{sixty feet & it's good to be crazy}

If you read this blog much over the past few years, you know adoption is near to my heart, because I believe it is the very heart of God.

I originally saw this post over at The Lettered Cottage. You can follow the Owens family remarkable story on their blog, Good To Be Crazy.

You must read this family's story; God's story.
Of hope.
Of restoration.
Of goodness and mercy and love.

This video is the most incredible homecoming video I've seen. I wept like a baby. Sharing with you today--- I pray it changes you and moves you:


Home At Last from dan owens on Vimeo.

Oh, and you must, must, must visit SixtyFeet, the family's organization seeking to raise awareness and funds for children imprisoned in Northern Uganda. I pray you might consider how you can help.

{one little word for 2012?}

Have you heard about One Little Word?

The idea of choosing one word to define your year?

I love this so much more than making a resolution. It's just One. Word. So simple, so focused.

Last year, my word was "Choice" or "Choose". I had felt over and over again God speaking to me that my JOY is a choice. Being grateful is a choice. My hearts' fullness or emptiness, in many ways, is a choice. As Ann Voskamp wrote in a recent post, I could probably use a do-over on my 2011 word.  In the whole big year of focusing on one simple word, have I got it yet?  No, I am, after all, a work in progress.

I am praying about my word for 2012. I have quite a list going, but really want it to be the one God wants me to focus on.

Have you chosen a word for 2012?

I would love for you to share.  Post a comment and share with us how you hope to focus & grow in 2012.

Be blessed in 2012, friends!

-Lauren-

the water jar

For those who have followed along, you may have read about my son's third birthday and how his little heart was broken for people who don't have clean water to drink.

Today, I wanted to share a simple idea with you that was born out of my boy's tender heart.

We started a water jar back in November.  Coins and bills were added each day, and the kids could give up juice in the morning to give money towards clean water.

I used a simple applesauce jar, and put in a picture from Compassion's Water of Life program.

In December, our church's youth group hosted their annual Advent Conspiracy event.  The proceeds went to Living Water International - so it was the perfect time to bring what we'd collected from our little applesauce jar.

The little guy carried it in to church himself, and when a friend saw, she came over to me and told me how much it just melted her heart to see him carrying his change in to donate.

Kids can be so very tender and receptive to needs, if they're just told about them.  I encourage you to use this idea with your kids--- for a cause that's meaningful to you and your family. Oh, and if you do, please be sure to leave me a comment and let me know how it went!

***

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" (Matthew 25:34-40)

{multitudes in 2012}

I asked my son this evening, "What are you thankful for?"
My heart needs some inspiration many days.

"My cat. And horses. And cows."  I find this funny, since we don't have cows or horses. But nevertheless, he is thankful.  I continue to count on in 2012:

#48 - restful weekend with family
#49 - New Year's Eve games & laughter & fun with friends
#50 - a few quiet moments this morning when big kids went with daddy & baby slept
#51 - Christmas decorations packed up & tree out {this is an accomplishment!}
#52 - a brisk walk on a cold morning
#53 - our neighborhood, quiet, peaceful, surrounded by mountains
#54 - a new year, the fresh start and fresh vision that comes
#55 - a very full, blessed, hard, sweet 2011
#56 - for what God will accomplish in 2012 --- in this house, in these lives, in this place --- declaring His goodness in advance!
-----
As I think ahead to a fresh year before us, I wonder, what will it take for me to live out of love and gratitude, rather than fear?  I want it to be different this year.  I want to experience victory in areas I have struggled with so long. I want to walk in total confidence in God, and my freedom in Christ.

I read Ann's words today, "There’s only one address anyone lives at and it’s always a duplex: Joy and pain always co-habit every season of life.  Accept them both and keep company with the joy while the pain does it’s necessary renovations."

Maybe that's what I need to learn this year.  That the moments of struggle, the painful moments and seasons, those come with the joy.  It's about embracing them together, not being fearful of those hard moments and days.  Acceptance. And it is Christ that grounds me in the midst of all circumstances:
"for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13) 


What ways do you hope to grow in the year ahead?  Where do you long to see God work?  Have you prayed about an area of focus for the coming 365 days? About your goals? I am joining you in seeking direction and wisdom for 2012. For fresh vision for our families and our homes and or work.

Let us seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Let us start our 2012 on the right foot, on the Solid Rock:

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Blessings to You in 2012!

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