Sovereignty in Timing of Events

I decided that this year I was going to read through the Bible chronologically. Eric gave me a chronological Bible for Christmas. I have really enjoyed my study and am finding out very quickly there are passages I have not read or glossed over quickly. I am so thankful for God's Word and how it speaks into our life! I am also reading the Jesus Calling devotions.
Yesterday may seemed like another Monday for you. Yesterday for Eric and I was very exciting, nerve racking, disappointing and peaceful. You see we were awaiting a phone call to hear whether a birthmother was going to choose us or another family to place a baby boy for adoption. We had not formally started pursuing the adoption process even though we discussed starting the process in 2012. We received a call from a friend of a friend about this possible adoption situation and grew very excited and at the same time trying to keep our emotions in check.
Around 5pm we found out that we were not chosen by the birthmother to parent this baby boy. Our prayer had been all along that the Lord would use this situation to bring Himself glory and if this birthmother did not know Him she would come into a personal relationship with Jesus. We prayed that the Lord would make her decision very clear to her. We told God we were going to trust Him whatever the outcome was. The Lord has been so faithful to us and we are reminded every day by a fair skinned, blue eyed, ringlet curls, and big smiling face little girl! We choose to trust Him today and thank Him for all He has done in our lives! We will be pursuing another adoption and have already begun the homestudy process. If you know of a possible adoption siuation, please keep us in mind.
Today, Tuesday (January 10th) I read the Jesus Calling devotional for Monday (January 9th).
"I am with you and for you. When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing on heaven or on earth can stop you. You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal but don't be discouraged - never give up! Do not expect as easy path as you journey hand in hand with me, but do remember that I am, your very present Helper, I am omnipotent. Much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come. One of the main ways I assert my sovereignty is in the timing of events. Instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set the pace. Slow down and enjoy the journey in my Presence (Romans 8:31, Psalm 46:1-3, Luke 1:37)."

Great Gift Idea: for out of state FAMILY

Pictures of cousins (Brock & Grace) over top pictures on book, you can either tape or glue them on book

This book is for Brock so we put our picture on the body of the hikers

Added Grace to picnic lunch, you can always put another picture on opposite page

On left picture of Brock fishing and on right picture of Grace dancing. This really pegged their interests.

We put Grace's picture in the sky as if Brock was thinking about Grace while his mommy, daddy or grandma, grandpa read him the book



On the back cover we put our family picture

 First off I can not take credit for the idea. My mom orginally found the "Good Night Virginia" book soon after Grace was born. So she went through the book and taped pictures of Brock throughout for Grace to look at so she would remember her VA family and cousin.
I was at Sam's Club here in town and came across "Good Night Texas" and thought we would put pictures of us in the book for Brock. The book not only can serve as a picture book of your relative(s), it helps children learn about state landmarks and what the state is known for. I did not post every page of the boook. I can see how you could get really creative with this. This is Grace's favorite book to look at because A.) its a book and she loves "reading" books B.) it includes her and her family. My mom would tell you its Brock favorite book too. Even though we are not close to our families its good for the kids to know we are thinking and praying for them. I have already thought about as Grace gets older having her "make a book" with me to give to her extended family.
Light bulb just went off...I am going to buy another "Good Night Texas" book and put Grace's pictures throughout the book to give to her birthmother. Grace has a half sister that is 18 months older than her and if her birthmother so chooses, she can show it to her.
I would love to know if you have ever done this and maybe some other creative ideas to add to the book?

Grace is #2

You too...can make this easy, cost effective birthday centerpiece...fill mason jar with M&M's & #candle...go to Dollar Store and buy birthday balloon(s)

Happy birthday girl with her balloon

Tearing into her gifts

Grace did not like the flame on candle

There she goes....she would not get anywhere near it

Mommy birthday kisses

 

My favorite gift this year is my babies and baby accessories...Grace is a great mommy!

Grace Evje (2) & Grace Wingfield (3) ....share the same birthday @Grace Wingfield's Pink Piggie Party

Grace loves Sadie and Tessa

Grace Wingfield's mommy makes beautiful and yummy cakes

We really can not believe Grace is 2! Time has flown by with lots of changes. This is Grace's first Texas birthday. We decided to do a low key birthday with just our little family. We enjoyed our time as we begin to establish our new traditions away from family with Christmas & Grace's birthday. God was so gracious to bless us with good friends & church family to celebrate our Christmas away and provide the peace that only He can give when your heart aches to be at home with your family, truly an answer to prayer. Two weeks prior we sent reindeer cake pops to preschool for a celebration with her preschool friends and teachers. Grace share the same birthday date (12/28) with our friend Grace Wingfield from church who is exactly one year older than our Grace so we went to her party that evening with some of our church family!

Already There

I love how songs/music can meet you right where you think you are. Like hearing a sermon on Sunday and feeling like the pastor was speaking directly to you. I get that same feeling sometimes with music. I got the new Casting Crowns album a couple of weeks ago and have been listening to it non-stop. The song I keep going back to is Track 4 - Already There. How comforting to remind myself that the Sovereign Lord already knows how the pieces of my life will turn out. When I feel like I am going through a season of challenges or trials (my uncomfortable refining process) I am reminded God has a purpose in everything He allows. His purpose is always for us to be and look more like Jesus. In our trials we always have the choice to stay close to God or wander away in anger. Praying in my weakness of personal trials that they produce character and not self pity, perseverance and not impatience, hope and not despair.

From where I’m standing
Lord, it’s so hard for me to see

Where this is going

And where You’re leading me

I wish I knew how

All my fears and all my questions

Are going to play out

In a world I can’t control



When I’m lost in the mystery

To You my future is a memory



‘Cause You’re already there

You’re already there

Standing at the end of my life

Waiting on the other side

And You’re already there

You’re already there



From where You’re standing

Lord, You see a grand design

That You imagined

When You breathed me into life

And all the chaos

Comes together in Your hands

Like a masterpiece

Of Your picture-perfect plan



When I’m lost in the mystery

To You my future is a memory



One day I’ll stand before You

And look back on the life I’ve lived

I can’t wait to enjoy the view

And see how all the pieces fit



One day I’ll stand before You

And look back on the life I’ve lived

‘Cause You’re already there

You’re already there

When I’m lost in the mystery

To You my future is a memory

‘Cause You’re already there

You’re already there

Standing at the end of my life

Waiting on the other side

And You’re already there

You’re already there

Vacation Part Five - Natural Bridge Zoo

Vacation Part Four - Fly Fishing

In my waders!

Bryan guiding me

Bryan and me

Eric and me

I recently went fly fishing for the first time at a Sales Retreat for work. I loved it! I loved the challenge of the art of fly fishing, I loved quiet outdoors and taking in God's creation. My brother and his friend Bryan are quite the fly fishermen so they took me to the Rose River in Madison, VA and we did some fly fishing. I am thankful for common interests and hobbies my brother and I share and I love spending time with him. These days our time together is rare so I take advantage of our opportunities. Eric is extremely talented in so many ways and I have always been and will always be a proud big sister!

Vacation Part Three - Gorgeous Lanscapes

Harrisonburg, VA

Harrisonburg, VA

Jacks Shop Rd

Madison, VA

Ruckersville, VA

Hot Air Balloons in Charlottesville, VA

Vacations Part Two - Exploring....

Strolling through downtown Culpeper

Mommy tried to get a photo op with this wagon...didn't quite work as she planned

Mommy's favorite shop in Culpeper - Pepperberries!

Love my little lady

Turkey Time

Visiting the animals at Yoders...one of our favorite stops

Vacation Part One

We vacationed this year in Virginia visiting my family and friends. It was so nice and relaxing to be able to spend over a week and to not feel rushed. Eric and I really enjoyed watching Grace and Brock actually play with each other and enjoy each other's company. Of course the star of the show for Grace and Brock was PaPa! These two love their PaPa and can not get enough of him. If my dad was not in the room they were both asking, "Where is PaPa?" Here are some great shots of these two sweet cousins. Brock affectionally calls Grace "GiGi." While we are in VA, Grace is GiGi!