Intentional summer sports week.and rescue bot week to come

thanks for those of you who are hanging with me in my intentional summer.last week was a blast!hope you can use some of these ideas.Alex was privledged to be able to attend Kay McDaniels tennis camp at Lee every day last week so we decided to make Sports week our theme.We picked 2 tim.4:7 as our theme verse.I have fought the good fight.I have finished the race.I have kept the faith.Even our two year old memorized it.We talked a lot about what it means to fight the good fight,to make right choices,to keep going even when it is hArd.Monday night we invited some neighborhood kids over and hAd silly dizzy baseball races where we made ourselves dizzy then ran races against each other.it was a blast!We emphasized running the race of faith even when it seems hard and the world tries to tell us a different way to go.Tuesday night we played family freeze tag and basketball and tennis together.Wednesday night we used string cheese as a bat and grapes as a ball and played "baseball"as our snack.Thursday we raced each other at our playground.Friday was a blast.we filled up our ten dollar plastic pool and pulled out our sprinkler and invited the neighbors,we did different races involving passing balls back and forth to the pool who could make bAll move fastest with the water hose,sprinkler races,and water hose fighting the good fight.we used as many chances as we could to share the verse and discuss fighting against temptation...Perservering in your faith,ect8.Jt tickled me so much that hope my two year could say the verse.And the best part of this week..it was FREE😄😄 this week is rescue bots theme,which is ash ow my kids love.the focus will be Jesus rescuing us from our sins.If your kids don't like rescue bots you could do a week just with rescue personel.i am hoping a trip to the fire station will happen this week.I am updating facebook with pics from this week

Intentional Summer

I have wanted to do this post for so long but have hesitated.One because I am far from being a perfect patent and I don't want to be just another mommy blog acting like I have the perfect life or know just the right way to do something.And also my ideas are not,and will never be Pintrest perfect!But the Lord has laid this burden on my heart to share with others. in the middle of the school year I was having mommy guilt for not homeschooling.I felt all the cool Christian moms were homeschooling and I was sending my kid to school,so he was away from me so much of the time.However,After prayer I relaized public school was where God had him(I know it is different for each fam so no judgement here)but what I could do was make the most of each time I spent with him so I became very intentional on Alexs school breaks!I created a theme each break based on a bible truth and whatever aLex happened to be into!The point was to have something creative to teach the Wors and be intentional with my time with aLex.i strongly believe this applies to every mommy out there!Whether stay at home,working.homeschool or non homeschool family!Lets be intentional together! these idea are not pintrest perfect.they can take as much or as little time as you have,They are almost all cheap of free or dollar tree ideas lol.I am going to be posting our theme weeks this summer if you would like to go along.I am also posting some themes from our other breaks.I have a six year old boy,a two year old girl,and a almost one year old girl.Basically my process is thinking of what my kids are into,coming up with a little activity and sometimes snack to go along with it,and planning our week with that in mine! I would love others,whether non working,working,homeschool,traditional schooling families to join with me!Feel free to use any of my ideas,and if you have trouble thinking of ideas and your kids are not into the same thing,please email me or message me at humbertfun@yahoo.com.Tell me what your kids are into and I will be glad to help you come up with some ideas!if you participate,please take pictures with hashtag #intentionalsummer! because I am not technological and am having a hard time posting pics with my blog i am going to be posting the pics that go along with this week on my Instagram which is HUMBERTFUN and my facebook! my main goal in putting this out there is to tell you YOu can do this.dont let excuses like it has to be perfect,or my kids won't care,or it takes to much work or money keep you from being intentional!It WILL be worth the few extra minutes,and even keep your kids better entertained and less fighting with each other lol. my two year old daughter is playing this morning and turned to me and quoted word for word the verse we have been focusing on this week!That makes it worth it!I will be posting details on here each week and pictures in Instagram and facebook! FOr our kickoff this summer we did Octonaught week,which happens to be something my kids are into.It is a show on Netflicka that sea creatures make creature reports on different creatures in the ocean.So we made Octonaught week and changed the theme song tochristian reports instead of creature reports.We talked about what a Christian looks like.Our theme verse was john 13:35 They will know we are Christians by our love.We focused each night and during the day on our Christian report,how people will see the characteristic of a Christian by the way you love others. for the fun things each day,We went to the aquarium one day and let Alex take pictures with his play camera to make feature reports.(this would require extra money from you but we had a season pass)!we also played in the fountains at Coolidge park and talked about the creatures spouting water there.The next day we did the free option and I took them to the pet store while grocery shopping and we looked at the fish and lizards and birds.The next day we played in a new $10 plastic pool I bought for the summer,We also made octoscopes with toilet paper rolls.wE were going to make creature report books one day,but ran out of time.Out big family activity on Fri night was using one dollar nets from dollar tree and going to find tadpoles in the local creek.we caught two lol...and a plastic Dino.Funtimes. every night we do a bedtime snack and talk about the theme and the verse for the week.if your kids were not into octo aughts you could do this same week just focusing on under the sea.like a under he sea theme,and focus on making reports on the sea creatures,then say..Now we are going to make reports on not just what a fish and shark and turtle look like.but what a Christian looks like!By showing our love. this week we already had Lees summer tennis camp for Alex so I just rolled with it and made i at sports theme week!Our theme verse is 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight,I have finished the race,I have kept the faith.We have talked about perseverance as a Christian and how to make godly choices even when it is hard.Each night we have done something silly.Monday night we had a dizzy baseball race and involved some of the neighborhood kids.We just spun around on baseball bats and raced each other,One night we took our basketball goal outside and played family basketball.We have also had family races to and from the car.For snack at night we played baseball with string cheese and grapes.every night we have a family snack and that is when we recap the verse and what we are learning that week.Today we are going to have silly Olympic games with our apartment neighbors.I plan on the fly so will give more details later lol. Other themes I have done in the past is super heroes of the bible week.we talked about different Bible stories where people did supernatural things.we made super hero capes.We went to Cooke and explored and looked at different rocks and talked about Jacob sleeping on a rock and wrestling with Angels.we went to an apple orchard and talked about Adam and eve and their temptation and how God gives us super power now to stand against satan.We Bought super hero figure sat dollar tree and his them around house and found them we did a Frozen theme one week and focused on 1 cor 13 and what true love is.we made snowman sugar cookies.We made snowman pancakes.We made fake snow with suave shampoo and cornstarch.we had a frozen movie night.And we went iceskating(this is when iceskating rink was in chatt). pirate week as my favorite.We focused on Ps 119:11 I have treasured your word in my heart.wE talked about how important it was to treat Gods word as treasures.we dressed up like pirates.We searched for treasure in our sand and water table.we went to the aquarium.we read books about pirates.we ate chocolate gold coins.We had a pirate party with friends where I hid little dollar tree bags of treassure on the people playground and drew a map to it on sidewalk chalk.The whole party cost less than $10 with prizes and everything and was a blast.The last thing we did was a family scavenger hunt to find a new bible for each of our kids. I hope this gives you some ideas to work with.You can do this!Lets be intentional and watch God move!I will continue to update over the summer and put pics on Instagram and facebook.Feel free to share this!I can't wai to see what God does.

The Valentines Box....

I so often feel I fail as a kingergarten mom..There seems to be things as a kindergarten mom you are supposed to know..That everyone else but me seems to know..Like the fact that you make a box for valentines to go in..Apparentlyeveryone else but me knows this...And if you go on pintrest or any mommy blogs you can find elaborate valentines boxes(which there is nothing wrong with!)Along with elaborate cutesy printable valentines card with cute catchy gift ideas.. that is why I panicked when I saw on the kindergarten page yesterday you may send in a valentine boxif you want to..by tommorow..I was in Chattanooga when I saw that ansd still had an appointment to go to then had to run the kids straight to church..Needless to say I did not have time to make a box.Then after church instead of making the box we played Spider-Man dominos as a family before bed..I forgot about the box.Until this morning. That is when The Lord had to clearly speak to me.I love social media.And I love mommy blogs.But that is not who I am called to please.My job Asa mo is not to makerthe prettiest coolest box in the class(and there is nothing wrong with that if you did).but as a mo Ihave had to learn my job is to please the audience of one.To parent.To do everything I do for Gods glory alone!I do not need to stress about the other moms thinking wow look at her because she has it all together.Because I don't.My job is to ask God to help me parent with wisdom,love and joy and do it all with an act of worship.alexs box maybe thrown together with dollar tree missing arm ninjas taped on it..but He Loved It.and I am going to fight the temptation to compare to the other more together moms and remember that I have done what God has called e to do and focus on teaching Alex this week about Jesus the ultimate love.We have done some fun activities together and gotten cute little gifts to remind him of that. Who am I trying to please?. who are y trying to please

On Legacy. Pumpkin Pie. and digging to China!

I had the privledge of holding the hand of one of the greatest men I have ever known as he walked into heaven to meet Jesus on Wednesday night. My granddaddy was one of the most special people I have ever known! As I drove three hours back home Thursday morning I had a lot of time to think about all the things that made him special!And to think about How that makes me want to live my life. My granddaddy was a kind, patient, forgiving and most of all FUN man. I have the absolute best memories with him. More than I can write. He always made me feel like I was so special to him. When I was little, he never denied a request to go outside and play with my sister and I when he came to visit. When he came to visit Tennesse, my sis and I were prepared. With shovels....For some reason, I have no idea why, we found it extremely fun to dig holes outside..My granddad found this amusing, so he told us we were digging to China. So every time he came to visit, we got out the little shovels. And he sat outside for hours with us, digging to China, and making us laugh with silly songs and stories. He was the best comics reader. He always made them so interesting and I would beg for another story. He made the best pumpkin pie and knew how much I loved them. So always he would have one for me when he knew I was coming to visit. He later taught me how to make them, although I could never do it like granddaddy. He knew I loved his gourds he grew, and every fall he had some waiting for me.He played backgammon with me, which I admit I never really understood. Still don't lol....basiscally he played both sides of the game, because I just moved where he told me.Then I would tease him when he won, saying. YOu told me to move there. Lol.His basement was a fascinating place and he always let me explore everything there and would tell me what the stuff down there was for. He was a man of habit for sure, and always ate the same cereal the same way every day. Any time I came to visit I knew I would have my cereal fixed for me and waiting with an orange beside it when I woke up...Special K flakes, honey wheat germ, and fiber one made for an amazing combination. HE was silly and loved to laugh and play. some of my favorite recent memories was him playing cars with my son Alex. Here was a 90 year old man getting down close to the floor to play cars with Alex. He would also play checkers with alex and would fascinate Alex with stories from growing up and old cars. He played with me,and was still playing with my kids even right to the end of his life. I think that is where I got my love of fun. My granddad left quite a legacy and made me think of what my great grandchildren might say about my legacy someday. He was an incredible daddy to my mommy, and a extremely loyal faithful husband who doted on my grandma. I fully believe it is because of this my mom would not settle for anything less than the best in a husband.Her daddy was a great example, so she picked the best. My daddy! ANd my daddy was the best which led me to not want to settle for anything less than the best, and I got to marry my incredible husband todd. I fully believe that is a direct affect of what kind of man my granddaddy was. Also he was a true servant. He was delivering meals on wheels to the litt le old ladies, he would grin and say..When he was 80 plus!!!!And it brought him such joy.Wow!HE loved to serve others. My mom learned that from him and now she is that way. Hopefully someday people will say that about me too. Grandaddy was a loving forgiving man. He had some life circumstances that could have left him bitter and hard hearted, but he was the opposite of that. HE was loving and forgiving. He left a legacy!I want to leave a legacy too!

Truth versus lies..walking in God confidence

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Chicken pox....and answered prayer!

it has been far too long since I have posted a blog.Not because I think I have anything earth shattering and exciting to say but because it is a great way to record ,y daily life to look back on in a few years and say wow..Time moves so fast..and I don't want to miss one minute of what God has planned for us. well this post is about strange answers to prayers.I am so thankful that God hears our hearts and Nasir's our prayers in better and sometimes more unusual ways than we can imagine! so I am at the very large and uncomfortable stage of pregnancy lol..exhibit a.. I have found myself in the last month wishing time to go by faster....dreaming of not being pregnant anymore and holding baby abigail in my arms.Wanting time to hurry hurry hurry so it didn't feel like every thing took so much effort. I have found myself short on patience with my two lovely little ones, and praying bedtime comes quickly so I can just rest. However the Lord had been working on me to change my perspective.To remind me that this time only happens once. I only have this day this day to do what God has called me to today! No matter how much energy or effort it takes. I only have this day to have a amazing energetic, superhero loving crazy funny five year old and a mischevious, climbing, hilarious chasing after her little brother all day 20 month old So I prayed a simple quick prayer. Lord, help me enjoy this time. Not rush through it..Spend these days in your presence basking in what you have planned for me each day. The only short time left we have to be a fam of 4.ANd God answered in the most unusual, Eph 3:20 more than I could imagine way..By giving my awesome son the chicken pox..I know it sounds crazy!Thursday morning my little man woke up crying and saying mommy I am itching and my belly hurts...sure enough..little man was covered in little itchy red bumps...we marched straight to the doctor...Lol..Alex has had both chicken pox vaccines..The docs said..Well this never happens. This is so unusual..We never see this when you get the vaccines...Ha. We never do things the normal way.ButGod!!!He knew this was part of his special answer to my prayer..You see..Chicken pox is contagious. In fact, I feel like we had the plauge. we were ushered out the back door hehhe..And told he would be contagious for 3 to 5 days.. Why am I seeing this as a good thing? as a blessing?Because it slowed our lives down for 5 days!And it was some of the best family time ever. We could not go anywhere, not even on walks with our friends or playdates at the playground. So I had 5 days of focused time at home with my kids.And it was such a blessing!Thankfully Alex was unaffected by chicken pox besides being itchy. He has as much energy and wanting to play as ever. we had the best 5 days playing outside in our sand table, playing in little blue little tikes pool in the driveways, blowing bubbles, playing superheros!And I asked God to help me enjoy every minute. NOt to hurry one moment along. God was so faithful to answer that prayer! He really gave me the chance to SLOW down and see The blessings he had for me to come alive in the NOW. Todd was able to spend so much time with us this weekend and we had a blast playing in sprinkler and our tiny little pool. I even kidnapped Jenn for the day and night, and between her and todd and my little amount of help we were able to complete my nesting project of changing my room and alex and hopes room. I was so happy with the final product.Ok, by the way, it wasn't a little project.but jenn and todd did all the work lol.these past few days were such fun family time I didn't even stop to get any pics. we were just busy enjoying life together. I am so glad the Lord answered my prayers in a crazy way...Through the chicken pox..And God wants to answer your prayer in a crazy way too..And slow your life down. No matter what you feel you are hurrying through life to do...ask God to slow you down and help you enjoy where he has you now.....

A James 1 year

Last December I started Beth mores bible study on James.what a blessing it was..but I had no idea how much I would need it in my year of wild faith in 2013. I really wanted to quickly skim over the study about James 1 where it says..Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds...who wants to think about suffering?and who wants to  count it all joy.
In 2013 I was tested on the power and truth of these verses.Already starting the year emotionally tired from a newborn and having just had to give up our foster son who we thought we were going to adopt..Then boom.In February my beloved daddy..My hero.My bed time story teller growing up.My spiritual hero was admitted to hospital..Almost died..Then boom..more bad news..Leukemia.agressive.scary.swrious..deadly leukemia..This led to a 30 day..very long..emotionally draining time in hospital..balancing being wife.mom.and daughter and siter was hard.on top of sleep deprivation because baby girl had chronic earaches..Some days I thought..really Lord..count it all joy?

Who knew that what was coming next would be even harder..Late one night in march on way home the unexpected happened.In the form of a deer missile..lol.that landed in my lap..It was at this moment that everything I believed was tested..It appeared at that night that I may have lost my babygirl and the love of my life for 8 years..I will never forget riding in ambulance.helpless as they turned 
on the light to upgrade to emergency status..the following days were harder than you can 
imagine..count it all joy.really Jesus?i am trying to be mommy to traumatized 5 year old..baby girl with head injuries who won't eat or drink.and hubs in icu who doesn't understand why i can't be there more to love won love of my life.some days those times in hospital I thought Lord i can't do this



Count it all joy? really

This isn't sounding like a very happy post is it? Well..I am writing this because It is thanksgiving week. ANd I I have more to be thankful for than I can ever imagine. The Lord has been faithful:) My little girl is walking, talking, and fine! My hubs is handsome as ever, with no long term affects from accident. ANd...MY DAD IS CANCER FREE! Glory glory...But I am writing this thankkgsiving post not because all of those miracles. But because even if all this had not turned out the way it had. I believe the Lord would have still helped me count it all joy. Because I have realized through all this. WE cannot count it all joy on our own. We dont have the strength to count it all joy. There were some days I thought I just couldn't get through the day..However...God truly does give super human strength to count it all joy. The prov 31 woman gets alot of flac. But when it calls her a strong woman it is using the same word that says david had the strenth to jump over walls and defeat troops. God gives us super human strength when we need it. to press in. to count it all joy no matter the outcome. and to Trust him. I dont want to ever forget what I learned through the sleepless nights. The pain of watching those closest to me suffer.And most of all count it all joy. Be thankful!The lord has drawn nearer to me when I had nothing left in me. He loved on me when I was unlovable. HE has been faithful!And for that this thanksgiving I am thankful!

What makes me come alive:) Jenn, you have done so much to teach me about that. I have been thinking recently about what has made me come alive in the crazy past two months I had. And honestly. There has been so much! IN the worst times of my life ever...I experienced God and his grace in new ways. And that makes me come alive. It makes me come alive that my life basically stopped for 2 months. and I learned alot during that time of stillness. It reminded me how much of a priority I need to make my marriage. IT has given us much time together. In fact, I will be sad when Todd can drive again and doesn't need to rely on me again. I will always cherish the early morning rides to work and picking him up from the bus stop after work.IT makes me come alive that I got to go to physical therapy for my fractured arm..and that I got to see results. After 6 weeks I can do things I couldn't do before. It is neat to see progress. ANd Todd told me yesterday he loved my arms...bonus points from working out at physical therapy lol:)IT makes me come alive how much the body of Christ has been generous and loved on us so much! God's people are more than amazing. I feel so loved.Watching God answer prayers has made me come alive. And watching each milestone in Hope's and Alex's life has made me come alive. I took so much for granted before. I don't want to miss one single moment!Also I have never been one to struggle with anxiety. And there has been some struggles since the accident. Espically in the car.But it makes me come alive that God is teaching me through it!And bringing freedom through it. I have so much to be thankful for! So Jenn. Thanks for teaching me to come alive!

how beatiful the body of Christ still is:)

I laughed outloud when I signed on my blog and saw my last blog entry. It was written in march, and it was written from tc thomspon children's hospital about how beautful the body of CHrist was while I had four day hospital stay with my foster son Matthew. Now here I am in July..writing the next blog post...About how beautiful the body of CHrist has been to me while I have spent three days at TC Thomspon with Alex my son:) DIfferent kid, different problem. same hospital. Same body of Christ!THis has been a very very long week. Not much sleep. Watching your kid suffer is very very hard. But besides the grace and strength my Jesus gives. The beautiful body of Christ has made this week blessed!From er visit on Mon on, peop;le have been praying for sweet Alex. We have had many visits. Meals. Treats. OUr friend Casey B. filled our pantry up for when we get home. Equipped with Clorox wipes and everything. People have brought snacks. Jenn and others have stepped in with foster son Alex. my mom has come every day to love on little man. People have prayed for us. Brought coffee and treats. Sent balloons. Kelli B and her sweet boys even made a basket of goodies for Alex. The bubbles were a life saver. ONly the body of Christ can make a three day hospital stay easier. If you don't know Jesus, you are not only missing out on a relationship with the King of Kings, you are also missing the privledge of being involved with HIS church!
ON a funny note. Because our foster son Matt is a frequent hospital visitor. All the ER staff knew us by name:)It is hilarious how many staff at TC Thomspon recognize me. IN fact on July 4 the ER doc said..Do you come in every holiday:) so funny.I love Children's Hospital. ONly here do they bring doggies in to visit Alex:)And let you blow bubbles when you get an iv.
God always had different plans than us. I was supposed to bein Haiti today, serving the people there in JEsus name. INstead, God has me here, serving my Alex in Jesus name. ONe cool God story while I have been here. Last night, the night nurse looked familiar to me. she said same. She later remembered why.When I worked with student venture at her highschool, i took her to taco bell and shared the gospel with her. THis was 7 years ago. She still had the booklet, and said she finally gave it to someone else.She said it has changed her life, and now she was teaching kids sunday school! HOw cool is God. I shared the gospel with her 7 years ago when she was in highschool, and now she is taking care of my son:)God is so faithful

The Body of Christ

I know..that might bring to mind the old school Christian song. How beautiful the body of Christ. But oh so true. HOw beautiful the body of Christ has been to me, Todd, Alex, and my little Matthew. When we did foster care training, they had us draw a diagram of the people in our life who could be resources for us as foster parents. I had so many to draw on the diagram. Because I am part of the BODY of Christ. And boy this week have I seen in. Having three ER Visits with Matthew, three 911 calls in two days. a trip to the ICU and a going on four day trip to the hospital brings out the needy in you. And boy has the body of Christ responded. Everyone has fallen in love with our new privledge from the Lord Matthew. ANd they have shown him the love of Jesus like you could never imagine. So while these few days have been tough..YOu guys have been the hands and feet of Jesus. YOu guys have prayed for my little guy. Brough food to me in the hospital. Text me to check on us.Sent balloons to our room to keep him happy and occupied. Came to pray with us. Kept my little boy.Wow. I could go on and on. Thrown me a suprise bday party prayed for and annointed me(my thursday night ladies)...ANd my family. Wow. They have watched my little man and made sure they loved on him(Mammy-you are the best)....They have slept in the uncomfortable hospital room with me and done everything matthew want(aunt nenn...not naming any names you are amazing)So body of Christ. So thankful I not only get the benefit of knowing Jesus.but benefit of Knowing Jesus through you! The best thing that ever happened to matthew is being loved on by this amazing body of Christ!

By wisdom....The Lord laid the earth's foundation

I have been absoltuly obsessed with Provers 3 lately. I read it every day...And am wowed and convicted afresh every day as I study it....We always hear the verse Prov 3:5-6...Lean not on your understanding....Well...That is all fine and good. but whose understanding are we leaning on.....Go on to Prov 3:19-20 and be amazed. we are supposed to lean on the Lord's understanding...which is the same understanding he used to set the heavens in place...Wow..Why do I ever choose to lean on my own understanding instead of the understanding of the one who made the heavens with one word..Glory..ANd God has very much been askinWow. This has been the most intense, most wonderful,'most humbling...most amazing two months of my life...I could never have believed last february during the hardest month of my life what seeemd like the worst thing ever could result in this feb having Matthew..What a blessing! Watching matthew transfrom has been the coolest thing I have EVEr been a part of. When he came to us in dec, he could barely speak 3 words...Now he is speaking in sentences.He learns new words every day...we can go in public without making a scene.He is praying at dinner, lifting his hands to praise the lord, learning his colors, learning to dress himself, learning to run and play like a normal kid...He is going to the zoo for the first time. He is learning to sing Jesus loves me! Wow..God is healing his brain as we speak...IT is amazing to watch. HE can answer questions now. glory glory...IT has been amazing. And Alex is learning too. LEarning to share...Giving his favorite toys to matthew.Praying for matthew.Asking for treats for matthew.Hugging and looving his big bro. Even when matthew is very agressive and picking on alex, alex just keeps right on loving him. THrough matthew, alex is learning to live out the meaning of his name helper of mankind..who is like the Lord! Wow..
But boy have I needed the wisdom and understaning of the Lord in more ways than I could ever imagine! Have I needed to fall flat on my face and say jesus help me more than ever. And His wisdom and understaning even more than ever. Brining a traumatized child into your home is always hard..espically hard if it is a child with disabilites who cannot communicate very well..There have been many struggles.but God has been so faithful. I love how God orchestrated this journey every step. His understanding..His plan for what went on in my life last year was way better than I could imagine!I had no idea when I was leaning on my own understanding, wondering why god wasn't answering my prayers..THat He was waiting on perfect timing to answer..SEnding his perfect child for us to take care of...Matthew is better than I could have asked or imagined! This morning I was reading my bible in my fav pink chair. At 7 matthew slowly came down the stairs. He gave me his huge smile, then ran to my arms, curled up like a little baby...And I rocked my 54 pound little love and prayed for the plans God has for him. Trusting God is hard..But HIS plans are always better!~

Incredible Christmas!

Wow. This has been the best Christmas I have ever had...God has loved on me so much. It was just what I needed after a very stressful first few weeks transitioning to having matthew in our home. (I think it is helpful to have all the extra hands around when Im with family)...But Wow. A white Christmas. ANd getting snowed in at my parents house. Unlimited family time....I couldn't ask for more. But I"m telling you the best gift this year...I have seen a little boy who came to us hardly talking, barely able to communicate, fit pictching........Kind of just there little boy..become....A shiny eyed, running around...laughing, making us laugh, talking little boy....Wow. God has already begun to transform our little matthew. Right before our eyes. It is the most exciting thing I have ever been a part of...And seeing my family and Todd's family love on Matthew. IT is the most amazing thing I hae ever seen. That little boy has us wrapped around his finger.Most of all..My hero is my little Alex. HE has adapted so quickly to having a brother in the house who requires alot of attention. He has loved on, played with, wrestled with and prayed for(and bit..and hit:) our little matthew.....God is so good. Watching Matthew transform with our love reminds me of how much God/s love transforms me:) Thank God today for loving you!

On life as a foster parent:)

So the Christmas story is all about interuptions:) Mary and Joseph's lives were totally interupted by God. They weren't planning to have the son of God. But they said Yes. They said I am your servant. I will do as you say....I just taught my kids sunday school class about saying yes to God. Then God asked me...Will you say yes...Will you say yes to a beautiful boy named Matthew. 4 years old with developmental level of one year old. a cute little boy partially paralyzed. ONe who has seizures. Who is so funny. Loves to smile, giggle and clap. Loves to dance..Loves to get into mischeif:)Will you say yes to interuption during the busiest time of the year:) Will you say yes...or be the inn keeper and say there is no room in this inn.Well God alone gave Todd and I the grace to say yes. We got little matthew on tuesday night. Wow! OUr lives have changed over night. But boy do I love this little guy. HE is so precious, snuggly and hilarious. I believe God for big plans for this boy no matter what medical doctors may say...And wow. Alex has said yes too. He has been amazing. HE loves little matthew. HE has been so flexible in getting a little brother overnight:) He treats him like a little brother. Now I have two little guys running around, wrestling, fighting over toys and getting into mischeif:) Wow! Alex was even in the back seat telling matthew about jesus yesterday:) WEll life has changed for me. I don't sit down. No rest.....Chasing two little ones around. Bed times and meal times have been a process. Nap time..non existant:) but through it all God has been so so faithful. I know his grace is the only thing getting me through. THe only thing giving me the strength is Jesus. I know he has called us to this. and I am clinging to the promise. FAithful is He who called you and He will do it. That is somewhere in 1 thess. Wow. Now i am off too more chasing around:)Believing God to pour into this little guy and my little guys. Merry Christmas!

HOPE

I LOVE Christmas. I love all the cheesiness about it. I love decorating the tree. I love cold weather. I love hot chocolate. I love Christmas music.....espicially the Alabama Christmas cd:) I love christmas lights. christmas cards. christmas gifts..And now I add to that. I love Alex in his footie christmas pajamas. I love watching him look at the tree and lights. I love hearing him see the tree every morning and say Lets celebrate Christmas mommy. But most of all I love teaching him what Christmas is all about....Jesus....I have done a homemade advent calendar with him this year, so todd and I have tried to do fun activities with him every day to teach him the real meaning of Christmas. Yesterday we were really brave. We did an art project..WITH PAINT!It was a blast. we had him paint all over letters that spelled hope. ANd he can already tell us..we have hope at christmas because Jesus sent a savior. Glory Glory...!

I am trying to remember that in the busyness of the season. It is all about the HOPE of Jesus. Saving me from my many sins. A baby..Alex's age when the wisemen came to visit...SAved me from my sin. WOW. This year has been long in many ways. Me wishing and hoping for another baby...But I want to remember my HOPE IS NOT IN ANOTHER BABY but THE BABY.The baby who died on the cross for my sins. Jesus Christ.....He has given me so much hope this year. ANd his HOPE does not dissapoint! Check out Romans 15:13! Have a hope filled Christmas

Like a two year old child.......

I will start this post with some deep thoughts from my time with Jesus this week. And if you make it through all that finish it with some fun details from my time in Missouri(for those of you who care..which is prob just Jenn, my mom and TJ:)).
I have been reading the Psalms of Ascent and it has been awesome. For the past few days I have mediated on Ps. 131! REad it. It describes my 2010 year to a tee! The first part is david saying...I am not going to get involved in matters too difficult for me....Basicaly he is saying. Hey, I"m not going to try to figure God out and what God is doing. Sometimes He is just too big for me to understand and figure out. The next part says..My soul is quieted like a weaned child with his mother. A toddler. .Which happens to be what I have in my little Alex. A weaned child:) So I can totally relate to this word picture. When Alex is really tired and really grumpy and is refusing to sleep, I will hold him in my arms and rock him until he finally gives in and rests on his mommy. That is the best time. To hold his sleeping, finally calm self in my arms. Well...I do this same with God. I spend time trying to figure out why..And God what are you doing? And can't I do things the way I want to do them.And He lovingly gently holds me as I wrestle in his arms..untill my soul is quieted within me!Glory. What a loving abba daddy we have! The last verse reminds Israel..ANd now us. to Put our HOPE In the Lord. Our hope. ...The Hebrew says our waiting.Our patience. Our expectation in him.
I have spent much of 2010 waiting, losing patience and wrestling with God. But I want to trust him, stop wiggling and let my soul be quieted by him. What about you?Is He calming your soul today? Or are you like me...(and Alex in my arms) doing everything you can to get out of the grasp:)
So now for the not deep stuff. I have had a blast in Missouri. Yesterday todd took me to a bakery for lunch and I had homemade donuts to die for. I have swung outside with Alex for a million hours. Alex and I have had a blast with his playdough and train sets. Last night we had family movie night which makes alex very happy. Todd and I have run together, and played cards together. It is nice to be somewhere for 2 weeks where you don't have a to do list. I am having fun just playing with my fam:)
Love you all!

Blessed are those who mourn

Not a fun way to start a title huh. but I have been itching to write down and share alittle that has gone on in my heart this year in 2010! And just had a minute to sit down at my computer and write. But don't worry, if you perservere untill the end I am also going to add some fun pics of me and my little fam:)(esp for Nana, since I haven't since June). So this year has been AWESOME and TOUGH. I am not one who mourns very often. I am a Joy filled...Lets be happy and enjoy every bit of life person. So I am not always in touch with all my emotions very well......But this year. God has exposed me to some grief and allowed me to experience it, not just brush it away...And I have found the bible verse..Blessed are those who mourn is Real....Because my brush with grief and emotions of sadness has drawn into a deeper, more meaningful REAL relationship with my wonderful Jesus. You see, in February of this year I had a miscarriage. I lost my little baby Joy as I named her(yes, I am sure she is a gal, even if I dont really know)...I had never understood people with miscarriages. I thought it must not be that big of a deal...You don't even know the baby yet....Boy was I wrong. I loved this little gal...and still love her....And I grieved....Little by little it has come to me. Different times. Random times. Oh I wish I was still pregnant. Oh I would be huge with Little joy now.....Oh....why am I surrounded by so many newborns. But I have also experience God in new ways. God teaching me to give him my hurt and let him heal it. Learning to trust and to question. To cry and to laugh....I am so thankful for this time in my life.As this season has caused me to be blessed. To press into Jesus. to believe him and be honest with him.

What season of life are you in? It has also caused me to be very thankful for the little man I do have.

Long overdue pic post(at request of nana to Alex:)

Picture of two of my favorite people in the world, my sis and mommy. Not sure when this was taken.
Aunt Nenn made him very happy by buying him this huge sucker. He loved every bit of it. This was at cracker barrel the other day when we went to GA. Love you my extended fam!
This is from a birthday party for TJ at Red Robin. It was so much fun...I think we almost got kicked out of the restarant. I love those hamburgers!
Alex loves TJ...That makes me so happy. And I love you too TJ
I was glad TJs wheelchair wasn't on. It would have sent her flying!
Sorry for the randomness of the photos, but I promised my wondeful mother in law I would put pics on here for her. I have been so bad at posting. It is my new years resolution(in June) to update more often! Life has been so busy but so fun! These pics are random because I only have JEnn's camera here to put pics from. My more recent pics are on my camera which I will post...
I have been busy with youth activites, church..and FUN. I love having Jenn not working right now. We plan fun activities all the time...Going to the mountains ect.
I am working right now on sining my new song to Jesus every day. (Check out Ps. 41) That is my year theme. He put a new song in my mouth a hymn of praise to God. May I sing loud and proud each day a new song of what Jesus is doing in my life.
Big news for those people who read my blog...and aren't my friends and fam(which are none). Todd and I just finished all the classes to be certified as foster parents. Exciting huh. That deserves a whole post, but I will just say I am very passionate to provide a stable Jesus loving home for these kids as long as the Lord blesses me with them. Whether one night. or a year. God wants to use Todd and I too love these kids to Jesus. We still have some details to fall into place. Please pray for us through this process! I love you guys

Jesus brings LIfe when we expect death!

First of, I start with an apology. It is now March I realize....And I haven't posted since November. Way too long. Not sure if anyone reads this anyway:) But I have some time at the computer while my hubbie studies at child evangelism headquarters and thought I would share something I have been blessed with this Easter.

I listen to a noon radio show called midday connection on Moody radio. I heard a speaker a couple weeks ago talk about Mary and Mary when they came to the tomb in Matthew 28. It has ministered to me greatly. They came expecting death. With questions fresh in their minds. Why did God allow this to happen. What will happen next? Who were we really following....They came with their expectations of death and dissapointment. Then something totally shocking happened. He wasn't there! Jesus wasn't there. Now not only were they afraid of where there life was going now, they were afraid of what happened to Jesus....
However they came expecting death...And Jesus showed up ALIVE....ANd the first thing he told them was DO not be afraid.
That just does something for me. Jesus spoke to their hearts and fears. This EASTER season, I want to bring my fears and questions to Jesus and know that whatever I believe is dead...Or I am struggling with..He brings LIFE too. And the closer we draw to Jesus, the farther away our fears go.
This Easter What do areas of your life do you need Jesus to bring life to? What areas of your life are you thining are just dead, you have just given up on....God will bring life to those! I am pondering that and praying through that and wanted to share!

God Moves Around the World

What a privledge to be sitting in the Most home in Nicaragua writing a post About God. It is such a blessing to get out of our American Box and see what God is doing around the world. I am so thankful that our wonderful church sent us here to Nicaragua. We have been beyond blessed, and challenged by the work God is doing here. We in the Estados Unidos(US) could learn so much from Karl and kathy and their ministry here. They have been the most gracious hospitable people to Todd and I. We feel sometimes like we are staying at a Bed and Breakfast:) It is weird to not be chasing after little man all day too. We were supposed to come here to be an encouragement to them, but they have encouraged us and challenged us by watching their lives.
Todd and I were privledged early sunday morning(5:30)to travel with Karl and his national partner their monthly training in a city an hou, evr from Managua. What a blessing. Karl's main ministry focus here is to train National nicaraguan youth leaders to reach their country for Christ. It was a blessing to see that in action. We were there all day, listening to this training which teaches the youth leaders to get out of their church box and into affecting the community for Christ. They have the same problem our american churches have. We go to the church all the time and do the church thing but we aren't reaching into the community. it was so neat to watch these Nicaraguan leaders learn new things and participate in group learning about how to impact their community. They were so hospitable to Todd and i, even though we struggled greatly to communicate. They speak much faster than my college spanish teacher:)hehhe. But what I did catch was amazing. Todd and I learned alot. Monday was spent learning aboutt eh Nehemiah center, which Karl works with. It is an amazing mixture of national Nicaraguan leaders and other mission organizations, all different denominations working together with one goal. To traing Nicaraugan Christians to reach their people. What an empowering ministry. It was so cool to see how they all work together. It is a picture of what heaven will be like, I believe.People of every tribe, tounge, and nation. It wont just be white baptists in heaven:) It is so incredible to see the vision of Karl and the Nehemiah center, and how it is actually happening and making a difference. What a mighty God we serve! I was convicted by my lack of impact on the community around me. Karl and his Nicaraguan team are willing to get involved in the messiness of true discipleship. One of those ways is reaching out to street gangs. Todd got to go and meet them and see the difference Christ is making in their lives. Glory. I am just taking it all in. We think God needs us, Americans. We are the ones to change lives. God doesn't need us. He allows us to be a part of what he is doing.
Besides all of this we are learning, we are just plain enjoying ourselves. It is November and I have been swimming every day for exerise. Glory. They gave us a tour of Managua yesterday. Jenn, Todd and I drank some coffee at a coffee place just for you. And it was amazing.We have laughed with karl, kathy, jared and corey,, and enjoyed being a part of their family. Please pray God would show us how we can best be an encouragement and blessing to them! I love seeing God work here, and knowing that our tiny little church in East Branierd has a part in that.

My new love in life Jeremiah!

Well. Did that title get your attention? No..I have not gotten another son, or a new hubbie. But I have found a new love in life. The book of Jeremiah...In the Old Testament. I have just finished studying the second half of it for Precept Minisitries bible study. Wow! It was intense. Very deep bible study. Probably the hardest I have ever had to work at doing a bible study. But it was WORTH it. I took so many deep truths from Jeremiah. And because I am a processes by writing things down, I wanted to share some nuggets.....

Jer. 29:11 Is on of the most quoted verses in the Bible. I still LOVE it. But I see it differently now. Yes, we do know the plans He has for us, plans to prosper and not to harm us, give us a hope and a future. However, it is deeper than that. God was telling his people in that verse....You are going to be taken captive, taken from your land to a foreign land of Babylon....Wow. That doesn't sound too good does it. God was telling them it was HIS plans..And he would give them a hope and future,even if it didn't make sense to them.We haveto remember when his plans don't make sense....They are still for OUR GOOD!

God is serious about our obedience! HE doesn't want us to just hear him, but OBEY!
God can do the impossible. And sometimes when we trust him to do what he tells us it looks crazy to other people(Jer. 32:16-28). God told JEremiah to buy real estate right after he told them they would be taken captive from the land for along time. Jeremiah said, God are you sure, that sounds crazy. God says....Behold! I am the LOrd! The God of all flesh. IS AnYthing too difficult forme? Glory!
God's WORD stands. What he spoke through Jeremiah Happened. It is not just a book in the bible...It is a living history book!
Check out Jer. 45: The Lord cares about his individual servants. And brings protection and rest to his servants when they are burnt out and weary...However..Jer. 45:5 Has been burning in my mind..Are you......(Michelle)seeking great things for yourself. Seek them not!
Wow. How many times do I seek great things for myself!
I serve a STRONG redeemer. Nothing is too hard for him. He pleads my case(Jer. 50:34!)No one summons God into court(50:44).
Jer. 51:14-17 God vs. Idols. Check out who wins!
The Purposes and plans of our STRONG God stand!
O Lord. May I apply all these truths to my life. May I speak them out to others. May I live by Listening and OBEYING you! May I walk as if your WORD truly stands. My I dwell each day in the vine(John 15). Abiding in you, the habitaation of righteousness! May I trust the plans you have for me, even if I don't understand. May I realize NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU! Thank you that Your Word stands no matter what!Help me not seek Great things for myself but for you! I love you my strong redeemer!
Amen
And the final thing...In the end. GOD WINS! We are on the winning team