Softball Fundraiser

We were so blessed last weekend to have some dear friends put on a softball tournament fundraiser for our adoption.  It was a beautiful weekend to be outside.  I am soooo grateful they chose the date that they did.  As I write this post,  it is over 100 degrees outside. Praise God that they didn't schedule it for this weekend.   The Lord truly blessed us with the weather. 
The best blessing of all was the feeling of support and love that our family felt from our wonderful friends. 

Thank you, Jessie, for all the hard work you put into preparing the consession stand.

Jonathan, you blessed us with all the time you put into the tournament.

Lorraine, the love you showed to us  was more than we deserved.

Your cheerful spirit is contagious, Dave.  Your hard work was a blessing.

Pam, thank you for helping prepare the food and gift bags.  Most of all  thank you for not giving up even though you were over heated:)

 

 These beautiful ladies worked hard all day.  Thanks.

We were blessed by everyone.  Blessed.  Blessed. Blessed. 

THANK YOU

Arrows

 The Bible refers to children as arrows  as found in Psalms 127:3-5, "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."

I have alway just thought of this crew as the arrows.  Kiddos who are blessed with parents that cherish all that they are. 


I wasn't until I read "Spirit of Adoption"  by Randy and Kelsey Bohlender that I began to think differently.  I had never in my life thought about the arrows who have no one-not a soul to guide them, love them, feed them, and teach them the ways of our creator.  What about these arrows?  What about the arrows that aren't in a quiver?  Arrows like:

This sweet bundle of goodness who will be forever with out an earthly father.

Or the little beauties found here who have empty hearts that long to be filled...

The little warrior displayed here desiring to have a brother....

The little treasures sitting here wondering what it is like to have a father...wondering, pondering, praying to be put into a quiver. 

I ask you these questions-

If the arrows aren't in a quiver than where are they?

They are lying on the ground vunerable to the enemy who longs to put them in his quiver....his army.  He will use them for his glory...evil.

What can you do?

You can put an arrow in your quiver.  Not called to adopt?  Ok, I know not all are. 

So, what other options do you have?

You could help someone who is trying to adopt by giving financially to them.  Give spiritually to them through the act of encouragement.  

Are there other ideas that don't require money?

Absolutely, you can volenteer to help out children in need.  Show them the love of the Father.    Be creative. 

The key to to recognize the problem.  The unlocking of the door is to act upon the problem by being part of the

Solution.

Praise

I have a child, my little, sweet Hosanna, who always sings worship songs.  I shouldn't be surprised by this little ones love for worship. For you see, her name means "PRAISE".

 This dear child of mine will sing songs with all  her might.  I have to be honest that there are times that I have to ask her to sing a little softer.  Worse yet are the times I have to plead with her to take a little break all together  so I can think. 

Why can't I just  breath in the aroma of the Lord's creation and praise him for his goodness just like my daughter?  The Lord knew from the day he knit her in my womb that I would need a daily reminder that... he is worthy of praise...deserving of praise.

    I often get distracted by my life, my desires, or my shortcomings. I fail to see all he has done for me.  I struggle to have  gratitude in my heart.  I fight with  my inner being to have a thankful spirit. 

 It is my goal to sing more often, worship the Father more often, and give thanks more often.  I need to take lessons from my dear Hosanna.  I have so much to be thankful for-so many reasons to sing his praise.

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.   Psalms 34:1

Sing to him, sing praise to him: tell of all his wonderful acts.  Glory in his holy name: let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.   Psalms 105:3-4

MOMENTS

Do you ever have those moments?  The moments where you can't remember how to breath due to the fact that it hit you yet again that your baby boy, your first born son, is not going to be in your home much longer.  He is seventeen and each and everyday you notice him sharpening the tip of his arrow ready, longing, and desiring to be released... aching to soar into the unknown.

Then the moment changes, you catch your breath just long enough to let the moment of fear overtake all that you are.  You fear that you didn't do enough for his arrow to hit the bulls eye.  You fear that you didn't prepared him to face all the challenges that you faced and failed at.  Fear. Fear. Fear.  It is real and yet not a visitor that will allow you to savor the moments you have.  The moments that will flee never to be given back...never to be enjoyed again. 
Embrace each moment. 
Cling to each second. 
For I HAVE to realize that life is to sacred.  I only have one chance to be all that I can for:

My arrow

My man of courage

My undeserved gift

My free spirit

My praise giver

and my warrior.

Join with me as I try to...

Savor the moments.

Cling to the moments.

Cherish the moments.

These are the only moments we will be given.

Enjoy

I was and still am struggling with myself.  I need the Lord. I need his help.  I need him to speak.  I was drowning in some of my fears when a dear friend told me to watch this video.  It summed up some of my issues.  Watch and Embrace:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhOUaszMGvQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

For the Love of His Brother

I was going to write about adoption in this post, but I just had to share a "mommy moment" with you.  It was one of those moments that makes motherhood a joy.
It all started with Caleb, my athletic, manly man.  There is nothing wimpy about this boy.

Caleb had a little cut on his leg that was just barely bleeding.  Drew was horrified when he noticed it and ran down the hallway and into the bathroom yelling, "Taleb, don't worry.  I will get you a band aid." 
I became distracted with my morning chores and totally forgot about the cut or the little medic who went to retrieve the first aid supplies.  I later walked into the kitchen and almost dropped the load of laundry in my arms when I spotted the  upside down Dora band aid stuck to Caleb's leg. (Yes, I made him take a picture)

After my laughing fit, I regained my composure and asked Caleb why he had the girl's band aid on his sore.  He quickly gave me the don't be stupid look and proclaimed, "Mom, Drew got it for me.  I can't take it off.  It would hurt his feelings if I did." 
The whole day I watched to see if Caleb would try and sneak the band aid off and much to my surprise he left it on.  Why did he risk embarrassment? 

He did it all for the love of his brother.

I LOVE IT.

Bryan Turns Forty!

Bryan is starting a new chapter today as he turns 40.  He is so dear to this family.  He has been a treasure to cherish.  He is a husband that truly loves to bless me.  He gives me encouragement daily.  He is more than I ever dreamed a husband to be. 

Not only do I have the man of my dreams, but my children have received  a father who fills their lives with love.

 He provides their hearts with the support that they long for.

He blesses their souls with the tenderness

all children desire.

He protects their innocence

while he provides adventure to their lives.




Happy Birthday, Bryan.  Happy Birthday, Daddy.  We love you and thank you for being the man the Lord has called you to be.

His Ways

My Dear Friends,

     After sending out 165 support  letters and only receiving two gifts to our Adopt Together Fund (http://adopttogether.org/elliott/), I will have to say I have had times of complete panic.    We know that if the Lord desires for us to love on a little one He will provide.  It is just totally overwhelming at times.  It is difficult to be patience and wait upon the Lord.  In my times of fear, I have cried out to Him to show us His will.  I have begged the Lord to help us with this financial burden.  It was during one of these prayers that I felt Him say, "My ways are higher than your ways."  To be totally honest, I wasn't sure if that was a scripture or something we just say as believers.  I ran to my Bible and found the words in  Isaiah 55:8:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

It wasn't to long after I heard the Lord that I was able to witness the powerful work of the Lord through this sunset.  I ran into the house, retrieved my camera, and took the pictures.   (Yes, Ohio can  have a beautiful sunset.)  It helped me to remember that He created all things.  He created this gorgeous sun. He created  you and me.  He even created the child that one day will be placed in our hearts.  He is bigger than the lack of money. 

Pray with me, my friends, that I will cling to the Father in my times of uncertainty!  Pray that I will remember that the LORD's ways are higher than ours.  

Encourage!

My little Dude, Drew, gave me a great reminder of how far a bit of encouragement can go.  He ran into my room, hugged my legs, and exclaimed, "Mommy, you are such a good boy."

Don't you just love it.  I felt the love and laughter the whole day.  I  also knew that my words had lingered in his heart.

Correction does much, but encouragement does more.