like Jesus...

These people....

They have loved, served, prayed....

like Jesus!

Most of these people and some others have worked everyday this week. We had 3 shifts, 9-12, 2-5, and 6:30-8. They handed out over 1,200 fliers. They also did yard work for about 7 different homes. Today, put on a "Back to school Bash." 

They have given. Sacrificially given. Put themselves last, given. Just like Jesus. I have never met a group of people who truly love Him more. I am so thankful for each one of them. The way they live their lives is genuine. They truly model what it's like to love God and love others. I am thankful for the example they are for me and my family.

It is a pleasure to serve alongside you Parkwood Baptist Church!

We love you and thank God for you!

Adventurous Andrew is 7!

On Friday, Aug. 2, our sweet Andrew turned 7. We left home Thursday night and headed to the beach to celebrate. Anyone who knows Andrew knows he is a hunting, fishing, animal/bug/turtle loving young man. You won't find him inside watching tv or playing video games. I almost have to drag him in, clean him up, and put shoes on him. It wouldn't surprise me if we see him on one of those shows where the guys hunt barefoot using only their hands one day. He's just that kind of boy.

The same Andrew crawls in my lap every Sunday and cuddles me during daddy's entire sermon. He is so gentle with his younger siblings and he plays great with everyone. He's tenderhearted, Ethan's best buddy, daddy's helper...

For his birthday he wanted to go to Grandma's and Papa's place at the beach. He wanted to go fishing and crabbing. That's just what he did. After 5 minutes he caught the first fish and the biggest of the day. He hooked and reeled in his 22" Puppy Drum all by himself. Then told Martie, "God knew it was my birthday so He let me catch the first and biggest fish."

He got a bow and arrow as a gift from Grandma and Papa. We gave him extra arrows and a target, which everyone enjoyed. That night we enjoyed eating "Andrew's catch" and Taylor made his birthday cake.

Our life is better because of Andrew Chase. He is a special gift from God!

Andrew and Ethan

Petting the fish.

Papa netting the catch!

I love this smile! He's so proud. 

Carissa and Tabitha got to fish a little later with the girls. 

Lauryn and Carissa's fish. 

Taylor's not impressed with her catch.

They LOVE having fun with their cousins.

I love this sweet face! 

Tabitha's reaction makes me laugh!

You see that shot!

An excellent wife?

This summer has been crazy. We've had some serious emotionally draining, life changing things happen this summer, good and bad. In one week the girls will be living with us full time. In two weeks our school year officially begins. Needless to say, I've been extremely stressed. My mind has been in a million places. Okay, maybe not a million but at least a hundred. (Just ask my hubby) I have lists upon lists. I cross two things off and add four more.

One of the first and most important things I do each year before school begins is pray and organize our life. (At least on paper) Because of my overwhelming lists, I haven't been able to focus on one task completely. I stepped away from my regular Bible reading plan for that very reason. I've continued reading through Proverbs and then just done some keyword searches. I didn't want to keep reading through 2 Sam. and 1 Corinthians and not be able to fully focus and learn. I have found it refreshing to step back. God knows where I'm at in my life and this is allowing me to search the scriptures that minister to what I'm going through.

Today, July 31, brings me to Proverbs 31. The very popular Proverb, especially for women. In verses 10-31 we see a description of an excellent or worthy woman. I almost didn't read through it again thinking this might overwhelm me more. But trusting the Lord, I broke out my highlighter and pressed on. I am so thankful that the Words of God are living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. I love how the Lord ministers to my heart through this living Word.

I mentioned earlier that I haven't been able to focus on the overall organization of our life for the next year. It just seemed/seems overwhelming. However, Proverbs 31 really helped me this morning. I know this is my goal. In verse 10 the scriptures says, "An excellent wife, who can find?" There's grace! I know that I cannot be perfect or meet all the expectations of an excellent wife/woman, but with God I can press on! In the verses following there are several attributes of this excellent woman.

• Her husband trusts her
• Works with delight
• Rises while it's still dark
• Feeds her family
• Uses her money wisely
• She's physically strong
• She works late and even into the night
• She reaches outside her household and ministers to those around her
• She makes sure her family is clothed well
• Strength and dignity are her clothing
• She smiles at the future
• Speaks with wisdom
• Teaches with kindness
• Looks well to her own household
• Is not lazy

Verses 30-31 are my favorite:

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."

My goal for this year is to, "Fear the Lord." That in itself encompasses a lot. I am going to try, with His help, to love Him more, listen to Him more, obey Him more, walk with Him more closely, respect Him, and fear Him. I'm praying that like the scriptures say the products of my hands will then praise me. I am hopeful I will see the fruit of my labors. 

11 years...

Warning: Lot's of mushy, lovey, dovey stuff...

That's right 11 years ago I said, "I do" to my best friend. I was so smitten by him. I look back at our wedding video and laugh. I could not stop smiling. We looked so much younger. We had a lot to learn. (And still do)

I must share a little of our story. When I first met Martie, I was very driven. I was doing well in my career. I had Taylor, who was 2 at the time, and I was okay doing things by myself. However, I wanted to be married. I desired a relationship that would last. From the first time I saw Martie, I told my best friend, Brandy, that, "I was going to marry him." She of course laughed.

Then there was the first phone conversation. This is when I questioned my thoughts of marrying him. He informed me that he didn't want to be married, he never saw himself with kids, and he didn't really see life beyond 25. At least he was honest. That was about the only good thing that came from that conversation. Regardless, I was still very attracted to him and decided to pursue a relationship.

11 years and 8 children later, I am just as smitten. Our relationship in itself is proof there is a God. Looking back where we both were, and seeing where we are now is a miracle. I still love holding my husband's hand and looking into his eyes. There's so much more to it than on the day we were married. Our love is even stronger, it's grown deeper, and it's built on something that can not be destroyed.

Our rock, the foundation of our marriage is Jesus. It's only because of the grace which he has lavished upon us, that we can have a marriage as strong as ours. Martie and I surrendered our lives to Jesus before we were married. About 6 months before our wedding we really started living our faith out. We trusted in Jesus in a very different way. Being a Christ follower started changing the way we thought, the way we walked, our decisions... The day of our ceremony we vowed to love one another as Christ loves the church. Martie promised to love me in a way that mirrored the way Jesus loved me. I vowed to trust him, follow him, serve him. I took our vows very seriously then and I cherish them today. Our foundation has not changed. We know and cling to Him, the One who has all power and authority in this ever changing world.

Martie,
Thank you for the best years of my life! Today and always, I honor you. I love you. Thank you for daily laying your life down for me. I truly praise God for this gift of marriage. You are my very best friend and you always make me laugh. You understand me and are patient. I promise to trust you in the decisions of life. Thank you for listening to me and taking all my concerns to heart. I pray that our love for the Lord and one another continues to grow and that He would use us greatly on this earth.
Faithfully and forever yours,
Heather

Adoption update

I have a feeling I'm going to have to work backwards from this blog. There has been so much that I haven't been able to share. For the last month we have been providing respite care for 2 sweet girls. Ater meeting them and reading their case study, we told our social worker we wanted to pursue adoption.

Today, Tuesday, July 23 we met with the Adoption Comittee at DSS. We were interviewed for about an hour and a half. We were then walked out so they could decide if our family was the best fit for the girls. About 30 minutes later we got the call saying, "The girls will be placed in our home with the purpose of adoption." We'll meet this week and decide how to transistion them.

For now I get to finally share pictures!

Shyana (7)

My self proclaimed "Twins."

Our Elite Eight

Dasiyer (10)

Night of worship...

Martie and I "Crashed a party" last Sunday night. We were going to visit our friend Rainey at the hospice center. He has been battling a frustrating disease called cancer for a while now. As we pulled up I told Martie there were probably going to be a lot of people because it was Sunday. As we walked into the main doors of the lobby we noticed people everywhere and lots of food. We were escorted to the nurses desk and asked if we were staying for the party. "Ummm, what party? We didn't know there was a party." Then we saw Rainey being pushed down to the party. We decided to stay just a bit and say hey.

I'm still not sure the details of the celebration. I just know that it was organized by one or two of the churches that Rainey plays music for and attends. The people there were so kind and begged us to eat and drink something. We spoke to several people. It was neat to see all the different people that Rainey and Laura have impacted in some way. God has used them in many areas.

Soon after everyone had food and talked for a bit, everyone gathered for worship. This was definitely the highlight of the evening. To see two people who have been through so much, worship their Lord together really does something to you. It causes you to worship. See, through the trials, through the sicknesses, God is still God. He is still in control and has a plan for everything. Rainey and Laura believe that and trust in that plan.

                                       

Martie and I both knew that it was ordained from God that we "Crashed the party." We not only got to visit with our friends, enjoy some food, but we got to worship. We worshipped with people we didn't know, we worshipped with people from other denominations, we worshipped the one and only true God who is worthy to be praised! Our friends Rainey and Laura still need our prayers. See, God is not finished with them yet. He still has a plan. We are praying for a miracle. In the end we will still thank God and trust in His plan.

But for that one night I got a taste, a small glimpse of heaven. Oh, till we worship face to face with our Savior, without sickness, without sin! Until then, come Lord Jesus, come!