double blessing bracelets

I have ordered more loose beads from BeadforLife, to begin creating "double blessing bracelets"

1st Blessing - the loose beads are made by women in Uganda, BeadforLife pays the beaders fair trade prices ... and the women many HIV+ or war refugees build income for food, medicine, homes, schools and HOPE!

2nd Blessing - the profits from our sales will help us to grow our family and pass blessings to others.

If you would like to be place an order, click on the BUY NOW button to the right. You will be connected direct to pay pal. Each bracelet set will be handmade with loose multi-colored beads from BeadforLife.

GRACE AND PEACE!

my jericho road

This morning during my quite time, I surprised myself when I wrote: The journey to building a family is like the Jericho road.
I feel like I have been traveling this road, minding my own business - I have been attacked by bandits. These bandits have left me exposed on the road.

I have been left vulnerable, exposed, bare. Such a contrast to my personality of being a do it your self person - self reliant to a fault.
I am in need of a good neighbor, a samaritan, a friend ... to pick me up, care for me. Helping along this journey to a family.


Who could have foreseen how treacherous this road would be for me, for us.

GOD did, HE knew, and uses all things for HIS glory.

HE knew, it would take something huge to bring me to my knees again and again to fully trust, obey and place all my hope in HIM. SURRENDER.


What is so amazing to me, that the Lord has already placed around us, good neighbors, samaritans, family, friends .... help is here, help is on the way.

The man on the road would not have received help if his wounds were not exposed.
With that said;
I PRAISE THE LORD that I have been left exposed, needing help.
I PRAISE THE LORD, for those he has sent and is sending.
I PRAISE THE LORD, that he loves me.

Parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30-37

GRACE AND PEACE!

Fear doesnt listen to logic.You must move against it in faith. DO what you fear & the panic will subside. -RickWarren

encouraged

I am excited and encouraged, the Lord has continued to be faithful.

Two weeks ago I had a follow up with my Doc, I have been cleared. Aaron and I have the "go-ahead" to begin trying again. Lord willing, it will not take 2 years!

I also had the opportunity to see my Special Nurse ... (I do know her name, I just like to think of her as my special nurse!)

We talked at length, about loss and life - and HOPE.

She provided a step for me, a fantastic support center, able to help us adopt locally. . We are certain the Lord has a plan to provide for us.

What I had not expected was to receive another call (before we could even begin work with the center) that there is a possible baby for us, due in April.

I am feeling an urgency to raise funds "quick", because we have a possibility of adopting in 2 months!!

I spoke with an attorney, I am completely overwhelmed with the financial aspect of adoption.

the BIG ASK ... we need help!

I have been amazed at those around us that have said they would like to assist us in raising the money needed to pursue building our family. Therefore, to help make that easier - we have added a "donate" button to our blog, the button connects with paypal.

your prayers are much appreciated as we continue along this path.

GRACE AND PEACE!

wow!

I am continually amazed with possibilities opening to build our family - in ways never imagined.

This week, we made first contact with an attorney, to help us begin to prepare paperwork and steps needed to be eligible for adoption. We are waiting to hear back, yet - I PRAISE THE LORD, for preparing the way - I could have never seen this on my own.

I am so very thankful for all the perfectly placed people in our lives - what an amazing blessing!!!

Brag on Him Today

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria I love David’s attitude in today’s verse. He was declaring the goodness of God and bragging on His faithfulness! We need to always remember that every blessing in our life is from Him. That promotion, good break, healing or new opportunity — that was God’s doing. Scripture says that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above.

We used to sing a song growing up, “Look What the Lord Has Done.” It was a song that just bragged on God. It was a great reminder that all through the day we should be bragging on God’s goodness. We should be remembering His mighty acts. See, when we give God all the glory, that’s when He will pour out His blessings in greater measure. When we are humble and don’t try to take the credit, His grace and favor increases on us.

Today, look for opportunities to brag on God. If you are breathing today, brag on Him as your Creator. If you got to work safely today, brag on Him for being your Protector. If you are facing a difficulty, brag on the fact that He is your Deliverer and breakthrough is on the way! Keep declaring His goodness and faithfulness and watch what God will do on your behalf!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father God, You alone are worthy of all the praise and glory for the good things in my life! Thank You for blessing me, thank You for the breakthroughs in my past and the breakthroughs in my future. I bless You because You are good, and I choose to brag on You today! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

GRACE AND PEACE!!!

more to come!

fantastic word from Joel ... as Aaron & I embark into the world of preparing for adoption and family building!

He has big plans, as I continue to put my trust, hope and faith in HIM ... HE continues to bring forth blessings beyond my imagination!

You Haven’t Seen Anything Yet!
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”
(1 Corinthians 2:9, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Today’s verse is really an encouragement for all of us to raise our level of expectancy! It’s like God is saying to us, “You think you’re blessed? You haven’t seen anything yet!” And I’m sure God has been good to you, but He also has things for your future that, if He told you right now, would boggle your mind. You wouldn’t even believe it.

If you would have told me twelve years ago while I was working behind the scenes at my parent’s church that one day I would be a minister in front of many people and have our services in the former Compaq Center where I used to watch the Rockets play basketball, I would have said, “You’ve totally lost your mind!” At the time, I could not even fathom that! Friend, that is how God wants to bless you in your future. He wants to overwhelm you with His goodness and with things so wonderful you can’t even fathom it!

Today, get ready for increase. Get prepared for promotion. This year is the year to step into blessings you can’t even imagine. Keep believing, keep obeying His Word and keep your heart and mind open to what He has for you because you haven’t seen anything yet!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father God, today I raise my level of expectancy. I choose to take the limits off of my thinking. I know that You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all I could ever ask, think or imagine. Thank You for the blessing You have in store for me in 2011! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

GRACE AND PEACE!

action on a whisper

So last Fall i heard a whisper from God, to get a room prepared. (previous blog, October 2010)
About the same time, a family friend contacted me regarding a possible adoption.

I turned my heart to God, for he knows quite well my desire for children - I began to hear a new song. As I began to hear this new song, I began to see our Kingdom Family - one that only Our Father could create. One that lead me to begin to explore adoption. My exploration was stopped short, when searching online I was overwhelmed and discouraged.

Then around Thanksgiving, a positive pregnancy test. The thought of adoption was pushed even further away. With that loss, my feelings about a family came into question. I was heartbroken.

This year I am doing a devotion on Women of the Bible ... so far I have spent a week on Eve, Sarah, Hagar and this week Lots Wife. The first three provided promises that spoke to my heart, each speaking about children. Those could each be separate entries - maybe.

Last Thursday we received an out of the blue call, remember the family friend with the possible adoption ... well the birth mom was having contractions. She decided the Sunday before, while in a special residence for single moms, that yes this baby would be put up for adoption. The call was to see if Aaron and I were interested - the little girl would probably arrive over the weekend.
I was trembling, crying and I think even laughing.

The green room is painted and ready to be outfitted as a kids room, well there are a few things that need to be tossed, donated or something. My mind began spinning over what would need to be done to bring a baby home in a weekend.

I talked to Aaron, my mom, the mom of the birth mother, and the residency that was preparing for a new arrival. In about 5 hours - I was all in. If it was the Lord's will, I was ready to do what he was calling me to. Just as I was putting together a picnic dinner for Aaron and I to take over to church, I got a call from the residency.



In minutes, I knew the will of the Lord was that this little one was not meant for us. The birth mom has selected a family she had met earlier that week. Then flooded in mixed emotions - we did not even get a chance to meet the birth mom ... I was sad and disappointed. Then I was very peaceful, the Lord calls us to be willing. I pray that I continue to be fully submitted to him. In all things.



From the whirlwind of Thursday, I had created a connection with a fantastic adoption ministry, the counselor I spoke with let me know the steps needed to become potential adoptive parents in their facility. WOW, a first step. Something I was completely stumped by in October.

Friday, I took a step by contacting the adoption ministry. While I have not heard back, I feel confident that I am in alignment with the Lord, he is our provider ... He will provide.



This is just the beginning.

GRACE AND PEACE!