God's Many Blessings

Two years ago our family went to the beach for our vacation. We had never been to the beach for a week before and we were all very excited.

As we walked on the shore the first couple of days we saw many sand dollars that had been tossed by the waves and broken into pieces. In my heart I hoped to find just one perfect sand dollar to bring home to remember my time at the beach. As the days went by, we were unable to find one. I actually asked God if He would help me find one.

The next morning I got up early and took the kids out onto the beach. It was low tide that morning and I wanted to enjoy the tide pools and the like. As we walked, we couldn't believe our eyes as God showed us hundreds of perfect sand dollars placed gently on the sand.

The kids squealed with excitement as they hurried to fill up their buckets. That same morning we found hundreds of tiny mole crabs that we watched for hours as they floated in the water and dug into the sand just like the moles in our back yard. It was a great morning with my kids.

Later that day as the sun was setting on the water I took some time enjoying the beautiful scene, talking to God. I shared many things with Him including my desire to adopt. I also thanked Him for the gift of so many sand dollars that morning.

He spoke to my heart. He said,"Katie, you only asked for one sand dollar. I gave you hundreds. That is how my blessings are. I love you. I desire to give you more and bless you more than you can even imagine. Just trust me."

I walked away from the beach so blessed by God, knowing that He had big plans for me. I bought a jar for the sand dollars. I wanted to remember God's promise of blessing. So if you come to my house and look in my kitchen you will see my blessing reminder.

God has been so good over the last two years. He has worked through our adoption and our little ones are almost home. I can't wait for more of His blessings.

I have told my children this story. This year at the beach they were curious as to why we couldn't find all the sand dollars like we had the last time we were here. I told them that I didn't think that God needed to prove anything this year. He had already made a promise to bless us and He is already doing it.

Sweet Momma

Still waiting..

It is beautiful today! Upper 70's and blue sky. We don't always get this kind of weather in May, so we see it as a blessing. I find myself thinking about our little ones who are not here. I wonder, "Will they be here on May 29 next year? Will they be laughing as they swing in the sunshine? What are their names? Who will they be?

This morning Stand-Up Dad and I were talking about all of this and I thought he made a perfect observation. He thought that this part of adoption was like the 'trying to get pregnant' part of adding to your family. Each month you wait to see if this is the month that you can make plans and prepare for the new child. If not this month, maybe the next.

It is very much this way for me. We just keep praying knowing that the wait will not last forever and one day they will be here, swinging and laughing in the sunshine. Oh, I can't wait!

Sweet Momma

Ahhh, Spring!

Do you remember being a kid and that wonderful feeling of the wind in your face as you rode down the rode in a car with your window open? I think I must have forgotten, but my kids brought me back there today.

Oh, simple pleasures are the best. The giggles and hoots of laughter were completely joyous and I couldn't help but join them. It has been cold and rainy for so many months that I think the kids forgot what an open window feels like.

It has all made me think, I need to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures more. I love to garden and enjoy watching each leaf sprout on our trees. I need to remember to share all these moments with those that are the most precious to me.

Don't forget to take a moment to roll down the window and let your hair get all wind blown, it feels great!

Sweet Momma

From Death To Life

By Elsie

A baby in a manger

Quiet in the cold

A boy in the temple

Teaching to the old

A young man preaching God's word

To every girl and boy

Miracles left and right

Filled people with great joy

This man was arrested,

Brought before the king

They plied him with questions

Though he hadn't done a thing

They led him away,

Put him on the cross

If he were to die, some thought

It would be everyone's loss

In the middle of the day

On that hill he died

Men and women both were sad

Many of them cried

Three days later women went

To look upon his grave

They went to perfume his body

Because of the life that he gave

An angel appeared to them

On that special day

He is alive! The angel said,

Pointing to where he had laid

The women ran to tell the others

All that they had seen

Then the man came and stood among them

It was like a dream

Raising hands and blessing them

He ascended to heaven above

This is a tale of a special man

And of God's great love

The story is a true one

It is very plain to see

For Jesus was the man who came

and died for you and me!