Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

…One is silver, and the other gold.

SOURCE.

If there were ever a nugget of wisdom I want to impart on my girls, it is this: good friends are a great treasure.

And, let me be clear. I’m not talking about facebook friends. I’m not talking about friends who place pressure on you to be someone or something you aren’t. I’m not talking about friends who keep score.

I’m specifically speaking to authentic, love-you-as-are girlfriends.

Make it a point to find them. You may meet when you’re three or when you’re thirty. Age is inconsequential.

Because, I’ve learned something recently. There is a secret to being a good mom and a good wife. It’s simple: be a good friend. 


Have someone on speed dial who will listen as you cry or laugh with you as you relay the latest antics in your home. There is something therapeutic about sharing your struggles with someone who understands simply because she has been there. She knows of the struggle of the very long days and the very short years of mothering. She knows of the struggle to balance work and motherhood. She knows of the pressure of perfection. She knows of the struggle of surrendering control.

Spend time away from the pressures of everyday life with your girlfriends.


Stepping away from the world with real friends will renew your soul. Let go of guilt about leaving. You need time away to laugh so hard your cheeks hurt. You need time away to remember who you were before you grew up and had little people depending on you. You need to cry together and encourage one another and ask hard questions and speak truthful words. You need one another.

When you find the girls who have seen you at your worst and loved you through the dark days, who have laughed with you on your best days and who have celebrated the joyful days alongside you, TREASURE them. Pray for them. Remind them of how deeply they have enriched your world.

Recognize the gift of friendship and don’t ever doubt the importance of the influence these girls have had in your life.

The words I sang as a six-year-old ring ever true, “Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.” 

I spent this past weekend away with some of my greatest treasures. These girls are such blessings. And, yes. That is a giant photo on a stick of Brianna. She couldn’t be there with us and we didn’t want her to miss out on any of the fun. We sent her pictures throughout the weekend of all the fun “she was having” with the hope that silly photos would help ease the sting of sadness from missing this time together. 

Seeking Restoration. {plus, 3 pirates and a puppy}.

Last night, we gathered in our little farmhouse, here in a little town tucked into the northern corner of Arkansas, to dream together about pursuing restoration for lives across the globe.

Honestly, this is all a little surreal.

When Dave and I said that first hesitant yes to adoption all those years ago, we had no idea that God was setting into motion a plan to would bring together a tribe of justice seekers poised to impact communities in central Africa.

This morning, as I reflected on the evening and on the work that has led to this point, I just sat in awe.

I could share dozens of examples of how God provided every dollar for our feeding program, how He brought people into our lives to mentor and guide and partner and how He is aligning hearts and details to create long-term change in this country and for these people we have come to love.

When I opened my computer this morning aiming to share all He has done and is currently doing, I stared at an empty screen for some time seeking the right words.

Then, to distract myself, I started uploading photos from trick-or-treating the other night.

As I looked through the photos of my little munchkins and reminisced on the fun of that night, I felt a sudden swell of emotion. You guys. God LOVES seeing His kids running to discover the amazing treats waiting for us behind each new door. Treats including authentic community and passionate worship. Treats including serving the least of these and watching the Kingdom unfold right here on earth. He laughs in delight as we experience his absolute best for us.

I imagine God sat on the precipice of Heaven last night, captivated as He watched his beloved kids wrestle through hard questions and share painful stories. Listening with a broad smile as we offered prayers of thanksgiving and sincere pleas for wisdom. In the same way I gush with pride and intense love as I watch my children discover their distinct giftings, I believe He relishes the moments when we come together to seek His unique call on our lives.

And, you know what else I’ve learned? Even when we are the midst of an unfolding of God’s plans, we can pause and soak up the joy of the sweet moments of this life. Including silly holidays and costumes and shrieks of laughter.

Interested in learning more about our work in the Congo? I’d love to share more about how our ministry is evolving and how you can get involved. Comment here or email me at jenny@feedtheirtummies.com to learn more! 

a photo reminder.

These side-by-side-oh-my-goodness-they’ve-grown-so-much photos do something. They remind me: this too shall pass. 

In the messy and busy day-to-day, I often don’t realize how much they’ve changed. Only when the weather turns unseasonably cold and a search for long pants turns up only unintended capris, do I notice they’ve grown inches taller. Only when a virus passes through and fever wakes him in the night, do I realize he is no longer the cause of my lack of sleep. Only when I’m covered in vomit from the baby, do I realize that they no longer have the horrible reflux that caused such destruction to my rugs and walls and clothing and everything in between for that first year of their life.

One of the boys has taken up sleep walking. Apparently, this is hereditary. My Nana is famous for her antics while asleep. Cooking chili on the stove, purchasing items online, eating… all while sound asleep. And, my younger sister has a tell-tale sign to know she is sleep walking: she is mean. If she calls me in her sleep and I ask if she is awake, she will reply in an angry tone assuring me that she is NOT.SLEEPING. We all know: angry Lori = sleeping Lori. Anyhow, last night, one of our little guys peed into a basket of toys in his sleep, thinking he was in the bathroom. He adamantly refused to admit that he was asleep. It was eery. And, exhausting. Because, even though he didn’t mean to do it, it still left a giant mess for me to clean up.

So, really, I need these reminders. I need to remember that time slips through our grasp so easily. This life is fragile and hard and beautiful and exhausting and exhilarating. And I spend so much time just just making it through the day, that I often forget to look up and see it.

I need reminders to seek joy and gratitude each day. Reminders that they won’t stay little forever. I had better soak it up and enjoy these wild days.

{We are continuing the end of the year traditional celebration my mom started when my siblings and I were young…last day of school shaving cream fight!}

Therefore, I will be grateful for the crazy days and the messes that need cleaning up because without all of these precious littles, there would be no messes. My house may not {be even close to} perfect. But it is so very full of beauty. For that, I am grateful.

*I started a new Facebook community for all of us seeking to soak up the joy in the midst of chaos. Join us HERE. 

Charlotte Turns One.

If a pictures is worth a thousand words, then what are a thousand pictures worth?

Kidding. I won’t share that many photos. But, I may cut it close.

You guys. My baby turned one. We had a sweet little celebration with family and collectively marveled at this little firecracker. She is spunky and sweet and cuddly and fearless. A perfect combination if I do say so myself.

We started the day with a waffle breakfast and then she opened a couple of gifts. My favorites were the ones the boys wrapped for her…they found a couple of their old toys and wrapped them up special for their baby sister. These boys are enamored with this little gal. Future boyfriends beware. 

We had a fun little party that afternoon. Overload of pink and cake. What else do you need?

My friend, Julia, made the gorgeous cake and little smash cake. She is so talented!

A first birthday party is a perfect excuse to print off 15 billion photos from her first year.

We made homemade pizzas for dinner and snacked on watermelon and feta salad, caprese salad and twenty different types of yummy pizza. I didn’t stop eating the entire time.

I’m slightly obsessed with fresh flowers. 

Drink station: pink lemonade and raspberry mint champagne punch. Because, we were celebrating.

She’s wild. Particularly when I’m trying to get a photo with a headband on her head. It lasted 5.5 seconds.

Headband is gone…replaced by crazy hair!

My parents and younger sister and niece came to town for the big day. It was so much fun having them here!

Dave’s side of the family…{Sylvie’s expression is hilarious – she gives Nate that look often}.

My fam…

Similar to her disdain for headbands, this girlie is not a fan of adorable bibs. This is the only photo I managed with that cute bib actually on. She was clearly thrilled.

Cake time!

She loves to share her food {didn’t learn that from me]…

This photo cracks me up. I don’t know where Sylvie learned this new trick but it’s her go to for photos right now. Charlotte is chowing down on her cake. Nate is either angry or very serious, not sure which it is. And, Ben is just being his sweet, smiley self.

Somehow, Papa ended up opening all of the gifts. It was mass chaos and hilarious. All of the kids were pitching in to help.

Can this car be any cuter?

I’m sorry, she looks about twelve here. Nothing to see, just reading her card aloud…

As we do, fireworks had to be involved. 

This makes me laugh! They were shouting,”yes! awesome!” after every firework.

No surprise here. Nate was right there helping daddy.

I’m so thankful for such a sweet day to celebrate our littlest love. She has added so much joy to our lives and we are so very blessed by her presence in our little family!!

Charlotte-girl, you are loved to the moon and back and around the globe times a million!