Seven

Seven years ago, two days of labor, and an unplanned delivery method, brought us an incredible, insightful, vivacious, compassionate, and determined child. 

Avery, before you, I think I would have often judged other parents; I would have thought I knew it all, but you humbled me. 

I would have been blind to the great gift that comes with energy, spirit, and creativity. 

I am sad for those that miss out on that understanding; for it is a great treasure.  

You have made me the mom that I am today, you have given me a vast expanse of love and understanding, and for that we are blessed.

Summers End

It has been a long summer for our family. I can now understand about 1/100th of the struggles a military family experiences when dad (or mom) is gone for a prolonged time! 

I look forward to sharing in detail more of the stories from this summer in the coming weeks.

For now I leave you with a few pictures, and part of a letter that I wrote for our high school girls as they return home tomorrow morning.

"Your name is written on THE PALM OF MY HAND (Isa 49:16)

I CHOSE YOU (Eph 1:4)

I SPILT my blood for you, even when you hated me (or denied me/didn't know me)  (Rom 5:8)

I PLANNED your REDEMPTION, taking the nails in my hands - by my wounds you are healed 

(Isa 53)

I had a PLAN to bring JUSTICE and LIGHT many years before I came (Isa 42:1-7)

You are FREE in Me (Eph 1:7)

You are NEW in Me (Gal 2:20)

and You are MINE (Isa 43:1)"

THE BEARD, in a "muck" war... 

The Answer Was No

"The answer to my prayer was NO, in order that I may be specially blessed"

-Elisabeth Elliot

The Lord provided the exact words that I needed to read today. So often He needs to say NO, in order that He may, in some way say YES.  This past Tuesday night at Club, a student came to me about a situation where it seemed like God may be saying "no". She was frustrated and a little angry. There didn't seem to be a good reason why the answer would be "no", and there seemed to be lots of reasons why the answer should be "yes".

I shared with her that something similar had happened to us prior to our move here. The first offer on our house fell through days before closing. We had already moved out of our home, had a newborn baby, and we still didn't know exactly where we were going to be.  I admitted to her that I was angry at God.  I thought "God what are you doing! You are making us look like fools! We are going to be missionaries,  why aren't you taking care of us!" (part of our story)

But I marvel at how God shows His mercy in ways far beyond our understanding. See, His refusal was His mercy. His refusal brought us to a place where our hearts were fully prepared to serve Him. He needed us in that place. It wasn't a failure, or "a sign" that we had done the wrong thing. No, it was a time for Him to really claim our hearts as His own, to gain our trust and our devotion fully, and to test our desire to follow Him.

And if I am honest, even now I find us in that place again. We have been praying over something for months.  I look forward to the Lord specially blessing this situation. I look forward to standing back and seeing the great things that He has orchestrated that we can not even imagine!

Naked Spaghetti

The perfect birthday... Naked Spaghetti and a sink bath (at least for a one year old!)

Happy Birthday Asher! 

"Blessed.Happy"

I promised myself not to cry today. Amazingly I haven't. I think partly because I have been reminded this week to be thankful for every second of life. My heart aches when I see my last baby growing up, but how thankful I am that I have the opportunity to watch him grow up.

So Happy Birthday my little Asher. Last year when you were born we were moving out of our house.  Life was uncertain and I am sure that most of our friends, and probably some of our family, seriously questioned our sanity. But just like your name "Asher" (blessed/happy), we have been just that. You, along with your brothers and sister, are truly a blessing. You were the perfect addition to God's faithful provision for our family this crazy year. We love you.

Great Is The Job

Time flies by. It is so hard to believe Xander just turned 3, and Asher will be 1 next month! And the big kids... well they are just that. They are children, no longer babies. 

It is certainly easy to feel overwhelmed in this season of life.  I believe Satan often wants us mom's to feel discouraged. It is easier to believe his lies than to cling to the greater truth of God's word! 

 I am encouraged to know that God has entrusted me with a job that is greater than any. Even on the days that are hard, even when I want to ring all their little necks, and I feel alone, tired, and frustrated.  I have the privilege of raising His children to know and love Him;

 and that makes this season of life, the greatest one ever! 

Care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. 

Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. 

Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. 

Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the Way.

1 Peter 5

Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me".

John 14

A few shots I took from our favorite park in Raleigh, NC