Time to Reset

Wow! It has come to my attention that people actually read what's going on here and that it has been a long time since I've written.  I'm sure you know the drill: life, work, homeschooling, activities, etc.

Life has been a whirl wind in the last year.  We adopted our precious son and he accepted our name, we've visited friends in Virginia, moved ahead with homeschooling, changed a job or two, and our baby #1 graduated high school then moved out to explore the world of missions.

Honestly, I've let day to day life move me further away from where my heart should be which causes me to sit in my exhaustion rather than pressing into his truth for me.

Though I have SO much to say regarding things that weren't shared, like victories in healing and revelations, I must take this time to reset.  I need to reset my thinking and my actions.  The kids and I were talking about how we can personally follow Jesus in Bible one day (probably a long while back lol) and I felt the Lord press into me.

I can follow Jesus by-

1. Read the Bible daily.
2. Pray daily 
3. pray for my family. 
4. Reach out to others who need encouragement
5. Find the positive in every situation 
6. Trust God has my life in his hands
7. Continue to give, and give joyfully

Today I looked at the list and thought, "Am I really doing these things in a way that is edifying to God?"  I mean we all get busy, we all find idols that take the place of what we are supposed to do, right?  STOP-Yes, I am talking to myself.  We/I must stop allowing the busyness of life to stop me from my ultimate goal which is a beautiful relationship with my Lord and Savior.  So today (and I'm sure many other days) I give it all back to Him.  He is my source of strength, He promises me good gifts for seeking him.  

Lord, 

I come to you as a wayward child, the one sheep that has ran off from the herd because I let "things" distract me from Your will.  I deeply desire for me and my family to seek a relationship with you, for us to want to hear/read your word, for us to love on the people you've called us to love on and to show mercy and grace.  Lord, if there is anywhere I haven't given to you, please bring that to my mind so I can turn it over.  I ask that you align my actions and thoughts to my heart, and that my heart will be like yours.  Give me the wisdom and strength to get through each day while edifying You.  Lord, I want to be a Godly wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and neighbor.  Send people to my village Lord that will help me to grow in You.  Thank you for giving me life and life abundantly.  You are my master creator, healer, provider, and so much more.  To you I give everything, my whole self and being.  To you I want to give all the glory and honor.  Thank you for hearing my cries and desires.  In Jesus' name-Amen.

Devil, You Can't Have My Family

It's tragic to see the hurt in your child's heart, especially when you haven't been there their whole life.  Adopting is a whole new thought process when parenting and is changing our lives.  The past is there and seems forever looming over their heads.  Healing is essential, but only God can do it.  Every day we spend with our child, we recognize the need more than ever for salvation, freedom, and healing.

I'm so thankful for being reminded today that God promises salvation to our families and we must claim that victory.  "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your household."

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming here to die for all our sins.  Help me to serve you all the days of my life and I pray that your word would be a lamp unto my families feet.  I ask that all my children and my husband would call you Lord and Savior, and worship you all the days of their lives.  I ask Lord that you would heal the brokenness of our child and make him a new.  Turn his life to you and let him be a miracle.  I pray that his life will be a testimony of your healing, grace, and mercy.  I ask Lord that you protect my children wherever they are and surround them with people that will point them back to you in every situation.  Lord, renew their minds to think of how you would want them to act or speak to others.  Please give Wayne and I the wisdom and knowledge to be the best parents and teachers for our children giving your words through our mouths and hearts.  You are our healer, our great physician, our mighty king, the Lord of Lords.  You give freedom and healing to those who ask, so I ask of these for the family you have given me.  Take back their lives and give them a hope and a future in your kingdom. Amen

Exciting New Normal

It's the strangest feeling to share custody of someone you feel strong about.   Last Saturday was our first weekend with our newest member.  It went very well and it seems so natural when he is with us.  We are all looking forward to Christmas break, not because of Christmas day, but for the start of a new us.  December 21st begins our first 90-day journey of overnights and spending as much time with him.

We spoke with him on the phone last night and he is just as excited as we are to get him here.

Our new little guy is not so little. He is 14 and definitely a hand full.  I can't post a picture right now due to the rules and regulations, but if you have seen him with us you would know he just fits.  We are a hand full too, as a family.  Definitely not perfect (who is?)!

We may not be perfect, but that's what makes us special.  Perfection is not attainable without Jesus and He is constantly pruning us as we desire him in our lives.  I desire with all of me for my family to know the Lord and for us to point to Him in all circumstances.  Our job is not to save the world, but it is our job to plant the seeds of salvation wherever we go.

-- Two weeks ago when we were matched, we prayed in our prayer group at church about all of this and shared that there is baggage that comes along.  Our pastor said he felt that the Lord had a word for us, "You say he has baggage, but I say you come with healing." I believe that this is the appointed time for our little Buddy to have a true forever family that will take him as he is, helping him know the Lord, and giving him room for healing that only the Lord can do.  Will this be easy for us, no probably not, but God promises that He will be there every step of the way.  This song speaks mountains for our little Buddy.

I can't wait to share more, stay tuned.

Lord, God thank you for loving the least of these, for caring for us even though sometimes we have moved so far away from you.  Give us unity as a family and wisdom as parents to raise our children that you have shared with us unto You.  We pray without ceasing for our dear son for healing and restoration.  Let me this be his story and testimony of your faithfulness.  Let him use his past as a way to minister to others.  You are our healer, our comforter, our provider, and most importantly our Abba Father.  You are mighty and we give you all the praise, honor, and glory.  Amen.

Need to catch my breath...

It has been a while since the last time I shared the going ons with our family.  It seems that when we think there is a smoothness to the path, then it hits again.  This time, it is us just following our hearts with expanding our family and starting new adventures as well.  

During April and May, Wayne and I completed a series of parenting classes to start our adoption process.  I know that for most this is a lot to take in :) We've thought about this for 9 years, off and on.  It seemed as if we were never in a good place to start or to actually consider it.  

Over the last two months, we have learned a lot about ourselves and our children.  To be honest, they are just as excited to the thought of giving a broken hearted being a place that they will be loved and accepted.  We have talked about the different scenarios that our child will be coming from, the heartache, the shame, and the time it will take to mold into a "normal" for them.  

Adoption is a sometimes long journey, so patience is definitely key.  Our last part to finish before we are approved or denied is our home study which is coming up in 8 days.  I'm not really too nervous, as I know that God has this in His hands and if it is to happen everything will work together.  I have however started to pray for our child(ren); for their safety, courage, and compatibility.  Prayer is another key and the most important at that! 

Along with the big news above, we've (well I) have started a homeschool co-op that will start in the fall (August 12th).  Five other moms have stepped up to fill important roles to relieve much pressure from me as well.  God has worked out so many details already, so I'm excited to see what comes of the group in this year and the years to come.  

The girls have big things going on to add to the above.  

Natalie is working on finishing her junior year of high school.  She is taking a little longer to finish, as she worked a lot last year and this year she has joined the FPAN (Florida Public Archeology Network).  God has opened amazing doors here as well.  Most of you know that she has wanted to be an archeologist since she was 5 years old and to hear and watch her be involved with it at the mere age of 16 is incredible.  Her first day she found a beautifully preserved porcelain doll head, part of an oil lantern, a coin that dated back to 1600s, and much more.  She gets to work on a recently discovered site Thursday and Friday, the Spanish settlement by Tristán de Luna y Arellano from 1559 to 1561, the earliest multi-year European colonial settlement ever archaeologically identified in the United States. Is that not the coolest? God has placed her right where she needs to be and only 25-30 minutes away from the college that she is working with too.  

Anna has been given the opportunity to work.  She just started babysitting for a couple at our church and this will be a more long-term gig.  Its so sweet to see her learning to take care of her earnings and the comments she makes regarding the job.  She is definitely being prepared to me a great mom and how to have patience along the way.  I'm also excited to see how God works in her life and her dreams. 

William is strong willed as ever lol, but doing well in his studies.  He started taking drum lessons and is progressing.  He is the most excited about the adoption, as he can't wait to have a brother to share his room, toys, and life with.  I laugh sometimes thinking about the arguing that may commence with this once it comes into fruition, as we know how the girls are close but like having their space at times.  

Updates are always so positive, aren't they? Well, as you have read in my past blogs that is not always the case :) God has called us to a life of passion and discipleship, to a life that shares His love and mercy.  All we can do is obey and enjoy the peace that comes along with it.  

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

James 1:9-11 (MSG)
Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment, everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.

Lord, my God, you have paved the way for me and have continuously led my path.  In you I trust.  It's you who I hold on to, whether the times are trial or jubilee.  Thank you for always encouraging me, giving me direction, leading me with mercy and grace.  Thank you, Lord, for the people you have placed in my life and in my path.  I pray Lord that I will be a light to the darkness that surrounds me daily and that I would be able to encourage everyone.  Lord, I pray that you would continue to mold me and shape me into whom you've called me to be: The wife, The mother, The Friend, The Daughter, The Sister, The Neighbor, and even The Customer that you need me to be to feed your sheep.  Cleanse my mouth, oh God, from any evil.  Give me eyes to see as you do and give me the urgency to be the hands and feet to serve the hurting.  Lord, I pray that my family will be a family that empowers others to follow you and to serve you with all their hearts and souls.  Give my marriage strength, courage, and continuous attraction.  Finally, I pray for your will in our hearts to be strong and for us to obedient to it.  I lay all these things at your feet, Jesus. Amen 

Pleasant Reminder

God's word is so good, even when you have read the same thing time and time again.

James 1:22-25 New International Version

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Lord, I pray that I will serve you in everything I do and say.  I want your blessings and I want to bless others.  Without you, Lord, I am nothing.  Thank you for dying for me and giving me grace.  I continue to lift the hurt and sick, they cry out for healing Lord just as King Hezekiah (Isaiah 38) did when you gave him 15 more years of life.  Lord God, give them 15+ more years of life along with a deeper closer relationship with you.  If they are not saved Father, I ask that you turn their hearts to you.  I praise you and ask these things in your precious son's name, Jesus, Amen.

I have read the story of King Hezekiah's illness time and time again, but it just rings hope into my heart.  The thought that God hears my cries is so pleasant to my soul, so reassuring, so comforting.  I know that I can stand on the promise that He will heal, whether it be on earth or in Heaven, but it will be done in Jesus' name.

Whoa, Just Stop!

 

It's interesting that we rush, rush, rush when our children are young.  Then as they prepare for adulthood and are soon to depart, we start seeking ways to keep them by our sides.  Our firsts are always the guinea pigs of the matter, whether they ask for it or not.  Once we make a mistake with one, we try as we might to correct it with our next.

Just where has the time gone? I mean I was nursing babies, running after toddlers, and cleaning up the mess our toddler loved to leave us on the walls and doors of the house (bless you Anna, you were always so proud of your art work).  Now, I stop and look back to wonder where the time went.  I miss those years and long for them again.  Instead of yearning for the past, I have to hang on to the future.  Enjoy every moment I have with my blessings while their in my midst.  God is so good and He loves them more than I, so I must hang on for the ride and give them to Him.  He will keep them safe.


Lord, I wonder if I have left lasting memories for my/our children to preserve? If I haven't, please help me to create those moments now. Thank you for mending broken hearts and putting us together as a family.  I desire my children to be close and to love one another deeply, never leaving each other or allowing something petty to keep them from spending time as they continue to grow.  I also desire Lord that my children will know you more and more each day, and that their spouses will Love you and them as well.  I pray for them to have great health, and for them to lean unto for all things.  Give me the strength to get through these days, and please Lord protect their hearts from anything that could hurt them-Even from my mouth.  Thank you Lord for them, for the life that has become and was, and for whatever you hold for me or them in the future.  I look forward to spending all of eternity with you. Amen

Ashamed or Recklessly Abandoned

Many times, when serving the Lord, we get lost in what people will thing of us.  We have to come to the crossroads of being ashamed or completely abandoned to God's love, mercy, compassion, protection, and leadership.  Honestly, I feel like this crossroad comes several times in our lives.  It is truly an important milestone, and has so much meaning each and every time.

We need to remember that the only opinion that counts, or we should be concerned with, is that of God's.  We will have to answer to Him for the life we lived here and how we produced fruit or not.

1 Corinthians 15: 58
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.


Father God,
Thank you for your love, protection, provision, healing, mercy, and grace.  You are my rock, my salvation and firm foundation.  I ask that in ALL things that I give you Praise and honor that you deserve.  Lord, I pray that the words from my mouth will give testimony of who you are and how much you love us.  Give me the strength, Oh Lord, to live recklessly abandoned for you.  Amen.