Far too long!!

WOW...it has been far too long since I've posted.  I was thinking about what has kept me away and it has simply been life!  I miss each of you....I miss reading your blogs!!!

HOW are you??? Please catch me up...what has the Lord been doing?

We are all doing incredible. We've been keeping busy with school and extra activities...I've been busy taking care of my babes, trying my best to support my hubby's business (need a website...he's your guy ;), training for a marathon (which is this weekend), Jubilee's Jewels....Oh my what an incredible blessing Jubilee's Jewels has been. Our focus has really shifted to helping fundraising families and it's been AMAZING!!! Last month we were able to give $1200 to fundraising families and it looks like we will do the same and possibly more this month. GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!

We are 21 days away from little miss Jubilee turning 1...YES...ONE!!!  I seriously can't believe how fast this year has gone! Oh how I love this girl...she has been one of the most amazing gifts...she is an absolute hoot!

So seriously, please leave me a comment with how you are doing...I would really love to know...I would also love to know if I can pray for you!!!

Who's children are these anyways?

They are TOO much!!

YES...they are stuck in-between the screen and glass and boy did they and everyone else think it was pretty funny...boogies on the glass and all!!!

Believe for Brody

26.2 miles Again? Yes!

Crazy? YES!! 

CRAZY about caring for the least of these!! 

God has made it clear that I will be running the San Diego marathon in 5 weeks for a purpose. That purpose...is a beautiful baby boy named Brody. 

s..

(isn't he devine???)

This sweet guy is very special to me because he shares the same medical needs as our Solomon. The only difference...he is in need of an URGENT repair surgery...he has had some major complications with his colostomy. Sweet boy is awaiting the funds so his surgery can be completed under the Love Without Boundaries medical program. Would you please join me in prayer and support for these sweet one?

There are 2 ways you can help financially support Brody's surgery.
1. Make a donation through my marathon fundraising page HERE.
2. Purchase a Believe for Brody Necklace HERE.

Orphan Crisis

Last month, I had the honor of being invited to a Women's Leadership Conference to share at a workshop on adoption. I was asked to share "however the Lord leads".  So, after much praying, it was clear that I was suppose to share about the current global orphan crisis.

It was an incredible time of sharing about this crisis...about how the Lord had as ALREADY told us what to do about the crisis...about how to practically impact this crisis...

Crisis: dangerous or worrying time: a situation or period  in which things are very uncertain, difficult, or painful, especially a time when action must be taken to avoid complete disaster or breakdown.

Seriously you guys...I still can't read that definition without crying!  Does this not perfectly describe what EVERY orphan is experiencing?!  I want to scream it from the mountain tops...these children are headed for DISASTER and we are clearly called to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

I shared the overwhelming statistic of over 163 MILLION orphans worldwide...that # is equivalent to the 7th largest nation in the world...that is a population of MORE than the entire country of Russia...

My first response to those statistics are shock, frustration, anger...then it's grief, brokenness, helplessness...then it's motivation, empowerment, determination!

James 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to care for the orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.


Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.


Psalm 146:9 - The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.


Job 29:12 - Because I delivered the poor who cried out, the fatherless and the one who had no helper.


Psalm 68:5-6 - A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;  But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

The scriptures are clear...we are to care for the orphan, defend her, relieve her, deliver her, embrace her as our own.  How do we do that?  How do we repair the brokenness? How to we help these precious ones avoid disaster?

Adoption...fostering...respite care...advocating...ministering...sending humanitarian needs...medical care...nutritional care...educational care...mission trips...donating...orphan ministry...meals for newly home families...sewing...running...the list is endless.

Let's get out there and do something...God has called us to act NOW...the need is URGENT!!

Easter...

We had such a wonderful Resurrection Celebration with both sides of our family.

 Jubilee's first Easter...her little posse :) Ya, she's a tad spoiled!

 Grammy and big brother!

 Auntie Jamie giving her her first sucker...rotten I tell you!

 Smiley boy...can you say CANDY...he LOVES it!

  The girls with my niece...they are all getting so big!!!

 My beautiful girl with her cousin.

My Isaac with his cousin!!! 

Blessed with such an amazing family!

Missing pictures from my in-laws because my camera didn't make it into the diaper bag...boo!!

Praying all of you had a wonderful celebration of Christ's Resurrection!

Look at what I'm doing...hand stamped jewelry :)

Check it out...I am soooo excited...Super excited to share with you.............................

JUBILEE'S JEWELS

I think what I'm loving the most is all of the amazing stories and reasons behind my customers custom pieces. It is so precious to know who and why I am making these. I pray over each person. I LOVE IT!!!

Check out our store...I'm adding new stuff daily :)

Jubilee's Jewels

Keep an eye out for pieces made specifically for fundraising adoptive families.

Oh and don't forget that Mother's Day is right around the corner :)

Fully FUNDED!

1 week ago today, my team and I completed the LA Marathon for this little guy....

 and I am beyond excited to say that the Lord provided ALL $10,000 for his desperately needed heart surgery!!!!!!  YYEESS!!!!!!!!!!

In the Dodger suite before the marathon!

One of the most amazing, incredible gifts was to be able to run this race with my baby sister. It still brings me  to tears that we were able to share this together...INCREDIBLE!!!! Jamie, I love you so much and I am so proud of you!

Here we are heading down to the starting corrals...do you see what I see...the sun, the beautiful, glorious SUN!! God literally parted the skies...the skies that ALL weather forecasters said were full of thundering rain.  We all begged and pleaded (some even danced ;) for beautiful weather but we accepted, prepared, and were fully committed to run through the storm for Herschel. I can not even begin to express how much joy I had when I saw the dark clouds rolling away and the beautiful blue sky appear...it was as if the Lord did that just for us!!

 

Beverly Hills with 2 of the most AMAZING women. 

Finishing as the winds just about blew us over :) Finishing a race we began...finishing strong. This was Jennifer's first marathon and Jamie's first 1/2 marathon. Words can not describe how proud of these gorgeous ladies I am. They both endured a very difficult race with grace and strength...with giggles and praises to God...YOU DID IT GIRLS and I will NEVER, EVER forget this day and the treasure it was to run this race with you!!

 I am still in awe of the entire experience...honestly, I am still very emotional about the whole thing. To be able to run this race with all of my precious friends....to be able to share all our victories together...to be united for one little precious orphan babe...to watch the Lord move mightily in ALL our lives for the orphans of this world...priceless...beautiful...life-changing...ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
Thank you my sweet bloggy friends for all of your prayers and support...you guys are amazing!!!!!

5 days AWAY!!!

I am only 5 days away from the running LA Marathon. Many of you remember the horrific weather I had to run in last year for baby Heather. Thousands of runners were treated for hypothermia and serious injuries. A similar storm is being predicted for THIS race!! 

We have 1 runner down with the flu, 2 completely out of the race due to injury, 1 struggling with serious pain but determined to do this race, crazy logistically stuff to figure out AND we are only ½ way funded for Herschel’s surgery! 

Your prayers would be a wonderful gift! Your financial gift to help save Herschel’s life would be priceless. No amount is too small…every penny will go to help him have A CHANCE AT LIFE! We are CONFIDENT the Lord has called us to race for Herschel…we are 100% assured it will only be by His strength that we will be able to finish this strong. ALL glory and honor to HIM! 

(CLICK HERE TO DONATE)

 

 

Sweet one, we are ALL working so hard to raise the funds for your surgery. We are ALL praying for protection as you wait. YOU ARE SO LOVED!!(CLICK HERE TO DONATE) 

What does he think?

I am often asked a question that truly perplexes me.  I 'get' what they mean but I really have a hard time understanding it...maybe because I've never experienced it.

The question....what does your oldest son think about having a baby sister....or....does your oldest son like having lots of younger siblings?

So, what do you think he thinks about it?

Baby Satin cap 101 :)

My sweet, precious Jubilee...do you know how gorgeous your hair is?  Do you know that God has blessed you with natural, curly hair. Hair that will require extra special care. That is why mommy bought you this beautiful satin cap...a satin cap that will help your hair to retain as much moisture as possible when you sleep.

 

 Just look at how adorable you are wearing it. Of course, mommy will make sure the bow can't come undone while you sleep.

 I know it feels ever-so soft and silky and that is why you can't resist touching it...

 but honestly...do you have to rip it off your head every time I put it on your head???

it won't work very well like that...

 Hmmm.....just look at the joy on your face...you little stinker.... 

Ummm, excuse me little miss...no talking back to mommy.