Prayer Request Sunday

Welcome to Prayer Request Sunday~

~Here we share our hearts and allow God to move in our midst. God has put it on my heart, to stand in prayer with anyone who is willing to share their burden with me. I believe our prayers rise with power, as we stand in belief together; like a sweet incense before God.

I'd love to hear what is on your heart and begin carrying it with you to God.

When I pray, I not only give Him your request, but I listen to what His Spirit is saying. I believe that our God is changeless. He is still the same God -who spoke to His people. I believe God has given me a gift, not only to intercede, but also to hear His voice. I'd be honored to do that for you too!

On my heart:

Last week when I was praying, I clearly heard the Lord speak a name. He said, 'Rebecca.' Post prayer, as soon as I found a minute, I began researching the meaning of the name. It meant *to tie or to bind.* I pondered what it could mean and why God spoke it to me, but before I could think on it too long...(2 days later)

I received an email.

In the email it said that there were two sisters in Ghana, who needed a family. Have you guessed it yet? The older was named Rebecca. Which I thought rather strange, as it didn't sound much like an African name to me. Since the email, we have had their pictures sent to us- I have been praying for them and asking God to in particular bring peace and hope to sweet Rebecca.

I continue to pray as God leads and direct me. We are asking God to bring them a family, to let us know if it is perhaps even us.

We can truly know the very heart of God, if we but humble ourselves and place ourselves quietly at His feet.

'Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.'

Thoughts on Infertility

Infertility is a demon. I share this post today, in hopes that you will know you are not alone. Others too have walked this path. Our hope is in God alone. Though the darkness seems to be overwhelming, the truth is that it has already been defeated by our Savior (Jesus). Even in the silence He speaks, though you hear it not. He is saying over and over,

"I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU."

This is taken from my journal -April 12th, 2001. God was in the midst of writing my story, He still is...He wants to write yours too, will you trust Him?

The Prison of a Barren Woman

O' Soul of mine~

Crying out day and night;

Through endless array of years,

Always heavy and deeply dismayed.

Barrenness it has become-

A Barred Prison I dwell in;

Surrounded by prayers, tears and darkness,

No peace for my heart has been found.

Days fly by,

Trying and waiting once more;

Year upon year and prayer upon prayer,

Seeking, knocking, O' where is the Door?

He promised to come, to answer us,

Time gladly contributes it's weight;

Passion only grows, where desire is,

No one around me relates.

I stand an emotional wreck, holding back tears,

Many babies have arrived-none for me;

I smile, bless them, holding control,

Alone again, my heart and soul rend.

I know that I know, for God said long ago,

'A baby will come, here is her name...'

The vision now dim, the silence eternal,

Month after year, barren, the same.

They label it secondary infertility,

Surgery, tests, shots, drugs;

Hopes rise again to be dashed,

My doctor manages a shrug.

'God, are you there?'

What could I have done?

Will this wait never end?

My heart weighs a ton.

Darkness covers my days, I ponder~

How much longer will this devil called Infertility-

direct my thoughts and paths?

I pray for God's hand and tranquility.

My knees bend once again,

My empty arms rise;

The only answer seems to be,

Days lifted in prayerful cries.

God is good and Darkness is fleeting,

I repeat the words, claiming their Truth;

I learn patience and trust along this darkened path,

I'll wait, resting in His love, for it soothes.

My Melting Mama's Heart

Of course it sounded more like, "Hole me," but I knew just what she meant and the fact that she meant *me,* well let's just say I dropped everything.

Oh, how I love her. Oh, how thankful I am for God sending me all the way to Ethiopia to make her mine. Adoption, it is the most wonderful blessing from God.

A Blessing from God

Today was a pretty awful day. Attacks on every side, one of those days when you just can't wait for it to be OVER. Anything that can go wrong did, and throw in kids that don't want to play by the rules and well, you guessed it, just plan ugliness!

After the kids were in bed, I snuck away to look at my latest downloads off my camera. I decided to play a little with photo editing, as it always makes me feel better and something I barely can find time for these days. How could I not shake off the dust of the day and choose joy instead, when I see this beautiful Ethiopian daughter that God blessed me with.

The baby has had croup over the past few days, the Mama was so tired and the devil just knew it was a great day to come at me from all angles. Little did he realize that a grateful heart makes praise rise from my lips. Praise and worship drive him quickly away.

Thank you Lord for today, help me to be quicker about entering into your gates with Praise. Thank you for walking with me today and for reminding me of my wonderful blessings in the midst of another battle.

Motivational Gift Survey

The Church is not a building, but is made up of men and women who actively put their faith in God and use the gifts and talents He has given them, to set about doing Kingdom business.

A few weeks back I was talking about knowing your God given gifts and talents.

In a bit of housecleaning, I discovered that I had bookmarked this site some time ago and thought I'd share it. It is rather short and to the point, I guess it gives you less of an opportunity to answer

*like you think you should.* It takes all of a few short minutes, give it a go and let me know what you discovered about what God has given you.

So what did your giftings lean towards?

Want to take a peak at my results?

The Perceiver:

85%

The Server:

70%

The Teacher:

100%

The Encourager:

70%

The Giver:

90%

The Ruler:

70%

Showing Mercy:

88%

Not sure how accurate this is, but hey, its nice to have a clue as to where your giftings may fall. I was totally surprised by the definition of *ruler*.

*Encourager* I thought was my strongest gifting, followed by *perceiver* - then may 3rd place *teacher.* Hmm, something to pray about!

Prayer Request Sunday

Hi sweet friends! Welcome to Prayer Request Sunday!

Today is the day that I gather your prayer requests...do you have something you'd like for me to pray for you? If you do (and who doesn't) ...leave me a little note and I will begin to cover you with intercessory prayer.

I was also thinking last night how some may not know God and how I don't want them to think that prayer is anything like witchcraft. Prayer is communication of one of God's children to their Father.

In order for us to know God, we must come to Him through Jesus (His only Son.) There is no access to God, except through Jesus, the Bible makes this clear. Jesus is our mediator, He sits next to God the Father, interceding for us, waiting to become the WAY into relationship with the Father.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me."

and look at what else Jesus tells us:

John 14:1

"Do not let your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me."

now if you are His child, adopted into His family though accepting Jesus as your Messiah and Lord...then how is this for a promise...

John 14:13

"And whatsoever you should ask in my name (Jesus), that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

Witchcraft is a form of manipulation- it is dark and is involved with evil. I speak of witchcraft today, because before I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I used witchcraft instead of prayer to get what I wanted. I used it to control my circumstances, it had nothing to do with yielding myself before God.

Prayer is a sincere heart, humbling itself before God, asking for Him to come in Power into our lives. I just wanted you to understand what it is that I do, when you ask me to pray for you. My hearts cry is for you to know Jesus, that you too will walk away from the darkness of this world and join the family of God...you see it is about adoption. Jesus stands waiting for you to come, waiting for you to confess Him as Lord, waiting for you to confess that you have sin that you need (that we need) for Him to cleanse us from. Call on His name, confess you too are a sinner in desperate need of Jesus our Savior-the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of this world. My dear friends, there is no other way...any other road or way leads to death and seperation-eternally from God.

Hey, if you do ask Jesus into your life...would you let me know...that would make my day. And hey, it would also set off a party in heaven, as the angels rejoice each time a sinner repents and comes into the family!

Luke 15:10

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

One of my Beauties

Treasures~Past and Future!

I was cleaning out some bins in the attic recently and to my surprise found something that I had given my Knight, way back when. I had thought they had long ago been lost, however that was not the case at all. It made me think about some other very important things:

A long time ago...

I was dating my Knight and wanted to make something for him.

In my mind, homemade means love~it always has, it always will.

I was 18 years old and I decided that I should knit him a pair of fingerless gloves for a gift. He was away at university and I set about, with the help of me mum to surprise him.

I wasn't much of a knitter, but with mum's support, I was able to bless my sweet boyfriend. You see, he was off studying hard and I wanted something tangle to be with him while we were apart. I think he was very surprised and happily wore them about campus.

Funny, how now my 18 year old wants to knit them. We've been looking for patterns that aren't too complicated, something that her *mum* can help her with. She doesn't have a boyfriend, but is looking to whip a few pairs off just for the fun of it.

Any suggestions friends as to a pattern for Pirate Jacky?

I am so proud of our oldest *homemade* daughter, she has a heart for God. She is waiting for her Beloved to come, she isn't interested in dating, though there are many guys who would love to have her on their arm, I am sure. She is a hard worker, diligent, self motivated, honest, loyal, talented, creative, lovely and quite the busy bee. Sometime in her early teens, she made a vow with God to wait on God for her mate. At 16, her Papa took her to Ireland and together they chose a purity ring, a tangible symbol of her love that was *on hold* until God brought her knowledge of *the One,* He had made only for her.

What a beautiful gift she will give and receive-what a priceless treasure.

When God brings her Knight into her life, boy will he be blessed with all she is able to do and the fact that she kept her heart free for JUST him.

Memories not only reflect our pasts, they make a beautiful path into our futures~to which I am so very thankful!

An Upsetting Dream

If you've known me for more than 5 minutes, you know I have a passion for orphans.

My Knight and I are standing in a place currently, where we are seeking God on *who* He wants us to adopt. Basically, we are asking Him to tell us in detail whether a sibling group or a baby from Ethiopia. We are pretty sure He is leading us back to Ethiopia, but we of course will be listening for any and all specifics. We don't have the money needed for another adoption, honestly, we never had in any of our adoptions. We have always seen Him make a way-with each adoption we've needed to rely more and more on Him, as we've already given all we have. How exciting is that, to wait expectantly for $30,000 if it is a sibling group!

Last night I had a dream, it broke my heart- I need to share it today. It was about 2 children who are yet to be mine? Prophetic, perhaps?

In the dream we are sitting in a semi circle of folding chairs. They are set up outside, most of the chairs are empty. Way down on the left side are 4 children, all about the same age. Two are mine, two are not. The two who are not say to my two, "Our mothers told us the only reason you are here, is that your parents are dead.'

The mothers were sitting on the far right end of the chairs, totally unaware that their 'conversations' were out of the bag and that I had heard.

Now it might have been true, that their birth parents were dead, but the fact was that what those two children said, was just plain mean. My children sat there stunned, hurt and without words. I could see their eyes swelling with tears, that they valiantly tried to hold back.

I, on the other hand began to weep uncontrollably. I was standing to the back of the chairs, enough distant back that no one could see me. My tears flowed at the cruel words that had stung my children's heart. Words that couldn't be taken away, a hurt that only God could heal. No one came to comfort them, no one came to comfort me. I was stuck and unable to move. I couldn't stop crying, the pain from the tears was wrenching my heart- I thought it might literally burst open.

Then I woke up. An hour later, and still my stomach feels sick from it.

Would you pray for my family? Would you consider adding us to your prayer list. We sure do need to hear from heaven on our adoption, that will begin in October.

As a woman who has had years of infertility, my heart longs for a tiny baby. I don't want to decide based on my *wants,* I want to clearly hear from heaven...as His will is better than mine. How do I know? Well, let's just say that 4 of my children came at 3.5, 3, 4 and 5...at times in my life when I was *desperate* for a baby. I had to set aside my will during these adoptions, to say 'Yes,' to His perfect and pleasing will. AND I am so glad that I did, I worked my way away from the tears of *no tiny baby* and opened my heart to the older *babies* He destined for me. They were perfect for our family, chosen by God and we couldn't love them more.

My heart's cry is more of You Lord, less of me. Pressing deeper into my soul, deeper into prayer and tuning my ears to my Father's voice-knowing that He will leads us on roads of righteousness for His namesake. Seeking Wisdom and reading this today with more tears:

seeking God's will

and

Peace only He can give me

Prayer Request Sunday

How about some prayer? I'd love to pray for you this week- leave me the details and I will gladly cover you in prayer.

When I pray, I pray to the Father (God) through His only Son (Jesus), asking the Holy Spirit to guide me in wisdom and knowledge, as I lift you up in prayer. Prayer does not change God, it changes the one who is seeking Him. May our prayers this week lift us to a new level of faith and fill us with a new degree of His Power and Purposes!

Hey, and if you are not sure who *this* Jesus is....I'd be happy to introduce you to Him!

With much love~

Kimmie

Relevance of my blog

Lately, I have been questioning the relevance of my blog. Is it something that is making a positive impact, something that is an encouragement, adding to someones faith or my own? Or is it idle foolishness? Just more busyness in an all ready flooded blogging world.

I have been asking God what He wants me to do. What He wants me to say here in black and white. There are so many words floating around everyday for us to grab at already. I don't like to waste time. I want my life to show fruit and my words on this blog to do the same.

Perhaps it is summer, the lull of all that God's beautiful world has to offer. A normal time of rest, perhaps I too need a refreshing of sorts in the heat of this season?

So, if my words are flat, I sorely apologize. I am heartily seeking God on what it is He wants me to share of my life. Feeling a bit lost at the moment, wondering what it all means.

I've run across many of my blogging friends who are taking a blogging break; taking time to regroup. I'm not feeling like that is where God is directing me, though right now it seems much safer than where I am currently standing.

From my heart

* Princess Mercy deep in thought*

Things I am *deep in thought* about~

• adoption: God's heart for October


• whether to rewallpaper the bathroom or to paint it

• why I can never find time to sew


• how I can simplify our homeschool year

• how much *school* do I want to do this year-versus how much Spirit led homeschool


• wanting to entertain more-wondering how?

• wanting to *learn* to cook...wondering if I should start a regular blog post about it?


• wondering what soap I should make out in the barn

Bats, anyone?

I was home alone one night...

sitting in my living room

Minding my business, knitting away....

something was moving in the fireplace

behind the screen...

the flue got left open...

*it's not a moth!*

Oh, just a fruit bat...tiny and cute...well,
to my family anyway....

I caught him in a 2 lb. grape box and saved him until my Knight and daughters came home from youth group. I put the box on my lap and kept sneaking the opposite end open to make sure he had enough fresh air. Praying he would not move fast to *my* end and make his escape!

My Knight missed the one that visited me a few years back, while he was off on a mission trip to Mexico with our oldest. I caught that one in the same kind of box...good to always have one tucked away for such times as these.

God must have made my Knight for me, as he thought it was the cutest little guy too.
My little fruit bat friend, probably wouldn't have been so cute, if he had been flying around inside the house.

We oohed and awhhed and let him go.

He comes and visits every night with his fruity friends (outside as we sit on our deck).

We are thankful, as we hear *bats* have been very sick this year.

I think he is praying we will let him go ...
And away he flew, happy as a little bat can be.

Probably mad that there were no *grapes * in that box!

Spiritual Gifts...

The older I get, the more I wonder about the spiritual gifts that God has given me.

I know that I have the gift of encouragement, but scripture tells us that gift is plural.

Do you know what your spiritual gifts are and would you share them here?

Iced Cold Chocolate Wonder!

We finally got some sunshine here at our house. So as we began to drip from the heat, my creative juices began to flow. As the kids hung out on the deck, I ran in and grabbed a heavy pan from the cupboard.

I began making hot chocolate, really I did.

I grabbed whole milk, cocoa powder, some cinnamon mixed with sugar, a little coffee syrup (or you could use a few tablespoons of instant coffee granules), some candy canes, whipped cream and a bucket of ice from the freezer. I recommend making a large container, as this goes quick. Refrigerate any leftovers, if you are lucky enough to have any.

I made two batches of delicious *Iced Chocolate Wonder*...one with coffee added, one with melted peppermint candies and a few drops of peppermint extract.

The two pitchers were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Later in the day I heard my *4 littles* out in the yard playing, let's go *Starbucks.* Guess I may have been planting seeds.

In a heavy pan on the stove top:

foamy chocolate goodness...just a few more minutes

cocoa ...be generous with it!

cinnamon and sugar for the Viennese style iced coffee


a staple in our refrigerator

Are you drooling too?

This pourable measuring cup made life easier

~Iced Chocolate Minty Wonder~

Somehow I only shot the *Iced Chocolate Minty Wonder*

...hmmm, better go mix up a few more pitchers.

And now I know why I kept all that cocoa in the kitchen pantry

...happy creating!

A little crocheted gift

Once upon a time there was a girl named Kimmie, her mum taught her to crochet as a girl. She didn't really like it and was never really good at it.

As a newlywed, she had a girlfriend who was Vietnamese. Thutom could crochet and knit like a whiz. Thutom taught her how to make a cardigan style baby sweater, it happened with just a few words with the how to.

Many years have past, but her words are still planted in my mind. How fun it is to draw on those words, to bless a new baby into the world. This time from my head, came the hat for my Chinese girlfriend's baby Abigail.

Welcome little Abigail, certainly you will be the Father's joy, just as your name says. May His arms always be wrapped around you and may you know His Presence all of your days.

An Ethiopian Princess and her pop

The eyes of a child...Princess Mercy's first lollipop

Another try at something new, another thing to add to the *like* list.

Prayer Request Sunday

When we pray, we commit our hearts to what we really value most in this world.

How about me standing in prayer with you today? Please let me know how I can pray for you...

nothing is too small or to BIG to bring together before God.

Leave me a love note and we'll get right to it.

From my heart:

God had me do a little spiritual stretching this week.

On Friday the baby had her 15 month old appointment at the pediatricians office. The day before, God impressed on my heart to speak to her doctor about something God had spoken to me for him.

Now normally I am pretty bold, but as the time grew near, I began to *talk myself* out of any spiritual sharing with him. As I drove to the office I finally agreed with the Holy Spirit, that *IF* He'd make a way (and it was clear to me) that I would share what the Holy Spirit had told me.

Guess what happened! ;-)

Five minutes into my appointment, and the doctor says, "This is way off what we are doing, and may seem a bit strange, but last night at a church meeting..." God had opened a door. Without a doubt I knew this was my moment to share as I had been asked.

Dr. Walker finished and I said, "Funny, as you shared that, I thought you might speak about adoption, as God has had me praying for you and your wife for the past 6 months." I then was able to share what God had spoken to my heart. After I did, he thanked me. He received what I shared and at the closing of our time together with the sweet Ethiopian Princess...he kissed her and again thanked me for the prayer and for sharing what God had impressed upon me for his family..

My heart was so full of joy after I did as God asked. What a faith builder for not only me, but for my children; as I shared how the Holy Spirit had made a way for the conversation.

This morning, as my Pastor was preaching, he asked how many of us had prayed and seen a supernatural miracle happen. Many raised their hands, in my heart rose, "God, I can't say that I have, but Lord if there be any miracle come for my eyes to see~ Let it be that Dr. John Walker and his wife, hear Your voice and move towards bringing a child you have destined for them home. Let me raise my hand next time Lord."

So here I stand, praying, hoping and believing that soon I can say that I too saw the supernatural, unexplainable workings of our awesome God in my own life BECAUSE of prayer and His Power.

Adoption, it is my hearts cry.

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Matthew 6:10

Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Proverbs 23:12

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.