God's Amazing Plans for Our Family

Isn’t it amazing how God works in the most remarkable ways? Chris and I have seen this time and time again over the last few years. We know without a doubt that we serve a Mighty and Powerful God who has everything planned perfectly for our life together, yet we still are amazed daily by his miracles and blessings in our life.

Over the past month, God has placed another blessing on our life. We are excited to announce that our family will be moving to the Birmingham area soon. Starting on Father’s Day, Chris will be the new worship leader at Union Hill Baptist Church in Bessemer, AL. We are so excited about where God is leading us and we are looking forward to serving in their church. We however, are sad to say goodbye to some of the most loving people at Gordo First Baptist Church.

The families, women and men at Gordo have welcomed our family with open arms from the first day that we showed up at their church. We have always felt loved and cared for and it’s going to be so hard to tell them goodbye. As I look back over the past 2 years that we have been at Gordo, I start understanding more and more why God lead us there to begin with. When we became members of Gordo, Colton was 1.5 years old and was struggling with his speech and communication. Being a mom, I knew that our little boy was behind in certain areas and I struggled everyday knowing that he was delayed. It was then that the precious ladies of Gordo prayed over me and encouraged me each and every step of the way. They prayed for our precious boy and prayed for our family, time and time again. It’s now that I realize that God sent us to Gordo not only to Glorify and to Worship Him but also so that we would be blessed with Godly men and women who would lift up our little boy in prayer each and every day for us. When I think about these ladies/men who prayed for our family, tears begin to flow down my face because I could never thank them enough for all of their prayers and support. They have meant more than they will ever know to our family and we are forever grateful to have gotten to know each and every one of them over the past 2 years.

To our church family at Gordo:
Chris, Colton and I love each and every one of you so much and we are so blessed that you have stood by us and have prayed and encouraged our family throughout the past 2 years. You have known us throughout what seemed like the darkest moments of our life and you have reminded us that God is faithful to His children. Thank you so much for loving our little boy, for encouraging me and for accepting our family into your church family. We love you all so much and you will forever be remembered in our family. We look forward to keeping in touch with you all and one day visiting you and showing you the miracles of God throughout our little boy. Thank you so much, we love each and every one of you.

Praying God's Word (Week 3)

May 29th – June 4th (Week 3)
My Children (Their Happiness) (Proverbs 15:13, Gen. 21:6)

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:13

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:6

Praying God's Word (Week 2)

May 22nd – 28th (Week 2)
Our Family (Our Plans) (Proverbs 19:21, Jeremiah 29:11)

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Praying God's Word (Week 1)

May 15th – 21st (Week 1)
Chris (His Job) (Psalm 90:17)

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17

Colton's New Words

We are learning and hearing new words every single day now. Here is a list of a few new/old words Colton is using.

Juice - "uice"

Milk

Alligator - "Allegator"

Monkey

Cow

Hotdog

Chicken
French Fry

Please - "pleas"

Thank You

Sissy (Millie)

Nana

Fireman - "Fi man"

Hot

Castle

Pirate

Shark

Fish

Bear

Cookie

Chips

Candy

Prize - "Pize"

Outside

See

Alvin (New Favorite Cartoon/Movie)

Praying God's Word (May 2011)

Okay, so with all the things happening in April, I decided to start the Praying God’s Word this month instead of last month. So here is the new list for May that we will follow.

May 15th – 21st (Week 1)
Chris (His Job) (Psalm 90:17)

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17

May 22nd – 28th (Week 2)
Our Family (Our Plans) (Proverbs 19:21, Jeremiah 29:11)

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

May 29th – June 4th (Week 3)
My Children (Their Happiness) (Proverbs 15:13, Gen. 21:6)

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:13

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:6

Adoption Update

At this current time, Chris and I are praying about adopting from a certain country. When we started the process, we thought we knew which country we would adopt from; however, God is changing our hearts and we are praying that we choose the one that God has for us. Please uplift us in prayer over the next few days as we make the final decision and send off all paperwork. More updates coming soon!

Letter to Colton

Colton,

Is it really possible that you are already three?? It seems like yesterday, your daddy and I saw you for the first time at DCH in Northport. I remember that first time I held you. You were so tiny and the most beautiful little baby I had ever seen. I loved you the second that I knew you were in my belly, but seeing you made me fall even more in love with you. Since that day, things have changed, you’ve grow up to weight approximately 40 lbs and you are not so tiny any more, but one thing remains strong… I fall more and more in love with you each and every day. I hope you know that I will never stop loving you and that you will always be my little man.

Colton, I never thought it was possible for someone so little and young to teach an adult the things you have taught me this past year. I’ve been taught most of these things my entire life, but experiencing them with you has given me a new outlook on life. Within the past year I’ve learned that our Heavenly Father truly loves us more than we will ever know. You will grow to know this, however; once you have kids of your own, you will understand it even more. I can’t help but think how hard it was to give up his only son so that Jesus could die for us. It still blows my mind today that He loves us this much even though we are so undeserving. Don’t ever forget how much your Heavenly Father loves you. I’ve also learned that God’s plan for your life is far greater than anything you could possibly imagine. Yes, you will pray for certain things in your life and will be discouraged when things don’t go the way you planned for them to go, but have faith little man and know that God’ plan will be worth it! There’s so much more to list, and hopefully soon I will be able to share them all with you, but these two by far are the most important things I’ve learned by having you in my life. You have made me a better mother/person this past year and for that I am truly grateful…

Little man, you look so much like your daddy that it’s hard to believe that you were in my belly at one time. You have your daddy’s curls and your daddy’s looks no doubt; however you do share a few favorites with your mommy.

We both LOVE Taco Casa. (You especially love their enchiladas (no sauce) and their chips)

We both love to listen to praise and worship cd’s in the car. Our current favorite one is Charles Billingsley’s cd. You love to clap your hands and you usually want to hear the same song over and over again.

We both have an amazing man in our lives. Your daddy is such a wonderful daddy and husband. He is everything that I have prayed for and everything that I hope you will become. He loves the Lord with all of his heart and truly is a wonderful man both on the inside and out.

We both love sweet tea. I usually order you Sprite at a restaurant, but it never fails that you drink most of my sweet tea every time.

We both have need at least 10 hours of sleep at night or we are ill the next day!

We both love Capri Suns. I remember drinking these all the time when I was younger and now I’m buying them for you all the time. You can literally drink about 3 of these in an hour or less.

We both love to snuggle... Especially in the mornings and at night time.

Colton, I’ve always been told that the 3’s are harder than the 2’s. If so, I welcome this year and say bring it on! It’s the trails and errors and the mistakes in life that make us the way we are so I know this year will be a huge year for you. You grew up so much last year, but I’m thinking God will do some AMAZING things in your little life this year. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us. Are you ready little man??

I love you little man!!
Mommy

Winners of Adoption Auction

Congrats to all the Auction Winners!! I had sent an email out to everyone who won on Monday, so if you did not receive it, please contact me at tlc1982@aol.com so that I can give you all the details about your items. Thanks again to everyone who participated!!!

Adoption Auction is Closed!!!

Our Adoption Auction in officially over!!

Thank you to all of you who donated items, mentioned our auction on your blog, Facebook or twitter account, bid on items and those who donated money. We can’t thank you enough for helping us bring home our little one.

Thank you also for praying for our fundraiser as well!!!
A total of the amount we raised will be posted soon once all payments are made.

This week and weekend, I will be emailing all of the highest bidders for further information. I will let you know how you can pay for your item and will get all of your information so that your item can be either delivered or mailed to you ASAP.
In the mean time, be sure to check out all of our awesome sponsors' sites!!

If you weren’t the highest bigger, we still want to thank you for taking part in our fundraiser. Please be on the lookout for another auction soon!! If you would like to donate an item for a future auction, please contact Tara at tlc1982@aol.com. Thanks again!!!