Sufficent Grace

Isn't ironic that just when you think you understand something, God shows you a new understanding with greater depth. When I started this blog some time ago, I thought I understood what it means to depend on God and his sufficient grace. My heart was stirred by the scripture of 2 Corinthians 12:9 However, in the last three months God has given me greater depth of that scripture. I have always said that I believe that everything that I have is because of God. We'll I now know what it means to fully depend on God. Sometimes, I feel like our family is a cocoon of God's love. Our church family, friends, and even acquaintances have taken care of us completely. I know he foresees the needs before we do and prepares us for them. God is so good!!!!

I have family members walking a difficult walk right now, and I want to cry and plead with them to turn to God. He loves us and will provide for our every need. I honestly do not know who we would have existed so far without God in our lives. Not only taking care of our physical needs, but all of the others as well. I have had a peace that is indescribable. That doesn't mean that Satan doesn't try to creep in and plant his evil seeds. But, the majority of the time I am at peace.

I came upon this 1858 commentary of the Oberlin Evangelist (Charles G. Finney) - "The principle of the divine plan is this: Christ would destroy the spirit of self-dependence--the great and most besetting temptation of his children. They are continually prone to trust in themselves rather in Christ. This must be counteracted and cured."

Thank you Lord Jesus for showing me my sin, and help me never forget to depend on you solely and fully.

Some of the Best days . . . .

Today as I sat with my list of many, many things to do, I took a moment to look around my kitchen table. There were my three oldest children doing their school work. All doing a different subject all engrossed in whatever study they were doing. I had to stop for a moment and take it all in. I have prayed for years to have these wonderful people in my life. I thank God for them. I am so overjoyed to have the opportunity to be home with them, to be part of their daily lives. To be able to share the joys, the trials and the journey with those I love. And now I have an extra special blessing to have Mike home for this time and be part of our daily lives. I do truly believe we lost something in our culture when the Fathers started working away from the home.

At times I get down because my hopes for adoption look further away then ever. But, I keep reminding myself that God has a much bigger plan. My heart and home are open for more children to love and share the gospel with, if God wills.

There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 20:20-21

Are you a dog or Cat???

Are you a dog or cat in your spiritual walk? Are you loyal and true, or is life all about you?

Trials in Life

There are times when trials come upon us in life. The bible has guidance for us and encouragment for theses times. So then, my beloved brethen, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not prouduce the righteousness of God. James 1:19

We all have certain ways of dealing with trials. During these days God has moved my heart to see these times as a teaching moment. How I can give my heart more completely over to Him. My brethen, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
We are all here for such a short while. What we do with our time, our possessions, our love and what we leave behind can last for eternity. To keep in perspective of what I worry about and where I spend my time is an ever increasing thought process for me. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love HIM. James 1:12
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. James 1:14

Just some perspective for the moment.

Naomii's Birthday

Naomii recently celebrated her 4th birthday. I cannot believe how quickly my children are growing. I celebrate the wonderful young ladies God is molding them to be.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. Psalm 113:3

God is at work

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5

We recently took a weekend family vacation. It amazes me how God gets your attention when he is working you through something. During our family vacation we attended the Indiana State fair and The Creation Museum. During those times I noticed so many families that had adopted and brought children into their families and hearts. I use to notice pregnant ladies (well I still do) and remember the joy of pregnancy. Now I am I seeing families everywhere who have adopted. God is so good!!

Adoption???

James 1:27 tells us to take care of the orphans and widows. This is what God the Father accepts as pure and faultless. That is our heart's desire. To serve him with lives that are pure and faultless. We are committed to raise children with love and knowledge and hearts for the Lord. We know there are children that need love, committment and to know of the Father. Our prayers are that God will direct our path to find them.

Slooowing Dooown. . .

Aaaaahhhh. We are finally slowing down from a hectic 4-H fair week. School is starting and things are getting back to a normal routine around the Cullins' household. We have lots of activities coming up in the next few weeks, but the day to day is getting back to normal. I like routine. It helps me keep my mind on the things that are important. But I also like change. Just not too often.

She's going!!!!

Sierra is so excited. She is going on her first mission trip. It's small, but still very important to her. She'll be going to Dearborn, Michigan with some ladies from church. They will be working with Angel House Ministry. A ministry that works with the large Muslim population in Dearborn to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We had all hoped to go as a family, but that didn't work out. We are still praying that later this year we may be able to make the trip as a family, with some others in our church, back to Dearborn.

Golden Anniversary party

In March we were able to celebrate a golden anniversary with my Mom and Dad. It was fun to plan (though it was a bit stressful) and it was great to surprise them both. Unfortunately, the weather got bad and some of our family couldn't attend, but we still had about 20 in attendance. It was a blessing from God to have both Mom and Dad here to celebrate a milestone that most people don't get to see in our society. 50 years of sharing their life together. Good times and bad ones, happy and sad. We love you Mom & Dad!!!

Another season in our life

It's always interesting to me how truthful the words of Ecclesiastes really are.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecc 3:1

We are beginning a new season in our family. We have lots of graduations coming up in the next few weeks, and it reminds me of this next year and the new journey Sierra will be starting. Being her Mother and teacher for the last eleven years makes me sorta sad to see it come to an end. But, it also has alot of excitement to see how God will use her in this life. I know over the next several years I will have lots of days of feeling blue for my little girl growing up, but she is growing into a new butterfly.

Mattea's Birthday!!!

L ast Sunday was Mattea's birthday! It came on Easter Sunday, so we had a

great time celebrating or Savior's resurrection and her birthday.

She is now seven years old.

Ah, how the days fly past when you are getting older. It seems just yesterday

that she was really little.

Now she is not so little anymore.

Sigh.

I'm feeling old. ;)

Happy Birthday Mattea!!!

~Sierra

Four Things

Four things a man must learn to do
If he would keep his record true
To think, without confusion, clearly;
To love his fellow man sincerely;
To act from honest motives purely;
To trust in God and Heaven securely.

Henry Van Dyke

Signs of Motherhood

*A beautiful bouqet of weeds perches in your windowsill.

*After sharing your drinking glass, it resembles a miniature aquarium.

*Your service for sixteen contains seven plates and eleven bowls.

*You don't want a dishwasher, you already have five!

*Your dryer is a Bermuda Triangle for socks.

*Your diaper bag is your purse.

*You risk waking a sleeping baby to kiss her soft little cheek.

*After washing the kitchen floor, you keep returning just to admire it.

*Being gone for a few hours makes you homesick.

*There are never enough Band-aids in the cupboard.

*After the children are sleeping, you return to their bedsides to kiss a soft cheek or stroke back some curls, and silently you thank the Lord for making you the richest woman alive.

Naomii

This is Naomii, my youngest. I just love this picture
of her with a covering on. She does not know
anything about what it really means, but she does like to imitate her sisters and myself . She is such a blessing!

Spring!!!!

It's so exciting that spring is here!!! We are all very excited to see the grass greening up and the flowers and trees beginning to bloom. It's such a wonderful reminder that God is the creator of all things and He sets everything in motion. Such an Awesome God!!!