I CANNOT believe it!!!

Introducing....

Carolina

The Lord listens. Hut had been saying that he wanted a dog. David said with a laugh "I don't think so". We happened to see a labradoodle out walking one day and David said, "If we were to get a dog, we should get that kind." I said, "Huh." The next week we go to NC. I realize the assistant pastor's wife at my dad's church raises and sells goldendoodles(half golden retriever, half poodle). I laugh and think, wow- if we could get one of those. But, there are no puppies. I tell her that we will be praying for a big litter this year. Hudson is really wanting a puppy. We go and play with the other dogs at Kellie's house. Hudson is now really wanting a puppy. We go to sleep that night in NC and this is when the story gets sweet. I have a mental picture imprinted in my memory of Hudson closing his eyes, bowing his head, and squeezing his hands together...he concentrates and prays slowly..."Jesus, thank you for all the puppies. Can I have one?" Next morning my sister, Kristy, gets a phone call from Kellie. "Have ya'll been praying for a puppy?" Long story short, but a pastor in the area had bought a puppy the day before and realized how much work little pupps were (He already had one godlendoodle). He took the dog out for a walk and prayed about what to do. Through a series of events, he calls Kellie and asks if she knows of anyone who would want a goldendoodle puppy. She calls us. We go pick up the puppy and fall in love. Now we can introduce you to the other girl in our family. We call her Lina for short. I love this story, it's just so amazing how God is- his character. He is strong enough to crush a nation. His wrath is very real and very evident. His strength is stronger than the mightiest ocean storm. His power is uncalculable. Lightning, earthquakes, oceans obey Him. Everything under His control. Demons shutter. The nations bow. And then He clothes the tiniest of birds. He whispers the wind across our skin. He sees the clenched hands of an almost three year old. He hears his little voice. If you are still reading this, maybe He is wanting to whisper to you that He cares. He really does care. And He is listening. He is powerful, yes. But He is also gentle. He is all knowing, yes. But full of grace, slow to anger. He cares. He listens. I am often reminded of the strength of a tree but the genltleness of a spring breeze making the leaves dance. Christ has painted such a beautiful picture of who He is. Everything points to Him. It really is amazing. He cares. Just listen to the birds outside. He cares about the little things.

The first couple of days Hut carried her around everwhere he could.

This was the first time we saw her at Kellie's house.











Soccer is her favorite game!!



Pretending like he's sleeping with Lina.

Several weeks later....she's getting big fast!!! We decided to dress her in one of Graham's shirts...ha

Hudson is THREE!!

Hudson turned three on the 13th!! He is such a blessing to us. He teaches me so much about simply enjoying life. His smile and sweet hugs are one of the sweetest blessings.

This year we "partied with Chuck E" at Chuck E Cheese! We had fun!

My camera was a bit "fuzzy"...it was on a wierd setting so we didn't get great pics....but there was a few that turned out...

Kent and J

Hut in the "ticket blaster". It was so sweet, he trusted us the whole time, putting on the goggles, stepping into the machine, but it only lasted a second or two once the tickets started flying around....and he was done!!



So Greg saved the day and got the birthday boy more than 500 tickets:-)

Not too great of pictures, but we had a great time!

OUR HEARTS LEAP FOR JOY

One of the boys' favorite things is getting packages in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma!! They get so excited! He loved his present!

Thank you David!

I am so thankful I am under your leadership and care. I am so blessed to be partnered with you as we walk after our Lord. By His grace, I love you David.

Father King

Graham has been off and on sick for a little while now. First he had a swollen lymph node (Huge!! Biggest thing I have ever seen sticking out of someone’s neck!!) . Right now he has hand foot mouth disease. The poor guy is pretty miserable with all the pain in his mouth. As a mother, we know that we wish we could take the pain away from our little ones- but knowing we can’t, I truly do love taking care of him when he isn’t feeling well. There really is so much joy found in taking care of little ones that are sick. I love it. He is actually still for a moment for me to love on him!! Tonight as I was rocking and singing to him, I found myself stuck on the phrase Father King. I love to talk to God using the using the name Father. I just found myself singing Father King over and over. Father King. Father King. As children of God, our Father is the King. And then as Christ followers, we were rescued by the King! Jesus King! What an incredible wonder! A poor pauper girl rescued by the King! And then adopted into His family so that I may call Him daddy! We are children of the King. Father King. Just meditate on that little phrase and hear what the Spirit has to say to you today. Father King. Father King. Oh that we may truly live like children of the King. As small children, obeying His every word. Following Him wherever He leads. Like a son in his father’s arms, no fear. What do we have to fear? We aren’t in the arms of just anyone, we’re in the arms of the King. Not a king. Not even just a father. But Father King. A pauper in the arms of the King! Isn’t that worth exulting in? And resting in? Trusting in. No fear. Just faith. Father King. What love. What security. Our foundation-our obedience to Him is nothing else but a Rock. We can put all our weight on Him. He can carry us. Maybe we need to jump up in our Father’s lap tonight. Allow Him to sing over us. What joy!

Don't forget Haiti

Please pray for Haiti. I recieved an email from a missionary that serves there routinely with a letter from Senator Bil Frist, M.D. The Senator's letter stated that the Cholera problem is "400% worse than the official numbers reflect." Two organizations (that he mentioned) that are working against the disease in Haiti: Samaritan's Purse and Save the Children. There are many other organizations on the ground fighting the disease that we can be praying for. He said that the "epidemic is larger than previosuly thought or reported, we are drastically underequipped to deal with it, and it's moving fast." I talked to a Haitian friend of mine that lives here in the states but who has family back in Haiti, she also was alarmed and asked for us to pray. I can see the faces of the people there, smell the air, feel the heat, and my heart goes right back to Port-Au-Prince to those precious children; God's children there in Haiti. Please pray for them. All kinds of evil flow out from the heart of Haiti, but we must not forget God's people that are also part of that country. Please pray for them.

Imagine this scene: "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands....They fell down and worshiped God..." Rev. 7:9

There is a time coming when no man can work but while we are in this world, we must be the light of the world (John 9:4,5). Right now we have the privilege of working on behalf of God's people; His children. Beth Moore has said that "we need more Christians with carpet fibers up their noses." We have the privilege to pray for these precious people. A time will come when we no longer will be praying for them, but we will be together in paradise, praising our Lord, side by side before the Lamb, worshipping as one. I love the scene. But our time here is short, let's not miss out.

"Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and [justice] and wait on thy God continually." Hosea 12:6

This morning I find myself back in that little upper room of the orphanage. We were kneeling beside baby Melissa's bed with the other young girls. Melissa is gone now, the Lord decided her fight on this earth was over. But the other girls are there. They are in that little room, probably right now as I type this morning. Real people. Real children. Just like ours. Just like ours. They are His children. Our Father's children. Our family.We were reading scripture to the girls around Melissa's bed and one of the young orphan girls read her favorite chapter to us: Psalm 4. I can hear her sweet little voice in my head and heart. Oh that this will be our prayer! Please take a moment and pray through this portion of Scripture.

Psalm 4
"O Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
'God will not deliver him'

But you are a shield around me, O Lord;
you bestow glory on me and lift my head.

To the Lord I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again because the Lord sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.

Arise, O Lord!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.

From the Lord comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people."
Psalm 4


"But they are your people, your inheritance that you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm." Dueteronomy 9:29

The missionary in Haiti reminded our team to be in special prayer for the christian leaders there in Haiti. My heart normally goes straight to the children, but the Haitian pastors, leaders, and adult church body need our earnest prayers as well.

"When you have eaten and are satisfied...be careful not to forget the Lord your God...You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God who gives you the ability to produce wealth...There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded..." Duet. 8:10, 11, 17, 18; 15:11