Smiles!

This beautiful princess told me that she was going to marry Daddy so I thought I should take a picture of her in her "wedding gown" to commemorate such a special occasion!

Just this morning, Mark was roughing Nevaeh up and they were laughing together. As Nevaeh giggled, she shrieked, "Careful, Daddy, careful! A bwake aVaeh!"

Let Us Be Silent That We May Hear the Whispers of God!

I just can't seem to keep this little girl out of the picture window!

I used to sit her in the window in the Bumbo seat when she was wee little to give her a change of scenery. I just may have started a really bad habit but I really shouldn't complain. When my family is all tucked in bed and my domain is quiet as in ".....not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse," I like to sit in the picture window too and watch the stars twinkle. So, I guess for now, I'll just leave the window empty and let her enjoy the peace of a quiet place.

Speaking of a quiet place--I have sought out one quiet place after another within the last couple of months. It's been a difficult road to travel being that an awful storm was blowing. The roadway was cluttered with much debris and you couldn't see very far past a step for the fog! The wind was howling, the lightening flashing and the thunder was roaring, and as often as I prayed, I couldn't hear the voice of God for all the noise. My emotions were sucked up into a tornado, crashing through my inner self wreaking havoc and leaving behind a devastating path of destruction. In all honesty, the past couple of months have truly been some of the most difficult of my life. All I wanted was direction. How was I to know which way to turn? How was I to know if God would have me hang on or let go?
And so I stood still. God had promised me that He would never leave me alone. He had just been right beside me so I couldn't figure out where He had gone. I knew that I couldn't go on without Him. So I thought that if I would stand still, and wait NO matter how afraid I was, I at least wouldn't be walking away from Him. When I found myself at my lowest point yet, God reached out and touched me through the tiny hand of my daughter as she patted my leg and wailed, "But mommy, I want you!" I felt as if I could not yet let her go. I can't describe to you the feeling of being instantaneously infused with strength. You have to just experience it for yourself. I was sure beyond the shadow of a doubt that God WAS still there and I would once again HEAR His voice. A few hours later, I decided to sit down and read some of my favorite blogs to get my mind off of our own situations. Funny how the very last one I read was the one God chose to use in speaking to me. I "jumped" onto our friends, Steve and Amy's blog only to discover that they were dealing with some storms of their own. On the side of their blog, Amy had put a special message box that scrolled its' message. Here's what it said. "Sing like no one is listening. Live like it's heaveN (Nevaeh) on earth. *No, the Nevaeh part wasn't really there, but that's how it read to me.* Dance like no one is watching. Love like you'll never be hurt."
"But, God, that's what I've tried to do. I've held NOTHING back from my little Indian princess. I've loved her with everything in me and now it REALLY hurts."
In that moment, I heard..........It was quiet. It was soft and tender. It was full of love and I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I was hearing the very Voice of God. He didn't expound or explain. He didn't tell why the rain! He didn't mention my pain - and His message was plain!
He simply said, "You have done all that I asked."
In that moment my eyes flooded with tears and His hand calmed the rain. Instead of a raging storm, the soft rythymn of the falling rain washed my eyes, my soul and my spirit. Since that time, we have been able to take slow sure steps. We have had to make some very difficult decisions but God has allowed the fog to clear and we have seen the SON ahead. The sky is getting brighter and we are so very grateful for the direction of a Holy God!
Facets of our lives must change, but God has shown us it is His desire. He has worked miracles through this situation and we owe Him our devotion yet another time.
Nevaeh IS going to be our DAUGHTER!! I mean, she already is and always will be, but she will also be legally and in the eyes of the law of the state of Pennsylvania. Paperwork has been started one more time to finalize this arrangement!
In the meantime, while we wait, I would like to introduce to you, Nevaeh's biological paternal grandparents and her young uncle. Below is John and Amy Hutchins. Nevaeh's birth father was born to Amy 27 years ago. Seven years ago, Amy and John found one another and Johnny is their son. Johnny is a very normal but crazy little guy. He's very smart and loves to make you laugh! We have been spending quite a bit of time with John and Amy, and in spite of difficult circumstances have been able to forge a great relationship. Nevaeh calls John and Amy "Pop Pop" and "Nana."


As our lives continue, some of you will have the privilege to meet the Hutchins' face to face. Nevaeh has come to love this new part of her family and she may even tell you about them herself!

We still desire your continued prayers as there is much paperwork to get through yet again.
We know that we WILL be okay as God has proven Himself true one more time.

If you need a FRIEND to help you through the hard times in your life, I'd LOVE to introduce to you, my FRIEND!
He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you!
HE IS AN AWESOME GOD!