New Family Pictures

This is my crazy family!  Our family with my 94 year old Mamaw, Mom, Dad, two sisters and their families.  Including Mathiang, there are now 13 grandchildren with another addition currently being adopted from Ethiopia.  When he comes home, there will be 14 grandchildren from my parents' three girls!  Surprisingly, Colby Grace is the only girl amid all the boys.  Bless her heart!

 All of the grandchildren...well, it's hard to take the perfect picture....

Our complete family!  Mathiang, Me, Reid, Weston, Mason, Godwin, Franklin, and Braden.  What a blessing!

For those who check in occasionally to see how Mathiang is doing; he's astounding all of us!  This year he has joined the Cross Country team at Maryville College.  He's running the 8K in 32 minutes!  His l-o-n-g legs help him, and the team has nicknamed their 6'5" teammate, "The Intimidator."

Mathiang is still maintaining a high GPA in his junior year majoring in International Business.  Additionally, he is tutoring other Sudanese in the community to obtain their GED diplomas.  Because he is able to speak Dinka, his ability to explain complex problems becomes much easier without a language barrier between himself and his students.  He is changing the world for other Sudanese refugees.

One of the most amazing changes for Mathiang, has been the gift of a new smile.  When Mathaing was 10 years old, six of his bottom front teeth were extracted.  This is tribal custom for the Dinka tribe.  (The teeth are pulled without anesthesia and, if you are a man, you do not cry.  Mathiang, at age 10, did not cry.)  Mathiang also had several top teeth missing from poor dental care.

A dentist and an oral surgeon in Maryville donated their time and services to correct Mathiang's teeth through several surgeries.  Over $15,000 of dental treatment!  He was in surgery for six hours this summer with his final surgery coming in January.  His new implants give him the the most striking smile!  What a gift!  Mathiang confessed having his teeth repaired is a dream he has always had, but he never thought it was possible.  Thank you to both of the doctors who made this possible for him, and to my sister, Kelly, who connected with these doctors and cared for Mathiang after surgery.  Thanks, sis!

Mathiang hopes to return to Sudan this summer for the first time since he arrived in America in 2001.  He has been offered a teaching opportunity through Africa ELI, and will begin this summer.

It is hard to believe God's incredible goodness allowing Mathiang to overcome great adversity.

Mathiang ran for his life at age 7.  Crossing Sudan to Ethiopia then Kenya by foot.  He walked thousands of miles with no shoes, no food, no water.  Mathiang attended school for the first time at age 11.  He learned his alphabet by writing in the dirt.  He survived on a tiny amount of corn, oil, and salt for over nine years.  He arrived in America in 2001, at 6'5" weighing 120 pounds.  He took the test for his GED three times before he passed it.  He could barely read a newspaper article in English when he arrived, yet now is pursuing his college degree fully in his second language.  Mathiang has persevered.  He has continued running the race, even with hurdles in front of his dreams.

We stand amazed at everything the Lord has done in Mathiang's life.  (Honestly, "amazed" is an understatement!)

I asked Mathiang if he ever imagined his life would be like it is today.  He looked at me and said, "It is all because of God."

Yes, my Sudanese son, it is all because of God.  He had plans for you from the beginning.  What a privilege to see His plans lived out in your life.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."  James 1:17

Which Way Do I Go?

 I love watching Godwin experience the newness of everyday life.  Riding a little tractor, petting a goat, seeing the brightly colored fall leaves, watching the leaves fall and crying out, "Look Mommy!"  He is experiencing so many things for the first time.  I've realized how often I "miss" the beauty in everyday life.  I'm so thankful he is, once again, pointing it out.

 Recently, my mom took our family to a Corn Maze.  All of my sisters' children were with us, so they skirted off ahead of us quite sure they could navigate the maze on their own.  My mom, Reid, Godwin and myself were left to our own leading in order to find the way out.

 Reid held the camera and snapped shots while we were on the path.  As we meandered into the puzzle, we grew farther from the entrance and the exit.

Every time we came to an intersection, we would ask Godwin, "Which way should we go?"  His tiny finger would point left, right, or straight, "Dat way," he would advise.  In fun, we would follow his suggestions.

Once, I could no longer grasp my bearings, I recalled how my sister, Kelly, told me she becomes claustrophobic inside of Corn Mazes.   We were walking deeper and deeper into confusion.

We continued to allow Godwin, our three year old, to lead us through the maze.  "Dat way."  "Dat way."

 We continued walking in directions against our better judgement.   It was fun to let Godwin make the decisions about which way to go.  What harm could come from it?

 After we were far past any clear path, we came to yet another intersection.  "Which way should we go, Godwin?"  "Dat way," he responded pointing left.

Reid quickly stepped in.  "No Godwin, we are going to go this way," turning right.  Godwin no longer held the reigns to lead us, Reid was now showing us the way out.  "Come on, this way," Reid beckoned. Godwin, Mom and I followed.  Reid traipsed on ahead of us.  He was out of sight for a bit, but we could still hear his voice.  "Keep coming. This way."  Knowing Reid's voice, we continued on toward him.

Within a few moments, we were out of the maze.  Thank goodness he led us on the right path.  Reid had led us out of confusion into safety.

I looked back at the maze.  Corn everywhere.  It was difficult to see the correct path, even from the outside.

We spent the majority of our time trusting a three year old to lead us.  How could he know which way is on the right path?  Yet, we allowed him to be our guide.

"Which way do I go?"

"Dat way," respond the voices of the world.

I wonder how many of us navigate life trusting the wisdom of others with the spiritual maturity of a three year old?  We allow advice to flow to us from people who are not grounded in God's word.  They tell us, "Go this way."

Finally, in the midst of chaos, once we are deep into a mess, the voice of the Father breaks in.  He whispers to us, "My child, you are on the wrong path.  You are headed no where.  Come this way.  Follow this path toward me, and I will lead you.  You simply need to follow.  Child, come.  Follow Me."

Who is leading you today?  What are you following?  What path are you on and where is it leading?  

God is beckoning you.  He is whispering wisdom to you.  Listen for His voice to lead you.  

Child, come.  Follow Me.

"The sheep hear His voice, and He calls His sheep own by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice."  

John 10:3b-4

Out the Middle of a Corn Field

What a wonderful day we had at the Corn Maze!  Thank you, Mom, for the wonderful treat.   I learned a life lesson as we followed Godwin throughout maze, and the Lord gave me a few verses for these photographs.

I love how God is always speaking if we are listening...

"But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

1 Peter 2:9

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

John 7:38

"So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants."

Esther 9:28

For the pictures below, I thought about, "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones." Proverbs 12:4, but it sounded too prideful.  (Ha!  I am totally kidding!)

Actually, the following verse fits beautifully.

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."  

Genesis 2:24

Now that Weston, our 11 year old, is passing me in height...

"Her children rise up and call her blessed."

Proverbs 31:28

 Oh, Lord, thank you.  I am so blessed!  You are so good!  Thank you for speaking to me on this memorable day.

A Big Call from our BIG GOD

We are back.  We've been waiting to post until our new blog was complete.  Yeah!  It's finally here!

Why the delay?  We are making steps to move our family to Ghana, West Africa to serve our Lord.  God has clearly spoken to our hearts, that this is his plan for our family.  We plan to go and minister to the orphans in Ghana and also take the gospel of Jesus into the unreached areas of Ghana.

THE NEEDS IN GHANA
Population - 23 million
People Groups -  109
Unreached Population - 2.3 million
Unreached People Groups - 19
Orphans - 1 million  


ORPHAN CARE

 We will be partnering with Feeding the Orphans to respond to the many needs of orphans within the country. With insufficient food and lacking medical attention the need is great, but their greatest need is to know Jesus. Our family plans to be the hands and feet of Jesus to these forsaken little ones.

REACHING THE UNREACHED

Through Meaningful Life International, we will share the gospel with outlying tribal areas who have not yet heard the name of Christ. We will be extending hope through training local pastors, organizing medical outreaches, drilling wells for clean drinking water, and building sustainable relationships to empower the people of Ghana. 


God has been working on our hearts for quite a while.  He has asked us live as if we truly understand, "Each man's life if but a breath."  (Psalm 39:5)  He has asked us to step off the luxury cruise liner into the waves with our eyes fixed only on Him.  He has asked us to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."  (Mark 16:15)  


And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."  (Isaiah 6:8)  


 He has asked us to live out what we believe.  Yes, Lord, send us.  


We live such an adventure with Christ, don't we?  So, are we crazy?  Are we fools?


Some say we are.  Some have said that to our family.  If we were not certain of God's call for us, I think these comments would cause us to waver.   However, if our gaze is fixed on Him and our ears are tuned to His voice then the other voices fade.


God is writing a story. His story.  He is writing history.  Every person has a role to play in this chapter.  Our role is to GO.  To minister on the ground in Ghana.  


What is your role?  What is God asking of you?  You have an important role in His story as well.  What is it?  My prayer for you today is that you would step into the adventure.  Whatever that looks like.  In whatever way God says.  My guess is that it will not be comfortable, and it will not make sense to the world, but it will be part of God's incredible plan for this world.   


Step into the adventure...won't you?

"Each man's life is but a breath..."  Psalm 39:5

Every Single Prayer... Answered

The past few days I've been recovering from a medical procedure. The rest has allowed me some time for reflection and contemplation.

This evening I was looking over our prayer requests we had during Godwin's adoption.  Do you know every single prayer request was answered?  Every single one!  How great it is to reflect on all the Lord has done for us.

These were our requests:

For God's GLORY - first and foremost

For protection - over this child we've yet to meet. Specifically, please pray for healing of his health. Also, please pray those caring for him will know how to help him.

For discernment - clearly following God's leading - boy or girl, boys or girls, or boy and girl??? ANSWERED! God led us to a 2 1/2 year old boy.

For provision - may we trust completely

For clarity of purpose - staying in HIS will

For courage - to say YES to anything the Lord asks of us

For mercy in the adoption process - to be granted an adoption decree instead of a two year placement

For patience - in God's perfect timing

For the hope of Christ to be continually believed without wavering doubt 

For trust - even in the midst of concerning news about our child, may we trust in God's providence and sovereignty

Our Lord is great and greatly to be praised.  Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prince or Pauper

Our seven year old, Braden, is in a book club.  They boys are currently reading through Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper.  The story is about two boys who trade places from poverty to kingship.  They both realize "the other life" is not what they expected.

On the way home last week trying to make conversation, I asked Braden if he felt more like a prince or more like a pauper.

After a few seconds of silence, Braden answered, "Well, I feel like a prince, but I know I'm a pauper."

A bit confused, I questioned, "Why is that, Braden?"

With the wisdom of Solomon, he answered, "Well Mom, God is the only one with riches.  He's rich in everything.  I know I am just a poor pauper...I'm nothing without him."

Out of the mouths of babes...

The LORD sends poverty and wealth; 

he humbles and he exalts. 

He raises the poor from the dust    

and lifts the needy from the ash heap; 

he seats them with princes    

and has them inherit a throne of honor.

2 Samuel 2:7-8a

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT AND NEW BLOG COMING SOON

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

We're coming back to the blog world, 

With some surprises for YOU.

It won't be long, 

We've missed writing to you, 

Please check back in a week, 

That's all there is to do!

Big Announcement.

Here.

Soon.

Period.

P.S.  Same blog time.  Same blog channel.  (No address change)

Can you say I'm behind?

Please forgive me for not blogging.  So much is happening in our life, that it is a whirlwind!  When can I find the time?   It's not the first time I've been behind and I'm sure it will not be the last.  However, my hopes at that I'll begin writing again - maybe Reid will even post here as well!

The Lord is stretching me, growing me, and revealing things in my own heart that I would prefer not to see.  Ugh!  More dross to burn away!  Learning to trust more, speak less, and follow wherever the Lord leads.

Godwin is speaking in complete sentences and sharing more of his thoughts.  He's growing fast adding weight and height.  :-)  He still loves to be held close.  For this, I am grateful!  He's loves cars and trucks.  I can't imagine life without his sweet presence in our family!  What a JOY he is!

Braden, at seven years old, is now practically wearing the same size shoe as his mom.  This is why I can never find my flip-flops.  When I become anxious, he speaks truth by telling me, "Trust God, Mom!"

Weston is enjoying his first year at Rivers Edge Christian Academy.  He is making friends and spending lots of time on his school work.  Right now, he is teaching Godwin how to hook a train up to his truck and run it around our den.  Beep!  Beep!  Oh, the joy of boys!

Franklin's heart has enlarged for the world.  He often mentions children in Ghana - wondering how they are doing.  As I type this, he is drilling holes for the pull-up bar to be installed below our new deck.  (Many, many friends helped finish the deck!  It is done!  It is beautiful!)

Mason shows his love frequently to his brothers by tending to them before his own needs.  As I watch him, I realize I still have so much to learn.  He's written a new song for Feeding the Orphans.  His song is the cry of the orphans and his own response to it.  Mmmm...mmm...mm...  For me, his song is a tear jerker.  Such truth from a 14 year old heart!  "I will follow you no matter the cost..."  Yes, I will.

Reid and I are both on a new journey of trust.  We have big plans on the horizon for our family.  When God calls you, you go.  When God leads you, you follow.  When God stretches you, you s-t-r-e-t-c-h.  This is where we find ourselves.

We have so much to share, but my mind is unable to articulate well right now.  We are so grateful to the Lord we serve for the opportunity He offers to be part of His work here on earth.  What a privilege and honor.  He chooses human vessels to do his work.  We (and you) are his hands and feet.

We would covet your prayers for our family.  Thank you friends!

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

 “I will make you into a great nation, 

   and I will bless you; 

I will make your name great, 

   and you will be a blessing.

Genesis 12:1-2

P.S.  Please keep checking back.  We hope to be posting updates more often.  :-)  Grateful to you all!

Baseball Braden

A few of my favorite pics from one of the last games. Like his brothers, Braden loves baseball!

Braden's team was undefeated this season.  They won the Championship, coming home with a large trophy.  Go Twins!  Way to go!

Baseball Franklin

Franklin loves the game and I love watching him.  God is good!

A Dollar A Day?

Today I had the great privilege to spend the day with Amanda Walton.  Reid and I met Amanda last year while taking the Perspectives course on World missions.   Soon after the course ended she sold everything and moved to Kenya to live in an orphanage for a year.  Today she shared with us.  Her experiences, her heart growth, her advice, her joy, and her life calling today - now that she is back home.  Amanda's maturity surpasses most people I know though she is much younger.  She truly follows the Lord's leading and glorifies him in it. 

While Amanda was living in Kenya, she spent one week living on one dollar per day.  Yes, one dollar per day.  Because I will do injustice to her journey if I try to explain it, I'll share the video she made.  It's very thought provoking and challenging.  I wanted to live differently after watching it.

A Dollar A Day Challenge


This morning Reid preached on Matthew 15.  One thing he said struck me.  There are many other religions doing good things - feeding the poor, caring for orphans and widows, drilling wells, etc...  So if we, as Christians, are doing these "good things" but not in the name of Jesus then it is all in vain.  In vain.  May the works of our hands proclaim his name to the nations.  May His love shine through in all that is done.  May people come to know Christ through the love they have been shown as they have heard the gospel of Christ.

One organization that we know of  is striving to do all in the name of Christ.  FEEDING THE ORPHANS  Check it out if you would like to help.  There are so many ways to give others the love of Christ in the name of Christ. 

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
   but their hearts are far from me.  

They worship me in vain;
   their teachings are merely human rules.’” 

Matthew 15:8-9

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.  Proverbs 29:7

The Traditional Easter Pictures

Now most of our family photos in the house look incomplete because most of them were taken before Godwin was with us.  We are trying to fill the frames with photos of our complete family now!  Here are a few taken on Sunday!  Oh, we praise God for His goodness to us!

 

By the way, our friends, the O'Learys with Feeding the Orphans, challenged us to wear adoption shirts on Easter.  Why spend the money on new clothes when that money could be used to help orphans?  Isn't the day of Jesus' resurrection about his adoption of us anyway?  Oh, we loved the simplicity of it.  It is so true!  We donned our t-shirts along with many families in our church.  Love it!  

 

 

Our complete family - including Mathiang! 

 

Jumpity Jump

Just four weeks ago, Godwin stepped onto the trampoline at my parent's house and couldn't even lift his feet.  Now he's jumping, jumping, and jumping.  It's beautiful to see him bounce!

 

 

 

 

Do you think he's happy or what?

Destroying the Deck - Phase 2

 

Now our old deck sits completely in our backyard.  I know the neighbors love it....

 

I have signs posted and a huge table blocking the doorway to be sure we don't go out the door!   It's frightening!

 

Of course, I had to include one pitcure of our adorable Godwin in his new sunglasses!

 

Yes, this is our backyard!  Anyone want to come for a deck-raising party??