Simple Addition

22 Oct

Most people would think that addition is a simple task of taking objects and grouping them together and determining their sum. However, when talking about adding love and lives a messy process can ensue.

We are so happy to welcome our Little E. He is observing our every move and learning to interact with siblings. His siblings are also learning to interact with him.

This weekend my mom and dad came for a visit and they embraced Little E with open arms and hearts. It is so wonderful to see all of our family embracing him as their newest addition. Both sides of the family have made E feel like he joined us from birth at the hospital. Truly a sweet working of God.

Transitioning from two to three kids has been as difficult as from one to two. Anyone who says that the jump from two to three is easier than one to two is either too far removed from that point in life or had a nanny! Seriously, God is working in some patience and revealing our need for prayerful surrender.

One area that is triple the work is the cleaning of objects and kids. There is never a break! I know this is a point in my character that reaches borderline OCD but everything has a place and everything should be in its place…at least that is what my philosophy is.

With this in mind I know there is selfishness being worked out of me or at least being brought to the surface for repentance and redirection.

Through this first two weeks into foster care, I can truly say that the Body of Christ has reached out to us in tangible ways. Prayer support, texts of encouragement, and gifts to help in caring for E have poured in. We are so thankful for all of the support and know that it is God’s way of saying “I love you” to us.  Thank you to each of you who have prayed and reached out in kindness towards our family.

The greatest hurdle so far has been health. Our E came in a sick little dude and has been on medication the entire duration of his time with us. Last week Joshua was diagnosed with pneumonia (this came out of nowhere) and we have all three kids on breathing treatments. At least 9 times a day a nebulizer machine is running in our home. We may need to pass a clean air act!

Thankfully, Emily’s treatment is more preventative and Ron and I have remained in good health. Both boys appear to be on the upswing. However, any prayers for the runny noses and coughing to cease would be much appreciated.

Addition, therefore, looks simple on paper, but in real life it can be beautifully messy. Addition with the foreknowledge of possible subtraction is even messier…so is the way of foster care.

I am hopeful that our family and His will use this as a means to earnestly seek Him.

 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. ~Psalm 63:1

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A Merging of Lives

8 Oct

 

 

Yesterday we had the privilege of joining in the celebration of a merging of two lives in marriage.  The union of man and wife is a covenant that reflects that of Christ and His Bride, the Church.

As we watched Tyler and his beautiful bride, Laura, exchange vows, I reflected on our own wedding ceremony. Funny how even the details of our wedding were a foretelling of the personality traits of each of us and the ways in which we would work out this life together. Yet on our wedding day I would propose that in comparison to present-day, I hardly knew myself, let alone the wonderful godly man that I was marrying.

Yesterday, the pastor said that our covenant relationship of marriage is one that we continue to choose to make each day of our lives. It is true; as our love and the years grow, so will our understanding of one another and ourselves, as well as our graces with both.

Today, if everything goes as planned,  our family will travel to be united with our first foster child. As we venture this new path together, merging our lives with that of another child and family, I pray God’s name is glorified and His people edified. This child will have a wonderful temporary daddy in my Ron. Of that there is no doubt. God placed adoption on my heart from a young age and he placed a man in my life that equally embraced the idea from the start.

We will not be walking down an isle as we start this newest journey together, but with each step, and the facing of the unknown, we will do what we have done in marriage and parenthood to date: grow, laugh, cry, fail, fall, be renewed and seek His face and wisdom through the scriptures.

Thank you for joining in the celebration with your prayers! I will see you back next Monday as I am taking the week off to get acclimated.

This home is temporary but the rewards of heaven in His presence are eternal. Press on and in.

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Pour Another Cup

1 Oct

 

Today as I pour my morning cup of coffee it is with the realization that number three is days away from making his or her debut. We have decided not to find out the sex of the baby; rather I should say we haven’t made preferences known. We were officially licensed for foster care last Thursday, September 27, 2012. It happened only minutes after we picked our kids up on our return from the Grand Canyon.

I half expected a phone call in the night on Thursday: foster care families are in high demand. An empty bed is a scarce commodity in our county and little bodies in transition ready to fill them are at all time highs. Thankfully, we made it through the night without a call.

I am certain that God has plans in this foster care/adoption journey and they begin and end with giving Him glory. In the middle is pruning and sanctification; both of which I and my family need.

As we prepare for baby number 3, I consider the sacrifices that parents of young children are called to make. Another baby will ground us more. It is only in the last year alone, our children were “old enough” to leave overnight for the very first time to go on mission to Honduras and just recently a GTD trip (click here) to celebrate 10 years of marriage. Trips like these may have to be revisited later than I would like. That is the hard truth we face as we begin to foster; however, equally true is the fact that the babies that will enter and exit our home are known and loved by their Creator God and He has chosen us to be a part of their journey.

I pray for these children, as I pray for our own, that in the time we are blessed to raise them (even in those moments I do not want to pour another cup of milk or change another dirty diaper) that their early years will have a lasting, visible effect as that seen in the life of Moses:

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

~Hebrews 11:24-26

We want all the children who pass through our home to have a Homeward focus because of being here and influenced by the living and active word of God: the Bible.

So we will ask the Holy Spirit to pour another cup of grace, mercy, provision, and wisdom into our hearts and minds through prayer, the Bible, and His people so that we may turn and pour Him into the lives of His kids.

Please pray for us on this journey. Thank you sincerely for reading friend.

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Where to Look for Help

17 Sep



Often when we are in need of emotional or physical help our eyes shift from one problem to another. The Bible tells us that our help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.

On Thursday’s, we venture into God’s creation as a family. Gazing at the intricate details of blooms, blossoms, and bugs turns my thoughts towards God’s creative genius. Is it any wonder that genius and Genesis- a word that means beginning– look so similar? God’s creative genius was the genesis that set our world in motion. With his spoken word He created all that our eyes see…and all that they are unable to see.

 

Cardinal Flower

American Beauty Bush

Palmetto

God does not despise a contrite heart for that is the heart that He delights to use. When we are downcast, and in need of help, our gaze should look up for strength, help, and direction from the Maker of all that we see before us.

If, in trying times we focus on that which is our obstacle then our self-pity may get the better of us and defeat will be our mantra. However, if we lift up our eyes to the LORD we see the One who has overcome sin and death on our behalf, and He will faithfully guide us in the path of righteousness and wisdom. We are to lift our eyes up, then walk in His ways.

No work is too great for the God who has created everything from nothing. Let’s lift our eyes today friends.

*The beautiful plant photography is complements of Ron.

 

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Water Sports in Heaven?

7 Sep

 

Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. ~Mark Twain

Earlier this week we enjoyed a great day on the lake with a beautiful family. While out tubing Emily asked her daddy, “Do you want to do this in heaven?” I offer a hearty yes!

Enjoy your weekend friends! We serve the God-man who walks on water and calms the sea.

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Filed Under: Family, Life

Talking to Children After the Death of a Loved One

5 Sep


Emotions surrounding death weather sudden or expected are difficult for adults to process let alone little hearts who are not accustomed to the pain of loss.

Our pain may manifest itself in anger, withdrawal, or a lack of focus. Theirs may or may not look similar. Underneath whatever behavior is on display are little hurting hearts that miss their grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, friends, or siblings.

How do we talk to these hearts at their greatest point of need? How do we address their fears and feelings? I would offer, with much prayer, affection, and an open posture towards talking about the deceased.

Recently we had a family member pass away very unexpectedly. While our youngest doesn’t truly understand death at this point, or maybe this loss wasn’t close enough to impact him very much, our oldest is having difficulty letting go.

I have found it helpful for her to express her emotions by asking God to, “Please tell Mrs. Carol that I love her and I miss her and thank you for the presents you gave me.” She has also drawn her many cards and played with the toys that were gifts from Mrs. Carol.

This summer we helped the kids to memorize the 23rd Psalm. In this passage David states: “Event though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.” As we state this passage often I sense that our children will one day draw strength and comfort from these words. This perhaps is a good time for us to expand on what these verses are saying.

In the midst of death, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is with us. He comforts us and extends His mercies toward us. The 23rd Psalm may be a source of comfort for your children as they walk through the days in the valley.

Finally, reading stories about death provides a window in which we express, “This is a good time to talk about how you are feeling.” These are the books that we found helpful to our children in dealing with loss:

We will not always have the most eloquent words to say to little hurting hearts; that is not the point. Out of our overflow of grief and sympathy  it is most important that we are open to communicating and comforting. Being the arms that hug, the lap to sit on, and the prayer of prayers that seek comfort and wisdom, this is our gift and our strength in talking to children after they loose someone they love.

Praying the God of all comfort will comfort your heart and your child’s at your point of deepest sorrow.

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Filed Under: Family, Life, What I Am Reading Wednesday Tagged With: , ,

Favoring Fall

31 Aug

With the onset of college football, the first weekend in September, and the return of Pumpkin Spice Lattes (had my first pumpkin spice of the season this morning!) I am pining for the change in season. I want to kick up my cowgirl-booted heels, do-si-do my partner, scour the pumpkin patch for the just right pick with family and friends, and savor the cooler breezes of fall to accompany the fiery orange sunsets.

In short, I am ready to welcome fall.

For my fellow Pinterest users, the one thing I love most about Pinterest is the inspiration that it provides. The beautiful pictures and thoughtful capturing of memories stimulates my creative thought processes. However, Pinterest is the only place that simultaneously has me wanting to eat a Reese’s and run a 5K in the same breath! You ladies know what I am talking about!

When I walk away from a pinning session on Pinterest, I want to be inspired to:

  •  create beauty in my own home with resources that I already have on hand or can acquire cheaply
  •  have ideas to organize my home or feed the hungry bellies in this house
  • capture an idea to write about
  • see the beauty before me and let it conjure thoughts of Home

I always desire to walk away contented that where I am and what I have is enough for me because this is what He has ordained. For me, Pinterest is a tool, not a reflection of my treasures.

Please follow me on Pinterest at LBrookeCooney to view all my boards and especially Fall!

I can’t wait. What about you? What most do you enjoy about the fall? In what ways does the fall point your thoughts toward the Kingdom, towards God? I would love for you to share your thoughts with me. Until Monday…

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An Orderly Life

27 Aug

From the time I was a little girl organizing my books alphabetically by author, it was apparent I liked order.

Today as an adult, the craving for an orderly life manifests itself in a semi-organized home, books piled in the appropriate bin, and the schedule of my days. When the schedule is adjusted I occasionally find myself frazzled as demonstrated by the uncertain scratch of my head, the hand on one hip, and the rub of the nose as I try very hard to contain my issues with change.

This weekend we were afforded a surprise visit to my parents. There is another order there. It is good and it is also a stretch for me in some ways. I am doubly sure it is a stretch for them dealing with me as well!

A few traditions that we enjoy are trips to my grandmother’s house for hot chocolate and marshmallows, time with my grandfather, walks down the rock road at Nana and Big Daddy’s and movie and popcorn night.

A necessary tradition on the 18 hour round-trip ride is at least one stop for coffee. If we are lucky one of the kids will also take a 30 minute power nap, waking up just as I start to doze off.

If Ron is with us, he always drives the trip’s entirety and stops for a pack of sunflower seeds he can pop in his mouth and then fill the contents of a cup with the hulls.

Today the change in routine continued with me sleeping-in until 8:00 AM. Eight may not seem like sleeping in to you, but if you were to wake up around 5:30 each day that  two and a half-hour difference would seem huge. I had barely peeled a banana when another door cracked open and little feet came pattering into the kitchen.

I confess this mama finds it hard to share her waking moments selflessly.

By one o’clock, I am sitting in Ron’s lap scratching my head and rubbing my nose trying to control my nerves. He knows that it is time for me to sneak away and reclaim parts of my usual routine.

I sit there and try to enjoy the moment watching Emily and Joshua play. I turn to him and say, “I know that I am to give thanks in all things, pray, and enjoy the day as a gift. This is life.” He nods his yes and his eyes say, “That is what I try to tell you.”

Weather in order, transition, or the occasional change in daytime routine. God tells us there is nothing better for us than to be joyful and do good; to take pleasure in all our work. (Ephesians 3:9-13) An orderly life is one that pleasures in the work that the hands, heart, and mind find to do…even on disorderly days.

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Filed Under: Life

Tomorrow’s Race

22 Aug

Each child is a gift from God. No matter how children come to us, they are made in His image and were created to bring Him glory. Ron and I are blessed with two such children. We are seeking to adopt to make it one more.

As we have considered adoption we are now pursuing a license to foster as well. People will caution that you shouldn’t foster to adopt. However, this scenario happens and we are hoping that it does so for us.

Two nights ago Joshua was pushing his over-sized dump-truck outside and went down hard after he raced his truck bobsled style down a small slope in our court. He incurred two pretty nice knee scrapes that kept him awakening multiple times in the night. With little sleep from frequent calls for mom and dad, I came back to bed muttering, “And I want to foster only newborns?” Oh my!

Yesterday on the very few hours of sleep that I did manage to get, I kept asking, “Is foster care really going to work for us?”

The truth is, I really don’t know.

With another night of minimal hours of sleep, I awoke early this morning to some much needed quiet time to read.  I need that early morning time alone to be with my Father…and uninterrupted silence is golden. In my study I came upon these verses that spoke directly into my worried heart concerning tomorrow.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

~Matthew 6:33, 34 ESV

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

~Hebrews 13:20, 21 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

~James 1:5-8 ESV

God promises grace for today and hope for tomorrow. I cannot rely on today’s grace for tomorrow’s race.

What worries do you need to give God today that require tomorrow’s graces?

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Filed Under: Discipline, Family, Life, My Story, Walking in the Spirit Tagged With: , ,

6 Miles with DRIVE

20 Aug

This morning as I was running, I reflected on the past six years. Our stint in student ministry started out much like my morning run…will power to keep going even when the cup of joe I had just downed was shouting, “You know it is more comfortable walking!” The longer I ran the easier it got and the less I had to tell myself, “Just keep pushing.”

There were moments in our ministry and moments in my run that looked like the story of the little red caboose; an object bracing the weight of a digressing train and in need of two black steam engines to give a boost from behind to make it over an ominous hill.

In the course of the ministry God sent much needed relationships to get us successfully over mountainous terrains. We are forever grateful for the mountains and for the people that God sent because without both we wouldn’t be the people that we are or are becoming. Likewise the student ministry would not look as it does now either.

Yesterday, it was Ron’s turn to tell our students that he is passing along one baton and taking up another.

He hasn’t stopped running. It is still the same race. It is a different track.

In the midst of the past 6 years some stretches seemed so long. However, in looking back it was truly less than a breath. A compilation of moments each allowed by an infinitely wise and loving heavenly Father.

Ron has continually told me that he wants to be faithful with what God puts in front of him. I can attest during this portion of the race he has done so.

More than anything this mission has hammered into me Galatians 6:9:

 Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

This year has been a year of harvest. We have watched the students who are serious about their faith rise up. We have seen them disciple one another in community groups, be faithful counselors and planners in Intersection Weekend (a three day high school led middle school event to transition the 6th grade class into the ministry), and act in such a way as to bring God glory.

It is true of youth leaders as disciple makers as it was of John:

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

~3 John 1:2-4 ESV

More than anything as we transition out of student ministry we long to hear that our students are walking in the truth.

Likewise we pray for continued growth.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

~Philippians 1:9-11 ESV

There is so much more work to do. If it were not so Christ would have already returned. Students, look around you. Pray for one another and hold one another accountable. Read your word and become a student of it. Pray also for Travis and Jessica and the new youth pastor and his family.

 

I ask you to pray for Ron and I as we set forth in this new area of ministry. As Ron puts on the adult discipleship hat, pray for God’s will to be done in and through us and for faithfulness to obey all His commands. Join us in praying for the health of adult life groups and for God to send out workers into His harvest field both in our local body of the church and to all areas of the world.

May you realize this truth and may we not rob God of the glory due His name:

Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

~ Isaiah 26:12 NIV

Likewise, we agree with Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:

 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:7-9 NIV

It has been our absolute privilege to run the last 6 miles with DRIVE Student Ministries. May God bless the next man who is set to run miles and miles more.

To the volunteers who have worked with us the last 6 years, our deepest gratitude. You have made all the difference! To the students: We LOVE you and count it the greatest blessing that you would have chosen to worship with us.

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