Blessed and Encouraged

This morning I am truly blessed for the friends and friendships I have.  I am extremely blessed for those friends who have prayed with me, for me and encouraged me along this difficult journey!  God has placed people in my life during just the right times.  This past week has been very hard for both Richard and I.  Struggling to hear God, struggling to find peace and even more so struggling to find joy in all of this.  Satan has tried so hard to steal that joy, and he's come a little too close for comfort this past week.  But God has been faithful and He is good.  He has given me the comfort I've needed to get through each passing day.  He has given my friends the words to pray, and the right encouragement to give... and for that I am extremely blessed.

I've said it time and time again... this journey is hard, but so worth every minute of it.  This past week was by far my lowest.  At this time, I won't go into details... but it has been harder than any of the weeks prior.  My emotions have taken over, and a series of things took place that brought me to my knees.  I have been broken and I feel at a place where God has wanted me all along.  He has brought me to a place of complete surrender.  A place where I thought I've been all along, but really, I haven't.  He has been so good to me.  I've never cried so many tears in my life (I feel confident enough to say that).  I went into this journey knowing that this was the plan God had for us, and I still believe that without a doubt in my mind.   I knew this would be hard, and emotional, but deep down inside, never really knew until I got to where I am now.  God never said life was easy, He never promised it wouldn't be hard either.  He called us to this life, and this is the life I have vowed to live.

I have been condemned for the honesty and candidness on this blog.  I have also been thanked for my complete candidness on this blog.  But to be honest, this blog is 100% real, and all about this journey and giving God all of the praise and all of the glory!  Some say I tell a little too much, and talk a little too negative about the hard times we experience.  But in all truth... If I all I ever talk about are the "good times", then Christianity as a whole would be a big lie.  Being a Christ follower is the hardest commitment there is.  And I am soooo proud to be standing here committed to serving and following Him!  (sorry for the rant... just had to make that clear!)

So... that is where I am.  I'm not saying any of these things to get pity, because I don't want it!  I am saying these things to make it very clear what this journey is all about.  He has brought me through so much in the past year and 1/2.  So many make comments like, oh its only been 7 months, and only 2 of those have been the "wait time".  Well yes, you're right... 7 months since we "officially" began this journey.  But my heart has been here MUCH longer than just these 7 months.  God is teaching and molding me daily.  I have no clue what this next year will bring, but I'm so excited to see what He's going to teach me!  Although this time has been hard, I'm trying so hard to trust His plan in full.  My friend recently told me, "often just before the dawn, it is the darkest".  I'm praying that is true.  :)

Until then... Brantley

Psalm

A little piece of the word that has encouraged me on this wonderful Thursday.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40: 1-3

Encouragement through scripture....

Read this scripture this morning and felt encouraged.  :)  Enjoy your Friday everyone!

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  Isaiah 43:1 & 2

Please continue to pray for the last of our homestudy which will finish up this upcoming Tuesday!  We're getting pretty excited!

Until then... Brantley

My test of Faith

I feel as though when things seem to be bright and uplifted, they suddenly fall and I begin to be tested.  It never seems to be the smalls things, rather the really BIG things that require me to have the upmost faith in my God!  Well, these past two days have been just that.  Yesterday, I received a phone call with a bride canceling their services with us for their wedding.  I was stunned and couldn't believe it.  Although, the wedding was for next year and I feel confident, that I can hopefully book the date again to make up for our loss.  Well.... if that wasn't bad enough... we received TWO [2] phone calls back to back with 2 other couples canceling their weddings altogether.  First of all, I feel horrible for them.  One being a really sweet couple that I just fell in love with.  It broke my heart to hear this news, truly it did.  And another scary part... both were my upcoming weddings for THIS year!  :( 

Needless to say, I just lost 3 weddings in two days.  This is not a good thing.  Weddings are what help put food on the table and pay for the day to day expenses.  I'm just having a really hard time dealing with this right now.  I'm trying so hard to remain calm and trust that God is mighty and He's always there for us.  This is my time when God seeks us and tests our faith in Him.  I feel it Lord, really, I'm feeling it!

Please pray for us as we struggle to make up for these HUGE losses.  Its going to hit us hard financially and we need your prayers and encouragement.  

Until then, Brantley 

Last Chance Giveaway!!!

Don't forget, if you have entered to win, Tuesday is the last day!!!  Yep, that's right, tomorrow!  To view the GIVEAWAY information and rules... click HERE !

Guys, I have to also tell you how awesome my weekend was!  Not only was it Father's Day & my nephew's birthday, but it was also an encouraging weekend!  Richard and I received even more donations from people, including my sister.  We got lots more home decor and baby items to add to collection of goodies.  If you have a child, you MUST come to our sale on the 31st of July!  I can't express that enough, its going to be a great sale with so many great finds!  Plus, we printed out over 50 flyers to pass out to local business', friends and family.  If you own your own business or would be allowed to post a flyer in the break room where you work, please let me know.  I will happily bring you a flyer (or several) to post!  We also started going through our own things and cleaning out closets.  We found some great things that we're adding to the sale.  We started pricing those last night.  :)  Another thing that really encouraged me, was reading a recent blog post.  A girl named, Lauren has a blog that showcases their journey to adopt.  I follow it daily and was encouraged to hear about her 2nd attempt at a yard sale.

Their first sale a week ago didn't turn out quite as good as she'd hope it would.  Not to mention, she was discouraged, that despite the signs saying where the money would go, people continued to talk her down REALLY low on all of the prices.  They were pleased to still raise a little over $500 that day, but left feeling very discouraged.  I can't say that I blame her.  I would have too.  Anyway, one of my fears has been just that.  But after reading her update this morning on this weekend sale... they made another $600 or so, bringing there total a little more than $1,000!!!!  That is amazing!  Although I have been feeling anxious and scared lately, I'm trying to be optimistic and be encouraged!  I know that God will provide.  Even if it takes 2 sales to raise the funds, then that's what we will do!

A little encouragement that I found in scripture this morning:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:15-20

2 Posts in 1 Day!

Yes, I know, 2 posts in 1 day!  But, God is already showing His faithfulness and providing through others!  Since posting on facebook the announcement of our adoption today, we've received tons of emails with encouragement, support and even additions for our "adoption project"!  I cannot begin to express what I am feeling!  Just an overwhelming sense of gratitude, and thankfulness.

A very special thank you to photographer, Charlie Partin, for donating an image to our project! I received an email from him earlier today saying he wanted to help, and would like to donate some of his work to sell.  He told us we could keep any profits and put them towards our adoption!  This is HUGE and means the world to me!  So, thank you!  Again, if you're interested in purchasing one of these prints, or have something else in mind, please let us know!  We have several other prints we're hoping to get online in the next several days!

Another piece of scripture that I wanted to share!

"We live by faith, not by sight."   2 Corinthians 5:7