Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

Only God.

Don’t you just love it when God works in really fun ways just to show you how crazy about you He is?

I love how eloquently Ann Voskamp describes God’s pursuit of His children in a recent post…

“God is so bent on blessing, He chases.

God’s not out to get you — He’s out to give to you.
And God’s blessings don’t pursue temporarily — but relentlessly. It’s right there in His Word: His goodness and mercy pursue me not just some days — but all the days of my life. When I’m in a wilderness, His mercy and goodness run after me. When I’m hurting, His grace hunts for me. When I’m plagued by problems, His goodness pursues me.
No matter where I go, He has his two blessing men right there in hot pursuit: goodness and mercy, and no shadow of death can overshadow the goodness and mercy that shadows the child of God. “

Isn’t that beautiful?

His goodness pursues me.

This week, He showered me in His goodness through a friend whom He recently brought into my life. Leese has been such a blessing to me throughout the past year. She has been an encourager and an intense prayer warrior. Her strong faith has inspired me to see life differently and to marvel at the goodness of our God in all circumstances.

The past few days have been spent in hasty back and forth communication and coordination after she realized that her close friends will be very close to S’s orphanage during their upcoming mission trip to the DRC. They leave this Friday {as in, two days from now} so we have been frantically trying to ensure they have all of the information they need to connect with folks in country and try to visit S and her friends at the orphanage during their time there.

I ran around a bit yesterday putting together a small care package for our girl. A sweet little doll and another cute photo album {I don’t believe the first two ever made it to her} introducing her to Dave, the boys and I and telling her how much we love and adore her {with translations in Lingala for her caregivers to read to her}!

We are praying that God will create the time and the opportunity for Leese’s friends to visit S during their trip. They also have money to purchase food for the orphanage and will be in touch with Dr. L when they arrive to coordinate the logistics.

I just love how God has arranged all of this. Just when my heart was aching in a fresh way this week as I desperately called out to Him for favor in this process. To know that He is sending friends of someone so dear to love on our girl on our behalf just makes my heart smile.

I have to share some of Leese’s words from this week’s email exchanges and you’ll see why I just love her…

“As soon as someone says there’s
no way to make something happen it makes me determined to find a way to do it (well, you know, unless the someone is God!) –
between your stubbornness to be sure S gets loved on until she gets in your
arms, and my stubbornness to try to find ways to connect the people in my
‘world,’ I figure Congo’s going to want to get her out of there quickly because
they’re tired of all the visitors they’re having to entertain who come to check
on and provide for S.  Ha ha ha.  
…Oh and
my stubbornness to help you remember that there are lots of people praying for
your sweet little family and who are praying your princess home, too!  You
guys aren’t in this alone – and hopefully the fun little things God works out
will help remind you of that and be boosts of encouragement for you on the days
that get long as you wait for S!
Life in God’s
family is just so small sometimes…  
Seeing pieces He weaves together or times when you can tell
He’s laid the groundwork for something years before but you don’t see come to
fruition until years or even decades later. God’s so fun…I love when He does things like this!”

Will you join me in praying that God will make a way for these two ladies to visit S during their time in her country? I’m praying that God goes before them and handles the logistics of the visit so that S and her friends can receive another helping of tangible goodness and love and mercy in the form of full bellies while being held in loving arms!

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!***

He is Good. {Part 2}

One of the wonderful things about my God is that He knows me so, so well. He knows that when I’m about to receive really hard news that I needed to be surrounded by people. Otherwise, my thoughts will swirl and I will exaggerate the details in my mind.

He has so carefully placed me in the perfect situations right in the moments when I most need to be surrounded by loved ones.

When I heard hard news from a traveling momma, I had friends around me. And, this weekend was no different.

We had invited a few friends over to share in homemade pizzas with us {sooooo good} since spring weather had finally arrived and it felt like a just cause for a celebration.

The news came just an hour or so before our friends were to arrive. I won’t share the specifics here for privacy purposes but I will say that we learned new, horrific information about the orphanage where our daughter is currently living. Will you please pray for protection for the children there? Will you pray in Jesus’ name that He protect their hearts and that He shines His light into that darkness?

“For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”{Ephesians 6:12}
James MacDonald states in his book “Always True: God’s 5 Promises When Life is Hard” that when you really can’t take anymore, 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises, “He will also provide the way of escape.” 
MacDonald says that God might give you encouragement to keep going, He might give you strength to persevere and He might give you someone to share the burden. 

In this particular case, God gave me all three.

He gave me encouragement in the form of laughter with dear friends.

He gave me a thankful heart for the beauty of this Spring season.

Yes, we have a bounce house ready at all times. Not normal?

He gave me joy at the innocence and creativity of our children. Ben, Nathan and Hannah got into a paint set and painted each other’s faces. We knew they were being too quiet and something was up. I had a hard time not laughing when I saw this face.

He gave me {many} someone{s} to share this burden. Fellow mommas praying alongside me and encouraging me. Words full of faith and wisdom…bold prayers cried out in love, carrying our family through this time…

“We talked about 2 Kings 6 yesterday and the God of angel armies. I am praying that in the darkness of the orphanage, God has planted His warriors to protect His precious children. There is a song from my daughter’s VBS CD that always brings me to my knees,
“He knows my name,
He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call.”
He sees each tear that falls in this terrible place.”

“The Light of our Creator Father is mightier than ANYTHING!!!! And we will be praying that the children are protected by His Divine power and Holy Spirit and that only those Heavenly Angels are anywhere NEAR these little ones – S specifically!!! Love you!!!”

“…I see that in your life too as your fight for your baby girl across an ocean and see the fruits of a faith that is grasping tight to God amidst some raging waves. We are all going to persevere through this with you and claim God’s victory for your family’s life.”

“…One of the other verses called out was 1 Peter 5:10. I love the Message translation of this (v. 8-11): “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.”

“Praying for peace and God’s sanctifying presence to be all over those sweet little ones that live there.”

“We are mightily lifting S and the children at the O and your sweet family up before the Father. Things like this just make me cry out to our Lord “Come Lord Jesus, come!””

James MacDonald also says that God will give you a few days of relief during a particular trial.

God has also given me relief and sweet, refreshing peace. He gave me relief, a temporary means of escaping the hurt yesterday morning.

He gave me serene beauty to behold with my precious boys. He gave me solitude in His majestic creation.

And, He gave me laughter. Again. These boys keep my life so full and my heart so overflowing with love that I cannot help but lift my hands in praise to the One who provides each and every good thing.

Yes, they needed a potty break. Yes, Ben thought it would be funny to “get” Nathan. No, Nathan did not think it was funny. And, yes, of course I had my camera ready {I was just getting a shot of their silly selves going potty in the woods but then this happened and I couldn’t resist. Their future wives will love and appreciate this}.

I have no idea why but this seems like a perfect way to end this post. On a happy, silly note. I know God wants me to laugh and enjoy this abundantly blessed life. Even in the midst of trial and heartache. I will praise Him in the storms just as I will praise Him on the mountaintop!