Glorious Staycation

Today, I took the day off.  Just to be.  To rest.  To spend time in the Word.  To get organized.  To love on my pup.  He enjoyed napping in the sun.

I have been on the road so much this year that I can't even tell you how many miles I've put on my car.  Every weekend it's something.  A friend's wedding, an engagement party, a family gathering, a visit to a friend that I haven't seen in a while.  All wonderful, blessed events. 

But, I'm tired.  Exhausted, really.  My car is falling a part.  It needs to rest, too. :-)

So, today I stayed home, and I have had the most excellent day so far.  I have been organizing my guest bedroom closet that houses all my crafty things, and I even pulled out some things so that I could be creative today. 

This morning, I was praying and just asking God for answers about some decisions I need to make in the near future.  And, over and over, He spoke to my heart and said, "Seek!" I read Jeremiah 29:13 several times and let it sink into my heart.  "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."

I wanted to create myself a little reminder of what God spoke to me this morning to take and put on my desk at work.  I got out the paints and canvases and paint pens.  Here is the final product: 

The rest of the day promises more productivity, rest, chips and salsa for dinner and the What Not to Wear season premier.  I love the occasional day off!

A heart for orphans

Since I can remember, I have known that I will one day be an adoptive parent.  I can remember the very day when I knew without a doubt that the Lord had called me to adopt and be a part of orphan care as my life's work.  It was the summer after my freshman year of college .  I was driving to my 8 a.m. statistics class (what was I thinking?), and I was listening to Atlanta's 104.7 The Fish.  The morning show had Steven Curtis Chapman as a guest, and he was telling his family's adoption story. 

I was so enthralled by his family's story, and I could sense his heart for orphans just by the tone in his voice.  The love in his voice.  He talked about the organization that he and his family had started called Shaohannah's Hope (now Show Hope) and their mission to provide adoption grants for families waiting to bring their children home.  I ended up sitting in my car through the first hour of my class, knowing that I, too, felt that same sense of calling to care for orphans, to adopt and to share Christ's love with orphans.

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to volunteer for Show Hope at the "A Night with the Chapmans" concert in Thomasville, Georgia.  It was a joy.   Their heart, their honesty, their passion for the Lord and for adoption was made so clear.  I met a few families who had received adoption grants from Show Hope as well.  It was an excellent experience. 

During the concert, Steven Curtis and his wife Mary Beth shared their story of adopting their three Chinese daughters and the loss they experienced two years ago when the youngest was tragically killed in an accident. God is doing amazing things through this family.

Mary Beth talked about the day they adopted their first Chinese daughter, Shaohannah.  Her words resonated so clearly to me and should be the reason that we, as believers, should care about the world's orphans.  She said that, as she was standing in a hallway, about to received Shaohannah into her arms, the Lord clearly spoke to her and confirmed that she and her family were called to adopt.

She thought to herself, "This little girl had no name, no inheritance, no future.  And, now she is our daughter, and our family is giving her that."  Then she heard God say to her, "Don't you see, Mary Beth? That was you.  You were an orphan.  You had no name, and I gave you a name.  You had no inheritance, and I gave you an inheritance.  No future, no hope, no love.  Now you are a daughter of the King!"

Such a sweet family, whose story is amazingly beautiful, tragic and full of grace.  You can read more about their story in Mary Beth's new book Choosing to SEE.

There are more than 140 million orphans in the world.  I encourage you to visit showhope.org, read Mary Beth's book, find out more about how you can make an impact on the world's orphans.  Consider adoption.  Become a partner in orphan care.  Align your heart with God's.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans...in their distress..." (James 1:27a).

A week & a half of Mondays...

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  I feel like everyday has been Monday for about a week and a half.  I have some posts in the works.  So, I promise to return this weekend!

Much love and HAPPY FRIDAY!

The story of the 26-year "manfast"

Today, October 13th, I am another year older. The big 2-6.  As my brother put it, "in your 2nd quarter of a century."  Thanks, Blake.

As a little girl, I thought that, by now, I would be married or at least about to be.  I often thought, "26 would be a good age to get married," and it still could happen.  But, alas, I have been unintentionally fasting from men for 26 years.

Yes.  I am that girl.  The one who has never had a boyfriend or really even been on a date.  I am not a freak.  Nor am I weird or socially awkward.  I'm pretty darn cute, too.  But, no guy has ever asked.  Therefore, I've never dated.  Not that I haven't wanted to.  Oh, there have been times throughout my life that there was this "one guy" who fascinated me.  I would hope upon hope that he could be interested in me.  But, apparently not.  Not that I ever knew, at least.

I thought for years that there must be something wrong with me.  That it wasn't fair.  That I was missing out in some way.  That God didn't care.  But, now that I am older, I know myself a little better.  I know now that He was protecting me all along.  He knew my heart better than I did.  If one of those guys along the years had actually reciprocated interest, I would not have been able to experience some of the amazing things that God has allowed me to experience.  Like going to The University of Georgia, perhaps.  Like living in South Asia for two years.

You see.  I am that girl.  The hopeless romantic.  If just one of those guys had expressed interest, I would have been head over heels, done for and so attached to a man that I probably would have neglected my relationship with my Savior.  I, honestly, would have chosen that man over the Lord. And, God knew that.  And I am so thankful for that.  I look back and see that my life has been filled with love and joy, acceptance and encouragement, fun and adventure.  It has been fulfilling and satifying.

No man will ever be able to provide that security and fulfillment.

Yes.  I long to be married.  And, one day I am sure I will be.  But, for now, the Lord is molding and shaping me into the kind of woman He wants me to be. The kind of woman that will prioritize her relationships, putting Jesus first.  

I pray often for my future husband.  There are really only three qualities that I ask God to give me in my future husband.  1.  He must never love me more than he loves Jesus.  2.  He must know God's Word in order to lead, teach and correct me and our future family from it.  3.  He must have a desire to adopt.  I believe that Lord will honor these prayers.

There are times I struggle with patience, with contentment and, honestly, with jealousy.  I, in my flesh, am ready for that season of my life to begin.  But, I know He has His best for me.  And until then I'll "...be joyful always; pray continually give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will {for me} in Christ Jesus (1Thessalonians 5:18-18, emphasis mine)."

Great Grapevine

Grapevine wreaths are so versatile, and craft stores like Michael's sell them for fairly cheap.  Late in the summer, I bought two with plans to make a fall wreath and, perhaps, a Halloween wreath.

My fall wreath turned out great! I got the metal insert that says "Autumn Blessings" from Hobby Lobby as well as the garland of acorns and pine cones that I wrapped around the wreath.  I found the garland of fall leaves at the dollar store.  I love it!

For Halloween, I really like what I came up with.  I just thought of the idea to do a wreath this way randomly one day, and I am so proud of it.  I took a black feather boa that has silver "tinsel" in it and wrapped it around the grapevine.  I secured it with black pipe cleaners.  Then in the dollar section at Target, I found the glittery spiders and the glittery wooden word "Boo!"  I used fishing wire to secure them into the wreath, allowing one to dangle.  The final touch (that I hadn't done yet when I took this photo) was to put store-bought spider web on across the wreath.  It turned out super cute!

What do your fall and Halloween wreaths look like? Post your link in the comments section, if you like!

Laudable Links- 1st Edition

I am going to try to do a "Laudable Links" post at least once a month.  We'll see how that goes!  This month is fall-themed!

RECIPES

• KraftRecipes.com has a great slow-cooker recipe for Three-Bean Turkey Chili that I made this week. It was super tasty! I put it in the crockpot during my lunch break, and it was ready to eat when I got home from work.

• Try this delicious recipe for pumpkin cookies from Design Mom.

(photo from Design Mom)

• Another recipe that I can't wait to try is Spicy Roasted Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds from Joy the Baker.  I'm going to the pumpkin patch this weekend and plan to roast some seeds on Sunday!

CRAFTINESS

• This post from Tatertots and Jello has a great array of do-it-yourself ideas for fall and Halloween wreaths.

• I love this idea for fall tea towels from Uncommon.  It would be an easy applique project.  So cute!

(photo from Uncommon)

FLUFFINATION (this phrase was coined by my friend Wanda and means "the art of fluffing the home")

• Throughout the month of October, several bloggers are doing a "31 days" series.  I'm following along with all of them, but I wanted to feature the "31 days to Autumn Bliss" series at The Inspired Room.

• The Nester hosted a Fall Mantel Party recently.  And even though I don't have a mantel, I can dream, right?  Love this one by Domestic Princess in Training.

(photo by Domestic Princess in Training)

GOOD FOR THE SOUL

• Of First Importance recently posted this quote by J.C. Ryle about Christ's death.  Good one.

That's all! I hope you enjoyed the first edition of Laudable Links.  Have a great fall evening!

Foodie Friday: Great Northern Bean Soup

I'm linking up with Eliz's Foodie Friday today!

Here in South Alabama, we've had our first tease of truly fall weather.  It's cold enough in the morning to wear a light sweater or jacket when I walk the pup, and it's chilly at night, too.  I leave the door to my screened porch open while I am at home because it's just so fabulous and beautiful.  The weekend promises more of this, in my opinion, perfect weather! I love it.

With all this fall weather comes the desire to make soup, of course.  And, boy have a made a good bit of soup over the last few days.  The recipe I want to share today is from my dear friend Jamie. It's easy, can be made in the crockpot if you want to and is perfect for the cooler weather.  It sticks to your bones, if you know what I mean.

(Sorry, I don't have pictures.)

Great Northern Bean Soup

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1/4 c dried minced onion

1 tsp paprika

3 cans great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 can Rotel tomatoes

Brown ground meat.  Combine all the other ingredients. Allow to heat through and simmer.  Eat and enjoy!

You can make ahead in the crockpot by putting the setting on low and allowing to cook throughout the day.