A Place Called Simplicity

OUR Little Guy is FIVE...

2012-01-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

Where in the world has the time gone?

He is our quiet guy.

The one who doesn't say much,

but is always thinking and when he speaks - no doubt, we all listen.

He is very wise!

He is extremely funny and loves to tease us all.

He was named after the great prophet who was known as the prophet who "prayed earnestly". If a med-flight is overhead he will quickly say, "Mom, mom! Look! It's a med-flight, we better pray!" He is becoming a prayer warrior.

His middle name is after the great advocate of the orphan -

whose orphanages cared for

10,024 orphans of Bristol, England

in the 1800's.

He already loves the orphan.

He remembers what it was like to be one.

He told me that he remembers being at the orphanage and being so hungry that he would eat dirt. He remembers big kids taking his portion of food too. I told him how sad my heart is that I didn't have him from the day he was born.

Our littlest boy-treasure.

Five years old now.

He was asked what he wanted for breakfast and had two requests:

Pizza

and

Ice Cream

Normally we do breakfast food, but he doesn't ever ask for much. We couldn't resist {and yes, we have started a new phenomenon in our house - ooopsie.}

I intended to post his birthday yesterday....

so although his birthday is over,

if you de-lurkers and friends would be so kind to wish our little man a very happy birthday, he will smile his shy little smile and grin with each birthday wish read.

Happy Birthday

Elijah Mueller

We are so thankful that God

brought you home to our arms....

Cause we needed you so badly!

We love you forever and ever and ever...

{If you haven't read Elijah's story,

it's on the sidebar under Special Posts -

Our Wild Adventure parts 1-7}

Update on Big Dave....

2012-01-27T17:29:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for so many of you adding to the prayers of so many others for Big Dave.

His wife, Nicolle, has set up a CaringBridge site for him,

where we can all find updates regularly. Click on Dave's name to enter his page on the CaringBridge site - Dave Bompart.

If you are not a member of CaringBridge, it's free and super easy.

Today Nicolle was interviewed {along with his surgeons}

by a TV station in Miami.

This is the link to the TV interview.

His situation is 'critical'. Please continue to pray with us for complete healing. You guys were amazing with Karl's accident and what a joy to see all that God has done!

In Florida Right Now...

2012-01-27T00:13:00.000-07:00

Dave and Nicolle Bompart regularly serve in Haiti. In fact Dave has been in Haiti working on an orphanage. Thursday {in Haiti} Dave was leaving a bank where he had picked up cash to work on the orphanage and buy food for the orphans, when someone apparently saw him, riddled the car he was riding in with bullets and robbed Dave. He was shot in the stomach/chest.

Dave had two surgeries in Haiti, if I understand correctly, but suddenly was not doing well due to bleeding internally. Money was raised to med-evac him back to his home in Columbus, Ohio for surgery. But he was unable to tolerate the trip and was landed in Miami where he was rushed to yet another surgery. His condition is not good and much prayer is needed.

He is on a ventilator and fighting for his life.

Dave and Nicolle, true defenders of the orphan - needing our prayers. Please join us in prayer for Dave, Nicolle, their two children, the surgeons and the medical professionals who care for Dave.

News From the Boss-man

2012-01-26T16:01:00.000-07:00

After seeing and reading many of your comments

the boss-man made an announcement:

"Linny, you cannot possibly give away just one Memorial Box....

You have to give away a few...."

So there you have it.

He's forcing me to scour Phoenix for Memorial Boxes

and

well,

I couldn't be happier.

So the hunt is on, praying already, as I go this week-end

I will choose the winners on Monday.

And can I just say, the smile has lingered as I have read through your comments....

Love that

Jane - you de-lurked cause I asked so nicely.

~~{I had a hunch that gun-point thing wasn't gonna' work, so I'm glad I tried the nice approach.}~~

Alicia - Hold your hubby to that trackin' down thing....cause it sounds like fun!

Jolene - *HA* your comment truly made me laugh out loud.

GA Foster Mom - hoping to make it over to your neck of the woods this summer and so I'll be holding you to what you said!

PatientlyWaiting - so glad you two went with them...and look forward to the day you can see what the Lord has done in Ruby's life! You will stand a.m.a.z.e.d! Faithful God!

DeAnna - thankful the persistence paid off! xo

Sarah {Megan's sister}- love your sissy so much, look forward to meeting you one day...Grandma's here, right?

Michelle: Sounds to me like you and Diane will both just have to

mosey over for a visit with your sissy....

Rachel! - Finally coming out of lurkdom and you are my 'neighbor'. It is about time! what in the world have you been waiting for? =)

PAfarmgirlinCT - One day I will lead a team again - please come!

Abigail - I love your name and I love that you love white!

Deana - Thank you for serving our country. Thank your husband as well. So grateful for our military! No one really gets the sacrifices they daily make unless they are 'up close' to one in service.

Jimena - your English is beautiful - you can't stay quiet girlfriend - so thankful you are out there - please talk to us!!

Mark & Melanie -A testimony to the power of prayer -

2 treasures h.o.m.e.!

Yippee Jesus!

Amanda going to foster care classes:

rock the world friend - rock the world!

Yes, steph, THAT WAS FOR YOU. haha.

Tammy T. - one day I am so gonna' make you

make good on your promise! My mouth waters at the thought.

Cinnamon - I LOVE your name!

DeAnna - HIS promises never, ever fail. He does make.....the joyful mother of children. And I love your blog name! So cute!

Ruby - love your name so very much!

Emily - your pink comment stuck with me and I looked at my closet today as I was getting ready. For as much as I love purple, I could not find one purple piece of clothing. Now that's messed up! I'm not a big shopper, but I will have to buy something purple someday to wear when I shop again. With as much as I love it, you'd think I'd have a closet full! Seriously, just never noticed before until you left your comment.

and from beautiful and exotic lands:

Welcome:

Adriana from Germany

Sabine from Wiesbaden, Germany

Nat's from Johannesburg, South Africa

Donna from Brisbane, Australia

yellowgirl - missionary to the Philippines

Susan from the West Coast of Ireland

{Susan - did you see the movie 'Leap Year'? Sooooo cute! One of my all-time favorites!}

Off to make a birthday cake and make pizza for dinner. It's a special birthday here....and so I'll be back later to ask for some birthday wishes for a really special birthday treasure!

I am sure that all you de-lurkers, realizing the extra special fun it is to 'talk' to us will want to leave a birthday comment!

I just know you will.

haha

Luring and Lurkdom

2012-01-25T17:03:00.000-07:00

Okay.

So yesterday I wrote about the Memorial Box giveaway and

kind of harassed a whole bunch of you quiet folks....

I honestly didn't mean to harass you out of the shadows.

Truly, I didn't.

Well maybe I thought a couple of you would come moseying out!

But I definitely did not expect just about a hundred

of you to come out.

What was it actually that brought you out?

Was it the thought of winning?

Or the full disclosure statement that not one person who posted a comment had had some creeper show up on their doorstep.

~~Cause boy-oh-boy am I ever gonna' be in big trouble when you all read the news about that creeper who did come out after so-n-so posted a comment at PCS.~~

Just Kidding.

Honestly though, I have smiled and giggled all day long.

You guys are just too fun!

And what a pleasant surprise you all have been!

I actually went to look at the blog just to see if Dw had posted something that would instigate the barrage of comments {he likes to make surprise guest appearances from time to time} but lo and behold he hadn't posted anything.

Which made me laugh even more.

Anyway, I was over-the-moon excited by all of your comments!

I cannot help but mention some very honored guests over here at our Place Called Simplicity:

Maria from Tartu, Estonia

Brittany from the Phillipines {missionaries}

Timothy in Malaysia {woohoo for brave men de-lurking!}

Kate Alice Ming's mama in Wales

Sylvia from Hobart, Tasmania {Australia}

Noberto & Julie from Paraguay {missionaries}

Now I just have to interject here:

I have seen on the Live Traffic Feed someone from Peru and have truly wondered who stops by for a visit from Peru? Thank you Jimena for coming out of lurkdom and saying hello from Lima, Peru - so stinkin' tickled!!

and

JJ - always wondered who visited from 'that' city...thought it might be SP. hahaha. xo

Chris A. - I do look forward to hugging your neck one day {soon}.

Diane - when you come to visit your sister, I hope we can meet!

Peggy - keep changin' 'em and please remind others!!

Stacey in Frostburg - can I just say? Please don't ever think that you comment too often. It's the comments that keep me going. When there are no more comments, this chica is checkin' out. Truly.

Derek & Joseph - love having you gentlemen comment {Heard that saying "real men wear pink"? - Well we say, "real men admit they stop by for a visit at our Place Called Simplicity

every now and then!"

Right Mr. Daddy and Kevin?}

stephanie - totally laughed at your CAPS message. One day girlfriend. One day. Promise. Maybe, just maybe, this summer...

Jan J. - if you get that fire engine red dream - come take me for a ride in it! I think that's about the year my old friend Dan used to drive {but his wasn't fire engine red}.

pinkserenity88 - I love the images you mentioned that are that color. Totally could see it all and enjoy them so much too!

Charlene - totally agree - robin egg blue next to brown.

Gorgeous.

Desiree girlfriend of MI, AL, VA & now OH - that is a lot of places you've moved since stopping by here....whoooa.

And let's see.

Someone came out of the shadows and they mentioned that they live in a small city that an old beau of mine lives in. Can you imagine?? He could be your neighbor!! haha. Which one of you was it now? Let me think.

I can't remember. whew.

Okay wait, I just went through all the comments from today and found yours. I was going to post your blogger profile name cause that would add to the suspense. BUT I found that your profile name is very, very distinct. So, a clue? Ummm, your profile name is distinct and

your favorite color is purple.

*giggle*

Anyway, when should I have the drawing?

Hmmmm.

Any suggestions?

As for now, the giveaway is still open....just click here...And if a giveaway and these last two posts have not lured you

out of the shadows...

probably nothing will.

*sigh*

Cause it's really, truly not too late.

Your Comments...

2012-01-24T16:33:00.001-07:00

If you happen to miss the giveaway that I announced yesterday, please scroll down, read and enter!

It has been really fun to have many of

you de-lurk and introduce yourselves!

You guys are so brave!

Now the thing that most don't know is that my 'motivational' gifting from the Lord is "gifts"...meaning I love, love, love to give gifts to those I love. So although it is impossible, there is a large part of my heart that wants to go on a Memorial Box hunt to beat all hunts and find 140 Memorial Boxes. Don't worry Whitey, not gonna' do that, but you know I would if I could!

I've had so much fun seeing all your

favorite colors my sweet friends!

Was kind of surprised how many love blue most!

Was equally surprised how many said they loved yellow!

I've mentioned it before, I think, but purple is my favorite, with a close second of white {I know, not one of you said they love white, but I love it!} or maybe pink.

Yup, I definitely love purple.

And to some of you....

Megan from Williamsburg, Virginia -

wish you could check out Ruby's outfit today

{Isaiah picked it out - totally lime green and purple!}

I was going to do a shout-out to some of you who have such fun and adorable profile pictures, but I figured I might just get myself into trouble - so let's just say I loved seeing all your profile pictures!!

MrsMann -

You are so right -

that is definitely my very favorite!

Bonnie S. -

Crazy fun that we've reconnected after all those years!

Dana -

Would love that teleport-thingy for a hug as well
~~{I could always use just one more hug. Can't help myself.}~~

Love that so many of you checked in from Thailand, Sweden, France, England, Germany, Panama, Haiti, Korea, Ireland,

Australia and even Newfoundland!

My soul was so encouraged by all your tender, sweet comments. I really didn't expect that. But you guys always bless me when I need it most. No doubt, the Lord. Thank you.

Lastly, if you have not left a comment on the giveaway post - it's not too late - do it! Click here to do so. Go ahead. Don't be shy. So far there are 140 comments and let's just say to the rest of you chickens - I highly doubt anyone has had some creeper show up on their doorstep because they left a comment over here at our Place Called Simplicity. So just to be certain - If anyone has left a comment and subsequently had a creeper show up this morning,

please speak up now.

Yeah, I thought so.

Memorial Box Monday: Your Steady Friend

2012-01-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

"For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people.

And I will hope in your name,

for your name is good."

Psalm 52:9

**I actually first told today's
Memorial Box Monday story on February 3, 2009.
We were living in the hotel after just losing our home to the fire.
I will share it again, each year, right around the anniversary!!**

Earlier today, when writing about the Memorial Box giveaway, I mentioned how God told the people to tell the story over and over and over and over and over....and this is one of the stories I will tell over and over here because so many people doubt that miracles are for today. So many wonder if healing is possible?

Well read on, sweet friends....read on...

It is a miraculous story of God's powerful healing touch!

If, per chance, you read it in the past -

please rejoice with us again!

February 3, 2009 (from the hotel):

I have to start off by telling everyone that I was actually going to type this January 14, 2009 {the morning of the fire}. Weird to think I was going to tell this story of God's miraculous power but instead I stood and watched our little log home burn.

This story goes back to January 10, 2006.

If you are new to our Place Called Simplicity
and are wondering what in the world

a Memorial Box is, please read about it here.

As many of you may or may not know, I have Multiple Sclerosis.
It showed up when I was in my late 20's and
then I was officially diagnosed in 1991.
I grew up in Buffalo, NY and Buffalo is known as a
'hot spot' for MS.
My cousin has it, friends of mine from
high school have it, a girl Dw dated for ages
while in college has it and one of Dw's
cousins even died of it. In fact, my sister-in-law,
Mary, had three sister-in-laws {one has since passed away from it} and she even a sister with it!

Really, MS seems everywhere in Buffalo, NY.

My MS started out slowly, but after about 10 years it got much more aggressive and soon I was having exacerbation after exacerbation on a regular basis.
Before long I needed a cane to walk with for support.

With my cane for balance and support on my right side, often family or close friends would allow me to use their arm for support on my left side. Walking was often a struggle.

I also had exacerbations that affected my hearing, my speech {slurring for weeks like I was drunk}, my vision, my balance {I would fall into walls regularly} and so on.

Multiple Sclerosis is a very yukky disease.

{My cane looked like this one [except the flowers were purple - my personal favorite!]....beautiful and flowery......I figured if I had to use one it was gonna' be feminine, flowery and spiffy!!}

Then in about 2001, I had a major exacerbation that left my right arm and right hand trembling and shaking 24/7 - permanently! It was embarassing. It shook boldly all the time. From the moment that exacerbation started there was a never, ever, ever, ever even a moments break from the trembling, twitching and shaking. I could not lay on my right side because my body would vibrate so much that I couldn't sleep.

I love to write long hand letters to special people in my life but I did not like to write anymore because of how

awful my handwriting looked.

It was humbling to be in a prayer circle and hold hands with someone who didn't know me because of how my hand and arm continually bounced and trembled. I would accidentally knock things over without much effort. So from 2001 there was not a moments reprieve from the trembling, twitching and shaking of my right arm/hand.

And the MS continued to daily make my body a mess. We finally had to build a handicapped accessible home for my wheelchair. I affectionately named him Charlie, as I would have to, from time to time, spend a day or two in him.

In June of 2004 we moved to Colorado to pastor. We had been told by doctors that it would slow the progression of an autoimmune disorder like MS to live in a drier climate.

THEN one day, January 10, 2006 to be exact, Dw and I were on a four way call with treasured friends of ours {Dan and LaVonne} who live in San Antonio, TX. We had wanted to pray with them about a prophetic word that the husband, Dan, had had about me. It's a long story, maybe for another day (but probably not), just suffice it to say that what we were praying about had nothing {directly} to do with the MS.

It was a monumental time of prayer,

but we didn't really understand the extent of just how monumental it was about to be.

Dw and I were tucked away in our master bedroom as we talked with Dan and LaVonne and then prayed together. I prayed, Dw prayed and then our friend Dan prayed. We were asking the Lord to move in the supernatural in a huge way about something

from 40+ years before.

When we finished praying we hung up

and I walked out to the kitchen.

As I was walking over toward the island

where Graham was sitting I felt

like the Lord said, "Look down at your arm/hand."

I looked and there stood my right hand and arm,

that had only seconds before shook

uncontrollably for the last 5 years,

now completely and perfectly still. I started to

squeal and turned to Graham, "LOOK GRAY! LOOK!"

He looked down to find both hands of mine positioned

next to each other and both were absolutely and perfectly still.

Graham started gasping and screaming along with me and everyone came running....yes, my hand and arm that had trembled and shook for FIVE years was now motionless!!!!

We called our grown kids and friends around the country - it was a true miracle!! Everyone who knew me was in shock!! I felt like the man with the withered hand that is mentioned in scripture. For months, many, many, many times a day I would stop and just stare at my hand/arm. I can't imagine that man with the withered hand did any different - stopping and staring and remembering and rejoicing!

The following Sunday when we told our church during both services people stood and cheered. God had moved in a mighty way - and we hadn't even been praying for the MS to be healed!!

What I firmly believe is that when Dan, Lavonne, Dw and I asked God to move in the supernatural He indeed moved. I felt like He said, "I am doing what you asked in the supernatural and I am going to evidence it in the physical by healing your arm/hand."

From then on I would stand many times a day and just stare at my two hands. That right hand was just as still as my left now - after all those years. It was a true healing miracle.

When I showed my neurologist my right hand and arm - he literally jumped up and hugged me and with utter delight said, "Linn, it must be God - Multiple Sclerosis does NOT go away! I bet God is going to completely heal you." These words from a man who has said he does NOT believe in God!!

And then a few months later........even though I had used my cane for many years, after the instant healing of my hand/arm I began to notice that my legs began to feel stronger. They were actually feeling really strong!! I was wondering what was going on. Could the words of my neurologist been prophetic?

Within four months even people at church began commenting that it looked like I hardly needed my cane. By mid-July of 2006, I felt like I should take the courageous plunge and try a day without my cane. The rest is history and I have never, ever used my cane again.

I call my arm/hand healing
"my microwave healing"

done in an instant!!

I call my legs healing "my crock pot healing" - slow and steady. There are occasional days yet when I know that my legs are still not 100% healed....and if times get really stressful they still can go a teeny-bit "funky-chicken" like.
BUT to this day, I have never used my cane again.

So on this Memorial Box Monday, I invite you to praise with me Almighty God and thank the Lord for His miraculous healing of my arm and hand and legs. He is truly the Miracle-Working, Mountain-Moving, Awe-Inspiring, Gasp-Giving God - Jehovah Rapha the healer of trembling and shaking arms and hands, Jehovah Rapha the healer of broken hearts, Jehovah Rapha the healer of broken dreams, Jehovah Rapha the healer of painful pasts, Jehovah Rapha the healer of blind eyes, Jehovah Rapha the healer of deformed limbs, Jehovah Rapha the healer of traumatic memories, Jehovah Rapha the healer of wounded relationships, Jehovah Rapha the God of the universe!!

Yippee Jesus!!

Rejoice with us!!

The symbol for this Memorial Box story is a rock...as rocks are steady and solid....and I usually sign emails to our sweet treasure- friends, Dan and Lavonne in TX who prayed with us:

Your Steady Friend

Please link your Memorial Box Monday story below:

A Giveaway...

2012-01-23T14:47:00.000-07:00

If you've been hanging around our Place Called Simplicity for any length of time you have probably realized that I am passionate about a few things....

My hubby

{he is awfully handsome and such a Godly guy!}

My boatload of treasures

{I am blessed far beyond what I ever deserved -

and of course their spouses or significant others}

Mimi's grand babies

{They make this MiMi heart sooo stinkin' happy!}

The plight of the orphan

{163,000,000 faces needing me/you/us to do something!}

Those shamed by sexual abuse or any type of abuse

for that matter.

{I want everyone to walk in freedom as I have for the last 27+ years}

and

Our Memorial Box

{It is my way of chronicling this adventure more commonly known as "life"....It is all about the faithfulness of God and only the faithfulness of God...}

Yes, I truly could speak for hours on any of the above topics.

Why?

Because they have written my life story in one way or another.

And because of the passion I feel about each one it is

easy to speak about them.

Maybe it could seem crazy to have Our Memorial Box on that list, but frankly sweet friends, without the things in our Memorial Box, I wouldn't be who I am today nor would I be where I am today.

Remembering the Faithfulness of Almighty God is essential in our spiritual growth.

Personally speaking, if I didn't remember, I'd be sunk! When tough times come {and they do for everyone of us} where we turn will determine what happens. If we turn to the Lord, remembering what He's done in the past, we will come to the place where we can rest and trust in our future.

He is faithful.

He has always been faithful.

Not for one moment in history has He removed His faithfulness from your life, nor from mine.

In the Old Testament God told the Isrealites to remember what He had done. He told them to gather a pile of stones {each representing one of the 12 tribes of Isreal} and to pile them up. Then whenever they would pass by with their children they were to tell the story of the Faithfulness of God. They were to tell the stories over and over and over and over. And then to tell their children's children....and on and on.

We, like the Isrealites can be so doggone forgetful. Life suddenly sends a curve ball our way and instantly we are frantic, wringing our hands and crying out, "Oh.my.gracious! What is going to happen now? Please God don't you see this happening to me? Where are you now? Are you gonna' leave me high and dry?"

BUT if we have a Memorial Box {or something like it}and are diligently working to remember His constant faithfulness, when that curve ball comes, we can say, "Oh! Wait! Lord you were faithful when such-n-such happened, and then 'that' happened and you were faithful again, and oh yes, there was that time as well...I see your faithfulness, I will rest and trust you - again."

So, yes, we surely are passionate about our Memorial Box over here at our home. We choose to remember.

And I was just thinkin' how I need to give away another Memorial Box. I believe so strongly in them! The one I'm going to giveaway is a simple box with different compartments. It doesn't have a door, but will serve the purpose for those beginning a Memorial Box.

While I'm at it, if you are single, by all means - don't wait to get married to start a Memorial Box! Our Emma has already started one that she will take with her when she moves to serve the orphans of Uganda.

The rules of the giveaway

{please read thoroughly}

and yes,

I will ship to any country{!} on this beautiful planet:

{1} You must leave a comment on this post.

{2}In the comment you must tell us where you live!

I would love to know what city/state/province/country you reside in. If you are dreadfully shy, then just a 'nearby' city or geographic region {SW Australia, etc} would be great too...

I know many of you stop by our Place Called Simplicity from all over the world, so please tell us where you are! {A couple of weeks ago they wiped the cluster map clean to start over - but it has been really exciting for us to see all the countries that you guys live in!} The other day I heard from Maria in Poland - and Maria - that truly made my day!!

{3}Tell me what your favorite color is...

{Can I just say that I love balloons? Isn't that a really fun picture?

I have long told Dw, please no flowers at my funeral - just lots and lots and lots of colorful balloons!}

{4}Lastly, as much as I would like to open up the giveaway to those who don't have a blogger profile {but could email} - It is absolutely impossible to keep them all straight in my very sleep-deprived noggin -

sooooo.....

for now, this giveaway

will only be open only to the comments left on this

Giveaway post.

{No "giveaway" emails, please, or my brain just might blow up!}

Actually, it might spur some of you lurkers to de-lurk and get a blogger profile. {You don't have to have a blog, just a profile.

It's super easy to sign up for too!}

So to recap: This giveaway is limited to the comments on this post and must include where you live {approximately} and your favorite color. Emails gratefully declined for this giveaway.

PS. I am unable to put a linky on the Memorial Box Monday from my computer. I must wait for Dw to get home to use his. Soooo, Lord willing, there will be a Memorial Box Monday

post to link up to later today.

His Voice

2012-01-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

These last couple of days I have been troubled by a few things. I know many of you know how that is. Stuff just doesn't turn out like you thought it would or something that you have no control over is just heavy on your heart.

As I mentioned a few days ago, Dw has gone to Colorado to work on the house to prepare for selling it. Graham and Liberty went with him.

So this morning I was getting the kids into the car for church taking trips back and forth. I said out loud to the Lord as I walked back to the house to lock the door,

"I need to hear from you. Please Lord!

You know ____ is on my heart."

My eyes welled with tears.

I locked the door, ran back to the car and climbed in.

We found a church home here in Phoenix. We love it! It is quite a drive from our home - but it is so awesome -

it is totally worth the drive!!

We.all.love.it!

The pastor is a man of deep conviction.

He has a heart for the lost and he has a heart for people who are hurting. They even have a special needs ministry and a special needs worship team!! {How cool is that?} In fact the motto of the church is: The church with a heart.

The senior pastor reminds me of Dw. He's tender-hearted, sincere and gentle-spirited. We have talked to him a few times and just love him!

Anyway, this morning, Emma put the littles all in their classes. I went to the sanctuary with Ruby to get seats for Emmy, Ruby and I.

And guess what happened?

As the lights went out and the worship started the very first song they started with was exactly {and I mean e.x.a.c.t.l.y.} what I was praying out loud to the Lord about this morning as I locked the door.

I couldn't believe it

{I know, I know, Why-oh-why should I have been surprised?}!!

I worshipped with hands lifted, heart engaged and tears in my eyes - faithful God speaking through the very first worship song with exactly the words I needed to hear.

If you didn't attend a local church this morning, oh dear friend, don't stay away from church! I would have missed out on something Almighty God needed to tell me {and I needed to hear!} if I had stayed away.

God speaks in many ways and through many things, but He uses the local body of Christ often: through the worship, through the service, through the body, through the pastor's message {which this morning at our church was fantastic - as always!}.

If you are wondering about how exactly to hear God speak,

there is a series I did on the side bar under "Special Posts".

Lastly, tomorrow, please let's do a Memorial Box Monday! Get your stories ready! And I think it's time for a little Memorial Box giveaway as well....so stay tuned!

Where IS My DaDaDaDa?

2012-01-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

Daddy's taken a couple of the kids and gone to work on the house in Colorado and boy-oh-boy does Ruby miss him! He just called a few minutes ago and I put my cell to her ear...she grinned and started saying, "DaDaDaDa"!!

PS I think we need some lights! I had every one in the living room/kitchen and it is still dark.
ugh.
Oh well, you get the idea!

Wanna' Join In?

2012-01-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

Some time ago the Lord gave me a dream of a group of people gathering, around the world, on their knees for one common purpose: Prayer.
The Knee Team was birthed from that dream.
The Knee Team regularly receives prayer requests. The requests are processed and sent out to the Knee Team members who commit to pray over each request received. We pray for marriages, adoptions, relationships, bonding issues, kids, health needs....anything and everything that needs prayer!
The needs are kept private to only The Knee Team members, as some things are quite personal in nature. No matter what though, the requests are not to be passed along.
When I was leaving for Africa last fall, I asked my dear bloggy friend, Renee, if she would be willing to partner with me and process the requests for The Knee Team. She eagerly said she would! Renee and her husband are senior pastors in the midwest. Many of you, who have read links on Memorial Box Monday are most likely familiar with Renee and her God-inspired stories. Renee is also an adoptive mom, grandmother and an amazing woman of great spiritual depth. I am so grateful for her friendship and her partnership with The Knee Team!
So here we are, opening up the membership of the Knee Team again.   {We had to limit things in the beginning until we could manage it and get used to it all.}
If you would like to belong to The Knee Team please send an email to:
TheKneeTeam@gmail.com
In the email, tell us a bit about yourself and if you blog - your blog address. If you just comment on blogs, please tell us your profile name. Many of you I know by your profile name - but have no clue what your real name is! {Kind of like the barista at Starbucks in Durango, who always knew me as: "Tall Americano, speck of room for cream", right?}  And lastly, if you are lurker - fess up and introduce yourself! You do not have to have a blog to participate. We just would like to get to know the members of the team!
After your email is received, it will be processed and you will begin to receive regular email updates from the Knee Team.
You are encouraged to put The Knee Team badge {found at the top of the sidebar} on your blog.
At the same time, should you have a prayer request that you would like a group of people around the world to pray for, please feel free to send an email at any time to:TheKneeTeam@gmail.com
We are so grateful for the privilege of praying for so many needs around the world.
We invite you to join the team!
"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."  Matthew 18:20

A Day That Almost Turned Out Completely Different...

2012-01-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

Vicki asked if she could do a guest post today. It is, indeed, a very, very, very special day. A day, that without God's intervention would only be a day of great pain. But instead, it is a day of celebration for those who know Karl Hujus!

And so here is the letter penned by his mom to all of you...

Dear bloggy friends,

Well it's been a long time since I have written to update on Karl's progress. I know Linny has updated here and there with info but today is a very special day.

Twenty-four years ago Bob and I drove to Durango to give birth to our first child...a son. It was a terrible blizzard and we had 60 miles to go to get to the hospital at 4:00 in the morning. Of course Karl made us wait til 8:15 that night to enter the world!! I remember the doctors words...You have a son.

Six months ago yesterday, a blog post went out with a desperate plea for prayer to save his life. God is amazing. Karl has far exceeded the doctors expectations.

We prayed for a FULL recovery, a promise that was given to us within the first couple of days by 3 different friends, who felt that God had given them that reassurance.

At this time Karl is driving...yes driving. But he's now in a big F-150 that seems to say... get out of my way!! It's big. It's solid. He had started back up to work a few weeks back and has worked himself back into fulltime this week. Amazing. He is months ahead of what the doctors had told us. We weren't expecting any of this til the spring of 2012!

As Linny has shared in the past, Karl does have a separated shoulder {from impact after being thrown 55 feet} and might have to have surgery on it. He sees a specialist in a few weeks. He is in pain everyday which is a hard reminder to him of all he has been through.

Please continue to pray for his pain and the right direction to go with the specialist. To be in constant pain is hard mentally and physically. He still has some limitations that the doctors have put in place to keep the healing in his brain going but to see him get up everyday and do the things he is doing is truly a MIRACLE.

Tears of joy are shed when we watch him shoot his bow, play with his dog, hug his sweet Autumn and for all who see his smile!

Once again Bob and I can't thank you all enough for the prayers that have gone out for Karl, for us and for his brothers. Please don't stop as we continue to grow through his time of our lives.

Blessings a hundred fold.

With love and gratefulness to each of you,

Bob, Vicki, Karl, Ryan and Derek

PS....Precious friends, if you would like to wish Karl a happy 24th birthday - please do! He will smile his shy little smile as he and Autumn read through each and every one! ~Linny

Being Ruby's Mommy....

2012-01-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

Written: Friday, January 13th, 2012

Sitting cross-legged on Ruby's bed up here in the ICU in the early morning hours of the day that she is scheduled for her 5th brain surgery and there are all kinds of thoughts
whirling around my head.....

In fact, this is my third blog post I've begun in the last 20 minutes.

Each of the others are things I want to talk about,

but yet, I feel too antsy.

My mind is all hippity-hoppity.

I'm just going to try my best to convey, in a way that makes some semblance of sense, what's on my heart.
Personal thoughts.

But thoughts that I think just must be shared.

I've been thinkin' how I wish I could stand on a platform with the entire world as the audience. I would gently hold up our Ruby Grace and show her to the world. Then I would tell them how this once 6 pound and 11 month old bundle turned our world upside down and how we couldn't be more grateful!

I know I would be choking back tears.

I would be hoping that they would ooooh and
aaaah like there was no tomorrow.

I feel desperate to have people see what we see.

Once abandoned.

Dying.

Only alive by God's infinite grace.

The unbelievable joy that Ruby brings our family
and each person who crosses her path.

No doubt, Ruby is loved by many.

Those up close.

And those who've never even met her
{like most of you!}

A beautiful treasure whose entire body now wiggles with excitement. A tiny gem who is learning to say, "dadadada"....The little one whose smile could melt even the coldest glacier heart around.

Picture taken 1/1/2012

Isn't it crazy what God's love does?

Yesterday Dw was mentioning how, as we were walking beside Ruby's bed as she was rolled down the hall for yet another CT scan he was overcome with so much emotion for her he started to cry.

Isn't it crazy how His love overtakes you?

As Christmas was approaching this past year I was thinking a lot about the Virgin Mary. I was wondering how she must have felt when she really understood that she was carrying the Christ-child.

I don't remember having ever really meditated on Mary's feelings. But somehow this Christmas I was likening my feelings of being chosen to be Ruby's mom and thinking that Mary had to have felt so very humbled. So honored.

Did Mary wonder: "Why was I chosen?"
{Just like so many of you have thought about parenting, I know!}

Cause that's what I've thought a thousand times over.

I am absolutely certain that I didn't do anything to
'deserve' to be Ruby's mama
or any of my treasure's mommy for that matter.
Why do I know for certain?
Cause
I'm not that good.
Truly.
I know me.
I am definitely not that good.

I was telling Dw the other day.....after Ruby and I
walked alone to the drug store to pick up a few things.

Just Ruby and I.

Pushing her stroller, talking and singing to her as we walked. When I got to the drug store I lifted her out and carried her all through the store for about an hour - cause I just know how much she loves mommy's touch and down deep, being perfectly honest...I wanted everyone to see her. Up close. To gaze on her beauty. I talked to her as I carried her, pushing the stroller with my tummy and browsing through my new
neighborhood drug store.

As I pushed her down the street through
the neighborhood I was almost floating.

Truly.

Beaming.

Giddy.

Smiling from ear to ear and thinking once again:

"I'm the most blessed woman in the entire universe....I'm a 53 year old silver-haired mommy to a teeny-tiny-only-alive-by-the-grace-of-God-miracle-gift-from-His-most-gracious-hand."

Wanting to call to the people who passed us by:

"Hey you - over there - I know you don't me but don't you want to come take a peek and just gaze at her beauty? Don't you want to see her? She's a miracle. She's the most gorgeous miracle alive!?"

I have whispered more times then I could count,

"Lord,
How did you happen to choose us for this honor?
Why would we have been entrusted with such a privilege?
I am humbled beyond words.
I am blessed beyond measure,
my heart is overjoyed."

The rhetorical questions have no answers.
But I do know this:
All day long He hears me whisper,
"Thank you, Thank you, thank you."

From the bottom of my heart and with every fiber of my being, thank you. I love you Lord. You gave me a prophetic word on November 13, 2006...
'The best days of your life are ahead of you.'
You weren't kidding, Lord.
Thank you for forever and ever.

H.O.M.E.

2012-01-16T18:31:00.001-07:00

Yesterday the pediatrician told us that we could not leave until

Ruby's sodium level had risen and stabilized.

At 6:30 am this morning the pediatrician came in again and re-emphasized that Ruby could not be discharged until her sodium level had risen and stabilized. In fact she said, "We'll check it again tomorrow." ugh. I settled in. Guess we're gonna' be here for awhile.

Later in the day a guy came in to chat. Phoenix Children's is a teaching hospital and it turned out he was a third year med student {very nice young guy}. Anyway, he said, "So I guess Ruby is getting to go home now, they're drawing the discharge papers up."

I'm sure the look on my face was one of complete surprise.

"Really? Okay, good."

~~He left and we grabbed Ruby and ran for the door.~~

I said to Dw, "We better wait to hear

that from someone a bit higher on the chain."

Within a half hour or so in walked a different

pediatrician who announced that Ruby was being discharged.

We didn't asked any questions.

{haha}

Emma told me that this morning

Elizabeth had buried her head in her pillow sobbing,

"I just want Mommy to come home."

Sooooooo....

At this moment, I am making dinner and being

serenaded by Isaiah and Elizabeth waltzing around me.

Elijah is hanging close to mom.

And Jubilee is practicing her writing at the island.

Graham is recording a song at a friend's home.
Liberty's gone hiking with friends.
Emma and Savannah have gone for coffee together.
And little Miss Ruby's getting ready to eat.

Ahhhh.

Home with my boatload of treasures.

Nothing better.

Nothing ever better.

Sunday Night from Phoenix Children's

2012-01-15T23:03:00.000-07:00

Today Dw and I traded places. The kids had been really missing me and I was really, really missing them. Because of RSV no one under 12 is permitted in the hospital. I had not seen them since Wednesday.

Dw brought them to the parking lot and I came and took them to church while he spent the day with our little gem.

So there are some things that are pretty concerning to the doctors.

{1} Ruby's sodium level will just not come up. Since they discovered her problem sodium level back in early November [when she was first admitted to the hospital] we have been sprinkling as much salt as tolerable on each layer of food she eats, but her level is still too low. She can't tolerate it in her formula - she throws it right back up.

They told us this morning that they will not even consider sending her home until it rises and stabilizes.

{2} Ruby is still very groggy and difficult to wake. When she is awake she is not really smiling or 'talking'.

It could be that the seizure medicine is not the right strength or she is just getting used to it.

All that being said, we could really use prayer that her sodium level would be healed by the Lord and that the doctors would have wisdom about the amount of seizure medicine she is taking. We need her to wake up and return to her normal precious little self.

Lastly,

this morning when Ruby's neurosurgeon came in.

he actually asked me if I had told you bloggy friends about the contaminated probe and how they had to send for another one from St. Josephs.

I told him I had.

Laughing he said, "I knew you would!"

I asked if I could take a picture of him.

He turned kind of red and then agreed.

I explained to him that I have been telling you all how wonderful he is and I was betting that many of you would love to 'meet' him. Personally speaking, I love seeing a picture of someone I hear people raving so much about!

We've had many doctors and surgeons over the years, but Dr. Shafron stands above the crowd. His tender heart toward Ruby was so evident from the moment we met him. He explains in great detail everything. He is down-to-earth, has a great sense of humor and is easy to talk to. And to top it off - he amazingly skilled! The entire package in one guy - not seen very often, right?

We cannot thank the Lord enough for leading us to Dr. Shafron and we cannot thank each of you, your kids and your family for continuing to pray for our little treasure.

PS There will not be a Memorial Box Monday tomorrow.

January 14th, 2012

2012-01-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

For those new to our Place Called Simplicity,

it was three years ago today that the kids and

I fled for our very lives as our little log home was burning.

The kids and I had been sleeping and

I was wakened by the smoke alarm going off.

Dw was out of town at the time and was staying

at a place called "Fireside Inn". {How creepy is that? }

{The story is on the sidebar under Special Posts.}

So as the 14th of January approaches each year since, we, as a family are very somber.

It is a day we set aside as a family to remember.

To talk together.

To worship our faithful God who spared our lives.

Minutes did matter.

He spared.

He protected.

He provided.

It reminds me of the Israelites when they were fleeing from Pharoah's Egypt. I have to imagine that in the years to follow, the anniversary date was a very sobering one for those who lived it. They rejoiced at the miraculous hand of God, but they would never forget all the pain and loss.

{This was my most treasured item we lost.

A hope chest hand carved

by Dw's grandfather in the early 1900's.

Looking at it even now, tears well.}

The aftermath of the fire was very real. Painful loss of everything familiar. Emergency surgery for Graham the very next day. Our beloved dog, Lucy, dying the day after Graham's surgery. Trying to find a hotel that could accommodate our large family. The ensuing months of trying to inventory. Bulldozing the remains. Eventually rebuilding.

What we experienced with the fire is a private place. Hard to maybe understand from the outside looking in,

unless you've been there

{and I know some of you have}.

Elijah had been asleep in his crib {above}

when the fire broke out....if the Angel of the Lord had

not been present....he would have perished,

undoubtedly, within minutes.

And although it's just a day on the calendar, it's a day that forever altered all of the Saunders family. Crazy as it sounds, even though three years have passed.....if someone asks for something, my mind automatically remembers where it was in our little log home. I will start to say, "It's in the..." and then I remember.

This year was no exception. Semi-dreading the 14th of January approaching. Although we had planned something special for our family for this evening, the emotions are still there, even three years later.

So last night, as I was spending time with Ruby, I looked at the clock looming on the wall. It was after midnight. I stopped and thanked the Lord for His protection that day when the Angel of the Lord hovered at our home, sparing all of our lives.

And then I flipped back here....Ruby had not eaten since surgery, but had been cleared for a bottle of her formula. She loves her bottles and I was anxious to give it to her.

I glanced at the clock again.

12:20am

As I turned to climb into the bed with Ruby to give her her bottle....Ruby's alarms started. I turned my head in the opposite direction to see which alarm was screaming. It was her heart rate. It was very high.

Since we are in PICU, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her nurse raise up in her chair through the window that she constantly watches Ruby. The expression on her face made me look back toward Ruby.

Over the screaming of her alarm I had been unable to hear her.

And as I turned toward her, I saw.

Our sweet baby girl was having a grand mal seizure.

The nurse rushed in.

I started to pray aloud while stroking Ruby's leg.

Her nurse tried to call from the communicator hanging around her neck. The first person didn't answer. She tried someone else, who also didn't answer. She ran to the hall.

All the while Ruby was seizing and seizing.

So scary.

Our sweet little nurse admitted to me later that she had never seen anyone have a seizure. She said it was so scary for her too.

I grew up in a home where one of my immediate family members has grand mal seizures. They are very scary. They are deeply concerning. And they are never something

that one watching 'gets used to'.

Before long the room was filled with doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses....all watching or doing what they

needed to do to get it to stop

{finding and administering a powerful drug}.

It lasted about 10 minutes.

And that, my friends, is a really long time

for a mommy watching.

At one point I thought,

"Really? On the anniversary of the fire? Really?"

And then while texting this morning with my dear

friend Irma I mentioned

that next year I am buying a calendar like this:

and then I'm gonna' rip out the January 14th page.

Yes, I am.

However, Irma suggested that next year

we all go to Hawaii for the 14th.

And yes Irma-girlfriend,

it is free to dream and that

dream sounds really, really good.

Anyway, a neurologist 'happened' {totally the Lord} to be in

the PICU as it was happening and came in.

He was so kind.

I was so scared.

Today our little dolly is extremely sleepy and hard to wake.

Already this morning she's had another MRI.

I couldn't help but think, while reading comments from you guys, that there is a strong likelihood that those who have been woke in the night with Ruby on their mind, likely were woke as she was having the seizure. As I prayed, I prayed that God would be calling some of you to pray at those moments as well.

No doubt, life is full of unexpected bumps, turns and sudden curves. We are always grateful that not one bump, turn or unexpected curve ever takes our faithful God by surprise.

"She Did Beautifully"

2012-01-13T21:22:00.000-07:00

He came to the waiting room about 1/2 hour ago and walking towards us gave us the thumbs up.

Both of us wanted to collapse in relief.

He did what needed to be done.

Interestingly, after Ruby's 3 surgeries in November her neurosurgeon was at a conference in Austin, TX. He met a man who was promoting a new machine to use on kids with extreme hydrocephalus. He said, "I wish I had had that equipment for this baby girl I just did."

Yesterday Ruby's doctor called the gentleman and asked, "Would you be willing to bring your device to Phoenix for me to try it on this little patient of mine?"

The gentleman flew in today from Indiana just for Ruby's surgery.

Dr. S said the machine was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

Lastly, the risk is great over the next few days.

She must lie flat on her back, perfectly still.

Like the surgery on November 19th,

there is a risk of the brain imploding on itself.

Thank you for your prayers on Ruby's behalf.

Please don't stop!

Contaminated

2012-01-13T19:08:00.000-07:00

Ruby's neurosurgeon just came out and said that he had begun the surgery and found that the probe to be used in the surgery was contaminated.

He stopped the surgery and ordered a new one.

There was none in the entire hospital.

So someone has driven to St. Joseph's Hospital

to bring back a brand new sterile probe.

We continue to pray.

The Neurosurgeon Just Came Out

2012-01-13T17:59:00.000-07:00

and said that they had done the sedated MRI and are going to lay those on top of the last MRI as he makes his decisions.

He thinks he is going to go one way, but he said he may change his mind as he does a 3D trajectory image with the imaging.

He is such a dear man.

As he was standing to go back to the Operating Room

to begin working on Ruby I said,

"Remember that I have a blog?"

He said he did.

{He'd peeked at it when she was in last time.}

I continued, "Well there are few thousand people

around the world praying for you right now."

His face broke out in a humongous smile, "Really?"

Yup really.

Thank you dear friends.

Such comfort in knowing you are kneeling with us.

Waiting....

2012-01-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

The Surgeon's Plan

2012-01-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for praying. It might sound perfunctory to say that, but really, we mean it from the bottom of our hearts.

I can't imagine life without a

personal relationship with Christ and

an understanding of the power of prayer!

Ruby had many tests since arriving at the ER yesterday.

This morning the neurosurgeon took took fluid off her shunt and sent that to the lab. He also tested her shunt and it is functioning.

Then he injected her brain with dye through the shunt and we took her down for another CT scan with contrast.

She was not allowed to eat anything till the surgeon decided what was the best route to take.

This afternoon he came to meet with us and showed us all the results of various CT scans and MRI's she has had since landing in the United States. The list of MRI and CT scan results takes up a computer screen - and that's just for those!

Sweet baby girl.

He told us that he had moved the surgery to tomorrow so he would have time to think about what is the best course of action with Ruby. Her situation is certainly extreme and not seen often by neurosurgeons in the United States.

Ruby's surgeon today consulted other physicians and he has decided that tomorrow Ruby will have her 5th brain surgery {remember she had one in Uganda} to solve the current situation. He is just not sure which direction he will take to accomplish it.

This is the part where we need you.

Please.

Would you please pray for God's Holy wisdom to descend on him so that he would know that he knows that he knows which is the most effective and safe avenue to take for our sweet Ruby girl?

Not exactly sure when surgery will be,

but probably somewhere around 3pm Phoenix time tomorrow.

Thank you in advance.

Graham nicknamed her Rubilicious right after she got home from the hospital. So endearing. As I gaze at her sleeping snuggled up next to me in this hospital bed, I am overcome with emotion. Our little Ruby Grace needs a touch from God's healing hand.

Thank you in advance for praying for this little treasure of ours.

We are forever grateful.

Morning Update

2012-01-12T09:11:00.000-07:00

The neurosurgeon has been in. The tests confirm that there is a problem.

More extensive tests now.

She just had fluid drawn off her shunt and that will be checked.

They also shot dye in and will be going for a CT scan soon so they can see if all the cysts fenestrated {in previous surgeries}

are still communicating with each other.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

She keeps crying now.

{Very, very, very unlike her.}

Admitted to ICU

2012-01-11T23:57:00.000-07:00

Lots of tests.

Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Ruby's in the room right next door to where

she was for almost three weeks.

Nurses and doctors who saw us, threw up their hands

and shrugged as if to say, "Oh no! You're back!"

Everyone who knew her from her last visit loves her.

So running into us outside the hospital? Super fun.

Inside? Not so much.

More tests in the morning.

Thank you for all the prayers.

I could tell you guys started praying because

I felt peace almost immediately after pushing

"publish" on the post asking for prayer for Ruby.

As you could probably tell from the post,

I was panicked and not feeling much peace

prior to asking you guys to pray.

{I can be so frail and human at times.}

You guys are awesome.

So thankful He is strong, even when I am weak.

Ruby sends her love and kisses and thanks.

Curling up on the bed with her and

going to try to get a little bit of sleep.

Thankful that Almighty God never slumbers

or sleeps and He definitely has her back

{So grateful for you guys reminding me.}

ER - Please pray!

2012-01-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

Ruby is not herself. I emailed her neurosurgeon to ask about her symptoms. He emailed me right back. So we are at Phoenix Children's waiting for Ruby to be examined.

This could be a false alarm,

but it could be a problem with her shunt.

I admit I'm scared.

Please, would you pray?

This is unchartered water for us and it's freaking me out.

Thank you so much!

Memorial Box Monday: The Tickets

2012-01-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I told the story of "the penny".

God's provision begins with a penny.

Whether unemployed or in the midst of bringing treasures home, He will provide.

He will.

He really will.

He is always faithful.

And our experience has been that He loves to provide in ways that we least expect - which makes life a wonderful adventure!

Kind of like all the bountiful produce we got the other day.

We were blessed so beautifully

{and such perfect timing with Karl, Autumn

and Savannah arriving}.

This Memorial Box Monday story is also a story of His provision.

And it came as a surprise

{which is our favorite kind!}.

After returning home from San Francisco this summer

where Jubilee had just had surgery we had to make

reservations for going to Uganda to get Ruby Grace.

I contacted the travel agency that Abi and Ryan

had used to bring Finn home.

I told the gentleman that I needed to fly out of Phoenix

and what my first choice in airlines was.

We emailed back and forth.

The travel agency is only open on the week days and

I really wanted the reservations made.

It was Friday and it was already mid-afternoon on the East coast {where the agent was located}.

So I was standing at my computer

about to email the gentleman back

and suddenly I heard the Lord say,

"Wait."

I prayed.

"Seriously? I should wait?"

I asked the Lord again, "Did you say I should wait?"

Very clearly, "Yes, wait."

I wondered what that was all about.

I said, "Remember it's Friday and it's likely that the prices will go up by Monday....or worse yet, the flights will be full."

{Sometimes I am amazed at all we

have seen Him do and yet - at times -

we still question.

He must shake His head some times,

don't ya' think?}

But I had clearly heard His voice.

I would wait and I would trust.

Saturday night I noticed that I had voice mails.

I confess right here and now that I am slow
to listen to voice mails.

There are not many quiet moments in my day and

so when I do listen to them,

it is often late, late at night

or the wee hours of the morning.

But Saturday night I saw that there were voice mails and so in the middle of the night I was up and listened to them.

It was a friend of ours calling to see

if we still needed airline tickets to Uganda?

The message was garbled and so I wasn't quite sure what Deb was asking, but just that it was about our flights to Uganda.

HUH?

The next morning at church I saw her husband, Gordon. He asked me if I had gotten Deb's message. I said, "I listened to her message, but it was garbled. What do you guys mean?" He said, "We have air miles and we would love to help you get to Africa and back." I almost fell over. Truly, I was dumbfounded. I said, "Emma is going with me."
He said, "That's okay, we have enough for both of you."

{And might I add, their free tickets were with our favorite airline! Amazing God.}

Really?

No wonder the Lord had said, "Wait."

He knew all along that Deb and Gordon were going to call!

The Lord had free air mile flights just waiting!

Thanks to our God-fearing, orphan-loving,

generous and precious friends - Gordon and Deb,

Emma and I had free flights to Uganda and back.

We laughed and cheered at yet one more provision of the Lord to bring our sweet Ruby home. He is faithful. He will always be faithful. He loves the orphan. He will provide to get them home.

In our Memorial Box we have our tickets, reminding us of the faithfulness of God, His provision and how He uses friends when we least expect it to minister to our hearts.

How about you?

What stories do you have to share?

Please post your permalink below:

Karl, Autumn & Savannah Visit....

2012-01-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Autumn, Karl & Savannah arrived to celebrate Christmas together. We could not wait for them to get here!

Last night was "Christmas Eve" and today we

celebrated our Christmas together with Autumn.

{Autumn was bummed that we had to take down our Christmas tree. It was crispy. Definitely not keeping that thing up.}

We can never hear the Christmas story enough times....

We will never be able to thank the Lord enough that Karl is with us.

Thank you for all your prayers on his behalf.

His healing continues, but he is doing well.

Cinnamon rolls is our breakfast tradition on Christmas,

so Ruby was lovin' that!

Tomorrow we will resume

Memorial Box Monday!

Can't wait!

Crazy Provision from Only Him!

2012-01-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

God's provision is amazing.

Truly crazy unbelievable.

Here we are in a new city.

No known source of income.

And we spot a sign.

On a nearby church.

Hmmmm.

What's that about?

Graham googled it for me.

And it turns out that it is an amazing provision from the Lord.

Almost every week-end

{Saturday and some Sundays}

throughout metro Phoenix,

there is a ministry called

Market on the Move.

It "rescues" {their words} fruits and vegetables

from being thrown out

and redistributes them to individuals

and families who want them in locations all over Phoenix

{and I guess to Tuscon as well}. Every year they 'rescue' 30 million pounds of fruits and vegetables that would have been thrown out. We met the founder. She was so sweet!

There are no financial requirements to participate.

All one has to do is show up, wait in line,

pay $10.00 and pick up boxes of fruits and

vegetables weighing a total of about 60 lbs.

If you become a member, you can pay a

one time amount of $100.00 and

go every Saturday to one of the locations

and pick up your 60 lbs. for free!!

We opted to become members for $100/year.

We arrived about 8am and were able to get in line. Met some really nice people as we waited.

When it was our turn they loaded us up with whatever we wanted.

We kept rejoicing at the Lord's provision.

Take a look:

The kids totaled it all up. There are {approximately}:

28 - green peppers

9 - yellow squash

8 - eggplants

15 - organic{!} seedless cucumbers

8 pints - organic{!} cherry tomatoes

2 lbs - cherub tomatoes

39 - tangelos

80 - tomatoes {Roma}

15 lbs - green beans

12 lbs - onions

1 - crazy huge salad mix

{complete with dressings & ham pieces}

Can you believe it?

If you live in the Phoenix/Tuscon area check it out.

{We may see you one of the Saturdays!}

If not, maybe there is a similar ministry in your city!

Yippee Jesus!

Oh, and one last thing. As I was just about to start picking the produce from the tables, a woman came up to me and said, "I just have to say, I've been reading your blog for over 2 years. I recognized Jubilee and thought, 'that must be her'....and so I had to come and introduce myself."

I was able to introduce her to little Miss Ruby and Dw too.

I asked her if she lived nearby.

She did.

I said, "So do I!"

She was so surprised!

How fun is that?

Miss L. - it was really fun meeting you!

Ruby's Monumental Moment.....

2012-01-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Ruby's hydrocephalus has been a big learning curve for all of us. It causes her to be very sleepy a lot of the time. We have to work and work to get her to wake up and stay awake. Some days seem worse than others. We don't want her to sleep much during the day, as she needs to be awake in order to be stimulated. She's gotta' learn and grow.

We try ice cubes, the cool kitchen counter top, doing zorberts on her belly, but most times it is a long, long process to get her to wake up. The kids will take turns trying to wake her. But really, it nothing short of a very difficult task.

I realized a few days ago that I really think she is trying to wake when we are working so hard to get her to wake her up, but she seriously is unable. When one of us is trying to wake her, if we walk away for a minute and come back and try again, she will often smile, almost as if to say, "I'm trying, keep doing it, cause I really, really, really want to wake and play with you, but I just can't quite get there."

Well today was no exception. I had tried. The kids took turns. Nothing. She would rouse a bit but nod off again in about a minute. We want her to grow and thrive and she just can't do that sleeping the day away!

So I semi-propped her in a sitting position on my lap at the kitchen table as we were eating lunch. The boys had made tuna sandwiches. Although she was asleep on my lap, I took the teeny-tiniest nibble of tuna and worked to put it in her front bottom gum. Eyes closed, seemingly asleep, she wiggled it around in her mouth and scrunched up her face as it to say, "Ugh. That is nasty tasting!"

It made us laugh.

But it did cause her to rouse a bit more. I gave her a speck more. She woke up quite a bit more, until she was in much more of a wakeful state. It had worked. I continued to give her teeny bits {chewing is not her thing quite yet}.

All of a sudden her head tipped back with her mouth open a speck revealing that she actually was pooling all those teeny specks of tuna on the roof of her mouth. Clearly, she did not like it and was not gonna' swallow.

No way.

No how.

I had to swab them out with my finger.

Anyway, after lunch Emma was holding her in an upright position. {She is unable to hold her head up herself yet, not even close. And she doesn't like to be in an upright position for long.

No doubt it hurts her. }

She started to get sleepy again. But we needed her awake. So this time I remembered that I had some cinnamon rolls left from making them the other morning {one of the family favorites}. I grabbed a piece of roll and took a pinch of a speck and put it in her mouth. Without hardly even tasting it, she turned back toward me, reached with her arm toward me and opened her mouth.

Emma and I started to giggle. Oh.my. Our baby girl clearly was lovin' her mama's cinnamon rolls! So I nipped another little speck and gave it to her. For the next several minutes she would turn her head to the side and open her mouth, reach with her entire arm and squawk as if to say,

"Hurry up mama, more of that yummy roll - please!"

Her entire being was engaged!

Now that might not sound like a really big deal to many, but to this mama, daddy and family we were over the moon!

This was really, really, really huge!

Ruby was communicating with us a clear like and she was knowing where to turn, which direction to reach and

that her mouth needed to open to get some more.

We ran to show the boys who were in our bathroom where Graham was giving Daddy a haircut. They were just as excited as we were. It is a monumental moment in our lives.

Our 18 month old baby girl is beginning to communicate with us and I just couldn't wait to tell, you, our sweet bloggy friends!

Yippee Jesus!

One Little Penny

2012-01-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

So many of you have written and wondered how in the world - with this economy will you/ could you/ should you afford to bring home a treasure or two?

I have a story I have been meaning to share. It's a story from the heart of God. See, He's not limited to the economy. He's not limited to a loss of job. He's not limited to the rising cost of food.

He loves the orphan. He longs for every.single.one. to be in a home.

And He is definitely not a deadbeat Dad.

If He loves the orphan so much, do you think that a job loss is a surprise to Him? Does a loss of income come as a surprise to Him? Or how about the rising cost of food?

Not a chance!!

Sweet friends, if need be, He will bring money out of seemingly no where. And yes, you could wake up in the morning and find a stack of money on your front lawn. He owns it all!! And nothing is too difficult for Him. He can truly bring money out of nowhere, from the down right craziest places, to provide for each treasure of His to come home.

And here's a personal story of Ruby's 'pennies from heaven'.

In early summer, I had gone downtown to
have coffee with a friend.

We grabbed our drinks and decided to walk Main Street.

Walking, talking and eventually praying together.

Walking back to our cars, we hugged and as I stepped off the curb to head to my car I saw it. A penny laying on the ground. I laughed and called to my friend, "Look! A penny for our next treasure to come home! We always pick up every penny we see, because enough pennies can bring a little one home and besides - Dw and I always say, "each penny is a reminder from the Lord that HE WILL PROVIDE EVERY PENNY needed."

My sweet friend, Kathy, laughed and agreed with me.

A couple months later Kathy texted me.

She said she had something she needed to bring me.

When we were able to meet up she wondered.
She went on - she needed help carrying "it."

Huh?

She actually came to the hospital where Karl was. She visited awhile and then went to her car and lifted "it"
out of the trunk and carried toward
me the prettiest box ever
{wish I'd taken a picture of the box, you'd have loved it.}

Inside the box was this:

It was filled to the brim with change she had gathered from all over her house, her husband's pockets and every nook and cranny she found. Yes, it was filled.

I was dumbfounded. I had completely forgotten about my penny comment when we had met for coffee a few months before.

She then handed me a wad of bills too. She and her sweet husband wanted to help little Miss Ruby {and SJ} come home.
Dw and the kids almost passed out when they saw it.

It was full.

Completely full.

It was one of the coolest things we have ever received. A clear reminder that God uses pennies to help bring treasures home. He uses people and crazy circumstances {like finding a penny on the ground while stepping off the curb saying good-bye to a friend having coffee} to prompt someone to share what they have so that a much-valued little person {or persons} can come home forever.

Now the adorable piggy is too big for our Memorial Box but a penny is not. It serves inside our Memorial Box to remind us that every penny should be picked up, because in the long run, a penny makes a lot of pennies and all those pennies
put together work wonders.

Faithful God.

Faithful generous, orphan-loving friends.

Baby girl laying in my arms shrieking and cooing as I type.

Do not let money ever stand in the way.
Ever.
He will provide every.single.penny.every.single.time.

{Please feel free to share your 'penny story'
in the comments to encourage others!}

Could This Be The Trip For You?

2012-01-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

Dw has been invited to lead another

Legacy Leadership Conference -

this time it in Eastern Uganda.

This will be a new location and the ride is gorgeous!

Right passed the African villages with their beautiful mud huts -

just like you probably have seen in National Geographic.

Truly stunning.

Pastors and leaders are planning on attending

from Eastern Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.

We are so excited!

The team will spend time serving the pastors and leaders at the conference and also serving the orphans in various orphanages

{one even has 1,000 children}!

The proposed dates {give or take a day or two} are:

February 22nd - March 7th, 2012

Cost: $1,300. plus airfare

We have found some very reasonable flights,

and if we book quick enough...whooa.

It will be awesome!

The $1,300 team cost includes accommodations, travel in-country, guides, translators, two meals {breakfast and dinner}and water.

Airfare is not included.

Dw and Emma will be leading the team and

they would love to serve with you.

We have been praying and we know

that God has been calling some of you.

{There might even be a pastor God is calling to go?}

Could This Be the Trip for You?

The next trip is tentatively scheduled for June.

Details to follow.

If you are interested, we will send you an application.

Please post a comment {with your email} or email us at:

APlaceCalledSimplicity@yahoo.com

Attn: February 2012 Trip

Our 2011 In Review....

2012-01-02T10:39:00.001-07:00

2011

What a year it was!

From start to finish God's faithfulness was evident, but it was not without it's challenges, joys, struggles and painful trials.

January

The year started with Dw and Emma leading yet another team to Kampala to serve the orphans of Uganda. {Graham was on the trip too.} The team was 14 total and many were ministered to. While they were gone, the Lord met me in a very real way and it will be a time I will never, ever, forget.

When they returned home, three precious sisters who needed a home were added to ours and

the number of treasures at home went from 8 to 11

{Autumn not pictured}.

February and March

hundreds of you from around the world mailed ties, shirts, shorts, undies, boutonnieres and some of the sweetest letters and pictures of you and your family to little boys living on the streets of Kampala, Uganda....

April

brought Emma and I leading a team of 18 women {some who have become some of my closest friends!} to Kampala, carrying the packages of clothing so those precious boys could attend the wedding event of the century!

Boys who have been discarded from life were invited to be the cherished guests at both wedding and reception of a missionary couple who love them, believe in them

and minister daily to them....

While leading the team in Africa, I learned that Dw was in the hospital with three of his major arteries in his leg completely blocked with blood clots from an ankle injury.

May

With deep sorrow and pain-filled hearts we learned that we would be unable to bring home a little boy we had been in the process of adopting. Little Elliot Moses had been in our hearts for 3 years. The loss was real.

And we grieved {and still grieve}.

Later we learned that our precious Jubilee has severe hearing loss. What a day when her audiologist loaned us a BAHA! She could even hear us whisper to her!

Mother's Day 2011

{personally speaking, my favorite day of the year,

thank you Lord for the privilege of being a mom of many}

June

Dw and Emma led another team {this time of 22} back to Uganda where Dw did another Legacy Conference
{training the pastors who have no resources}.

This fourth annual Legacy Conference brought 750 pastors! What started four years ago to about 30 pastors has grown to 750 as pastors from rural Uganda are invited to attend the solid, Biblical teachings! Faithful God blessing Dw's faithfulness. The pastors and leaders in turn train others with the materials Dw has written to explain scriptures.
Leaving a Legacy the honors Christ alone!

While on that June trip Dw and Emma met an 11 month old who was dying. She weighed only 6 pounds. I had been unable to post the pictures of her, due to orphanage rules, but thousands of you, hearing her story began to pray that God would spare her life. Many of you fasted with us for her.

Her name was Baby Daniella. This is the first picture I saw of her. I cannot even look at it without tears welling. She was dying, unable to keep anything down.

Dw began to advocate for special care for "Daniella" as people around the world pleaded with Almighty God to spare her.

Dw took her for medical tests, confirming her hydrocephalus. Dw went to the director over and over and over, "If there is anything she needs, do not let money stand in the way.

Linny and I will pay for anything.

We will do anything for her.

A.n.y.t.h.i.n.g."

That same trip Dw met a little girl that I had

met on my trip in April.

He fell in love, just as I had.

She is never far from our thoughts and always in our prayers.

We believe she will come home.

The rest of the team came home, but Dw and Emma went on for another week to Ghana where Dw was able to do his first Legacy Conference in Ghana.

While Dw was in Africa, he had a phone call from the States. A local Christian radio station had chosen him as Father of the Year!

A well-deserved title for the only man I know who has a boatload of kids, has kids in Uganda who sincerely know he is their dad {although they are not legally adopted}, continually advocates for orphans and passionately pursues bringing any home {and he's 56}.

Yes, he is the Father of the Year.

A dad whose oldest son says that he is his hero.

A dad who has modeled God's love for the orphans so much so that our oldest daughter {Abigail} and her husband understand the plight of the orphan and have adopted their first son from Uganda!

{Making us the most tickled Mimi and Jaja probably ever-anywhere!}

It means being a father to former street kids

now grown and serving Christ.

Our son George.

Our son Junior.

Our son LuTaaya

{who is married to Cassandra and have a daughter Neveah Miracle}

And our daughter Moreen.

No, George, Junior, LuTaaya and Moreen are not legally adopted, but they are ours. The children of our hearts. Our kids. And yes, we would do anything for them. Anything.

And they know it.

And then theirs our daughter-in-love Sarah...

son-in-love Ryan

and our Autumny

A daddy with a whole bunch of princesses:

Emma, Liberty, Jubilee and Elizabeth

and some warriors in training....

Elijah and Isaiah

Tenderly loved and cherished by all who

gather in our home or outside it.

All who need a

father figure in their lives.

The title Father of the Year well-deserved, no doubt.

As Dw and Emma landed in Chicago, he found an email in his inbox. The director of the orphanage said, "Pastor Dwight, you said you would do anything. Would you and Linny be willing to adopt "Daniella" and believe with me that God is going to heal her?"

Overjoyed, we said, "YES!"

July

July began with a beautiful 4th of July celebration. Days off spent on our porch. It had been a crazy busy first half of the year, and now was the time for some refreshing.

Little did we know on the 17th of July when we woke and readied ourselves for church that our world was about to be changed forever.

Heading on to first service, Autumn waited behind for Karl to come and pick her up for church. He was on his motorcycle heading toward our home when an 87 year old man pulled in front of him throwing Karl 55 feet. The miraculous story of God's ministering angels is on the side bar under Special Posts:

Our Holy Ground: Parts 1-3.

Med-flighted and fighting for his life,

many of you hit your knees on his behalf.

We can never thank you enough.

Your love, your care and your concern

is what buoyed us through the next 15 days

while Karl lay in the coma and

his subsequent long, long road of recovery.

I know many of you still pray for Karl.

Thank you.

The healing continues and the prayers are still needed.

August

Before Karl's accident, we were planning to leave to drive 1254 miles one way

to spend some precious time

with our Special Forces hero {and his precious wife}

who was about to depl*y for the 5th time. I was so distraught. Karl had not woke up, and Autumn was so fragile.

Faithful God allowed Karl to 'wake' up out of his coma literally right before we left. The trip was not without much concern, Karl was still in very, very serious condition. I will never forget the fears as we pulled away from home. Desperately wanting to spend time with Ty and Sarah, but so concerned about Karl and Autumn.

We returned home to Colorado and immediately the girls and I drove to Denver {8 hours} for Jubilee to have some testing over the next few days.

I was dumbfounded when our pediatrician called us from home to ask if we had heard from the ear specialist. No, we had just had the testing done yesterday. Our pediatrician proceeded to tell me that they had found something seriously wrong with Jubilee. She needed immediate surgery.

In the mean time, we had heard from immigration that we could get finger-printed, so Dw drove the boys to meet us in Denver and Dw, Emma and I went for fingerprinting.

We ended up driving back to Durango and waiting to see when Jubilee would have surgery. Surprisingly, the Lord had another plan and we ended up driving to San Francisco {1,059 miles one way} to have surgery performed by a world-renowned ear surgeon who would have to remove her ear drum. Faithful God had spared the infection from penetrating the lining of her brain! How we praise His name. We had to hang out in SanFrancisco {the upside is that Abi, Ryan and Finley live there!} for awhile and then drove back to Colorado.

{I'm laughing as I type. Talk about putting some miles on the car!}

After returning from San Francisco, Emma and I had to drive to Denver to have her passport made as it had just expired and in all the hubbub we had not noticed. So back to Denver we went. We were able to see Karl, who had been moved to

Craig Rehabilitative hospital.

September

And a few days later Emma and I left to drive to Phoenix to fly to Uganda to begin the process of bringing home that precious little bundle we had named Ruby Grace.

Meeting Ruby Grace for the first time....

Taking her to Mbale

{7 hours from Kampala}

for her first brain surgery.

Ruby's hydrocephalus is serious. Her situation concerning, we could not get her home fast enough! This was not a 'normal adoption'. Her life was on the line!

And Emma and I worked day after day to complete the paperwork to bring her home.

October

As the days turned into weeks and the weeks passed, Emma and I began to wonder if we would ever get to come home. I told Emma every single day, "I could not do it without you. I would be home on the front porch in a heap, if you were not with me. Thank you Emmy for coming with me." It was all so overwhelming and in light of what the first 9 months had held!

We would not leave without Ruby

and there was so much warfare

{and I don't say that lightly or flippantly

and am writing about it in the book} that

I knew that the only thing

that would break through it was fasting.

And so we fasted.

Thankfully, spending time with one precious girl....

November

Upon landing in Phoenix and after eating at Chili's {at the airport} as a family, Dw and I drove Ruby to Phoenix Children's where she was immediately admitted.

Almost three weeks in Intensive Care and

three more brain surgeries in 10 days

{the last with life-threatening complications}.

Oh, the sweet power of prayer.

Thanksgiving in the hospital.

December

And then the decision.

This precious 14 pound bundle's arrival was prompting a

major life-change for our entire family.

Dr. Shafron, our neurosurgeon had confirmed what Dr. John {in Uganda} had said. Ruby Grace needed to live near a major medical health facility.

Daddy, who has senior pastored for 20 years with integrity, perseverance and much fruit

{never a scandal or even a hint of reproach}

would head back to Colorado to resign.

The Lord had directed and we joyfully knew what we had to do.

We are only His workman.

Created in His image.

To serve Him.

Every.Day.Of.Our.Lives.

And this Father of the Year gracefully laid down his life for his daughter. Dw modeled what Christ did for us. Laying down his life, job and income for another. And we followed him.

So here we are.

Phoenix, Arizona

30 minutes from Phoenix Children's.

Our home for sale in Colorado.

We left Autumn in Colorado

{very hard for this mama to do as Autumn and I are so close}.

Many have asked what Dw is going to do now.

The Lord spoke clearly.

We will share soon what that is.

Our 2011, as I said before, brought many challenges, joys, struggles and painful trials. But God was always faithful.

As we share our lives publicly, with you our sweet bloggy friends, we thank you for your love, your prayers on our behalf and your kind words, emails and comments.

God's hand of grace was evident throughout it all.

He was faithful.

He is faithful.

He will always be faithful.

We look forward with great anticipation to 2012

as we serve {as a family} Almighty God,

the maker of heaven and earth.

Elizabeth Mercy

2012-01-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

Over at our home we are celebrating a very special day.

New Years may be cause for celebration,

BUT not nearly the celebration as the birthday of our

Elizabeth Mercy

If you haven't read her story, slide over to "Special Posts" and read the 7 part story of the miraculous save of her life by Almighty God. It's titled: Our Wild Adventure Parts 1-7

Anyway, this precious treasure has been home now for three years and today she has turned 6.

This is the girl with the endless smile, spunky personality and bright outlook on every.single.thing.

If you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up she doesn't miss a beat:

"I am going to work in Africa with the babies,

because they really need me."

And she will probably elaborate if you ask her more.

Today we were asking her {again} and without hesitation she said,

"I'm going to buy all the little kids scooters. And the big ones, well I'm going to buy them all Ipods."

"Ipods?", we questioned.

"Uh-huh. That way they'll be busy texting and

won't be able to take the little kids food!"

Spoken out of her true experience.

Big kids take your food at the orphanages.

She knows.

We could never imagine our home without this little girl.

The one at the orphanage who was only two herself and was called, "the little mama". When a baby was laying on the ground crying, she would plop herself down, pull that crying little one over and stroke them to comfort them.

Yes, this girl understands.

And she is determined that she is going back to Africa to work with Emma and take care of all the little kids.

So today we celebrate her life.

Her joy.

Her enthusiasm for life.

Her love for Jesus

and her love for others.

Would you join me in wishing our gift a very happy birthday?

I will be reading her all the wishes

{and you can just picture her smiling away.}

When God Allows Pain {or Says "No"} Part 1

2011-12-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

Some have asked, "What happens when God says 'no'?

Others have asked, "Do you put something in your Memorial Box to represent the 'no' as well?

And lastly, "Do we really deserve anything at all?"

Great questions!

I thought I would divide it into a two part series
over the next few days.

Here goes:

I can only speak for myself out of my own personal experience and it must always be held under the light of what scripture says about it all.

So here's my very personal story:

I have eluded in different blog posts that I had much abuse growing up. Yes, much. There was not one thing that was "normal" about my life.

In fact in junior high school my fear-filled life was causing me to ask multiple times a day if I could use the pay phone. I would run {literally} down the hall, dashing down a huge flight of stairs two at a time, pop my dime in the pay phone and call my mom to make sure everything was okay.

Needing to call home many times a day was so concerning to my junior high English teacher that he sent me to the guidance counselor's office to see if he could find out what was going on.

I sat across the desk from a very kind looking man whom I had never seen before. Looking back, I sincerely believe he cared and I know for sure that my English teacher cared. My guidance counselor got right to the point, "What's going on at home?" Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I wouldn't have even known where to begin. Looking down I mumbled, "Nothing." He questioned me a bit more.

I was not going to elaborate on anything because I feared that I would be put in foster care. My 13 year old mind reasoned, if 'this' was going on in my home with people who 'loved' me, what in the world would happen in a foster home? And besides, did I want my dad to go to jail? Thus, the answer, "nothing."

When my emotional healing began at the age of 26, I spent a couple of pain-filled years digging into God's word: learning who I was in Christ, going to an awesome Godly woman for counseling and memorizing scripture upon scripture to have my mind renewed in an effort to understand God's deep and everlasting love for me.

At the age of four I had asked Jesus to come into my heart and I had loved Him and served Him and spent time whispering to Him through so many sleepless nights growing up but because of the abuse I really didn't understand who I was in Christ and I didn't really understand that God was a loving Father.

No doubt, many of you know what I'm talking about. Your life has been equally painful. You know what I mean.

Finally, after years of healing, issuing forgiveness {we will talk about that one day} and re-learning the things of God from a loving-Father perspective, one day I could honestly look back on my life and say, "I am thankful for all the horrible things that happened."

The very things that had tormented me had served to make me who I am today and Almighty God does not waste suffering, pain or trials.

In fact it says in Romans 5:3, 4: "We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, proven character; proven character, hope and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who he has given us."

Yes, suffering is a good thing.

If we allow it, it will eventually produce 'hope'.

But we have to look at it from God's perspective. He is loving. We live in a very sinful world. Bad things happen to good people. God's word says, "The rain falls on the just and the unjust." We, as Christians are not exempt from pain. Anyone who would say otherwise is not telling the truth.

So do I have something in my Memorial Box to represent the years of abuse? I do not. The symbol from the years of abuse are in the Memorial Box of my heart. Details known only to me. It's all safe there.

I speak publicly about the years of abuse, but I do not elaborate on details. They are mine. The message I speak is a message of hope for survivors of abuse. A message of hope even for those who have perpetrated abuse. There is healing for all at the foot of the cross.

The pages of my Bible are marked up with the promises of God, promises He has whispered just to me. They are promises for you as well, but they have been personalized to me as I have spent time on my knees before Him. He is faithful. He has brought much beauty out of all the yukky ashes. I am forever grateful.

Of course, if you have a Memorial Box of sorts, it is yours. If you choose to put something in your Memorial Box to represent a "no", that is wonderful. It's personal. It's yours.

For me, personally, I have had many, many, many heartaches, struggles, trials, loss, betrayals and disappointments in my life. Many, many, many, many times the answer has been 'no'.

I came to the place, quite a few years ago, where I felt like I finally understood that each 'no' was God's best plan for my life.

I remember jumping up and down {literally from the stress} outside our beloved little log home as the smoke billowed and the flames leapt from our home and I waited for the fire trucks to arrive. I was crying out to the Lord aloud and the words that kept coming from my lips were this: "I want to get this right Lord. I want to honor you in all of it." In this life-changing situation, I wanted my heart, my life, my words to honor Him above all else. No doubt, it had taken me years to get to that point (and no, I will not get it right every time, but that is my goal.)

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:28 that "He causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes." If that's true, then not one thing will come to my life or yours without first passing through His loving fingertips.

Not.One.Thing.

Loss?

Yup.

Disappointment?

Yup.

Heartache?

Yup.

Betrayal?

Yup.

Health issues?

Yup.

Delays?

Yup.

Every.Single."No"?

Yup.

Nothing will come to my life without my loving Father approving it.

Has He caused it?

Not a chance.

But He has allowed it.

That can be a hard pill to swallow, if we don't put each struggle, trial and painful situation through the filter of that scripture in Romans 5. Struggles produce Perseverance. Perseverance produces Proven Character and Proven Character produces Hope. I'd like to believe that I am continuing to become a woman of much hope after all the struggles and trials the Lord has graciously brought me through in my 53 years.

It's really a matter of resigning our will to His.

Only His.

Face it, we are very human beings. We want our way, we want it now and truth be known - we want our way to be cushy!

But if we all got our way 'now' we would all be a bunch of whiney, demanding and very, very shallow babies.

It could even be easy to think we 'deserve' whatever we want because of our relationship with Christ.

However, that also is not true.

We don't deserve anything. Nothing. Nada.

His word says that our "righteousness is as filthy rags." As good as we think we are? Yeah, it's all filthy rags compared to Him.

So why does God sometimes say "yes" to us?

Stay tuned for Part 2.

Mommy's Big Helper

2011-12-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

We're having some sweet friends come for a

big breakfast this morning.

Dw said he would help me with making all the stuff.

{He is not one who spends much time in the kitchen.}

I said we needed 10 eggs put in the bowl.

I then said,

"Could you put the eggs in the bowl?"

He did.

{I could not stop laughing.}

Ummm yeah.

Not sure how this helper thing is going to work after all.

Changes, Changes, and More Changes....

2011-12-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

Kind of crazy to be sitting outside without a jacket, hoodie or coat on and it's the 28th of December.

The kids have been running around barefoot playing.

I think I'm gonna' love this Phoenix-thing a lot.

I've been trying to sort through boxes. Actually pretty fun to get rid of most of the winter stuff. Some people have said, "Well you'll want to hang on to that so when you go to Flagstaff to see the snow, you have it."

Growing up in Buffalo, New York, living for 7.5 years in the mountains of Colorado and then driving in a snowstorm while in Denver last week brings a smile to my heart.

At the moment my thoughts are: if I only ever have a snow globe the rest of my life, I'm actually gonna' be just fine. Surprisingly Dw and the kids are all feeling the same way - totally the Lord!

The landscape is gorgeous! I am loving the saguaro, prickly pear, and jumping cholla everywhere! Graham had a lot of fun testing the jumping cholla cactus to see if it really does jump and latch on if you get too clsoe. {It does and yes it is prickly!}

Dw and I took a walk the other night. It was just about dusk. We saw three coyotes coming out of the shrubs on a neighboring street. They are really kind of cool looking.

A friend of ours is a tennis pro and offered to give Liberty and I tennis lessons for free. I have always wanted to learn to play tennis. Dw actually played on his college team. He tried once to teach me when we were dating. We came to the conclusion during that one time, that if we really wanted to stay together we ought not do that again. So 34 years later I'm learning from someone else.

Yesterday was Liberty and my first lesson - we had a blast! We were wearing short sleeves and we both were actually sweating!

We've met some new friends and last night actually had dinner with a bloggy friend and her family. They have just moved here from Florida. Coffee soon with another bloggy friend who lives 'in the neighborhood!' And the people we have met in our community have been oh-so-sweet. We are feeling very welcomed already! And that, is a really wonderful feeling!

In fact, our neighbors across the street rang our doorbell on Christmas Eve and had a card {with their phone numbers in it} and two plates of Christmas cupcakes welcoming

us to the neighborhood!

How cool is that?

And then lastly, I am so aware that life can be very tricky around the Christmas holidays. Expectations. Disappointments. Health struggles. Older kids who once were present for the celebrations have moved away. Marriage changes. Relationship changes.

Betrayal. Moves. Death. Job loss. Financial crisis.

Christmas can be actually some of the most difficult times in someone's life. Many of you have written and shared your stories. Your hurts. Your pain. As I unpack and sort through boxes, I have been praying for many of you. That God would comfort you. That He alone would fill you with peace. That you would understand that even in the most difficult of circumstances He is ever faithful.

And I've been working on a blog post, probably two-part, along the lines of "when God says no." It needs to be tweaked, but I am sure that God will use it to speak to many hearts. He's like that. Taking our own struggles and using them to minister to others in their struggles.