WOW...WHERE TO BEGIN-THE ADOPTION?

WOW...where to begin? I guess I'll start here:

First of all, we're on the tail end of ALL the paperwork to finalize the adoption of our foster son, Lil J. We thought we were done raising our "Brady Bunch" family when Elijah (our baby) graduated high school (WOOHOO...US time!) But Jesus had other plans for us. I received an email about a young boy that changed everything. It reached deep down into my core. I was unable to shake it. So, after praying with my hubby for several days, we began to move. We took steps of faith, walking it out and waiting on The Lord's will for our lives, our family's and lil J's. 

His mom was in hospice, dying of breast cancer. He hadn't been placed in a home yet and had been at the large local facility waiting for the right family for 3 months. As we visited with him (getting to know him and him us), I prayed that if The Lord wanted us to have him in our lives, to please let his mom hang on long enough to meet us and know her son would be well taken care of. 

After several visits with lil J, knowing/getting confirmation that he would become our foster son, I asked him if it would be okay to visit his mom so she would know that he would be well taken care of. I just couldn't imagine getting ready to leave this earth and not knowing where my child would end up/who would be taking care of him. He gave his approval (he was 13 at the time). I sat on it for a whole week. I was nervous and knew it would be awkward (Hi, you don't know us but we're going to be raising your son, as you prepare to go to Heaven). 

Finally, after work on a Friday, I KNEW it was the day we HAD to go visit. I bought flowers, took pics of our house, his room, our family, and our dog. The hubby and I headed over to the hospice facility. She looked better than I expected and was sitting up. She was very thin, pale, with long dark hair and big eyes. She was so young...too young to be going through this. We nervously introduced ourselves. She stared intently at us for a few minutes, looking, searching...then told us she was really hot (I'm sure she was just as nervous and uncomfortable as we were). My hubby went out to get her some ice for her ice pack. I stumbled over my words...wanting her to know how we came to this point, standing here in her room-preparing to care for her child. I showed her the pictures and explained each one. She took a long time...as though committing each and every picture to memory. After about 30 minutes of visiting, her mom and aunt came into the room. We introduced ourselves to them and then said our goodbyes (it was about 8:30 p.m.) I mentally made plans to come and visit her in the coming weeks so she could really get to know me. 

The next day, (Saturday, at 12:00 p.m.), as we were driving to go visit lil' J, we received a call that his mom had passed away. I broke down sobbing. I thought we would have more time. She looked like she had more time, I mean, we had just been talking to her...

At her services, her family shared the fact that she had been praying for a good family to take her son. After meeting us, she felt she was finally able to let go of her pain and suffering and go home. I took special note of the date, it was December 7th...the day before my birthday. One mother, handing her heart over to another; her gift to me, her greatest treasure, her child...her son.

After 1 year of being in our family as our foster son...we are now making it permanent. Sometimes children are just meant to be a part of your family. God knows exactly what He's doing. It happened first years ago, when I received my three step-kids to help raise and guide. And now we've been given another son, who was meant to be a part of our lives. As we said, "Yes, LORD, YOUR WILL for our lives," He in turn answered a mother's prayer before she was called home. He is always working, as we learn to let go of our carefully planned lives and give HIM room to work, we find our true purpose and joy...HIS WILL. 

Happy Father's Day to Both of My Dad's

I was lucky enough to grow up having two dad's...my dad and my step-dad.

Although the years were not long enough with my step-dad, I'm grateful for his unconditional love. When he married my mom he became an instant father of 3. He was patient, kind, supportive, caring and strict (as most policeman are with their daughters.) I was taught the valuable lesson of chores, being independent, and consequences for my actions. (I was difficult...very mouthy and stubborn.) One of the most special days of my life came a few years before his passing. He told me how proud he was of me for the mother I was and the person I'd become. To hear those words from a man I admired and respected meant the world to me! 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD! I LOVE AND MISS YOU!

My dad lives in Reno, NV. and every summer we'd fly out to visit him for a month. My dad's an outdoorsman through and through. So needless to say, I learned to love the outdoors...hiking, camping, sleeping on a cot under the stars, baiting my own fishing line and cleaning fish. I even learned how to dig my own holes when I had to go to the bathroom, (Oh Joy!) LOL! Yes I can rough it with the best of them. As I look back over the years...I realize that it was important bonding time. The nights sitting around the fire pit with my dad, listening to spooky stories over the radio, telling jokes, playing dice games, scaring whoever's turn it was to walk down the hill & turn off the generator and walk back up in the pitch dark. Then as summer would end, my dad, (the tell it like it is, rough exterior of a man) had to say goodbye. As he hugged us, a crack in his armor would start to roll down his cheek. Tears of love. Tears of a dad who had a difficult time sending his kids away until next year. 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD! I LOVE YOU!

I'm so blessed to have been instilled with the traits of both of these amazing men. 

Happy Father's Day Dad! I love you!

I RECEIVED A MIRACLE HEALING!

I went to this amazing place to celebrate and thank God!

     I have to share something very personal. I received a MIRACLE healing. On Thursday, May 29th, I went to see the surgeon to discuss/schedule surgery to remove a very aggressive pre-cancer. It was in an area that could've left me with a colostomy bag for the rest of my life. This procedure was recommended after several tests, visits with my doctor and my oncologist. It was decided that surgery was the best option. During my appointment, the surgeon performed an extensive examination (which I thought I was only there to discuss the surgery and then set a date. I was not happy about more examinations needless to say.) That was until...he found absolutely NOTHING! It was gone! He told us he could not perform surgery on something that wasn't there. THANK YOU LORD for answering prayers.  Once home, I dropped to my knees, praying, thanking, crying. I grabbed my Bible and when I opened it, this is the first thing I saw: 
“Go your way; your faith has made you well.” 
     Then I read the rest of the verses: 
"So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road." Mark 10:51-52
     I started balling like a baby all over again! Faith, me? My faith during all of this was like a roller coaster ride. Some days I'd do great and others I spent crying, stressing, and worrying. This led to internet researching, (which of course led to more stress and worry.) Finally, I'd open up my Bible again to get filled up with truth and immediate peace.
     As I kneeled, crying in gratitude, "Thank you Jesus!" My husband walked in. He said, "Why are you crying?" When I told him the scripture that I'd just been given and how I felt, he said, "It only takes faith the size of a mustard seed, Lis."
"So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." WOW...that's the exact kind of faith I had. It was small. But I tried to remain steadfast in seeking the Lord in the midst of everything. Failing some days and doing amazingly well others. FAITH. What does the Bible say about it: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1. After this answered prayer...my faith is growing. The Lord chose to heal me. 
     And yet, while I received this very undeserved miracle...there are others, like my step-dad who was not healed...even though he had amazing faith. During his illness, his spirit remained strong, unmoved, unwavering in the midst of his cancer. He was a light to so many people. He was a miracle by his example everyday to each one of us. So when I talk of faith and miracles, I need to always remember, whether it is a complete and total healing or the gift of incredible faith and strength from the Lord to endure the trial in the midst of the storm. When we continue to seek Him, He always fills us up where we're lacking. Just like the mustard seed which is the smallest of seeds and yet grows to become the largest of trees. 
"Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32.
     Thank you Lord...I stand in awe and amazement of your gift!

THE ADVENTURE OF NOAH & HIS DOLPHIN

Little Noah pressed his face up against the glass hoping to catch a glimpse of a passing dolphin. He turned, smiling, squealing, jumping...scooting close to me as I bent down with my cell phone camera. "See them?" he beamed. "Yes, they're so cute!" I replied, smiling at his innocent excitement. He turned his attention back to the glass. That's when it happened. Noah met HIS dolphin face to face. They stared in curious wonder at each other. A moment. A boy named Noah and his dolphin. Time standing still in awe struck wonder.
- at SeaWorld San Diego