Go

I woke up this morning, opened one eye and took a peek at my alarm clock. Realizing I only had a few minutes of sleep left I went ahead and turned off the alarm. I laid in bed for a few more moments- half in and half out of sleep. Suddenly I was jolted by a loud voice saying "GO."

Now, there was a time in my life when I would have questioned if that was the Lord, and well, I still did today. I sat up thinking "Is that really you Lord?" I know you all probably think I am crazy (but I figure you are either reading my blog because you like crazy or because you are probably a little crazy too) but the voice was so loud and so clear I had to get up. I decided that if it truly was God there was something he wanted me to know. So, I began to walk around the house checking on each child and making sure everything was okay. Sure enough, everyone was in their beds and sound asleep. I turned on the coffee pot and then sat down to have some time with the Lord. It was then that I knew for sure He was sending affirmation to me-we are to 'go'.

And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Mark 16:15

Part of the reason my blog has been so quiet lately, besides the fact that we just took on homeschooling and have nine children ;o) is because we have seen a lot of changes in our lives lately. A couple of weeks ago- my husband and I, together, felt the Lord calling us to full time missions work. We are totally in the beginning stages- researching, asking questions, praying, seeking, asking more questions, praying a ton more and seeking God's face. We truly have no idea where, when, or how. All we know is that our life experiences has shown us that when God calls- we must be obedient. The good thing in not having a clue what we are doing is that we can rest assure it is ALL God and not at ALL us when things fall into place. I like it that way. I like knowing that the ball is in His court and He can be completely trusted. Does that mean it will be easy? Not at all- it just means that no matter what comes our way- good or bad- we can rest in knowing it was a part of His plan and a part of His purpose.

Because while there is a lot I don't know... one thing I DO know is that when they say God doesn't call those who are have it all together or have it all figured out- they were not jokin. ;0) We fully admit- we have no clue what we are doing. We have a heart for orphans, we desire to live our life fully for Christ, and we are willing. That's about all we have going for us. No training, no second language, no skills that anybody would probably find worth having. Don't sound very promising do we? LOL But we have said yes to the call anyway- and we are willing to do whatever it is God asks of us. I have no idea why He chose us, but who are we to question the king of the universe?

As details begin to fall into place- or as they don't- I will keep you all updated. I just felt that this morning God was affirming to me that we are indeed to go- and as our pastor told us, one of the first steps of obedience is making it public. And well, I figure it doesn't get any more public for me than this. (Hello out there!) So, if you feel led to pray for our family, give any advice, or have any words of wisdom- we would more than appreciate it. Life is such a journey and I cannot wait to share this journey with you.

When you are falling

A few days ago I took the kids to the park to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. With excitement they raced from the car over to the play ground and I smiled as each child chose their favorite thing to do. Kaden headed for the merry go round, Aleigha chose the swing, Mya, the slide, and Carson ran to the monkey bars. Havyn and I chose the park bench (in the shade) where we could sit together and watch them play. :)

After a few minutes I noticed Carson climbing high onto the top of the monkey bars. They were the type with the ladder that curved so you could actually climb on top of the bars and make your way across- that is, if you were old enough and coordinated enough to do so. At 3 years old, I wasn't quite so sure.

Not wanting to be one to stop my kids from trying new things, I just slowly made my way over to where he was so that I could be there if he needed me. Sure enough, he began to climb across the top then came to a halt when he realized the predicament he had gotten himself in. With fear in his eyes he looked around. All of a sudden he noticed I was right there- and I visually could see the look of relief in his eyes.

I called up to him saying "UT Oh buddy, looks like you've got yourself stuck huh?" "Yes," he answered. "So, what do you think you should do now?" I asked. Unto which Carson replied "Cry??"

We all started laughing and as I lowered him to the ground I snuck in a few kisses on the neck assuring him he was safe and sound.

As I made my way back to the bench I began to think of all of the times in my life I too had found myself in a predicament- and all I knew to do was to CRY out to Jesus. Call out to the one who is all knowing, cry out to the one who is my safety net, call all out to the one who promises to never let go.

Yet I was reminded of a time when I hadn't known Jesus- and how different my view of life was. How life was so much more difficult when I had tried to figure it all out on my own. How I hadn't known where to turn for true security. How I hadn't known He would be there to pick me up, dust me off, and show me a better way.

How about you? Have you found yourself in a situation that seems helpless and you are all alone with no one to catch you when you fall? God won't force himself on you or stop you from trying it on your own. He wants for you to want him - as much as he wants a relationship with you. I mean, He wants to know you and for you to really know Him. He cares about you and every little detail of your life. He wants more than anything to be the one you call out to, the one you turn to, the one who you trust in more than anything else in in you life.

So go ahead and cry out to the one who is all knowing. Call out to the one who is there, right now, waiting to hold you and let you know how valuable you are. You don't have to do it on your own anymore- He is there, I promise, and he is waiting to show you way.

Never fear...

were still here!! (I know, I know, you probably didn't even notice we were gone) LOL

We have a whole lotta new things going on around here and we have been BUSY. The big kids started back to school- I now have a college Sophomore (almost Junior), a High school Senior, a Freshman and a 7th grader. And, at home we have officially started homeschooling- and I am LOVIN it. :) However, it is taking me a bit to get used to our new 'normal'. Because this is my first time homeschooling, I am still working out the kinks. Thankfully my kids don't seem to notice and are having a great time as well.

We chose to do Classical Conversations- and I am beyond excited. We go one time a week (I am in the classroom with the kids) and the rest of the week we work on what we were taught there, in addition to lots of math, reading, bible lessons, fun crafts and we are doing Spanish (Rosetta Stone) at home as well. I fully admit I still feel pretty inadequate- but I am trying my best and enjoying every second of have the privilege of teaching my children. Being in charge of what goes into their heads (and hearts) all day is such a gift.

We have also been working on getting things organized around here to make life run as smoothly as possible with nine kids. :) I made a huge batch of breakfast burritos and put them in the freezer for my kids to warm up in the mornings. I am also going to try to experiment with a healthy breakfast cookie and crockpot yogurt this week- the kids are going to help me make them. We eat a ton of yogurt around here so thought this would be a neat idea to try.

I promise as soon as I get a free minute I will work on completing the Reluctant Husband Syndrome part 2 post for those of you who have been asking. :)

Sometimes....

Ya gotta let the hair do the talkin'.

And the winner of the $75 gift card is Danielle Day!!!! Thanks Danielle for your contribution to the Pass It Forward Adoption fund!!!

You could be the winner!!!

Danae over at http://divinemrsd.blogspot.com/ out of the goodness of her heart offered to put your name into a drawing for a $50 gift card if you donate to The Pass It Forward Adoption Fund (over at the side of my blog) by TOMORROW.

But better yet- she said if the total reached $300 she would up that gift card amount to $75!!!!

Did you see???

We are over $300 now! WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOD!!!

Every single cent of that that money will go to another family to help them bring home their adopted child!!

That is what it's all about my friends! People coming along side others who have a heart for adoption- doing what they can- doing what God calls them to do- TOGETHER.

We all know what a struggle it is to raise the funds to adopt internationally- and doing it all alone is even harder.

Won't you please consider giving a donation of any size today and you could be the lucky winner of a $75 gift card!!!! Every bit counts. Let's make a difference in the life of a child together!

Thanks Danae- your example blesses me!!!!

Ridiculously in love...

Remember when you first fell in love?

Remember how you would have literally done anything for that person?

Remember how, without batting an eye, you would have sold everything you had, packed your suitcase, and moved to the ends of the earth just to be with them?

Remember how all you cared about was spending time with them?

Remember how they were in your every thought, your every dream?

Remember how it practically hurt when you were away from them?

Remember how you couldn't imagine your life without them in it?

Remember how just the thought of talking to them made your heart do flip flops?

And remember how other people would roll their eyes and shake their heads, but secretly wish they too had that kind of love?

That, my friends, is the same kind of passionate love we should have for our Jesus.

Only all too often, our relationship with Him resembles something closer to this...

"Dear Lord, we could really use your help. Please give me good health, please bless us financially, please keep us safe, please provide for all of our needs. And Lord, I have these bills to pay, and on top of that we could really use a new washing machine. oh and God, can you please hurry? Amen."

What do you think would happen if we treated that person we were madly in love with the same way as we treat Jesus? What if we said we loved them, told them they were the most important thing in our lives- but ACTED as if our needs were the only ones that mattered? What if all we did was ask of them- but were never willing to give of ourselves?

Do you think that relationship would last? Do you think that relationship is even real?

My challenge for you is to fall in love with Jesus with total abandonment. You know- ridiculously in love. A love so deep that you'd be willing to give it all away, be willing to risk it all, and be willing to follow Him to the ends of the earth- because nothing else even came close to mattering as much as Him.

Jesus- I love you that much.

All in the name of a family picture

So while I LOVE taking pictures of my kids- I dread taking the family picture. Not because I don't want one, or not because I won't treasure it with my entire heart... but because of the work that goes into actually getting 11 people all looking put together and looking at the camera is no easy task.

A sweet family friend, Ashley, (thanks Ashley!!!!) came over and took our picture yesterday before Travis left back to college-and let me tell you she had her work cut out for her. We battled the heat, we battled the sun in our faces- but we persevered through it all- in the name of getting a family picture. :) Just thought you might enjoy seeing the 'before' and 'after'. Made me laugh.

And here are a few more of the finished product. :) We love you Travis and we will miss you dearly!!!

Reluctant Husband Syndrome- Part 1

Often, I hear women complaining about RHS- otherwise known as Reluctant Husband Syndrome.

RHS is when the wife wants to adopt but the husband is, well, for lack of better words, reluctant.
It typically goes something like this... "I would love to adopt, but my husband (insert sigh) he just isn't on board yet".

I believe the reason our guys are reluctant to adopt goes a lot deeper than simply "not being on board yet".

So, I'd like to explore RHS in two parts. Because, I believe, there are always two sides of every story. :)

In Part 1, we are going to look at the wives responsibility and the roles she plays in the cause of RHS.

"What?" you say? I have nothing to do with him being reluctant. "HE is the one saying no, HE is the one who is reluctant- I am all for it!"

Just let me explain. You see, I know-because I have experience in this area. I know, because it was once my life.

As I have shared in the past, my life used to 'look' a lot different than it does today. I was not living my life to serve God- I was clearly living to serve the Kingdom of ME.

MY wants, MY desires, MY plans..

It was all about ME, ME, ME...

and I didn't even realize it.

I wanted it all- I wanted the good life.

But then God started speaking to me about the least of these...

God started opening my eyes to the needs of others...

and my heart began to change...

only I hadn't.

While I was touched by adoption, touched by children suffering in third world countries, touched by the things that break God's heart- I was equally as touched by the lure of the mall, the big house and the new car.

Basically, I wanted it all.

I wanted to serve God, adopt orphans, and STILL go on living the American dream.

Worked for me.

Or so I thought...

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13

Now please understand I am not saying there is anything wrong with having nice things. As a matter of fact, I believe God wants for us to enjoy our lives and He wants to bless us with nice things. What I am saying, however, is when having these things stops us from being able to live our lives for God. When we put more of our time into obtaining things than we put into our relationships with God- it is wrong.

It is wrong when we don't think twice about paying $100 for yet another a pair of tennis shoes- but we drop $2.00 into the basket for mission funds at church on Sunday.

And it is wrong when we spend all of our time working to pay for all of the things we just had to have- leaving us no time for our family, let along time to serve God.

And, this my friends, is where I believe the Reluctant Husband Syndrome takes effect.

You see, our guys are good guys. They really are. They have this built in gut instinct to be protectors and providers. God made them that way and that is good. They love us- and the world has told them that in order to love us in the best way- they have to 'give us' everything.

And we tell them the same.

We praise them when they bring us flowers and we fall in love even more with them when they shower us with our hearts desires.

And our guys begin to believe the lie that in order to be good fathers and good husbands- they need to provide us with the fine things in life.

And we cheer them on as they trot off to work- to do just that.

They work and they work and they work to provide us with more and more and more.

We get our nails done, our hair done, and have a purse, shoes and necklace to match every outfit. We decorate our houses, take dream vacations, and eat out several times a week because we don't feel like cooking.

They carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.

And they cannot imagine carrying even more...

So when all of a sudden, we realize something is missing- we decide we want to do more.

We begin to dream of those precious little ones with big brown eyes trapped between four orphanage walls- and we decide to say yes- YES GOD!!! We will go!

And that is a good thing...

Only, while we decide to say yes to God-we are still saying yes to the all of the things the world has to offer.... and we find ourselves trapped by our lifestyle. We still want the new clothes, the high lights in our hair, pedicures, cute outfits AND a house big enough to hold it all- along with enough room for our family to grow.

And all the while, hubbie is at home trying to figure out how we can afford (or pay off) all of our 'must haves' along with the money to raise another.

So, when we discover our husband is not 'on board'- we cannot for the life of us understand why he does not have a heart for adoption.

So let me ask you-

What if you changed?

What if instead of blaming your husband- you began to show him by your actions where your heart truly is?

What if you quit complaining about the laundry, grumbling about cleaning the house and cooking the meals? What if you quit spending money on things that have no heavenly value and started being content with the material things you have?

Or better yet, what if you downsized?

What if you learned to live on less so that you could give more?

What if YOU changed- instead of expecting your husband to?

And what if- after doing all of that- your life started looking different? What if you started being different. What if taking some of that pressure off of your husbands shoulders made your marriage stronger? What if you started not just showing up at church because you were taught you were supposed to- but started praying together as a couple and started seeking the heart of God?

And what if, after doing all of this, your husband quit feeling so reluctant?

So go ahead, sit down with your husband, take his hand and tell him how thankful you are that he is a protector and a provider. Listen to his heart and listen to his fears. Pray together, seek God and search His word. Ask Him to show you- ask Him to make His will clear.

RHS part 2 coming soon.

And finally, all nine kids individual pictures are done. Kallan was my last to do- and I think the kid deserves some kind of award. One, because trying to talk a 13 year old boy into posing for pictures is like pulling teeth. Bless his heart- I am sure there are a million other things he would have rather been doing. And two, because it was 111 degrees out today here in Texas and I drug him outside to do a photo shoot. I know, I know- mother of the year right?

Any how, thanks Kallan- you were a trooper (not to mention pretty cute if I do say so myself).

Kallan doesn't get a lot of blog time on here mainly because he is a 'behind the scenes' kind of guy and likes it that way. :) Kal has the BIGGEST heart. He is the kind of kid who will do something so incredibly sweet when you least expect it, and not even tell you who did it. He is just really awesome like that. I believe he has the hardest 'spot' in the family because he is right in the middle- and of two girls at that. He is too young to do what the older siblings are doing- and too old to play with the little ones- so he has to kind of find his own place to fit somewhere in between. Yet, he never complains. He also has a great sense of humor which makes him so much fun to be around.

Kallan, thank you for all that you have done to make our family complete. Thank you for going with the flow and smiling no matter what comes your way. Thank you for being the sweetest younger brother and an amazing older brother. From you I have learned so much about what really matters in life. I love you my precious last 'born of my tummy' son. Your life makes mine even better. :)

15 years ago...

God blessed us with our first daughter. And these past 15 years have been some of the best in my life.

Addisyn,

Thank you for making my life so sweet just by being in it. When I am around you I cannot help but smile- one of those big huge goofy kinds of smiles. The way you live your life inspires me to do so much more with mine. Your heart moves me and your faith challenges me. I look at you and know without a doubt that God has big plan for you my sweet baby girl- and He has already begun to put them into play.Thank you for making your days count. Thank you for caring about the least of these and for being willing to sacrifice the things of this world so that they can have more (you know what I mean). I adore you Addie cakes!!!

When I asked Addisyn what she was wanting for her birthday she wanted nothing for herself. Her biggest desire is for the children attending Adami Tulu Preschool in Ethiopia to have uniforms, book bags, school supplies and shoes. Please consider making a donation to Lifesong and tell them it's for the Adami Tulu preschool.

Also, you can go here and here for some awesome jewelry with a cool story behind it or some adorable children's clothes- and a portion of their sales will go for the preschool as well! Thanks Ladies for your serving hearts!!!!

Happy Birthday Addisyn- we love you sweet girl!!!

Pass It Forward Adoption Fund Blessing

So the coolest thing happened...

My poor little Chip In for the Pass It Forward Adoption Fund was feeling really, really lonely lately. I admit, it was a little depressing because I hadn't seen it's numbers go up in quite some time.

A couple of months ago I wrote a check for $10,000 to the Riggs family (thank you all who helped with that!) for their adoption, and since then have been praying and asking God what now? We still have another $10,000 to raise to pass on to another family (or perhaps divide it between several families?) who are in the process of adopting. I have been throwing around several fundraising ideas- and plan on doing another fundraiser soon.

But just a couple of days ago, out of the blue, I noticed the donation amount climb $100!!! I was so excited- and sure enough a sweet lady whom I don't even know gave that generous amount.

But it gets even better- I checked her blog and she is going to be giving away a $50 gift card to someone who makes a donation to my Pass It Forward Adoption Fund OR to another family who is fundraising also. Their blog is http://babybeblessed.blogspot.com/.

Seriously- does it get any cooler than that?

All you have to do is make a donation and your name will be in the drawing to win!

Can I just tell you how touched I am that someone who I don't even know would do something like this just cause they care?

So thank you Danae for being the kind of person you are. There are so many things you could be doing with your money and with your time and you chose to come along side of someone you don't even know to support and encourage them. What a amazing blessing you truly are.

And, I couldn't help but notice the verse you have at the top of your blog...

Our love must not be a thing of words and fine talk. It must be a thing of action and sincerity. 1 John 3:18

You, my friend, are living out the very words of God by your actions- and that is so very cool to see. :)

Now go ahead- make a donation and get yourself in the drawing to win $50!!!

Watch and vote!!

This is my sweet friend, Jill's daughter Lexi. This precious girl is on fire for God and using her life to prove just that.

Please watch her video over and over to help her gets vote to perform this song she wrote as the opening act at Celebrate Freedom in Atlanta GA, 104.7 the Fish.

I just love it when kids these age already 'get it'. Lexi spent time in Guatemala this past summer serving the Lord. Right now, this precious (almost) 16 year old has a goal to build at least two wells in Africa or India, to provide clean water to hundreds of people. How many 16 year olds to you know taking on such huge task as that? You can visit Lexi and her awesome family here.

Keep being who you are Lexi!!!

Now go watch her video and help this girl get votes!!!

Once our eyes are opened...

Proverbs 24:12 tells us that "Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act."

I know...

and you know...

and it's our job to make sure others know too.

I know in the past I have wanted to scream "WHY AREN'T WE DOING MORE?? WHERE ARE GODS PEOPLE? What is it going to take to make them wake up and what is it going to take to make them care???"

But what I am learning is that they DO care- sometimes they just don't know.

And, I am reminded that it was not all that long ago that I didn't know. Not all that long ago that when God opened my eyes.

Not all of us are able to travel and see for ourselves for one reason or another. And while hearing a story about a child suffering may break our hearts- the truth is, unless we come face to face with that suffering child, unless we walk in their 'shoes', unless we experience their pain-we often times just go on living our lives, feeling bad for them, but not really knowing what to do.

A group of us from our church decided we wanted to do something for the children at Adami Tulu preschool in Ziway, Ethiopia and raise much needed money for these children to attend preschool. My daughter, Addisyn, shared her heart and experience here. One way our church has raised money in the past is to have luncheons after service with a spread of food large enough to feed an army.

But Sunday we decided to do things a little different. Sunday, we decided to let our congregation experience the life of a child in Ethiopia.

Instead of the big spread of food- our congregation was asked to remove their shoes and socks before entering the fellowship hall. Rough, dried dirt had been spread all over the floor for them to walk on- and as you can imagine- it was painful. Pain much like the children in Ethiopia experience daily because they are in desperate need of shoes.

The air condition was turned off- it's August in Texas - enough said.

Doors and windows were opened and the flies were welcome to attend.

Instead of the typical big spread of food awaiting them they were given a simple bowl of bean and vegetable soup and a hunk of bread- closely resembling the recipe of that the children at the preschool are given.

No spoons...

No napkins....

No waste...

The little ones in our congregation struggled to carry their bowls and bread.

African music filled the air...

and awareness of the blessings often taken for granted filled their hearts...

They got it, and they know now...

and they did something about it!!!

I have mentioned in the past how blessed we are to belong to such an amazing church body. While small in size, they have HUGE hearts. What I love most about our church is that these people are not about prestige, impressing others with a big fancy building and state of the art sound equipment.

These people are real- admitting they need Jesus desperately because they are NOT perfect.

I absolutely adore our Pastor and wife, because they are the real deal. They are the first to admit their mistakes and even point them out. I believe this kind of leadership is crucial- because when people feel like they have to be 'perfect' to be accepted, and perfect to be a Christian- they are missing the whole point of NEEDING Jesus.

Our pastor even took a few pies in the face all in the name of collecting money for the preschool. :) Can you find a better guy than that?

And our children's pastor has grow to be one of my dearest friends on earth. She and I share a heartbeat for the least of these. She challenges me to be more than I ever thought I could. She challenges our kids to be more, do more, care more- and the seeds she has planted are blooming.

I am so incredibly proud of the youth at our church- just watching them in action points you straight to Jesus, and it's beautiful. So because of leadership in our church like this- good things are going on all over the place-and we are blessed to be a part of it.

My challenge to you is to let your congregation know. Ask for their help. Tell them, show them, help them know.

Because if you know...

you can help them to know...

so they can ACT.

I saw it happen, before my very eyes in my own church.

I saw heart after heart in love with Jesus and ACTING on it.

If you'd like to help the children at the Adami Tulu preschool you can send a donation to Lifesong for orphans at:

PO Box 40 · 202 N. Ford St
Gridley, IL 61744

If you'd like to learn more about God's heart on Adoption or how to get your church involved in an adoption ministry please join me at T4A October 2nd. You can sign up here.

Is your daddy this strong?

The greatest gift we ever had,

came from God-

We call him Dad!!
-author unknown

20 years ago...

God blessed me with my first born son.

I was young and I had no idea what I was doing. And yet, when they placed this precious child into my arms something inside of me changed. For the first time I felt a love so raw and so deep I knew that nothing about me would ever be the same.

I know I didn't always get it right, but somehow this incredible baby boy grew into such an amazing young man and I could not be more proud.

Travis, thank you for this indescribable gift of motherhood. Thank you for teaching me to look deep inside myself at who I wanted and needed to be for you- and thank you for being patient with me as I got there. Thank you for being exactly the way you are-for not being afraid to stand up for what is right and for the wonderful example to all of your younger brothers and sisters. The way you continuously live your life with such integrity and such faith has taught me so much- and I am forever thankful that God blessed me with you.

I love you my precious first born son and no matter where this world takes you, you will always be my baby boy. Stay true to who you are- because you are the best.


In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Even when it's hard...

Often times, besides the cost of adoption, the thing that stops people from saying yes is, you know, because it might be hard.

People might look at you funny.

The way you live their life might be changed or interrupted.

You might have to give up something to make room for another.

And, what if the child God places in your home doesn't look, act, or fit into the image you had hoped for?

And, well, that would be hard.

And hard is something we avoid.

But can I remind you for just a minute how hard the price of our comfort is on them?

I often wonder where Christians came up with the idea that being a Christian resembled anything close to easy?

I often wonder how so often we miss the entire point of what Jesus is all about?

He is so much more than going to church on Sunday, memorizing verses of the bible, wearing a cross around your neck, and praying at the dinner table.

And can I just tell you something else?

Life is never going to be easy- regardless of how hard we try to put up those walls of protection, regardless of our attempt to make all the right decisions and all the right plans.

And can I remind you that the greatest gifts in life did not come easy either?

When you claim to know the Lord and you call yourself a Christian you are not signing up for easy. As a matter of fact, I can almost guarantee you that God will call you out of your comfort zone, out of your ordinary existence and into a life that you never imagined for your self.

It will be a life that is all about HIM...a life that that glorifies HIM- not you.

So go ahead and love your God so much that you are willing to get out there, get a little crazy, not worry about what anyone thinks...

Get your hands dirty

SERVE

GIVE

LOVE

make your life COUNT.

You might get hurt, you might be uncomfortable, you might not be popular-you might not even recognize yourself when He is done...

but the one thing I can promise you that it will be worth. it. all.