Casting Crowns has a song on their new cd called Always Enough. It is one of my favorites on this cd. Christ is always enough. Here are part of the lyrics.
Your love is peace to the broken
Faith for the widow
Hope for the orphan
Strength for the weak
Your love is the anthem of nations
Brings out to the ages
And You're Always Enough for me
This Christmas season, I've been burdened for those who are celebrating Christ's birth along with sorrow. Those who have an empty chair at the table this year. For the family that tragically lost their child this year. For the mother that lost a baby that God took straight from her womb to His glorious heaven. For those who have lost a parent or grandparent either this year or in recent years. For those who have lost a spouse, their life partner. For the sweet seven year old boy I met whose daddy is in prison and who's mommy isn't in the picture. There are empty chairs at that boy's table. We all have empty chairs at our table. Someone we wish was sitting there, but isn't. For me personally, it's a child that would've been born in 2000 and a sweet grandmother that is incredibly precious to me. They are both celebrating Christ's birth in heaven! I love that no matter what we're walking through that Christ truly is always enough!
There is an empty chair at each of our tables though that can be filled. It's the chair for Jesus. I hope He's sitting at the head of your table and leading your family. Remember that He is our guest of honor. It is His birthday! I hope you don't forget to invite Him to His party! Don't leave His chair empty!
Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank you for all have done and all that you do for us! Please be with those who are hurting and comfort them. May they know that you're sitting at their table and that You are always enough!!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sweet Sleep Update
Go to Jen's blog to see the pictures of the kids in Uganda and the mattresses. I cannot put into words the emotions that I have right now.
Sweet Sleep raised enough money to help all the kids they were asked to help. How precious this Christmas will be for these sweet kids. A big thank you to my friends who posted and gave! God will honor your generosity! Thank you so much!!
My kids don't have to pray for a mattress or food or warm shelter. How incredibly blessed we are!
This picture below....naptime on a dirt floor.
Sweet Sleep raised enough money to help all the kids they were asked to help. How precious this Christmas will be for these sweet kids. A big thank you to my friends who posted and gave! God will honor your generosity! Thank you so much!!
My kids don't have to pray for a mattress or food or warm shelter. How incredibly blessed we are!
This picture below....naptime on a dirt floor.
Friday, December 18, 2009
The Second Best Christmas Present
I hope you know that the best Christmas gift ever is Jesus Christ. We are so thankful that God loves us and chose to give His greatest asset, His only Son, on our behalf. Sometimes I get so busy at Christmastime and I'm so familiar with the story, that I forget the miracle of it all...the greatest expression of love that has ever been shown. Our sweet Savior, Jesus Christ.
10 years ago today we were in Florida for Christmas. We received a call at Derek's parents house that Stephen had been born. We were cautiously excited to hear the news knowing that the fate of our son rested in the hands of the birthmom. I've never been in that position, but I've been in a hospital room with a birthmom facing the most difficult decision of her life. That day in the hospital with a different birthmom tugged at my heartstrings and showed me the whole other side of adoption.
Anyway, Stephen joined our family on January. You can go here to read the whole story if you don't already know it.
It's hard to believe that Stephen is 10 years old. Where did the time go? (I'm sounding old when I say that, but it's so the truth!)
Stephen, you have been gifted with an incredible mind. I really don't know how your brain can retain all the history and science facts. Your love for history and science will open many doors in your future. I pray that you'll choose wisely. Every now and then I see glimpses of that tender and compassionate heart that was so evident as a preschooler. I understand that a 10 year old boy has to be tough, but deep down that gift of mercy still exists. God will use that in a mighty way if you'll allow Him. I hope that you'll always be a warrior for Christ. I pray that you'll stand for Jesus until your death. I pray that you'll be faithful just as Stephen in the Bible was faithful to the very end. It's the only time in Scripture that Jesus stands at the right hand of God. Jesus stood for Stephen welcoming him into heaven. May you have that same legacy. Fight the good fight, keep the faith, my son. God will not disappoint. He is so good!
With all my love,
Mom
Happy 10th Birthday to our 2nd best Christmas Present!
10 years ago today we were in Florida for Christmas. We received a call at Derek's parents house that Stephen had been born. We were cautiously excited to hear the news knowing that the fate of our son rested in the hands of the birthmom. I've never been in that position, but I've been in a hospital room with a birthmom facing the most difficult decision of her life. That day in the hospital with a different birthmom tugged at my heartstrings and showed me the whole other side of adoption.
Anyway, Stephen joined our family on January. You can go here to read the whole story if you don't already know it.
It's hard to believe that Stephen is 10 years old. Where did the time go? (I'm sounding old when I say that, but it's so the truth!)
Stephen, you have been gifted with an incredible mind. I really don't know how your brain can retain all the history and science facts. Your love for history and science will open many doors in your future. I pray that you'll choose wisely. Every now and then I see glimpses of that tender and compassionate heart that was so evident as a preschooler. I understand that a 10 year old boy has to be tough, but deep down that gift of mercy still exists. God will use that in a mighty way if you'll allow Him. I hope that you'll always be a warrior for Christ. I pray that you'll stand for Jesus until your death. I pray that you'll be faithful just as Stephen in the Bible was faithful to the very end. It's the only time in Scripture that Jesus stands at the right hand of God. Jesus stood for Stephen welcoming him into heaven. May you have that same legacy. Fight the good fight, keep the faith, my son. God will not disappoint. He is so good!
With all my love,
Mom
Happy 10th Birthday to our 2nd best Christmas Present!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Be Sure
Your Sin Will Find You Out....
or the same sins will be committed by your children.
I was in 3rd grade. I changed my report card from B's to A's. I then denied that I had done it. I told my parents that the teacher must have changed the grades. I sat in a conference with my parents and the teacher and still denied it. Determined and stubborn and I guess sinful. :-)
So fast forward many years later and Matthew forgot to bring his spelling words home. They were supposed to be alphabetized for homework. Derek wrote a note in Matthew's planner to his teacher saying that he didn't bring them home. This has happened before and he usually has to complete the unfinished homework during one of the recesses. Matthew decided to erase the note from Derek and then told his teacher that the note was intended for him and not for her. He kept talking and dug his hole deeper and deeper. So, she wrote us a note and told us to ask him about it. Derek then talked to him about lying and made him write an apology to his teacher.
I love Matthew's heart! He wrote most of this on his own.
or the same sins will be committed by your children.
I was in 3rd grade. I changed my report card from B's to A's. I then denied that I had done it. I told my parents that the teacher must have changed the grades. I sat in a conference with my parents and the teacher and still denied it. Determined and stubborn and I guess sinful. :-)
So fast forward many years later and Matthew forgot to bring his spelling words home. They were supposed to be alphabetized for homework. Derek wrote a note in Matthew's planner to his teacher saying that he didn't bring them home. This has happened before and he usually has to complete the unfinished homework during one of the recesses. Matthew decided to erase the note from Derek and then told his teacher that the note was intended for him and not for her. He kept talking and dug his hole deeper and deeper. So, she wrote us a note and told us to ask him about it. Derek then talked to him about lying and made him write an apology to his teacher.
I love Matthew's heart! He wrote most of this on his own.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Favorite Ornament of the Week
It was a favorite last year and it's a favorite this year as well! :-)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Everyone Needs Some Sweet Sleep
When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24
Every now and then God sends us little bits of encouragement regarding parenting. Every now and then I see my children's pure and innocent hearts...full of God sized faith.
This past week, Jen Gash from Sweet Sleep came and spoke during chapel at my children's school. She spoke about the orphan crisis in Uganda and the desperate need for beds and mosquito nets for these children. (Uganda just passed a law requiring that all children in orphanages have their own bed. Some orphanages have been closed because of this new law.) Matthew came home absolutely convinced that he would do something about this. He said that he wanted to use his $50 bill and his $20 check from his birthday and buy mosquito nets for these children. I told him that was great, but I kind of waited to see if the decision would stick. He mentioned it again the next day and the next. I am so proud of that boy. I see a heart that believes that one person really can make a difference and that warms my heart.
Matthew then told me yesterday that he'd be okay if all he got for Christmas was coal. He said, "At least, I'd get something because some kids don't get anything." I'm so thankful that the Lord is allowing me to see that what we're trying to teach our children does have an impact and that it is soaking into their hearts and minds. I pray that God will give them more passion and a bigger heart for those all around the world who are desperately in need.
So, we're buying mosquito nets with some birthday money and we're buying some more as Christmas presents.
Jen Gash and I will be in Uganda at the same time but in different parts. There is much work to be done everywhere. Let us not grow weary in well doing...
Northern Ugandan children face much adversity. It is an area that has been under attack from the LRA Rebels, who have systematically destroyed villages, killed adults and abducted children. The children, as early as six years old, are used as slaves and child soldiers, forced to kill or be killed. Over 1 million people have been displaced in Northern Uganda – three quarters of these, precious, orphaned children living in child-headed households/huts.
There are lots of ways to help this Christmas!
Here are the specific needs from Sweet Sleep.
Prayer for Jen and Sweet Sleep and their work in northern Uganda.
Notes of love to give to a child she encounters. They can be notes of love, encouragement, your favorite scripture, whatever. Mailed to Sweet Sleep. She’ll pack and take and hand deliver to a child she gets to spend time talking with.
218 mosquito nets. 8,320 Ugandans will die of malaria during the 26 days I will be gone. I will purchase these in Uganda for $8 each. Malaria kills more people in Uganda than HIV/AIDS.
Mattresses for 218 children so they will be able to sleep up off of the ground for the first time in their lives. Mattresses are $50.
Can you imagine not having a blanket to warm you during these chilly nights or sheets to sleep in? 218 more children still need to be able to be warm and snuggly. They can for just $30. $30 purchases a soft, fluffy banket and a Bible.
I hope your family will get involved in some way. Do something! Pray, give or send notes of encouragement to Jen at Sweet Sleep and the children in Uganda. (Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. Proverbs 25:11)
Jen Gash
Sweet Sleep
PO Box 40486
Nashville, TN 37204
www.sweetsleep.org
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24
Every now and then God sends us little bits of encouragement regarding parenting. Every now and then I see my children's pure and innocent hearts...full of God sized faith.
This past week, Jen Gash from Sweet Sleep came and spoke during chapel at my children's school. She spoke about the orphan crisis in Uganda and the desperate need for beds and mosquito nets for these children. (Uganda just passed a law requiring that all children in orphanages have their own bed. Some orphanages have been closed because of this new law.) Matthew came home absolutely convinced that he would do something about this. He said that he wanted to use his $50 bill and his $20 check from his birthday and buy mosquito nets for these children. I told him that was great, but I kind of waited to see if the decision would stick. He mentioned it again the next day and the next. I am so proud of that boy. I see a heart that believes that one person really can make a difference and that warms my heart.
Matthew then told me yesterday that he'd be okay if all he got for Christmas was coal. He said, "At least, I'd get something because some kids don't get anything." I'm so thankful that the Lord is allowing me to see that what we're trying to teach our children does have an impact and that it is soaking into their hearts and minds. I pray that God will give them more passion and a bigger heart for those all around the world who are desperately in need.
So, we're buying mosquito nets with some birthday money and we're buying some more as Christmas presents.
Jen Gash and I will be in Uganda at the same time but in different parts. There is much work to be done everywhere. Let us not grow weary in well doing...
Northern Ugandan children face much adversity. It is an area that has been under attack from the LRA Rebels, who have systematically destroyed villages, killed adults and abducted children. The children, as early as six years old, are used as slaves and child soldiers, forced to kill or be killed. Over 1 million people have been displaced in Northern Uganda – three quarters of these, precious, orphaned children living in child-headed households/huts.
There are lots of ways to help this Christmas!
Here are the specific needs from Sweet Sleep.
Prayer for Jen and Sweet Sleep and their work in northern Uganda.
Notes of love to give to a child she encounters. They can be notes of love, encouragement, your favorite scripture, whatever. Mailed to Sweet Sleep. She’ll pack and take and hand deliver to a child she gets to spend time talking with.
218 mosquito nets. 8,320 Ugandans will die of malaria during the 26 days I will be gone. I will purchase these in Uganda for $8 each. Malaria kills more people in Uganda than HIV/AIDS.
Mattresses for 218 children so they will be able to sleep up off of the ground for the first time in their lives. Mattresses are $50.
Can you imagine not having a blanket to warm you during these chilly nights or sheets to sleep in? 218 more children still need to be able to be warm and snuggly. They can for just $30. $30 purchases a soft, fluffy banket and a Bible.
I hope your family will get involved in some way. Do something! Pray, give or send notes of encouragement to Jen at Sweet Sleep and the children in Uganda. (Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. Proverbs 25:11)
Jen Gash
Sweet Sleep
PO Box 40486
Nashville, TN 37204
www.sweetsleep.org
Thursday, December 3, 2009
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