What's it going to take???

(I am posting this on both blogs, because I feel that strongly about it...)

Yesterday I read THIS written by my friend Linny and I kept saying AMEN over and over in my head while I read it. She was saying the things that have been on my heart for a couple years now and even more so in the last year. (Please take a moment to read her post)

So, what is it going to take?

What is it going to take for more of us God Fearing, God Loving Christians to Do more?

How can we ignore the needs of 163 million orphans???

How can we continue to live with our excess and feel good about that?

Like most nights, I went to bed last night thinking about this. I am restless with thinking about the children of the world who are suffering, being abused, living in cribs, living in the street, starving, and most importantly searching; searching for love. A great Love we can only know through God, but a Love that you and I can physically give them here on earth.

I mean, how do we expect to spread the gospel if we aren’t showing them the gospel.

Every day I think about this and I plead to God to show me what more can I do. This isn’t just about adoption folks, because unfortunately adoption isn’t the answer or option for all these children, but this is about spreading the love of Christ.

This morning I was reading in Matthew 6: 25-34. The short version of these verses is DO NOT WORRY. Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body and what you will wear. God provides us with what we need for today, and tomorrow will worry about itself. We plan and we save and we worry about our families and providing for them when in all truth we have more than enough and we should be sharing more; GIVING more. Giving more of our things, and giving more of ourselves.

I have to be honest and say that I get angry. I get angry when people brush off 163 million, or use excuses as to why they haven’t done anything, but it’s because I am so passionate and I want you to be too! If you say you love Jesus then allow God to show you what he wants you to do! He will tell you and he will direct your paths. He will show you things you could have never imagined.

We all are way too comfortable in our lives and we need to let God wreck us for the things his heart desires.

I could take all day and tell you stories, and show you pictures, but if you haven’t gone and seen it with your own eyes or allowed just one to touch you then my words mean nothing. They may touch you for a moment, but all too soon that moment is forgotten.

I was oblivious at one time. I lived my comfortable life, and still do in many ways that I want to change. I did what I wanted when I wanted and then I adopted and I saw what the Lord wanted me to see and I am forever changed and broken. The things I saw in Guatemala and Ethiopia are forever etched in my mind and on my heart, and the things I have seen in my own back yard too.

I know I am supposed to be doing more and I know God has big things in store. Things that will be scary to do, but all will be done in faith and that’s what he wants us to do.

He wants us to trust him with all our hearts, and lean not on our own understanding, but acknowledge him in all our ways, and HE will direct our paths…. (See Proverbs)

I no longer want the perfect life for me or my family….ever

The perfect life, the American Dream if you will…not for me and not for my kids…

What I want is an imperfect life for them made perfect by God.

I want my family to be in the center of his will, no matter how hard it is, all the time and I want us to serve and show the ones he wants us to his Love.

So, How about you?

What will it take for you to be broken for the least of these?

Are you willing to find out? I am, and I hope you are too.

Love Coffee??

Please click Here to go to our adoption blog and learn about our new fundraiser or go directly HERE to check out and purchase. Thanks!

She's 5!

I can't believe I have a five year old; my princess is growing way too fast. She is unbelievably funny, sassy, and pure joy...a blessing beyond all blessings as my first born. Mis EJ had a horrible virus for almost a week, but by the time her party came around on Sunday she was much much better.

Her favorite gift was the Barbie Doll house Grandpa Mike made her. It turned out awesome and she plays with it a lot already. Wish I would have got her smile when she saw it for the first time, but it's a treasure. I Love things my Daddy makes...

Stuffed Pepper Soup

This pic isn't the greatest, but it does thicken up more after you add the rice.

2# Ground Beef
2-2 1/2 Cups Chopped Green Pepper (I use 2 whole peppers)
1/2 C Chopped Onion
2 Quarts Water (I use my home canned tomato juice)
1 28 oz can Tomato Sauce (use canned tomato juice here too)
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes Undrained (I like Petite Diced)
3-5 Bouillon Cubes
1/2 C Packed Brown Sugar (dark Brown sugar is best)
1-2 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Pepper
2-2 1/2 Cups Instant Rice or Cooked Long Grain (I use 2)

Brown Meat, Pepper, and Onion. In a Pot Mix Water, Sauce, Tomotoes, Bouillon, Sugar, Salt and Pepper. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, Add Meat Mixture and Boil 5 more Minutes. Take off Burner and Add Rice.

Slow Cooker Version- I do this a lot- After you cook meat mixture...dump all ingriediants in the slow cooker and cook on low all day until ready to eat. I do this a lot on the weekends, or sometimes I do the Pot method and then put the soup in the slow cooker to cook all day on Monday while at work. Sometimes you have to add a little more juice to it depending on how thick you like the soup.

This makes a big batch. Sometimes I put some of it in the freezer and when I take it out for a quick supper I just add more of my canned tomato juice.

This is such a good, filing soup!

(Barb, I promise I listed all the ingredients! :) )

A Glimpse of Last Week....

We spent 3/12 glorious days with our special Family in FL and it was just perfect! We were truly blessed.

Here are a few pics (not in any kind of order)....

Roasted Veggies & This and That

So much for posting a recipe once a week! Woa...life is throwing me right now.

Here is a simple thing we have once to twice a week with some sort of meat (no bread) as a huge side dish (filler).

Take 4-5 different veggies, cut in bite size pieces, and toss in Olive Oil and oregano. The amount of oregano and Olive Oil depends on how many veggies you roast. I do a lot so about 2 tsp of oregano and just make sure the olive oil lightly coats the veggies.

Line Jelly Roll pan with Foil, spread out veggies, and then lightly salt the top. I tend to use Onion Salt or Garlic Salt.

Put in oven at 400 degrees and cook to the crispy tenderness you like. It's usually about 20-25 minutes.

Veggie Combinations: This usually depends on the cost of veggies at the time and if I need something green I will put my frozen green beans I did up this year in. I always use grape tomatoes, carrot, and onion. Then I will add either, red, yellow, or orange pepper. I either use asparagus or green beans for my green color, but have used zucchini too. I have even tossed frozen cauliflower in. Really it doesn't matter what you throw together it all has turned out for me.

Now on to pics...

These are pics of things we do when we are going stir crazy being indoors.

Yes, I let my kids play with the couch cushions and jump on my bed...all supervised of course!



They love to paint... (And yes the date on my camera is still very messed up!)




Our church has started a faith legacy series and the first session was for parents of 2 year olds. It was pretty good, and pretty important to learn and talk with other parents on how to raise your child spiritually even at 2.

Last Sunday we all presented our children with picture bibles and spoke a blessing. Now when you look at the pics you need to remember that these are 2 year olds. Church was a little long, Mo was teething, and well this is the best we got for pics. I love em! :)




On the 24th of January Ms. EJ had her annual visit to the heart Dr. It went very well, she didn't freak out as in the past and she received a VERY GOOD report. We go again next year and if all still looks great she will not have to go again! YAY JESUS!

This is me and my sweetie before we left....

One Day, One Click...Makes a HUGE Difference!

Go Here for details...please! We did it! My daughter is Guatemalan and this is one way to help those who are living in an orphange or cannot afford school.

God Bless!