I've got more than I ever thought I would...

It's been refreshing to have a little down time the past few days to reflect and remember all of the blessings God has so generously poured out over our family.  I had fun looking back through all of our videos and pictures from 2013...and if you know me, there are just a "few" to sort through!!

I am working on a post featuring some of my favorite highlights from the past year but for now I wanted to share a video that gives a glimpse into our year together as a family.

Michael recently found the song "Good" by Dave Barnes and the words hit home with me the first time I heard it.

There was a time in my life that wasn't filled with joy or hope, but with a lot of tears and sadness.
I wasn't sure I would ever have a family of my own or experience the blessings and joy I have been given.
Friends would assure me that life would change but there were days when I was alone in my apartment that I questioned...I wondered...I poured out my heart to the One who has always proved faithful.

And that He did...almost 10 years ago I married my amazing husband Michael and I never would have imagined that life could be so good.  Yes...we have our challenges and heartaches together, but at the end of the day we look around us and can honestly say we have more than we ever thought we would.

As the year comes to an end, I look back with a heart of gratitude for God's favor and provision that  has exceeded our expectations.  And as another new year dawns...we look forward with anticipation to what lies ahead as we continue to watch the story He is writing in our lives unfold.

Happy New Year!!

Make a joyful noise

Spencer recently started taking guitar lessons again and it has been fun to watch him grow.  

He has a natural talent for memorizing and learning new songs with ease.  

I love listening to him practice while I'm making dinner or playing with Lils.  

It also keeps her motivated to practice her violin so that she can get "better and better".  

Lily is also a big fan of hanging out in his room dancing around to all his music.  

We met someone recently who didn't know either of them but immediately noticed the unique bond they share.

Sometimes it is easy to take that for granted so it was a great reminder of how truly blessed we are.  

He is makes her laugh and be silly.  

And she looks up to him as if he hung the moon.  

I cannot wait to see another little one join our family and experience the love they have to share.  

Do You Believe?

"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

What keeps you from Bethlehem?

For me...it is the business of this season and trying to check of the "to do" lists that never seem to end.
 If I allow it, this can easily take me away from the truth of that holy night.

The lyrics of my favorite Christmas song this year, Carl Cartee's "Do You Believe", says it well...

If God became a baby, to take the sinners place

to be our salvation...think about the meaning of that day.

Do you believe he made the world?

Do you believe he changed the world?

Do you believe he saved the world?

Oh, the meaning of that night...

The hands, that placed the stars in the sky, wrapped tightly around Mary and Joseph's fingers.

The voice, that spoke the world into being, cried out in the stillness of the night.

The love, poured out for our sins on the cross, reached into a mother's heart.

The light of the world became flesh so that we might have life. There is no greater gift.

Thank you Jesus for your love and pursuit of me even when I stray off course with the distractions of this world.

Oh that I may return to Bethlehem daily to be reminded of the never ending, all consuming love
that entered into the world that Christmas night.

Let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Praying your Christmas was filled with the awe and wonder of the gift we have in Jesus.  

Waiting for you art giveaway winners!

We are beyond grateful for everyone who donated so generously to our adoption fundraiser. The past two weeks tears of thanksgiving have flowed down every time I was notified of a donation or received a check in the mail. 

 Such generous support from friends and family we know and many whom we have never met. 

 Your gifts of love on behalf of our daughter is truly humbling.

Since our last post we received our LID (log in date) on Lily's birthday which was an added celebration for her special day. This means we are ready to be matched and now we wait for a call from our agency. It could be weeks or months but one thing is for certain...God's timing is perfect and we wait with hope knowing His plan is sovereign and His faithfulness is new every morning.

Now on to the news you are waiting to hear...congratulations to the following winners!

"Be still" goes to Cherie H.

"Act" goes to Brooke M.

"Unto me" goes to Wayne H.

I have these pieces packed up and ready to mail out so you will be receiving them soon! 

 Praying that they bring you much joy as you share God's truth with those who enter your home.

Every gift that was given brings us closer to the amount we need to bring home our daughter to her forever home. Thank you for being part of her story and giving with such generous hearts.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

Our hearts are full.