It's been a while since I've wrote, so much going on in the Evans household....House building, new job for me, Clinton back home, ice storm, taxes (yuck!)....Lots of stuff! We are getting closer to completion on the house. I can't wait to get in and get the final home study done, so we can go to the next step with the adoption. Keep praying for us. We are growing weary and discouraged. We know we want God's timing....so we have to remain patient. Pray that we don't loose sight of Him.
The other day I was driving by a house just down the road from our new home. I've noticed this horse the last few times....It seems like every time I drive by, he's standing in the same corner! Now I don't know much about horses, and maybe this is a common thing for them. But, I did realize something the other day. How many times do I go to the same corner? We are such creatures of habit, well at least I am....How about you? Do you find yourself sitting on the same pew at the same spot? Do you go and eat at the same restaurant every time you go out? Do you talk to the same people at the ball game? Do you listen to the same music, watch the same tv show? Attend the same "church" for the last 20 years? Now I may get some eyebrows raised at that one! But really, have you ever thought that stepping outside your box, your little world that you just might see Jesus in a different light....Have you ever thought that God might have something out there for you but you have to be willing to change it up. That poor horse has been standing in that corner for how long??!!! He's missed so much by standing in the corner. I've never seen him running around or for that fact just standing in a different corner. What have we missed out on by playing it safe and staying in our corner?
God desires for us to have an abundant, over flowing, full life. He tells us the world is ours! How cool is that! So next time you start walking over to that corner. Think about the the fullness of our God and the fullness of our world and the "people" that we miss every day, because we are in "our corner".
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Praying and then waiting....
How many times have you caught yourself praying about something and then 2 or 3 days later, goodness for me sometimes withing the next hour...TAKE IT ALL BACK OVER!!!! Please,don't tell me I'm the only one!!! Well, some of you may know about our situation. Clinton went back to the State Police back in April. He had to move to Searcy Co. though till an opening came available here in Marion Co. Yes, move there. So he loaded up a travel trailer, much thanks to a fellow trooper for allowing us to use it, and headed to Searcy Co. to live 5 days a week. Needless to say, the prayers began before he got out the door. We prayed that those in authority would recognize the need for Clinton to be with his family. God created families to be together. We knew Clinton returning to the ASP was what God intended because of the way it all happened. So we knew we were in His will but just trying to figure out why Clinton had to leave.
I don't wonder that anymore. More on that later.....
Anyway, prayers went up daily, many times a day.....At night the boys and I would cry as we tried to get the words out to God. That was hard. But we refused to get downcast or discouraged. We refused to take it over and try and figure out how WE could get him back here. Who WE needed to talk to or butter up...So WE just decided to let go and let GOD! In the meantime,we all received a little bit more patience and longsuffering as we chose to praise God for all He has done for us and that He wouldn't leave us now. Nor, leave Clinton down in Searcy Co. forever!!!
Dec. 22nd we received a letter, an unexpected letter! The best Christmas present we have ever recieved. I'll share with you the most important part of the letter, "My request is that Corporal Evans be returned to Marion Co. as soon as possible." That's right, not just return him but AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! As I read the letter, I knew that God had taken care of us. Doesn't He always, IF WE LET HIM! Our prayer had been answered. It wasn't the next day, it wasn't the next week, it wasn't even the next month. It was 9 months later. Like I said, we learned to develop patience and being a little more longsuffering. We experienced feelings of loss and despair at times but in the end we always praised Him. That's what He desires from us to look to Him in all we do and He will direct our path. In the real world, to the flesh, it looked as though Clinton would be there for a while. No troop school in site, no word from anyone, nothing....but we knew in our world the one God heads up, that He had it under control.
I don't wonder that anymore. More on that later.....
Anyway, prayers went up daily, many times a day.....At night the boys and I would cry as we tried to get the words out to God. That was hard. But we refused to get downcast or discouraged. We refused to take it over and try and figure out how WE could get him back here. Who WE needed to talk to or butter up...So WE just decided to let go and let GOD! In the meantime,we all received a little bit more patience and longsuffering as we chose to praise God for all He has done for us and that He wouldn't leave us now. Nor, leave Clinton down in Searcy Co. forever!!!
Dec. 22nd we received a letter, an unexpected letter! The best Christmas present we have ever recieved. I'll share with you the most important part of the letter, "My request is that Corporal Evans be returned to Marion Co. as soon as possible." That's right, not just return him but AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! As I read the letter, I knew that God had taken care of us. Doesn't He always, IF WE LET HIM! Our prayer had been answered. It wasn't the next day, it wasn't the next week, it wasn't even the next month. It was 9 months later. Like I said, we learned to develop patience and being a little more longsuffering. We experienced feelings of loss and despair at times but in the end we always praised Him. That's what He desires from us to look to Him in all we do and He will direct our path. In the real world, to the flesh, it looked as though Clinton would be there for a while. No troop school in site, no word from anyone, nothing....but we knew in our world the one God heads up, that He had it under control.
Monday, December 15, 2008
LAST CLASS!!
Saturday was it....last class! A few things still do to....but we are much closer to having a child or children placed with us. We aren't rushing it though. The house will be done in probably 1 month or so...HOPEFULLY! And we will then schedule our final home visit.
The last class was amazing. We met a foster family and an adoptive family. The story from the adoptive family was so moving. They have adopted 3 children! A sibling group, 2 and 4 at the time of adoption. Then most recently, a little boy that was supposed to be 6 months but when they went to pick him up he was 6 weeks!!! Their whole story was such a God thing....And they praise Him for working in their lives. It was AWESOME!!! I cried, Cliton teared up...I think everyone teared up. The foster mom came with her little one she's had for 6 or so months, the little girl is 9 months old now. The birth mom does not make visits and is pregnant again. The reality of what's going on in our world today. I can't help but think that the young girl is just searching for love...and and is looking for it in all the wrong places.
Haven't we all looked for that love in all the wrong places....jobs, partying, shopping, all that. Does it ever fill us up? No? Does it ever provide the comfort and joy and peace that we all are looking for? No. The only place that we will ever experience true love and true acceptance is through Jesus Christ. People fail us, we fail ourselves....but He is never failing. He is forever faithful. There's a song called, "A God Shaped Hole". We all have a hole, he created us that way...so we would look to Him.
God is so good. Are you letting Him fill your hole?
The last class was amazing. We met a foster family and an adoptive family. The story from the adoptive family was so moving. They have adopted 3 children! A sibling group, 2 and 4 at the time of adoption. Then most recently, a little boy that was supposed to be 6 months but when they went to pick him up he was 6 weeks!!! Their whole story was such a God thing....And they praise Him for working in their lives. It was AWESOME!!! I cried, Cliton teared up...I think everyone teared up. The foster mom came with her little one she's had for 6 or so months, the little girl is 9 months old now. The birth mom does not make visits and is pregnant again. The reality of what's going on in our world today. I can't help but think that the young girl is just searching for love...and and is looking for it in all the wrong places.
Haven't we all looked for that love in all the wrong places....jobs, partying, shopping, all that. Does it ever fill us up? No? Does it ever provide the comfort and joy and peace that we all are looking for? No. The only place that we will ever experience true love and true acceptance is through Jesus Christ. People fail us, we fail ourselves....but He is never failing. He is forever faithful. There's a song called, "A God Shaped Hole". We all have a hole, he created us that way...so we would look to Him.
God is so good. Are you letting Him fill your hole?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Time.....
Have you ever wondered why just all of a sudden you can look up and your old! :) How about the fact your kiddos just started to walk and now they are almost teenagers! Even better, how could it just be the beginning of 2008 and somehow we are in December!!! Time is flying by....
Class this Sat. and then the final one on the 13th. One step closer in being approved through the state. We still have to do our CPR class and I still have to fill out SOME MORE paperwork the state needs. NO FUN!!! But it will all be worth it when our new family member joins us.
I saw a little ornament today and it said, "two more feet added to the "let's just say the Evans" family." My heart swelled up with love and smiles- I guess your heart can smile....anyway, I was happy! Everyday, is one day closer. Still not sure when or how but I remain faithful to God because he is ALWAYS faithful to me.
In probably the most busiest time of the year, Enjoy! Family & Friends. Don't try filling your time up so much that you miss out on the important stuff! You know exactly what I mean!!! LOL!
Please pray that we remain steadfast and true to His word and His guidance. Sometimes I want to take it over and do something! So I need a little help with that, too. Pray we don't grow weary in this journey. Sometimes the ole devil wants to creep in and tell me that it will never happen. I'm crazy to even think we will ever get a little girl. Even so much as that I need to quit talking about it, cause people are beginning to think you are crazy...for believing for all this and like looking to God to make it happen. He says all that, sometimes daily!!! You know all that negative stuff. But I know, that I know, that I know -God is the Author and Finisher of of our faith. It is written! Our faith believes that one day we will hold that sweet child. Our family stands in agreement and we will not be moved!
Class this Sat. and then the final one on the 13th. One step closer in being approved through the state. We still have to do our CPR class and I still have to fill out SOME MORE paperwork the state needs. NO FUN!!! But it will all be worth it when our new family member joins us.
I saw a little ornament today and it said, "two more feet added to the "let's just say the Evans" family." My heart swelled up with love and smiles- I guess your heart can smile....anyway, I was happy! Everyday, is one day closer. Still not sure when or how but I remain faithful to God because he is ALWAYS faithful to me.
In probably the most busiest time of the year, Enjoy! Family & Friends. Don't try filling your time up so much that you miss out on the important stuff! You know exactly what I mean!!! LOL!
Please pray that we remain steadfast and true to His word and His guidance. Sometimes I want to take it over and do something! So I need a little help with that, too. Pray we don't grow weary in this journey. Sometimes the ole devil wants to creep in and tell me that it will never happen. I'm crazy to even think we will ever get a little girl. Even so much as that I need to quit talking about it, cause people are beginning to think you are crazy...for believing for all this and like looking to God to make it happen. He says all that, sometimes daily!!! You know all that negative stuff. But I know, that I know, that I know -God is the Author and Finisher of of our faith. It is written! Our faith believes that one day we will hold that sweet child. Our family stands in agreement and we will not be moved!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Winter Jam!
Last year we attended our first ever Winter Jam in Little Rock, AR. It was AMAZING!!! If you are a lover of music, YOU MUST ATTEND! Where else can you pay $10 bucks to see such great headliners like Toby Mac, Brandon Heath and other great bands! Last year they had MercyMe, Mandissa, BarlowGirl and Skillet. The boys LOVED Skillet! (They Rock it out!!)
Last year thousands dedicated or rededicated their lives to Christ that night! Since I'm older and the mind doesn't retain as much information as it used to....I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY!! But it was A LOT!!! Praise God! And like 4,000 orphan children recieved help from Holt International, the national sponsor, of Winter Jam.
This year the concert is on Feb. 6th! So mark your calendar. Email or call me if you want to know more about it 870-321-1222 or cpevans@yellville.net. My hope is that we get so many folks wanting to go we have to take bus loads!! My boys are already inviting their friends! What a great opportunity for our children to be ministered to and a fun night for all!
Last year thousands dedicated or rededicated their lives to Christ that night! Since I'm older and the mind doesn't retain as much information as it used to....I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY!! But it was A LOT!!! Praise God! And like 4,000 orphan children recieved help from Holt International, the national sponsor, of Winter Jam.
This year the concert is on Feb. 6th! So mark your calendar. Email or call me if you want to know more about it 870-321-1222 or cpevans@yellville.net. My hope is that we get so many folks wanting to go we have to take bus loads!! My boys are already inviting their friends! What a great opportunity for our children to be ministered to and a fun night for all!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
PRIDE Classes
Well we've went through 2 class sessions with 4 more to go. They have been both interestingly informative and helpful...not just with the foster/adopt process but understanding child behavior and the very sad reality of what many of the children in our community, state and nation our faced with every day.
The foster system in Arkansas is committed to reunification. I guess you'd say it is a catch 22 in most cases. So many of these parents don't know how to parent and because of poor choices,bad decisions and what I call generational curses...their children never have a chance to have what we know as a normal family life.
It is with heartfelt prayer that I pray our Lord will look down and protect these children and give them peace and strength in their time of need. We as Christians need to understand our responsibility to these lost souls. I know that many of you aren't called to adopt. But, please think of a way that you, your family, your church family could offer some hope to these children.
Thank you Lord for guiding and directing our path. Thank you for knowing our every step. We turn to you and know that you are the Author and Finisher of our faith. You know our every step before we even think about it. I pray that we continually search for your guidance and wisdom. Bless the lost children here and every where. May a people rise up to embrace them and offer them the same hope that you have given us. Open our hearts Lord that we feel your Spirit and act on your call. May we all become more obedient, loving and faithful. Your Son's blood has made us free, healed and blessed beyond measure. Let us bless each other. Amen and Amen!
God is good- ALL THE TIME!
The foster system in Arkansas is committed to reunification. I guess you'd say it is a catch 22 in most cases. So many of these parents don't know how to parent and because of poor choices,bad decisions and what I call generational curses...their children never have a chance to have what we know as a normal family life.
It is with heartfelt prayer that I pray our Lord will look down and protect these children and give them peace and strength in their time of need. We as Christians need to understand our responsibility to these lost souls. I know that many of you aren't called to adopt. But, please think of a way that you, your family, your church family could offer some hope to these children.
Thank you Lord for guiding and directing our path. Thank you for knowing our every step. We turn to you and know that you are the Author and Finisher of our faith. You know our every step before we even think about it. I pray that we continually search for your guidance and wisdom. Bless the lost children here and every where. May a people rise up to embrace them and offer them the same hope that you have given us. Open our hearts Lord that we feel your Spirit and act on your call. May we all become more obedient, loving and faithful. Your Son's blood has made us free, healed and blessed beyond measure. Let us bless each other. Amen and Amen!
God is good- ALL THE TIME!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
I love Jesus!
I love Jesus. I love His ability to take something bad and make it good. I love His soft whisper when I feel beyond dispare. I love His loving way when I want to get really mad. I love Him. He loves me. Not one thing do I have to do but to sit right beside Him and soak it in. I don't have to recite memory verses. I don't have to know all the bible stories. I don't even have to do everything right. He loves me, no matter what.
Do we love no matter what? Or do we store it all up? Do we play it over and over in our minds? Do we keep blaming? Do we keep hashing it up? Until we can love no matter what, we will never understand how utterly amazing His love is for us. Or even better let's grasp how amazing and forgiving our Savior is and use that freedom in loving others. I LOVE JESUS!
Do we love no matter what? Or do we store it all up? Do we play it over and over in our minds? Do we keep blaming? Do we keep hashing it up? Until we can love no matter what, we will never understand how utterly amazing His love is for us. Or even better let's grasp how amazing and forgiving our Savior is and use that freedom in loving others. I LOVE JESUS!
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