Truly Blessed Tuesday: Blessings

Truly Blessed Tuesday: Truly Blessed

It has been a while since I have done a Truly Blessed Tuesday post,

and I apologize for that,

it is not that I am not thankful for everything in my life -

but I guess my blessings have been over flowing and so has our schedule! 

Today The Lord brought this verse to my mind,

Psalms 37:4

"Delight yourself in the LORD,

and He will give you the desires of your heart."

I remember when He first placed adoption on my heart.

Our friends from church adopted their son from India.

Josh was the cutest little guy I had ever seen.

(In fact, a few years later, Josh was the ring bearer in our wedding!)

I knew then and there that I wanted to adopt -

but I wanted to adopt a little guy from Africa.

 But first He blessed us with 3 incredible biological kiddos!

They understand me more then anyone!

They love me even with all my faults!

Many years later, God led us to China.

Two times! 

and ohhh how blessed we are by these two treasures!

Not sure how many times I was wished
"Happy Mother's Day" by these two - 

(I can't count that high)

it began Saturday night and continue on Monday!

God has blessed us again with two African treasures!

We wait to bring them home,

time is unknown to us of when we will be re-united with them,

but God knows and I have peace in knowing that His time

is perfect!

And a pretty cool hubby, who though sometimes he wants to say "no".
He spends much time with God who softens his heart to
what and who God loves!

How has God blessed you?

Truly Blessed Tuesday: On the Ethiopian Front

We have felt Truly Blessed over the past few weeks!

Your prayers for our family here and in Ethiopia,

and prayers for all the adoptive families and children

who need to get home, have been overwhelming and God has given us His peace!

We received word yesterday (from a adoptive mom who just returned from Ethiopia)

that MOWA was working through the weekend to get the 800+ case load of court appointments that were scheduled prior to March 10th.

So please keep those prayers coming! 

Also, please pray for our boys health.

We received word that chicken pox is making it's way through the Care Center.

~~

And, just sayin' from the photos I received yesterday, 

from a traveling family,

I think the little kids will be running this house.

Though we have a crazy house most of the time -

when the boys come home -

we may have to define our house more of a 

Zoo! 

But believe me we felt so good to see boys being silly 

and especially see Donovan in a group of kids playing with bubbles. (he usually seems to be a loaner)

Soooo wish I could show you our boys!  

We'll see them soon and we'll pass court and 

then I will show them off!!!
 

Truly Blessed Tuesday: Jailyn

Can I get an Amen and a Hallelujah?!


Jailyn came to me after breakfast on 

Sunday morning and said,
"Mom, I think I need to pray?"

"okay, what do you want to pray about?"

"Because I want to ask Jesus in my heart.

Jesus died on the cross for my sins,

so that I can have eternal life.
I need to tell Him that I believe in Him."


We prayed there and then
and Jailyn accepted Christ as her personal Savior.


I John 4:14
"...The Father has sent his son  to be the Savior of the world."


Acts 16:31
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."

Jesus said, 

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

Adopted into our family February 5, 2007
Adopted into the family of God on February 6, 2011

Truly Blessed Tuesday: "I didn't like it"

A few weeks ago in Sunday school,

Jorja and Jailyn were told of a family that

does not have enough food to eat,

nor clothes to wear 

in this cold weather.

The girls took this very seriously,

and have brought it up in conversation often.

Jailyn finds it unbelievable.
She cannot comprehend their situation.

Jorja told me yesterday about this situation again.

and added her personal story and
how she can relate to this family.

"I didn't have much food in China."

"No?  What kind of food did you eat?"

"I don't remember what it was called,

but I didn't like it,

and it's all I ever got."

"Well, you had bananas, didn't you?"

"yes, I liked bamamas,
but I LOVE apples!"

 and with a huge smile...

"Now I have a pantry full of food!

and T.O.O. many clothes to wear!"

Jorja still, after two years, gets absolutely giddy when 

we go grocery shopping.

Yesterday she stood on the side of the cart and 

started smelling everything.

She looked at me with her larger then life smile and said,

"Ohhh, I can smell all this food!"

Jorja has such a grateful heart!

And continually reminds us to "keep it real"!

We are so thankful for her

and the blessings God has given us in abundance.

Happy Truly Blessed Tuesday to y'all! 

Truly Blessed Tuesday: Strangers become friends

Tomorrow will be my fourth iron treatment.

I have been diagnosed with an iron deficiency,

and have been receiving iron by IV.

Though it's time consuming 

and not always pleasant,

as the iron makes me sick for the next 24 hours,

Time spent at my doctors office has been  -

nice.

I had four hours of quiet while I sat getting my IV.

I have been able to get some reading done.

But,

even better - 

I have been able to make some new friends.

Sitting in a room where people are receiving chemotherapy treatments

I thought would be depressing.

I prayed that I would be able to encourage some of these people.

But, ya know -

these people fighting for their lives,

some have received bad blood reports
while we're all hooked up to our IV's,

have been encouraging to me.

I have had some very nice conversations with a few people 

who are there as often as I am.

I have gotten to know them a little bit,

and hear their family stories.

I have been Truly Blessed getting to know these people - 

I thank God for putting me in this office,

with these people.

*********

Share with the rest of us how you have been Truly Blessed.
(Apologizes, I'm having issues with Mr. Linky -
and haven't had the extra time to take care of it yet)
Write your blessing as a comment or
leave your blog link!
Let's encourage one another!

Truly Blessed Tuesday: Our Journey to Jailyn Part 1

For today's Truly Blessed Tuesday,

I thought I would share with y'all how our journey began to our precious daughter Jailyn.

Our plan, before we got married, was that we would have four biological children and then look into adoption.  I had wanted to adopt a child, for as long as I can remember.  This was a new concept to Bryan but he thought it was a great idea too.

As Conner got older (2'ish) we began hoping for baby #4.

Pregnancy was never an easy accomplishment.

Along with fertility issues, 

we also miscarried two babies, after Conner.

It was just too much. 

I am not emotionally stable when it comes to wanting more children in our family.

Every month got more and more disappointing,

each baby lost 

cut my heart like a knife.

One day, Bryan said, "Maybe we should start looking into adoption."

You have to understand - Bryan doesn't have a rash idea E.V.E.R. 

He thinks and prays long and methodically about everything!

Soooo, 

the next day he came home to all the adoption information that I could find.

After more thought and prayer, 

we felt like our daughter was in China. 

We also knew we wanted to go Special Needs.

(this was before the slow down for healthy children in China).

I admit,

I never saw the struggles with infertility, 

and the very short lives of our babies

as a blessing.

But, I did have a peace that God was giving us a love for children,
and expected us to do something with this love.

It is amazing how God uses painful life experiences to 

help us grow in Him, 

and He blesses us with more then we ever expected!

I don't know what would have happened if we had had baby #4.

We may have never had the blessing of our Jailyn Hope!

Not to mention Jorja Noelle, Donovan nor Elijah.
(or whoever else He has planned for us)

For the pain and hurt of loss, I can say that I feel Truly Blessed.

*********

Share with the rest of us how you have been Truly Blessed.
(Apologizes, I'm having issues with Mr. Linky -
and haven't had the extra time to take care of it yet)
Write your blessing as a comment or
leave your blog link!
Let's encourage one another!

The fun is over!

What a whirl wind month!
 the preparations of Christmas are over,

 the baking is done,

and everything is eaten!

The shopping is done

and Santa has come.

The anticipated garbage trucks have come to 

take our leftovers.

Kids are back at school.

New Years Resolutions are made.

Ohhhhh WAIT!
We don't make resolutions!

Well, that's just how we are.

Why set ourselves up for failure  -

Rather,
we took the time to write some blessings God gave us
this past year.
And add them to our tree.

There is one thing I want to be better at this year,
with y'all,
and that is my 

Truly Blessed Tuesday posts!

I did this a few times - but fell short.

I will try to be better at carrying through with this in 2011!

And would love to have you join me tomorrow for
the first Truly Blessed Tuesday post of 2011!

What is better then taking the time to think about how
richly God has blessed us!

So get ready to share with all of us,
how God has blessed you!

(I am working on Mr. Linky - but may not have it set up tomorrow-
remember yesterday's post, new puppy - lots of training going on!
Feel free to share your Truly Blessed comment or link to your blog
on my comments!)


 Psalms 30:11-12

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing:

 thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

To the end that my heart may sing praise to thee,

 and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Truly Blessed Blossom!

It is such a joy to be able to

watch Jorja blossom.

According to Webster's:

Blossom - A blooming period or stage 
of development:
something lovely that gives rich promise.

A year ago we wondered if we would ever see this
hurt girl let us in to her heart.
She had been physically and mentally abused by
many people in her past,

but thank God,

she is blossoming into this
incredible, sweet, caring
little girl!
Who loves the beauty of each day!

We are Truly Blessed to

call Jorja our daughter!

Share with all of us how you

are Truly Blessed

Truly Blessed Tuesday

"I love you! I love you!

I love you!

Mommy, I love to tell you that I love you!

I love this girl so much! 

Unfortunately, this was not always our story.

Yes, I loved her for the beautiful child she is,

but 

we had a hard time bonding. 

The last year and a half have been
tiring, frustrating,
sometimes maddening and
very emotional -
tears shed daily
for every one involved.

Bringing a child into your home,
who has never known a home or a family
can be incredibly difficult.

This child had been hurt beyond 

anything I can imagine.

After years of fighting every one in

her little world,

just to survive -

makes family life a very difficult 

transition.

 

And the things we ask of her,

she just can't believe we would EVER 

expect out of her -

like waiting her turn,

or 

not needing to compete for everything.

 

But, God has been so good to us!

He has taught us to lean on Him.

Many hours of the day have been

spent on our knees

asking for guidance 

of how to parent Jorja.

 

Today, Jorja loves being a huge part

of our family.

I wish I had a video of how she reacted

when Conner's team won their 

championship game this weekend.

She was cheering for him,

and had the biggest smile,

and most excited laughter

then I have ever seen from anyone! 

It was pure joy!

Pure joy for her brother! 

Unselfish joy!

I actually thought, this is the smile I will

have when I meet my Savior!

It was just beautiful!

 

Again, tears came to my eyes.

Not out of fear or frustration,

but out of joy

that my daughter can be excited

for someone else,

and is secure enough in her

family that she can feel that 

pure joy!

For anyone reading this who is struggling

with the bonding

please don't give up.

Get down on your knees and ask for

God to carry y'all through.

Be consistent in what you are asking of 

your child.

 

All children want rules,

even children who fight every rule you ask

them to obey.

Control is a hard thing to give up,

especially to people that you don't trust.

Explain to them that they are in control,

they can choose to disobey and receive consequences 

or they can choose to obey and 

have fun with the family.

Jorja told me last night before bed,

"In morning, I choose to obey

and be happy 100 times,

cause I love you!"

Does it get better then that?

I am Truly Blessed  to have been called 

to adoption,

and to be Jorja's mommy!

**************

Share with us how God has Truly Blessed you!

Truly Blessed Tuesday

Isn't it a wonderful promise that 

even through hard times,

God is still faithful! 

Psalm 33:4

"For the word of the Lord is right and true;

he is faithful in all he does."

And...

Unchangeable

Hebrews 1:10-12

He also says,
   "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
      and the heavens are the work of your hands.
 They will perish, but you remain;
      they will all wear out like a garment.
 You will roll them up like a robe;
      like a garment they will be changed.
   But you remain the same,
      and your years will never end."

And, 

God is true.

John 14:6,

I am the way, the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father

except through me.

Truly Blessed to be called a child of the King!
(Photos taken by Kenzie!)
*********

Share with us how God has Truly Blessed you!

Truly Blessed Tuesday

This face...

has had many changes...

and a few surgeries...

(3 so far)

and will have a few more...

but her beautiful personality shines through 

no matter how many surgeries she has

to go through.

(Does she look pleased with herself. or what?)

We are Truly Blessed to 

have Dr. Fearon in our life!!!

This weekend was the first time Jailyn 

was able to use a sippy cup with a suctioner!

She was so excited!

"I love Dr. Fearon! 

He helped my mouth work!"

***********

Tell us how you have been Truly Blessed!

Truly Blessed Tuesday

I love this kid!

It's been a joy to be his Mom!
Watching and helping this goofy kid...

Grow into the young man that he is today!
I am Truly Blessed!

I love to watch him play with his siblings!
(He's always willing to start up a game with them)

I love to listen into his adult conversations!
(he invites me to listen- 
or he just talks loud and
doesn't care who is listening!)

I love that he loves Jesus!
I love to watch him sign Praise and Worship
songs at church!
(He's finishing up his first year of ASL,
and loves it!)

And wants the world to know!
(This photo is from a life changing trip 
to Guatemala last year -
This year he is excited to attend a 
servant leader training camp and then Jr. Counsel 
at a camp in Colorado!
and serve the kids in town during VBS) 

I love that he loves his siblings!

I love being his mom!

************

Truly Blessed Tuesday -
give credit where credit is due!

Share with us how God has blessed you!
Has he brought a special friend into your life,
has he supplied for your needs,
in what ways are you blessed?
Share your blessing as a comment or
make your own post on your blog,
and leave your link as a comment

Truly Blessed Tuesday

We had a fun Easter!

Truly Blessed to have shared praising our risen savior

with our church family!

Truly Blessed to have friends take our

annual family photo

(the kids are excited because this means,

no portrait studio!)

(see portraits in earlier post.)

Truly Blessed to have had friends come over for the afternoon!

Eat, hang out, and 

throw confetti eggs at each other!

Positions...

Ready... 

Aim... 

decorate!  

(Sooo pretty!)

Fun Friends!

************

Truly Blessed Tuesday -
give credit where credit is due!

Share with us how God has blessed you!
Has he brought a special friend into your life,
has he supplied for your needs,
in what ways are you blessed?
Share your blessing as a comment or
make your own post on your blog,
and leave your link as a comment

Truly Blessed Tuesday

Brotherly love!

These two have not always been close,

but I am loving 

just sitting back and watching 

their friendship grow! 

Brady gets Conner off the couch and gets him

in the game of life,

Conner loves to make art projects for Brady.

He told me yesterday that he is making all these 

things for him because Brady will go to college

in a few years and he'll need 

something to decorate his dorm room. 

Truly Blessed Tuesday -
give credit where credit is due!

Share with us how God has blessed you!
Has he brought a special friend into your life,
has he supplied for your needs,
in what ways are you blessed?
Share your blessing as a comment or
make your own post on your blog,
and leave your link as a comment

Truly Blessed Tuesday

Kenzie and Kenzie

How often do you get to meet someone

with the same name,

same age,

and many things in common - 

big brothers, 

little brothers,

siblings from China

Yesterday these two girls 

met for the first time!

They were both so shy at first,

but after being forced together by

their mothers. :)

They became fast friends!

Being the big kid of a bunch of little,

adopted siblings is a role that these two girls

have taken on with open hearts, 

and open arms.

We are truly blessed to have met 

Kenzie and her amazing family

in person finally!

more on the whole day later,

but today is about these two incredible girls,

whose mothers are so 

thankful for!

******************

Truly Blessed Tuesday -
give credit where credit is due!

Share with us how God has blessed you!
Has he brought a special friend into your life,
has he supplied for your needs,
in what ways are you blessed?
Share your blessing as a comment or
make your own post on your blog,
and leave your link as a comment

Truly Blessed Tuesday

Not only am I truly blessed with a great family!

But I have a great family that 

will allow me a weekend off!

This past weekend I 

was able to spend with some precious woman,

we chatted, 

and crafted, 

and karaoke'd,

and laughed,

and laughed,

and laughed!

And studied God's word together!

We got real with each other,

and we cried with each other,

and we laughed a little bit more! 

I am so thankful that God has blessed 

our family with this church family,

and these beautiful ladies!

Not all photos will be posted due -

to the Friday night agreement:

What happens at Retreat stays at Retreat!

(Silly girls!)

Truly Blessed Tuesday -
give credit where credit is due!

Share with us how God has blessed you!
Has he brought a special friend into your life,
has he supplied for your needs,
in what ways are you blessed?
Share your blessing as a comment or
make your own post on your blog,
and leave your link as a comment