blog

Wonder

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:35:56 +0100

I stand in awe and in wonder of the mighty works of my loving Lord. How within a week He has totally changed the course of our life. Jeremy just said about a week ago he thought our family was complete and as of February 2, 2012 God said no it's not. He is calling us to Haiti. We have just started to gather information about adoption from Haiti and we are excited. I haven't had time to focus on my joy dare or getting my thankfulness written down, but boy am I thankful. The Lord has promised us an abundant life. I have heard that scripture used in relation to material wealth, but let me tell you my interpretation of an abundant life. My life is abundant because God has blessed me with everything I prayed for in a husband, three beautiful children, and now He is abundantly choosing to bless us with another child from Haiti. It humbles and amazes me that He would use Jeremy and I to parent His children.

If you feel led to give go to www.acharityproject.com/f/iwillnotleaveyouasorphans

I will be starting a new blog to track this new chapter in our lives. I'll post the new information soon.

"Daddy threw my heart away"

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:44:42 +0100

I know I've had a lot to say today, but a lot has happened. I apologized to Sam and Lily for my bad attitude today and Sam said something that stuck with me. I ask him to give me a kiss and he said, "I can't give you kisses because daddy threw my heart in the garbage." I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but later on he pretended to pick his heart up and put it in his chest and was able to give me a kiss. I started thinking about my attitude and my words. Do our words and actions pull our children's heart's out and throw them away? When all I think about is stripping the sheets am I stripping away a part of their heart? I'm really praying for God to change my heart and my mind. All of "this" that surrounds me will burn, perish, rust, and decay, but the impact I make on my children will live in their hearts forever. Help me Lord to be completely surrendered to you everyday. I'm so thankful that His mercy is new every morning, throughout the day, and in the afternoon. Lord make me more like you!!!!

Thankfulness Day 3

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:37:46 +0100

22. I'm so grateful that the God I serve is in the business of forgiveness
23. Thankful that God is quick to discipline me
24. Thankful for the ladies I've been attending Bible study with
25. Thankful my babies are quick to forgive and forget
26. Thankful for my adoptive mama friends
27. Thankful my daddy is coming this weekend...so thankful he's still here
28. Thankful for the book Passionate Housewives Desperate for God
29. Thankful for my relationship with my husband...no matter what he's my best friend
30. Thankful for Lily's 50 stuffed animals in my bed....it's a reminder to be thankful for her
31. Thankful for Paula and Ann...no matter how many miles separate us we will always be B.F.F.'s

Lily's asleep so I will document her thankfulness tomorrow.

Higher Calling

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:29:03 +0100

Exasperated! That is my attitude today. God has been tugging at my heart for several years now, yes I said several years to simplify my life and return to Biblical Womanhood. And I will tell you my flesh has been fighting hard against it.

What is Biblical Womanhood? It is everything you can think of that is in complete opposition of what our culture has taught. It is being a servant, working in submission to our God given authority (our husband), training our children to be kingdom focused, homemaking (yes we are to be keepers in our homes). This is my dream and this is my goal, but I seem to be failing miserably. I'm reading a book, Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. This book has been so convicting and challenging for me. Because I like most Christian women think "I" have to have it perfect. The house, my quite time with the Lord, home-school, and even my prayer life. I become exasperated when all of the above doesn't happen the way "I" think it should.

I get up early, grab my cup of coffee, sit on my comfy couch with my Bible and then it never fails pitter, patter of little feet. "Mommy I'm hungry, mommy fix me some milk", and then the baby is crying. So my day starts with frustration and irritation. My time with God was ruined...the pity party starts. I start thinking of "me", my needs, my wants, my desires. I desire time with my husband before he rushes off to work, I want my children to sit quietly at the table and eat "all" of their breakfast, I want my house to be clean so that we can start our day of school, but that's just not the way it goes. In this book she recommends praying throughout the day. "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Because the thing is if my attitude is rotten my prayer life if rotten too. And the snowball rolls.... My kids see my discontentment, they hear the harshness of my voice, they even sometimes are the recipients of my hateful words. I am not setting a godly example for anyone in my home if this is the attitude I choose to have. And yes it is a choice. So what do I do? I pray! I ask God to forgive me, and help me because without His help I can't do this job. This is my job and I should do as unto the Lord. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8

My children are napping so I'm getting in the shower to pray. I'm not only going to clean the outside, but the inside as well. With His help I pray that my life will bring Him glory. That is my heart!!!!!

Joy Dare Day 2

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:04:57 +0100

My list my be longer today...because today it has been easier to be thankful.

11. Thankful for my mom who came to spend the night away from her home to keep our kiddo's while we took Eli to Vandy.
12. Thankful for the Movie popcorn my mom brought with her
13. Thankful for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
14. Thankful for the staff at Vandy that truly love my little boy
15. Thankful the Physician isn't concerned about Eli's development
16. Eli started blowing kisses today
17. Eli said stop today
18. Thankful that all of Eli's test so far are normal
19. Thankful for Lily's creativity
20. My husband's kind words tonight when he was telling the kids how he should tell me more how much he appreciate's me.
21. having a conversation with my friend's today...may I never take them for granted

Lily's list

11. For Doctor's
12. For my home
13. Thankful that my mommy adopted Eli
14. Thankful that we can go to Disney World
15. For my Nana. And I'm thankful that she came over
16. I'm thankful for my mom and dad
17. I'm thankful for drinks
18. I'm thankful for my birthday
19. I'm thankful for the kisses Eli gives me
20. I'm thankful for Splash Mountain

Joy Dare

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:38:19 +0100

Sometimes we can get so bogged down and consumed with the cares of this world we forget the goodness of God. I have been reading Ann Von Camps blog at www.aholyexperience.com. And have decided in order to have a better attitude I must live in gratitude. So I'm starting today to blog my 1000 gifts from God. Lily is doing this too so I'm going to post her list as well.

1. my morning cup of coffee
2. Sam's sweet morning breath
3. my social worker Stephanie Williams
4. my Lily and her helpfulness
5. when Eli rubs my hand and face to fall asleep
6. the dark dreary day that God in His wisdom ordained today
7. Lily saying she's thankful I'm a Christian mommy
8. home-schooling my children
9. my husband that loves me unconditionally
10. the warmth that children bring to my home

Lily's gift list

1. I love mommy's snuggle's
2. thankful that I'm home-schooled
3. I'm thankful that I have two brother's
4. I'm thankful that we have food
5. I thankful that Jesus made us
6. I'm thankful that I have a family
7. I'm thankful for my friends
8. I'm thankful that I go to gymnastics
9. I'm thankful that I have a nice daddy and mommy
10. I'm thankful for my toys

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

18 months old

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:53:36 +0100

Eli will be 18 months old tomorrow.....WOW!!! He's growing up so fast. He has gained 3 pounds, cut 10 teeth, and is walking everywhere. The same baby that came home and could barely chew his food, had no strength in his legs, pale, and thin is so healthy. I love HIM!!! He's still a little delayed in language, but he knows how to make his needs known. I'm so thankful for the blessing the Lord has bestowed on us! Thank you Lord for Eli Lee Williams!!!!!

Candy Christianity

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:57:55 +0100

I was reading the book of Jonah and I found it very interesting that not only did Jonah not want to go to Nineveh to preach, when God delivered them he was mad. It says, But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, (God saving the people) and he became angry. Jonah 4:1 This got me thinking about our Christianity. How we judge and criticize a certain people group and don't want to waste our time sharing the gospel with them because we think it is impossible for them to be saved, and then when God does the miraculous we sometimes become angry. I have been struggling the past few weeks with what I like to call "candy Christianity". There is a belief system for everyone. If you're liberal and want a easygoing church that doesn't deal with sin and likes to stroke your ego check the corner...I'm sure there is one. If you're conservative and want a church with strict rules and keeps the outside nice and clean, but the inside is dirty...drive down the street and there you go. How can we all be reading the same book? There are some things in scripture that aren't black and white so they fall in the grey category, but for the most part God is pretty plain. He ask Jonah to go to the gentiles in Nineveh and he didn't want to obey so he ended up in the belly of a fish. Then when he went he preached on the judgement of God Nineveh repented and turned to God. I have been like Jonah lately, I too have wanted to turn and run. Because it's HARD....Christianity is HARD. Following the Lord into places like Nineveh isn't easy, people will let me down, and I will let myself down. Nineveh was plotting evil against God, exploiting the helpless, cruel in war, the were practicing idolatry, prostitution, and witchcraft. Our world is much like Nineveh today so we like Jonah have the awesome opportunity and responsibility to spread the gospel. It's not always sweet like candy, the gospel will cut and divide. It is time to stand up and live out our walk with Christ.

A Time for Everything

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:29:33 +0100

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Today marks 10 weeks since Eli and I arrived at the Nashville airport. As much as I have to celebrate I'm also feeling a sadness while writing this for my fellow adoptive mama's that are awaiting the arrival of their little ones. The Lord has brought me to the book of Ecclesiastes several times in the last couple of weeks and I'm realizing why. There is a time for everything. October 27th was the time Eli was to arrive home and all of the babies waiting will have their time. I know this because I know the heart of God is for orphan's to have a family. I have also been drawn to this poetic book for my sweet social worker Stephanie who just buried her father today. And my best friend Paula who has sat at the bedside of her precious Papaw after he had a triple bypass surgery. So this book...Ecclesiastes has reminded me of God's sovereignty and purpose even during difficult times. We may not always understand His ways, but they are perfect. My sweet Eli is proof of that. He is saying Dada, Mama, bite, up, that, and he tries to sing God is with us. I can't believe that one of his first words is God. (that makes me happy!) He is taking 10 steps, eating everything in site, playing with his brother and sister, drinking from a cup, and sleeping GREAT! I have so much to be thankful for and sometimes in the midst of the day I forget to thank God that my baby is home, that my daughter hasn't wheezed in 4 weeks (she was taking her inhaler every night), that I have a godly husband, that I have the capability to teach my children at home, for my health, for my daddy, and for a warm place to sleep and food to eat. There is so much I take for granted. So for you mama's waiting I'm saying a special prayer for you tonight and I hope that when your little one is sleeping under your roof you thank God for their "time" too.

Chaos and The Babe

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:02:25 +0100

This holiday season has been sweet because of our new addition, but it has also brought me to a place of much reflection.

I have been reading the Christmas story to my kids for the last couple of weeks and have been shown a lot of new things about this incredible story. First, I want to give you a picture of what was taking place in the heavens when the King of Kings entered the earth. It was not your typical birth. There were myriads of angels fighting satan and his army of demons. Yes, satan was part of the nativity. He was there waiting to destroy Jesus. He had already convinced Herod to slay all of the baby boys under the age of 2, but his plan was thwarted by God. It was not time for Jesus to die He had work to do. So this is where the Chaos surrounding Christ and His birth started. This brings us to this age. satan is still at work trying to stop God's plan for your life this Christmas. He has given us so many distractions and has tempted us into caring only for ourselves. I-Phones, I-Pads, I-Pods...I find it funny that all of these popular gifts began with "I". It is all about us. We have dumbed down the power of God so much that we have become our own gods. We justify everything in our lives to be a necessity. And believe me this is just as much for me as for anyone reading this, God always points His righteous finger at me first.

Just how much do we need? I can't help but think of all the orphans in the world that God in His word has commanded us to care for. What are we doing? We are so self consumed and we think our kids need all of the latest gadgets to be happy. When all they really need is for mommy and daddy to teach them to put others before themselves and love the Lord with all of their hearts. satan is after our families. He has his tactics already in place. We send our kids off to school for 8 hours a day, send them to Awana on Wednesday night, to Sunday school on Sunday, and run them to their extracurricular activities throughout the week, they also have to have their time to play with their new toys and watch tv. So after all is said and done the average Christian family spends about 22 hours per week together. This is a perfect plan. satan started this whole thing off by destroying the family when he tempted Eve with the fruit. She left the protection of her husband, he allowed her to and there you go SIN!

My prayer this Christmas is that we will repent, turn from our selfish ways, and stop making excuses for the worldly way we live. We are not of this world. Please God help us focus our eyes on you and eternity. How are we impacting eternity? Be ready He is coming and His reward is with Him!!!! Stop the chaos and stop to look at the Babe!

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. Luke 12:35-37

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do no conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy" Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from you ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world , but was revealed in the dead and glorified him and so you faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:13-23