I knew
I was completely awake and yet I was fighting the feeling as all I wanted to do
was still be asleep. I felt like my body
was asking me over and over, “Are you awake, Are you awake now?” I squeezed my eyes tighter and prayed, “Please
God let me sleep just a little bit longer…”
I wanted to argue that He shouldn’t wake me up so early when in the past
24 hours I had wrestled through the mental and physical exhaustion of holding
and rocking two Heaven bound little ones.
I had crawled into bed just after one am and now I reached for my phone
to check the time 0446, the thought of being wide awake when I really could
squeeze almost another 40 minutes of sleep out of the night seemed ridiculous. The sky was dawning grey at that hour and I
peeked through my half open lids and had to smile. There shining in all its
glory through the grey smoggy morning fog was the full moon… He had watched my
trembling hands write their names in the cast light of nightfall, He had
watched the shaking shoulders, heard the catch of my cries, and seen the tears
that pooled and spilled over. Now with
loving and tender prodding He was waking me up asking me to spend time with
Him, reminding me of His love, and the beauty of His gifts to me. My
Abba God had seen my aching heart and He was giving me the moon.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
So Many Goodbyes
July
12, 2013
Dear Ones,
I have decided that I really don't like
goodbye- especially when goodbye has a question mark at the point where I
should be saying hello once again. Recently I have been reminded often of this
common occurrence that I dislike as I have hugged many precious family and with
tear streaked faces, trembling smiles and well wishes we have said that hard
word, "Goodbye" over and over again. I have also found in my
contemplation that really I am forced to say this word a lot, to friends close,
to friends far off, beloved family, people visiting the Big House, those
I have known a long time, those I have just met, children, adults...all of
them, at some point I must tell them all goodbye. Whether that goodbye is a see you in a few
minutes, see you in a few days or weeks, or is it an, “I have no idea when we
will meet again” kind of farewell. Maybe
it feels like a more permanent goodbye, on this side of eternity, like the tear
washed kisses of goodbye to the little one in my arms as he goes to his forever
home in heaven, they are all goodbye and in one way or another there is a part
of me that would prefer to not do quite so many of them. And when I start thinking about goodbyes I even think about the goodbyes I often say to seasons of life and opportunities that I
have loved or grown in. So many goodbyes…really, a lifetime of them. With each comes the opportunity to reflect,
did I make the time count, did I accomplish the goal, did I serve well, love
well, did I speak, was I silent, was I joy filled, did I give grace just as I
have been shown grace, or did I squander the valuable resource I was entrusted
with, did I fulfill the role God had for me during the moments He gave me
before the goodbye came? Did I say,
“Goodbye,” well?
In all
of these goodbyes, as my heart longs for the ones I am missing, I am eternally grateful that there is one
Goodbye that I will never have to say as I cling tightly to the promise that
has been made, “I will NEVER leave you or forsake you, I am with you always
even to the end of the age.” The One who
will never say, “Goodbye” will hold my heart in His hands and will not allow
the weight of Goodbyes here to outweigh the constant care of His keeping.
“God be with you till we meet again;
With the oil of joy anoint you;
Sacred ministries appoint you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet
God be with you till we meet again.”
By Grace Alone,
Mariah.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Affogato...Not I Forgot
Affogato- I was introduced to this delightful treat while I was in Australia and yet I couldn't help but snap a photo as it reminded me of a Southern Living picture moment complete with porch swing. I haven't forgotten about notes and updates the week has just once again sped past and building moments and relationships right here and now was kind of on the list...AND getting ready for time with my FAMILY!!!! Just 2 more sleeps to my California Home!
Introducing the interns- Dan and Kelsi to one of my favorite spots in town and one that I am positive they will need to have on their China GPS...The Cafe on the Lake Coffee shop. Those of you who have been know exactly what I am talking about. So the days have been full of babies, friends, fellowship, hard conversations and moments with sweet stuff all swirled in. Or maybe it was drowned in Affogato- I forgot
Introducing the interns- Dan and Kelsi to one of my favorite spots in town and one that I am positive they will need to have on their China GPS...The Cafe on the Lake Coffee shop. Those of you who have been know exactly what I am talking about. So the days have been full of babies, friends, fellowship, hard conversations and moments with sweet stuff all swirled in. Or maybe it was drowned in Affogato- I forgot
Friday, May 31, 2013
"What did you do this week?"
It's Friday morning, I am finishing up weekly reports and submitting them when the question comes..."Hey- How was your week? What did you do?" I thought about it and decided I should share with more than just the friend that asked...
Where to start- I chauffeured for a McDonald's Birthday party...
I made candles (with help from Dan)- and I canned pickles
I held Bei Bei's Sweet new baby for the first time!
I celebrated 6 weeks and 2KG! I snuggled lots of babies, I gave nursing care, I drank coffee, I am 15 sleeps from my California Home and Family, I watched the most beautiful Sunset from the roof top of our Big House...and I felt the Grace of my Heavenly Father at every turn!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Celebrating 10 Years...Show Hope Live Stream Style
| Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Hot and Fresh with lots of Coffee to start this party right |

Sunday Evening at 7:00pm in Nashville Tennessee- Show Hope Celebrated their 10th Anniversary with a special Concert...Those of us here in the Big House joined in the celebration (with some internet difficulties) through a live stream...
We all had a wonderful time simply having the opportunity to gather and celebrate the lives that have been changed and the difference that is being made one little life at a time! What a Joy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)



