Identity

Banquet

Prom

Identity has been the topic of several conversations lately.  Brooke attended an area-wide home schoolers teen banquet in April and her tutorial's prom in May.  She attended both these events, not with a date, but with a group of good friends.  There were both guys and girls in these groups, but not the usual pairing off that often occurs at these type of events.  She was able to participate in both activities without the pressure of trying to impress a significant other and the temptations that often accompany dating relationships.  She was able to simply have a good time and make fun memories with people she enjoys being with.


Brooke has a quiet confidence that unfortunately seems to be quite rare among teen girls in today's society.  I believe it comes from knowing who she is as a daughter of The King.  She has been washed in His blood and that makes her beautiful.  She has been accepted in the Beloved and finds her satisfaction in Him.  He is the Bread of Life and the only one Who brings true fulfillment.  She doesn't need to look for a guy to make her feel like she is worth something.  She is valuable simply because she is loved by God. 


Insecurity is one of the biggest strongholds the enemy uses to try to defeat us.  Remembering Who we belong to and the authority that is ours as His children...in other words knowing our IDENTITY...makes all the difference in how we live our lives.  I am so thankful for the people who pour into the lives of my children, showing them the truth about who they are in Christ.  One such person is Krissy, who teaches Brooke piano, voice, and songwriting lessons.  She also meets with Brooke every Sunday morning to mentor her.  Brooke babysits for her three amazing kids and we have a very tight bond with their family.  Krissy wrote a song called Pieces and the lyrics are all about the beauty and potential God sees in us, even when we don't see it ourselves.  Her husband created a video (which features him and their daughter) which shows so beautifully our identity as children of our heavenly Daddy Who loves us so much.  Click here to watch:
  Pieces by Krissy Nordhoff

You know, one thing about God's economy is that whatever He gives us, He expects us to give away to others.  Brooke has received the gift of Krissy pouring into her life and helping her to see her true identity and now she is passing that on to the tween girls she has in her life...a crucial way to love The One and love the one... 

My Heart Overflows

Sunday was Mother's Day.  A few days prior I had gone to the store to buy cards for my mom, stepmom, mother-in-law, and Grandma, when all-of-a-sudden it hit me...this year I wouldn't be buying a card for Nanny.  She went to Heaven in January, and I knew it certainly wouldn't be a sad day for her, but Mom...well, she was a different story.  This would be her first Mother's Day without a mom to give a card to.  Then I remembered that Sharon, my stepmom, had also lost her mother recently and this would be her first Mother's Day without her.  It was all I could do to hold it together as I stood there on the card aisle in the middle of Walgreens.  My mom and I have had our share of struggles through the years, but God has healed our relationship so much and my heart filled with gratitude that I still have her to send a card to.  I'm thankful for the special place Sharon has in my heart and looked forward to an excuse to tell her.  I took a little extra time with their cards this year.  Instead of simply signing my name, I wrote a little note letting them know I was praying for them, since I knew this particular Mother's Day would be a little difficult.  I'm thankful I still have Grandma to send a card to, knowing how much receiving mail brightens up her day.  So yes, Mother's Day this year brought about a mixture of emotions.


My own kids must have sensed my bittersweet emotions, because for the first time I can recall, not one of them gave me a silly card, but a sweet one.  Don't get me wrong, I love silly cards!  But this year, there just seemed to be an extra measure of sensitivity in each one's sentiment. Each one said exactly what I needed to hear from each of my wonderfully unique children.


And then came the gifts...the boys gave me a Beth Moore devotional CD and a precious Willow Tree carving of a mother holding her child in a quilt, rocking in a blue rocker.  My rocking chair is blue and although its style no longer matches my home decor, I cannot bring myself to get rid of it.  I nursed babies in that chair, kissed owies in that chair, and even cleaned up puke from that chair!  Many prayers have been said and lullabies have been sung from that chair.  So, yes.  That carving was just about perfect.


But wait.  There's more!
Just when I thought my heart surely must be about as full as it could possibly get, I listened to my daughter sing me a song she'd written just for me! Oh my!  Rather than trying to describe to you how perfectly beautiful it was, grab a Kleenex and see for yourself!  


Verse 1
I was planted in the garden
The garden of your love
You've kept and watered me
and gave me kisses and hugs
I've grown my whole life 'cause of you
and now it's time to watch me bloom


Chorus
You held me when I was a baby
Kissed and bandaged every single owie
Picked me up and dried my tears
Comforted me through all my fears
And now it's about my turn
to put into practice all I've learned
So, thank you for all you've done
and thank you for all you've begun


Verse 2
All the laughter and happy tears
Isn't this the best career?
Moments of joy and silliness
are the ones I love the best
You'll never know what you mean to me
So for now, just know I won't leave

Chorus

You held me when I was a baby

Kissed and bandaged every single owie

Picked me up and dried my tears

Comforted me through all my fears

And now it's about my turn

to put into practice all I've learned

So, thank you for all you've done

and thank you for all you've begun...

I love you

~Brooke Perry May 2011

As if that wasn't enough of a wonderful gift, she then treated me to my very own spa day on Monday...she drew me a hot bath, gave me a massage, and a mani/pedi.  What fun, girlie memories we made!  


Whatever will I do without her for 3 whole weeks this summer?!!  Pray for me!  No, seriously.  PRAY for me!!!


You know, it occurs to me that the children Brooke will be with in Mozambique don't have mothers at all, much less know about Mother's Day.  She will probably come home wanting to adopt every last one of them!  


Taking time to write a note...praying for someone...giving a special gift...kissing an owie...holding an orphan...all beautiful ways to love The One and love the one.
Oh, and for the record, I dearly LOVE Bradley, Brooke, Blake, and Brent - the 4 greatest kids on the planet!!

Attitude of Gratitude

Through this whole journey, I have had SOO much to be thankful for. To MY awesome Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for providing every step of the way. Also, to you guys.

Thank you so much to anyone who has made a donation, prayed with me, prayed for me, or simply reading this blog. It means the world to me. Seriously!

As my Mom mention.... plane ticket prices have gone way up, which means our total cost is much more than we were expecting. I'm still guaranteed 100% going on the trip. I know without a doubt that the Lord is going to provide one way or another. I would absolutely love it if you would agree in prayer with me about that.

Just since we found out the total price a couple days ago, I've already had an amazingly generous donation from a family that I love dearly.

God's starting so show off already.... I LOVE it! :)

Another thing you can be praying for me is that the enemy can't bring any anxiety in my mind at ALL. Not about sickness***, or doubt as to whether or not I need to go on this trip, or any other stupid stuff he is trying to get me to believe. I am NOT going to accept it in the Name of Jesus!

I still have a way's to go as far as prices go. If you feel the Lord calling you to donate anything, you know how to reach me!

I love you all. <3