Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Trust you day was surrounded by family and friends - and your heart is secure in God's love for you.

He truly does bless us each day with more blessings than we could name!

Happy Thanksgiving,

~Martie

Almost There

The very last meeting with our social worker took place today.

The courts will receive our petition to adopt by next Tuesday. We will then await the date the court sets for our adoption hearing.

I am looking forward to introducing her to you - face to face.

We are eager for the upcoming events - adoption is such a beautiful gift.

So much for which to be thankful - God has been so good to us!

Blessings,

~Martie

Winter Wonderland

This is how it looked outside when we woke up this morning:

This is what the kids did before we started school:

Trust you are having a wonderful day - and that no matter what your weather - that your heart is enjoying the warmth of God's love.

Blessings,

~Martie

Just an Update

I have not posted for a little while and thought a quick update is in order.

Zak is due to be home this coming week - in time for Thanksgiving. He has had a wonderful time hunting with his Papa and keeping Nana occupied. I have missed him; but enjoyed the time 'off'. I feel refreshed and redirected in some things I want to do with him. We have doctor's appointments scheduled for January - (I know, I can not believe we have to wait that long either!!) I believe that we are going to get some answers from those appointments; and also feel that we are ready to go down some different avenues that the doctor's have suggested before; but I was not willing to try at that time. I am ready now!

We have taken Zak off the special diet that he was on - and absolutely nothing has happened. So, we will discontinue that for now - if it is not doing anything to help him - it is a waste of time and money for us. This has been a huge relief for me - as the diet was harder on me than on him!

We have an appointment with the social worker this coming week and should be able to petition the courts for an adoption date in December for our new little one. I will post the DAY we have a date and let you all know!! I have removed the counter on my side bar; because we are so close; but have nothing definite yet. So for just a few more weeks she is ours in our hearts; and we are eagerly awaiting her to be ours also on legal paperwork!

I have been up to my eyeballs in research. I have always wanted to write a book - it seems that the time is right for me to start on this life long dream. I have spent hours upon hours researching the Holocaust and Jewish history of that time. I am looking to talk with holocaust survivors or military or people who were there in Germany during the Nazi invasion. Contact me if you would be able to share your story.

Well, that is about all - just wanted to update you on things here. Trust your life and family are doing well. Thanks so much for stopping by - I am so glad you did.

Blessings,

~Martie

The Beauty of God Surrounds Me

I have so enjoyed relocating to more of a country atmosphere. We reside now in a small town; but embark on a drive through the country each time we head to town. I do not think I will ever grow tired of the beauty that surrounds me. I thought I would share with you some of God's handiwork that I get to enjoy on my times out of the house. Enjoy:

To think that it all came into existence through the spoken word of God. How thankful I am that He is a God of beauty. How wonderful to know He gave me these things to enjoy - and to allow my mind to think on Him. How blissful the thought!!

Trust you are enjoying the beauty of God's creation whether in the nature that surrounds you - or in the creation He is doing in your heart as He conforms you into the image of His Son. Thanks so much for stopping by - I am so glad you did.

Blessings,

~Martie

Prayer For Zak

The last several weeks here at home have been filled with challenges in regards to our son. Zak, as most of you know, has autism; and what is normal and easy for us in life can be complex and confusing for him.




We have reached a cross roads with him - and are needing to make some decisions. Doctor's appointments have been made to give us some clear direction on what our next steps are to be.


I will be honest and tell you that I have reached a point of almost complete burnout with the little guy. God, as He always does, has provided a bit of relief from the stress. Zak has taken a vacation of sorts and is staying with his Grandparents for a couple weeks. This will give me a break and both Rob and I some time to pray and make some decisions with clearer thinking.

It has not been an easy road - I will be honest and say it is not going to get any easier. Sometimes my flesh wants the easy way - and yet I know that the trials that come into our lives are there to help us to grow and to depend upon the Lord more.

I am asking you if you would make Zak a matter of prayer. We need to know God's mind on the matter and have divine direction as to God's will in his life. I just wanted to share a bit of my heart with you. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.


Blessings to you My friends,
~Martie

(I thought a trip down memory lane would be in order right now. Enjoy again, or for the first time, the video we made about our Zak and how autism has affected our lives)

The Blessing of Autism

A Night to Remember

This past Friday was the kids' first violin recital. We have them enrolled in the Falls Baptist Academy's strings program. The "American Heritage" concert was absolutely breathtaking. We enjoyed an hour and a half of beautiful music.

It was a black bow tie event - as all the young boys in the concert adorned one - and all the girls were dressed in the traditional black that is worn by musicians during a concert.

The line up of music for the evening included pieces from Dvorak's "New World symphony", Fiddle Tunes that made me want to tap my feet, folk songs - including "Ashokan Farewell by Unger, and Spirituals enjoyed with slides to bring reminders of the days gone by. The concert ended with an orchestra playing a rendition of several famous Revival songs from years gone by. My favorite in that line up was "Brethren We Have Met to Worship."

What a beautiful night we had - together as a family enjoying God's gift of music.

We also were blessed to have some guests come and join us for the concert. Miss Shelli drove up to see the kids - and made the kids' night with her appearance. Rob's parent's also joined us for the evening giving Zak someone different to sit next to for the program.

Our little one sat the entire time on our laps engrossed in the music being played in front of her. She is just itching to get started in music and will not leave the kids alone when they are practicing. She definitely wants in on the action!!

We ended the night with our drive home through the country and were greeted by snow falling gently from the sky. It was a perfect way to end a most enjoyable evening.

Trust you are taking in the high notes of your life. Thanks so much for stopping by - I am glad you did!

Blessings,

~Martie

Making Music

She has brought so much music and laughter to our home. We are almost at the time when we will be able to adopt her. We are just thankful that God has blessed our home with her - she is truly a blessing in every way.

I will update everyone on a date as soon as we know anything at all. Thanks for your prayers!!


Trust you are enjoying the blessings God has brought into your life. Thanks so much for stopping by - I am so glad you did.

Blessings,

~Martie

A Call For Change

If Christian's were living a life of separation from the world...

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If Christian's were educating themselves different than the world...

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Entertaining themselves different from the world...

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Valuing things different than the world...

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Dressing different from the world...

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I wonder....

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Can we not see? Do we not hear their cry?

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The world around us desires to see a change.

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A difference...

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I can not help to think that God is looking for the same --

in His people!

("Come out from among them and be separate...")~~

After this election, we can as Christian's play the blame game - but rest assured - God is not.

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If America comes under persecution...

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If we as a country lose precious freedoms that our forefathers held dear enough to their hearts that they gave their families,their fortunes - their very lives...

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If in our life time, we see this come to pass - then I hope we have enough character not to blame the world!

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The world is looking for something different.

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Yet, we, in our insecurities and vain priorities have desired to be accepted by all those around us.

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We have craved smooth preaching and "tickle -our -ears" messages that make us feel like we are good.

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We have entered our workplaces, our schools, and our social gatherings looking like the magazine covers we read on a regular basis.

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We have spent our evenings filling our mind with the philosophies of this world through our media choices - not realizing in the process that we have been spoiled.

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It is time - it is high time, that we as Christian's wake up to the fact that this is our fault.

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We must return to biblical truth.

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We must be consumed with God.

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If our children do not know the freedom that we have taken for granted - rest assured it will be on our account.

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It is time we realize that friendship with the world is enmity against a thrice holy God. God does not bless mixed loyalties.

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It is time for Christian's to take the blame.

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It is time to repent of our sins.

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It is time to be consumed with the holiness of God.
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The world is looking for a difference. Perhaps it is time that we answer that call.

Will you not join with me in prayer before God? He is ready to forgive if we come to Him in humbleness of heart.

~Martie