Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Can We End the Orphan Crisis?

The answer is YES! I just returned from the Summit VIII and I would love to share with you the answer to ending the orphan crisis. I have blogged about it on our Altar84 blog, and you can read it by clicking on the link below.
http://altar84.org/can-we-end-the-orphan-crisis/

Me and my partners in crime (a.k.a some of my favorite girlies on earth) had the best time. We left husbands and kiddos behind and spent four days together in "not-so-sunny California", having a blast. We learned, laughed, cried and worshipped together.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Blogging elsewhere...

Believe it or not, I have been blogging, just not HERE! My Altar84 sidekick, Jodie and I are blogging weekly on our website as we prepare for the kNOw More Orphans Conference next month. We can not believe it is only a few short weeks until the big day. She and I seriously feel like this ministry is our baby and we are nursing it to life. Actually, we are certain the Lord is nursing it to life, we're just cheering on the side lines. Yes, we are a bit weird ..... you don't have to tell us ;)

Anyway, I do hope to be back here soon. As always, there has been lots going on around "our lives" and we are busy, but everyone is good!

We would appreciate you following our Altar84 Blog HERE! Also, we have extended our early bird rate for the conference through the end of February. If you don't already have a ticket, you can purchase them today, HERE!

Be back soon friends!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Join us and kNOw More!

Friends, I could not be happier to share our new website and video for the kNOw More Orphans Conference, being hosted by Altar 84 in Birmingham on March 10.

Our amazing team has been hard at work for the past several months and here is a glimpse of what is in store at the kNOw More Orphans Conference!!!!

REGISTER TODAY for the early bird special!

Make sure you turn down the music at the bottom of the blog page before watching the video :)

Monday, January 23, 2012

Fun times and a Fundraiser!


So far, 2012 has been full and fun, I guess that means it's been full of fun! Well, fun for the most part. We are gearing up for our home study update and I must confess, I'm not turning back flips from excitement like I was the first time around. But, it must be done!

Over the weekend, I got the big pink binder labeled "Esther" out of the safe. Yes, i keep it in the safe! If you've been through the adoption process before, that makes perfect sense to you. In case of a fire or natural disaster, I'm afraid I wouldn't make it out alive by the time I tried to rescue 7 children and "the binder" (of course the binder would be last ;). Anyhow, it has now made it's resting place back on the kitchen counter.

Our social worker comes tomorrow for our update and I'm guessing he's going to give us some assignments. Just what I need..... something else to do. Yes, I'm griping but it's all good. We are thankful to still be on this journey to our sweet Esther. We wish she were here but we will continue pursuing her at all cost until she's at home where she belongs. We are also asking our sweet social worker for a favor (or two ;), so please pray that he has favor on us. :)

Anyhow, we kicked this update off by heading down to the USCIS office to get our fingerprints re-done. I realized that our appointment notice had this statement at the bottom:
"only persons who are necessary to assist with transportation or completing the biometrics worksheet should accompany you".

Oops.... sorry!
Oh well, at least I took 3 of the "well behaved" kids. Thankfully, everyone was super nice and even bragged about how quiet and polite these babies were. It's amazing what kids will do when bribed with the right treats. :)

We celebrated the launch of our "update adventure" by baking some really fun cookies. Sugar makes everything better, right?!!!

Last week-end was actually like a vacation for me and my man. We were asked to go to Tennessee as chaperones with our youth group from church. This was the first time that our oldest two, Lexie and Dallas, were able to go on a retreat together. I think we may have had more fun than the kids. A full week-end with almost 30 kids that could completely take care of themselves, and I must say these are some of the most amazing kids I know. Not to mention, we got to spend the whole time with 4 other couples that are some of our very favorite people. I missed my little ones back at home, but this time was priceless. So nice to have a weekend with just a couple of our big kids......


I love how close these two are... they may aggravate the mess out of each other, but they have so much fun together!
These are just a few of the sweet kids we enjoyed worshiping and having fun with!


We almost felt like we were on a honey-moon.... I hope that statement doesn't keep us from being invited back next year :)

Well, there's a little bit of the fun we've been having so far this year! Now, please jump over to my friend Malerie's blog and check out their upcoming fundraiser. They are working hard to get their sweet baby girl Gia home soon! Valentines is a great time to get pictures made and NOW you can get some awesome new pictures AND bless this family at the same time. That is if you are in Birmingham or close enough to come visit....

Learn more HERE!!!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

So, I just couldn't wait.... here's the video!

Last night I teased everyone by saying that I had a "favorite" video I wanted to share.... well, I just couldn't wait any longer. (And I have a busier than normal schedule for the next few days, so it's probably now or way later).

Y'all know when I read a book that I just love, I can't shut up about it. Well, guess what.... I've got about three that y'all are going to be hearing about soon because I've finished some really good ones lately. But, you probably remember that a couple months ago, I could not stop harping about Katie Davis's book, Kisses from Katie.

We have been Katie fans for a while so of course her book was a huge inspiration to me. I then passed it on to Lexie (my oldest daughter) who was equally inspired; but also very moved to really begin to ask the Lord to move in her heart and give her a desire to seek HIS plans for her life, rather than her own plans.

In homeschool, we do have a guidance counselor just like in "real" school. His name is Jesus!!! So, she's been meeting with her "guidance counselor" lately, (did I mention, He's always available?) and I like what He's been saying to her. She's still a junior in high school but I can't wait to see what kind of plans He has for her.

Anyhow, lately Lexie has been sharing Kisses from Katie with some of her friends. I love watching God wreck their hearts and give them desires that are aligned with HIS.

A few months ago, while Katie was doing her book tour, we were able to hear her speak at the Church of Brook Hills here in town. While we were there, we saw a video of her journey. She said something in that video that I thought was profound. Plain, SIMPLE, and PROFOUND!

Turn off my music at the bottom of the page and watch THIS video. Listen to Katie's response to people who say to her, "Wow, you are so lucky that you found what God wants you to do with your life..."

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

A very cool video!

I know videos are the wimpy way to blog, but I do have several that I have been wanting to share. I had one in mind that I've been meaning to post..... It is the truth spoken just plain and simple. That's what I love..... plain and simple!

BUT, I'm not going to share that one TONIGHT! Sorry, you'll have to check back in a few days. It will be worth it, I promise.

Today, my oldest daughter shared a really cool (and very true) video with me that I wanted to pass on to you guys tonight.

Enjoy!!!!