing you this Christmas Season!

Best Way to Spend the Day

It looked like this outside....




So after church we spent the rest of the afternoon doing this...



and this...


and this...



and this....



I love spending the whole day in the kitchen with my girl. Precious mother daughter time that I wouldn't trade for the world. So thankful to God for giving me this wonderful young woman to raise up in Him.

Happy Birthday DH

That was then...

(Celebrating his 17th birthday together! We just started dating.)

This is now..

(Celebrating his 37th birthday together!)

Some things never change..Notice both cakes are chocolate. Still others do...Also notice one picture has my dear man smiling with a head of hair and one with a head of glare. :)

So very blessed to have spent more years of my life with this man than I have without him! What an incredible father and husband you are.. I am blessed beyond words to be able to call you mine! Happy Birthday-you are my best friend and one of the most selfless people I know! You are constantly sacrificing for us. I never have to carry in my own groceries, rarely have to get my own gas, don't touch the laundry, or ever have to take out the trash. You are always serving me! Love ya Baby!

WE WON!!

It is that time of year again. Thanksgiving feast day at my darling kiddo's school complete with a very long musical program, delicious homemade meal,and chapel service.:) So thankful for this wonderful little place that is our school. A wonderful, God filled ministry so boldly representing the Lord in this culture that has tried to squeeze God out. Nothing like a kindergarten class of five year old smiling faces reciting the entire chapter of Psalm 100 from memory to bring this momma to tears. God is beginning to be written all over these precious children's heart because of the faithful, beautiful people who serve the Lord so sacrificially by teaching at this small school. So very blessed to be a part of it!

Especially when....

We win!! Each year there is a costume contest at the feast. All the classes dress up in Thanksgiving related garb and go up against each other for the Most Original or Most Life Like award! We love us some winnin' at our house, so we devise a plan each year. We usually try to go for the most original and this year WE WON!! We put a spin on the traditional pilgrim costume by adding a cardboard Mayflower around her middle for her to "arrive" in. See the first place ribbon?




Just for laughs Daddy's idea (which we did not pursue) was to tape a rock to her back side and say she is a pilgrim landing on Plymouth Rock. LOL!! Gotta love that man! He slept through most of our costume photo session in the livingroom. Darling kiddo loves to capture his naps on film so I just had to include one.



Hope your holidays are blessed!

Fabulous Fall

It can't get any better than this..

Raking...

Posing...

Leaf fight...

I love these two so much that even raking leaves alongside them is a precious blessing! Can't wait for our little toddler to join us..Don't worry Jill your rake is waiting. Hope you have time to enjoy your family and this beautiful fall weather. It seems like the days are going much too fast!