Dinner plans

I'm talkin' lots of food! We hope to feed lots of people. Good thing I like to cook :)
Maybe we'll go from this ....
...to this!

But only if that is God's plan. This dinner is to raise travel funds for two Treasures to come home. It's scheduled for next Tuesday, October 6. Everyone is invited!!!! There are so many of you I've never met, and I wish you lived closer so we could meet face to face! Will you please join us in prayer that:

1) God would be glorified

2) This event would cause adoption awareness

3) Our faith would continue to grow as we are fully dependant on Him

God is good!

but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.

Praise be to God,

who has not rejected my prayer

or withheld his love from me!

Psa 66:19-20

September - where?

Where did September go? It's not quite over yet, but seriously, we're heading into fall already! I know I've been negligent in posting pix of the kids so here are a few from September (and maybe the end of August). Apparently I didn't grab the camera as much as I should have. What have we done in September?

We moved Kuyler back to college. You go, girl. Not flat head, just good balance.

Weight training on his deck. Ummm, she only weighs 35 pounds.
We celebrated Kuyler's 21st birthday!
Kolton rode his horse Pistol in the parade.
Kaeleb won his turtle race.
We're watching Kolton play football - so far undefeated! Go, 45!!!!
We're cleaning :)
Watching Suite Life on the computer.
We went to See You at the Pole.

We had special friends over and made homemade salsa - yummy!
We also had a baby shower for Tina and her precious daughter waiting in Korea. April started her fundraiser - awesome necklaces! Youth is in full swing! We had NUF Nite last Wednesday with a Wii tournament (so I was the first contestant eliminated ... and I'm ok with that :), and we're headed to the corn maze next weekend. And lots of cool stuff in our Wild Goose Chase, praise the Lord!

Every Child Deserves a Home

Get your Kleenex handy and be blessed by this beautiful video! What a reminder that this miraculous journey is not about ME, but about the fatherless and God's calling upon our lives. I must put aside my frustration and discouragement and cast my cares on Him - whose timing is perfect. May He be glorified as He raises up families who respond to His invitation to encounter Him!
*Please turn off the music at the bottom of the blog before playing the video.

Righteousness

Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Gal 3:5-6

Kayden Faith Comes Home!

Kayden Faith, today we celebrate your 5th Forever Family Day, and we praise God for you!
*Please shut off the sound at the bottom of the blog before playing the video.
God bless you!

Memorial Box Monday ~ My Grace is Sufficient

My grace is sufficient!
Minding my own business, getting ready for work in late 2003, and on the radio I hear this incredible testimony of how an 11 year old girl prayed, encouraged and finally inspired her parents to adopt from China. It was as if the audible voice of God was whispering amazing plans into my pounding heart.

I’ve shared my testimony many times of how He spoke adoption into our family, and I will continue to praise Him for changing our lives! We had never talked about adopting, didn’t know anything about the international process, and we certainly didn’t realize there were over 143 million orphans worldwide needing loving parents to tuck them into bed every night.

As we dove into the process and learned more about it, we often became overwhelmed and weary. We serve an amazing God who knows our every need, and at that point in our faith (I had been a believer for 2 years and Clayton for 6) He knew we needed confirmation that we were following His calling and not stepping out on a limb on our own strength.

For 11 months we claimed the promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9(a) “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” We questioned our abilities so many times. We questioned how we would afford the process. We questioned our ability to love. I will testify that on September 21, 2004 I learned love takes on an entirely new realm when we love through our Heavenly Father! All the questions, fears and doubt were washed away as the Lord sweetly affirmed His plan for our family and Kayden Faith was placed in our arms.

We had kept this journey to ourselves for several months so we would know for certain it was what God intended for us. We were immature spiritually, but we didn’t want to be influenced by human wisdom. We really wanted to shout from the rooftop what God was doing, and once we did we were often asked by family and strangers why we would adopt … and why from China. Everyone wanted a ‘logical’ answer. We had thrown logic out the window and decided to follow the Lord with reckless abandon, trusting Him for everything we needed. His Word enlightened, refreshed and motivated us. His people encouraged us. His Spirit moved us. His love enveloped us.

I am convinced the more time we spend in His Word and in intimate prayer, the more we know Him and can hear His voice. But I also am convinced the Spirit is constantly moving and speaking, even when we least expect to hear, “My grace is sufficient for you…”

Prayer

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

If our family comes to mind this week, please lift us up. May you have a blessed week!

AND THE WINNER IS ...

DEBORAH! Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who entered. You have blessed us beyond our imagination.

Sorry for the delay in posting ~ I was trying to reach the winner to let her know first:)

Giveaway Drawing Tomorrow!!!

Hi, Friends! Just a reminder that we will draw for the giveaway at 12 p.m. CST tomorrow, September 16! If you have any questions, please email me.
Thank you to these ladies for entering so far:
Linny
Laine
JA Thompson
Tammy E
Cindy
Shelley
Robin
Linda
Tanya
April
Erica H
Mandie
Deborah

Power Verse

Isaiah 55:9, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (NIV)

2 Chronicles 16:9, "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (NIV)

These were the power verses in my devotion this morning, words I so needed to hear. We are in a time of trusting that His ways are higher, much higher, than our own. While it isn't wrong to trust our means and resources to solve problems, it is sin to trust them more than God! His plans are better, His timing is perfect, His resources are unlimited... He is sovereign! The results may not be visible at this time, but we know He is ALWAYS trustworthy and faithful and the battle is won.

He is strengthening us. We are praising Him!

Thank you, Lord, for knowing what we need, even before we do, and satisfying ALL our needs. Please help me to trust YOU and praise YOU in ALL things. In Jesus' name, Amen!

An Orphan's Prayer

"An Orphans Prayer"

I am waiting...somewhere far...far away on the other side of the world.

I may not know who you are or what you look like, but somewhere deep in my heart I know you are out there, that one day you will come and find me.

It's a long journey, and it takes a lot of time...I wish it could be easier.

But I know the ones that come for me will not count the cost.

They will only see the joy in finding me.

For now I abide in the fields of the fatherless. Day by day wondering why I was born here and not somewhere else? Asking why my life couldn't have been different?

It is so lonely.

Even though I am surrounded by hundreds of other children, I know that something is missing...I know in my heart I need a place to call home. My arms long to be wrapped in a father's embrace...I long to be saved by a mother's love...

Gazing out the orphans window, I offer a prayer of hope, "Oh God please help them come quickly."

Even as I lay in the darkness each night somehow I feel assured, that no matter how lost I appear, I am not alone. Holy hands guard my steps; sacred fingers wipe my tears, touching my lonely heart. The one who made me, the God that knew me before I was born, hears me every time I call. He whispers His promises in my ear. I listen with hope to His voice.

But what I worry about most is that no one wants to look for me. The fields are vast and there are so many scattered all over the earth. I wonder how one little child, so lost, can be found?

Yet He calms my heart and assures me He will find you. That He will make sure that you hear His voice clearly. He has promised me that he will make a way through the fields, that He will personally cut a path, and lead you right to my orphanage door.

My prayer is....When He speaks...Please don't forget to listen...When He calls don't be too afraid to go. For I am waiting...somewhere, far...far away on the other side of the world to come home.

~Anonymous

Swimmin' Upstream

The following quote from Francis Chan's book Crazy Love has been rumbling in my heart for a while now, and I just have to share.
"Following Christ isn't something that can be done halfheartedly or on the side. It is not a label we can display when it is useful. It must be central to everything we do and are. If life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream. When we stop swimming, or actively following Him, we automatically begin to be swept downstream."
Wow, it's that last sentence that gets me! I can so relate to that. It's just not enough to label myself a Christian. How do I wear that label? Being a Christian is an act of ... well, action. It's a daily pursuit of my Savior, an ongoing relationship with my Creator. The minute I stop reading, praying, praising, loving I am quickly whisked back into this world, into a clouded perspective, into a societal focus.
I can talk it, but if I don't live it, it's pretty evident. See, I've been there. I've gotten busy and let my relationship slide. "I'll read tomorrow. I'll pray later." Do you know what I'm talking about? But tomorrow turns into next week and next week into next month. In the meantime there is something brewing inside me.
Not only has my perspective changed, so has my attitude. I become skeptical, cynical, critical, jealous (ouch!). I begin questioning other relationships. "Why is so-and-so acting that way? Why did she say that to me? Why doesn't she speak to me?" Have you been there?
When I stop actively pursuing the One who gives me purpose, I begin living for my own purpose, in my own weakness, walking my own crooked path. When I stop receiving the love of the One who loves me so much, I can't give or receive it according to the Word. It's so easy to love those who love us back, but we are commanded to love the stranger, our enemy, even the one who would harm us (many times with their words).
When I'm floating back into the murky waters, they permeate every part of my being. My spirit. My attitude. My relationships. My heart. My actions.
Where are you today? Even if it's been a while since you've talked to your Heavenly Father, He's ready to listen. He's ready to speak to you. Let's swim upstream together!
Lord, please give us the desire to daily swim upstream with you, actively pursuing you, saying yes to your plans, shining your light in this dark world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

One Week to Giveaway!

Don't forget our Giveaway! Drawing is one week from today! Click on the Chip-In above to enter. Thank you to those who have already entered.

We'd Love to Adopt ... If We Could 'Afford' It!"

I've been wanting to share my heart about this for a long time, and now I know the time is right. I'm going to leave most of the talkin' up to my friend Linny over at A Place Called Simplicity because she has such an eloquent way of putting things. I'll say that I share her heart and wholeheartedly agree with her thoughts on 'affording' adoption.
Truth is, we spend our time, money and resources on what's really important to us. As Americans, somewhere along the way we've developed an entitlement attitude. We think we deserve such-and-such.
I can't tell you the number of people who have said to me, "We'd love to adopt, if only we could afford it." Let me tell you in all the adoptive families I know, there are probably a hand full who had the funds at their fingertips (and we're not one of them).
This post is not meant to convict anyone. It's keeping it real ... for me and anyone else who needs to be real.
See, I've been wanting to redo my kitchen walls. Every time I take birthday pictures of my kids, I see the lovely ivy wallpaper I so carefully chose and applied ten years ago when we built this house. Thing is, my kitchen is a big room and it will cost a lot to redo the walls! There's nothing wrong with the wallpaper, other than I want something more modern, updated, upgraded! Even if I could afford it right now, should I do it? I mean, I know two other families within minutes of my home who are adopting internationally, and I'll bet they could use the funds it would take to paper my kitchen! We're still praying for God to reveal how He's going to creatively provide for the rest of our journey - and I don't think He wants me to repaper my kitchen and sell admission tickets :) We know He will continue to provide all we need, just as He has in the past!
I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again, we've never had money set aside for adoption, but when the Lord called us in obedience He didn't intend for us to 'have all our ducks in a row.' He wants us to depend on Him! He wants to receive the glory! We believe in our case if we'd had the funds at our disposal, He would not receive the credit, or we might not have stepped out in faith in the first place.
I've recently finished three books that have given perspective to obedience and how we spend our resources: Crazy Love, Wild Goose Chase, and Brother Yun. None of these guys drive a bigger car or live in a bigger house just because they can - or even if they could. In fact, they're all about down-sizing so they can give away what's left. Now that's not a concept we're familiar with!
Like so many folks, I struggle with materialism. I DO work hard! But does that mean I deserve something more for myself? Not according to God's Word. When I came to the realization and understanding that it all belongs to Him, it helped me change perspective. We DO need more room in our house. But we are not going to build on. We DO need a bigger car. But we're not buying one! All of those things would be for our own comfort. We are plenty comfortable now. We've given up a lot, but we haven't sacrificed! We don't know the half of what it means to sacrifice. We haven't given our lives to profess our faith; we haven't left our air-conditioned home to move halfway around the world to share the Gospel; we haven't lost a child in the war ....
The question I'm asking myself is, "What does God think of what I'm doing with what is His?" How am I taking care of His things? His children?
His Word doesn't say to care for the orphan ... when you can afford it, or whatever you do for the least of these, when you have plenty, you do for me. Ref: James 1:27; Matthew 25:40; Phil 4:12; Gal 6:3; 2 Cor 5:15; James 1:17; Matthew 6:19-21.
What I am 'entitled to' I do not want! What I want, I am not entitled to! I must follow in obedience, keeping my eyes on Him as my Provision!
Our Motto: We don't have retirement, but our investment keeps growing! :)
Don't forget to check out Linny's blog! You'll love it!

Back to Life!

We're feeling better around here, finally! I am so thankful for good health. Please don't forget our Giveaway! It ends in 2 weeks!