Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

When He asks you to move, you move.

Photo credit: Jason Lloyd

Many times over the course of the past several years, Dave and I have found ourselves trusting God to work out the details as we blindly placed one foot in front of the other in faith. Often, we had no clue what He was up to, only that the call on our lives was undeniable.

When He asks you to move, you move.

You may have doubts and be afraid of failing. You may think that you are silly for thinking little-ole’-me can make any difference at all. You may stall. But, eventually you pull up your big girl pants, put your head down, and DO THE WORK. {Let me be clear: it is work. You can’t just walk into His calling on your life without a hefty dose of hard work}.

Feed Their Tummies was founded with a step forward into the unknown. That first food delivery was simply a response to an urgent need for food. Nothing more. It was not strategic, there were no marketing plans in place or long-term goals established. Yet, in that response, He was working. He was revealing His heart – an abundant well of love for His children.

As the details came together- the non-profit status, the partners on the ground, the provision – we learned that God has graciously invited us into this work. None of this was happening because of us, our efforts were valuable yet not essential. Therefore, when we find ourselves caught up in striving or allowing exhausting ambition to creep in, we mercifully fall back on this freeing truth: He is more than able to do this without us. We can open our hands and release it all to Him.


He’s got this.

When doubt was at an all-time high last year, God clearly revealed His desire for us to keep stepping forward. As we earnestly prayed for discernment, JD, a stranger at the time, was preparing to launch a concert series in our town and asked if Feed Their Tummies would accept the proceeds. JD was entirely unaware of our pleas for provision and wisdom, of our asking “should we keep doing this?”

God’s answer was a resounding, “yes, keep pressing on.”

His plans are bigger than we could have imagined at the time. Now, in large part because of that little concert series {since named The Bentonville Sessions}, we are feeding nearly 200 children three nutritous meals a day, every single day. That stranger and his sweet wife, Julia, are now dear friends who work alongside us each month to raise funds and advocate for these children across the globe.

As I type, JD is traveling with Dave across the Atlantic in order to finally meet the children this work benefits.

Also along on this trip is Lamar Stockton. Lamar serves as the International Operations Director for Help One Now, an organization Dave and I greatly admire. Lamar and Chris Marlow, Help One Now’s founder, have become valued mentors and friends. Over the course of this past year, long discussions concerning how to care well for the vulnerable, how to empower local leaders and how to transform communities have taken place.

These discussions have laid the foundation for this trip. Feed Their Tummies and Help One Now have dreamt and planned together about joining forces to do good in Congo.

You guys. The depth of answered prayers here are beyond my ability to articulate.

When we first stepped foot on that Congolese soil together, Dave and I knew our lives were forever changed. We knew we would make it our life’s work to serve the people of this beautiful country, particularly her children.

We absolutely believe the impact of our work will be far greater by doing this together with the Help One Now team. And, we are so fortunate to already be working with a strong and capable local Congolese partner, Mwangaza International. This trip is the first step into understanding what it is that we are all being called to do together.

Although this is not easy and the unknowns can easily evoke fear (we really have NO idea where any of this will lead), this work is worth it.

It is worth all of the sacrifices.

It is worth the headaches.

It is worth facing fear in the face and telling it to stand down.

Simply because they are worth it. The precious ones we serve. The ones I see each time I look into the eyes of my daughter. She too was once abandoned and alone, shared beginnings, rooted in the deep ache of this broken world.

We can’t look away.

We have to step into the hard, we have to move forward in our small role, desiring restoration and hope.

Follow along on this journey as we share stories of hope, struggle and progress…


Follow Lamar on Instagram HERE.
Follow me on Instagram HERE (Dave doesn’t “do” social media, I’ll be sharing his images and stories as he sends them my way).
Follow Feed Their Tummies on Facebook HERE.

Join us in praying for their time in country. Prayers for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and protection are very much appreciated. If you could also pray for the hearts of my babies, I would be so very grateful. Sylvie, in particular, is having a hard time understanding this trip. Her little heart is aching…she is missing her daddy and this trip to “Africa” has evoked strong emotions of confusion and fear and grief in her little heart.

I am so expectant of what God is up to. Good things are in store, friends. I can’t wait to share more.

the bentonville sessions.

Dave and I spend the third thursday of every month in someone’s home, surrounded by old and new friends, with the sweet melody of laughter and live music filling the air.

We have been overwhelmed by our community’s response to this unique evening that is The Bentonville Sessions. These events have evolved from an idea that our friend, JD, had a few months ago. He wanted to get a group together each month for a “house show” in our town. Essentially, he wanted to host live music in a home, in order to create a intimate experience and an opportunity for local artists to perform in an unconventional venue. 




Having an overwhelmingly altruistic spirit, he knew this community would embrace the idea and he wanted the shows to benefit something good. He asked us if all of the profits {from memberships to the series} could benefit Feed Their Tummies. Um. Yes. Yes, that would be just fine.

Here we are. Four shows later. In awe of the way God has worked in this community to create something that is so, so fun to provide resources that will feed precious little ones half a world away {seriously, you guys, it is just the most fun time — everyone is so kind and welcoming and the artists are incredible and the feeling in the air is just pure joy, it feels impossible to capture in words or photos}.

We couldn’t be more grateful for this work that we have been invited into. I looked around last night and just took a deep breathe of gratitude.

I thought back to two years ago, typing these words after the conversation with God that changed the course of my life.

” I marveled at the other women’s faith and strength and perseverance.
I listened to their stories. Their testimonies. Their words of truth.
And, I felt like a fraud.
That is the exact word I gave to what I was feeling. I didn’t even know it until I said it to my gentle and loving Jesus.
I am not holy and sweet and kind like these other women.
I am sarcastic, cynical, and scared. I’m afraid of radically changing my life for Jesus. I know he is wrestling with my heart right now and I am afraid to move. I don’t know where to step. I don’t know what to do. I feel raw and exposed to all of the hurt and suffering on this earth and I don’t know what to do.
Yes, we are adopting. Yes, we are listening and obeying with that one thing. But, there is so much more we can do.  So much more we should do.
Look at these other women. I met so many mamas who have adopted 10+ kids. Older kids. Special needs kids.
I met women who started ministries and work across the globe for justice and mercy for the oppressed. These women are making a difference. They are building the Kingdom.
And, I am just spending my days going to work, doing laundry, running around, filling my days doing ordinary things. I am ordinary. I do not belong among these 450 women. They are all doing extraordinary things.
And do you know what He told me?
I heard these truths (not with my ears, but crystal clearly. I wrote them down in my journal immediately so I would not forget the exact phrasing):
“Precious, daughter, you are my treasure.”
“You don’t have to do this alone.”
“You don’t have to do it all.”
“I am with you. I will guide you. You just have to trust.”
“All you need to do for me is be a light. Be My light. Bring My light into the darkness in this world.”
I stood with tears flowing down my cheeks. Soaking in His embrace. In His love. Knowing that He loves me. He treasures me. Me.  It was the one of the most profound moments in all my life. Feeling my gentle Savior showering His love and grace on me.
I am still aware of all the pain and darkness and oppression in this world. But I no longer am afraid to move. I know that the Lord will guide me. He will show me how to move. When to move. Where to move. I don’t have to feel guilty that I’m not doing enough. I just have to respond to His call. I just have to keep my heart open and share His love. “

I remember that moment with such clarity. I want to go back in time and give myself a hug. I look back and think: this, all of this, is what you had in store for me and I had no idea what was coming. I have clung to those simple, transformative words many, many times over the past two years : Be My Light.




There is such freedom in letting go of the guilt and embracing the story He is writing in my life. And, what a beautiful story it is. Surrounded by such an amazing little tribe of world-changing, Kingdom-builders. I never saw any of this coming but I could not be more grateful for the small part I get to play in it all.


If you are local to NW Arkansas and would like to join us each month, we would love it! Find out more at www.bentonvillesessions.com.

feed their tummies. {an update}

Life has been so full around here. I have all sorts of fun updates and photos to share … but first, I have to show you guys these photos. I received them from our team in Kinshasa early this morning and I just couldn’t stop smiling.

*In case you don’t follow our Feed Their Tummies updates, there have been some changes to our program lately. Check out THIS update to read all of the details…

To sum it up for you, we started feeding a new orphanage. The orphanage houses 26 girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking.

These girls had no hope. They were broken. They were alone.

Our partner organization, Mwangaza International, stepped in. Each girl is now living in this safe place, receiving an education, healthcare and counseling.

These girls are being taught who Jesus is.

There is healing.

They are learning their place in the Kingdom of God.

Truth is replacing lies. Light is pouring into the dark.

They are learning their true identity: treasured daughters of the King.

What an honor it is to walk alongside our Congolese friends in this important work. Feed Their Tummies has stepped in to relieve the burden of feeding the twenty-six girls. They had been eating once a day and now they will eat three warm meals every day.


Tummies are being fed. Hearts are being healed. Love wins.

*You can partner with us: HERE or local friends, HERE.

Tour Through Blogland {Lee, Me, and the Girls}.

Unexpected friendships are my absolute favorite things about the blogging community. McCall is one of the friends that I like to tell Dave “I met online” – because that sounds creepy and hilarious. I have been reading her blog for a couple of years and I don’t even know when she went from being “the girl who writes a blog I love” to “a real-life friend” but I’m grateful that she did. I’ll never forget standing in the driveway of our rented house at the beach when she called to tell me about this precious little girl whom she had fallen in love with. The waves crashed in the background as we talked through the fears and the unknowns of adoption in the DRC. At the time, McCall was fervently praying and asking for discernment but, in her heart, she knew. The little face looking back at her from the computer screen was her daughter. And, life would never be the same. 
I’m so excited to introduce you to my friend, McCall today. I just love her story and I know you will too. 
**********************************************

Hi, I’m McCall! I’m a wife, mother, and former high school English teacher, I live in a tiny Mississippi town with my Chemistry-teaching husband and two daughters (Libby, 10, and Hollyn, 5).  We are currently waiting to bring our third daughter home from the DRC. 
Sometimes I try to be funny, but mostly I just love Jesus. 

Three years ago, we were ‘normal’. 
We lived a comfortable life with comfortable jobs in our comfortable town. 
And then, one day, I watched a Youtube video, and my life hasn’t been the same since. 
You see, I was living in a bubble. 
I had no clue about what was going on in Africa. 
It’s funny the ways God uses to draw us to Him and reveal His plans for us. 
But once my eyes were opened to this great need, to all of the children in God’s great big world with no families, I couldn’t UN-see it. 
And I had to do something. 

It wasn’t a hero-mentality situation.
I didn’t think I would single-handedly solve the orphan crisis.
But I also couldn’t stay home and do nothing. 
At least, not any more. 
So, I prayed. 
I researched. 
And I talked to my husband. 
Adoption and Africa were both on our radar. 
What we didn’t know then was that they’d never leave. 
I asked him if we could go– 
I NEEDED to be in Africa. 
I dreamed about it, thought about it constantly, and saw Africa everywhere. 
He agreed that if I could raise the money, we could go. 
So I did, 
and we did. 
We headed to Uganda to serve in a children’s prison that summer. 
(Yes, you read that correctly.)

We came home, and I knew instantly that it wasn’t enough. 
I had to do more for Africa. 
I had to be there.
God was up to something. 
So, I did the only *logical* thing I could do– 
I quit my job as a high school teacher and took an unpaid internship for a non-profit that helped provide clean water to the people of Malawi. 
And then, naturally, I went there too. 

And when I came back from Africa, 
the hubby and I agreed that it was time to adopt. 
We had the choice to either follow God’s call for our family or to say no. 
We said yes, and I’m so glad we did. 
We’re currently still waiting for our daughter to come home. 
And in the meantime, I’m still doing what I can to help spread God’s love in Africa, which led me to Rwanda this past summer, where I got to meet the women I’m helping to create jobs for while here in America. 

These people in this place– they are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. 

And now, I’m so very honored to have the opportunity to set foot on their ground, soak in their culture, and sleep under their stars. 

I have no doubt whatsoever that I will continue to travel to Africa as often as possible until one day, when I’m old and grey, my daughters will sit me down and lovingly tell me that I’m too old to go back to Africa even one more time. 
My heart has been broken. 
My life has been changed. 
People think I’ve lost my mind. 
I’ve never been happier or more fulfilled. 
Saying yes can be scary. 
Stepping out of the bubbles we live in can be sad.
Leaving our comfort zones can be overwhelming. 
Adoption is hard. 
But God is good.
We’ve seen our daughter’s face. 
In fact, we’ve been staring at her dimples and watching her grow up in pictures for over a year now. 
I never imagined adoption would take this long or be this difficult. 
But God is in control. 
His ways are better than my ways, even when His ways don’t always seem to make sense. 
And these day, I am nothing but thankful.  
No matter how hard it is to be different, no matter how much my heart aches for the daughter I haven’t met yet, no matter how much I long to be in Africa,
 it’s better than living blind to all of the needs in this world. 
And while I can’t do everything, 
I’m working hard to do my little something, 
even if my something comes by the way of very long plane rides to the land I love far, far away. 
**********************************************

See? Don’t you just love her?

{And, I love how her story and Catherine’s intersect in Malawi and the DRC — I didn’t even plan that}.

Happy Monday, friends!

*You can read the other posts in this series HERE and HERE.