A great day

I just wanted to share my day from monday. I listen to the fish while going into work in the morning and I can never get through the phone lines to weigh in on a topic. Well y were talking about this women emailing in about her feeling like a second rate citizen on mothers day because she had no children and "do women have to have children to have a complete life". The DJ Taylor was talking about her sister had adopted two children and that mother's day was the hardest day for her until the adoption of her first child. Well I thought I would try toget through and wouldnt you know I GOT THROUGH on the FIRST ring...really...I spoke to Taylor and Kevin in regards to how hard mother's day was hard and that churches sometimes don't recognize that and we celebrate mothers and forget those that are hurting to be a mother. I told them that I had asked for our small group two weeks ago to lift up the women wanting to be moms because I have been there and mother's day is EVERYWHERE on TV and in stores. It is a hard time. We talked a little about our adoption and how after our self pity party we embraced the infertility as a way of God having a different plan for us to have children. He wanted us to adopt and you all can see what a true gift from God Rylie is to us.
Well then I went to work and had a patient that was depressed and crying in the office and wanted some help. I asked what is going on in her life to try to figure somethings out and she said that her and her husband have been trying over a year to get pregnant and that they have not even went to a doctor but felt led to adopt. She said however no one had ever adopted in her family and they were scared to share the news.....I was just smiling I couldnt help myself..I had been there done that and got the t-shirt. I sat with her for a long time talking about things and got incrediably behind, but God put her in my path for a reason that day. I have always said since the adoption that I feel that God is leading me in that path somehow to help others even if it is just at work in the health field arena. Then no lie about an hour later a patient came in who just adopted in 4 weeks a baby girl by private adoption. She found out about baby started the process and 2 weeks later the baby was born and handed over to her and her husband...I asked her were you trying to adopt...get this..she said that she had a IVF baby 10 years ago and was trying to decide what to do and their prayers have been "God lead us in the way you want us to go in regards to another baby" and BAMMMM...her sister called her in regards to her knowing someone was pregant and going to put the baby over to the state...and there you have it the end to a BEAUTIFUL story...it was AMAZING day....God just showed himself to me and other all day that day....
and on a sader not though however...I would ask everyone to pray for a patient that I had last week that came in to confirm pregnancy and she said "I need to find our how far along I am so I can ge rid of this inconvience" CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT!!! I held my head high and talked to her for awhile about other options. I told her coming from a adoptive mother...the heart of a birthmother is the most amazing thing and ours had made our lives so much richer...That it is a hard decision but I feel it would be easier to know that my baby went to a loving family WHO wanted a baby than in the garbage can eh...it is a no brainer to me..I hate to be so callous....I was not with her because she was hurting... however that girl came in with only one solution to her problem and I gave her another...lets pray that this girl doesn't make a decision for this child that she will regret forever...

This is a long blog but worth sharing I think....We get so caught up sometimes in the bad things and forget all the blessings God has bestowed on us...EVERY where you think there are people hurting and discouraged. I just got home from CR tonight and I tell you no matter who you are we all have some type of hurt, habit or hang up that we are dealing with....if you are breathing today you have some thing that is troubling you, and until you deal with that issue God can't use you in the way that he needs you....

When We Feel Helpless
READ 2 Chronicles 20:1-4
Have you ever felt totally helpless? Can you remember facing a situation or emergency in which you were powerless? It’s a sobering experience for anyone. Even people who claim to be wholly dependent on God, still like to feel as if they have some control over their circumstances.Jehoshaphat faced a moment like that. In today’s verses, the good king was confronted with dangerous news. Three different armies had joined forces to destroy Israel. As he listened to the report, “a great multitude” of attackers were already on their way. What was the king’s response? Verse 3 tells us he was “afraid.” That makes perfect sense. He no doubt felt powerless. But, even in that moment of helplessness, he knew exactly what to do. Scripture doesn’t say, "Jehoshaphat was afraid and ran away” or “he was afraid but charged headlong into battle.” No, the Bible tells us that “Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord”. That was the perfect response to a helpless situation. The king knew this was not the time to give up, nor was it the time to take action motivated by fear. Instead, he did the only wise thing he could: he prayed. More than that, he called on others to pray. And suddenly, the entire situation changed, because God had been brought into a hopeless situation.When we feel helpless, the first word out of our mouth should be “Father.” From then on, helplessness isn’t an issue, because God will provide what we need.

Your Hope Journal
READ 2 Chronicles 20:5-12
Yesterday, we saw what King Jehoshaphat did in a seemingly hopeless situation. Today, let’s extract another principle from that story as we learn how to handle helplessness. In verses 5-12, Jehoshaphat is still focused on the Lord, which should also be our first response to fear. Yet notice what he does in this prayer. He is not looking forward, stating his fears of what might happen. Instead, he is remembering the past, recounting the times in Israel’s history when God brought them through similar “helpless” situations.How often has the Lord done a mighty work on your behalf when all seemed lost? He is actively involved in our lives today. Sadly, we frequently thank Him in the moment but then forget what He’s done for us. Later, when we are fearful again, it’s hard to remember how He has already proven Himself in our lives. This is why every believer should keep a journal, a written record of the Lord’s faithfulness. During times of helplessness, we want encouragement not just about how God has worked in history or in the world, but about how He’s worked in our own lives.It may take some time to establish the discipline of journaling, but the rewards are tremendous. You may say, “Well, I don’t have time for that.” Friend, you need to make the time. When you record blessings, you begin to view God’s work from a new perspective. You’ll start to see how He’s weaving the individual “threads” of your life to create a beautiful tapestry for His glory.

Our weekend!

We had an AWESOME weekend. I wanted to share with you guys. I don't have enough pictures up but when I tried to down load them they didn't come out. So I downloaded a few of Rylie and her daddy from this weekend....ok here it goes...

Our church is Chestnut Mountain Church in Flowery Branch and Jeff Benefield is our pastor and he has been doing a sermon on the "church has left the building". It sounds crazy, but he said we were going to GO and BE the church...the church is not the stucco and bricks it is US and WE are the church. Jesus LOVED to serve and that is what the ENTIRE church did....all three services met at 9:30 (dont call the fire marshall) and we all had bought these shirts which in the pictures you can see Rylie and her daddy wearing one. The front said "dont go to church" and the back says "be the church"...well needless to say you should see the looks we got with the shirts, but it was an AWESOME converstation starter that is for sure. Robbie, Troy, Brandi and I were on the same team as well as our entire small group and we did canvassing...were we went and put goodie bags on the mailboxes and doors of homes. They had groups that went to nursing homes, battered women homes, lake lanier for clean up and all the local schools to weed and put down mulch...It was the most rewarding thing we have done in a while...it was awesome...It was raining that morning but it didn't stop us at all...it was great...If we reached one person it was worth it ALL.

Robbie and I went to walmart with our shirts on and a lady said what kind of people are you... and then we should her the back of the shirts and explained...man you should have seen the old people in walmart I thought they were going to beat us down with their canes:)

anyway just wanted to share with you guys...what an awesome church we attend and share how AWESOME God is ....

Daughters Need Fathers, Too

April 20Daughters Need Fathers, Too
References:-->Psalm 144:12Let our...daughters [be] as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace.
We read a lot today of the problems that occur when boys grow up without male role models. But did you know that a father is just as important in helping girls understand their sexual identities?
Boys are not the only ones who lack a sense of how a man should behave. Many young girls don't know, either, because they aren't exposed to healthy male-female relationships.
How do you give your daughter a healthy perspective of male-female relationships?
The most influential way is by how you treat her mother. As she sees you loving your wife, giving preference to her, giving to her in a sacrificial way, she will learn how a man should treat a woman.
Second, your daughter needs to know you love her. She needs to be assured of your protection and your guidance. She will feel a greater sense of self-esteem if she is assured of your love. Hug her. Kiss her. Appropriately express affection for her even as she matures and goes through adolescence.
Another important way you influence your daughter is through your spiritual guidance. She should be shaped by Scripture and by prayer to be "corner pillars fashioned as for a palace."
Corner...like her role, designed by God to be supportive yet essential to holding a home together.
Pillars...because her inner strength is derived from a confidence and faith in God.
Fashioned...as you guide her to have a soft heart, willing to be led by God's Spirit.
For a palace...because her inner beauty attracts others to Jesus as much as it makes her willing to follow a godly man.
I pray the next generation of women will be pillars of love, faith and commitment to the husbands, families and the communities that need them. Maybe, with godly fathers involved, millions of little girls will develop into women who will, in turn, build godly families.
Prayer:
That God will give you the wisdom to know how to begin influencing your daughters to become "corner pillars fashioned as for a palace."
This is just a reminder to all of us how important it is to raise our up knowing and loving God!

This is Rylie at the park near her Nannie and Paw's she was picking dandylions:)

The Blessings of Burdens!

It is hard to see blessings in our burdens at time but we know God has our best interest in mind. I thought about this story and my heart felt so much burden for the unbelievers. They have no idea what a blessing they are missing out on..As christians we must do more to reach out to them.

The Blessing of Burdens

References:-->2 Corinthians 12:10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses,...with distresses,...with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Sadhu Sundar Singh, a Hindu convert to Christianity, became a missionary to his people in India. Late one afternoon Sadhu was traveling on foot through the Himalayas with a Buddhist monk. It was bitterly cold and the wind felt like sharp blades slicing into their skins. Night was fast approaching when the monk warned Sadhu that they were in danger of freezing to death if they did not reach the monastery before darkness fell.
Suddenly, on a narrow path above a steep precipice, they heard a cry for help. At the foot of the cliff lay a man, fallen and badly hurt. The monk looked at Sadhu and said, "Do not stop. God has brought this man to his fate. He must work it out for himself. Let us hurry on before we, too, perish."
But Sadhu replied, "God has sent me here to help my brother. I cannot abandon him."
The monk continued trudging off through the whirling snow, while the missionary clambered down the steep embankment. The injured man's leg was broken and he could not walk, so Sadhu made a sling of his blanket and tied the man on his back. With great difficulty he climbed back up the cliff, drenched by now in perspiration.
Doggedly, Sadhu made his way through the deepening snow and darkness. It was all he could do to follow the path. But he persevered, though faint with fatigue and overheated from exertion. Finally, he saw ahead the lights of the monastery.
Then, for the first time, Sadhu stumbled and nearly fell. But not from weakness. He had stumbled over an object lying in the snow-covered road. Slowly he bent down on one knee and brushed the snow off the object. It was the body of the monk, frozen to death.
Years later a disciple of Sadhu's asked him, "What is life's most difficult task?"
Without hesitation Sadhu replied: "To have no burden to carry."
Prayer:
Ask God to enable you to view life's challenges as a means of serving others and of strengthening your muscles of faith

Todays Devotion

God’s Will: The Great Discovery
READ Jeremiah 29:11
The Lord has a plan for your life. He has a perfect will and a specific course in mind for you. Some believers are frightened of God’s will. The idea of a divine plan isn’t attractive, because it requires a great deal of trust and faith in the Father.We’re usually quick to trust God with someone else’s needs. But, we’re often slow to trust Him with ours. To make things more confusing, some people misunderstand what the Lord’s will actually is. Some believe it’s a special bit of knowledge that He imparts only to super-spiritual people. Others think, it’s simply His call to do something dangerous, painful, or uncomfortable. Too often, God’s will is seen as something we have to do, whether we want to or not.God’s will isn’t something to fear. It’s meant to give us clarity of purpose and power to live a life of many blessings. It provides us with direction at every turn. It gives us answers to important questions. In a time, where even our cars can get real-time, turn-by-turn directions from satellites in space, some people resist that kind of guidance for their lives.Most likely, it’s because we want some advice about how to proceed but prefer to do the driving ourselves. We may let God suggest where we should go, but we want to be the ones holding the steering wheel. God knows where you’re going and how to get you there safely. Don’t trust Him with just the final destination. Let Him guide each step of the journey.

This was just what I needed to hear. Robbie and I want another child so bad. God put the desire there for us we just have to trust in Him to provide in what way HE has planned for us!

APRIL 10 MY DADDY'S BDAY!

Above is an older picture of Rylie and Paw at the mall where It was her first ride on the merry go round...she would just watch now it is all about riding it....April 10 th is my daddy's birthday. He is 66 today. Rylie and I went to visit today and he was in awe of Rylie of course she came in carrying a present for him. It was picture of them taken together while they were creating the easter egg tree. It was such a sweet picture.
April 10th is a also a sad day for our family as well. Seven years ago today we lost Grannie Cain-Robbie's grandmother. She was one of the sweetest persons I have ever met....you just felt at home around her.
Our first year of Marriage Robbie and I had great loss of life in our family. We lost my cousin Janice, Aunt Janie, My grandmother and Robbie's grandmother. It was a tough year as far as that goes but also at the same time one of the better years of our marriage because we were just starting out as husband and wife. It is amazing that God still remains constant in the good and bad. And in the bad he always makes way for the good. We may have a tough time seeing it at times but wait a litte bit and the sun comes shinging through. Our infertility was a thorn to us at first, but then after God's plan for our baby girl started to fall into place we started seeing the rays of sunshine come through and it was Rylie. It is amazing that God used a woman 2000 miles away a complete stranger to complete His plan that he had for us. He entrusted us with Rylie and we thank Him every day for our blessing.
God is good all the time ...all the time God is good!!