One Year Anniversary of our Gotcha Day!

Lord, You saw her "red and screaming" on the steps of a Buddhist Temple in China and chose to coordinate her life so that she would end up in our arms...thank you so much!

We'll never be the same.

One year ago today...

It was the eve of our "Gotcha Day" for Lauren.
Here are some pictures of her before she came to her forever home.

Lauren's First Gymnastics Class!

She had so much fun and I had a blast watching her!!

Quite the little Princess.

East to West

This is an awesome new song by Casting Crowns.

What a wonderful reminder of how much He loves us and is so merciful to forgive our sins.

Thank you Lord!!

Here I am Lord and I'm drowning
In Your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where
You found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far
As the East is from the West
And I stand before You now
As though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the East is from the West?
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
Cause You know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the East is from the West?
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
Cause You know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I know You've washed me white
Turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel
But by the truth Your word reveals
And I'm not holding onto You
But You're holding onto me
You're holding onto me
Jesus, You know just how far the East is from the West
I don't have to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest (mercy I find rest)
Cause You know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other
(Just how far, the East is from the West, Just how far)
From one scarred hand to the other
(You know just how far, the East is from the West, Just how far)
From one scarred hand to the other

girlfriends

The Freedom of Forgiveness

I’m just tickled that one of my posts is being used on a blog carnival!
It’s at “Ask Andrea” Summer’s End Edition of the Carnival of Christian Advice

Check out some of the writings on her blog!
Sue

Thanks so much for the sweet nomination!

How very sweet of you Kimmie over at Over the Moon with Joy
to nominated me for the "Nice Matters Award."
If I could turn around and nominate her I would. She is the sweetest person with a very precious heart.

I love her profile, it says "I am a born-again believer who passionately follows Christ, 5 of my children are adopted-1 is homemade, we homeschool by the Spirit, for fun I make soap, walk in the woods, garden, I enjoy vintage finds, and reading aloud to my children ~May God make us friends!"

How sweet is that?!
I love the "1 is homeade."

I am honored and humbled that she would share this award with me.

The awards "official definition":
"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass it on to 4 others who you feel are deserving of this award."

My four friends -in no particular order-that I am passing the Nice Matters Award torch to (and cute button for your blog display!) are:

Ruth at “it’s true sighed roo”
She is one of the sweetest people I have never met! Stop over and visit her, you will quickly become a friend!

Hope at Monkey Giggles

She is always encouraging me and making me laugh! She's lots of fun, check her out.

Alisun at A Brooke in the Forest
Ok, yes she's my sister in law- but I really think she is deserving of this award, she is a genuine sweetheart and her words are precious.

Dionna at ~Using My Voice~
I really enjoy her blog and have a real connection with her. She seems to be a wonderful person that I wish I could sit down and have coffee with- I think we'd talk for hours!!

I have so many blogger friends that I would love to put up here, 4 is not enough! I love meeting and blogging with all of you!!!

Thanks to all who wander my way and are sweet enough to leave a comment!!
Love,
Sue