Thursday, April 16, 2009
Join Me In Thankfulness
You know it is time for an updated post when your honey says, "You haven't posted since Sunday." ... hee hee ... He loves the blog ...
Jesus Calling today says "I am calling you to a life of THANKFULNESS. I want ALL YOUR MOMENTS to be punctated with Thanksgiving ...
I am thankful for so much - my husband, my children both here and in Africa, my family, my amazingly faithful friends both in my everyday life and in the blog world, my new sister Katie and what she has brought to my life, for Dr. Kelly (Maggie's doctor), my home, my church, the t-shirt I designed and how God is using it in a way I never dreamed, my car, chocolate, my friends bringing home children, and you know this list could go on and on, but the point is I need to wake each morning and begin to thank God and it will set the tone for my day which will make me more effective for HIM ...
WE HAD OUR HOMESTUDY UPDATED TODAY ... Can you see each stepping closer to our children ...
This is the new youth shirts for boys (and girls can wear them too) ... REAL GUYS WEAR FLOWERS ... hee hee ... I order a very small amount of these in Youth small, medium, large, and adult small ... So check the site tonight and get yours now ...
This is the view out of my front window last Saturday at 8:00 am in the morning ... This is Jeremiah and Elijah's AAU basketball team heading out to Alabama for a tournament for the day ... We had about 6 boys spending the night and they woke ready to play as they asked each car passing to honk ... AND PLAY THEY DID ... 1st Place for the 4th weekend in a row ... They ROCK !!! And did I mention they have a really HOT coach (you go honey) ...
Some pictures from my gold party ... Grace and Mallory were guest bloggers that night and always a huge help to me ... This is the next generation that will care for the orphans ... These girls GET IT !!!
I can't post her face, but remember I told you that Elly (our Ally Kat interim care angel) surprised me and showed up for a visit at the gold party ... Well I hope you can see the joy on my face ... What a blessing to hold her and see her smiling !!!
We are the fab 3 holding down the fort here for Amazima (Suzanne, Me, and Mary Pat ..Katie's mom)
Girls hangin out, selling gold, buying necklaces and t-shirts and OF COURSE EATING CHOCOLATE !!!
Sporting our New Short Hair Cut ... They are both princesses ... Maggie got stitches out Wednesday and I wish I had a picture of my WWF match with her ... Pinning her down so they could get the stitches out was quite the workout and no fun ... I feel so bad for her because she is screaming she wants me the whole time, but if I don't hold her down there is no way they are coming out (here is thought ... make stitches hot pink so you can tell them from hair !!! ) ... I was waiting for someone to count to 10 and declare me the Winner ... Chick Fila has become the place of choice each time we leave Vanderbilt ... We don't go back for 2 months ... They want her skin to heal before we start ALL OVER ... Lord, help this next one go with out infection !!!
WHEW ... worked on THE BOOK today (w/ one of Emily's sweet teachers) and we are getting closer ... I am truly sorry it isn't finished yet, but what can I say, I have a feeling God has a reason for my delay ... As I am reading some of the stories and get to the end of them they have actually changed, come true, or are unfolding at this very moment ... It is like God is opening a window in the book to show others how their story is yesterday, today, and tomorrow ...
Jesus Calling today says "I am calling you to a life of THANKFULNESS. I want ALL YOUR MOMENTS to be punctated with Thanksgiving ...
I am thankful for so much - my husband, my children both here and in Africa, my family, my amazingly faithful friends both in my everyday life and in the blog world, my new sister Katie and what she has brought to my life, for Dr. Kelly (Maggie's doctor), my home, my church, the t-shirt I designed and how God is using it in a way I never dreamed, my car, chocolate, my friends bringing home children, and you know this list could go on and on, but the point is I need to wake each morning and begin to thank God and it will set the tone for my day which will make me more effective for HIM ...
WE HAD OUR HOMESTUDY UPDATED TODAY ... Can you see each stepping closer to our children ...
This is the new youth shirts for boys (and girls can wear them too) ... REAL GUYS WEAR FLOWERS ... hee hee ... I order a very small amount of these in Youth small, medium, large, and adult small ... So check the site tonight and get yours now ...
This is the view out of my front window last Saturday at 8:00 am in the morning ... This is Jeremiah and Elijah's AAU basketball team heading out to Alabama for a tournament for the day ... We had about 6 boys spending the night and they woke ready to play as they asked each car passing to honk ... AND PLAY THEY DID ... 1st Place for the 4th weekend in a row ... They ROCK !!! And did I mention they have a really HOT coach (you go honey) ...
Some pictures from my gold party ... Grace and Mallory were guest bloggers that night and always a huge help to me ... This is the next generation that will care for the orphans ... These girls GET IT !!!
I can't post her face, but remember I told you that Elly (our Ally Kat interim care angel) surprised me and showed up for a visit at the gold party ... Well I hope you can see the joy on my face ... What a blessing to hold her and see her smiling !!!
We are the fab 3 holding down the fort here for Amazima (Suzanne, Me, and Mary Pat ..Katie's mom)
Girls hangin out, selling gold, buying necklaces and t-shirts and OF COURSE EATING CHOCOLATE !!!
Sporting our New Short Hair Cut ... They are both princesses ... Maggie got stitches out Wednesday and I wish I had a picture of my WWF match with her ... Pinning her down so they could get the stitches out was quite the workout and no fun ... I feel so bad for her because she is screaming she wants me the whole time, but if I don't hold her down there is no way they are coming out (here is thought ... make stitches hot pink so you can tell them from hair !!! ) ... I was waiting for someone to count to 10 and declare me the Winner ... Chick Fila has become the place of choice each time we leave Vanderbilt ... We don't go back for 2 months ... They want her skin to heal before we start ALL OVER ... Lord, help this next one go with out infection !!!
WHEW ... worked on THE BOOK today (w/ one of Emily's sweet teachers) and we are getting closer ... I am truly sorry it isn't finished yet, but what can I say, I have a feeling God has a reason for my delay ... As I am reading some of the stories and get to the end of them they have actually changed, come true, or are unfolding at this very moment ... It is like God is opening a window in the book to show others how their story is yesterday, today, and tomorrow ...
I know it will be all HIS when it is finished ...
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31 kind words.:
Thanks for the update. I LOVE my shirt! I will be ordering more! Jen
The girls look so cute. I love the hair cuts. Has Maggie's hair started growing? I love Dr Kelly also. We should be going back to see him in July or August. I pray that Maggie's next surgery goes without any complications.
I love both of my shirts..
can't wait for the whole family to wear their shirts in 2 weeks..
I love the boys shirts..
Glad all is well...
I so wish my story in your book was unfolding.. but I know one day it will..
Can't wait for the book to come out..
Love ya girly..
LOVE YOUR SHIRTS! Love your story-love your heart friend!
Jen
Gwen - you continue to amaze me! You go girl!
Sweet lady...you are amazing!
Very exciting about your home study!
Love your boys in those shirts!!!!!
Wearing the shirts and necklaces gives us countless opportunities to share your story and God's goodness! I love that!
Hi, I have a adoption story if ya need another, my daughter is from Romania, she's 14 now, we adopted her at 11 months, many many issues God conquered them all , tdq88@aol.com, http://tara-theolivetree.blogspot.com/
There is so much to be thankful for!! Congrats to all yours boys and their rockin' basketball team!!
Thanks for all the great updates. I've been wondering how Maggie's been doing and the latest happenings with her procedures. Extra hugs!!
hey Mrs. Gwen!
this is Abbie Whitehurst. We read that in our devotion this morning (from Jesus Calling) in our first class and when I think about it, I have A LOT to be thankful for...christian parents, a wonderful brother, great aunts, uncles, ad cousins...etc.I am blessd by all of your wonderful posts and i am looking forward 2 getting a t-shirt!
BLESSINGS,
Abbie Whitehurst
(PS I saw Coach O. at the track met @ HH today..hehe)
hey Mrs. Gwen!
this is Abbie Whitehurst. We read that in our devotion this morning (from Jesus Calling) in our first class and when I think about it, I have A LOT to be thankful for...christian parents, a wonderful brother, great aunts, uncles, ad cousins...etc.I am blessd by all of your wonderful posts and i am looking forward 2 getting a t-shirt!
BLESSINGS,
Abbie Whitehurst
(PS I saw Coach O. at the track met @ HH today..hehe)
love the update,
thinking of you all everyday.
thanks for the yard sale love
kj
YEAH SCOTT!! I was starting to worry with no new blog post!! A big thank you to Scott!! See...I'm working on being thankful, too!!!
Hug the team for me:-)
Wearing my shirt as I read this!
Just wanted to check in on my busy friend...
love you and miss you!
How exciting to hear all of this, Gwen. So glad the gold party turned out. You might have to tell me more about how that works. I have so enjoyed wearing my tshirt. In fact, we have our statewide Bethany picnic this Saturday for all Bethany families that have adopted domestically or internationally. IT is something we always look forward to. I will be sporting my t-shirt to the picnic.
IS it too late to send something for your book. I never got my story to you and I apologize. If it is too late, I completly understand. I can't wait until it comes out.
YOur girls look so beautiful and as always, Maggie is in my prayers. Love you, dear sister.
yay! yes, i can see you stepping closer and closer....
good to see maggie's smiling little face! she's been in my prayers.
blessings!
You keep me focused on what is important. You keep me open so I can hear God's calling. There is a peace in my heart because I know you are in this world and will be there as a source of encouragement and direction if I need it.
You keep on going girl, there are so many amazing adventures to come...I can just feel it.
Good morning sweet Gwen, I too am thankful every single day for so many things, it is overwhelming to me how much he loves me and my family.
Our 3rd homestudy update is actually in the mail to us as we speak, and I am so glad to know that it IS the last time.
The gold party looked like so much fun and even if it was the back of her head , it was so good to see Ally Kat, what a blessing she is. And I love the haircut, how cute is she!!!!! Gwen you are incredible.
Love and blessings, Kristy
You are such a blessing to me! God takes my breath away with His generosity at bringing you into my life. Another thing we can thank Katie for! :)
I woke up so many times last night excited about today. I prayed for us as we crack the seal on this thing and just bask in God's crazy love and the connection of women who GET IT! Love ya, see at 11:30!
Great things going on at the Oatsvall house! Love those SASSY haircuts for our spicey girls.....absolutely adorable! You will finish the book in time! You have had some other things keeping you busy too! The days roll by so quickly and there is so much to be thankful for.
Great hanging with ya today...Still eating the dip, yummm...:) kj
I LOVE my shirt also! woulss wear it everday if I could :) My hubby would actually love one of the new ones. He likes mine and said he would wear it but not in a "girly" color. Can you get any in XL with the flower?
Keep up the God work. Love to see pictures of Maggie smiling. So glad all the bad surg stuff is behind her for now.
You do truly reach out to others. Thanks so much for helping ease our burdens. You seem to know just what to say and when to say it. Is that God speaking?????
We have just returned with our son from China. I now feel like I have twins. They are 23 months apart...but whatever he has she wants and vice versa. WOW...sometimes it is really overstimulating.
Love the boys' modeling the new shirts and the girls haircuts are TOO sweet!
That was too neat about Elly...
Love ya!
Loved catching up!! Can't wait to see the completed book and read all the other stories. I'm sure it is going to bless so many lives. Have a super day!!
And you are cherished Gwen!!
The girls look darling with their little haircuts:) and Chik-Fil-A, yes, sister, best place you could go;)
Go Basketball team!!
Rob has been really low on work as of late...so I will get to shirts when the wallet fills again:) Certainly didn't forget or anything else - we WANT them:)
SO love when you share what God has been doing in your lives...we stand in the gap for you, sister.
Love,
Heather
And you are cherished Gwen!!
The girls look darling with their little haircuts:) and Chik-Fil-A, yes, sister, best place you could go;)
Go Basketball team!!
Rob has been really low on work as of late...so I will get to shirts when the wallet fills again:) Certainly didn't forget or anything else - we WANT them:)
SO love when you share what God has been doing in your lives...we stand in the gap for you, sister.
Love,
Heather
Hey! My fiance and I were looking at the tee shirts on your site and she had some questions about sizes. She wears an adult small and I wear an adult XL. Can you email me with what you have available? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!
Jeff
jefffyke@yahoo.com
Gwen - it is so funny you stopped by yesterday!
I have been thinking so much about you lately.
I love reading Katie's blog and it often brings me to tears and my knees. I'm in awe of the work being done in her and through her. There really aren't words! I know you understand.
Today, I spent five hours sitting at His feet to write a post about a lesson I taught my teen girl bible study this past week. Oh my word - I will NEVER look at His life or death the same again.
I want to cry. I dont' have the tears. I want to scream. I don't have the voice. I want to cheer! My body longs to be with Him as does my spirit! My heart is crying out for all of me to die to self completely. Oh this wretched body that I am in and my heart longs to be of this mind which is in me!
I know you understand! Clinging to the Cross with you!
Many hugs and much love,
Jill
Your blog continues to encourage me. I love to see what God is doing in the life of your family. God Bless. Dianna
I love love love the boys shirts!! So cute!! Love you and praying the Fathers hand upon you as you wear each of your "hats" and serve Him faithfully.