Monday, November 24, 2008

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Happy holiday's everyone! I figure since today is one month from Christmas Eve we can "officially" start celebrating the holiday season! Each year at this time I get more and more excited for all the festivities and traditions, even if it's a tradition to do something totally different every year. This year, for the very first time since I met Kev and we got married (we celebrated our 10yr in May btw), we're not doing anything on Christmas Day, nothing, nada, zilch...(big sigh followed by a big smile).

I also get more and more emotional. I'm more thankful, grateful, overwhelmed and in awe of God's love for me. Just me. Thank you for sending Your Son.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Our story

a little history (OK maybe a lot)...

Our journey as a family started over 10 years ago. Kevin and I met & fell in love almost immediately. We were engaged seven months later and married a year after that, May 23, 1998. Four years flew by and Kevin announced he wanted to start a family. I however wasn't so sure and was terrified! I have never liked kids and didn't really have a desire for them. Kev was praying like mad at this point because he wanted children and wanted me to want them too. His prayers were answered but not necessarily the way he wanted them. My heart changed, I wanted nothing more than to have a baby, but that was after trying for years. Three years went by, watching all of our close friends and family have babies (my baby sister had two babies during this time!! whoa!!), a miscarriage, a failed artificial insemination, my heart had to change.

Kevin's prayers (and mine this time) were finally answered again. He had been gently suggesting adoption for quite some time (a few years actually). I talked with someone in our church, Roberta, about adoption and I felt God saying, look into this see what it's about. We went to an adoption info meeting April 19 and started the process later that week. Five weeks from that meeting we had the homestudy done, our profile submitted and a birthmother had picked us! 10 days later our baby boy was born! Two days before his birth we met our birthmother, Sabrina. She gave us a giftbag, as if she wasn't giving us enough already! She gave us a blanket and the company name on it was Owen, she had no idea that's what we were going to name our boy, God did. We went to the hospital to meet baby, he was precious. We also met Sabrina's brother and his wife. The next day we went back to the hospital and met Sabrina's two children, Te-6, Jaz-7, we also met her mom. We spent time with baby, he felt so good in my arms. Baby had to stay in a host home until the birthparents rights were terminated, it only took seven days! June 3 baby was born, June 10 we brought Owen home! Click here and hereto meet Owen's birthfamily, we see them about once a year, we love them.

We started the adoption process again in August 2007. This time with a different agency primarily because of the cost. It went fast again. Shortly after we turned in our profile a birthmother picked us, she was going to be induced by the end of the week but it didn't happen. We met her and I went to a doctor's appointment with her. I heard the heartbeat, then saw the ultrasound, we were having a baby girl. However after she was born (two weeks after we met), the birthfather changed his mind and wanted them to parent. It broke our hearts.

We continue to wait for God's story to be revealed in our lives daily. Right now it seems as if we are taking a very unusual path (seriously God, what in the world are You thinking?!). We are becoming foster parents. In April 2009 we brought home a 5month old baby girl who has gone through what no one ever should, let alone a baby. It's now mid October and she is still with us, we don't know what will happen. We would like to adopt her at this point and it might be possible but we really don't know.

Now, for even more crazy news, we're expecting in April 2010!! We miscarried once this summer but found out a couple months later we were pregnant again. Crazy!! Getting pregnant had become something I had no desire for anymore, at all, ever. It's so clear to me that God is ever present and at work in my life, my family's life.

**UPDATE**

We adopted our baby girl!! Isla (eye-luh) Rae Beckett, what a girl. What a God.
Maverick Rufner was born April 23, 2010. It's been a year, an amazing year.

Thanks for joining with us in our journey and taking the time to read all this and for any prayers on our behalf.

7x7

I really like the challenge from this post from Bring the Rain blog written by Angie Smith...

The other day I came across a verse that God used to prompt me to write this post. If you are a mom (or have someone else you want to pray for specifically), I hope you will join me as I do this for the next 7 days. It struck me that I need reminders during the day to be praying over my girls, and I decided to choose 7 events in a day that would remind me to do so. Then, I chose verses that had to do with that time of the day (for example: as my kids are getting dressed in the morning) and then I put them on notecards.

1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for he/she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)


2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossi ans 3:12-14)


3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)


4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), 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." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)


5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)


6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)


7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

Monday, November 17, 2008

my heart is breaking

Human trafficking. Sexual slavery. Children and women sold. A baby two weeks old sold for a couple hundred dollars to "help" the family. This baby named Ellie has fortunately been rescued and adopted but there are so many others that need to be rescued and redeemed. This has to break God's Heart to see babies, children and women treated this way. I went downtown the other night for a benefit gala to learn a little more about all of this. Hearing the testimonies of women who were saved from this life is amazing and sad all at once. So sad that they've been forced to live this way but so amazing that God has saved them and they now see themselves as Princesses of the King, purified inside and out. I don't even think of myself that way some days and I've not lived and been treated the way they have been. I want to help, but how? God and I will be working on that together. For now, let's pray and pray often. Pray for a village in Cambodia called the chicken farm. This is a village of hundreds of children, just children, the same age as some of your babies. This is a brothel village, called the chicken farm because it's so easy to pluck a child. If that doesn't disgust you, something is seriously wrong with you. Please pray. If you want to learn more and help in some way, check out these websites. Women At Risk (W.A.R) International is who held the gala. You can even shop for Christmas in their WAR Chest. Rescued women are taught how to make jewelry and other things to help support themselves and their families so they never have to sell themselves again. I bought a black Pearl of Hope, I helped someone. I'm also going to be hosting a jewelry party, helping again.

warinternational.org

thehomefoundation.net

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Psalm 145

A psalm of praise. Of David.
1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you.

11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,

12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.

14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

more fun in the leaves!



Sorry you have to watch it with a kink in your neck, I forget I can't do that :)

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

love this...

We will not hate.

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/

Here's a link to something that I think says so well how we who claim to love our God and Savior should respond at this time in our nation.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Some good reminders about today

Here's a post from the Living Proof Ministries blog I thought should be shared...

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Psalm 118:24
A few things I'm so thankful for on this election day, regardless of the outcome:

*We live in a democracy where we have the right to a vote and a voice. We have the God-given responsibility to use both wisely and in the way that best reflects what God conveys through Scripture.

*God "works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will" and "according to the plan." Ephesians 1:11

*Not only does God work out everything in conformity with His will, He has promised to work out everything for the GOOD of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

*God sets up kings and deposes them and gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:21

*We, the beautifully diverse family of God, are never - not at any time - powerless. Nor are we ever victims of a system. Believing prayer takes us through doors we'll never be invited to enter and into judges chambers we'll never grace. Take a look back at Genesis 18 once again with astonishment over the dialogue between God and His servant and friend, Abraham. Rejoice that God is ever mindful of a faithful remnant. The Judge of the Earth will always do right.

*Even if persecution should await believers in Christ or harrowing circumstances hound us, God will use hardship to bring unity and purity to a people who need it desperately. The best of circumstances do not always produce the best in the Bride of Christ.

*The living God is firmly established upon His Throne and there at His holy feet we can always find grace and mercy in our time of need.

*No matter what happens today, we are GOD'S elect. He has elected us to show His heart and to walk in His ways in the culture that surrounds us. We are called to walk in the challenging balance of grace and truth.

May we be filled with Christ's Spirit today and our mouths given to praise and to believing, receiving prayer. God IS faithful and He has us firmly in His hand. We will not fear. We will not doubt. We will not hate.

"Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12

I remain your servant,
Beth

Sunday, November 2, 2008

BeautiControl

Something most people don't know about me is that I've been an Image Consultant with BeautiControl for about 7 years, I haven't advertised it much. Thought I would put a link to my webpage on here for anyone who would like to check out some of the products. They have great makeup and GREAT skincare!! I also thinks it's very affordable. My favorites are...herbal serenity products-they smell soooo good, all the skincare, wet/dry foundations-you can use it wet or dry! extreme repair hand lotion-especially during the colder months which are coming up quickly, lip apeel and lip balm-talk about kissable lips that look younger! Have fun looking around at all they have to offer!