~ Forever a Family ~

Caleb at "Gotcha"

Caleb 5 years later!

I sit here this morning in awe of our Lord as I look back to this day 5 years ago!  On May 9, 2007, Guang Yue Chuan left a Chinese orphanage that had been the only home he had ever known and joined his “forever family”.  Nevermore an orphan but a very loved and special boy to be forever known as Caleb YueChuan Jordan!  I can almost hear those same noises and smell those same aromas I did just 5 years ago in Guangzhou, China. Waking up that morning I was so excited and somewhat nervous to be meeting my new son!  I had only seen him in pictures and he was never smiling in any of them, so did that mean he was a very unhappy child or did he even have any teeth?  I didn’t know.  Would he be scared of me, would he want to come with me, would he love me?  These were all the questions that were going on in my head that whole day as we rushed around the city getting all our final paperwork completed.

Finally, it was time to go downstairs and meet the other families for our bus ride to pick up our children.  Matt, Ben, Callie, and me gathered on the bed to pray for the last time as a family of four and the peace we all had was overwhelming.  I remember loading on our bus, which was typically full of chatter and laughter, but this particular ride was rather quiet with a bunch of anxious, excited, families!  That had to be the longest bus ride I have ever taken. Lol!  When we pulled up to the Civil Affairs building, we all filed off the bus and headed in.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  We were told that they would bring our children to us in alphabetical order so we should have been around 4^th or 5^th.  That would give us time to get our cameras ready and enjoy some of the others welcome their children, but as soon as we walked in the door, we hear in broken English, “Jordan family!”  As I turned around, there he was!  My son, my Caleb!  After all these months of praying at this stranger in a picture, there he was, my son! 

He was so scared.  Poor thing was trying to be brave but tears were rolling down his little face and his nanny tried to comfort him by telling him “Mama”, “Baba” (mom and dad) but my heart broke for him.  This child’s whole life was being changed in that moment and I cannot even fathom what was going on in his little head.  Of course, the next thing I did is what every mother does when her child is hurting; she picks them up and loves on them.  He let me pick him up and that was it….all my fears were erased because I was holding my son.  It was so natural and perfect!  I will never forget that moment.  He still didn’t know quite what to make of it all but I just held him close and told him that mommy was here and how much I loved him.  Then he got the wonderful opportunity to love on his daddy for the first time, and his new brother and sister.  Finally, we were complete!  Thank you sweet Jesus!

For those first 45 minutes, he was very somber and confused, but once we returned to our hotel room his beautiful smile was revealed!  He began laughing and playing with all of us and seemed so at ease.  I could not get my camera to take pictures fast enough.  Not only did he have teeth but he also had the most beautiful smile ever! From that point on, that smile remains his trademark! For the rest of the evening he laughed and enjoyed his new family. 

As we put him to bed that night, we all gathered on the same bed for prayer, as we did that morning, and shared with Caleb, for the first time, the most precious name he would ever hear….the name of Jesus!  I was able to rock my son and sing, “Jesus Loves Me” as he drifted off to sleep.  What a moment!  Matt and I looked over the hotel room that night as all “3” of our children were asleep and just praised our God for the miracle of adoption!  We took a leap of faith 2 years before that we would say “yes” to God and follow him down the road of adoption not knowing what was in store.   Praise God we did!  What a magnificent road it has been!  His ways are perfect and his plan never fails! 

By the grace of God, our family is complete...our family is forever!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

~ Anniversary at Sea ~

“O Lord, our Lord, 
how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Psalm 8:1

I just realized that it has been a few weeks since my last post.  I apologize for the delay in posting, but it sure has been a wonderful few weeks of time with the Lord! He is so good and he never ceases to amaze me with such wonderful teachable moments! 

Matt and I celebrated our 20^th anniversary on February 8, and as a gift to each other, decided to embark on our very first cruise.  I have to admit that I was a little nervous to go on a cruise.  As someone who is prone to motion sickness the thought of being on a big ship for several days with seasickness didn’t sound like a lot of fun, but then on the flip side, the thought of being on a big ship with the love of my life for several days out in the Caribbean sea, spending lots of time in the Word, visiting tropical destinations, and having people wait on you hand and foot really sounded quite appealing.  So guess what won?  That’s right!!! We went cruising!

I had lot of advice from friends who had been cruising before with all the different remedies to make sure that I didn’t get sick.  My doctor had prescribed me those patches that you wear behind your ear for motion sickness, and at $60, I thought those things should work.  So, on April 23, Matt and I boarded the big “Monarch of the Seas” with my “first aid” kit well stocked with prescription patches, sea bands, and Dramamine.  I was armed and ready for our trek at sea!

When we boarded the ship, you could tell this was our first cruise! We were early so we could get accustomed to where everything was and see what we were in for.  By that morning, I was so excited I could hardly stand it.  I actually told Matt as we were heading to the port, that I had such a peace that I wasn’t going to get sick.  (I know he was relieved to hear that! Lol!) So, we made our way through each deck of the ship taking pictures and getting more and more excited about our adventure!  Our room was not ready yet so we just kept exploring.  There were game rooms, pools, a spa, a whole floor with shops, a coffee shop (not Starbucks, but will do), an ice cream parlor and much more.  Okay, this was getting better and better!  Once our room was ready, we headed that way and were so excited to find that they had decorated our room for our anniversary!  Everything seemed perfect!

Finally around 4:30 in the afternoon, it was time to set sail!  Everyone headed up to the pool deck for the big “Bon Voyage” party!  How fun!  The music was playing, people were dancing, and the weather was beautiful!  It was actually a little cool from the cold front that moved in the night before and caused the water to be a little bit choppy.  I was texting my family and talking to the kids as we pulled away from the dock and everyone was wishing us farewell!  It was so much fun!  About 10 minutes out and I was already getting texts from my family asking how I was feeling! Haha!  I had everyone praying that I wouldn’t get sick!  That first night was a little bumpy and I could feel it, but I am so glad to report, that I didn’t feel sick at all!  Woohoo!  I had a wonderful time at sea and never experienced seasickness!  All that money I spent on my arsenal of motion sickness medication went down the drain! Lol! But at least I had it in case. So you know what that means…that’s right, it’s time to start planning the next cruise!

Aside from all the talk of seasickness, this really was a beautiful vacation!  Matt and I didn’t have much of a honeymoon 20 years ago, as my grandfather died suddenly of a heart attack two days after our wedding and we spent that extremely difficult week with our family!  But 20 years later, God granted us this beautiful opportunity to have a wonderful honeymoon!  Matt has always been my best friend and after these last 20 years still remains that way.  For those of you reading this that are newly married or engaged, you will hear a lot of things about marriage.  I know where you are as far as feeling like you could never love this person more than you do right now and that things are so great right now that you don’t know how it can get any better.  Well, I’m here to tell you it DOES!  After 20 years of marriage, three kids, and many trials, our love is so much stronger than ever and even better than it was at the beginning!  I felt the same way and people used to tell me that the longer you were married the more boring things got, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  Put Christ first in your marriage, always, and the love for each other grows sweeter and stronger every day!  For those of you reading this that have been married for a long time and don’t experience those feeling, I urge you to look at the priorities in your life and commit to make your marriage the beautiful blessing God intended it to be.

Matt and I have been through a lot over our 20 years of marriage, and having that week together to reminisce on the ways God grew us through our trials and sufferings was beautiful.  Spending time in God’s Word over the open sea was almost more than I could bear sometimes.  Just the splendor of God’s miraculous creation was a sight to behold!  I felt like the God of the universe paused just for us that week, to remind us of his love and power, the blessing of marriage, and the beauty of his creation.  And in those moments, we took it all in!  In utter abandon we surrendered to our God the next 20 years of our marriage and our lives to his will.  Apart from him we are nothing!  Our desire is to serve and honor him no matter the cost!  There is so much about our trip that I will share with you in time.  But as I type this, my heart is so full reliving those quiet moments with my God that I feel like I need to stop here today. 

You know, I am no great scholar or theologian.  I don’t always know the exact scripture reference without looking it up or have the knowledge of a seminary grad.  I am just a simple “Jesus girl” who loves her God so much because of what he has done in my life and I’m here to urge you to surrender your life to him.  There is so much joy being in the center of his will and living a life sold out for him!  Maybe you have accepted him as your Savior but you aren’t living your life for him.  The time has come to stop playing around.  You have one life to live, and the life lived for him far outweighs anything you could ever imagine!  Let this be the day!  Please know that I am praying today for you!  If I can help you or pray for you please contact me, it would be my honor to lift you up to our Father!

Joshua 24:15  “choose you this day whom ye will serve;”

Choosing HIM,

Allison

~ Time to Get Out of the Boat ~

Over the last several days, I have been reading and studying the scripture in Matthew 14:22-32 when Jesus walks on the water. I know that most of you have heard this story many times and I have as well, but I love digging in familiar scripture a little deeper and allowing the Holy Spirit to grow me more! There is so much we can learn from just this short passage!

Matthew 14:22-32

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

One of the first things that really struck me was that Jesus always made time to spend with the Father. Here they had just finished up the great miracle when Jesus fed thousands of people with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and he sent the disciples on ahead to the boat so he could go to the mountainside to pray. Jesus knew the importance of spending that quiet time alone with the Father and always made it a priority. So right away when I began reading in verse 22, I was already convicted of my quiet time with God. I know schedules can be very busy, but time with the Father should be the top priority on my list. It is a necessity to my soul to spend this time alone with my Lord!

So here we have the disciples out in the water on a boat after a very busy day. Jesus is on the mountaintop praying and night falls. The boat by now is a pretty good distance from land so Jesus began walking out to them. The Bible says, “they were terrified and cried out “It’s a ghost”. I can only imagine how terrifying that must have been but then Jesus immediately speaks, “Don’t be afraid, it is I”. You would think that right there all their fears were erased but only one had the faith to speak up. Peter says “Lord, if it’s you tell me to come to you on the water.” As Peter was saying this, imagine what the others were doing. They were probably all crouched down hiding behind him. Haha! But just then, Jesus speaks one word, “Come”. Some people may question Peter’s motive here thinking that he was putting Jesus to the test, but I see it as a huge leap of faith on Peter’s part. He had faith that Jesus would take care of him. As soon as Jesus said, “come”, Peter got out of the boat and began walking toward Jesus! Amazing! His faith caused him to do something completely out of his power. He was walking on the water straight toward Jesus! This was truly the work of Jesus and he would have missed it if he stayed in the boat.

When I think about the many opportunities that God has put in front of me, how many have I missed it because I didn’t get out of the boat? How many times has Jesus said to me, “come”, but my faith wasn’t strong enough and I missed the amazing opportunity to see his miraculous work? It has really made me ponder the opportunities that God has in front of me now. If I want to walk on the water as Peter did, I have to get out of the boat! Peter was the only disciple to act on his faith and experience this astonishing demonstration of God’s power. I don’t want to miss it, do you?

You know, the story doesn’t end there. Peter began his walk toward Jesus but then something happened. A distraction. The waves picked up and where did his attention go? That’s right, straight to his fear. He took his eyes off of Jesus and diverted his attention to the waves and he began to sink. We can read this of Peter and say, “Why did you do that, Jesus was right there?” but how many times do we do the same thing? Peter immediately cried out to Jesus to save him and Jesus reached down his loving hand and caught him. What a reminder to me that no matter what trouble comes my way, don’t take my eyes off of him! Peter had the faith to walk on water to Jesus, but he allowed a distraction to make his faith falter and began to fall. But in his distress, he remembers that Jesus is the only One that can help. There are many things in this story that sound like my life. No, I wasn’t walking on water, but I have acted on my faith only to let a distraction interrupt and cause me to fall. But you see, it is during the fall, that I cry out to my Jesus because I know the greatness of his love for me and he will reach down his mighty hand and lift me up! Hallelujah!

What a moving story of faith and power! I know I don’t want to be stuck in the boat. I want to have the kind of faith that makes me jump out of the boat toward my Jesus no matter what is brewing around me. I want my focus solely on him because it is there where peace abounds! The presence of Christ! As I begin my week, I will look for those priceless opportunities of faith to “get out of the boat”! Jesus is my focus and I don’t want to miss one minute!

Oh, sweet Jesus, give me the astounding faith of Peter to get out of the boat! So much awaits on the other side and I want your glory to shine! In faith your glory is revealed! I pray that my eyes stay focused on you and that distractions will not get in the way. Lord, help me to remember in my weakness that you are strength. May I always cry out to you in my distress because you are the only One that can help! You are Almighty God, Redeemer, Savior, and Helper! You are the Great I AM and I am so in love with you!

Your child,

Allison

~ Coffee and the SON! ~

We were blessed to have had a very mild winter and an early spring! The weather here on the coast of NC has been absolutely amazing! After work several weeks ago, I had a ton of errands to run and not a lot of time before the kids were out of school; so, I took off on a mission. It wasn’t long before I sensed the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit to stop and spend some time in his Word (he does this quite often!). With the sun shining brightly and the gentle breeze blowing, I decided to grab a cup of coffee and spend that time sitting outside soaking in the SON! Oh, how wonderful! Refreshment for the body and the soul! I love those special times with just my Savior and me! I knew my errands were not getting done, but they would just have to wait! I had a Divine appointment with the Creator of the Universe! Now doesn’t that put things in perspective? Lol!

I had been sitting there reading and fellowshipping with the Lord for about forty-five minutes when I noticed a young mom strolling by with her little girl. The mom parked the stroller close by and her precious daughter hopped out and began drinking her special juice drink from the coffee shop and playing with her Cinderella doll. This beautiful little girl caught my attention because she was so articulate for her age. She reminded me so much of my Callie when she was little. The longer I sat there, the more burdened my heart became or this sweet girl’s mother. She just had a distant look and heavy shoulders. She tried to give her daughter attention and answer her every question, but she was struggling. I know the many burdens young mothers carry but something seemed different so I stopped and prayed for her. I continued on reading again just enjoying my special time, but I couldn’t get that young mother off my heart. I felt the Lord prompting me to go talk to her but still I sat there trying to get back into my study. Finally, after several minutes went by, I packed up my belongings and walked over and began to talk to them. I told the little girl how I loved her Cinderella doll and she began to tell me all kinds of cute 2-year-old stories. After we talked for a few minutes, I shared with this young mom that I prayed for her. She paused for a minute and then looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “thank you”. It was as if that is exactly what she needed at that moment.

Proverbs 12:25 “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”

I’m so grateful that God nudged me to stop what I was doing that day. All around us are people that need encouragement and prayer. I was honored that in the midst of my long “to-do” list, he called me to stop, study his Word, and minister to those around me that need to be lifted up and encouraged. It doesn’t always mean that we have to develop relationships with each and every person, but just being there with a kind word and a prayer sometimes can be all that is needed. I want to show the love of Christ to everyone! I’ve been on the receiving end of those unexpected prayers from strangers before and what a blessing straight from heaven! My coffee break turned into an amazing time with the SON! He is truly ALL that we need!

As you begin your weekend, I pray that you stay open to those around you that need a prayer and a kind word. Blessings will abound!

I John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

For His Glory~

Allison

He Is Risen ~ He Is Risen Indeed!

So, how are you preparing the night before Easter? Are your thoughts cluttered with “what am I going to wear to church”, “do I have everything for Easter lunch with the family”, “do I have enough things in my kids Easter baskets”? I’m sure that many can say “yes” to at least one of these questions. But I have to be honest when I say that all I can think of is my Jesus! Easter outfits have not been the top of my list this year, nor has filling baskets loaded with candy for my children. My mind and heart are overflowing with the thoughts of that empty tomb! Jesus is not there! Death couldn’t defeat him and the grave couldn’t hold him! He arose just as he said and is alive and well! Praise God!

Matthew 28:1-6

“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

I don’t have a long devotion tonight. I just wanted to bring your thoughts to our Risen Lord! In my life, and the lives of all believers, this is what it’s all about! Jesus paid our penalty and rose again just as he said! Tonight in preparation for Easter, I worship him in song, I worship him in prayer, I worship him with thanksgiving, and l worship him with praise! I love my Jesus and I long to bring him my very best! Dear friends, my Jesus is alive! That’s what Easter is all about! Tomorrow we get the marvelous privilege of gathering together in God’s house to celebrate our Risen Savior! I pray that you prepare your heart for this glorious occasion and come prepared to worship our Lord!

He is risen, he is risen indeed!

Celebrating our Risen Lord,

Allison

~ Good Friday ~

Today is “Good Friday”! We all look forward to this day because school is out, we are off work for the day, and it is the beginning of our 3-day weekend! But somehow today my mind isn’t about the “day off”. It’s solely about what my Jesus was going through on that Friday. I am reading through the gospels today and the account of my precious Savior’s death. His day began standing trial as crowds of people shouted, “Crucify him!” Those same people who, just a week before, welcomed him in shouting “Hosanna” are now turning their backs on him. After sustaining such a brutal beating, carried his cross up through the raging crowds and was nailed on top of Golgotha on display for all to see. Nails in his hands and feet, a crown of thorns thrust in his skull, bitter vinegar to his parched lips, his body draining of all his precious blood.

But while on that wretched cross his thoughts were of me! My sin he bore. He took my place on that cross. It should have been me hanging there, but he paid the penalty. As he spoke his last words that day on the cross. With arms outstretched, he said, “It is finished.” He paid in full my debt as he bowed his head and died. As they pierced his side with a spear the blood and water flowed signifying his earthly death for me. Because of his great sacrifice, I can approach my God and live eternally with him escaping the penalty of my sin. Hallelujah!

“Good Friday”? Indeed it is my dear friends! The day my Savior died for me and for you! As you go about your day, turn your thoughts toward Calvary. Think about what Jesus did for you that day! His blood, his sacrifice, all for your eternal life! A love like no other! His free gift to you!

In Humble Honor,

Allison

John 17:1-5

“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

~ Lord, I Want To Know You More ~

Today I woke up in pain. Not a pain from a physical issue but a deep, heartfelt pain because of a longing to know more of my Savior. Over the last few weeks, I have been so burdened over the complacency of Christians in this dark world. We don't expect the world to desire holy and righteous things of God because they don't know him but as Christians, or rather, children of the Living God, we should desire the things that bring him glory and honor. What I am burdened over is the things of the world that children of God are now seeing as okay, acceptable. God's Word is slipping as the righteous way of living and is now seen as an afterthought. My heart is grieved!

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I woke up this morning praying that God would draw me closer to him. I want to know him more, I want to be in his Word more, I want to share his Word more, I want to be a light in the dark world. This life is all about him! I am on this earth for his glory and my life is for him!

Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Dear Holy Father, my heart physically hurts in desire to know you more. The more I know you the more I long to be in your presence! You are the Light in this dark and fallen world and my desire is to be the vessel by which your light shines! Lord, I pray that I never grow indifferent to the truth that your Word speaks of and that I don't conform to the world but continually be transformed by the renewing of my mind to your truth. Help me to be bold and not sit by while the world rejects you and while many Christians now follow the path of the world. Grow me, challenge me, fill me, and use me! This life is yours, Lord, have your way!

Your daughter,

Allison