…being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:21
It’s been almost 2 months since I received many of your prayer requests, and I know God has already moved mountains. I think it’s time for updated requests, so please leave a comment or email me.
If you email me with your request and you have a blog, I’d love it if you would give me the address!
We have a super fun and busy week planned with the hopeful arrival of the Big Mamavan from Florida, the local fair, first Friday night lights and the arrival of good friends for the weekend!
She gives a whole new meaning to my rear view mirror rant, "Don't make me come back there!"
On a slightly more serious note, when we accepted the Lord's invitation to journey with Him down the adoption path again last August, we knew our vehicle was too small. Much too small. It didn't keep us from moving forward, but we were concerned about how we would haul this Krew from one place to another. So we asked the Lord to provide a way, without debt, please.
In January we heard rumblings of the adoption.tax.credit.now.turned.refund.for.tax.years.2010.and.2011. But we didn't think we'd qualify...until we spoke to our accountant! As soon as the IRS released the form in February we filed and expected a refund big enough to answer our prayers! Like 90% of other adoptive parents, we've had the privilege of being audited, staying on hold and waiting. But we are waiting no more, and our prayer of a year ago has been answered!
THANK YOU, JESUS!
SHE DID GREAT! 
This week I saw a picture that has rocked my little world and stirred my heart. I wish I could share the photo with you, but because the enemy is on the prowl it has been temporarily removed from my friend Adeye’s blog.
Some of you saw it. Many responded to the urgent plea for help. But this is not a post just about adoption.
So here’s what transpired. Adeye has been advocating for those ‘forgotten.’ And God has been faithful, and He has been glorified! *Please forgive me if I get the dates wrong.* On August 17th Adeye posted, without details, an urgent need and plea for large items such as iPads, cameras, eReaders, etc, for a fundraiser.
The next day, August 18, folks had responded in such a huge way that she had thousands of dollars in fundraising items, and she posted about a precious little girl who is now 11 years old, weighs less than 20 pounds, and is literally dying in a mental institution because that’s what happens to some children, orphaned, and deemed a burden in short-staffed facilities. A child needing rescued. A ransom required. A family needed.
The mission was to raise the ransom so that when the Lord called a family forward, they could race through the paperwork and not have to worry about the funds. The goal was $22,000. In less than 24 hours there was over $23,000 raised!!! And a few days later Adeye announced that a family had stepped forward to bring this precious Treasure home! ONLY GOD!
It’s one thing to say that God is faithful; it’s another to be in a place of requiring His faithfulness!
So what happened in my heart? I’m ashamed to say. When I saw the urgent post I only had time to skim it and then rush out the door. I couldn’t get this precious one off my mind so I decided I would post the need on my blog the next day. But… the next day the need was met! But what rang in my heart was that I had missed an opportunity! While I sat on my hands waiting for a convenient time to respond, the Lord was not sitting still, waiting for lil ole me.
See, He doesn’t require my response; He doesn’t force my response; and He doesn’t need my response. Does that release me? My heart says NO!
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” Matthew 27:24
I can’t wash my hands of my responsibility. When I make no decision at all, I’ve really decided “No.” No matter what excuses I make, no matter how reasonable they seem, they are still excuses. We tell the youth this all the time ~ an excuse is a lie disguised as a reason. Ouch!
Even if we don’t say the words, how many times do our actions (or inaction) say, “When I retire, I will…; When my kids are grown, I will…; When I achieve this, I will…; When my life slows down, I will; When I finish this, I will; Tomorrow, I will…”?
Talking to the self here, folks, talking to the self! This little girl’s picture is a reminder that I am not promised tomorrow, and I’m certainly not promised retirement (again, please tell me where that is in the Bible!).
And I’m not just talking about the giant leap of faith to bring a very ill child home from another country; I’m talking about the needs of the person sitting next to me, the widow down the road, the teen in crisis, the sick, the dying, their families…
Serving isn’t always convenient. In fact, it can be downright dirty at times. Am I willing to get my hands dirty? Am I willing to face rejection? Am I willing to be wounded? Am I willing to have my heart broken?
I wanna be there! I don’t want to get so accustomed to ignoring God’s voice that I no longer recognize it! So now what?
James 2:17 says, In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
No matter how much I think about serving, dream about serving, hope to serve or talk about serving, it is just that ~ a thought ~ if not acted upon. My prayer is that the Lord would give me the energy every single day to act.
I love this quote:
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming, “Wow, what a ride!” ~ Author unknown
That’s the way I want to live my life. I don’t need to arrive at Heaven’s door well preserved. After all, I get a new body someday! This temporary vessel was made for helping. Not.for.helping.myself.
Some days will be tough, even impossible. But nothing is impossible for my God! When I’m at the end of myself, He is completely able to carry me forward, no matter how rocky the path seems.
Lord, please continue to stir my heart in such a way that I must act! Don’t ever give me a false sense of peace for sitting on my hands. Help me to love as You love, to act as Your ambassador and to use every resource You’ve given me to Your glory!
And I promise I'm working on putting the 'stirring' into words...
If you think of Kuyler today, will you please pray for his wisdom teeth extraction. I'm taking him in right after we finish picking corn around 8 this morning.
And then he moves back to college tomorrow. This year is different, knowing this is probably the last time he will 'live' with us. We've been privileged to have him come home every summer to help with the crop...but next May he will graduate, hopefully get a job, and have no reason to come back except to visit. That makes me sad. I know we are supposed to raise our children to become independent. I know this. And he is independent. He lives in a nice home with several other godly men and has a job during the school year. But I really love having Kuyler around! He's an awesome young man of God. And his little brothers and sisters adore him!
Another change is that we are picking corn very late in the season. School starts next week, and we have more than a third of the crop left in the field. Our plan is to pick it all within 7 days! The awesome thing is that if it's good corn, we have people lined up to buy it! Will you please pray with us that the Lord has restored His crop!
This is going to be a fast-paced year. We've got two high school athletes in full swing of their sports. Kenzie's already had several softball games, and Kolton's first football scrimmage is tomorrow night. We can't wait for Friday night lights! And hosting Fifth Quarters. And softball in cooler weather.
Sorry this post is kinda all over the place. That's pretty much where my mind is at today. We really are in a season of change.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:13-14
And so is this one.
That's better. The others were so excited they wouldn't sit still for a picture.
Kenzie has her own salon thing goin' on, working on her french braid.
It's a rough life!
Kambry works to pay the bill :)
These people insisted we eat at McD's. Salad for me, thank.you.very.much.
Notice there are no other people of the adult variety. Not pattin' myself on the back or anything; just sportin' a kickin' new do that makes me feel super - lol :)
On the agenda tomorrow:
Because everyone dreams of seeing two doctors in as many days, Kennah went to the dentist today. I know, don't be jealous! And because I'm still rallying back from yesterday's trauma, Daddy had the privilege of taking her.
"Not gettin' in, eh? I'll drench you anyway."
And so there you have it ~ quite possibly our last trip to the pool this summer.
Bonus! Miss Kennah has gained 1.5 pounds and grown almost 1 inch!
All this harsh treatment has meant lots of snuggles today!
I think Kayden and Kinley Grace are having a blast at "Aunt Shell and Uncle Jay's," don't you?!?
Tony Nolan brought the message when we were at Falls Creek, and we even had a chance to meet the authentic, outta this world, crazy guy who loves the Lord with all his heart, and wants others to experience the same love he has discovered.
And this little beauty...she'll be gone by noon Saturday, even with three of the kiddos absent (visiting friends).
This Krew
Big sisters who keep me on my toes
College brothers coming home to visit
Both Hands!
Daddy lovin' on his babies
Boys and their tractors
Friends ~ near and far
Being surrounded by my littles
Pedis with my big girl
Friends who don't mind the monkey business
Weeny roasts in the driveway
Falls Creek, youth group and leaders
Homemade cookies and kids eating them
Kids at the pool
Ashlie~
Sleeping teens
Sleeping babies
Mr. Greenthumb
Drivers
Big brothers playing with their sibs
Sitting around the table
Cousins
And, well...