IGNITE 2013

This week at our church we are having our kids camp week. We call it IGNITE - it's like VBS but so much more than any VBS I attended as a kid. This is like a youth camp but geared toward Kindergarten through 5th graders. It's AMAZING!

I love watching the kids worship. They are all in and hold nothing back. They are expressive and they have joy on their faces. They are alive and in the moment. So many times on Sunday morning, I look around and think, these adults need some kids to come in and show them how it's done! I really think that our kids could teach us how to worship. I know that during this time with Pace, I am learning a lot just by watching him as he walks through this time. His faith amazes me daily. I guess this is why scripture teaches us to come to Him with the faith of a child. It's totally pure and I love it!

This week I have also been blown away by our volunteers. They are coming out of their shells and having so much fun with these kids. We have over  80 volunteers from our church and 53 middle school students with Chaperones from VA here helping us pull this week off. It's amazing to watch as people come in straight from work, feeding their kids from a drive through, and sometimes not eating themselves - to serve for 5 nights. I love it!

Two more nights and we are going to blow the roof off! It's TIME TO SHINE!

A Call To Action

I took this from my good friend Karen's blog ... would you help?

I have yet to meet my newest niece or nephew. He/She is an Ethiopian orphan awaiting placement in his/her forever home. Unfortunately, due to corruption w/i the adoption processes in their country they are taking "unnecessary and disproportionate" measures that will in essence cut adoptions back by 90%!!!

This requires a CALL TO ACTION!

Please take a brief moment to sign a petition that will be sent to the Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi. It could mean the difference between children "languishing in poverty" or possibly not receiving the care they need to survive. PLEASE give just a minute of your time by clicking here in the hopes of saving many, many children...including my sweet nephew/niece. Thank you!!!

March 7, 2011 Statement on the Pending Reduction of Intercountry Adoption in Ethiopia Last week the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs announced their intention to reduce intercountry adoptions by 90% beginning March 10, 2011. The Ministry’s plan for a dramatic reduction is apparently based on two primary issues; 1) the assumption that corruption in intercountry adoption is systemic and rampant and 2) the Ministry’s resources should be focused on the children for whom intercountry adoption is not an option. Without further announcements by the Government of Ethiopia, it is our understanding that the Ministry’s plan will be initiated this week. The Ministry’s plan is a tragic, unnecessary and disproportionate reaction to concerns of isolated abuses in the adoption process and fails to reflect the overwhelmingly positive, ethical and legal services provided to children and families through intercountry adoption. Rather than eliminate the right of Ethiopian children to a permanent family, we encourage the Ministry to accept the partnerships offered by governments, NGOs, and foundations. Such partnerships could increase the Ministry’s capacity to regulate service providers and further ensure ethical adoptions. The Ministry’s plan, which calls for the processing of only five adoption cases per work day, will result not only in systemic and lasting damage to a large sector of social services, but will have an immediate impact on the lives and futures of children. Moving from over 4,000 adoptions per year to less than 500 will result in thousands of children languishing in under-regulated and poorly resourced institutions for years. For those children who are currently institutionalized and legally available for adoption, the Ministry’s plan will increase their time languishing in institutions for up to 7-years. Joint Council respectfully urges the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs to reconsider their plan and to partner with governments, NGOs and foundations to achieve their goals and avoid the coming tragedy for children and families.

Lessons from a 6 year old

Today at 4:08 am my baby turned 6! The last 6 years have absolutely FLOWN by! In 6 years Ryan has lived in 3 different states, in 5 different houses, he has gone to 4 different schools, and 4 different churches (not counting all the ones we visited trying to find the one) He has the biggest heart and is ALWAYS striving to do his very best at everything he does.

This year in April Ryan decided to give his life to follow Jesus. His heart has been transformed so much over the last year .... I have seen such tremendous growth. We have had our periods of trial and error but he is learning and his heart is being softened. The best thing is that I see his mind working and I see his heart bending towards the things that matter to the heart of God.

Each year at Christmas, our children get 3 gifts, to represent the 3 gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus when they visited him. Its our way to teach them many lessons at Christmas. They also give away 3 of their toys at Christmas ... it makes room for what they will get but it also teaches them to give to others who do not have as much as us - they get to pick what 3 toys are given away. (we also buy new gifts to give away, so don't think we are scrooges)

This year as Christmas has gotten closer and closer we have talked about the various ways as a family we can help those around us who are in need. One of the things that we talked about was Ryan's birthday. We talked to Ryan about how much he has and how blessed he is compared to so many. (God had already been working on his heart) We asked him if he would mind asking others to bring a gift not for him, but a donation for others. He was more than excited about this idea.

Saturday, was his birthday and everyone who attended brought a donation for a local rescue shelter in our area. We had toiletries galore! Soap, razors, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brushes, etc ... all for a 6 year olds birthday! He was so excited when we got home and looked at everything that had been brought. His brother even commented how he wanted to do the same thing for his birthday!!

Fast forward to today ... his birthday ... we picked him up from school and took him to deliver his donation to the rescue shelter. We had so much stuff that Ryan couldn't carry it in. We walk in and the staff greeted him with such a grateful heart .... the woman who runs the shelter came out and told us that the Lord told her to pray over Ryan and our family. She prayed the sweetest prayer over him. I cried. I was blown away with how she prayed for my son. I have prayed some of the same words but he is MY son, I should pray those prayers. This lady had no clue, zero, who this child was, she didn't know him before he walked in the door and she has no connection to him. But the prayer she prayed ... WOW! She spoke a word over my son and I cannot wait to see how God brings it to fruition! I've known God was doing something special in his life, but to hear a stranger also testify to that ... WOW is all I can say, WOW!

Today we were blessed so much more than we were a blessing! I love how God encouraged us today as parents through this womans prayer over my son! I loved seeing the JOY on my childs face as he received nothing but gave away instead. I loved seeing how it trickles down to the other two. I love how his heart is changing and growing!

Our weekend

Our weekend was FULL, yet so much FUN! We needed a weekend like this! Friday we were able to enjoy a date night thanks to some wonderful friends who picked our one son up from school for us and another set of wonderful friends who kept ALL 3 of our kids.

Saturday we headed out to Ryan's first ever soccer game! It was a hoot! 14 kids all chasing this little ball and kicking each other in the shins .... hilarious! Ryan did great and had a wonderful time playing. He was given best defensive player star for the game. We just love Upward! The kids get devotions at every practice and they also learn Bible verses each week. We came home and enjoyed a lazy Saturday with football and I was even able to get a pedicure .... oh it was wonderful!

Sunday we were at church and then spent the afternoon with friends watching football, eating wings and the guys played Rock band. Definitely some fun memories were made.

It was definitely a much needed weekend. Today we are back to the grind with a busy week! I go to the DR today to have my levels checked .... don't anticipate any problems, just a routine check up.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Wonderful Weekend

This weekend we spent some time with one of my closest friends at the beach. She is one of those friends that challenges you in every area of your life. She is someone that I look up to and respect more than she will ever know. She has taught me so much in the last 10 or so years that we have been friends. She is definitely a "balcony friend" - one of those friends that will cheer you own pushing you forward not pulling you down ... I just love her. Everyone needs a Karen in their lives. I'm blessed that she is a part of mine!

And what's better than that is that our kids love each other too. It was so fun watching our kiddo's play together on the back porch swinging, in the ocean, in the sand or walking around town. As we were driving home my boys were asking when we would see them again. They were sad to know that it would be a while as they just loved their time with them.

Karen, Chad, E & C we love you guys! Praying for you as you journey into your next chapter of your lives! Cannot wait to see what God does in and through you and how he blesses your obedience and answers some of the desires of your hearts! I won't comment on the fact that you are moving the wrong direction ... well the wrong direction for me! I know you are going where God has called you to and prepared for you and I'm excited for you ... sad for us!

Thanks for being such wonderful hosts! We had a blast! Love you guys!

Hogan is here!

Hogan is here! Please keep my friends Kip and Angie in your prayers as they hold and love on their little miracle. Thanks for praying and lifting up my friend and his family.

Our Weekend

This past weekend Jeremy and I went to a marriage conference. It was great and I highly recommend getting away with your spouse at a marriage enrichment event as often as you can! It was a great time for us to get away, get refreshed as a couple and also individually with God.

Anyway, a couple guys who were leading the conference are friends from college. It was neat to talk to them and hear all about their wives and families, as brief as our time was. I look forward to catching up with their wives soon. Alex and Stephan have been given such an amazing platform with their movies. It takes me back to college days - Alex was a college minister and Stephan was the Middle School pastor. On Retreats and just any time they got the mind to do so ... they would have us doing crazy little sketches as they filmed and then spliced back together. They even filmed a short video for another friend to use as his intro to the night he would ask his now wife to marry him. This weekend brought back all kinds of memories with them and so many others. It was fun to connect with them albeit briefly.

If you think about Alex and Stephan, pray for them. They are in the middle of a new Movie called Courageous. It's about fatherhood and I know it will be fantastic. This weekend amidst all the things they had going on to lead they were also working on last minute preparations for the film.

Well hope you guys have a fantastic Palm Sunday! Later Peeps!

Praying for Hogan

My family and I are praying for Hogan. Kip is a friend from my hometown and his mom was a very special influence in my life in High School. They are expecting their third child, Hogan, very soon. Hogan has a condition called Trisomy 18 and they are set to meet their little one on April 5th.

Head over to their blog and join me in praying for Hogan and his family.

Overheard This Weekend

This past weekend our friends were in town and they both have kids around the same ages as ours .... I loved hearing their conversations ... Here is just one snip it that I heard this weekend ...

Ryan: Emily how hold are you?

Emily: I'm 5 and a half (you know that half is SO important when you are 5!)

Ryan: Well, I'm five in a row

I just just loved hearing their conversations and watching them interact ....

A Wonderful Weekend!

What an awesome weekend!! Friday night Jeremy planned a date night for us. It was our first one in a while as we just haven't had anyone to watch the kids for us. So nice to get a meal out and time away without having to share anything or eat so fast that you didn't taste anything you ate :) We even got to have a real conversation :) What a concept!

Saturday one of my good friends came into town and we had an amazing time hanging out with them. I've known Karen for about 12 years. She is and has always been one of those friends that challenges me and speaks truth into my life. I love spending time with her ... I always walk away from our time or phone conversations a better person! Thanks for hanging out with us Karen! Love you guys!

Sunday we had more good friends in town that we haven't seen in forever. I've seen Terri a few times since we left Georgia 3 years ago but Ryan had not seen their son Chris and Jeremy had not seen Kip since we left. It was so fun to catch up and hang out with them. It was neat to see the boys play together. When we left GA Ryan had just turned 2 and Pace was 7 months old. They didn't remember each other but all 3 had so much fun playing together. Ryan even asked today when he could play with Chris again! I loved my conversations with Terri ... I left our time together with a full tank! Thanks for making time for us Terri!! Love you guys!

So thankful for friends we know will be lifelong, and that neither time nor distance affects the relationships! We are definitely blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives. 2 moves have separated us but I love the fact that we can reconnect.

We have also been blessed to have met some WONDERFUL new friends here. When we moved here in September it just seemed like the clocked moved so slowly in the connecting part of our transition ... God has blessed us so much with some new friends that we know will be life long friends as well! Friends who spur us on in our walk with Christ, friends who challenge us and friends to walk with hand in hand. We are thankful!

Not yet Son, not yet!

Oh my stars! Someone please smash the clock and throw it out the window! My son is growing up WAY too fast. Way too fast. He has discovered girls. Right now they do not have cooties and they are not gross. They are not to be avoided at all costs. He has this one friend at school. He doesn't even know her name but he was so excited to go back to school so that he could go to the playground and see this girl and play with her. In the beginning they had this little tiff but he got the courage one day and worked out his differences with her and now they are buds. Buds in the sense that he has yet to learn her name, but she is "beautiful". His mission has been to find out her name but they haven't been back to the playground again so he hasn't been able to find out her name. They are in different classes.

My boy is growing up too fast ... aren't all girls supposed to have cooties at this stage? Five is too early to be blushing when talked about :) However, it has been a learning experience in our house ... We are trying to use this as a teaching time to talk to Ryan about what it means to have a girlfriend over a girl who is a friend. We are trying to teach him to look at qualities of the heart instead of the outward appearance ... to know that true beauty is from within. We are doing this as much as we can on a five year old level. And he is asking questions and we are answering them ... I swear I did not think I would be having these conversations with a FIVE year old! Please tell me that he will not be going to the Prom tomorrow! I sure did like it better when he had a crush on my married friends!

Fun Visit

Yesterday, we had a fun visit from a friend from our old city. It was so much fun to have a lunch date with them. They had been in town on vacation and we were able to go meet them for lunch before they headed back home. It was Ryan and Pace's first teacher. She loved our boys in a way that made this momma's heart so happy. I knew everyday that I dropped them off that they were safe and in loving arms. She loved my boys so well. They couldn't have been in better care and I'm so glad that they had her for a teacher. It was so much fun seeing them yesterday! We love you guys! Thanks for making time for us!

Ryan sings

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I really think my son thinks our old worship leader is his hero! Since we are in transition right now we have been doing internet church on Sunday mornings (poolside I might add - it's nice). The boys like to sing along to the worship sets with us and they love Mr. Gompers! Ryan wants to be just like him and he also wants to marry his daughter ... after he found out that his other girlfriend was already married :) so Mr. Gompers you are looked up to!

Happy Birthday

The boys (and the rest of us) say Happy birthday to their 'girlfriend'

we love you! Hope your day was fantastic! wish we could have been there to celebrate with you!

Almost there

Jeremy and I are in route to our temporary home. We will be living with his parents until we can find a new home in our new city. Today we are in our new city and will be looking at some houses with our realtor. Maybe we will find one we like and can make an offer today. Who knows!

We left our old city yesterday ... boy was that hard!! We spent the last week saying goodbye to some great friends and the emotions really wear on you! God has sent some really special people into our lives and we are going to miss them terribly! I don't like goodbyes, they just are not easy. As our old city was in my rear view mirror yesterday, tears streamed down my face. I will miss those friends. Thankfully the blog world and facebook can make the world a smaller place and if those friends are reading this right now ..... COME VISIT! Just let us find a house first!!!

Well, I'm off to go look at houses! Have a great day peeps!

A 4 year old and his crush

My son has a crush! And not just a little crush a HUGE crush, huge! He has fallen in love with a married woman. At church he cannot go into his room until he says hello and gives her a hug. He stands at the door and he waits on her to arrive and runs to her as she comes in the building. This child had tear filled eyes at two different points today because he couldn't take her with him when we move. He's crushed that his crush has to stay behind with her beloved husband.

It's so sad to see his little heart crushed over this. He did ask that we charge the batteries to his camera so he can take a picture with her before we leave to have in his room. I assured him that we could do that!

Cloud of Witnesses

Hebrews 12: 1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Yesterday during my quiet time I was led to the verses above. Got me to thinking about the "cloud of witnesses". There are many interpretations for what a cloud of witnesses is. I love the image of a “cloud of witnesses” urging us on. Some think that means those who have gone before us, but I like to think of them as those who are with us, surrounding us now. I've heard them referred to as "Balcony people".

Balcony People are people who positively impact your life. They are the people who are cheering you on in both the good times and who walk with you during the hard times. I think of them as I am running the race of life ... they are in the stands along my run, cheering me on. Giving me encouragement, advice, admonishment when I need it, and sometimes they join me in the race when my legs may be ready to give out from running. Balcony people understand when you do not want them around but stand by just in case you change your mind when you face speed bumps along your path. They help you fix your eyes on Jesus when your vision is a little blurry.

As I pondered these verses I really thought about the people who are "balcony people" in my life and thanked God for them. They are people who may never know the value of their cheer leading yet they cheer anyway. I've prayed for balcony people in my life and am thankful that God has placed them as a part of my journey. They have had deep impacts in my life and my walk with Christ. They have encouraged me, cheered for me, stood by me, waited on me, at times they run with me and at other times they have carried me when I couldn't run. I'm so thankful for my balcony people and I hope they know it!

I hope you have balcony people in your life. If not pray that God would send you some people who will spur you on for the better, people who will pull you up and not down. If you already have them ... thank them for being a balcony person in your life.

Bloggy award

Girl honored me with the cutest bloggy award. Thanks Girl!

The rules are that I have to share 5 of my addictions and pass this fabulous award onto 5 bloggy friends. So here goes...

1. A few reality shows .... I know, I know!

2. UGA football

3. Jeremy ... my hubby :)

4. my kids

5. Facebook ... yes I know! :)

Now to pass the mantle on to 5 other bloggy friends ...

1. Tam - I love her honesty through her blog and how she challenges me to think.

2. Mandy - She and her hubby are in seminary up north. I love her voice ... amazing! Plus put her and Tam in one place or in one video and it's hilarious!

3. Jenny - She is one funny woman! She loves loves loves the Lord and it shows!

4. Bargain Shopper Lady - She can tell you how to shop!

5. Janelle - I've enjoyed following her blog. She's a wonderful photographer and recently I've enjoyed hearing her heart as she has shared about a couple mission trips that she has been on.

Great Quote

Someone sent this to me today ... thought I'd pass it on ... someone else out there may need it as much as we did as we walk through another job related trial ....

"God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially formed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain." C.S. Lewis

Public Dedication

Tonight we publicly dedicated Kennedy to God. After each one of our children were born, Jeremy and I would pray over them before anyone else ever came in the room to meet our children. It was a sweet time that the two of us were able to spend together with our new baby and the Lord who gave each of them to us. Then we take the next step and dedicate them publicly ... tonight was Kennedy's night and it was a sweet time, a very intimate time that our church worked hard to make special for each family who dedicated a child. It was biter sweet for us as we missed having family there. Since the dedication was in the middle of the week our family was unable to make the trip. However, we had some great friends who joined us tonight and helped make this night special for us.

She is yours God ... thanks for giving us the opportunity to raise her. Give us wisdom and discernment as we train her up. We pray that she will come to know you at an early age and that she will live for you her whole life long. May she always know that we are here for her. As she grows may she know that her beauty is found in you and in who you have made her to be. May she see her worth in you and not seek for what the world will tell her is beautiful. May she know that you knit her together and that she was fearfully and wonderfully made.

Train us in our parenting as we raise all 3 of your children. Thank you for giving us the awesome privilege of being their parents. They are truly a blessing to us. You have trusted us with them and we give them back to you. Help us to lead them and teach them to trust in you. Help us to consistently model your grace and love to them. May the footsteps they follow be the ones that lead them to you. Give each of them patience, wisdom and discernment as they walk through this crazy world. Protect their hearts and may they hide your Word in their hearts. May they be so full of your love that it radiates and spills out to each person they come in contact with. May they run hard after you with every fiber of their being and never look back.