The Power of Prayer

I am witness to the power of prayers. I have to say the most influential body of believers were those at FBC Gueydan. That group of believers BELIEVED in some prayer. I saw the affect of their faith. I have seen my own momma healed by prayers and I have seen families changed by prayers.

As I reflect over the past 2 years of our marriage I can see how prayer has helped us to grow. At first our prayer was to be blessed with our own biological children. Now our prayer is to be blessed with the opportunity to have children in our home. Some, no, most people don't understand our prayer and that's OK. Something I don't share with many people is that according to the fertility specialist invitro is our closest step to biological children. I am not completly comfortable with this idea, so it's one reason we haven't taken that route. I know my God is greater than any doctor and can perform miracles, but I also know he prepares us for things we do not know.. just like he did the Israelites. I just know that I don't want to miss his blessings, no matter what form they come to us in.

I think the knowing we wanted "noise" in our home happened when we hosted the Junior High girls for a D-NOW weekend. We had SO much fun with them in our home! After the fumes of the hairspray, the smell perfume, and they actually left our house we missed them. (I know, who misses teen girls in their home?) I think it was just the fact of having "noise" in our home, besides the 2 of us. Don't get me wrong we are enough for each other,but it was nice having others to share with.

Lance and I are truly blessed in more ways than we ever thought imaginable. This is one of the main reasons we feel lead to be foster parents. There are many children out there who are dealt a bad hand in life based on other peoples choices. We want to be the safe haven for them. We want to show them and share with them the love of Christ. Yes, we hope to adopt in the process... but as a co-teacher described a foster home she once knew... we hope to be a home with a revolving door.

The power of prayer can bring people a long way. Prayer is our way of communicating with the Most High. When we pray we need to remember that it is communication... as I tell my students: communication takes place when one person listens and one person talks and then the roles are turned. Sometimes I think we confuse communication with us being the only ones to talk and God to be the only one to listen. He speaks... we need to take the time to listen.

What's in a name?

Juliet:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

This quote came to me today as family members were discussing why they chose baby names for their children/future children. Where do names come from? Family names, biblical names, favorite actor/actress...

I have names picked out and they are the hope I cling to...  Only God knows our future and what will happen; God knows the children who will be placed in our home as their forever home. These children may not have been born in my womb, but they were definitely born into my heart. God has placed a special longing in my heart to be a mother to child. The most amazing thing is that God has a plan for that child and He is going to allow Lance and I to raise it in His ways.

By any other name the child will still be ours. Even if it's a name another family picked out, that child will still be ours. That child will still "smell as sweet" to our family, because the Lord gives his people a promise.

 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

before you were born I set you apart;"

Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)

He still Rises (even when we don't )

I am thankful that I serve a mighty and awesome God who continues to rise even when I don't! This a.m. was sunrise service @ 6 @ church... Needless to say I did not rise for the rising of the Son. Here lately I have been feeling drained of energy. (Therefore, I'm making an appointment to have my levels checked... Once again my body is deciding to act up.) I just keep in mind Jesus has risen and helps me to rise even when I think I can't.

It was also brought to my attention this week that we need to ask to be placed on the adoption list at Seller's Maternity Home in Baton Rouge. The question is always asked of me if we want a new baby or an older child. And honestly we will take in any child that God sees fit, because He is the performer of miracles and knows our plans (Jeremiah 29:11). Still the human nature in me, the mother in me wants to have the opportunity to mother a newborn baby and experience all the late nights and not knowing why they are crying. So... this week I'm calling for us to be placed on that list. I know that it could be 2 years or more before any chance of adopting through them... I just feel blessed and find peace in knowing that God has something amazing in store for Lance and mine's life.

The Lord will give strength to

His people; The Lord will bless His

people with peace.

{Psalm 29:11}

Accepting His Will...

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

Plans of peace and not of evil,

 plans to give you a future and a hope.  

Jeremiah 29:11 

Over the past 2+ years Lance and I have been trying to have children. We have prayed, cried, been to doctors, talked, been angered, confused, shocked, frustrated, excited, hopeful.

And she was bitter in soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 1 Samuel 1:10

 Now we have chosen to accept God's will for our life together. It's not that we have not been seeking His will the past 2+ years, but we hoped that we would have children of our own. Many peope would say and have said "Just give it time", "It will happen when you're not thinking about it". At first I was bitter towards those words... what did people know they have children of their own. Now, I see they were trying in their own way to help with words of kindness. No one meant any harm by their words. I appreciate all the words and I appreciate all the prayers. Lance and I have great family (relatives, close friends, and church family) who have been there for us and we are grateful. Now we are starting a new chapter in our life... in our journey...

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galations 4:4-5

We have chosen to become foster parents. We are excited about this new chapter in our journey. I have to say God has a timing for everything, because we are able to take the certification classes with my parents. It helps having support in the classes when Lance is not able to make it due to work. I am learning many things in these classes. The best thing is that my eyes are being open to a whole new world.

This is to mainly inform our church family and close friends we will be fostering. These children will become a constance in our life... which includes all of you!

Right now I can see that God is going to use us through many children to come. I can also see that I have allowed God to change my attitude, because I started focusing on Him and not our problem. Once I saw that God is able to work through us in more ways than we can imagine, then I became ready for Him to use me.

 pray without ceasing      

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray for us that we will make good decisions in this journey.

Pray that we will set the example of God's love for the children who come into our home.

Pray for the children who will become a part of our lives, whether it's for a day, week, month, year, or the rest of their lives.

Pray God sends us the child/children who will find their forever home with us through adoption.

Thank you for all the prayers the past 2+ years. Even though you may not have known exactly what you were praying for thank you for praying!

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.   

Ephesians 5:1-2

Spring Break... ReRe...Uncle Lance... and a new ride

This week was Spring Break for me @ FCCS... We had a wonderful time together. Lance was home which made this extra special, because usually he isn't home on my breaks. We went to MS Sunday. My sis-in-law and nephew were there visiting our family. We kept our nephew until today. Being "Re-Re" and Uncle Lance is fun and adventurous. We took him to the Jackson Zoo with Preslee and Riley on Monday. It turned out colder than we hoped. On Tuesday we brought him home with us. I think he had a good time.... good enough for a 2 year old anyways. He got to wear pull-ups and watch "Woo-y" (Toy Story) as much as he wanted. WE have a difficult time making him "stay potty trained" while he is with us... It's so much easier for us and since we lack experience in that department I think we have a pass on this one... LOL. 


Pics from the Zoo! 

Riding the Train!! Woo Woo! (Uncle Lance, Bren, and Re-Re) 

They wanted to go under the rope and pet the ducks

He wanted to pet the snake :/

Playing in the bubble! 

Bren and Re-Re

On Tuesday we also bought a new car! Lance traded in his truck to get me a Red Chevy Traverse... I love love love it! So now maybe God will bless us with children to fill this vehicle! We have decided we would like to adopt, but not sure where to begin. We are continuing to see His will.... 

Today we had an early morning... 3 AM! I think this old gal is not able to handle this like she use to... but I'll do anything for my love. We left early this morning to first take Lance to Old River (in the middle of nowhere) to catch the boat. He was on the boat by 6:00 this morning. Bren and I headed for Baton Rouge for him to return home to his momma who dearly missed him! We stopped somewhere called Pablo's Cafe in New Roads for breakfast. We had pancakes and bacon.... I'm sure the waitress was thinking "What in the world is this woman doing out with a baby @ 6:30 in the AM?" Then we started on the road again. We made it to his daycare and momma met us there! He was somewhat confused... He did not want to see Re-Re leave, but he was happy to see momma, too! I headed back home and made it home by 11:30. I started a load of laundry and let Stormie out... then it was time to catch some zzzzzz's! I slept from noon to 4... this was not intended, but like I said this old gal can't hang anymore... 

Tomorrow I will end my Spring Break catching up on lesson plans, my school work, and house work.... Only 8 weeks of school left!