So one of the things Stephen and I have discussed for a while is that we both feel adoption will be in our future. It's one of those things it scares me to think about, but on the other hand also gets me super excited and overwhelmed with joy at the thought of having this little person be in our lives, and just be a living demonstration of the kind of love the Father has for His children. But let's slow down for a second, because Stephen and I still aren't even ready yet for kids as a whole, much less the adoption train. Although, God keeps sharing real life stories with me of adoption. He keeps molding my heart in this moment to prepare for that future moment. One of those stories is from the House of Rose blog.

This is a blog I stumbled on a few years ago, mainly because she was decorating some of her rooms and I really liked her style. Mandy Rose's way of speaking through her blog was honest enough, real enough that it kept me tuned in, even when she began talking about how to raise 3 boys (completely irrelevant to my life right now) and feeling like a crummy mom at times. I just loved she wasn't afraid to share the messy stuff in her life, which I realize the older I get the more difficult it is to do that with people. So I have followed her journey, including their 3 year journey to adoption.

With 3 boys, all under the age of 10, you wouldn't think that another child, much less an adopted child would really be on their radar. But yet God placed a burden on Mandy's heart that "now was the time" and so they began pursuing an adoption from the Philippines, where her husband's family is from. PS. He looks like the Rock.

About 2-3 weeks ago, they got the call. They could come get their daughter.

Since that call came, I've been a little obsessed with their story. Seeing them meet her, seeing them visit where she has lived the past 18 months of her life, seeing her come home with them, seeing her adjust to her life with her 3 new brothers, and in the midst of all of this change, God's hand has been ever present. He's demonstrated his magnificence and power, and how even a God that big can be in the smallest of details.

I keep thinking, 3 years ago that little girl wasn't even being formed in her mother's womb. 3 years ago, only God knew her and that she would one day fill the void in this Rose family like she does. So He sparked a fire in Mandy's heart to pursue adoption, and 3 years later, their 18 month old daughter is now at home with them--happy as can be.

Just a few recaps of the amazingness of this story:

Parker's Dream

Friend's with the same vision

Her children's love for their unknown sibling

Her Name

Meeting their Daughter


There's a few more things in between, but those are some biggies, especially Her Name. Please read that. The tears, so many tears.

So now I stay glued to her Instagram page, for moments like this...



It's like I didn't know I could have so much joy for a complete stranger and her little girl. But nonetheless, here I am boo-hooing over Instagram posts.

So one day, but for now I'll let my heart chase after the things it loves hearing and reading--adoption stories. Because I know God is preparing us for something, just when only He knows.

Tonight, I was able to enjoy the peace of a quiet and empty house. Sort of. There's always that element of "my chances of being killed tonight just rose 200%", and it doesn't help when the dog starts his freaked out barking at 6 in the afternoon--like "They are already trying to murder me? This early? These murderers waste no time."

When you home alone, but then you realize you're home alone. 😮😮

A video posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on Jul 19, 2016 at 7:57pm PDT

I knew headed home that my candle materials had arrived, and somewhere in my mind I was super worried this crazy heatwave we're having (I mean when can I feel what 80 degrees is like again.. I really miss 80 degrees) that my soy flakes for the wax of the candle was going to be a giant melted mess on my door step. Thankfully no such trouble!

Melting some wax

My scents--Lavender

The containers

I was able to pour a candle in the large container, before I had to run out to meet my mom at Wal-Mart. Instead of walking the dam in the 100 degree heat, we opted for air conditioned. I'm surprised we never alerted security as we lapped the building about 5 or 6 times. Ran into Adam from Unleashed in the auto section, and picked up a few essential items we needed at the house.

The best milkshake ever. BEST.

Slaw Dog. Staple of the South. It is. You've not lived until you've had it.

I came back home to doing laundry, pouring more candles, feeding the pooches, researching a few things, and settling in for the night by reading some of the final chapters of my book. Which. That. Book. Is. Driving. Me. Crazy. It's intense, and it has my emotions tied up in it--darn you book! 

Ross and Rebekah at church had asked us Sunday if we wanted to go to see Hillsong United with them this evening. Is that even a question?

After a day at work, we both rushed over to their place, where Rebekah had fixed extras for us to enjoy for dinner before heading out. She made some delicious broccoli which tasted like it took a lot of work--garlic salt, pepper, and oil in the oven till they are cooked. The end. Definitely a new staple in our house.

Ross found us a parking space, and literally we walked to our seats with one minute to spare. We were dead in front of them, and the whole service was amazing. I'm not sure I've been to a concert before where I could really say it was a worship service--not a time just to see some artist you love. They do a phenomenal job making sure this isn't about them, but is about God alone.

A photo posted by Jessica Willis (@jessicamwillis1) on Jul 19, 2016 at 3:55am PDT

After the concert--4 hours later--we headed over to Sonic to quench our thirst. Talking about babies, whether or not Stephen would hire me in his own business, and a lot more, because about an hour and half later we finally headed out to go home.

We don't get to spend much time with these two, so it was a pretty stellar night to catch up in. 

After all our Sunday activities, we planned to head over to my parents for dinner, or at least to socialize. My mom only had one request on what we bring--"Dunkin Donuts Blueberry Doughnut". After making a trip to two different Dunk Donuts, we finally found them.

Yum.

The lady at the second Dunkin Donuts--she was on her A game. She kept that place stocked--which for some reason is really tough to find around these parts at your local Dunkin. Plus she was funny, friendly, and super engaging--it's tough to find people like that sometimes, and then they pop up in just the most random jobs. And well, it makes getting around this life a bit more fun having people like that!

A night of catching up, seeing how my dad was healing up, and just enjoying a little Brooklyn Nine-Nine together in the den before we were too sleepy to keep going.

So thankful I get to see my parents as often as we do--but sometimes still doesn't feel often enough.

Naturally waking up, even if it's almost 11 in the afternoon, is like the only way to wake up for me. Alarm clocks are my enemy. Deep seated anger for many years. I'm afraid they get the blunt of my anger in the mornings. But this morning, just the sun to wake me up. It completely changes my day.

While Stephen slept in, and I read my book, the humidity was already saturating the air outside. By the time Stephen woke up, we both began working--me inside, and him outside. He moved the cars around, sold some tires, and expanded more of our patio area, which is FINALLY ready for liner and rocks, which means we'll be ready for gravel hopefully by the weekend.

I cleaned up inside, but then managed to dirty up the kitchen again--which happens in like 2 minutes. But thankful it wasn't nearly as big of a mess as it could have been if I hadn't of cleaned before.

We headed out around 6 pm, with cupcakes I'd made--but after I finally exposed my secret to Stephen about how ugly these things looked, we opted on more professional desserts to bring to the party. We arrived at the Summers who had cooked a whole spread for all 30 people that showed up. It was a lot of people in such a small pool, but sometimes being squished together brings you a little closer right?

While we'd had thunderstorms and showers almost all day it seemed, and the worst right before 6:30pm, it cleared up beautifully the entire time we swam, and not until we were out of the pool and cleaning up the house, did it start to drizzle again. God held off the rain for us.

Before we left, we shared prayer requests, making our times together as a college and career more focused and purposeful as we enjoyed Ben's devotion with us as well. 

A late morning wake up, even after I crawled out of bed for a cup of iced coffee, I climbed right back in to read some in 2 Corinthians, and delve back into my book again. Morning light barely seeping in as my black out curtains were still pulled shut. A few texts later, and I was making plans with Joanna to go shopping and grab some lunch.

So finally I made it to her place, just a storm began to hit. These summer showers are some of my favorite. With night sky flashing white as heat lightening rambles and raves in the sky above. After the rain stopped, we rolled out, and then spent the next 30 minutes chatting and driving, and also being super stubborn and indecisive about picking a place to eat.We settled on Moe's, and got our Moo Moo Mr. Cow kids meal. Joanna let me rant and vent about the previous nights unfolding. So thankful for friends that know when to listen, and give up their own time to spend it with me. It means the world to have her friendship.

Unfortunately our day was cut short, as Stephen and I had plans to go buy some landscaping rock for the patio. We settled on these suckers, and I hope they'll tie in with the existing stone we have to build the fire pit. Tomorrow we may get started on putting down some lining and the stone edgers to secure it.

Next step gravel!

Also, I ordered some candle making stuff the other day along with my cup holder radio insert--and it's coming Tuesday. I'm kind of stoked to try my hand at this. Here's hoping my candles come out smelling like a lavender bush! 

This afternoon I was asked by Steve to sit in with him and a group of others for a meeting. This day has been one coming, but one that has not been doused with a lot of prayer and heart ache. Sometimes loving someone means getting hurt. It means choosing to, despite that, to still love them. To say and do things in love, even if what you have to do and say is not easy or delightful.

So while it was a tough day, it was I believe the most Godly decision that could be made in light of the situation. And through it all, we'll choose love. We'll choose God's guidance. We'll choose to follow Him even if it takes us down paths that are a bit rocky.

On a lighter note, we ended the night at Buffalo Wild Wings, where I do believe Kristen ordered food that probably is twice her weight. But she said it was so worth it.

Dessert Nachos

And I finally broke down and bought a cup holder that really will honestly serve as more of a place holder for the empty hole where my radio once was in Hank. So here's hoping, even with the bluetooth speaker, this thing will fit in there!

These labels are so lame.