Speechless and Amazed.

Wow. I'm speechless and amazed. When our family took that initial plunge to adopt, we had no idea what we would face in November of
'09. We requested a baby girl. But God knew better, His plan was far greater than we ever imagined. Little did we know, as we submitted our dossier to Russia, God had something else in mind. But even though we requested a girl, we were open to whatever God had for us, no matter what it is and was. We want His will to be done in our lives. Surrendering your wants, will, and wishes, to God can be a scary thing but also a freeing thing. But God knows what is best. Being in His will is where we have the greatest joy and peace. So, He's given us twin baby boys. Yes, you read that right. We'll be getting two little 10 month old babies. This is way better than I ever imagined! They are adorable baby boys, and seem to be growing and developing at a normal-as-could-be-in-an-orphanage situation. After receiving the referral, a week later we were given a Medical Report with more information on the boys, except it was in Russian. Great. Who can read Russian? Not me! Thankfully our adoption Doctor could. He reviewed it, and saw something that could be an issue. One of the boys has a potentially terminal and fatal health condition. After much prayer,and Godly council, my parents are following the Lord's leading. They have decided to bring the boys home, to become members of our family. I'm sure glad I didn't have to decide. The hugeness of a decision like this is never fully understood until one goes through it. These past few weeks, we were reminded that no matter what happens, if that disease shortens his life, if God chooses to heal him, if he stays sick, no matter what, God is still so good. We were reminded by a very dear family friend that God doesn't care as much about little M's body, as much as his soul. Although "M" will get outstanding medical care, here in the USA, I realized that the most important thing for "M" was not necessarily treatment for his physical body, but for his soul. He will also get to hear about his Abba Father. I started thinking, everyone in this world has a terminal disease. Everyone. Whether they know it or not. We were all born with it. Sin. And one day, each one of us will have to die, because of the fall of man, and because sin entered the world. We can (for use of a metaphor) get "treatment" by believing in and accepting Jesus Christ. And even though we have to die physically, we get to live forever with our Father. In a place of no suffering, no sadness, no pain, no dying, no disease, no crying. We also realized that if we say no to these boys, who will say yes to them? Who will tell them about our God, and what Jesus did for him? Who will love them, and care for them, even with "M's" disease? Perhaps they would get split up. A family would take "N" and little "M" will grow up in the orphanage by himself, never knowing his biological brother.

So here is a piece of an awesome story that is still being written. God knows what the future holds. Maybe we won't get these boys (because God closes the door), or maybe we will. We are taking that step of faith and diving in! God has given us a "peace that surpasses all understanding" It has washed over us, and given me/us a sense of total calmness.

The other evening I was lamenting over all those children like my precious "M" who have a "defect". In the world's eye, they are not as good as us, healthy people. Or they are seen as throw aways. The sickly and others are almost looked down upon. Who will love those children? God has really opened my heart to those children that the world looks down upon. My heart breaks for them. I want to be able to minister to them. It isn't their fault they have disease, illnesses, handicapps, etc. The problem is sin. They need someone to advocate for them, help them, and love them.

~paige

Wordless Wednesday

It's Fall, Ya'll

Yep. That's right. It's finally here! The season for jackets, jeans, sweaters, and scarves. Woohoo!!! Here are some things I love about the Fall, or as some people say, Autumn.

* The fresh, cold, crisp air
* The vast varieties/shades of all the colors.
* The crunchy leaves
* No mosquitoes!
* The smell of smoke/campfire
* The new fashions for fall (this year is plaid,plaid,plaid,
scarves,animal print bags,cardigans and skinny jeans!)
* Knowing that God has given us yet another day, week,
month, and year, here on earth.


Sidenote: all the pictures shown here were taken by me, in my yard. :)

~paige

Who I am in Christ.

When life gets you down, look at this list. But before you do, just remember, no matter what people say or tell you- You are something. Something that has worth, and something that is valuable to God. True, you are nothing without Him. With Him you are "everything".

He made you just the way you are. And if you have Him, you can "live life to the fullest".
Life is rough. There's so much pressure- to fit in, to look this way or that, to be who the world says you should be, to have this or that, to make something of yourself. Just remember, no matter what people tell you, you are the beloved of God. You do have value.
No matter what you do, there's always forgiveness from Him. He wants you to come to Him with all you are and have. All the fears, tears, hurts, praise, joy-everything. He already knows what's on your heart, before you tell Him. But, being the kind and compassionate God He is, He wants to hear it from you. I'm telling you all this because it's something I've had to learn, and remind myself of. So, take a look at this list and jot it down.

Who Am I?

I am Significant

John 15:1,5 I am part of the true vine, a channel (branch) of Christ's life.

I Corinthians 3:16,6:19 I am a temple (home) of God. His Spirit dwells in me.

Ephesians 2:10 I am God's workmanship, created in Christ to do good works.

Ephesians 4:24 I am righteous and holy.

Colossians 3:4 I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 I am a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him to who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

1 Peter 5:8 I am born of God and the evil one (the devil) cannot touch me.


I am Accepted


John 1:12 I am a child of God. (part of HIs family)(see
Romans 8:16)

Romans 8:14,15 I am a son of God. (God is spiritually my Father) (see Galatians 3:26, 4:6)


1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member (part) of Christ's body. (see Ephesians 5:30)

Galatians 4:6,7 I am an heir of God, since I am a son of God.


Ephesians 1:5 I have been adopted as God's child.


Ephesians 2:19 I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's people in His family.


Colossians 3:12 I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.



I am Secure


2 Corinthians 1:21,22 I have been annointed, receiving God's seal of ownership, and His Spirit is in my heart.


Colossians 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.


2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power,love and a sound mind.


1 Peter 2:5 I am one of God's living stones and am being built up (in Christ) as a spiritual house.


1 Peter 2:11 I am an alien and stranger to this world, in which I temporarily live.


I am not the great "I AM" (Exodus 3:14, John 8:24,28,58), "but by the grace of God I am what I am."

~paige

(pause my playlist first, before starting the "movie")

Read the lyrics to the song in the video.

Who here among us has not been broken
Who here among us is without guilt or pain
So oft’ abandoned by our transgressions
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this

There are no strangers
There are no outcasts
There are no orphans of God
So many fallen, but hallelujah
There are no orphans of God

Come ye unwanted and find affection
Come all ye weary, come and lay down your head
Come ye unworthy, you are my brother
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this

O blessed Father, look down upon us
We are Your children, we need Your love
We run before Your throne of mercy
And seek Your face to rise above

Also check out John 14:16-18.
~paige

So you think you can...be a ninja???

I always said I would never do any Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or any "Martial Arts". But here I am, a month into Ninja Class-that's what I fondly call it. (a.k.a.-Tae Kwon Do). Ironic right? When G was in karate, I begged Mom not to put me in it as well. She said I didn't have to, for now. So how did I end up doing it then? Good question. As I get older, and start traveling more (into unknown places)etc, I figured I might as well, just do it. Nowadays, almost no place is safe to be by yourself. Ellie said if I did it, so would she. I signed up, not knowing what I was getting myself into. Was it embarrassing? Totally. Especially the first class, but no one else knew what they were doing either, so maybe it wasn't that bad. Admittedly, I've found it kinda fun. We all get to wear our "uniforms", and don't we look cute??!! Uh-huh, yep. We punch, kick and do all that fun stuff. Just wait 'till we get to the nunchucks! Watch out, us white belts are tough! hehe....
~paige

To Ellie

So I was looking up some verses, and came across Proverbs 18:24 which says "A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." I thought "Huh, how true is that?" After spending pretty much the whole summer together, we've gotten "stuck" together! From the Beach, to Guatemala, BootCamp, and then Asheville, we've traveled many miles together! Ellie, I am so incredibly thankful for you! From the first time I met you in our "Keeper's of the Home"class, I knew you would be one of my bestest friends! After your family adopted 'Siah, Keren and Kezziah, and seeing what a miracle God did in your lives,(and some other occurrences too), He then opened the door for our own adoption. You are a girl "after my own heart"! Thank you for everything you've taught me, and for your friendship!

Silly Amanda kept making us laugh



what a candid shot


Ellie, in the vines....lol. We thought it would be a cute picture..



Ellie 'n' Me



Posing for a picture


At Bootcamp with some of our awesome friends!




Some of the Guatemalan team girls



hulllooo





















Happy Birthday Ellie!
Love ya girl
~paige~