Extraordinary Worship

God has shown us RADICAL GRACE through the sacrifice of Jesus and his redemptive act of love on the cross.

The ONLY true response to that radical grace is through EXTRAORDINARY WORSHIP.

When we fully consider what God's grace means to us....that it has given us true life and freedom, we cannot just live normally after that. We cannot just go through the motions of each day. If we really consider that grace, then there has to be a response.   Extraordinary worship.

What does that look like to me?

• singing and praising God with reckless abandon- in my church, in my home, in my car, in my shower, in my life
• lavishly giving- my money, my time, my possessions
• loving His children- orphans, widows, my neighbors

Have you ever tried not to smile or laugh when someone is intentionally trying to make you smile or laugh? It is almost painful and often impossible (if they are good).  Well, God is good at showing radical grace. The perfect act of grace is finished and He continues to show grace to us each and every day.  It is impossible for us to stare that in the face and not respond appropriately. 

Gush with words of gratefulness. 

Respond with shouts of praises. 

Serve with overflowing hearts. 

Lay our lives at His feet. 

That is extraordinary worship and that is the only way to respond to God's radical grace. 

When I consider the path before us with the adoption of siblings from Ghana I am sometimes scared. There is no doubt our lives are going to change drastically.  We will have struggles. Some times will be difficult. Then I realize that is the point. If I keep my life easy and comfortable am I truly worshipping extraordinarily or just ordinarily? Isn't there an implied message of sacrifice when you worship extraordinarily? Sacrifice is usually not easy or comfortable but it is an intentional response. It is a way to say, "God, you gave me everything, please show me what you want me to do with it." Give? Adopt? Serve? Speak? Pray? Fast? Listen?.....

This blog took root at my church Sunday. To hear the message that I heard see below:

Louie Giglio

Passion City Church January 27th podcast  

Water

I am so thankful that I am a work in progress.  I am thankful that God has not left me where I was yesterday, or last month, or last year.  I am thankful that He continues to work in my heart to mold me into a better person.

Yesterday I was visiting the Georgia State Capital to get a few more adoption documents State Sealed (I AM FINISHED....BY THE WAY!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!)  Anyway, I parked in a parking garage and was trying to find the quickest and easiest way out to the road.  The closest exit to my parking spot led to an outdoor stairway and I was only on the second floor so I thought I would just use that exit.  WELL...I don't think that exit is used very often.  Especially since it leads outside and it was pouring down rain.  When I opened the door it was as if someone had put a bucket of water over the door jam as a booby trap.  Immediately a load of cold, smelly, stagnant water was dumped on my head. Gross! I literally gasped.

Once I got my bearings I thanked God that my phone and my folder with precious documents did not get drenched.  Then I did my best to wipe, dry, shake the rest of my body.  Of course, after a while I began to dry and it wasn't that big of a deal.  However, even as I dried, I stunk.  It was clear to me that the water had been stagnant above that door jam for awhile because it had a very bad stench which was now in my hair and covering the right side of my sweater.

It was dirty water because it hadn't been refilled, purified, refined, or moved.

I never want to be like a puddle of the same old water day in and day out. I want fresh, clean water to refill me each day. Living water.

I never want to be like sewage, stinky water full of grime and disease. I want to be purified and refined. That doesn't just happen.  It is a process.

I don't want to be like a stagnant bucket of water that remains unmoved and unused.  I want to be moved and changed daily to be more useable and purposeful.

Thank you Lord for pouring your rain down on Atlanta for the past 4 days and reminding me that you are still working on me. Create in me a clean heart Lord and renew a right spirit within me.

Our African Children

We have two kids here in America.  They came from my womb. They are little versions of Adam and myself.

We also have two or three kids in Africa. How do we know? God put them in our heart. Why are they not from America, or China, or Russia, or Haiti?  We don't know. They are in Africa. 

We thought they were in Ethiopia. Then this week we got some news that rattled us a little.  Ethiopia is slowing down.  The South region where our agency received 80% of their referrals is not referring children anymore.  There are many reasons for this but the bottom line is our wait time would be years, maybe more then 3 years.  

"God what would you have us do?" 

Our agency has just started a pilot program in Ghana.  I researched, googled, made calls. The paperwork is virtually the same and ours is almost complete. Ghana here we come!

There have been several times during this whole when I have wished the paperwork would have happened quicker but had that happened our Dossier could already be in Ethiopia and then this switch would be much more difficult and costly.  As it is, the switch should be fairly easy.

"Lord, we have prayed for you to open and close doors.  This seems clear to us. Are our babies in Ghana? We trust you and wait expectantly for the rest of the Thompson kids to come home. Keep us on the right path. Keep our kids safe. Show them your love through the people around them. Thank you for your abundant blessings."

A Great Start

Liz and Emily at Whitewater

We had a great summer.  Lots of fun trips to Jacksonville, a trip to NJ/NY, many days at Six Flags Whitewater and lots of good family days. I told the kids this was the best summer yet and they said I say that every year.  What can I say?  I love summer.

Something else is true...I LOVE fall!  I love the change in season. I love the start of school with the new routine. I love watching my kids play organized sports. I love considering the holidays that are close enough to look forward to but not too close to create any pressure or stress.  I love fall!!!

First Day of School

School started last Monday and it was a great start. Both of the kids have wonderful teachers who fit them perfectly.  Both kids have one of their best friends in their class and have come home each day with big smiles.  It's been a great start. 

Cael also started fall baseball last week and will begin flag football tonight.  

Liz started her first golf lesson last night and we are looking forward to seeing how she takes to that sport.  Adam is hoping they can spend many hours together on the golf course for years to come.  She will also do a gymnastics class with her bestie on Thursday night. 

Both kids will be taking piano this year starting next Monday.  

Our fall will be busy but not too busy.  

What I keep considering is how the addition of 2 or 3 children will change that structure.  Phew.  Sometimes it is a bit overwhelming to consider.  Then I am reminded that this is God's calling for our lives.  Our lives weren't meant to be easy, comfortable, and smooth.  

I just spent the day with my best friend.  She has taught me so much about making the most of the life God has given me.  Whether my life on earth lasts 39 years or 89 years I want to be faithful. 

Here I am. It's Tuesday. Use me today, Lord!

Adoption Journey

So many people have been asking about the status of our adoption and I realized I haven't even posted anything on the blog about it at all.  Please forgive me!

Adam and I have always been open to adoption as a wonderful option for our family.  We truly desire to serve God with our whole lives and know that taking care of orphans and widows is very important to God.  We have prayed about this for the past several years and then in 2011 we both felt called to pursue adoption more aggressively. God continued to open our hearts to orphans and particularly those orphans in Ethiopia. We had the blessing of meeting a family with 3 biological children and 2 adopted sibling daughters from Ethiopia.  We were privileged to read a blog by a missionary in Ethiopia that wrecked our hearts (in a good way). We were constantly bombarded with newspaper and magazine articles, radio stories and songs, and loving people who felt called to adoption.  All of these things brought is so much confirmation that this was God's plan for our family.

Through our prayers, God confirmed Ethiopia as the destination for the rest of the Thompson kids. Adam and I felt strongly that adopting more children into our family would be a family affair.  Elizabeth and Cael have been praying with us from the beginning. They recognize that we are very blessed and feel the desire to share those blessings with others.

In August 2011 we submitted our preliminary application for adoption with Bethany Christian Services Agency.
In December 2011 our formal application was approved.
In January 2012 we began our home study paperwork and completed all of it as well as our four interview/home study visits and required education by June 2012.

We are currently waiting for our home study to be finalized and approved and then we will begin working on our Dossier. We are requesting 2 or 3 siblings under the age of 6 from Ethiopia.  We trust God and look forward to meeting our new children!

Tears...amazing couple!

Tears...Amazing couple....Amazing God!

Watch their video here.

Awesome Spring Break

The kids and I just came back from an almost perfect Spring Break.  Actually the only reason it wasn't perfect was because Adam couldn't be with us.  :-(

First we started Spring Break in Atlanta with a fun All-Star Baseball Tournament.  We decided as a family to take this year off and not do All-star baseball this summer since it takes up so much time.  However, the Sharks needed a sub for this early season tournament and they asked Cael to join them.  The team played great and won the whole tournament.  Fun!

Following the championship game on Sunday night, the kids and I got in the car and drove to Jacksonville.  We were very excited to see family and also to see Nana and Bopa's new house on the beach!

We arrived about midnight and when we woke up the next morning we were so excited to see this incredible view of the ocean and sunrise.  Spectacular!

We spent the whole day on the beach.  Aunt Judy and Aunt Shela came out with their kids Kaleigh, Ashton, Colin, Kassie, Braelyn and Leighton.  We had so much fun!

On Tuesday, Aunt Erica came out with Braddock and Beckham and my great friend from high school, Jessica, came out with her three kids and her sweet pregnant belly.  Also, one of my friends from Rochester who now lives in Jacksonville, Jenny, came out with her husband and kids.  Never-ending party on the beach! Love it!

On Tuesday night, some of out closest friends that we were stationed with in Germany came for a visit and sleepover on their drive back to DC from Disney.  Rob and Beth Kimmel and their boys Noah and Caleb joined us at the beach and pool on Wednesday.  It was a blast!

Wednesday was my dad's day off and my mom only had to work a half day so the whole crew was on the beach that day! McGarvey Clan together.  All the cousins loved playing together and the rest of us enjoyed watching and visiting.  We ended the day perfectly with a trip to O'steens for dinner.  It was so yummy!!!!

The kids got to have a sleepover at Aunt Judy's house on Wednesday night and she made us a yummy lunch on Thursday. Then we drove home.  It was an easy drive.

Such a fun week!  Looking forward to Easter this weekend!!!  Thank you Jesus for blessing us in so many ways and for dying on the cross for us!