Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Memorial Box Monday ~ Joy in the Morning!

Memorial Box Monday! Please check out my friend, Linny's blog, for her awesome MBM post!

God is so faithful – always! The last year hasn’t exactly been a picnic at our place, but we’ve always claimed God’s promise to never leave nor forsake us. We’ve faced some challenges, some self-inflicted and others unexpected. We first had the flood which took us out of our home for several weeks, cost us time from our self-employment and dollars out of our pocket. Yet, through all of that, the Spirit spoke a second, slightly more challenging adoption into our hearts, which led to more fees and preparation. And God was faithful to provide and bring both our children home.

Once home, the challenges continued with the realization our Teenage Treasure needed to be home schooled in order to bond with family and learn English. More time off work, more challenges. And God was and is faithful!

It seems crazy that in the midst of the transition and striving for a new ‘normal’ that God would draw us back to China. Several months ago I sensed Him burdening me for those left behind and began asking Him what our role would be. Were we to walk alongside adoptive families; were we to advocate for waiting children; were we to fundraise for medical needs of orphans…? There was no clear answer except, “Seek me.” Jeremiah 29:13 ~ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

While I was praying for waiting children, I was not seeking ‘our child’ or trying to open a door; I was simply seeking Him. On July 28 an astounding thing happened. I received an email from an incredible agency that advocates for children who have been on the shared list more than 30 days. (You have to know something about CC*A rules to understand the significance of this J I emailed the agency, thanked them for causing awareness and shared my burden. One thing led to another…

Soon I was looking at the medical file of an adorable little girl, but her need was frightening. Clayton and I talked about it, agreed to pray, and quite honestly tried to ignore it. But then I sent her file to a specialist to get a ‘prognosis,’ sought other families who had children with the same need and requested as much information as the agency could get. More praying, more ignoring…I admit that fear was holding me back. I know that fear is of the enemy, so I continued to pray.

About three weeks later we received an amazing update that totally eliminated our fear of calling this child our own. Well, except for the fact that adoption costs money, lots of it. The last year has definitely left us without a ‘rainy day fund’ or ‘safety net.’ A lot happened in the next five days, and it is so evident that God’s hand was in the entire process.

We contacted our agency to see if they would be willing to facilitate the adoption…they agreed but added a few extra precautionary steps to make sure our Teen Treasure was adjusting well. These steps took longer than we expected, and the most significant thing that happened was the release of a new shared waiting child list. Our concern was that the positive update would draw attention to ‘our daughter’ and cause her file to be locked by someone else. The list came out Monday night, and the only thing we could do was completely hand it over to God. Father, either allow us to be her family or reveal her family and help us to rejoice in that.

As of Tuesday, we had no idea if her file was still available. My heart was breaking…but mostly because I had no answers. I had to ask myself if I really trust God or just say I trust Him. Every few minutes I handed my fears back to Him! At 12:30 Tuesday we got the green light to lock her file, without knowing if it was still open, but our agency rep was nowhere near the computer to lock the file. Handing it over to God…again…and again…and again.

At 2:30 that afternoon I sent a text message to five ‘long distance’ adoptive mamas who have become dear friends. No specifics, just that we were in need of prayer. These gals are prayer warriors! One of them immediately called me to see if she could pray specifically. I shared our story…and God showed up! She and her husband had recently returned from China with their two newest Treasures and weren’t ready to adopt again, but she was drawn to a beautiful little girl and decided to request her file and research her need. At the moment she received my text her computer was open to the file of a beautiful girl who would later be named Kasidi Joy! The fact she could open the file means it was still open! God used my friend to confirm that He was holding our daughter for us!

At 8:30 pm we finally received the long-awaited news that the file was locked for us. We are plowing forward, prepared to work hard to do our part, and leaning on God as our ‘safety net’ and ‘rainy day fund.’

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Prov 19:21

Joy, Joy, Joy!

Can you see why we just had to name our precious one Joy (Kasidi Joy)?!? Yes, we are completely in love with her and would hop the next flight to Ch*na if it weren't for all the paperwork and fundraising.
We are plowing through the paperwork as fast as humanly possible and wracking our brains for creative fundraising ideas. Of course, we are currently holding the Netbook drawing ~ thanks to those who have given! We are still really short of our goal, but we've handed this over to the Lord. After all, when He breaks our hearts for the things that break His and leads us down His path, He paves the way!

And speaking of Joy, candle supplies have been ordered and are on their way! Hopefully within a week I'll be making the fragrant treasures! We've got some other cool ideas too so stay tuned!

I really need to do a 'catch-up' post on everything that's been going on the last week of school ~ softball, homework, livestock shows, homework, football, homework...

Friday, August 27, 2010

INTRODUCING...

Thank you to my sweet friend, Mandi, for creating this adorable announcement for our Baby Joy!
GOD IS SO VERY GOOD!

PA ~ Beautiful Letters!!!

YES!
We have
Pre-Approval!
Know what that means?
We get to share our daughter's picture...

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Remember These?

I LOVE making these candles, and they smell so good! At least that's what ya'll tell me. We are going to re-introduce them for the holidays as our next fundraiser to bring Baby K home!

On the right sidebar you will see a poll with several scents of our K & Kompany Kandles. If you will take the time to respond to the poll, it will help us narrow the choices down to 4. That keeps things easier and less expensive...and gives me an idea of what you like!

There are still almost 2 weeks to enter our Netbook fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who has commented, linked to us on FB and/or blog and contributed! We are so grateful!

Happy Birthday, Kuyler!


Happy 22nd birthday, Son! We love you!!!!!

Monday, August 23, 2010

First Day School!

Look at the Krew!
Kuyler is a sr at THE UNIVERSITY...
then there's the 9th grader,
8th grader,
7th grader,
2nd grader,
and pre-K'er
Darlin', there's no way you're goin' to all-day school!
Oh, yes she is!And everybody would have been zombies after school...except for football practice, a softball double header and a 7th grader bouncin' off the wall excited.
Early to bed...

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Here We Grow Again!

God has been working on our hearts about the orphan 'situation.' Did you know that nearly 27% of believers consider adoption but only 2% actually adopt? Staggering. I'm not a statistics kinda person, but when you factor in that there are over 147 million orphans worldwide and 2% of the Christian community is called to action....well, it doesn't add up.

David Platt says, "We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes."

We've known their names, seen their faces, held them in our arms, heard their cries...and their silence. Everything has changed for us!

We invite you to join us on another adventure to bring our precious daughter home. We can't really share much yet. She is an infant on the SN shared list from China, and she is b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.!

We treasure your prayers!

We are kicking off our first fundraiser. There are 4 amazing prizes!
1) An HP Netbook
2) A $100 gift certificate from My Red Thread
3) A boy's backpack from My Red Thread
4) A Show Hope tee from my friend Lori

Here's how it works~
Use the ChipIn Button in the upper right-hand sidebar on the blog.
A $25 donation gets you 1 entry.
A $50 donation gets you 3 entries.
Add my button to your blog and get 1 entry.
Link to us on FB and get 1 entry.
The drawing will be held September 8!
Leave a comment and let me know if you've linked us!
THANK YOU!
ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and more

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Share Your Story

We are seeking inspiring true stories for an upcoming project.

Did your journey to family take an unexpected path? Was your final destination different than you had dreamed of—but also better? Would you be willing to share your family's story with others?

Check out this blog for more information!

Metal Mouth...

...no more! Look at those purty pearlies!
However, the finger is a casualty of football :(
School starts in 5 days (*squeal*)

Sunday, August 15, 2010

no excuse

Lord, just because the task is so overwhelming I know I can't do everything, please let that not keep me from doing something ... Or cause me to do nothing.

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
James 2:16

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Did You Hear...

...the sounds of rejoicing today as the last load of corn for twenty-ten pulled up to the sorter???
The fat lady has sung! And my alarm will not be going off at 3 am for a very long time.
And we have 150 bags of corn in the cooler JUST IN CASE YOU NEED SOME ;-)

Friday, August 13, 2010

Confidence

"Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" Matthew 8:26

God expects His children to be so confident in Him that in any crisis they are the reliable ones...What a pang will go through us when we suddenly realize that we might have produced downright joy in the heart of Jesus by remaining absolutely confident in Him, no matter what was ahead...it is when a crisis arises that we instantly reveal upon whom we rely. If we have been learning to worship God and to trust Him, the crisis will reveal that we will go to the breaking point and not break in our confidence in Him.
~Oswald Chambers~

Oh goodness, this is so true! We say we trust God; we know He is sovereign; His plans are best...and then there is crisis, and what do we do? Pull our bootstraps up and try to trudge through the mud in our own strength. It's as if we say, "God, I know you are able...up to a certain point. Then I just gotta take control!"

Really? Maybe it's just me, but I find myself time and again saying He is faithful but stopping short of allowing Him to reveal Himself. You know what I mean? Those times when this or that absolutely will fail if He doesn't intervene. Those times we get to the end of ourselves and panic, rather than relying on Whom we know to be true!

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Prov 3:25-26

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on you own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6

But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. Heb 3:6

Monday, August 9, 2010

my reading list

These are the books I've read recently (and would recommend to anyone!). Many of them I've read more than once! Thank you to those who recommended them to me.
Wild Goose Chase
Crazy Love
Forgotten God
The Shack
In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day
Now reading - Radical

all the church - all the world

"Because from cover to cover the Bible teaches that all the church - not just select individuals, but all the church - is created to reflect all the glory of God to all the world. ...and there is a God-designed way for us to live our lives here, and do church here, for the sake of people around the world who don't know Christ."
-David Platt-
Radical

Sunday, August 8, 2010

9 months - really?

Today Kooper and Kinley have been home 9 months! Amazing! God has transformed all of us!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

One Week to 'Normal'

Normal
–adjective
1.
conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural.
2.
serving to establish a standard.

Corn harvest will be over in 1 (o-n-e, uno) week (insert squeal)! It's been an amazing year. The hail storms literally went around us; we asked God to bring the corn, and He did; we asked Him to bring the people, and He did. He knows exactly what we still need, and no doubt, He will come through!

I'm so sad that we had to miss the St. Louis Lifeline reunion this weekend...and I'm sad we may have to miss the Birmingham reunion next weekend...but right now we must steward God's crop.

As for 'normal' - whatever!
If singing VBS songs for entertainment...

...or taking horseback rides...


...or toting lil' sister around in a laundry basket ...
...or cheesin' it up...
...well, if these things are 'abnormal,' then I'm all over that!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

25 Years, Baby!

August 4, 1985 my dad walked me down the aisle...
...to become Mrs. Clayton Johnson!
What a glorious day that was...
...and what an amazing journey it's been ever since! Who knows what God has in store for the next 25...

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Guess Who...

...has finished summer school!
Yep, today was officially Kooper's last day of school. I'm so proud of how he's progressed. He's actually pretty good at math, and reading is coming right along! 7th grade, here we come! And just in case you were wondering, he's grown 3 inches and gained 7 pounds since we've been home!

Erica, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for accepting the challenge of driving to our home every day and patiently teaching in the often loud and Khaotic atmosphere. You've helped my boy tap into the knowledge he already had, built his confidence in solving new problems, and allowed me to just be his mom. You've taught all of us a lot, and we are so thankful for you! May the Lord bless your studies this fall!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Not That It's Good ...

...or anything...

Randomness and a Recipe

Kenzie, trying to chillax between answering the phone!
3 munchkins having fun while Mom takes inventory.
I don't know what this is about :)
And this one is just happy all the time!
And here's the recipe! It's like dinner and a show!!!
Quick Beef Lo Mein
1 tbsp olive oil
2 lbs cooked roast beef, shredded or cubed (I use our leftovers from the crockpot)
3 packages beef flavored ramen noodles
2 1/2 cups water
1 yellow pepper, cut into strips
3 green onions, chopped
2 cups broccoli florets, thawed
2 tsp soy sauce
Heat oil in skillet or wok over med heat. Add beef and fry until heated. Crumble ramen noodles and add to skillet with water, seasoning packets and all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and cook 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until noodles are soft.
We have no leftovers with this dish!!!

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