Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

the keeper of a storehouse of snow.

Apparently, I’m a little slow to get it.

Last night, I softly heard that mysterious whisper of the Holy Spirit remind me of a lesson that I had already been taught. He brought these words to mind.

In fact, I could write that post from a cold March morning once more, word for word…

“It’s snowing outside. Big, gorgeous white snowflakes {this is the first time in Arkansas history that it has snowed in May}.
So unexpected after the warm weekend we just had. Hard to believe we were out working in our garden playing in the splash park four days ago {yep, exactly FOUR days ago just like last time}…

As I sit by the warmth of the fire and watch the flakes fall silently to the ground, I’m reminded of the magnificent words God spoke to Job {chapter 38} in order to draw his eyes away from his present suffering and up to the grandeur of God. God demonstrates that His wisdom and power are far beyond a human being’s comprehension.
4“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.

18Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all this.


22“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow

Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens

30when the waters become hard as stone,
when the surface of the deep is frozen?
33Do you know the laws of the heavens?
Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?
And, here I am. Questioning how big God is. Questioning why He is allowing such suffering. Questioning why our road to our daughter has been so long and full of heartache. 
And, I’m reminded that the very same God who keeps a storehouse of snow and blankets the earth with it’s majestic beauty is the very same God who holds our daughter close.”
That March morning, I woke up and prayed that I would get an update from a friend who was in the DRC at the time who had planned to visit our daughter. I heard from her that morning and received beautiful new photos of our daughter. 
This morning, I prayed that God would provide some encouragement from the two friends who are in country right now. I just heard from one and she gave me very encouraging news. I hope to have good news to share on Monday! 
And, my other friend is planning to visit S today. Oh, I am praying for her to just shower our girlie with love and light and hope. And, I’m so excited to see new photos of our precious one soon. I can’t wait to see how she is growing and changing. I absolutely hate missing out on her days and all of the little changes that are occurring in her life. I cling to photos of her, memorize the details, and wait expectantly for more. 
On top of all of that, God has provided for us in amazing ways. He has used this fundraiser to minister to our hearts. To remind us that there are so many people praying for and loving S alongside us. What a blessing this has been to our family. We are overcome with gratitude. We are in awe of how BIG this week has been. BIG in love. BIG in provision. BIG in hope. 
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you for sharing and praying and giving. We are BLESSED.

spiritual markers.

I don’t believe things happen by chance. I believe God is sovereign over all things and He works all things for the good of anyone who loves Him.

This morning, I was reminded of several ways that God has perfectly timed the events of this week.

When we originally wrote our letter to S for our video, Nathan was sick, which prompted me to begin the letter this way…


“I was up a lot last night rocking your brother, Nathan, and
comforting him because he’s sick and not feeling well. He called out to me in
his sleep and he only relaxed once he was in my arms. As I rocked him and
caressed his hair, I thought of you, baby girl. I once again prayed that
someone was there to rock you and hold you when you are not feeling well. My
heart is aching to hold you in my arms. I long to be the one who comforts you
and assures you that you are loved.”

We filmed the video nearly two months after we first wrote our letter and, it was at that time, that we found out that S was really sick and had been diagnosed once again with malaria. Thinking about this now makes me tear up again. The words in this love letter to our daughter were even more poignant to our hearts. 

Our Give1Save1 week was assigned based on the Give1 calendar of families. We “just happened” to be slotted for this week. Pure Charity “just happened” to be launching their adoption fundraiser portal this week at Summit 9. I can’t help but see God’s hand in this timing.

Yesterday, we officially launched our Give1 fundraising week {to raise the final funds for our adoption expenses}. Of all days, yesterday marked three years to the day that I had been airlifted to UAMS in Little Rock after going into high-risk pre-term labor with Ben & Nathan.

April 29, 2010. I will never, ever forget that day.

We were told that the chances of survival were slim and the chances of the boys both being born healthy were near impossible. Yet, God gave me the most incredible peace as the doctors delivered those words. He was right there all along. His Spirit filled that room and I knew without a doubt that they would be alright.

It was delusional by earthly standards. It was impossible.

But, God. God is so much bigger than the standards we live our lives by. He takes the impossible and makes it possible.

An entire month later {baffling all of the doctors}, these boys entered the world. They were fighters from the beginning. {I’ve shared this video before but it is TOO sweet not to share again!}

Oh, and, look at them now…they’re as wild and rambunctious as can be…

Through that experience, I learned that I can place my full trust in God to care for and protect these babies He has entrusted to me. He knit them perfectly and carefully together and He loves them immensely more than my human mind could even comprehend.

This morning, a gentle whisper also reminded me that, just as He protected the boys, He is protecting S now. Her living conditions may be dismal. Her life may be at risk. Yet, in all things, in all circumstances, He can be trusted.

A recent answered prayer…
another adoptive momma rocked my baby girl to sleep for me during her visit.

When I tempted to feel that our prayers to get S home this summer are impossible and the odds against us are insurmountable, I know that God can be trusted.

Sunday’s sermon included this statement that spoke volumes to my aching heart: “It’s easier to trust someone who has come through for you over and over.” 

Oh, my Jesus. You have come through for me time and again. How can my faith flounder now? How can I not surrender all to you even when I long to grasp control and hold all three of my babies tightly in my arms?

I will vow to be like Jacob.

I will leave stones as spiritual markers. Reminders of all that He has already done and all that He will do. I pray once again that He is glorified in our daughter’s story.

“What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” {Romans 8:31}


***Y’all, more incredible news today! We have received a matching grant {from an anonymous donor — whoever you are THANK YOU!} for the next 24 hours. All money donated to our adoption fundraiser up to $1,000 will be matched! If you donate $1, it will automatically become $2!***

our highest calling.

I made it to the end of media week. I am still processing all that I learned this past week. Mostly, I learned that I am just saturated in this world of over-connectivity and it was really tough to step away even for a week. I had a hard time not being able to keep up with what was happening in the world around me, particularly with friends that live far away. I hated thinking that someone would think I was being rude by not reading/commenting/”liking”/discussing whatever was newsworthy in their lives at that moment.

Yet, I also felt a sense of relief. Sweet relief to just be.

I was able to connect and be present and host impromptu barbecues and play dates with friends and family right here where I am. I spent time catching up with friends near and far on the phone {yes, I actually picked up the phone and dialed a real, live person several times this week. Why has that become such a lost art, anyhow?}.

I typically have a stack of books that I’m reading through consecutively at any given time {I don’t know why but I have never been able to read only one book at a time. it’s clearly a problem…} and I made my way through some of these this past week instead of flipping on the TV or computer. It was rejuvenating.

My current bedside table collection.

I {mostly} didn’t feel the need to jump online to check my notifications or emails or comments whenever I had a free moment in my day.
Instead, I read. I prayed. I spent time in the Word. I connected. 
Would you like to know the biggest lesson I learned this week {which, coincidentally – or not at all – was the topic of this morning’s sermon}? It’s not really mind-boggling or a new concept by any means, yet it is immensely important…

My highest calling in this life is my relationship with God. 
That’s it. In the big scheme of life, nothing else compares. Not whether I keep up with the photo-books for the boys {which, I had planned to work on this week but never got around to}, not whether I stay up to date on the latest news, not whether I keep the house clean, not whether my email inbox is organized… you get the idea. None of that matters in comparison with my relationship with the Creator of the Universe. 

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” {Psalm 37:4}
He is delighted when I spend time with Him. And, I need to make that my priority. It isn’t optional. It is life-giving, sustaining, and freeing. 

“For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm your fears. He will exalt over you by singing a happy song.” {Zephaniah 3:17}
In Him, I find rest and joy and peace. 
“What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” {Romans 8:31}
In Him, I can place my trust. 
I’m thankful for the lesson and for the opportunity to refocus my priorities once again. God is constantly working on my heart and I’m overwhelmingly grateful for the gift of grace. Grace anew each morning. What a precious, precious gift! 

Pure Charity

I know. I’m on my Media week fast and this post is technically against the “rules”.  I just had to jump on here and remind you all to sign up for your Pure Charity account this week. You’ll understand why this is so important on Monday. {ooh…the suspense… what a cliff-hanger!}

Here’s a detailed post from my archives about why Pure Charity is so amazing.

Okay, I’m turning off the computer now. Thanks for indulging me :).