Taste and SEE

"Taste and SEE that the Lord is good

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."

Psalm 34:8

This week I couldn't put the book down called Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman.

When I first heard about the death of their precious daughter in May of 2008 I was heartbroken for them. Reading Mary Beth's honest and vulnerable story of her life and God's fingerprints on it every step of the way is so encouraging and hopeful.

I love how she shares her struggles.... in her marriage, her faith, her depression and even in accepting God's plan in her life and family.

She continues to trust God in the midst of her pain.

I also loved reading about their heart for adoption and helping others to be able to experience the joy of extending their arms of love to forsaken ones around the world.

Having adopted our two precious girls gives me a glimpse of all that God wants me to understand and experience that He has adopted ME into his family.

SEEING that God is good, that HE is in control, the HE is there.. no matter what...

Is our choice.

I want to CHOOSE to SEE too.

Yikes!!

"Why are you afraid.

O you of little faith?"

Matthew 8:26

The disciples were with Jesus in a boat when a huge storm arose. He was sleeping. They were scared to death. "Don't you care that we are about to die???"

He wakes up.

Calms the storm

and asks them What they are SOOOOOOOO afraid of??

Where is your faith????

Hello???

We are about to DIE!

Yet... HE calms the storm.

Then they are even more scared.

WHO IS THIS MAN THAT CALMS THE STORMS?

I have been thinking about that question.

WHAT am I so afraid of?

Why do I get so wound tight about so many things? (like Martha.. worried and bothered)

What is the worst that can happen?

Have I seen God calm my storms in the past?

Yes.

Where is MY faith??

What does it look like to trust HIM this time??? Today?

Lord, help me in my unbelief!

"I Knew her!!!"

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..."

Jeremiah 1:5

Lauren Claire is turning 23!

"Victorious One"

"Crown of laurel leaves"

As we waited and hoped for a precious baby, we had no idea of God's handiwork in our sweet little girl's life.

Yes. God knew HER and knew the purposes He had for her

and was protecting her very life.

www.claireculwell.com

We were so thrilled that the Lord chose US to adopt HER!

Bows, dresses, baby dolls, bluebonnet pictures, games, recitals, programs, birthday parties, sister games, all have been a part of the blessing of God giving us HER!

Now, seeing more of her "story" and her desire to speak up for others in the womb... that God KNOWS too

has been amazing.

To see her boldness to stand out and stand up

her tenderness for the needy

her passion to care for others

is a blessing.

We are so grateful that

We KNOW HER!

We LOVE HER

but not nearly as much as the

God of the universe that

KNOWS HER

and LOVES HER!

"I have loved you with an everlasting love"

Jeremiah 31:3