You are more loved than you know

Just a quick post, as I am reflecting on my love relationship with Jesus. Tonight I would like to make one point for you all. This relationship with Jesus is THE most important relationship in all of my life, all of every single persons life. It isn't something to joke about, take for granted, or ignore because....well.... you just don't feel  like it right now.  It is life or death.  Jesus gave His absolute ALL to be in a love relationship with you. He simply wants to do life with you. 

Oh, I understand if you feel the weight of your past choices seem too unbearable to face but try TRUST.  Just give it a try. Open up your heart and ask Jesus to reveal himself to you. Trust him with your heart. Trust Him to reveal His heart FOR YOU! Anything you believe keeps you separated from Him is a lie. There is nothing that keeps you from Him except for doubt.  You can face him. There is NOTHING you have ever done that can keep Him from being head over heels in LOVE with you!  It is an amazing, all consuming love.

He gets it... we mess up. We will always and forever mess up. It is our messing up that is the foundation of our relationship with him in the first place. Our mistakes are what leave us deeply needing to invite Him into our lives.  It is the very thing that leaves us AMAZED at His deep love for us. Be vulnerable and let Him meet you right where you are! He is just waiting to show you the depth of His incredible love for you! Don't wait a second longer.

I loved the quote above and the excerpt below from an article written above by Timothy Keller. See if it speaks to you as well. 

" The gospel is the good news of gracious acceptance. Jesus lived the life we should live. He also paid the penalty we owe for the rebellious life we do live. He did this in our place (Isaiah 53:4-10; 2 Cor 5:21; Mark 10:45). We are not reconciled to God through our efforts and record, as in all other religions, but through his efforts and record. Christians who trust in Christ for their acceptance with God, rather than in their own moral character, commitment, or performance, are simul iustus et peccator- simultaneously sinful yet accepted. We are more flawed and sinful than we ever dared believe, yet we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope at the same time."

-Simply Sublime

Our Alphabet of Marriage: The Sweetest DIY Gift of Love Ever

In November my husband and I celebrated 21 amazingly difficult, breathtaking, wonder-filled years of marriage. We have experienced the "don't blink you don't want to miss one second of this" adventures of a lifetime, unfortunately we have also experienced enough loss for a lifetime, as well as everything in between. 

The more we have experienced the loss of loved ones, the more we have come to a place where "things" just don't hold as much value. The idea of working our patooshkies off resulting in more time taken away from our family in order to have more stuff, well let's say it has lost it's luster in our eyes. 

This can pose a bit of a problem for us during the "Gift-giving Holidays" of our culture. You know which ones they are, right? The ones that have all the commercials, magazine ads, and store decorations helping direct you to the oh-so perfect gift to show your undying love. If you pay close attention you may even recognize a grading scale on how deep your love truly is - the BIGGER diamond shows you love them that much more, the newest techie toy, the brand name clothing. The hope that after the recipient has gently removed the wrap and tipped open the box you might hear them utter these three simple words: "Oh...you didn't..."  

{Please don't get me wrong here - our family still has a love attraction to the stuff. We just have more inner turmoil that goes along with it. It doesn't "feel" the same as it once did. It has now become more of a love/hate relationship. So, we try to be more purposeful.}

On the day of our Anniversary my Husband was working on being more purposeful. He painstakingly lovingly searched around on the web for thoughtful ideas with a dyno-mite love punch. I am not certain of what he found or where, but he was inspired to create a very thoughtful gift. It didn't come in pretty wrap, it wasn't professionally done... yet it is my most cherished  gift I have from him. 

You see I found him the morning of our Anniversary sitting in a chair with his Bible and a spiral notebook in hand. He appeared pensive as I entered the room so I retreated back into the kitchen to give him some space. About an hour later he gifted me with the precious piece of ink scribbled notebook paper he had recently torn from one of the kids spiral notebooks. {See photo above} At the top of the page was written "Alphabet of Marriage" A through Z he had listed out the hopes, dreams and experiences that have glued us together.

There were a few misspellings & scratched over words but that only made it more precious to me. It was simply beautiful and truly heart touching. It was a line by line reflection of what our lives together were made of. Some of the life-line reflections had me in tears & some had me laughing. It was the PERFECT Anniversary Gift my heart had been unknowingly longing for. 

So if  you haven't already lined up your next token of love, I think this would make a sweet valentines gift for a husband to give a wife, a wife to give a husband, a child to give a parent - or even a gift for a friend. The title can be changed to reflect the Alphabet of Love, or the Alphabet of Our Friendship. Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Best Friends Day or Birthdays: this can be modified to make a very nostalgic & sentimental gift.

I hope this inspires you to take some time to reflect on your relationships & encourages you to let those special people in your lives know just how much they mean to you. They were written into your story with a purpose.

-Simply Sublime

Merry Christmas from our Family to YOURS! Don't be afraid.

So thankful for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. To think he would lovingly come here to this earth on our behalf. Oh, it was difficult. We know this well, right? Being human isn't always easy. We reach, we grasp, we fall, we bruise. You know there had to be moments where he wanted to flee the pain and the anguish he was enduring, especially towards the end. Yet he couldn't unwrap his heart from the complete love of his life...YOU!!! He did it all for you! He came here for you!

Can you wrap your head around his heart for you? It's a bit hard to receive the fullness of it - COMPLETE. PERFECT.LOVE. He is just waiting for you to get to know Him. He has so very much to tell you, so many words and actions to love on you with. He is the Papa your heart has been longing for since the moment you came into existence. Why not accept the amazing gift? Time with Him, the one who created you to be in relationship with Him.

It's simple. Just start talking. No perfect words to be said. There is no magic prayer. He knows you completely anyway. He so admires you. He finds you to be smart, funny, beautiful and caring. He knows you have messed up but that isn't His focus. He simply wants to just love on you and show you the wonders he has to share with you. Turn your heart towards him and start some dialogue.

The moment you start doubting his love because of your past, remember this:

{source: pinterest}

He may not like every single choice we make, but he gets us and loves us with a deep abiding love. His love covers it all.

{source: pinterest}

He isn't about fixing us to make us acceptable to him. We are acceptable just as we are RIGHT NOW! Hard to believe isn't it? That even with our current yucky, messed up choices he is welcoming us into his arms? Picture a scruffy little street boy who's clothes are full of holes, saturated with grime and smelling of an unidentifiable stench. His slimey dripping nose is running down his face and he has wiped it across his cheek. He is a complete mess - and there in the distance is Papa. His arms are wide open. He kneels down on one knee and gently calls the boys name. As the boy skeptically approaches him Papa meets him with knowing eyes full of love and compassion. The boy can recognize that Papa knows all and has nothing but love for him. Papa wraps the boy in his arms, kisses his forehead, sweetly washes his face and wraps a cozy blanket around him. This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship - where Papa leads the boy next is not for us to know right now. We can be sure, however, that life from this point on is going to be full of adventure and wonder. 

{source: pinterest}

We can't confuse his perfect accepting love with a belief that he is okay with our sin. He isn't. I am sure Papa is going to have some heart to heart conversations with the boy on where he has been. There are probably some wounds that need to be tended to with some healing balm. The boy will also probably need some new essentials to face the exciting journey ahead and be fully equipped.

Papa's love for us can cover our sin when we bring it to him and ask. Sometimes we are even unaware of our ick but through a very gentle process he will show us areas we can release to Him that can help us to be a bit more unhindered by the things that weigh us down. It is all done through love though. The more we know of him the more we are freed up to enjoy all that is around us.

{source: pinterest}

Many times I find people are afraid to approach God. They spend a great amount of effort actually running away from him, pushing him out of their mind. They are unknowingly exhausted by the effort it has taken them to run away. The belief is if they face him they will be crushed and humiliated with the mistakes of their past. What they don't understand is running away in fear is so much more work and exhausting. The truth is we were created to be in relationship with our Creator. Just turn around and face the ONE who sees you, the ONE who knows you, the ONE who loves you to pieces.

Praying that your Christmas and all the days following are absolutely full of the love Jesus Christ. 

{source: hello awesome}

-Simply Sublime

Christmas Holiday Gift Tags : Free Printable

As promised  {perhaps a wee bit later than planned...oops} here are the gift tag designs from my burlap bag blog post. Just click on this link and print out these tags on whatever color cardstock you would like. 

I would probably go with white, cream or kraft color paper to compliment these designs. My favorite overall look would be to choose kraft wrap for the packaging with these printed on white cardstock and tied on with jute twine. 

Here are the burlap bags with the same designs that I have for sale in my etsy store. Super-dee-duper cute, yes? Can't wait to fill some with goodies for gift giving! 

-Simply Sublime

God is Reigning over your STORY with Wisdom, Power & Love: Quote Art

A couple of weeks ago I went to a retreat with some girlfriends. It was  three amazing days full of refreshment, learning and hard work. Our days and nights were filled with an abundance of laughter, and honestly quite a few tears. 

We dug back into the history of who we once were, you know that little girl that was carefree, creative and fun -  what we have since experienced through the good and bad in our growing up years and where we have arrived so far in response to our life experiences. I believe all who were attending were hit with many "OUCH" and "AHHHH" moments as the days went on. 

One of the beautiful treasures that continued to surface throughout the weekend was the fact that every single chapter of our lives: whether we were an innocent little girl, a rebellious teen,  a victim of abuse, or had a stable childhood, whether it was full of brokenness & shattered dreams or we felt secure... God was the one holding the pen. He is and has always been REIGNING over our life stories and he does this in WISDOM, POWER & LOVE. When you can look back and picture him with you throughout your story it brings a sense of security to the future. We are not alone. We will NEVER BE alone. No matter what happens, God is with us and for us. 

This really helps me to feel at peace - to relax and rest in Him. I have a loving Father who adores and cherishes me. He is reigning over my life story in Wisdom, Power & Love and He has great things planned for me. I can trust Him! I LOVE Him!

-Simply Sublime!

Beloved, Delight & Love - God's Speaking Straight to our Hearts

There are certain words that seem to resonate deep within my soul. Words that can come in the form of a whisper and still leave me breathless. Words that are hard for me to fully, or to be completely honest even partially, receive and yet I deeply long for them.  I believe I was actually created for them. 

Thinking back through my early faith building years I remember a very profound instance where God opened my eyes to my desperate need to not only hear these precious words of love he was speaking over me but to receive & believe them as well. 

It was about 10 years ago, we had a few dear friends that met in our home every week for small group. One of our Pastors was a member of our dynamo group. I am telling you, this guy has a way about him - he LOVES Jesus! When you are around him you want just a smidgen of his passion for God - he knows Him and he LOVES HIM - no doubt about it. 

One evening as we were going around the room sharing our stories our dear Pastor friend turned to me and he spoke words that would forever change my view of who God truly is.  He turned to me and spoke these simple words: 

"Kim, God LOVES you, He DELIGHTS in you... He thinks you are SMART!"

I literally could not take it. The impact these few words had on me were like an earthquake cracking the wall of a dam... the floodgates were opened and my bound up need for a desperate kind of deep abiding love was visible for all to see. Tears began to stream down my face and the reality of my false beliefs centered in insecurity were exposed. That evening, and far beyond, I would ponder on why those words spoken in that moment, by that person would be so powerful, so deeply meaningful to me. 

Somehow the voice of a friend speaking God's truth into my very personal, longtime hidden, thought/heart life opened up a hunger for more of God's word. It was like a balm to a long festering heartache that had been fiercely protected in secret. The love of the Father identified & located the unspoken pain buried deep within me, it broke through the protective barrier and ministered straight to my long awaiting broken spirit by words from the truth of His word. Simply  B E A U T I F U L ! What a love story. 

He literally came after me and pursued me in complete, trusting love - and He still does. His word never disappoints. He LOVES us and is just waiting to show us that He is the rescuer of our souls. He is where we find the desires of our heart. His word brings us LIFE! It is POWERFUL! It will even meet us in the areas where we aren't aware there is a hurt yet. He is our comforter and our strength. He LOVES to come to our rescue - His words show this over, and over, and over again. That is why I LOVE IT! 

One of my very favorite things to do is pick a theme and make out scripture cards. Give me some index cards, a fine point sharpie & a Bible and I am on my way to some quality Jesus time. Digging through the words to find the treasure waiting for me...ahhh.  I can't tell you how much I enjoy this process - searching up my favorite version of the verse and writing it out - maybe even adding in a little doodle factor.  For me this is an adventure - it keeps me in a place where I am excited to see what God has been waiting to show me. 

This weeks set of cards was made up of :

Psalm 51:6 esv

Psalm 139:17 msg

Psalm 52:16 net, esv, the voice & Young's Lit

Psalm 52:8-9 amp

Matt. 6:30 msg

Rev. 3:19 msg

Psalm 27:5 msg

1 John 4:18 msg

1 John 4:16 esv, cev

Psalm 54:4 net, esv, living Bible, Names of God Bible

Matt 28:18-20 niv

Read through them and see if you can figure out what my theme was. 

Now get creative and start having fun digging in God's words. If you are like me and love to doodle this is a great activity - fun for the kiddos too. 

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. (Psalm 51:6, ESV)

-Simply Sublime

Retreat Treats 101: Framed Love Quote Designs DIY Project

Oh, how I LOVE me a good retreat!!! I love taking time away from the hustle & bustle to refresh, renew and re-focus. One of my favorite things in the WORLD is to help create these fantabulous and much needed getaways. Give me a day or a weekend and I start dreaming of themes, conversations to be had, decor to doll it up, goodie bags to bless. 

Budget can be one of the biggest road blocks in the move from dreaming it up to pulling it off. The smallest of trinkets or party decor can end up blowing a hole in your budget in no time flat. At this point disappointment and discouragement can begin to settle in dashing all of your previous hopes for an amazing event. Don't you fret.... I have a couple of great ideas to share with you. 

Let's get this ball rollin' with Framed Quote Art. 

The Quote Art I am sharing in this post came from a recent retreat we had focused on what it looks like to... 

I have an entire post coming soon that will be wrapped around the theme of this retreat. For now let's focus on one of my FAVORITE elements to add in: fun Quote Art focused around the retreat theme. The reason I really love this idea is it packs a punch that reaches beyond the event. The framed art is multi-purpose which really gives you a bang for your buck...literally. 

• 1. They beautify in any location, no matter the style of the venue.
• 2. They encourage more thought or conversation on the topic being taught
• 3.They are great give-aways for participants to take home
• Once brought home they are great reminders of the message & the special times shared.

You can find quite a few chalkboard background freebies out in web-land, along with free fonts and design elements (swirls, doodles, etc). You may even find some royalty-free graphics with quotes or verses that are already to go. To really keep the cost down I decided to keep the designs I was creating at either a  5x7 in overall size or 4x6 because I knew printing and frames would be cheaper.

Once I had a good variety of designs I was ready for the next step which is converting them into a .jpg image that can be easily uploaded and printed at a photo developing establishment.

I have a favorite 24 hour neighborhood drugstore with a photo developing section that typically will whip out whatever I send them within an hour or two. I uploaded my .jpg designs on their website as I would any digital photos I would have printed, selected the sizes I wanted them, along with how many copies and VOILA! Super-peasey-easy.

Next step would be to find cheap-o frames that were cute, wouldn't take away from the graphics and had a glass front, not plastic. Check dollar stores or inexpensive box stores - the other option would be to think ahead and go hit some garage sales.

For these designs I was on the hunt for the simplest of frames. I am a believer if you have a lot going on in the graphic design / art then the frame should be next to nothing as far as design. In that case the frame should put the spotlight on the artwork it beholds. If you have an artful, detailed frame let the art contained by it be simple and highlight the frame. It is like a good make-up artist will tell you - choose your focus - pop your eyes or your lips with intense color - not both or it is overdone. 

As you can see these designs are pretty busy or text heavy...yep, keeping the frame simple is a must.

Our retreat was located in a log cabin up on a mountain by a river. Yes, it is okay to be jealous... it was GORGEOUS! The beautiful sunshine greeted us with a warm welcome and lit up the - oh, okay it is hard to call this place a cabin, it was more like a lodge or house.  Our nature rich surroundings were a reminder to us that God loves us, that his creation is something beautiful for us to behold, find rest in and praise him for.

The framed art was placed in different locations throughout the home with flowers and candles to create cute little groupings that would attract the eye and warm the space. 

The total cost for each of these was between $1.20 to $2.49. Yowza! I also had extra 4x6 prints made up @.19 cents a piece that they could grab n' go with to frame for themselves or switch out if they were in love with one that was already taken - and extras were taken. 

It was such an inexpensive idea that added a substantial punch to the party! We ALL know a good retreat has a party atmosphere at some point in the weekend, am I right? 

I have more Retreat Treats 101 ideas coming over the next few days. Hope you enjoy!

-Simply Sublime

How do you LOVE? Who deserves it?

This is my eldest girly-girl, Elissa. Well, she is my eldest child regardless of gender actually. She was the unexpected, life changing, help me grow up quick, I am going to be a Momma, surprise when I was at the ripe old age of 19. I should note here about how I matured incredibly to the age of 20 in the 9 months I was prego with her. 

{Source: Pinterest}

The early years were not easy on either one of us. I got married after I found out I was pregnant because that is what you are supposed to do, right? Despite the well-intention of the people in my life this was a very BAD idea. The relationship I had with her Father was toxic, unhealthy and after a windy, spinning, explosive 6 months married Baby Elissa and I  were left alone. 

The dreaded moment I had always feared officially arrived... "What would PEOPLE think?" was on our doorstep and ringing the doorbell.  Do you know who I was  worried about? Who it was I was most concerned would have negative thoughts about me, look down on me? The people I grew up going to church with. Hmmm, interesting eh? (Nope - not Canadian, I just like saying it) 

Why is that? Why when we make mistakes or end up in hard times do we first fear those who claim to have Jesus Christ as their Savior? What Jesus stood on this earth for is the very thing we are needing extended to us in those moments and yet we fear the hearts of those who love Him. We fear they will reject us, judge us, distance themselves from us or simply just be done with us. We are afraid we are no longer GOOD ENOUGH.

{Source: Pinterest}

At that moment of abandonment, almost 25 years ago, was it my overactive imagination at that time that made me believe I would be judged? Was it insecurity?  Is it possible the enemy wanted to make me believe I did not have the Body of Christ that I was connected to?

Could it be that because I was raised in the church I felt there would be no grace for me not "knowing BETTER?" Honestly, I think that was it. I was a Christ follower. I had parents who were leaders in the church. I knew right from wrong....so why did I choose WRONG? It was on me - all me. I made the decision and therefore I deserved the disastrous outcome. I had it coming.

I had absolutely no doubt these same people I was concerned about would be spreading their arms wide open for those messing up who did not know Jesus yet. They would also have a ton of grace and love for those that were victims to someone else's sin. Somehow my situation seemed different. Again it came back to my choices led to my outcome. My belief was there is no grace for that, because I had asked for it. 

Here is what I believed their thoughts for me were: If only I had listened to those who had been speaking into my life. If only I had watched the example of others. If only I had been in the word more, prayed more. If only I had a better understanding of how much God valued me. If only I had waited until I was older. If only I had been ready.  IF ONLY....

IF ONLY I had ...

I would...

I have to say I had a person in my life who represented Jesus to me through it all. If I only had broken pieces to bring - she offered me her WHOLE love and the hope of Jesus. If I only had enough strength to barely walk in the door she offered her loving arms around me to help me make the journey. If I only had messed up ideas on how to proceed from that point on? Catch this... she did NOT always give me the answer that she thought was right for me... she would grab my hands and offer words up to Jesus to help me decide. She believed Jesus was BIG enough to speak to me and she believed in me enough (despite my messes) to believe I would listen and try to follow.  If what I had to bring was a mess - she loved me despite of it - possibly because of it. She was a safe place where I knew I was unconditionally loved. She reminded me that Jesus was the answer - no condemnation. Just come - COME to Jesus.

{Source:Pinterest}

A part of me would like to say that her example of Jesus love in my life changed my sin pattern and my messed up decision making forever. But it didn't. What it did was show me that the act of love is far greater than words. She taught me to love people despite where they have been or where they are headed. To love people despite of their situation, even if it was their choice. I would go so far as to say ESPECIALLY because it was their choice. 

It is time we believe to the depth of our core that JESUS is enough. It is time we act it out. We are to LOVE WHOLEheartedly - we are to love EVERYONE. 

PSALM 103 

^1-2 O my soul, bless God.
    From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
    don’t forget a single blessing!

^3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
    He heals your diseases—every one.
    He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
    He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
    He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
    He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.

^6-18 God makes everything come out right;
    he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
    opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
    not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
    nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
    nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
    so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
    he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
    God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
    keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.
Men and women don’t live very long;
    like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
    leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
    eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
    as they follow his Covenant ways
    and remember to do whatever he said.

^19-22 God has set his throne in heaven;
    he rules over us all. He’s the King!
So bless God, you angels,
    ready and able to fly at his bidding,
    quick to hear and do what he says.
Bless God, all you armies of angels,
    alert to respond to whatever he wills.
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
    everything and everyone made by God.

And you, O my soul, bless God!

-Simply Sublime

LOVE IS: Faith, Hope and Love Chalkboard Design Wall Art

Here is another one that speaks LOUDLY to me.  LOVE IS...

-Simply Sublime

More Chalkboard Art Quote: Kind Words & Love in Action

The newest creation and my favorite so far: {Probably because I ADORE Mother Teresa} 

Here is another one I made up yesterday. This one was inspired by a friend's facebook quote they posted. I LOVE the message! Would be a great daily reminder to actually

<------ live.it.out------="">

Elissa: God's Promise

 Elisabeth nickname:(Elissa)
\e-lisabe-th, el(i)-sa-beth\ (Hebrew),the meaning of Elisabeth is "God's promise; God is my oath, God is my vow"

If her Dad and I were going to list off a few words to describe this preciousness we would choose: fun, loving, affectionate, deep, HILARIOUS,leader and powerful. 

Elissa has a BIG personality with a lot of love to share. When this girl is passionate about something just try to hold her back. She can't help but share her heart with almost everyone she comes in contact with. Despite the many roadblocks that life may have put up in front of her, this girl has developed the muscles to hurdle over them. She is strong and bold in her faith. 

This may surprise some that don't know her very well...She is also extremely tenderhearted. She has a love for children that is so deep and raw. As we witnessed her this summer loving on the children we visited in Africa (many orphans) we were once again reminded - this is what she was created for. 

The Abba Heart of God!  Pure Religion.

Let me give you a little bit of history on this treasure of ours. When she was 13 years old she attended a youth group called Teens for Christ. Well, one night when she came home she plopped herself next to us and said "Guess what my prayer request was tonight?" Hmmm...we had no idea. A kitty? New pointe shoes? A family vacation to somewhere tropical? No?.... 

Okay - as we are guessing it is about killing her.... she is about to burst. "No, no, no! I asked that we would be able to adopt a little boy from another country." 

----------------------

WHAT? Your prayer request was what? 

Our expressions must have been greeting card worthy...and I mean those greeting cards that look so ridiculously funny that just the picture itself makes you giggle.

As we stumbled through the next few moments trying to collect our thoughts about this idea -we must have had quite a range of expressions. I believe the final response was something like this. 

"Well - keep praying because it will take a MIRACLE!" with a possible hint of sarcasm.

***I would like to add a sweet lil' note right here and say a word to the adults out there - do not look down on the youth - the prayers of the young are righteous. And BOY did God prove this to be true. 

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, 

but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, 

in love, in faith and in purity. 

-1 Timothy 4:12

Well you can probably guess what happened from here. Elissa kept on praying...kept on praying...

It is a TOTAL God story. We will leave all of the details of our adoption process for another post - but I will tell you God orchestrated the next two years of events like only HE can. It simply was... A MIRACLE!

Meet our Son, Nate.

Isn't he precious??? 

(Nate is 6 years old in this photo.) 

Since our first peek into the window of Elissa's heart for orphans we have been given many opportunities. She has been to Tanzania and Kenya three times. She has returned to the Philippines. All of these trips to work with and love on children.  

She continues to amaze us with her ability to  L O V E & her passion to D O something with that love. When in her element she simply LIGHTS up the room with her smile - it is contagious. Why? Because she was created for this by her Father. Her Abba Father who adopted her.

 If we look back to the top of the post we see Elissa's name means "God's PROMISE". God's promise  - HIS VOW - is simple. We BELIEVE in HIM - we understand our need for Him,  accept Him as our Savior and we are guaranteed we will spend an eternity with Him in His DEEP, ABIDING LOVE. That is the heart of our Abba Father - a heart of LOVE. That is God's promise to us. You see he has a heart for the orphans who are longing for their Father's love. We are ALL orphan's who have a deep, yearning  need to be adopted into His family. His arms are opened wide and he is waiting.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- - Ephesians 1:4-5

So then, brothers,we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. - Romans 8:12-17

Isn't this the cutest? LOVE it!

So what is Elissa planning now? Well, after our recent trip to Nairobi, Kenya to work in the Kibera Slum she has decided to return for a years time to work with the children. She is working hard to raise support and get everything in line to make the move within the next 6 months. What can we say but she has her Daddy's heart for orphans.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world - James 1:27

God has been teaching us, as parents,  what it means to TRUST him completely with our precious ones. What we once thought of  as far as keeping our kiddos safe & protected has now spanned the globe. We have come to realize the ONLY safe place for our most prized possessions is in the will of the ONE who created them - for HIS PURPOSE.

Elisabeth: God's Promise