We got back from MO yesterday around 2:30pm. We didn't see any deer on our way there but saw 7 dead ones on the side of the road on our way back. We had a really good visit & a very blessed Thanksgiving. I have pictures that I want to share but until I get them downloaded this will have to do. It's a little video blip of our Thanksgiving Day walk down by the river in Cape Girardeau.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
No deer please...
My mom came to visit us last Saturday & today she will be driving back to MO. This is normally a sad time for the both of us as we don't like living apart from each other but today will be happy because we are following her back to MO to spend a week there. We had this trip planned for quite some time so even though we were there not too long ago for Kenny's funeral we decided that we still needed to make the trip now. Please pray for our safe travels & that we won't even see one single deer while we're driving :o) I pray that everyone has a very blessed & joy filled, full of the Lord, Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 21, 2008
GOD IS SO GOOD!!!
ALL THE TIME...GOD IS GOOD!!! No, we haven't heard news about being in MOI but God is still good!!! A couple of months ago Phoebe really started struggling with her siblings not being home yet. She would just cry & cry. I told her that maybe we should start praying about changing our plans from her meeting them when they get home to her meeting them in Haiti. She immediately started praying fervently about it. God put a peace in my heart about her going...something Randy & I were adamantly against her doing at her current age.
Phoebe & I felt like God was saying we were to go together to Haiti so Phoebe could meet her siblings. I had others pray about it too & was told that they thought she needed to go. So we had the peace & confirmation but no money. I told Phoebe that if God wanted us to go that He would have to provide the money for our trip & that we needed to start praying about it.
Shortly after that I felt led to send out a letter to people telling them about the trip & asking if they would collect their loose change from now until January 1st & then donate it to Phoebe on her behalf for her trip. Within a week of the letters being sent out she has already received $250. Praise God!!! I am so excited for her! I was not concerned about God providing the money for my trip because I knew He would but I had no idea where or when it was going to come from.
The other night before I went to bed I felt like God was telling me to put our airplane tickets on hold even though Phoebe didn't have all the money for hers & I had no money for mine. I put two tickets on hold & then went to bed. The next morning I received a $700 donation to use for my airplane ticket. Praise God!!! I bought our tickets tonight so now it's offical...Phoebe & I are going to Haiti in February & we are both very excited!!! I can't wait to tell Samara & Shakira...I know that they will be excited too!
Phoebe & I felt like God was saying we were to go together to Haiti so Phoebe could meet her siblings. I had others pray about it too & was told that they thought she needed to go. So we had the peace & confirmation but no money. I told Phoebe that if God wanted us to go that He would have to provide the money for our trip & that we needed to start praying about it.
Shortly after that I felt led to send out a letter to people telling them about the trip & asking if they would collect their loose change from now until January 1st & then donate it to Phoebe on her behalf for her trip. Within a week of the letters being sent out she has already received $250. Praise God!!! I am so excited for her! I was not concerned about God providing the money for my trip because I knew He would but I had no idea where or when it was going to come from.
The other night before I went to bed I felt like God was telling me to put our airplane tickets on hold even though Phoebe didn't have all the money for hers & I had no money for mine. I put two tickets on hold & then went to bed. The next morning I received a $700 donation to use for my airplane ticket. Praise God!!! I bought our tickets tonight so now it's offical...Phoebe & I are going to Haiti in February & we are both very excited!!! I can't wait to tell Samara & Shakira...I know that they will be excited too!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Peace like a river...
"I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind & heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So do not be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 NLT
We are still waiting to enter MOI. Many people are asking what the hold up is. I really have no idea. There is really no "real" explanation why we have been waiting since June to enter. January will mark 2 years since we started the adoption process from Haiti. Do we get frustrated? YES! Do we miss our children terribly & want them home...now? YES! Are we worried, troubled, & can't sleep night after night? NO! You maybe asking yourself why not? Because we have the PEACE of the LORD!
"Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, & thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts & minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
This is the kind of peace we have. This is the kind of peace that is available to everyone if they would just accept it. I can't explain it or even begin to understand it. I just know that it is this peace that has kept me going through some very difficult times. And not just kept me "surviving" but "thriving" during those times. I have done it without God as well...and it wasn't pretty...at all. I know that some non Christians say that Christians are weak & that we use our faith as a crutch. I know that upsets some Christians but I don't care what they say because I know that I am weak. All of us are weak by ourselves...that's what non Christians don't get. But with Jesus I am strong. "For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." Philippians 4:13
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that you would fill everyone that reads this post with your peace & joy. The peace that surpasses all human understanding. Please guard their hearts & minds so that the world will not steal their peace or joy. Draw them close to you. Hold them in your hands. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!
Peace like a river
I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river in my soul;
I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a
river in my soul. (my soul)
I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean in my soul;
I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an
ocean in my soul. (my soul)
I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain in my soul;
I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a
fountain in my soul. (my soul)
We are still waiting to enter MOI. Many people are asking what the hold up is. I really have no idea. There is really no "real" explanation why we have been waiting since June to enter. January will mark 2 years since we started the adoption process from Haiti. Do we get frustrated? YES! Do we miss our children terribly & want them home...now? YES! Are we worried, troubled, & can't sleep night after night? NO! You maybe asking yourself why not? Because we have the PEACE of the LORD!
"Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, & thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts & minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
This is the kind of peace we have. This is the kind of peace that is available to everyone if they would just accept it. I can't explain it or even begin to understand it. I just know that it is this peace that has kept me going through some very difficult times. And not just kept me "surviving" but "thriving" during those times. I have done it without God as well...and it wasn't pretty...at all. I know that some non Christians say that Christians are weak & that we use our faith as a crutch. I know that upsets some Christians but I don't care what they say because I know that I am weak. All of us are weak by ourselves...that's what non Christians don't get. But with Jesus I am strong. "For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." Philippians 4:13
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that you would fill everyone that reads this post with your peace & joy. The peace that surpasses all human understanding. Please guard their hearts & minds so that the world will not steal their peace or joy. Draw them close to you. Hold them in your hands. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!
Peace like a river
I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river in my soul;
I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a
river in my soul. (my soul)
I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean in my soul;
I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an
ocean in my soul. (my soul)
I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain in my soul;
I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a
fountain in my soul. (my soul)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
I think God is trying to tell me something...
Have you ever prayed fervently about something & then "strange" things start happening? Well, that is what's been going on with me for the past three weeks or so. I've been praying & praying but what I have been getting is roadblocks, detour signs, & no one is able to take your call right now messages. Also, my body is out of sync. My body doesn't feel like my own. I've been very tired & some nights have been asleep by 7:30pm & sleep until 6am which is so not normal for me. My "normal" schedule is up at 4 or 4:30am & asleep between 9 to 9:30pm. Even with all of that sleep I feel totally drained by 10am & by 1pm I can hardly keep my eyes open. And I have been having very unusual dreams.
This morning I was reading Daniel Chapter 10. I have read this chapter several times before but this morning it really spoke to me. I think I'm in the middle of some sort of spiritual battle now which would explain some of the things that I have been experiencing. I'm not going to type out the whole chapter but I encourage you to read Daniel Chapter 10 when you get a chance. The whole chapter spoke to me but the following verses really "jumped out" at me. "Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, & I felt my strength returning. "Don't be afraid," he said, "for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart & be strong!" As he spoke these words, I suddenly felt stronger & said to him, "Now you may speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me." Daniel 10:18-19
So if you are feeling depleted right now, I encourage you take comfort in knowing that God loves you very much. Ask Him to strengthen you & fill you with His peace.
This morning I was reading Daniel Chapter 10. I have read this chapter several times before but this morning it really spoke to me. I think I'm in the middle of some sort of spiritual battle now which would explain some of the things that I have been experiencing. I'm not going to type out the whole chapter but I encourage you to read Daniel Chapter 10 when you get a chance. The whole chapter spoke to me but the following verses really "jumped out" at me. "Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, & I felt my strength returning. "Don't be afraid," he said, "for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart & be strong!" As he spoke these words, I suddenly felt stronger & said to him, "Now you may speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me." Daniel 10:18-19
So if you are feeling depleted right now, I encourage you take comfort in knowing that God loves you very much. Ask Him to strengthen you & fill you with His peace.
Give Thanks!
I plan to write another post later that is on my heart but I just read this devotion from Dr. David Jeremiah & it really spoke to me as well & I wanted to share it with you.
The Secret Compartment
The Lord lives!.... Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles and sing praises to Your name.
2 Samuel 22:47, 50
Recommended Reading
2 Samuel 22:47-51
In 1794, James Monroe, who later would become America's fifth president, purchased a Louis XVI desk containing a secret compartment that no one but the owner knew about. Many years later, in 1906, one of Monroe's descendants, a child, damaged the desk. It was taken to a cabinetmaker, and the secret compartment was discovered. It contained priceless documents, including letters from Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In one of the letters, Jefferson had written: "How little do my countrymen know what precious blessing they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy."
That's a secret that also resides in the secret compartment of the Christian's heart. Every day our cups overflow. Every day we're recipients of one blessing after another. Every morning we see new mercies and rediscover God's great faithfulness.
Don't keep thanksgiving a secret. Find opportunities today to be grateful. Take the most optimistic view of things. Look up with a smile and trust Almighty God and His Word. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
For these blessings we owe Almighty God, from whom we derive them, and with profound reverence, our most grateful and unceasing acknowledgements.
James Monroe
The Secret Compartment
The Lord lives!.... Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles and sing praises to Your name.
2 Samuel 22:47, 50
Recommended Reading
2 Samuel 22:47-51
In 1794, James Monroe, who later would become America's fifth president, purchased a Louis XVI desk containing a secret compartment that no one but the owner knew about. Many years later, in 1906, one of Monroe's descendants, a child, damaged the desk. It was taken to a cabinetmaker, and the secret compartment was discovered. It contained priceless documents, including letters from Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In one of the letters, Jefferson had written: "How little do my countrymen know what precious blessing they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy."
That's a secret that also resides in the secret compartment of the Christian's heart. Every day our cups overflow. Every day we're recipients of one blessing after another. Every morning we see new mercies and rediscover God's great faithfulness.
Don't keep thanksgiving a secret. Find opportunities today to be grateful. Take the most optimistic view of things. Look up with a smile and trust Almighty God and His Word. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
For these blessings we owe Almighty God, from whom we derive them, and with profound reverence, our most grateful and unceasing acknowledgements.
James Monroe
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
THANK YOU AMANDA!!!
I was so pleasantly surprised to open my mail box yesterday to find your note & CD. It came at the perfect time! I haven't had a chance to go over to Ann's to see how you know each other but I will do that soon. She & her family are wonderful people as I'm sure you already know. I wish all of my neighbors were like that!
Thanks again! I will think of you everytime I listen to the CD :o)
Thanks again! I will think of you everytime I listen to the CD :o)
Monday, November 3, 2008
Rembering Kenny...
Today would have been Kenny's 52nd birthday. As we still grieve the loss of him on this earth we know that he is rejoicing with Jesus in heaven. We were sitting at the dining room table this morning eating breakfast when I reminded Phoebe & Randy that today is his birthday. Phoebe said, "Can we sing to him?" "Sure we can sing to him", I said. So the three of us sang Happy Birthday to Kenny. When we were done, Phoebe was thoughtfully smiling, I was teary eyed, & Randy was speechless & choked up. Happy Birthday Kenny! We love you!
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