A Day of Ups and Downs...

I had a little time this afternoon to "play with" some textures that I had downloaded. It was a moment in a day of ups and downs to do something quiet that I enjoy doing. I have always loved photography, but I am not creative...I am good at "copying" what the creative people figure out. This picture seems to fit my mood tonight...hesitant to "stick my toes" in the cold waters. 
Caresse is doing great, but as many who have had surgery know, the 1st few days after are the hardest. She woke up after a great night sleep feeling wonderful, and before I could get downstairs she was crying...no major pain reason...it is the after effect of surgery, pain, and medication. I started her on the pain meds and some food...this sent Caresse into an "up" moment, and then the rest of the day went between quiet, crying, or fine. It is all normal and to be expected, still...I wish I could help her more. I took her up and put what parts of her I could in a warm bath, without getting any of her right let wet...NOT as easy as it sounds...still, it helped her back and other aches. Almost time for more pain meds, and I can tell when it is wearing off...pain meds-good for pain-hard on emotions. So, even though I know that she is doing fine, it has been an up and down day, and we are looking forward to another nights sleep.
Thank you for your sweet thoughts, comments and prayers for our family.

Surgery Over...

Thank you all so much for your prayers for Caresse today.
Here is a post surgery picture...she wanted to smile for you all and no, the baby bottle isn't for her...it is for Keshawn, whom Kalyn begged us to take with us today....LOL.
Caresse was very brave today and is very glad that it is over! She had two bone knots removed on her right leg...one under the knee and one above her foot...both were interfering with the major artery in her leg and some nerves in her leg. With the help of an amazing bone surgeon and an artery doctor to protect that part of her leg, two hours later we heard the good new that things had gone well. Caresse needed to be on oxygen for awhile, and after a time, it was decided that we could come home.

She is really hurting right now and we are using every movie at our disposal to keep her preoccupied. I think that tomorrow will be hard for her (and us), and then Caresse should be feeling better. Thank you again for your prayers and thoughts for our family. It has been a dreaded and necessary surgery and we are glad to be on the other side of it. However, the next few days will still be hard for her! I am so grateful for you all!!! Thank you from a tired and emotional mother tonight.

My Purpose/My Mission

I love how the Bible so clearly answers deep heart questions, and no doubt, many of us have wondered about our purpose; our mission. Many books have been written on this. It can seem overwhelming and confusing to some, especially if we let the world influences answer.
As I was reading John 15 (Jesus is talking about being the true vine and our need to dwell in Him),  without much thinking, I underlined vs 8 "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit." ; and I wrote above it "My purpose - that my Father is glorified. 
A little further in my reading I underlined vs. 16-17 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide....so that you will love one another."  Above this I wrote "My mission - bear fruit so that I may love others." 
I then asked a question that kind of scared me...
"How do I glorify God?" The scary part for me was the underlying thought - "If my purpose is to glorify God, how do I do that? What if I can't; what if I fail?'"
I really was afraid to ask this question!!! 
However, I did and when I did, I couldn't believe how quickly He answered me...

 

"These beautiful nighttime clouds do not work to bring glory to ME, they just do what I created them to do....and I am glorified in them."

  

The stunning colors of an ocean sunset doesn't work to bring glory to ME, it just does what I created it to do...and I am glorified."

 

These children do not work to glorify me, they are made in MY image, enjoying MY creation and I am glorified." 

 May be this is simple, but to me it was such a beautiful word from the Lord...I will glorify Him by being who He created me to be...and it really is that simple. With my gifts, talents, weaknesses, opportunities, and passions I can walk out this purpose-that He be glorified! 

Now, the second part, my mission, becomes pretty easy...to bear fruit that I may love others. I can't bear fruit on my own, which is why the LORD speaks of abiding in HIM. I am made in His image, to bring glory to Him and have been enabled by Him to walk out my mission...to bear fruit. 

What a perfect time to be studying Elohim...the Glorious Creator of all!

What Was Planned Today

This little sweetheart is having her leg surgery tomorrow. She will be on crutches and restricted activity for quite some time. Sooo, I threw our scheduled school day out the window, because when it IS warm enough here in Colorado during the winter to get out, well, you just must take advantage of it! And Caresse had a good argument to skip school, she wont be able to ride bikes for a while! 

 Kiana gave the boys a ride in the wagon...Keshawn's first time in it. 
I think we was a little nervous.



A perfectly beautiful, Colorado day. 
"Elohim, renew my sense of wonder and gratitude for the things that You have made."

God Reveals His Name

In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

Today begins our book study, Praying the Names of God. I have really been looking forward to this!
The name of the LORD that we are meditating on this week is Elohim. The LORD reveals this name immediately in Genesis 1:1. What a majestic moment it must have been "In the beginning..." Yet, each day, I have the chance to see His creations around me.
I Love the beauty I see in the LORDS creation, from the smallest things to the most majestic. This ancient name, Elohim, reminds me to look for Him in all of His creation.  Often, when I take the time to do this, I immediately feel a connection with Him. My worries, or stresses begin to blur as I take time to LOOK, BREATH, FEEL, TASTE, TOUCH all that Elohim has created. 
Today, I will think on the name, Elohim, and remember His majesty and mystery, His sovereignty and power and draw near to the One who created all of man in His image and thank Him!

More Room For Boys!!

Our sweet friends, Adeye and her children, came over on Friday to help me paint this pretty little pink room. I was so thankful for the help, especially since painting a large room alone feels a little overwhelming. We pretty much left the 15 children downstairs to play and enjoy each other, while we worked. They were all SOOO good and they had a blast with each other. I know my children will miss them when they move this summer (so will I!!!)
So, why did we need to paint the room? We painted it this pink color 11 years ago when we were waiting excitedly for our new daughter to come home from China. More little babies followed and it has pretty much been the "baby room". However, now, we need to put three little boys in there, and Steve said we HAD to change the color to a more boyish color...LOL. 

So here are the before and afters. 

 

Here is sweet Adeye painting. Kalyn worked hard with us and again, I was so thankful for both of their help.

  

From pink to green...what a change!!!

 

  

And, as you can see, this is a big room!! So we must bring some more babies home!!

 

My Little Ethiopian Man

A few weeks ago, we dedicated Keshawn at our church. Even though it was very cold outside, I wanted him dedicated in his Ethiopian outfit. Of course, I had to take a lot of pictures of my handsome little man!

I am so grateful that the LORD has given us this precious little one to raise, and love and protect...what a blessing to be his mother.