Did I forget to mention our daughter got engaged?

Things have changed a lot around here. I can't tell if I'm just watching or participating at times. But tomorrow we're going bridal gown shopping because our oldest daughter got engaged!!! I can't wait to see her model her choices until the "one" stands out! It should be fun tagging along with her bridal party for a girls day out and then lunch. But before we go, let me share a picture with you of our daughter, Michelle and our future son in law, Howard on their engagement day ~ 7~8~16 ~ they set "the date" for 5~6~17!!! :D <3 :D <3 ~

Howard and Michelle! XOXO

Lera's Gotcha Day!

7 years ago today on September 29, 2009 we took Lera out of the orphanage for the first time.

Daily visits to her orphanage behind walls she couldn't see out of were finally over. No more saying goodbye (paka or dasvidanyia).

She wasn't used to traveling and going places. You would think she was on a roller coaster ride with all the noises she made taking the taxi to our apartment! But that was only the beginning, there were buses, trains and planes to catch next!

I was a little overwhelmed today thinking about the ones we left behind, looking at old photos and seeing all their faces again, while looking for photos of Lera to post. My heart and prayers go out to all the orphans Lera played with and hope many more have been united with their forever families.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:18) <3 

Here are a few photos of Lera on her gotcha day! :)

Leaving the orphanage...

The director, caretaker, me, Jim and Lera :)

The director, 2 workers from children services, Jim, Lera and our facilitator, Edward

This is Lera when we took her from the orphanage and brought her to our Kramatorsk apartment...

Ready for the over night train!

Happy Gotcha Day Lera! XOXO 

 

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:30 

Do you ever feel like your life doesn't matter? That what you're doing isn't important? Me too! But not today! Today God had me singing a song He put on my heart, as He often does, and I was singing it to the girls, helping them get ready for school in the bathroom. Doesn't everyone sing in the bathroom?! You know; Wash hands. Wash face. Brush hair. Brush teeth. Our usual routine. But since its been raining for weeks, it had a way of slowing me down and wanting to see things more clearly. I know God had me singing this song for a reason. Because I've been struggling with should I go back to school and was feeling guilty for not doing more. And even though God knows I have more dreams. And as much as it could be a good thing to do something else. Right now is not that time. I'm called to be here! God knows my heart wants to serve Him. That's "why" He made me a mom. I'm available 24/7 to be just that. And because Hannah and Lera need me the most, I'm most satisfied taking care of them. This was a picture of me singing to them (again) this morning, while we waited for the bus to come. Getting them to sit down when they were playing ball, and singing, "Strangely Dim" was priceless. To see their little faces looking back at me, makes me know I wouldn't change a thing in the world. I love this front row seat! They have my heart! 

Happy Friday! 
https://youtu.be/L5qD9HOoGpQ

Does He Know?

" Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." - John 14:6 

Dear You,

Don't give up! 

I was just like you. We had 2 kids, just married out of high school chasing our dreams. But then it happened. I started asking hard questions. What comes next? This is all there is? This is all I'm living for? Changing diapers. Making breakfast. Lunch. And dinner. Everyday. I felt so empty. But I had everything I ever asked for. I was married to my high school sweetheart. He loved me too. Didn't he? He loved our kids too. But still something was missing. That's when I realized I was living for myself. But I had a little help realizing that. God sent my Sunday school teacher. I was tired of telling my kids what to do. Yes, toddlers are stubborn! But they wouldn't listen to me! Do you know what my teacher said? She said, "isn't that just the way we are as God's children...He tells us what to do in His Word, but we won't listen!" Ahh, that hurt. Conviction set in. I knew I wasn't living my life right. I was living the worldly way, expecting Godly results. But it wasn't until a neighbor that I knew was a Christian (you just know). I watched her walk. One day I asked her how it was she lived like a Christian everyday, but I had a hard enough time going to church on Sunday and I'm a Christian too! She said, "you are? Does He know?" Wow. Hit me again. I wanted God to know I was a Christian, but my life style made it hard to know. Then I thought, does Jim know I'm a Christian? I live like he does! It made it hard to walk the walk. Talk the talk doesn't work. And I was living in my sin. Ashamed to say what we did when the kids were in bed. How could I expect my kids to listen to me when I wasn't listening to God? Or expect my husband to be any better because we did all these things before we were married. The thing that changed my life was when my neighbor that was moving gave me a magnet that read, "Jesus Is Lord". I never heard that before. I heard Jesus was Savior. I knew He died on the cross to save me from my sins. But that was all. I lived my life like I wanted to. As the song goes "Years I spent in vanity and pride. Caring not my Lord was crucified. Knowing not it was for ME He died on Calvary." So I repented. I learned to put Jesus first. It saved my marriage. Jesus Is Lord! He comes before my selfish desires. Before my husband. Before my kids. My family knows I would do anything for them. But I can't save them. All I can do is trust Jesus and give them to Him. They are a gift. But the greatest gift died to set me free. I hope this helps someone. If you need me to pray for you I will. Love is worth fighting for! Thank You Jesus! 

❤️ -Debbie 

I was inspired to write my story today by Updates from

Daily – Morgan Harper Nichols

http://itsmorganmusic.com/you-never-know-how-god-will-use-your-story/?mc_cid=6a44fe0afc&mc_eid=2f0f23cc4d

Special thanks to our son James for tickets to attended Love Worth Fighting For...

 Me and my husband after the event ~ Love Worth Fighting For Marriage Event 2016! <3

Jim and I 1984 Christmas Morning with our first 2 kids Michelle and James :)

Christmas 2015

James and his wife Amanda with their first two kids! I dedicate this blog to them :) 

Coldplay - 'Fix you' music video 

http://youtu.be/skUJ-B6oVDQ

Welcome Home!

"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." - 1 Corinthians 13:11 

I giggle a little to think what God must think of me when I jump to conclusions sometimes. What I think He is doing isn't always is. Just because He speaks to me doesn't mean I know the way in which He will bring things about. Take for example a few blogs back...I wrote how Jesus woke me up and said He was coming! How excited I was...I immediately began sorting things out...was He talking about "little Hannah" from foster care? Or was He ready to part the clouds? Both are good answers! But I think this time it was through our own son, James that He would come. When James came to our house, Rachel was still living here and was able to share her faith with him and point him to the Lord. It was her idea that we all watch the "War Room" together as he and his wife, Amanda were having marital problems. God used that and James went back home to pray over his house. He began hanging scripture up on doors and walls in the downstairs where he stayed on the couch (his war room)...ended up Rachel was called to Canada, and the same night we said goodbye to her, James came back saying God wanted everything, leaving behind all his broken pieces and giving them to God....He then stayed at our house for two weeks...through these events we witnessed Jesus indeed had come to our house! We saw the power of God transform our son from the old man he was to a changed man of God, strong and dependent on God, joy pouring out, love in his eyes, a smile on his face, scripture God had given him being shared, music playing as he always was listening to Christian music...of course he wanted his wife, but he said he didn't need her anymore. Not like before, he trusted God had a plan and even if it didn't turn out how he hoped, he was happy God used his past to bring him to Himself. But that's not all, because James gave Jesus his all...God gave back more than he gave up...his wife, Amanda surrendered her all to God and now they are a family again!  

And this is how it ended, right back where it started. Rachel left for Canada to be a missionary, and on the same night, James came home, giving everything to God. Then God did what only He can do, He gave everything back brand new! (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

~ On January 18, 2016, James and Amanda wanted to renew their wedding vows at our house before they returned home together. So they did! Jim guided beside them and family and friends gathered around to support them. :) 

"Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." - Mark 10:9 

Praise God! 

You're a good, good Father! ~ 

"While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him." - Luke 15:20 

Chris Tomlin - Good Good Father (Audio)

http://youtu.be/CqybaIesbuA

This Is Living

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit everlasting life." - Matthew 19:29 

Rachel left a week ago, Monday night. Although we knew it was coming, and she already planned on going, the actual day came like a surprise! When The Holy Spirit decided it was time, He took her ever so swiftly to Canada to work with teens! She's excited to share what God has done and how He changed her life!

James ended up back here on the night Rachel left saying God wanted everything and God would provide! His wife. His kids. His home. All to God, with only the clothes on his back for now! 

When James gave his life back to God, Matthew saw what he and Rachel had and gave his life back to God! Then Matthew's wife, Jessica accepted the Lord!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls." - 1 Peter 1:3-9

Special thanks to Jason Kisic for being with us and taking this picture of us with Rachel before she left for Canada! 

Our family from top to bottom: 

Tim, Rachel, Caleb, Micah, Me, Amanda, James, Matthew, Jessica, Jim, Alice, Skylar, Christian, Lera, Hannah, Mikayla and Myah. (Michelle and Howard not pictured.)

 

Rachel, this song makes me think of you. I dedicate it to you and Alice because I know she loves it like you do! I'm glad we had fun hanging out together before you left. Until we see you again...we love you! Xoxo 

This Is Living (Acoustic) (Audio) - Hillsong Young & Free

http://youtu.be/BFR-tV2whAU