Sofie's almost 5!!

Five always seems like a monumental birthday! Not sure why, but it just seems like a milestone....a marker of sorts. The "T" seems to drop from 5. It's no longer 2T, 3T and 4T, rather it's 5. The "toddler" part is removed, and a "little girl" is added.

No longer bite size pieces, rather counting. Trading in oversized board books for smaller print books, with real themes. Sentences are running together for conversations. Conversations that are engaging and thought provoking, which lead to big questions.

Sofia Margaret is turning FIVE! It seems to run together for me. Not sure when this happened, nor do I know how to slow it down. Can I stop to take a deep breath and soak in the moments longer before FIVE turns into FIFTEEN? Will I allow the Holy Spirit to remind me in the midst of school schedules, homework, cooking, cleaning, and just being present for three girls that I must remain in Him and abide in Him at this very hour to full live the life He's intended for me? The life He's fully intended for our Sofia Margaret? Lord, please help me do so.

Father, I pray a very special blessing over Sofie. It's 5:05 a.m. and she's resting soundly in her bed, as I scroll through photos and print my heart on this very page. She will not understand a mom's full love for her daughter until she becomes a mom one day, and on that day, grant her the same kind of love I feel for her this very moment. I love her so very much, and I am forever grateful to the young girl You've created her to be. Through this very life, I have learned to pray harder, listen more, become more aware, open my eyes to those around me, recognize baby carriers from a distance, nap harder, enjoy my home more, and so much more. Lord, may you keep her close to Your heart, and call her name out. When You call, may she hear your voice, and respond. Bless her endlessly and give her a deep confidence in You!! Teach us to breathe in the next five years deeply and slowly! Thank you for Sofia ("love of wisdom") Margaret ("pearl")!!

In Him...

Mochilas hanging. . .

Just a few more weeks until alarm clocks are waking us, homework demands our attention, students waiting for their assignments, friends are being reunited, teachers are working out the new names of their students, event calendars are handed out, bells are sounding, lunch bags are filled once again, and so much more. In just a few weeks, a new school year starts.





With so many things up in the air this past summer, we weren't sure if we were going to be here or there. I couldn't allow the normal anticipation of a new school year begin, because I wasn't even sure of what our home address would be. I'm thankful for answered prayers, even if it's a "no" for now. A "no", allows us to move. It allows us to move forward with anticipation, and it even refreshes our excitement for where we are right this very moment.





The beauty of a new school year at our Christian school is the size. I get to keep one set of students I had last year, as a new round comes. I get to hear stories from familiar names on my roll sheets, and work on memorizing faces with names for the new group. Each one so special....each one as unique as the group before them. I can hardly wait!





Every year, I gear up with new ideas, new ways of doing things, improvements to what worked last year, and scratching out things that didn't work. It's a time of growth, a time of evaluation and a moment of reflection.





Lord, thank you for our three precious students that will be gracing a new desk. Three girls for Him, waiting to let their light shine in a unique, individual way. Thank you for three girls that will impact their graduating classes in ways we cannot count. Seventh grade, second grade, and a Pre-K bridge class will not be the same this year, simply because these three girls are in attendance. I pray that you walk with them, lead them, give them hearts full of gratitude, joy and excitement for what You're going to teach them this year. History, English, Science, foreign language, even SST, have all been created by You. Let them find a wonder in their studies. What a gift!





Father, be with me, as I prepare for a new school year. Help me stay focused, patient, and steadfast. Allow me to find that special something in the faces of my students. Help me build upon the foundation that You have laid with their parents. Allow moments of growth to take place, and help us recognize you in our moments of VICTORY, and call upon You when feeling DEFEATED. Thank you for new beginnings in August.





With much love,





Beth

I always have two windows open when I blog. The obvious is this one, but I always open up http://www.aholyexperience.com/ and allow her blog to play. She has such wonderful, peaceful music playing while her readers drop by to see what inspiration she has poured out on her site. Is that odd, that I open her blog to type mine?

The writer of A Holy Experience, is the author of this book, and I'm enjoying it so. A friend of mine purchased it for me, and brought it over the night I had a group of ladies over for a summer dinner. I thought it was going to be a book about counting your blessings, a list of sorts, but it's not. It's about loss, numb feelings of salvation, and the slow turning of events leading to God's full grace and glory. And of course it leads to finding the "gifts". Now, don't ask me too much..........I've only finished 65 pages. But, I'll jot down some thoughts along the way.

Lord, please let see you in all that surrounds me. Not the obvious. Let me see the quiet, hidden places where you reside. Places that are skipped over on a daily basis. Places that only a young child could find. Help me see those places, smell them, and experience them. May I walk away, and proclaim You! And know You as the author and creator of every page of mine. All 12,165 days that I have witnessed a sunrise and sunset!

I love you Father! Thank You!

It stops here. . .

After several weeks of waiting, wondering and even dreaming, we received our answer. The answer is no. It doesn't mean that He wasn't where He needed us or that He wasted our time. It just means that He hasn't revealed His plan. The "no" is still apart of the plan.

Disappointment, a deep sigh, and a feeling of wonder is here, but it's fading quickly. Now, we know we are to stay right here.........looking at the same windows, watching the same cars pass by as they head home after a long day's work, and it's an opportunity. An opportunity to draw closer to family and friends and meet their needs. It means we serve a little harder and also be served. Intrastate phone calls instead of Interstate. A quick drive over instead of a flight. That's all. That's still wonderful!

So, I gear up. I pick up school supply lists. I begin my Spanish lesson plans for the my level 1 and 2 kids. I prepare us for a new school year. AND I still keep my eye open. He's doing His thing, and I want to be found faithful in the waiting.

Today's verse:

Isaiah 30:15

For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said:
"You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence..."

Lord, Let me return, rest, and lie in quiet confidence. What a wonderful place to be! Oh..........and help me clean my house today. So much to do........

I love you Lord!

A new kind of swim lesson. . .

No swim lessons for no reason. Not sure why I've waited this summer on giving the girls swim lessons....................UNTIL today!!!

Their big sister has to teach them. If I would've signed them up for lessons, and they were making their way around the pool like two Nemos, then what joy would Brie have in teaching her two little sisters how to trust her in the water. Now they're jumping in the water, with little fear, and true, they have a floatie around them, but it's more than Saturday. Small steps in trusting, both for their big sister in and them. It's worth the risk. One gets to be apart of a family, and then the others get to be free in the water.

Thank you Lord for delayed lessons, and for delivering them in the heat of the morning, in a neighborhood pool, wrapped in love.

Death has lost it's sting. . .

In the past four months, both Andres and I have attended a memorial service for our co-worker's son, both in their early 20's, both born to die, both living with the King.

Yesterday, it was my turn. I was so anxious to see the face of the strong woman that I've known his mother to be. She's no taller than I, but her mind is of extraordinary wisdom and knowledge. Not just book knowledge, but true, meaningful wisdom, given without apology. She's a strong, wonderful woman, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to see her at such a vulnerable state. Would she appear worn down from the two week wait to bury her son? Would she be shaking her fist at God, wondering why? Would she seem numb to her circumstances? Or would she lift her hands in praise that He is still in the moment?

As I turned on the car to make my way, I played the song "Finest Hour" by Matthew West. "This is my finest hour...." If what He says is true, then this is her finest hour. Through death, will come more life. Death has lost it's sting! Death no longer means the end to which we live life, rather the beginning of our eternity. I sang that song very loud for her. In my prayers, I placed her in the hands of her Heavenly Father and gripped my heart for what would come.

As I walked into the foyer of the church, I realized there was a line, leading up to the sweet, strong woman wearing yellow. Yellow? Yellow! To represent the "Son", to represent "joy", to represent the season in which her son's life was called for.

I gave her hug that lasted for a moment's time. I whispered to her that this is her finest hour, and she whispered to me that this is the end of times. "We are living the last days."

On the mountains of Sofia, Bulgaria, he took his last breath. He marveled at the Creator's creation, and fell asleep amongst the arms of trees, clouds, and white snow. He woke up standing before the Creator of such miraculous places and embraced his father, his Heavenly Father.

Father, may we enjoy the laughter of our children, or even the moments of frustration. May we see the mundane chores like filling up our car full of gas, as an opportunity to travel your distances. May we breathe deeply in the morning because you chose to give us another day to commune with our family and friends. May we rejoice over the grass we have to cut, for their is life in that grass or we wouldn't have to cut it. May your Spirit speak to us in every moment we live out.

I love you with all my heart, and I pray the day I take my last breath, more life would be given because of the testimony I live out. May my light shine for you beyond my physical presence. May the girls always assign their mom the color yellow. The color that represents the "Son", and the joy that comes in the morning! May my husband feel full from the life that we lived together. May he never look back and find empty pockets. Thank you for our beginnings!

Two Step. . . sort of . . .

There it was, a buzzing cell phone in my hand with the words "unavailable number". I hurried to the garage, where Andres was heating up the grill, and said, "Here...someone' calling. It might be...." And as soon as that, we found out that Andres made it to round two of interviews. He was being looked at, even closer, for the possible relocation to Arizona. Next step? A possible flight out for a face to face, but we will have to wait for another week or so for that.

Once again, my devotional for the day was so perfect. He doesn't want me to miss the moments.....squander away the day with foreshadowing thoughts. My Spirit reads the words of those pages as if it's a fresh pour of water on life's petals, but my mind gets muddied with the downpour of insecurity. What type of insecurity? The type that says, "How do we really know that this is Him?" even though He's made His mark in ways that I cannot count, just for thoughts like these. Confusion is not from Him, peace is. Confusion is what I feel when I give way to my thinking, but peace is when I think of what He may be doing!

Lord, I pray that I will close the lid to this laptop, take a deep sigh of breath, and feel squeezed as you send me off to bed. it's 11:20 p.m., and there is much to do tomorrow. Three flowers in my garden to tend to, and they all end with "ie". There's broccoli to chop for my Paula Dean broccoli salad, and fruit to scoop. There's prayer to walked through this home before ladies arrive at 7 p.m. with hearts full of emotions. You need me rested and able to enjoy what you have in store for our lives tomorrow. Good night fear, anxious thoughts!! I'm wrapping myself in a blanket of TRUST and REST!!! I love you Lord!

Still waiting...........one week to date since our first interview.

A few things along the way to remind us that He is apart of this process, whether the end result is a "yes" or "no".

Devotional for yesterday, after the night that Andres woke up with the burning question, "Can we really have a "life" in Arizona?" The kind of life where relationships are in abound, where our church home is a place of refuge and strength, where a phone call is never ceasing. That kind of life. Well, I thought, "I'm not sure," I answer. This was the first time we felt this type of question since the "revelation" on the way home from our friend's lake house.

So, early in the morning, before Andres grabbed his lunch to head out the door to see what awaits him, I read my devotional. I would have to look up the scripture later, but for now a good word to leave with would be nice.

"Whenever you start to feel anxious, remind yourself that your security rests in Me alone, and I am totally trustworthy. You will never be in control of your life circumstances, but you can relax and trust in My control. Instead of striving for a predictable, safe lifestyle, seek to know Me in greater depth. I long to make your life a glorious adventure, but you MUST stop clinging to old ways."

That started our day off right, and sliced right through the fear that we were having. What were we fearing? Afterall, aren't adventures of life supposed to be exciting and climatic? Depends......if I was going to hike down the Grand Canyon, and had waited for it all my life, it would be an adventure packed full of emotions. Excitement to finally be at "this moment", nervous of what the physical cost was going to be, and a rush of "it's finally here", which undoubtedly would lead to tears for me. Well, that's what we feel right now, and as each day passes, and we're not sure if it is a "yes" or "no", it delays those emotions for yet another day. At the same time, I can hear the Lord telling me to "STOP asking me if we're there yet!? Like mere children in the backseat of a planned out trip, you keep asking me if "we're there yet", and I have so much planned for you when we arrive. ENJOY the views outside your window, eat your snack, drink your coffee, and breathe deeply. We'll be there shortly."

And then, shortly after Andres left, I grabbed my Bible to look up the scripture to the devotional, and it was in Isaiah 43:18-19:

"Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. LOOK, I am about to do something NEW; even now it is coming. Do you not see it, Andres and Elizabeth? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."

I have read this one before, in fact, it was underlined in a heavy, black ink in my Bible, but the "rivers in the desert part". That meant more to me now then ever before. I called Andres to share the scripture, and he shared that the Lord had taken him back to a part in our trip where we were hugged between two desert mountains, and at the bottom of the these two mountains were a HUGE over growth of vegetation. Papa Sunshine (Papa gave himself an Indian name so he could be an official guide) said that the rivers ran through these two mountains during the monsoon seasons, and it offered enough water to bring life.

So, at the time the Lord was bringing me the words from His Word, He was giving Andres a visual of life in the desert.

So, to answer my beloved's question, "Can we make a life in Arizona?", the answer is "YeS!" We can because He said that He will provide "rivers in the desert", and water brings life. So, as long as we continue to cling to Him and reach out to those around us when/if we move there, then life will abound no matter where we reside.

It's 4:47 p.m. and it's two hours behind in Phoenix, Arizona. I can't help but click "refresh" in my "in-box", but I'm going to try to sit back in my seat, listen to the music He is playing, roll down my window for fresh air, and just enjoy the journey He has us on. I don't want to miss the Texas summer heat, the flowers that are blooming inspite of their overworked roots, the girls watching Strawberry Shortcake, and the freedom to blog my thoughts. Sweet Jesus, how I do love You!!!!

Which way. . .

Since I don't have followers, other than my mom and one other friend, I feel a bit safe in writing some of my thoughts, and journey steps. We haven't shared this with anyone, and will soon enough, but we are oh so close to finding out whether or not we are heading out to Arizona for a new lifetime. A new lifetime of memories, friends, no family, new schools, and so much more. Not sure if we feel sad or adventurous. Not sure if we feel called or just wanting to. Not sure if we don't want to or just feel scared. All I do know is we are keeping our cheek right next to His to hear the next step. Right now, the step is to not step. It's to rest! And wait to see if we get a "second interview".

In the Bible study, "When Godly People Do UnGodly Things", we are talking about seductions. As most readers assume, seduction can be sexual in nature, but we're talking about our sin seductions. What grips us out of the arms of our Heavenly Father and leaves us to mind games, obsessions, and wandering around aimlessly wasting time? My seduction is undoubtedly the desire to stay deep rooted in my physical place. I want the girls to grow up in the same home, same town, going to the same school, worshipping at the same church and seeing the same faces. My Spirit has been desiring something different, yearning to reach out beyond our borders, but my physical self gets sick just thinking about it.

Andres and I are at a crossroads of sorts. He can go this way, and stay "deep rooted", or he can go that way and "uproot". Which is the way? What does the Lord want? I will not know for He will give Andres that direction, and then He will grant me the feelings of "affirmation" of the "confirmation". I love that, and sometimes I don't. I wish the Lord was a texter, so I could just text Him questions, or even times for us to meet up at the coffee shop for an intervention. I love Him so much, and it will never compare to the love He has for me.

So, for now, we wait. We wait for at least a week and either way, we will hear a "yes" or a "no" via e-mail. Prayin' for His answer!! And whatever He leads us to, I will be ever so thankful to His guidance.

With much love, and adoration for our Lord............

Arizona, Friends, and Papa

Where in the world do I begin? Should I begin at the time Dad lost his first born daughter, Nichole Renee, and Dad's promise to follow? Should I begin at March 13, 1977 when I was born to fulfill that promise to Dad? Should I begin at the birth of Katie and her fulfillment of the promise too? Should I start with the evening we were walking our little Katie around the small neighborhood of Fountains of Spring Lake, and ran into the Andersons? Should the story begin with the sweet, sweet times of Bible study that we had just three doors down, and how that began a friendship that will last to the day of our return? And then, continue for eternity. Do I begin in the beginning of Genesis 1:1, when it said that God created the Heavens and the Earth? Surely that included the Grand Canyon, right?

Arizona 2011, a trip Andres and I labeled "life changing". What does that mean in it's entirety? I'm not sure! We're not sure! We're waiting to find out.

We spent 10 wonderful days as a family, making new memories! Not just the picture perfect type of vacation, although I'm tempted to say it was, but the real kind of memories! The kind of memories that take your breath away, teach you a new lesson about life, a visual of God's greatness, splash moments, and just simple moments! The perfect, not-so-perfect, vacation!

We stayed with our very dear friends, Mark and Joey. We love them, as I'm sure they would say they love us too. A special kind of friendship that is glued with God's love right in the middle. Not because we're just alike, look alike, act alike, like the same things, or believe in the same things, but simply because God said it so. He said it so even before He moved them to the southeast side of Mansfield, just at the tip of Joe Pool Lake. We were destined to be life journey families. Our children have been prayed over by Mark and Joey and blessed by them on many of occasion, and we have prayed over the sweet children they have brought into this world. Our heart skips a beat when we see any one of them, as if we've been family all along.

Ten days, and a lot of laughter. Ten days, and some pain. Ten days of enjoying the daily routines of the Andersons (like getting a haircut at Annie's place, or swimming at Momma Davis' house). Ten days, and a whole new landscape. Ten days of the extraordinary and simple. Ten unforgettable days!

We ate breakfast under a grapefruit grove, attended a church service on Saturday night, cooked mass meals, put together puzzles, dressed our girls alike, gave Cade space to be an only guy, giggled late at night while the kids were sleeping, watched a silly movie, walked to the neighborhood park, had dinner in the outdoor mall, attended a baseball game, brushed down a horse, swam with friends, talked about the little things, and pondered the big things, watched a backyard transform, borrowed children for outings, and so, so much more.

Then, a Grand Canyon trip that sucked the breath out of Andres Alonso Perez!!! It was grander than grand, and a massive creation that made us righteously fearful of His works. Who are we, but a small portion of His creation, yet He loves us above all!!??!! Not one portion of His creation, including the Grand Canyon which leaves on breathless, compares to His delight in you and me. That floors me, because if you've never seen the Grand Canyon, it's not just a "hole" in the ground! It's Holy Ground! It's Holy because it obeyed it's Creator and moved right where He wanted it to move. It cracked, formed, and dropped in all the right places. Not one portion of the Grand Canyon was created out of His will!!!!!! Even the Elk that grazed so closely to our car, have been obedient to Him. They move when He says move, they live where He wants them to live, and are the best Elk they can be for their Lord!!! Right up to their velvet antlers!

As if that was not enough, eight days into our trip the door bell rang. Who's there? It's PAPA.............wait..........it couldn't be...............Papa lives down the street in Texas..............wait.....................it IS Papa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Enough to bring all three girls to smiles!


Dad stopped by on day eight. He could hardly stand being in the same town and not seeing the girls. It was like the grand finale of an already beautiful firework display. Dad took us around that following day, and it was nothing short of a miraculous, blessing of an experience. Who cares if those words don't go together in the same sentence!!!! There are no "correct" or "great" words to describe what it felt like to finally be at the place of bringing a lifetime of memories together with the present day. All the old pain and hurt, brought to the place of fulfillment and joy.


We drove through mountains, skipped rocks, laughed as "Papa Sunshine" toured us around, rock climbed, stood still, stood tall, sat down, and a few lap sits as well (Papa and Katie). We heard stories, told stories, and made new stories.



There's not enough "posting" space to describe my heart, thoughts or emotions of this past vacation. I can only pray that I will have the slightest of details in mind as I retail of our experience. Lord, please help me remember my childlike awe of the Mingus Mountain, snow-capped mountains in Flagstaff, the "dream land" that we didn't want to leave as we made our way to the canyon, and so much more!



How deep and wide is your love for me......................for us!!!!!!




I love you Lord!

Rain, Done, and MapQuest

It's 9 a.m., exactly, my students just finished their final exam, and it's about to pour outside. Brie is taking her final exam, Katie is counting down the days to finish First Grade, and Sofie is trying her best to follow Mrs. Turner's instructions. :)

Wow an amazing school year! We have been through so much this year, some things we were drafted into, some brought on by ourselves, and some things were simply meant for growth. All of which is necessary for fruit bearing trees!

Brie is finishing her first school year at a new school, new home, new community, with new friends! Considering such monumental changes, she's transitioned beautifully! Katie made it through a pretty tough year. She missed the ol' days of centers, crafts, and fun songs to help her remember grammar. Oh the days of Kinder, and now it's on with rigor! Bless her heart........ Sofie also finished a monumental year. She made it through Pre-K, and accomplished it gracefully. Well, most days! :) Three girls still livin' it for Him!

Season of life we're in right now? Well, we're in the Season of breathing in the very essence of Christ because without Him, we will not be able to parent a 13 year-old, 7 year-old, and an almost 5 year-old. Daily, we're aware of three sets of eyes that are watching us, three sets of ears that are hanging onto every word we mention, and three sets of feet that follow our every move. How can a human be held so accountable for three lives? We can't! We're human! BUT, we're responsible. We're the hands in which Christ delivered all three girls, and what we do with our time is being accounted for!

So, here are a few scriptures that have been lingering for the past couple days of breathing Him:

* "Lord, You know ALL (emphasis mine) things" (John 21:17)

* "...No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no MIND HAS CONCEIVED (emphasis mine)
what God has PREPARED for those who love Him" (I Cor. 2:9)

* "Thank (God) in EVERYTHING (e.m.)- NO MATTER what the circumstances
may be, be thankful and GIVE THANKS; for this is the WILL of God for us."
(I Thess. 5:18)

* "I never said YOU COULD, but I ALWAYS said I WOULD!" (Zechariah 4:6)

* "...not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.....says the Lord of hosts"

I don't always love the map He's laid before me, but I love the fact that He knows where I'm going. He knows the detours, the scenic routes, areas of danger and the final destination. He doesn't always keep me from traveling danger, but He promises that I'll arrive safely to p.o.d. I don't have access to His MapQuest, and to be quite honest, I'd rather Him print it off and hand it to me.

To follow my Master is more beautiful than to wander around on my own. Joy, Peace, and Love are His rest stops. Mine would be frustration, anxiety, and wasted time.

Royal Wedding indeed....

The eve of the Royal Wedding, and I can hardly sleep. With so much excitement in the air, how can one not take it all in? An average girl, from an average town........chosen. Chosen to wed the Prince of Whales. Hope for any common girl, that she too could be chosen to sit at the right hand of her fair Prince. The finest of details being tended to, and all the last minute lessons on grace.

Can't you help but wonder how we'll feel the day we meet our King? In the Bible, He talks about preparing a wedding feast, and it will be the first time He is to eat and drink wine since the Last Supper. What types of details is our Lord preparing for us? If He gives the wisdom of etiquette, class, and style to human beings, how much more would He know how to plan a feast for His bridegroom. Now, it is beyond my ability to picture all that He means by a "wedding feast and bridegroom", as it relates to the men in my life. Must be a strange thought for them to ponder on a Lord waiting for His bridegroom, which includes both them and us girls, but either way, we can all imagine our own wedding times 100. Breathtaking, shimmering, sounds of crystal, the finest of linens, silver, and china and most of all.....................Jesus!

So, I will enjoy all the commentaries, pictures, videos, and the books on this soon to be wed couple as it will not be a visual of what I do not have, rather a glimpse of what is to come!!!!

No words; Cereal; Ballgame

Well, let's just say that it has been a long time since I've journaled last. Life gets so busy, and the last thing I have time to do in the evening is sit down, and "blog". Still sounds so weird coming from this "no facebook" girl. Blogging sounds so new and innovative to me, and to others it's was "so 2004". Oh well, either way, I'm thankful for the opportunity to sit down, and jot down a few things.

First, how good is our God? The goodness of our Father goes beyond my human capabilities to put His "awesomeness" into human words. There's not Latin root, Greek origin, or Hebrew word that can even begin to describe our Lord. David, the Psalmist couldn't do it, Solomon didn't have the wisdom to write it down in full, nor did His disciples have the "perfect" description of the Perfect. What is written in the pages of the Word are God breathed about Himself, not man-made. Oh, how I wish I could breathe in His excellence, His presence, His Deity! I get glimpses, and bits and pieces, but the fullness will never come until I go home.

Until then, I will look around at the blossoms on our Dogwood tree, listen to the birds break out in song, enjoy the fresh Spring breeze coming through the front window, enjoy the worship music that plays through our speakers, and most importantly look at what He's done in our family. Brianne is a physical reminder of more salvation, redemption, grace, and mercy scriptures than any book I could ever read (other than His word).

From the moment I wake up to eat a bowl of cereal, until I fall asleep next to Andres, I see what God meant by:

* taking care of the orphans
* adoption into the Kingdom of Heaven
* cannot be earned; just given through grace (salvation)
* forgiveness even when not deserved
* Gentile v. Jew
* coming before the Great Judge to seal the deal (our adoption day)
* baptism: buried in Christ and raised to walk with Him in the newness of life

And the list goes on!

This past July, right before we received the phone call, if you would've told me that we would receive a phone call in just a few weeks about a 12 1/2 year-old girl, and this is what the Lord was going to call us to, I would've been reluctant, doubtful, and fearful. But, He didn't give us a "heads up". He didn't point out to center and say that's where He was going to hit the ball. We had to keep our eye on the batter, continuously, and when He hit, we were then ready to catch His calling. We caught it into our glove, and now we are running to home plate on March 9th at 8 a.m.!!!! It was a four-year ballgame, but it was well worth it!!! I'm forever blessed and thankful that we were in the game, and not bystanders to others.

So many times we look at other ballgames being played and envy their game, when all along He's been scouting you out! He's been inviting you to a professional game of FAITH, but you were so busy looking over the fence, that you didn't hear. You heard the fans roaring on some other family, that you didn't hear your game starting!

I encourage you to just listen, and obey your Father! That's what we ask of our children!! In fact, I will post some pictures from our morning today. We took the girls to a very special piece of land that no one else really knows about. We have never seen someone else visit this piece of land, and we resort to it for a variety of reasons. Sometimes to pray, have a picnic, read a book, talk it out, or just enjoy a piece of Heaven in the big city. Well, this morning, we took our girls there so we could spend some time together before our big adoption day. It was a deviation from the weekend norm for our family, so the girls had a TON of questions. They kept asking where were going, how far is it, why are we not going down Broad street, how long will we stay there, are we going to eat there, what city is it in, and on and on and on!!! They weren't questions of "fun", rather "I'm thrown off and I need to know now."

We were really frustrated with the girls because we had a very special morning planned for them. We were going to reveal our family scripture (Isaiah 25:1), pray together, sketch a bit, throw rocks, and of course before we did all that, we were going to go to a coffee shop for coffee and hot chocolate. We had it all planned out and it was going to be very special, but they were ruining it question by question!

How often.....................again...................how often, does He have it ALL planned out for us and we keep drowning the adventure and blessings with doubt, and control? We could've enjoyed the ride until we arrived to His planned spot for us, but instead of looking out the side window and spotting a Red Robin, or admiring the lake underneath the beautiful bridge, we looked at the back of His head, and questioned the whole time. We're all so guilty of this!!! So, when the girls did this, I was 1/2 upset, and 1/2 convicted.

We ended up having a GLORIOUS morning on top of that piece of land and the pictures you see posted are from our outing. If you get a chance to look up Isaiah 25:1, please do. He is so faithful!

Well, as I end this "post", I reflect on the simple truth that in two days, our adoption is finalized! He never allowed us to close our door to adoption, when so many times we struggled with the road. It was paved many times, but there were many times, that it was not. I'm thankful for the consistency of His voice, and the steadfastness to listen! I love our Heavenly Father so very much and I see Him all around me! I see Him in His creation, and in His people! That includes you sweet daughter, or dear friend! Keep your eyes open and investigate His fingerprints! Find 'em everywhere and let it remind you of who He is and what He wants to do in your life and in the life of your family!

With much love, excitement, and encouragement,

Elizabeth

His approach, Huntsville, let us be the ones!!

God is so amazing!!! Not because of what He does for us, or answers to prayers, but because He is Who He Is!!! To be able to approach a Holy God, at any given moment, whether driving, cleaning, running errands with your children, on your knees in your room, in church or at a girl's luncheon, is AMAZING!!!!!! Who are we to be able to approach Him so casually? If He blesses us with not one more blessing, but just keeps communication open, then I am forever blessed!!!!

Last night, as I was laying Sofia down, I approached Him as I lay under her sheets waiting for her to fall asleep. I told Him how I have feelings that I don't understand, and how I'm sorry if I've been wasting time doing nothing (could because we're locked in, not sure) and how I miss Him. I miss meeting with Him like I used to. Weird thing.....when I was at home with the girls and school schedules were not apart of our life yet, I was deep, deep into His word. I was having fellowship with other ladies and we were sharing what He was revealing to us. Now? Well, now, we're apart of the world of education (sweet education with His love all over it, but still a time commitment), and I find that I settle for the time I squeeze in with Him.

I'm doing a Kay Arthur study called "Covenant". Hello!!!!!!!!! Uhhhhhh................as if "Covenant" is not deep into His promises and not to mention that it's an "inductive" study, which means you're going as deep as you possibly can and then you find that you can actually go deeper. So, what's my problem? Well, I look at my "Covenant" Bible Study book and purposefully ignore it. I know how intricate it can be, how much color-coding, writing, and processing it can be, and I just flat-out ignore it. Forgive me Lord!!!! Put a yearning in my heart and grow some Spiritual muscles in me!!! Give me a deprivation feeling if I've not met with You and don't let my day feel complete until we've talked, fellowshiped, and communed with one another!!

In one month, a friend and I are heading to Huntsville, Texas to meet with the real penitentiary women. I mean, we're talking about some serious prisoners. We're going to share with them that redemption is theirs! Is that not the most amazing news that one could ever hear behind bars?????? THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE YOUR STORY!!!!!!! THIS IS NOT THE CHAPTER YOU HAVE TO HANG ONTO!!! HE'S DOING A NEW THING.....DO YOU NOT PERCEIVE IT? (my favorite scripture) Oh, how I can hardly wait to be sitting in front of #87305, with my hand on her knee with His promises for her life and mine!!! We could, in very different circumstances, be the same "sisters-in-Christ". Oh my goodness................it's a dream vacation!!!

All this to say..............I need to prepare my heart and not arrive as a hypocrite, but as a cleaned-out vessel so that He may speak, work, and move through me. I must get into His word, spend time with Him, and be obedient to His daily call.

Girls, whether it's Brie, Katie, Sofie reading this or an actual girlfriend, when we walk away from Him, for even a short amount of time, our days are filled with endless, meaningless tasks. BUT, when we keep our ears close to His voice, our days are filled with timeless, meaningful purpose!!! I don't want to waste my time, and I don't want Him to look upon my life and "regret" what He's done. (That's what I read recently regarding the covenant b/w Noah and the Lord. He looked upon that generation and He "regretted" and felt "sorry" that He created man. WHOA!!!!!! That burned upon my heart when I read that b/c we all know the feeling of "regret", and I couldn't imagine having a child that was so out-of-control and so selfish in her journey, that I speak the words "regret" having this child. May we be a generation of women that He "delights" in and "cherishes". Let us be the generation that finds the exact purpose in which He created us for!!!!

Can a blog be. . .?

Can a blog be longer than a thought? Can it contain more details than one would ever want to know about a family's afternoon? Can it be whatever I'd like it to be or are their underlying "rules" for blogging? Do you have to keep things nice and sweet for the reader's pleasure, or can you throw out thought provoking questions, with a dollop of daily insight? Can you make a "Vera Bradley" looking homepage to your blog or are you just limited to the standard patterns?

Just asking.....

Messed up; new words

Well, in every human being's life, there comes a time when they have messed up. Actually, daily we "mess up" or fall short in one area or another, but there are fewer times when it can put you on the spot. Most times, our short falls (sin) is known by us, affects us, and is for us to deal with one-on-one with the Lord, then there are other times when it is known by us and others, affects us and others, and it has to be dealt with us, others, and the Lord. And this is one of those times for me. For obvious reasons, I can't go into detail, but I can tell you that I should've stood up for what was on my heart every time I felt it. Though none stand with me, I will still follow. Isn't that what we've been singing in GAs for a long time, and on Sunday mornings for alter call? So, then why would I find it hard to do as a 33 year-old mom of three girls? INSECURITY!!!!!! Insecure in my abilities. Insecure in my walk with Christ. Fearful of rejection. Fear of not being eloquent enough in my words or backing. Yuck!! Those insecurities have put me into an uncomfortable position for this afternoon, and now I must be truthful, upfront and honest not only in front of the original people, but now with several others.

The scripture I'm choosing to memorize for the next two weeks is Jeremiah 17:7- Amplified version: Most blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in , and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.

My personal translation: Most blessed am I, Elizabeth Anne, when I believe in, trust in, and rely on the Lord, and when my hope and confidence is the Lord.

Honesty, even when it's not been solicited is always the best way to go. When the Lord says "speak", you "speak".

Girls, when I give you this book for a Christmas gift later this year, please read this: To stand in full confidence in the Lord, is to stand with Him. He loves you so very much and never intends for us to shy away into a corner. There are times to speak and times to listen. Listen when He says, "Ssshhh!!!!!", and open your sweet mouths when He says, "Speak!!!!" You will be blessed if you allow your Holy Spirit to prompt you each day, in every circumstance. Your mom loves you beyond words and I pray for you daily!!!

A little nervous . . .

Okay, so have you ever attended the first session of your Bible study and thought to yourself, "I'm not sure if I can hang!?!?" Well, that's how I feel after hearing how the Covenant Study from Kay Arthur is going to go. I'm so intimidated and I'm not sure why. I've been through some pretty tough studies, but this one seems very in-depth to me. Perhaps it's because it's my first Kay Arthur study and all I can picture is my mom. I remember hearing about Kay Arthur since I was little, so now that it's my turn to give it a whirl, I'm kind of chicken. I wrote a prayer out on the bottom of my "intro session" page, and asked the Lord to give me a deep yearning for His word and to give me confidence to work through this study. I want to learn more and study more, so that I can shine more!

So, I'm tippin' my hat to a new study! A new adventure through the pages of God's Word for EIGHT WEEKS!!!

Pandora, Root Beer, and Emotions

A little late in posting such a picture since we're well into January of a new year, but hey.......I can always use the sight of two pumpkins in a patch.

Pandora is running, the girls are watching "Willy Wonka and the Very Long Title", and Andres is right by my side registering for his very own Pandora account. I'm tellin' ya, if you haven't used Pandora, it's amazing!!! Put in your favorite artist/song and it will create an entire radio station with similar artists/songs..........FREE!!!! I listen to it all the time and let the words of truth, and encouragement pour through this laptop.

It's time for me to search for my new scripture. I'm not sure what the topic should be or what words need to be impressed upon my heart, but tonight I'm opening the Word to find the words to memorize. Can't wait!

So, this week has brought a lot of emotions. One friend's husband lost his job (and it hits close to home because he's also an architect and we know all too well how hard it can be to quickly find another position), my parents have an amazing job offer that might take them to Tucson, Arizona, we have some friends who have officially finished their adoption paperwork/training as of 4:45 p.m. today, and we just found out that Andres' grandpa will have his foot removed b/c of diabetes. A lot of things going on around us, and this doesn't begin to hit on local, state, national, and international news!! Hang on to the foot of the cross and rest in His promises!

Well, two pot-pies are ready to go into the oven (one beef for Andres, and one chicken for me). The girls have already eaten and are ready for their root beer floats. Yumm....

With much love on this very rainy, cloudy day!

Elizabeth

Fire...Derby...not yet

It's 7:51 p.m. on a Thursday evening and I'm just sitting by the fire, and desperately trying to find words worth blogging. There are so many times that I just want to sit on my blog and write something, just because I can. I really want to go on and on about much of nothing and document every detail of the day, so that at the end of this year, when I buy the Kristin Paige book, then I will read through my entries like a diary of sorts.

I am excited to announce that I've memorized my first scripture for 2011. Translation mine:

Titus 2:5-6
In the same way, I should be an example to my girls and to the young women in my life; not gossipy or in love with the things of this world, so they may one day love their husbands and children, be sensible, pure, and good homemakers, so that God's word may not be slandered and return void.

Woohoo!!! A friend of mine told me today that her mother quotes scripture if she's having a hard time sleeping. Not to say that the Word is boring, rather it brings rest to her restless soul. She starts with A and recites a scripture that begins with A, like "All have fallen short of the glory of God. B, "Be still and know that I am God", and so on. Isn't that profound and fun?!? I thought that was a really neat way to see where you are in hiding God's word in your heart. Thank you Mrs. Peggy for lovin' the Lord and for being a Titus 2 woman to your daughter, and to the rest of us.

Katie is out with Andres on a "date night". They are buying her Derby race car decorations. Derby racing?!? Yes, friends. Katherine Elizabeth (100% girl) is going to enter into a Derby race with her father. I can't wait to see what types of stickers she picked out and what color she is going to paint her car. Andres has been researching "how to win a derby race" and he's finding some extreme measures to win, right down to the type of nails to hammer in. Wow!! Who would've thought!?

Sofie and Brie are already in bed. I found Brie asleep at the books. She had her MP3 player on and it was playing the song "Temporary Home" and I laughed and said "no more", and she woke up and said "uh, huh. it's not 'til we get to Heaven" Wow!!! She still sees her home with us as temporary because she's not home yet until she's face to face with God. Yeah!! Lord, I pray that you keep her heart tucked so close to yours. Please watch over her and give us wisdom on how to guide, and nurture her . Thank you for choosing us to be the parents of Melissa Brianne. She's a precious young girl, and it's with delight to watch her come into the young lady you've had in mind since her conception. From conception to adoption..........she's yours!

The sounds in my home right now are: crackling wood on the fireplace, Daisy grace snoring, cars passing by, the rustling of Sofie's crisp sheets, and the keyboard. I can hear so many things when I sit in silence. Lord, help me hear you in the silence of the evening. Thank you for the provision of warmth in our home, while so many spend night after night without a warm place to call their own. The fire that burns in my peripheral vision is but comfort to me, a way to paint the scene. It's not my only hope to warm the bodies of our three girls. In plenty we fall asleep, and in plenty we awake. Thank you!

La Madaline...DOTS..and wordsearches

It's Friday afternoon and what a beautiful day it is! I'm listening to http://www.pandora.com/ which is so worth your time if you've not checked it out (you make up your own radio stations), my kids are working on their wordsearches for their Spanish quiz, Mrs. Blue shared a few DOTS with me, and last night I met with my "Girl's Night Out" (sounds more risky than it really is) group at La Madeline for our monthly meet up.

It's been a while since I've last blogged. I can't believe that just came out of my mouth "blogged", and if a former co-worker ever knew that I've entered into the world of "blogger moms", then she'd call me an imposter. Oh well, what can a girl do when she gets the opportunity to type 20 words to every 7 that she could write out?!? Actually, I'm blogging so that I can do what my sweet friend, Kristin Paige, does.......purchase a book with all my entries. Is that not the best?!? If you raised a brow, said "no", or "whatever", then you just don't understand my love for writing for the girls to have one day. They may never read one prayer that I've jotted down, a side note in my Bible, a blog post, nor my millions of e-mails that I've saved for memories, but my heart will be left on paper.

Ooohh!!! Gotta run.....the chess club is coming in for their meeting. No....I'm not the chess club sponsor......in fact, quite the opposite. Check mate...

Titus Two to who?

Who should I be a Titus Two To? First, just out of curiosity, can you say that fast three times: titus two to who? Phew! I can barely type it twice, let alone, say it quickly.

I'm starting my year off by memorizing a scripture, every two weeks. I'm going along with the Siesta Sisters Scripture Team from Living Proof Ministries. Beth Moore does it every year, but this year they have this really cute flip chart thing (doesn't even begin to describe it), and you write down your scripture every two weeks. I'm choosing "balance, self-control, etc." for my theme for this month and I will memorize two scriptures this month that relate to such a topic.

So, for the next two weeks, here's my scripture (this is a personalized writing of Titus 2:3-5):

I need to be reverent in my behavior, not gossipy or drunk with the things of this world, so that my girls and other young women will learn to love their husbands and their children, to be sensible, pure, good homemakers and submissive to the heads of their homes, so that God's word will be evident in their lives and not be slandered.
What a charge to me as a mom, a teacher of young people, and as a friend to younger women in my life!!! What a challenge.....

When I look at Brie, Katie, and Sofie, I get overwhelmed at the great responsibility of raising THREE GIRLS FOR HIM! I also know that when I look at them, that it's not me that molds the clay, but their Potter and I get to watch the lump turn into a masterpiece right before our eyes. Thank you Lord......Creator of the Heavens, Earth, and my family for shaping us!

As I close for today, I can't help but think of sweet Ms. Shirley from our church. She's a tall, beautiful black lady that wore a large hat to church about every Sunday. She was the door greeter and she would declare every Sunday when she saw the girls running to the door, "My, my here come some pretty girls. How are you girls this morning? You look so pretty." They would wrap their arms around her leg and she would hand each one of us a church bulletin. Often, Mrs. Shirley and I would talk about meeting up for coffee (her house), but the time never came for coffee nor her Christmas Poinsettia that we intended to take to her. She went home to be with the Lord yesterday morning. She had a massive stroke a few weeks ago (suddenly), and yesterday Andres, the girls and I arrived to her rehab center with a gift all wrapped up so pretty. The ladies at the front desk told us that she had gone to the hospital (with a "not so good look" on their face), and I knew then that she had passed on. We went to the hospital just in case, and walked away without a gift in hand (gave it to her family), and without a Ms. Shirley to greet us on Sundays.

We do praise Him for her wholeness!!! She is NOT the kind of lady to not be able to speak, walk, or visit with others. She would NOT have wanted her life to end with months, or even years without an ability to spread the "good news" or even share old stories of how she used to pick cotton on the very land where our church was built. So, for that I praise Him for loving her so much to take her home. He literally gave her all of 2010 to be with us and to visit with loved ones, and on the very last morning of 2010, He whisked her away into His arms. Isn't that profound? To realize that He has our very minute, day, month, year to the day we go home. He knows our very last breath! He knows what we must accomplish and once we do, it's time to be complete. AMAZING! MIRACULOUS! ONLY SOMETHING GOD COULD DO!

So, it's off to a date night with Andres! Yeah! Dinner, a drive through the backroads of Ovilla/Midlothian/Cedar Hill, and CONVERSATION!!!!!!! We love our twelve, six, and four year-old, but we need our time too. :)

Happy New Year's Day!!!! Let a New Year begin and let the pages that have been written for us, live out to the fullest!!!