It's been weeks since I last posted. I've been SO busy! Life has been a whirlwind of things and I'm finally getting back in the old groove and settled into my never-ending-oh-so-busy life! God has truly blessed me with such awesome family, friends, and an even more awesome life!
Samantha and I are pretty much settled into our new apartment...and it looks amazing, if I do say so myself :) Hopefully I'll have some pictures posted in the next few days so you can see for yourself.
Church is great. Pastor Scott has had some really awesome messages the last few weeks. You can listen to them here. Northstar has really been a blessing to me. The people there are amazing and have such hearts for the Lord. I really feel like I'm at home when I'm at Northstar. I'm being used in the Children's Ministry on a weekly basis and am honored to have such a sacred job within the church. Those kids are the future of God's kingdom and I feel so blessed to be a part of their lives. To hear and see their love for Jesus is amazing. If you live in the Knoxville area and are looking for a church home I want to encourage you to seek Jesus in your journey and visit us at Northstar. We would love to see you!
Please be in prayer for the Smith family as yesterday was the year anniversary of the death of their sweet girl, Audrey. Also, be in prayer for Baby Stellan. A surgery may be in his near future, however God is a performer of miracles and anything can happen between now and tomorrow. Pray for rest for MckMama and her family, pray for Stellan's doctors, and pray for Stellan.
As for me, I'm great. I'm planning a trip to my hometown for this weekend and can't wait to have easter egg hunts with the baby, home cooked meals, and family time. School is going great and I'm really loving my decision to be a hairstylist. I love it! Paisley is great as well and is excited about showing off her new Easter dress this weekend!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Where has the time gone??
Monday, February 23, 2009
Mark 6:31
I was able to go to Greenbrier and visit with family and physically rest this weekend. I also have tomorrow off of school and work and will finally be able to catch up on my house cleaning and more physical rest. I'm thankful for the rest God has provided me so far this week.
The spiritual rest I so desperately need is what I thought of the most when reading this verse today. I need to rest in my Saviour's arms more, trust in Him to supply my needs more, and take comfort in knowing He will never leave me. My heart needs rest from the struggles I've been battling and I know that that rest will only come from Him, and only after I give it all to Him. Here's to giving it all to Him....
What do you need rest from? Go to God and find the rest you need.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A New Year and 100th post
Welcome 2009! I guess it's fitting that my 100th post be on January 1. That's just cool to me :) Anyways, it's been a few days since I've posted and I have lots to tell! My Christmas was amazing and it was so good to sit back and reflect on the year and all of God's many blessings and lessons He gave me this year. I had a great visit with family and friends while in Greenbrier and now I'm back in the swing of things in Knoxville. I have some great pictures to share, so be looking for them in the next couple of days!
How was your Christmas and New Year's?
My prayer today is that the New Year be filled with God's goodness and grace in my life. My desire is to serve Him better this year, better than I ever have before. God has held me close in the bad times and I haven't always clung to Him during the good times like I know I should. I want to do better at my Bible study and be more consistent with the time I spend with God.
What are your goals for 2009?
Sunday, November 2, 2008
1 Day=4 Years
In one day, the people of our country will choose the next two people to run our country. No matter which party wins, both will make history. The Democratic being the first black president. The Republican, the first female vice president. I'm not sure where this post is going to go, and before it gets to the end, I'm sorry in advance for any offense that I may cause.
I for one don't know which will be the better president. It's a hard job, and not just anyone can fulfill it. I have mixed feelings on all candidates in the running, and I don't really feel led to discuss those feelings. I do feel led, however, to ask you to sincerely pray before you vote. And if you have already voted, I hope you prayed before hand. No matter what, God is in control. God knows ahead of time who will be elected. He knows what will happen to our country.
If you haven't voted, please, please, please, VOTE. It matters. Yes, you are just one, but one vote could change our nation for the good or bad.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A Busy, Busy Week
I can't believe it's already Thursday night. I have been so busy this week, it has really flown by fast. I've worked every day except Wednesday, and even then I had school and church so I had no time to do anything around the house. Lucky for me, I have been here so little I haven't had time to dirty it up! My laundry, on the other hand, is over flowing and I have no idea when I'm going to be able to catch up! I have school and work both on Friday and Saturday and church on Sunday. I'm so swamped. Hopefully I'll have time on Sunday to really catch up, because I work Monday and Tuesday too! Life is crazy right now, but I'm super thankful for the hours because I really need the money right now.
Some friends of mine from Greenbrier are coming in on Saturday and staying the night. I'm so excited to see Cassie. I've missed her so much, and it's probably been close to a year since I've actually seen her! I can't wait!
Paisley is doing wonderful. She's laying here next to me chewing on her bone. Such a doll!
Life is great for me. I'm enjoying school and my wonderful friends.
God has blessed me greatly the last few weeks. I have been in awe at myself and how I have handled different situations that have crossed my path. I have finally let go of my past relationship and am moving on. I know that God has someone in mind for me, all in his timing. While I loved Josh dearly, I have finally realized that he may not be the one that God has set aside for me, and I'm ok with that now. I have some good memories of the times we shared together, and some not so good memories, but they are all what have made me who I am today. I've grown a lot, learned a lot, and I'm happy. Happy. I never realized it before, but I was not "happy." I was comfortable. I was comfortable in my surroundings, my relationship, and life. But I wasn't truly happy. I can honestly say now, at this point in my life, I'm happy. Thank you Lord, for giving me peace and understanding during this time. Thank you for showing me that You are all I need. I'm humbled at Your unending Grace and Love. Thank you for being the One and True friend, always there, never wavering, carrying me when I need carrying, holding when I need holding.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Another URGENT Request
You know the saying, "When it rains, it pours"
It is definitely pouring here at our house.
I just received a call from my Uncle Roger and my cousin Dana was in a bad car wreck over the weekend and had to be taken to a hospital here in Knoxville. The impact was so bad, the seatbelt caused bruising on her kidney and it was bleeding. They waited 24hours to see if the bleeding would stop on its own, however it didn't, so they moved on to the next procedure which was a radiation type treatment to try to burn the spot that was bleeding. So far the bleeding has stopped, but it will be another 24hours before they will move her to a regular room, just to be on the safe side.
Please pray. It seems everything that could possibly happen this week so far, has.
Friday, August 15, 2008
How Adoption Changed My Life
(November 2006)
This cute little baby is my sweet little cousin. He joined our family almost two years ago by adoption. He is such a doll and absolutely precious.
The road leading to this sweet little baby boy was not an easy one. My aunt and uncle had been pursuing adoption for a quite some time. Right before I moved to college, a young girl had chosen them to be the parents of her baby. We were so excited! The birth mother was due pretty soon, so we didn't have a lot of time to get ready. When she went into labor we were there at the hospital with her. When she had the baby she wanted us there. We were over joyed at the thought of the baby joining our family.
But God had different plans.
My aunt and uncle were to bring this new baby home from the hospital. They were excited at the thought of being new parents. They arrived at the hospital, ready to bring home their new son. But things had changed. The birth mother changed her mind. Changed her mind. Wanted to keep her baby. My aunt and uncle arrived at the hospital and the news that she had changed her mind hit them both like a ton of bricks. This girl that we had taken in, loved, and cared for, took the most precious gift not from just my aunt and uncle, but from her baby as well. She was a troubled girl, and the odds of her being able to give her baby a good life were slim. My aunt was devastated. They went home with an empty car seat and empty hearts. This little baby, whom we had only known for 3 days was already so very loved by our family. We had held him, kissed him, and loved him from day one. But he was no longer ours.
My aunt was almost certain that she didn't want to try again. She had already been crushed when she couldn't have a child of her own, and when she had the chance to love another baby, it was taken away as well. We cried and grieved for the baby that wasn't placed with us. But we also understood my aunts pain. She wanted to be a mommy so badly. But at times, the pain didn't seem worth it. In the end, she finally decided to give it another shot.
Exactly a month after the failed placement, they received a call. A single, young girl had chosen them. She was due in two months. She knew she couldn't care for her baby like she wanted, and she wanted to give him the best life possible. And she chose my aunt and uncle. The case workers told her of the previous situation and she was very empathetic. She knew that my aunt and uncle were taking a huge step in putting their name back out there but she said she just knew they were the right people.
Over the next couple of months we spent time with birth mother #2 and she was amazing. She had an overwhelming story and the fact that she loved her baby enough to give him up so he could have a good life was more than I could sometimes understand. I had a very guarded heart before the baby was born. I hurt from the last time and it was hard to let that go. There was always that fear in the back of my mind. And I know it was there for my aunt and uncle as well.
November 7, 2006, was a day that will always be special. Davy was born into our family, and birth mother #2 gave us the most precious gift anyone could ever give, besides Jesus dying for us. I have the most deepest amount of respect for birth mother #2. She will never truly know just how much she means to our family.
The adoption agency that my aunt and uncle went through had a benefit not long ago and made a movie about my aunt and uncle's journey. Nothing huge, just a short and sweet documentary. They also featured birth mother #2. In the video, my aunt and uncle talked about their first experience, and so did birth mother #2.
I'll never forget what she said.
I can't remember the exact words, but I'm pretty close. In her interview, she said that she although she knew my aunt and uncle experienced such sadness in the time that the first baby didn't become theirs, she was happy. She was sad that my aunt and uncle hurt, but she was happy because she got to give them her baby. She said that if they would have gotten the first baby, she wouldn't have had them to choose from. And she's right.
Even though we experienced some sadness, the joy and laughs we receive now far outweigh the sad times. Davy lights up the room and I can't imagine life without him. I love him more than words can explain and I'm so happy he is a part of our family. He'll be two in a couple of months and I can't believe it. He's walking and in the process of potty training and is talking better. He still likes to talk on the phone to his "Mimi" and I love it! Even though I can't understand him, it makes me smile when he gets on the phone and squeals at the top of his lungs "MIMI!!!"
I'm so thankful for birth mother #1 and birth mother #2 for the experiences that I had concerning adoption. I learned that in heartbreak there is a miracle. And God is in control. He knew exactly what He was doing. He knew Davy belonged to us long before we did. We just had to trust in Him.
As I grow up and begin thinking of starting a family, my heart cries out adoption. I want to carry a child of my own, but I also have a strong desire to give a child a loving home and good life that might not otherwise have one. And if that's God's will, then surely it will happen.
Has adoption ever touched your life? I would love to hear your story!
(July 2008)
Isn't he such a doll??!?!
