God had a Plan!

Proverbs 8:22 says, "God sovereignly made me—the first, the basic— before he did anything else. I was brought into being a long time ago, well before Earth got its start. I arrived on the scene before Ocean, yes, even before Springs and Rivers and Lakes. Before Mountains were sculpted and Hills took shape, I was already there, newborn; Long before God stretched out Earth's Horizons, and tended to the minute details of Soil and Weather, And set Sky firmly in place, I was there. When he mapped and gave borders to wild Ocean, built the vast vault of Heaven, and installed the fountains that fed Ocean, When he drew a boundary for Sea, posted a sign that said no trespassing, And then staked out Earth's Foundations, I was right there with him, making sure everything fit. Day after day I was there, with my joyful applause, always enjoying his company, Delighted with the world of things and creatures, happily celebrating the human family."

Do you get it? Before He did anything else, He thought of YOU. What an awesome thought. With all of the attention that the new movie ORPHAN is getting - to me, it could be an awesome...perhaps Christian families around the world will wake up to the call that is listed in James 1:27 says, "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."

Moreover, were we not adopted? Ephesians 1:3-6 says, "How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son."

Thank you God, for choosing me. Choosing me to be an example of exactly what you did for me...for I too, was an orphan and you adopted me. Thank you for helping Chris and I raise these wonderful children to serve you - for without you...I am nothing. Thank you for helping us be an example to others that you too have called to the purpose of adoption.

The Garden of Life

This is my hibiscus plant, I have 3, planted on the side of my house. The first year I planted them, there really wasn't much activity. I went out there nearly every day, to see if I saw anything...just a glimpse of a bloom, but there wasn't a single one. I had expectations for these plants the day I planted them...and it simply wasn't happening.

Had I dug deep enough? Was it getting enough water? Was I doing everything that I needed to do to provide it all that it needed to survive and be all that it was suppose to be?

The next year, I saw some improvement, some growth - and the blooms, were incredible. Only lasting for one day, they are magnificent! Nearly 8 inches in width - the blooms are either all the way open wide or not at all. But that year, I saw that the answers to the questions a year before were yes!

Such is life...you know we do all that we can - all that we know to do - but we don't always see the proof until months or years later.

Much like flowers....are children. They are a gift from God, but for a mere moment. You have just a small period of time to make sure that the soil is right, that you are feeding them and nurturing them enough for them to grow. Grow up and be great men and women of God, Godly parents, etc.

I know that as a mom to five children, I am doing all that I know to do, in my heart. I am raising them to love God first and foremost. To follow His commandments. I am learning not to go out and look every single day to see the improvement - to see signs of success...because it may not be there. My expectations? I have high expectations for my children, but it may take years to see the blooms - to see that what we are doing to feed and water them and do what God has called us as parents to do...is working. Until then, I need to know and trust in Him. Knowing that His word never fails - but it accomplishes everything it says it will.

My ultimate prayer for my children:

Ephesians 3:16-20 (NLT)
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Used Cows for Sale

For many years, we've past this sign...to the point that on family trips...it became the 'I spy" of the long haul to Bowling Green, Tennessee or Mississippi. With each passing both going north and south - we have laughed and talked about fact that number one: we need to get a picture and number two: What is a "USED" cow?

So on this trip, it happened, we pulled off the side of Interstate 65 and snapped a pic. We still don't know exactly what a "USED" cow is...but perhaps now that we have the phone number, we can conjure up the nerve to call and ask. :P