2011

This year was full of God taking me out of my comfort zone.  It started with Him telling me that it was about me and Him...no one elses opinion mattered.  It was a year of learning not to live my life to please people, but to do what I was called to do.  It didn't come easy because I am a people pleaser at heart.

In 2011 

I struggled 

I wept in public

I put my best foot forward and failed

I stepped out in faith and was laughed at

I was faced with personal fear and overcame it

I wanted and could not acheive

I disappointed

I said no

I saw miracles

I heard the voice of God

I met my new son

I watched my daughter mature

I witnessed my son become a man

I loved my husband with a new refreshing love

I was reminded of what is important

I served my God.

 There are already so many exciting things in store for 2012, I can hardly wait to get started.  I know the Lord has called us to lead a group of High Schoolers that continue to amaze me with their depth of insight and their desire to effect the world around them.  I know the Lord has called me to allow my sweet Vivienne to travel to China for 6 weeks and serve at Shepherd's Field, ministering to the children there.  I know the Lord has equipped us to run 13.1 miles to raise awareness for orphans.  I know the Lord has called us to bring Henry home and start a new chapter in our family.  I know that a life lived for the Lord is exciting and I am standing on my tip toes waiting to see what else is in store.  

Happy New Year, Hope you are yours are blessed.

Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable.  He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength;  they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Vivienne

 This week has been amazing.  It started with my mom's Christmas party and it was all downhill from there, but downhill in a good way.  Like when you are running up hill for so long, months, and then finally a good unexpected downhill comes....ahhhh relaxation, ease, all you have to worry about is not tripping:)  So I finally got to go watch my Vivienne ride.  She has been volunteering at a stable in Back Bay where a trainer gives lessons to children with special needs...mostly autism from the sounds of it.  She helps with lessons and she cares for horses....her heaven.  Part of caring for the horses is riding them to keep them well trained and because Vivienne is fearless she was given the "spirited" horse to give her attention to.   Biscuit is HUGE, and has some bad habits that Vivienne is working on getting under control, but she absolutely loves that horse.   It has always amazed me to see her slight body control any horse but this time it was incredible.  She has the fearless focus and determination of a 200 pound MAN!!  I on the other hand am a nervous wreck!  Where she got her courage with animals I do not know.  So I got a couple of photos, here's to my Viv!

Christmas 2011

 Every year my mom has a party the week before Christmas so that we don't have to try to go to two different houses on Christmas day.  It's a great way to start Christmas week and it almost always falls on my Ben's birthday so that makes it extra special.  This year we had it at our house so my mom could just come and enjoy it...nothing makes you love family more then 30 people smooshed in a house built for 6.  What a simply GREAT time.

Happy Birthday Ben!

 Is it possible that he could be 26?  Where did the time go?

Temre and sweet Kayden

Buffie and Brooklyn

The Hills

Brian Buffie Brooklyn and Jeremiah

The Olivers

The Marcianos

The Warrens

The Greatest and the Least

This week has brought about the most amazing gifts.  First we got a call that we were the recipients of an $8000 donation towards Henry's adoption!  I can't tell you how much relief it brought.  I know that I should have listened to the many people who told Charles and I that God takes care of the orphans but I just wasn't seeing it and I was getting scared.  This money not only will pay for the $1800 Post Adoption Visits and the $975 Fingerprinting and the 2nd Adoption Agency fee of $2250 plus some, it brings with it the confirmation that we are in God's will.  Not that we didn't think we were to begin with because we did but it is always nice to have the confirming confirmation when you get weary, right?

The second thing that happened just today was that we got a donation from a sweet little girl named Maylie.  Her tooth fell out and she donated $1.26 to Henry.  Her note was the cutest part, it said that she hoped that we got Henry soon and that she was super excited to be his friend.  I haven't been that touched in a long time...had to turn my head to hide the tears.  What a sweet girl.

So this week we got the biggest donation and the smallest...each one just as significant in God's eyes.  Each one just as appreciated by us.  So many have donated to us whether it be small amounts, larger amount, encouragement or prayer.  Thank you so much, the Lord rewards what you do in secret, but please know we are blessed.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21