Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

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! 

Eucharisteo.

I’ve been slowly making my way through Ann Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts.” {And, by slowly, I mean; this is the fourth time I’ve had to renew my checkout from the library. Twin toddlers don’t make for a whole lot of extra reading time for this momma}.

This morning, I started my day with Eucharisteo. 

In Ann’s words…

“In the original language, “he gave thanks” reads “eucharisteo.”

“Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word for grace, charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning “joy.”

“Eucharisteo always precedes the miracle.”

“…and there it is, the secret of joy’s flame: Humbly let go. Let go of trying to do, let go of trying to control…let go of my own way, let go of my own fears. Let God blow His wind, His trials, oxygen for joy’s fire. Leave the hand open and be. Be at peace. Bend the knee and be small and let God give what God chooses to give because He only gives love and whisper surprised thanks. This is the fuel for joy’s flame.”

This morning, I’m full of joy for the good gifts He gives.

Ordinary beauty made anew to my dull eyes.

The promise of Spring. New life. Joy bursting from the dark, cold winter.

Simple joys made of imagination and little hands at work. 

The soft trickle of raindrops falling all around. Making the world outside anew. Providing life for the Spring bounty to come. 

“Eucharisteo always precedes the miracle.”

The miracle of fresh eyes to see the gifts bestowed upon my open palms. Good gifts. Gifts given in love.

Thank you, Jesus.

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!