Mikiyas William Brewer

Mikiyas William Brewer
is our son!

He is from Ethiopia.

His birthday is Feb. 26

We would like to announce that Mik is officially and legally our son.

He has been with us since May 25, 2013.

On January 23, 2014

 he became legally adopted into our family forever.

We learned of his story in early May and prayed and asked the Lord for direction on what He would have us to do.

We knew the Lord was directing us to bring Mik into our family.

We only knew his story, we did not get to meet him, until he came to live with us.

The timing was perfect, as we had the entire summer to bond and get to know each other before school started.

We had a very busy summer and Mik handled it all in stride.  

It was hard to remember that he had only been with us for a short time.

Mik has a very kind and tender heart.

He is very smart and willing to try anything.

He is very eager to please and help.

I will come home with a load of groceries and he flies out the door to bring them all in at once.

  He might break every egg, and smash all the bread on the way inside, but he will get all the groceries in and put away before anyone else even has a chance to get their shoes on and out to the car. 

 Our chips are more like "crumble" since Mik came home to live with us, but I can have a car unloaded in about 5 minutes flat. 

He always builds me a fire in the fireplace and it is a good hot one.

He has a kinda sixth sense about him...he always knows what everyone is doing, he is very aware of his surroundings.

  

He brings a certain "calm" to my storm..when I'm "storming" around, he is calm and trying to "fix" the storm.

  He has a way of keeping track of what is going on....when we go to fast food drive thrus and I get the order completely confused because I have 8 people yelling their order to me...I can look at Mik and he has the perfect tally and never forgets a person or their order.

  We don't really worry about his age.....it is very confusing, and so if I don't have to keep track of my age, or tell everyone how old I am....neither does he.  :) 

Depending on the day or the situation he can act a number of different ages and maturity levels.  

He is in 5th grade and he is doing great with that age group and that academic level.

Mikiyas is a blessing to us and we are thankful for him!!

We are praising God that our "newest addition" can now be officially called our son.

We bought him cowboy boots as a 

welcome to the family

 and

 happy adoption day present.  

That made it feel extra official to our family.

Trusting the Lord with my Kids!

There are certain verses in the Bible I like to claim over my kids...

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

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

Psalm 139:13-14

English Standard Version (ESV)

13 

For you formed my inward parts;

    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

14 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]

Wonderful are your works;

    my soul knows it very well.

Those are just nice and warm and fuzzy verses, they are truth from God's Word....

But if we are going to believe God's word, then we don't get to pick and choose which verses we want to believe.

  So what about...some of the ones Jesus himself said.....

John 15:19

English Standard Version (ESV)

19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Yikes...I don't want anyone to hate my kids!

Luke 14:25-27

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Cost of Discipleship

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

John 12:24-26

English Standard Version (ESV)

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

I could keep going..but this is a picture of what I wrestled with all night.  I love the Lord and I want to follow Him...and I want my kids to follow Him...

but

 I don't want it to cost us our lives, or anything really. 

 In fact...I don't mind it costing me and Charlie

 (because I always throw him under the bus),

 but I don't want it to cost my kids.

Matthew 4:18-20

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,”Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

I'm here to tell you...

if I were the mother of these young men, as Jesus walked by them and said these things to them, as they were doing their job and fishing for fish, and He told them to follow Him and He would send them out to fish for people....I would have probably thrown a fit. 

 After all, they didn't even have the resources to research this...they couldn't google it, or text a few hundred people to pray about it.....they didn't even have a clue how this was going to turn out, they just dropped their nets and followed HIM.

ACTING IN FAITH!!!!!

I would have said to my young son...lets just sit back and see how this thing turns out...let's give it some time...

lets just calm down,

....keep fishing for fish...keep doing what you are doing, and

 THEN

....if it turns out to be safe and smart and successful, 

THEN

 when you are 40ish and have a safe secure future... you can 

GO

 and be a part of all this Jesus business....

but for NOW, fish for fish and be safe...wear your sunscreen..get your rest, wear your life vest, be responsible.

And actually,  show my support, I will send your dad out :) ....and if it all turns out to be what we think...then you can

 GO

 with him next time.  

* All I can say is... poor Charlie...this is REALLY how it goes.*

So, bottom line....I'm a mess...I say I believe...I say I love Jesus and want to live for Him...I say I love my kids and want them to follow Jesus...but I want it all within my 

COMFORT AND CONTROL.

It's NOT happening that way. 

 I'm so glad the Lord loves me and continues to teach me and He is so patient... He also doesn't listen to my whining and my insecurities...He is a big God and He has His very own relationship with my kids and my husband...and He does

 NOT

 have to check with me on what He leads them to do.  

I'm learning

 AGAIN

to trust the Lord with my kids. 

 Maybe that's why He gave me so many...He knew this would be a lesson I would need to learn over and over again. 

 Maybe by Moo, I will not fight it as hard, or Charlie will be so worn out...that he won't be able to be thrown under the bus anymore, and I will have to skip that step in my spinning cycle.

I'm kind of kidding.  I wish I were kidding.

The verse that I camped on a ton in 2013 was Jeremiah 17:7-8.

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

The thing that really sticks out to me is "whose trust is the Lord"...not "in the Lord", but "IS THE LORD".

Trust is a big thing with me....I jump in fast with people or situations...and then if the trust gets broken...I question everything from the beginning.  This is screwed up because trust in humans will always be broken.


The thing the Lord is teaching me is to trust HIM and HIM alone.  Trust Him with my husband and my kids and myself.

Part of my learning to "trust the Lord"...is to trust the people HE has placed in situations...to even TRUST that He would put me in a situation.

For instance....He had no business trusting me with 1 kid...let alone a pile of them.  I'm so far from where I should be to be "trusted" with a life...but, He did, and so I need to trust that He can fill in all the blanks and give me what I need to do what He has given me to do...ALL I HAVE TO DO, IS TRUST HIM!

I trust Him...and then I see my kid hurting and I want to fix it.  I want to pray instructions to the Lord and give Him "insight" on how to fix it...so I can trust HIM.  This is so screwed up!!!

I trust Him...and then I'm put in a situation where I am over my head and not at all qualified...and myself and people who know me...are "cautioning me and reminding me" of my lack.  This is so screwed up.

When I truly trust Him...when my trust IS the LORD...I don't need to be qualified...I just need to say YES.  He is strong in my weakness...He is qualified and He can supply ALL that I need.

He can also do this for others.  So when I don't "trust" someone in a situation, even if that someone is me......I just need to TRUST THE LORD.  He can handle others and me....He is a mighty GOD. :)

Best Birthday Present

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

English Standard Version (ESV)

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,[a] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being[b] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him[c] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

 I have had something HEAVY on my heart for one of my kids.  It has been building for quite some time and it was getting to the point that something had to "give". 

 We needed the Lord to step in and do a mighty  work.  

This kid has been so diligent and faithful to seek the Lord in this, and to seek wise counsel over and over.  There was a lot of prayer going up on their behalf.  God was using many people to speak into this kid's life.

Friends and family have been going to the Lord and asking for wisdom and direction and clarity and unity, and 

PEACE.

We have been thankful because the "struggle" has not been out of  rebellion....just total frustration....and unsettled, very stirred up.

God usually stirs us up and makes us really "uncomfortable" before we are willing to take a step of faith. 

 We were all "stirred up and uncomfortable".

There is a lot at stake.

On my birthday, I was feeling desperate for my kid.  

I know that the Lord loves my kids much more than I can even fathom and I know that He loves me.  

 I asked the Lord for a birthday present. 

 I just wanted peace... some relief from the pressure and the frustration, some confirmation from God, the only one who knows how He created my kid and knows their hearts and knows the future.

  I needed to be reminded and shown 

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS, 

I needed a present of His presence

TODAY!!

That prayer was early in the morning. 

 By noon......, God had given us a gift that confirmed that 

"step of faith".

He met us right where we all are in this process.

I was given the birthday present that only God could supply! 

 He loves me, and He hears my prayers. 

 I am praising God for His peace, and for making me feel so loved. 

  I'm thankful for His faithfulness and His kindness and His gifts.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

English Standard Version (ESV)

Treasure in Jars of Clay

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

We still don't know what the future holds...but we know 

WHO

 holds the future.

We are weak...but He is strong!

My man is coming home today!!!

  Yippee!!!  

I have missed him.

I can't wait to hear all about his trip.  

3 1/2 years ago was Charlie and Lashae's first trip to Uganda and the Lord dramatically changed our entire families hearts. 

Charlie's first trip to Uganda.

 Our hearts were opened and broken in a whole new way. 

 My man has never been the same.  

He came home with a fire burning in his heart and tears in his eyes.  

Our trip to Uganda last year.

It's amazing how God can use what Charlie already knows and is passionate about to bless others across the world.  

You may be able to take him out of the country, but he will find a cow, a piece of equipment, a building to climb on, lots of kids, and a baptism to be a part of.  

I'm proud of my man! 

I'm thankful for him! 

I'm excited to see him!  

Now it's time to quit blogging about him

and go

SHAVE MY LEGS.

hehehe

 .

My blog is just a bunch of experiences of my life......

If I did not blog about Jesus, or if I did not have him in my life, this is how it would read....

I tried

I failed

I died.

But because of  Jesus, my savior...this is how it reads:

I tried, I failed...

Romans 3:23

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

JESUS LOVES me,

John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

JESUS SAVED me,

1 Timothy 2:3-6

3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

God adopted me,

Ephesians 1:4-6

In love 5 he predestined us[a] for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ,according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Galatians 4:4-6

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

He blesses my life more than I could ever imagine.

Psalm 103:1-2

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and all that is within me,

    bless his holy name!

2 

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and forget not all his benefits,

I will live FOREVER, with HIM!

John 6:50-51

50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Psalm 23:6

English Standard Version (ESV)

6 

Surely[a] goodness and mercy[b] shall follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell[c] in the house of the Lord

    forever.[d]

Joy!

"Lord, let us be a part of something you are blessing." 

Charlie and I have prayed this prayer for the last couple of years.  It came out of a desperate heart....honestly, but God has used it, to change us....because it is an honest plea of trusting that He knows us and He LOVES us...and He isn't looking to hit us over the head...He is looking for us to enter into 

HIS JOY.

It was a prayer of....

we are tired of ourselves...we are tired of banging our heads against every brick wall.

 "OUR PLANS"

would continually frustrate us. 

It was a prayer of 

"I surrender".

And of course...GOD has BLOWN us away with HIS GOODNESS and HIS GRACE and HIS JOY.

1 Chronicles 16:8-11

English Standard Version (ESV)

David's Song of Thanks

8 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;

    make known his deeds among the peoples!

9 

Sing to him, sing praises to him;

    tell of all his wondrous works!

10 

Glory in his holy name;

    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

11 

Seek the Lord and his strength;

    seek his presence continually!

We can do NOTHING for HIM.

God does not NEED us...we NEED Him!

He was not waiting for me to pray that prayer so He could get something done....HE can do whatever He wants whenever He wants...He just LOVES me and can use us because

 HE IS THAT GOOD!!!

He is perfect, He is complete.

And He can make us and mold us and give us JOY!

NOT because we deserve it or earn it...just because

 He is good and He is GOD!

Psalm 40:16-17

English Standard Version (ESV)

16 

But may all who seek you

    rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation

    say continually, “Great is the Lord!”

17 

As for me, I am poor and needy,

    but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

    do not delay, O my God!

 Sometimes....He takes us to another country to share His love.

 And sometimes He just lets us hang on the beach and dance.

  Either way, and in both situations...we are His and when we recognize THAT  and 

enjoy Him and His creation and His people,

He can do a mighty work in us. 

 He can bring GLORY to His name.

 As Charlie is in Uganda and going and doing what God has lead him to do .........God led us to sunny Southern California to enjoy family and fun!!!  ha!

I know with everything in me...that both things, are a total blessing from our Lord, and He is just allowing us to be a part of
 His blessings.

My encouragement is this......don't put God in a box....He is unlimited....He can bless you here and there and everywhere!  

1 Corinthians 2:9-11

English Standard Version (ESV)

9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

    nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.