Our Adoption Journey Begins

Brian and I have had a heart for orphans ever since we got married 14+ years ago.  We have prayed many times over those years about whether it was time for us to start the adoption process but we didn't feel that God was telling us we should move down that road. That is until just recently.  God's direction seems to be taking us to Ethiopia in search of "our little blessing" that He would have us add to our family.  We are still sorting out all the details and initial paperwork that must be started in order to eventually be placed with our child but we wanted to request your prayers as we begin this exciting yet foreign process.

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed." Psalm 82:3

Complaints

Wow, do I complain way too much.  Oh, my legs bother me.  I'm tired.  The weather is too hot or too cold.  I could find a thousand things to complain about each day.  I may not verbalize each complaint but they are still marring me.  I can feel them color my view.  But what does God have to say about my tendency to complain?

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Oh, I do quote the verse to my kids but how often do I quote the verse to myself?  Well, let's just say, not nearly enough!  God convicted me of my discontented heart.  I felt like He was asking me a question.

"Debby, when you complain don't you see that you are taking Me off My throne?  You are showing Me that you doubt My plan."

My complaints convey to God that I don't think He knows what He is doing.  He doesn't expect us to walk around with a smile on our face 24 hours a day but I do believe He wants our hearts to rest in His sovereignty.  He CAN be trusted.  I pray we all trust Him today no matter where He has us.

Philippians 2 is a good read if you want to meditate more on what God has to say about the ramifications of a contented heart.

S.E.L.L.

"Stop.  Empty your hands.  Look.  Listen."

I found these steps in one of the kid's Listening Skills book.  The book tries to teach students to not only hear someone (their teacher) talking but to actually listen to their teacher.  I try frequently to get my children to follow these 4 simple steps.  It can be frustrating at times but when they follow them, we are both rewarded.  I receive obedience and they don't receive a consequence.

This week I was reading through Psalm 27.  Verse 14 says,

Wait for the Lord;  Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. 

It was as if the Lord said to me, "S.E.L.L., Debby.  Stop.  Empty your hands.  Look.  Listen."  I think the waiting that David is talking about in this verse means more than God's timing not being our own.  I think God wants us to stop what we are doing.  Empty our hands of whatever is distracting us.  Look, actually put our eyes on God. And listen for HIS voice, HIS leading in our lives.

May we receive the blessing that comes from waiting for the Lord.

Fall Risk

When I was admitted into the hospital last Sunday morning, I was given a bracelet which read:

It seemed so surreal to me to have this placed on me.  I am a 33yr old, healthy, well... I was a healthy young woman.  Or so I thought.  Now I was being told I was a "fall risk".  "I'm not old," I told myself.  How ridiculous to have this label.  The more I stared at my new bracelet the more I thought about these two tiny words.  They told the world that I wasn't stable.  I needed assistance.  I am used to helping others but not needing it myself.  It was so humbling.

How many of us are walking around, trying to do everything on our own when in reality, we are a "fall risk"?  We need a Savior to catch us when we fall, not if.  I pray today that each of us sees our constant need for the One who Saves.   

Psalm 55:16 I shall call upon God, And the LORD will save me.

My skills fall short

My Savior My God by Aaron Shust

I am not skilled to understand

What God has willed, what God has planned

I only know at His right hand

Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed

Christ died to save me; this I read

And in my heart I find a need

Of Him to be my savior

That He would leave His place on high

And come for sinful man to die

You count it strange, so once did I

Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, My Savior lives

My Savior's always there for me

My God: He was, my God; He is

My God is always gonna be

Yes, living, dying, let me bring

My strength, my solace from this spring;

That He who lives to be my King

Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high

And come for sinful man to die

You count it strange, so once did I

Before I knew my Savior

I really like the first part of this song.  I am NOT skilled to understand what God has in his amazing plan but I have a Savior in heaven who sits with God and intercedes for me.  I am so thankful for the grace and love extends to me.  I don't have to know the reasons for everything that He does.  I just have to trust Him and He will give me peace.  He knows all that is going on or ever will.  He's got this all under control no matter what the outcome.

for HIS glory!

New Beginnings

I write this post from a place of humility.  My God has humbled me.  And it stings a bit.  I feel saddened for my lack of focus.  You see, I've been so prideful when it comes to my physical ability to move around.  I've been prideful that I can run and walk (quickly).  I LOVE to run and walk and to move but God has taken that away from me.  He knows just exactly what we need so that we can hear Him best.  And yes, He has gotten my attention.  I am so thankful that even though I fail Him He still draws me to Himself.  He refines me to be the woman He has called me to be.  I pray you hear Him today.  Calling you.  Drawing you close to Him.  Refining your rough edges.  Our God reigns!

for His glory!

God's beautiful creation

I just spent about a week in Kentucky with my in-laws.  While we were there we were able to hike around two of the KY state parks.  Above is a shot of one of the natural bridges.  It was so cool to be able to walk across it.  Mind you it was also a bit nerve racking having your children with you since there were no railings :)  We did make it safely across to the other side.  The kids loved all the exploring and climbing they got to do.  I suppose the big kids loved climbing around too :)


It was such a blessing to have been able to soak in some of the beauty God has made for us to enjoy.  I pray you get a chance to get away from your everyday life, slow down and see


“ Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”  Isaiah 6:3b and 
"...be glad and rejoice forever in what I create." Isaiah 65:18a