Summer Fun!!!!

We have had the busiest funnest most active summer I have ever had or even ever thought possible.

We played hard and we celebrated

  A LOT

 and now it is all coming to an end and I'm sad, but I'm so stinkin' worn out that I'm 

NEEDING 

it to come to an end.

My GRAND got to come TWICE for week long visits and she brought her wonderful  parents  too.

We celebrated a graduation. 

 We did swimming lessons and attended basketball, volleyball and football camps.

 I got to see 

EVERY single one of my sisters

 and all of my nieces and most of my nephews this summer.

That is a big fat awesome blessing.

 We celebrated about a gazillion birthdays.

We had a family reunion.

We attended a concert.

 We had a short and much needed visit from

 PATIENCE.  :)

 We had a great big fun Redeemer House Reunion!

 We played games!!!!!

 We boated and skied as many times as we could.

We LOVED on our college boys!!! 

 LOVE these brothers.

I just have to say it again.

I LOVE THIS FAMILY!!!!

It's wild and crazy and exhausting!

God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams and now I need about a month of

 "cave time"

 as my sister puts it, 

and I have informed everyone that I am going on a cooking 

STRIKE!

Thank you Lord for EVERYONE and all we have gotten to celebrate.

Psalm 100

English Standard Version (ESV)

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

A Psalm for giving thanks.

100 

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

2 

    Serve the Lord with gladness!

    Come into his presence with singing!

3 

Know that the Lord, he is God!

    It is he who made us, and we are his;[a]

    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

    and his courts with praise!

    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 

For the Lord is good;

    his steadfast love endures forever,

    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Redeemer House Reunion 2013

Twelve families have adopted from Redeemer House.  The families and several loving encouraging support people were able to join in a time of celebration and remembrance of all the things God has done through our individual journeys.

Joshua 4:8-9

The Message (MSG)

8-9 The People of Israel did exactly as Joshua commanded: They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan—a stone for each of the twelve tribes, just as God had instructed Joshua—carried them across with them to the camp, and set them down there. Joshua set up the twelve stones taken from the middle of the Jordan that had marked the place where the priests who carried the Chest of the Covenant had stood. They are still there today.

The thing that resounded to my heart all weekend was how God hand picked each child and family to be together, just as He wove each child in their mother's womb, He wove together each family. 

He placed together children in their families and He brought together such a bigger picture and circle than just the child or the family, but it extends

 far and wide.  

As my sister pointed out, it would be amazing if we could draw circles of the families and then draw lines to show how each family is connected, to give a visual of all the different ways we are all connected. 

 It would be like a ball of yarn, 

messy and tangled 

and beautiful and colorful and continuous. 

 You can not find the beginning or the end and the more you dive into it all the more it grows.

 I'm in awe of God.

80 people got together for a weekend of celebration for the things that God has done.  I am once again blown away by the connections and the miracles and the relationships and the answer to prayers and the

LOVE

 that was gathered in one group of people from all over the country and ultimately from many countries!

 These girls are sisters in Christ and orphanage sisters and friends from Africa, now in America and someday in heaven.

 God surprised me with many extra added blessings from the connections and the relationships this weekend. 

 I met people (Matt  :) ) that I consider AMAZING mentors to my older kids. 

Matt:  This is a public request to continue to press in...I know this was a God connection.  

  I spoke  and prayed with precious friends(Rick and Wendi) that have helped open my eyes to some things I've been struggling with. 

 We have connections that extend far beyond Redeemer House,

 and God just used this 

"meeting point, this reunion"

 to bring us together to discover that He has so much more for us.

These boys came into their "forever family" about the same time. 

 One is my son, one is my nephew.  They are from 2 different countries.  

They are cousins and I'm in awe of the story this picture tells.

 I was in a serious tail spin on Friday night because people were due to arrive and many had traveled from all over the country to gather and have a reunion and praise our God for all He had done. 

 Just as it was supposed to get started at our house......

A STORM MOVED IN

it poured and blew and it was a

 mess.

 Let me explain the people God had brought together for this occasion....everyone pitched in....piled in, squished in and smiled and laughed and visited and adjusted through it all. 

Storms come to distract and discourage and if we keep our eyes on Jesus, and not our decorated lives or 

"our expectations" 

 God 

can make it so much better than we could have ever planned or anticipated.

We moved all the festivities into the barn and it was a picture of flexibility and joy and working together and closeness.

It was a picture of the adoption journey and our families.

 We tried to make it beautiful and polished and well planned,

 and God washed and blew it all to pieces,

 and

 He

 put it together, put us together so much better, and sweeter and tighter.  :)

Things are  constantly changing in our lives

in our families

 and in Redeemer House.

I need to continue to look to Jesus and not

"my expectations"

or

"my plans"

or

"my life"

but continually look to 

JESUS

 and Him alone and the things He has done and the things He has yet to do.

I need to trust His plan...even if it a last minute move or change or adjustment.  During the storms that will always come, just keep my eyes on Jesus.  As Dan (one of the adoptive dads) pointed out...as others may be stepping out of the boat during a storm...encourage them!!!! 

 What would that have been like for Peter to have the 11 that stayed in the boat as he stepped out to meet Jesus, encouraging him and rooting for him.

I thank Jesus that He has allowed me to be a part of the things He has done and I ask Him to continue to allow me to be a part of His plans.

Psalm 91:1-2, 14-16

English Standard Version (ESV)

My Refuge and My Fortress

91 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 

I will say[a] to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”

14 

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;

    I will protect him, because he knows my name.

15 

When he calls to me, I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble;

    I will rescue him and honor him.

16 

With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.”

I was reminded to NOT put God in a box.....

as I listened and heard and of how each of our journeys to this meeting point,

 this reunion, 

were so totally different and yet connected and God used it 

ALL!!!!

He used is all and continues to use it all for

 His GLORY!!!

Happy 50th Birthday Bofriend!!

This is my man! 
 At 50 years old he's still got it. 

Charlie is my wild man. 

Everything he does he does full on, full speed ahead.

My man works hard and he plays hard.  

My very favorite thing about my wild man is the fact that he loves 

Jesus.

  Something happened to him in Uganda a few years ago, and he has a flame in him that I pray never goes out.  

He learned how to love "the least of these" and he learned the power of prayer.

Matthew 25:38-40

English Standard Version (ESV)

38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’

My wild man has always been a good guy and he has always believed in God and cared for people, but now he

 LOVES like the WILD man that he is.  

My man is a warrior.

  He has a fist full of arrows, and a full quiver. (well, not TOTALLY full...always room for more)

  :)

  He is a warrior for his family and his friends and he is a warrior for the children God has put in his life.  

He takes care of  kids from all over the world, not just the ones in our home, but he takes care of several kids living in

 Uganda, and in Ethiopia.

Psalm 127:4-5

The Message (MSG)

3-5 

Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?

    the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?

Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows

    are the children of a vigorous youth.

Oh, how blessed are you parents,

    with your quivers full of children!

Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you;

    you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.

This verse cracks me up because I would challenge an enemy to try to get past our doorstep and to Charlie in this house.

He would have to get through all the kids and their stuff first.

 He would first have to trip and fall over 500 toys and then step on a few stray legos

 (that hurt like heck when you step on them) 

and then he would have to fight off all the kids trying to hang on their Dad, 

or if it was night time the enemy would have to sort through the pile of sleeping bodies to find him, 

and if he could get to him, then....he would have NO LUCK waking Charlie up.  

The man sleeps as hard as he works.

    Our joke has always been that Charlie can never retire; he's too hyper, and retirement would kill him, and if it didn't, I would. 

 (just joking...kinda..kinda not) 

  Let's just say......it's best to keep us busy. 

 Even when we vacation, we keep a pretty fast pace and we don't spend a lot of 

"alone time". 

I used to try to push for it, thinking it was the "thing" to do, and then I realized it was boring. 

 It wasn't "us".  

It's funny how we have always said in a "joking" way, that we could never be left "alone" for too long, and Charlie could never "retire", because he would self destruct. 

 Now I believe God put that in our hearts because He knows Charlie better than anyone.

 He abundantly blessed him with lots of kids, and no money to retire on, but a strong body to keep working.

Happy Birthday Bofriend!

You rock my world everyday!!!!

Water Blessings!

This weekend was full of WATER fun!!!!

2 of my FAVORITES....

water skiing and baptisms!!!

My man driving a boat.  He may not be in his wranglers when he is on the lake, but he is still lookin
 FINE!!!!

I skiied!!!!  I got up the first try.   Bragging rights!!!!

Claiborne showing us how it is done.  

Mik.  He loves to just be a part of everything.

Determined Luke.

My big boy.  It has been so great having him home for the summer.  Thank you Jesus!

Pulling his old man.  Life is good!!!!  I'm thinking there are MANY fun advantages to having teenagers around!!

This kid is so full of IT!!!!!  I just love him.

There is nothing funner in a Sunday afternoon than to watch people make a public profession of their faith and be baptized.
  AWESOME JOB Brooke!!!

Stevie!!!! 
 You are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside.  We are so proud of you.  Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day!!!

Prayers for Maubry

This is my precious grand baby, Maubry.

She needs our prayers today.  She is having a medical procedure on her neck today.

This precious baby was born with a crooked neck and she has been such a trooper and going to physical therapy and today is the day they are going a step further and doing a little procedure on her.

Pray for her to have strength in that little neck of hers and pray for her parents.....it is hard to watch your perfect baby have to have work done on her little body.

Update:  Maubry went to Dr. appointment and the Dr. that was to do the procedure CANCELLED procedure.  The Dr. did not feel like her condition was severe enough.  They will check back in 3 months and they will continue physical therapy, but for today.........

NO PROCEDURE NEEDED.

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!  THANK YOU JESUS!!!

Thanks for your prayers!!! 

 I know God loves to hear from His people and I'm asking that He hears a lot of chatter concerning Maubry today.

Patience is Visiting the Brewer Family!

Patience is in the house.

Whoop whoop!!!!

  God is good.  He knows I need patience. I need A LOT of patience!

  And He brought about 100 lbs of it right to my door, and she is sticking around for awhile.
THANK YOU JESUS.

She is gorgeous.
 I always knew patience was a good thing, but I had no idea just how beautiful patience could be.

I (and a certain friend of mine, R)....have been scared to pray for patience, over the years.

We just figured it was one of those spiritual fruits that we wouldn't ever get to fully experience and we were scared of asking God for it because He has a way of teaching us things that forever change us.

 And when you start with NO PATIENCE (like me) then to get a God sized dose might be a bit overwhelming.

God is so kind and gentle, I prayed all around patience....but He knows my heart and knows what I need and He delivered
BIG TIME.
  Just in time...when I wasn't even expecting it.

I got Patience.  :)

IN THE FLESH!!!

Now that is a God sized dose if I ever knew one!

This is my precious friend from Uganda and her name is
Patience
 and I don't know if I have ever met somebody that would fit that name, and she does through and through.

The Bible says love is patient....but this Patience is full love.

I plan on soaking in all the Patience I can get.
 I need patience and God brought Patience to stay with me for a few days.

PRAISE HIM!!!

If you are in desperate need of patience and you live in the area....you may want to meet patience, it is something to behold.
 In the next few days or you can even sit at my table and have tea with Patience....but I'm not giving her up for anyone.   

I got Patience and I'm keeping her as long as I can.  :)

My kids and hubby are so grateful for the patience in my life and also for Patience....even if it is only to stop by for a short visit now and then.  

Crazy Summer Days.

This summer has been crazy so far.

Crazy:  Case and Point

  Summer has been full full full of fun and work and play and people and kids and food and laundry and activities and more food and fun and birthdays, lots and lots of birthdays.

  I figured a conservative average and we are averaging 37 plates of food prepared and consumed a DAY around here.  

That is 259 plates of food a week.

I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.  I'm telling you, God is amazing and faithful to allow this unorganized mess (me) to be a part of so much LIFE! 

God is so good!  He is a provider.

 He provided a steer...that was ready to be butchered right before the real crazy season and a pig (thanks to my son-in-law) just in time. 

 We have freezers stuffed full!

 I have learned the more I open my heart and my home  the more God will give me. 

 He never runs out of blessings for me....and I never run out of what I need

IF and WHEN

I rely on the Lord and NOT myself and my plans and MY anything frankly.

  I have to be careful every single day to NOT try to do it in my strength.  

The minute I do...and I do at least several times a day...I get overwhelmed and tired and I start to yell, and as much as I want it too....it just doesn't BLESS anyone.  :)  

 In the midst of all the crazy food and laundry....I have gotten to participate in some fun activities!  Concerts and family gatherings.

   

I set out to do something to bless someone else....and I

 ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS

 end up WAY more blessed.

Third Day concert.  It was AMAZING!!!!!

 When I say to the Lord.....I'm open for whatever you have for me today....He brings

 SO MUCH,

 and when I operate in His strength and His love and His timing and His plan....I get to enjoy the blessings and the activity and the people that He brings into my life. 

 I never know how many are going to be at our table for the night.....NEVER....I don't even try to plan or figure it out....and you know what....we always always always have enough. 

Some of my favorite ladies at the family reunion.

 I whisper or (whine) to the Lord (depending on the current mood) first thing everyday and say......you know what the day holds...I clearly have NO idea, so HELP me! 

 When I keep it about Him and not how clean I want the house or how organized I want the day to go....we are BLESSED and hopefully we are a BLESSING around here.

Cousin time!!!!

These little faces bless me to pieces!!!!

Happy Birthday Kole!!!
  It is AWESOME to have you home for the summer!!!

More cousin fun.  It's the best!!!

Happy Birthday Luke!!!!
 You may be the youngest 12 year old in the house (we currently have 3 kids 12 years old) but you are the leader and a very good one.
 Keep it up buddy!!!!
 We could not be prouder of you and who you are and what you do on a daily basis.

The way you live out your love for Jesus and your family and friends is a true testimony.
Love YOU !!!!!