Wordless Wednesday

One more bubble bath as a six year old!

First Sunday Back Home

Arriving back home after a week in Ghana stirred numerous emotions. Although we were anxious to be with our church family, God provided a unique opportunity for our family to minister together our first Sunday home.

A church in our community recently suffered a tragedy. The pastor unexpectedly died and the congregation was left grappling with the circumstances of his departure. Upon learning what had taken place, Reid called and offered to help with a Sunday service to help relieve some of the burden. He offered to preach and have the boys lead music.

Reid spoke on the HOPE we have in Christ alone. He is our JOY, our ROCK, our EVERYTHING. What a timely sermon. Reid even preached in his Kente shirt sharing about some of our trip to Africa.

(Please note I took all of these pictures before the service started. My camera was in tow, so I decided to record the day. )

Mason ministering with his music.

Reid sharing.

What's your aim?

Dad and Mom joined us for the service. I'm so thankful for family.

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
Mark 1:38

Back to HomeCELLing

Home less than 24 hours from Ghana, and it's time to work on a homeschool project! Franklin had to create a 3-D cell model. After some thought, he decided it would be fun to make it out of candy. Braden wanted to make one too. (Wonder why?)

The finished model. YUM-YUM!

Franklin's larger version to share with his class. FYI, the Airheads and Peppermint Patty were class favorites!

This was one SWEET project!

Sowing Tears, Reaping JOY

I awoke yesterday (Monday) morning thinking about all of the unexpected tears that have flowed recently. On Sunday alone, my eyes stung three times from tears I was fighting back. Why? Where were they coming from? My heart was close to a breaking point longing for my son in Ghana. It's hard to explain, but with every passing day apart, love for this child has grown immeasurably.

A friend called yesterday at 7:30 am, and as I hung up my phone buzzed to let me know there was a message. Soon I realized that our court date in Ghana was soon - very, very, VERY soon! I screamed and called the boys in to let them know. We called Reid at work to let him know. We were all ecstatic! The first day we've been awaiting is upon us. Thank you, Lord, for your perfect timing!

Kristie came over yesterday to help us fill out visa paperwork. Janet shopped for food supplies at Sams. Paige offered to help with the kids. My mom transported the boys to their different activities. Three friends willingly offered to sub for my classes. Juggle, juggle, juggle...but we accomplished what was needed yesterday. Visa applications were mailed.

However, our boys are broken-hearted because they will be unable to travel with us this trip. Please pray for them. Our two oldest shed tears like I've never seen before. Mason would not speak to us for three hours. They anxiously await Overcomer too! Please pray for them. The short-timeframe was not what we expected or anticipated. Yet, we are forever grateful to see God is moving to bring Overcomer home! Because of the logistics we are trying to piece together, the price of our plane tickets, and other parameters - it simply did not make sense to take the boys with us this time. Please pray for all of us.

My friend, Amy, reminded me this morning that this is God's work. The urgency comes from Him as He orchestrates altering all of our lives to join us as a family. This is another call to TRUST completely in Him. Amy read Psalm 126 to me this morning. How fitting is the passage.

When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.

Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."

The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.

Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.

He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.

Psalm 126

Friends, once again, we greatly covet your prayers. The specifics we would like to ask you to pray for are as follows:
1.) For God's glory alone
2.) For the hearts of our five sons
3.) For our visas to be granted in time for us to travel
4.) For our reunion with Overcomer - meeting him for the first time
5.) For us to receive a full adoption decree in hand
6.) For Overcomer's understanding of our love for him

Backyard Transformation

Friends, this was our backyard at 10:30 am...
Can you believe it?

 

At 4:00 pm, the boys set up all of their equipment on the driveway to practice for Sunday morning.  They were preparing for worship at my parent's church tomorrow morning.

While Lamar rode the bike around the driveway, our neighbors came over to listen, and the trash was piled up around them; the boys were able to focus and refine the song.  I'm amazed at their stamina.  If only, their dear old (well kind of old) Mom could take some of their endurance.  I love to see them give of themselves to bless others.  I'm blessed to see all that God is doing in their lives.   How I love to hear them praising the Lord in song!  O, my God, you are great and doing great things in our children!

For the grave cannot praise you,

death cannot sing your praise;

those who go down to the pit

cannot hope for your faithfulness.

The living, the living—they praise you,

as I am doing today;

fathers tell their children

about your faithfulness.

The LORD will save me,

and we will sing with stringed instruments

all the days of our lives

in the temple of the LORD.

Isaiah 38:18-20

At The End of the Day

By the end of Saturday, I was one tired woman.  Thankfully, God provided help when needed.  Melissa was such a blessing as she sorted and folded clothing.  One for Africa, one for Water Angels, one for the trash.  (FYI - Please don't send throw-away items as any kind of donation.  Yard Sale, KARM, Goodwill, etc...  Someone must go through it and throw it away.)  Yes, I'm so thankful for my Honey...

and my sister, Wendy, for all of their help with clean-up.  Whew!  There was quite a bit to put away.  (Melissa, Paige, and Kristy - I wish I'd taken a picture of you!  Oh, Kendra - I loved sporting my new adoption shirt too!  Thanks!  Lots of compliments!)

Lamar insisted on taking my picture.  Instead of smiling, I posed doing what I was longing for...sleep!

Mason blessed all of us by playing the song he wrote.  Wendy and I both cried. 

Overcomer -

We are waiting for you,

We are waiting for you,

Hold on a little bit longer -

Every day my love grows stronger.

Yes, Overcomer, you are worth it.  There are already so many who love you and are praying for you.

Lord, please give me strength for tomorrow.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:30-31

Mega Yard Sale #4

Enjoy these pictures from our yard sale:

Yep, we had a TON of treasures! This was our driveway at 10:30 am!

Concession Stand - Open for Business

with lots of help from Lamar, Zach and Brady

What's the white stuff on Braden's head?  Baking soda!  Braden and Grant found a nest of yellow jackets while we were helping customers. Braden endured four stings, while Grant was a feast for some mad insects. He had thirteen bites all over his body. Thank you Lord, for Benedryl!

Braden still sold his rocks even after the stings! He made $11 dollars total. $5.50 for the adoption and $5.50 for their band! Love his heart!

Here's the scoop on our day:

Our Mega Yard Sale Adoption Fundraiser started this morning at 7 am.

Guess what? No rain today!

Guess what? Perfect weather!

Guess what? Lots of great items to sell!

But, guess what? UT played a football game to day...



which meant...Very. Little. Yard Sale. Traffic.



So, our total from today was $330. But that is $330 more than we had this morning! Praise God! His provision is perfect! Always! We finally started moving items out when I began yelling, "Fill a bag for a buck!"



However, there were so many blessings from today! Melissa Sodonis, Paige Von Hagen, and my sister Wendy generously gave their time to help today. Their presence blessed us tremendously! I could not have done it without their help! Thank you! Melissa and Wendy are both adopting from Ethiopia and Paige is praying for direction regarding adoption. Wow! It was exciting to hear everyone's different but similar journey.



At the end of the day, we were able to fill many bags with clothing and shoes to take with us to Africa. We can't wait to deliver the dresses, shirts, and fun items to the children. If you donated items for this sale, it is likely that children in Ghana will be blessed with some of your clothes. Melissa took donations to KARM and we have quite a bit to take to Water Angels. Not to mention the things we were able to set aside for others in need. What a blessing!



Colby Grace even gave of herself to organize the boys music room. Yes Colby, I'm not sure how they find anything in there either!?! Thank you!



All of the adoption stories from today kept tears brimming. What a testimony to God's grace working in the lives of His children!



I received a call on Friday from my friend Lisa in Florida. God is moving her and her husband toward adoption. They are making preparations for their step of faith and walking with friends in their town as they grow their family! God is stirring His people up, isn't He? I'm astounded by all he is doing. Please pray for Lisa and Mike as they stand before their church for prayer on Sunday.

We Are Waiting For You

Today has been unbelievably busy as we have been preparing for yet another yard sale. My planning failed so as of 10:00 am, I did not have any help beyond our own boys. Mason and Franklin busted it unpacking, organizing, displaying and assembling items! Thank you boys!

God provided sweet surprises as Amy Tallent came to help all afternoon, along with Kristy Smith - my faithful friend who is always at adoption yard sales...just to help! I love the hands of friends.

This evening the boys performed a concert for some friends of my parents. They played four songs and led hearts toward praising God. Music is sweeter when it is sung by the river! Micah joined the boys and picked several songs on his banjo. He was pickin' and grinnin'. The evening ended with some accapella singing of hymns...I even sang a duet with my 94 year old Mamaw, "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus." I cherish these beautiful moments of life.

We arrived home at 9:30 pm. Braden painted "Mega Yard Sale" signs. Franklin made rice krispie treats and brownies to sell tomorrow. Weston helped make sure everything was ready for tomorrow. While all of this was happening, we kept hearing Mason strumming on his guitar.
Sounding unfamiliar, I wandered downstairs to hear what he was playing.

Mason was writing a new song. He said, "God wrote it" because he wrote the entire song after we arrived home. Mason claimed he has never written a song this fast. His song revealed his love for his distant brother.

Mason played the song for all of us, and we were all deeply touched. The chorus states, "We are waiting for you... We are waiting for you..." After listening to Mason's emotion coming out in his song, I find that the Lord is entwining all of our hearts together. Overcomer is part of our family. Thoughts of him pour out in prayer, in conversation, in song.

We are waiting for you, Overcomer. We are waiting for you.

And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

Hebrews 6:14

ENORMOUS YARD SALE TOMORROW & ADOPTION UPDATE

Adoption Update:



























That's right. No word. Nothing new. So, it's an opportunity to trust, trust, trust! God's timing will be perfect we know.



Tomorrow we are having another ADOPTION YARD SALE at our house. Please come join us! Lots of amazing treasures await you! Please pray for God's blessing on this effort. We are trying to raise our funds for travel, in-country stay, and final adoption fees. One piece of good news we've received is that air fare has come down since September. That's great!



Please continue to pray for the requests listed in the side-bar. Mainly, for God's glory alone. He is our rock!

“I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.”

Isaiah 43:11-12

PS - If you are free today and would like to come help set-up. We would welcome you with open arms! :-) Love you all - thank you for praying!

For Potential DADS to Orphans

I can not tell you how many conversations I have had recently with women who are ready to adopt, but their husbands are far from the idea.  My own husband, Reid, never wavered.  (His faith covers my own at times.)  God made it clear to both of us to adopt and also when to begin the process.

Because I've seen God's power transform the hearts of three men who would have never considered adoption, to now pursuing children without a family - I know the Lord is speaking to men.  However, through this blog, it would not be prudent for me to speak to them.  Don't take it from me. 

Rather, it would be more powerful coming from another man.  A man with the same fears, concerns, and questions.  A man who has wrestled through the same battle of will.  A man who took the time to write his thoughts for other men to read.

Men, take the time to read this letter from one Dad to another.

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;

you consider it to take it in hand.

The victim commits himself to you;

you are the helper of the fatherless.

Psalm 10:14

The Best Four Minutes and Forty Seconds of Your Day

Wonder what it's like to be with your children that you have prayed for?  waited for?  yearned for? 

Take four minutes and forty seconds out of your day and watch this video of our friends, the O'Learys, with their children in Ghana. 
You will be glad you did.  I cried.  You may too.  As I watched, I kept thinking, "I don't think I can go, and then leave him.  The wait will be so hard."

Now, the O'Learys are waiting to return to their children and bring them home to be with their family.  We maust WAIT for so many things during the adoption process.  Through it all, complete trust in God's plan is the only place for comfort at times.  He has everything ordained, but certain moments are difficult. 

Please pray for this waiting family to bring Samuel and Helen home.  Please pray for us as well.  The days are harder as we continue to wait for word of travel to appear in court.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9

 

Gracious Gifts - The Top 15

Too often I miss the gifts God gives throughout my day.  Today, I'm making a list of a few of my favorite things from today.  Here's the Top 15 from October 3rd, 2010 -

1.)  Early this morning, Lamar rounded the corner ready for church.  (He spent the night with us.)  He was dressed up in a white button down shirt and a bright blue tie.  He looked so handsome!   As he hugged me, I was thankful to have another boy in our home.
2.)  My Honey challenged me with his sermon this morning.  There are moments when I realize what an honor it is to be Reid's wife.  This was one of them.
3.)  Our last song in worship had a line in it about "when the orphan finds her home."  Holding back tears was pointless, so I let them roll down my cheeks as I prayed silently for Overcomer.  My heart is with you, sweet son.  I'm praying.  My heart yearns for you.
4.)  Sitting around our table for lunch and hearing, "Thanks for lunch, Mom."  (It made me grateful I'd prepared ahead.  Pulling something out of the freezer and tossing it in the crock-pot made a happy family at noon.)
5.)  Witnessing Franklin face a fear and take a step of faith.  He made me proud with his willingness to trust! 
6.)  Stephanie Bowling handed us a huge adoption blessing from the donation of her photo shoots yesterday.  She said, "I wish I could do more," while I was blown away by all she had done!  She has experienced a death in the family and moved her home over the past few weeks and still chose to give her Saturday to help bring Godwin home!  How beautiful is the body of Christ!
7.)  Chris' opening prayer at Water Angels set my heart for Worship.  He prayed for Overcomer and all of the orphans in Africa.  He prayed to the "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and Prince of Peace, and Champion of Champion, and Undefeated of Undefeated..."  Oh, I love to hear him pray.  Amen and Amen!
8.)  At the Water Angels service, one friend, Regina, thanked God for "waking her up for another day she has never seen."  She asked for prayer for her son in jail who does not know Jesus.  She thanked God that he was safe in jail, but asked for others to pray for him to find Christ.  What more could she ask for in concerted prayer? 
9.)  My heart leaped for joy seeing Mason, Weston, Tyler and Paige lead in worship.  They seemed to truly enjoy playing and singing.  I found myself in worship.  The boys have played so much, I no longer fret over trivial things.  They do it all - planning the set, typing the slides, loading the equipment, setting everything up, sound-check, take-down...everything!  They have matured so much through their music responsibility.  Mason smiled tremendously while singing today.  Later he told me, Chris' prayer set his heart ready to praise God!  Today I felt honored to be the "mom" of two of the kids leading worship.  How great is God! 
10.)  This afternoon I dropped Mason off for a middle school overnight retreat.  Our friend, Drais, was teasing me - doubting that Mason would choose to kiss his Mom good-bye.  I decided to let Mason take the lead...good-bye kiss or not.  Guess what?  He chose to give me a kiss!  Even in front of his friends.  Another proud Mom moment.
11.)  God blessed us with another donation for the upcoming yard sale.  Our garage is filling up.  I'm amazed how God provides.  Even a conversation on a front lawn blessed my heart today!
12.)  Another blanket commitment for the Second Annual Blanket Round-Up for our Homeless Friends.  Our church also now has over 30 blankets in hand for the event!  With the cold weather today, I'm thankful this gift is coming to those in need.
13.)  Coming home and whipping up a pot of chili, then sitting around the table with Reid and our two younger boys.  I cherish the moments of laughter from stringy cheese and silly statements.  (Not to mention the body noises that will be coming later.  Ugh!)
14.)  Building a fire in the backyard simply because Braden asked.  Warming by the fire while watching Braden and Weston spin in our tire swing continued my contentment.
15.)  Playing Wii Bowling with the boys - and winning!  YES, Mom!  If it had been an actual game of true bowling, my name would be in lights at the Strike-n-Spare!  My score?  258!  After Bowling, I even tied for first in golf!  Now Reid owes me a back-rub!  Whoo-Hoo!  Mom doesn't win very often.  Tonight is a rare event!

How great are your gifts, O God!  Thank you!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

 

Great News Times Two

 Fantastic news was delivered via e-mail:

1.)  Overcomer's health is greatly improved.  His dietician was encouraged by his marked improvement.  It seems more of his dietary needs are being met.  Praise God!

2.)  We received word through our agency that we could possibly be traveling to Ghana this month for court!  Yes, really!!  This would be the first of two trips to Ghana.  We would appear in high court asking for the grant of a full adoption decree.  (Please pray for this!)  Once that is granted, we must file for visa with the American Embassy in Ghana.  After the visa to bring Overcomer home is approved, we would return to finally bring him home.  Excitement is an understatement!  The boys are overjoyed at the reality we could possibly be with him soon. 

Nothing is definite, so I am trying not to get my hopes up.  However, things are rolling toward our adoption of precious Overcomer.  What an amazing blessing!  My mind dwells on him constantly.  I can not wait to hold him in my arms.

Every morning it seems at least one of the boys shares about a dream of meeting him.  We pray for him, Samuel, Helen, Baby Christopher, and Baby Cousin Hall every-night!  Our hearts are tied to the opposite side of the world these days.  Would you join us in prayer?

Several friends are facing difficult trials - a young boy battling cancer for the second time, a marriage headed for divorce, addictions controlling lives, discouragement, financial hardships, etc...  Many need the HOPE of Christ.  If you know someone hurting, would you give them some extra love today?  Please cast your eyes around your circle of friends, and recognize those needing some encouragement and hope.  As a friend reminded me, please pray for those you love.  "Prayer is the work."

If you are willing to pray for us, we would treasure it as well.  Our three top prayer requests are:
1.)  For God's Glory Alone - He would receive all of the glory and honor due Him.
2.)  For Godwin's Health - For God's healing hand to be upon him for complete healing if that is the Lord's will.
3.)  For God's Provision - For God to "supply all our need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."


And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Phillippians 4:19-20


We are grateful for your prayers -

"Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne."
Revelation 8:3