Our Dossier Made It!

As soon as I walked outside this morning to take the boys to school, I saw a butterfly.  HOPE!  I told the boys I thought the butterfly meant something great was happening with Overcomer.  Butterflies now have very special meaning to me - just read about the puzzle on the right of this blog.  Seeing this butterfly was God's way of letting me know something positive was happening for our little boy in Ghana.  And I was right...

Well...

Whoo-Hoo!  And a BIG Tennessee "Yeeeeeee-Haw!"

Our dossier is officially on Ghanaian soil!  It was delivered today and we are a happy family.

We are hoping things in country will move quickly for Overcomer, but we are trusting in God's timing.  We know in His timing nothing will happen even a minute late.  Nothing is predictable so this is not a guarantee, but it is our hope to have him home sooner than later.  We will trust God's perfect time.

The courts are not in session for the rest of the month, but will resume in October.  It's possible we could go next month.  We will trust until then.

Please continue to pray for Overcomer's health.  We are grateful for your prayers that have carried us this far!

 We received word today that Overcomer will be moving to a smaller foster home where he can receive more personalized care.  We are grateful to all who have prayed for him.  The home where he was provided the best care they could, and they loved him.  (We learned one of the aunties stayed with him when he was in the hospital.  Thank you!)  However, there are 45 children in the home where he's been and Overcomer is one of the youngest.   A smaller home will be best for his needed care.  Please pray for his transition into this new home.   

Finally, please continue to pray for God's complete provision for this trip.  Our prayer is to take our entire family for at least one of the trips to Ghana.  (We must make two trips to bring Overcomer home.)  Reid and I both feel it is very important for our boys to have a true understanding of the culture in the country.  We love Ghana and we love Africa!  We desire our boys to have the same passion.

God's provision has been incredible.  For this, we praise Him!  Thank you to everyone who have played a role in bringing Overcomer home.  Words are inadequate to express our gratitude.  We will be forever in your debt.  You have been the fragrance of Christ.  Thank you for each of your gifts - every penny is a treasure placed into Overcomer's life.  Thank you!

Lord, thank you for leading all of us!

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  

2 Corinthians 2:14

MYSTERY SHIRT ADOPTION T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY - Win One, Earn One FREE

Win a FREE shirt!  Earn a FREE shirt!

Africa Adoption Shirts, Perfect Aim Shirts, Mystery Shirt - You choose! 

Mix-n-Match!

These shirts have been HOT!  If you haven't purchased one yet, now is the time!  And there are several ways you can EARN a FREE shirt or WIN a free shirt...  And, you will be raising awareness of the need in Africa at the same time.  What a blessing!

Front - I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. John 14:18

Back - Will you come? Will you come? Yes, I'll come...because Jesus came for me!

Win a FREE shirt by posting a link to our blog on blogs, Facebook, websites, etc...  Let me know it's posted and your name is entered for a FREE shirt.  We'll draw TWO winners on September 24th!  Every time you link us, your name will be entered for a free shirt!  Simple!  You can choose from any of the three shirts listed for your prize!  Africa Adoption Shirt, Perfect Aim Shirt, or the unveiled Mystery Shirt!

OR

Earn a FREE shirt by selling 10 shirts for us.  Simply ask 10 friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc...  These shirts are only $15 and every purchase will help!  Send me the sizes and I'll send you the shirts to distribute!  It's an easy way to help and get others involved at the same time!  Thank you!  Send me the names of people who have bought a shirt and I'll add them to the chain of people who have been a part of bringing Overcomer home!  Wow!  You will be answering the puzzle of how God will bring this adoption to come to pass! Thank you!  And, yes, YOU choose which of the three shirts you would like!

Shirts to help with adoption costs! Dark brown shirts highlighting the plight of orphans in Africa. $15 with FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OF FOUR OR MORE! $5 shipping on orders under a quantity of four.  Amazing design. 100% cotton, pre-shrunk. 

CHILDREN - XS (2-4), S (6-8), M (10-12), L (12-14), XL (16-18)
ADULT S, M, L, XL, 2XL.

Pay directly by mail or via Paypal with the DONATE BUTTON on this blog. Be sure you specify sizes ordered. (If you can pay me directly, that will save us some fees - every bit helps, but do what is easiest!)  Please e-mail me, send me a FB message, or comment on this blog for more information.  Please e-mail for my address to send checks or money orders.

PERFECT AIM Shirts may be sold as well!  These are $20 each - with all sizes available!  (These are more expensive to make because the target must be hand placed on each shirt.)  Perfect Aim is the name of our sons' band, and all proceeds from shirt sales right now will help our adoption.

Front:  Perfect Aim.  What's Your Aim?

Back:  We make it our aim to please Him."  2 Cor. 5:9

We aim for perfection.  2 Cor. 13:11

Do you like surprises?  If so, you need a mystery shirt!
Our newest mystery shirt will be unveiled on September 24th if all goes according to plan.  You can sell this shirt also for $15 each - sight unseen.  (Any risk-takers out there?)  Trust me, it will be cool!  It will have an adoption focus, and that's your only hint!  Hmmmm....   Same sizes, specials, etc...   After September 24th, we will be taking orders the regular old way.  Ordering the mystery shirt is for folks who like surprises!

Please help us by asking your friends to buy any of the shirts we have for sale.  These will make great Christmas gifts too!  Shop early!

Please post a link to the blog anywhere you are able!  Thank you!

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

Matthew 25:40

 

Wonderful Wednesday

Today's Schedule:
5:40 am - Reid awakens the boys and me to let me know Overcomer is online.  We are able to skype with him - see him...hear him!
7:00 am - Cook the boys a nice breakfast.  Quite a rare treat!
8:10 am - Drop Mason and Franklin at Rivers Edge Academy for school.
8:35 am - Arrive back home and begin lessons with Braden and Weston.
11:40 am - Make lunches to eat in the car.
12:15 pm - Pick up Mason and Franklin from school and drive out Northshore.  Eat lunch in the van.
12:50 pm - Arrive at destination for Mason and Franklin to begin their big adventure.  They walk into their dressing room in their school uniforms and come out covered in camouflage from head to toe.
1:05 pm - Mason and Franklin are in costume and have props in hand.  We follow up to the shooting location.

1:10 pm - Mason and Franklin receive instructions while Weston, Braden and I watch.  The boys are now  acting as sons going hunting with their dads.  They are acting for a commercial for Gander Mountain.  (Mason could have passed for the son of the guy playing his Dad.  They really did look alike!)  The entire time I watched our boys, I was so proud of them.  They acted their parts well, although it was obvious they knew little about hunting.
3:45 pm - The Director, Dustin Rader, asks Weston to let everyone know, "It's a wrap!"  Shooting is over for the day.
4:00 pm - The boys load up in the car with their new boots.  They were thrilled with their take-home gift!  Thank you Dustin Rader!  All the way home the boys chatted about the fact that they were actually acting in a commercial.  We were all amazed.
4:45 pm - Head downtown for the Big Kidnapping!
5:00 pm - Upon arriving at Water Angels, Jeannie greeted me waiting under the pavilion.  She had been waiting for two hours.  She was so excited that we were going somewhere special!
5:05 pm - Begin pick-ups for the Water Angels Undivided Devotion Bible Study.  Destination - UNKNOWN. 
5:15 pm - Wait with Sister Word to get her car jumped.  Kidnap her from her home!
5:30 pm - Kelly and Lisa arrive back from the Mission with seven ladies ready for the surprise evening awaiting them.
6:00 pm - Park the cars down by the river at Mom and Dads.  Listen to the women excitedly display their thrill being somewhere outside of the city.  Have my heart gripped as one woman says, "Being here is like a taste of heaven."  I realize how infrequently these women are able to behold the beauty of God's creation.
Women peruse the bank of the river.  A few grab a quick smoke.  All are smiling and very relaxed.
6:20 pm - Enjoy the lovely dinner provided by Lisa!  What a treat!  Delicious!
6:45 pm - Penelope surprises me with my funky jeans!  Funky at 40!  Yes, I am!  She hand-stitches every square on these masterpieces!  Amazing artistic ability!  Lisa's jeans have flare as well - literally!

7:00 pm - Begin Bible study.  Explain that taking the step to completely surrender to Jesus is like one's willingness to be kidnapped.  You must step into the van, while the destination is unknown.  What the Lord has waiting for you is beyond the beauty of this peaceful scene by the river.  He is waiting for you.
Tonight's setting is such a beautiful portrayal of a life lived with Jesus.  Look at verses in scripture about the river:
They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
Psalm 36:8

The wild beasts will honor me,

the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people
Isaiah 43:20
(one of my favorite passages in scripture)

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5

Women break into song about God's goodness.  We sing hymns of praise.  Oh, Lord we love you!  What a gift to worship you tonight!  Thank you for giving us all a taste of you this evening.  After our time together, we all enjoyed some quiet protected time with the Lord.  All of the women scattered along the riverbank to pray and meditate on God's goodness.  How sweet He is!

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, "'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"
John 7:38

Skyping Words for Wednesday

It's 5:45 am on Wednesday and Reid comes running in the bedroom excitedly letting me know, "He's online!  He's online!"

Our friends, the O'Learys, arranged to pick up Overcomer so we could Skype with him before they returned home.  He is precious, precious, precious!  Tiny, but so cute!

(I hope I didn't scare him with my morning 'bed-head."  My hair was HUGE!  It was 5:45 am!)

Our conversation went something like this,

"Ohhhhhhh, you're so cute!"
"tank you"
"How old are you?
"two"
Kristie whispers to him, and then he says -
"i love my mommy."

We shared much more with him, but these were the only questions in which we were able to hear his response.  Several times, Kristie relayed what he said when his tone didn't pick up.  His voice of very soft and sweet. 

Each of the boys here at home giggled and laughed as we skyped.  (Yes, they all jumped out of bed as well!)  It was incredible to think - this will be our family of seven.  Seven!

Reid and I will cherish this day forever.  It's the first time we have seen him in real time - in real life.  Sydney was holding him on her lap and he looks teeny on her lap.  His auntie, M, brought him through 2 hours of traffic to the hotel so we would be able to do this!  We can't wait to thank everyone who has loved on him!

Overcomer's demeanor still looked subdued and a bit sad, but Kristie assured me he was just tired.  Thank you Righ and Kristie for loving him so well while you were in Ghana!  We greatly anticipate holding him!  Here's a sneak peek of our precious Overcomer!

Since ancient times no one has heard,

no ear has perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides you,

who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

Isaiah 64:4

 

Please pray for God's perfect timing to bring him home.  Thank you.

 

The First 500!

Incredible!  Astounding!  Unbelievable! 

There have been over 500 times we have seen the hands of God in this adoption.  Here are the first 500 people who have done something, at some point, in some way to be a part of bringing Overcomer home!  Words are inadequate to express our gratitude!  What a journey with God this has been!

1.) Mason Beebe, 2.) Franklin Beebe, 3.) Weston Beebe, 4.) Braden Beebe, 5.) Janet Franklin, 6.) Robbie Franklin, 7.) Wendy Kuhn, 8.) Adam Kuhn, 9.) Kelly Tate, 10.) John Tate, 11.) Rebecca Rosenbaum, 12.) Janet Browning, 13.) Mark Browning, 14.) Paige Browning, 15.) Righ O'Leary, 16.) Kristie O'Leary, 17.) Chloe Fleenor, 18.) Olivia Fleenor, 19.) Devin Judin, 20.) Griffin Kauffman, 21.) Collin Killins, 22.) Caleb Kuhn, 23.) Camden Kuhn, 24.) Matthew McCarty, 25.) Hunter Monday, 26.) Jaida Oyler, 27.) Zachariah Rosenbaum, 28.) Rachel Rosenbaum, 29.) Clair Simpson, 30.) Ryan Studham, 31.) Ally Studham, 32.) James Wadley, 33.)Trey Wadley, 34.) Nolan Watkins, 35.) Hannah Schrader, 36.) Paul Menard, 37.) Elizabeth Menard, 38.) Matthew Menard, 39.) Paige VonHagen, 40.) Drais VonHagen, 41.) Lindsay VonHagen, 42.) Grant VonHagen, 43.) Hannah Ogden, 44.) Jordan Ogden, 45.) Mariah Ogden, 46.) Sami Isaac, 47.) Alexa Isaac, 48.) Alexiss Lackey, 49.) Max Wooten, 50.) Elijah Payne, 51.) Patti Salvador, 52.) Craig Salvador, 53.) Tory Salvador, 54.) Maddie Salvador, 55.) Mickey Sims, 56.) Dianne Sims, 57.) Tracie Ancelet, 58.) Ted Ancelet, 59.) Godwin Alijah, 60.) Lenusia Alijah, 61.) Jonathan Cooper, 62.) Regan Dunn, 63.) Allison Dunn, 64.) Seth Dunn, 65.) Madison Fox, 66.) Parker Fox, 67.) Larissa Lackey, 68.) Katy Lyn Payne, 69.) Annie Rader, 70.) Hannah Rader, 71.) Jackson Rader, 72.) Amelia Walters, 73.) Grant Walters, 74.) Hunter Whiteside, 75.) Michael Cronas, 76.) Micah Crump, 77.) Toby Crump, 78.) Britton Jordan, 79.) Daniel Jordan, 80.) Caleb Martin, 81.) Joanna Martin, 82.) Hannah Ritter, 83.) Bailey Smith, 84.) Noah Smith, 85.) Matt Stowe, 86.) Corbin Suder, 87.) James Webster, 88.) Sarah Osucha, 89.) Jared Goodman, 90.) Stephen Carlevato, 91.) Lindsey Stallworth, 92.) Josiah Mercier, 93.) Hannah Mercier, 94.) Ethan Ferguson, 95.) Alonna Mason, 96.) Amy Nelson, 97.) Max Mylchreest, 98.) Philip Nichols, 99.) Logan Sexton, 100.) Sandy Sexton, 101.) Ashlynn Mason, 102.) Emily Nelson, 103.) Hannah Nelson, 104.) Wendy Whiteside, 105.) Kristy Smith, 106.) Andy Smith, 107.) Lauren Clark, 108.) Skyler Clark, 109.) Miriam Larson, 110.) Melissa Sodonis, 111.) Gads Sodonis, 112.) Robyn Sturgeon, 113.) Stacy Menard, 114.) Kim Menard, 115.) Jay Witcher, 116.) Julie Hobbs, 117.) Tiffany Moro, 118.) David Coleman, 119.) Cheryl Coleman, 120.) Stephanie Mitchum, 121.) Chloe Sodonis, 122.) Marius Sodonis, 123.) Ruth Davenport, 124.) Ryan Gerken, 125.) Resie Gerken, 126.) Kevin Henderson, 127.) Kathleen Henderson, 128.) Kristin Lusby, 129.) Sydney O'Leary, 130.) Keenan O'Leary, 131.) Aidan O'Leary, 132.) Tyler Browning, 133.) Kylie Browning, 134.) Ursula Weiland, 135.) Dale Bradley, 136.) Jake Bradley, 137.) Johnny Mazon, 138.) Becky Mazon, 139.) Wendy Branch, 140.) John Branch, 141.) Hannah Branch, 142.) Kim Studham, 143.) Beth Fleenor, 144.) Heather Cassada, 145.) David Cassada, 146.) Joy Sweeney, 147.) Kenny Sweeney, 148.) John Sweeney, 149.) Tory Randall, 150.) Audrey Randall, 151.) Ann Little, 152.) Heather Bales, 153.) Jeff Bales, 154.) Donna Walker, 155.) Mary Kate Walker, 156.) Brandy Meehan, 157.) Kayvon Meehan, 158.) Janis Huskey, 159.) Sharon Cronas, 160.) Amanda Johnston, 161.) Matt Prince, 162.) Lauren Prince, 163.) Bobbi Carbaugh, 164.) Kristy Randall, 165.) Tom Bennett, 166.) Kristy Bennett, 167.) Kelly Maine, 168.) Grace Hannah, 169.) Yvonne Hannah, 170.) Colby Grace Kuhn, 171.) Miriam Larson, 172.) Mary Wegman, 173.) Carlos Cronas, 174.) Cindy Sprenz, 175.) Hope Sprenz, 176.) Emily Sprenz, 177.) Kelly Ponder, 178.) Sherry Nichols, 179.) Kristi Bustamante, 180.) Caroline Bustamante, 181.) Sharon Thompson, 182.) Shannon Wilson, 183.) Meggane Savage, 184.) Traig Savage, 185.) Cathy Moses, 186.) Chuck Moses, 187.) Kelly Messerly, 188.) Kelly Duisen, 189.) Jena Silva, 190.) Laura Jones, 191.) Mitzi McBride, 192.) Shane McBride, 193.) Amanda Walton, 194.) Michael Cronas, 195.) Brian Jones, 196.) John Silva, 197.) Brent Taylor, 198.) Cindy Taylor, 199.) Nate VonHagen, 200.) Blake VonHagen, 201.) Kyla Ledford, 202.) Ross Ledford, 203.) Paul Melotte, 204.) Virginia Melotte, 205.) Margaret Hall, 206.) Andy Hall, 207.) Jane McKenzie Hall, 208.) Ella Hall, 209.) Kelly Tate, 210.) John Tate, 211.) Robbie Franklin, 212.) Janet Franklin, 213.) Melissa Sodonis, 214.) Gads Sodonis, 215.) Chloe Sodonis, 216.) Marius Sodonis, 217.) Yvonne Hannah, 218.) Grace Hannah, 219.) Resie Gerken, 220.) Ryan Gerken, 221.) Emile Sloan, 222.) Steven Sloan, 223.) Debbie Ragucci, 224.) Stranger - Sloan Neighbor, 225.) Kristi Bustamante, 226.) Caroline Bustamante, 227.) Ricky Bustamante, 228.) Paula Suchomski, 229.) Scott Suchomski, 230.) Madison Suchomski, 231.) Abby Suchomski, 232.) Max Suchomski, 233.) Cathy Moses, 234.) Chuck Moses, 235.) Sarah Grace Moses, 236.) Zach Moses, 237.) Eli Moses, 238.) Tammy Key, 239.) Tina Weston, 240.) Grant Richardson, 241.) Lauren Richardson, 242.) Mike Richardson, 243.) Anna Richardson, 244.) Amy Ferguson, 245.) Eli Ferguson, 246.) Ethan Ferguson, 247.) John Ferguson, 248.) Emma Ferguson, 249.) Elizabeth Wood, 250.) Shawna Wood, 251.) Cindy Sprenz 252.) Hope Sprenz, 253.) Emily Sprenz, 254.) Nick Sprenz, 255.) Bryan Sprenz, 256.) Andy Sprenz, 257.) Martin Sprenz, 258.) Max Sprenz, 259.) Tracie Ancelet, 260.) Ted Ancelet, 261.) Avery Ancelet, 262.) Addison Ancelet, 263.) Aidan Ancelet, 264.) Able Ancelet, 265.) Kristie O'Leary, 266.) Righ O'Leary, 267.) Sydney O'Leary, 268.) Keenan O'Leary, 269.) Aidan O'Leary, 270.) Paige Von Hagen, 271.) Drais Von Hagen 272.) Blake Von Hagen, 273.) Lindsay Von Hagen, 274.) Grant Von Hagen, 275.) Nate Von Hagen, 276.) Jen Cook, 277.) Jacob Cook, 278.) Julia Cook, 279.) Jaron Cook, 280.) Jim Cook, 281.) Kim Hooks, 282.) Bryan Hooks, 283.) Karen Martin, 284.) Link McGinnis, 285.) Christi McGinnis, 286.) Cedar Springs Bookstore, 287.) Kevin Henderson, 288.) Kim Henderson, 289.) Grace Henderson, 290.) Kelly Stevens, 291.) Craig Stevens, 292.) Kim Studham, 293.) Ally Studham, 294.) E. Soares, 295.) J. Soares, 296.) Becky Hall, 297.) Mary Clawson, 298.) Pat Douglas, 299.) Greg Watlington, 300.) Jacquie Watlington, 301.) Pat Niemann, 302.) Kim Menard, 303.) Elizabeth Menard, 304.) Bolinger Family, 305.) Debbie Whitehead, 306.) Sarah Whiteford, 307.) Meagan Pipes, 308.) Pat Weeks, 309.) Jennifer Smith, 310.) Monica Sellars, 311.) Elliot Smith, 312.) Jacqueline Mauer, 313.) Lindsay Farris, 314.) Candyce Goschy, 315.) Karen Nelson, 316.) Alicia Usry, 317.) Jason Surlas, 318.) Lindsay Surlas, 319.) Cindy Scott, 320.) Paul Scott, 321.) Adam Gerken, 322.) Leah Gerken, 323.) Robyn Sturgeon, 324.) Rod Sturgeon, 325.) Hunter Armstrong, 326.) Graham Peters, 327.) Dave Armstrong, 328.) Connie Armstrong, 329.) Paul Platillero, 330.) Kelly Platillero, 331.) Ellie Platillero, 332.) Annie Platillero, 333.) Janis Huskey, 334.) Chris Huskey, 335.) Kelionna Huskey, 336.) Terry Huskey, 337.) Erica Huskey, 338.) Rebecca Huskey, 339.) Rob Engblom, 340.) Jess Engblom, 341.) David Coleman. 342.) Cheryl Coleman, 343.) Donna Walker, 344.) Julie Higdon, 345.) Penske Trucking Company - for an unexpected refund for $68 from moving four years ago, 346.) Wendy Branch, 347.) John Branch, 348.) Mickey Sims, 349.) Dianne Sims, 350.) David Haskell, 351.) Lisa Haskell, 352.) Laney Haskell, 353.) Kylee Haskell, 354.) Connor Haskell, 355.) Barbra King, 356.) Kristin Lusby, 357.) Jeremy Miller, 358.) Ginger McClugage, 359.) Christy Fritts, 360.) Pam Witcher, 361.) Amy Tallent, 362.) Lenusia Alijah, 363.) Zach Tate, 364.) Eli Tate, 365.) Sam Tate, 366.) Wes Tate, 367.) Mark Browning, 368.) Janet Browning, 369.) Brad Greene, 370.) Julie Greene, 371.) Hannah Greene, 372.) Jacob Greene, 373.) Anonymous, 374.) Anonymous, 375.) Andy Skeen, 376.) Amy Skeen, 377.) Drew Skeen, 378.) Aaron Skeen, 379.) Jim Larson, 380.) Miriam Larson, 381.) Micah Larson, 382.) Donny Wadley, 383.) Debi Wadley, 384.) Meghan Wadley, 385.) Aly Wadley, 386.) James Wadley, 387.) Trey Wadley, 388.) Betsy Swoboda, 389.) Brandon Swoboda, 390.) Susan Troop, 391.) Todd Troop. 392.) Righ O'Leary, 393.) Kristie O'Leary, 394.) Sydney O'Leary, 395.) Keenan O'Leary, 396.) Aidan O'Leary, 397.) Katie Chandler, 398.) Tim Chandler, 399.) Brent Jordan, 400.) Carol Jordan, 401.) Patrick Hobbs, 402.) Julie Hobbs, 403.) Garrett Hobbs, 404.) Parker Hobbs, 405.) Natalie Hobbs, 406.) Lincoln Hobbs, 407.) Jewl Westphalen, 408.) Brian Westphalen, 409.) Wayne Joubert, 410.) Shirley Joubert, 411.) Kristina Joubert, 412.) Alexandra Joubert, 413.) Ruth Davenport, 414.) Jeanine Schmierbach, 415.) Paul Schmierbach, 416.) Kathy Kessler, 417.) Craig Kessler, 418.) Joe Lively, 419.) Debbie Lively, 420.) Claire Lively, 421.) Aaron Lively, 422.) Luke Lively, 423.) Kate Liveley, 424.) Jacquie Watlington, 425.) Greg Watlington, 426.) William Watlington, 427.) Evelyn Watlington, 428.) Anna Vickers, 429.) John Vickers, 430.) Abby Vickers, 431.) Josh Vickers, 432.) Bekah Vickers, 433.) Bethany Vickers, 434.) Rebecca Rosenbaum, 435.) Geoff Rosenbaum, 436.) Amanda Rader, 437.) Annie Rader, 438.) Jackson Rader, 439.) Hannah Rader, 440.) Kelly Tate, 441.) John Tate, 442.) Zach Tate, 443.) Eli Tate, 444.) Sam Tate, 445.) Wes Tate, 446.) Patti Salvador, 447.) Craig Salvador, 448.) Tory Salvador, 449.) C.J. Salvador, 450.) Maddie Salvador, 451.) Janet Browning, 452.) Janet Franklin, 453.) Robbie Franklin 454.) Jacquie Watlington, 455.) Shelley Powers, 456.) Terry Greene 457.) John Greene, 458.) Anonymous, 459.) Anonymous, 460.) Anonymous, 461.) Mason Beebe, 462.) Grace Peters, 463.) Beth Peters, 464.) Mr. Peters, 465.) Melissa Sodonis, 466.) Gads Sodonis, 467.) Chloe Sodonis, 468.) Marius Sodonis, 469.) Fellowship Bible Church, 470.) Ginger Bethmann, 471.) Wendy Barnett, 472.) Jacob Stock, 473.) Melissa Stock, 474.) Debbie Lively, 475.) Joe Lively, 476.) Claire Lively, 477.) Luke Lively, 478.) Aaron Lively, 479.) Kate Lively, 480.) Kim Hooks, 481.) Brian Hooks, 482.) Reese Hooks, 483.) Regan Hooks, 484.) Bob Hamilton, 485.) Bev Hamilton, 486.) Matt Rodgers, 487.) Emily Rodgers, 488.) Jack Rodgers, 489.) Gage Rodgers, 490.) Clara Rodgers, 489.) Mike Griffin, 490.) Lisa Griffin, 491.) Kim Millard, 492.) Mike Millard, 493.) Lynn Bailey, 494.) Amanda Day, 495.) Vanessa Mieloch, 496.) Scott Mieloch, 497.) Zach Mieloch, 498.) Brady Mieloch, 499.) Alana Greene,  500.) Henry Greene...

Will you be next?

This is the body of Christ at work!  Thank you Jesus!  Thank you, dear ones, for being His vessels of love!

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

Psalm 121:1-2

 

Lazy Labor Day on the River

After a sweet slumber the night before, Monday was filled with more rest and relaxation. (Actually, I slept in the house so I would have a sweet slumber. Those who chose the screen house and tents were somewhat grumpy in the morning.)

Franklin, Colby, and Addison enjoying the blow up mattress.

Weston fixing some lemonade before the trip down river.

Our family river adventure. Two canoes and two kayaks. I'm not sure what we will need when Overcomer arrives! Franklin chose to fish while Weston paddled him down river, and Franklin reeled one in! Weston finally said he didn't want to be in the canoe with Franklin anymore.  He demanded for a kayak. Can you blame him?

Our family doesn't slow down often, so to have a day of complete relaxation was glorious.  Pure bliss!  When you are surrounded by God's created beauty and those you love, you realize - life doesn't get much better than this...except to have our little Overcomer with us riding down river!

For thus says the Lord: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; then you will be nursed, you will be carried on her hip and trotted [lovingly bounced up and down] on her [God's maternal] knees.

Isaiah 66:12

P.S.  I realize I am juggling too much when I completely miss a Labor Day party some dear friends had at their house!  I thought it was on Monday, but it was on Sunday.  Totally missed it.  So embarassed!

Labor Day River Camp Out

Our Sunday was full of the richness of God's love. Our day began with our morning of a labor or love for Water Angels. After washing off the paint, we were blessed to be at the Water Angels service. During the service we shared about the O'Learys feeding 550+ orphans in Ghana while they were there. After everyone clapped they were told that many, many children were turned away because there was not enough food for them. A solemn reality hit. (We later learned that none of the children ate the food as it was given to them, but they took it home to share with their families.)

At the end of the service, a man gave me $5 to give to Sydney to feed the orphans. It reminded me of the woman who gave all she had to Jesus. As John handed me the money, he said, "God wanted me to give this to you so more orphans could be fed."

Richard also blessed our family at the worship service. He is a grown man who stands about 3 feet tall. He told the boys over and over how much he loved them coming and playing music. He gave each of the boys a silver coin telling them how much Jesus loves them. He blessed us all with words of encouragement. Words of affirmation are a wonderful gift. Thank you, Richard!

After the service, we headed out to Mom and Dad's for a Labor Day family camp out. Our day ended with the love of family! Here are a few pics from Sunday night -

Mathiang with his Maryville Mom!  My sis loves him well!

Too many captains of the kick ball game!  Crazy cousin time!

Eli and Franklin coming in for a rest!

David and Heather are ready for the camp-out.  I'm thankful David finally figured out the tent.  Hee-hee!

What a wonderful day of rest!

But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Psalm 131:2

It's LABOR Day Sunday

Traditions.  I love 'em.  One activity I anticipate year-after-year is our LABOR Day Sunday of Service.  Our little church, Fellowship Bible Church Knoxville, has made it a tradition for our body to serve in the Knoxville community as our worship service on Labor Day weekend.  (Actually, we had not been at the church very long when we experienced this for the first time four years ago.  It made us stop and say, "This church is serious about serving.")  This year our body split between the Tennessee Veteran's Home and Water Angels.  Our team of all ages stationed ourselves at Water Angels ministry to the homeless. 

We picked up trash, swept the parking lot, cleaned the interior of the church, and Jeff - the clothing expert - led the organization of the clothing room. 

While many were working on the church building, several of us went to work on a painting project.  Stephanie had chosen a verse to be painted on the outside of the warehouse.   Franklin had been planning this project since before May, but it never worked for him to do it this summer.  How beautiful for our fellowship of believers to all pick up a paintbrush to deliver hope on this wall.  Franklin was thrilled to see everything come to fruition.  He chose the font, laminated the letters, and helped get everything ready for the big project.  It was amazing to see this wall transform in a matter of hours! 

Honestly, I felt like our church was on a mini-mission trip together.   We were huddled under each other, weaving our paint brushes in to stroke the wall any way possible!  Joe and Debbie Lively delivered our humor for the day, and we laughed together that "God does not neglect the year."  Debbie's line read, "He does not turn, they call for help."  (Yes, we were thankful it was not painted permanently this way.)  Joe's meticulous measuring made everything straight and centered.  Thank you, Joe!

A few cars stopped and encouraged as they read the verse.  Of course, I yelled a loud, "Whoo-Hoo!" after them.  (Imagine that?)

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.   Isaiah 58:12

Franklin's dream became reality.  Proclaim HIS truth!

Other unexpected ministry happened as well.   Jeannie, is a hearing impaired woman who loves the Lord and comes to this ministry frequently.  This particular Sunday morning she walked well over a mile to come to Water Angels for prayer.  Her ear was infected and she could not insert her hearing aid. Three women prayed with her, Amy, Heather, and Cathy.  Normally, no one arrives at Water Angels on Sundays until 1:00 pm to set up for the afternoon service.  However, God knew what He'd planned."

Later this same day, Jeannie testified at the service that her ears had opened up during the prayer and she was able to hear some sounds.  We praise God for answered prayers!  (Sorry, I could not get this photo upright.)

What a wonderful to serve with our sisters and brothers!  Thank you all!