A Great Way to Start Your Day...

Over the past few weeks different friends have e-mailed me various links to sermons and YouTube songs, and this morning I caught myself re-watching quite a few of my favorites.  Before I knew it, I found myself bobbing my head to each of these songs.  They turned out to be a wonderful way to start my day, and I hope that they will do the same to you.

"I Make War"

A while back, my friend Jill was very timely in sending this song to me, and I've caught myself listening to this on a frequent basis.  I hope it's an encouragement to you as well.

"Take Me As I Am"

Lecrae is great, and I love that he currently lives in my hometown of Memphis.

"Don't Waste Your Life"

Here's another one by Lecrae, and though I'm pretty sure that this one's been out for a while, I think that it's worth a watch.   

"Black Church White Church"

Last but not least, this song is great, and I'm so thankful to be a member of a church that seeks to exemplify the last verse of this song.

I hope that you found these to be worth your time!

Who Do You Say That He Is?

Luke 9:18-20

^"Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, 'Who do the crowds say that I am?' And they answered, 'John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.'  Then he said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?'  And Peter answered, 'The Christ of God'."

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever," Hebrews 13:8.

Dossier is Sent!

Today we sent our dossier (packet of information about us that will eventually go to the Congo) to our adoption agency.  So we've done what we can do thus far, and we are trusting that God will guide us according to His will! 

We were excited to send this package off. We can't wait to see how the Lord leads!

Psalm 9:10

"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you."

Today we found out that . . .

We're praising God for a healthy baby so far, and we can't wait to meet this little guy in August!

Worth Taking a Look



Other than learning what God has to say in the Bible about orphans, hearing adopted children share their own stories has been one of the most effective means of breaking my heart for parentless children.  In all honesty, I hope that through watching videos such as the ones below, your heart will be increasingly softened towards orphans throughout the world, too!

"Say Yes"

This video, titled "Say Yes," contains testimonies of adopted children.  I remember the first time I watched this as Paul was studying on the couch across from me.  For the first time in the adoption decision-making process, I began to weep as I watched this, and Paul's eyes welled up just listening to the voices of these kids.  Their stories are great pictures of the beauty that is adoption.

The Ivey Family's Adoption

And my good friend Brandy recently posted this short documentary on her Facebook page.  She and her husband are expecting and are adopting from the Congo as well, and she mentioned that watching this video makes her anticipate the completion of their adoption.  I totally relate, Brandy!

Ben Affleck & Cindy McCain Together for Congo Aid

One particular night a few weeks ago, Paul and I happened to see this segment where ABC News reported on what Cindy McCain and Ben Affleck are doing to help the war-stricken people of the Congo.  I'm so thankful for what they are doing for these people, and watching this reveals the devastation in which many Congolese orphans live.

Psalm 68:5-6

"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
   is God in his holy habitation.
God settles the solitary in a home;
   he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
   but the rebellious dwell in a parched land."