Before you cross

Pondering these days on this time two years ago, it still makes my heart flutter a little bit. I hold on with a greater grasp and with a deeper understanding that He certainly does guide and make all things new even in the midst of struggle.

-----I stood at the bank, the waters stopped and the rest of the journey was ahead.

My body weathered from a difficult pregnancy and c-section. Our tiny four week old baby preemie had just begun to find the source of provision and no longer was the bottle her place of safety. Weeks before her birth, we had brought home two boys that were worn from years of hardship and a sense of not being wanted and cherished. One floundered, the other surviving as both were trying to take on a new role, family, culture, language and country. The little boys scooted over and let these new big brothers fill their shoes. They graciously loved, yet at times struggled to know their place.

 My husband pushed us all to prepare for setting sails in a few days. Four months before I had packed bags in a day and took a language test to leave our home in Asia because of pregnancy complications. Now I was filling suitcases for seven with the basic necessities. I was still not quite comfortable with having a newborn as she was my first and I wasn’t sure what an eight year old would like to play with for the next three years.

Those on the outside might have believed we were blossoming. Pictures showed happy smiles and matching outfits on these once orphans, but we knew that they only showed us what was really going on in their storm-tossed hearts. We were all stumbling and looking for the Savior to grab us by the hand.

I stood there that day packing in weariness questioning, not His will, but how were we to survive the 60 plus hour return trip let alone living together in a foreign land away from family and familiar. We barely knew each other and there seemed to be more brokenness being spilled out then joy of a new family formed. My lot seemed especially heavy during that season. I begged Him to see me in my weakness and give me rest.

I stepped in the waters. The Father’s tender words reminding me of my covenant to follow and forsake myself; I had vowed these words eight years before as we became husband and wife on that hot and humid July day. No matter the voyage, I chose to follow.

Actually, it began as a six year old as I gave Christ my heart and then years after during my freshman year in college – I laid my life down and said, “I consider everything a loss compared to knowing Christ Jesus.” It is the phrase that has held me together on times when the wilderness seemed endless.

My heart will always be His so I want to follow even when it doesn’t feel good or seem like the easy path.

The waters parted and we crossed the ocean to follow His calling.

Leaving the wilderness does not mean that our days of suffering our complete, it means the abundant is ahead hidden with lurking enemies, mortal temptations and a land flowing with abundance.

As we step over we place that stone down and remember His workings, deliverance and promises fulfilled. Just as He hovered over us as we marched on in the wilderness so too His presence will be our sustainment as we begin to take possession.

We all have endured pain, whether it is a new land, ache of a lost family member, death of a loved one, a sister revealing her faith just wasn’t as genuine as we believed, a broken child, financial woes or a distant spouse.

Our faith remains constant even if our emotions and strength falter.

The path up until this point has been treacherous and thrilling. Day of hardship has been met with acts of provision and awesome works. The Sustainer of all meets the need even when complaining lips were the source of a request from a worn people. He knows our sufferings and though His heart detests our questioning of His goodness, He still hears.

 He is the means of rescue from the enemy, He hears our every cry.

It is through each of these that we see the Lord’s provision and goodness. He graciously gives us seasons in the broad places and there we rest and prepare for the journey ahead; because the giants have already been seen and we know that battles are ahead.

We must remind ourselves again and again that what we are really longing for are for our feet to be in our forever home.

Life is beautiful but there were (and are) certainly days of affliction. We cry tears of pain and we laugh with hearts full of thanksgiving. On our best days a little more life draws us together as we hope for what another day will bring.

This God in His ways surpass what we hoped and even knew possible.

He led us to barren places and to those with a view too beautiful to capture.

We are learning to trust Him again and again that He is truly good.

Trust Him that He is goodness. Trust Him as He ask you to take that step of faith resting confident ---that He is present in the storm and feast.
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A new year brings with it a new way to prepare for the glory unseen. Our family is choosing to embrace the journey and struggle in this year of great mercy.

From glory to glory…

 

Football on the east side

Fall was a special time for our family as we got to see our man in action.

 

My husband is a great coach. Years ago when he sensed the Lord telling us to move overseas he gave it up.I am certain he would be a college coach right now if he would have stayed on that path.

yet...

The Lord set him apart for something else these past years. For seven years he basically put this passion aside, though on an occasional sleepless night I found him awake dreaming up a new offense.

 

The Lord in His goodness...He gave it back to him in a completely different way than we could have imagined.

 

He became the coach of a new city team. This sport is pretty new to these parts. My browsing through a local magazine led him to inquire about the team and months later, he was their coach. Its not quite on the level of Texas, but these Chinese guys have taken this sport to heart.

 

As one player told my hubs after the season, "I thought I was joining the team to play football but in reality I learned so much more about a life of character from you."

 

The Lord gives us gifts and we get to use them for Him. He offered his passion and knowledge and used it as a gift for the Kingdom. 

 

What we thought was sacrifice becomes the gift.

 

The hubs remained faithful to a calling. He remained faithful to His Lord and the giver of all good things allowed what we thought was a dream of the past to be returned.

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This fall we also joined up with Children's Hope Chest. Our family is preparing to visit Ethiopia and as we wait we are looking for ways to pour love into that place. One of our favs was a Turkey bowl where a bunch of friends participated and raised a whole lot of money, that was then sent on to our boys homeland.

 

In the morning the hubs played QB for the Turkey Bowl, helping them win the championship! He then rushed over and coached the Mustangs to victory that afternoon.

 

 The QB and me

There he is in action.
He's still got it!

Lil G enjoying her fries at the game.

Half-time pep talk.
yep, the coaches voice came back



Team Ethiopia

 

Leave a message if you would like to partner with us to send love to Ethiopia.

Our summer vacay!!

School is back in session. The summer was mostly spent at home or poolside. Right before school began we traveled to an Asian country to the south of us. It is by far one of our top places ever. We love it there. Even the big city. Here are a ton of pictures from our wonderful, vacation.

 

This place is beauty. Take me back.

We took an overnight flight that was only 4 hours long and then the next day we hopped on bus for about nine hours. We were not all at our best at that point, but to see the view above, I would definitely do it all over again. Thank the Lord for the kind Chinese tourist who were sitting by us that so graciously moved seats, offered snacks to our screaming and whining children and even exchanged pleasant conversations about our shared love for their homeland. We just happen to be there on their big religious holiday. And the area of the country just happen to be where most folks travel back to so they can spend time with their families. It was a special experience for our family to see this culture, so family orientated. Boy, do I love their modesty. We shared many conversations with those whose beliefs differ from ours. One of the perks was a shared belief that children are a gift and hey you all should have more...you only got five kind of attitude.

 

The kids (and us) might just have enjoyed some ice cream every day!The boys put their creativity to work and well -showed the love of Jesus. We had just a few stares.



These two.
They are about as close to twins as you can get.

Umm...this is a favorite. On those days when I
feel overwhelmed at the needs of our five...
I should just look back to this and remember these moments. Pure beauty.




Yummy seafood. I do not allow myself to eat seafood in this area  (that requires a post by itself) so when I am less than feet from the ocean I make it a priority.

These kids live life to the fullest in their own big way

Hubs did this at least 1083 times per child

He is so adorable!

I have a thing for jumping



She is such a joy.
Pretty much all the time.

 

Thanks to a kind stranger we got a family picture

See there I go jumping again.

He is such a fabulous Dad.

Soak it up Marilla.

We built a city.
 Complete with garden, school, church and a great wall.
 

My love of ten years.

This thing was huge. How many times did I tell the kids to step
away and stop poking it with a stick. It was science lab 101 by the end.

Ok, she has her moments.

 

Oh, my baby boy. That smile is what made me ache for six moths
while waiting to go get them in Ethiopia.

He has a heart of LOVE

We got to see one of our favorite families.
Though my boys might have taught their sons some bad habits
I believe our short reunion was quite sweet and memorable.

Who would have guessed 7 years ago our (almost ) 9
children would be sitting together watching a movie and eating Chili's for dinner.
I love the Lord's ways.
So thankful for these precious friends!!

Fathers

This man exudes what it means to be a selfless, gentle, fun and loving father.

We are blessed that we get to spend each day with him.

He balances family, work, studying Chinese, getting a masters, mentoring tons of guys, helping around the house and on and on I could go.

He is continually teaching, loving and sacrificially giving to each of us.

Happy Father's Day!!

 

 

And to my Dad.

Well, he has shown me what it means to live faithfully to the Lord, family and the church.

He will do whatever to support and encourage his children.

He doesn't live for retirement...He lives for God's glory each and EVERY DAY!

So very thankful I get to call him Dad!!

My children sure love spending time with their Pops!

Really wishing I could take him out for some chips and salsa to celebrate this day.

 

 

 

This is my Granddad -who is truly remarkable.

His devotion to the Lord has always been his guide.

He lives with joy and a heart to love and serve others.

How I love getting to him hear sing and talk about his garden.

 

 

The Everyday

When I get to uploading our pictures from the camera, I usually call the hubs over to come take a look. It is good for us to remember the everyday moments and the special times we share as a family. This past year and a half we have endured some very hard times yet as we look at the pictures we realize just how present the Lord is in the everyday. The gift of each other is truly remarkable.



These two share a special kind of love.
A note: he was not hurt in this picture...just making a silly face :)

.



Taking care of their little buddies

Working on teamwork in our casa

A very fun family day



We have us some incredible Ethiopian runners



Trying to dance like Daddy

Enjoying some fruit from some locals as we traveled along past their home.




Making sure everyone has enough



Making me work a little harder but what a good travel companion




He has now caught up to me.
33 will be a fabulous year



Making cookies for friends



Sweet-ums