8 Weeks Home!

There are just no words to describe the transition!

Thank You, Jesus!

One of 'those' conversations

Likely, if you've adopted, especially internationally, you've either had one of 'these' conversations or heard about them.

Gotta' say, there's a reason the Lord puts ignorant people in the path of my husband rather than me. He's so much more graceful.

He was selling yummy corn this morning, which is a rare occurrence for him...but that's another story. Ah well, it's my blog, so I'll tell ya. He usually picks the corn and then we keep him here on the farm while the big kids sell it. See, he loves to chat. A lot. He may have a line of customers waiting and he'll be chatting with the first one in line. That's great for business...unless it's 117 degrees out and folks are in a hurry. But today, on a whim, he headed to town with a load of corn to sell, and I know it was a divine appointment.

So happens that the local rodeo is this weekend, and therefore, the rodeo stock contractor is in town. I don't know his name, but for the purposes of this conversation we'll call him Mr. I. "I" for Idiot Ignorance.

Mr. I bought a bag of corn, which apparently bought him the right to say whatever fluttered from his brain to his mouth. But it is a free country, right? The conversation began casually: weather, family, and the like, when it quickly turned ~

CJ: I've got 10 kids; 7 are adopted from China.

Mr. I: Why in the h... would you do that?

CJ: Well, sir, there are millions of children in China alone needing a family.

Mr. I: Well, adopting 7 won't make a difference.

CJ: Tell that to them.

Mr. I: Tell it to who?

CJ: My 7 children.

Mr. I: Tell it to the 3 you didn't adopt when they lose out.

CJ: Lose out on what?

Mr. I: Their inheritance.

CJ: What's an inheritance?

Mr. I: That's what it's all about.

CJ: Sir, my inheritance isn't on this earth.

S.i.l.e.n.c.e.

So, it was a seed. Probably planted on rocky soil but nonetheless, it was a seed.

Maybe you'd be willing to join me in praying for Mr. I.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

Hope for Today *update*

*update below*

I must confess that the pace of life right now is much faster than I prefer. I’d rather stroll through the day, taking time to enjoy every moment. But today’s reality is a marathon of rushing here and there, rarely finishing a conversation, spending much too little time with my children and often wondering if I’ve missed an important appointment or deadline. This kind of chaos leaves me empty. I lack perspective, energy, desire …and sometimes even hope.

Can you believe that? I have the assurance of eternal life, yet lack the hope for today. Something’s gotta give!

As stewards of an abundant crop and parents to ten beautiful children, our summer days are anything but lazy. Most days we are exhausted. Have you ever been there ~ so tired or confused you can’t remember how to put one foot in front of the other, let alone make a decision beyond what’s for supper?

The Lord has poured out His blessings on our family ~ I know this! But the truth is, some blessings come with a price. I say this not so you’ll feel sorry for me, but to encourage you! Maybe you’re there. You’re seeking the Lord; you’re responding in obedience…and in the midst of it all there is despair. Even though we know we have an opportunity to grow in the hard places, we sometimes lack that perspective in the moment-by-moment encounters that seem to wrestle us to the ground.

This week I’m asking the Lord not necessarily to help me see in the dark, but to lead me through the dark with hope. I have such limited vision of His grand plans that I can easily get lost in the momentary troubles. Yet I know in my heart His plans are good and He is faithful to bring them to fruition. He has given me the opportunity to seize abundant life here and now, this side of heaven. That is my hope.

By faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. Galatians 5:5

Even when I see nothing in the darkness, am I willing to walk through it with Him? When my cup seems filled with sorrow, am I willing to drink it? I want the answer to be “YES”! I’m clinging to His hand and claiming His promises, waiting expectantly for a glimmer of light that I KNOW will come. He is already stirring my heart! I am intentionally seeking Him, poring over His promises. I can stand victoriously, even in the darkness!

One of the ways He refreshes me is through prayer…for others. I love intercessory prayer. In January I started a new prayer journal and prayed through your requests daily until my trip to China. By that time many of your prayers had been answered!

So…it’s time to update my prayer journal. I would be honored to stand in the gap for you. If you’d like me to pray for you, please either leave a comment or email me.

*Thank you for allowing me to pray for you! I've gotten your comments and emails and intend to respond to each one. Ya'll have blessed me so much by allowing me to pray for you!*

How can I pray for you?

I've Got Your Number

Well, we will have numbers soon anyway ;-)

Of course, we made the obligatory stop at Chick-F*la for tasty waffle fries and nuggets
If you didn't know, that's an 'I'm-so-tired-but-hungry' face :)
I love it when the corn needs a catch-up day and Mr. Greenthumb gets to join us on such special errands!

Firsts!

Oh my goodness! Last night while Kasidi and Mama were spending some quality time folding laundry on the floor she did something for the first time ~ pulled herself up on the laundry basket, positioned her feet...then let go of the basket! I was so excited I think I scared her. We clapped in celebration :)

This is such a big deal because we don't know if she will even be able to walk. Most of the time when she pulls herself up, she doesn't seem very comfortable and her toes are curled under her feet.

BUT we got a call from Shriner's Hospital (St. Louis) yesterday, and she's been accepted into the Spina Bifida unit so we will soon get the medical scoop on our Joy.

BESIDES that... we serve a miracle-working, mountain-moving, almighty GOD!

10 Years Old!

10 years ago I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior! Thank You, God, for NOT giving up on me for 36 years as I lived for myself. Now I want to chase only after You!
Why do I believe what I believe?
Because I am forever changed!
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My Wild Child

There's so much personality in this child of mine...

...all 25 pounds of her!

She's got spunk, style and an ornery streak a mile long!

They Came!

Our two newest citizens have the docs to prove it!!!!

Eeeek!

I'm riding with my permit-bearing child!
He's a farm kid so he knows the ropes, but still...
Seriously, congratulations, Kolton Tee!!!!
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Absolute Kissability

Is that even a word, "kissability"? Yes, I reckon it is! None of us krazies here can resist the kissability-ness of our baby girl!

(* Feel free to use my new word *;-)

Fingers and toes...

Oh, the things even cool big brothers will do, just cuz they love her so much!

And she's up!
We'd better add "huggability" to the vocab too!

:) :) :)

Just Gotta' Say

Today we needed 56 bags of corn just to fill our reserves. Mr. Greenthumb wasn't sure we'd make that, but he did what he does every day...

got up at 3 am, spent time with our Provider, and started cutting corn at 4...

and picked 101 bags of corn!

AND WE ARE SOLD OUT!

Sometimes I wonder what it looks like when the Lord smiles :)

Praise the Lord!

Our cozy little home is getting a new roof!

It could've been so much worse. The Lord protected all of us through this freakish storm.

And...

...so far we haven't seen any ill effects on the corn crop! In fact, our two largest pickings EVER were two days after the storm.

Praise Him for protecting His crop and His home (we dedicated this house to His service when we built it 12 years ago. That would be 7 children ago ;-)

Workout Buddies

Never mind the background noise ~ that's the constant dull roar of our home!

Happy Birthday, Kayden! (a little late)

Birthdays are best celebrated with your BFF!

Girlie, you've been stringed!

Oh look - it's a brother! She'd tell you she didn't need that :)
Kayden's birthday falls around the 4th of July and usually when I'm at Falls Creek. And we have several June birthdays...so being the ever-so-efficient mom that I am, we celebrate late. Her request this year: "I want a birthday party...and I DON'T want it in August!" :) :) :)

Happy birthday, sweet Kayden Faith! You add beauty to every day!

Ties That Bind

We had so much fun last night when our guests arrived!

Kinley and Emma haven't seen each other for nearly 2 years... Emma wasn't quite 2 and Kinley was barely 2 back then. We had no idea how the reunion would go. Can I just say that God is amazing!

These two princesses are SO MUCH alike! Both bubbly, ornery, energetic, strong, affectionate and adorable!

Kinley asked, "Do you love me?" Emma replied, "I can't hear you," over and over again until she was close enough to say, "Yes!" and they hugged each other.

You've heard of the 'red couch' photo...
Thank you, Darrin, Becky, Kaylee and Emma, for taking a detour on your vacation to spend the evening with us! What a beautiful thing to see our girls together again!

Company's Comin'!!!

We are SO excited to meet this precious family for the first time when they come to our place tonight!

Recognize the lil' Munchkin on the left? That's Kinley Grace, oh yes, it is! About 2 years ago! Becky met our shy girl and sent some treasured pictures to us.

And now, 2 years later, we get to meet them! Here! Tonight!

I love how the Lord puts these things together!

HIS Crop; HIS Glory!

You are NOT gonna believe this! Actually, why not?!? It's HIS crop, right!?!

Mr. Greenthumb never knows when he goes to the field at 4 am exactly what the daily yield will be. Especially since the storm. But today he picked the most we've ever picked. Ever. And every bag of corn has been spoken for. Every.single.bag.! Praise HIM!

And this is what we have to show for a hard day's work ~ a room full of sleeping kids :) :) :)

Doncha just love the sight of sleeping teens! So still...so quiet...

Miraculous!

We are back in business today! Only time will tell if the corn will continue to produce, but that's what we're praying for!

All the big trees and branches have been removed and we're just waiting on the adjuster...

Around the barn

Back side of the barn
This corn trailer was in our yard. Thank goodness it stopped here!
Back yard after some cleanup
Several trees uprooted in the tree line north of our house
We are so grateful for His miraculous protection!

Prayers, Neighbors and Gratitude!

We are so grateful for your prayers! And for the help of neighbors and church family! We are also praising God because this could have been SO much worse. The kids and I were in the hallway during the storm because we heard the windows being hit with debris ...and my ears were popping. My dear husband was in the corn field and made it back to the house! Kolton was in the barn in the picture! We are praising Him for our safety! The corn is still laying over but it looks better. The concern is that it won't receive the necessary spray to remove worms and that the younger corn won't pollinate. Please continue to pray. We acknowledge this is the Lord's crop! The kids and I went to VBS after the storm because we had no power and needed a different atmosphere. One student in our class accepted Jesus last night! The enemy has no foothold here! Again, thank you for your prayers and messages. We are so very grateful! Love you all!
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Please pray!

We just got hit by a torrential down burst that has destroyed our roof, removed our barn roof ...and we are praying we did not lose the Lord's corn crop!
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Big Girl!

Guess who weighs in at 25 pounds??? Way to go, my Kennah girl!!!

Which makes her one pound more than her baby sister!

Sweet baby girl, you feel heavier than 24 pounds hanging from my body:)

READY, SET...

...GO SELL SOME CORN!

'Tis the season. For the next six weeks we will be busy, busy, busy.

The enemy is working overtime though. We started VBS last night so we're really tired...then three of the littles were crying every hour or so. Not so charming when the alarm is set for 3 am.

We will not be shaken!

My sweet friend Jean asked if we are hobby farmers. Jean, I wish! This is our livelihood, along with Mr. Greenthumb's off-the-farm job and my business. The sweet corn business was an answer to prayer...we just had no idea how much work it would be :)

Thank You, Lord, for the ability to work!

Random Acts of Khaos

We were expecting 2 of Kuyler's college buddies for supper last night. They didn't make it for the meal. Maybe they were scared?????

But look what they missed! Mr. Greenthumb's first fresh pick!
Imagine how good it is!
So they missed 'dinner and a show,' but they arrived in time for the after-meal malling!

They are awesome sports, wouldncha say??
I know it's blurry, but still...

this is my life :)

And this morning we treated them to a crash course in Corn 101 :)

Every good crew needs an adorable water boy!
More random acts of khaos to follow...