New Blog

I am now blogging at The Road Less Traveled.  Stop by and visit!

Giveaway!

Stop by Raising Homemakers . They are giving away Homestead Blessings 10 DVD set! You will love the West ladies.

But the biggest surprise came...

In November of 2007, we received a phone call from social services in a neighboring county. They asked if we would be willing to foster the newborn brother of our girls. At first, my answer was no. Emphatically no! I did not want to have that much involvement with the birth family again. After a few minutes, I realized that this may be the only time that they would have to know each other. So, after talking with my husband, we accepted this new little one.

The next afternoon I arrived at the hospital to pick up this new little one. I was not prepared for what I found. There lay a tiny little one with the sweetest head of white hair. He weighed 5 lbs and 12 ounces and only 18 inces long. And they trusted me to take him home and care for him. I was truly afraid of loosing him. He was so small.

We took him home and were blessed to adopt him 8 months later. Adam is more than I ever imagined. I still look at him and ask God "Who am I?" and wonder how the God of all creations would allow me to be the mother to this little boy. I am so thankful for Adam. He has added all things little boy to our world. Wrestling, ball, bugs and all things rough and exciting are things he enjoys. His sisters are not always sure what to do with him when he tackles them, but they are also thrilled to be able to care for him and be with him.

Thank you, God, for this gift that we call our son. Thank you that he is full of life and laughter. And it makes me smile when I see how much he looks like my husband.

Where I have been....

These past two years have been filled with some of the most blessed moments I have ever experienced in my life. I am not even sure where to begin.

God blessed us with the adoption of Hazel and Emilly last November. When I last posted, we had been so afraid of loosing them to a family member in FL. God in His perfect timing worked out each detail and allowed them to become ours.

Walking By Faith

In early September, I will begin teaching a women's Bible study by Jennifer Rothschild called Walking By Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark. It is exciting to be able to walk with my sisters in Christ through studies like this. God reveals so many things to each of us in our own personal language. While the revelation may be the similar, the application to each person is always unique. What a joy to see God in a different light! He is so much more than I can or ever will imagine.

This past week has been one trial after another. I expected it. When teaching on faith, Satan will surely do all he can to lessen the efficacy of the message. This time of testing has hit one of the most tender places in my heart...it involves my children.

We found out that there is a chance for the girls to be given to a relative. Our court hearing this month will be a fight to keep these precious girls from going to an unsafe place. We like all the other members of our team believed their was no possible way for this to happen, but it has. Fear is a constant companion, but I am trying to continually lay it down at the feet of God.

Please pray for and with us. We are desperate for God to intercede on the behalf of these girls. Their safety is in danger. God is our hope and answer.

Abba, Father, I know that you are not surprised or shaken by the news we received. You knew before the creation of the world what would happen to these children. Forgive my unbelief. Help me to believe, to rest in You, to lay it all down and let You work as only You can. God, I am scared for Hazel and Emilly and our family.

Lord, let truth be revealed in every situation regarding these children and each family member. Open the judges eyes and mind! Give him wisdom and understanding to make the best decision for these children. For each therapist, GAL, social worker, biological family member and anyone else who will sit on that stand, let only complete truth pour out of their mouths. Give the attornies the questions that will shine a light on the dangers of this placement. For each piece of information that has been or will be entered regarding the safety and wellbeing of these children, let it jump off the page! Let not one piece of evidence be overlooked. Thank you, God, for loving Hazel and Emilly more than I do. I love you!

Monk & Neagle

Check out this video by Monk & Neagle. Their album will be out in September. I am crazy about The Twenty-First Time and Hallelujah Jesus.

Letting Go And Letting God

This morning as I read a post by Sarah, I saw in
myself the controlling person I do not want to be. My mind has wanted to manipulate things to be how I feel they should be with little or no thought as to God's will.

You see Hazel is going to school in August. She is excited. Daily she talks about her new school, new friends and learning to read. Even people we pass in the store know that this precious little girl is going to school.

This is not a joy that I have shared with her. The thought of her going and spending and entire day with a group of people I do not know strikes fear and desperation deep within my heart. She is so young, naive, tenderhearted, and wounded. Trusting her to someone else...allowing them to lead her in her daily walk...have mercy, Lord! I do not think I can stand it! Someone else will be spending more time with her than I will.

Then there is the ever growing fear that plagues my mind to its core. What if they are mean to her? Little girls, children really, can be so catty and unkind. She has been hurt enough for at least three lifetimes. Can her heart bear anymore?

Lord, how do I step back and trust that you are walking with her? You know each step that she will take, and how each trial will bring glory to Your name. How do I walk with her and guide her, and, yet, not control? How will my heart not shrivel and die or become enraged when someone speaks or acts unkind to her? She is so fragile emotionally. Hazel brings out my extreme emotions, Lord. She is brightest of joy, the loudest of laughter, and darkest valley. Will I trust You with with her heart and mine?

Look on Hazel with favor as she goes off to school. Guard her heart and mind against those things which are not pure or those things which would cause her pain. Give her courage to try new things. Burn in her heart the desire to be more like You and less like me.

Thank you, God, for the gift of Hazel. She is so precious, and I adore her. There is nothing in my life that is deserving to be called her mother, but through your mercy you made it so. You have, are and will heal so many hurts in her.

Help me trust You one day at a time. I love you, Father!