Two Very Suh-Weet Surprises!

Do you think a surprise is as much fun as I do? I absolutely love, love, love surprises!! I am the gal who definitely doesn't want any hints on a present - infact if it's wrapped really pretty I have a been known to have a really hard time opening it...cause I just love to savor the wrapping while anticipating what's inside for weeks!! (Much to the frustration of the friends who have given me the gift!) It's just so fun for me to imagine what the surprise is going to be.

Well last week, our family had two super fun surprisees!! Our Abigail got word that she was about to be featured in the Style Me Pretty photography blog. This is a huge, huge, huge honor as a photographer and something that we had been praying would happen. Since her work appeared on their blog, she has had some unbelievable inquiries to see about her possibly doing some photography for some pretty amazing things in the future. We are so stoked for our precious baby girl (who will croak when she sees that I called her that and she is about to turn 27.) Oh well, this is my blog and I can write whatever I want. Love you Abber-dabs!!

Then about the exact same time I found out in a roundabout way that A Place Called Simplicity had been listed on Grown in My Heart as one of the top 101 Blogs for Adoption, Loss and Infertility. Crazy, huh? About the exact same time my sweet bloggy friend, Alycia, sent me an email telling me of the great news! Thank you so much Alycia!!

I was indeed tickled and honored.....who'd have thought?

So really, how's that for some unexpected and super suh-weet surprises all in one day!! I knew you would want to know cause so many of you guys have "wept with us while we've wept" and this would be one of those times to "rejoice with us as we rejoice"!!

Memorial Box Monday & A Giveaway!!

It's Memorial Box Monday again!! I love them most of all the things I write about. But recently I had someone say that they usually "skip those". I guess I need to explain, again, why exactly I do Memorial Box Monday.

Here's the scoop: If I found out that today would be my last day to live, there is only a few things I would stress to those I love, including you my friends. The list would be short: Spending time alone with God: reading His word and time in prayer (and listening to Him speak) and have an "active" Memorial Box. There would be a few other things, but only a few, which we will leave for another day.

So exactly why is a Memorial Box such a big deal to me anyway? And what exactly is it? A Memorial Box is of utmost important in my life because over the years God has done some amazingly awesome things for me and for those I love, but quite frankly, we are a dang forgetful people. If we did not purposefully gather symbols representing the times of His faithfulness we would barely remember them!

BUT when we have set aside a place to remember His faithfulness, in difficult times, we can look and say, "This situation is awful - BUT look what God did for me/us before - I'm trusting that He will show up and get me through this painful trial!"

In the Old Testament God tells the Hebrew nation to build a Memorial of stones to remember what He had done. He goes on to say that everytime they see the stones they are to remember and tell their children the story of His faithfulness and then to tell their children's children. (The scripture is posted at the bottom of this post.) So why did God tell His people to do that? Just for fun? No!! He did it cause He knew how forgetful they would be and that they would need to constantly tell the story over and over to remember His faithfulness

.

Interestingly enough, the kids and I are studying the life of David for our Bible study time in our homeschooling. I have read the story of David and Goliath a zillion times. BUT this time while reading it something struck me. When David tells Saul that he wants to kill the giant, David first recalls that God gave him the strength and courage to kill the bear and the lion....in essence David was looking in his "Memorial Box" and saying, "Hey, God allowed me to do this and this....He will give me the giant as well." (I Samuel 17:36,37)

How often are their things in our lives that are "giants"? Giants like: a wayward child, struggles in relationships, immigration problems during an adoption; a job loss, an illness; a home that won't sell; little things as well as big, all giants in one form or another in our lives. But when we are actively remembering God's faithfulness in the past, we see that the future is under His control as well....and He is definitely working the night shift on our behalf.

Infact this past summer, when Dw was suddenly hospitalized across the country from our kids and friends I started to panic. Not just a little panic, but I was overcome by fear. Immediately God spoke to me, "Linny, what is in your Memorial Box?" and instantly the shark, the rooster, the mountain lion, the check, the heart monitor lead, and so on....and I felt peace. Yes, God was reminding me that He had come through for me in all those circumstances, He was not about to leave me high and dry in Iowa City, Iowa.

Our new Memorial Box has yet to be hung. Since the fire we had to look for a new one and here it is. We have to hang it and start to fill it again with the stories from our past of God's complete faithfulness.

The symbols we put in are something that represents the story of God's faithfulness. For instance, when I was struck by a shark in the Atlantic Ocean (and lived to tell about it!) we put a little plastic shark in it. When we asked God to miraculously provide a pool, we put a rubber duck in it to remind us of His supernatural provision. When we took our RV trip, our friends Rett and Tony sent us a Matchbox RV to remind us of God's grace (over our complete stupidity - they didn't say that, but we knew they were thinkin' it! Love you guys!). =)

Anyway, I pray that you will embrace a Memorial Box in your life, whether single or married, young or old (like me!). It doesn't have to be an actual box, but I am kind of a box nut (I stinkin' love boxes!!) It can be a shelf or just a corner of a shelf. Whatever! Just a place where you put things that remind you of all the stories of God's faithfulness in your life.

So here's the deal. To encourage you guys to have a Memorial Box I have one to giveaway (I found it on our RV trip). I will give it away later this week. So what do you have to do to enter the giveaway? Last time I had each of you who wanted to enter, post a story. This time I thought we could change things up a little. The only thing you have to do is be a follower. I will randomly pick from that list on the sidebar. If you already are one, then you are all set. If you aren't a follower, become one - - it's that easy!!

Are you currently doing a Memorial Box? Are you ready to start one? I pray so!! It is one of the most important things in my life.

My sweet bloggy friend, Sharon, did her first Memorial Box Monday post!! Yippee Jesus!! Go ahead, check her first post out!! Way to go girlfriend!!

There is also a Memorial Box Monday button on my right sidebar.

Feel free to copy it and put it on your site.

Joshua 4: When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, "Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight."So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the LORD had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.......... On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."

Hey #3 - You Sure Can Play!!

Growing up, Dw ate, breathed and slept basketball. Imagine his delight when he finally had a kid who loved the sport too.....we laugh that it took having six kids before he found one who loved to play....

Liberty's first basketball game was yesterday....

Liberty is such a treasure - always a ready smile, and gentle and kind to all....
and on the b-ball court - she rocks the house!
Number 3 - We sure LOVE you!!!

Liberty's own fan club.....(Graham was skiing)....

Hey Marie!

Marie, you left a comment the other day. Your profile shows that you do not have a blog or email listed. Will you please email me: APlaceCalledSimplicity@yahoo.com? I want to send you something!! Thank you!!

Don't Think "Creamy Natural" is Your Color, Dude

It was awfully quiet one day last week....

so I thought I ought to go take a peek...........

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Knowing his history, my mind filled with fear.....

And what to my wandering eyes should appear......

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What on earth? What in tarnation?

He'd gotten into Emma's foundation.....

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"Creamy natural" here, a little "Creamy Natural" there,

Even a little "Creamy Natural" in his eyebrow hair......

I could tell he was thinkin' that stuff disappeared way too fast......

Maybe a swish of Emma's blush brush will help make it last.....Up, up, over his head.....

"Come out you last drip! Come out!," he said...He's smilling, he's laughing, having quite the time...

Probably wondering how much longer till mommy will find.....Oh wait! What is this? Could it be Emmy's Bath & Body lotion?

Maybe just a dab of her extra special stinky potion....

Streeeeeeeeeetch, reeeeach, way in the back.....

Digging around, this little guy has quite the knack..... Ahhhh, yeah. That's the ticket....

This stuff smells so good, I think I could just lick it.What else is in here? Maybe some nail polish will add to the fun.....

Gracious be, big sis Emmy's drawer sure contains a ton! Whew! That job's done. How exactly do I look?

Wow! Seems like I did it straight by the book.....

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Mom always says I'm her hunka hunka burnin' love,

Something about being a little treasure sent from above....

What in the world? Exactly what the heck?

Upon closer examination I think I missed a little speck.....
Uh-oh, it's mommy. She'll spoil it all.

She found me now. Doggone it. I didn't even hear her call.

Maybe she won't notice. Maybe she can't tell.

My mommy's weird though. She doesn't even usually yell.

She gets her camera out. She even laughs out loud.

She always says her bloggy friends will be so proud.

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She says she wants everyone in the whole wide world to see.

(Although some of her friends think she's out of her tree....)

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That being a mommy of a toddler at the age of fifty-one

Is exhilirating, it's the best, it's crazy fun!!

Our Knees

Thank you to each of you who have set aside some time today to pray (and possibly fast) for International Adoption and specifically those still waiting in Uganda to bring their kids home.


Why is it that God sometimes seems to move only after many, many people get involved praying? No clue!! I just know He loves to have Christians united for a common cause! Scripture tells us that "His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts." No kidding, huh?


This I know: God's heart is for the orphan. He longs for each to have a forever family. He will move mountains to bring each one home. We continue to do battle on our knees and watch the victory be won by our Miracle-working, Mountain-moving, Awe-inspiring, Gasp-giving God. And then each of these families (and others with complications in their adoption process) will have yet something else to put in their Memorial Box!! (Speaking of Memorial Boxes, I think it's high time we had another giveaway!! Stay tuned for details!)

"All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
I Samuel 17:47

The Battle is Heating Up

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword

or spear that the LORD saves;

for the battle is the LORD's,

and he will give all of you into our hands.

I Samuel 17:47

I just finished up counseling a client in my office. Dw is home making dinner with the 5 youngest kids. I asked if he minded if I stay here in my office and type a post. There is something so urgent on my heart I cannot wait to drive home to type it.

A few weeks ago I spoke prophetically about what I believe is happening internationally on the adoption front. I would link to the post, but at this moment I don't have time to go back and look. (When I do, I will link then, so check back if you want to read it.)

Anyway, at that time I was asking you, my friends, to join Dw and I in prayer (and fasting, if possible) for James and Cheremi, who were having difficulties with their Canadian government bringing their two sweet babies home from Uganda. James is STILL there and there has not been much movement toward the VISA's being issued.

Today Cheremi emailed me and said it was urgent, could I call her? We were able to talk and about that time my phone started ringing from our daughter Abi, who is currently starting the process (with her hubby) of adopting from Uganda as well. Then more emails started coming. Friends, here's what's happening.....

Our United States Government has halted all VISA's being issued to get these legally processed (guardianship) kids out of Uganda!! There are families in Uganda right now who have completed every single necessary step to bring their kids home and now the Embassy has called and said, "Nope!"

I am crying I am so stinkin' mad! We must get on our knees and pray. We must!! This is just the beginning guys. I'm not kidding. God's heart is for the orphan but I am concerned that we are reaping the consequences of years of apathy toward the orphan.

Recently I was speaking to someone and I brought up the orphan. They said, "Well that's just your thing!" Oh really? Oh really? I mean, Really?

Well friends, it's not "just my thing"....it's "GOD'S THING". He uses orphans throughout scripture, He calls us orphans, He urges us to care for the orphan. He "adopts" us when we ask Jesus into our hearts!! How much clearer could He be that His heart is FOR the orphan??

God's word says that true religion is "caring for the orphan and widow"....He doesn't say, "True religion is pastoring a church, leading a Bible study, being a worship leader, teaching Sunday School, driving the church van, being a greeter at Sunday services, being on staff at a church, being a Christian Counselor, doing occasional missions trips, working for a ministry or anything else!!"

He said, "Pure religion is to care for the orphan and widow".

And maybe at this moment you can't adopt, but really friend, you can pray. You can fast (even just a meal)...begging God to fight this battle. That He would throw open the doors to international adoption!! That OUR Canadian and American Governments would have an overhaul in how they view the orphan and the entire immigration process!!

Friends we cannot sit back and watch. We must take action - on our knees for starters. If there is someone to contact that would be a help, I will post about that as soon as I hear.

The kids and I are studying I Samuel for our Bible study during homeschooling right now. This week we are taking apart the scriptures concerning David standing up to Goliath. No doubt, the Lord had us memorizing THIS verse THIS week because of this very situation:

"All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

I Samuel 17:47

Would you do battle on your knees with me?

Praying, fasting - even tomorrow -

although it is short notice (even just a meal) - pleeeeease?