Good evening everyone! I can't believe I'm blogging two days in a row, but here goes!! I'm not really sure what this blog is about, maybe venting, maybe realizing things! Anyways, here goes!!
Today has been a day! Not necessarily bad, but not necessarily good!! My morning started off wonderful, with hugs from my babies and hubby, a nice walk around the neighborhood listening to my worship music, then talking with our sweet girl in Ukraine and our incredible facilitator!! So we got off to a great start!! While we were skyping and I was walking, the tv got turned on to keep the little ones busy!! Hard thing, once you turn it on, it's sometimes hard to turn off!!
So I decided to do some re-arranging in our school room, and I'm quite impressed!! So after a while, I'm not going to admit how long, I pulled the kids away from the tv to have some school time! This was a nightmare, they didn't want to sit down, to think, or to even cooperate for that matter! It was a bit frustrating! So I kept them as long as my sanity could handle, then let them free to play!!
After a bit I asked them to clean up, only to get the usual "I don't want to, I'm too tired, I already did it all, it's their turn". It really makes me want to go to a COMPLETELY toyless house!! I try not to be the "mean mom", but sometimes it has to come down to that!!
Here's part of the problem, then again it's nice!! My kids LOVE playing together!! Noah is 7, Hannah is 5, and Jonah is 4. Many days the kids get up and start playing before I'm out of bed. Before you judge me, my kids are EARLY risers, getting up around 6:30, sometimes 7. So many times they have had a nice time playing with things and making a mess of the house!! I realize that they are kids and kids are prone to messes, so I try not to get all uptight about it!!
It's the clean-up time that is the struggle. They don't want to quit playing to clean up their messes!! They are having way too much fun!! I am so thankful that they love each other this much, and I am choosing to look at this! While yes, they have their arguments and fights, the majority of the time, they are playing nicely and with their imaginations!!
I'm also realizing that part of my problem is inconsistency, I'm not intentional.......there I said it, it's my confession. I used to be intentional, used to be consistent, then I became a mom!! I know, I know, lame excuse. I'm asking the Lord to help me get past this, and help me to be the mom, wife, teacher, friend, and all my other hats that He created me to be. I want to be the perfect Amy that He wants me to be.....not that I will be perfect, but I want to be what God created me to be! Now I'm not walking in condemnation, just realizing some of my faults, and I'm hoping to be held accountable to them!!
I want to purposefully train my children in the ways of the Lord! They are learning scripture, and how to treat each other, they are learning to be a blessing and not a curse, BUT I also want them to understand that we take care of and appreciate the things that God gave us. Material things are not important in this world, but we are to respect the things that God has given us!! I'm not a clean freak, so I don't expect perfect!
So while this was probably a random blog post, I feel much better getting this out!! I love my children and love that they love to play together, it's just sometimes a battle! We all face the many battles of life, some small and some large. They all help us grow and appreciate and learn things in different ways! I am thankful for my adventures in being a mommy! While I don't always embrace the moments like I should, I am slowly learning!!
My sweet family!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
My wonderful Blessing!!
Good evening friends!! I have just come in from walking 2 miles, woohoo!! It was great, and I'm feeling pretty good!! The kids are resting and Jarrod is watching a little tv, so I figured I would write a bit of my heart!!
The past couple of days, I have had this blog on my heart, and praying about how to put it all into words! It may not be long, but then again, sometimes I get long winded!! So tonight, this blog is all about my wonderful husband, Jarrod Lee Thorpe!!
I've realized lately through various things just how BLESSED I am!! I've always known that I have a wonderful husband, but the Lord has really been speaking to me lately about it!! We have a marriage unlike any I've ever seen or known. Then again, you never see anyone's marriage all the time except your own!!
I am honored to be called Jarrod's wife, and I am honored that he leads our household in the ways of the Lord! When I was a young girl, I always dreamed of getting married, you know the typical fairy tale dream that little girls had! I had high standards, and I wasn't wavering any of them!! I prayed for many years it seemed like that God would send me that perfect person for me! I prayed that not only would I fall in love with my husband, but that we would fall in love through Christ. This is exactly what I feel like we have done!!
In Ephesians 5:23 it says "For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body." This is how our lives are to run. Our marriage is to be a reflection of Christ and the church. It saddens me to see so many marriages not operating this way. Now I'll back up a minute, Jarrod and I don't have a perfect marriage and we do make mistakes, often I may add!! But Jarrod leads our home through the guidance and direction of Christ!
When I think of Jarrod, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree at all!! See, when I was praying all those years, I prayed for a husband who had great parents, and boy did I get blessed!! Jarrod's parents I call mom and dad, and I love them as my own! They are my own, and I know they are a gift from the Lord!! Jarrod has learned much from them, as well as myself!! We are where we are in our walk with the Lord because of the love, encouragment, and support of mom and dad!! They have loved and accepted me as their own. They don't hold my past against me, or my faults, they forgive and love me just as the Father does!!
I see all this in Jarrod!! The love and respect he has for me and the guidance he gives to our children is overwhelming!! And it's something I see in his dad! So thank you dad for training your son in the ways of the Lord so that he can guide our family! Mom and I were talking today about dad. Someone recently compared their husband to dad, and there was no comparison! I said, well I have a hubby like dad!! I feel blessed to say that!!
Proverbs 31:11 says "The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain." This is my prayer for our marriage that Jarrod will always trust me and lack nothing!! While I'm not perfect, and never will be, I truly try to be the wife God has called me to!!
One of our favorite things to do is laugh!! When one of us gets started, we don't stop. We've seen recently that our children have picked up on that, and at times, the laughter is rolling on and on in our house until our cheeks and ribs hurt!! Proverbs 17:22 says "A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones". I think we have joyful hearts around here!!
So I have been a little more serious in this blog than I wanted to be, but maybe that's because it was meant for someone!! So here are some of the random reasons my husband is so great..........he leads our family the way God intended, he loves me even when I'm not very loveable, he thinks I'm beautiful even when I look horrible, he loves me despite my faults, he loves our children more than I've ever seen a man love his children, he loves to be silly, he is sometimes my 5th child, he makes me laugh harder than I ever have before, he randomly sends me texts and "Hey Tells" to say I love you, he knows I don't like confrontations so we sometimes make up on text message, he sends me out with my friends sometimes b/c I need time away, he allows me to be the mother God called me to be and stay home with our children, he fully supports me homeschooling and wants to be involved, he wants to adopt as many children as God has called us to, he is a wonderful children's minister, he loves the Lord will all his heart, mind and soul, and he's just Jarrod!!
So I am proud to call him my own, I am proud and honored the Lord chose me for his wife, and I love him more than I could ever possibly describe!!
The past couple of days, I have had this blog on my heart, and praying about how to put it all into words! It may not be long, but then again, sometimes I get long winded!! So tonight, this blog is all about my wonderful husband, Jarrod Lee Thorpe!!
I've realized lately through various things just how BLESSED I am!! I've always known that I have a wonderful husband, but the Lord has really been speaking to me lately about it!! We have a marriage unlike any I've ever seen or known. Then again, you never see anyone's marriage all the time except your own!!
I am honored to be called Jarrod's wife, and I am honored that he leads our household in the ways of the Lord! When I was a young girl, I always dreamed of getting married, you know the typical fairy tale dream that little girls had! I had high standards, and I wasn't wavering any of them!! I prayed for many years it seemed like that God would send me that perfect person for me! I prayed that not only would I fall in love with my husband, but that we would fall in love through Christ. This is exactly what I feel like we have done!!
In Ephesians 5:23 it says "For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body." This is how our lives are to run. Our marriage is to be a reflection of Christ and the church. It saddens me to see so many marriages not operating this way. Now I'll back up a minute, Jarrod and I don't have a perfect marriage and we do make mistakes, often I may add!! But Jarrod leads our home through the guidance and direction of Christ!
When I think of Jarrod, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree at all!! See, when I was praying all those years, I prayed for a husband who had great parents, and boy did I get blessed!! Jarrod's parents I call mom and dad, and I love them as my own! They are my own, and I know they are a gift from the Lord!! Jarrod has learned much from them, as well as myself!! We are where we are in our walk with the Lord because of the love, encouragment, and support of mom and dad!! They have loved and accepted me as their own. They don't hold my past against me, or my faults, they forgive and love me just as the Father does!!
I see all this in Jarrod!! The love and respect he has for me and the guidance he gives to our children is overwhelming!! And it's something I see in his dad! So thank you dad for training your son in the ways of the Lord so that he can guide our family! Mom and I were talking today about dad. Someone recently compared their husband to dad, and there was no comparison! I said, well I have a hubby like dad!! I feel blessed to say that!!
Proverbs 31:11 says "The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain." This is my prayer for our marriage that Jarrod will always trust me and lack nothing!! While I'm not perfect, and never will be, I truly try to be the wife God has called me to!!
One of our favorite things to do is laugh!! When one of us gets started, we don't stop. We've seen recently that our children have picked up on that, and at times, the laughter is rolling on and on in our house until our cheeks and ribs hurt!! Proverbs 17:22 says "A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones". I think we have joyful hearts around here!!
So I have been a little more serious in this blog than I wanted to be, but maybe that's because it was meant for someone!! So here are some of the random reasons my husband is so great..........he leads our family the way God intended, he loves me even when I'm not very loveable, he thinks I'm beautiful even when I look horrible, he loves me despite my faults, he loves our children more than I've ever seen a man love his children, he loves to be silly, he is sometimes my 5th child, he makes me laugh harder than I ever have before, he randomly sends me texts and "Hey Tells" to say I love you, he knows I don't like confrontations so we sometimes make up on text message, he sends me out with my friends sometimes b/c I need time away, he allows me to be the mother God called me to be and stay home with our children, he fully supports me homeschooling and wants to be involved, he wants to adopt as many children as God has called us to, he is a wonderful children's minister, he loves the Lord will all his heart, mind and soul, and he's just Jarrod!!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Revelations in the Middle of the Night!!
So.....I have this really bad habit of staying up late!! I enjoy it, b/c it's my "me time" to do whatever I please.....whether it's reading, watching tv, or at the computer! Last night I decided to go to bed at a decent time for me, but as I lay there, I couldn't go to sleep! So I decided to read more of my book that I have been consumed with!! "Redeeming love", I highly recommend it. Anways, I sat in my closet floor reading as not to disturb Jarrod, and I lost complete track of time! Jonah came in a little later and I rocked him back to sleep then took him to the couch and realized it was 1:45am. Wow, it's been a while since I've been up that late!!
A few minutes later I hear sniffling, so I listened real carefully. It was Hannah! Now if you know Hannah, she is a very "spirited" child as I guess I'll put it! She can have a bit of drama, but she has such a good and compassionate heart! I go in to check on her and ask her what's wrong....she sits straight up in the bed, reaches for me and cries "I miss Julia". This wasn't just the little tears that children sometimes cry, she was really crying for her sister. This brought me to tears, and still does even as I am typing this. I held her for a bit and prayed and reassured her that Julia would be home with us soon!
After a few minutes, I moved her to the other couch so she could go back to sleep and be closer to us! So Jonah was on one couch, and Hannah on the other! I sat at the end of Jonah's couch and prayed as they drifted back off to dreamland!
Then the waterworks started! I realized that in a few short weeks that I will have to leave these precious blessings here while we go and pick up our other blessing! We will be gone from them for about 5 weeks total, and this will be one of the hardest things I will ever have to do. I cried out to God about it, vented I guess, explained my not understanding why we had to leave them here, not wanting to leave them here, yet ready to go running to Ukraine! And then the revelations began!!
Those five weeks are nothing compared to the years that Julia has had to spend in the orphanage without a family, without a mom and dad. My heart started to cry out for Julia too. This poor child, so full of life, so full of joy, and so full of love. So much to give, yet not a family to give it to! Needing so much, yet only having friends and orphanage workers to get it from. Don't get me wrong, we are appreciative that the Lord has placed her in good hands, but she's destined for a family! I can handle a few weeks away from my precious babies in order to bring Julia home to her forever family! I can sacrifice a "little" for a bigger purpose. (I am still crying at this revelation).
Another sweet thing the Lord whispered was "remember when I sent Jesus to earth". Oh Lord, how could I forget? He sent Jesus into this world, just to be brutally beaten and die on a cross so that I can live forever in Heaven with Him. He was away from Jesus for about 33 years, so my few "little weeks" are nothing. I can never know what the feelings were, that God could love me so much that He would send His son to die for me. Those thoughts are so overwhelming of love for me, and for everyone! Such a beautiful picture of redemption.
While we are nothing compared to Christ, the Father showed me some similiarites in our adoption process. We are adopting Julia into our family, just as Christ adopted us into His! We are saving her from a life the enemy had destined for her, and Christ saved us from the pits of hell and what the enemy destined us for! We are having to sacrifice so much, just as Christ sacrificed. We haven't sacrificed anything NEAR what Christ did. In this whole journey, we are learning a bit more of the Father's heart, and understand it better b/c of the humility and trust we are having to place in Him. We are walking a Faith journey unlike any other we've traveled. It's not easy, but I'm not giving up!! Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you' announces the Lord. 'I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come." Who am I to argue with this??
Another part of the revelation came next. I am being COMPLETELY transparent here, and I hope that you don't judge me. I have been so consumed with the adoption lately, and just life in general that I haven't been enjoying my children like I should! I don't always look at them as blessings. I've been asking the Lord to help me here, but I a lot of times I would just dismiss it as PMS or maybe just a bad day. But I have really been struggling with it lately, and I couldn't seem to "shake" it. I adore my children more than anything, but I also felt they were burdens sometimes.
As I was crying out last night, I asked the Lord again to help me. I am going to be leaving soon for a few weeks, and I want to enjoy the best of every moment. Then the Lord revealed that I hadn't repented for my actions and thoughts towards them. So the flood gates opened even more! I repented to Him and asked Him to give me a love for them that a mother should have, to give me a love like the love He has for me. I went to each of my children and touched their head, prayed for them and me and kissed each of them. I always hate to touch them while they are sleeping, b/c I do not want to disturb them, but last night, they didn't flinch at all. It was completely God!!
I told the Lord that I want to have an unconditional love for the children! Somtimes when I get frustrated with them, I would let it sit and fester, and not let go like I should. The Lord took me to 1 Corithians 13:4-8 "Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud. It is not rude. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people's wrongs. Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken. It always protects. It always trusts. It always hopes. It never gives up. Love never fails." This is the love that I want to have for my children, for my husband, for EVERYONE!! The Lord has brought a new light and love into my heart!!
After staying up and praying for a while, I decided to go to bed. I lay there amazed at all He had shown me, and at this new love and joy I felt towards my children. Now please don't misunderstand me, I've always loved my children, now I've just learned a whole new appreciation for them!!
This morning, we had to arise a little earlier than normal so I could do chapel at our church school! We were rushed, b/c after staying up so late, I didn't want to get out of bed, lol!! It was such a pleasant morning, and the kids and I got going!! While I am listening to them "not rest" hahaha, I am smiling thinking about how much I love them! I talked with them a bit about being sorry that I sometimes get so aggravated! They forgave me, as children are so faithful to do!! And we are having such a great day, even in the "harder" times of the day!!
As I close this, I am amazed at how much God loves me! He has given me the most wonderful husband a gal could ask for!! I am blessed beyond what I really deserve! He has allowed me to birth 3 beautiful and healthy children, all who love Him and praise His name!! And He is blessing me with another beautiful daughter that I am overwhelmed with joy that He chose me as her mom!! I am just overflowing with love and appreciation for having such an amazing Father!!
Today is our special Julia's birthday!! She turns 14! I really wish we were there, or she was here with us, but soon!! We celebrate her though, and she knows how much we love her, and we know she loves us!! It's touches my heart everytime she says "I love you"!! It's a love only the Lord could make happen!!
Be blessed my friends, and I hope that the Lord will speak to you through some of my words!! God bless!!
A few minutes later I hear sniffling, so I listened real carefully. It was Hannah! Now if you know Hannah, she is a very "spirited" child as I guess I'll put it! She can have a bit of drama, but she has such a good and compassionate heart! I go in to check on her and ask her what's wrong....she sits straight up in the bed, reaches for me and cries "I miss Julia". This wasn't just the little tears that children sometimes cry, she was really crying for her sister. This brought me to tears, and still does even as I am typing this. I held her for a bit and prayed and reassured her that Julia would be home with us soon!
After a few minutes, I moved her to the other couch so she could go back to sleep and be closer to us! So Jonah was on one couch, and Hannah on the other! I sat at the end of Jonah's couch and prayed as they drifted back off to dreamland!
Then the waterworks started! I realized that in a few short weeks that I will have to leave these precious blessings here while we go and pick up our other blessing! We will be gone from them for about 5 weeks total, and this will be one of the hardest things I will ever have to do. I cried out to God about it, vented I guess, explained my not understanding why we had to leave them here, not wanting to leave them here, yet ready to go running to Ukraine! And then the revelations began!!
Those five weeks are nothing compared to the years that Julia has had to spend in the orphanage without a family, without a mom and dad. My heart started to cry out for Julia too. This poor child, so full of life, so full of joy, and so full of love. So much to give, yet not a family to give it to! Needing so much, yet only having friends and orphanage workers to get it from. Don't get me wrong, we are appreciative that the Lord has placed her in good hands, but she's destined for a family! I can handle a few weeks away from my precious babies in order to bring Julia home to her forever family! I can sacrifice a "little" for a bigger purpose. (I am still crying at this revelation).
Another sweet thing the Lord whispered was "remember when I sent Jesus to earth". Oh Lord, how could I forget? He sent Jesus into this world, just to be brutally beaten and die on a cross so that I can live forever in Heaven with Him. He was away from Jesus for about 33 years, so my few "little weeks" are nothing. I can never know what the feelings were, that God could love me so much that He would send His son to die for me. Those thoughts are so overwhelming of love for me, and for everyone! Such a beautiful picture of redemption.
While we are nothing compared to Christ, the Father showed me some similiarites in our adoption process. We are adopting Julia into our family, just as Christ adopted us into His! We are saving her from a life the enemy had destined for her, and Christ saved us from the pits of hell and what the enemy destined us for! We are having to sacrifice so much, just as Christ sacrificed. We haven't sacrificed anything NEAR what Christ did. In this whole journey, we are learning a bit more of the Father's heart, and understand it better b/c of the humility and trust we are having to place in Him. We are walking a Faith journey unlike any other we've traveled. It's not easy, but I'm not giving up!! Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you' announces the Lord. 'I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come." Who am I to argue with this??
Another part of the revelation came next. I am being COMPLETELY transparent here, and I hope that you don't judge me. I have been so consumed with the adoption lately, and just life in general that I haven't been enjoying my children like I should! I don't always look at them as blessings. I've been asking the Lord to help me here, but I a lot of times I would just dismiss it as PMS or maybe just a bad day. But I have really been struggling with it lately, and I couldn't seem to "shake" it. I adore my children more than anything, but I also felt they were burdens sometimes.
As I was crying out last night, I asked the Lord again to help me. I am going to be leaving soon for a few weeks, and I want to enjoy the best of every moment. Then the Lord revealed that I hadn't repented for my actions and thoughts towards them. So the flood gates opened even more! I repented to Him and asked Him to give me a love for them that a mother should have, to give me a love like the love He has for me. I went to each of my children and touched their head, prayed for them and me and kissed each of them. I always hate to touch them while they are sleeping, b/c I do not want to disturb them, but last night, they didn't flinch at all. It was completely God!!
I told the Lord that I want to have an unconditional love for the children! Somtimes when I get frustrated with them, I would let it sit and fester, and not let go like I should. The Lord took me to 1 Corithians 13:4-8 "Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud. It is not rude. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people's wrongs. Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken. It always protects. It always trusts. It always hopes. It never gives up. Love never fails." This is the love that I want to have for my children, for my husband, for EVERYONE!! The Lord has brought a new light and love into my heart!!
After staying up and praying for a while, I decided to go to bed. I lay there amazed at all He had shown me, and at this new love and joy I felt towards my children. Now please don't misunderstand me, I've always loved my children, now I've just learned a whole new appreciation for them!!
This morning, we had to arise a little earlier than normal so I could do chapel at our church school! We were rushed, b/c after staying up so late, I didn't want to get out of bed, lol!! It was such a pleasant morning, and the kids and I got going!! While I am listening to them "not rest" hahaha, I am smiling thinking about how much I love them! I talked with them a bit about being sorry that I sometimes get so aggravated! They forgave me, as children are so faithful to do!! And we are having such a great day, even in the "harder" times of the day!!
As I close this, I am amazed at how much God loves me! He has given me the most wonderful husband a gal could ask for!! I am blessed beyond what I really deserve! He has allowed me to birth 3 beautiful and healthy children, all who love Him and praise His name!! And He is blessing me with another beautiful daughter that I am overwhelmed with joy that He chose me as her mom!! I am just overflowing with love and appreciation for having such an amazing Father!!
Today is our special Julia's birthday!! She turns 14! I really wish we were there, or she was here with us, but soon!! We celebrate her though, and she knows how much we love her, and we know she loves us!! It's touches my heart everytime she says "I love you"!! It's a love only the Lord could make happen!!
Be blessed my friends, and I hope that the Lord will speak to you through some of my words!! God bless!!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Rain and birds.....and other things of the heart!!
Good afternoon friends! I've had a blog on my heart for a while, but haven't had the time to sit down and right!! I've been exhausted, busy, and just haven't done it!! As I'm sitting here, I am listening to birds chirping outside and the rain fall! It is one of the most beautiful things I've heard in a while! The Lord had me thinking on the birds....how they can't work, yet He provides for everything that they need. And the flowers of the field, they are clothed in complete beauty. So us, being humans, are worth more than the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, so why do we doubt that He will take care of us? He will take care of us, we have to REST in Him and His word!! We need to have that little thing called FAITH!! That word is a lot bigger than it looks, and each step you take walking in it, it becomes harder and more intense, but it is so BEAUTIFUL!!
As I listen, there are no sounds of children. See, mommy needed a break! It's been an exhausting 2 weeks. One week we were preparing all our paperwork to go Ukraine, and it's there and filed now, praise the Lord!! The next week was filled with hours and hours of work at our church gym preparing for our big fundraiser! I spent more time working up there than a full time job!! Our children were such troopers and handled working so well.....they actually played, but they were outside their routines!! So after a week and a half of that, exhaustion has finally set in! My poor children brought me to tears this morning, unintentionally, but the tears started! So I decided to call on a wonderful friend to keep them, so I could have some refreshing time in the Father!!
It has been beautiful, yet so simple for Him to help me get things "back in order" so to speak!! I have not had things in order for a while b/c of everything we are committed to! I feel like the Lord says to rest!! Our lives are ever changing, but we have to cling to Him, and listen to the direction that He wants me to take! It's funny how this morning, I tried to call friends, and no one answered, and I talked with Him, and He revealed the answer to me!! Beautiful...why don't I sit down more with Him?
As I look around at my house, that isn't in the order I would like it to be, it's slowly coming back to order. The Lord reminded me that there's no condemnation in Christ, there's grace!! He has called us to walk in the things that we are walking in, and He will give us direction! We have to choose to listen to Him, and lay down things that are less important!
A bit of transparency here....I feel like I haven't been enjoying my children lately. I feel like they are a job, instead of my blessings. I love them more than I could ever even explain, but I haven't been enjoying those "little moments". I asked the Lord to reveal why I haven't been. You know what it was??? Too many things were more important to me than them......like Facebook, talking to friends, having a clean house, looking like I have it together......OUCH!! I do need a mental break sometimes, but I haven't been enjoying them, b/c I'm seeking outside "entertainment" so to speak. So I have to repent to both the Father and to them!! I am thankful that God is exposing more of my heart to me, and I will gain more of Him and less of me in it! I will challenge myself to focus on my family more, and less on the other things. So I will be limiting my time on other things in my life!
I do want to update our fundraiser and adoption info, but that will have to wait until another post! I do, however, want to share a little story! We had some friends do a "fundraiser" for us at Stevie B's pizza place. It was 3 teenagers who worked their tales off cleaning tables up and serving people! They had cups on the tables with pictures of Julia and "our story". It was a Friday night, so it was pretty steady and busy! We were sitting in the back by the arcade part, enjoying our meal as a family! I forgot to bring cash, so we told our kids to just go and look at the games, but you know that's not an easy thing! A little later, Hannah brought me her wallet with some change, when I looked in it, I found $5! This was so awesome, so we split it between the 3 of them! They were so happy, and they were excited to win the few tickets that earned them a piece of candy each!!
As we watched the other children come out with hundreds of tickets, it didn't phase my children any, they were happy with the simple things! As a parent, this made me so excited, b/c my children aren't searching for the worldly pleasures! While they enjoyed some games, it wasn't a disappointment!!
As we gathered all the cups at the end of the night, we counted the donations. There was $38 after 3 hours of these sweet teens working so hard. It really saddened me to see how many people gave their children lots of $$ to waste in the arcade, yet didn't want to help the "teenagers cause" (no one knew we were the adoptive parents). It saddened me at society's priorities. I think they were a bit disappointed, but I know they stored up lots of treasures in Heaven!! And I know that I will be more aware of other's needs when I am out somewhere!! Thank you Father for this revelation!!
Alright friends, be blessed! I need to go pick up my babies and prepare for a women's banquet tonight!! Happy Mother's Day to all my wonderful Mom friends!!
As I listen, there are no sounds of children. See, mommy needed a break! It's been an exhausting 2 weeks. One week we were preparing all our paperwork to go Ukraine, and it's there and filed now, praise the Lord!! The next week was filled with hours and hours of work at our church gym preparing for our big fundraiser! I spent more time working up there than a full time job!! Our children were such troopers and handled working so well.....they actually played, but they were outside their routines!! So after a week and a half of that, exhaustion has finally set in! My poor children brought me to tears this morning, unintentionally, but the tears started! So I decided to call on a wonderful friend to keep them, so I could have some refreshing time in the Father!!
It has been beautiful, yet so simple for Him to help me get things "back in order" so to speak!! I have not had things in order for a while b/c of everything we are committed to! I feel like the Lord says to rest!! Our lives are ever changing, but we have to cling to Him, and listen to the direction that He wants me to take! It's funny how this morning, I tried to call friends, and no one answered, and I talked with Him, and He revealed the answer to me!! Beautiful...why don't I sit down more with Him?
As I look around at my house, that isn't in the order I would like it to be, it's slowly coming back to order. The Lord reminded me that there's no condemnation in Christ, there's grace!! He has called us to walk in the things that we are walking in, and He will give us direction! We have to choose to listen to Him, and lay down things that are less important!
A bit of transparency here....I feel like I haven't been enjoying my children lately. I feel like they are a job, instead of my blessings. I love them more than I could ever even explain, but I haven't been enjoying those "little moments". I asked the Lord to reveal why I haven't been. You know what it was??? Too many things were more important to me than them......like Facebook, talking to friends, having a clean house, looking like I have it together......OUCH!! I do need a mental break sometimes, but I haven't been enjoying them, b/c I'm seeking outside "entertainment" so to speak. So I have to repent to both the Father and to them!! I am thankful that God is exposing more of my heart to me, and I will gain more of Him and less of me in it! I will challenge myself to focus on my family more, and less on the other things. So I will be limiting my time on other things in my life!
I do want to update our fundraiser and adoption info, but that will have to wait until another post! I do, however, want to share a little story! We had some friends do a "fundraiser" for us at Stevie B's pizza place. It was 3 teenagers who worked their tales off cleaning tables up and serving people! They had cups on the tables with pictures of Julia and "our story". It was a Friday night, so it was pretty steady and busy! We were sitting in the back by the arcade part, enjoying our meal as a family! I forgot to bring cash, so we told our kids to just go and look at the games, but you know that's not an easy thing! A little later, Hannah brought me her wallet with some change, when I looked in it, I found $5! This was so awesome, so we split it between the 3 of them! They were so happy, and they were excited to win the few tickets that earned them a piece of candy each!!
As we watched the other children come out with hundreds of tickets, it didn't phase my children any, they were happy with the simple things! As a parent, this made me so excited, b/c my children aren't searching for the worldly pleasures! While they enjoyed some games, it wasn't a disappointment!!
As we gathered all the cups at the end of the night, we counted the donations. There was $38 after 3 hours of these sweet teens working so hard. It really saddened me to see how many people gave their children lots of $$ to waste in the arcade, yet didn't want to help the "teenagers cause" (no one knew we were the adoptive parents). It saddened me at society's priorities. I think they were a bit disappointed, but I know they stored up lots of treasures in Heaven!! And I know that I will be more aware of other's needs when I am out somewhere!! Thank you Father for this revelation!!
Alright friends, be blessed! I need to go pick up my babies and prepare for a women's banquet tonight!! Happy Mother's Day to all my wonderful Mom friends!!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
And the papers are off to Ukraine!!
Good evening friends! Hope you're doing well!! I've played out this blog in my head throughout the day, and here I am finally sitting down to type!!
If you read the blog title, then you know what's coming next!! We have completed our dossier, which is a whole bunch of paperwork that we've worked really hard to complete for Ukraine! We haven't actually sent it yet, but it's going tomorrow!! We started this whole process in January, and here we are at the end of April, preparing for our next steps!!
I'm going to be COMPLETELY honest when I say my stomach is in knots!! We are sending this dossier with still quite a bit left to raise in funds! We've raised several thousand, but have several thousand left to go! We are doing all this in faith....something that is completely new for me!
God has held our hand every step of the way, and everything that we've needed money for, the Lord has provided!! This proves to me just how powerful my God is!! I know He will continue to provide!! It's just a lot more than I've ever needed!! But because I can't do this, I am having to rely FULLY on Him!! I know that He will provide!!
When the paperwork is received, we will receive a court date! So potentially we will be going sometime in June! Which means, we've really got to get on the fundraising!!
Found out there could be a slight delay with things b/c of some holidays in Ukraine, but we know that it's all in God's timing!! Part of my heart is a bit burdened. See, my cousin (who is more like a brother) will be getting married this summer, and I don't want to miss it. But I might not have much control over that! The Lord knows my heart, and I'm praying that He will grant me this request to be here for my sweet cousin!
At the same time, I'm so ready to have my girl home with us!! This who journey has been a bouquet of emotions....happiness, anxiousness, sadness, humbleness, and so many more!! I have cried more the past few days than I think I have in my lifetime! It's all becoming so real....each step getting us closer! To know that this is all happending and she's almost home is huge for me!!
Someone recently told me that I need to take some time for myself. I've been running non-stop since Christmas preparing for all of this. When it's all done, I'm probably going to crash......HARD!! While there are times of waiting, things are still on my heart! I'm thankful God has called us to this, and I wouldn't trade any of it for the world!! Until you actually go on this journey, you can't fully explain to others what you're feeling!!
My children have been such troopers! The past couple of days, we've been running around collecting remaining things! They know we'll be gone for a while, and I'm sure going to miss my hugs and kisses!! I'm praying for GRACE for us all as we are gone!! God has blessed me more than I deserve, and for that I will ALWAYS give Him praise!!
I just received a phone call from a friend, who has just sold 10 more raffle tickets, after she has already sold her first 10. This is someone that I don't know real well, our sons went to preschool together, but she is AMAZING!! Heather has jumped in and helped us, has been encouraging and praying for us b/c she believes in what God is calling us to do!! It amazes me that someone that doesn't know us very well has been more supportive that some that are our closest friends! God is so good to know exactly who to place in our lives and when!! Heather, if you are reading this, I am so thankful for you.....you are a God send!!
If you have bought a raffle ticket, good luck, the drawing will be 4/30!! If you would like to buy a ticket, please let me know asap!! I appreciate everyone donating to our cause!!
If the Lord has placed it on your heart to give to our adoption journey, you can paypal us at jlthorpe7@gmail.com . If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, let me know! Our church is running those for us! We still have about $15,000 to raise.
Thank you for reading about our lives! We know what God began He will complete!! Be blessed my friends!!
If you read the blog title, then you know what's coming next!! We have completed our dossier, which is a whole bunch of paperwork that we've worked really hard to complete for Ukraine! We haven't actually sent it yet, but it's going tomorrow!! We started this whole process in January, and here we are at the end of April, preparing for our next steps!!
I'm going to be COMPLETELY honest when I say my stomach is in knots!! We are sending this dossier with still quite a bit left to raise in funds! We've raised several thousand, but have several thousand left to go! We are doing all this in faith....something that is completely new for me!
God has held our hand every step of the way, and everything that we've needed money for, the Lord has provided!! This proves to me just how powerful my God is!! I know He will continue to provide!! It's just a lot more than I've ever needed!! But because I can't do this, I am having to rely FULLY on Him!! I know that He will provide!!
When the paperwork is received, we will receive a court date! So potentially we will be going sometime in June! Which means, we've really got to get on the fundraising!!
Found out there could be a slight delay with things b/c of some holidays in Ukraine, but we know that it's all in God's timing!! Part of my heart is a bit burdened. See, my cousin (who is more like a brother) will be getting married this summer, and I don't want to miss it. But I might not have much control over that! The Lord knows my heart, and I'm praying that He will grant me this request to be here for my sweet cousin!
At the same time, I'm so ready to have my girl home with us!! This who journey has been a bouquet of emotions....happiness, anxiousness, sadness, humbleness, and so many more!! I have cried more the past few days than I think I have in my lifetime! It's all becoming so real....each step getting us closer! To know that this is all happending and she's almost home is huge for me!!
Someone recently told me that I need to take some time for myself. I've been running non-stop since Christmas preparing for all of this. When it's all done, I'm probably going to crash......HARD!! While there are times of waiting, things are still on my heart! I'm thankful God has called us to this, and I wouldn't trade any of it for the world!! Until you actually go on this journey, you can't fully explain to others what you're feeling!!
My children have been such troopers! The past couple of days, we've been running around collecting remaining things! They know we'll be gone for a while, and I'm sure going to miss my hugs and kisses!! I'm praying for GRACE for us all as we are gone!! God has blessed me more than I deserve, and for that I will ALWAYS give Him praise!!
I just received a phone call from a friend, who has just sold 10 more raffle tickets, after she has already sold her first 10. This is someone that I don't know real well, our sons went to preschool together, but she is AMAZING!! Heather has jumped in and helped us, has been encouraging and praying for us b/c she believes in what God is calling us to do!! It amazes me that someone that doesn't know us very well has been more supportive that some that are our closest friends! God is so good to know exactly who to place in our lives and when!! Heather, if you are reading this, I am so thankful for you.....you are a God send!!
If you have bought a raffle ticket, good luck, the drawing will be 4/30!! If you would like to buy a ticket, please let me know asap!! I appreciate everyone donating to our cause!!
If the Lord has placed it on your heart to give to our adoption journey, you can paypal us at jlthorpe7@gmail.com . If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, let me know! Our church is running those for us! We still have about $15,000 to raise.
Thank you for reading about our lives! We know what God began He will complete!! Be blessed my friends!!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Paperwork going to Ukraine.......
Good evening friends!! So many times I know that I want to blog b/c I have much on my heart, but when I sit down I don't know where to begin. I don't want to ramble, but I want to express the things that God is doing in our lives through the adoption!! So here goes!!
Today has been a wonderful and emotional day! In the mail we received our approval for Julia's visa!! This is huge, and one of the final steps before sending paperwork to Ukraine! We are awaiting one more thing, which I will pick up tomorrow, then I'll be off to the apostille office to finish up! So that means either Monday or Tuesday we'll be sending our dossier to Ukraine!!
It's hard to believe how incredibly fast this is going, yet some things seem so slow! It seems like forever since I have given my sweet girl a big hug and told her face to face that I love her. Yet, it also seems like we just started this journey! It's hard to describe the feelings in my heart, but with this approval comes some of the many emotions, that I understand are quite normal!
One emotion is pure excitement! I'm going to have my daughter home, with us FOREVER!! God chose us as her family, and she will be here soon!! I can't seem to get there soon enough! She asks each time we talk with her when we are coming, so she is ready! Our children ask when she is coming, so they are ready for us to bring her home! We are ready to be a complete family!! So this is all so exciting b/c we know this is happening!!
The next emotion is sadness! When Jarrod and I go to Ukraine, we'll be leaving our 3 small children. As I type this, I can't help but cry. I have NEVER left them more than a weekend, and this trip is going to be terribly hard. Probably more on me than on them! God willing, we will be making 2 trips. The first will be for about 2.5-3 weeks. We'll then come home for about 10 days, then we'll go back to Ukraine for an additional 10 days, in which Julia will be with us the entire time, then we'll all travel home together as a family. We're also taking a very special Chelsea Louwho with us on the last trip! I have some WONDERFUL friends and family that will be taking care of our children while we are gone, so I know they will have a blast! Thank goodness for Skype, so I can see them each day! I'm praying that won't be too hard on them! I know the reward in the end is going to be magnificent, but I do ask for extra prayers for us during this time of seperation!
The next emotion is nervousness! Nervousness of the unknown. I've never been outside of the US, never been to an orphanage, never done any of the things that we are about to do! So this is all new!! We are also still in the fundraising mode! While we've raised some $$, we are still quite a ways away from being ready to go! God has brought us this far, and I know He won't stop carrying us along on this journey! My faith is truly being stretched, and I'm trusting that He is providing all of this!! I know He loves Julia even more than we do, and He wants her with our family even more than we do. So I keep speaking His words and His promises. Sometimes I need to speak them for myself if no one else!! God has had me in Hebrews 11 the past couple of days!! I love the journey of faith, although it's not an easy one, it's definetely going to be worth it!!
Each step that we have taken makes this journey feel more and more real!! It's amazing to see what God is doing in our family. Hannah told me the other day that when she is older, she wants to adopt! What a wonderful thing that God is doing in not only Jarrod and I, but in our children! They see the Father's heart for adoption, that so many Christians overlook! I want to change this generation. I want us to get out of this "it's all about me" mindset. God has put us here for a purpose "For such a time as this", and we need to grasp that. He didn't put us here so that we could be the most popular, the most famous, or the richest. He put us here for His kingdom. It's time for the church to rise up and grasp that concept.
We've been labeled many times as being "different" by the world. That's okay, b/c the only one that want to be "like" is Christ! I love children, and want children to feel loved and accepted, and this means that my home will be open to as many children as the Lord sees fit to send through the doors. It's not about me and all the "material things" that I may want. It's about me committing my life to Christ. Which means that I may be "inconvenienced" so to speak. I was thinking today about how many people will do things at Christmas, like an Angel Tree, or something similar. These things are all great, and are needed. BUT, how many of those giving to something like that would be willing to open their homes to the orphans, widow, homeless????? People want to give, but only what is convenient to them. They don't want to get inconvenienced in their lives. There have been many times where I have gotten frustrated, b/c my plans for the day didn't work out. But the Lord had other plans, and my "inconvenience" was all ordained! So I encouarge Christians, embrace the "uncomfortable" or "inconvenient". If He's calling you to adopt, don't let fear grip you, don't let what others thing grip you......let what God is telling you to do grip you! We may be labeled different, but that's okay, we are being obedient to the call of the Father!!
So as I end this blog, I want to ask for prayers! When praying for us, I encourage you to pray His word over us, straight from the Bible! We want and trust in God's promises!! Thank you for listening to my heart! I randomly get things, and sometimes they have no rhyme or reason, it's just what God has laid on my heart!! Be blessed my friends, and I pray that the Father will speak some new blessings over you tonight!!
Today has been a wonderful and emotional day! In the mail we received our approval for Julia's visa!! This is huge, and one of the final steps before sending paperwork to Ukraine! We are awaiting one more thing, which I will pick up tomorrow, then I'll be off to the apostille office to finish up! So that means either Monday or Tuesday we'll be sending our dossier to Ukraine!!
It's hard to believe how incredibly fast this is going, yet some things seem so slow! It seems like forever since I have given my sweet girl a big hug and told her face to face that I love her. Yet, it also seems like we just started this journey! It's hard to describe the feelings in my heart, but with this approval comes some of the many emotions, that I understand are quite normal!
One emotion is pure excitement! I'm going to have my daughter home, with us FOREVER!! God chose us as her family, and she will be here soon!! I can't seem to get there soon enough! She asks each time we talk with her when we are coming, so she is ready! Our children ask when she is coming, so they are ready for us to bring her home! We are ready to be a complete family!! So this is all so exciting b/c we know this is happening!!
The next emotion is sadness! When Jarrod and I go to Ukraine, we'll be leaving our 3 small children. As I type this, I can't help but cry. I have NEVER left them more than a weekend, and this trip is going to be terribly hard. Probably more on me than on them! God willing, we will be making 2 trips. The first will be for about 2.5-3 weeks. We'll then come home for about 10 days, then we'll go back to Ukraine for an additional 10 days, in which Julia will be with us the entire time, then we'll all travel home together as a family. We're also taking a very special Chelsea Louwho with us on the last trip! I have some WONDERFUL friends and family that will be taking care of our children while we are gone, so I know they will have a blast! Thank goodness for Skype, so I can see them each day! I'm praying that won't be too hard on them! I know the reward in the end is going to be magnificent, but I do ask for extra prayers for us during this time of seperation!
The next emotion is nervousness! Nervousness of the unknown. I've never been outside of the US, never been to an orphanage, never done any of the things that we are about to do! So this is all new!! We are also still in the fundraising mode! While we've raised some $$, we are still quite a ways away from being ready to go! God has brought us this far, and I know He won't stop carrying us along on this journey! My faith is truly being stretched, and I'm trusting that He is providing all of this!! I know He loves Julia even more than we do, and He wants her with our family even more than we do. So I keep speaking His words and His promises. Sometimes I need to speak them for myself if no one else!! God has had me in Hebrews 11 the past couple of days!! I love the journey of faith, although it's not an easy one, it's definetely going to be worth it!!
Each step that we have taken makes this journey feel more and more real!! It's amazing to see what God is doing in our family. Hannah told me the other day that when she is older, she wants to adopt! What a wonderful thing that God is doing in not only Jarrod and I, but in our children! They see the Father's heart for adoption, that so many Christians overlook! I want to change this generation. I want us to get out of this "it's all about me" mindset. God has put us here for a purpose "For such a time as this", and we need to grasp that. He didn't put us here so that we could be the most popular, the most famous, or the richest. He put us here for His kingdom. It's time for the church to rise up and grasp that concept.
We've been labeled many times as being "different" by the world. That's okay, b/c the only one that want to be "like" is Christ! I love children, and want children to feel loved and accepted, and this means that my home will be open to as many children as the Lord sees fit to send through the doors. It's not about me and all the "material things" that I may want. It's about me committing my life to Christ. Which means that I may be "inconvenienced" so to speak. I was thinking today about how many people will do things at Christmas, like an Angel Tree, or something similar. These things are all great, and are needed. BUT, how many of those giving to something like that would be willing to open their homes to the orphans, widow, homeless????? People want to give, but only what is convenient to them. They don't want to get inconvenienced in their lives. There have been many times where I have gotten frustrated, b/c my plans for the day didn't work out. But the Lord had other plans, and my "inconvenience" was all ordained! So I encouarge Christians, embrace the "uncomfortable" or "inconvenient". If He's calling you to adopt, don't let fear grip you, don't let what others thing grip you......let what God is telling you to do grip you! We may be labeled different, but that's okay, we are being obedient to the call of the Father!!
So as I end this blog, I want to ask for prayers! When praying for us, I encourage you to pray His word over us, straight from the Bible! We want and trust in God's promises!! Thank you for listening to my heart! I randomly get things, and sometimes they have no rhyme or reason, it's just what God has laid on my heart!! Be blessed my friends, and I pray that the Father will speak some new blessings over you tonight!!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Angels of Humility......
Good evening friends! I haven't blogged in a while, and I apologize, life has been busy!! I hope this all finds you well! We are all doing well, just moving along to the beat that God has our drum going!!
I've been reading a book called "Angels of Humility" that a friend gave me 2 nights ago and I'm almost halfway through it! Lately I've remembered how much I love getting lost in a book!! So this book has brought some pretty awesome things alive to me. While a fictional book, it helps you to see that there are two kingdoms; the visible and the invisible......and not to invest in the wrong one. This passage from the book really spoke to me "If you say yes to God, you have no limitations because He has no limitations. If what you're grasping for and planning on doing for the Kingdom isn't way beyond your ability, you're probably not doing the right thing". WOW is all I can say! I'm realized the works that are against me, but also the power that I have through Christ.
I think many times Christians forget about our tools that we hold right within our reach. We have our Bible, which has the answers to all life's questions. Sometimes specific things require sitting at the feet of Jesus and communing with Him to hear those things. The power of life and death lie within the tongue, and oh how we all mess that up at some point or another. Example/confession: Yesterday morning my sweet Jonah was having a bad attitude. We had readjusted it once, but it continued to come back out. I finally had it, and lost my cool. Picked him up and carried him to his room to have him lay down, and the entire way there I told him how he was being disobedient and showing no respect, and the way he was acting wasn't loving towards me, and so on. (This sounds a little nicer now that I am typing it, but I was fuming). He came out a bit later and told me he was sorry. I responded with a sorry too for acting out in anger. Later the Lord spoke to me on speaking words of life over them, and speak those things that aren't as if they were. I'm not walking in condemnation, just realized that I didn't handle it right! Today, we had a similar situation with Hannah's attitude. Instead of getting frustrated I told Hannah that God created her to walk in the fruits of the spirit - love, patience, joy, goodness, self control, peace and kindness. It took her a few minutes, but she was right back on the right attitude track before I knew it!! The power lies in a very small thing called our tongue, so we all have to work on that!!
I have to also confess to my overwhelming feelings that I had last week!! We have so much going on right now. I am a full time mom, homeschooling mom, we are working on the adoption process, and we are the children's pastors at our church. While looking at these things doesn't seem like much, it can at times be overwhelming when I'm not letting the Lord guide my steps. I had to take a day and just spend with the children. Although every title and hat that I seem to wear is for my children, they often take/keep me away from being "fully available" to my children. I'm realizing more and more that while I love to come up with new ideas and love keeping in touch with friends, I'm on the computer way more than I need to be. So there's my confession, and I hope to have someone to hold me accountable to spend more time just enjoying my children. The laundry can wait, the phone can wait, the emails can wait! Yes, I need to work on fundraising for the adoption, but there is a time for that. I need to plan children's activities at church, but there is a time for that too!!
Some of this overwhelmingness came after receiving a letter from a friend. This friend bought a raffle ticket and sent the money along with a very encouraging note. In it she said she was proud of the woman I had become and as long as I am letting God lead us, He'll take us many more places. She said she's following our progress along this path, and loves reading what is going on. Then it hit me, PEOPLE ARE WATCHING US!! I don't mean this in a bad way, but it's just a reality! For some, it will be a testimony to God's promises that He will provide; for others, they are waiting for us to fall; and others, it's just a blessing to see the love that God has given us for Julia. I'll be honest, this put a huge weight on my shoulders that was never meant to be mine to carry. I cried out to God to guide us, and I gave Him all the burdens that I have been trying to carry alone. I realize that He is going to do this, and not the way I think it should be done, but in His perfect way!!
I've found out recently about talk behind our back, which is to be expected, right? Well, I have to admit, some hurt, but I have a wonderful Father, who is my avenger!! As I cried out to Him about these things, He put on my heart to pray for these people who have spoken these things. I forgave them, and I prayed blessings over them. Then I asked the Father that those specific people that have spoken those "disapproving" comments would be the very ones to send the "funds" for our adoption! I'm not sure how that will all look, but I know that God is working and moving hearts at the very moment that I am typing this!!
So I guess this blog has been kind of all over the place, but these are the things that God has laid on my heart!! We had a wonderful family day on a nature walk and looking at God's animals and creation today at a local park. It was so freeing to get away from the computer, tv, phones and everything to spend a few hours with my family and God!! I got re-energized and remembered the things that are truly important! Before our walk, we were able to talk with Julia, and that was so wonderful, as always! One thing she said made Jarrod and I both tear up...she said that we are missing in her life. That when we were together she enjoyed being with us, and she misses that. It was so genuine and so sweet, and I am so thankful that God has given us this mutual love for one another. Each time she asks when we are coming, so she is ready!! We explain to her the process of awaiting the paperwork! We NEVER mention the fundraising, b/c that isn't a burden that she needs to carry or know about. She just needs to know that we love her and are working hard to bring her home!!
Also, about the raffle, if you are interested in buying a ticket, they are still available! At this point, we have sold 54 raffle tickets. $20 donation will buy you a ticket! The winner will chose ONE of the following: $500 visa gift card, iPad, or Kindle Fire. We are praying to sell more tickets, and for this fundraiser to be a good one!! Please help us in that if you feel led!
So for now, I'm off!! I pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you and that His face will shine upon you and be gracious to you!! I encourage you to find a copy of "Angels of Humility", it is wonderful!! Be blessed my friends!!
I've been reading a book called "Angels of Humility" that a friend gave me 2 nights ago and I'm almost halfway through it! Lately I've remembered how much I love getting lost in a book!! So this book has brought some pretty awesome things alive to me. While a fictional book, it helps you to see that there are two kingdoms; the visible and the invisible......and not to invest in the wrong one. This passage from the book really spoke to me "If you say yes to God, you have no limitations because He has no limitations. If what you're grasping for and planning on doing for the Kingdom isn't way beyond your ability, you're probably not doing the right thing". WOW is all I can say! I'm realized the works that are against me, but also the power that I have through Christ.
I think many times Christians forget about our tools that we hold right within our reach. We have our Bible, which has the answers to all life's questions. Sometimes specific things require sitting at the feet of Jesus and communing with Him to hear those things. The power of life and death lie within the tongue, and oh how we all mess that up at some point or another. Example/confession: Yesterday morning my sweet Jonah was having a bad attitude. We had readjusted it once, but it continued to come back out. I finally had it, and lost my cool. Picked him up and carried him to his room to have him lay down, and the entire way there I told him how he was being disobedient and showing no respect, and the way he was acting wasn't loving towards me, and so on. (This sounds a little nicer now that I am typing it, but I was fuming). He came out a bit later and told me he was sorry. I responded with a sorry too for acting out in anger. Later the Lord spoke to me on speaking words of life over them, and speak those things that aren't as if they were. I'm not walking in condemnation, just realized that I didn't handle it right! Today, we had a similar situation with Hannah's attitude. Instead of getting frustrated I told Hannah that God created her to walk in the fruits of the spirit - love, patience, joy, goodness, self control, peace and kindness. It took her a few minutes, but she was right back on the right attitude track before I knew it!! The power lies in a very small thing called our tongue, so we all have to work on that!!
I have to also confess to my overwhelming feelings that I had last week!! We have so much going on right now. I am a full time mom, homeschooling mom, we are working on the adoption process, and we are the children's pastors at our church. While looking at these things doesn't seem like much, it can at times be overwhelming when I'm not letting the Lord guide my steps. I had to take a day and just spend with the children. Although every title and hat that I seem to wear is for my children, they often take/keep me away from being "fully available" to my children. I'm realizing more and more that while I love to come up with new ideas and love keeping in touch with friends, I'm on the computer way more than I need to be. So there's my confession, and I hope to have someone to hold me accountable to spend more time just enjoying my children. The laundry can wait, the phone can wait, the emails can wait! Yes, I need to work on fundraising for the adoption, but there is a time for that. I need to plan children's activities at church, but there is a time for that too!!
Some of this overwhelmingness came after receiving a letter from a friend. This friend bought a raffle ticket and sent the money along with a very encouraging note. In it she said she was proud of the woman I had become and as long as I am letting God lead us, He'll take us many more places. She said she's following our progress along this path, and loves reading what is going on. Then it hit me, PEOPLE ARE WATCHING US!! I don't mean this in a bad way, but it's just a reality! For some, it will be a testimony to God's promises that He will provide; for others, they are waiting for us to fall; and others, it's just a blessing to see the love that God has given us for Julia. I'll be honest, this put a huge weight on my shoulders that was never meant to be mine to carry. I cried out to God to guide us, and I gave Him all the burdens that I have been trying to carry alone. I realize that He is going to do this, and not the way I think it should be done, but in His perfect way!!
I've found out recently about talk behind our back, which is to be expected, right? Well, I have to admit, some hurt, but I have a wonderful Father, who is my avenger!! As I cried out to Him about these things, He put on my heart to pray for these people who have spoken these things. I forgave them, and I prayed blessings over them. Then I asked the Father that those specific people that have spoken those "disapproving" comments would be the very ones to send the "funds" for our adoption! I'm not sure how that will all look, but I know that God is working and moving hearts at the very moment that I am typing this!!
So I guess this blog has been kind of all over the place, but these are the things that God has laid on my heart!! We had a wonderful family day on a nature walk and looking at God's animals and creation today at a local park. It was so freeing to get away from the computer, tv, phones and everything to spend a few hours with my family and God!! I got re-energized and remembered the things that are truly important! Before our walk, we were able to talk with Julia, and that was so wonderful, as always! One thing she said made Jarrod and I both tear up...she said that we are missing in her life. That when we were together she enjoyed being with us, and she misses that. It was so genuine and so sweet, and I am so thankful that God has given us this mutual love for one another. Each time she asks when we are coming, so she is ready!! We explain to her the process of awaiting the paperwork! We NEVER mention the fundraising, b/c that isn't a burden that she needs to carry or know about. She just needs to know that we love her and are working hard to bring her home!!
Also, about the raffle, if you are interested in buying a ticket, they are still available! At this point, we have sold 54 raffle tickets. $20 donation will buy you a ticket! The winner will chose ONE of the following: $500 visa gift card, iPad, or Kindle Fire. We are praying to sell more tickets, and for this fundraiser to be a good one!! Please help us in that if you feel led!
So for now, I'm off!! I pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you and that His face will shine upon you and be gracious to you!! I encourage you to find a copy of "Angels of Humility", it is wonderful!! Be blessed my friends!!
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