Still here...

Hello all. Thank you for your prayers and patience as we walk through this difficult time. It still at times feels a bit unreal. My Savior, however, has been right beside me thru it all. I cannot tell you how much he has carried me these last few weeks. And the lessons learned are too numerous and too complex to ever articulate. It feels at times that he has completely dumped all of myself out and is replacing it with a new me. He has such a patient and loving and personal way about him. I will forever be grateful and full of praise to him for all of this. I do not understand why this had to happen to our family. To be perfectly honest, I do not even like that it happened. But I want his way more than my way, and therefore I will continue to seek him with every fiber of my being.



A few months ago, Gwen recommended the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I bought it right before Derrick's accident, but I did not read it until this past week. This is a book written directly from and to my heart. I just kept reading passages to Wayne and he would say, "That's what I've been trying to say." Suffice it to say, God is definately beginning another journey for us. More details later. And if you haven't read this book, read it now! If defines the core of our purpose. It explains the purpose of our being. If you have ever looked at God and said, "Is this really all there is to it?", read this book to hear HIM answer you. Seriously.



Please continue to pray for our family as we situate ourselves into this new normal. We will not fall, but the walking is tough some days. We love you all!

Thank You for praying

Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers. Derrick passed away Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 11:00pm. He was only 25. We have services today and tomorrow. We beg you to remember us and pray for us.

Our son-in-law, (Hannah's husband, Derrick) has been in a horrific car accident. There is severe injury to his brain. Please, please, pray.

Spring!

Oh yes! Today is officially the first day of spring. Can you hear the angels rejoicing? After a long winter of being cooped up indoors, I am ready to move as much of our life as possible into the great outdoors. I am cleaning up our patio to prepare for dinners to be eaten out there. I am ready to reinstate our Sunday afternoon bar-b-que ritual. We have already fired up the chiminea. I love this time of year. It just feels like everything is being born again. Life is beginning everywhere you look. It is a very hopeful time of year that births many new plans in my busy little mind as well. My biggest goal right now is to create a new vegetable garden. We had a nice garden last year even though we didn't get it put out until June. But that small garden provided me a new passion: CANNING. I love it. We were able to put up quite a few green beans, jellies, and SALSA. Oh there is nothing like fresh salsa. After my supply was devoured, store bought just was not the same. So thoughts of a garden are foremost in my mind. However since last year, my sweet and sexy husband has built a pond where our garden was located. So I will spend today making the decision of where to build our new large veggie garden. Wayne has given me several ideas that will work well, but I am supposed to make the decision. So exploring I go.....

One year....

Can it really be that my baby has been home one year? One year ago, we stood in a stuffy room with several others and chaotically received one of the biggest gifts of our life. That gift came to us in a very loud package. She grieved hard and fast and loud for the first 24 hours. Then it was as if she said, "OK, I'm in." Even after a year, I do not believe that I fully comprehend what all God is revealing to me through Sydney. He has taught me that:

~He knows me

~He knows my dreams and desires better than I do

~His plan for my life is what I want

~When I let go of control, that is when things are good

~I can not create anything that compares to what He has for me

~I do not need to be understood by the world

~I can depend on Him to walk me through uncertain areas

~The things of God are the only things worth pursuing

~Nothing is impossible with him

~His timing is perfect

~His love is perfect and personal and individual

~He hears every word I say to Him

~Even when I reject Him, He loves me

~Even when I complicate things, He still wants me

~He has a plan for my life

All these lessons came as a beautiful gift. I will forever praise You for leading our family down this road. When I stop to think about how scared we were and how misunderstood we were, I gasp. Usually in my life, I would have backed out when face with all that fear and confusion. I easily could have missed this. Thank You for leading and entrusting and guiding and pushing me to go forward. I will forever praise You for this:

The Simple Woman's Daybook - March 16 Edition

For Today -

Out side my window...I have newly filled bird feeders patiently waiting to be feasted on.

I am thinking...that I love adding this daybook to my blog. I love how it makes me stop and think and ponder and wonder.

I am thankful for...my sweet Asian baby celebrating tomorrow her one year anniversary of joining our family. We were forever changed on that day. God has used her to light us up with a passion for orphans. If I stop to think of how I could have missed this.....

From the learning rooms...knowing that I am not capable is an unbelievably peaceful thing.

From the kitchen...coffee patiently warming and waiting.

I am wearing...my new pjs! Thank you Grandma! (Don't judge me, they are nice and it's Monday.)

I am creating...a new body.

I am going...to the bank today to deposit some extra money. Thank you Jesus.

I am reading..Proverbs.

I am hoping...for an answer this week.

I am hearing...the birds outside discussing whether or not the feeders are safe.

Around the house...several mountains of laundry and a sticky kitchen floor are awaiting. (Sweet tea spill that the kids "cleaned it all up, really")

One of my favorite things is...long talks outside around the fire.

A few plans for the rest of the week...one basketball game, two volleyball games, Fireproof Bible study, and walking.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

From this:

To this:

We've come a long way, baby!

Check these out!

I just wanted to let you all know about 2 great families that are fundraising for their next adoptions! The Oatsvall family is a sweet, sweet family that radiates God's love for orphans. I have been honored to follow along on their journey. They have taught me many thing without even trying. Just reading their story will bless you! Go here to meet them and here to shop! Also another sweet and crazy adoption mama has started a t-shirt business to help orphans. This family is a wonderful military family with a ton of sweet kiddos and making room for one more. Her love for orphans will inspire even the most doubtful heart. Spend just a little bit of time on her sight and you will be rejuvenated and empowered with a big "I can do this" attitude. Go here to meet her and here to shop!