Depraved Indifference

This video speaks volumes to my heart. I hope you will watch and be moved. I pray that God might continue to open our eyes to those around us in need. Those here in this community, state, country, and world. That he may help us to view others daily as he does.

A Sister? From Ethiopia?!? A Post by Gracie

In May I found out that I would have another sibling. That him or her would be from Africa. I was so excited, I thought 3 SIBLINGS!! Now November, we have done paperwork, rummage sales, trips, and made sacrifices.

Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

(It's on my wall in my room)

So I believe that God has placed a lot of strength in us and has made our family strong.

Ephesians 1:5 says he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

I think since we have started adopting all of our family has grown a lot closer to him. Alex has been like a rope pulling us closer and closer to her and to him.

Every night at dinner this month we have been stating what we are thankful for; daddy and mommy are thankful for our family, me for family and friends, Delaney for Jesus, and every night Genna for ALEX!!!

Finally I want to share one of my favorite verses.

Jesus says my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in WEAKNESS.

2Corinthians 12:9

That means to me even though the adoption might be hard, in the end our power in the adoption will end up almost perfect through Christ!

Thanks, Gracie (11)

A Lifetime of Thanksgiving

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17

That was just an excerpt of Colossians chapter 3 that instructs us as believers to put away our old ways and take on the new image given through our rebirth in Christ. This passage makes it very clear that we are to live with a constant heart of gratitude. That we are to focus our hearts intently on Christ in all things and at all times. Doing everything as an act of praise and thanks.

Webster's dictionary defines Thanksgiving as the act of giving thanks; a prayer expressing gratitude; a public acknowledgement or celebration of divine goodness.

My prayer for this Thanksgiving Day is that we not make the celebration a one day event based on the history of this country. But in turn that we approach each day as a day of thanksgiving. A day when we are grateful in our prayers, actions, and acknowledgement of God.

~ANDREA

Anything Else? Thanks & Praise

Oh what a week! I started out the week being sick. I had fever, body aches, headache, and swollen throat. I was off two days of work and spent most of the time laying around like a slug. Complete with slimy clothes and hair...uugh! I had no motivation or energy to do anything. Wednesday I went back to work with no fever but still some symptoms, by Thursday I felt much better.

Early in the week my cell phone started going out. Continuous dropped calls, text messages coming in hours late, and the phone shutting down even with a full charge. I use my cell phone not only as my basic phone but also for work. Midweek my van started making loud, shrieking sounds anytime it was running. On Friday, the dryer quit. Oh my, what a week!!

I was excited that we had plans on Friday night to work a booth with our Senior High group from church. The annual county Christmas festival was this weekend. We sold white chocolate covered popcorn and dipped pretzels. The group had decided that all of the proceeds would go to by a gift through Samaritan's Purse. A goat is what one of our girls had set her eyes on to buy for a family in a third world country.

Saturday Josh, Gbug, D, and I watched the Christmas parade and enjoyed the decorations at Memorial park. We even stopped by the appliance store to order the new washer and dryer, which wasn't in our budget plans.

All in all the week turned out to be fine. As hard as it is at times to not let life's circumstances get to you, it is vital that we remember the blessings that abound. We have been given life. Not only the one we live here and now but the promise of an eternal one. So each day my prayer is that our family will choose to remember where true joy comes from and that above all worldly things it will prevail.

I am: Thankful that God chose to accept me as his child. Thankful for a heavenly father that loves me in spite of me. Thankful for the gift of his word and the Holy Spirit to guide me. Thankful that I was given another week with my family. Thankful we are free of illness. Thankful I am able to work and be in the ministry. Thankful for the freedom to worship. Thankful for the friends God has placed in my life. Thankful for more then I could ever put down on this page.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I hope you all have a wonderful week of family, friends, and Thanksgiving. ~Andrea

The Beginning of the Wait

We have been on the wait list for only about 3 weeks and I am already ready to go pick up my child! I know, I know it is going to take time and I know the Lord's time is perfect. BUT that still doesn't make me want to wait any longer! Maybe if I could even just hop a plane and go visit Ethiopia and the orphanage I would have a little more patience. That would be easy to set up right?
I do fully believe that His plan for our family is perfect and His timing is perfect. I also know that looking back over the course of my life even the things that were hard or that I struggled with He used them to mold me and steer me in the right direction. SO I know that everything is in His hands. I just feel very idle right now. My longing for our child is even stronger. I feel as though a piece of our family is missing. I don't know what she looks like, how tall she is, what her age is or much about her at all. I just she has been growing in my heart and I desire to hold her in my arms.
Another verse that I hold tucked in my heart: but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.... Isaiah 40:31

What am I Willing to Sacrifice?

My thoughts have been going crazy lately. I have been challenging my own desires and questioning where my heart really lies. What does my life say? What do my daily activities say about my passion? What does my sacrifice reveal about me? Does my sacrifice or offering cost me anything? Does my sacrifice hurt? What am I willing to surrender? That I may live my life in complete accordance to God's will. Am I willing to give up the world and the world's desires? Am I willing to give my own desires? Am I will to live in a place of discomfort and affliction? Am I willing to follow His example and go outside the city?

And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:12-16