The Mrs.: iBELiEVE

Showing posts with label iBELiEVE. Show all posts

Are Women Too Emotional?

As I sit here and reflect on a few things I have had a simple revelation. Maybe a revelation that many women have had in the past, but one that is rather new to me. Women are emotional. No, no, that's not the revelation. The revelation is that we were created that way. Deep down in our core, we are emotional. We are often controlled by what we feel and how we feel. We get mad, we act out. We get sad, we cry. Yeah, yeah, nothing new.

But's here's the new part (to slow people like me): God created us this way. He likes us to be emotional and vulnerable. No, he doesn't always like our anger. He doesn't like us to be controlled by our feelings, but He likes us to express those real, raw emotions to Him. He wants us to be unkempt. He longs for us to just get down to the basics and tell him how we feel. He wants us to share with him the deepest fiber of our desires. He already knows them, but he wants us to want to share it with Him.

In our lows, he wants us to cry to him, literally. He doesn't ask us to hold back our tears or wear waterproof mascara. He wants our mess. He wants us to give it all to Him. He wants us to show him the inside, deep, dark corners of our hearts. In the lows, and in the highs. He longs for us to run to him with excitement and disappointment, for when we are weak, He is strong.

He loves us. He loves how emotional we are. He did create us. He doesn't want us to always fold to our feelings as society may teach us, He did create us to be "feelers," though. He gave us emotions and feelings for a reason. Expressing those feelings to the world isn't always appropriate, but it is always appropriate to express those feelings and emotions to Him first. He will make it right if it's wrong. He will share with you what to do with it if it is justified.

In a world where women are taught to be strong, to have it all together, hair straight, lip liner on right, nails manicured, perfect clothes, the Lord wants us to be real. To maybe not have it altogether.

The Lord delights in our vulnerability. Think of how a father loves his dancing, princess daughter. Picture a proud papa sitting at a tea table with a tiara to delight his little girl. That's how our Abba, papa, feels about us. Will you invite him to tea? Will you ask him to sit down with you? Will you share your raw vulnerability with him?

Psalms 139 1-7

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

You understand my thought from afar.

You scrutinize my path and my lying down,

And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

Even before there is a word on my tongue,

Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

You have enclosed me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

iBelieve: Called to Wait

Waiting.
It's not really fun is it?

I'm in a season of waiting, I'm waiting for God to move and open doors of opportunity. This morning I got an email that put me on my face before the Lord. It was like He was telling me "Meg, I got this. I got you; I love you."

Are you in a season of waiting?
Waiting for God to provide?
Waiting for God to heal?
Waiting for God to reveal His plan?

I'm in the last category. I'm waiting on God to reveal His plan for my life. I know what I'm to do, but I don't know which path to take. It hasn't been shown to me yet. While I wait on him I will be faithful to Him. Faithful to service. I have the opportunity to be faithful in my current season. Where God has me. His power is prevalent, and He will use me if I allow Him.

If I get caught up in the noise of it all - discouraged and angry that things aren't working out for me - I am not a vessel for Him. He is unable to use me. He is calling me to wait, and that will help me to understand what to do next. He is repairing my integrity as we speak so that I will not compromise when faced with encounters from the enemy. He will work out His plan for me while I wait.

I am hopeful.
Though it is painful.
I will worship while I'm waiting.
I have peace about my current situation, but it's not easy. He restores me daily.

iBelieve: Give. Love. Serve.

Yesterday I mentioned the slash blog challenge for the week.

I also went to my Monday night bible study. I left with questions. I left confused. I left feeling God was leading me. I felt led to make a change in my life. A dramatic change.

On the drive home I cried out to God. Yelled, really. In an African American preacher tone... "I NEED YOU JESUS!!"

I felt God move. I felt His presence. I felt Him urge me to make a dramatic change.

I'm kind of ashamed to say this is a change, but it honestly is.

God is calling me to make my current season my mission field. My current season is being a working mother. I have a job that is full of people who need love and encouragement. They need support. They need Jesus. Last night God called me to make a change in my daily life. My daily routine needs to be more about Him. More about His love and grace. I am abandoning myself and living for Jesus.

Comparison is definitely the thief of our joy. I long so much to be a stay at home mother who has a booming online shop and a successful blog that reaches thousands to inspire, encourage, and uplift. That is simply not the season God has me in currently. He recognizes the desire of my heart, but knows what is best. I must be content with His will for my life. I must not compare myself to some of you who may seem to have it all. I have it all in Jesus. I work a desk job; I long to have a handmade business, but must not compare my apples to your oranges. I'm going to fulfill my purpose in this season of my life.

Some people are called to live radically through a calling to move to a foreign land. This is not the calling on this current season of my life. I am where I am for someone. Someone in my current path needs me, and I'm out to make a difference. In the workplace, In my home, and In my new church family. This is my mission field.

I am currently reading through The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer. This is the study I attended last night. We discussed our uniqueness and gifts. I'm still unsure what my true gift is, but I plan on following Jesus to figure it out. I will use my uniqueness, made in the image of Christ, to make a difference in my current season.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6

Why do I keep saying "current season"?? The first chapter of this study is a resolution to be content in our "current season" of life. Mine is a new mom who has a full time job. I will resolve to make the most of every moment and savor it up. Not wishing my life away.

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven...
Ecclesiastes 3:1

I heard on the radio recently people discussing their life mission statement. Businesses have them, why shouldn't we have them? During my chat with Jesus on the way home from my bible study last night He gave me this motto: "Give. Love. Serve."

Give.

I'm going to freely give my time, love, money, attention. To others, to my family, and to those in need. I pledge to give my money sacrificially to those in need. Sometimes people just need attention. Someone to talk to. I fully give my attention to those who need me. I will prayerfully seek those who need a financial boost and give.

Love.

This part of my motto {for me} is a reference to loving those who it may be hard to love. That person who cut me off in traffic. The hostess who needs a little assistance. That annoying kid in church. That co worker who bugs me. Love. Even when it's hard.

Serve.

I honestly haven't sorted this one out. But, I'm adopting an attitude of service.

----------------------------------------------------------------

This is something new I'm going to do this week. I wish it weren't new, but thankfully, Jesus Forgives.

----------------------------------------------------------------

iBelieve: controversy

I don’t think that any woman should see the Magic Mike movie, especially not Christian women. I think it is degrading not only to men, but to their children and how hard they work to support families through honestly earned dollars (i think that's a run on sentence). I believe it is a sin to watch this movie because it idolizes the body and lessens the importance of keeping the temple of the Holy Spirit pure. Not to mention, it harms our witness. We as Christians are called to live above these influences. I'm proud to say I'm not even tempted to watch even the previews. My husband is my Magic Mike.

I support Chick Fil A and their stance on the family. I will continue to eat there and support them through this persecution. #teamchikfila. The bible tells us to count it as joy when we are persecuted, I'm confident the head sandwich guys are doing so.

I believe we should have stricter gun laws. Not outlawing them, but the government should regulate them a little more strictly. Why does an civilian need automatic assault weapons? Ammunition should not be available for purchase online.

I am vaccinating my child.

I am a breastfeeding mother who strives to provide my child with the best nourishment through God’s provision. I respect any mother who has the gusto to breastfeed in public.

In other news, my post partum body is the shape of a square.

...and my child already needs an iPhone

iBelieve in Sex Education

...but I believe it should be done at home.

iBelieve that parents should teach their children about sex at a very young age.
iBelieve that sex education should be done in the home by the mother and father.
iBelieve that the consequences of sexual immorality should be defined and labled as outright consequences.
iBelieve that the benefits & intimacy bestowed by God should be clarified and not avoided.
iBelieve that parents should watch over their children & protect them from distraught views on sex.
iBelieve that children and teenagers should be given explicit definitions of their boundaries.
iBelieve that wholesome dating is good & educational.
iBelieve that parents should open a clear line of communication about sex including curiosity.
iBelieve that questions about sexual relationships should be entertained & not avoided.
iBelieve that sexual education starts at home & at a very young age.
iBelieve that sexual education is the right and privilege of the parent.
iBelieve that we are to provide our children with accurate information.
iBelieve that God has given parents the responsibility to educate our children, and not teach them taboo principles.
iBelieve that education and information is much more effective than a scare tactic.
iBelieve we must protect our children from sexual abuse. We must teach them it's not okay for people to touch them. We must let them know it's ok to tell someone if they are harmed. We must teach them to trust their guts when it comes to right and wrong.

I heard a sermon on sex earlier this month. It was not danced around. It was not vague. It got me thinking about my sweet little girl and how my husband and I are to teach her right and wrong. With me being the mother, I will be solely responsible for educating her on her body, how it works, and what is right and wrong. Her father will have the responsibility of showing her how she must demand to be treated by a potential boyfriend. That's a heavy load.

How do you emphasize sexual education in your home?
How did your parents teach you?
No rules, just please add the button :)

iBelieve in Mommies

Source: google.it via Alina on Pinterest

iBelieve in mommies.
Mommies make the world go 'round.

A mother's care isn't something expressed only to her biological children, but to children worldwide. Some mommies love fur animals, some mommies love foster children, some mommies keep nursery, other mommies raise their own.

Mommies come in all different shapes and forms. Some are our blood line, and some are given to us by God. A mother's heart transcends generations with love.

A mother's love is unconditional.

A mother's heart is divine.

I believe in mommies.
Especially all of mine!

2010

2011

2011

As I began to reflect upon what it means to be a mommy, I begin to thank God for all the motherly influences I've had in my life. Of course #1 being my own mother. She taught me so much. Looking back, even though I'd never admit it then, she knew what she was doing with me. She taught me love, patience, discipline, and so much more. She is the hardest working person I know (besides my dad), and I admire her for that. She is very goal oriented and compassionate. She is fun, and knows when I just need a friend.

I also have plenty of other moms that aren't blood related. My church family has been great in loving me in a motherly way. It just so happens that I got to keep one of them... She's my mother in law now! She gets to be the Nanny to our baby, and I'm so glad. She mothered me growing up, of course mothered my husband, and now she will be a grandmommy to our children. What a crazy cycle that is! I love it.

I pray that I can learn from all the mommies God has given me. I pray that I will be a mommy who is patient with her daughter. I pray that I will be Godly mother.

What kind of mommies has the Lord blessed you with?
Is there one in particular that has mentored you?
Do you have an inspiring mommy story? My mom is one of my heroes for sure.

iBelieve in Pain

iBelieve that pain brings forth beauty.
iBelieve that pain should be respected.

Often times in our lives we try our best to eliminate pain. Whether it be physical or emotional pain, we do all we can to alleviate ourselves. We do not enjoy pain; of course, we aren't meant to enjoy pain. I believe that seasons of pain produce beauty.

Think of winter. It's harsh, cold, and bitter. We sometimes catch a glimpse of beauty in snow covered hills, but for the most part it's barren & dead. What we don't see under the surface is life preparing for full bloom come Spring. Without winter, there would be no Spring. There would be no refreshing beauty of growth &; bloom.

Of course, I think of childbirth. It's painful. It's designed to be that way. With out that labor, though, life could not exist. New growth would not be possible without this pain.

Sometimes in life we go through seasons of pain. We have a loved one die, we experience sickness, financial turmoil, the list goes on and on. The beauty here is the growth and new life that lies on the other side.

My preacher said yesterday "Don't waste the pain." So simple, yet so deep. If the Lord has brought us to this season of pain & mourning, let's not waste it. Let's learn something and grow. Allow the Lord to work in you so that your pain is for growth and perseverance.

Don't waste the pain.
If you are experiencing a season of pain, ask the Lord what He is trying to teach you. Where are you supposed to grow as a result of this cirucumstance? Remember that our Lord is much bigger than any situation He has brought you to. He will bring you through it.

We know that the Lord does not work in ways that we understand. Sometimes in order to recieve the greatest blessing, we must endure a hard time. So... picture this.... The Lord has the most beautiful gift to give us, yet on our journey towards it, we gripe and complain the whole time. The whole time God is sitting back telling us to trust Him, that this is good! Almost like giving your spouse a beautiful gift, yet they refuse to see it's beauty.

As we go through seasons of pain, let us rejoice!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

James 1:2-3

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Psalm 18:2

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

2 Corinthians 7:9-10

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Job 1:21

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it

Hebrews 2:18

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Romans 8:1

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

1st Peter 4:12-13

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have you ever experienced pain that resulted in pure beauty?

Feel free to link up, no rules here... I just ask that you add the button ;)

iBelieve in Church Family

For years, 11 years to be exact, my church family has been an extension of my family. I've wept on their shoulders, confessed my sins, shouted praises, and prayed alongside them. I've witnessed miracles and heartbreak. I've seen ministers come and go.

I don't see how people go through tough times without a church family. In times of need, fellow church members have come out of the wood-works to support and help their family. There is no bond that ties greater than the bond of Jesus Christ.

For those of you who have a church family, you know that feeling that i'm referring to. That uplifting sensation you get when you're around a kindred spirit. The Holy Spirit uses fellowship to band-aid our wounds. Laughter is often His medicine... by way of a fellow Christian.

With all that being said, I do believe there are a few things missing from the present day church family.

iBelieve that church families should be more real with each other.
We need to confess our sins in a more public manner. "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed...." (James 5:16). We are encouraged to confess our sins to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Why don't we? It's scary, duh! We sin in ways that are dark and disguised; we do not want our shortcomings to be poured out to our church family. We've worked so hard to live in a way that they think we are perfect, for crying out loud. iBelieve that it would take one person, ONE PERSON, to start a season of confession, and we'd all be on our face confessing our sins. Can you imagine the snowball effect of public confession of sin? Freedom from guilt, encouraged repentance, sins surfaced, kindred souls, deep fellowship and encouragement, praise to Jesus for saving us from sin, an out-pouring of love... My goodness. Why are we not doing this? Oh yeah... we're scared. Scared of judgement. Scared of what people will think. Not what Jesus would think, what people would think. iBelieve that if I stepped out and confessed my sins, it would feel good. It would be uplifting. iBelieve there would be those who would judge me. Why do I care so much? I need to confess my sins publicly. I need an environment that welcomes confessed sin. Bottom Line.

Casting Crowns,

Stained Glass Masquerade

Is there anyone that fails

Is there anyone that falls

Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around

Everybody seems so strong

I know they'll soon discover

That I don't belong

iBelieve that church families should accept diversity.
Skin. Hair. Eyes. Habits. Personalities. Disabilities. Abilities. Styles.
Here's my predicament, {this is my blog so I'm being 100% transparent here} I don't worship at my church. Not during corporate "worship." We sing old hymns that I can barely pronounce some of the words, and I don't understand the context. Some of our hymns are from the 90's, but that's as recent as it gets. Unfortunately, when i'm trying to translate the words that I'm prompted to sing & "worship" to, I get distracted. It may be Satan, it may justified, it may be my own ignorance. Bottom line is, I don't worship. I don't connect with the spirit through songs that I don't understand. My style is just different. I'm Pentecostal at heart. I wanna jump up and down, clap my hands, and shout out loud! Our church family does not accept contemporary music, and has adopted an "if you don't like it, leave" attitude. Now, don't hear me wrong. My church family is my heart. I love them. I'd be lost without them. Our pastor has been great to RJ and I, and we look up to him with the utmost respect. But, i'm put in a really hard predicament. We see no potential for our church to incorporate contemporary music... or even incorporate it in the slightest. I'll admit I have a bad attitude. I'll admit that I may not be right here. I'm not really sure. Bottom line is... I don't worship on Sunday mornings, and that's not ok You can say "if you're hearts in the right place, you can worship to any type of music." I've tried it.

Psalms 150

1 Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;

Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;

Praise Him with the lute and harp!

4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;

Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;

Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

iBelieve in the altar

This part is specific to me, and what iBelieve. For me, praying at the altar is powerful. It represents a level of commitment and importance to whatever the Lord has laid on my heart during the sermon. On most Sundays I feel led to pray at the altar at our church. I feel like the Lord is calling me to the front of the church to bow down and offer my sacrifice of prayer to him. Whether it be something that has been revealed during a sermon, prayer for personal revival, confession of sin, or for those who remain behind me in the pews. I always feel like I should pray at the altar. Like I said, this is personal to me. I do not, though. No one does. I remain in my pew comfy and cozy. Going to the altar is an inconvenience. I have to ask people to let me by. What will people think? {not that again!} Why do other people not feel led to go to the altar, but I always do? That's interesting, huh? iBelieve the altar is a place where church family truly becomes family.

I'm sure if I even get permission from my husband to post this {which i obviously did} that someone will read this and judge. Someone will send me a hate email telling my that my life is not where it's supposed to be with Christ, and that's why I'm not worshiping at church. Or even worse, someone will be offended by this post and not say anything. They will bottle it up to live in a season of hatred towards me. See something you don't like? Let's talk about it. megan.volnoff{at}gmail.com.

I'd love for you to link up an uplifting and encouraging story about a time when your church family supported you during a time of need. Do you see changes that need to happen in order for church families to glorify God? Write it out, link it up here. Am I the only one here? Do you have a rebuttal? Blog it. Link it. Let's go. {please add the button if you do}

A Quick Bloggy Prayer

Dear Lord,

I’m nervous about stepping out like this. Unfortunately we live in a fallen world where we care so much about what others think. Will you bless this bloggy venture? Will you allow it to glorify you? I’m eager to make more contacts who I can hopefully inspire. Like today, I hope that I inspired a dear friend. She was having a hard time and needed a friend. I was able to offer a little insight and share your love. Will you allow me to have more opportunities like this? Lord, forgive me for not posting more about you on my blog. Those should be my #1 priority posts. Instead, I worry about what will get my blog the most hits and what will bring more followers my way. I have good intentions, Lord, you know my heart. Yet, I am still a filthy sinner.

Lord I pray that this new idea will flourish. I pray that it will encourage and lift me up so that I can do the same for others. I want to spread your love. Spread your joy & peace is my longing. Lord as I prepare for revival, will you revive my desires & intentions with this blog? I have an amazing opportunity to reach people (even if others don’t see that), and I want to use it for your glory.

Lord you are my sole purpose for existence. Let everything I do… even in bloggy world… bring you glory, honor, and praise. Amen

iBelieve in Adoption

Because I fully believe in adoption, I'd like to share this story with you guys :)

**********************************

Face Full Of Freckles {Adoption Story}

by Rory Hadley of Chocolate Hair / Vanilla Care

We’re often told that God has has a reason for allowing bad things to happen. It’s usually little comfort when trudging through seemingly awful circumstances. But it’s the hope and trust in what God is doing that carries us through, especially knowing we would never otherwise make it on our own strength.But every once in a while, God shows us those reasons, and it is such a gift that it makes it impossible not to share with everyone.

It will be five years ago this December when we were expecting the birth of our firstborn, a little boy whom we decided to name Logan. His due date was December 10th. A Christmas baby.

Logan, however, had different plans. I was induced and delivered him on September 16th, a day after a middle-of-the-night rush to Labour and Delivery revealed that Logan had died in utero. We held him, we prayed over him, and with tear-stained faces, handed him back to God.

We had just had our baby shower. We knew it was traditionally a few weeks early, but we wanted to have it over a three-day-weekend so that more out-of-town guests could come. While in the hospital my husband privately coordinated with friends and family to have all of our gifts removed from our apartment before we returned home.

Three days after coming back to an empty house I was admitted to the hospital with a heart rate of 32 beats per minute. To shorten a rather lengthy story, odds were really good that if I had carried my pregnancy to term my heart would not have made it. At that point it became glaringly obvious why God had me deliver when I did. Although we could not understand why we lost our little boy, we were at least comforted with the knowledge that it was necessary for him to arrive early in order to save my life.

And so life went on. Our original plan was to have one birth child and adopt the rest. We had our birth child, for the little time that he was here with us. On the anniversary of his stillbirth, we were introduced to a woman who had foster-adopted through a local agency and were given their contact information. We were ready to move forward.

In fact, our living situation further encouraged growing our family. We had the opportunity to move from our one-bedroom apartment into the only two-bedroom unit in our building by the beach, graciously offered to us by the building’s owner. We moved, cleaned, and painted, leaving the spare room empty, a physical reminder of the hole in our family that we were seeking to fill.

My husband and I attended our foster-adoption orientation on October 6th. There we learned a number of things: Healthy, newborn babies were rare, so don’t expect one. The younger the child you want, the longer you will wait especially if you want a girl. And don’t expect a “Christmas baby.” For some reason the adoption agency gets a high rate of parents starting the adoption process right before Christmas, expecting their child to be home before the holiday. Interesting. All good things to know.

As much as we would have wanted a newborn, our hearts were open to whatever God had planned for us, so we embarked on our paperwork journey believing that we would probably end up with a sibling set of toddler (or older) boys.

For those who know me, it is no surprise that I finished our entire adoption packet in three weeks. I’m a paperwork junkie, and if there is one thing that I do well, it’s details. Besides, I had it in my head that the faster that I got my part in the adoption process completed, the faster that God could do His work in bringing our child (or children) home.

By mid-November (a month into the adoption process) our social worker finished our home visit for the homestudy, and I was left with nothing to do but wait for her to write it up and start the search process.

When pregnant mothers unpack their baby shower gifts, decorating and preparing the nursery for their babies, it’s called “nesting.” When a woman who just started the adoption process starts pulling out the gifts she received from the baby shower of her stillborn child, it’s called “crazy.” But I just had it on my heart to put the crib together, to pull out the blankets and bottles and clothes. To have everything washed and to finally start filling that empty room. I’m not a very patient person so I needed to be doing something to help with the adoption process. And that was that was all I had at the time.

Our social worker was still working on writing up our homestudy, so we received calls from her from time to time asking for clarification of this or that. So it wasn’t a huge shock to have her call me early in December (2 months into the adoption process) while I was putting the final touches on our “spare room.” Before answering her call I remember looking around and thinking it finally felt like it could be a home for someone.

What was shocking about the call was that our social worker relayed that a healthy, negative-tox, newborn baby girl was relinquished at the hospital and she wanted to ask if we were interested in adopting her!

A relinquishment is when a birthmother did not make an adoption plan and relinquishes the baby at the hospital. Rarely are healthy babies reqlinquished nowadays, and even more rarely was our adoption agency the one that was called in such instances. As such, we were informed that time was of the essence, so we needed to make a decision fast.

My head was spinning. I had just finished putting away the baby clothes in the dresser of the spare room. The baby clothes that would have never have fit a toddler. I called my husband, who was teaching, so that we could quickly discuss the situation. Up until this call we had had our minds wrapped around having toddler boys. However, we were totally open to what God had planned for us. We decided to let our social worker know that we were interested in learning more and wanted to know how we should proceed. I hung up with my husband and was ready to call our social worker back.

And then it occurred to me. It was December 10th. One year, to the day, of our son’s original due date. And I wept. From that moment forward I knew in my heart that this was the plan that God had for us all along. This is why we had our baby shower early; we were going to need those baby things, just not when we thought we were going to. This was why I rushed to get the paperwork completed so quickly. This was why I was putting together a crib and washing baby clothes when everyone around me was rolling their eyes and shaking their heads. It wasn’t just a child that God had planned for us. It was this child, and everything needed to happen exactly when it did in order for us to receive her.

We had to submit our homestudy for her, along with several other hopeful parents. And our social worker had to pull an all-nighter just to write ours up to be considered. It took three days before we heard that we were chosen to be her forever family. When we asked what we were supposed to do next, she said “Come pick her up.”

And that was the day we met our daughter. She was six days old, healthy, and beautiful. Although she was African American, she had a full head face of freckles. I have freckles, myself, and I loved the fact that she did too. Although they have long since faded, I like to think that God placed those freckles on her for the sole purpose of allowing me something about her to which I could immediately bond.

Her birthmother had 2 weeks to change her mind. Those two weeks ended on Christmas Eve. When we awoke Christmas morning we knew for certain she was here to stay. On the very day that God’s son was born, so was our family.

Sometimes God gives a reason for why bad things happen. By walking in faith and obedience, when one child was taken away, another was given. If Logan were to have lived, we most certainly would have adopted. We just wouldn’t have adopted this little girl. And this little girl was so clearly the one whom the Lord wanted for us to have.

We called her Zoe, which means “alive,” not so much for the fact that she was the living of the two children with whom the Lord blessed us, but because without the hope that lived within us during this whole experience we never would have known her.

Chocolate Hair / Vanilla Care

http://www.ChocolateHairVanillaCare.com

http://www.facebook.com/ChocolateHairVanillaCare

**********************************

iBelieve in adoption.
and cannot wait to meet
my sweet niece Amelia.

ibelieve: Faith in God is Faith in His Timing

Let me tell you a little story.

I once never wanted children.
They annoyed me.
They took too much time.
I didn't like all the questions.

Then I met my husband.
I imagined myself with him forever.
I imagined growing old with him.
I imagined having children with him.

That's what love does to you.
It changes you.
For the better.
Love opens your eyes.
Love reveals happiness.

Love builds families.

You see, my husband and I....
We were on the two to five year plan.

But God was not.

We bathed this part of our marriage in prayer.

We prayed for God's timing.
That's not an easy thing to do, ya know?
It requires faith.
It requires vulnerablity.
It requires trust.

Here we are.
Pregnant.

We couldn't be happier.
This is perfect timing.

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the LORD.

⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55

Though, we are mournful.
Mournful that this happened easy for us.
It happened unplanned and unstressed for us.

We realize that many struggle with creating a family.
We know that this is hard on you.
We know that you love us.
We know that you support us.

Not now, or ever, will we understand God's plan.
But, we must trust it.
We love you.

You see... Our desire to wait to have children...
To make more money
To spend more money
To go
To do
To be husband and wife...

None of that compares.
We can't take that money to heaven.
We can't take Disney World, or Boston, to heaven...
But we can show our children the way to heaven
And join them there one day.

²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures

in heaven, where moths and vermin do not

destroy, and where thieves do not break

in and steal.

Matthew 6

God has shown up.
He has made his plan known.
We will follow it.
We will cherish it.

God has proved Himself over and over.
He has showed up in my life time and time again.
The Lord has taken care of me and my husband.
Much more than what we deserve.
He will provide for us, and provide for the child.
We have faith in Him.

Life is a blessing!!

Faith in God is Faith in His Timing
We know that this timing is perfect
We trust that this is right!
Once we got over the shock,
We rejoiced!
God answered prayers.
He has blessed us!

How has God's timing proved to be perfect in your life? What's your story? I'd love to read how God has been glorified in your life!

{I'm having a really hard time with the whole linky tool part of this. I'm sorry.... I'm hormonal, and do not want to end up crying over a blog post, so forgive me? Eh? If you do want to share your post... PLEASE leave a link in the comments so that I can check it out! My hormonal apologies!}

Oh btw....

check out the irony of the last

ibelieve post!

One Day: I'm gonna have a farm. {iBelieve link up}

One day i'm going to rescue tons and tons of animals.

They are all going to love me and snuggle with me.

All of my animals will love each other and frolic in pastures.

Kitties will be friends with bunnies.

Cows will be friends with puppies.

One day, I'm gonna have a farm.

Source: flickr.com via Alex on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: dailymail.co.uk via Chris on Pinterest

and i'll def have one of these and her name will be Rita.

src

and one of these named peter...

Source: zooborns.com via Virginia on Pinterest

Source: allposters.co.uk via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: countrylivingnz.wordpress.com via Cicely on Pinterest

Source: bing.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: missmoss.co.za via trine on Pinterest

Source: theage.com.au via Sarah on Pinterest

and then our fenway

will be grown and look like this...

Source: tumblr.com via Evey on Pinterest

and do lots of this...

Source: etsy.com via Tagsmith on Pinterest

and have space to do this...

Source: flickr.com via Karin on Pinterest

and we'll have one of these....

Source: google.ca via Shelly on Pinterest

Source: geniusbeauty.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Dianne on Pinterest

and maybe even have one of these....

Source: flickr.com via Tonya on Pinterest

iBelieve that dreams come true.
iBelieve that hoping for a blessed future is profitable.
iBelieve that setting goals is healthy.
iBelieve that realizing God's plan is perfect is essential.
iBelieve that his dreams for me are better than my best dreams for me.
iBelieve  that He has a plan for us. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us.
iBelieve  that my dream has already come true.
iBelieve that the Lord has sent me my prince charming.
iBelieve  that i'm more than satisfied with the life i have now.
iBelieve  that the Lord is watching my every step.
iBelieve  that dreams come true.

btw... i'm too cheap to pay for the
linky tool where you get thumbnails.
sorry.