Mothers day blessings

A little over 2 years I be came a mom! I was an amazing thing. I am still amazed that I am a mom. I now see my own mom in a whole new light.

t seemed like a long time before I could celebrate mother's day. I so badly wanted to be a mom. I really struggled with it. I would sit in church as the pastor talked about moms and such and just wanted to be one. I longed to be a mom. I knew God had called me to be a mother. But why the wait? There were times it was excurciating for me.
I know my wait was not a long as some. I have a friend who has been waiting for number one for just over 2 years now. I only waited for 18 months.  It was worth to to wait for my blessing. Naomi is amazing! She is a lovely little girl who brought a whole new meaning to my life and my faith.







My mentor mom in MOPS had to wait on her babies too. She reminded me of this: God has His perfect timing. He needs the right person at the right time. I have no idea what things Naomi will do but God made me wait so that his "plan" will work. Wow!

I am truly blessed!

Fluff! (updated)

Where to start... hmmm

Well we are still waiting when it comes to Adam's job. The church where he works part-time is trying to sell some land.  Once the land is sold they will bring Adam on staff full time. The land has a buyer...but we are now awaiting on the government to approve everything. It has to go through the government because of the size of the land sale.  So we are waiting.

Adam was able to preach the first time at our new church.  This was his seventh sermon.  He did a pretty good job.  The next time he preaches will be at the end of June.  Unless the Pastor needs him before that.

The senior pastor at our church has announced he has stage 3 cancer.  This is his second battle with cancer in the last two years.  So they are going to hit him pretty hard this time. Please pray for him and his family.

     

We are currently being considered for two children for adoption.  No, it is not a sibling group. One is a 10 month old girl.  The other is a three year old boy.  Both of these children have special needs.  Should we be chosen for both, we do not feel we can take both of these children on at the same time.  Honestly, we are leaning more towards the girl mainly so we can maintain birth order. Naomi has developed the only (oldest) child personality.  She is very motherly when ever she is around babies.
  
It would be great to be selected finally.  We have been in the system for 3 years now.  But for us to get chosen it would certainly help if Adam had a full-time job. 

The girl's staffing meeting is first.  It will be at the end of June at the earliest.  So we wait and pray.

Naomi has been battling a rash the past few weeks. I thought it was caused by the new laundry detergent. However, after seeing the doctor and putting hydrocortazone lotion. The rash had gotten better but not gone away. Yesterday we went for a follow-up visit. He suggested it could be a food allergy or that she was developing eczema. To check for food allergies she is not to eat any fruit and we will reintroduce them one by one.

After her nap, (which was 4 hours) she had a fever. It got up to 103 last night. So we will not be going to the church garage sale today.

Kids!
So here's to a day of snuggling and movies for this mama!

food!

God is truly amazing.
Adam and I came to the realization last night.
That we are in the worst state financially ever in our marriage.
My husband was laid off in august.
We moved.
He is a full time student at the seminary.
And yet...

our fridge is full...

Our freezer is STUFFED...(to the point there is no room to make ice)

our "pantry" is over flowing...

To the point we had to put food in the dish cabinet and even that is getting full!

We have more food now than ever before in our marriage.

God is so good.

We have had people through Nall provide Angel Food Ministry packages for us, even though we have left the church so Adam could accept a job with Basehor. Friends have provided gift cards and given us meals on occasion.  Some have provided funds or prayer support!

We are ever so thankful for the provision given.  We praise God for placing us on the hearts of His faithful servants.  We pray that God will bless them for their faithfulness and willing hearts. We are so very thankful for those who are praying for us.  God is answering prayers!

May you be blessed by the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth. 

Psalm 115:15

Happy Easter!

We hope you are blessed this Easter Sunday!

He has Risen!

Do you know Him?

March Forth

NOTE: I had meant to post this yesterday.  But it take me a bit longer to type these days.  So bare with me.  Until my finger heals I will probably post pictures for thee most part.  But I do have a few fun stories to share about Naomi coming soon. So stay tuned!

Well, it is March Forth again. This day has some significance to me.  It was a year ago yesterday that we were not selected for Amara.  It was the first child we were considered for.  I knew the chances were slim.  There are very few who are chosen the first time.

And now a year later, Naomi can wear the shirt that my mom bought for Amara.  And each time I put it on her I can't help but think of her "almost" sister. So I pray for her.  I have chosen a verse for her and the other child we were not selected for.

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.

Psalm 147:5.

Each time I start moping over the adoption process I bring this verse to mind. It brings me a lot of peace in knowing His understanding is infinite. It also carries the reminder of how powerful God is.  Nothing is impossible with Him. 


So now we continue to wait for child number two.  We do not know when or how this child will be added to our family.  But God does.  I thank Him that he has a perfect plan for our family.  Until then I get to dote on our first answered prayer.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9.

We got something in the works! (job related) 
Details are being ironed out.
Look for an update soon!

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
         I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
         I will be with him in trouble;
         I will deliver him and honor him.
  With long life I will satisfy him,
         And show him My salvation.”

Psalm 91:14-16

friends

We have been increadibley blessed by some good friends.  We met almose 5 years ago.  We were church shopping and decided to go to an evening service at Jefferson St. Baptist.  Little did we know that on that fateful night we would meet these fine people.  I can not tell you al that transpired that night, or how it was that we started playing pitch with them on a regular basis.  But these things did happen.  I have known that even from a distance I could count on these fine friends.  God had truly blessed us with these friends.  Now we have been given the privilage to live mear blocks away from them...We got to church with them, we have Sunday night Pizza and Ptich nights again.  And our children get along wonderfully.  (Although Naomi is not always thrilled with Harry, but she Loves Nolan)

Evan (the husband) is in dental school and had made the decision to peruse Medical school for Oral surgery.  The selection process is that of every one ranks the schools or candidates and then a computer matches it all up.  our friends had selected Mayo clinic as #1 and KC as #2.  By doing this they were placing thier future into God's Hands.  They waited and prayed and we found out that he was selected to stay here in KC!   We are so very excited that they get to stay!  Although it will be a bit of a strain for the family time in the coming 6 years.  But they are confidant that God has a plan for them here in KC.  And we are thrilled that we get to keep our Pitch buddies!

As iron sharpens iron,
       so one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

Fingerprint Friday: Flowers

So I am trying to clean off my computer and create backup's to everything. My computer has been having a series of issues lately. Nothing like getting a screen saying "the computer is unable to start up...Permission to repair problems and restart" (Or something like that). OK, OK, I'll back everything up and Adam can reformat you. AGH! I was up until almost midnight trying to re-reorganize my files and find all the hidden important files. I am a bit tired.

Now I am attempting to whidle down my pictures from the past year. I think I must have had a flower fascination...here is my proof...

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Mathew 6:28-34

This has been a very humbling time for me. While Adam has been unemployed God has provided several times. He has placed us on the hearts of His servants and they have obeyed. I feel SO blessed! It is truly beautiful to the the body of Christ reach out to help others. ( I am not meaning just us. I have been BLOWN away at the way people are responding to aid those in Hatti.)

Thank you God for your faithful servants who listen when you call. Please bless those who have blessed us (and others) through prayer or gifts!
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Fingerprint Friday is a Celebration of God's fingerprints in the world around us. To see more visit The Rusted Chain

dancing

I came across this quote a few days ago and thought..."That is so me"

 
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."

I found it on artsy clay's blog.

Answered prayer

We had been praying for God's direction when it comes to a job for Adam.  We wanted a clear cut answer.  Well we are one step closer to knowing the path God is sending us on.  

We just received notice that the church in Emporia has decided to seek someone with more pastoral experience.  They also were concerned with Adam commuting back and forth for school or pastoring.  

While this is a major let down because we have invested a lot of time in this church plant, it is also the clear cut answer we are seeking.   We will continue to seek God's will for your life.  Until then we are waiting. (I just hope an answer is coming soon) 

 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." 

Psalm 91:1

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Me and a group of friends had a birthday party Jesus Party for your kids!  We had a TON of fun!

I made the cake...

We used instruments and sang Christmas songs, and Happy Birthday to baby Jesus!

We Chowed down on some Pizza and played games.

Finally we opened some Gifts. We had seclected names so each child would "shop" for another child. Naomi received matching tutus for her and Abby (her Doll), and a cradle/ changing table set! Here she is with her tutu on! So cute!

We all had a great time!  Happy Birthday Jesus!

Afterward we put attempted to put the kids down for a nap so we could have some Mommy time.  We watched "Sisters Keeper."  (Personally I am not a big fan of the movie but I thought I would give the book a shot.  Maybe I will post something once I read it).  Anyway, the kids barely napped. Call us mothers of the year! Because we just let them play in their respective areas (while listening for any "real crying")  so we could finish the movie.  After the party I think all the kids went home and took real naps!

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:14

Nutshell

Here is my life in a nutshell...

• The weekend before Thanksgiving we had our church planting assessment. 

 (These were our fellow Kansans!)

• We were home a total of 4 days and we then went to Texas for a week. 

• We got home early Saturday morning.  
• Took a nap and regrouped from driving all night. (Naomi ws up from 1:30-3:30am.  It was a very long 15 hour drive.)
• Sunday we loaded up in the van again and headed to Emporia.  There Adam preached and They asked us questions about our "calling."  We got to hang out there all day and Adam lead a Bible study in the evening.    
• Thursday was MOPS. I had a wonderful time and we even had two new moms!

This weekend is packed as well.  I have a Women's Christmas Brunch , an association Christmas party in Topeka, We are going to have a Christmas get together with some friends, as well as trying to finish getting the decorations up.

I love the Holiday season!  Just why does it have to be so busy? My head is spinning from the up's and down's and unknown's we are currently facing.  It is just the start of the Christmas season and I am exhausted!  I am continually praying for God's peace. I know I am greatly blessed.  Though this may be a bit of a "valley" I know there are others who are struggling more than I.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.

 Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.

Psalm 23

Update

I know I have mentioned that we have a lot going on. Well, one thing we are doing is perusing church planting. There is a church (or a guy, named Guy)that is interested in in us. We are being "assessed" this weekend. Mostly to see what our spiritual gifts, ministry preferences are and such. I am not entirely sure what we will be doing for the next two days but I am just going to go with it. We could really use some back up prayer support. We would really appreciate it. Naomi got to have her first road trip with Grandma Chris. Naomi will be staying with Grandpa Arnie and Grandma Jean this weekend. It is a big weekend for her.

God is working in amazing ways for us right now! I can't wait to tell you more and about the results from the assessment.

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 73:28

Fingerprint Friday

One of my new favorite pictures. Adam did a pretty good job!



I love Naomi's kisses. She just recently started to give Adam and I kisses. Before that her kisses were for the cat the dog and for baby Jesus in her Bible. I truly love her kisses. This was also a great trip to the park. While we were there we experienced God move in some awesome ways. A door we thought was shut, came open again. A true answer to prayer.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD...

Jeremiah 29:11-14a

To find out how to join "Fingerprint Friday" and see links to other posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

MOPS

A friend of mine was in on starting a MOPS Group.  MOPS is Mothers Of PreSchoolers.  (No your child does not have to be in preschool.)  The age range for the children is birth to 5 years old.  It is time where moms can come together to relax and learn from each other about motherhood. This is done without worrying about their children.  Because they are being cared for in a structured classroom like setting.  MOPS' position statement is a follows:

MOPS International exists to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ.

 
Well my friend roped me in.  As soon as we moved in to the area she began inviting me to the planning meetings. It has been an answered prayer!  I had been desiring to join a group like this for quite some time.  However I was not around many stay at home moms.  The I was moving all around the state.  However God answered my prayers.  He knew the desires of my heart and gave me a group of women to grow with.

Before I knew I I was a discussion group leader.  Then the day of our first meeting came.  I was told the woman who was doing the publicity was stepping down.  the only thing that had to be done ws the news letter.  This is right down my ally!  So I volunteered to be the Publicity Chair.

This year's theme is "Life Together on Planet Mom."  Here are some pictures from our first meeting!

Iron Mom Competition

 

Diaper and dress the baby

Stroller course 

(The women in the pink shirts are mentor moms)

And finally putting up the pack-and-play

(the mentor moms had to do this one on their own.  

They could only be told what to do.  No physical help.  

One of the mentos picked up the pack and play (almost over her head) and shook it.)

Having a snack

And our craft was to make a name tag.

We also broke up in to discussion groups.  So we can have more in depth discussions.  Mostly we just chatted and got to know each other.

For where two or three come together ... there am I with them.

Matthew 18:20

A little rant to make me feel better

The tension is growing in our household. Adam and I have had many discussions over the dinner table. I think we do our best thinking at the table with cookie in hand. (Yummy Oatmeal Scotchies). We have hit the ground running this time. On Friday we did receive confirmation that Adam did make "the cut" into Midwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. Classes start August 24. there is also a new student orientation and enrollment on August 21. So guess who gets to find a place to live, pack up our house, hunt down people to help load and unload the truck, Oh I guess we need to rent a truck, unpack the mountain of boxes, figure out how we are going to get 4 vehicles to KC, transfer utilities, all while chasing a toddler, trying to stay organized, cook and clean , be in a wedding, and everything else I do (What else do I do anyway)?

OH! OH! Pick ME! Pick ME! (And Adam I supose)

Was that sarcastic enough?

I am looking forward to this adventure. Although I have already been in tears about the unknowns. It is CRAZY. We have our basic plan..then we have plan B, C, D, E,and so on. There are sub plans so is such-n-such does not work we do this but is this happens then we do that...AGGGHHHH. My husband "the planner" is going to drive me batty with all of it.


I guess i don't mind the planning. I suppose I prefer it that way but the annoying thing is that there are so many unknowns.


I know God will take car of us. He has so far. We are amazed at the provision so far. And we are in awe of how He is guiding us. It really is amazing. to see him at work. The sermon last week was about being faithful toyour call and reaching forward. the verse the pastor hit on was Philipians 3:13-14.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I was quite encouraged. The pastor even mentioned us in the sermon. (how humbling) He talked about how even though we were only at the church a short time we encouraged him and some others of how to follow God's will with excitement. Meanwhile, today I sit here and I just want to say... "Why now? We are just getting settled in. This move is quite frustrating for me already and it seems we have just began.

However I am going to take tonights sermon to heart (I hope)... I was about when we truly praise God with your heart it effects our entire life. IT changes our perseption, it changes emotion it change our out look. Here the key verse for me was Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I may just do what the pastor did and print it on a card to carry with me. So please pray for us. This is gong to be a fast and furious ride. Please pray for my attitude. But I think Naomi will need some prayers for her transition to the new house (that we have yet to find). She is quite the trooper She is already helping mom and dad pack. Although I think she has started feeding off the tension as well. Thank you for letting me vent...

I feel better now!

Amazing...

Do you remember this post.  I posted a picture of a tree.  I fell in love with this tree the first time I saw it.  I amazingly did not have a camera with me.  The tree is by the bare enclosure at the zoo.

I find it truly...

Amazing.

This huge tree was sliced in half and burned by lightning.  It had to have happened a while ago because of all of the healing. Yet today it is still large, and green and if you look way up you can even see the new growth It reminds me of so much, it honestly is hard for me to put in to words.

I know many people could identify with this tree.  Something catastrophic happens...the death of a family member or spouse, the loss of a job,  a natural disaster of some sort. So many possibilities.

Yet some how you are able to make it though... even though you feel like there is no way you could go on.  You are still alive, growing, healing. 


Amazing

I have been there. My personal lightning strikes are not as bad as some.  But I know that I made it through with God's help.   He is leading me and guiding me.  With His help I have continued to grow and flourish.  Personally one of my lightning strikes lead me to start looking for God.

Amazing

Beauty from pain.

 

  

Amazing!