Beautiful...

This morning, driving home from dropping off my children,  I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the Lord.

The sky was the most radiant of colors.  Sunbeams coming through the slighty cloudy sky. Gorgeous.  It truly declared the glory of the Lord. 

I wondered... how many people noticed?  I wondered... how often do I miss His beauty that surrounds me?  Whether it be in creation, or in my children, or in a moment, or in good news from a friend. 

Beauty is not what the world would have us think it is... it is so much more.  How often do I miss real beauty for the fabricated version?

I think most days I get so busy rushing about, "taking care of business", that I forget to stop... and look...  and see the beauty of the Lord that surrounds me.

It brought tears to my eyes this morning... the thought of all His good gifts to me... all His blessings... all His love... for me.  And you.

Oh, how He loves us!

I hope to truly see His beauty in the everyday ordinary.  I hope you will see it too.  All we have to do... is look.  It's there... declaring His glory.

I am so blessed to have noticed His beauty and majesty and love early this morning.

I hope you will see His love for you today.  It surrounds you.  And me.

 "For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth." Psalm 108:4-5

Celebrating

...my Mom. 

A dedicated mother. A prayer warrior. A constant support. A thoughtful listener. An encourager. A cheer leader. A friend.  A loving Grand-ma. Full of kindness and compassion. Young at heart.  Beautiful inside and out. 

Mom, thank you for loving me so well!  Happy Birthday!

Something New

Every now and then I stumble across something that I REALLY want to share with you.

Something that I KNOW you will enjoy. Something that WILL bless you.

A few days ago, I happened to find "A Holy Experience" blog.  It just so "happened" to speak to my heart that very day.  The same way "Jesus Calling" does, just when I need it.  I love how God does that.

The pearls of wisdom and insight, inspiration and challenge from this blog have blessed my heart.  It is FULL of good teaching.

I pray it will bless your heart as well.

Sweet Sisters

I'm in a sentimental mood...

"Follow Me"

is the answer to the question, "Why are you adopting?".  It's not about me, it's about Jesus.  I know not everyone understands this whole adoption adventure.  I know not everyone agrees.  But, I don't have to answer to everyone.  I have to answer to the One who gave His life for me.  This is what He has called our family to do, and we will follow Him.

The journey so far:

When I first felt God calling our family to adopt from Uganda... I was full of questions.  I questioned whether He meant "adopt" or "sponsor".  I questioned whether or not I was equipped to adopt.  I questioned the country choice.  I questioned whether or not I would be able to love adopted children as my own.  I questioned my motives.  I questioned how adoption would work out for our family.

After spending much time in prayer, my questioning turned into a desperate plea for direction.  My heart cried out to my Jesus... 'please, don't let me fail You'.   And His gentle answer was "follow Me". 

He led us to meet Pastor Jackson and Eve Senyonga of Christian Life Church and Ministries.  He led us to sponsor children in Uganda through their ministry.  He led us to Uganda for the National Celebration for the most amazing worship experience.  He led us to visit CLM's orphan village to visit our sponsored children.  We have been forever changed by that experience.

After visiting our sponsored children, I started asking questions again.  I questioned whether or not we were just supposed to sponsor children.  I questioned whether or not He really said "adopt".  Again, I prayed.  His answer was again "follow Me".

He led us to a foster home to take pictures of some precious girls for a "bloggy" friend, who has become a dear friend.  He led one of His faithful to bring several children, that did not live in the home, to a party planned for our arrival.  And He spoke to our hearts that day when we saw them, "these are your children".

I had no questions.  I knew they were mine.  I knew I could love them.  I knew that He would equip me and our family in every way to care for them.  I knew I didn't have to figure it out, because He would take care of it.  All I had to do... was follow Him.

There is no part of this story that is about me.  It's ALL about Him.  He is faithful.  In my weakness, He is strong.  In my questions, He is the answer. 

He says, "follow Me" and so I will.

So today, I encourage you to take a step of faith and follow Him in whatever He is calling you to do. 

He will not fail you.  You do not have to figure out the details, He will.

His gentle call is "follow Me".

"He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice." John 10:4

I figure...

since we have had so much rain around here lately, I should share my sunshine!

Isn't he a cutie!  AND he has a beautiful heart too! 

One of Those Days

Most days I go about the business of taking care of my family pretty routinely. Although I am always thinking about my children in Uganda, I still function pretty normally. I manage to stay focused and be productive. Having a large family, I have plenty to keep my mind occupied and my hands busy.

Then I have days... where it's hard to function. Days when it's difficult to think about anything else but them. Days when my heart aches so desperatley for them to be home I am in a constant state of tears.

I know God's timing is perfect. I understand I haven't been waiting nearly as long as some of my dear friends. I trust my Father in heaven completely. I know that He is at work to accomplish His good purposes.

but Today... is one of those days.

How He Loves Us

EVERY time I watch this video... I am SO blessed!

Let the truth of the words in this song... OH! HOW HE LOVES US!... permeate your heart and soul.

Be BLESSED my friends!

In Remembrance

When the Towers Fell
by Stephanie Sargent
September 11, 2001

Somewhere out there, somewhere today

People scream, people pray

As horror filled faces look heavenward

At the tower that fell without a warning or word

As the ashes and smoke filled the street

All you could hear were moans of grief

The sirens come, the black sets around

Glass, steel, and people lie on the ground

How many dead, how many alive?

How many are still trapped inside?

Tears stream down soot covered faces

Firemen run as their heart races

The nation watches as they see

The freedom that was stripped from everybody

How many children go to bed without dads?

How many moms go to bed so sad?

Heroes were made trying to save

They did not know that this was the day

That they would go, that they would fade

God is watching, God is here

God is with us, have no fear

For He is wiping every tear

And if you could look, if you could see

God is crying for you and me.

May God's loving presence comfort those today who were touched by this tragedy.  My prayers are with you.

The Rock Quarry Women

This is a beautiful video Convergence Uganda put together about the rock quarry women and children. 

Remember I told you that the quarry was being sold and the women and children were being forced to leave.  Remember they had NO place to go.  Until... God moved! 

Please watch this video and consider making a donation that will go towards building a modest home for one of these women and her children.  You will be SO blessed to partner with Jen and Amanda as they faithfully serve God and work to give these beautiful people a new beginning.
 

These women are now filled with hope for their future!  Hope that comes from the Lord!!

"Now that I have seen... I am resonsible."

The Question

most frequently asked lately is...

"What is going on with the adoption?"

First, I want to say thank you for asking!  It means so much to us that so many people are interested and excited about our adoption.  It is also such a blessing to receive so many prayers and encouraging words!

the update:
While I was in Uganda in July, I became aware of many changes on the horizon (that I would not have known about had I not been in country... God is SO good!) regarding the agency we are using. Gary and I were concerned that in the midst of these changes our case was going to be delayed.

After much prayer and consideration regarding what was in the best interest of our children, Gary encouraged me to meet with a new lawyer before I left the country. This lawyer was recommended by a family that has completed the process and done a LOT of foot work regarding adoption in Uganda.  After meeting with him (twice! the day of my departure!), I hired him to work on our case.  We feel certain that this was God's direction and that we will complete the process much more timely with his services.  It is encouraging to know that our case is being worked on vs. our dossier sitting in an office "until further notice".  We still don't know what the time frame looks like to bring them home, but we hope to hear about a court date very soon. 

Gary and I are planning on returning to Uganda again in December for the National Celebration.  We will get to spend time with Kenneth and Sharon, as well as visit the children we sponsor there.  Wouldn't it be amazing if the timing worked out to bring them home then! God willing!!! 

God's faithfulness has been so apparent in every detail regarding our adoption.  I am so thankful for His direction and provision!

...and I am thankful for your prayers too!

For great is Your love, higher than the heavens;

Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let Your glory be over all the earth.  Psalm 108:4-5

Rest

The past few weeks have been extremely busy.  The kind of weeks where you're moving so fast from one task to the next that the most important things get neglected for the ones that are the most demanding.

Life is demanding. It always will be.

Consider this... Jesus was a busy man. He was constantly moving. He was always serving. He was being pulled by the demands of the world daily.

But, no matter how demanding life became... He was faithful to keep the most important thing first. Time with His Father.

"Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31

The amazing thing about spending time with Him and resting in His presence is...

He is faithful. To give us rest. To carry our burdens. To refresh our souls.

So today... I am going to lay my weary head on my Savior's knee and spend time with Him. And rest. 

I hope that you will lay aside every demand at some point today and find peace and be refreshed as you rest in Him. 

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Matthew 11:28 Amplified Bible