Saying Goodbye . . . For Now

On Friday, August 24, 2012, we said goodbye to Lisa Albritton Agee, our sister-in-law.

Thankfully, it won't be long in Heaven's view of time before she will welcome us into that glorious place beside her.

In the meantime, we will miss her--her love of life and the joy she shared with us.

She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, daughter-in law, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

I don't have the words, I just know that my heart hurts and I already know that there will be a void where there once was laughter.

Yesterday in church we sang, "Worthy is the Lamb" and tears started flowing--tears mixed with sadness and envy in some ways.  I realized that Lisa was probably in Heaven singing similar songs herself.  She has a whole new perspective on God's glory and his worthy lamb--Jesus.  And while I know she was fighting with all she had left before she passed, I know that she must be rejoicing in her new cancer free body in the presence of the almighty, the creator of life.

And that is where I will have to focus--on the Truths.

1) Before she was born, her number of days were ordained by the same Creator who created her.

2) That God created her to bring glory to Him.  What a testimony of that at her funeral.

3) That while we will mourn for the loss, we will not grieve as those who have no hope.  We know that at the moment she had her last breath, she was ushered into the presence of God.

Here are some pictures of Lisa--full of life on this earth.

Aunt Chee Chee and Leighanne
(Leighanne renamed Aunt Lisa)

Our trip to Tennessee and white water rafting

Another trip to the mountains

Our most recent picture--at Austin's Graduation in May 2012



I don't know what she is up to in Heaven, but I bet she is having a great time.



Julie

The Reveal!

Okay--I promised I would tell the name of the book that I have been reading . . .

AND--I WILL!

But FIRST THINGS FIRST!

It's our 1st Day of School for 2012-2013!

Zach, Jordan (back)
Hannah, Leighanne, and Sara (front)

YAY!  This mom is doing the happy dance!  And the kids are too!  They are so excited to be going to school.

Ok--so now for the Reveal.

I've been reading the book, Missing Pieces by Jennifer Rothschild.

It is FAN--TAB--U--LOUS!  I recommend it wholeheartedly!

I have learned so much in just the last few days that my heart is full of a new knowledge about God.  I'm getting to see a part of his character that I have never seen before.

Notice I didn't say that it was an easy read--it's not.  It makes you think and it stays focused on what the Bible has to say for it's answers!  Love that!

So if you are going through a difficult time in your life and you want a fresh perspective--then I recommend this Bible Study to you!

Note: Amazon has it for $12.98 with free shipping if you are a prime member.  Just saying!

Many hugs today and a special thanks to all of the teachers out there who love on our kids and help them learn.  Blessings on a new school year!

Julie

I Almost Missed It!

Really!  I can't believe I almost missed the opportunity to read this workbook!

I just finished Day 2--and let me tell you--I am writing this with little tears in my eyes.

WOW!

I have never thought of looking at my situation from the viewpoint that the author gave.  I have read the passage (Mark 4: 35-39) that she shared today many times before.  But today--I had a fresh encounter with these words from the Bible.

Today's question was "Do You Not Care?"  a completely different question than yesterday's "Do You Care?"

"Do You Not Care?" is negative--it assumes the one being questioned is guilty of Not caring.  The author established yesterday that God cares and will never forget us or our situations, so we KNOW that GOD CARES!

BUT--sometimes we find ourselves doubting--in a state of unbelief--and then the author threw out this question, "Do you take God "just as He is"?  And that's the question that made me STOP and THINK!  And when I was faced with the truth of my answer--I thought--forgive me God, sometimes I don't!  Help me to take you just as you are--even when I don't understand your ways.

I am going to stop right there--and let that question really sink in.  Do you take God "just as He is"?


I'm not going to share any more of the wisdom from this workbook today--I want you to read the words, then dig deep within yourself and let the Holy Spirit lead you to the truth.

And I know you are asking, "But how can I do that--you haven't told us the name of the book or the author?"

I promise I will after I finish Day 5--so just 3 more days!

And then--I want you to get this Bible Study. 

Just an FYI--I'm not being paid to review this--it a totally volunteer thing! 

A Break in My Crazy life!

I found a few quiet minutes today.

I've been meaning to blog--but you have to be at home in front of a computer, or have a notebook (hint hint) to blog when you are sitting in doctor's offices, or waiting in countless other places.  But enough, of that!

I'm excited--I have something to share!

I've been given the opportunity to preview a workbook that's about to be released.  I get the chance to read the first chapter and write a review.  I almost passed on this opportunity--I thought I'm too busy to blog write now, how can I even begin to commit to that?  But that small little voice inside of me said, "Take the time--this is something you need."

And you know what--I just finished Day 1 and this book is exactly what I need.  In fact, our Bible study at church last night mirrored the same thoughts behind today's study.

Being Content in God.  Letting God be enough for you even when things are not easy, you're in a trial, or even when your life is just LIFE.

The verses that the author used to begin the study come from Habakkuk 3: 17-18.  Read this-- "Though the fig tree does not bud  and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no feed though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!"

Though everything around Habakkuk was failing, he was choosing to be content in God and His provisions.  And basically, that's what we have to do everyday--we have to choose to be content in God and with how He provides within our circumstances. 

I love how the author humbly asked God questions when her life was falling apart.  "God, Do you Care?  This is the first question in the Bible study.  How many times have we asked that ourselves?  "God do you know that _______________ is going on in my life?  God do you Care?" 

There is a struggle within because we find ourselves taking on a victim mentality--this is not fair, I don't want this, why did that have to happen to me?  I know this from experience--I've said these very words.  But if we stay in this place, then we lose the joy of finding contentment in God.  How do we know that God cares about us and our situations?  Think on this-- Isaiah 49:15 " Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?  But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!" 

The God of this universe--THE CREATOR will NEVER forget us!

Even when we can't see his work in our lives--It's there!  Even when we doubt that God is concerned--He IS!  He cares about us and everything that is going on in our life.

Today I challenge you to find contentment in God.  He is enough!

Julie

P.S. Yes, I know I didn't name the book--but I will.  Come back and find out!

Calling All Knitters or Crocheters . . .

I need some hats.

Small hats for babies.

Little hats for tots.

Medium size hats for kids.

AND

Large hats for big kids/adults.



Why do I need these hats?  Good Question.

Because they will be traveling to Central Asia to warm some orphans cold little heads.

Because putting a hat on their head and gloves on their hands and socks on their feet meets a real need in their lives.

Because it will give us an opportunity to pray sweet prayers of blessings over the littlest orphans, and we will be able to tell the older kids/young adults WHY we would travel around the world to bring them a hat, gloves, and socks.

How many do you need? 

About 70 for babies to 5 year olds.

About 10 for tweens/young teens.

About 15 for young adults/adults.

When do you need them by?

October 1st

Where can I send them to?

Julie Agee

100 Wild Grape Dr.

St. Marys, GA 31558

So get your needles or looms, get some cool washable yarn, and get to creating a homemade hat for an orphan in Central Asia.

And please leave a comment if you want to participate, so I will know how many to expect.

If you don't knit, but you know those that do--pass the word.  I'd appreciate the help.

One final thought--get your kids involved and let them experience the joy of helping another child around the world.

Feel free to include a picture of yourself and a blessing for the child who receives the hat.  Please do NOT include your last name or address etc. 

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Julie



He Asked . . .

AND

She

Said

YES!!!

And so our first son is now engaged to Miss Taylor Fisher (who will also be known as Mrs. Taylor Agee in the future).  And we couldn't be happier for them both.

We feel blessed for Taylor to be joining our family.

Were we surprised?  Yes and No

I'm not surprised he asked, but I am surprised that it was right now.  When I finally noticed the ring tonight, I thought they were playing a joke on us.  But then I noticed that it looked like a real ring, and they both said, "Surprise!"

Of course you know I took some pics and here they are . . .

AND I'm glad that Taylor came with us to our photography sesson because now we have this picture . . .

CONGRATULATIONS Austin and Taylor!!!



Almost 9 Months Part 2

Yesterday I ended with updates on Hannah, today I will give an update of our Miss Sara.

We met our Miss Sara on October 23, 2011.  She was so nervous (so were we), and went straight to Leighanne and Hannah.  She gave us a little hug, but she was very timid around Ben and myself. (Normal behavior for a young teen about to be adopted.)  I was grateful that the Chinese government had Sara to sign the adoption papers and make a statement that she agreed to the process.  I think it really helped her to know that this was really happening and was FOR REAL.

In the beginning, Sara was very easy going, laid back, and ready for the next adventure.  For the first few months we didn't see much disobedience, mostly compliant behavior. Looking back, I think that this was her way of trying to be her best so that we would love her.  I'm not sure when we started seeing some "defiance", probably around January, but it was after she felt comfortable enough with us to start letting her guard down.  Really, that was a positive first true step of bonding.  She found out that we loved her, and would continue to love her even after she misbehaved.  She also discovered that she was going to have some boundaries within our household.

Bringing a teen into our home has been the most frustrating, overwhelming, but truly humbling experience I have ever been through.  Daily I see my imperfections, when I am working with Sara.  I long to have this easy going relationship that I have with Leighanne (who we adopted at 9 months and is now 10), but I realize over and over that we have had years to develop our relationship, and Sara and I have only had months.

Some of my biggest struggles in parenting Sara have come from knowing when to step in and model more grown up behavior and knowing when to let her be indulgent in childlike behaviors because of her lack of a real childhood.  She missed so many things in her life, and yet has lived so many that I wish she hadn't.  I won't share her personal story here, but know that we have many years of healing to overcome.

One of the hardest discussions we've had, was questions about "Why we didn't get Hannah and Sara as babies like we did Leighanne."  The question came from Hannah, but Sara eagerly waited for our answer.  All I could tell them was that we didn't know about Hannah until 2010, and Sara until 2011, and that we came to get them as quickly as we could.  It was a great question, one that I've asked myself, and one that I know that only God can answer.

Sara is slowly beginning to blossom.  She is opening up more and more and she is allowing us to see the real Sara.  She is very, very curious.  She likes to figure out how things work, and what is going to happen next.  She is gifted with putting together puzzles--she recently put together a 500 piece puzzle with out knowing what the finished puzzle would even look like.  She loves games that challenge you to think, and has a competitive nature.

She likes to look pretty, and has already questioned the "when do I get to wear makeup".  I think she looks beautiful without it, but I am trying to remember what it felt like when I was a teen and wanted to do the more grown up thing.  So we will make a decision about that soon.  Who knew that I would be having to make these choices now???

She is now reading on a 2-3rd grade level and is just now beginning early chapter books.  We are still working on catching up in math, but she is making great strides in this area also.  She really wants to go to school in the fall, and that is what we are gong to try.  However, we have told her that if she is not getting what she needs, then we will have to homeschool another year.  We have made such big gains, that I can't stand the thought of going backwards.  On the otherhand, I also know that Sara resents that she is the only one that is being homeschooled.  She doesn't understand that we are helping to give her a great foundation.  Right now, I think she sees it as not treating her equally. 

Sara loves going to "The Rock" on Tuesday evenings. This is a youth event at our local Christian Radio station WECC.  She has been little miss independent, and goes without her brothers or us. I went the first week and then Sara wanted to go without me.  She is making new friends and we are grateful that she is branching out.  This week she is attending RUSH Week with our church and other youth groups. 

I am grateful that God knows what He is doing, because I feel like I am so inept.  I have really struggled with finding the love like He has, and the belief that I am doing things like I should.  Sara is truly a gift to our family, but I feel like she is so fragile and that I just might break this precious sweet gift if I am not careful.

Just look at this beautiful young lady . . .

there is such potential for her to be the woman that God intends for her to be.  That's why I have to constantly remind myself that God is in control, that He allowed all of her previous experiences to help shape her into who she is now.  That He ordained the day of her adoption, and the He knows her every need.  I just have to trust in Him and have faith in Him.

Isn't that what He calls us to do with all of our beautiful gifts?

Love,

Julie