Wordless Thoughts

Prayer Request Sunday

Believe in the gifts and anointing God

has placed in your life,

which will cause you to reach your destiny. 

 Personally I am believing this. 

We have had a roller coaster kind of week with our current call to adoption,

but I am keeping my eyes on Him 

and setting my path on praise and worship (of Him).  

Certainly, CERTAINLY, He will make my path straight.

Can I pray for you this week? 

Want to meditate on this with me this week?

Psalm 111  
(The Message Bible)

Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got—
   Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.
   God's works are so great, worth
   A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
   Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
   His generosity never gives out.
   His miracles are his memorial—
   This God of Grace, this God of Love.
   He gave food to those who fear him,
   He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
   He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
   Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!
   He manufactures truth and justice;
   All his products are guaranteed to last—
   Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
   All that he makes and does is honest and true:
   He paid the ransom for his people,
   He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
   He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
   The good life begins in the fear of God—
   Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
   His Hallelujah lasts forever!

Worship

I woke up thinking about how worship isn't what we put on. 

It isn't anything like getting dressed and "putting" on a new outfit.  

It isn't something you just turn on and off like a light switch.  

It is something that wells up in our hearts and then climbs out onto our lips and fills our space with something that looks beyond self to God.

Worship is something that rises like incense from our hearts, it speaks of our inner condition and our love for all that has been done for us.

Worship remembers and gives thanks. 

Worship can be a whisper or it can be silent.

Worship can be filled with dance or filled with no movement at all.

Worship can certainly be loud, but it can also be without utterance of words.

Worship is a gift we can give to Him.  It is one that doesn't require any special wrapping.  We can just bring it to Him.  We can give it without ever needing to wonder if it was the right thing to do.  Did it fit the moment, did it please the One it was meant for?

 Because if our desire stems from love and from being His...then it is perfect.

Worship...it is focusing on God and not on us. 

  It is a laying down of me 

(and what is mine)

and the lifting up of Him

(and all that is His... 

which is everything!)

Today I bow my heart to Him and lay it all down quietly at His feet.

 Maybe He will speak, 

maybe He won't, 

but I am choosing worship instead of anything else that wants to rule my heart today.

Are You Kidding...16 More inces of SNOW

At one time this was our back deck...

which we put our Christmas tree on,
once it got moved out of the living room

...we left the lights on so we could enjoy it...

...hmmm...

something is wrong with this picture.
 

The new wall of snow. 

We'd guess their estimate of 6-8 was very wrong,

as it appears to be nearly 2 more feet added to our yard..

poor Hunter ...he was overwhelmed and he needed to go potty!

Of course my children are excited and want to finish their lessons so they can go out to play.

Me,
I plan to make pasta with my new Italian friend..
Mr. Atlas 150,
who arrived in the mail yesterday!
The semolina has been patiently waiting in the pantry for his arrival.  I think we will make some mounds of noodle-y goodness on our counters...
I am sure it will make us all feel a little less overwhelmed by the white that surrounds us on all sides.

Have a jolly good day and please send us a note to let us know you are praying for us!

Sick of Winter...so done!

 

I am afraid we are far still from my friend spring.  We have 2 more inches of snow today, on top of the 4 feet we already have accumulated in the past 2 weeks. 

AND guess what. 

They are predicting another 6-8 inches by morning.  

I am tired of snow.

I am ready for green grass and bluebirds.  

I guess we are nearing the end of January and I should give thanks.  February is a shorter month and often bluebirds arrive back sometime in March...

Oh for the love of warmer days that are a coming. 

(not tomorrow perhaps, but with a squint in my eyes I can almost make out forsythia's beginning to bud.)

How is your heart doing in the season you are currently in?

Copy Work for Today

 

Today we are operating on slow.  

Seems we picked up a nasty virus: stomach troubles, dizzy, general weak in the knees...well for the Mama, Papa and their second oldest child.

Mama put herself to bed all day Sunday, which doesn't happen very often.  I actually started getting dressed for church and decided to hit rewind and tuck myself back into bed.  It was good rest, but I don't like to miss church.  Alas, I also missed Ethiopian Church...which is a place of great joy and refreshing for me for my week.  

I also managed to read a whole book -yes, from beginning to end.  It had been holding its place in line in the *to read* pile, a discarded library book entitled, Cheaper by the Dozen.  A funny book at times, but also not one I will be rereading, due to the way they take the Lord's Name in vain.

The children who are well have decided to stay in their rooms today and are pecking away at their studies.  The house is quiet, except for the occasional hushing aimed at the youngest Ethiopian Princess, who seems to be full of loud expression and movement.  (she is giggling and chasing something invisible to my eyes presently.)

Thinking some copywork would do the trick to help us all look on the brighter side.

All Things Beautiful

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small, 

All things wise and wonderful-

The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings-

He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain,

The river running by,

The morning and the sunset

That lighteth up the sky;

The tall trees in the greenwood,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden-

He made them every one.

He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips, that we might tell

How great is God Almighty,

Who doeth all things well.

-John Keble-

Taken from:

Poems for the Very Young Child- 1932

Adoption-is so similar to...

Tonight I was reading aloud to my children (and my Knight)

from our favorite Bible storybook, 

The Jesus Storybook Bible 

(Every story whispers His name!)

WE LOVE this book...get one fast if you don't have one.  My girlfriend Sherry found it first, she read it to me at my women's Bible study...and my friend Dzintra ran right out to make sure my children had it too.

(how blessed am I, right?)

Anyway I digress...

I was reading the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.  As I got to the part where the boy offers his lunch basket to Jesus (2 fish and 5 loaves), I see Princess Sweetness, our Ethiopian daughter, tapping her heart, ever so gently.  Now you may NOT know what this means, but everyone who knows me knows that this is the secret sign language for...

*Mama is going to cry, watch out!*

Before I actually saw her pounding  tapping her breast, I heard Jesus speak to my heart.  

Do you want to know what He said to me, right in the middle of this story I had heard many many times before?

Of course you do, so I will gladly tell you...

He said, "Kimmie put your $4 into the adoption pot and see what I will do."  

(literally I think I have $4 to my wallet currently).

I look up past my moment with Jesus and I seem beautiful new daughter. 

I hear my Knight saying, "Yup, my Ethiopian Beauty you are right!"  

I tell them that this story reminds me of adoption (to which all of my friends would be SCREAMING, "Kimmie what doesn't remind you of adoption??") 

It is like when we step up in faith to another adoption.  We never have all the money.  Sometimes we have more to give, sometimes we have what seems like nothing. 

My Knight added that he just had to hit our secret stash to get some money for gas.

  Just saying, we don't have anywhere near the needed $29,000 to adopt this time.

So what am I going to do...what any girl who loves God with all of her heart would do.  I am going to give Him what I have and wait to see how He comes to show us

who He is and what He can do. 

  Because you know the money all belongs to Him, just watch and see how He cares for our needs and the needs of the precious child He has destined to place into our family.

Money is needed in most adoption.  Actually it is a sickening kind of amount normally.  Numbers that would make most families say. 'Impossible!"

But we who know Him, know that all things are indeed possible with Him.

"So Jesus,.here is my 4 bucks. 

It is Yours. 

Actually it was Yours before it was mine and You were just letting me hold it.  I release it into Your Hands and ask for You to provide the rest.  I know You will Lord, because You not only love me, but You have a plan in mind. 

You want to rescue another orphan.  You want me to train her up in the way she is to go, to love you, to serve You and to love all those You put into her life. 

Thank you God for letting me give you my $4.  In my heart I confess that it seems to be impossible, after all we have been blessed so many times already by our generous and kind family and friends.  How could we expect them to help us again?  I know you don't always provide in ways we expect either...

But my thoughts are not Your thoughts, 

nor are my ways Your ways.  

Your ways are higher and I can't wait to share

in your adoption miracle right here in my very own life. 

Come Lord Jesus,  won't you come?"

Oh Where Oh Where is Our Comfort?

In this new year,
with all the busyness that surrounds us

...where do you find your comfort?

What brings you peace that can still your soul?

Psalm 71:21 

(English Standard Version)

You will increase my greatness
   and comfort me again.

Prayer Request Sunday

Can we pray together for something this week?
I'd love to join hearts and prayers with you...

leave me a comment
(or send me a private email)
and we can go together before the Lord.

My prayer request (in case anyone wants to pray for me?)  ...

we need to have God provide the finances to begin our adoption...

we need to believe God for $5,000 dollars to initiate paperwork with our agency.



Isaiah 58: 6-9
(The Message Bible)

"This is the kind of fast day I'm after:
   to break the chains of injustice,
   get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
   free the oppressed,
   cancel debts.
What I'm interested in seeing you do is:
   sharing your food with the hungry,
   inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
   putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
   being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
   and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
   The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
   You'll call out for help and I'll say, 
'Here I am.' 

Standing here, believe God will answer our prayers!

My Ethiopian Goes A-Sledding!

 

I have to confess I only took a few pictures, though it was Princess Sweetness' first sledding trip.
Turns out it is VERY hard to be a photographer, a sledder and the mother of a two year old who doesn't walk back up the hill without MUCH help. So after a few snaps,
I ditched the camera to have some fun with the kids.

I have no regrets. 

Princess Sweetness who is 13, well she might, seems her Ethiopian body just doesn't want to do snow.  Funny how that goes.

And for those of you who might wonder why I am letting my kids sled into the street...
well, you stop before the road
and the rest of the hill was full of *serious* sledders,
of which we were not with our first timer.  

The snow on the top of the hill went missing,
rather mysteriously;
as the day before it had snowed a good 6-8 inches.

Tomorrow is her birthday...we are heading to me mum's farm for the day.  There is 2 feet of fresh snow and a nice hill in the front yard,
if we can pack it, it JUST might be some awesome sledding.
Guess we will have to see what the photographer can capture.

And yes, I did say that we just got 24 inches of snow. 

(If you live were it is warm, stop laughing and instead pray for me. I seriously am running the wet, cold snow stuff through the dryer almost continuously.
Pray for an early spring...

Our beautiful new daughter and her Ethiopian body will thank you! ;-)

What About Church?

Wondering what you hope for (expect) in a church?  Is anyone brave enough to tell us?

I know there is no perfect church, as churches become imperfect as soon as people get involved, 

but what would you hope for in a church.  

Or what can you share about what makes yours perfect for you?

Prayer Request Sunday

Can I pray for you this week?  

Leave me a prayer request and we will join hearts before God. 

2 Chronicles 6:19

Yet, LORD my God, give attention to your servant’s prayer 

and my plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer

that your servant is praying in your presence.

How We Celebrate Christmas...

A glimpse into our Christmas morning.  

We begin in the barn, awaiting us is a manger filled with hay with baby Jesus. 

The Word of God (the Bible) sits there too.  We stop and thank God for all He has done for us.

We lay our lives down as a gift before Him, which He opens and fills anew.

As a family, 

who has been adopted by Him,

we read from one of the gospels, the story of Jesus' birth.

This is of course a celebration of Life and Love like no other!

Christmas is about Jesus, the rest is fluff.

John 1: 14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 

We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, 

who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

A Day of Celebration!

Happy Birthday Princess Sunshine...

 may your 12th year be a wonderful year for you!

Bless My Mama's Heart

As I began to wind down yesterday,

 4 of my children came to me and asked me what I was doing. 

I told them I was reading through the Bible Chronologically.  

They asked if they could join me. 

First our 13 year old Ethiopian daughter asked for a copy of the day by day readings (13 years old- 14 next week!), then Princess Sunshine (12 tomorrow)...a few minutes later the crowd began to grow when Princess Giggles (9) asked if she too could read through the Bible, as they think it historically happened.  Last but not least, King Meemer (8) begged me for a copy too, as he really, really wanted to do this with us.

Wow! 

How blessed my heart is that 

my children desire to be in God's Word.  

How thankful I am that I will share this journey through time from the beginning with them...can't wait to see what He teaches us.  (and my other children are reading the Bible daily, but have already set their plans down before the Lord as to what He is teaching them in His Word.)

Won't you join us too?  

Bible Reading Plan for 2011

 

I thought maybe someone would want to join me in reading through the Bible Chronologically this New Year!

I started 2 days ago, I printed out the plan from this site and am so excited.  I've never read it in the possible order that it was written...have you?

Won't you join me?

Please let me know and we can encourage each other to stay the course (and also won't it be nice to have someone to share with as we go along through the year?)

I have to say that as I sat down Sunday night to read, I found myself crying as I read the chapters.  WHY?  Well, not because it was new to me, as I have read through from beginning to end several times now.  But because I prayed and asked God to teach me new things from His Word and you know what...so many parts of those first few chapters suddenly sounded so different to me.  Parts that were hidden from my understanding, now had me saying, "OH!" 

I was so excited that I kept reading through the next days chapters, though my eyes were heavy, still I fought back sleep and finished the last few verses with a renewed love for His Word.

Hope you will join me...its not too late by any means!

Welcome friends to my little part in blog world,

hope you've come by to say, "Hi!"  

I would love to pray with you this week, as we boldly step into a fresh new year.  What is on your heart that you'd be willing to share with me today?  What can we take together to God this week?  I'd love to link arms with you and believe God together for whatever is on your heart.

Leave me a comment, or if you prefer send me a private email and we will together cast your cares upon Him.

I am praying a blessing over each of you (my friends) this week. 

May you see God's hand upon your life

and

may He reaffirm in your heart the call He has upon your life.  

We only have one life, 

let's use this year boldly for His plans and purposes.  

NO MORE little Christians, 

no more holding back

...let's live RADICALLY

and  

let this world see what Jesus really looks like!

2 Corinthians 3:16-18   

(The Message Bible)

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.