The Courage To Stand Still

"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! 

1 Samuel 12:16

Saw this verse this morning on Facebook that a friend had posted. Some days it is hard to wait on something expectantly when you've been waiting for so long. However this verse reminds me that God's got this. He goes before me and is working out all the details in advance. My job is to pray through and trust Him. The past two years have grown me in ways I never thought possible. Still have a long way to go but I am thankful for this time because it has stretched me and caused me to have to put my trust ONLY in my Father. I've also been thinking about my girl a lot lately and pray for her safety and to feel loved. Verse for today on my bible app was 2 Samuel 7:28-29 "And now, Master God, being the God you are, speaking sure words as you do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You've already as much as said that you would, Master God! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently!" Love this...so thankful that He's got His eye on her. So as I wait to lay my eyes on her for the first time I can stand still, cause He's got this! 

Small Group. Big Purpose....Here's Your Proof

Remember last September when mine and Ryan's student small group from Mission @ Stanfield sponsored a charity:water walk? You gave money for a drilling rig and here's your proof. You helped us raise $4,075 to purchase a drilling rig that can drill 80 wells and give water to 40,000 people every year!!!!! And just guess where they're drilling right now....Ethiopia! (see pics/video below) Thank you for your support!

 Walking 5 miles carrying jugs of water

They all made t-shirts with some of the statistics concerning unclean water across the globe and wore them to school the week before the walk to raise awareness.

Small Group.Big Purpose....You have no idea how proud of am of these students! Clean water changes lives! 

Here is a picture of the first well being dug. Love it!!! Thanks again for your generosity!

On Lake Time

Making Memories! Thank you Mckinney's for sharing your boat and hanging out with our crazy bunch!

Tomorrow we will be returning back to reality after spending last week at Lake Wiley with our family. This was my view from the porch each morning while drinking my coffee. Isn't it so peaceful? Just what Ryan and I needed. A time to relax, read a book, go for a dip and just be present. Our lives can be so hectic sometimes and we feel so blessed that we were able to spend an entire week enjoying quality time with family and friends.

They say laughter is the best medicine and this week was full of it!

Love sharing life with this man!

Two Years

So everyone always wants to know if we've heard anything. Well, yes and no. We have been keeping up with our agency's unofficial list and last month (June) there we're approximatley 14 referrals! Usually it's only around 4-5 per month. We also have conference calls once a month for all families to listen in on. We email our AWAA family cordinator Elise anytime we have a question. She has been great through the whole process. But basically we won't hear anything specifically on our case until we "hear something." We have anxiously been awaiting "THE CALL."The heart attack inducing AWAA on caller ID where Elise will tell us we have a referral! Then we will get on the computer and be introduced to our child with the highly anticipated email file and pictures! Some days are such a struggle. I try to put it out of my mind but you really just can't.  What an emotional roller coaster this has been! This past Sunday was two years since we mailed off our application! Never dreamed it would take this long. Adoption is very dear to my heart and I have tried to always maintain a positive attitude when asked about how the process is going. Somedays are easy. Most days lately are hard. REALLY hard! As a pastor/friend said last week. "Adoption Is WAR." It is a spiritual battle for the hearts and futures of kids everywhere. It is a fight for those who can't speak for themselves. A picture of salvation that the enemy wants to destroy."  The wait hasn't been easy but it is so worth it. Worth every emotion and every penny spent. Worth every test, because SHE is worth it. "May my test today be my testimony for tomorrow."  I also believe that God hasn't wasted this time. He has grown me in ways I never would have and I am slowly but surely learning to be still in His presence. He loves us more than we will ever know and He is fighting for us.....

Her room!

Just thought I'd share what I've been working on this week. Just a few updates to her room to make it more toddler friendly. Thank goodness for Ikea and Etsy :) My sister Allison has already said she can't wait to come over and play tea party lol. I'm still working on a Pinterest project to go on one of the walls. More of that coming soon :)