Were’s My Passion!!!!!!!!!

In the quiet, darkness of 5:00 a.m. I reluctantly rolled out of our warm bed with thoughts and prayers on my mind.  I much prefer to stay in our warm bed till 6:30, but the heaviness of certain problems felt crushing and instead of trying in vain to go back to sleep I decided it was better to get up and spend time reading the Bible, praying and asking Him for direction.  
I have felt so “down” lately ... wondering where my normal passion had gone.  Yes, of course, “reasons” could be given - financial tightness, broken things around the house, home educating 8 children, mothering 11, preparing for two new children to come home, Aiden’s SPD, concern that Corbin also has some learning slowness, Landon’s sickenss, Caresse’s shoulder, taking care of the home, meals, chores, laundry....
Yes, many “reasons” could be given.  And, in the “nornal” many would agree that the above list is quite - well - MUCH.  But, I KNEW, that it wasn’t the “much” of it that was getting me down because the much of it was the very reason that we choice to journey with the LORD.  Let me explain that better...plainly put, we started out passionate for children that had no family, no home and we knew what we were getting into when we signed up to follow the LORD on this adventure of ministry that He has for us.  We were and still are passionate to bring home and give a family to those that HE says are our children.  We have not put any number of children limit on the LORD and will continue to passionately open up our home and family to those that He brings.  We are passionate about loving these precious ones as He has taught us to in the Bible.  In fact, the “passion” of it all had long been my emotional mode of transportation.  In other words - what got me through each day.  
And, “dog-gone-it (Texas slong), I still believed that we were working the “field” that He had called us to.  So where was that dadgum (more Texas slang) emotional passion!!!!!  I needed it back. 
I know this is getting long....
do you want me to finish our should I wait till tomorrow?  Do you want to know what the LORD told me?  
LOL - I MIGHT be teasing you a bit....
let me know.

Would You Like To Be Apart Of Our Family Tree?

I am so excited to show you our family’s fundraiser - our Leaves Of Love Tree.  What a beautiful reminder of the love, the tears, the joy, and the work that has gone into bringing home Noelani and Clive.


 I love this fundraising idea.  Here is how it works; every person who would like to donate funds (ANY amount) to help us finance the rest of the adoption to bring home Noelani and Clive will become apart of our Love Makes A Family Tree.

 We will add a finger print for your donation and write your name with the finger print.  

How precious it will be for our children to be able to look at this art work and see all the people who loved them before they even arrived home.  So please help us put some leaves on our tree!!!  And thank you so much!!!  Donations can be received on the side at our PayPal Account or on our ChipIn.

"Noelani and Clive - You are precious and loved by us, and by your Heavenly Father.  It’s almost time to come home my sweet loves!  I can’t wait to meet you both.”

A Royal Purpose!!!

To look into the eyes of her child and know that God has put a purpose for that child here on earth--to advance the kingdom of heaven-- while glorifying the Father they serve above. Mothers are also put on earth for royal purposes, to raise children for the King; shaping and molding them to become warriors one day for the Lord. Who will not just feed the poor in secret but also help direct and change the course of a nation. History has proven time and time again, that just one person can change the course

Fuentes, June (2011-09-08). True Christian Motherhood (Kindle Locations 65-69). Kindle Edition.

What Do You Think...

Does he have just a little bit of CUTE happening, or what?

Honestly....

...these last few weeks have been hard.  And I know that many other families can say the same.  How I pray that we may encourage each other, and lift each other up in prayer.  I haven’t said much, because we haven’t been sure of what is wrong; but Landon has been in the hospital and at the Dr.’s office often the last week.  Something is wrong in his tummy, and we are still searching for answers.  So far the blood work is negative for the “bad” diseases - and that is good.  However, every day Landon is on the couch, moaning in pain, and that is bad. Tomorrow we will have an outpatient surgery looking into other possibilities.   
I hate seeing him in pain, of course, but the other stress for me has been that we just started our new home school schedule and yet, “I can’t do it all”, so the home education has to be put off for now while I take Landon to various appointments.  That means make up some where.  
And here is something interesting in a “oh my gosh, that is a monster”...

...see that mushroom shape sticking out where it says “Here”?  That is the bone spurt that is crippling Caresse’s shoulder.  I know...it’s HUGE!  We are suppose to meet with the 2nd surgeon on the 31st of this month and get a surgery plan in place.  
Now all that is good and all I can think is that “Thank goodness the LORD is in control of all things”, because if things go right Steve and I will be on an airplane to China within a few days of Caresse’s appointment to bring home Clive and Noelani.   (Do you hear my nervous, eye twitching giggle?) .
Also...(there are usually “also’s” aren’t there?)...our leach field has failed (a few thousand dollars to fix), the bladder on our well pump has broke (SEVERAL hundred - but thank you Jesus for friends who are helping us on this one), no tax refund yet...the list is overwhelming sometimes,
HOWEVER, the LORD is always faithful and always provides for His children.  So tonight, we rest in Him and we ask for prayers.  And how can I pray for you this week?  

Have You Seen This?

Have you seen Pixlr?  It is a picture editing program that I downloaded to my computer.  It is a blast!!  And fun and easy.  I like that combination!!!
Have a wonderful Monday!!!!

Go Straight Into The Danger

In order to get to a place called Laity Lodge in Texas you have to drive into a riverbed. The road takes you down a steep, rocky hill into a canyon and straight into the water. There is a sign at the water's edge which says, "Yes. You drive in the river."

One who has made up his mind to go to the uttermost with God will come to a place as unexpected and perhaps looking as impossible to travel as that riverbed looks. He may glance around for an alternative route, but if he wants what God promises His faithful ones, he must go straight into the danger. There is no other way.

The written word is our direction. Trust it. Obey it. Drive in the river and get to Laity Lodge. Moses said to Israel, "I offer you the choice of life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life and then you and your descendants will live; love the Lord your God, obey him, and hold fast to him: that is life for you."

When you take the risk of obedience, you find solid rock beneath you--and markers, evidence that someone has traveled this route before. "The Lord your God will cross over at your head... he will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not be discouraged or afraid" (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20; 31:3, 8, NEB). It's what the old gospel song puts so simply:

"Trust and obey, for there's no other way 
To be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. 
--John H. Sammis”

This devotional by Elizabeth Elliot (source - Keep a Quiet Heart) has been so encouraging to me right now!  It is true that the Bible is our written directions for any situation that we are facing right now!!!  I pray that you are encouraged as well today!!! Happy Sabbath to you all!!!