What will 2013 bring??? This morning as I've been reflecting on the past year and pondering the new year impending, one thing is crystal clear:
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Psalm 127:1
The past year of our lives belonged to the Lord. The next year belongs to Him too. Our future is His. Our lives are a piece to the puzzle of His story.
It's not about us...It's not about our kids or our family or our story, though God uses those vessels for His glory. But, we remind ourselves often that "it's just life on earth" and it's a blink, a vapor. Everything we have and do and are is only useful in light of eternity, so by God's grace, may we live it as such!
As I welcome the new year from afar, I'm openhanded, expectant, filled with childlike faith, and hopeful that God will use our family to accomplish great things for Him, through Him.
What will 2013 bring??? Only He knows...but I'm ready...are you?
"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15
We had our first date today, Noble and I. It was really sweet. What started out as an errand turned into a mommy/son memory and we broke the ice again. Firsts...there are many of them.
It hasn't been seamless. It hasn't been easy. This little person, my Noble, he's had a challenging start. But, I have to say the challenges are part of what make the sweet moments like today so sweet. The heartaches are what make the smiles and laughs so memorable. The rejections are what make the hugs and kisses so amazingly joyous when we receive them. And, the trials of walls built up are what make the crumbling of coping mechanisms so triumphant.
So, today, my son and I ventured out together for the first time just the two of us. He yelled, "Mommy!" many times and I caught the glances of onlookers who tried to figure us out and I was comfortable...a good sign. He's my son and I'm his mommy and we had a special time together today on our first date.
It's not uncommon for us to be asked if we EVER sleep...to which we usually reply, "Yes...No...It's a season..."
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
We realize this season of comforting little ones in the night will be missed one day, and so for now, we don't always sleep (though much of the time we do) ...and both are alright with us because we're parenting our children at night.
With the amount of little sleepers in our home, someone is bound to come into our room at one point each night and if not, one of the babies that nest in our room will surely wake. But to be honest, we love the snuggles and know they will soon be gone.
Surely, we will long for the day when our babies, toddlers, and every now and then our "big" kids needed us in the night. Surely, one day we will remember fondly rubbing backs and singing La La Lu to precious children who once needed us. They grow up quickly, so we're savoring the affection while it's ours to enjoy.
I remember when Aida, our oldest and first, was little and we made a choice to allow her into our bed when needed. Well-meaning advise givers warned us repeatedly that she'd never turn out normal...but she has, and we did, and we don't regret it one bit!
I remember having co-sleeping newborns over the years and thinking each time that I'd never get a full night's sleep ever-never-ever again. But they each grew up, sleep all night long most nights now (in their own beds), and I miss them sometimes.
So, I tiptoe into their rooms and check on them, so big, so self-sufficient. Why do children look so adorable and sinless when they sleep?! Give me five minutes of sleeping children after a day when I thought I really needed a BIG break and I'm thinking, I miss them already!
Of course, the goal is to bottle that "missing them" feeling before they're asleep, to remember how much we love them when we think we're too weary to give, to embrace our role as a caregiver who CARES.
(Even when we're tired.)
Perspective...it's powerful. When we take our thoughts captive and intentionally shift our thoughts and heart's motives to give of ourselves what's needed, when needed, the needs indeed go away. They don't linger when met, they dissipate with comfort and compassion and hopefully render a wholehearted child who's received what they deserve and long for most of all...LOVE.
So, do we EVER sleep? Sure we do, but when we don't, we choose to like that too and hopefully someday when we look back on these years, we'll remember them fondly.
"LOVE is patient and kind; LOVE does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. LOVE never ends." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you." Isaiah 30:19
"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you." Isaiah 66:13
"As a father shows compassion to
his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him." Psalm 103:13
(La La Lu...One of our all time favorite lullabies.)
(Sleep Sound in Jesus...All of our children have fallen asleep to this CD over the past 12 years...It's a beloved staple.)
"For he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,the fruit of the womb a reward."
Last week in the midst of our sickness and extended cabin fever, we decided one sunny California winter day to hit the beach and breeeeath in some fresh ocean air. It was a welcome reprieve from our quarantine and I think we all felt much better because of it!
We spent the day at one of our favorite beaches, hoping to show Noble the ocean and some surfing, definitely not realizing how much HE would LOVE the ocean!
We couldn't get him off the board from the minute we arrived. The kids were so good with him! It was a day full of nostalgic memories and special firsts...
Noble literally walked straight into the water and fell flat on his face fully clothed from the first minute his toes touched the sea! Of course, we thought the day was over right then and there, but instead, to our surprise, he laughed at himself and remained wet the rest of the day, borrowed Nova's wetsuit, and even ended up catching his first waves ever with Daddy (upon his request) by the end of the day. It was awesome...and his Daddy was just a little proud of his son.
(First wave ever...)
(Still smiling...)
We couldn't help ourselves in all the excitement that our little boy loved the ocean and surfing as much as we do, so we swung by a wetsuit outlet on the way home to see if they had any teeny tiny full suits in stock. Let's just say, Noble was pretty stoked on surfing and even more stoked (so it seemed) on his new wetsuit...which he insisted on wearing out of the store and all the way home. :)
It was a good day...
"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
It's another laugh-or-you'll-cry moment in the Lefebvre family history. Don't worry, we're still hanging in there.
At this point, it seems all eight children have or have had RSV, though it's by far been most serious for India who is still fighting to breath normally...poor girl!
At least four of the kids have ear infections with a couple others yet to be determined. Our kitchen looks like a pharmacy and we have to keep lists in order to remember who takes what and when. It's a production!
And, just when it felt that things couldn't get worse, the plague of all maladies struck...stomach flu. Nooooooooooo! Half the clan has had it, while the rest await our doom, praying to escape.
I figure, there's only UP from here...
Thanks for praying for us. We need it! We're still enjoying some of our favorite traditions of the holiday season in spite of our rather pathetic condition. We managed to get out and pick our Christmas tree and we're loving the nostalgic music and videos that made their way down from the attic.
{Here's us...realizing quickly that the odds of us getting a decent family photo are going down at an alarming rate... :/ }
We're focusing on Jesus' birth, realizing how His life affects how we live ours, thankful for the reason we rejoice at Christmas time! May the hope of Christ and the gospel permeate this time of year as we celebrate faith in Jesus and what He's done for us!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Thank you for praying for India with us! As her oxygen levels improved last night, they allowed her to come home from the hospital. Praise God! She has breathing treatments and medication to reduce the intense mucous in her respiratory system and we're trying to keep her comfortable, which is a challenge. She is so sick, poor baby girl!
Our other two youngest children are also sick, so we are praying that they do not develop RSV. Will you please pray for Nova and Boden as well as India? We don't want to be in the hospital again and we're praying for healing, health, and endurance for tired parents. :)
Thank you for supporting us and praying for us as we trust God with our lives. He is able.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart." Proverbs 3:5
"Now to him who is able
to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power
at work within us, to Him be the glory." Ephesians 3:20-21
The faith walk continues today as our precious little India was sent to the Emergency Room after her doctor visit. They suspect she has RSV. She's been having trouble breathing since last night.
We know God called us to care for this child in His name and we're doing that the best we can, but realizing the fragility of her tiny body tonight reminds us, yet again, that her life is in His hands. She is His daughter and He loves her way more than we ever could!
Will you please join us in prayer for India as we entrust her to the One who blessed us with her in the first place? Will you please lift her precious soul before the Lord, asking that He would heal her?
Thank you for joining us on this journey. We're continually on our toes and on our knees before God as we follow Him daily along the path He's chosen for us. Tonight, we're especially thankful that our little girl is here in the United States where she can be treated medically and have the love and care of her mommy, daddy, family, and friends while she is sick.
Father God, as we wait upon news of India's health this evening, we surrender control and lay her life in your hands. We trust that you are always good, even when things are difficult and we commit to faith in you, without fear. Please guard our hearts and minds as we pray for our little girl who we love so much already! We ask in Jesus' name that you would heal her and we accept your sovereign will as we join with others this evening in prayer for our India. Amen.
(India's big sister LOVES her!!!)
"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
This is the fundraiser we've been waiting for, our opportunity to help the Smith family bring home their daughter, Sadie, from the DRC!
Mike and Brodie faithfully shared in comradery throughout our DRC Trip 1 and DRC Trip 2 experiences, while Lydia and I upheld one another in prayer and via email as our husbands were away. This family loves and trusts the Lord with their whole hearts and it's our privilege to help raise funds for them to cover the costs of this third and unexpected trip back to Congo to finally bring home Sadie.
After spending the whole second and very taxing trip with Brodie on his last stay in Congo, Mike had to return home solo when Sadie's visa was again denied. He loyally helped Brodie with our two children and now this is our turn to help them. They need the prayers and contributions of the church body to rally financially for this unforeseen detour and I KNOW God will provide!
This is where you come in...The Smith family has been selected as the feature family for the Give1Save1 fundraising project this week and we can donate funds to their adoption in Jesus' name. He is the One who has called them to Sadie and He is the One who will accomplish what He started. God will use the body of Christ to fulfill His purposes and we're honored to be a part of it in some small way.
So....just click on the photo below (or click HERE) to watch the Smith's video and donate at Give1Save1. Every little bit helps as we deposit eternal treasure in heaven, bringing home a daughter of the King, helping to set one solitary girl into a loving home because of what God has done!
(Sadie, Noble, India, and two of the precious DRC mamas)
Also, please be in prayer for Mike and Sadie in Congo over the next two weeks (his plane lands in just a few hours!!) and for Lydia and their other four children back at home. We're trusting God for great things, praying for His perfect peace, and waiting for His plans of provision to unfold for the Smith family.
Thank you for joining us in this missional opportunity. It's a blessing to give, to pray, and to encourage others and I hope that's just what we all do!!
"God settles the solitary in a home." Psalm 68:6
[UPDATE: Lydia told me today that Sadie has malaria. Will you please join us in prayer for Sadie as she is ill in Congo? We know God can heal her and we're trusting Him to do just that!]
She's the one who made me a mommy, one of my best friends in the whole world. She's brave, passionate, ambitious, domestic, creative, empathetic, athletic, talented, coordinated, humble, extremely responsible, wise well beyond her years, a natural leader, an avid reader, a nurturing soul, a brilliant encourager, discerning, well-mannered, and a mini mother hen in our home.
It's common for others to urge me not to ask too much of my eldest in a family of our size, but it's not possible to hold Aida back from doing what God designed her to do. She loves contributing to our family and tenderly caring for her little siblings and our home. That's just who she is. That's what Aida likes to do and I love it about her.
Aida's name means "joyful helper" and she is. She's also extremely competent, which happens to be a bonus. Between Aida and Elka, I can be confident that my home will run efficiently if I'm out. My girls have got it covered. Aida is the type of child that I can briefly explain something to and know for certain that she "got it" and will achieve what I've explained. She just gets it.
As Aida has grown and matured in the Lord, it is clearly evident that the Holy Spirit has transformed my little girl into a blossoming woman of God. Her inner heart shows identifiable change that can only come from Him. Her heart is broken for what breaks His. She loves Him, spends time with Him, is devoted to Him, and wants to serve Him with her life.
While most girls her age are circling items in gift and doll catalogs, Aida saves her money, literally circling items in Samaritan's Purse catalogs, calculating how much more she needs to save in order to buy mosquito nets, chickens, and "Jesus Loves You" lambs for impoverished people across the globe. Aida is a ring leader and passionate about rallying for the poor and needy. I know she will use her life to minister to the least of these in Jesus' name. I'm sure of it. She already does!
It's because of Aida that we sponsored our first Compassion International child. She opened our heart to a work God was doing in the life of a little girl all the way in Africa. I'm so thankful for this compelling spirit of compassion that Aida has displayed. She pushes me (in a good way) when I'm usually the one prodding others. It's funny to have a child grow to a place of maturity where I honestly feel like I glean perspective from her. She shares her heart and I listen. Aida is my friend.
Lord, as I consider my Aida today, pondering the gift you gave me in her, I rejoice! As I remember her bold spirit when she was young and questioned why you chose a child so different from me, for me, I realize my naivety. We are intensely more similar than I could have realized. How could I have seen in my own immaturity the blessings wrapped up in this wonderful child? How could I have known how complimentary her attributes would be for me as her mother? How could I have understood the plans you had and have for Aida?
So, now as I reflect on all that you have done in and through Aida, I thank you, God, for choosing her for my first born child. You know exactly what you are doing and you have beautiful plans for Aida's life. May she love you passionately all the days you've ordained for her and may she serve you well as she serves others in your name. Thank you, Lord, for Aida, my cherished friend, loyal life partner, precious daughter. Amen.
"Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." Ephesians 6:10
"Rescue those who are being taken away to death;hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, “Behold,
we did not know this,” does not he who weighs
the heart perceive it? Does not he
who keeps
watch over your soul know it,and will he not repay man according
to his work?" Proverbs
24:11-12
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that
you have not known." Jeremiah 33:3
She's my mini-me in so many ways (poor girl!), hypersensitive, artistic, emotional, concerned about others, passionate, free-spirited, affectionate, intuitive, joyful, servant-hearted, too loving for her own good, generous, thoughtful, people-oriented, encourager to all, a super fun best friend of mine (and many)!
Today, as I'm thanking God for Elka, it's hard not to smile. She has so much passion, I'm sure she will set the world on fire for Jesus...she's chomping at the bit. She literally cries over how much she longs to go to China to care for orphan children there. She loves African people and is certain she will adopt a million children of her own someday and I don't doubt it.
Elka has the gusto to do anything she sets her mind to, so it's our tall order to keep her on the right track. Elka lights up a room and goes out of her way for the one. If a job needs doing, I can count on Elka. If a person needs cheering, she's the gal for the task. If a heart needs nurturing, Elka is on it without delay. She loves people and lives to share the love of Christ with others. It's her passion.
Elka will tell you she wants to be a missionary one day. Whatever she does with her time and her life's efforts, I know she will be serving the Lord. She goes extensively deeper than her seven years. In fact, it's hard to realize how young she is at times because of her spiritual and relational maturity. These are gifts from God and I pray He puts them to great use as Elka spends her days loving others with His love her whole life long.
When I consider Elka's role in our family life, I think of a reliable friend, an encouragement when needed, a hug, a smile, a cheerleader, and someone I can count on. When I think of Elka with Noble and India, I picture her with hands on deck. It's not uncommon for me to have to pry my newest children out of her affection to be sure they are spending more time with me (their mommy) than their doting, best friend sister. I love this about Elka! She loves intensely. She is a loyal friend and family member. She is very special.
Father in heaven, thank you for my Elka. Thank you for her energy, her spunk, her generous heart for others. Thank you for choosing me to raise this special little girl. Thank you for the kindredness you've given to her and I that I might help her navigate the highs and lows of life through our relatability. Thank you for what you have done and will do through my little Elka. May she bring glory to you, Lord, as she ministers to others throughout her life in Jesus' name.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."
Matthew 28:19
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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