I'm a Wreck...

It hit me out of nowhere this morning.  I was breezing through my day when my thoughts suddenly wandered to Ethiopia.  I saw, in my mind, a picture of Sam's birth mom (or what I dream she might look like) and began the decent into her heart.  I have never met her, but I pray someday I will.  I can only imagine what the emptiness of losing her son might feel like.  I don't know the circumstances that led to Sam being left abandoned in the street, but I do know that there are a myriad of reasons that might have led to such a desperate act.  I am wrecked thinking about her. 

Adoption is amazing.  I believe that God brought Sam into our family for His great glory.  Not only in rescuing Sam, but in rescuing us from a life of complacency.  I believe God wants me to be a wreck!  I believe God wants each of us to be a wreck!!

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2Cor 4:12

I can no longer see life as a place to grab a spot and make it as comfortable and as stress free as possible.  In seeing her pain, I see the purpose God has for me.  To surrender my weaknesses to him and allow His power to be unleashed through me.  Through this jar of clay!  To love others like He loves me and be used by Him to "rescue the weak and needy".  (Psalm 82:4)  Lord, give me your courage and use my life for Your glory.  I want to come to the end broken and spent!

Madison turns 13....

Abby is Nine!!

Birthday Boys

A little late on the boy's birthday questionnaires. They are getting sooo big!!

Ethiopia 2012 Slideshow

Each time we are blessed to travel to Ethiopia God teaches me so much. His goodness and His sovereignty in all things was my major lesson this trip. Amidst the poverty and disease God is working in Ethiopia. He is making so much beautiful in the lives of the people there. Where we see dirty clothes, He has made clean hearts. Hearts that love and give and value one another. Where we see empty stomachs, He has fed empty souls with true joy and contentment that food will never bring. He makes beautiful things and I so want to see the beauty through His eyes.

OOOOPs...

I meant to post these for each birthday month (when I actually asked them the questions), but I guess it's better late than never! These are recorded word for word. :)


Sam July 10th

** maybe he'll be old enough to answer the questions next year! :)


Max August 11th

How old are you? 6

What makes you happy? when people be nice to me and give me presents

What is your favorite animal? snake

What is your favorite thing to eat? tootsie pop

What is your least favorite thing to eat? grass

What is your favorite thing to do? pray to God

What is your favorite TV show? Tom and Jerry

What are you really good at? baseball

What is your favorite movie? The Santa Clause 2

What is your favorite color? green

What is your favorite song? Sweet Little Jesus Boy, Born in a Manger

Who is your best friend? Jonathan or God...hmmmmmmm

What do you and your mom do together? go on dates

What do you and your Dad do together? play

What is your favorite sport? this is gonna be tricky...soccer

Where is your favorite place to go? Chuck E. Cheezits

What is your favorite book? books about trains

What do you want to be when you grow up? a train conductor


Abby Sept 19th

How old are you? 8

What makes you happy? when I get Jesus into my heart forever

What is your favorite animal? lots...dogs, horses, hampsters, sheep, fish ponies

What is your favorite thing to eat? cake, ice cream, pizza, nachos

What is your least favorite thing to eat? peppers

What is your favorite thing to do? ride horses

What is your favorite TV show? Ant Farm, Good Luck Charlie

What are you really good at? gymnastics

What is your favorite movie? Tarzan

What is your favorite color? rainbow colors, turquoise

What is your favorite song? Christian songs

Who is your best friend? Camryn (her cousin)

What do you and your mom do together? girls night out at the tea room

What do you and your Dad do together? play

What is your favorite sport? gymnastics

Where is your favorite place to go? skating rink and to ride horses

What is your favorite book? Bible

What do you want to be when you grow up? a mother



Madison January 3rd

How old are you? 12

What makes you happy? hanging out with family

What is your favorite animal? dog

What is your favorite thing to eat? chicken pot pie, pizza, mac-n-cheese

What is your least favorite thing to eat? celery

What is your favorite thing to do? read and play games

What is your favorite TV show? Wizards of Waverly Place

What are you really good at? being compassionate

What is your favorite movie? Meet the Robinsons

What is your favorite color? blue (turquoise)

What is your favorite song? Christian songs...I like them all

Who is your best friend? Emma

What do you and your mom do together? mommy/daughter dates

What do you and your Dad do together? play Wii

What is your favorite sport? swimming

Where is your favorite place to go? Disney World

What is your favorite book? that is hard...Nancy Drew series, 39 clues series, I like mysteries

What do you want to be when you grow up? a missionary

How Can This Be?????

Max is six years old! Six?!?! That takes two hands to show and is, to me, a big change from little boy to big boy.

Here are six things I love about my precious son...

1. You love life. You are a silly, willy, nilly little boy who loves to laugh and have fun.

2. You have a gentle heart. You cannot walk past Sam without giving him a hug (even when he doesn't really want one). Your nature is to bring comfort when you see a need.

3. You are quick to forgive. You never carry a grudge long, even when you were wronged and you know it. You would rather accept the apology and make the other sibling feel better after they had to apologize to you.

4. You adore your Daddy. Although there are a few jealous strings to this one I can truly say it warms my heart to know how much you look up to your Daddy. This relationship your Daddy has with you is going to be the foundation of how much you understand how much your heavenly Father adores you.

5. You are a little engineer. You can figure out some of the most difficult puzzles. You are always trying to figure out how something works and you love explaining it to us.

6. You have an amazing smile. Your happiness and smile are contagious. Your joy is so authentic that it rubs off on others. I love you and am so blessed that God allowed me to be your mommy!!