SHINE

My Sweet Children,

Do you remember the evening you yelled at me to grab my camera so we could capture the beauty of the lights in the sky?  These are the pictures I was able to capture.  Look at the beauty of the glowing light breaking out of the dark. It is powerful.  It is majestic.  It is a beauty so captivating that it reminds every one of the Creator. 

Matthew 5:14-15

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house

Don’t forget that we are called to be a light as well.  It is our calling to let the power, love, and grace of God to shine out of us.  As it radiates the darkness, Satan will have no hold.  If we allow the Savior to radiate through us, we can pass the light to the lost around us. 

Acts 13:47

For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’

 

 My children, shine as you live each day

Shine for the Savior. 

Shine for the lost. 

Shine to defeat Satan. 

Don’t settle for a mire candle light. 

Be a torch. 

Be a raging fire.   

Be it is for the King in a dark land.

I love you,

Mommy

A Surprise for Grace

Grace and her friend, Hannah,

are turning 13 this week so

two special friends decided to surprise them with a party.  It was a very, very special time for them.

 

They thought of it all. 

 The party was complete with decorations, cakes, silly gifts, pinata, and 

a bunch of friends ready to have fun.

 We want to thank everyone

for making the day complete,

but most of all we want to thank

Tess and Emma for blessing

Grace and Hannah.

Life with Big Bros

This is what Myla

 looks like after hanging out

her big brothers!

She loves being with them.  Can't you tell?

Watch How You Live...

I am a firm believer that

more is caught than taught!

Tell Me How

Someone tell me how this happened?!

How did Myla go from this

to this?

She is growing up so fast!

Happy Birthday Zeke!!

My Dearest Isaiah,

Happy Birthday!  It was eighteen years ago that you caused my body to experience my first contraction ever as it prepared to push you out into the world.  It seems as if I am once again having my first contraction as I prepare to launch you out into the world. 

Isaiah at birth

The pain of knowing my little boy is now a man is real, but the joy of seeing who you will be is greater than the pains within.  I am proud to be your mother.  I am proud of the ways I see you seeking the Lord for your future path. 

Isaiah at 3 months old

 

One of the greatest gifts that the Lord has created within your soul is the gift of generosity.  I have never seen anyone give as you have given.  It is a joy to know that blessings have fallen on individuals all over the world due to the sacrifice you made to follow the Lord’s prompting and be a cheerful giver.  Do not let the world take the spirit of generosity from you.

Isaiah at 2 1/2 years old

I have also seen you love on those who are less fortunate.  It is a spirit that many children don’t act upon.  Don’t ever stop fighting for those the Lord puts in you path.  He has a work for you to do.  Live it out!

It is not a secret that you are a momma’s boy!!  There is nothing you wouldn’t do to protect me, love me or, provide for me!  I cherish that spirit!  I also cherish the fact that one day the Lord will give you a little lady to call your wife.  With the same passion, you will be a wonderful husband who protects, loves, and provides for his family!

As you journey into this new chapter in life, I want to leave with you is a word from the Lord that is found in Isaiah 26:3-4:

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.

After studying the Hebrew words in this passage, I feel that is could also be read as:

You will guard in complete safety him whose frame is leaning upon you because he is secure and confident in you. 

Be secure and confident in nothing but the Lord!

Lean heavily on the Lord for He is the only one who can hold up your frame and guard you in life!

I love you,

Mom

Just Like Daddy

 

My Dear Sweet Girls,

As Valentine’s Day approves, I pray that you will be blessed with a Valentine as special as mine.  Each and every day, I love Daddy more than the day before.  Before we know it, you will be faced with the second most important decision of your life…who will be your husband, your best friend, and your Valentine. 

 

It is my prayer that you will choose a man who will fight with all that he is to be a man approved by God just like Daddy.

It is my heart’s desire for you to love a man who will strive daily to provide physically, emotionally, and spiritually for your family just like Daddy. 

 

It is my prayer that you will have a man of passion for you to love all the days of your life.  A man who will fight for truth, for his children, and for the desires the Lord puts into his heart just like Daddy.

 

Choose wisely girls!  Remember to choose a man as special as Daddy!

I love you,

Mommy

Diaper Angels!!

Dear Diaper Angels,

When we arrived home from Arizona, we were greeted by a huge pile of diapers.  Many of the diapers didn't have a name or card to go with them so I wasn't able to properly thank individuals for the HUGE BLESSING.   

Myla in her diaper.  Thanks friends:)

 I am excited to announce that Myla will be 4 months on Sunday and we still have not had to purchase one pack of diapers...NOT ONE.

Myla looking at Mommy to end the picture madness.

 In fact, we still have 10 packs remaining.  What a huge gift.

Myla longing for her pacifier and crib.

 I want to shout to all that each and every penny, dollar, or diaper that was given to help us bring Myla home has been a treasure...a blessing to the Elliott Gang.

Myla saying thank you to her diaper angels from the "bottom" of her heart.

 

THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!

Favorite Things

These

 are

 a

few 

 of

my



favorite things!!

 

Priceless

Yesterday as Drew

was jumping around the kitchen,

he bounced over to me like Tigger and asked,

” Mommy, is Myla so pretty, because I love her?”

Only One

Only one year ago this month, Bryan and Isaiah took a mission trip where it took only one little lady to steal Bryan’s heart which led to us starting the adoption process.

We prayed and researched for someone to help us through the journey.   Tracie Loux was the only one who spoke to our hearts.  She was a friend along the way.

After applying to multiple agencies and attorneys, we were matched after only one profile showing.  Out of all the families that  could have been chosen, we were the only one for the sweet babe. 

It took only one glance at our beauty to know that she was forever ours.

 We were able to take only one child off the list of children who need a forever home.

If you feel the Lord calling you to take this journey, remember for one dear child you are the only one he/she needs.

 

The Lord did all this in only one year with only one family for one child.