Moody and I are some of the few that have faithfully watched ER since it first aired in 1994. That was the year that Moody and I got married, and one of the recommendations we received in our pre-marriage counseling was to not have a tv that first year as man and wife. We wanted to give it a try!

I spent much of Saturday (when I wasn't at the kids basketball games) ignoring all my responsibilities, curled up in my pj's, nursing multiple cups of Gobena coffee and reading the Bottomly's new book From Ashes to Africa.  Oh, how I love to get lost in a good book. :)





I highly recommend this book to anyone! Click here to order your copy. :)

I have seen this on several other blogs and it has taken me days to process this video. Watch it, allow your hearts to be moved to action, moved to be an advocate for orphans. It will break your heart, it did mine.

The Lord so graciously gives me little nuggets that show me just how much He is using Abe to mold us.

Yesterday Hill's tutor called to tell me something and before we hung up she asked about Abe- then said, "do you know how much Hill loves that baby?". I must have answered quickly with a "yes, he does" or something similar. She said slowly, "no, do you REALLY KNOW how much he loves that baby? His face lights up each and everytime he talks about Abe! He is going to be a wonderful father!"

Tears welled in my eyes as it made me so thankful for the ways Abe is changing each one of us. Do I think Hill will be a better father/brother/friend/husband for having Abe as a brother? Absolutely! Prayerfully I will meditate on these things and rejoice in His good gift to us.

Will you please join me in praying for Abby? Watch this short video for an update on this precious child.

"and the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, "Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into the wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."

The Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall gather a day's portion everyday." Exodus 16:2-4a

It continues on to give the daily requirements, etc of this gift of manna from the Lord to the Israelites. He provided this manna for their remaining time in the wilderness. It sustained them on a daily basis.

The Lord has so graciously provided my bread, my manna, as a means to encourage and sustain us through these difficult days.

Immediately after receiving the news and diagnosis of Abe, it rained heavily for weeks. I would get multiple emails daily full of truth, wisdom, stories of encouragement, simply "I'm thinking of you". Many of these came from people that I have never had the blessing to meet in person. Some I had communicated with via blogs, while others simply felt led to write.

" I have had the privilege of following your blog since you brought your sweet little Abe home. It has been such a JOY! It is so sweet to me how you come to “know” complete strangers through an adoption blog..................(she shares her precious story with me and then closes with)..Each day when I wake up I am so excited for our day together. What new thing will she accomplish? What new connection will we share? It is so amazing. Why did God choose me to share such a wonderful treasure with? How deep His love for us, how vast beyond all measure.
You see, God did not just choose you for Abe, he choose Abe for YOU! You, Emily, were the perfect mama for him, no other would do. You are equipped, because before time began you were chosen. He can handle the questions and He can bring peace to your fears. Trust Him…"

another one: "Was just kind of suddenly overwhelmed and had to write you. I don't know how you're feeling, except that I can understand feelings of deep pain and of wondering what God is up to. To know you're hurting reminds me of my own deep need for God's grace.

Looking for another verse my eyes landed on Eph 1:8 "...the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding..."

As I read all of chapter 1, the tears wouldn't stop as the picture of God's grace was clearer than ever through Abe. The earthly comparison of God blessing Abe, choosing him, having him adopted by you, redeeming him from the orphanage (as loving as they must be), lavishing on him the riches of His grace in your home with all wisdom and understanding (only God knew Abe's physical needs as he only really knows our spiritual needs)...the mystery of His will...working out everything in conformity with his will...for the praise of his glory.

Thinking of Abe and his physical needs and having that be a reminder of the even deeper needs we all have before God. God rescues us in our helplessness and blesses us with every spiritual blessing. God is so good. You all are a constant reminder to me of how good God is. Thanks for being an instrument of God's grace to me. I guess a bit of irony was Moody calling me at the end of my workout in my vain quest to not be so skinny and he became a reminder to me to worry more about the inside of the cup than the outside of it."

Multiple emails sent the wonderful Trip to Holland story! Thank you for that.

"You do not know me but I stumbled upon your blog. I wanted to say by accident but nothing happens by accident. Anyway, I also have a child with a disability. Actually, I have two children with a disability.

I am very familiar with the road that you are on because I have been there. I want to share with you some things that God has taught me on this journey.

1. Abe was fearfully and wonderfully made. He is no accident or mistake.

2. God has a purpose for Abe's life, it doesn't matter the disability

3. God began the work in Abe and He will finish that work. That means that you may see that completed work in Abe here on earth otherwise you will see it completed in heaven.

4. There is a reason that God chose you over all the other people in the world to be blessed with Abe. There is something that God has gifted you with that Abe needs. You are the perfect parents for him. It was no accident. Always remember that when the doubts come.

There will be days that you just want to crawl back in bed and cry. But I think that is true for any journey God puts you on. Some days you just realize your weakness more than others. If there is anything I can do you. Or, you need to talk, voice your pain with or pray with, please do not hesitate to give me a call"

This is just a small sample of the grace that has poured down like rain (or bread) for our benefit! They always come at the perfect time too. Just a few days ago, Mood said "that was such a sweet email from ML." I hadn't read an email from her that day. I looked and it came in around 11:30. I went back and looked, I replied to the email before and after hers but did not see the one from ML. At 11:30, I was feeling really strong that particular day. When I actually sat to read the email at 7:30, not so much. Tears ran down my face as I was overcome with the knowledge that...he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I have had visits from dear friends- thank you Amy. What a gift that was to me. Amy and I met as kampers at Kanakuk and lived together all 4 years at Baylor. She lives in Austin, but drove to spend a good 24 hours with me! :) What a treat. Jenn, thanks for coming over too, Pat we missed you!




Thank you to all of you that have been used by Him to encourage our family!

Have you ever sat in a church service and felt like the sermon was directed right at you? This has happened to me several times and yesterday was one of those times. ( I think this is better than the times of self-righteousness when I sit there thinking "oh, if only so and so were here to hear this!" ) Just keeping it real! :)

Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His Presence continually!! Psalm 105:4

I saw this on yahoo this morning and couldn't keep it to myself. It is titled "Worst Best Man Ever".



Happy New Year!!