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.

TRUST ME

TRUST ME with every fiber of your being!

What I can accomplish in and through you is proportional to how much

you depend on ME. (Sarah Young's Jesus Calling devotional for today)

I have to be honest.......I thought, maybe, in the last minute.....Putin would not sign the bill stopping all U.S. adoptions from Russia.

I wanted it to be a just a scare tactic. Just a political push and shove that would only ruffle some feathers.

Boy was I wrong.......again!

As I was wiping away my tears, my level headed, see the big picture husband,

reminded me........"Kim, GOD IS IN CONTROL OF THIS. There is more to this picture than we are seeing."

And in my head I knew that. But in my heart, all I can think about are those precious kiddos, some of who have already met their families and understand that they are coming back for them, and then the families. Oh my gosh. These kids ARE their children. Can you imagine if your child was on the other side of the world and you couldn't get to them. They are suffering and you are not allowed to bring them home where they deserve to be. Here their every need will be met. They will be cherished treasures and unconditionally loved. Can you fathom that??? I can't. So, I am doing the only thing that I can do at this time. Praying. I am praying and fasting today, along with thousands of others around the world, for these Russian children who's lives are at stake. If you feel so led, would you pray too? Amazing things happen when people come together in prayer. I believe with all my heart that God WILL have the last say here. And as Rick said, there is more to this picture than we are seeing, and we have to trust that God IS IN CONTROL.

If you would like to know more about WHY this ban on adoptions in Russia is such a big deal........go read what Tensey has to say about her son Kirill. He, like our Gabe, had already been transferred to an institution when they finally were able to bring him home. No child should have to suffer these conditions.

No child should ever be told they cannot be adopted because they have Down Syndrome.

No child should ever have to live in these conditions when there are loving families who want to adopt them and love them unconditionally.

I do not believe it is over for these kiddos.

I BELIEVE ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE BABIES.

 

 

HOPE

We live in a fallen world.

A world where our most vulnerable are targeted.....

the children.

But amid the harsh realities of this world......

Whether it be by our own greed or by the hands of another.....

(Russia to ban U.S. adoptions)

WE HAVE HOPE.

And that HOPE came in the form of a CHILD.

This Christmas season, amid the pain and sorrows all around us, I choose to focus on HOPE and not the things of this world.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trials and sorrows. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Praying that you and yours have a Christmas full of hope, peace and love.



THE GIFT OF SERVING OTHERS

 As I write this, there are only 15 more days until Christmas. This time last year Gabe was still some what confused with all the glimmer and lights that go along with this time of the year. He had never spent Christmas with family, never received gifts, and certainly had never heard the REAL REASON that we celebrate this time of year. For the first 5 yrs of his life, he had known nothing of our Fathers love for him. He had no idea that God had a plan for his future. But now, a year and a half later, he knows what its like to have the love of a family, he knows and anticipates the “open presents” part of Christmas (which I kinda don't like), and though he knows it's Jesus's birthday, he still has no idea the importance of this day. And sometimes, nor do we. Or we do, but sometimes forget. Just like little kids, we big kids get caught up in all the glimmer and lights and sometimes forget what's most important. We worry about getting the perfect gifts for our kids, our friends, our kids friends, parents, siblings, all those who matter to us.........and sometimes we don't even think about those who really matter..........to no one. In the bible, Jesus refers to them as, “the least of these.” Mother Theresa quotes: “The dying, the cripple, the mental, the unwanted, the unloved, they are Jesus in disguise.” Matthew 25:40 says, 'And the King will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.' The least of these. Jesus in disguise.

. If Jesus came to your door, sick, dirty, starving and alone, would you turn your back and just go on trying to think happy thoughts and pretend you didn't see him, and go on about your life?? No, of course you wouldn't. But then I don't think God is going to make it that easy for us by sending Jesus to knock on our door!! Nope, I don't think He will, but I do think He sends Jesus in disguise, in hopes that we will recognize the opportunities He gives us to love and serve Him, by loving and serving others, as in, “the least of these.”

This Christmas season as you hurry around to finish up your shopping and get everything just right for this big holiday, I hope that you will take some extra time and think about those who Jesus described as “the least of these” and do something for them too.

And now here comes my plug for the plight of the orphan. Kids like our Gabe and Cole, are thrown away by their society because they ARE the least of these. All of these kiddos long to be loved and to give love. They long for families who will love them, despite the needs they have. They wait day after day, night after night. But no one comes.

Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35

Maybe it's not right for you to pursue a special needs international adoption, and that's ok, but if the Lord has placed that on your heart in some form or fashion, I beg you to act on it. It's the greatest gift you will ever receive. If not, don't worry, Jesus is in disguise all around us. There are always opportunities to serve Him by serving others, whether it be on the other side of the world or just down the street. But I encourage you to open your eyes and hearts this Christmas season, and do something to help the least of these, where ever that might lead you. When we find a way to serve others, we are serving God. I pray this Christmas season that we all will see “Jesus in disguise” and say “yes” in a way that is pleasing to Him.

We (my family) have until the end of December to continue trying to raise funds for our little guy on the Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree. This money will go into his grant fund account and be used by the family that decides to adopt him. His name is Orson(that's not his real name) and if you haven't already given to “one of the least of these” this season, he truly falls into this category. If you would like to help him, you can use the donate button here on my blog or go to the Reece's Rainbow Christmas Angel Tree and donate to Orson or one or more of the other kiddos. Every little bit helps when it comes to adopting one of these treasures. Maybe you could do it because you know our boys, Cole and Gabe. Maybe you could do it just because you love the Lord!

May you and yours be blessed this Christmas season.

FACE TIME

I know the title of this is suppose to be something you can do on your i-phones or smart phones(obviously I haven't figured mine out yet!) but today it means this.........

Today is THEIR face time.

Time for you to see their little faces and ACT.

And if you do..........There are some GREAT GIVE AWAYS!!

All you have to do is go to Julia's blog and she explains it all.

C'MON! IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!!!

IT'S THE SEASON TO GIVE!

AND WHAT BETTER WAY THAN TO GIVE TO THESE BOYS

WHO DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP.

GO TO Julia's blog and then jump on over to Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree,

AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON.

Yegor

Sonny

Frank

Alexei

Bobby

Emmitt

And please don't forget my little angel tree guy, Orson.

ORSON

He only has $221.00 of the $1000 he needs to reach our goal.

Wow. We gotta get busy! Won't you help us??

Thanks and blessings to you and yours this Christmas Season.