I just cannot wait for our adoption to come to a close and have Isaiah here living, laughing, and doing life with our family. We are now on the waiting list at the babies home. They have all our information and now it's just the waiting process of them finding a child that matches our profile. We are #15 on the waiting list. That # is soon to change, but as you can see there are still quite a few families in front of us. We are expecting it to be another 5 or 6 months before we get our child referral. And although our hearts long for him to be here we know that we still have a lot of fundraising and money to raise. It has been incredible though to see God send the money in unexpected ways right when we need it.
This has been an amazing journey for us. Thank you to those who have been a part of it through prayer, and giving. Here is the website to the home we are adopting from if you want to check it out. www.lovingheartsbabies.com
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
New Years
With 2012 around the corner I have been thinking about how people get so hyped about New year resolutions. The main one that comes to mind is "losing weight". I can see how with those amazing Thanksgiving and Christmas meals how a few extra pounds could sneak in and make their self at home. It's happened in the Olinger family.
I see nothing wrong with making these goals you just have to commit and decide to follow through with them after the hype has died down. Disciplining yourself to do the hard things is not easy. When I think about my own life I fall short in so many ways.
I want to get up early in the morning to sit and study the word. The whole council of God. Be still. Meditate. Pray. Pray Big. Pray in faith! Share the gospel. Fast. Love my kids with patience and gentleness. Serve and encourage my amazing husband daily. Help the poor. Worship the Lord in spirit and in truth and the list goes on. I am always remembering that by myself none of this can be accomplished and is all in vain if not done for Christ.
I am forever in awe and amazed that Christ suffered and payed the price for my unrighteousness (Isaiah 53:4-5) having God's wrath averted away from me and given His perfect righteousness through repentance of sin and faith in Christ. I am so thankful for his mercy even in all my "mess-ups" and when I long for earthly things more than the precious living words of our Savior Jesus Christ. I love the Lord so much and desire to walk in constant obedience and faith living a life pleasing to him. Praise be to Him that when "we are faithless he is still faithful for he cannot deny himself." 2 Timothy 2 11-13
I have been thinking of some things I want to work on for this coming year. And I am very excited about getting back on track and organized in differing areas of my life. My friend posted a great blog recently on New year questions to ask yourself. I highly recommend checking it out. Here is her link: www.theunlikelyhousewife.blogspot.com love you megan =)
One of the main things (New Years resolution if you will) I am going to aim at improving is scripture memorization. I am seeing the huge importance for it more and more. I have started in baby steps and I am pressing in by God's grace to fill up my "belt of truth" to be ready at all times. Refresh yourself on the armor of God. It is great! Ephesians 6: 10-20. I hope your goals and plans moving into this coming year will be God exalting and to the praise of his great name.
One more thing before I go. Being here in Missouri has no doubt been wonderful! Lot's of games. laughing, and relaxing. But I have noticed that my guard has been dropped. Just because I am on vacation does not mean vacation away from the Lord, and with regret that was kind of how I had been acting. I woke up this morning longing for the Lord. I prayed in the shower for repentance. I sat down after breakfast and opened the Word and just did not know where to start. It didn't take long and I just started reading the whole book of Ephesians. Out loud (I love reading the Bible out loud even when I am alone) I was trying to read the whole thing but only made it to chapter 4 because of something with the kids.
Anyways, the point is speaking God's truth out loud is one of those powerful things I believe the enemy can have no say in. Every Word of the Lord proves true! I was refreshed through his Word. I want more. He is so gracious to me and I am just so undeserving of such great love. May God receive glory through this vessel and be used for his purposes in whichever way he so chooses this coming year and the years to follow.
I see nothing wrong with making these goals you just have to commit and decide to follow through with them after the hype has died down. Disciplining yourself to do the hard things is not easy. When I think about my own life I fall short in so many ways.
I want to get up early in the morning to sit and study the word. The whole council of God. Be still. Meditate. Pray. Pray Big. Pray in faith! Share the gospel. Fast. Love my kids with patience and gentleness. Serve and encourage my amazing husband daily. Help the poor. Worship the Lord in spirit and in truth and the list goes on. I am always remembering that by myself none of this can be accomplished and is all in vain if not done for Christ.
I am forever in awe and amazed that Christ suffered and payed the price for my unrighteousness (Isaiah 53:4-5) having God's wrath averted away from me and given His perfect righteousness through repentance of sin and faith in Christ. I am so thankful for his mercy even in all my "mess-ups" and when I long for earthly things more than the precious living words of our Savior Jesus Christ. I love the Lord so much and desire to walk in constant obedience and faith living a life pleasing to him. Praise be to Him that when "we are faithless he is still faithful for he cannot deny himself." 2 Timothy 2 11-13
I have been thinking of some things I want to work on for this coming year. And I am very excited about getting back on track and organized in differing areas of my life. My friend posted a great blog recently on New year questions to ask yourself. I highly recommend checking it out. Here is her link: www.theunlikelyhousewife.blogspot.com love you megan =)
One of the main things (New Years resolution if you will) I am going to aim at improving is scripture memorization. I am seeing the huge importance for it more and more. I have started in baby steps and I am pressing in by God's grace to fill up my "belt of truth" to be ready at all times. Refresh yourself on the armor of God. It is great! Ephesians 6: 10-20. I hope your goals and plans moving into this coming year will be God exalting and to the praise of his great name.
One more thing before I go. Being here in Missouri has no doubt been wonderful! Lot's of games. laughing, and relaxing. But I have noticed that my guard has been dropped. Just because I am on vacation does not mean vacation away from the Lord, and with regret that was kind of how I had been acting. I woke up this morning longing for the Lord. I prayed in the shower for repentance. I sat down after breakfast and opened the Word and just did not know where to start. It didn't take long and I just started reading the whole book of Ephesians. Out loud (I love reading the Bible out loud even when I am alone) I was trying to read the whole thing but only made it to chapter 4 because of something with the kids.
Anyways, the point is speaking God's truth out loud is one of those powerful things I believe the enemy can have no say in. Every Word of the Lord proves true! I was refreshed through his Word. I want more. He is so gracious to me and I am just so undeserving of such great love. May God receive glory through this vessel and be used for his purposes in whichever way he so chooses this coming year and the years to follow.
Christmas 2011
This Christmas was such a blessing. Every year just gets better as the kids get older and their understanding grows more and more to why we celebrate this holiday. This year we did an "Advent Calendar" as a family. This was our first time doing this. I highly recommend it whether you have children or just you and your spouse. It takes you through God's story (Old Testament and New) to the birth of Jesus. It is a great way to keep your mind and heart centered on Christ amongst all the other things grabbing for your attention.
Micaiah was so cute. When we would ask little simple questions for him and Addy to answer after our reading he would respond with his adorable voice...ummm God? He's going to be that child in Sunday School =) haha! Adoniah really impressed us. She would sit and listen to the story (little bit of squirming here and there) and there were a few days she answered all the questions from the story. It is true they are listening even when your convinced they are not.
We did some fun family activities together but the one we enjoyed the most was having our 85 year old neighbor over for a Christmas dinner before we left town. She is one of the sweetest ladies. We have known her for almost 4 years. She adores the kids and the kids just think the world of her. We wanted to bless her and show the kids that this month is not just about us but showing others the love of Christ. She is not a believer and she knows where we stand and I have had a conversation with her about our faith. She respects us but does not want anyone pushing their beliefs onto her. We had a good ole time eating chicken tortilla soup and cookies/coffee for dessert. The kids made her a card which I'm sure got put on the fridge. It was a blessing to serve her.
We are in Missouri now taking it easy and enjoying time with Jared's family. SO glad Jared has a full week off work just to be with us. I always come back to Memphis reality a little sad after being spoiled so much while being here =) Here are some pics of our fabulous time here with family =)!
Micaiah was so cute. When we would ask little simple questions for him and Addy to answer after our reading he would respond with his adorable voice...ummm God? He's going to be that child in Sunday School =) haha! Adoniah really impressed us. She would sit and listen to the story (little bit of squirming here and there) and there were a few days she answered all the questions from the story. It is true they are listening even when your convinced they are not.
We did some fun family activities together but the one we enjoyed the most was having our 85 year old neighbor over for a Christmas dinner before we left town. She is one of the sweetest ladies. We have known her for almost 4 years. She adores the kids and the kids just think the world of her. We wanted to bless her and show the kids that this month is not just about us but showing others the love of Christ. She is not a believer and she knows where we stand and I have had a conversation with her about our faith. She respects us but does not want anyone pushing their beliefs onto her. We had a good ole time eating chicken tortilla soup and cookies/coffee for dessert. The kids made her a card which I'm sure got put on the fridge. It was a blessing to serve her.
We are in Missouri now taking it easy and enjoying time with Jared's family. SO glad Jared has a full week off work just to be with us. I always come back to Memphis reality a little sad after being spoiled so much while being here =) Here are some pics of our fabulous time here with family =)!
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| Opening her gifts on Christmas Eve |
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| A purple blanket..her favorite color! |
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| Jared explaining to mom how the new "keurig" one cup serve coffee machine works that we surprised her with! |
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| Auntie Amber and Lil Mac in his cars tent |
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| Papa putting together a toy |
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| This is no joke...Me and Addy after she got into some "extra strength joint cream" in Papa's room and rubbed it all over her face and even got in her mouth. She was suppose to be taking a nap. It was no fun =( |
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| Our exciting trip to Walmart. It's one of the main attractions up here. |
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| Tossing the coconut jar (it's plastic) and trying to get a mid air pic. |
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| had to try again |
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| there we go..I was really trying to focus |
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| An awesome Wednesday mornin breakfast |
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| Breakfast food is his favorite thing to cook and he is really good at it! Pumpkin pancakes, eggs, and bacon. |
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Thanksgiving and Nashville Trip!
| At the first of December we took a trip to Nashville with our friends the Barkers. They have two little boys. We were celebrating Jude turning three. Him and Addy are buds! Surprisingly, living in Tennessee my whole life this was my first trip to Nashville where I actually stayed a few days and got to enjoy and go see some pretty cool things. I absolutely LOVED It!!! Would go back any day. |
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| Addy ready for the road trip |
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| I think Lil Mac is ready.. |
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| Wouldn't be a road trip without Chick-Fil-A to start us off! |
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| At the hotel |
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| Allison and Sammy |
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| So sweet! |
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| Daddy tellin Micaiah to step back...and ready |
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| Set |
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| GO! |
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| blue eyed cuties |
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| There is the Birthday Boy! |
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| What talented little thing we have |
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| She is really singing here..for those wondering it's "Immanuel" she loves the closing line.."death defeated by Imman-U-Elllllllllllllllllll. This is how she sings it. |
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| The Barkers! Love you guys |
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| US =) |
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| Add caption |
Thanksgiving at Papa's
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| Beautiful November day! |
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| Addy and her Uncle Michael |
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| Precious |
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| Uncle Sean |
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| My Dad called this his "Peyton Manning pose" he was pretty impressive throwing the football =) |
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| Future football player |
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