Catch Up Time #1

We've had a lot of fun over the past few weeks...but it's been quite busy too. So, here's a little bit of a catch up on the last few weeks! We love to go to Bruester's when it rains...so we have had quite a few of these fun ice cream days! This one happened about an hour after breakfast! But, it's always fun.
Anli got a fun bubble gum making kit for Christmas. So, one day we got that out and had such a blast making our own gum! I have never made gum...and it was really neat to see how gum is really made!

She picked her favorite flavor (watermelon punch) and then we all helped to measure out the ingredients.

Anli had to need the gum once all the ingredients were added!

Last, she rolled out the gum and then made it into gum balls.

It was really good! Here the girls are blowing bubbles (very small!) with their homemade gum balls!

Later that week, we headed to our favorite (free!) family night at Chick-fil-A. We love that the kids eat a kids meal for free and they always have such fun things to do! It was Lowe's night again...so we built some new things!

Anli and Daddy worked together this time.

She made a cute little gingerbread house...with a surprise door! She loved it because she could hide some treasures in there.

Virginia made a precious castle with a little drawbridge. It wasn't easy and daddy had to help us...and even take a few nails out too! It was really cute and she wanted to use it for the Littlest Pet Shop animals.

WONDERFUL NEWS!

I have WONDERFUL NEWS! We went in today for my tests and the Dr. said that I looked healthy! Now, I do still have blood in my urine today so I find myself in the less than 3% of those that they just don't know why. Well, somebody has to be in that number...so why not me:)

I know that some of my friends are a little unsure of the uncertainty of the cause of the blood still being in my urine...but my Dr. and friends who are in the medical field that I we have sucessfully ruled out cancer and major problems so we are rejoicing in this today!!!

Sometimes we just don't know all that our bodies are doing and that's just fine with me:) I totally trust my doctor and my nurse friends and we all feel totally satisfied with this news today.

Thanks for your sweet prayers and emails. All is well and thank you for rejoicing with me in this!

It has been a wonderfully emotional morning for Jay and I. Because of my history with squamous cell carcinoma...this one was a little more intense for us. Thanks for journeying alongside us in this!

Good Morning from God's Word!

Here is the passage that I read this morning on my journey through Mark:


"And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus." Mark 15:42-43

Today, may we all be looking and focused on the Kingdom of God...and take courage to do the things He asks us to do today! Thrive today!

What a GREAT God we serve!

Well, another amazing God moment happened this morning! I had my time with God this morning and it was rich. I had time of prayer and reading...and then went to take my shower. In the shower I continued to pray over things in my day. Then, I felt God telling me to call my urologists office to see if there was an opening for an appointment.

Now, I am not one who likes to bug people. I don't like to call and bother doctors, nurses, office staff, etc. I like to be a "good little patient." So, calling them today after they had ALREADY told me that next Thursday was the soonest they could schedule my tests was NOT on my list of things I wanted to do. But, I know God's voice and I know He always has a plan...so of course, I called.

I did not get in touch with the lady who scheduled my appointment...I got another lady. So, I just asked her if I could be put on a list to be called in case someone didn't want their appointment. She said they didn't really do the call thing (too busy at the office) they just gave the next person that appointment who came into the office to be scheduled. But, she asked me if she could see if there were any other appointments available.

She searched and came back to say they did not a single opened slot. She then launched into my instructions for my procedures and then...

...in mid sentence she said, "Um...that's weird. A 9am appointment just popped up as available on my computer! Can you come in tomorrow morning at 9am for your procedures?" I asked if it was with my doctor whom I saw on Monday and she said YES!

So, I will ask that you pray for us tomorrow as I will be going through a CT scan and a cystoscopy...and then a consult. I am so encouraged by my Father! He didn't have to change that appointment, but He wants me in sooner so I will go!

What a great God who has a plan that is perfect...whether we have to wait or not. I have been so thrilled to know that I did hear God and that He is going to some great lengths to make sure I know He is in charge. He's amazing!

But, as my hubbie reminds me...the bottom line is we still don't know. So please pray for us between now and then. You are a blessing in this journey! Thanks for the comments to let me know you prayed for us.

Look for God to be AWESOME today...He can't help but be...it's who He is!

I just read this...

This was devotion reading in My Utmost for His Highest today...

When He was alone . . . the twelve asked Him about the parable —Mark 4:10

His Solitude with us. When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, a broken friendship, or a new friendship— when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us.

Notice Jesus Christ’s training of the Twelve. It was the disciples, not the crowd outside, who were confused. His disciples constantly asked Him questions, and He constantly explained things to them, but they didn’t understand until after they received the Holy Spirit (see John 14:26).

As you journey with God, the only thing He intends to be clear is the way He deals with your soul. The sorrows and difficulties in the lives of others will be absolutely confusing to you. We think we understand another person’s struggle until God reveals the same shortcomings in our lives. There are vast areas of stubbornness and ignorance the Holy Spirit has to reveal in each of us, but it can only be done when Jesus gets us alone.

Are we alone with Him now? Or are we more concerned with our own ideas, friendships, and cares for our bodies? Jesus cannot teach us anything until we quiet all our intellectual questions and get alone with Him.

Thank You!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank those of you who have called, emailed, and prayed for me over the past weeks. Your prayers availeth much! Thank you for your encouragement, written prayers, and words of kindness. We know that God has all things under His plan and we are waiting on Him each day. There is such a sense of peace in our lives, even when there are moments we struggle.

God has been faithful each day through His Word, prayer, and friends! Thank you for caring for your sister in Christ...you have been so faithful. I know God will richly bless you!

For now, we just wait. That's not the easy part! But, it is necessary and I am just having truly amazing grace and peace...knowing that God is in control...and thus, I am NOT:) We know that there is still a chance that this could just be a weird anomaly that we simply never get an answer for...so please know that there are still options right now. I am an eternal optimist...my poor husband tries desperately to keep me from having shattering disappointment when the rose color glasses have to come off:) But, right we have reason to be optimistic:) Who knows what God will do next week...He's the Great Physician and can do anything He wants!

So, keep those prayers coming, but I wanted you to know that there are few moments of struggle...but many moments of victory in Christ!!!! Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. You are a blessing...

The story...

First I want to thank all of you who have sent emails, called, and prayed for me over the past several days. Today I had my appointment with a urologist. Three weeks ago I went to have a physical for our adoption process (in order to see what would be said about the skin cancer I had removed last year). I did not want to have any lab work done that day since all that was needed was the medical history.

Well, my doctor was not keen on that plan...so I had to come back the next day without food in my tummy to get a full physical. Now, I don't really like to go to the doctor...I hadn't been back since my skin caner over 18 months ago. And I would not have gone any time soon unless we had been trying to adopt - insert the hand of God here.

I went home from my visit...enjoyed my Christmas and then got a call from my doctor to go over my lab results (I immediately ran to the bathroom where I locked the doors and braced myself...the actual doctor NEVER calls just to tell you how fabulous your results were!). Well, there was blood (microscopic) in my urine. I had no symptoms...which I thought was a really good thing...wrong.

So, she says I have to come back in for more tests...but I don't do doctors. So, I got interested in moving apartments and decorating our new apartment...and didn't make my follow up appointment. WELL...last Wednesday night while I am eating my meal at church...my DOCTOR calls me on my cell phone. Oops!

She tells me that she is VERY concerned and then drops the "c" word...yep, cancer. Sigh. Ok, I'll come in tomorrow morning on my way to the mountains for the weekend. Uggg!

So, I went back in to her office and they did another urinalysis. I was sooo hoping that all was well and that I could get on the road to the mountains right away. But, nope. There was still blood and before I knew it I was back in a room talking with my doctor. She was worried...because the type of cancer I had on my leg a year ago is also a rare kind of bladder cancer. Now, that I didn't know.

A referral was made...an appointment was scheduled with a urologist today...and yes I was there! I had high hopes of him saying that I was way too young, I was in way to good of health, and that my doctor was way crazy for sending me there. But, alas it was not to be. He ran another test...one which was a bit more painful than the others and found that the blood was coming from my bladder or kidneys into my urine.

So, we say down together today and he explained that he was ruling out any kind of infection (UTI, bladder, kidney, etc) and kidney stones. So, there is still that big elephant in the middle of the room...he hasn't been ruled out yet. The doctor didn't really give me any other ideas that I can hang onto this week. He just told me what we were ruling out and that he was sorry that the other tests he would be doing were more invasive.

It wasn't the visit I was envisioning today. I wanted a little more positives from him...because I am eternal optimist. Jay says it sets me up for needless disappointments:)

So, next Thursday (Jan. 22) I will be going back for a round of tests. Please pray that I will suit up in the armor of God each day to fight off worry and anxious thoughts. God has blessed Jay and I with incredible peace...but Satan knows how to fight dirty! He loves to pound us! He wants to devour us like a lion...yikes!

Here's what I DO know:

*God is Good and He can only do that which is GOOD!

*He's always working for GOOD for those of us who are crazy in love with Him and are called according to His purposes.

*He gives peace that passes all understanding.

*He covers us with His armor each day if we will take it!

*We are overcomers in Christ.

*He has overcome the world.

*He loves me.

*He loves you.

*I deserve hell...but was given salvation!

*This life is more than food...and this body more than clothes.

*My body is HIS temple...whatever He wants to do with it is His right...and my privilege.

Keep us in your prayers this week. Waiting isn't fun...but can be a fruitful time of prayer and patience. So, enough of this already...here's a photo from this weekend that made me smile. Thanks for sending that along today Kevin! It was such a BLAST!

A merry heart is good medicine!

Christmas with the family

On Christmas day, we got up and celebrated Jesus' birth together and then headed to my parent's home. We had such a great day with family! I love my parent's home because they have 11 acres and our girls love to run and play. The day was so mild that they and their cousins played outside all afternoon!

My grandmother had a wonderful idea for a present and a great way to give it to all the little ones. My mom and sister made a scavenger hunt with clues all over those 11 acres! Here they are reading and working on one of the clues! They ran ALL over the place with such excitement! The hunt was as much fun as the present.
While the kids were busy reading a clue in the front part of the property, the men brought out the present...it was awesome!The kids LOVED the new basketball goal for the yard. We ALL played during the day. It made for some fun...and funny times. My mom, sister, and I played horse...and I WON! I'm terrible at basketball, but I just happened to do the most ridiculus shots and hit them.

Later that night we had Christmas with just my family and had a great time. My mom got one of her dear friends to make the girls special lambs. They are amazing and handmade just for the girls...one (or two) of a kind.

We also got an amazing gift as a family. My mom donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation and we are going to the circus...VIP style! We have a reserved dinner before the show where the clowns, performers, etc will be there to entertain us. Then, we will be in the VIP seats for the show! It is awesome...and for an awesome cause. We can't wait...it was the gift that keeps giving to children with illnesses. What a blessing!

Surprise! We found misteltoe in a tree at my parent's house! So...since this was the first time we had been under REAL misteltoe...we had to have a quick kiss!

We made my dad an apron (he's an awesome cook) that had the grandkids' handprints! It says:

Pal's HANDburger helpers

Anli came up with that all by herself...she ROCKS!

We then announced our adoption to my parents by making them snowmen ornaments with all the names of those in our family...including Anna Ruth! They were THRILLED to pieces!

The next day we headed up to the attic to find all the baby stuff from my kids and nephew. It was fun...but then I decided to clean out her attic. Talk about a job...but it was fun! We even took all their Christmas down for them. I was so glad that we could do that so that they weren't left with a mess:)

The next morning was filled with lots of horseback riding. My parents have horses, donkeys, a miniature horse, a goat, and about 8 dogs! It's so fun...and they LOVE riding horses. We are so blessed to have a place like this for our kids to grow up...especially since we live in an apartment!

We had the best Christmas ever and it was great to be with family. We had to leave and come home a little early since we had to move. My mom and sister were so sweet to come and help us move and unpack boxes. It was so much more fun together! It made things go faster and really meant so much to me...considering my mom HATES Atlanta traffic. Thanks girls!

Please pray...

If you could, please pray for my appointment on Monday at 9:00am with a urologist. I'll share more after the appointment...but it's important. Thanks so much!

Denied!

Well, we were officially denied adoption to China yesterday. We knew it was coming and had already been talking to at LEAST 6 other adoption agencies and over 10 international placement specialists to find out if there were ANY countries that we could adopt from right now. Because I have had skin cancer (the countries do not care what kind of cancer it is...they just care that you have been cancer-free of all cancers for at least 5 years to apply) we are a red flag to almost every country that we called about. It was a hard few days as we received denial after denial...after denial.

But, then...there was an opened door. And what a precious door it is for our family! But, for now we are going under the radar once again until more details can be nailed down, applications APPROVED, and parents told.

Are we still pursuing God's heart for adoption? You BETCHA!

We have already begun researching agencies (since ours only worked with China), received information packets, and been talking to people who are experienced with adoptions in this precious location. So, we are still busy bees around here! But locating an agency takes time, research, and lots of prayer. It may take a little while with the crazy schedule we have this month!

We will share soon...but for now...the blog is back to normal (whatever that means). I will be sharing Christmas memories and the fun we have been having since then together. We will be leaving tomorrow morning for a wonderful weekend in the mountains with our Families on Mission team! We will have lots of fun snow tubing, skating, and relaxing with good friends.

Keep us in your prayers as we continue this journey called life! I just love it...

Sweet Jesus...

Oh, sweet Jesus I love you. I thank you that you are greater and higher and wider and taller and more wonderful than my crazy mind can dream up. Thank you for chasing me...because boy, I do love to run a thousand miles an hour. Thank you for the way You and I talk together...the way we laugh together over the funny little things You wrote in Your Word. I love that you created me to run as fast as my legs can go to you...though many days I chase after the wind. Thank you for letting me love big...because YOU love big. I love the way you pull back the veil each morning of my hardened, self-loving, sin-indulging heart and shine your healing light into my life. Thank you for breathing into my lungs sweet Words of Life. Thank you for filling my cup...to the full.

Sweet Jesus, I'm sorry for the ways I get distracted. I'm sorry for the millions of schedules I make to try to "be more diligent" all the while forgetting YOUR schedule. My sweet Jesus, thank You for knowing all this already and still loving me. I really mean that. I'm such a crazy ball of passion. Thanks for somehow guiding that to Yourself each and every morning...I can't imagine how frustrating that must get!

Sweet Jesus, You are beautiful. If this world is any indication of what you are like...WOW! I am amazed at you each day and how creative You are. How great of an artist! Every day I just wish I could breathe You in a little more...that I could just bottle the beauty that I see each day...that I could feel You more deeply...and step right into Heaven to hug Your neck.

Oh, sweet Jesus I need You. I don't just need You...I desire You with the most passion I can muster. But, I do need You. I need You to hold my hand and guide me through this journey. I have no idea where I am going or what I am doing. I know that's the way you like it...but it demands my pride to depart. It demands that I surrender the desire to have people think I've got it all together...though I think they've already figured that one out:)

So, my sweet Jesus...take these tears that I shed tonight as my offering to You. They are tears of a bride full of love for her Bridegroom. Come quickly my Beloved...

Christmas!

We had an amazing Christmas this year! We enjoyed celebrating advent in wonderful new and old ways...and loved reflecting on Christ's arrival to earth and his second coming one day!

We open our presents on Christmas Eve and enjoy a day just relaxing and being together. Then, at 6pm when we go to our Christmas Eve service at church, that marks our time to focus completely on Christ. It is our way of setting these two very special parts of Christmas a part. It is so much fun and has been a hit with our family for a few years now.These are always my favorite moments! When they run in so thrilled to see their presents...what joy! Anli got an awesome doctor office kit that had over 72 pieces in it! It had a REAL stethoscope and all sorts of fun things to do. We all got our annual check up by Dr. Worthington that day. Every doll and stuffed animalsVirginia got the cutest little doll with a trunk full of clothes...like 11 full outfits. She loved it! It's like a portable American Girl doll:)Anli loves to cook and asked for this wonderful little cake decorating set. She is taking a home economics class at FBC Woodstock and really enjoys cooking, baking, sewing, and all other kinds of crafts! She decorated some beautiful cakes that day!The girls "bought" all of us presents with their AWANA bucks. It is so precious for them to pick out presents for us...that we have NO idea about! They even get to have them wrapped so that they take them home and straight under the tree they went. I love my little penguin from Virginia!Jay got a wonderful set of golf balls from Anli! He always needs more of those...thanks Anli!

Anli got me a beautiful red candle...two of my favorite things!Pacey even got some presents! We bought some yummy bones and treats...and he smelled them and dug right into the bag! So cute! Jay and I seemed to be on the same page with our presents! He bought me a wonderfully baby blanket with Anna Ruth's name embroidered on it. Oh, we were BOTH in tears!

I got him the really cool shirt...enough said!
The girls and I also got Jay "Facing the Giants" movie!Anli asked to have a manicure and pedicure for Christmas. So, she got a gift certificate for one (they gave us both for only $20!!!) and we headed out that afternoon (since we open presents on Christmas Eve) to get her spa day!

It was her pick for the color of her nails...so she picked blue for the nails and green for her toes. It was so cute to see her enjoy that special time. She is so like me...we would rather do or go somewhere fun instead of get a gift any day. So, it was great to be able to give her this!

We had a very blessed Christmas! I can't wait to share all the fun we had with family...we also had a HUGE snow this weekend in North Carolina! It was amazing!!!

Words I am pondering...

As you know by now, I read Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest each day. It is really great that it appears fresh each morning on my Google Homepage. It reminds me to read it sometime during that day...and it always encourages and exhorts me. Remember...that is all devotions are to do. They are not to feed you each day...that comes only from God's LIVING and ACTIVE Word! But, each day I need exhortation from those I respect and trust. I value what God has taught them and what, in turn, God can use in my life.

Here is what I read today...

"There are times when you can’t understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings a time of waiting, and appears to be unresponsive, don’t fill it with busyness, just wait. The time of waiting may come to teach you the meaning of sanctification— to be set apart from sin and made holy— or it may come after the process of sanctification has begun to teach you what service means. Never run before God gives you His direction. If you have the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt— wait.

At first you may see clearly what God’s will is— the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, or something else you feel is distinctly God’s will for you to do. But never act on the impulse of that feeling. If you do, you will cause difficult situations to arise which will take years to untangle. Wait for God’s timing and He will do it without any heartache or disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.

Peter did not wait for God. He predicted in his own mind where the test would come, and it came where he did not expect it. "I will lay down my life for Your sake." Peter’s statement was honest but ignorant. "Jesus answered him, ’ . . . the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times’ " (John 13:38). This was said with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because he did not know himself or his own capabilities well enough. Natural devotion may be enough to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His irresistible charm, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will deny Jesus, always falling short of what it means to truly follow Him."

I needed to hear the words...wait on God' s timing today. A friend told me today (one who has adopted twice from China herself) that she has never known anyone with a history of ANY kind of cancer...even skin cancer that has been approved to adopt from China. As I walked into the church service my heart was heavy. I was saddened by that news, because also on Friday I talked with 2 other agencies that said that not only China would feel this way...but the other countries as well. But, God spoke so sweetly to my heart during our time of worship and then tonight through my time of reading.

Wait, my child. Wait for Me and My timing. It is perfect. It is exactly what you would desire and pray for...if you only could see the whole picture. It's going to be so good...because I am GOOD.

This is the what I have heard God is speaking to my heart. Perhaps He can encourage and exhort you through this today also. What a time of growing this is becoming in my life. Thank you for your prayers on the journey. They are precious to me...and to Him.

Wonderful Words of Life

This was my reading today in "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. Oh, how I needed these words of exhortation today!

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." Hebrews 11:8

Have you ever "gone out" in this way? If so, there is no logical answer possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, "What do you expect to do?" You don’t know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing.

Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out" in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in constant wonder, because you don’t know what God is going to do next. Each morning as you wake, there is a new opportunity to "go out," building your confidence in God. ". . . do not worry about your life . . . nor about the body . . ." (Luke 12:22). In other words, don’t worry about the things that concerned you before you did "go out."

Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do— He reveals to you who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you "go out" in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised one iota by anything He does?

Believe God is always the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him. Then think how unnecessary and disrespectful worry is! Let the attitude of your life be a continual willingness to "go out" in dependence upon God, and your life will have a sacred and inexpressible charm about it that is very satisfying to Jesus. You must learn to "go out" through your convictions, creeds, or experiences until you come to the point in your faith where there is nothing between yourself and God. - Oswald Chambers

It seems that we have been "going out" in lots of areas of our lives. To some God has closed the door and others He has opened them wide full of amazing blessings and miracles. But, oh how glad I am that we have "gone out." Our journey of adoption is certainly a HUGE "going out" filled with unanswered questions that people have already begun to ask. Questions we don't have the answer to today...but we DO know our God.

What areas of your life are you "going out" in...not having a clue what God is up to? That is called a life of faith! I want to be more like Abraham in my life. What joy there is in being excited about what God will do each day through His Word and our lives! It changes our look at those seemingly drab days...to know that God is calling us to "go out" in a new and thrilling way!

Oh, Lord what other areas of my life shall I "go out" now knowing where I am going...but sure of the One who leads? May this year be filled with amazing FAITH journeys! May every area be opened to You and may my only concern be how I can know You more.

Happy New Year!

Yes, you read that right! We have always desired to adopt, and we feel that now is the time that God is leading us to begin the process for adopting another little girl into our family. We have been in the process of filling out our application, getting physicals, sending out reference forms, moving (yes, that is WHY we moved to a 3 bedroom...so we could begin our homestudy process), and telling our parents. It's been REALLY busy the past 2 months as we have begun this journey, but we have had a great time.

Right now we are in the process to adopt from China, but I had a skin cancer removed (completely not a big deal!) and China is VERY strict about cancer. So, we are getting our paperwork together from doctors, dermatologist, and surgeons. We'll see. But, we are also looking at other countries also. So, we don't have a referral of a little one yet, but we have begun the official process and will be having our homestudy beginning in February. Then, we will start the long (4-6 month) process of gathering all the documents for our dossier. This won't be a quick journey...but a wonderful one!

Because we are desiring to adopt a little girl, we have chosen the name Anna Ruth for her. Anna is my favorite woman in the Bible (See Luke 2) and the story of Ruth clinging to a family of faith that was not her own...is just awesome! So, we decided not to choose which name...and will have a double name! So, we are praying that wherever our little Anna Ruth is (perhaps she is not even born yet!) we will bring her home soon!

The photo above is taken in her room which is filled with red, ladybugs, and lots of love! The symbol of adoption in China is the ladybug and the color is red. Now those of you who know me will understand how giddy I was to have a room filled with red and ladybugs! It looks great and our girls will use this room as a playroom until she arrives...and then it will still be full of toys I'm sure.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel this journey! We are THRILLED to be called to adopt by God...what an honor to follow the heart of God to take care of the orphans of this world. How amazing to be able to follow His very own example of adoption, bringing us into His family even though we were sinners!

I will be posting so many encouraging things that God has brought our way as we have been praying and walking this road. But, for now...

Happy New Year from Jay, Frances, Anli, Virginia Grace...

and one day soon...Anna Ruth!