Your Great Name

Easter Baskets!
Easter Morning 2011

It's been almost a year that the girls have had some circumstance that have allowed them to spend more time with us. Now they are older, their younger sister and younger brother have been spending more time with us as well. Although, usually it's not ALL 4 of them at once, sometimes it is.

It's hard to know sometimes how much to open our home to them and how much to protect our own family time. But God is always good and has shown us He is in control. It has just kindof grown on us and feels natural. Sometimes it's not easy. We have had to trust God in each step as he calls us in faith that he will provide. It's hard to say no sometimes-- not knowing, but I know that God loves these girls so much more than I ever can. God has shown me time and time again the blessings out of following His calling:

• 3 fatherless girls who call my husband "Papi" and my parents "Grammy and Grampa"
• Making more room for everyone at the table for lunch after church, God always provides enough food.
• Introducing them as my "Half daughter, because they spend half of their time at our house"
• When Caleb started his new school "on his own," He wasn't really ever on his own.
• When someone behind me at the check-out line gives me that "look" when you're a big family and asks just how do I do it "with all those kids."
• When they find creative ways to have fun, and include everyone. 
• Having an extra pile of clothes to put away because these 3 special little girls put their dirty laundry in our basket along with everyone else in our family.
• Having extra clothes that don't fit Alisia any longer, climbed up in the attack to get them down to use for 3 special girls who have been spending the night.
• Cleaned out 2 extra bottom drawers....just for them.
• When they call and ask to pick them up from a party where there are people drinking and they don't feel comfortable
• Standing up for them because someone called them a bad name 
• When they or I mess up and have to apologize, being able to quickly forgive, and still love.
• When they get to witness the promise of the Covenant
• Praying with them for their parents, wherever they may be.
• When they have that moment of understanding that God really does love them and care for them and provides for their every need.

*Click on the links to read more of their time with us

I just love this song by Natalie Grant. I always think of the girls....and myself, and us...and...well, it's just a great song: 

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up; and all the world will praise Your great name

[Verse 2:]
All the weak; find their strength; at the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls; receive grace; at the sound of Your great name
The fatherless; they find their rest; at the sound of Your great name 

Sick are healed; and the dead are raised; at the sound of Your great name