Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

His plans are higher and greater.

In this season of waiting for our daughter to come home, unexpected news can be jarring.

I long to be at a place of such trust that I will not be shaken no matter what storm blows my way. But, the reality is, I’m not there.

I’m human. I’m weak and I’m weary of this process.

The small victories are rejoiced over. Yet, the setbacks and delays quickly send my rejoicing edging toward despair. These days, my emotional pendulum swings sharply and unexpectedly.

Surprising news this past week took my well-laid out plans and scattered them in the wind.

I was confused. The path ahead seemed foggy and murky.

Right after the news, He brought me away. Away to a place where I can stand in reverent awe of His majesty and glory. Time away to rest in Him.

Over the course of several days and many, many prayers for wisdom and grace, I have found myself settled in the gentle embrace of my Father’s love. His gentle whisper assuring me that His plans are far, far greater than anything I could ever hope for or even imagine on my own. 

This is not a surprise to Him. He saw this coming. 

I reflect back on all that He has done. Events, conversations, friendships, words of encouragement, provision, new paths… all orchestrated by Him. All of it leading to this very place.

And I see it. In the way the ocean tosses a shell to the shore, refining it. I am being refined by my Father.

Fear. Doubt. Confusion. They do not belong in this place. God is the author of good things, He never authors pain or chaos.

These words sang over my heart this morning as I walked along the sea. I’m so thankful for His unending, never-failing, powerful love and sufficient grace.

You hold me as my Father
and mold me as my maker. 
I ask you how many times will you pick me up,
when I keep on letting you down?
And, each time I will fall short of your glory,
how far will forgiveness abound?
And you answer, 
‘My child, I love you.

And as long as you’re seeking my face, 

you’ll walk in the power of my daily sufficient grace.’

beautiful things.

I really don’t know how to put words to our experience in Congo.

Since we have been back home, we’ve been trying to see friends and family and catch up with everyone. It’s been busy since the moment we landed and I feel like I’m still processing everything we saw and felt and learned. I wish I could answer the question, “how was your trip?” with a simple tied-up-in-a-bow response. But, I can’t. Honestly, it feels impossible to describe our experience with words.

Congo is a place of extreme contrasts. 

The joy and love and gratitude were palpable in the home of Dr. Laure and her family. That home was a place of refuge and hope and peace during our trip.

The moments with S were surreal. Wonderful, magical moments learning about her personality and memorizing her features. And, moments where her fear was as real as her tears. It was so hard to want to hold her and comfort her yet knowing that my arms would not bring any solace to her right now.

The children we met were beautiful. We tread on holy ground in those orphanages. We felt hope rising out of these places of despair and gloom. Yet, we also felt such heaviness at the reality of day to day life for these precious, innocent children.

The landscape was beautiful past the smog and the diesel fumes and the dirt and the trash of the city. We saw small glimpses of the beauty of this country but we also saw the overwhelming need and anguish.

 
We sang Beautiful Things in church this morning and it was the exact reminder I needed today…

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

“This song is an expression of hope that God will make beautiful things out of the dust in our lives, and God will somehow use us, use our obedience and love, our feeble human effort, and build Himself a kingdom. I see that God is using suffering to bring us closer to Him.” – Michael Gungor


He makes beautiful things. ALL things will be beautiful and made new. Even the chaos and the despair and the hurt and brokenness that we witnessed firsthand. And, I know with my entire being that He is drawing me closer to Him through this painful journey.


Revelation 21:4-5: And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”


I’ll have so many stories and moments to record from our time in Congo. I will share more in the coming days. I don’t want to forget a single memory from this life-changing experience.

Until then, enjoy this little glimpse into some of the fun we had with some of the most precious children I’ve ever met…

let's do this.

i had a conversation with a good friend about THIS post. she asked if there was a way to make a tax deductible donation to help with resources for the orphanages while we are in the DRC next month. i didn’t have a way without partnering with a non-profit organization.

after all, we’re just a group of mommas wanting to go and love on these precious orphaned little ones and fill their bellies and show them that they are treasured daughters and sons of the King of Kings. that they are not forsaken.

that was yesterday.

this morning, i received an email from my amazing friend, mike rusch asking if i would be interested in working through Pure Charity to fundraise for the needed resources. this would provide a tax deductible way for folks to give.

yes. yes! yes!!

this is SUCH an incredible answer to prayer. validating, once again, that God is in control and paving the way for this trip. He has big things planned for our time there.

so, here i am. once again asking you to forfeit your morning latte and donate the $5 instead to saving the lives of little ones halfway around the world.

this isn’t glamorous. you won’t receive anything fancy in return {except a super cute bracelet handmade by my nephew} but you will know that your $5 {or however much you feel led to give} went to something incredibly precious – loving, surrendering, laying down our needs for theirs, Kingdom-building work.

as my friend, lindsy, stated today on her powerful post: caring for orphans as a church:


“God has called us to be a defender of the defenseless because that is who He is. We are returning worship to God when we show His character to the world by championing the cause of the least of these.”
– Orphanology

i cannot wait to share photos and stories from our trip. i know that the Holy Spirit is going to be in our midst. we will be walking on Holy ground. it will be an honor to serve these children in love. i will document exactly where each and every dollar is going. and, you can rest assured that every donation, no matter how big or small, will be used for His glory!

join us HERE to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of some very special people in the DRC.

mattresses & food. {how you can help!}

as you all know, we are headed to visit our sweetie next month {EEEEEEE!! I’m SO excited!!}

i have to interrupt here because i just received a few new photos and i am about to burst with joy…look who is smiling today!!!!! {i had to make the heart small enough so you can catch a glimpse of that gorgeous smile}… be still my heart!!

alright, now that you understand why i cannot wait to get on that plane and snuggle this little love, let me share more about our trip and how you can help.

dave and i are traveling along with a few other mommas and we all hope to take donations to several orphanages while we are there. you can learn more HERE.

i’ve set up a few fundraiser options so that anyone wanting to help, can easily do so! ALL proceeds from these fundraisers will go directly toward the purchase of food for the kiddos and mattresses for the orphanage where kids are sleeping on the concrete floor.

dr. laure feeding the kiddos for one day. we hope to feed kids at 3 orphanages while we are there. 

beds in desperate need of new mattresses.

Noonday Collection
i’m hosting a noonday trunk show next week for anyone here locally … but anyone can order and proceeds will go toward our fundraiser. if you’re interested, please email me at jenny.marrs@yahoo.com. {and, stay tuned for a fun noonday collection giveaway here on the blog!}

Thirty-One
i’m also hosting an online “Thirty One party”… 20% of all sales go toward donations and for every $31 you spend, you receive 31% off any item of your choice! You can shop HERE. {click on “my parties” and then “Jenny Marrs” and it will take you to the “shop now” screen}.

GIVE
you can give directly via paypal. please list “congo trip resources” in the message.

and, {bonus!} if you would like to receive a really adorable DRC flag bracelet made with love from my sweet nephew, just include your address with your paypal donation {any amount} and i’ll send one to you right away as a thank you for your generosity!!
*pictured on the right – 6 separate bracelets. 
DONATE
local friends, feel free to donate items for us to take along on the trip. we are hoping to bring formula, diapers, twin fitted sheets, basic first-aid supplies, and children’s vitamins.

thank you all so very much for loving on the children of our daughter’s birth country!!!

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,



    and your night will become like the noonday. 



{Isaiah 58:10}