blessedandmessy.com: It's A BIG Day!!!

blessedandmessy.com: It's A BIG Day!!!: Today marks a very BIG day for our family and our family's future. I still cannot believe that 1year ago this week was the first time we...

It's A BIG Day!!!

Today marks a very BIG day for our family and our family's future. I still cannot believe that 1year ago this week was the first time we walked into a courtroom, ever, in hopes of adopting our God given princess. It has been a long and exhausting journey and in no way easy, but we are confident we are still doing what God has called us to do. Our journey is still not over and we know our journey will never truly be over.

Throughout most of our journey we thought we were going to end the case with Guardianship and not adoption, because the "team" just did not think adoption was going to happen with this judge or in the county we are working with. We however knew different. We know, believe, and trust in the God we serve and although we have left that courtroom many times completely destroyed and defeated we have never lost our Faith. We fought and pushed never giving up.

I won't lie, many times giving up seemed easier, but God continued to bless us through His Princess showing us many things along the way. His power, His mercy, His grace, and His control never stopped and in fact He still continues opening doors for our family and our God given Princess.

Over the past year and a half we have witnessed just how hard addiction can be in a person's life, but thankfully through that God has also shown us beautiful things about this person with the addiction and how similar our lives really are.

Addiction is hard. Addiction tears lives and families apart. Addiction is dark and daunting. However, addiction is no different than any other sin. Gossiping, lying, judging, living beyond your means, excess eating, adultery, etc, but yet we are so quick to put those down with addiction and pass those judgements when sin is sin.

We have seen first hand just what addiction can do to a child and to a family. It's heartbreaking, frustrating, and even confusing. As I have wasted so much time being angry, worrying, feeling overwhelmed, and even doubting that God can truly do the impossible.

A few months ago I looked into another mother's eyes seeing that I am a sinner just like her. The only difference is that I have been saved. I have been redeemed, and daily I have to come to the feet of Jesus begging for forgiveness, because I have been shown God's grace and mercy. I know just how powerful the gift of salvation is and I see the power in prayer.

Because of this I have also prayed earnestly expecting God to do amazing things in this mother's life. God things, life changing things, Salvation things. Sure, it's been hard, but I see the good in her. I see the amazing life God wants for her.

Through this journey God has shown us the impossible. I have witnessed a selfless mom making the hardest, but yet best decision of her life, signing those termination papers. Regardless of what has happened I can't truly imagine what was going on in her mind. As we locked eyes, I saw her heart, I felt her love, and I saw her how Jesus sees her. It was the most AMAZING feeling! God did the impossible!

After that meeting, we embraced and have done so many times, but this time it was different. I looked her in eyes and told her to be ready. She looked at me with confusion, but because I know God hears our prayers and I am praying expectantly I know that He IS and WILL do something amazing in her life. It may be tomorrow it may be 10 years, but I will not stop praying for her and the gift she has given her child.  The gift of life, and forever love.

TODAY, however was the actual hearing for Termination of Parental Rights. It's a day we have been earnestly praying for. A day that we thought many times was not going to happen, but continued on the path God set in front of us. A day that brings so much joy to one family, but so much heartache and hurt to another.

As a mom I am still trying to wrap my mind and emotions around all of this. Although I am blessed to know we are about to have a big celebration and an adoption day, my heart still aches for this beautiful mom. This journey has shown me how important it is to speak life into people and plant the seeds we are called to plant. We are witnesses to all around! I can't wait for the day she is saved and her life is forever changed because I know God is at work!

Adoption Day is coming and so is Jesus!!

‪#‎fosterlove ‪#‎sinissin ‪#‎selflesslove ‪#‎Godsnotdone‪#‎bighurdlejumpedbyGod ‪#‎beautyfromashes ‪#‎Godsnotfinishedyet

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blessedandmessy.com: Did He REALLY Just Say That?!

blessedandmessy.com: Did He REALLY Just Say That?!: So, I’m trying to peer out of denial and admit I am a mother of 5! YIKES!!   Who does this??? I guess when it is not on purpose I am to cou...

Did He REALLY Just Say That?!

So, I’m trying to peer out of denial and admit I am a mother of 5! YIKES!!  Who does this??? I guess when it is not on purpose I am to count it as a BIG blessing from God and thank Him for believing I am a powerful Mom! Right?  Well, I’m still trying to see myself in that way, but believing God truly has a big and mighty plan for this growing family.

I’ve always been an exercising Mom. It’s my outlet and my away time from all these little and even big people in my life. However, right now with an extra 25 pounds added on to my 5ft 1in frame the workouts are getting harder and my body is slowing down. My muscles are achy and my body is stiff. I am NOT moving normal anymore!

After my workout today I find myself back to the daily demands of laundry, cleaning, dusting, sweeping, mopping, and picking up after all these people living with me. I’m walking through the living room to see my, oh so sweet 11 year old son snuggled in a blanket playing his favorite game. He truly brings me so much joy UNTIL…

I walk by minding my own business and simply say, “Man, I am so tired.” You know as I am walking back and forth with my extra weight and added aches trying to get this house back together and a million stresses on my mind. And I hear this….

“Mom, now you know exactly how I feel?” Says, my sweet 11-year-old son.  WHAT? Surely he did not really just say this to me! How you feel? Sleeping in until 10, then lounging around all day without a worry in the world. WHAT?

I sweetly say, “Oh honey, you have NO idea what tired really feels like.” Then it starts, but not in anger I just simply state my daily activity to him!!

Alarm clock goes of at 5am just to get quiet time with God and to have 1, 2, or maybe even 3 cups of coffee to get me through the day. I then get kids up, dressed, fed, and to school. If I am not working out of the home, like today I then hurry to the gym to get that workout in. Yes, it may be slower, but it is still happening! Now I am home feeding you, my sweet son breakfast and watching you lounge as I switch laundry in and out, fold it, and maybe if I get to it put it away. Dust each and every room in the house, sweep, mop, and vacuum all floors.  All the while I am trying to figure out how to pay all the bills, get kids to and from practices and games 6 days a week, rack my brain for dinner ideas, and be that powerful mom God must think I am.

Yes, practices and games 6 days a week, son. You know while you are sleeping to and from and I am driving, but so desperately wanting to doze because I AM TIRED!!!!!!!!! Please, do NOT ever speak those words to me again! Oh and to top it off…He know wants to know if he should get swimming trunks on so we can swim today! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t know about you, but this momma is worn out and tired, but each and every day I am thanking God for the aches and pains and yet another day to serve Him. Today He has really shown me just how much these other people living with me need to do around here, because they simply do not know what tired really is! However, I will give them this one piece of advice today…. NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER AGAIN, say to me…”Mom, now you know how I feel.” I am pretty sure they do NOT want to walk in these tired, worn out shoes!

 But I do pray what they want to do is continue serving and praising God in the midst of each and every storm that will come their way knowing God’s plan is always the best, maybe not the easiest, but the BEST! I pray they will learn to be servants of God, taking responsibility, being respectful, and have the love of helping others! I also pray that Clayton and I will continue working together even in our storm seeing God’s faithfulness and sharing that testimony with our kids so they too will find the faithfulness of God.  Join me today in your storm praising God!