Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
!
Before present time...you can see their excitement!
Isabella (2) opening her presents
The top of Uncle Marvin's Christmas tree hill..the boys LOVED roaming the mtn all day!!!
Riding with Uncle Marvin in his Kubota
Mountain Top view of the Ferguson farm that I spent many summers playing..the white house on the far left was my grandfather's house
Yaya, Sophia (bundled up) and Aunt Jenna
Woot-woot: we get to cut it down!
Owen wrapping our tree
The Whole Vinson/Parker GangThe week of Thanksgiving we met up with the Vinson/Parker Gang in Boone, NC at a cabin for the week. Thank you Poppy and Yaya!! We had a great time spending that time with our sweet little girl cousins, meeting Sophia for the first time, taking lots of walks and hikes, and just being together. The weather was great to be outside thankfully, and on Thanksgiving, the boys had planned to play flag football. So, we found a park and spent most of the afternoon laughing, running, tackling, and scoring touchdowns. What a FUN memory with Aunt Chel, Uncle D, and Poppy! We ended the week going to a Christmas tree farm and picking and cutting our tree. There were so many to choose from-wow!
One day we drove over to Jefferson to visit my Uncle Marvin and Aunt Wanda, cousin Renee and her new little girl, Amelia. We had a wonderful day roaming the farm, checking out their remodeled home, picking out a little tree for the boys, cracking black walnuts, wandering through the barns I used to play in, and eating some straight up delicious food! Yummy molasses stack cake!!
At the end, the boys rode home with Poppy and Yaya, and spent a week with family in NC. They had a blast spending that time in the car, going to Grandma Jo's for a few days and then on to my mom's house. It was a early Christmas present for Chad and I to have a week to ourselves in our own home. We forgot what it was like to sleep til 9am!!! That week, Chad was able to work on school work after hours and I worked on some Christmas presents. fun stuff!
We are SUPER glad to have the boys back and adjusted from travels, but it sure was a fun adventure!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Orphan Sunday
This is a copy from my friend "Laura Parker Family" who is living out their passion serving overseas. She is sharing the story of one of her friend's persceptive on adoption. I too am so blessed to have friends in my life that have answered the "call" or should I say, "been obedient to the command." As for our family, we are not there yet personally, but its not our of reach either. So far, it has been our joy to love on and bless other families that have adopted and/or fostered.
I
It’s Orphan Sunday. Again. Another day set aside for the church to show orphan related videos, hear testimonies relevant to adoption and orphan care, and an opportunity to listen to sermons where orphans are [possibly] mentioned.
I must confess. Many times I ask myself, “What’s the point of it?” “Is having another day set aside to create an awareness of the orphan crisis even worth the effort?” Is it?
Perhaps I have become somewhat cynical. My bag.
Truth is, it all gets a little tiring at times. We’re the Christians. We’re God’s beloved church. His beautiful bride. We’re the ones He has called. We should not need to be convinced. We all know the need is out there.
Yet, we wait.
We wait for God to speak to us in an audible voice, telling us to “GO!”—sometimes He does that audible voice thing, you know.
We wait for the perfect job to come along—orphan care demands a whole lot of money.
We wait for the bills to be paid—can’t be taking on more than we can handle.
We wait for the larger house—because adding children requires a large house.
We wait for a few kids to leave the nest before we add more—can’t be having too many children in the home.
We wait for confirmation with the perfect scripture to drop into our spirits as a sign that we need to act now.
We wait, we wait, we wait.
And while we wait—they perish. The statistics are staggering. I can’t even look anymore.
Why do we find every reason under heaven and earth why we should not go? The Bible is as clear as daylight—“care for the widows and the orphans.”
It’s a lot like missions. My heart aches when I see how many churches don’t have a fabulous missions program. God’s Word says to “Go into ALL the world and make disciples of all men.” It’s a command! It’s non- negotiable. Taking care of the orphans is a command too. We’re commanded in His word to care for them—however that may look.
But still we wait for “the call” to come. Kind of like, “I am SO glad Mrs. Jenkins is called to lead children’s church, because that is DEFINITELY NOT my calling.
God hardly ever calls us to do things for Him when everything in our lives is just grand. He never calls us to walk on the water when our circumstances are sweet. When I look in the Bible, I see people doing things for the Lord in the midst of impossible circumstances. Tougher than what my circumstances have ever been in my entire life. Yet, they did it. In obedience. The Lord commanded them–and they went. They accepted the tough task that lay before them—come what may. They never asked the Lord for a re-commission.
So why in the world do we? What makes us so different to the people God gave us to learn from in the Bible?
Why are there so many uncared for orphans in the world when we’re commanded to care for them?
We would be wealthy if someone paid us every time we have been told that we were “called by God” to adopt our four children who have special needs. Or for the many people who have told us that “There is no way we could do what you do.”
I disagree.
You know what that does? It diminishes God’s sovereign power to do the impossible through each one of us, His people. Comments like that tell the Father, “Sorry God, but you don’t have enough power to give me the ability to parent a child who struggles in life.” “So sorry, God. Just go and call someone else.” “Oh God, and that mission field thing? There is no way I could ever do that!”
That’s perilous ground to walk on.
God’s power is absolutely made perfect in our weakness. When He commands us to do something, He equips us with everything we need to fulfill the calling with excellence. Even us–ordinary sinners saved by grace who are just average Joes. He does it for His glory! To make Himself famous in the earth. It has absolutely nothing to do with us. Everything God does is for His glory, not ours.
I believe with all my heart that God is raising up an army of crazy people to do the ridiculous. Many believe we are living in the end times. We agree! We sense that more than ever God is looking for those who are willing to do the impossible. Just WILLING! God is seeking out those who will serve Him with reckless abandonment, no matter where that takes them or what He tells them to do in this life.
Reckless abandon for the sake of His orphans. I’m in!
- Adeye Salem
I
It’s Orphan Sunday. Again. Another day set aside for the church to show orphan related videos, hear testimonies relevant to adoption and orphan care, and an opportunity to listen to sermons where orphans are [possibly] mentioned.
I must confess. Many times I ask myself, “What’s the point of it?” “Is having another day set aside to create an awareness of the orphan crisis even worth the effort?” Is it?
Perhaps I have become somewhat cynical. My bag.
Truth is, it all gets a little tiring at times. We’re the Christians. We’re God’s beloved church. His beautiful bride. We’re the ones He has called. We should not need to be convinced. We all know the need is out there.
Yet, we wait.
We wait for God to speak to us in an audible voice, telling us to “GO!”—sometimes He does that audible voice thing, you know.
We wait for the perfect job to come along—orphan care demands a whole lot of money.
We wait for the bills to be paid—can’t be taking on more than we can handle.
We wait for the larger house—because adding children requires a large house.
We wait for a few kids to leave the nest before we add more—can’t be having too many children in the home.
We wait for confirmation with the perfect scripture to drop into our spirits as a sign that we need to act now.
We wait, we wait, we wait.
And while we wait—they perish. The statistics are staggering. I can’t even look anymore.
Why do we find every reason under heaven and earth why we should not go? The Bible is as clear as daylight—“care for the widows and the orphans.”
It’s a lot like missions. My heart aches when I see how many churches don’t have a fabulous missions program. God’s Word says to “Go into ALL the world and make disciples of all men.” It’s a command! It’s non- negotiable. Taking care of the orphans is a command too. We’re commanded in His word to care for them—however that may look.
But still we wait for “the call” to come. Kind of like, “I am SO glad Mrs. Jenkins is called to lead children’s church, because that is DEFINITELY NOT my calling.
God hardly ever calls us to do things for Him when everything in our lives is just grand. He never calls us to walk on the water when our circumstances are sweet. When I look in the Bible, I see people doing things for the Lord in the midst of impossible circumstances. Tougher than what my circumstances have ever been in my entire life. Yet, they did it. In obedience. The Lord commanded them–and they went. They accepted the tough task that lay before them—come what may. They never asked the Lord for a re-commission.
So why in the world do we? What makes us so different to the people God gave us to learn from in the Bible?
Why are there so many uncared for orphans in the world when we’re commanded to care for them?
We would be wealthy if someone paid us every time we have been told that we were “called by God” to adopt our four children who have special needs. Or for the many people who have told us that “There is no way we could do what you do.”
I disagree.
You know what that does? It diminishes God’s sovereign power to do the impossible through each one of us, His people. Comments like that tell the Father, “Sorry God, but you don’t have enough power to give me the ability to parent a child who struggles in life.” “So sorry, God. Just go and call someone else.” “Oh God, and that mission field thing? There is no way I could ever do that!”
That’s perilous ground to walk on.
God’s power is absolutely made perfect in our weakness. When He commands us to do something, He equips us with everything we need to fulfill the calling with excellence. Even us–ordinary sinners saved by grace who are just average Joes. He does it for His glory! To make Himself famous in the earth. It has absolutely nothing to do with us. Everything God does is for His glory, not ours.
I believe with all my heart that God is raising up an army of crazy people to do the ridiculous. Many believe we are living in the end times. We agree! We sense that more than ever God is looking for those who are willing to do the impossible. Just WILLING! God is seeking out those who will serve Him with reckless abandonment, no matter where that takes them or what He tells them to do in this life.
Reckless abandon for the sake of His orphans. I’m in!
- Adeye Salem
Friday, October 15, 2010
Creative Fun and Camping
WHat our boys do when a table is left in the backyard...who needs "real" toys?
This picture just makes me giggle..Looking at his twig legs in my shoes and then that sly little smile. What a nut!!
Here are two of the four ladder back chairs in recently acquired from an antique warehouse, and so I decided to paint 2 black, 1 red and 1 was already a green color..works great in the dining room.
Chair Intermission: Let's paint a brick instead:-)
Ta-da! Two more chairs for our table!!
From the sounds of it, many of our friends had the same fun idea last weekend..CAMPOUT!! I was amazed they all 4 lasted till 6:30am, but they were champs(as they ran inside to get warm ;-))
This picture just makes me giggle..Looking at his twig legs in my shoes and then that sly little smile. What a nut!!
Here are two of the four ladder back chairs in recently acquired from an antique warehouse, and so I decided to paint 2 black, 1 red and 1 was already a green color..works great in the dining room. 
Chair Intermission: Let's paint a brick instead:-)
Ta-da! Two more chairs for our table!!
From the sounds of it, many of our friends had the same fun idea last weekend..CAMPOUT!! I was amazed they all 4 lasted till 6:30am, but they were champs(as they ran inside to get warm ;-))
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Invasion of the SUPER HEROES!
the Super Hero training warm-up! Check out those heroes: Luke Skywalker, Woody, Anakin, Boba Fet, Storm Trooper, Optimus Prime, Captain America, Superman, Super Stitch, Batman, Darth Vader and a FBI agent!
Anakin turned into Darth Vader; aka birthday boy was going through one of the obstacle course trainings for the super heroes.
Can you just feel his excitement!! Yay for STAR WARS!!
A delicious Ice-cream pizza we found at Maggie Moos (lactose-free) and it was yummy with our cupcakes;-)
Captain America and Superman!
Destroying Darth Vader: all super heroes were needed to get rid of this pinata!
Opening his present from Grandmother!This year for Griffin's 6th birthday, we have been consumed with anything and everything Star Wars. So, we created a "Super Hero training camp" where they all warmed-up, practiced an obstacle course yelling their "hero's name" at the end, tested their balancing ability with an egg race, accuracy with swinging and taking out a pinata, and then of course, food!!! I think Girffin felt wonderfully loved by all his friends and had a blast! Before and after the party we watched the pre-trilogy Star Wars 1,2,3 and then headed to Mellow Mushroom to check out their new GLUTEN-free CRUST. The day was a success in the eyes of my precious little man!
Griffin, I thank the Lord daily as I see Him growing and changing you into a tender warrior for his Kingdom. You have a unique ability to include and care for those around you that could get lost in the crowd-you draw them in-you are intuitive to the hurts of others and wanting them to be ok- So far in your short life, God is already knitting your heart for a specific purpose and I look forward to watching where He guides your path. Thank you for being such a joy to have and laugh with in our home!!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Boys+Denim+Nature=Bliss
Last weekend, a dear friend of ours, Rebekah, took these amazing pictures of the fellas. She was wanting some practice with multiple children and asked if I'd be up for it. HECK YEAH! As Chad says, "You're a picture fanatic!" And being that photography is NOT my gift, I was totally up for someone else to take the shots. So she spent about an hour snapping away, and I came home with many keepers.
I few years back when Owen was 5, Griffin 3, and Tate 1 we had similar pictures taken. I wanted to now get a few shots with Griffin now five (that's why the denim overall pics are mixed in) and this past Sat was perfect! (My thought and goal is to "one day" have a picture of each of them at age 5 on the wall) They were taken at a local historic site that provides unique settings, great color, and fun in the water. What child doesn't like that? Anyway, Chad and I were super pleased with the wonderful images and the fellas cooperation and we hope to do more pictures with the whole family soon! Just wanted to share our excitement....ENJOY;-)
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