Saturday, November 30, 2013

Day 167 Prayer Request

Please pray for revival and fresh hope for my weary heart.

Reagan (Momma to 4)

Friday, November 29, 2013

A Tear in the Desert

We're driving down that isolating New Mexico highway, mountains in the rearview mirror, the high desert ahead.  Texas is beckoning, but still soooo far away. I'm sure I've heard, "Are we there yet?" more than 20 times, and well, this part of the trip always makes me feel scratchy and irritated.

 
The fabulous four are packed in the back, along with the spoiled pooch, watching the Avengers save the planet from an evil force that I can't even remember.  The Warrior Daddy drives the highway in silence.  I gaze out the window, feeling thirsty. 

Because the desert somehow always invokes that feeling, even with a water bottle in hand.

The sun is beating down on my arm now, and I attempt to rearrange to escape.  My mind wanders, remembers how only a few days prior, I kept moving myself near my home's windows soaking in each precious ray. 

How easily my perspective does change. 

I have been reading about Rahab, Elizabeth and Zechariah.  How Rahab abandons her faith in all she knows, believes in the God of the Israelites who rolls back the Jordan.  How Elizabeth and Zechariah have endured barrenness, a huge disappointment and cultural unnorm in their time, with their heads held high, hands intertwined.

I read it again, "Why do we fear the worst from God when He loves us completely and always gives us what is best?"  (p. 15, The Women of Christmas, Liz Curtis Higgs)

I know I have been afraid.  Afraid of what my surroundings whisper.  Afraid of being stuck in the wilderness.  Afraid of not being called normal.  Afraid I will remain dry and won't be able to endure. 

What does this say about my faith?

But, I know.  My mind really knows.  No matter my location, high on the mountain or down low in the valley; no matter my disposition, my thrist quenched or dry and wanting, He is near and is always singing His saving greatness.

"Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation."
Isaiah 12:2
 
Why do I forget to look?

With my feet propped up on the dash, I look down the road through that dirty windshield...

 


...and I see, I witness His overwhelming love.  With the dirt and grime and a windsheild wiper He paints a sunshine pointing straight to my heart...

...because He is the God of perfect timing.

I am determined to have faith like Rahab.

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  And you will say in that day:
'Give thanks to the LORD,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds
among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.
'Sing praises to the LORD,
for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in
all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy,
O inhabitants of Zion,
for great in your midst is the
Holy One of Israel.'"
Isaiah 12:3-6

The Great, Holy One of Israel, in my midst right here in the desert.  

And a tear rolls down my cheek, soothing my brittle soul, reviving my heart. 

Day 166 Prayer Request

Please pray for strength to persevere with homeschooling during the holidays.

Marie (Momma to 4)

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Day 165 Prayer Request

Please pray for those children in rebellion and confusion.

Annette (Momma to many)

Happy Thanksgiving

 
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thanksgiving in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:16
 
"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods."
Psalm 95:2-3
 
"But I with a voice of thanksgiving
will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation belongs to the LORD!"
Jonah 2:9
 
"And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, 'Amen!  Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!  Amen.'"
Revelation 7:11-12
 
"I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving."
Psalm 69:30
 
"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
 
Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
 
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
 
For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations."
Psalm 100

 


Praying with you and so thankful for others to travel this journey alongside.

Remember His might, power, honor, glory, and wisdom and throw your hands up in the air and worship Him with thanksgiving in your heart. 

He loves you more than you can imagine.

You are His and He is yours. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Day 164 Prayer Request

Please pray that I can respond with love when my daughter uses hurtful words.

Ann (Momma to 6)

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Day 163 Prayer Request

Please pray for safe travel for this family in route to Texas for Thanksgiving.  Please pray for three sensory-seeking bodies to adjust to a different schedule and environment.

Reagan (Momma to 4)

Monday, November 25, 2013

Day 162 Prayer Request

Please pray for my healing as I begin therapy to work on me.

Danielle (Momma to 3)

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Day 161 Prayer Request

Please pray for healing in this family.

Reagan (Momma to 4)

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Day 160 Prayer Request

Please pray that Orphan Weekend will be a success at CCC and that hearts will be softened and open to hear what He has to say.

Danielle (Momma to 3)

Friday, November 22, 2013

Day 159 Prayer Request

Please pray that the plan set in place at school to work on our son's learning appropriate behavior will help.

Ann (Momma to 6)

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Ready for Battle

"The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the LORD."
Proverbs 21:31
 
So...I asked the Warrior Daddy tonight if he had a verse. 
 
Yes, he does.
 
And yes, even the Mommas can know that He is so good He prepares us for our battles, and all the glory belongs to Him. 
 
And here's one to share with your own Warrior Daddy...
 
"He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze."
Psalm 18:34
 
So thankful for our Warrior Daddy!
 


Day 158 Prayer Request

Please pray for peace and God's will in a pressing matter. 

Annette (Momma to many)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Day 157 Prayer Request

Please pray I will be thankful in all things.

Annette (Momma to many)

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Day 156 Prayer Request

Please pray for our son's neuropsych test today.  Please pray he will try his best and his body will allow him to complete 2 tests.

Danielle (Momma to 3)

Monday, November 18, 2013

Sick :(

She enters the bathroom this morning, looks at me with her serious face.

"Momma, do you think Jesus made me sick as an opportunity to show me He loves me?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"  I scream in my head.  A smile turns my cheeks up round. 

"Jesus is in control of everything.  He holds us all in His hands...."

She searches my eyes with her big browns and nods her head up and down.

"...and, He is always good."

"So, Momma, Jesus made me sick because He loves me."  She squeezes her arms around her middle, bends over a bit, exits the bathroom.

I glance upwards, whisper thanks. 

She has had tummy issues for about 24 hours.

Her explosions started about 6 hours after she picked up that piece of chewed gum off the playground, decided to sneak it into her mouth.  

The Warrior Daddy noticed her smacking about an hour later. 

It's amazing how sneaky one can be when she is enjoying the naughty and unacceptable.

Yes, He does love us.  So much He gives consequences to teach. 

And the beautiful grace kiss is she knows He loves her, and she knows He is in control of every little detail. 

My cup runneth over.  

Day 155 Prayer Request

Praise the LORD for His unspeakable gifts!

Annette (Momma to many)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Isaiah 6:3

 
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!"
Isaiah 6:3

Day 154 Prayer Request

Please pray I will stop and listen before I speak.

Reagan (Momma to 4)

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Day 153 Prayer Request

Please pray for my special one as her body is changing and her mind is still so young.  Pray she will feel the hands of Jesus holding her, and will know His peace.

Reagan (Momma to 4)

Friday, November 15, 2013

Day 152 Prayer Request

Please pray for continued safety and wisdom as we pursue safe relations with our children's birth family.

Ann (Momma to 6)

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Unexpected Embrace

This morning she stumbles out of her room, half asleep, half awake.  I watch, wonder, as she chooses a different path.  Bypassing the bathroom, she meanders slowly towards the old farm table.

She walks straight to me, leans her body in close. 

Surprised, I embrace, squeeze her long. 

Warm tears stream down my cheeks.

Yes, my head nods. 

I had just read Isaiah 43, and He whispers it again to my tender heart.  Gently tells me to forget the former things, stop considering the things of old.

When will my heart and mind truly believe He will do a new thing?  It shall spring forth.  And through all my cloudy emotions, have I not known it?

I gaze into her big brown eyes.  Try to smile inside.

I identify so strongly in this moment with the father, desperate for Jesus to rescue his boy, as he cries out through his tears,
"Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

I glance out the window, look at the bare ash.  Even in the stripping bare, the new is promised to spring forth.

I have lingered long here in the wilderness; a thirsting soul in the desert.  And she, she is lingering right here alongside me. 

She is fighting for drink for her very survival. 

I am enduring in heat for her heart to surrender.

We both have to open our souls just a crevice to accept the drop that quenches. 

Her body is awake.  She pushes me aside, runs back to her normal.

I glance back down, read those precious words again:

"Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:18-19

I feel the weight of it all trying to crush me.  Because I know how I have failed her in my quick reactions.  How my emotions and my own survival tools have taken command, protecting me from her rejection. 

I feel the hurt of how my responses haven't demonstated the faith my lips proclaim.  How my reactions have only validated her own, in critical moments when we both are feeling the wounded and bleeding. 

I feel the shame of the weariness that has traveled me right into this desert.

I flip a page back, read again how He calls me His witness, His servant.  His chosen.  All that I will yadha know Him and aman believe Him (Isa. 43:10). 

And part of the knowing is believing Him when He promises I will pass through the waters, through the rivers.  I will walk through the fire.  I will not be spared of trials, nor will she.  But, because He calls me precious in His sight, I am honored, and loved, and He is here, everywhere, in every single moment.

Even in the desert wilderness.

And if I believe He is here, there is water, living water, anticipating to flow like a river from my very own heart (John 7:38).    

Battling her toothbrush, she runs down the hall, angry tears flowing, toothpaste spitting through her words. 

And I see it there, in the wild of her eyes.  Her preciousness; His overwhelming love for her.

He gave men for her.  He gave people for her very life.     

She is my descendant, and as He faithfully promised, He gathered her little frame right up and brought her from afar. 

All because she is called daughter. 

All because she was created for His glory
 (Isa. 43:4-7).

And my mind envisions the road, and I will never stop searching for His river in this desert. 

His Word is promise, and I eagerly await relief in our parched bones (Isa. 43:20-21).


  
And I truly believe it has everything to do with the heart - His, mine, and hers.
 

Day 151 Prayer Request

Praise the LORD! A new precious girl was born into a wonderful family yesterday.  Please pray for two big sisters and her Momma and Dad.

Mandi (Momma to 4)

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Day 150 Prayer Request

Please pray for God's peace during a very busy time and lots of changes.

Annette (Momma to many)

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Lift your eyes...

 
"To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!"
Psalm 123:1
 
In the crazy that is this family, I lift my eyes to Him.
 
He is my King, and the answer to every inquiry, every brokenness, every jubilee.
 
Lift your eyes to Him.

Day 149 Prayer Request

Please pray for my attitude and energy.

Danielle (Momma to 3)

Monday, November 11, 2013

Day 148 Prayer Request

Please pray for the healing of our family.

Susan (Momma to 1)

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Day 147 Prayer Request

Please pray she will find confidence in her abilities and believe He made her precious and unique.

Reagan (Momma to 4)

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Day 146 Prayer Request

Please pray for the healing of our marriage.

Susan (Momma to 1)

Friday, November 8, 2013

God Changes Not

Changing worlds, changing hearts,
all the things that tear apart,
Life can change before we know,
But God changes not.

Changing times, changing seasons,
People changing without reason,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
But God changes not.

God changes not
He shall remain
through shattered plans
He holds the pieces in
His hands
God changes not.

Grace
 

artwork by Grace

Day 145 Prayer Request

Please pray that as parents we would be good models to our oldest three about having compassion and understanding.

Ann (Momma to 5)

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Day 144 Prayer Request

Please pray for my special one to believe she is loved and safe.

Reagan (Momma to 4)

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Day 143 Prayer Request

Please pray that we would be intentional about family time.

Ann (Momma to 5)

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

My Hope Is Built

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.


Refrain:
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.

When Darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.
(Refrain)



His oath, his covenant, his blood
supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.
(Refrain)

When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne!
(Refrain)

Text: Edward Mote, 1797-1874
Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868


There is nothing, nothing like listening to three beautiful, curly-headed girls singing preciously to their Jesus.

When the floods overwhelm, and my soul collapes, He is all my hope, all my stay.

Day 142 Prayer Request

Please pray for my husband as God leads him to have wisdom and true spiritual leadership.

Annette (Momma to many)

Monday, November 4, 2013

Day 141 Prayer Request

Please pray that our daughter will seek help from Jesus when she is tempted to wrong behaviors.

Ann (Momma to 6)

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Day 140 Prayer Request

Please pray that we don't get stuck in a negative rut as far as our attitudes.

Ann (Momma to 5)

Saturday, November 2, 2013

A Letter to my Precious....


Dear Precious, my chosen child,

We are having much difficultly lately. 

You seem to enjoy misbehaving, along with the punishment that always comes after your behavior.  My heart has grown weary and sad at this need of yours to seek negative attention.  I see the glossy look come over your eyes and know you are traveling somewhere else for a while.  I really despise those times, and will never stop praying they cease. 

I want you to know I understand you were abandoned and abused as an infant.  We will both walk in a mystery concerning the extent of your abuse. 

I'm so sorry, Precious.  It isn't fair. 

I know it hurts, yet I admit, I do not identify with your hurt.  I wish I could tell you I understand.  Instead, I have to say, "I love you and I want to walk through your emotions with you." 

I know that won't be enough for you all the time.

I need you to know I forgive you when you act out towards me. 

I forgive you for hurting me. 

I know your first maternal bonds were ripped from you, leaving you one stubborn child determined to never be rent again.  My head comprehends this positional rejection.  My heart, however suffers deeply in personal rejection, pining for change.  

Because I promised Him, and my love for you runs deep, I can't allow the behavior to continue. 

I will never stop working alongside you to lead you to Jesus and His healing that can transform your life. 

I have high expectations for you. 

You are so special; so worthy of love. 

Please forgive me when I overreact.  I am taking my emotions to Jesus, and He is guiding me. 

I love you so much. 

You will always be my Precious.

Love,

Momma

Day 139 Prayer Request

Please pray she will trust she is safe and choose to relinquish control.

Reagan (Momma to 4)

Friday, November 1, 2013

Day 138 Prayer Request

Please pray I will let go of the small things and focus on the important things.

Reagan (Momma to 4)