Pink Sparkly Heels

I've been debating what to share here on our blog. Obviously, once we get to Bulgaria, we'll share about that, but life is happening here in the USA, now. I love to tell God stories. I love being a part of God's great, big incredible adventure.

This past week and a half has been hard. Marty's Mom is sick and in the hospital. We, nearly, lost her. Now, we're trying to negotiate her long-term care, because the road to recovery isn't looking like a short one. Then, our little boys got sick with strep throat. Not such a big deal, just exhausting, cleaning up vomit, running to Urgent Care and fighting over medicine. In the middle of all this, we're waiting on a signature, so that Klemi's adoption can be completed and she can come home to us. Sometimes, life happens fast and all we can do is hang on to Jesus and know, that this season will pass.

Last night, I was on the computer pretty late. I had been up with Sam, who isn't the best sleeper when he's well, throw in an illness and he's exhausting. God had a reason. He always does.

My friend, Jamie, messaged me and told me she had written a blog post and mentioned prayer in it. She was super nervous about what people would think. Jamie was not raised to believe in Jesus and has only come to know him in the past few years. She said it feels like I'm "coming out of the closet." Precious Jamie, made me laugh out loud and wake Marty up. Here's why.

About a year ago, Jamie and her husband, crossed the ocean to adopt a sweet little boy, named Eli (love his name). Eli has Down Syndrome and needed a family. Jamie was a very new believer at the time and didn't hesitate to do exactly what God was calling her to do. This year, Jamie and her husband are headed back across the ocean (to a place that's very near to my heart) to bring home two more little girls, both of them have Down Syndrome, along with other delays and needs. Jamie advocates for orphans, supports adoptive families and is a wonderful friend. It's very obvious to those of us watching Jamie's life that she loves Jesus, so I nearly fell out of the bed laughing when she told me she was "coming out" of the "I love Jesus" closet.

It gets better, because she linked me to her blog post and said, "It's subtle, but it's there. You know, I can't come out in my Pink Sparkly Heels, right away." I read her post. You can read it here: on Jamie's blog. I responded with get your Pink Sparkly Heels out, girl! She was so proud to tell me that, today, she moved from white shoes to tan.

Jamie, friend, I have to tell you that I love how you shine! You must not realize what your life says to everyone around you, each day. Jamie is struggling with something that many of us struggle with...finding her identity in Christ. She doesn't realize her own worth, value and Sparkle. When your life is lit with the fire of Jesus, you can't hide that shine. It creeps out into life, whether you realize it or not.

So, my question for the rest of us and the lesson God reminded me of last night, "Are we all out for Jesus? Have we put on love, above all else?" If we have, I think, we can safely say that the people around us are enjoying watching us follow after Jesus in our Pink Sparkly Heels!

Jamie and her family need help bringing home their girls. While you're over at her blog, pray and if you're able give. Let's love on Jamie a little and encourage her to keep shining for Jesus.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Breathless Expectation

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways; we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation.

Oswald Chambers

Lately, I have allowed the uncertainty of our future to bring fear and sadness. Many of you know that we're in the middle of an international adoption and, quite frankly, it's taking too long to suit this Mama. We've, also, taken a step of faith and let everyone know that we're heading to Bulgaria. Talk about uncertainty. How will we raise the money, where we live, who will God fill our days with? Questions are everywhere.

I have many friends, who are adopting from Bulgaria and they are all in love with the country, the people, the food. They have said, repeatedly, how jealous they are of this opportunity we have to go and live in Bulgaria.  I'll just be honest. It's adding to the uncertainty and fear. Are they only seeing the end of the story, where we live and minister in Bulgaria for 2 years? Are they overlooking the year long process to get us there? The questions...how will we raise the money, where will we live, who will God fill our days with, what will we come back home to?

We're not taking a vacation or a short-term mission's trip. We're leaving our lives behind. We're laying them down to follow after Jesus, to walk where He's calling. Our kids are leaving behind all of their friends, their activities, their lives. I'm just gonna be real, it's scary. We've been here before, though, on this road less traveled, the one where Jesus walks. We know that He will meet us here. We know that He has a plan. We have a certainty and a peace that comes from knowing this is what He called us to do. 

It's an awesome thing to find yourself in the middle of God's will. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I'm human, though and it's a lonely place, sometimes. If the Holy Spirit brings us to mind, please, remember we're just regular people and more than anything we need your prayers and support. Tell us that you're praying, that you love us, that you'll walk this path with us. Even if you don't we'll still go. "Though none go with me still I will follow..." The journey is just sweeter with friends in it.

Today, I will choose breathless expectation. I will choose to look for God in each moment. I will choose to give it all back to him and let him do his marvelous work in our family. I am waiting with breathless expectation to see how God will meet our need. How he will answer the questions.

I'm especially thankful that, "He is God and I am not." We should all be able to find certainty in that statement, today.

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy