WHAT HAS TAKEN ME AWAY FROM BLOGGING...part one

Dear me,  I think every time I blog now (SO very rare) I start out with...'it has been so long because..." SO I will skip that and just begin my story of the last 18 momths...or rather 35 years.

As a little girl I loved reading books about those living on the MISSION FIELD and I just determined in my mind that that is what I would spend my life doing.  I grew up in small town MN, just a farm girl and our trips consisted of camping in Northern MN and Canada.  I was not exposed to people groups or other nations, I did not grow up in a family that talked about those things and yet the Lord wooed my heart from the time I could remember.  My first mission experience was heading off to YWAM after my third year of college.    I was the last of my closest highschool friends (8 to be exact) to join the YWAM family due to the fact my parents just didn't want me to go.  BUT...they finally said "yes" and I couldn't pack fast enough.  Every one of my friends (mostly two at a time) chose a base in Maui, Hawaii to attend the Discipleship Training part of YWAM with their outreaches traveling to places like Fiji and the Phillipines.   I searched schools that would take me to the inner city for outreaches, I REALLY wanted to work in the Red Light Districts so I chose to do my DTS at The Greater New York base.  After 3 months working on the streets of Elizabeth NJ and the NY burros we headed off to Germany and then England to work YES!!!!! In the Red Light Districts!!!!!!!  We worked mainly at night (and slept during the day) with prostitutes, transvestites, run aways and AIDS victims.  My heart broke often as we watched the girls (and guys) stand on street corners, dance in windows as men picked out who they "wanted" and even stood outside the doors of establishments and cried out to the Lord for the young girls (3-8 yr olds) we saw being taken in by men after their prostitute mothers "sold" them to them for profit.  We ran from Pimps, spent afternoons with angry, homeless "anti-government" skin heads who lived in a park and witnessed in pubs to the local patrons.  My parents STILL don't know all we did and that is a good thing :)  (its ok moms to NOT know everything your kids have done)
During the time I was in YWAM I was dating Mark and soon after I returned home we got engaged with every intention of heading off the mission field once we were married.   An almost immediate pregnany and an annoucement from Mark that he couldn't shake the feeling that he was called to law school brought  my "missionary" plans to a halt.  I STUCK my heels in the ground for MONTHS as I was bound and determined to NOT follow the American Dream of a house with a white picket fence in suburbia, the wife of a "professional"....no offense to any one out there that had that dream but to me it sounded boring, stifling and un-fulfilling.  Mark begged me to just seek the Lord and if he told me that I had heard from the Lord that was NOT what we were to do he would drop it for good (15 years later I used that same line when I asked him to pray about adopting).   Funny, how when we ask the Lord exactly what HIS will is He shows us.  SO....we packed up our one year old, moved to Tulsa and Mark began law school at night while he worked full time during the day.  It took him 3.5 years (pretty good for working full time) and two babies later we moved back to Texas with a law degree in hand and a job as an Assistant District Attorney, three kids and debt.  We bought that house and although I LOVED being a stay at home mom and was homeschooling my kids I felt I was missing out on SOMETHING.  I continued to wait for the "call" to come for the mission field and Mark and I prayed for direction and kept hearts willing to pick up and move as soon as the "go" came.  We began taking our kids on several short term missions trips (Kailee was 4 on her first trip) and I find that more fulfilling and adventurous than ANY family vacation we have ever taken.  We were also super involved in church,  leading, Mark was asked to be an elder, I was volunteering at the Pregnancy Care Center and life was moving along.    6.5 years ago we began our adoption journey and my heart continued to ache for the orphans of the world and their birth families, young women many times who choose life over abortion and I knew that God was stirring something new in me....and this was where it got sticky....because you see....we most of the time have OUR dream in mind  it FITS IN THE BOX we see it in....and, oh what a dangerous place this puts us in because GOD doesn't FIT IN OUR BOX....and so He patiently waits until we lay down ALL of our AGENDA and are willing to THINK OUTSIDE of the box....

.....to be continued....

L.I.F.E

Yes, again I am absent from the bloggy world but with good reason.  I am embarking on a NEW adventure which will require many blog posts to explain BUT...if you are reading this today please be in prayer for something tonight.   It is our annual Pregnancy Care Center Banquet and we are believing God BIG.  On top of our needed funds we would like to raise enough for a new 3d ultrasound machine.    Thru the planning of this event over the last months I KNEW a real life testimony of one of our clients would be HUGE for this evening and our prayer team have prayed for the last 40 days for just that.   10 days before this event we still did not have this testimony.  It is not that we don't have girls who have made life changing decisions but for them to share their story publicly is another thing.  There was one girl who we referred to as "The Christmas Baby" because of the timing of her story.  We had lost track of her and had no way to contact her.    Our tech guy had told us he needed about a week to tape and edit a video and we knew that we were about to duck under that week window.   Our prayer team leader asked me what I wanted the team to pray for the next morning and I said "I KNOW that the Lord could still bring a girl to us, all it takes is one phone call or her to walk thru the doors".  LITERALLY, two minutes later another staff member stuck her head in my office and said there was someone here to see the director.    Our director left and a minute later said "Sharon, you need to talk to this young lady"...in walked CHRISTMAS BABY's mom and grandma.  We had not seen or heard from her in over a year and she  just decided (thanks God) to come by our center that late afternoon.    I sat her down and asked her "would she be willing to share her story?" and without hesitation she said "YES, I would love to"....this is her story:

19, going to college but living hard, sex, drugs and alcohol, an abusive relationship and she found herself pregnant.  The option..ABORTION....... even though she was a Christian, had grown up in the church and had attended a Christian school in HS.   Motherhood was not an option because it wasn't her plan.  Her parents were VERY against abortion but were worn down from her constant talk about not being able to parent and had decided to support her in her decision.  She had an appointment at the abortion clinic for Dec 23.  Dec 22 her parents "just happened" to turn on O'Rielly and he was interviewing Abby Johnson (the director of the Planned Parenthood in College Station who had recently left PP).  They looked at each other and NEW they couldn't be a part of their daughter's abortion.    Lacy didn't let this stop her, her brother took her to the clinic the next day.  Stacey, Lacy's mom called us that morning and asked us to pray for her (Lacy had come to our clinic at about the 6th week of her pregnancy but gave us no indication she was considering abortion).   She told us Lacy was on her way and would we please pray?..OF COURSE!!!!.  Our staff stopped and gathered to plead for this baby and her mama.

Lacy paid her $$ and was on the table having an ultrasound to determine the number of weeks she was.  This is done before each abortion to determine what type of abortion will be done.  Typically the nurse/sono tech during the sono will not show the patient the screen for obvious reasons.  Lacy heard this nurse say under her breath, "baby girl, 12 weeks"...now, MANY of you are moms and know 12 weeks is way to early to determine the sex of the baby BUT...not with GOD.   Lacy was struck with the thought....."its a baby girl?".... she excused her self from the room to use the bathroom and left the clinic..."and LIFE was chosen for Christmas baby"  BUT...that's not the end of the story.  Because of her unhealthy relationship she really didn't think she could parent and was making an adoption plan.  At 24 weeks she went in for another ultrasound and in that picture her baby girl was sucking on her pinky finger, the same finger Lacy had chewed on her whole life.....and in Lacy's words "in that moment she became my daughter"....as Lacy was sitting in my office telling me her story her mom said at this moment.."those ultrasounds are SO powerful, they save lives".......THIS is where my heart whispered.."YOU are SOOOOOO BIG God".....I had prayed and believed Him for a testimony just like this as we are so in need of a new ultrasound machine.  Ours right now doesn't even have sound.  

SO...the taping is done, the tables are decorated, the weather is beautiful and tonight over 300 will gather at a good old Texas Ranch to listen to the story of Lacy and her daugher Madison.  My hearts desire is that they will be moved to ACT BIG as they hear how He WAS SO BIG.....I recently attended a conference in FL and this was a statement I heard that rings thru my ears daily "IT ISN"T ENOUGH TO SAY WE CARE ABOUT THE UNBORN AND BELIEVE IN THE CAUSE, IF WE DON'T DO ANYTHING BABIES STILL DIE"   I don't think anyone who reads this does not have a heart for the orphan.  How more orphaned can you get when you have parents who choose to end your life?...I say this with NO CONDMENATION but with pure compassion...I see the pain and torment of those that choose abortion.   It is usually a choice made during a very stressful time when that girl/woman feels very alone.  These woman are victimized and have been lied to.  Along with their babies, our desire is that we can impart LIFE to them...both physical LIFE and spiritual LIFE.....SO...PLEASE PRAY.....I want all those who attend to have their faith challenged!!!!  I will let you know on the other side...

first day of school 2011

I can't believe the day has come to send my sweet boy off to Kindergarten.  I remember the day we got his referral and saw he had just turned 2, knowing he would be coming home at about 2 1/2 I flashed forward to the years ahead and knew they would go too fast.   They have..but knowing how far this scared, sad, mad little boy has come in 3 1/2 years is only the Lord!!!  He lives life fully!!!

Madi started school last Wednesday but we had to get first day pictures with Hudson.  

Madalyn continues to inspire me, she has worked so hard this summer to lost weight and has lost 18 lbs. SO proud of her!!

They rolled out the red carept for the first day.  

Suprisingly I wasn't too teary, because Hudson was so excited it was hard to be too sad.  He is such a brave boy!!  While we were waiting for his teacher to call his name he did hug my leg and say "i will miss you mom.." then the tears came..

...same for dad...

waving at dad as they marched off..

so proud of you my boy!!!

We had to take pictures of Kailee after school since she had to leave the house at 5:15 am for VB practice.  This girl has been going non stop for 2 weeks already with two a day vb tryouts the first week then vb practice in the am and cheerleading in the afternoon.  She will have long days with 5:45 am practices and then vb games and cheering for football on Thurs and Fri nights.  CAN"T believe she started highschool!!!

Hudson had a great first day and was ready to go again this morning.  

..."my own kind of paradise"....

As the summer comes to a close I am finally getting around to posting pictures.  We had an AWESOME family time with Mark's extended family in July.  We rented a beach house and spent a total of 8 days doing a lot of nothing.  My two favorite vacations so far have been this one and 3 years ago when we went with friends to Colorado and rented a cabin in the mountains.  I thought a long while why these two vacations are at the top of my list and they have several things in common.  Great company, days that didn't include watching the time for the "next" thing,  cooking simple meals, staying up late talking, laughing and playing games, which meant sleeping late because we didn't have to rush off to get anywhere and something that I dearly love being a country girl and don't get near enough off..NATURE.....

With this CRAZY HOT Texas summer it was wonderful to have the cool ocean breeze.  The only time we really spent inside was sleeping...and Mark and I ended up spending 4 nights sleeping outside on the deck, it was heavenly with the expanse of stars and the ocean waves lapping on the shore.  I also got in lots of reading which is one of my all time favorite past times. 

It was Hudson's first time to the beach.  He absolutely loved it and told us on our last night, "we need to move to the beach and start a new life"....I agree Hudster!!!

a new season...

I cannot believe I sent my sophomore off to her first day of school today and my last post was the last week of school...WHERE did the summer go?  I have so much to catch up on and so I have decided to go for a new blog design and a new direction with my blog.  More on that later but for now check out this GREAT fundraiser....my favorite thing to give towards!!!

I have missed you my dear bloggy friends.....

WOW!!!!!!!!!  I thought life was busy a year ago....it just keeps getting busier and busier....SOOO enjoy your toddler/grade school days.  If I have said it once I will say it a thousand times.  I LONG for the days of playing in the park, long walks around the neighborhood, sprinkler fun, NAPS, dinners around the table at pretty much the same time every night WITH ALL family members, bedtime before 8:30 and quiet evenings with my hubby...BUT..........I am also so enjoying watching my "teaguelettes" grow up into beautiful people with deep character.  Yes, I have been pretty non-existent on the internet and can't wait to catch up with all of you but for now a quick look at our last 6 weeks in pictures and it isn't over yet.  Jordan GRADUATES this Saturday and then I can enjoy the lazy, hazy days of summer (a girl can dream right??).   Kailee heads off to Florida Tuesday for cheer camp, and so it begins BUT it is the summer play with no schedules that I can't wait for...I LOVE summer with NO homework, studying, projects, games, bedtimes, sack lunches, and all else that a teenagers life consists of....

I CANT WAIT to sit and write a long post about Jordan and the journey we have been on with him over the last 2 1/2 years...BUT, I will preview it with this.  He wrote on his facebook Mother's Day:

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it"...thanks for hanging in there mom..."  that says it all.  But that's for later.  

April 25th- Madalyn turns 16 and came home to 250 balloons in her room blown up by her "boyfriend"...It is STILL hard for me to call him that but we have kept the stops on this relationship for the last 1 1/2 years...he has hung in there with our strict standards and been very patient...so 16 marked this new season.  He is a great kid who knows how to treat a girl.....

May 7th-Madalyn's "sweet" 16 party....evening party in the backyard with vb, bb, music, a fire pit, chocolate fountain and lots of other sweet treats...the weather was perfect and the kids had lots of good, clean fun!

 Two of her favorite Sr friends who will be leaving for college soon....sweet, sweet girls!!

some of the girls

most of the crew

May 14th-8th grade Farewell for Kailee AND Sr. Prom for Jordan...can't figure out WHO thought it would be a good idea to have these events the same night, obviously not anyone who has an 8th grader AND a Sr.....

A shot of the two of them before they headed off with their "dates"

 The first half of Kailee's crew...

 ....and the second half....

 Kailee and her four best buds...these five do pretty much everything together....

Kailee's date Clay.  These two have gone to church together since they were a year old and are good friends and classmates.  

AND THEN a mad dash to catch up with Jordan and Bailey before they headed off to Dallas..

 Jordan's girlfriend Bailey...we adore her!!!

 "model" pose..

Hud had to get in on all the pictures..

 Prom was at a local Ranch...anyone my age remember Al Denson?  He has a beautiful ranch here and it was a gorgeous setting for Prom

Their "ride" to Dallas.  Prom doesn't actually start until 10:00 pm as most kids go to Dallas for dinner.  

In between all these events have been post ops, speech evaluations, speech therapy, dress shopping, two large work events, end of the year projects, finals studying,  graduation events, awards ceremonies, spring vb tornaments (for two girls), LOTS of jv cheerleading practice and endless meetings for all the above.  The last two weekends have been spent doing big projects around the house...events like graduation kick you into high gear to finish up all those jobs you find easy to put off.  

Madalyn and Hudson finished school last week.  Jordan had his last day today and Kailee has two half days left.   

Of course I couldn't finish this post without a quick Hudson update.  He is doing great!!  Pretty much healed up and excited about being a Kindergartner....not going to dwell on that though...makes me too sad.   He keeps us grounded and we WILL get in those days in the park and walks around the neighborhood.....going now to catch up with all of you!!! (oh yeah, tomorrow is our 20th year wedding anniversary but  not sure it will get celebrated....but we are BLESSED!!!)  

Bring Me Hope