March 2014

One step closer. . . . .

     Jeremy and I applied today to adopt through a adoption aggency. We only sent in the preliminary application for adoption, but thats one step closer than we were yesterday. We should hear within one to two business days if we passed and can move onto the next step. I am so fearful, but I know that even if this doesnt workout God has a plan. No matter what I know at the end of that plan there is a child who will finally get a  a Momma and Daddy and our arms will finally ache no more because finally they will be wrapped around our baby.


        Such a exciting day. Cant wait to see what God does next.

Our Nala :)

    We took Nala to the vet today and She weighed 9 pounds!!! What?! Where is the tiny 3 pounds puppy I brought home. . . .

    The little puppy who had never barked, who was afraid of everything, and never left my side.

            It seems within a instant She changed.  She barked for the first time on Christmas Eve ( and has not stopped since). Somedays when she seems to  bark nonstop I think back to that first little weak bark she mustered up and remember how it made Jeremy and I laugh.
   I remember how the wind scared her to death and She would run  straight to me from the leaves as they blew and hide behind me. I would laugh so hard, now I am yelling for her to come back as she chases the leaves as the wind blows all around her.

 We laugh about her facial expressions.

especially when she smiles!!

  She is just there to hangout with everyday, and She just makes life more fun. 

     Pets are not for everyone, and not everyone thinks of their pet as a family member or their friend. And thats ok everyones different and I totally get it. However Nala has made us smile and laugh even on days when we are upset and unhappy. When we are totally stressed and worried about things in life  Nala  snuggles up in our lap, and even though were still stressed and worried  somehow she helps. She is there when were happy, sad ,mad, scared. At our absolute worst She is still there and ready to snuggle up in our lap.

She is constantly there for us and isnt that what friends and family do for us. So yes She is a member of our family and She is our friend and yes she is still just a dog, but she is OUR dog.  She is Nala Malone, and we may be just a little bit CRAZY ABOUT HER :)

The End

Embarking on a Journey. . . . .

           I felt the call to adopt In January of 2013, although thats when I felt I knew for sure all through my life I have often thought of adoption. Jeremy was not so sure and I totally understood, its a HUGE decision. I begin to pray for him and asked God if adoption was what He wanted for us to get Jeremy on the same page as me. The truth is its hard to give up a dream of a baby thats part me and part Jeremy, but the truth is families are made many different ways and my (adopted) child is not plan b. Jeremy came to me a few nights ago and  said we would start the adoption journey in 2015. I was shocked, but absolutely overjoyed. I finally knew this is Gods plan for us. I finally understood so many things I have went through and questioned why. It all made sense. What I want my child to know and realize is they were never second choice, they are not here only because we couldnt have our own. They were Gods plan for us all along. They needed a Mom and Dad just as we longed to be parents and God had a perfect plan. Better than what we had dreamed or hoped.
     The next few months we will begin our search and begin researching adoption agencies. I know God will lead us to the one He wants us to use. I know most agencies want you to be in your thirtys. So this will narrow our search down since we are not in our thirtys, but that cannot stop Gods plan. I know that We dont have the money to fund the adoption, but I know God has a plan for that too. We are trusting and clinging to Him and His promises.
           We are scared, excited, and anxious to start on this new journey. We ask that you please pray for us and that God will show us which agency to choose. 

A change in me. . . . .

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
Matthew 7:7


           A month or so ago I begin asking God to help me be a true worshiper. I know how pathetic to ask the one your suppose to worship to help you worship himself better, but I asked. I poured my heart out. I asked God to help me connect with Him not only in worship, but in every area of my life. I asked Him to help me draw closer to Him. Closer than I've ever been. 
      I asked and it was given, I knocked and the door swung open.
   I cannot explain what has happen within the last few weeks, but there has been a change in me. I'm not sure others can  or have noticed, but I feel it and I know im different. I have never felt the genuine worship I feel now. I have never felt so intune with the holy spirit. I cannot explain it. I cannot understand it, but its amazing. I  feel closer to God than ever before and I dont care what others think. If I wanna lift my hands I do, If I wanna cry and still sing to the top of my lungs ( even though im sure it sounds horrendous) I do it. I completely let the spirit lead me which is all new to me sadly. 
  I am not writing this to brag about me or boast about my worship because its nothing compared to what God deserves . I am only saying if your not feeling as close to God as you once were, or your more worried about what others think of how you look during worship instead of spending time worshiping the God who made you , Maybe its time to ask because when you do what you recieve  may just be life changing.


If you dont feel as close to God as you once did, Guess who moved??!!??!?

6 weeks already?!?!?!?!

  Everytime I see you I fall more and more in love with you. . . . . . 

I'm sure you all remember me blogging about this sweet girl and introducing you to Miss Kinlee Rayne. If not you can click here to read that post. What you may not realize is yesterday this baby girl turned 6 WEEKS old!!!! Not sure how that happened overnight!!!! Time sure does fly and Our family is enjoying every single second watching this beautiful girl grow!!!

  Please join me in praying for her sweet mommy as she heads back to work monday.



Father,
   We ask that you be with Lacey as She heads back to work Monday. Take away all anxiety and worry she has and allow her to enjoy this weekend with her family. Lord we pray that when Monday comes you wrap your arms around this whole family and give them peace like they have never known. 
In Jesus Name, 
Amen

I would give it up all over again. . . .

I did not write this!!! I repeat this was not written by me......
However this is my story!  I too married at 19 and I too heard plenty of
comments that were discouraging, I too gave up more than I ever dreamed I would have too,  and I too would
do it all over again.

Click here to read the post

Molly

Did I forget to mention this sweet girl??

I got to spend time with Molly (our dog when we lived in Montana) when I was there last month. She is doing wonderful and loving her forever family. I am so thankful that we never have to worry about her. She is in great hands! :)

Well hello again

Hello again cold weather!! The warm weather was awesome, but today I awoke to find the cold weather back :( boooooo!!!!  I guess i changed to a summery background and got excited a but prematurely But that's ok the warm weather will be back soon to stay.      
Happy Thursday!!!!!

  

        Throwback Thursday

4/19/08

Catching up. . . . . . .

       Well Hello warm weather!!!! I normally love the cold, but I must admit this warm weather has been very nice. :) I am ready for T-Shirts and flip flops. Lately that is exactly the weather we have had. Still cool enough not to be miserable, but warm enough for no jacket until night. I love it. If you noticed I even changed my blog background since it was snow to go along with the new warm feeling. I moved all my sweaters and boots to the back of the closet and I am ready for spring. :)
         Have I said lately how much I love my job. If I have sorry your about to hear it again. I LOVE my job. Maybe its because I havent been in a public job in well over 3 years. Im not sure, but its a great place to work. With awesome employers and amazing CoWorkers and I am so so thankful that I am blessed to be working there.
          We are doing really good, and since coming back from Montana I am at peace. I still miss it more than fathomable, but I have peace in knowing I am right where God wants me to be. Things are going good at The Fellowship Church ( TFC). Our sunday service now starts at 11:30am so if you enjoying sleeping late you can still make it to come worship with us. :)
         Well there is a little update for you. :) Things are wonderful and we are thankful for the great God we serve who is working all things out for our good. Have a happy Tuesday!!!




          

i'm not gonna worry because I am blessed!!!!!

        I look around and all I can think lately is I'm so BLESSED!!!!
         I have been at my job one month and I absolutely love it. I have my own car now. I have a awesome hubby and wonderful marriage. We have a nice place to live we rent but we are very happy with it. And last but now least God has place beautiful babies all around me. . .  . . . . . . .

 I know I have went through the whiny phase of
"why dont I have a baby bump? "                                    
 "Why am I not registering a child for kindergarten?"
" Whens it my turn?"
"waaaa waaaa waaa!!!!"




But ya know what I decided im not gonna worry. When I feel fearful and my head tells me that i'll never be a mother. I take a deep breath and say thats ok. God has a plan for me and maybe thats for me to be a mother and maybe its not. He has a plan for all of us and its not the same as His plan for everyone else.

It has not mattered where I have been God has ALWAYS placed children around me. I was reminded wednesday night as a tiny voice said "Momma, Can I go to Stephanies Tomorrow??" that its ok if there not mine. Its ok if I never have my own because I know the love Children can bring even if they arent mine and some folks go a lifetime and never know that love.

 Instead of worrying and wishing I will take a deep breath and enjoy every moment with the miracles God has placed around me to love.  I will think about the house I couldnt be living in, the car I couldnt be driving, and the amazing love of a husband I have that others wait a lifetime for, and I will realize that Gods ways are perfect and even if my own children are not in my future  His ways are still perfect and I am still blessed.

Have a great weekend!!!!!

Falling Deeper in Love with Him and Watching Everything else fall into place. . . . . . . . .

        God has been giving me a sense of peace and the anger is beginning to subside. As most everyone knows I have struggled with direction and meaning since moving back to Tennessee in July ( 2013). Although I am happy now and after my visit to Montana last week am more certain Tennessee is where God wants us, I am still not sure what my purpose is. Some days I still feel completely lost and confused.
    So I been praying  and a couple days ago while reading my bible God spoke to me. He said "Fall deeper into your relationship with me, and all your other relationships will strengthen and deepen as well." It was so clear and so plain. Yet why did He have to tell me? Why do we put our jobs, relationships, and everything else in front of Him?  I know I know its because were human and are sinful by nature.  I plan to do better about putting God first. How about you??
    I also have been praying about my worship. I wanna break through and truly worship, but have always been cautious about what others will think. I asked God to help me to break loose from the rut I've been in. Its not about the song, how the music sounds, or contemporary or old time gospel. ITS ABOUT HIM!!!!
        I think I am finally beginning to get that. Today after a awesome worship service  where I completely let go and let the spirit led me, we entered into the scripture and bam almost immediately I felt God speak to me. He said " If you will draw closer to me, everything else will fall into place."  Wow almost the same meaning as a few days ago and  all I wanna do is fall deeper in love with Him and watch everything else "fall into place." I then snapped out of my thoughts in time to hear our Youth Pastor JJ say Stop thinking about pleasing yourself and start concentrating on pleasing God.  Wow another awesome word for me.  The scripture that stuck out to me most was this

Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men  nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Corinthians 6:8-11
  

It honestly blew me away. Yes I was there and Yes He washed and sanctified me. I absolutely did not deserve it. All I wanna do is obey Him and do exactly as He has asked me to. I still am not 100% what that is, but I am focusing on falling deeper into my relationship with Him.   I am so excited to see what God has in store for me and look forward to hearing Him more clearly as I deepen our relationship. 

Thanks for your prayers......Hope everyone had a great weekend.