Mommy's read this!

Check out this missionary mom's advice to mothers on cultivating a heart for motherhood.   It is called the 3 C's and the next two will be discussed in an upcoming post. I found this very encouraging! She also posted some additional links that she wrote related to this topic towards the bottom.

My Grandpa!

Us over the Christmas Holiday's

Cherished memories

My dad and papa

I love this man so much! He was diagnosed with stomach cancer almost two years ago. The doctors did not give him long to live for several factors. Today he is still married to his beautiful wife of over 60 years. =)

At his first appointment to start his chemo he told the doctors quote " Now i just want you to know I understand that you are my doctor and will do whatever it takes to help me, but I need you to know that my Lord Jesus he is my first doctor and is able to heal me in the blink of an eye." I wonder how the doctors responded to that?!? What a man of faith! He has been through more in his life than I could possibly share in this post but through every season one thing has remained constant in his life his love and dedication to our God.

 Every time Jared's monthly clean-up rolls around I take that opportunity to go down to Mississippi and spend an evening with them talking, taking pictures and catching up, and letting the kids play with their grandparents. He means so much to me and he is without a shadow of a doubt ready to enter into those mansions prepared for him before the ages began. Him and Maw Maw are such godly examples to how I want my life to be lived out towards my spouse, kids, neighbors, and strangers.

Written with much love towards 2 people I adore!

Abide in the Vine

 Once again another beautiful day outside! It is has been a great weekend, and I hope to post some pictures soon of our outings together with the family.

On a side note I came across this really cool blog called shabby blogs.com. It's so neat. I added some cute fun free stuff to my blog from there. It was very simple to transfer it over to my current blog. Check it out I think you will enjoy it too!!

I am sitting outside while the kids play around in the backyard. I still can't believe our crazy weather. A few days ago we had a friend come cut down a huge over sized tree from our yard  (but that's boring right?) after that he built us an amazing garden that exceeded my expectations! It's so much bigger than what I thought and there is so much room to plant! I am so new to this "gardening thing" i am sure it will be like teaching a child to ride a bike for the first time.  Wait! I have done that before! Let me recap what that was like.....

For example with Addy when she got her first bike for Christmas she was:

1. Unsure if she was ready to  try something new for the first time, but also very excited about the thought of learning.
2. She had to take baby steps and master certain things so she could understand how the bike worked.
3. She would get frustrated at times when she couldn't figure certain things out or would mess up =(
4. In the end after she kept practicing and had encouragement from others to keep going she now can successfully ride her pretty pink bike down the sidewalk without mom or dad holding on.
5. She is proud of her accomplishments =)!! You reap what you sow!

I have a feeling this garden will look quite similar to Addy learning to ride her bike (with training wheels) for the first time. =D lol.

Thinking on this garden and the necessity of taking care of it so it will grow and operate to it's fullest potential reminded me of Psalm 1 that I was reading this morning. If our delight is in the law of the Lord and we meditate on it day and night we will be blessed, and be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water who yields it's fruit in due season and it's leaves does not wither.

We have to ABIDE in God and his word! When we are attached to the vine receiving that nourishment and life we will continue to grow and flourish in the attributes God desires for us to increase in. However, when we detach ourselves from that source of life we will begin to wither and die inside. I have known that feeling personally for my own life.

Just as a small tomato plant needs to be planted firmly in the soil, receive sunlight, water, and constant care so it can grow the way it's naturally meant to, on a grander level of importance so does our new man! If you need a reminder on the truth of abiding in the word of God read the book of 1 John. John is all about it!

Thanks for tuning in.

Makin Progress......

 At the end of December we finished all of our paperwork for our adoption and got put on the waiting list at the babies home. At that point I believe it was December 30th and we were #15 in waiting. It's been about 6 weeks and we have moved to #13 on the list. Such great news for us! I know it seems like we should be further along than that but we know that everyone over in Uganda and our amazing agency is working hard and diligently to give these precious babies a forever home.
 Jared and I have found a strong peace in Christ that Isaiah WILL come to us but when that exact day and time is we can only walk in faith and continue to look to our God and pray earnestly that it will be soon!!

Reflect on this for a moment!

www.counselingoneanother.com