Putting my YES on the table

On February 22nd and 23rd, I went to what I thought was going to be a good, fun conference by Jen Hatmaker. It was much, much more. I left changed.  For many months, I have heard that we, as believers should put our "yes" on the table, and see where the Lord leads.  I have held back from doing this...fearful of what He would ask me to do.  At the conference, it hit me like a ton of bricks when out of Jen Hatmaker's mouth came "Just put your yes on the table." This is a phrase that I had somewhat tried to put to the back of my head.  As we began singing, "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me..." I realized up to this point I could not sing this from my heart...because I was afraid....I was afraid what that meant for me.   I was afraid to go where my trust was without borders...because I was comfortable where I was. It was at that moment, that I surrendered. I gave up, and I said YES! I left, still not knowing what or where I was being called, but had the peace that the Lord would show me, and make it clear, and give me peace.

Fast forward 2 weeks.  The Lord started making it clear.  I went to lunch with Wendy and we just began visiting about her passion for orphans and hosting.  The Lord used this one conversation to spark a curiosity...an interest...a passion in me.  I began to look through the pictures of the beautiful children, orphans, from around the world, who are hoping to be hosted this summer for 6 weeks in the USA...to experience the unconditional love of a family.  As I was looking...I stopped dead in my tracks as one beautiful little girl had an uncanny resemblance to one of my little girls.  I had an instant connection to this beautiful face.  Then I saw she had a brother too! Piece by piece the Lord began giving me and Stephen the desire to reach out to and love on these precious children. It was such a blessing for Stephen and I to both receive confirmation in our hearts, that this was in fact what we are being called to do.  We've always said if one of us is being called to do something, the other will be as well. We are a team, in this together, and the peace that we have both received is indescribable. So what does this mean?

There are so many what ifs in this situation...BUT one thing I DO know, the Lord is in the midst of this and has made His plans abundantly clear to us, thus far.  I am now surrendering MY agenda, and following after the Lord's call for my life. This is something that was totally unplanned and unexpected for us.   But God's word tells us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." -Isaiah 55:8.  Instead of trusting in myself, I am putting my yes on the table.  I am trusting in the Father to the fatherless...the Savior of the World.  Pray for us as we begin this unexpected journey... that the Lord will be glorified wherever this path may lead.

I'm thrilled to share these beautiful faces with you:

"D"

"M"

Please pray for these two.  Pray for them now: that the Lord will protect them...their minds, hearts, and bodies.  Pray the Lord will begin to prepare them for the summer.  Pray they will be excited.  Pray they will feel the love that we have to give and will accept it. Pray that they see and feel the love of Jesus this summer.

Pray for the Carlisles: As we prepare to bring two new people into our family for the summer. Pray the Lord will continue to open doors and guide our path.  Pray all the details work out regarding travel, dates, etc.  Pray we will be excited to love on these blessings.  Pray for the family dynamics...that we just mesh.  Pray for a connection.  Pray that we can show the unconditional love that our Heavenly Father has given us.

Please pray for more families to host these beautiful gifts...there are so many needs.  Perhaps God is calling you, just as He is calling us.  Is YOUR yes on the table?? If you would like more info on hosting feel free to contact me or Wendy at wendilynn.farrell@gmail.com.

Memphis Zoo With My Lil' Monkies

Hot day at Memphis Zoo!

Two little monkies looking at a monkey!

This lil' monkey is having a serious conversation!

And these lil' monkies are just plain POOPED!

Last Friday, I decided to take my lil' loves to the Memphis Zoo! We enjoy going to the LR Zoo regularly and decided to take advantage of a pretty Friday and drive to Memphis to see the animals. My brother was brave enough to take the road trip with us. We had a great time....despite the 100 degree temps. While we were there we got to catch up with one of my BFFs Deanna. It was a great time....HOT time, but great time nonetheless.



How time flies!!

These 3 are life's most precious

gifts! I love these babies!

My beautiful Gideon....he makes his mama proud!

Lizzy Bug is beautiful. This girl has more personality

than anyone I've ever met!

Abby Anne is growing up. She gets more beautiful

every day!!

My girls in their boots....

Wow! It's amazing where we are now in comparison to where we were last time I posted on this blog. I am going to do better. My goal is weekly...we will see how that goes. For the time being, I am going to play catch up in this post. The babies turned 1 on September 11th! The year literally blew by...I will admit some of those first few months are a blur, but I have loved having my babies, Lizzy and Gideon, in my life....they are into everything! They are both walking and OH MY are they climbing! They truly are double trouble. Abby Anne is 4! How is my baby girl turning into such a big girl? She amazes me daily with the new things she learns. She is a sponge soaking up everything. She goes to Mother's Day Out 2 days a week where Miss Kristie teaches her all sorts of great things. She really enjoys it and really is learning a lot. She is also involved in Gym For Him (gymnastics at church), mission friends, and choir. She is a busy girl!! We just got our fall family pictures made (which we try to do each year), so I have posted some of those for you to see how my beautiful babies have grown in the past year. I am blessed beyond belief and thank Jesus daily for my precious family. What would I be....who would I be....where would I be without my Stephen, my Abby Anne, my Lizzy Bug, and my lil man Gideon?

GO TIGERS!

Abby Anne and Daddy ready for the game!

We recently made our first trip as a family of 5 to Arkadelphia...or as Abby Anne likes to call it OUACHITA for homecoming. Stephen and I did a pretty good job of juggling the babies. I got to go to the alumni EEE tea that morning and a baby shower for a friend while he kept the babies at Mom and Dad's. Then, he and Abby Anne went to the football game while I stayed home. That night, Abby Anne and I went to Tiger Tunes while Stephen once again kept the babies. All in all in was a good weekend. (Despite the fact that the tigers lost!) I am sure there will be many more trips to Arky...aka OUACHITA in the future with our family of 5!!!

Punkin' Patch with my Punkin'

My little punkin' pickin' her punkin'!

Mommy forcing a hug!

Aislynn and Abby Anne at the pumpkin patch!

On the hayride!

Abby Anne and I got to get out of the house to make a trip to the pumpkin patch with a group of girls from Sunday School. It was a beautiful day!!! Abby Anne and I picked our very own pumpkin off of the vine!! We also went on a hayride! I enjoyed spending time with (just) my punkin'. Next year I will have two other little punkins to take along!!!

Baby Dedication

Sunday, October 4th, we participated in Baby Dedication at church. This was Lizzy and Gideon's first trip to church. We didn't stay-because they are only 3 weeks old- obviously not ready for the nursery! But we wanted to go ahead and get them dedicated!! I have thought about what "baby dedication" really is and really means. We walk in, show our beautiful babies off, say a prayer, and walk out. But the significance is so much more than that. Stephen and I, as parents, have dedicated our precious little ones to the Lord!! WOW! It sounds so easy-but I have put a lot of thought into the whole process. I think back to the story of Hannah in the bible; how she prayed and longed for a baby boy. The Lord blessed her...in HIS timing, and gave her a baby boy-Samuel. She vowed to the Lord that in return, she would dedicate Samuel to him...give Samuel back to the Lord...literally. She vowed as soon as Samuel was weaned, she would take him to the temple and give him to the Lord forever!! Why this though leaves me amazed, I do not know. After all, my babies are FIRST children of God-before they are mine! I pray that I can be like Hannah. The Lord gave me these precious gifts in HIS timing...his perfect timing-just as He gave Hannah Samuel in His perfect timing. I pray I will in turn, give my beautiful Lizzy and my precious Gideon back to Jesus...for Him to use, love, and take care of! As a Mommy-it is so hard to fathom the idea of letting go of your babies for someone else to care for...but as MY mom has told me time and time again- there is no safer and better place for those babies (or anyone) than in the center of God's will!

"Dear Jesus, thank you for my precious miracles: Gideon and Lizzy. Love overflows my heart in a way only you know!! Thank you for the opportunity you have given me to be Gideon's mommy, Lizzy's mommy, and my sweet Abby Anne's mommy. Let me never take this precious gift for granted. Help me to love them and nurture them just as you would. Help me find peace and comfort and contentment in giving them fully over to you. Use my babies to do something great for you! Help this mommy be able to lead each one to you at a young age. Help them each to have a heart that loves you more than anything...I pray this for myself, too!! Use me, Lord, use my family!! Amen."

THEY ARE HERE!

I am so pleased to announce the arrival of my precious babies: Elizabeth "Lizzy" Lynn and Gideon Andrew Carlisle were born Friday, September 11th, at 7:49 am and 7:50 am. Lizzy weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and Gideon weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces. It is such a joy to have two big, beautiful, healthy babies. Stephen, Abby Anne, and I are so blessed beyond belief! Our family is now complete that these two little bundles of joy are here!! I will post more later!! I just wanted to give an update...that the twins are here!! Thank you for your continued prayers...and please...keep them coming!