Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

I have always heard that statement but now I know that it is true! My sweet husband has been in India, Nepal, and Thailand this last week. I am so proud of my man and his willingness to follow our Lord to the other side of the world. I am proud to call him mine and honored to be the wife of this Jesus lover!
But, man have I missed him! This trip has been different than others that he has gone on in the past because I have not been able to talk to him much. I have realized this week how much I miss his phones calls in the middle of the day just to "hey". I miss talking with him at the end of the day when we tell each other what "really" happened in our day. I miss his smile and his laugh and the way he hugs me at just the right moments.
I am so thankful that I am my beloveds and that he is mine!

Going through this over this last little while has really made me think about all of the families that have husbands or wives who are deployed. I know that there are so many time when I have not taken the time that I need to to pray for those families as they are struggling through their time apart.

So along with my Monday counting of blessings I will also use Mondays to pray for families who are separated around the world. I will be praying for their strength, and peace. I will be praying for the safety of the loved one who is away. I will be praying that those who are left behind would be surrounded by others who are willing to help them and encourage them as they wait to be reunited as a family again.




0103. the opportunity to watch our parents love on our boys.

0104. precious phone calls from a husband I am missing desperately!

0105. a little sister who is also my friend!

0106. Nathan's opportunities to share his faith

0107. bed time stories with papaw

0108. sweet girlfriends who pray for me in times of need

0109. handmade cards from a tender-hearted little boy

0110. that God chooses to work through us...amazing!

The real housewife of Malakoff, Texas!

So for Christmas my mom got me this...

The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook! It is filled with wonderful recipes that are easy to follow with step by step pictures. Doesn't everyone love a cookbook that is full of pictures?

So for the last few weeks I have been cooking my way through this lovely book! Making things like this yummy chicken pot pie, complete with a homemade crust...

And these Angel Cookies that I really believe should be called Heaven cookies because they are so good, I just know there will be some waiting behind those pearly gates one day!

I have so enjoyed using these recipes and spending time in the kitchen. It somehow makes me feel like the mom and wife I always dreamed of being with home cooked meals, fresh cookies, and warm breakfasts every morning...well minus the laundry that is piled up and the dirty dishes filling the sink (one thing at a time right)! So many of the recipes have been so delicious that I haven't even stopped to take a picture!

You can find some of Ree's recipes on her blog www.thepioneerwoman.com
I promise you won't be disappointed!

Rich in Mercy...

I am reminded today of God's mercy, His grace and how it is so rich. We have a God that goes beyond.


"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20

I used to read that verse and think of big things, the grand, great things that God was going to. And while I still believe in those great big things that God can do, I am also starting to see this verse come to life in the small things.

Case in point...

Adoption is a LONG process and there is nothing you can do to speed it up. At times it is discouraging and I have found myself wondering if we will really make it to the end. Wondering if we will ever finally meet and bring home our Kenziah Reigh (can you tell that doubt seems to be a stronghold in my life)!
Enter God...doing immeasurable more than I could imagine.
Today I met my friend Kathryn at Chick-fil-a. As we were getting ready to leave I noticed a woman walk in with an African child. Of course I was drawn to her but felt silly walking up and saying "hey, did you get your kid in Africa?" So my sweet friend asked her for me...thanks Kathryn! Turns out the woman's little boy was from Ethiopia and they had used the SAME AGENCY we are using!! We talked and I admired her precious little one. She even let me know about a group of adoptive parents that meet in the area. I can't help but be thankful and amazed at God's love. I wholeheartedly believe that He ordained it all. He knew the discouragement in my heart and so He put this sweet mom and baby boy in my path. The more I have thought on it the more I have felt Him whispering...just trust, be patient, in my time. It was certainly more than I could have imagined...God allowed me to see a "real" family who had been all the way through the process on a day when I was starting to doubt the process!! Immeasurably more for sure!!

What a mighty God we serve!!

Why Ethiopia?

When I saw this video done by another adopting family I knew that I had to share it. It puts words to all the things in my heart...take a minute and see why Ethiopia...


Thank you to www.walkerpartyof3.blogspot.com for putting together such a great video.

My heart has been there so much this week. On this continent I have never even been to and one quite frankly I never wanted to visit at one time. More than all of the tragedy that seems to surround Africa and countries like Ethiopia there is this sense of Hope and Peace that I have seen again and again in the people as I learn more about this place I find myself longing for. In the midst of pain, and utter nothingness I see such true joy and faith among the people of Africa. I feel so inadequate and yet so completely blessed that God would allow us be a part of Kenzi's family.

Counting the days sweet girl! I love you so much already!

Counting them up...

I cannot begin to express the blessing that reading this blog, a holy experience, has been to me in the last few months. Ann's writing is so honest, so genuine, and yet so challenging. I find myself drawn to the feet of Jesus every time I visit her blog with it's quite background and soothing music.
This gratitude journey that she has introduced into my life has already begun to change my heart, my attitude, my family. I am so grateful for this counting of all of His blessings.





0057. laughing with sweet girlfriends

0058. watching a life be transformed...God is doing great things in you Cassie!

0059. a preacher who preaches the WORD and not just want we want to hear

0060. that preacher is my husband

0061. we are His workmanship created to do His good works

0062. a husband who is willing to travel across the world to tell others about Jesus and encourage and refresh the hearts of missionaries

0063. a little boy's excitement over his first lose tooth and learning to tie his shoes.

0064. His promise that His word will not return void

So many things to be thankful for on this rainy Monday!

On toilets and toothbrushes...

Dearest Kolson,

I know that flushing the toilet is very exciting! I also realize that brushing your teeth with a tooth brush is loads of fun!

But please, Your Dad and I are begging you, let's not combine the 2!!:)

Although, I could smile about it because it was just so "you"...the plumber didn't look too happy as he was taking the toilet apart to find your little toothbrush.

So glad you understand!

Love,
Mommy

Gratitude

A word that has come round again and again.

It seems to be the theme of my life. God brings things to me again and again before I recognize it is Him that is calling. He is offering opportunities to serve Him, to know Him, to love Him more.

It happened with adoption. For more than 4 years He has brought it round and finally we listened. Coming to Malakoff was much the same. Oh, how much He loves us to confirm things again and again.

So I am learning to recognize it now...that coming round. Those things that He brings to the top again and again.

That leaves me here with this word...gratitude. For months now I have read about it here (a blog that is worth your time...it inspires me, challenges me, and ultimately gives me the desire to sit at His feet). I have even started trying to keep track of it. Then yesterday the sweet man of God I married spoke the word again. Three times in Colossi ans 3:15-17 the Word speaks of thankfulness.

No, I don't believe in coincidences. It is Him, the Spirit drawing me, reminding me that the attitude of thankfulness will change my heart, will transform my life.

It is the start of a New Year and I am choosing to make thankfulness a priority. To make gratitude a habit for every day, every moment.

I have started a journal.


My goal is to get to 1,000 and then just keep going.



I will link up on Mondays and share a few. How fitting to start our New Year and each new week with this attitude of gratitude.

Would you like to join me?

Click here and read more.



0023. breakfast for dinner

0024. sweet little boys excited about snow

0025. His word coming to life as I read it in order

0026. a warm bath with a good book

0027. phone calls from my man in the middle of the day

0028. the sound of a baby boy waking with squeals of delight

0029. Kaden reciting the books of the bible

0030. the anticipation of time with girl friends at the end of the week