Choose life

Sunday was the annual Life Chain and the girls and I were glad to participate.  The goal of Life Chain is to have believers pray for an hour while standing along a busy sidewalk with approved signs that support the sanctity of human life.  I've been blessed to participate for maybe 10 years now but the last 2 my daughters have joined in on the opportunity.  It really moved me to watch these two precious ones who adore babies and who want to do "something" to end the tragedy of abortion. 

I believe there is power in prayer and each year as I stand there and pray for our nation and our leaders, I pray for the people who drive by and see the hundreds of signs along the road.  I pray that those who may have experienced an abortion would find healing in Jesus' forgiveness.  I pray that those who may be facing a tough decision (or will soon be in that situation) will remember that EVERY child (even preborn) has a purpose for their life and IS a wanted child - by their Heavenly Father and by the many adoptive families waiting for a baby to love.  I pray for the people in those cars to see the signs and be moved to see that men, women & children from various walks of life find LIFE something worth protecting and defending.  I pray for the next generation to see the lies of the abortion industry and to work to end this tragic, evil  and immoral practice.  I pray for God's mercy on our nation as I know we deserve His judgement for legalizing murder in this way.  I pray for change.

I hope you may have seen a similar demonstration in your own cities and towns.  I know this is a National Event and maybe you can look into organizing the Life Chain in your area next year.  One thing I'm certain of is that YOU CAN make a difference in some way to choose life.  Over 45 million Americans have had their lives ended this way and that number continues to grow.  Take a stand, vote pro-life and pray to God that history will show that this generation would not stand by and watch a holocaust of our most vulnerable citizens but fought back and with God's power, undid this horrible tragedy.

A Glorious Day

Spiderman is an amazing boy.  We often marvel at what all he has been through in his short, little life and yet he has such a positive attitude (most of the time).  How beautiful to watch today as his earthly Daddy helped him publicly identify with his Heavenly Daddy through believer's baptism.  Precious!

It was over 2 years ago that he gave his heart to Jesus and we've watched him grow in his faith ever since.  He's been "contemplating" baptism for the past year but had been too scared to get up in front of everyone to do it.  All this week he has been praying that God would help him to be brave so he could be baptized.  Well God did help him and he even told me afterward that  it really wasn't that scary after all.  That's the peace that comes from knowing you've obeyed what your Father has asked you to do.  Thank you Jesus!

In God's timing, All God's Children International chose this week to share the miracle story (check it out) of what God has done here in our little family and our little church.  Today was a neat reminder about the bigger picture of why God brought this child to our family - to help bring him to his eternal family. 

 "Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man's behalf!" Psalm 66:5 NIV

A Great Birthday Gift

This is a great way to celebrate my birthday.  My baby, my Boo, followed the Lord in believer's baptism today.  She asked Jesus into her heart over a year ago and the past few months she has been begging and hounding us about getting baptised.  She has been SO excited to do this and was BOUNCING around all day about it.  I love this sweet moment with her Daddy on such a special day.  What a wonderful birthday gift for me.

Later that afternoon she had another big milestone (though not nearly as significant).  Boo finally lost her first tooth.  She's been dreaming about getting a visit from the tooth fairy after watching her older siblings getting many visits over the years.  Look at that little smile.  When I asked her the next morning if she saw the Tooth Fairy she told me, "I caught her and put her in a jar but somehow she escaped."  I know she realizes I'm the Tooth Fairy but I love the imagination she pours into the fun.                                                                         

Serious winter!

There is no sugar coating it, it is COLD!  After a week of below zero temperatures, we are ready for some warmth.  Honestly, it probably wouldn't be such a big deal but combine the cold and the snow with the absence of my man and the week just drags on.  I'm honestly willing to share him since I know God is using him to help build the new orphanage for Esperanza Viva in Mexico.  I have just been reminded how much his presence brings sunshine to my days and how much I love his laughter.   I know the kids agree as they have been eagerly counting down the days until his return (in about 24 hours).

Here are my kiddos, all bundled up for the weather.  They have been willing to pitch in and help me with the outside work my man does each day.  Here you can see the older three after they helped me fill up the wood box in the house.  The reason they were so proud to pose for a photo is that this is at least double the amount we usually bring in (because I'd rather haul wood every other day if possible).  They are standing in front of a box that is about 3' x 4' x 3' and it is filled well past the brim.  They can't wait to show it off for Daddy's approval.

And here is my man with a beautiful suntan and a beautiful child, making some Mexican memories and being God's hands and feet to the fatherless.  I love him!

A day of celebration

Today was another wonderful day of celebration!  Jaybird followed the Lord in believer's baptism and my man was honored to be the one baptising him.  We've been attending a new church for the past 3 months and Jaybird was given the option of having the pastor or his Daddy baptise him  - precious choice!  He has been so excited all week anticipating this big event. 

I wish I could put the video on here (sorry.... dial-up) but Jaybird told the church that he asked Jesus into his heart at 7 years old,  after talking with his Dad at church.  He confessed that Jesus is the living Son of God and that he has accepted Him as Lord and Master of his life.  When he came up out of the water, Dad had a big ol' hug waiting for him.

"...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."  Gal 3:27

It is so precious to me as a mom to watch my children grow in their faith.  Kids are kids and sometimes you wonder if anything is getting through to them.  Then they give you glimpses now and then, actions or offhanded remarks, that God is working in their hearts.  I've seen much of that with this boy.  What a privilege to have a front row seat in watching him become the man God created him to be.

"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:3-4

A very special day

What a beautiful Sunday as we watched our Goose follow the Lord in believer's baptism. She has been asking to do this for quite some time but had been encouraged by our pastor to wait until she was 8. Well this was the first Sunday that she was 8 and though she was excited, she was nervous to stand before everyone. She wrote out her testimony so Pastor could read it for her and imagine her surprise when he asked her to read it herself? She did a beautiful job and here it is below:

"I was four years old when I asked Jesus into my heart. My parents had explained to me that the bad things I did and thought were sins and that Jesus died so my sins could be forgiven. I knew that’s what I wanted Jesus to do for me and I prayed to Jesus, asking Him to wash my sins away and come and live in my heart. Since then I have learned more about Jesus and how much He loves me. I try to live the way He says to in the Bible and I’m happy to know I belong to His family."

Afterward she was so relieved and excited to know she had followed Jesus example and obeyed God's Word.

Acts 2:38 "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

The chicken saga continues....

We have had quite a few weeks with our"pets" this month. I know it is silly for us to devote so much time and emotion into something that we eat all the time BUT these silly birds have brought so much joy for my kids this summer. So about 10 days ago we came home from a short parade here in town to find that a neighbor's dogs had come over, broke into the chicken coop and slaughtered our chickens. The girls were screaming and sobbing while we cleaned up the mess and we praised God that evening when one hen appeared out of nowhere at bedtime. Apparently she had escaped and hid out for the entire day. It was a small consolation but that one survivor gave the kids a ray of hope (and kept me from throwing in the towel on this whole thing). As Goose was unwilling to let "Grandma Cluck" move in with a friend's chickens, we set about to locate a companion for her. God provided us a rooster through a kind home schooling family and the kids spirits started to rebound again.

Here is Goose with "Lester". Whether it is because he is still young or because the previous family handled him alot, he is very tame and the kids love to hold and pet him. (Our old hens never let us touch them). God didn't stop the blessings there though. This family located a lady willing to sell us six laying hens, for a good price, and only 3 days after the massacre we now had 8 chickens. Here are four of them (though I think they all look the same so I just have to call them "the ladies" even though the kids have names for them).

We had some interesting talks during this time as we prayed about one chicken that was suffering, thanked God for the chance to have the chickens in the first place, and discussed the hard facts of life (chickens are food, they don't live forever, etc.). We also thought about Job who lost everything he had in one day and still praised God. Now, I realize that our chicken loss doesn't truly compare with that but for kids with big hearts, they did feel that way. Just as God replenished Job, we too received more than was taken from us. The kids are enjoying the new flock and we are reminded that nothing in life is guaranteed. We have to enjoy our blessings while we have them. I have no doubt that this won't be the last lesson we learn from these silly birds.

predestined to be adopted ...

.... as His son through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:5)


We are praising God today that He has added another precious soul to His family. Tonight Spiderman asked Jesus to "give me a clean heart" and told Him that "I want to be part of your family Jesus". He actually prayed alone, in the bathtub, because he was too embarrassed to pray with me but he told me what he said to Jesus and at bedtime he thanked God for these things. His face was beaming and his eyes were shining. Of course, we did see this coming for awhile as he often talks about loving Jesus and God and says he can't wait to go to heaven.

Recently he told me that he had never heard of Jesus before arriving at Hannah's Hope. That was almost one year ago (Feb 3rd) and God has done much this past year. I recall being surprised to receive the referral of a muslim child (many Ethiopians are Orthodox or Jewish) and I'll never forget meeting Almaz and hearing her share her own prayers for him. She told me, "the world needs Abdu as a Christian". Praise God for grabbing the heart of this precious child.

On a related note, yesterday at church we publicly dedicated Spiderman to the Lord. He and his Dad met with Pastor earlier in the week to discuss what would be happening (our others were dedicated as babies). We wanted him to understand that it was our intent to raise him to know the love of Christ and we wanted the church to know of our commitment. Here is a photo of us at church. It was extra special to see hearts moved as Pastor read Jeremiah 29:11 that God has plans for Spiderman, "to prosper him and not harm him, to give him a hope and a future."

immeasurably more

I've seen a lot of things in my life that amaze me, I've read about even more. Ways that God has used one little thing to make big changes in a life, in a community, in a country. I've often marvelled at how He uses the least predictable thing to do so and sometimes the least logical choice of whom to do it through. I like to think of it as God's calling card, His way of saying "this is Me, I'm doing something here for My glory. This is NOT just a coincidence, and you can't explain it away." This past year I've seen more than I can even say but this past week, I again stand in awe.

God has again set in motion the wheels of adoption, not for our family but for our church family. Two more godly families have submitted to His persistent, small voice and have answered, "Here I am Lord, send me." This means that in less than one year's time, He has moved 6 different families in our little church to step out to adopt. It boggles my mind even while I'm giddy with excitement. Both new families have applied and are praying about children on the waiting list, older children, siblings, the children that the world says are "impossible" to find homes for. The children considered unwanted.

These children will someday soon (Lord willing) be welcomed into their new homes in their new country where they will continue to learn about the One who has a plan for their future. Homes that are filled with God's love. A church family that could very well have 9 or 10 Ethiopian children to support them as they grow, all by the end of 2008. Their children and grandchildren will have a completely different future than if these families said, "No Lord, not me". I stand in awe!

Won't you please pray with me that God will strengthen these families in the months ahead while they listen for His leading, each step of the way? Also, I believe others at our church have been hearing God's call for their own families. Please pray that they would submit to His amazing plan as He directs them.

When God Speaks

Six years ago, Jan. 9th, 2002, God directed me down a path that has changed me in so many ways. That night my man and I casually discussed an advertisement about adoption and I remember saying how sad it was to think of so many children who have no one to kiss them and tuck them in at night. Off in the next room we had two babies under age 2, sleeping peacefully and safely in their cribs. We moved on and enjoyed our evening but God would not let me go so easily. The memory is still vivid and emotional as I recall laying in bed that night having my heart broken and crying my eyes out in prayer. This went on for 4 hours before God released me and let me sleep. I like to say Boo was "conceived in my heart" that night and we began her adoption process not that much later. Of course, looking back with open eyes I find it ironic that I was so convinced she was already born and that we would be adopting a toddler. She was not BUT now I know that Spiderman was, he just didn't need us yet. Boo came home over 2 years later at only 4 months old. This photo is the day we got her for keeps at Hannah's Hope in Guatemala.


I shudder to think of what might not have been. What if I said "No" to God's leading? What if my man said "No"? What if I said, "It's impossible, it's too much money, too difficult a process, too much risk"? Praise God He did not let me. He gave me faith when I had none. He gave me strength when I felt so very weak. He gave me confirmation that this was his plan. He gave me many family and friends to lift us up in prayer. He gave me a deeper vision of my own adoption into His heavenly family. He gave me a love and compassion for a woman thousands of miles away who made a heart wrenching decision to give her child a future with hope. He gave me a glimpse into a world of lonely, hurting children who He loves passionately. (It's like I was the Grinch whose heart was "3 sizes too small" - He broke it in pieces so He could replace it with a newer version, more like his.) He gave me my sweet, stubborn and silly little Boo, who I can't imagine not being my daughter. Praise God He did not let us say "No"!

This is Boo's version of fancy make-up. The crossed eyes are when she's being silly. :)

For those who wonder, it is definitely different adopting an infant versus an older child. Not better or worse, just different. Much to the surprise of some, she grieved as an infant those first few months. She has learned about Guatemala and is proud to know where she comes from. When she says "Hola papa" she melts her Daddy's heart. Despite what she knows, she does have fantasy "memories" of Guatemala and has said she misses her Guatemala Mommy and wants to go visit her house. She is thrilled that God gave her curly hair and "made me so cute". :) With almost 4 years under our belts, we are doing our best to lay a good foundation for her but we know that some of the hard questions and emotions are still to come. While she knows she is loved, she will rely on us to help her fill in the missing gaps. Unlike Spiderman, she has no memories of her own and the unknown is often much more confusing. I'm so thankful that God knows where she will struggle and we trust Him to guide us in helping her along. He has shown us firsthand (four times now) that children truly are a blessing from the Lord!

** OK I'm just adding a link for you. Last night (Jan 10th) I heard a program on Focus on the Family about stepping out in faith to adopt. http://listen.family.org/daily/A000000859.cfm?eafref=1 It ties in perfectly with what I've shared and I want to let you know in case you feel God may be challenging you to consider adoption for your own family. If He is, trust Him! It is so worth it.

Here we go...

Well I would have never believed I would voluntarily start a blog as I am anything BUT computer savy. On the otherhand, I have enjoyed following a few others from friends and the practical side of me is now convinced that I can keep my family and friends posted better if I have one central place to say what is going on. If you're reading this, welcome to my little corner on the world.

I will explain the title of this blog as it's as good a place to start as any other. I have been enjoying Oswald Chambers this past year as I have been reading through "My Utmost for His Highest". I am so often challenged by his insight into walking with my Lord. Anyway, back in June I read an entry that was EXACTLY what I needed that day for a major life changing decision. Not only was it powerful then but it applies to so many things I experience and choices I make. I want to be reminded of that day and those truths so I won't forget the powerful lesson. I will post that devotional here so you can hear it for yourself from the original author. Enjoy....

Don't Think Now, Take The Road by Oswald Chambers

"And Peter... walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid." Matthew 14:29-30

The wind was actually boisterous, the waves were actually high, but Peter did not see them at first. He did not reckon with them, he simply recognized his Lord and stepped out in recognition of Him, and walked on the water. Then he began to reckon with the actual things, and down he went instantly. Why could not our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves as well as on the top of them? Neither could be done saving by recognition of the Lord Jesus.

We step right out on God over some things, then self-consideration enters in and down we go. If you are recognizing your Lord, you have no business with where He engineers your circumstances. The actual things are , but immediately you look at them and are overwhelmed, you cannot recognize Jesus, and the rebuke comes: "Wherefore didst thou doubt?" Let actual circumstances be what they may, keep recognizing Jesus, maintain complete reliance on Him.

If you debate for a second when God has spoken, it is all up. Never begin to say -- "Well I wonder if He did speak?" Be reckless immediately, fling it all out on Him. You do not know when His voice will come, but whenever the realization of God comes in the faintest way imaginable, recklessly abandon. It is only by abandonthat you recognize Him. You will only realize His voice more clearly by recklessness.


It is my hope and prayer that God will enable me to hear His voice clearly and recklessly follow Him where HE WANTS me to go. To take the road.