Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thankful

So MUCH to be thankful for!

A husband that loves to create yumminess...

children that come home for the holidays... 

sisters bonding...

laughter that brings tears...

 cousins that are friends...

the peace that surpasses understanding
and joy that comes from the Lord...


grandbabies...

and a house FULL of family! 

and the list just goes on, and on, and on, and on, and...

I hope you had a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Every day is a day to be thankful...
count your blessings!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Step of Faith

Have you noticed how God calls us to do things without giving us the whole picture?

And have you noticed how He doesn't wait until WE think we are ready before He calls us to go?

Hence, "walk by faith, not by sight".

The thing about faith is that you don't have to have all the pieces put together before you move.  When you have faith, you begin a journey without knowing exactly where you will end up.

Like Abraham for instance.

"The LORD had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.'" Gen 12:1

Did you catch that?

Go to the land that I WILL show you.

It takes faith to GO without knowing exactly WHERE you are going.

When God called us to start The Suubi Project in Ug*nda, He didn't give us the whole picture.  And I definitely did NOT (do not) feel equipped to do what He has asked of me!

The Suubi journey has felt like a scene right out of an Indiana Jones movie.  You know the one... where Indiana has to take the first step BEFORE the stone bridge appears!  The step of faith!

Every step of this journey has felt like that!  Do the first thing... then the next... then the next... and so on.

I have yet to feel "ready" for what God is doing through this project.  I feel inadequate most days to do this job. 

I am so very thankful for His promise of "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

When it comes to overseeing an orphanage, finding sponsors for school fees, providing for a church, figuring out ways to minister to a village, putting a website together, doing interviews to hopefully gain more interest in what God is doing... wow!  He could have picked someone with a LOT MORE knowledge and ability than I possess!

But OH! how thankful I am that He has let me be a part of all that HE is doing through Suubi!  It's so exciting to be in the middle of it!

I encourage you... if you feel God is calling you to do something AND it lines up with Scripture... like care for orphans, adopt a child, take care of a widow, give to the poor, start a ministry...... I encourage you to take the first step.

Be faithful in the first step.  He will show you where to go next.

He will provide what you need and He will direct your path.  He will close doors... and He will open them.

He is indeed FAITHFUL!

Next month the Living Magazine of the DFW Area is publishing an article on The Suubi Project.  Needless to say, we are a little excited about it!

So... ready or not... God is moving!

My prayer is... that what ever He asks of me and you, we will be faithful to walk in faith one step at a time, doing all that He directs us to do.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.' Isaiah 30:21

What is He asking you to step out in faith and do?

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Happy Birthday, Juliet!

Our sweet girl celebrates another birthday!
What a difference a year makes!

Her confidence has grown...

She has made new friends...

bonded to her siblings in a deeper way...

and blossomed into a lovely young lady!

Happy Birthday, precious daughter!

We are so blessed that God brought you into our family!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Life and Death

Today we celebrate the life of our precious Katherine.

She is our beautiful daughter that has brought joy into our home
since the day she was born.


All her life she has been a happy girl.

Katherine has loved Jesus since she was very young.

Now as a young woman, she has dedicated her life to following Him
in passionate pursuit of what ever He wants her to do
and where ever He wants her to go.

Yes.  is her answer to His call.

We are so very proud of her.


One year ago, today is also the day that my stepDad died.


A loss that is still difficult to believe.

His death left me with the sad realization
that I hadn't said all the things I wanted to say...

and I wonder if he knew just how much he meant to me.

The heart break of losing him was magnified
by watching my mother grieve the loss of her husband...
her very best friend.

My heart aches for her still.


On this day that is so very special...

and so very sad...

I will celebrate life.

Because after death...

there is new life for those that know and love Jesus.

My Dad loved Jesus.

So LIFE everlasting is his.

I wish my precious, beautiful Katherine a very happy Birthday!

and my Dad... I hold on to the hope that promises
I will see him again someday.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Pray for Ruby Grace

There's a precious, tiny, girl named Ruby Grace

 who needs our prayers.

Go HERE to read her story...

and pray.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Are You Available?

I am learning that when it comes to God's calling...

I just need to be available.

He can work through 'available' people.


When He wants to achieve His purpose through you...

when He calls you to be His hands and feet...

be available.


When we are willing to do what EVER He asks of us,

when we are available for Him to use...

instead of being too busy with life and wrapped up in our own plans...

when we say "Here I am, Lord! Send me!"

He WILL use us.


I am amazed that God has allowed our family to be a part of what He is doing in Ug*nda.

I am humbled by all that He is accomplishing through us.

It is a beautiful thing to be in the middle of what God is doing.

Check out what He's doing HERE.

Sunset at Suubi

If you want to be a part of something amazing...

be avaliable.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Wedding Day!

In a beautiful ceremony
inside a quaint little chapel
nestled in the hills of Kentucky...

our oldest son stood before God,
said his vows
 and became husband.
There was such joy in witnessing
the happiness and love he and his bride share!

We are so happy to have Lauren join our family!

It was so wonderful to have ALL 10 (now 11!)
 of our children in the same place!

Brandon is missing from this photo because
he was busy taking wedding portraits. 
Much more important at the moment!


As Brandon and Lauren said their vows,
it made me smile at the thought of
Gary and I over 20 years ago
making that same commitment.

I am so blessed to be married
 to this wonderful man.

We've come a long way, Baby!




Congratulations to Brandon and Lauren!
May God bless your marriage
and keep you always friends...
may He fill your home with love
and laughter...
and may His good purpose
for your life together
bring Him glory...

And may you visit your family in Texas often!!!