"The Perfect Adoption"

Months ago a family I am close to adopted a baby from China. Over these past several months I have the joy in watching the little one grow into a sweet little child filled with so much happiness and sense of security. One look at this child will brighten anyone's day as God gave her the biggest, toothiest grin I've seen!

As time has passed, I find myself forgetting that she was even adopted! Clearly to anyone she appears Chinese, but the more I see her, the less I see Chinese and the more I see her adoptive family. I see her mother's big smile and her father's tastes for veggies-over-sweets. I also see how she captures her older brothers heart and he longs to always protect her. What a sweet, loving family they are! This got me thinking about my very own adoption. I am adopted too.

In January 2000, God called me to Himself and the adoption papers where signed! Suddenly I was filled with a great sense of security that "surpasses all understanding." God's Word says, "....but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father (Romans 8:15)." Just as the child begins to recognize that her Mommy and Daddy are her's forever and if she calls out to them, they will answer, God does the same for me! When I cry out, "Father", He is there! Praise the Lord that He chose me as His daughter!

Since God adopted me into His family, things have changed so much! I constantly have to examine myself. When people look at me, what do they see? Do they see the world, my old "family"....or do they see Christ, my new family? Oh how I desire to be like the small child and grow to look more like my Father!

Father.......only a son and a daughter can call their Father, "Father". Can you call God, "Father"?

Have you been adopted into God's Family?

Thank You!

Happy Memorial Day, but most importantly, THANK YOU! Thank you to those who have in the past and who are now serving our country. Thank you for sacrificing your lives for our freedom. Thank you to the Veterans from each and every fight that you saw worth fighting for.....THANK YOU!

I am NOT accepting comments on this post today.

"Not Stopping Here..."

The other day on my way home from making a delivery for work I was stopped by a train moving along the tracks. As my tires rolled to a stop behind others cars waiting I watched as the train and its cargo traveled past. Amongst the many containers being transported were military vehicles. I watched these vehicles past swiftly aboard the train with great interest. I was in awe of the perfectly constructed, almost toy-like vehicles. I wondered, where are these vehicles going? Are they going for training at the neighboring military base, or where they possibly going across the seas? As I neared my home I caught up with the train once again, and thought to myself, those military vehicles, the jeeps, humvee, and armored cars and medical vehicles weren't stopping here.....

Every time I hear a jet fly over me, I look up in amazement, then I think to myself, it's not stopping here. When I hear a gunshot in the air I figure someones hunting or practicing for the next season, but the gunshots aren't stopping here. Why do I not have to be afraid of the sound of jets overhead, or the sound of gunshots......because the explosions, the roadside bombings, the humming of tanks and humvees are not here! Do you realize that there are children in Iraq right now who wake up and go to sleep in fear? Do you realize that there are women who are afraid to travel alone in fear they may not return to their families? The sound of gunfire and explosions and cries are what the people in Iraq and those other countries hear why we in America are listening to our radios and watching our television sets.

You know something....that could be us. We could be the ones who fear silence as much as noise, expecting any minute are homes could be taken over by the enemy. Praise the Lord, however, we have men and women fighting as you sit there at your computer. The war isn't happening here because of those very people. Every single day the soldiers risk their lives so that we can be free! Thanks to those who serve, we don't have to watch where we walk, or be afraid to get into a car or shop at a crowded market.

On the other hand, do you realize that there are children in America* who wake up and go to sleep in fear because Daddy or Mommy may not come home during their next holiday leave? Do you realize that in America* there are terrified women lying in their beds at night with their children pulled tightly to them? These women are lonely and scared without their husbands, their protector and comforter, with them? There are hundreds of women across America* pregnant with children who plead and beg their husbands not to go, don't leave them, even though they know they must. Whether you want to believe it or not there are women, wives and mothers, who go away to fight so we can be safe.

You know, it really doesn't matter if you support this war or not, it doesn't change the facts. We owe a lot more to those who serve our country then a yellow bumper sticker or a plead that President lets them come home. We owe them our prayers and our support. We owe them a "thank you" and kind words. We need to be there for their families too. I challenge all Christians who read this blog:

When you see Hummer going down the road (yes, even the fancy ones that those opposed to the war often drive :/ ) pray for those who drive the military vehicles.

When you hear a gunshot, pray for the soldiers on foot.

When you see a jet fly across the sky, pray for those in the Air Forces.

Then praise the Lord that's it's not stopping here!

We don't support the war because we want to, we do it because we HAVE to! So pray for President Bush every time you hear someone put him down. Pray that God would give him wisdom. President Bush is a Christian, does God not hear his cries too?

Thank you to those who serve this country*! May you have peace in the Lord today! Ya'll are my Heroes!

In Memory of


SSgt. Christopher N. Hamlin
1983-2007

*America has a host of other countries with deployed troops fighting along side our troops. These countries include United Kingdom, Poland, Canada, Australia, and Denmark. Thanks to NEOCounter I can view how many vistors my blog has had from all countries, I know you're reading, so.......let me hear from you! If your country has troops deployed, let me know (I accept anonymous comments ;) )

Where Have I Been?!?!

I suppose it's rather annoying to visit my blog only to see that my last post was weeks ago! Oh dear friends, I have so much to write to you about!

This past week after school finals were over, I was able to leave town for four days to visit with my family in Florida. My beautiful sister, Casey was graduating high school! This was a wonderful time to be with my family, but oh how I have missed my blogging friends!

During my time off my mind has been going constantly on things I want to write about next. Here is a list that has been on my heart to "write home" about:

"Cleaning out, Shaping up, and Fixin' up God's Temple....ME!"
"The Perfect Adoption"
"Not So Hot about Hotmail"
"Not Stopping Here...." - Supporting Our Soldiers
"Christian Women Voting"
and "My Boss"

Hopefully, you'll come back soon and check my blog for updates!

Being Straight with God.

I am pleased to announce that I have passed MATH 1111! Praise the Lord! As some of you may know from one of my last posts, I use to suffer terribly from Math Anxiety, no kidding! Since I started college in 2003, I have been through five remedial math classes to FINALLY make to it college math. Now, four years later, not only did I make it to college algebra, but I passed with a wonderful "C"!

I'm sure you're thinking, a "C", you call that good? Yes, it is good! I was afraid I was going to fail! Through a lot of prayer and asking God to help me pass this class, I finally got honest with God:

"God, I know that you can perform miracles, and Lord, that's really what I'm asking for. I beg you Lord, please give me the knowledge I need to pass this test (my Final). Lord, I'd really need to pass this test, and I know that you can help me. In the end Lord, you're in control and I am not. Father, you know me. You know what I need more than I know what I need. Please Lord, do your will. You plans are perfect, so no matter what happens I will still love and trust you."

I studied the whole night before and felt somewhat comfortable with the majority of the practice problems. I went to the school on test day very nervous. Five minutes before the test I was preparing to study my note cards and as I went to grab my index cards from the passenger seat of my car the whole stack slid to the floorboard. I reached towards the floorboard to pick up the cards and God said, "You don't need them, just go." I thought for a second, but I didn't test God, so I went. Early this morning when the grades were posted online, I saw the results and fell to my knees in praise.....My God how GREAT you are!

This week God reminded me that there's nothing too big or to small that we shouldn't trust Him for. God is so faithful to us when we truly trust in Him. How often I say I believe, but do I really? I was amazed this week at how God met my needs after He saw that I was willing to trust Him, no matter what the end result was. Sure, this miracle looks petty up to a life being saved from cancer, or what-have-you. But this proves that God wants us to seek Him even in the small stuff.

Do you find yourself only giving God the "big stuff"?

"I cried out to God with my voice....and He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord." Psalm 77:1

In all things....seek the Lord!

This is the day!

Happy May 5th! Yippee! YAY! WooHOO! What's so special about ToDaY?!?! Oh, you didn't know? THIS is the DAY that the LORD hath MADE! Another day to enjoy God's Creation!
"This is the day the Lord has made; We will REJOICE and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24

Have you thanked the Lord today?

7 Me-Me

I've been tagged! Now I have to list 7 random things about myself! There's only one problem! In order to complete the rules, I must have friends! I really only have a couple blogging pals.... perhaps I'll have more later.

Mrs. U tagged me, so I'm choosing to tag one of my best blogging friends, Candy (Candy has a lovely blog which is currently down for some maintenance, and should be up and running soon.)

Here's how it goes: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1.) I have 3 pets! Pup (a beautiful mixed-breed female who "found" us); Duke (a huge and goodlookin' male golden retriever), and Peaches (a beautiful short-haired tabby, often known as "Kitty"). Duke and Peaches were both adopted by us through a good friend from church. Peaches stays inside, but is let outside to roam around during the day.



2.) I use to suffer from Math Anxiety.

3.) Over the years I have taught myself not to worry about anything that happens at school like tests, homework not finished, etc. Worrying doesn't help, so I just laugh off a bad grade and try harder next time. NOTE: This isn't always good, as I sometimes don't worry when I should! ADVISORY: This technique may not work for you, WARNING! :P

4.) All together, I have 2 brothers and 4 sisters, 3 nephews and one niece. I am the most closest to my older brother, Steven (he loves the Lord :D).

5.) I was born in Georgia but moved with my family at the age of nine to London, Kentucky were my Dad and step-mom were from. At the age of 19, my heart still longing for "home", I moved back to Georgia where I now live with my grandmother and love it! The only sad thing is that a lot of my family is still in Kentucky. :(

6.) One day I want to live in an older home, no younger than the 50's. I love the character of older homes. I love big wrap around porches with rocking chairs and ceiling fans. Inside, hardwood floors and plantation shutters.....ahhh! Of course, in a dream world. In reality, I'll take what God gives me!

7.) I love the South: sweet tea (no lemon), grits and eggs (mixed), Southern accents, mild winters, miles and miles of pecan trees and cotton fields, Catfish as the Main Entree, homes dating back to the Civil War, homemade ice cream and good ole' fashion Barbecue and Hash with hot sauce!