Sweet Reminders from God

Today as I sat in the quiet filling up on 3 musketeers and God's Words, I was sweetly reminded of a journey that we took with God to bring home two very special children.  I would love to share and hope that you may find encouragement and hope through it as it was a faithful reminder to me of Who my God is and What He can do...anything!
It started out with Romans 8:31..."If God is for us then who can be against us?"
Then Psalm 46:1-3..."God is our protection and our strength.  He always helps in times of trouble.  So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes and the mountains fall into the sea, even if the oceans roar and foam, or the mountains shake at the raging sea."
Finally I read Luke 1:37 that simply says..."God can do anything!"

With all that scripture soaking into my soul I opened my daily devotional, "Jesus Calling" and read...
"I am with you and for you.  When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you."  I remember hoping in this promise for many years often doubting but returning to the thought that God is for me, not against me and He is faithful and will see us through bringing Onah and Marie home.  It continued...
"You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal, but don't be discouraged-never give up!  With My help, you can overcome any obstacle.  Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present-Helper am omnipotent."  It's no secret that our 'journey with God' had obstacles!  And yes, it was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do spiritually and emotionally.  It was hard to trust and I wanted to give up, and many people urged us to give up.  We refused.  If the journey was to end, it would be God who would have to end it.  It was hoping in the Lord,... Isaiah 40 that got me through many difficult days!  His promises are true and bring hope and peace to the weary soul!  She continues to write...
"Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come...Instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set teh pace.  Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence." Haha...I think we could be a billboard for this!  Yes, much stress does result from wanting to make things happen in our timing, but God's is perfect and the journey with Him was so amazing!  
I can look back now and have a constant reminder of how faithful God is in our lives.  And the cool thing is our journey is not over, I don't believe it ever will be.  As long as we are working to do His will and longing to be in His presence we will be on this journey with Him and oh the places we'll go and the things that will be seen at His hand.  So grateful for this sweet reminder today!

For The Love of Liberia

If you want to read more about the return to Liberia and how AFAA was changed in one week's time, you can read up on it... www.fortheloveofliberia.blogspot.com  

A Return To Liberia

After Thanksgiving, Matt along with 14 others, returned to Liberia to answer a call God had put on Matt's heart while we were there in 2011.  While we were there preparing to bring Onah and Marie home, our hearts couldn't help but be torn as we saw the house our children knew as 'home' for so long, fall apart.  We were so excited to start a new chapter with our children in their forever home, but knew the future of the children we would leave behind was not as bright.

While there, Matt would walk the house and grounds looking at so much that needed to be fixed.  Many nights he'd lay awake in our hotel journaling of projects that needed fixing, and wondering what God was brewing.

After many months of wrestling and praying about what was on his heart, he began to plan a construction trip to bring hope to those children still waiting for their forever families.

The plan...plumbing (fix the septic and pipes that were leaking into the yard), electric (correctly wire the house and hook it to the city's now working electricity), playground (build a structure for the children to be able to play on), roof (replace the roof that had several holes and had been leaking on the children's bedrooms), and fixing up the house (paint, replace cabinets, doors, etc...)  While there it was made possible for them to also fix the drainage off the house using a gutter system so the rain did not flood the front yard, removing/sealing up the gate entrance in order to make a new entrance so the vehicle could pull into the compound, putting a new roof on the worker's house, putting in ceiling fans for air circulation, and hooking running water into the house.  Not to mention, the team took several supplies for the children with CP!  A walker which Nanu used alot getting around!  She was independently mobile for the first time!  A stander which could place the children on and raise them up so they could see the world around them and not just experience it from a crib.  Awesome!

Matt as well as several other team members made mention that they went to fix a broken home, but left fixing so much more...lives.

The favorite memory that I think many took away from the trip was seeing the children play on the playground for the first time.  "Words could not describe what it was like seeing their faces" I can only imagine!

Matt shared with me a conversation he had with Oretha about trying to get it all done in this trip.  I can just hear her sweet voice as she told him, "oh Matthew...you'll be back...you'll be back."  Several members from the team are already planning the next mission.  Can't wait to see how God uses them to take care of His children!  Makes my heart smile!

Looks who's 2 (3 months ago!)

As I began to post our Christmas photos I realized I never posted pictures of Izzy's 2nd birthday!  In my defense we didn't really have a big party for Izzy.  She's not at the age where she really cares about it yet, so we figured why spend the money?  We just spent the day enjoying things we knew she liked...horses and outdoors.

The birthday girl!

Princess Marie is 4

It's taken a while to post...Marie's 4th birthday was her dream come true.  PRINCESS!!!  It was pretty fun planning too :)  Here are some memories of her special day with friends...

 Colten protecting the princess before the party.  We had to be creative, he wasn't going to be apart of a princess party! :)

 Grandma making a candy bracelet! (caught!)

 Everyone getting their 'beauty' on before the search for our jewels!

 Somebody got lip gloss for her birthday...haha

 Kissing frogs...didn't find a prince! (Matt was ok with that!)

 On the hunt for jewels...

 Yes...he's getting his nails painted!

 Marie and her cake...

Making a wish!

My princess is 4!  So thankful to be celebrating with her!