Day 5 {{ God, You & Luke 2 }}

I've been posting on my other blog since Advent began. Wanted to share from yesterday's post....
Join me each day, reading Luke 2:1-21 until Dec. 24th. See what you'll learn reading and reading...
Day 5. Dreams

I'm reading "Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas". It was a free download and I thought I would glance through and see what it held. I had no idea how captivated I would become with the words as told by various characters in our story.

Over the years many of them have already been considered I have let my mind wander to the thoughts of "what was it like for_______?". And fill in the blank with different members of this cast. I will give my thoughts another day. Today I will share a tiny bit from the book that is hard to lay down yet hard to remain in for long periods of time. It pierces the soul, makes you really sit in awe of this story if you allow yourself to delve into its depths.



Joseph

You know who reminds me of me these days? Old Job, faithful old Job. I too followed the commandments, no one forced me, it was my decision. Yet all seemed taken away, like Job.

Before that I had other dreams. Dreams with no angels in them. I Dreamed of Mary and a house full of children, of growing old with her. The children would grow strong and devout and Mary and I would ease into a cranky elegance. We would live a well ordered life. Then all those dreams were snatched away.

If you do not believe there were moments when I was tempted to " curse God and die" then you make me out to be something I am not. I am not angel or one of the lesser God's. I am a man and this was not the life I had planned.

But curse the Mighty One? I could not. My ordered life? a memory...The control I'd long worked to establish? Gone. Maybe it was never really there but I thought it was and I lived like it was.

My reputation among family and friends? Stained. What kind of story have I fallen into?



there will be more from this book throughout the coming days. Keep reading and let it sink in.

Georgia, Sweet Georgia

Coffee...lots of coffee...long hours...

My time in Georgia kept me ever so busy with three beautiful young ladies and their Grandfather. We rapidly became like family with the feeling we had known each other, always, but had missed some stories here and there.

Our week was filled with normal activities like "homework, cheer practice, school pictures,

dinners at home and smoothies at night". Quite naturally, Reed and I fell into the rhythm of this life, caring for the girls; it seemed too easy. 

 I nearly held my breath, waiting for something to go wrong, waiting for a hiccup. 

Ahh. It came. The nightly routine after cheer practice was thrown off schedule by 2 hours with a late but wonderful dinner at home and so the meltdowns began.

It was comical even in the midst as we ran up and down the stairs consoling one, praying with another and carrying a sobbing little girl up two flights of stairs and back to bed.  (ouch...someone was out of shape)

The disruption continued long into the next day until school was dismissed for Labor Day Weekend . Vacation begins!

The girls made a  Bucket List  of  "fun things to do" and we tried to accomplish all we could to make their time special while Mom and Dad were out of the country.

Friday night started with a Mexican dinner at  Cheeky's, a restaurant we found listed in the GPS. Little did we know it would lead us on an adventure to a nearby town giving me my first glimpse of  the beauty surrounding us. We traveled through the winding hills of GA on the night of the rare "Blue Moon" whose light shone through the evergreens creating unforgettable, magical images in my mind.

It could not have been more beautiful.

A favorite night for all, it was so delightful, we began the quest for another town on Saturday night.

The road to Roswell was memorable (thank you girls...) but the real surprise and charm of this sweet town is in the historical district. There, the streets are lined with adorable little restaurants and people enjoying one another's company. The weather was perfect for out-door dining but we took these starving girls indoors to Pasti's whose old world charm called for all the table manners the girls could muster. As we looked over this exceptional menu, they were given wise counsel from their Grandfather and it provided a timely reminder on how a woman should be treated by a man. I'll not forget that conversation...it was Priceless.

For the grownups Pasti's provided a taste of  fine French cuisine with leg of lamb as our main course. A gracious and lovely evening for me; indeed, a rare treat. It was a comfortable quiet night with sleepy girls in the back seat as we head  home. Once again we drive under a full moon peaking over the evergreens, illuminating the dark night. 

Sunday was church at Browns Bridge Community Church with Pastor Andy Stanley. 

Oh! It is an awesome church and I highly recommend their pod casts.

Our fun things included jumping on the trampoline together, head stand practice, bubble baths for the girls, making homemade lemonade and smoothies, among other things.....

Monday we took four girls shopping at The Avenues where they went out 2 x 2 while Reed and I enjoyed 

coffee in Barnes & Noble. An early dinner at Ichiban's  for Japanese and then it's back home to get on schedule after a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.

Homecoming!!!

The whole reason I am here in GA is to help care for the older sisters while B&C finalize the adoption on two more little girls.

The day finally arrives and after cleaning house and making "Welcome Home" signs we head for the airport to pick up the family. After weeks away the parents return and bring with them Dasha and Leanna, the new sisters. 

What a joy to be here and witness this moment; the first glimpse of them coming down the hall.

 I've walked alongside B since this was merely a thought.

Like, "Really? Is God calling us to international adoption?" 

Yes, He was and I couldn't think of a more loving family to bring these 2 girls to. 

I marvel that when they were born in the Ukraine, God had picked out a family in the U.S. who would rescue them and raise them in a Christian home where they are surrounded by His name.

We all enjoyed a few days of  family bonding with the littles but

with their arrival comes the retirement of  Reed and Zanetta, the"Fifth String" babysitters. 

What a great time we (Dadushka & Nana) had "doing life" with the girls and being with the whole family. Unforgettable moments...

Truly I am thankful for them all.

Hearts Knit Together

Years ago our church had a women's retreat at a ranch a few hours away. I became friends with this dear family who ran the retreat center. We were both going through huge life changes and the unknown lay ahead. Our days have taken us down many roads and wound them back together.
As my friends have embarked on a new journey, it is my great honor to walk alongside them and serve if only a short amount of time. The new road is the adoption of two sweet Ukrainian girls. This brings the total girl population in their family to five under the age of 14. God would see fit to take me to Georgia to keep the three biological children while awaiting the return of parents and new sisters. How wonderful to spend time with this sweet family!

Mary Mary

Mary Mary quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

I'm so excited. Since we moved to town almost 5 years ago, I haven't grown one thing.

Well, last year I got one tomato. One.

This Easter I had my neighbor over for lunch. His mother had passed and he was alone.

A couple of days later he came to till my yard and help my garden spot.

I credit him for much of this.

I can't wait to get busy with the tomatoes. The sqaush put out lovely blooms but no good produce.

They don't like wet feet and I think I got them too wet. I'm just excited to have something growing.

Beautiful blooms made by my Father, He waters & warms them.

I have found great joy.

Another Milestone...Graduation

Paris High School Graduation 2012

Let's Do This Thing!

A turning of time, milestones behind them

New roads ahead.

I am reminded of 1Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

The students were charged by Judd Payne to know what they want and pursue it.

The world will knock you down and knock you down but if you want it badly enough,

you will keep getting up until you see your dreams become a reality.

There are no words to describe how I felt as I watched the caps

tossed into the air.

They did. It is done. The crowd leaves. You're not ready to close this door but as the last few walk off the field the lights will dim, doors will lock. Old chapters close and new ones

begin. They walk with a new confidence we close the night with Biblical confidence.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Life Abounds

There's "Life on Margaret". 

So many changes, so many challenges, hurts, joys.

Most importantly, there's Life.

We stick by eachother on our street. We carry eachother's load. We have changes coming and

what will become of the family ties that we've created between us?

We're pretty much like what a church should look like and that bond

is stronger than some because it's the Jesus blood that creates this bond.

It's everlasting and through eternity.

Yes, there's Life on Margaret.

Remarkable, really, the way the Lord speaks when you go before Him. Today's OYB reading that jumped at me was: Judges 6:14 Then the Lord turned to him (Gideon) and said, Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites.  I am sending you!

WOW!

I'm not rescuing Israel but this speaks strongly. It says, this day has been prepared. I've lined everyone up to be there. (Says God) You are equipped, ready and it's time; "I am sending you!"

What is the Lord telling you to do? He's speaking; are you listening? Do you know His voice or has it been so long that you weren't sure Who that was? Are you so close that you know the sound of His whisper? He's speaking to you.

Mornings With Jesus

On my mornings off I like to have my cup of coffee and read my One Year Bible first thing. 

I remember the days when I was so bleary-eyed from being a young mother that I

couldn't even see the pages. I couldn't focus my eyes much less my mind. I knew I was supposed to read and have my devotions but it was sooo hard.

When I'm working, I read there.

I'm loving my IPad for study's sake. As I read I get busy looking up places and

other things that catch my attention. In January when I was off before school started back, 

I would sit for 2-3 hours at a time. I felt a little guilty but then thought..."who needs me right now?

Isn't it okay if I schedule time to learn? and just be a "Mary" and sit at Jesus' feet?"

Here's just a sampling of things that have jumped out at me today:

Proverbs 13:5 "The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace."

This week end we had an incident. Somehow Mr. R remained calm & controlled.

He was seeking a peaceful solution to the rising anger issue in another who eventually brought shame and disgrace to his name, his family's name and his business. 

Psalms 84: 11 "... no good thing does he withhold from those who walk blameless."