Passing Time With a Past Time

The waiting is going well. We've been on our waiting list almost eight months, and honestly we thought that we would have a referral by now (based on our parameters and what we were told in the beginning). We have officially passed the 1/2 way mark though. We started out at number 69 and are now 34! Each day we must trust in God's plan and timing and are content with it (most of the time).

In my spare time I've been keeping myself busy with books, crafts, and fellowship. I have dabbled in just about every craft. I am now about to embark upon a new and exciting adventure... my first quilt! I'm hoping that it will become a past time and not a frustration. What time could be better than now. I went to the local quilting shop and picked up some adorable fabrics for our precious son.

Now I just need to go visit my sweet little sister in law and get started. She is 15 and a quilting genius. I'm glad to have peace in my heart and projects in my hands.

A Love Story

Today we celebrate four years of wedded bliss! I'm even more in love than the day we got married.

I'm so blessed to be married to my best friend and sharing in the journey of life together.

We met in Sunday school in first grade, but didn't start dating until college. I've always known he was a special person, but little did I know God had picked him to be my beloved partner in life. I remember early on when we were dating talking to Dave about my heart for adoption and here we are... on the journey!

Dave sent me these beautiful flowers. He is the sweetest. It is very similar to our wedding flowers and the same kind of vase and ribbon too!

So Blessed... So IN LOVE!

Ruby Red Slippers

I grew up in Kansas. I spent many of my years, especially teenage years, saying how much I hated Kansas and couldn't wait to get out, and I did. First out of my small town and across the state, then God moved me to Chicago, and eventually to Colorado Springs with my amazing husband.

Years later, I've followed the yellow brick road... I mean I-70 and here I am, back in Kansas. This is where God has sent me for the summer. I am back in my small town and seeing God's hand and beautiful plan in every moment of everyday that I am here.

You might say, "You live in Colorado...why would you choose to go to Kansas and spend a summer away from your husband?" My answer, "God said GO, and here I am." {even if that means missing the prime camping and hiking season} I knew that he was sending me for something amazing, but each day that I am here my heart is further blessed. I am continually amazed by His Glory and Plan.

I've been asked a lot of questions so far, here are some of the top ones.

Q: So what in the world am I doing back in Kansas for an entire summer?

A: A dear family I know needed some help for the summer. They have six beautiful children. God has grown their family through birth and adoption.

Q: How are you and Dave going be able to spend a summer apart?

A: Skype, telephone, faith, and a relationship that is so blessed by God. We are also used to being away from each other. We spent 2 1/2 years in different states during college and several weeks and months since we've been married because of his job.

Q: How old are the kids you are with this summer?

A: After tomorrow's birthday celebration... 4, 4, 4, 6, 7, and 8. Yes, I typed that right! So much fun going on here!

Q: What will I do all summer?

A: Love on six sweeties, drink a LOT of coffee, re-discover the beauty of Kansas, catch up on books, blogs, and crafts, connect with my family, and see my sweet Jesus in new ways. I also plan to ride my bike everywhere. I'd like to call it spreading the hippie love, I'd called it hippie evangelism... but I don't know if that might be misunderstood.

It is a privilege to see God's plan unfolding in ways I had never imagined. Countless things fell into place at just the right time to make this possible... and reasons God has sent me here for this season that I didn't even know about before I got here. Some might call it coincidence; I call it the power and plan of my almighty creator and father. I'm honored to be His child and loving my life in hot and sweaty Kansas.

Here are some pictures Dave took last month on a visit to his parents house...I thought they were appropriate for today's post, since it's in Kansas and I'm wearing my Ruby Red {Tom's} Slippers.

Big Hands, Big Plan

I will never know God's plan -ahead of time- or be able to look down the road and see exactly how it is supposed to go. I can search my heart, seek His will, and walk along side Him... asking Him daily which way to turn?

Just when I start to think I know how it goes and start off on this "plan" that originated from something the Holy Spirit told me I chase after it and devise my own plan according to how I think I can or should -make it happen-

I'm challenged everyday to look upon the Lord and let Him show me the way... it is all in His hands and He is guiding the way. Trying to run ahead and -get it done- on my own will accomplish nothing and I will just end up tripping on my own feet.

His plan is perfect, beautiful, and I must not make assumptions but WAIT patiently, pray, pray, pray, and listen. Just as I heard as a child, I should remind myself, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

I don't want to live like this>

“Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin. Isaiah 30:1

Instead, I want to live like this>

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21