2 Timothy 3:12

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

Don't be surprised, don't be mad ... be ready. It will happen.

almost shipwrecked

"hold on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith."

1 Timothy 1:19

What happens when you lose your good conscience? You shipwreck your life. How do you lose your good conscience? You ignore it when that yucky churning feeling starts twisting up your insides. You find exuses to keep doing whatever it is that your conscience is telling you to quit. You find reasons why it would actually be better for you to ignore that feeling and keep going.

The result: shipwrecked - something in your life (or your whole life) dashed to pieces and fall apart while you get thrown into a raging sea.

But the good news is that we can follow that icky feeling and stop what we're doing that disturbs our conscience and return to a pure conscience. Even if it seems crazy and you're thinking "why on earth is this thing bothering me? I'm not doing anything wrong!" you still stop it and walk in faith - realizing that we don't know what we're doing. We have such small minds and an even tinier view of life. God knows and that's why He's blessed us with a conscience. Without it we would get ourselves into all kinds of trouble.

I am guilty of ignoring my conscience at times. In fact, just recently I had a bout with my stubborn side. It was over an issue that God had repeatedly shown me He is Lord over. Looking back I realize how mule headed I was being! Sometimes I look at myself and think that I really am just a bag of filthy rags - no amount of "righteousness" on my part amounts to a thing!

Whenever I think I am finally getting it all together - the hammer falls. It falls on the same place ... my pride. It's because of my pride that I ignored my conscience in the first place! I guess I thought I knew better than God ... ha! Anyone else see the ridiculousness of that statement?

So this is my confession: I don't have it all together. In fact, I never do and probably never will. I still disobey God, even when my deepest desire is to serve and follow Him in all things. I still struggle with my stupid pride and I still sully my conscience from time to time.

Praise God that He forgives. Praise God that we can come to Him in repentance and He cleans our conscience. Then I'm back at square one - "holding on to faith and a good conscience." If not for Him, I would be shipwrecked.

Christmas Cards for you....

Here we go with take two on the giveaways! I just want to remind folks about the rules – all you have to do is make a donation of any amount at all to our adoption funds by clicking the donate button in the right sidebar – then come back and leave me a comment telling me that you did. If you post about it on your blog you can leave a second comment. Super easy – super fun – super DUPER blessing for us and our little one! : ) I also would like to add that this will apply to donations made today through next Friday (but you’ve got to leave the comment to let me know!).


The prize – which I personally think is just wonderful and amazing – comes from Rachel again. She has been such an encouragement to us through this process and has wanted to help out in any way possible. I am so thankful for her! She is a very talented amateur graphic designer and has created the most beautiful Christmas card templates that she will work to suite your needs! She’ll design it all for you, and then send you the file. You can print out as many as you want wherever you want! Here is a sample of her awesome work…

Isn't she so gifted??? Alright - game on! : )

PS - I can't wait for Christmas!! It's my favorite time of year and I looooove Christmas music ... I just make myself wait until Thanksgiving Dinner has been digested. :P

I also want to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all of you who have donated and who will donate to help with our adoption! You are such a blessing to us and to our son! This is the verse I give to you...

"He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."

Hebrews 6:10

For the love of all things Africa!!

Something that most of you wonderful readers don’t know about me is that I have always had a deep fascination with Africa. I never could figure out why, but everything about it captures my interest. I see pictures in the National Geographic and I am drawn to them, I heard stories about missionaries and something in my heart would clinch. I have felt this yearning for Africa for years now, but had no clue what to do with it! John has dealt with the same thing. This interest, fascination, passion … this heart for a land and a people that we’ve never seen! John and I have talked extensively about missions. Are we supposed to be missionaries in Africa? We’ve prayed about it, but never felt a leading in that direction. When we started praying about adoption from Ethiopia it felt like the missing puzzle piece … like it finally all made sense! That’s why we both felt this deep love for Africa and her people – our son is going to be born in that land! My passion for Africa has only increased as we’ve moved forward in our adoption process … and I hope that continues! Our prayer is that this is only the first step – that we will always be involved and advocating for the people and children in Africa.
So… given that I LOVE Africa and all things involved with Africa – here’s a little Africa love to share with you!

Amy Bottomly has an adorable son Silas that she and her husband Josh adopted from Ethiopia AND they are #2 on the unofficial wait list for their little girl! : ) She is hosting a giveaway on her blog today … the prize is beautiful jewelry from junkposse featuring necklaces with Africa shaped pendants.

My friend Amy wrote a beautiful post about part of their adoption journey today at Exemplify. Amy is # 26 on the wait list for their baby boy, Elijah. Read about it here.

Kristi Johnson and her family adoption the cutest little girl you’ll ever see! Her name is Lucy Lane, and they made a video of their “gotcha day” which you must see!! Grab some Kleenex first, though! Also, check out Kristi’s blog to see some great T shirts advocating for the orphans!

And last but not least … this is one of my favorite songs ever! Michael W Smith performs this with the African Children’s Choir – these children are amazing!!



I hope you fall in love with Africa today! : )

WFW: Run the race unhindered!

Visit Critty Joy for more Word Filled Wednesday!

Send me!!

Yesterday, while sitting in church, I received the greatest word picture of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Our pastor told a story and at the end gave this analogy…


It’s like you’re on a train. You’ve bought your ticket and had it punched. Now you’re on the train as it speeds down the tracks and you’ve got no control. You are going where the train goes – there is no stopping it, and no turning back. The people on the platform may sympathize for a moment and then move on – but for you, this is life. This is it!

Saying yes to God isn’t an easy thing to do. Surrender never is. It’s a sacrifice – a giving up of our own desires. When we choose to become a follower of Jesus Christ we are saying that we will go wherever He sends us. We’ll do whatever he asks. We go where He is. That’s not always easy – and rarely glamorous.

He is usually found …

• In the slums of Manila with the wife trying to find clean water for her family
  
• Sitting with the old homeless man who we pass by every day
  
• Comforting the grieving widow
  
• Reaching out to the angry teen
  
• Spending time with the lonely single mother
  
• In an orphanage in a 3rd world country – wrapping His arms around the malnourished orphan

And while He’s there – loving on those who WE should be loving on too – His Spirit is on the move. Pressing on the hearts of those who call themselves His follower. Asking a question. “Who will I send?” May we always answer with Isaiah, “Here I am Lord. Send me!”

Let’s get our ticket punched, get on the train, and go – no turning back!

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

Isaiah 6:8

Fundraising Friday: GIVEAWAY #1!!!

I've decided to do a series of giveaways to help raise money for our adoption! I will host these giveaways every Friday for as long as I can (or until we raise enough). All you have to do is head on over to the side bar and click the donate button. Donate whatever amount you feel led - then come back and leave me a comment letting me know that you did. For an extra entry post about this on your blog (feel free to take our adoption button in the sidebar to lead folks back here) and then come back and leave me a comment letting me know!  And now for the goodies ....

#1 This four pack of quilted Christmas coasters were made by yours truly and they're a perfect stocking stuffer, hostess gift, or festive way to adorn your coffee table!

#2 Rachel @ Musings of a Future Pastor's Wife has graciously offered a free blog design!! She does beautiful work which you can see on her blog here, on my family blog here, and on Lois Lane's blog here. Isn't she amazing??? You won't want to pass up this chance to give your blog a makeover!!

Please remember that every penny donated goes toward our adoption of our sweet baby boy from Ethiopia! You can read more about how we came to this decision here.