Finally Forever

My husband amazes me constantly.  He just wrote an opening to the book of revelation and co-wrote a song inspired by the book.  Listen/watch here

The Least of these

We still don't have a referral for our kids but we're already thinking how we can adopt more soon!

Cute Rain Gutter Bookshelves

I ran across these adorable and economical rain gutter bookshelves.  Cute!  Down the road I'd love to put these in the basement.  I like the idea of the kids seeing the front of the books and being drawn to read more often than they would seeing the side of the book spine.

If you are interested in making them yourself here is the link.

God at work

God provides for us always.  Sometimes it's at 11:59 p.m. before the clock strikes midnight.

I'm thankful that God is always at work.  This week my sister-in-law and soon to be brother in law donated their car to us (the same night we were about to purchase a van).

We've been applying for adoption grants and just last night met with some friends who were able to put in a good word for us concerning one of the grants.

My husband kept his word in a potentially difficult situation (in spite of his selfish wife urging him to do otherwise - thankful Drew listens to God more than me:)

I've felt overwhelmed by the friends and family God has provided to be encouraged with us about adoption.

So why was it on Wednesday night I was in tears unable to see how everything would work out.  I've felt sad this week thinking of how often I have NO perspective in the crucial hours when it's most needed.  I'm not totally sure why I get that way.  I know the truth is that even if I face death itself that I have hope that will never pass.

Drew and I have been listening to a Josh Garrels song called Ulysses all week.



I'm holding on to the hope that one day this could be made right
I've been shipwrecked, and left for dead, and I have seen the darkest sights
Everyone I've loved seems like a stranger in the night
But oh my heart still burns, tells me to return, and search the fading light

I'm sailing home to you I won't be long
By the light of moon I will press on
Until, I find, my love

Trouble has beset my ways, and wicked winds have blown
Sirens call my name, they say they'll ease my pain, then break me on the stones
But true love is the burden that will carry me back home
Carry me with the, memories of the, beauty I have known

I'm sailing home to you I won't be long
By the light of moon I will press on

So tie me to the mast of this old ship and point me home
Before I lose the one I love, before my chance is gone
I want to hold, her in, my arms 

Once again I find myself running home to my God who is love. Always forgiving, restoring, blessing because of the finished work of Jesus.  Freedom to hope.

Give them Grace

This summer has been so refreshing to my soul.  I have seen my husband renewed and restored with rest and reading good books.  Drew and I have had lots of time to be together and enjoy our friends and family.  I have done a few home projects like refinishing our dining room table and spray painting the brass chandelier over that table cream.

The kids I get to take care of have been so precious and hilarious all at the same time.  Life is very funny with little kids around.

Drew bought me a book that I have been L-O-V-I-N-G!  I want to buy a copy for every single parent I know.  It's called Give Them Grace- Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson.

I'm only a few chapters in but already my heart is inspired by their words.  I was telling Drew that every other parenting book I have read has had some helpful ideas in it but usually I walk away thinking how will I ever remember all of that!  Defeat sets in quickly after.  This book has been so different.  It builds upon what God says is true of the human condition and how that condition is rescued.  One phrase that has been ringing in my head from the book is, "everything that is not gospel is law, everything that is not gospel is law."

This morning I was reading from Genesis.  When God created man and woman he said it was VERY GOOD!  Humans were in God's likeness and it was very good.  Very quickly when Adam and Eve chose not to believe that truth, disobedience entered into the world and so did brokenness.  We've been trying ever since to figure out how we can be called good again.  The self esteem movement in the 50's and 60's that reinforced this idea still lingers today.

The truth is that there has only been one good parent and one good son- God and Jesus Christ.  By believing in Jesus' work for us we are not only forgiven our wrong doing but also credited with his righteousness.

This is the premise of not only what I believe but what I want to point our children to.  There is hope but it's not in ourselves it's in Jesus alone.

I will never cease to be refreshed by that message!

When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God.  God brought you alive- right along with Christ!  Think of it!  All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. (Col. 2:13-14 Message)

But you...

<sup>Jude.


The other weekend our friend and Pastor Troy taught on the book of Jude.  I have never looked much at this book but was touched by a few things.  


This whole book is an exhortation to a group of people following Jesus to fight against false teaching.  The part that struck me was at the very end of book that in light of all this false teaching, what they themselves should focus on.




"20</sup>But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. ²²And have mercy on those who doubt; ²³save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Doxology

 ²⁴ Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, ²⁵to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (emphasis mine)


This past week I was feeling off.  Everything felt a lot harder than it normally does.  Even doing laundry felt overwhelming and all I have to do is turn a knob.  I can so quickly forget that my emotions don't need to dictate how I live.  Mine often do!  Hearing these words gave me hope to focus on building myself up in faith.   I forget so quickly that it is a fight to renew my mind in what is true.  


I loved the part that says "keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."  Often I just assume being in God's love will just happen to me.  But Jude taught the early church that they must KEEP themselves there by reminding themselves of God's love found in Jesus.  I want to dwell there but it is a fight at times!


After some strong words about false teachers I am so moved by how God desires mercy.  "Have mercy on those who doubt."  Some weeks it's me that needs the mercy.  I am so moved by how God loves mercy and is so patient with me and humanity.  He is always at work wanting people to know His love.  I'm still in awe that Jesus was and is real and that He walked on this earth.  Everything I learn about God makes me wonder more about how deep He is and yet how a child can know His love.


So thankful that verse 24 reminds me that it is Him who is able to do all of this.  My sustainer.  I need one. 

Easy Child Sized Teepee $20 or less

I'm so excited after coming home from Joann's Fabric today.  I'm going to attempt making this child sized Teepee.  You actually don't even have to sew it at all!  We'll see how it goes:)