Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Walkin in Faith

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
So far our short walk down this adoption road has all ready caused me tears and feelings of emotions I never expected. Everything in this process requires us to totally trust in Him. One of the things I dealt with today is that I am so worried that we are going to pick the wrong country which does not lead us to the child God wants us to. As some you may know or to others it may not be a big surprise, but I like to be in control of everything. This is something I have no control over. I am having to leave it at His throne and walk away trusting everything to Him. This morning I was questioning God about the country we chose. Jeff had to once again remind me that it is in His hands. If we can help one child, despite whatever country she is in, then that is one more child that is going to a loving home. So now I must walk in Faith even if I can't see. So in my devotional time I have been going back through a Bible study I just did which dealt with a lot on faith (funny how God prepares us for what He knows what we will be needing soon) and writing everything down that will give me encouragement. Also spending a lot of time in Hebrews 11. Maybe you need a little Faith today...

"And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

"The rest of faith is uniting the word of God with faith for a particular situation." Kay Arthur

"Faith is taking God at his word.." Kay Arthur

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:36

"As we live this life of faith we are to fix our mind on Jesus at all times." Kay Arthur

"To know God's word is one thing, but to live by it, apply it, trust it, act on it, cling to it is a another thing altogether." Kay Arthur

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Prophetstown

We took the kids on a field trip last week to Prophetstown State Park in Battle Creek. There was absolutely no one there. I mean no one! We had the whole park to ourselves. It was a beautiful place for the kids to play and explore. We are planning on going back in a couple of weeks when the leaves start changing to take some pictures of the kids.

We had some playtime on the plays set before lunch.

Josh loved this thing.

He's just too cute!

We then headed over to the farmhouse which is meant to look like a home would in the 1920's. Here's Liv looking at pictures in 3-d.

Nate thought the typewriter was neat.

"What is this thing?" Josh asked, "And how do I make it work?"

Learning the purpose of a windmill.

We had a great family day!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Next Chapter

God has been moving in a big way in our lives lately. Over the last year I have felt God speaking to me about adoption. Nothing huge. Just settle little hints that He would place in my path. I mentioned it to Jeff and he turned me down with his reasons so I let it go.  However I continued to feel the pulling of the Spirit. About four months ago Olivia came up to me and said that she had been praying about us adopting a child. I felt like my heart was coming out of my chest. She had not known that I had these feelings and now the Spirit was working in her young life only convicting me even more. I again brought it up to Jeff about three months ago and he didn't say yes but said it was something we could look into and pray about. About three weeks ago I was reading a book Choosing To See by Mary Beth Chapman, wife of Steven Curtis Chapman. They have adopted three girls and the whole time I fought back the tears and constantly felt the Spirit stirring inside me. Thinking I knew what Jeff would say, I approached  him again waiting to be shot down with a list of excuses.. Surprisingly he said that along with praying about it together he had also been praying about it in his quiet time and feels like this is something to get serious about. So we started our research, contacted an agency, gathered information. So last week for for our anniversary Jeff wrote me a beautiful letter about our life together being like a book with many chapters. He then said that it was time to start the new chapter and agreed to go through with the adoption process. So for our 15th anniversary we gave each other an adoption application which we filled out and sent in. We were approved for the first application and have started this new faith walk in our life. We are totally depending on God in taking each step with us and showing us which country He wants us to go to. We know that if this is His will then we are going to see some pretty amazing things take place. Our whole focus along this journey is to do this His way and giving Him all the glory each and every step so we can be a family for a little girl that needs to be loved. I feel like we are getting out of the boat like Jesus told his disciples and getting into the water. The thing about God is that He is so unpredictable. I never would have imagined us homeschooling our children or trying to adopt a child 15 years ago. I had our life all planned out in a neat little box and none of this was in my box. Just like this song below says, "But we will never know the awesome power of the grace of God  until we let ourselves get swept away into this holy flood. So if you'll take may hand we'll close our eyes and count to three and take a leap of faith." So please pray for us as we are diving in and going deep! We are also asking for everyone to join us in praying everyday for the mother of the child we may be blessed with. Pray for her health, decisions, and most importantly her salvation. Also for the child that may or may not be conceived yet. Blessings

 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 
James 1:27



Sunday, September 18, 2011

Workin Hard

Liv and Josh pushed up their sleeves and worked hard this weekend. Liv and I made applesauce all Saturday afternoon. We ended up with 30 quarts of sauce. We will hopefully get 30 more done next Saturday which will keep us stocked for a year. 
For church we had Sunday serve day.  Instead of having church we divide up into teams and go out into the community to serve. Liv, Josh and I did landscaping at the new Habitat for Humanity house in Kokomo. Nate stayed at the nursery at church to help pack Christmas shoe boxes.



Liv cranking away making applesauce. She is such a great helper.

Josh digging a hole at the habitat house for his plant.

Livy busy planting.

Josh and his buddy Luke. They both did great helping. Then after awhile this hill looked like a lot more fun for them.

Teamwork! All the kids thought if they worked together they could get this huge tree root out.

All the kiddos that helped at this site. Great job kids!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Koh Koh Mah

It's time to start field trips again. Today we went with the home school group we are a part of and went to Koh Koh Mah. This is the first year we went. I was really impressed with all of the reenacting and the history the kids were able to learn. 

This is the skeleton of an Indian wigwam.

Learning that Indians used animal horns to make all kinds of things.

Josh sitting with the Indian boy at the campfire.

Josh really enjoyed watching them make bullets for their muskets.

Livy tasting some of their food. She really liked it.

Watching at the spinning wheel.

They had all kinds of games the children used to play back in the 1700's. Liv and Josh both enjoyed trying all the games.


Candle making was a big hit.


Of course we had to buy a sword for a souvenir.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

15th Anniversary


I am celebrating 15 years of marriage today with the love of my life. We are celebrating 15 years of love, laughter, tears, fears, joy, fights, bliss, being tested to the max and every other emotion one can imagine. Marriage is feeling all these emotions. But at the end of the day knowing I would do it all over again just to hear you say I love you now and forever. This song, I feel, was written about us and our life together so far. We are dancing through this life together facing trials and joys knowing in the end it will be worth it.  I am looking forward to what He has planned for the next 15 years. I love you so much and I believe in us.


Sunday, September 11, 2011

Good Times

We had a barn party at Andrea and Ryan's last night. We had so much fun just hanging out together and watching all the kids play. I love that our church has a great group of kids Liv, Josh and Nate's age to grow up with. It is such a blessing how close they all are that it seems like they are all brothers and sisters when they are together.  I know it is times like these we will always cherish.

Flying in the rain.

Liv and Lanie tackling the boys.


Miss Mayce, Lanie, Livy & Maryn enjoying the hayride.

Braxton & Carter trying to enjoy the hayride.....those girls were really something.

Us & our boys enjoying the hay ride.



Monday, September 5, 2011

Giddy Up

I took the kids over to Mom and Allen's to ride Amy and Polly this afternoon. They all enjoyed their horse ride. Thank you Grammy and Allen!!

Nate's first time on.  He had always been to scared before.

Cowboy Josh!

Liv always wants to go fast.

Josh and Liv, out for a stroll.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Boys Room

My labor day project is to paint the boys room. Tonight I went in to start taking down the border. But as soon as I got started Liv and Jake came in and took over. They had the whole room done in 20 min. I can't believe how easy it came down. Great job guys!

They were racing to see who could get the most off.

Liv won!  It came off in huge sections.