Monday Morning Reflections - SON Fun

For the Lord God is our light and protector.
He give us grace and glory.
No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.
Psalm 84:11

This weekend we spent the majority of our time in the backyard enjoying our pool! The weather has been glorious. I often find myself sitting and staring up at the plum trees in our backyard. I admire them all year long and if you have been following my blog this past year - you have seen pictures of them during every season. They are just beautiful. They grown the most beautiful pink flowers in the spring. They even look beautiful in the winter, especially when the snow is covering the branches. I find myself taking many photos of them.


This weekend however, I wasn't taking a photo of them for their simple beauty. God used them to speak to me about His light and protection. Just look at his covering. The trees are protecting us from getting too much light. Yet, they let enough in to warm us. And His light - look at the beauty that comes when it shines through. There is power in the light of the Lord! His light shining in us and through us is what gives us power to touch the lives of those around us. We are cracked vessels - broken and in need of His light to fill us. We are broken pots needing the hand of the Potter to mold us and shape us. We are truly in need of Him! All of Him! "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"....Matt. 5:16


I'm trying to type this to you without crying. You see God blesses me so much through our children. He didn't just give us children - He brought them to us. Hand picked each one with a special purpose in our lives and family. He uses their light to touch me in ways nothing else could! He protected them and brought them out of the darkness which was all around them. He filled them with His light and love!

Yesterday afternoon before we went out to enjoy swimming together our son Gabriel who came home from Ethiopia this January began to tell us stories of his time in the orphanage. He told us the same story he did weeks after being home - but the first time he told to us it was in his native language Amharic and well, we don't speak Amharic so we didn't understand a thing but maybe there was a drunk man in the story. Well, sure enough there was a drunk man in the story. It was precious to hear it again and with the same enthusiasm as the first time he told it to us. The first time, I caught it all on video and then by accident deleted it. Let's just say Scott was not thrilled I did that. It would have been great to show it to him yesterday when he recounted the very story he told us almost six months ago! It is hard to believe he has only been home six months. He is such a huge part of our family and in our hearts so deeply.

From the moment we were sent his referral photo we saw a light in his eyes. A smile that sparkled joy that was deep inside of his heart. As I shared in posts about his referral and adoption - it was God ordained from the very first moment. From his name being Kirubel which in English means Gabriel - which is the exact name God gave us for our next son nine months before we ever laid eyes on him...God told us he would be 3-4 yrs old and dark skin from a land far away. Well, Africa doesn't get much farther than from where we live. And he is four years old. And when Scott arrived at his orphanage quickly realized our son not only knew about Jesus but was being prayed over daily! Praying with his friends and was being taught obedience!

Removed some of this post for privacy and respect of my husbands wishes :)

But back to His protection and light. Each of our children were protected from what could have been devastating results for them had they been left in their countries. Right now there are 143 million orphans around the world who need us to be their protection and bring the light of the Lord into their lives! We need to teach them about Jesus! We need to allow God's love and light to shine through us unto the nations!

There is NOTHING greater than living every day with children around the world in your home - and see His light shining!

There is NOTHING greater than knowing God is working in them and through them!

There is NOTHING greater than to see a joy so deep in their eyes and to hear them say "Thank You God for giving me a family. I love them." When they pray! How can I even begin to explain to you what that does to our hearts.

As we (Scott and I) listened to Gabriel tell story after story - we would just sit and smile at each other. We know him being here with us is all God! Every last detail is at the hand of our Father who loves this little boy more than we could ever imagine. We thank God he is here with us and for the blessings we receive to be a part of his life!

Before coming home Gabriel didn't have a potty.

He didn't use a sink to wash his hands after going to the bathroom either and was only given one piece of some sort of paper to wipe. He is the first to wash his hands now!

He didn't have a variety of food and appreciates being given nutritious meals every day. He didn't get to bath often and LOVES being clean!

He didn't have a Dad to hug him tight and keep him safe. He does now and adores him!

He didn't have a Mom to teach him things and raise him to be a warrior for God. He does now and begs to be told more about the bible! He is very sad to miss bible study!

All of the children adore him. Every single one. Do you see the light and joy in their eyes? Do you see Jesus in them? I do!

You don't have to look to hard to see the joy of the Lord in His children. Not because of us! We did nothing - but say "Yes Lord! We are willing to do Your will!" It is only by His grace each day that we can do what He has asked of us. All by His grace!

Oh how I love the way God uses His creation to teach me and all of us such deep truths about His love and protection over us. I pray you stop and truly look at every thing He has made in a new way today and allow Him to speak to you! Although the trees behind our home try to hide the sun from coming through - where there is light no darkness can hide! I am in awe of Him - there are no other words - OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!




My boys - I love these shots of them together - I captured each of their personalities - too fun!




Gabriel of course goes first - still learning it is ok to go after others! Too cute!


Jonathan, Abigail and Jordan had a floating contest. Abigail and Jonathan won - they are amazing floaters! Scott began to put them in formations and make designs they were floating for so long. Ha!





I love this shot! Our three oldest adopted children know what they left behind - do you see the what I see?


I pray to be their covering like the trees in our yard are to us - like God is to them and to me! I pray that I can be their safety and help them each grow into a strong tree, rooted in the Lord! And that they each desire to shine their light so bright that all can see nothing but the love of JESUS in them!

For the Lord God is our light and protector.
He give us grace and glory.
No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.
Psalm 84:11

I'm now on day 12 of the Master Cleanse and will be sharing more information and the healing benefits I am experiencing here, later today. It is amazing what God can do when our minds are not focused on feeding the flesh all day long! I want to see Your glory Lord! All for Your glory!