"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." Psalm 57:5 It is our prayer that God would be glorified in every aspect of our lives, both big and small. We hope that this blog will reflect all that He is teaching us and doing in our lives. To God be the glory!
"He makes all things beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11
This was the theme verse for an amazing weekend.
I had the privilege of attending the Created for Care conference for adoptive moms this past weekend, and it was truly a time blessed by God.
We focused on many BEAUTIFUL things this weekend.
*The beauty of my marriage.
*The beauty of my children.
*The beauty of our adoption journey.
*The beauty of my relationship with my mom.
*The beauty that God sees in me.
*And most importantly...the BEAUTY of GOD!
I am so thankful to have had the chance to worship and hear from my God with more than 400 other like-minded women. I was able to learn about practical parenting, attachment and fundraising. I was greatly encouraged through the study of God's Word. I met so many other moms who are going through the same things as me, and who are at the same point of their adoption journey as me. As well as those who have gone before me, and those who are on completely different, yet beautiful, paths. I just love seeing God's plans unfold!
God is so good, and He truly does make all things beautiful!
We have been blessed with a sweet friend who has offered to make and sell hairbows to help fund our upcoming adoption! Thank you so much, Laura!
Here is the info:
Help the Stoves family bring their baby girl home from China!
Purchase any of our hand-made hairbows - proceeds will be donated to the
Stoves Family Adoption Fund.
We are offering a selection of handmade hairbows available for a great cause!
70 cents of every dollar spent will go to the Stoves Family Adoption Fund!!
If you are local (Auburn/Opelika),
we will deliver your bows to you within 3 days of your order.
Not local? No worries!! We can ship your bows to you.
Just $2 shipping for first bow, and $0.50 for each additional bow.
Basic gift wrap is available upon request!!
Please pass this along to your friends! Thanks!
Here are the bows!!! So cute!!!
MADE TO ORDER - SOLIDS $6 each
Hot Pink $6 each
Brown $6 each
Red $6 each
White $6 each
Light Pink $6 each
MADE TO ORDER - DOTS: $6 each
Pink/Green/Red Polka Dots $6 each
Black & White Swiss Dot $6 each
Brown w/Pink Polka Dots $6 each
LIMITED QUANTITIES: individually priced
Pink/Brown Argyle Medium Bow $7 each
(2 available)
Pink/White/Brown Dots & Stripes Large Bow $10 each
(1 available)
Pink/Brown Stripes Large Bow $10 each
(1 available)
Brown/Pink Polka Dot Medium Bow $8 each
(2 available)
Pink/Green with Fun Polka Dot Ribbon Large Bow $10 each
(1 available)
Red/White with Fun Polka Dot Ribbon Large Bow $8 each
Confession time: I am obsessed with making lists! Grocery lists, To-Do lists, Reading lists, lists of cute things my kids do/say...the list goes on. (See I even made a list about lists!)
Now, if the word "list" still has any meaning to you after reading it so many times, please continue to read.
^ (You know what I mean..sometimes a word looses meaning if you say it too many times. My favorite example: Frisbee! Try it. Frisbee, Frisbee, Frisbee, Frisbee, Frisbee...but I digress.)
I have now come up with a brilliant (if I do say so myself) new list! I call it my,
"I DID-List."
First, let me explain my reason for coming up with said list. As a stay-at-home mom, I often times find myself at the end of a day with no time for a shower, urgent to-do's weighing on my mind, and a messy house (read: kitchen looks like it exploded, a toy tornado must have ripped through my living room, and you would need some serious mountain climbing gear to scale our ever-growing pile of laundry) Then I collapse into my bed while praying that both of my kids sleep through the night, so I can have enough energy to face the next day. But if all of those things on my to-do list didn't get done, then what did get done?
Needless to say, I often deal with guilt and a discouraged spirit, because in my Type-A mind, I should be able to take care of every thing every day. But I have proven time and time again, that it's just not possible.
God is continually reminding me that it's okay not to finish everything on the to-do list. It's okay not to have perfect control over everything. Instead, I need to prioritize and do everything to glorify Him!
I don't know about you, but I need encouragement. Here is where the "I DID-List" comes in! I have decided to make a list of the things that I do each day, and who benefited from those actions (my kids, my husband, myself, my extended family, friends...you get the idea).
So far, so good! I am thrilled to see that even though my house is a wreck, and I have a million things left on the to-do list, MY DAY COUNTED! I did things during my day that touched my kids, my husband, my family and friends, and I even did a few things for myself. Ultimately, I pray that my day was glorifying to God!
And no, I am not going to give up the to-do list. But I am going to be encouraged by my I DID list!
Here is a song that has inspired me to create the "I DID-List," and it has greatly encouraged me as it has played in my head over the last couple of months.
Steven Curtis Chapman's "Do Everything"
