~ Sweet Summertime ~

Yesterday was Ben and Callie's last day of school! Caleb finished last week but the other two had a final exam to complete. Now summer can officially begin! I still work in the summer but on a much slower scale, so we were all doing the summer happy dance last night. Well, me not so much movin' and groovin' with my back still not 100%, but I was really going to town on the inside! Lol! Anyway, Callie told me she knew exactly what I'd be doing this morning. My favorite summertime activity is waking up early and moving my quiet time onto the front porch. During the school year it's pretty dark on the front porch at 5:00-6:00 in the morning and my time is limited since we head out the door at 7:15, but during the summer, it's absolutely perfect at 6:30 and I have more time to spend with my Jesus! Just the two of us sometimes for a couple of hours! Coffee in hand, Word of God on my lap, big dog at my feet! Haha! But it's absolute joy!  My sweet Callie knows the excitement I get with those secret rendezvous with Jesus. She knows just how special they are to me and what nourishment I receive from that alone time with my Savior.

As I spoke with my Jesus this morning, I shared with him my heart. This last month has been full of many emotions, many trials, many changes, many joys, and many lessons learned. So to sit and reflect on those today, gave me great hope for the days ahead. During the month of May, I faced "goodbyes" as the preschool year ended as did my time as cheer coach, a new office and job position with big responsibility, a new decade of my life, and also some hurtful criticism in the form of private Facebook messages. So the month as been all over the place. Closing this month and seeking what God wants me to learn and grow from it, I am overwhelmed at his goodness. 

When "goodbyes" have to be said, he promises to never leave me.

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

When new opportunities arise, he promises to guide my steps.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

When hurtful words are spoken, he reminds me that I am his wonderful creation and speaks encouragement to my soul.

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

And when I seek his face, HE ALWAYS SHINES! 

"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!"

I Chronicles 16:11 (NKJV)

Oh, how I love my Jesus! He is all I need! This quiet time to rest and refresh my spirit is all about HIM! He shows me what to do and where to go. He corrects my ways and sets my paths straight.

This is how I begin my summer! At HIS feet! 

SUMMER

S - Surrender all to him! (James 4:8)

U - Understand his promises! (2 Corinthians 1:20-22)

M - Meditate daily on His Word and obey! (Joshua 1:8)

M - Minister to those I come in contact with the love of Christ! (1 Peter 4:10)

E - Encourage those around me! (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

R - Rest in his arms! (Psalm 46:10)

Oh, sweet SUMMER! My adventure with JESUS! 

~ Getting our Summer In Focus ~

Spending time with Jesus first thing in the morning is absolute necessity for me! Add to that a hot cup of coffee, cool breeze, my cozy spot on the porch, and a big golden retriever that lays at my feet and it's pretty amazing! 

My times with Jesus are intimate....personal. It's time for me to give him praise because He is God. It's time for me to read and feast on His Word so I can continue this journey of life in His will. It's time for me to confess those areas I've messed up and accept His grace and forgiveness because He forgives immediately. It's time to bring my burdens and cares at his feet believing that He has it ALL under control. It's time to sit and be quiet in his presence so I can hear His voice. 

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God."

Psalms 84:1-2 (NLT)

Oh, how precious this time is! This is how I can go forward day by day! Just as I need food and water as sustenance to live physically, all the more I need this time with my Lord as sustenance for my soul. I crave it, I need it, I adore it. I adore HIM! 

"Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness."

1 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT)

Sweet friends, I don't know what your days are like. Yours may be beautiful and easy or they may be dreary and difficult. But whatever they are, I encourage you to give God the first breaths of your day. Just as I cannot fathom waking up in the morning and knowing my husband and children are right there beside me but never speaking to them or taking time to tell them "good morning" with a smile and an "I love you" because I am too tired and busy, I cannot fathom ignoring my God, the Creator of the universe, my Savior who died for me, my Redeemer. He is right there waiting for that one-on-one time with me....His child! 

It's time we put our priorities back in line with scripture. It's time we focus our attention on Christ. 

Summer is upon us and beach plans are made, boats are going in the water, vacations are about to take off, and the fun is beginning BUT I urge you not to neglect the One who makes it all possible. Give Him your first thoughts, your first breath in the mornings, and your first praise! He deserves all of it and so much more!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne."

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)

~ New Beginnings ~

Today was the last day that I went to work with an amazing woman. Jewell has been a wonderful mentor, an incredible friend, a second mom, and a beautiful example of Christ in my life. I have worked side-by-side with her in the office of SHCA for the last 7 1/2 years and I have learned so much under her leadership and have grown through her friendship. I will miss her greatly but I will cherish every memory and count myself blessed to have had that time with her. Though she won't be at work with me every day and will be spending her days enjoying retirement with her hubby and granddaughters, I know she will be praying for me and the ministry of SHCA. I count it a huge honor to be following in her footsteps as the next Director of SHCA and I will do my very best to make her proud and uphold the godly leadership she established. I love you, Jewell, and I thank you for ALL you have done in my life! I praise God for this new journey and I surrender it ALL to Him! To God be the glory!

~ Modesty in an Immodest World ~

I read a book over the weekend entitled, "I'm No Angel", and I have to say, it was inspiring! What a testimony this woman has and how open she was about her mistakes and also her desire to be a Proverbs 31 woman no matter the cost to her career.

In a day and age where every TV show, every movie, every ad, every commercial, every clothing line, and everything else we see promotes such a flirtatious and sensual marketing, it was so encouraging to read about one woman who gave up the whole "glamorous" life in the modeling world to honor God with her heart and body.

Let's be honest. Sex sells. Sad, but true and raising my children in this modern generation can be disheartening. I want to share my heart on this issue for those willing to read it and I pray that you will understand the burden on my heart and my desire to see us make a stand in purity and modesty.

I am a parent of a 16-year-old son, a soon-to-be-teenaged daughter, and a 9-year-old son (who can only think of his Legos right now) so I am speaking with complete honesty (and probably some controversy) BUT the matters at hand need attention.

Raising a teenage son in the Word of God to treat women respectfully and as beautiful gifts from God can be challenging when everywhere he turns he is faced with temptations. Women's clothing has taken a huge hit in the area of material....as in, there is much less of it and living in a beach community where girls bathing suits don't leave much to the imagination can leave teenage boys put in compromising situations. Everywhere he goes he is faced with skin and lots of it and if the skin is covered, it is by clothing so tight that it just looks as though the skin has been dyed. Praying he keeps his eyes focused on Christ and not on all the alluring sights is strong on our hearts.

What message are we sending to our sons when most of what they are seeing in their communities should only be viewed in the sanctity of marriage with their wife?

"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NLT)

On the other side of that, I want my daughter to respect the body that God has blessed her with and to be God-honoring with it. Finding clothes that are modest and don't expose so much of her innocent skin or such tight clothing that every curve is displayed to every male in sight is challenging but doable. Thankfully, she still leans on the overly modest side at this point, but I'm sure there will come a day when the temptation to wear skimpy or tight clothing and look "sexy" will rear its ugly head and as her mom, I will make the tough decisions and choose modesty. Her body belongs to God first and then, one day, her husband as they become one. I want her to look her best in a God-honoring way, not a sexy way.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised."

Proverbs 31:30 (NLT)

So you see, I'm writing from both points of view. So what do we do?

We take a stand in what we wear first and foremost and we set the example in what modesty is for our children. We teach our children to honor God with their bodies and that special union of marriage. We make the hard and unpopular decisions on what our children wear and don't leave it up to their pre-teen and teenage hormonal minds.  I know scripture doesn't come out with exact terms of modesty and people's views will vary from what I believe. I’m not the expert on modesty and I'm not here to say that girls skirts have to touch the ground or that bathing suits should look like those from the Laura Ingalls' collection, I'm saying that the more we immerse ourselves in scripture and pray for God to guide us in areas of modesty, He will show us. He will guide our hearts and minds to what is pleasing to him.  Let’s choose beauty for Christ!

"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever."

1 John 2:15-17 (NLT)

"Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

1 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)

I have battled for months about posting on modesty and withheld because of fear of offending anyone. It has burdened my heart for some time and after reading this book over the weekend I decided to share my heart. Reading about the effects of decisions in this young woman and seeing now her bold stance to live a life for Christ and desire to be a Proverbs 31 woman, I have renewed hope that we can make a difference in the lives of young people. You may not agree with me and that's ok. I'm not looking for approval and I'm not here to be judgmental. I'm just praying that others commit to pray and make the hard choices on modesty and purity. When all around us are the messages of "you have to look like this" or "the sexier the better" we, as Christians, need to be bold in our commitment to honor and glorify Him! Let’s teach and model for our children how to be God-honoring in how we dress and portray our bodies. I encourage women to read this book and share it with your daughters. Let's commit to pray and see God begin to change hearts and live lives pleasing to him! 

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."

Romans 12:1 (NLT)

Preview the book, "I'm No Angel" by Kylie Bisutti on bn.com here.....

~ Fabulous 40 ~

It has been a beautiful day! My family and coworkers have spoiled me with love and my precious kiddos even surprised me at my office with my favorite coffee! I am a blessed woman! Thanks for all the birthday wishes and welcomes into the "40" club! I can honestly say I feel very loved and blessed today! I am excited to be in this new journey of my life and cannot wait to see all that God has waiting for me in this new decade of my life! I want to know Him more, serve Him more, and love Him more and I am surrendering my all to Him and Him alone! This decade is ALL for my GOD!!!

For those of you keeping up with my 40/40/40 plan. Well, I didn't quite reach my goal of $1600 for the Bestul Family by my 40th birthday today, BUT three more generous donors stepped up today and donated $40 in honor of my birthday which has brought the total donated to $727! Praise God! Thank you to all who donated to this precious family and please know you can continue to donate and pray for this family as they prepare to bring the 7 children into their home. Here is the information if you still want to donate:

Checks can be made out directly to:

"Christian Adoption Services"

Please write their names in the memo field to ensure it is applied towards their adoption: "Dustin & Andrea Bestul's Adoption"

Mail to:

Christian Adoption Services

624-134 Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

Their phone number is: 704-847-0038

ONLINE DONATION INFO: Christian Adoption Services Website for Donations

http://christianadopt.org

and selecting DONATE NOW

Please write "Dustin and Andrea Bestul's Adoption" in the purpose box to make sure the funds are credited towards their adoption.

All donations are tax-deductible! 

If you donate that way please message me and let me know so I can keep up with all the generous donors and send a sweet "Thank You". 

Thank you so much for prayerfully considering this huge endeavor God has called me to! I am confident that we can see at least 40 people donate and maybe even more! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!

Lastly, here is the link to the Bestul Family blog. Please take some time and get to know this amazing family and I know you will love them just as much as we do! 

http://thebestulfamily.blogspot.com/

~ Moms ~

This devotion was written by my 12-year-old daughter Callie. She blesses my heart so much by her sweet, energetic personality and her love for Christ!

_________________________

Moms

Our mothers mean everything to us! They help us through anything! Our moms know how to cook, clean, SHOP, etc. and she knows how to do anything and everything!

But she doesn’t do it with her strength; she does it with God’s strength! She gets all her strength from Him ONLY!

        

‘For I, the  Lord  your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Isaiah 41:13

Jesus loves you like your mom but even more! He wants you to live with Him forever and ever! AND NEVER EVER LEAVE HIM!!! He will follow you all around. He won’t let you fall! God put mothers and all of us on earth for a reason… to share His love to those who don’t know Him. If we share the good news of God to everyone, they will get the same goose bumps me and my beautiful and wonderful mom, Allison Hales Jordan, get in the car when we sing, or even talk about Him! That joy inside you is the greatest thing you will EVER experience!

So go out into the world and share the good news of God! Remember share it from your heart, which is the best thing to do when you share the GREAT AND POWERFUL NEWS!!!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His ONLY begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. – John 3:16

By Callie Jordan

~ China Bound ~

Six years ago today, our little family of four boarded a plane that was headed to the other side of the globe to bring our sweet Caleb home!  Wow! I cannot believe it's been six years! That trip to China forever changed our family and I am so grateful for the miracle of adoption! 

Today, I will remember the beautiful memories and praise my God for the gift of Caleb and this blessing of family!