Give Thanks: Day 26 - Deciding Together

It's official!!  :)

Today we completed our Deciding Together classes. We are thankful to have one phase of the journey behind us because we know that it means that we are just that much closer to welcoming a child into our home. We are thankful for all those who have been a part of this journey, from our supportive family and friends to our oh so patient social worker. We still have a long road ahead filled with paperwork, fingerprinting, background checks, the actual home study and so much more. But we'll take it one day at a time and with God's guidance we will get there.

Give Thanks: Day 25 - Stability and Peace of Mind

We are thankful for stability and peace of mind. We have a house to come home to. It is structurally sound and efficiently heated and cooled. It is located in a safe neighborhood. We can sleep peacefully at night in our comfy beds. We have a dependable steady income. We have food, lots of it. Our fridge, freezer and cabinets are full of food... not just what we need, but things we want also. We know that we won't miss a meal. Many cannot say the same. All of this is a blessing. Thank you, God, for taking care of our family and blessing us with soooo much.

Give Thanks: Day 24 - The Bible

We are thankful for the Bible. It is a history book, a record of the life and teachings of Jesus, and a guidebook for our lives today. It is not fiction. It is very much real, and it is just as relevant today as it was the day it was written. We are thankful that God provided it for us, and that we live in a country where it is still legal to own a Bible. We are thankful that copies of the Bible are so easily obtainable. You can buy a traditional printed book version of the Bible. You can also view the Bible online in any number of translations. You can even get a Bible app on your phone. Many of these are free. It is a blessing to live in a country where the Bible is so accessible, and we pray that everyone takes advantage of the beautiful opportunity they have to read God's word and to share it with everyone they know.

Give Thanks: Day 23 - Adoption

Today is National Adoption Day!! We are thankful for adoption and what it means to us. We are thankful to be hopeful adoptive parents. It's exciting to say the least. We are thankful for all of the wonderful people we have met. We are thankful for all the adoptive parents and adoptees that have shared their stories with us. There is no greater support than that which comes from people who have been there. Thank you all. Each of you are a blessing.
Being that today is National Adoption Day, we want to encourage each of you to explore the link below. Whether you are considering adopting or not, knowing the facts is good for everyone.

Click the link above.
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Give Thanks: Day 22 - Brotherly Love / First Friends

Matthew and Gabe

We are thankful for our two sweet boys and the love that they share for each other. They are just so sweet together. Matthew is such an amazing big brother. It is a great blessing to watch Gabe light up to see Matthew and to see Matthew reciprocate. Matthew loves to take care of Gabe. He doesn't like hearing Gabe cry. At the ripe age of 4, he will drop anything he is doing to take care of his baby brother. Gabe watches Matthew's every move. Matthew knows this and takes every opportunity to make Gabe laugh, even if he has to resort to just tickling him, and Gabe knows exactly how to make Matthew laugh too. All he has to do is look at him. Matthew thinks everything about Gabe is funny. Watching them interact together just blesses our hearts, because they are more than brothers; they are friends. It is our prayer that they will always be like this. We know that time will bring them tests and curve balls, but we pray that they will appreciate and always be there for each other, that they will understand how irreplaceable they are in each others lives and that they will always remember the first friend that they have had in each other.

Give Thanks: Day 21 - Home Cooked Meals

Today we are thankful for home cooked meals... especially the pizzas we had for supper. Eating out is quick and easy, and that's great! But there are so many wonderful memories to be made by cooking at home and getting the whole family involved. You just can't say the same about waiting at a restaurant for your order to be ready. We are thankful for the fun we had tonight making our pizzas. They were so good! But more than our bodies were nourished tonight. We're thankful for the memories that blessed our hearts.

Give Thanks: Day 20 - Good Neighbors

Good neighbors can be hard to come by. We are thankful to have such wonderful neighbors and near neighbors. It is a blessing to have such good and kind people living so close. We are thankful to God for bringing us to Enterprise and for leading us to the house we live in. We moved here from "the country" and didn't expect to like "neighborhood life" near as much as we have actually come to enjoy it. We look back on all the stress of trying to get moved and settled in and realize how perfectly God timed everything. We think about other houses we looked at renting and loved but that didn't work out for one reason or another and realize that they just weren't meant to be. We couldn't ask for a better neighborhood or better neighbors. Our "new" home has been everything we have needed it to be. We know that this home is temporary, be we also know that we are right where God intends us to be for this time in our life. With that reassurance we trust Him to guide us to the rest of our way home.

Give Thanks: Day 19 - Coupons

We are thankful for coupons. We fell away from couponing around the time we were moving. We were just so busy that we could barely keep with the day of the week, little less the circulars and match-ups. Since being settled, we recently decided it was time to dive back in. Thanks to couponing we currently have a full pantry and cabinets. Our fridge and freezer are loaded. It was easy to decide what to eat for supper tonight. It was the family size tray of lasagna we got today that we didn't have any room for in the fridge! We also recently made a HUGE dent in our Christmas shopping. With coupons, we were able to buy $102 worth of great name brand toys for our boys for only $28. We have friends who coupon to help charities. They donate items that they get and don't use to those in need. That is a great ministry in itself. It proves that couponing isn't for hoarders, it's for people who want to make a difference for their families and in their communities. It's not easy. It takes time and dedication, but the rewards are worth it.

Give Thanks: Day 18 - Innocence of Children

Today, we are thankful for the innocence of children. We tend to get so caught up in the seriousness of life. Sometimes we need some small reminders to give us something to laugh about. When Mike and I got home from Wal-Mart earlier, we found a rock with a message written on it sitting on our front door handle. These are rocks from our front flower bed, and I guess the kid travels with a Sharpie. Later that night after we have come and gone out the door all the rest of evening, Mike goes out to take some garbage to the can and comes back to notice a second stone sitting in front of the door. He had stepped right over it when going out. Apparently the kid regretted writing on our rocks and decided to let us know by writing on another rock. I don't know the kid. It wasn't our dog that was loose. She was safely and quietly sitting in the backyard at the time. We appreciate his efforts, but bless his heart... I want to give him a notepad. We had never had anything like this happen before, so it surprised us, but ultimately we just couldn't help but smile.

Give Thanks: Day 17 - Birthdays

Today we are thankful for birthdays. While they mark us being another year older, they also landmark another year passed full of memories made and wisdom gained. The Lord allowed you another full year on Earth. Each new day is a chance to make a difference. That is 365 opportunities (minimum) to be a blessing per year. Make the best of each day and use it to glorify God. Be a blessing to others, so that one day when you are near the end of your birthdays you can look back and know that your life has meant something and made a difference. What does it matter that you lived 100 years if you did nothing with them? You will be blessed in more ways than you can even imagine by blessing others. God gave you the gift of life. Say 'thanks' by using each day to His glory. Don't waste it. Make it count.

Give Thanks: Day 16 - People Who Care

We are thankful for those who are dedicated family and friends, the ones who are THERE. Some exist but you rarely see them or hear from them. But the ones who prioritize and rearrange to make things happen are the ones who care. They go above and beyond to be a part of our lives and be there for all the special moments despite convenience. They go the extra mile out of love. They wouldn't have it any other way. Such people are precious and cannot be replaced. The memories we make with them will far outlast their life on this Earth.

Give Thanks: Day 15 - Alone Time

We are thankful for alone time. As parents, we love our children and enjoy spending every minute possible with our babies. But we also appreciate the occasional night out together for dinner and a movie. This doesn't mean ditching the kids every weekend so that we can live it up kid free. Those days should be well behind any parent. Parting is never easy. We still struggle with he guilt of having fun without them. BUT the occasional day alone as a couple is healthy and deserved. Then there are times when it's just better for the kiddos to be elsewhere: birthday shopping, Christmas shopping,emergency situations, funerals. We are thankful that whenever any of these times come we can leave them knowing that our babies are taken care of and having fun. They love going to Grandma's. ;)We appreciate our time out, but nothing compares to the excitement of picking our boys up and seeing those sweet smiles.

Give Thanks: Day 14 - Family Time

Today we are thankful for family time. Whether it be a movie at home or a trip to the zoo. Every minute spent with family is a blessing. Our marriage is a gift from God. Our children are a gift given to us by God. We feel blessed to have them, and to have the opportunity to guide them, teach them, love them, share God and Jesus with them. We are thankful for the financial ability to spend time with them and go places as a family. We are thankful for health that allows us enjoy being together and going places together. We are humbled that God entrusted us with two such special little people. Even the littlest things are so special. Every moment we spend with them is an opportunity to make a memory, and we don't want to miss a thing.

Give Thanks: Day 13 - Wholesome Entertainment

VeggieTales

We are thankful for wholesome entertainment. It's no secret that the entertainment industry has gone nuts. It isn't cool to be conservative anymore, if it every truly was to begin with. The world has an "anything goes" perspective. No rules. No morals. Be whatever you want to be. Do whatever you want to do with whoever you want to do it with, no questions asked. No limits. No worries. As Christians we know that not everything is acceptable. Everyone believer and non-believer will still one day answer to God. Conservative Christian values still apply. It's nice to know that there are Christian radio stations, TV channels, books, movies. Though they are few and not as pushed, promoted or "popular", they are there. We are thankful for their owners and management that stand firm for Christian beliefs and provide us with places and entertainment that we don't have to be afraid of what's coming next or what our kids will hear or see.

Colossians 3:1-17
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your[a] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,[c] circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized,[d] slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Galatians 5:19-21
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Give Thanks: Day 12 - Progress

Today we are thankful for progress... Gabe's progress that is. He has come so far in such a short amount of time. He went from a toddler that wouldn't play with toys and would barely babble to a little man bursting with personality. He is gradually yet steadily conquering his obstacles. He has a distinct since of humor. We hear more and more of his sweet voice. We gain a few words each week. However, he's stubborn and doesn't always perform on cue. He is letting us know what he wants and needs in his own little ways. He is showing preferences. He is engaging his surroundings and those around him. We have literally watched him blossom right before our eyes, and it is truly amazing. We are thankful to the huge and ever-growing team of supporters Gabe has, from his doctors and therapists to our sweet friends. Maybe this is what they mean by "it takes a village to raise a baby."

Give Thanks: Day 11 - Veterans

We are thankful for those who serve, past and present. We are thankful for the sacrifices they and their families have made. Their courage, integrity and selflessness are commendable more than mere words can express. We are thankful for the legacy they leave behind, the pride, character and values that they instill in future generations through their actions. We appreciate all you do. Thank you all for your service.

Christy's Grandfathers

Give Thanks: Day 10 - Sunday

Today is Sunday. We are thankful that we were able to wake up this morning, that we were able to get dressed and go to church as a family. We are thankful that we have a church to attend and that we don't have to live in fear or go there in secret. We are free to say that we are Christians without fear for our lives. So many in other countries are not able to say any of this. Their stand as Christians requires so much more strength and courage. They risk it all to simply proclaim their salvation. To speak the name of Jesus may cost them their lives, but they do it anyway. Let these be in your prayers.

Give Thanks: Day 9 - Technology

Today we are thankful to God for Technology... everything from simple life conveniences like toaster overs to top of the line medical equipment. Some would argue that God has nothing to do with it. But we know that God has everything to do with it. There is nothing that we have by our own hands. God is all knowing, all seeing, all powerful. We only see a small portion and understand even less. There is nothing we have that God didn't allow us. There is no knowledge that was not privileged to us from God. It is a gift He allows us to help us and improve our lives because He loves us. We are thankful that He loves us so much as to give us such wonderful blessings.

Give Thanks: Day 8 - God's Presence

We are thankful for God's presence in our lives. It's easy to say 'Praise God' and 'Thank the Lord' during good times, but it can be so hard to say the same during hard times. We need only to seek Him and we will find Him. We just have to have faith and know that God is extra close to us in our times of need. He is our peace and strength in hard times, our guiding light in times of uncertainty. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is everything we need.

Exodus 33:14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 

Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Give Thanks: Day 7 - Teachers

We are thankful for dedicated teachers. Teaching is not a glamorous job. It can often be quite thankless. Teachers are the first to get blamed when a child fails, but the last to be thanked when they succeed. Teachers have an opportunity like no other to impact the lives of the children in their classes. It takes special people to be teachers, especially teachers that work with special needs. It requires dedication, love and patience. We are thankful that Matthew has so many wonderful teachers. His preschool teachers are amazing at working with him and guiding him. They understand him, don't judge him and are helping him learn to interact with others. They are creating a beautiful foundation that he will be able to build on for years and years to come. We are also thankful for his teachers at church. We credit some of the biggest changes in Matthew to God placing such wonderful church teachers in Matthew's life. We can remember what he was like before he met two sweet young ladies that would be his teachers. We also remember those first few days and how hard they worked to reach him, understand him and gain his trust. And we know how fast they got into his heart. We watched Matthew blossom before our eyes week by week. We now see the same and other sweet ladies working with Gabe, and it makes our hearts smile. It fills us with hope knowing how much growing Matthew has done and knowing that Gabe has the same opportunity and availability to love, kindness and support from such amazing church and preschool teachers. As parents we want the very best for our babies, and we feel confident in saying that Matthew and Gabe have the best possible team of teachers in their lives. Their futures are as bright as the smiles on their faces. For that we are thankful.

Give Thanks: Day 6 - Answers to Prayers

Today we are thankful for answers to prayers. There is a misconception that 'answered prayers' are only the ones that come true. Not so. 'Yes' is the answer we want from God, but 'no' and 'not now' are equally important answers. Sometimes we want something so bad, and it's hard to understand why we can't have it and have it now. We pray and pray and it seems that nothing is happening. That is never the case. God is always working. Something IS happening. It's just not happening our way. God is doing it His way, His PERFECT way. What may make us feel discouraged by seeming like a 'no' is sometimes not a 'no' at all... just a 'not now'. It's hard to tell the difference at times. You just have to have faith that God is working everything out for your own good whether the answer is 'yes', 'no' or 'not now'. Sometimes (many times) we pick a path and think it is the only way to achieve our dreams. We want the quickest route from A to B. But our impatience may cause us to miss out on many blessings along the way. Our all knowing, all seeing Father has greater plans. He may be taking you on a beautiful detour that will change your life and or the life of others. You may feel lost, but God knows exactly where you are and exactly where he is taking you. Let God be the pilot of your life, not the co-pilot. He's shouldn't be your Plan B. He should be your only plan. Let Him direct your paths and know that He will get you to where you need to be when you need to be there. You will arrive at every destination along the way just as you should, and when the time comes you will reach that perfect destination God has planned for you, and it will far exceed any plan you could have made for yourself.

Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 16:1-9
1 The reflections of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All a man’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord evaluates the motives.
3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be achieved.
4 The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose—
even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.
9 A man’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.

Give Thanks: Day 5 - Church Family

We are thankful for our Hillcrest Baptist Church family. We are thankful that God led us to such a wonderful church that has been everything we have needed it to be just when we needed it most. It has been a source of love and understanding. The Children's Ministry has been such an excellent resource for both Matthew and Gabe. Matthew's teachers reached in and pulled out the Matthew we know and helped him to grow as a person. He has made such HUGE strides having such wonderful people surrounding him and believing in him. He looks forward to going the church and seeing his teachers and being with his friends. That's enough to make any parent feel thankful. Gabe has had a slow start but he makes strides everyday. I love seeing how much he is loved by those who keep him. They take care of him and play with him. We tell them things we are working with him on at home (like learning concepts and skills), and they will work with him on it in the nursery also. They care so much about the progress he makes. They rejoice with us when our boys accomplish goals and milestones. That is very special to us that they care so much. We love them for that. We have been blessed to make some great friends and form relationships with people who have "been there before". It helps to know that others have walked the paths you are on, that they made it through and that they are praying for you. We are honored and humbled to know that we have an army of prayer warriors ready to pray at a moments notice. We are also thankful for the opportunities we have been given to serve through our church such as the choir and Mission Friends. We are thankful for groups like our Sunday School class and MOPS that provide opportunities to fellowship and build relationships. We just can't thank God enough for leading us to Hillcrest Baptist Church.

Give Thanks: Day 4 - Family & Friends

We are thankful for our wonderful family and our friends that feel like family. It may sound cliche, but we don't know what we would do without them. They are always there when we need them. They love us and support us. It makes all the difference in a bad day and a good day to have someone to talk to about problems. We always know that when those days come we are just a text or phone call away from being covered in prayer by an army of prayer warriors. Family and friends like that are truly a blessing from God. It's amazing how God has brought so many wonderful people into our lives. We love you all and are thankful for each of you.

Give Thanks: Day 3 - Our Children

Today we are thankful for our children. God has blessed us with two beautiful boys: Matthew and Gabe. Parenthood changed our hearts and life in more ways than we can ever express or understand. There are places in your heart you don't even know exist until you experience the love and happiness that comes from being a parent. Matthew and Gabe are so alike and so different at the same time. They are sunshine on cloudy days. Those sweet boys are truly a blessing. When it seemed that they would be our only two, God had other plans. Now here we are on our adoption journey. While we haven't had any children placed with us yet, we know it is in the works. We don't know who the child is or when it will happen, but God does. We know that God already knows the child that will one day join our family. To us they are our child already. Maybe there is more than one child meant to join our family. Whatever the case may be, we trust God. We love them and are preparing our lives for them just as we prepared for the births of Matthew and Gabe. We are thankful that God has blessed us so much as parents, and we are thankful for our children... ALL of them.

Give Thanks: Day 2 - Jesus

We are thankful for Jesus, our Lord and Savior, who left Heaven and became flesh. He lived as a man and was temped as a man, but led a sinless life. He paid the ultimate price for our sins. He was a spotless and pure sacrifice. He endured the cross, died and rose again to not only pay the price for our sins and overcome death but to also give us Hope.. hope of an eternal life spent with Him in Heaven. Even now He intercedes on our behalf. Nothing we could ever do, no good deed, no charitable act could ever earn or be worthy of the grace that we are shown through Jesus. We are thankful that we do not have to the face the fate that we deserve, that as Christians saved by the blood of Christ we are forgiven.

Give Thanks: Day 1 - God Seeing Us Through

We have so much to be thankful for, it's difficult to know where to start. We are especially thankful to God for seeing us through our recent trial. As many already know Mike had a heart attack earlier this week. As scary and stressful as it was, we know it could have been much worse. We are thankful to God for seeing us through, for keeping His hands of protection on us, for guiding the doctors' and nurses' hands and decisions. We are thankful for our supportive and loving family. We are thankful that my mom was able to keep the boys and get Matthew to school, and that her coworkers are so understanding and supportive that she was able to leave at a moments notice. We are thankful that my dad was able to go with me to Dothan. We are thankful for our prayer warriors. We are here to say that prayer works. We have had MANY occasions to prove the power of prayer in our lives. NO ONE can get enough prayer or pray enough prayers of their own. We are thankful for all of our friends who came, called, texted, sent Facebook messages and/or commented on our updates. We are thankful that God has put sooooo many wonderful people in our lives. Every single one of you is a blessing to us, and we are thankful for you. God bless.