Make it a lifestyle not just a day

As we stopped to give thanks I can't really think of anything else I could desire for Thanksgiving than what He has given me today. God's word promises us that if we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. (Psalm 37:4) He has certainly done that for my family. Just having us all together is such a blessing. I give Him the glory that I have the assurance of knowing that all of my kids know the Lord as their personal Savior and have a heart to serve Him. I am so thankful that He gives me a peace that He is in control and He loves my children even more than I do. I was blessed today with not only my immediate family all together, but with my extended family as well. Other than David's side of the family, that we missed getting to see, we had 40 people at our house today and enjoyed every moment of it. I can't wait until we can add another little girl, but in the meantime I know God is working out all of the details for us to be together. I hope and pray each of you were blessed by God's amazing love today. As my pastor reminded us on Sunday, Thanksgiving isn't just a day of the year, it is a lifestyle. Are you living a life of thanksgiving everyday?

Nannie with all four of the granddaughters.

My bestfriend and the one that helps me keep it somewhat together.

The Blind Side

I haven't even seen this movie yet, but the small trailor that I just watched has a message that should touch hearts all over. People often tell those of us that adopt, "Oh, you are changing that child's life by adopting them." Yes, we are, BUT, what others fail to realize is how incredibly much they are changing ours at the same time! Watch the trailor to the end for a beautiful comment by Sandra Bullock. I can't wait to go see this movie, and I know I better take a tissue. Let me know if you have seen it, and what you think. Have a blessed day!

And now in honor of this football movie, I thought I should share with you my own football picture taken at our last pep rally. The senior football player moms performed a dance for our boys and it may not have been pretty, but it certainly was fun and a memorable moment that I will treasure with my son.

Step by step

Today we pause to thank God for our ultimate spiritual freedom and to thank our military for our freedom while on this Earth. Thank you to each one that has served and those that continue to serve. Our oldest son, Justin, just completed his four years in the USMC and has been home for a time of r and r before he moves on to his next journey in life. He left today to go to Tennessee to visit my father and then after Thanksgiving plans to return to California. Please keep him in your prayers as he tries to decide whether to go into the reserves or stay out and get a job(not easy in today's economic times). God promised us He has plans for him, and I can't wait to see what those entail.

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you a hope and a future, says the Lord." Jer. 29:11

Thinking of our freedom today, I think how far we have come in also caring for the orphans of the world. What a blessing it is to be able to care for God's special children as HE calls us to a little bit easier because we have the freedom to go into others countries that wouldn't have been possible years ago. So, what is stopping YOU from also adopting one of His precious babies? Just think, you can take a vacation AND come home with a souvenir that will bless you for a lifetime. Will it be easy? No, probably no, but God doesn't call us to a life of ease, He calls us to obedience. So, money, is stopping you, you say? My God owns the cattle of a thousand hills, and He WILL provide the funds if you just ask. I KNOW, HE IS DOING IT FOR US! If someone had told me I had to come up with $20, 000 to adopt I probably would have said no way. But, when God promised He would provide it, we said, "here's our faith, God, it's as small as a mustard seed, You take it from here." AND THAT IS JUST WHAT HE IS DOING!

"for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills." Psalm 50:10

We mailed our dossier to China on 10-30-09 and found out TODAY that we have our LID(log in date). Our LID is 11-4-09. We were told it would take 4-6 weeks to find this out and we found out in 6 days! Yippee Jesus! Little sister, we are coming to get you soon!

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear

the way for us to come to you.

1 Thessalonians 3:11

Dedicated to a special friend

(turn off the music at the bottom before playing)

Yesterday afternoon I found out about the death of a wonderful friend, Kevin Bates. We grew up in our church youth group together and went through high school together. We have many wonderful memories that I will treasure until we meet again. My heart aches for the loss his family is experiencing at this time. I am so glad this world is not my home and we are just passing through. Kevin passed through much quicker than we planned, but God numbered his days and He knew exactly when he would come home. Kevin promised me just a couple of weeks ago that he was going to bring his sweet young son to our house for a visit. Well that didn't happen as we planned, but I am so glad I will get to visit his new home someday. Heaven will be a home where we will weep no more and all this pain and suffering will be gone forever. I pray this song comforts you as you cry out to The One who can dry our tears.

Hope the rest of this journey goes this quickly!

Our dossier made it to China and was delivered at 9:30 am Nov. 2nd. This seems so strange since that day isn't even here yet for us. It was mailed and Friday so this part was the quickest part so far! We look forward to finding out our log-in date and will begin the count down to the long awaited RA(referral acceptance).This weekend was a wonderful time to be outside with the beautiful weather. I was a very brave mom and took Tia to the creek to hunt for treasures yesterday. Our home has been here for at least 125 years and has a interesting creek running behind it that is not your typical nasty, dirty creek, but is a spring fed one that is crystal clear. Believe me, I wouldn't have been in it, had I not been able to seen the bottom! There are lots of beautiful rocks and broken pottery and glass. (There used to be a glass factory around here somewhere.)We saw lots of beauty in God's creation and had a great time just goofing off. So much fun that she begged Daddy to take her back today. Keeping my camera dry was a challenge, but I'm glad I had it with me. I'm so glad our church had a fall fest a few nights ago, so she was quite content with staying home carving a pumpkin last night.