Friday, November 18, 2011

Blessings That Much Sweeter

Things are changing in our household. 
Little at a time, I look and I see how He is molding and shaping us. 
Shaping me. Shaping them. 


The more He works in my heart, chipping away at the messy, broken places
the more I see them bloom! 
Becoming Real BROTHERS, partners (in crime), friends. 


The more I stop trying to be better, do better . . . expect better. . . 
the more I see HIM step in and do the job I cannot do.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you
 and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit 
and that your fruit should abide, 
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name,
 he may give it to you.

 These things I command you, so that you will love one another."
John 15:16-17



Not my will, but Yours Lord. 
Not my ways, but Yours. 


Last year I would have told you it wasn't possible for me
to homeschool 
all three of them. I wasn't capable. 
It wasn't in their best interest. 
He needs more structure.
He likes pre-school. He doesn't WANT to stay home with us. . . .

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
 and lean not unto thine own understanding."
Proverbs 3:5

I am not capable. 
Not in my own right. 
But, God is.

"In all thy ways acknowledge him,
 and he shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 3:6 


He will build you a bridge.
for whatever path He wants you to take

There's been difficulty
 struggle. 
One with special needs. 
 One who's hurt and needs more than I know how to give.
One who was damaged by another. Who felt abandoned and cast aside.

But, God does not cast aside. 

Nor does He abandon His own. 



"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you."
1Peter 5:7


I'm so grateful that He is faithful to show me the path. His path.
I'm grateful that I've stepped out in obedience knowing that it is God whom is capable.
I'm deeply grateful
I get to watch first hand as He heals the damage,
Washes away the hurt.


I get to watch you grow closer to your Creator 
as you delight in learning about His creation.


November is "National Adoption Month" 
Adoption is not always easy. Especially when there are extenuating circumstances,
damaged, hurt places - deeply hidden.
It can be down right difficult. 
But, make NO mistake. 

God's hand is on adoption!

He wants to bring HIS children to their Forever Homes
. . . with love. . . and make them whole



Tears run streaming down my face as I type to let you know. . . . 

He is faithful!
. . . and His grace is sufficient. 
There are real miracles taking place
even right here in our home.


and sometimes it's the difficulties. . . 
which make the
 Blessings That Much Sweeter! 




Counting down the blessings:

#32 - Tears streaming, joy deep.
#33 - Listening to you sing in the next room, as I count
#34 - Time together every day exploring creation
#35 - Knowing it's not my will, but His
#36 - Messy school table with glue, paper, and paint
#37 - Dirty hand prints on the walls
#38 - Learning to walk in joy
#39 - Miracles. Real miracles in the details
#40 - Painted skies full of promise and love and healing
#41 - Campfires and hearts glowing happy

Read more about "National Adoption Month" and Our Adoption Story here


*still crying . . . happy . . . sharing!



#3 in 30 Goals are going well -
My health: I've been drinking water according to my goal and whether it's the water or not,
I don't know- but . . . I've had less pain over the past couple of weeks in general. I don't care
if it's the prayers, the weather, or the water. . . I'll take it! My healing from RA is on it's way!

Bible reading daily: I can say with confidence, this is making a difference in my life. I've always
done some reading, I've always had continual "relationship" with God, but this is THE THING
that's keeping me on track with everything else.

Blog organization: progress, definitely some progress- plenty more room for improvement, but
I'm just so thrilled with what God is doing in my heart with sweet friends and contacts through
the blog and the writing process, that I just have to go with Happy with the Progress!

*you may gather from the Blessings article that God has been busy at work 
in our home and on me, so my "goals" for this month have been a bit "tweaked" 
Growth and healing in our hearts, seeing His goals come to fruition 
(or at the very least- be obviously on track) 
and using it all to reach others with a heart for children, homeschool, or who need to be 
encouraged. . . well, it's good. . . really good.

Linking up with : 
joy pockets3in30    The Homeschool Mother's Journal

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

praising God He has put the better thing on your heart... having raised and home schooled for 20 years... now starting with the next generation... God does provide all you'll need... just listen...

Anonymous said...

Keli..this is just wonderful...the joy and goodness of God leaps off the page...rejoicing with you in God's leading...your willingness to follow and now praise for His faithfulness...
I pray you health is improving and pray for God's continued guidance along the path He has for you...
have a blessed weekend...
Ro

Donetta said...

This is just beautiful. (And you just had to go and tell me that you were crying - you made me tear up with those words! I can't let someone cry alone. Ever. lol!) Anyway, what a beautiful story God is creating with you and your family! Thanks for sharing it! And I love your photos - as always!

And that sunset photo...to die for!! GORGEOUS!

Rebecca said...

Kelli,Your words...and friendship have truly reached across the miles to me. This past summer...when i returned to the AIG table...after lunch. I saw your card. I can still see it clearly...in my mind. I spoke with Polly about it...and she smiled as she shared her conversation with you....and I knew...I had missed out. Not sure why God had me away just then...I spent that entire convention at that table....and yet, then...at that moment, I was not there. So, I know...when we meet...the blessings and tears will overflow! LOVE YA!

Theresa said...

I love your photos. I love reading blogs and meeting people who really appreciate their family.

Thank you also for the Scripture. I have been going through some stuff lately and I don't know what I would do without the constant reminder that God is in charge not me. I need to keep remembering that, when I do it all falls into place.

MJ said...

Oh Kelli, so much gratitude here--so so happy for you and your beautiful family...
have a gorgeous weekend
xo

melissa said...

It sounds like you have had a blessed journey filled with much, much joy. Thanks for passing some of it along! Congrats on a successful journey diving into homeschooling - that is no small task!

Hodgepodgemom said...

Absolutely wonderful!!

Heathahlee said...

Sometimes the Lord amazes me in how He works in my son's life...without me saying a word!

I love #34...it always puts a smile on my face, too!

Natasha said...

Saw you visited my blog Mother of Seven and had to come visit. Your posts on adoption have touched my heart. I feel like a kindred spirit as I read your posts. And tears are running down my face too. :0) I feel each word, and your photos make such beautiful stories. I'd like to put a link to your blog on my blog site, or do you have a button? I'll have to look and see. Anyway, just wanted to say, I know the difficulties firsthand. Thankfully God is there. Both our boys are destructive. One of them has RAD. And I could go on and on. But I don't want to focus on those things. I can't. I have to focus on the hope and the little victories. However, as you said honesty is important and so I do share the struggles. It is a ministry, and it helps others thinking about adopting. Thank you for sharing your heart. God Bless!