The W word.

I'll be honest. I'm impatient. 

I don't enjoy the "W" word. 

Waiting.

And for the past year 1/2 I've been waiting. 

On God.

For direction. Clarity. Vision. 

During the Winter of 2012 God allowed me to see the picture of a little boy. He was with a group of kids my friend had met while doing a mission trip. Her children and a group of kids sat on a couch grinning for the camera. On the end was a little boy.

A little boy named Danil. What was it about this little boy, the one holding onto a lotion bottle with a yearning look in his eyes, I wondered?  

I began to pray for him. Was he our child? No. God was very clear. 

So I waited. And prayed. And prayed. For his future family. 

Danil's name was common in our home. 

For months, we stared at the wall atlas in the kitchen where one of the kids had written across the country of Ukraine, "Danil needs a family."  

And we prayed.

Some days I would wonder WHY is he still there Lord??? 

Months turned into a year. 

This summer Danil's family found him. They are home now, with Danil, tucking him into bed at night. 

For so long I wondered if I should keep praying for this child who I had never met, only seen a picture of...or just give up. 

Never Give Up. 

While we are waiting, God is working.

I need to remind myself of ^ sentence often. 

I need to stamp it on my forehead and scrawl it across every mirror in the house.

This summer we hosted a beautiful young lady. We know God brought her to our home for a reason but know in our hearts she is not meant to be our child. God is weaving a beautiful story of her redemption. We can't wait to see His work come to life!

She is not ours, we know.

And so we wait. Again. 

Eyes wide open, deep in the trenches of waiting. 

On God.

To give us absolute blessed reassurance on what we feel He has pierced our hearts over.

Another child God brought into our life this summer. She is in our prayers as we try to make a decision. 

Waiting on God. 

Direction. Clarity. Calm and Absolute Knowing.

Did I mention I am impatient? 

Endurance. Steadfastness. Patience. 

Waiting. For endurance, holding steadfast to His promise that what he began in our heart, he will complete, and patience in His timing, to do thorough work in our hearts. 

Trusting in His plan.

Waiting on Him.

"But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing."

You is kind. You is smart. You is important. - Aibileen Clark

All children need an Aibileen Clark in their life. Speaking words of love, kindness and truth. I watched The Help shortly after we came home from Ukraine with SJ. For the past two years I have been able to put her little face in my hands and whisper similar words to her. Every single day. 

She knows she is kind, smart, important. Loved. She is safe. She knows her Daddy in Heaven loves her and her Daddy on earth adores her. She knows her mommy loves her beyond measure. She is home. But so many children are without an Aibileen Clark, they live with no voice of truth, no comfort and no love. 

This past summer we hosted a beautiful 15 year old girl. Her story is hers to tell. I know as she grows older she will impact the Kingdom of God. The past three weeks we have gone from a home with four children to a home with three again. It has been an emotional adjustment and a time of reflection. 

Driving home from the airport three weeks ago I listened to my nine year old sob for three hours, missing Luda. Grieving. I cried also as I thought about our time with Luda. I realized that even though we are not perfect - we are loud, life is messy & so is the house sometimes...Luda experienced great love here.

We were her safe place to fall. The arms that wrapped around her when no words would come. The comfort when tears overcame her. The voices that told her she is loved, precious, smart, important, kind, compassionate, talented, beautiful, adored...even when she doesn't think so. Even when she makes mistakes, even when we do. She knows it is okay to make mistakes. She is loved. We were the voices that told her how much her Daddy in heaven loves her.

For the first time in her 15 years we were her Aibileen Clark. The comfort and love every child needs. 

We took her back to the airport three weeks ago and watched as she and 11 other children slowly slipped out of sight. Not knowing what their future would become. Sobbing children and families. We watched young children as they put on their brave faces and began the journey back to a place so very far away. Children who have had so much pain in their lives. I wondered, as I watched them waving and calling goodbye...how many goodbyes have they had in their short lives?

We watched heartache come to life. 

In the midst of pain we give the glory to God and know He has orchestrated every step.

Where Did It Go?

Summer.

How have nearly three months passed since the kids flew out of the school, SJ with cookie cake remnants left on her face from the summer birthday celebration on the last day of school, Paige with her backpack trailing behind her as she talked non stop about the beach, Texas and a special visitor's arrival.

It has been a summer filled with family, friends and mixed emotions!

Last day of kindergarten and 3rd grade

Spending time with precious family in Texas...I leave a piece of my heart there every time we have to come back home.

Texas heat/extreme humidity calls for desperate measures. Solution = giant slip n slide. 

And home made ice cream

Little One turned six this summer!! This summer we celebrated two years of having this little firecracker in our family! 

Beach fun with friends

Thankful for the time the Lord has given us this summer, the bonds we have made with those God has brought into our lives the past few months and looking forward to school starting back.

Did I just say that? The "s" word? One going back to public school, homework, after school activities and so much more. 

Definitely looking forward to a new season, cooler weather and all the fun Fall brings. 

Shout...

 "My lips will SHOUT for JOY, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed."

Little One filled with JOY

and 

JOY she brings.

             

          "Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Evening of Bountiful Blessings

This Thursday, May 9th, is the first annual Evening of Bountiful Blessings event for our non profit, Circle of Hope. 

If you are in the area we would love for you to join us!

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Between 5-7pm we will be having a silent auction, praise music from area musicians  speakers sharing their hearts for the fatherless, custom jewelry for sale, Thirty One gifts for sale, and hors' d oeuvres. 

From 7-9pm there will be a presentation by The Moneywise Shopper, Kristan Stanton on how to coupon and be savvy with your grocery budget. (I can't wait for this!!!)

$10 donation at the door.

The Cooper House in historic downtown Huntsville:

406 Randolph Avenue, 35801

I am so excited about ALL of the exciting things going on that night! 

Proceeds benefit our program to support families adopting children with special needs, older children in danger of aging out and sibling groups. 

More info on our facebook event page HERE

Plus...there will be a special little person there (well, a lot of special little kiddos...)

However, I can't promise she will be still long enough to actually be SEEN. Most likely, she will be shoving pop corn into her mouth and watching movies with the other kids :)

A few of the items which will be at the event:

Unique & Custom jewelry

Haul Couture, LLC is donating one of their bags for the silent auction! (picture below is example, not exact item which will be at event) Haul Couture cargo bags have been featured in the Oprah Magazine, Kathie Lee & Hoda's favorite things and The Next Iron Chef!

I love, love Thirty One merchandise! Come and shop with Susan Towery who will be donating 40% to Circle of Hope! If you can't make it Thursday night, you can shop online also!

Thirty One gifts with Susan Towery

1/2 off every thermal with every $31 you spend in May!

The silent auction will also include many local vendors and companies, including restaurants, the Westin, landscaping, personal fitness & training, Camp Maranatha, children's rentals and so much more. 

Hope to see our area friends there!