Ballet

Probably many of you did not know this, but I always wanted to take ballet when I was a little girl.  I remember reading books (fiction) about ballerinas and always thinking they had "the life".  But Ballet is just not something I ever did.  I was in 4-H, choir at church, and played the flute and did well academically.  But Ballet was never part of my life.

So like any good parent, I pushed my dreams on my little girl:)  No, not really.  In kindergarten, she played soccer.  She hated it.  In fact, most games she wouldn't even play because she didn't want to sweat or mess up her hair.  A child after my own heart.  So, we checked into gymnastics.  I just didn't really like some things about that.  Then someone suggested ballet and told me to check out the one by my house.  It was perfect.  It was a christian mother and daughter.  They were very modest in their dress codes and costumes for the programs.  Plus they shared Jesus with all the children.  So starting in 1st grade, Tori took Ballet.  It was perfect because the studio was less than 5 minutes from my house.

I have put on the pictures of Tori's recital in May 2007.  Isn't she a doll?  And so little!!! Tori loved ballet...until about the end of 4th grade.  After her performance, she said she just wanted a break.  And I kind of wanted a break too.  This was the beginning of a very hectic season in my life.  Trying to make it through an adoption, and knowing we were called to Belize, so things were going to get crazy and different.

One other thing is that the last year every time I would take Tori, Erika would always be sad because she wanted to be a ballerina too.  And I really thought she would, but then moving to Belize meant she probably wouldn't now.  And I was sad as well.  Because every girl should get to be a ballerina for a little while.

 Well, we have a friend that we met 10 years ago in Belize and you know what?  She has a little girl in Ballet in BELMOPAN.  And it gets better.  It is at YWAM so it is Christian. I have already been emailing the director and Tori is excited as well.  She has missed it and this gives her another chance.  So both of my girls will be taking ballet in Belize.  I am so excited.  In the midst of many changes in our family..this is something feels normal and routine.  And I think it will be a great way to meet people as well.

God is good and knows the silly desires of this momma's heart.

my house is so quiet

my wonderful parents have taken the kids to a visit to galveston for a few days.  my house is so quiet.  yes, i need to be doing stuff, but i am really enjoying the quiet.  i love my kids like crazy, but when i pick something up, it stays put up.  there are few dishes to wash and fewer clothes.  of course, i had to walk the dog myself and take the trash out myself.  i would be very sad and lonely if this was real life, but oh, this is just such a nice break for me.  my house is so quiet, you see:)  now onto errands...all by myself....

God is so amazing!!

I really need to be out the door running some errands right now, but Lee just called with an amazing story I thought you'd like to hear.



Don't question God, "Is this really YOU?"  unless you are prepared for a million and one confirmations.

Don't ever underestimate God's personal touch in our lives and those around us.

HE IS REAL

HE IS RELEVANT

HE IS PERSONAL

Eighteen years ago, yes a very long time, when we first got married, Lee was the children's pastor at an amazing church in Abilene, Texas.  It was a great place to start our marriage.

Well, a young man, a child at the time, just contacted Lee on facebook.  He shared how he has made some wrong decisions in life but has come back to the Lord.  In a time of hardship, he prayed for God to  help him...and God reminded him of a story Lee had told several years ago of meeting me...Now, God is not random, although we sometimes think why?  why would got remind him of us in this moment?  Because then God told him to pray for us.  And he pictured us in a foreign land...ministering to hispanic people.  You see, God is preparing intercessors for us.  People who do not know our life...people from our past.  When he found Lee on facebook and discovered that his vision is true...it did two things...showed how BIG my God is and how personal my God is.

We use the expression "Its a small world".  But you see, when these amazing things happen, it is not that at all, it is actually that "We serve a Big God."

Needed: Foster parents for newborns and toddlers

As we drove through (kind of lost on our way home)  downtown Houston yesterday, this was on the sign at the Catholic Charities.  Yes, I must say, it tugged my heart.  Yes, my life is full...and crazy right now.  But my heart for the orphans of this world is not changed, just because my personal dream of adopting a child is complete.  I guess I just feel there must be more I can do still.

I read other blogs of moms like me, who feel a need to help those children who need a mother.  There is this kindred spirit I feel automatically when I meet or read the blog of a mom who has adopted...and all the more so, if they did it through Foster Care.  Noone can totally understand you unless they have walked through this journey like you.

You see, my view of foster care has changed a lot in the last few years.  We all know what foster kids are, yeah, there is a need.  But there are people to fulfill that need.  But you see, there really aren't.  Going through the foster care process, we realized that there is a great need still.  There are lost of foster homes, but many of them are in it for wrong motives.  I say, you don't get much money...it takes a lot of money to care for a child...but you see, they don't always spend it on the child.  I remember when we were in the adoption phase, the lawyer had to have pictures of the inside of our fridge.  Of course, I did not know she would do that...and her visit was actually last minute and unplanned.  They took photos of Erika's closet, room...they wanted to see that she was being taken care of.  Because so many aren't.  Thankfully, I had gotten groceries lately, but still, how sad that they have to check.

My favorite author, Karen Kingsbury, adopted three children from Haiti.  I love to read her books.  She often has tragic stories of children in foster care.  I realize that there is that rare situation where children are taken away and shouldn't have been, but the majority of situations are absolutely horrible before the children are actually removed.  We sat in court, waiting our turn, hearing story after story.  It was heartbreaking...our world is filled with people who have children who do not deserve them.  Because it is easy to make a baby...but difficult to properly parent that child...this is from one of my hubby's sermons.  It is so true.

But then there are also so many wonderful, Christian families out there.  So many of them have already had children and are raising them...to the best of their ability.  They think about fostering and adopting, but it is hard emotionally, it is messy sometimes, it is heartbreaking at others.  But it is so worth it.  Our journey to Erika was long, and emotional, time-consuming, costly...but I would do it again.  She is so worth it.  Now that the 2 year long process is over, I can say that.  I look at this little girl.  You know what, we changed her destiny by adopting her.  We broke generational curses over her life.  She has a new inheritance.  An inheritance of a strong loving family.  Generations of unbroken marriages, serving Jesus. 

Don't get me wrong...foster care is a huge investment, not to be taken lightly.  We knew it was the path God was sending us on.  We covered the process in prayer.  We begged for God's favor with people that did not always know Him.  And He did.  He protected our hearts, protected our family, and protected our special little girl.  He gave me the desire of my heart.  Yes, it was a risky journey.  But when you think about it, life is risky.  When you get in car, you don't know if you will make it safely to your destination.  When you make friends with someone new, it is a little risky.  But life is about taking chances...and trusting God to guide you.

Anyway, back to my heart for orphans.  There is an orphanage in Belmopan...No, I am not looking to adopt again.  But I am looking forward to pouring into the lives of more children. And letting them know their life has purpose.  And that I love them. And that God loves them.  You know we say that phrase all the time...but do we realize that some people do not know that?  That some children do not know that God has a plan and purpose for their lives..

Okay, I realize I am rambling.  But I just have real heavy on my heart the need for Foster Parents that are good, and Christians, and that will give kids hope and a safe home to live in...

We must, we must, care for the orphans, and adopt the orphans....if we are pro-life...we must do something to help all these babies that we are saving...

Okay, off my soapbox.  Just pray about what you can do...and how you can help.

Free Fun is the Best Fun of All

Last week my mom mentioned this cool thing that a neighborhood here puts on each fall...Naturefest.  I knew Friday was going to be a busy day so didn't want to commit to a full day on Saturday too.  I knew we would all be tired.  But I woke up early this morning...and thought, why not.   Sounds like fun.  I really had no idea how huge this thing was.  We got there and there were cars and cars parked along the road.  We were not finding a parking spot anywhere close.  We knew we would be walking at least a mile to get to the place that we would be doing tons of walking.  The kids were thinking this might not be such a good idea.  But, just as we were not sure...we found a spot to park...and a shuttle bus...YEAH!!! 

This is the map they gave us as we entered.  So many things to do...and so very organized.

Erika had a great time riding the pony.  And her wonderful big sister walked along side.  That is one thing I have really noticed lately.  Tori has been especially helpful with Erika...it is such a blessing to me.

Then they had the coolest petting zoo, complete with a pony, llama, and lots of goats.  Hey, just noticed, there is a family in our church.  Didn't see that they were in the picture until now.  So cool though, that they were there too.

And this baby camel, needed a little pet, so he rubbed his nose on the back of Lee's head to get his attention.  So funny.

Now onto lots of pictures of armadillos.  I must say this is the first time I have seen armadillos...not um, rolled up on the side of the road...

Erika was so proud holding this with her papa.  She actually held one by herself and apparently they were pretty heavy...I took their word for it, I was there to take the pictures...thank goodness.

We had a great day at Naturefest.  It was so fun to get to do so many fun things at no cost.  But it was hot.  So after a couple of hours, we were spent, and looking for our air conditioned car.

And what would a day out with the family be without my older two trying to get my younger one to eat something weird...yes, they got her to bite the pepper...after all, what are little sisters for?

Our Trip to the Children's Museum

This Friday, we took our first Homeschool Field Trip and we picked a good one.  We had a blast at the Children's Museum.  It was just as fun for the adults as it was for our kids.  It didn't hurt that we had coupons to get two of us in free.   There were so many fun things to do, that we just had a blast until we were exhausted.  I wish we would have had something like this when we  were a kid.  The Museum was recently remodeled and they added so many new things.

The first thing we did was go to a little city.  The kids had a little card and would get money for working and then could pay for things as well.  I had fun watching and playing with them.  Here is Erika shopping at HEB...so cool.

...and then buying her groceries from Joshua...and believe me, he paid himself well:)

Then we went to the most amazing diner...I had the best cooks and waitresses.

The kids had a blast being news reporters...reporting on the hurricanes in Belize...Tori took stardom a little too far:)

...and then, my kids went to craft heaven.  Tori did not know what to do with herself...so many craft materials, so little time...we all had fun actually.  What is it about making stuff with your own two hands that is so satisfying?  We spent a long time in this particular room at different tables.

And what is more fun than painting your face and mommy saying it is okay????

So, it was a great, incredibly exhausting day...and so cool to get to learn hands on and have so much fun to not even notice you are learning...

The Neverending TO DO List

So, how many of your feel like me...that you have a neverending "to do" list.  And I don't even have a job outside the home anymore....

My parents are taking my kids to Galveston for a few days next week, which is an incredible blessing...so I can get a few things done with a kid-free house...

BUT, before they go I just have to

run to the store and get some groceries to send with them

pack, making sure I include a mini-first aid kit, swimming stuff, and plenty of clothes

remember to take a snack for Erika because she is snack girl this week at preschool

make sure all laundry is done so kids have all the clothes they want to pack

Plan a special date since our kids will be gone

clean the apartment...its a mess, again

have the kids do some extra homeschooling since they will be gone a few days

and take a minute to catch up on this blog...since we have done some great family things the past few days.

Even though it is a lot of work for the kids to go out of town, the break comes at a great time.  This week, I will once again pack...everything that I can, reorganize those things I have already packed and make an itemized list of everything we are shipping to Belize.  Our time here in the apartment is almost over.  We went and visited the family this week that we will begin living with.  Yes, it is quite an adventure.  I am thankful though that we will be living with someone during November because Lee will be gone for two weeks...and I didnt like being home alone this week.  I will sleep better having other people with me.  Josh may even travel with him this time.  I hope he does because then Lee won't get lonely, and he would probably enjoy the getaway with Dad.

And just a couple of pictures of my sweethearts on our way to our first homeschool field trip to the Children's Museum in Houston...so fun...

Oh, and these adorable pink shoes are about to move on.  They are just too hard to put on now...so I washed them to give away:(

Wouldn't we all LOVE to be THREE again?

On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, the two older kids have youth events with the church.  So it is typically just Erika and I.  Once in a while Lee is here, but usually works late those two nights.

Now that the kids are home all the time, I have tried to do special things with Erika on one of these two nights.

Being Three is so simple.  It just doesn't take much ( or cost much) to impress them.

Here are some things my little one likes to do...or should I say is thrilled to do...

Play play-doh

Blow Bubbles

Take a walk

Tonight after we dropped off the kids and went to the library and then park.

Erika was thrilled with the bag full of books that we would get to read when we got home.

She screamed with joy as I pushed her on the swing...saying, Mommy, make my tummy tickle!!!

Somewhere along the line, we all lose our satisfaction with the simple things.  Where spending time with someone is enough.  Where a gift or money spent isn't expected.  I love how this little girl reminds me of those simple things.  Because just going to the library and park was fun for me too.  I couldn't help but laugh as she screamed on the swing.  I used to love the swings too.

So take a lesson from a three year old...

enjoy the little things

Money doesn't equal happiness

forgive easily

love life

Hug your family and friends

share your snack and toys

take a nap when you need a refreshing

enjoy a good book

take some time to go to the park

Night...I have a little girl waiting to enjoy some books with me.

Hard Work

I have always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom...full-time.  I have had glimpses of it over the years, but always knew it was temporary.  And that when the baby got a little older, I would need to bring in income somehow, whether cleaning houses or babysitting other people's kids.  Just that it was not forever.  I have been blessed to only to have had to work a little outside the home, never full-time.  But it brought me a little money to "play" with...outside of the "budget".  And it also kept me very busy.  Even just working part-time, the days I was off, were all about running errands and trying to catch up on household stuff.  Since I have been in Katy, there is has been little time to bake for my kids, enjoy cooking...really, or much of anything else.  It just seemed like I was always busy.  And some of that was not work, but simply being a Pastor's wife...  Now that I am not, I realize just how busy I was.  Even sitting in service yesterday.  It is just so different, for me not to  be worrying about nursery or zoe jr., or answering some business type questions about the church...

Anyway, so now I have my dream come true.  Stay-at-home mom.  No pressure to bring income in.  Homeschooling my kids.  But you know what?  It is still a lot of work.  Since we need to save money, I have to come up with more from scratch type meals and snacks, rather than just purchasing ready made items.   And having kids home all the time, means they eat all the time, that cleaning is more often.  Being a smaller living space, I am less tolerant of messiness as well.  It really has to be kept neat, or someone could get hurt:)

Today, I : vacuumed the whole apartment (I know it is small...), cleaned and mopped the kids bathroom, did a few loads of laundry, ran errands--including going to walmart, made lunch and dinner, baked, helped my kids with homeschool, bathed a preschooler, prepared for tomorrow, loaded and unloaded dishwasher TWICE, cleaned kitchen a million times, read several books to my preschooler, tried to entertain that preschooler and keep her quiet so older two could work, and much more...oh, and blogging.

There are times that are stressful...like when my kids fight.  There are times of great joy...lying on my bed reading to little bit.  And I really must say, I prefer this.  I feel my purpose is strong and focused.  I am not continuously torn between motherhood and work.  I am fully here...all the time.  And when Erika is at preschool (although a temporary arrangement), it is actually a break for me.  When I dropped her off while I worked at the office, I was just too exhausted to be her mommy when I picked her up.  I wanted to go home and take a nap, but had carpool still to run...  So now, when I drop her off, I run the errands that I cannot with her.  I go home and enjoy my older two children, whose needs sometimes get pushed aside for hers.  And when I pick her up in the afternoon, I am so happy to see her.  And ready to enjoy her, fully.

At first, it was a huge adjustment.  My entire world changed in about a month.  But now, I am embracing this new life.  I am not saying every day is easy.  Its not.  But I am content in this part of my life.  I know that living in Belize will require more of me, so am enjoying this season.  For instance, I bought all my food and miscellaneous today in about an hour.  My friend, who just moved there...said I may not even be able to get everything in one day.  PHEW.   Glad I will have kids to help me with all that:)

Family Time

It seems that lately, I have no time to blog, then have an afternoon or evening where I have some time to think, load pictures and have some things to share.  This is one of those evenings.

My family has gone through several adjustments lately.  I think I have thought so much about me going through change, that I hadn't given as much thought to what my kids are going through.  After all, kids are resilient.  They adjust to change so much faster and better than adults.  But, they are still affected.

My kids (older two) have gone from going to public school their whole lives to now being home all the time.  Trust me, there are many benefits.  But there are downfalls for them as well.  They are not with their friends every day.  Their friends are experiencing going to junior high and high school for the first time...and they are not.  I am thankful that they are not, yet I know there are also a lot of good experiences that they will miss.  They have also gone from going to the same church for basically their whole life Jjosh was 5 and Tori was 3 when we started Life Church).  Now they go to a different church every week, to a place where they don't know anyone.  And a place that is usually different than they are used to.  They went from having their own rooms to all being in one room.

And they are dealing with a major move...major.  

Don't get me wrong.  They are doing great.  But sometimes, things happen...and it reminds me that they are dealing with a lot too.

I have also noticed a new closeness of my family.  It blesses me.  Of course, there is still arguing...that just happens.  But I also love how I see them becoming best friends again.  They are all they have right now.  And that is not a bad thing.  It may be like that, at first, when we move.  Of course, they will make friends quickly, because that is the kind of kids they are...but still, friendships that are deep, take time.

Moving on, our new in-apartment entertainment is playing hide and go seek.  The classics are just the best.  Each evening, as it gets dark, Josh begins to try to convince us that we should play...it will be so much fun...come on... you know it is good for us to spend time together.  He makes me think about it, consider it.  After all, it is fun. 

And so, once again, he convinces us.  We have got Dad to play too.  He is the best.  He is always hard to find.

So, just in case, you want to play...this is how we do it.  In a very small amount of space, mind you.

The person counting goes in the bathroom, with the light on, and counts to 20.

Then they say Ready or Not Here I Come....and turn out the light and open the door.

Seriously, you CANNOT see.  It is crazy.  So, walking in blindness, you begin to search.

Our rules are anywhere but our bedroom.

It is amazing, when you play IN THE DARK, how someone can hide in plain sight and you still cannot see them.  And sometimes, we run into the bathroom and rehide...you can rehide as many times as you want until you are found.

We get sweaty, laugh so hard our bellies hurt, and just enjoy our kids.

If only, we had an empty cupboard to hide in...

But, I must say, one huge benefit of the stage we are in, is that there are plenty of places to hide.  There are so many stacks of boxes, etc, that are great to hide behind.

Well, I am wore out from our session...Nightie Night.

Book Reviews

The other thing that I am enjoying about being home is that I am reading.  I haven't read in so long prior to this.  So I wanted to share a couple of books that were very profitable and would probably bless you, as well.

"Bringing up Girls" by James Dobson was amazing.  I really want to get the one about boys now too.  I love our public library.  It is great about keeping up with current books and has a wide selection of Christian books, as well.  Anyway, this book was right on about raising girls in this society.  It is not like the society I was raised in.  Where the internet is a great blessing, but also our girls are sometimes just not mature enough to handle it yet.  And where they are raised in a society that says all they are worth is what is on the outside.  In a time, when the health of our nation overall, is not doing too good, this is just an overwhelming pressure for our girls.  There were so many other great things in there.  If you have a girl, no matter what the age, you need to read it.  It really opened my eyes to the things they go through and deal with.  The pressures that my generation really did not even have.

The other book that I just read was by Lisa Whelchel.  It is called "Friendship for Grown-ups."  Ladies, this is a good one.  She is Foursquare, has been in ministry her whole adult life, and used to be on the "Facts of Life."  And is a woman who had a road, like all of us, trying to figure out how to make and keep friends...not just surface friends, but deep down, soul-sister friends.  Again, the technology of our world makes it easier to keep in touch, and find old friends, but sometimes, we are not connecting deeply.  And we need to be connected to each other.  We all need friends.  And no matter how many friends you have, she really shares her journey to be able to find people who she could truly be transparent with...that she did not feel that she had to be perfect in front of.  I feel so blessed that I have friends that I can share anything with, but in this journey of moving to Belize, I definitely took to heart the things she shared.  And how important it is, in this season of homeschooling, and having kids with me all the time, to still make time to get together with my friends....

Enjoying the Moments

One of the things that I am enjoying the most now that I am home full-time with my kids is the moments...the moments of cooking with them, reading with them, doing crafty things with them.  I do not consider myself a very crafty person, but I have a very crafty daughter.  I think she is beginning to rub off on me. 

This week, we went to Hobby Lobby to get some ideas for her 12th birthday party, a sleepover, in possibly an entirely empty apartment...sounds like fun, eh?  Well, I have been wanting my girls to have aprons for a while now.  So we found these.  So cute.  And some fabric paint.

And then, we just had some fun...no plan, really, just had some fun...

I was really pleased how they turned out...and Erika enjoyed helping me make dinner.

And they both enjoyed making cake....

I love my kids...sorry no pics of my handsome son...

Oh, and they all got cute haircuts today...

Its almost my favorite time of year

I LOVE FALL....

It is by far, my favorite time of year.  I grew up in rural New York State.  My birthday is in October so every year for my birthday, I got a new winter coat.  And I usually already needed it by my birthday.  I remember playing in the woods with my siblings.  I remember picking up millions of apples and filling my dads truck, then taking them to the cider place for them to turn our apples into cider.  It was so much fun.  And I still love cider to this day.  But it is never as good as ours in New York.  I love the pumpkins and squash that are ready this time of year.  As a little girl, we used to set up a little stand in my little red wagon to sell all our excess veggies in the fall.  Oh, and I love little red wagons too.  I still had mine when we got married, but it finally was time to get rid of it a few years back.  I remember, after our first year of marriage, we took a pastorate at a church in Ohio.  We went up for the interview on my 20th birthday, October.  It was beautiful.  The woods looked like those above.  We took many walks in those woods as a newly married couple.  And I screamed in those woods when it was taking a little too long for us to have a baby...and then I walked with a baby in a front carrier in those woods and thanked God for my blessings.

I love the fall.   I love the memories.   I love all the things that come with fall.  Spending more time with our families.  The weather getting cooler.  Wagon rides where you get covered in straw.  Getting darker earlier.  Kids playing in the leaves.

For the past several years, fall has been very busy for me.  I was in charge of the Fall Festival at our church.  And this was no easy undertaking.  Last year, we had about 1000 people in attendance.  It consumed my September.  Planning every detail.  And the dissappointment for me was that I never got to actually ENJOY the festival.  I was just too busy.  In fact, the past two years, my in-laws have come and taken care of my children and taken Erika around to all the fun things I planned.  But it is okay.  It was a joy to serve and see so many people blessed.  And it was a joy to go to sleep the night after the Fall Festival was over:)  This year, I am so looking forward to just enjoying the Festival.  Strolling around with my kids.  Being able to visit with the other families. 

To everything, there is a season.  This is my season, not to plan events, or be in charge, but just to enjoy.

I LOVE FALL:)

You Never Know

The lady who spoke at our women conference yesterday, was a storyteller.  She had lots of really interesting stories.

I want to share one with you.  It won't be as eloquently as she told it, I'm sure.  But it really touched me.  We just never know the things that we do that we may think insignificant, that are mighty for God.

Before I share the story, I want to preface it.  For the first month of Erika's life, she was in a NICU.  She had no visitors, no mommy doting over her, no grandmas taking photos.  This has always broken my heart.  Her first Christmas, when she was 10 days old, she had surgery, to repair her intestines.  Her belly button is proof of this.  But even though I did not know her, God had placed her on my heart.  As I have looked back at journals, it was the month that she was born, that God told me to pray for my daughter.  We had not started the process of foster care, but I knew God had someone very special out there for me...that I needed to find.  So I just began to pray. 

The first foster home that she lived in were a wonderful Christian couple.  That is what I prayed.  That if she was alive, God would put her somewhere safe.  She went home from the hospital weighing 4 pounds at a month old.  This husband and wife were both nurses.  They not only loved Erika so much, they took excellent care of her.  That is why she is so healthy (and God's hand on her, of course). 

Anyway, this is a side note, but those of you that pray, I ask that you would pray with me.  I have contacted the hospital where she was born to see if there are any photos of that first month.  I would love to see, but I know as Erika grows, it would be important to her.  They are looking, so I am praying they show up soon:)

Now to the story:

There was a man in Dallas.  He was awarded as giving the most blood in the area.  You see, this was his purpose in life.  To help others.  One day, as he passed by the NICU of Parkland hospital, he saw all the babies all alone.  Many of them were born addicted to drugs or had other medical problems.  Many of them had been left to die.  Noone visited them.  So he volunteered to go in and rock the babies.  He would rock them and tell them that they were loved.  He would be their father and pray over them and love them.  Sometimes holding them until they took their last breath.  But letting these babies know they were special and loved. 

This broke my heart as I heard this story.  I know that Erika's birthmom held her but then she had to leave.  She could not stay and take care of her baby.  I know that must have broke her heart in a million pieces.  I know she cared about her because she chose to bring her life.  She named her.  She held her for a moment.  I know the nurses loved on her.  The kit I have from the hospital has all the stockings and stuffed animals the nurses gave her.  I have so many times wished we would have known about her.  That I would have dropped everything I was doing to go and get her...if I had known.  I would stayed by her side in the hospital.

But I didn't know her.  And the timing probably wasn't right.  And she needed to touch another family before she came to us.  The first foster mom told me...they always knew there was something special about Erika. She was their 40th foster child and last.  They knew as they would pray over her, that God had a special plan for her.  That she was different.  She would not get lost in the system.

So, even when Erika was formed in her mother's womb, God had a purpose for this little ball of energy.  She is special to God...because He put her on my heart so long ago.  He put a passion inside my heart to find her.  And He literally guided my steps to her.

You never know...what God has put in your heart...take it seriously.  Pursue it.  It will be the best journey of your life.

Seasons of our Life

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

"To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted:

A time to kill,

And a time to heal:

A time to break down,

And a time to build up;

A time to weep,

And a time to laugh:

A time to mourn,

And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones,

A time to gather stones;

A time to embrace,

And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain,

And a time to lose;

A time to keep,

And a time to throw away;

A time to tear,

And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence,

And a time to speak;

A time to love,

And a time to hate;

A time of war,

And a time of peace."

Wow!  This scripture is sooooo powerful.  I feel that I can so relate to what it is saying right now. 

 This weekend, we had a women's retreat at our church.  Well, actually at a local hotel.  I shared a room with my youth pastor's wife.  I knew that we needed time together before I move and this seemed the perfect oppurtunity.  I love her very much and wish I could just pack her little family in our suitcases (but of course, each of us has to do specificly what God has called us to do.)  She has lost both of her parents to cancer in the past two years.  Her mother's last words to me were "to take care of my daughter and granddaughters."  So, it is hard to leave her.  She is like my daughter, spiritually.  We had many tears this weekend, but also some great laughs.  We were able to pour out our hearts to each other uninterupted by kids...  It was awesome.

One resounding word from this weekend was that we are special to God.  Each of us has a purpose.  Yes, of course, that was so encouraging.  But it was so emotional for me.  This being the last thing of this sort, that I will go to.  It reminded me that 9 years ago, He purposed for Lee and I to come to Katy and plant this church.   This small group at the conference was just a representation of all those who we have ministered to over the years.  I got choked up during the final prayer, as I held a friend's hand that has encouraged me and prayed for me and let me cry on her shoulder all of these years.  I wept, as they called me up front to pray over me (and Lee) as we are about to start our journey.  I came home last night just exhausted from the emotions of the weekend.  But excited also about our new Purpose that He is sending us on.

Another neat thing that happened this weekend:  As we went back to our room after the first session, I checked my Facebook.  I had three messages in my Inbox.  Two of them were from Belize.  God showed me how He is shifting my relationships...and adding to them.  One lady we met 10 years ago and she lives in Belize.  Another lady just moved with her family from the US this week to Belize.  And she was letting me know about her journey.  So, as I was fellowshipping and having a great time with those relationships I have made here in Katy, God was showing me and reminding me that He has great plans for my life, and has already prepared friendships where I am going.  That is a pretty big God, who is extremely personal.

So, as you are enjoying your day, take a minute to think about the season you are in.  If it is not a real great season, realize that you will grow, if you allow yourself, stronger through this process.  Let God refine you.  Turn to Him.  He is trying to show you your Purpose...and how Special you are to Him.

Homeschool: Day 1

Today was our first day of homeschool.

I would say it has gone pretty well.

We woke up and had breakfast together. We started the day with prayer, as a family. I mention that, because I know it set the tone for the day.

We started early: 8:00 a.m. The kids worked hard. Erika painted, cut and did some of her own preschool workbooks.

Tori had to make something for Science and I needed groceries, so Erika and I shopped for a little while and the kids continued to work.

I made snacks and lunch. They said this was way better than public school. They had fruit for their morning snack and warm cinammon cookies and icy, cold milk for their afternoon snack while they watched a movie.

Tori made soap balls...pretty cool.

Yeah!!!! We survived our first day of homeschool.

I am tired. It will be a balance act for me to be teacher, coach, custodian, cook, and have a little one around.

But, I am happy to have my kids with me. And I don't miss carpool, just saying:)