A Watchful Eye

I spent the afternoon at the pool with Callie and Caleb yesterday while my men recovered from a little too much sun the day before fishing on the lake. We had a great time! We enjoyed the pool and the hot tub! At one point Callie wanted to head down to the deeper section of the pool but Caleb was content up at the shallow end playing with some other kids. So, I told Caleb to stay put and I would be watching him. The pool was extremely crowded yesterday because the temperature was absolutely perfect. It was so crowded, in fact, that they were out of pool towels. As we went down to the other end, I kept my eyes constantly on Caleb. But with all the people in the pool there were times he couldn’t see me. He would emerge from the water and look around. I would wave my hand to let him know that I was watching and he would give me a big smile from behind his cute masked face. How he could see anything out of that mask, I don’t understand because it stayed fogged up most of the time and it seemed to be so tight that his top lip doubled its size. But he loved it and said it was perfect. Haha!

This went on for about 15 minutes as Callie and I splashed around the 5ft section figuring out ways to make our $1 noodles keep us afloat. It amazes me how those little noodles act as floatation devices. O, but I digress….

Anyway, a little later as I was drying off (without a pool towel, Lol!) I watched my kids playing together and constantly praised God for allowing me to be their mom. As they helped each other do handstands and cannonballs, I looked on in sheer joy as they had lots of fun. I loved seeing them enjoy life but was constantly keeping my protective eye on them. It was in that moment that my Father so gently reminded me of His watchful and protective eye over me, His child. Even as Caleb splashed around the pool and, at times, couldn’t see me; I never took my eye off him. It was only because of the barriers in the way that he couldn’t see me.

How many times have I felt the same way?

There have been times in my life where I would look around and feel as though God was not there, where I couldn’t sense His presence. But its in those moments when I have to dig deep to grasp hold of scripture that reminds me that God is always there with His watchful eye on me. Distractions get in the way and keep me from seeing Him fully. It is never that He loses sight of me. It is only when my view gets distracted. When I let go of the distractions and focus on His Word, I experience His presence and grace in such a beautiful way and His glory shines. O, what a magnificent sight HE is!

I love this Psalm and how it paints such a beautiful picture of God’s ever-watchful eye:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 121 (NIV)

Sometimes all it takes is a moment in the pool or some other place for God to remind me of His amazing promises. I’m so grateful of that truth. He is always there! He will never leave me! He watches over His children always and forevermore!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Summer Bible Study is Coming Soon!

In a little less than two weeks, summer Bible study begins! This is the 3^rd year that I have had the honor of facilitating a summer study and each summer I have been so blessed and nourished by my time in the Word. After my struggle a few years ago, I developed such a longing for the Word and knew that my soul couldn’t thrive without the daily nourishment of the Word but also the accountability of more in depth study. I knew I needed other women to hold me accountable for being in the Word and to be in times of prayer together. It was vitally important to me. But during the summer months, most everything quiets down. So, a few summers ago, God laid it on my heart to see if some other ladies would be willing to join me in an in-home Bible study. What a blessing! About 10 ladies would join together each week in my good friend’s home and we would search the scriptures together and pray for each other. Then the next summer, we did the same thing and this time more ladies came! It was such a beautiful time together over those 12 weeks!

This year, I was selected to be on the launch team for Beth Moore’s newest Bible study, “Children of the Day”. It was to be released in May and I was one of many ladies across the country selected to help spread the word, post media clips, and pray as this Bible study would be released. It was an honor to be selected, but it also confirmed to me that more and more women were craving the Word. Over the last few months on this launch team, I have heard from so many women and have listened to their struggles of keeping everything together. The house, their jobs, their kids, all the family activities and they were lacking time in the Word along with the support and encouragement of having others to hold them accountable. I understood exactly what they were saying.

So, this summer, I knew that God was leading me to facilitate this newest study. Yes, summer is hard to hold studies, right? Everyone goes on vacation and no one wants to commit to a weekly study during their down time. Well, I just put it in the Lord’s hands and began to pray. I knew from the lessons on 1 & 2 Thessalonians that this would be a subject matter I needed to go deeper in scripture and felt that other ladies would too. I began making plans for the summer study when I was asked to facilitate it at my own church. What a blessing! So we began getting the word out and praying that God would prick the hearts of women to join together and commit this summer to studying the scriptures together. Not just women from my church but women from all over. Lord, send those that need this study as I do.

Well, here we are, just under two weeks away from the start date and we are expecting almost 70 ladies at this point! Wow! Praise God that women are hungry for the Word and ready to join together in study of the most precious Book ever written!

O, how my heart is bursting as I see other women accept the challenge to go deeper in the Word! My prayer is that each and every one of us begins this study with hearts abandoned to Jesus. I pray that we lay down everything on the altar and commit to gaining knowledge of His Word but that we walk away from this study after 9 weeks with lives that are changed forever. I pray that we walk away with a passion for Jesus and spread the message to all we see! I pray that this will be a summer like no other; that we grow a passion and longing for Jesus and that our hearts are forever changed by the Gospel!

Ladies, who else wants to join me? Who will commit to growing with me in Christ? Who else wants to make this a summer like no other in the Word and take this journey with Jesus? You don’t have to have great knowledge of the scriptures or know 100 Bible verses. You can come even if you will miss a week or two for vacations. Just come! Come just as you are and let God do the rest!

June 16 we begin the journey! It’s not too late! Come and bring a friend and let’s make this summer ALL about HIM!

“Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and the endurance of Christ.”

2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NET)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

The simple things in life…

“The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)

The simple things in life…

O, how I am enjoying the simple things right now. Seeing Caleb’s sleepy face as he walks in to greet me with a “Good morning, mom”; or Ben as he picks on his brother and sister in a way that can make them laugh; or Callie as her motherly nature takes over and she gets protective over her little brother walking through the woods; or my precious husband as he fixes his fishing poles with great anticipation of the next fish caught and sharing strategies with Ben. Drinking a cup of coffee while reading my Bible on the back deck that overlooks God’s magnificent creation.

Simple but most important!

I will be honest in saying that it took me a good 24 hours to get that feeling of; constant schedules, work to be done,  or calls to be made, off of me. I even woke up earlier than expected the morning we were to leave because I couldn’t remember if I had made a copy of something at work (which, I had) and I had to check it.

Make. It. Stop. Hahaha!

Then after we checked in the resort I immediately made out the grocery list and headed to the store, Wal-Mart nonetheless, came back and unloaded, took a quick walk with Callie, and back to cook dinner. I will say that this Wal-Mart was so much nicer than our Wilmington one. I didn’t feel the need for a bulletproof vest or the need to shower after I returned. It was clean, neat, and safe! Shocking…I know!

Routine…it is a hard thing to break, even if it is for a little while. It wasn’t until our family worship time Sunday morning as we all gathered in the outdoor amphitheatre (or outdoor chapel as I see it) with my husband opening the Word to share with us and hearing each of my children pray sweet prayers of thanksgiving for God’s Word and our family that I finally released the “norm”.

Yes, Allison, it is time to put the crazy, busy year behind you and really live in this moment of God and family.

This year was busy. It was crazy. It had me on my toes but at the same time on my face in surrender to God of all He had in store. So here I am, finally on vacation, after the numerous trips we had to cancel in the last year, it was finally here. Time to relax and enjoy and it took me 24 hours to detox. Lol! But I did it!!

We spent a beautiful afternoon at the pool and I watched my children play together and thanked God for the amazing bond the three of them have. I got to see my husband relax and enjoy reading a book and then join my whole family in the pool as we threw each other around and splashed and laughed. I got to enjoy an afternoon where there was no work brought home to be done. An evening exploration with Callie and Caleb where we walked and talked about all the beautiful things in God’s creation and just as each one grabbed my hand, I fell in love with those sweet masterpieces all over again. I watched my husband and teenage son stand on the bank of the lake and cast their fishing poles together, as they love to do, while the sun began to set.

Yesterday we explored again as a family. We took time to stop and “smell the roses” (okay we didn’t see any roses just a lot of horse poop on the trails and we did forego smelling that, but you know what I’m getting at here). Lol! We took time to explore God’s beautiful creation of mountain views, rolling hillsides, and grand trees in full bloom.  We also enjoyed playing putt-putt and other outdoor games, more pool time and I even had some one-on-one time with my amazing 17-year-old son as we talked about life and relationships.  Relaxing as a family, away from the busyness of life, and talking about God’s will for each of us and our family.

These moments right here….

You see, it’s not that we weren’t close before we came up here. We are a very close family and enjoy our times together. But when God allows you these moments to pause, away from your normal routine of life, they are not to be taken for granted. Live it to the fullest and grasp every breathtaking moment with your family.

I love my life. It is not perfect. It is messy sometimes. It is crazy a lot of times. It is busy all the time. My kids don’t always obey the first time and argue with each other. My husband and I aren’t always lovey-dovey. We do have “intense moments of fellowship” and days when, although, we love each other we don’t necessarily like each other at the moment. We can stress over the family finances sometimes. The chores don’t always get done. The house can get messy and I wonder if the health department will come shut us down. Lol! It is life…

But this is my life that God has allowed me to live; a life that through all the craziness finds solitude and contentment at the feet of my Jesus. It is there where all craziness subsides and His presence is all I need to go another day, to live life fully right where He has me, and to find joy in it all. God is not a god of chaos. He is a God of peace and when I’m in His presence, I find it. He takes the messy and makes something beautiful out of it!

I’m thankful for my crazy life! When I return from vacation at the end of the week, it will wind up again. But I’m going to enjoy the moments; these precious moments away from reality, in this beautiful nature setting, with my family and refresh my soul in God’s Word. This life is ALL for HIM! I desire to walk in His will and allow Him to lead me where He wants me to go. I won’t waste it!

It is time to be still and listen…to breathe God’s sweet aroma and let it fill my soul!

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On

This morning I visited my local grocery store after realizing it was time to restock the pantry and refrigerator that had gone extremely bare. The milk ran out a few days ago and there were no trash bags left in the house so we had resorted to using plastic shopping bags to throw out our waste. Yes, it sounds wonderful doesn't it? Lol! I have been pretty busy the last couple of weeks so the minor things like food for my family and proper waste disposal got a little behind. Haha! Ok, I am really not that terrible, I’ve just been in too many directions.

After I made out my shopping list and had it organized by grocery aisles, I grabbed my purse and coupons and headed out the door. “Mom” is my superpower so this grocery-shopping thing had nothing on me. I even went in full Pender County mode by donning an old t-shirt and yoga pants and wore my hair up with no makeup on. Yes, yes, I was a sight to behold! But surprisingly, I felt a twinge of freedom and went with my head held high. Or that may have just been the large scrunchie on the top of my head. Haha!

I selected my buggy (a.k.a. shopping cart), disinfected with hand sanitizer and made my first stop at the new coupon hub for the special coupons just for me! Oh, how special I felt when they printed out with "Jordan Family" at the top! Ok, now I'm ready!

I begin stocking my buggy and checking off my list. At the same time I was adding up my purchases and shock and awe began to set in. Wow! These prices! Of course, the budget is the same but the prices have taken a dramatic hike so then I begin making adjustments. I'm sure you all understand, well, unless you have an endless supply of money and in this economy, I kind of doubt that. So, the list gets adjusted and some of those previously selected items get the ax and go back on the shelf. But, nonetheless, I press on and come to the end of the list. By this point my mood starts shifting and I get a little discouraged.  It was as if the grocery store acted as some sort of kryptonite to my “mom” superpower today. Lol! Of course, it was just my human weakness that came to the surface so I asked God to show me how to make the most of out of what He has blessed us with.

I pause in mid-aisle and say a prayer of thanks to God for His constant provision. I praise him for the many items in my buggy; those items that will nourish our family and even our sweet dog, Louie. Though it may not be everything on my list, it is enough, and for that, I am grateful! I needed an attitude adjustment and also to refocus on God's many blessings.

I take my final turn down the frozen foods aisle and as I walk, every light in the freezers begin lighting up. The more I walked, the more lights lit up! Oh, how I love it when God sends me teachable moments in these unsuspecting places. Lol! In all my redneck glory of no makeup and yoga pants on the frozen food aisle, God reminded me, in His gentle way, that He will always give me just enough light for each step I'm on. His light will always shine brighter than any disappointment or circumstance I am in and He will guide me every day of my life.

This was not exactly how I had imagined my grocery shopping experience today. But the longer I walk with the Lord and trust His heart, the more I see His presence in every area of my life. From life’s victories to life’s disappointments, He will always show himself faithful and guide me to His Word for comfort and direction.

Thank you, sweet Father, for your perfect ways of adjusting my focus back on YOU. In my weakness, YOU are strong. It’s not my power but YOUR power within me that I walk in. Thank you for reminding me that YOU are always enough and will provide every need beyond what I could ever imagine. You are so good and YOU are enough!

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT)

The Day After My Birthday!

So, it's the day AFTER my birthday! What does that mean?

Well, it means I'm another year older. That's for sure. Lol!

Wiser? I don't know about that but I am definitely older and my body let's me know it. Haha!

Waking up today there is a lot going through this 41-year-old brain. I have learned a lot over these many years but I know there's so much more to learn. As I begin this year of my life I desire to grow closer to my Lord and bring him glory like never before. I want to be so full of Christ that when my feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, "Oh no! She's up!" Lol!

I look forward to a new year to praise the One who is the Author of my life. I desire to know His Word more, love as He does, and serve him wholly. This year I will seek His face, walk in grace, grow through faith, learn from my mistakes, and shout His praise for all the world to hear! Hallelujah!

It's going to be a magnificent year! It's ALL about YOU, my precious Father! My hope...my trust...my strength...is in YOU!

Now....let's get this party started!

"You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance."

Psalms 65:11 (NKJV)

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith."

1 Peter 5:8-9a (NLT)

"As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."

Psalm 71:14 (NIV)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises."

Psalms 34:1 (NLT)

My Cup Runneth Over!

My cup runneth over this morning! It has been one of "those" weeks. You know what I'm talking about right? We all have them. So, this has been one for me and my kids have blessed me so much. My husband has always been my biggest encourager but in his absence the last couple days, these awesome kids of ours have stepped up and encouraged my heart so unexpectedly!

In my exhaustion last night, I fell asleep early and Ben locked up the house and even cut my lights off in my room, then I come downstairs to find my sweet daughter cooking me breakfast.

As Caleb came down and realized I wasn't off work today he said he was confused. Lol! I told him,

"It's just a busy week and when things don't go as we plan you know what we do? We just go with the flow!" He then looked at me and said,

"I thought you were going to say we should pray."


"You know, Caleb, that is exactly what we should do."


So my sweet son put his arm around me and prayed for me!

Oh, my soul is blessed this morning and I'm thankful for those amazing kiddos God entrusted to Matt and me! We are blessed indeed!! Praise God!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Saturday Morning Praise!

My view this morning as I spend some time with Jesus! Praising Him for this magnificent creation!

Seven years ago today, our family of 4 boarded a jet plane and flew all the way around the world to China to bring our sweet Caleb home. Over the next couple of weeks I will share our journey with you. I've been reading though our adoption blog this week and thanking God that He called us! God brought Caleb to us and made our family complete and we are beyond blessed!

I can't wait to relive those beautiful memories with you!! Praise God!

Happy Saturday everyone!