A Resolution

I have never been a devout advocate of New Year's resolutions, nor have I been a huge fan of the hoopla that surrounds the eve of a new year. However, as we begin  a fresh chapter, I have personally challenged myself to adhere as best I can to the following statements:

I will not fail you again Jesus. I will rest strong in faith and be a tower for your people. A stronghold that shows them that you provide according to your perfect intent. In this provision your name will be lifted in ultimate praise and worship.

If you choose to let the fear of the unknown destroy, you will suffer without measure. If you choose to trust in a faith that is certain, you will experience miraculous divinity. Don't allow this time of hurt to weigh you down into the depths of hopelessness. Let this pain give you confident strength in all that you cannot control.

Chances are I will be whimpering at some point when the obstacles seem to hard or more painful than I care to endure, but in this I will offer continued praise because He will impart compassion.  Happy New Year's - May this year bring forth bountiful celebration. 

An Obstacle

 

It's difficult to fathom how something so certain can instantly seem uncertain or at the very least unexplainably distant. With an email an entire outlook shifted and 'my time line' has fallen out of rotation. In all of the unknowns the only unswayable and steadfast constant lies in the embracing arms of God. A wise woman and fellow adoptive mum recently told me that in these times of pain and hurt "He must give us no choice but to depend on Him so that we will - because there is a work He must do in us to prepare us for what we are getting ready to do." Not sparse in words of wisdom she went on to say that "when you let go and just surrender it all to Him, that is where you will see miracles come about." With prayer and a faith unlike I've ever experienced I believe that we will all be with our babies soon because in this belief rests everything.   

A Musical Review

As you may or may not know I have previously hosted a give-away with CSN which resulted in personal exposure to the online store. After perusing the vast selection of goods for sale, I managed to do a little online shopping here during the Christmas season. One of our most successful purchases - via Santa of course - was a Schoenhut 5-piece drum kit for Etienne. To say he was 'happy' after tearing open the wrapping would be a grand understatement - ecstatic is better fitting to the joy filled expression that inched across his face as he realized what was before him. No longer do I have to endure his little hands tapping on the table or pounding on the walls for now he has a proper kit to express his budding musical genius. Set up was fairly easy and the product in and of itself seems extremely sturdy and durable which is perfect for a mildly destructive five year old boy. Although our ears may burn at times after hours of loud beats, we are thrilled to see our little guy embrace music - like father like son and a happy son equals a happy mum.

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find anything you need whether it be a chic handbag, corner tv stands or even cute cookware!

Daddy's Birthday

For the past 13 years I have been fortunate enough to walk beside my best friend... A man of integrity and faith, hope and trust. He is a father adored by his children, a son embraced by his parents, a mate admired by his companions and a husband loved by his wife. Happy birthday to my man - May we encourage each other for decades to come.

Christmas Recap

A Watched Pot Will Never Boil

...or it just seems to take a lot longer.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Devout Member of the Santa Fan Club

Christmas Eve

Snow Fall in the Mall

Christmas Party

Twas four days before Christmas and all through the class 

every kindergartner stirred with excitement for what was soon to pass. 

Etienne and his mates consumed a gingery treat 

while visions of Santa's grand journey replayed - not missing a beat. 

With a sugary induced coma a celebration ensued,

all stirred about and were less than subdued.

The afternoon eventually wound down and it was time to go

the children were bundled ready to romp in the snow. 

The true spirit of Christmas can been seen in our youth 

as they excitedly embrace the ultimate truth.

Closure

Closure is something that every person should strive to attain. Whether it be over a disagreement resulting in hurt feelings or a breakup that ends poorly, the relief that comes from making amends is incalculable. Pain is a natural result of our fallen spirits and although our sweet Lord desires not to see us distressed He knows that we need to suffer to gain redemption. 

Just over two years ago AJ felt the need to leave behind music and so he left despite the discord that would follow. Time passed and God moved. This past weekend the founding members of Northern Room gathered in a local church and embraced. Forgiveness is a sacrifice that our Father made for each of us and these men mirrored His lead. They prayed, refreshed and reminisced; the harmony that once was reentered the room.

A miracle emerged while they praised God collectively. The future looks brightly promising for a reunion, not to advance on the music scene, but to further the Kingdom of Heaven in song. I have a nudging inclination that 2011 is going to be exceptional in ways beyond prediction. 

Trust

Somehow by someone I have been put on a list for a local church's daily prayer ministry. I began receiving emails on a month ago, each containing the following message followed by a specific prayer:

The Captive Project prayer ministry. "We have made a commitment to pray for you on a daily basis for one year. You will receive a daily email that will ask for a prayer request. All you have to do is reply to the email with your request. If you do not have a request we will still pray for you, we just want you to know that each time you get an email that you have been prayed for.

Each week the topic of focus is exactly what I need to be exposed to on countless levels and today as I opened my mail the following message was exposed. Without doubt it needs to be central in my life...

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:3-5

Thank-you to whom ever thought enough of me to volunteer my information to The Captive Project, to those who pray continuously for someone they have never met and for the Lord's perfection and provision in ways that I could never fathom. I am in awe.  

Merry Christmas!

Disclaimer

After some less than welcome negative interpretations towards the topics displayed on this blog, I feel the unfortunate need to post a disclaimer clarifying why I post at Beneath the Acacia Tree. So here it goes...

If you are looking for a place where happy little unicorns flutter about 24/7 whilst blowing rainbow- tinted bubbles this is not the place for you. There is a consistent joyful undertone that I hope to convey but let's be honest; life is not always lollipops and smiles. This blog is a true and candid example of my personal ups and downs - joys and hardships. For anyone assuming that they "know" me because of what they read I assure you that although I aim to be transparent there is much to me that would be impossible to inscribe accurately.

I know I am blessed and trust me when I say that I am not taking it for granted or ignoring where I am in hopes for a more fulfilling future - I have a damn good life and I am honored that I have to chance to live it. I am not here to complain or to gain your sympathy when I communicate a struggle or to contrive envy in you when I experience elation. However much I appreciate reader support and encouragement, I compose because I feel the need to and you as an individual have the choice to read or to leave.

I am not writing with the intent to make you feel better about yourself I am writing to express myself because drafts are constantly in my head and words are a sweet release for me in all areas of my life. Although I hope my words can fill you with humor in unhappiness or inspiration in discouragement I write to document the happenings of my family as we navigate life together. If you care to or are interested in following with us on our various adventures we are fortunate to invite you along, but if you frequent Beneath the Acacia Tree and leave feeling angry, bitter or disagreeable than I urge you to stop visitation. 

I will continue to post and I guarantee that in each entry, genuineness and sincerity will dominate. Whether I am feeling like a cheerful cherub or woeful serpent you as a reader will receive a factual account.  Life is tough - life is a blessing - I will gladly experience both aspects because in each situation I am confident that God's hand rests with purpose.

Blessings,

j

Christmas Recital

Less Than Uplifting

 

I ache with anticipation. 

My heart surrounds a hole that yearns to be filled. 

In constant prayer I beg for rest to my desire. With faith I move forward, but the delay is often numbing. I struggle to concentrate and fall to my knees in tears without warning. How much longer until I see the faces that I imagine in perfection? When will the end of one wait lead into the wait of another?

I am tired and I am broken, intensely longing to see my babies. Is the end close? 

Lord Jesus deliver me from my impatience and calm me with your promise. May faith lead my spirit and keep me a float when I feel weighed down by anguish.

A Call to Prayer

I literally stumbled upon this blog post and wept.
http://babyjuddah.blogspot.com/2010/12/prayer-needed.html

As many know my heart already aches for Ethiopia and more specifically twins, while we anxiously wait for our own referral of two little ones.  Please fall to your knees and pray for this little guy so that he may have a life that will hopefully take him into old age alongside his sister and loved ones. A life that will be lead praising the miraculous God that continuously saves.

Our Fearless Intellect

Our Comedic Extremist

We March Forward

It is a new week and our prayers rest in the grace and will of God. May we see the little faces that fill us with so much anticipation... Referral - please?

Our Passionate Artist

Exhaustion

Sleeping on the kitchen floor after a late night celebrating Papa G's birthday! Sweet dreams my angelic Ethiopian princess.

Ten Months Waiting

Lord Jesus in Heaven, I pray that you will please bless us with our referral call. I faithfully believe with hope and joy.

Guess the Date

I know, I know... we can attempt to 'guess' but it is all in God's divine timing. But honestly now, Mama Fink needs a little pick-me-up. Humor a waiting mother and make a guess for our referral date... AJ's prediction is the 15th, I wish it was yesterday and the kids are simply counting down the days until Christmas! Keep in mind I'm a bit fragile at the moment so if you think the call will come a month from now lie to me...

Natural Divide

Verse of the Day

"If you believe, you will get anything you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

Pop Goes the Tire(s)

It is nothing more than expected. A new car, our family's magnetic pull towards catastrophe and a lose bolt lying in the middle of a gas station parking lot. Put all of the above together and what do you end up with... a hole the size of Texas in a brand new Michelin. As if the angst of one  blown tire wasn't enough for one day this just so happened to be the second tire to pop within a one hour period of time. First AJ's rear tire exploded on his way home from work and then my unblemished mini van fell victim. No joke - it was the same hubby behind the wheel of two different vehicles thus resulting in dual flats within sixty minutes; I almost didn't believe it myself.

On a pro positive note, our 'luck' may not always be of the highest caliber but at least everyone managed to walk away unscathed. Hopefully with time this little quip will evolve into something that we can laugh about. From an outside perspective it must seem so ridiculous that it is in fact hilarious. However, personally, I'm a bit perturbed to say the least. It all circles back to how I wish my car could fly... no bolts to dodge just clouds to float amongst. 

St. Nicholas

Santa's sneaky predecessor tip toed into each of the kids rooms on Saturday evening, successfully managing to dodge the elaborate booby trap set up by Etienne, and left a stocking stuffed with candy and trinkets for each mini Fink to enjoy and share. Sophia and T were up before the sun rose and Charlotte was following along closely as excitement spread across their little faces. We said a prayer of thanks and spent the next hour consuming candy canes and chocolate elves.

Second Annual Buddy Breakfast

The Grocery List

The Ingredients

The Diners

Our love for the lighthearted holiday movie, Elf and our little one's adoration for anything pasta related catapulted us into our second annual 'Buddy Breakfast.' Add some candy and a few Christmas plates and we have a sugar filled morning full of celebration. To an onlooker it may appear less than appetizing but I beg you to hold judgment until you've given it a go. Bon Appetit!