The Painter's Hand

The Miracle of Daniel (Passage below at bottom)

I wanted to share something God faithfully revealed to me the other early morning. I love sharing the things God reveals and I love when others share such wonderful stories too! It is SO encouraging as we all face life: the bumps and hurdles…sharing the joys and woes are part of this team we all call “fellowship and faithful friends” right? What would we do without each other??

I have been walking through this season of my life truly learning to walk in faith despite how it feels or how it looks. The other day I was kind of shaken by some news and what could send a person in a spiral I decided to seek His message and opportunity for growth in it (not easy!)…so I kept to this motto of walking by faith (2 Cor 5:7) despite the feelings of uncertainty I wanted to feel. I love asking God to give me encouragement when I feel this way because HE never lets me down, not ever, when I seek Him.

When I was putting Lane to bed, my child who loves to be read to…scurried through a variety of children’s books and then she brought me her little kid’s bible. So I randomly opened it to the story of Daniel. I read it to her and to my surprise she actually sat there and listened despite being a 1.5 year old busy body. Now I know this story but for some reason I was getting more out of it than her! Like it was on purpose because it just struck a chord.  So I figured the next morning I was going to dig in it some. I woke up early, poured my coffee, and opened to the book of Daniel while my house was silent and all were asleep. THE BEST feeling right? Quiet house! I prayed for wisdom to see and hear what He wanted to show me. My faithful Heavenly Father once again revealed in Daniel 6 something I have to share that I hope encourages you if you have anything before you that feels dark or uncertain too…

As you see below when you read the passage, when the decree was set by the king so that no one could pray to any God except for the him, Daniel remained faithful to God and continued to pray 3 times a day despite the consequences. Different versions say different words but in summary he "gave thanks and prayed asking God for help". God answered his prayers then but He answered them His way. See while we can follow through the story that Daniel was yet still arrested, still condemned to death and still thrown into the lion’s den…it could have appeared to Daniel or anyone watching it go down (or reading the story for that matter) that God did NOT answer right away. Oh but He did! While Daniel could have wrestled with the ‘how can you forsake me' mentality loaded with fear and doubt, especially for a man who was defined as a faithful servant,  he remained steadfast in believing God could and was able to rescue him. Man how hard.  As it is so widely seen, this answered prayer from God done His way (being condemned to the lions den) was a divine appointment that our Heavenly Father perfectly planned as a way to bring Himself to many lost hearts...when He shut the mouths of the lions He performed a miracle that could only be done by God Himself.... the story as it goes below still to this day encourages millions upon millions. Including myself. I know He hears my prayers and my submission to letting Him be my guide reveals my trust in Him. It's hard for me to lay down the pen but oh my gosh He is such a better writer than I ever will be.

So God allowed Daniel to walk the test of faith into the lions’ den and we too are challenged to walk that very path at times ..... and while God wants to hear the desires of our hearts He also ask us to trust Him that His answer, His way, never lacks His supply or power. Daniel walked faithfully and God's miracles awaited him…. So we too can walk faithfully and know that we have a powerful story in us that glorifies God’s name and brings divine purpose to our lives. God always hears our prayers and He always answers with an eternal perspective in mind: Yes my child, Not now my child, or I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER my love just trust me.

Sometimes we can’t see the power of painter’s hand until the beautiful picture is complete.

Daniel 6New Living Translation (NLT)

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

6 ^[a]Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. ² The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests. ³ Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.

⁴ Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. ⁵ So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”

⁶ So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! ⁷ We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. ⁸ And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” ⁹ So King Darius signed the law.

¹⁰ But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. ¹¹ Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. ¹² So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”

“Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

¹³ Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”

¹⁴ Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.

¹⁵ In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”

¹⁶ So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”

¹⁷ A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. ¹⁸ Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.

¹⁹ Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. ²⁰ When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”

²¹ Daniel answered, “Long live the king! ²² My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”

²³ The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

²⁴ Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

²⁵ Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:

“Peace and prosperity to you!

²⁶ “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.

For he is the living God,
    and he will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
    and his rule will never end.
²⁷ He rescues and saves his people;
    he performs miraculous signs and wonders
    in the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”

²⁸ So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.^[b]

God's WILL done God's WAY will never lack God's SUPPLY

This is going to be a rough (prob a few or many gram errors) but I am writing this on a whim and quickly with babies in tow! I was making eggs for the kids this morning and thinking about ANOTHER miracle we received yesterday. I couldn't help but want to share with everyone:  the Adoption Strong website with the many parents who might be facing special {medical} needs. Then I thought of the many people who may be facing financial stresses because life consist of them! Financials in the past was usually a place of surrender that God brought us too when He wanted to draw Ryan and I in closely! We have walked this path many times over the last couple years that I can honestly say, we haven't even worried about these medical bills we just KNEW some way or another Jesus was going to use this in building our story and our faith! SURRENDER=INCREASED FAITH! When I believe He is good, when I believe He can, when I exercise that belief with trusting Him, and when I follow through by obeying what He is telling me to do...oh my gosh I can't even begin to tell you how many amazing miracles Ryan and I have experienced through it! I want to scream each one from the mountain top! I love sharing Isaiah's many miracles because it is a testimony of how when God calls us to something it is in HIS HANDS. I always hope it encourages someone in a hard place relying on a miracle!!! 

STORY: So we went to the hospital in Columbus January for a variety of testing and things we needed to check on Isaiah for after returning from China. It was three days of testings and all sorts. The medical bills piled up. We have to go back again in August too so there will be even more expenses then. With our finances being tighter than normal due to many factors from starting a business, to having 3 children, to have home needs, you know...the list goes on! It can always be something. However, the great thing is, it's been used as a process of building complete trust for Ryan and I in our faith. Those stepping stones that seemed worrisome at the moment each has proven to be a beautiful gift that has helped us grow. 

So back to the story, the medical bills piled up and the hospital is a great one, they have an amazing program that works with your insurance company to help get the most coverage as possible and then they even offer some assistance and generous leverage in areas for the bills. I can't say enough about this hospital and the people. We qualified for a few things and have been waiting for a response over the last 8 months. Ryan and I have faithfully prayed over it and have felt an extreme peace that God is our provider, it is all His anyway right? So in the mail yesterday it came...the letter. I opened it knowing no matter what the numbers reflect, He will provide. He chose precious Isaiah for our family and He loves Isaiah and has already shown us He is taking care of every detail for him as long as we walk faithfully (2 Cor 5:7 We walk by faith not by sight).

And there it was - NO WAY!!!! NO WAY REALLY??? Is this happening? Oh my gosh it is! It just did! How did that happen? It happened! THANK YOU JESUS! THANK YOU! I'm humbled at how you go above our prayers every time because you're so loving! AND AMAZING! THANK YOU! Yep that's what I was saying over and over!

I encourage you today to BELIEVE He can. If you need prayers I am happy to pray with or for you! Ryan and I are no different than any other husband and wife who may be walking through a trial! I believe wholeheartedly that financials are the easiest and quickest way to being humbled and trusting God 110%. It is there we seek harder than ever to hear Him (Proverbs 3:5-6 says He will instruct us in which path to take). And as we trust, He guides, as He guides, we experience peace, when we have peace we reflect Him in our lives/hearts...as the light for the world to see God and how amazing He is!!!

 

GREAT STORY ON BELIEF/TRUST

An Acrobat, A Wheelbarrow, and a Challenge of Faith

Can you imagine a tightrope stretched over a quarter of a mile and spanning the breadth of Niagara Falls?  The thundering sound of the pounding water drowning out all other sounds as you watch a man step onto the rope and walk across!

This stunning feat made Charles Blondin famous in the summer of 1859.  He walked 160 feet above the falls several times back and forth between Canada and the United States as huge crowds on both sides looked on with shock and awe.  Once he crossed in a sack, once on stilts, another time on a bicycle,  and once he even carried a stove and cooked an omelet!

On July 15, Blondin walked backward across the tightrope to Canada and returned pushing a wheelbarrow.

The Blondin story is told that it was after pushing a wheelbarrow across while blindfolded that Blondin asked for some audience participation.  The crowds had watched and "Ooooohed" and "Aaaaahed!"  He had proven that he could do it; of that, there was no doubt.  But now he was asking for a volunteer to get into the wheelbarrow and take a ride across the Falls with him!

It is said that he asked his audience, "Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?"  Of course the crowd shouted that yes, they believed!

It was then that Blondin posed the question - “Who will get in the wheelbarrow?'

Of course…none did.

[from Kenneth Baa’s book] Tens of thousands believed but no one trusted. Belief and trust are two different things. It occurred to me, though, that t here’s something wrong with this illustration. Why would anyone get in the wheelbarrow? Why would anyone do such dopey thing? There would have to be a compelling reason. So try this: imagine there was a thick forest behind the spectators and that suddenly the forest caught fire. There was no way of escape. Now things are about to get interesting., and suddenly all the rules change. Now there are only four options for the crowd:

Option #1: “I’m not here, and it’s not hot” . Deny your situation until you’re burned to a crisp.

Option #2: take your chances by plunging into the raging water below.

Option #3: try to go across the tightrope yourself.

Option #4: Get in the wheelbarrow!

Suddenly the offer to get in Blondin’s wheelbarrow looks very attractive. Furthermore it’s not the leap in the dark, it’s a step into the light and perhaps you’re only real hope. He’s already demonstrated that he could go to the other side and and come back. And so has Jesus. His crucifixion and resurrection was his going to the other side and back, his demonstrable evidence that He is who He claims to be. Entrusting my life to Him, sitting in that wheelbarrow (so to speak) is not a bad choice, as would be ignoring or rejecting Jesus. With Jesus there are really only two options because ignoring him is just covert rejection. At the end of the day, you either trust Him or you don’t.

Matthew 17:20 (NLT) “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.

Isaiah's many miracles...

I am so humbled. After calling Ryan and sharing this story with him this morning he encouraged I share on the blog! I love his heart…excited to share God’s goodness with hope it encourages someone else.

The moments I experience true miracles I get so overtaken with the emotions and reminded, God is faithful and Isaiah was chosen by Him for Him and we are just blessed to be his family…forever family. Despite how Isaiah’s circumstances started off in the beginning years, God’s sovereign and loving and saw this precious boy in China in an orphanage and placed His hand of favor over him thousands of miles away and slowly placed him on our hearts and home. The divine connection in that two-year process, lives forever changed and daily we are impacted in this journey that is hard, fun, adventurous, emotional and rewarding. But it has been the continuous provision and favor along the way has left Ryan and I speechless many times and has increased our faith ten times over. I know without a doubt that God has large plans for Isaiah; I can only wait to see.

So here is how it goes today….

Isaiah has extreme anxiety with doctors’ offices or hospitals. Any of them will make him nervous from the minute he steps into them.  He slowly gets quiet, gets nervous, and begins to cling to me. Even candy won’t help. He becomes withdrawn. The walls go up. Then comes the nurse or the doctor walking in, the tears  begin to flow. The fear is overwhelming to him and the lack of trust over takes him every time. I ona normal day can handle these type of things and started off pretty strong, but after so many visits, I began to realize the anxiety was taking its toll on me. My heart aches and has extreme compassion now for parents who go through anything that requires on going hospital stays and visits. From what I have experienced in a short time I have become fearful of having to take him to the doctor for anything. I dread it.

Although Isaiah’s blood test were done in China and all okay, our pediatrician called for another test to confirm them. We attempted to do this at the lab at the pediatrician’s office one day but after him hyperventilating and throwing up because of being so upset it wasn’t accomplished and a redo was underway. To be honest, I had put it off for fear of upsetting him again. Then my doctor finally said we had to schedule it. We decided to go to Woman’s hospital lab so he wouldn’t associate the pediatrician’s office with the emotional trauma/fear he has since the last attempt was so rough for him. I know one might ask, how much does a child really know at 2 years old or even as a baby, but trust me, a child who has endured what he has by hospital visits, not having a family to go through it with or the security, can establish a wound. He has learned to become resilient and at the same time skeptical of hospital people. His sensual memories remind him of fear and pain in those places. I have seen it enough times to know sometimes we just cannot comprehend it, because we have never walked in those shoes.

So I started off this morning by labeling today’s experience as it would be how it has always been for Isaiah, emotional. Ryan and I woke up for routine morning coffee before the kids and we prayed Deuteronomy 31:8, one of my favorite verses when anticipation is underway. Praying the promise that God would go before us and prepare the way with favor and remove the fear. I prayed it but did I believe it? If I am honest, my heart really didn’t. It would have to take a miracle right? 20 times of crying why would 21 be different? Unfortunately, my expectations were low.

Now this time I invited Caden to come along. He said he wanted to be a helper. He packed a bag of Isaiah’s favorite things to bring with us…marshmallows, Ipad movie, cookies, suckers, and applesauce. Sweetest. I loved the opportunity to teach him to be compassionate in caring for Isaiah. Knowing that him being there would ease his fears some too! So I showed Caden a video of a little boy bravely getting blood drawn so he would know what to expect and explained to him that Isaiah gets really upset and cries. L And off we went. Prayers went up! Please Lord, protect his little heart and make our experience easier this because He is only 2, I prayed. We pulled in to the parking lot. I was ready for the nervousness to begin…we hopped out. Caden wheeled his Superman suitcase full of toys, Isaiah marched like we were going to a toy store, and we walked in. There we were in a hospital. Isaiah got quiet. So my heart started to sink a little. We checked in  and thankfully Caden was laughing and playing so that eased everything a bit, anddistracted Isaiah. Then came the wristband part, this is always a sure sign to get him angry, normally he will slap it away…but instead out came his wrist willingly! Eager to put it on! He told the lady “thank you!” Wow. I was surprised at this point. Ok ok you have my attention! But the true test lie ahead. Next we walked to the waiting room and then Isaiah's name was called. We all walked into the patient room. Normally the combo of the nurses outfits and the room will result in the beginning of the tears…but there weren’t any tears. None.…I wasn’t sure what was going on…but trucking ahead caden and I pulled out the iPad, got a cartoon on, and I explained to the nurses despite the food and drink rule we have a suitcase full of snacks because Isaiah’s situation is a little different than most. They were kind and understanding and let us carry on. Caden put on Diego  and began feeding Isaiah marshmallows and cookies. Isaiah sat on my lap. They began to hold his arm down; placing the band on it to find the vein and I felt he was about to breakdown I was waiting for it…but no not a single tear. Then the needle came out and the process of filling  5 valves of blood…..prick….minutes….still no tears. He smiled at them and was proud to show them his sucker Caden gave him, then continued to watched cartoons. One, two, three, four….almost done – felt like forever. Once they were done and pulled the needle out and Isaiah smiled again and said ‘ALL DONE’! Not ONE single tear. Seriously, it was a true miracle. Not one ounce of fear expressed in the entire process. I was trying to keep it together. My eyes were tearing up. I was humbled. I was ashamed I doubted. I was grateful that God is so loving He uses examples like this to prepare us for the larger things ahead.

It was a miracle not only that there wasn’t a tear, but that he did that with a smile and ZERO FEAR. I doubted God was able; I labeled my situation before it even happened….and then I realized after today…GOD IS ABLE. I will no longer let the experiences of the past determine the ones of the future. I will begin to speak life and positivity. Knowing that life is full of tests and trials, everything may not be perfect but everything will be OKAY BECAUSE HE CAN, HE WILL, AND EVERY DAY HE BLESSES US MIRACLES! I will believe. Little Isaiah has great and mighty plans upon his life. I document this story as one more to add to the LIST of them that I have, to reassure Him that our heavenly Father loves him, adores him, has favor over him, and has great plans for him. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

I encourage anyone who may be feeling hopeless or doubtful based on how it looks and feels….to believe GOD CAN AND HE IS ABLE TO DO ALL THINGS….

Deuteronomy 31:8 – Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

And the icing on the cake, I could not find my wallet today when I was at the hospital. I was starting to panic bc of all that is in it…prayed hard because I knew the anxiety it could impose with the cards and fraud issues…so at lunch today went back to my last stop WALMART…ehhh…walked to customer service and asked by chance if a wallet got turned in…and sure enough she came out with it!!! SO THANKFUL for the favor of the honest person who came across it in the parking lot and turned it in!

ATTENTION DADS...it's time to celebrate your wifey! ;-)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2017 BEAUTIFUL MAMAS!

As Mother’s Day approaches and it is about to hit 10:50am (feels like 4pm) I have finally put the 2 babies down for naps. My 4.5 year old at school, my 2 babies napping, and right when I get settled to rest for a minute with a cold coffee in hand…well the dog comes scratching to go potty. Of course! I try to find the humor in these moments. But seriously, I am writing today because I almost feel like a good vent session may ease a little pressure off my chest. Being a mom is just sometimes…well…plain hard. You wonder if anyone even notices the great job you're doing. Or if anyone even thinks it's great? Shoot...It’s the job that has more demands than any other one I can think of. It’s the job that often people say “what do you do all day?” Oh that question can send me in a tailspin but I try to think about how it wasn’t that long ago I was the one asking that question, and well now I know. You just don’t know what you don’t know.

$0 and A PERFECT WAY TO MAKE MOM SMILE!!!

I sat down and began to just think. (sigh) I love a quiet moment these days. Having 3 rambunctious precious children who are young and vivacious and loud non-stop…quiet anywhere, even sitting my car, is much appreciated. So I was sitting here reflecting back over my last decade and a half. My pre-mom days! I thought back to when I started a business. That wasn’t easy. I was young and determined and started my ideas from scratch. It was rough and fun and full of interesting stories and ambitions to plow through.  That job opened the door to my next adventure to the West Coast of Cali. I pursued a dream job in fashion PR in Los Angeles. The big city and so much to discover was overwhelming and exciting and full of life! I had hard days and good days there too. It was never a dull moment. When that stint ran dry, I desired to come back home and that led to diving into my lifelong passion of pursuing a non-profit job improving public education in Louisiana. Kids have always been my heart, especially underprivileged children and so there I found my niche! Not long after a few years in I was blessed for a position to open in my family business (225, inRegister and Business Report) as the role of Director of Events and Marketing at Louisiana Business Inc. Many years invested there with great people and a great company, it was hard to decide but it  finally led to my decision to stay at home with my three kids. The job I said I would never do full time, became my desire. My heart was pulling to be with them around the clock! Thank goodness I was desiring it because little did I know it would be the hardest job out of all of the job experiences in my lifetime! 

THE HARDEST. UNPAID. 7 DAY A WEEK. 24 HOURS A DAY. UNAPPRECIATED JOB… No promotions, no pay, no pats on the backs or recognitions for my great work of the week, big events got exchanged for some big tempers and 3 BIG Personalities…my kids! My kids are amazing, loving, funny, quirky, adorable, funny, funny, adventurous, and hard! All kids are hard right? It is part of raising little people to become big, kind-hearted, unselfish, loving, big people! It’s an investment. Nothing comes easy and practice makes perfect they say? A mama has to learn to be patience and giving while finding a source of energy daily to tap into (coffee!). A MAMA has to learn to keep truckin' through even when her days are great or her days are hard, even when her kids get mad and say 'I don't like you' after all that stuff we just did for them? Yep. We keep doing it. We make the beds, we do the laundry, we feed, we carpool, we encourage, we cheer them on, we make little special moments all day long for these dear minis that we love SO MUCH! Mamas do that and then some. 

So as Mother’s Day approaches, and I am two years in as a SAHM, I appreciate ALL MOMS…working or SAHM. The job is real. The job is tough. The job is selfless. The job is hard working. The job is loving. The job is quite exhausting…. But moms you rock! We all need to hear it. We need to know we are doing a good job. Our little people can’t see how blessed they are now, but they will one day be old enough to know how awesome they have it to have a mom like YOU! The stories they will tell their kids and grandkids will be about your many tiny efforts that turns into big lifelong memories! We all need the pat on the back, the big hugs, the many I LOVE YOUS, and especially the… ‘hey, I just wanted to tell you that you’re doing a great job’…..it gives us momentum…extreme mojo to get through the next week shoot the next day, it’s the very things that puts fuel in our tanks! MAMA FUEL!

So DADS can I request one thing on behalf of moms this mother day? Some ladies may like flowers, some may like jewelry, some may want a trip to Belize, but the one thing I KNOW WE ALL REALLY WANT…is a little time (and effort) invested from you and the kiddos….WORDS AND A LITTLE CREATIVITY IS EXPRESSING TOSE WORDS to just remind us that we are loved, appreciated, and recognized for the many tedious mama tasks we do daily. After all, our little people don’t get many days to just dote on US right?   So….just a little effort goes a long way with us! And if you’re struggling with ideas…I am gonna help you out. See below!

https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/10-ideas-for-dads-to-plan-the-perfect-mothers-day/

http://www.parents.com/holiday/mothers-day/traditions/great-mothers-day-ideas-for-dads/

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/mothers-day-crafts/

A CUTE KEEPSAKE: http://blogs.brighthorizons.com/familyroom/mothers-day-questionnaire-for-kids-i-love-my-mom-because/

Happy Mother’s Day to ANY MAMA reading this, any MAMA to be, and even to the beautiful women with a heart’s desire to be a MAMA (and will make a wonderful one at that) one day.