HOW TIME FLIES!

We're still here, but busy as bees! These last couple weeks of school have been crazy at our house. Between Rylie, Cole and Gabe, we've had plenty of things to do. Soooooo, my blog has suffered a bit. But here are a few pictures of some of the things the kids have been doing.

Gabe was in a musical program at school.

Here he is on field day at school. Go Gabe Go!

Rylie has been busy with awards programs and banquets.

Rylie and Garrett before Jr./Sr. Prom

And last, but certainly not least, my Cole man. He is GRADUATING this year!

I can't believe it! He is sad he won't see his teachers and buddies much anymore, but he plans on starting a lawn service and gonna call it........WIZARD LAWN SERVICE! (how fitting is that!!)

And bless his heart, out of the blue one day, he told me that he had decided he wanted to be baptized! So, on a Sunday morning at our little chapel west of town, before God and a bunch of family and friends, my precious boy was baptized.

Cole and Shannon praying right before.

This boy has always had a close relationship with the Lord. He's a prayer warrior for anyone he sees that he thinks might need prayer. It doesn't matter who it is or where it happens. He is not one bit ashamed of his faith or intimidated by where he shares it when he feels the need. He has taught me and continues to teach me everyday. What a joy it is to be his mom.

" Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”  And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them." Mark 10:15,16

And our journey continues.



EVERLASTING GOD

I'm pretty certain Jesus, disguised as a little blonde headed boy with blue glasses,

rode to school with me this morning!!

What a joy and blessing it is to see and hear this sweet boy singing praises to God.

Thank you Lord for your constant presence and for reminding me that,

YOU ARE THE EVERLASTING GOD

YOU ARE THE DEFENDER OF THE WEAK

YOU ARE OUR HOPE,

OUR STRONG DELIVERER.



Mulligan Stew Anyone???

“A Common Stew for an Uncommonly Good Cause!”

When I first saw the words “Mulligan Stew” on an adoption blog last year, I knew it as only something to eat but didn't know the history behind it. So what did I do?? Googled it of course! And this is what I found..........Originally, during the Depression, the homeless would sleep in "Jungles". [Campsites near railways for the homeless] Traditionally, the "Jungles" would have a large campfire and pot into which each person would put in a portion of their food, thus giving each person a portion that was, hopefully, more tasteful and nutritious than his original portion, and making a larger quanity of it. Another words, they all shared what little they had, and when they put it all together, they were able to serve more people and, it tasted better.

So the sweet lady that writes the blog I was reading, being the humble servant she is, was thinking of another creative way to raise money for some orphan kiddos that were weighing heavy on her heart. She had thought and thought, and one day while walking out of the house, “mulligan stew” popped into her head. She did a little research on it and decided this would be the perfect name for a giveaway that she had been planning. She was wanting to raise money and bring awareness to orphans, and some deserving families that had stepped out in faith to adopt these special kids. The rest is now history!

My friend Julia has invited over 100 people to sit at her table and has collected over 100 ingredients to go into her big pot of stew. That's SEVEN families adopting SEVENTEEN children....... TWELVE WAITING children........and 110 LOST BOYS. (I wrote about the “lost boys” in another story) and over ONE HUNDRED ingredients (items already donated to be given away) simmering in the pot.

Just like during the Depression, a big pot of stew can feed alot of needy people. And there are lots of needy orphans and families adopting orphans that need us to throw something into the simmering pot of stew. Could you throw something in??? A small amount, when added with other amounts, can multiply into a very large helping.

There are alot of great items to be drawn for at the end of this “Mulligan Stew Giveaway.” I-Pad, Kindle Fire, $500 gift cards, $100 gift cards, Wii-U, and many, many more things. The total value of all things to be given away is over $5,000.

Each child and each family adopting a child has a story to tell. If you are willing to pull up a chair and dine with “the least of these”, you will be truly blessed.

For details on how YOU CAN HELP and get your name in on the drawing for some really nice gifts, you need to go to Micah Six Eight or www.covenantbuilders.blogspot.com.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. You will be blessing some precious kiddos and some really awesome families, and I promise.......YOU TOO WILL BE BLESSED.

“The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”

MARCH 21 SOMETHING "EXTRA"

Today, March 21, is celebrated as World Down Syndrome Day.
It's an opportunity to
draw much deserved awareness to a group of wonderfully,
beautifully made individuals.
Most people have no idea what these gifts from God
can give back to others.
If the world had more people with Down Syndrome........
It would be a much better place to live.

So here's to you little man!
Momma and Papa think you are,


WE LOVE YOU GABE DECKER   :)

MY COLE MAN

Just as God's love for us has no boundaries and is eternal,

So was, and is my love for this boy of mine. Not a day goes by that he doesn't amaze me in some form or fashion! He has taught me what unconditional love is really all about. He has taught me to see REAL beauty in the smallest things in life. He has taught me to live in the moment and how to pray without ceasing. He is confirmation that when we follow the Lord with reckless abandon, we will experience His mercy and grace like never before.

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY COLE LAWRENCE!!

I love you to the stars and back......twice!  :)



I WILL CELEBRATE

Don't you just love it when God gives you those reminders that He is the one in control and all we have to do is just enjoy the ride??!!

Well it was one of those mornings when the kids didn't want to get out of bed and when they finally did, they just poked along and nothing......n.o.t.h.i.n.g. would hurry them up.

So, as I finally herded them into the car, with me trying to carry my coffee (thank goodness for coffee!), mamaw's clean laundry, my keys, my phone, and Gabe's back pack (because he wouldn't put it on) and Cole hollering because "WE'RE GONNA BE LATE.....I GONNA GET WROTE UP!!!"........we were finally at least in the car.

But the fight wasn't over. After refusing to move until ALL got on their seatbelts....we finally pulled out of the carport and headed into town.

And yes......running late!!

Now, all this was enough to get my blood boiling but not until the fussing and fighting over what music we listened to did I really express my unhappiness.  :)

And since Cole had his earrphones on anyway (so why did he care what other music was playing!), I opted to go with THE SAME CD......SAME SONGS, OVER AND OVER, that Gabe wanted to listen to.

But remember......my attitude was in the gutter cause things had not run like I like them to run on school mornings.

Enters the favorite CD.

Like always, we did The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock, maybe twice, and when it ended, I was ordered to put it on the next favorite. Again.

Precious little Gabe can be a bossy little toot at times!

So, after listening and going back a couple times and re-listening, I had had enough.

As the song ended again and I was just fixing to bark, "THAT'S IT.  NO MORE."

That's when it happened.

Better yet, that's when He happened.

The song ended and there was silence. No hollering, "mom, push."(meaning push the re-play button)

"What is he doing now?", I thought. And as the next song began to play (that never happens) I still heard nothing from my bossy little man.

That's when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw his little hand lifted high, swaying back and forth, to the next song on his favorite cd.

My eyes filled with tears as I watched him in my mirror, and listened to him sing what he could.

I WILL CELEBRATE, SING UNTO THE LORD

SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG.

I WILL CELEBRATE, SING UNTO THE LORD

SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG.

WITH MY HEART REJOICING WITH HIM

WITH MY MIND FOCUSED ON HIM

WITH MY HANDS RAISED TO THE HEAVENS

ALL I AM WORSHIPING HIM.

Right then in that moment, everything was put into perspective.

 I was so out of sorts cause things had not run smoothly and in order this morning.

I was out of sorts cause I felt out of control.

All the little trivial things that had me upset.

All those little things that mean.......... nothing.

Thank you Lord for reminding me whats MOST important.

Thank you for using one of the smallest and least in Your kingdom to make such an impact on my life.

Thank you for reminding me, through little hands held high in praise and worship, that when we keep our hearts and minds focused on You, the junk of this world,

will.not.take.us.down.

Today I choose to celebrate......how bout you?!

What's Love Got To Do With It?? EVERYTHING!!!



With all that's going on with the adoptions in Russia, I have been "extra" tuned in to our little guy and know the treasure we have been given.

August 8, 2011 at the institution.

Now don't get me wrong. I thank God every day for this boy and for the chance to be his momma.

But with the sad news about Putin signing the bill to ban Americans from adopting these Russian children, well, lets just say we have hugged him alittle tighter lately.  :)

We are so fortunate to have him in our family.

I can't put into words what he means to us, his family, and to all he comes in contact with, because THERE ARE NO WORDS that I know to sum it all up!! But here are afew pictures that show his true personality.

He is SOOOOO funny!

He loves to eat!!

And yes......he is a ham!

He loves school.

He would live outside if I'd let him!

He loves surprises!

He LOVES music.

August 2012

He just PLAIN. LOVES. LIFE.

Anyone who thinks these kids are better off in orphanages and institutions vs. an American home or ANY home.........seriously, they can have NO love in their hearts.

Father God, place a hedge of protection around these precious kiddos. Give them strength to hold on. Father move in the hearts of those who hold their futures in their hands. Lord be with the families that have stepped out in faith to bring these kids home and just grant them peace and patience and Father, let them feel Your love. Lord, Your word says to trust YOU with all our heart and to lean not on our own understanding, and to acknowledge You in all our ways and You will make our paths straight. Lord, I sure don't understand why this is happening, but I trust You and I am clinging to Your word. Thank you for this precious Russian child you have placed in our family. My cup runneth over.

Please pray for these kids and the families that are trying to bring them home. Also for all the government officials who have a say in their futures that their hearts will be softened and the ban will be lifted. Thanks and may you be blessed.