When you don't know where to start....

...you just start with what's on your heart!   (does that rhyme?  ha!!)

And here is what has been on my heart the last few weeks....

He Giveth More Grace by Annie Johnson Flint

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;

To added affliction He addeth His mercies,

To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit.  His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

And there it is...so simple, yet so profound to me.  

I don't have to have it all together.

I just have to trust the one who does have it all together!!

Lately, my life has needed more strength and endurance just because of some things going on.

I hope to share those things with all of you very soon,

But for now, just know that He does giveth all the grace we need for each day!

Amen!!

Birthday Blessings

Yes...it's birthday time at our house....

So Happy Birthday to our GA Bulldog lovin'....

God fearin'....

easy goin'....

fun-lovin'...

fish-catchin'....

super talented.....

adventurous...

hard-workin'.....

observant.....

Jesus lovin'...

AWESOME Daddy and Husband!!!

Happy Birthday, Mike~ You are loved!

Black and White Wednesday ~ SJ

I just don't get it

My parents gave me a new camera over a year ago.

I still don't know what I am doing with it.

I have read the manual. Twice. I still don't get it.

Lighting is different for every picture.

Shutter-speed. HUH?

Then there is aperture. Whatever.

ISO is just not in my vocabulary.

But I will press on. Oh yes, I will press on.

In the meantime...

Enjoy this cute picture of my sweet girl!

Another Snowy Friday.....

It's cold. I mean really, really cold. MINUS cold.

It's gray. I mean really, really gray. UGLY gray.

But that makes for a perfect time to "play" with your camera 

while you sit on the sofa wearing multiple layers of clothes and socks.

Seriously...what else can you do when it is so cold?

Happy Friday! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Matched!

Oh yes!  

God is so good!!  

My sweet little ""Lisa" has been matched!  

I just know her family is going to be so blessed!! 

Wordless Wednesday

I have to do something....

We can't adopt her.  I wish we could.  The Chinese gov't won't approve us because of our income.  We have too many people in our family...and not enough money...according to them.  But look at her.  Her name is "Lisa".  Sarah Joy has talked about adopting "Lisa" for years now.  She has always said her baby sister was named "Lisa".  Where did she get that?  And then, twice now, her picture has been right there in front of me through different websites advocating for children with HIV.  So...I have to do something...but right now, this is all I know to do.  Let me introduce you to "Lisa" and if you can help her find a family...oh, I sure would love that!

And here is more information about this sweet girl!

Children’s Home Society & Family Services is urgently looking for an adoptive family for this little girl.

“Lisa” is in Asia. She was born at the end of 2005,

Here is an incredible girl with bright eyes. She has rosy chubby cheeks. She enjoys playing physical activities. She likes to play on the jungle gym and jump on the trampoline. She has great fine motor skills and can build a bridge using blocks and string beads on a thread. She is described as a happy and bright child. She enjoys other people and likes to play with her peers. She is affectionate and gives the younger children hugs and kisses. She can speak in her native language and knows some English words. The adoption coordinator recently met her and describes her as “absolutely adorable!” She waits for her own family because she is HIV positive. Her family will be so lucky to see her smile each day. She has been waiting for a family for almost a year.

A grant of $3000 is available to eligible families through Brittany’s Hope Foundation.

• Single women or married couples may apply
• At the time of adoption study approval, single applicants should be under 45 years of age.
• No more than 2 divorces between couples
• Max of 2 kids currently in home (“in home” means 50% of the time or more).
• No serious physical health issues or mental health diagnosis including depression
• No criminal history including DUI/DWI
• No history of alcohol or chemical abuse
• Program fee $7500

Lisa Trinh, Waiting International Child Specialist
Children’s Home Society & Family Services  | 651.255.2252  | ltrinh@chsfs.org
1605 Eustis Street / St. Paul, MN  55108  |  chsfs.org

Resolution Retreat

Last year, Life Action Family Camp started doing something new.  They added another "camp" to their schedule for 2 days leading up to New Years Day.  They had a great response to the retreat...and so this year, we were able to be a part of Resolution...

Mike played the bass guitar in the band......
nothing like singing praises to Jesus as you bring in the New Year!

We celebrated with food and lots of games....

....We bonded more as a family....

....and we thanked God for all of the blessings of 2010!

Happy New Year from the Harris Family!!



Created for Care and more!!

I have no idea what God is up to.  Several months ago, I saw a post on another blog about an adoptive mom's retreat in February.  I sent my friend, Robyn, a Facebook message and told her we should go.  Without hesitation...she was in!  We have dreamed about doing something like this since I moved away...and I am still in shock that it is really going to happen...and I couldn't be more excited!  I think God's timing is perfect (it ALWAYS is) for both of us to have some time to just hang out and talk with each other and new friends...get this.... ALL about ADOPTION!!  YIPPY!!!  Mike thinks I am not going to have a voice after the weekend...oh well!  It will be so worth it!

I just took a look at the breakout sessions...and they all look amazing!!  So check it out....Created for Care Retreat! I can't wait to see what God has planned for me!  And don't you just love the t-shirt designed just for the retreat??  If you would like to purchase one..just go here.

And then just a few weeks later, I will be traveling to Illinois for another adoption/orphan conference.  Do you think God might be up to something with all of this?  And 2011 is just gettin' started!! 

I Don't Want to Waste It!

It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating 2010...where, oh where, did this past year go??  James 4:14 says that we are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Our lives are short!  We don't know what tomorrow holds...but thankfully I do know the one that holds tomorrow!

2010 was a great year for the Harris family...our oldest member turned 40 and our oldest son turned 13.  We saw God's provision for our family in ways we never expected.  We were able to witness the miracle God performed with our friend's son as they brought him home from China and got him the care he needed.  We saw the beauty of sunsets at the beach with our parents and friends.  We saw God continue to bless our church and grow us through that ministry.  We had sweet fellowship with God as we walked down an unknown road to learn more about orphans in the US.  We saw God open doors  for us to visit homes all over the South and see Him at work.  We committed to walk in obedience to whatever God calls us to do in 2011...whatever!

But as we start a fresh new year....I am reminded how quickly this one will pass if we are not intentional about each day we are given.  If you continue to read on in James, you will see that he says we are to commit each day to the Lord's will.  Not ours.  God's will.  And I love the last verse "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."  (James 4:17)

So my question for myself and for you is...what is it that you know you ought to do...but you are not doing it....that you need to get rid of in your life...or start doing??

You don't want to waste your life!

Whatever 2011 holds for my life and for our family...I pray that will bring God glory...that it will stretch us and push us closer to our Father...that we will fall more in love with each other and with Him.

So 2011....bring it! 

....just came across this video and loved it!  John Piper nails it!  Happy New Year, my friends!