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

It's all about Him.

Have you ever thought about how your footprints in the sand disappear when you are walking in the water. You might see them for a second, but soon they are washed away by the water. Wouldn’t this be wonderful in our Christian life? Oh how I desire it. That my tracks would disappear. It’s a sweet reminder that when I walk in the water of the Holy Spirit, people won’t see my tracks, but instead they will only see the faithfulness of the tide. Or in the spiritual metaphor- faithfulness of the One who brings the tide. What a beautiful scene. Exulting in His work. Forgetting about one’s self. It's not about me. It's all about Him. Matthew 6:1 (MSG) "Be especially careful when you are trying to do good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be a good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding." Revelation 5 foretells of a song we will be singing to Him one day: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever. " We might as well start our anthem to Him today, let's not wait for that day. Let's sing it today. Not just with our mouths, but with our hearts. With our lives. What if we lived every day with that song in the background? What if it became our breath? What if we could clean house, talk to our children, visit a neighbor, everything- all to that tune? It's all about His Glory. Not my tracks, not my glory. It's not about me, it's all about Him. The reality of the joy of the resurrection came only after a painful death. May He continue to work in us that death- and out of us, His resurrection. May we not shrink from the cross, but embrace it. Can’t you taste that third day? Can you smell it in the air?

Sand Dollars

I am actually looking out over the ocean from our balcony right now. My sweet husband took me to the beach for the weekend to celebrate our five year anniversary this past spring. And my sweet mother-in-law (and Mamaw, Pops, and Papa) are watching the kiddos . John David and Papaw might be playing solitaire on the computer right now while I am typing!!

For those of you who know me well, know that I love to walk on the beach. I grab some music and headphones and head out to walk with my Lord. And I enjoy watching people looking for shells, swimming in the waves, or lying out in the sun- just enjoying the beach . I can’t help but to be reminded of the goodness of our God. Although so many laugh and accuse Him, He still allows them to enjoy this place called earth- the works of His very hands. The man basking in the sun, the couple jumping the waves- no matter where they stand with Christ, still finds themselves in some type of grace in this present world. I am reminded of His love filled attitude towards the people He stood in front of before he was crucified. And then the words of Christ on the cross, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Can’t you hear the love in those words? Grace. Grace is all around us here on this earth. I once heard the statement, “Either this present earth is as close to hell you will ever get or its as close to heaven as you will ever get.” Praise the Lord, He is calling people out, clothing them with His righteousness and preparing a place for them. Grace.

As I was walking today, I kept coming across pieces of sand dollars. It was amazing how many of these pieces I saw. Maybe I just overlooked them before in my pursuit of trying to find something else. I picked up as many as I could, but soon I couldn’t hold them all. I was sweetly reminded of Christ coming for the broken. How He walked the sands of this life looking for the broken. Remember the story of the fishermen who had come back in from a day of fishing without any catches? Jesus spoke to Simon and told them, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets [again] for a catch." This story brings joy to my heart this afternoon. A teacher of mine has reminded me, “What God initiates, He anoints.” When Christ tells you to “drop the nets” and you do it where He said, he provides the fish. Remember how the story goes? It’s in Luke 5. Simon tells Jesus that they have been toiling all night and have caught no fish, but that he will do what He says (I can almost hear myself in his response, “Lord, seriously I have already done that).But, they go out and drop their nets. After their obedience, their nets begin to break…there is an overload of fish. (I think the miracle occurring after their obedience is a very important to note, since some blessings are very much a direct result of our obedience- check out James 1:25. ) The fish begin to overflow and they shout for a second boat to help. Soon both boats begin to sink with the enormousness of the catch- Simon falls to Jesus’ knees, realizing who he is and who He is in front of him. Jesus responds, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." I wonder if sometimes we go out looking for something specific- we walk and we are looking (perhaps even toiling), but we catch no fish. But like in the story, can’t you hear God telling us to drop our nets again. Don’t you think we should obey Him? Just maybe when we do, our response will be something like Simon’s. I wonder too- if He is reminding us to look for the broken. If we are to be fishers of men, it might be smart to follow the Master Fisherman. So- where do we see Jesus dropping His nets? Among the needy. "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" – Jesus words in Mark 2. In Luke 4 we see Jesus opening up the book of Isaiah and finding the place where he wanted to read. What did he read? He read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He appointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery for the blind, to release the oppressed...” (Luke 4:18, where Jesus is quoting Isaiah 61:1). We sing songs and pray prayers for the Lord to come and meet with us. I wonder what would happen if we would really listen... if He is telling us instead to “go” be with Him? Why don’t we listen, watch, and then go out and meet Him? But where is He? He must be with the broken and the weak- the needy. And who knows, maybe that’s your neighbor. Even your rich neighbor. Maybe that’s the lady in the line behind you. Just maybe it’s the kids in that neighborhood on the other side of town. Maybe it’s the person in your own house. Maybe the man you pass everyday on the way to work. Or maybe the older widow in that house you keep thinking about it. Do you hear his whisper, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." Where’s your deep?

Ephesians 2:14-16 (MSG) “He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance…Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody. Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace and that was the end of the hostility.”

Matthew 9:36 “When [Jesus] saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”

Go Tornadoes!

J's season is off to a great start!! We are so enjoying it!!!

This cracks me up! From Pops, the farthest right, to the farthest left is all there to cheer on little J! He was so excited everyone got to come!

Blair and John David!

J has played three games by now and has scored nine goals!! He's catching on and getting into it!!

This picture brings such a smile! J was so excited to have his "big brothers" cheering him on!

We've been working with these guys for about a year now and each one of them gave their lives to Christ this summer! We serve such a mighty and gracious God! They each are such a blessing to David and I and to our boys! The joy that the Lord has given each one of them brings such a smile to my face....and eyes full of tears too:-)

The Love of Christ....The Gospel....

Roll Tide!!

Fall football is here! The boys had so much fun at the game! John David really got into the cheering! I think Hut's highlight was to get a jersey like J!!

Pops, Seth, Hut, J, and David walking to the game....Graham stayed behind with Mamaw! Thanks again Papa and Mamaw- We had fun!!

Pictures!!

I can't believe how many pictures I have to choose from!! John David has been enjoying taking pictures lately, so he's been snapping them...and when the camera is just laying around, it sure is a lot easier to pick it up to get a few yourself! So here's some random ones....

John David showing me what to do on a changing table...

Crazy boys before bedtime!!





I love this face!



Hud was in the middle of telling J (not too lovingly) to get out of the way so I could take a picture of him...oh boy....






Greg helping us put the little boys to bed....I thought this was such a sweet picture....

I love times like this!




Hud eating icecream at Dairy Cream with two spoons...it didn't take but a couple of bites until he got a brain freeze.....wish I could've gotten a picture of that face- ouch!!!!

More icecream!

Graham pretending to watch TV like his big brothers.....

Hut got a hair cut!! I should take more pictures in this hallway...look at that tan!! ha!

Got to go to the lake again! Thanks Ms. Suzanne!!

We were able to celebrate Kent's 14th birthday on the lake! So much fun!

Tear Stained Feet, Luke 7

The love of Christ is great. Specifically, the love of God that demonstrates itself in the giving of the revelation of God in SCRIPTURE. The words of God being deeper than any ocean, wider than the horizon, a whole well of unending supply… A waterfall that never dries up, a whole new “depth” of “depth” that you never knew existed ….I am completely in awe. The Life it gives. Real Good Life. The Lord’s given us such a precious gift in this Book. It’s Life that comes off the pages and injects itself in the very being of one’s soul. It gives an insatiable appetite for more. Oh that His Word would be our feasting, Christ our very Life, and eternity our vision! What a Great Father we have! The Word our very Savior!

I have been blessed beyond measure with my earthly father who has shown me what a love for scripture looks like- what it looks like in compassion and love and in the gentle touch of a hand on a little one’s hurt soul…I am so thankful. Now I have also been blessed with another Pastor and Shepherd who the Lord has put in my life- David’s dad, our pastor. We looked at Luke 7 in the Word this morning at church. It’s the passage of the lady who wipes her tears from the feet of Christ with her hair then anoints His feet with perfume. This has been one of my favorite parts of scripture for as long as I can remember- it is so beautiful and rich. As I was reading over it, meditating on it, praying through it, the Spirit again spoke such life through it. I love the picture of this passage. It’s like I can imagine being right there. I can imagine the room, the floor, Christ’s feet, the sandals He wore, the smell of the breeze coming through the windows mixed with the aroma of the perfume, the beauty of the tenderness and sincerity of the lady, and oh the sweet presence of Christ . The Lord initiated a prayer in my heart several years ago about my sin. I simply began to pray that I would recognize the weight of my sin. What my sin really is. What I truly am without His grace on my life. My sin. What does that mean? It brings a smile to my face to know He is and will always be answering that prayer. I am woefully sinful. I don’t just do sin. I am sin. There’s nothing good that lives in me- desperately and utterly without hope, full of sin. Even my good attempts are not good enough. The goodness that people can give out of their own strength…it is as filthy rags....nothing I can do is good enough. And this is where the smile comes in…The Gospel. The person of Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross. The beatings, the thorns, the whippings, the bare ribs staring back at him, yes, all that. All that he suffered physically. But oh that we wouldn’t stop there! Oh that we would be given eyes to see and understand the wrath of Holy God being poured out on the darling of Heaven. (My mind goes to Revelation 5. If you haven't read it lately, go read it; imagine the scene!) Oh what Christ has done for us! Nothing compares with it, nothing! The beatings horrible, but the suffering of soaking up God’s wrath is incomparable. The whole cup, the entirety, the whole thing was poured out on Christ. The weight of our sin, who we truly are. He took the punishment- the equivalent of an eternity without Him. And not just for me, but for the world. Sin. Holy God. Sin. Holy God. We can’t do anything about it. Holy God. Sin. We can’t get to Him. Holy God. But oh how He loves us! The depth of the finished work on the cross goes much beyond the beatings, it goes into the depths of the wrath of a Holy God against sin. But oh how He loves us!! He loves us! He made a way! Through the person of Jesus Christ. God Himself clothed in human flesh, hanging on a cross, soaking up all of the wrath of a Holy God. God came, God Himself came to save us. To save me. To save you. He wills that no one should eternally die. Psalm 70:4 says to those who love His salvation to forever shout, "He is Great!" May our very lives shout it! The sweetness of that new life with Him. It reminds me of the sweetness of that first little flower popping up in early spring. And then that tall oak tree, rooted and grounded in deep deep love. That Resurrection life! How sweet, tender, and strong!

The lady in Luke 7 was a sinful woman, but as we know in scripture, we are all sinful, we all fall short of the glory of God. Even the Pharisee that was there with her- we know he was a sinful man. The deeds of sin become increasingly foolish to compare when we see our conditions before a Holy God. I am sin. No less and no more than anyone else. So, what is the difference between the lady who anoints Jesus with perfume and the Pharisee? I think it is the awareness of her sin. The realization of her sin. She is more aware of her sin than the Pharisee. She realized the weight of her sin- the fullness of her sin. Her desperateness. Her utter hopelessness. She knew what she looked like before God. She knew she had no hope by herself. She knew she needed Someone. She knew she needed Christ. Oh and then that wonderful picture of true worship! She didn’t have to sing a song- her song was her very life. So what did she do? She knelt and with a broken heart cried out to her Savior. Some of the most intimate times of worship for me are times when I cannot speak, I cannot sing, all I can do is kneel and maybe cry and enjoy the very real presence of God Himself. That heart that is so full of gratitude for what He has done. Oh the freedom of such worship. The joy of such worship. It’s almost like all I can do is listen to the Spirit within me, feel the Spirit of God in His temple. It comes from a heart that is perfect before Him. It might be a messy heart- I can imagine the lady’s heart being a bit messy, but oh how little those things matter when we see Christ for who He is. For what He has done. When we see God for who He is. Forgetting oneself and looking onto the perfection of our Savior. His finished work. His perfect, perfect, sweet work. Oh how I love it! I love this way! I love the God who planned it! I love His plan! I love it! We have a good good Father. He is great!

Can’t you see such a beautiful blend of this lady’s heart?! Doesn’t it seem to be a paradox when Christ says blessed be the the poor in spirit, the broken hearted and then says that the fruit of the Spirit is joy. Isn’t this such a beautiful picture of exactly this. That’s worship. This beautiful blend of brokeness and joy! The perfect heart.

Have you ever really thought about how it was the word of God that spoke creation into existence. The galaxies, the sun, light- all things He spoke…..And why do we not pay more attention to the Word of God- the revelation of Himself in Scripture? How do we so many times not make the connection. He spoke….all things created. He speaks…He creates….He speaks….He creates. The words of God….create. The words of God! Oh that we would give him full reign to speak and create in us. Whatever pleases Him, create. How does He create us to be more like Him? How does He create a new person in us? It must be the same way- He speaks. How did He draw us to Him? He spoke. We responded. How did He heal our hearts, He spoke into them. The words of God create. We cannot be created into anything new apart from His words. He speaks….He creates. We don’t create. He creates. How does He create? The same way He created in Genesis 1. By His words. Keep focusing on His Word. He’ll create.

Summer Fun!

Summer is almost over (I feel myself getting super excited to say goodbye to this Alabama heat!), so I thought I'd share a couple more pictures....

J doing some "Preschool"! He's a smart little guy!

Okay- so I must explain...I do not approve of this kind of drinking...but he had never done it before and I had never thought to tell him not to, so after I took the picture I explained that he shouldn't do this anymore.....but I thought it was pretty funny....just right at the lunch table picked it up and went to town drinking it!
Hudson looking cool!

Graham being still for a second- a miracle:-) He really is thoughtfully still and posing for the picture here:-) Eyes closed, but hey, he's not a blur- so we will take it!

Some friends of ours asked if we would like to go on their boat for the afternoon! We had such a blast! That's David and J on the tube....J kept giving the thumbs up- which means FASTER!!!

The sky and the mountains were so beautiful!

Hud and I!

David and I! We had such a fun time!

Sweet Hudson and mom!

Hut Hut again!

J thought it was pretty cool to be able to drive!

I got to surf! I had never done it before and it was so so much fun!

My boys....

David surfing!

Thank you Ms. Suzanne and Caleb! We had a great afternoon with you two!

Our little Graham...with a little runny nose...oops....

He's always wanting to brush his teeth!

I can't even get him out of the tub and put his PJ's on before he gets into something!! I like to call him our little Lizard! You can barely catch him!

John David is officially a soccer player now! We have been so proud of him! The first week he was a little timid and shy, but since then he has played so hard! And it's been a great opportunity for him to learn more about how to love on others! It's already been a blessing! And we're having tons of fun! His first game is coming up soon!

Our boys have been blessed with several new "big brothers" here lately! This is Kent- We laugh because we really could claim this one as being ours! just a bigger version :-)!

Karli showing J a new fun website that he can go to! Miss you, Karil!!
For all you moms of preschoolers: J loves this website and I do too! It's starfall.com

The cousins had a "dance party" at my mom and dad's house...they were quite impressive with their pinata! They let Hud get the first good whack at it!