HOPE RISING and HOPE FOUND

I was just so overcome with joy this weekend at church. I wanted to post about how God moved through our church, our AWESOME church, (La Croix United Methodist Church) However, this morning when I finally sat down to blog, I had to read a recent post on my dear friends blog, www.adventuresinbianca.blogspot.com This Awesome family happens to be dear friends of ours and we are lucky to be members of and worship together at our church. When I read Chantelle's entry I thought to my self, I could not have said this better myself. So, I have copied her heartfelt thoughts on how God showed up and moved through everyday people to give hope to those who have nothing else but hope.

Today was just an awesome day! I am still blown away by the info I learned today! As most of you know, we go to an awesome church and over the past year our church started a journey to make a difference for orphans in the world....Of course I am encouraging this big time!
For any local people reading, it is LaCroix Church and I am just so pumped about what God is doing there! (Please also see this as an open invite to join us at LaCroix if you are a local and looking for a church, checking out church as an option, or just thinking this place might be cool)We just finished a great series called Hope Rising, and it was all about serving the poor and standing for those in need. It had such a huge influence on my life. We were challenged in many ways as a church. One of these challenges was to live for 5 days on what millions of people across the globe live like EVERY DAY. We were allowed tap water and 3 meals a day of one cup of rice and beans.
If you know me at all, you know I love food! Too much I have learned. How interesting what we focus our time and thoughts toward...And for me, deciding where to eat or looking forward to my next meal, or snack seemed to be a big part of my life.-The funny thing is, I would have NEVER known this if I had not taken on the food challenge. I pretty much thought doing the challenge would be "good for me". Eric and I both did it as a family. We went to sleep hungry at night and I know we were still eating like kings compared to so so many people who live on so much less than the beans and rice every day.

Here are some of the random things that I learned/pondered during this week:-Frustration....I felt it big time because I could not be in total control
-We spend WAY too much in a week eating out!
-Looking at my girls in there warm cushy beds, belly's full- I cried at the thought of the 147 million children in the world who have no parents and no security, much less little to no food most of the time.
-I cried about almost everything as a matter of a fact...I was constantly overwhelmed by the feeling of being hungry and how over the top we are as a culture with all of our "stuff" while people around the world are LITERALLY STARVING TO DEATH!
-I was in a bad mood on and off all week from the lack of food...and still we had all of the tap water we could drink.
-Two days I went to the gym and did my typical cardio burn, and when I walked out of the gym I thought I might pass out...And it made me think of what women and children go through walking for miles to get water, only to carry the heavy container once filled while their bellies ache for nutrition.
I caught myself looking in the rear view mirror as I drove our over the top SUV, looking at my girls in the back seat thinking...THIS COULD HAVE BEEN THEM...Not a number that is easy to ignore...MY GIRLS, MY BABIES...BIANCA AND SOLIE

-I knew the 5 days would end if I could "just make it to the end" and then life would be back to normal....FOR US, NOT THEM
-I cheated by drinking tea a few days...How weak can a person be?
-I wondered, WHY ME? Why did I get this phenomenal life that I EXPECT, and take for granted, and millions of other people ARE DYING FROM LACK OF FOOD AND LOVE
-I still went to bed EVERY NIGHT, in my plush, warm bed, and had a shower every day, love every day, a family every day....a wonderful life...every day
Eric and I looked at each other and were brought to tears so many times as we ate our one cup meal, realizing that millions of people would be so so thankful for this one cup meal.
Well, the list could go on FOREVER, but this is a taste, if you will.

In addition to the food challenge our church partnered with a great organization called Feed My Starving Children, and we packed and shipped 157,000 meals for people in need.
On Christmas Eve an offering was taken in hopes of raising $37,000 to pay for these meals, and also to support a great organization called S.H.A.D.E, wHere we will help increase a feeding program for people already serving the poorest of the poor.
Today was the day we were to learn how much our church gave for this need.
I went to church so excited I could hardly stand it, and when the amount was revealed, I felt weak in my knees.

PEOPLE, REGULAR PEOPLE, CAME TO THE 4 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES HELD AT OUR CHURCH AND IN THOSE 4 SERVICES A TOTAL OF $116,0000 WAS GIVEN FOR THE OPE RISING FUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE GOAL WAS TO RAISE THE $37,000 THAT WOULD FEED 500 KIDS FOR A YEAR....
HERE IS WHAT GOD DID!
NOW THE MONEY GIVEN WILL IN FACT FEED 1500 KIDS FOR A YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Literally unbelievable!
GOD IS GIGANTIC!!!!
I am so thankful and humbled and challenged!
Are you? Where do you stand? Maybe you have thought about getting involved, maybe you already are involved....We have so much...We can all do more.
THIS IS WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT!

Sunset with God

I found this devotional book, Sunset with God, yesterday while shopping in Tallahassee. I was gently reminded of the "quality time" God desires to spend with His children in the reading today. I wanted to share it with you here. . .

Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11

Busy-so busy! The sun has long since set and there is still so much to do. Work, family, church and much more seem to demand hours God never put in the day. Still, we Christians think all these accomplishments will please our heavenly Father. After all, faith without works is dead, right?

When we finally fall into bed at night, can we say we've actually spent any time with the Father we're trying so hard to please?

In his book, Unto the Hills, Billy Graham tells a story about a little girl and her father who were great friends and enjoyed spending time together. They went for walks and shared a passion for watching birds, enjoying the changing seasons, and meeting people who crossed their path.

One day, the father noticed a change in his daughter. If he went for a walk, she excused herself from going. Knowing she was growing up, he rationalized that she must be expected to lose interest in her Daddy as she made other friends. Nevertheless, her absence grieved him deeply.

Because of his daughters absences, he was not in a particularly happy mood on his birthday. Then she presented him with a pair of exquisitely worked slippers, which she had hand made for him while he was out of the house walking.

At last he understood and said, "My darling, I like these slippers very much, but next time buy the slippers and let me have you all the days. I would rather have my child than anything she can make for me."

Is it possible our heavenly Father sometimes feels lonely for the company of His children? Are we so busy doing good that we forget-or are too weary- to spend some quiet time with Him as our day draws to a close?

Take a walk with your heavenly Father as the sun sets. Spend some quality time, talking to Him about anything and everything. You will be blessed and so will He!

Welcome to Florida Ms Irene

Phisher thinks it is great fun to chase down the tennis balls. He comes in pretty handy, he just doesn't like to give them back.
Irene and the kids had a great time playing tennis today. Look out Williams sisters, these two ladies will challenge your tennis skills!

The sun rise.
The sun is rising in the above photo. The photo below is just before sun rise when the sky and clouds are painted with the suns colors.

This morning, the twins got me up early, before sunrise. Yes, it is true, the little p's are not known for sleeping or for sleeping in. It was just amazing to be out on the deck with my warm coffee and sweet babies waiting to see the sunrise over the ocean. I just stood in awe, and thanked the Lord for this blessing. When I am here on the island or on any beach really I just can not help being taken away with His beautiful creation. I know for some it is the mountains and I love them too, but there is something special for me at least about the beach. I love the sound of the waves rolling in on the sand and the water being pulled back out again, only to come crashing or gently rolling back to the shore. I love the sounds the sea gulls make as they fly over head. My most favorite sound of all is when the water is calm and you can hear the water rolling over the sea shells. It sounds kind of like a wind chime, it is hard to describe the sound with words, but if you have heard this sound you know what I am talking about.

After we ate breakfast this morning, we all went for a walk on the beach and collected sea shells. Irene told us this is the first time she has ever been to the beach. I think she loved it!

We picked up Irene at the Tallahassee airport yesterday at 12:30 pm. It was so fun to see her.

We had lunch at, "On the Border", one of my favorite places to eat and then we did a little shopping. We drove back to St George Island and the road runs along the Gulf of Mexico, it is a beautiful drive. As we were driving over the 2 mile bridge to the island the sun was setting, it was a perfect evening.

Week 2 on the Island

The kids and I drove Jamie to Tallahassee yesterday so he could catch a flight home. We really encouraged him to call in with shell fish poison, H1N1, anything so he could stay the second week with us but as much as he wanted too, the old German work ethic, responsible and honest person he is flew home so he could work so we can play. You gotta love that guy, we sure do!

This morning when the twins woke me up this is what we saw. . . I don't think I will ever tire of seeing a sunrise over the Gulf. (I can't get my photos to post where I want them, forgive me)

After breakfast we decided to go for a walk on the beach. I found this awesome back pack/child carrier at the Goodwill in Tallahassee. It is awesome, Phisher and I loved it! We also bought some tennis racquets and balls and we are going to play some tennis here on the island after lunch.

Last but not least, while shopping at Dillard's, also in Tallahassee, I found these C U T E shoes for the twins. The twins love Sesame Street and these shoes are made by Polliwalks. They had Cookie, Elmo and Oscar. They are a little big now, but Phisher enjoys eating his : )

Tomorrow we are heading back to Tallahassee, we will be picking up Ms Irene at the airport. She has never been to the beach before and we are looking forward to experiencing it with her for the first time.

Merry Christmas from the pool

We started the day off with an hour of beach time. The BIG P's even got in the surf! I relaxed in my favorite lounge chair and read my book and the twins napped. The BIG P's created this masterpiece gingerbread house. I am thrilled that they enjoy each others company and play so well together. I keep wondering when/if that will change but I am happy that it is still the same : )

After lunch we all went for a swim. It was pretty great to be in Florida and swimming in the pool on Christmas. After a delicious Christmas dinner we gave the little p's these cute cupcakes we bought in Apalachicola at a gourmet bakery, Thats a Moray, their logo is a green eel! True to their personalities, Phisher got right in there and thoroughly enjoyed his and Phelix was a little shy about his cupcake but did enjoy having cake!

Christmas on the Island

Christmas 2009 is a special Christmas for us for many reasons. Having been blessed with two additional sons, Phelix and Phisher will make this Christmas one we will cherish for sure. Parker and Paeton continue to amaze us in their love and care for the twins. God sure knew what He was doing when he choose them as big brother and big sister for the little guys. We are often asked how our older children are doing with the addition of the twins. We always answer, "Amazingly, they just love them so much!" To which the asker will reply, "Oh, that's good that they have accepted them", or something to that effect. I think the asker is truly concerned, but I just can not imagine Parker and Paeton reacting any other way than total acceptance and genuine family love for their brothers.

We are spending Christmas on St George Island this year. If there was another place that feels like home to us it would be here. We have taken our family vacation here for the last 8 years. It is truly a vacation, and one we enjoy spending quality time together as a family. We will miss seeing our families and attending our church but we are having a relaxing, wonderful time together. We have been invited to attend Christmas eve services at the Methodist church in Applachicola by, Sandra, our new friend and sister in Christ.

We are so thankful for all of our blessings this year. Our children, families and friends. Our home, church, school and teachers. For the experience of adoption and how it has changed our hearts and lives for the good of His kingdom. Our health and our wealth which keeps our tummies full, cute clothes and shoes on our bodies and gives us the ability to be a blessing to others. Most of all for continued growth in our friendship with the Father, as we grow closer and deeper into relationship with Him, He lives in us and by His grace, may others know Him because His light shines within us for all to see. Merry Christmas from the Island!

Evian Roller Babies international version

Jamie and I caught the last couple of minutes of the tv show the funniest commercials of 2009. This was our hands down favorite!