Not My Gifting...

I can cook and I make pretty cool cakes.

I can write and I'm a fast reader.
And I can organize -- other people's spaces (apparently NOT my own).
But there is one thing that I have not been gifted to do.

Actually, there are a lot of things that are not "my gifting."

I can't sing.
I can't dance.
And I can't paint.
Seriously.
Even when I try reallllly hard and I'm oh, so careful and tape around everything and take my time... it still ends up looking like a preschooler did it.
Nope.
Painting is not one of my gifts, but that's ok, 'cuz I've got Carole!

My friend -- over at the Wardrobe & the White Tree -- she knows how to paint!
And do you know what's really sickening?
She doesn't even have to tape off first!

Seriously, if you live in the Baton Rouge area and you need something painted (interior, exterior, furniture, etc.), she is the person to call! Check out her video of some of the things she's painted:
She'll Paint ANYTHING.

Look what she did for me:

BEFORE

AFTER!

A Week of Christmas Miracles!!

What a week!

First of all (for those of you just dying to know):
IT SNOWED!!!!
We woke up this morning to a good 3 inches of snow on our house & yard!We knew last night that there was a good chance of snow, but no one thought it would stick. Even so, I woke up every hour from 2 AM, on, trying to get a glimpse of the snow (yes, I'm a little child like that). FINALLY around 5'ish, I saw flakes coming down with the rain! Before long, it was solid snow! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL -- HUGE, soft, white flakes coming down.
I went back to bed for a couple of hours & woke up to what you see above. =)
Yay God!
Earlier this week, I heard from my dear friend, DAWN that her son, Elijah's scans had come back CLEAN! This is a BIG answer to prayer! This family is near and dear to my heart; I love them so much.
This sweet, little boy has been battling neuroblastoma for several years now. I continue to be amazed at his strength and fortitude. I truly believe that his healing will become his testimony for God. He IS a Christmas miracle!

But that's not all!!
Remember these posts: Holding My Breath... & And Turning Blue... ??
Well.... (drum roll, please)
THEY HEARD FROM THE COURTS TODAY!
My friend, Carole, and her family have a new son from Ethiopia!!
I am SOOOO excited for them.

Even though Christmas is still a couple of weeks away, it feels like Christmas right now to me.
God bless us, every one.

Look! Our fake snowmen are covered in REAL snow!!

And Turning Blue...

Continued from yesterday's post.

Not good news.

Please read HERE for the latest update.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be praying!!!

Holding My Breath

You know you really love someone when the things that happen to them elicits a physical response in yourself.

One of my bestest friends, Carole, is waiting on some very big news today & like her, I find myself edgy & anxious.
Carole & Dean are adopting a sweet, little boy from Ethiopia & today is their SECOND court date! Someone didn't show up at the first court date & it has delayed things even further.
They are waiting to hear if they will be approved & if so, they will travel mid-December to get him.

Truth be told, we ALL thought he would already be here by now.
But God sees the big picture & there may be a very good reason why it hasn't happened yet.
Even so, I want so bad for him to get here.
Carole & Dean are like family to us so we are incredibly excited about this new addition.

I know that today my friend is suffering, silently, while she tries to be patient & wait upon the Lord... and I just want her to know that I am holding my breath, too.

Please PRAY.

God Be The Solution

Every time I hear this song, I think of Carole and our Church -- More than just TALK, Lord, We will be Your hands and Your feet...

SOLUTION
(from Hillsong United's ALL OF THE ABOVE cd)

It is not a human right
To stare, not fight
while broken nations dream.
Open up our eyes so blind
that we might find
the mercy for the need.

Hey now, fill our hearts with Your compassion!
Hey now, as we hold to our confession.

It is not too far a cry,
too much to try
to help the least of these.
Politics will not decide
if we should rise
and be YOUR hands and feet.

Hey now, fill our hearts with Your compassion!
Hey now, as we hold to our confession.

GOD BE THE SOLUTION!
We will be Your hands and be Your feet

Higher than all circumstance
Your promise stands
Your love for all to see,
Higher than our protest lines and dollar signs,
Your love is all we need.

Hey now, fill our hearts with Your compassion!
Hey now, as we hold to our confession.

GOD BE THE SOLUTION!

>Only YOU can mend the broken heart,
and cause the blind to see,
erase complete the sinner's past
and set the captives free.
Only YOU can take the widow's cry
and cause her heart to sing,
be the Father to the fatherless,
our Savior and our KING!

We will be Your hands, we will be Your feet,
We will run this race for the least of these.
In the darkest place, we will be Your light,
We will be Your light.

We will RUN, We will RUN, We will RUN
with the solution!
We will RUN, We will RUN, We will RUN
with Your solution.

Check it out: