every story whispers his name

I got this book from the library to read to Leah.  Who knew what it would mean to me.  The subtitle is, "Every story whispers His name". This book starts with Creation and continues through to John writing the book of Revelation.  I'm only up to Elijah right now, but something has been getting to me.  Every.Story.Whispers his name.  Every Story.

 

• The Tower of Babel: man couldn't reach Heaven so Heaven came down to man.
• Abraham- His son carried wood on his back and climed a hill to become a sacrifice.  A ram died though, so Isaac didn't have to.  Later, another Son would climb a hill with wood on His back to become my sacrifice- dying so I don't have to.
• Joseph: He left his father and was punished for something he didn't do, only to become a rescuer for his people. Jesus left His Father, was punished for something He didn't do and became a Rescuer for His people.
• Leah: She didn't need to be beautiful for God to love her- she was beautiful because God loved her.  He gave her Judah- so she would end up with Jesus Himself in her family. The ugly becomes beautiful, the unwanted becomes valuable.
• Moses: God rescued His people with the blood of lambs and then set them free.  Jesus would be that lamb that would rescue His people through His blood and truly set them free.
• David- God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem and there he'd find the new king.  The new king was not what he was expecting- a young shelpherd.  Later, God would tell shepherd to go to Bethlehem and find the new King.  He was not what the world expected- a tiny baby. Their Rescuer and Redeemer.

What about my story?  Does my story whisper His name? Can I look at the chapters of my life and see that they point to the Promise.  Jesus, coming again, to make all things new? 

Yes.  It does.  My story whispers His name.  Every paragraph, every chapter.  'Til at the end of the book it will be chock full of Jesus.  Then?  It will start all over, the end becoming the beginning. 

The question is, do I see it?  Do I recognize Jesus in the bad and the ugly?  Do I see Him working in every detail of my life?

I need glasses to see things the way they really are. 

encouragement

I need encouragement.  I am at a season/time in my life where, to be quite honest, I am wearing a different hat at any given moment of the day. I have  A LOT going on and it seems like it's hard to find how they all connect.  My adult children have different needs than my still-wears-diapers-to-bed toddler.  Schooling a 6 year old and also a 15 year old has me swinging from phonics to algebra.  4 of us eat gluten free, while the others just need a plain old whole foods diet.  I often make 2 meals for every meal!  Ministry has me going in all directions too and I really want to be the kind of wife God wants me to be as well.

I am losing steam!

God has given me a source of encouragement that is lifting me up and gettng me out of the defeated, all alone, I can't do this mode.

Doorposts has, for years, been a resource I felt like I could depend on.  Recently though, the author of most of the books, Pam Forster, has been almost like a mentor to me, pointing me to Jesus and reminding me that I can do all He has called me to do with the strength that He gives me.

All families are different, and God hasn't called us to be just like their family.  I don't idolize them or try to be like them.  I don't even agree with all of their theology!  However, the books they write are so Bible based and pro-family that it is very practical, encouraging, and at times quite convicting.

I love how they use inductive Bible study and have books for kids that teach them to use Bible study tools to really study passages of Scripture.  They encourage parents and kids alike to look at life with the long-term in mind.  At Early Bird (our family's morning devotion time) we had been praying for a certain dollar amount so that I could order some things from the Doorpost website.  God answered and I was able to!  My order came yesterday.  Let me share!

This one is for Alissa:

 This one for Caleb:

 Probably my favorite so far!  Despite the fact that the name of the book and the cover are a little, well, not appealing to me, the book is fantastic!  It wasn't until Cameron was 16 that we were convicted about what things we were encouraging in his life and what skills he was learning that would help prepare him for being a provider for a family.  Now that Cam is very much thinking about his future as husband and provider, he is setting goals and working to develop skills that will be necessary to be the kind of husband and father that God wants him to be.  This  book is full of Scripture and practical application.  I wish I had gotten it sooner!  (I know a lot of people think college is necessary for future success, but we do not believe that.  We love having Cameron home and are enjoying the time spent investing in him.  He is already an EMT- possibly working toward being a paramedic- and is investigating many other opportunities that range from self-employment to learning new skills.  At 17 years old, he has not been a disappointment to us and his love for God, his work ethic, the way he works for HFK, and the way he interacts with his siblings, has made us so happy!)

 For me- and also for me to share with Brianna as she looks forward to becoming a wife.  I know she wants to be a wife that pleases God and her husband!

 I love this!  Leah and I have already started making her little family of pocket-sized dolls.  She sewed "Ruby's" dress all by herself yesterday.  The coloring book that goes along with it will have her memorizing Proverbs 31.

 I know that God and His word are completely sufficient.  I am so grateful though, for the encouragement He sends through others that are pointing me to Him!

Club Hope

It is quite the operation, Club Hope is!  

We had a super volunteer brainstorming meeting before our January Club Hope.  With 18 people at the meeting, lots of great input was received and things put into practice.

Registrars come early to the church to get everything set up.  One table is a place whereMatt  can do CORI checks on anyone who hasn't done that part yet- but that table will then turn into a place where registrars can quickly register all the children that come so group leaders can have a computer printout of the kids and helpers in their group.

Bus monitors and directors have to get there earlier than other volunteers so they can have a brief meeting, get their clipboards and wristbands, and head out to the busses!

Once the kids get there....that's when the smiles  begin!

 As Cameron was telling the Bible lesson, he said that we can call out to God anytime, anyplace.  The little girls I was sitting next to turned to me, and as serious as could be, whispered "What's God's number?" An explanation followed :)

 Both Cameron and Alissa (and Maddie!) had a chance to share the Gospel with kids who were interested.  That little boy was sent home with a Bible, tracts, and a new faith in Jesus!

Game time was divided by age group- it was a huge success with seasoned AWANA game leaders running it!

Dismissal went very well- for the first time!  That brainstorming meeting revealed some great ideas for dismissal that were put into practice.  I love how the body of Christ works!

We couldn't find one of the bus drivers when it was time to go.  When we did, we found that she was with a group of parents and a volunteer- she was giving her life to Christ!

I love that God has allowed us to have a part in His work in the lives of kids living in shelter in the city.  I love the kids too!  Please keep praying that God will show us the next steps and how to make things go more smoothly and reach as many kids and the right kids that He wants us to.

another birthday

16 years is a long time.  Time enough to dull the pain, calm the ache.  No amount of time will take it away though- the deep down pain and the longing I have for my boy.  Sometimes it makes me want to hold my baby again and enjoy the baby moments I missed out on.  Sometimes it makes me want to have toddler memories as I look at Micah and wonder what personality Devan would have had as a little boy running around and getting to know life.  Sometimes it makes me want to know how different things would be with a 16 year old- with a brother as close in age as Cameron would have been.  Mostly I just want to hold him.  Any age.

Tears always come on his birthday.  They aren't as painful as they used to be, but they are painful. God is still my comfort.  Always.  He never changes and His comfort never gets less.

I keep my bin of Devan things under my bed.  Pictures of him, a piece of his hair, his footprints, the one outfit he wore, the teddy bear from his great grandparents....  My only physical reminders of him.

God is amazing.  I would not be who I am today without the work of God in my life as He walked me through the valley.  He never let go of my hand, was quick to wipe tears, was faithful in His love, showed compassion in real and tangible ways.  I love Him so much.  I didn't "lose" my son.  He is with Jesus now and one day I will be with him.

A man that I always called "Uncle Donny" wrote a poem for me right after it happened.  It has always meant so much to me.

God blessed our family so much with ALL of the chlidren He gave.  I am so grateful to have Alissa.  Maybe we wouldn't have her if it wasn't for Devan.  God blessed us with children before AND after.  I do not take that for granted. He is so good!

happy birthday, alissa!

Alissa turned 15!  We took Alissa to a restaurant that is owned by a friend of ours- Mark.  When we got there, our table was ready.  They don't have a gluten free menu, but Mark made a special gluten free dish for both Alissa and I- chicken alfredo with brocolli and gf pasta.  The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, mark's daughter (who happened to be "Alissa" too!) was our very sweet waitress, and we had the best of service!  Mark's wife, who had was recovering from surgery, made us a delicious gluten free brownie cookie with almond and coconut flour as the base.  The waitress brought it out with a candle in it for Alissa!  It was such a sweet time.

Alissa has brought our home so much joy- she looks on the bright side of every situation, is kind,  overlooks faults, is diligent in her school work, and is a friend to everyone.  She loves Jesus and spends time with Him everyday!  We are blessed to have her as our daughter.

Happy Birthday, Alissa!

Scripture Memory Verse 2

visit with mom and dad

It's always so nice to have my parents visit.  They came on Monday night and spent the night so they could take Alissa out for breakfast for an early  birthday celebration.  The rest of the day was spent with cribbage, reading, games, wrestling, and I even went on a hike with Dad behind our house.  I loved having them here!

Scripture Memory Verse 1

          I am committing to memorize (at least) one verse every two weeks in 2015.