Saturday, May 30, 2009

Sigh of relief!

I was never really worried, but its always a relief to finally get word and to ultimately talk to my beauty and know she and Kalyn have made it to their destination. We had but a few brief moments, but it was enough to know they were ok. The trip has gone well, except for Kalyn fighting motion sickness most of the journey (it is better now that she is in Uganda). There was also the very bad news that Shonni's new and expensive camera was stolen while on layover in South Africa (thus photos of the trip are going to be very limited-bummer). Other than that they were just very tired and ready to get some rest before begining their week+ of serving tomorrow.
Thanks again for all of the prayer support. Me and the wee ones are holding up fine, doing much of nothing today, but getting ready for church tomorrow. I have just two days before my two nieces take over for me while I head off for a business trip for a few days. Depending on the weather we will hit the park and/or a movie (Up!)-and do some yard work (hey, I have lots of helpers, so I am going to take advantage of their help while I can!)
What is always amazing during times like these (travel adventures, losing cameras, separation, daddy playing Mr. Mom, etc) is how faithful God is and how His peace prevails. Regardless of the circumstances He remains faithful and His love endures. Our prior trials and tribulations have strengthed our faith to know that there is more going on than what we can see. Rather than getting caught up in the circumstances, if we will press on in faith in who God is and not trust in or rely on our own knowledge, strength, or abilities then God will move in His own way and He will prevail, every single time!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Ghostly faces

Landon
Garett

Kiana


Caresse


Kalyn's camera has this setting that makes you look like a ghost and these are some pics I took.
I'm really glad Kalyn and Mom got to go on this trip together. While they are gone it will be the first time that Kalyn has not been here to help watch the kids when Mom and Dad are both gone.
Me and my cousins will be watching the kids for three days while my Dad is gone on a buisnnes trip. So I hope we can control them. = )

Uganda or Bust

Wow - what a couple of days it has been! This is Shonni's husband, Steve, guest blogging for her while she and Kalyn are away! To say their Uganda adventure began as a trial would be putting it mildly. The plan was for them to leave Wednesday night. They were all packed and ready. We showed up at the check in desk, all eight kids in tow, full of excitement, only to be hit with the unexpected-Kalyn was not going to be allowed to travel. Her US passport, which was still good for two more months, would not be accepted by Uganda. Uganda, like a handful of other countries, has a requirement that a passport be good for six months after a visit to their country. There was no way around it and there was no way Shonni was going without her so we prayed, begged, pleaded and rescheduled their trip to leave Thursday night. Our only hope was to go to the US passport office in Denver, first thing Thursday morning and see if they would give Kalyn an emergency new passport. There was no guarantee.

So we put the ladies up in a hotel for the night in Denver (needless to say there were very discouraged). Me and the rest of the brood headed home. I got an email prayer request out and got all of the necessary documents together. Driving back to Denver early the next morning, with a van full of very tired kiddos, we headed to the passport office. Thankfully all went amazingly smooth and we had Kalyn's new passport by 11:30am. We could breath easy! We got the word out to everyone and even reached the rest of the team, who was already in London. After lunch it was off to the airport, early, to make sure there would be no more problems!

They left last night at 8:30 and are in London now (I have not heard from them, but I know they are there!) Tonight they will fly to South Africa and then make a connection to Uganda on Saturday. They are arriving a day and a half behind the rest of the mission team, but they will get there! Sorry for the lack of photos, but I promise to have some the next entry, along with tales of the mom minus the momms and big sister. As I get word from Shonni and Kalyn I will update on them as well. Bless ya'll!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

no pictures- I'm sorry

Sweet family and friends, Kalyn and I, with a concerned husband, and 8 anxious children are heading to Denver for Kalyn and I to get on the airplane headed for London and then UGANDA!!! We are so excited and leaving my babies is so hard...my sweet husband and my other daughter will be keeping you up to date...
Thank you for your prayers....
Shonni and Kalyn

From Kalyn-Thoughts From the Heart

Do not turn your back even for an instant on sin! For before you now it Pride has found a voice again and Jealousy a foot hold. Do not rest your hold on them or open the door even a crack to them. For they shall slip in as silently as shadows and regain control before you are aware of it. You may throw Pride out the door and bind greed with the chains of steel but even one slip and they shall be at you again. Do not think that because you have fought the battle once you wont fight it again. That's just what the devil wants you to think. And while your back is turned he shall regain your heart. So keep alert! Do not fall into the peaceful sleep of oblivion! Stay alert! And let your king lead you into battle! Hold tight to our Kinds banner!
For He will sustain you through battle. Never for our names but for His!
Let us draw near to Him and His comfort. Let us seek him like a gem and lock Him away in our hearts. He is not a God who remains silent when we need Him. Shh...listen...can't you hear Him knocking at your heart; holding your hand; picking you up and carrying you over sharp stones that pierce the body and cute your heart.

Each of us try to be what we are not and are not satisfied with who we are. The hand cannot become an ear and hear and the heart cannot become the mind.
Our Pride tells us we can do everything and anything can be ours. But when we find what we have sought after in this world we find that it cannot satisfy.

The world tells us that once we have riches and glory and everything we dreamed of we will be happy. But its an allusion; a fantasy that evaporates into thin air and leaves us at rock bottom. They cannot fill the space in our hearts that is empty.

We long for a kind word; an understanding and caring someone who cares about us. We long to be accepted for who we are instead of what we are not. We need peace and reassurance and a safe place where we can go and be at peace. Because we are loved and special to someone. We need to go home. To our Father. Who loves each and every one of us and cares about us and knows who we are and who we are made to be.

Romans 12: 4-8
"For just as there are many parts that compose one body, but the parts don't all have the same function; so there are many of us, and in union with the Messiah we comprise one body, with each of us belonging to the others. But we have gifts that differ and which are meant to be used according to the grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, us it to the extent of your trust; if it is serving, use it to sense, if you are a teacher, use your gift in teaching; if you are a counselor, use your gift to comfort and exhort; if you are someone who gives, do it simply and generously; it you are in a position of leadership, lead with diligence and zeal, if you are one who does acts of mercy, do them cheerfully."

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Two Things I Love To Photograph (I May Cheat)

I love macro photography...
especially of beautiful colors....
the details are so amazing....from the outside to the inside...
there is so much beauty for the eye to see..
so many stunning colors...and the second thing that I love is clouds....
almost magical...
O.K., so I just have to post something else I love to take pictures of...
I told you I might cheat...did you know that dirt shows up MORE on a black child than a white one?
No dirt on this little beauty!!!!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Another Year

Here is our precious Gareet...seven years old...praying that he doesn't get burned so young in life....


happy that he survived the lighting of the candles...

loving on his gifts...for all he knows they are empty boxes...it wouldn't matter to him...he's just happy that it is his day...

I'm really working hard to get a good picture, but Caresse's picture will be better, because she has her tongue in the "getting a good picture" position...

see?


Garett loves art, so he was very excited that the boxes were not empty.


Each child is a gift from the LORD...we are so thankful to get to be the parents of this precious young man!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Go

This is how Alia likes to help me in the kitchen. Isn't it so cute.
I have so many sweet things that the LORD has been speaking to me as I get ready for this mission trip to Uganda. I know that it is silly, but I was asking God how/what do I do to serve Him on this mission trip. I read the Bible, prayed and asked for quite some time. I am sure now that He was smiling and listening to my questioning heart. I have been to Africa before, but I was going to bring home a little one. So this is different, and I so want to be prepared to serve Him and them.
"He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11
I felt He said "What are you doing now?"..."I am mothering my little ones, teaching them about you, loving them, ministering with my husband as we love on others around us and our family."
He said "Just do what you are doing now, what I have made you to do."
So my prayer is;
"May I love others as Jesus loves me, that all people will know that I am your disciple. (Jn 13:34-35).
May my eyes be open to love, my heart ready to give, my whole self ready to serve! I can get so selfish...LORD, forgive me, and help me...for YOUR GLORY! Amen"I am so grateful to the LORD that we have this extra super nutritional drink to take to our new mission friends to help their sweet children be healthier. This is a drink that my parents and their friends have taken to S. Africa to help the orphans there. Joeliana was really sick when she came home and we have been blessed to have this drink to help her little immune system get stronger. What a wonderful feeling to know that the LORD will help these little Ugandan children become strong and healthy as they are raised for HIS GLORY AND SERVICE.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Be Careful Little Feet Where You Go

Oh, be careful little feet where you go....
Oh, be careful little feet where you go...
cause Mama spent the whole day cleaning the house....
and she wants it to stay nice and clean!!!
(It's funner to read if you sing the little song in your head...if you don't know the song...sorry)

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Grateful/Thankful Thursday


"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10.

I am grateful for the Word of God that speaks to my heart what I need to hear!




"Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man. Psalm 66:5

I am grateful for God's beautiful world and little ones to see it with; they both nurture my spirit and fill me with joy.



"For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11


I am so grateful that He sends His angels to guard us; this promise gives me peace.









"The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand: you satisfy the desire of every living things." Psalm 145:15-16
I am so grateful that as I look to my Heavenly Father, He provides for not only what I need for physical health, but also what I need for emotional health...He cares about my desires (for His Glory) which gives me purpose.


He Is Enough

This is written by one of the dads that is going on the Uganda mission team with us. Even if you aren't going on the trip with us, I think that what he wrote could be so refreshing and encouraging for anyone!
So go visit Justin at his blog.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Look what We Found


Thank you so much for your prayers for Corban. He is still sick and has fever, however, the children have been looking so forward to going to the mountains, that I gave Corban all his meds and Tylenol and we headed west.
We had a wonderful time. I will post more pictures tomorrow...but for now....
Daddy, look what I found!!! Wouldn't this make a great table base? And it is huge. So when can you come get it?


Monday, May 18, 2009

Please pray!!!


Landon loving on his new brother, Corban.

Landon, reading to Corban, while he sits for his breathing treatment. Landon has the most gentle and tender spirit I think I have ever seen.
I have not posted much lately...we are just a short week from leaving on our mission trip, and to be honest, I have felt stressed finishing up our school year and getting ready to leave my husband with our children while we are gone.

My sweet miracle, Garett, turns SEVEN, tomorrow, and I was going to take them to our favorite hiking place for the day (beautiful Colorado, wild flowers, and a stream...who could want more?). I just feel like I need this time with them before I am gone. Our precious Corban began to have asthma problem 1 1/2 years ago and we have been in and out of the hospital many times with him. Finally, these last 6 months we have found the right combination of medicines to keep us home when he become sick. Yesterday, when he began to have "his symptoms", I did everything I have learned to do with meds and breathing treatment to stop them. Tonight his fever is climbing and he is not doing at all well, and as mommies with an asthmatic knows, the night time can be the worst time! We have been in the hospital so many times with him and it is so frustrating to do everything I know to do and still watch him get so sick and not be able to breath...I never sleep well when he is sick, because I always have a hand on his chest to feel how he is doing!
Please pray for us right now...I love God so much, and I hope it isn't wrong to say that at the same time, I am feeling weighed down....
I have been reading and praying so many Psalms right now and they give me strength, however, I also know that the prays of friends and family helps us in times of stress.
Thank you so much,
And I know I am bragging, but aren't those pictures of my two sons the cutest!!!!
love you all.

I Love Faces



This week’s theme at I Love Faces is: "My Favorite Face Photo" for the "Blurb Photo Book” Contest.

I am entering this one in the amateur catagory. I just love the feel of this photo with Caresse "set apart" from the background, yet the color of the back ground "sets off" Caresse.


Be sure to visit I Love Faces to join the fun!


"I am submitting this photo into the http://www.iheartfaces.com/ Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites."

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Boys oh Boys!!!




I was grateful that I could do an article for Rainbowkids to encourage more families to adopt boys. There is such a need...so many boys (much more than girls) wait for their forever families for no other reason then their gender. It is so sad to me...I pray that more families would be open to adopting these precious ones! May we all work together to be a voice for them!!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Grateful/Thankful Thursday



Proverbs 14:4 "Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox."
I have always liked this verse as it reminds me that I will not have a perfectly clean house, or lack in good work to do each day because the LORD has filled our home with children.


Sooo...

I am grateful to the LORD that my "manger" is not empty ...

and grateful for the abundant crops that I have now....

and for the strength to daily labor in love for them and for HIM!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

From Kalyn-I Asked For Wonder

A few paragraphs from the book I Asked For Wonder by Abraham Joshua Heschel, and what it means to me.

Surrendering to Stillness

"We do not refuse to pray; we abstain from it. We ring the hollow bell of selfishness rather than absorb the stillness that surrounds the world, hovering over all the restlessness and fear of life-the secret stillness that precedes our birth and succeeds our death. Futile self-indulgence brings us out of tune with the gentle song of nature's waiting, of mankind's striving of salvation.

Is not listening to the pulse of wonder worth silence and abstinence from self-asserting? Why do we not set apart an hour of living for devotion to God by surrendering to stillness?

We dwell on the edge of mystery and ignore it, wasting our souls, risking our stake in God. We constantly pour our inner light away from Him, setting up the thick screen of self between Him and us, adding more shadows to the darkness that already hovers between Him and our wayward reason. Accepting surmises as dogmas and prejudices as solutions, we ridicule the evidence of life for what is more than life. Our mind has ceased to be sensitive to the wonder...

Rushing through the ecstasies of ambition, we only awake when plunged into dread or grief. In darkness, then, we grope for solace, for meaning, for prayer."

Sometime I get so caught up in the things of life that I push God of to the side. It is so easy to get wrapped up in daily life. When I am not doing school I am helping mom or the kids or just having some time to myself. I find other things I would rather be doing then listening to Gods word. Its so easy for all of us to get lost in the world. In what needs done today and what we need to buy and who needs what. We get caught up in the stress and worry of the week. Jesus actually address this subject in Matthew 6:25-34. I have read this verse several times and love it. It reminds me not to be anxious about today or tomorrow for each day is in Gods control and he has already provided for us.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Lord help me to seek first you kingdom. To fall more and more in love with You everyday. Help me to resist the temptations of the devil and to not worry about life but to leave it in Your capable hands. Help me to discipline my heart and mind and to surrender to stillness and just listen to You. To listen to the voice of nature, to stop and just look around me. At the majestic mountains, the bubbling rivers, the colorful flowers, the wind blowing through the tree tops. I love living in this amazing world You have given us to enjoy.
Every time I look around I think of Psalms 19.
"The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims His handiwork."
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