The Prodigal's Gift

What makes a place a home? Is it the familiar sound of the distant owl and the lonely yet intriguing call that drifts on the early morning air? What about just knowing my little ones are tucked safely and sleeping with sweet 
dreams in their little beds and that even if I closed my eyes I know eactly where each room is, each piece of furniture? Is it the familiar day in and day out schedule? Is it laughter and all the good  times we share as a
 family? Is home where I have perfected my surroundings, my possessions to exactly how I want them? 

I house within my body the most exploding in preciousness gift~the Lord Jesus. I know that because I can lay my head down at night and "It is well with my soul'" that anywhere can be home. Home isn't about the amount of things I have and neither is it about the amount of things I don't have. Home is something peaceful. It is warmth and it is the place that has a magnetic pull in which I'd rather be there more than anywhere else. Often it is people that make up home..

But with that I say, there are people all around us that know not the emotional warmth of a "home" and even tho' they live in a "house structure", God has asked us, His bride, to give them a "home". They are hungry, not only for food, but for the security that comes with acceptance. They long to be protected and feel its comfort as a blanket about them.  They long to be clothed in the garment of peace, knowing they are loved for, provided for and nestled in safety. To feel the slow smile of joy slide across their face knowing they have found a "sweet home sweet home".  Or the spontaneous exploding joy when they discover a God who loves them so much!! 

And each of us, as the prodigal, have found our way to the Father's open arms... and know we are home. We now feel within His embrace the urgency to give what has been given. It's a place to be made strong so we can be poured out...its a place that gives. It is outward in its focus. A place that He can use, can fill. Its not about us anymore.. Or what we derseve. Its about Him. 

He wants to take us by the hand, as a Father, and point us to all that is truly beautiful.. Our home is then graced by His beauty, His Love and His peace. We share the honor of experiencing Him in everything! The wisp of the wind carries His voice. The sound of rain, His music. We experience the gift of a love that nothing can separate~Romans 8:35-39. We are home. Where is that? It is absolutely anywhere He is. Where is He? I can't answer that question for you. Where is He for me? He says that if we seek Him with our whole heart we will find Him. Jeremiah 13:29

With God the Impossible Becomes Possible!!

Our first Sunday with the host kiddos proved the biggest blessing!! After arriving at Church  the kids and their companion were given a ear piece for during the message where the Pastor's preaching would be translated into Spanish. It wasn't long that the older of the M's showed me what they wrote in their  notebook.
"Jehovah Spanish. Jehovah Ingles" (English). That absolutely touched the sensitive cords of my heart. This sweet child's vision of Papa God has just been broadened. God just got bigger to them.  God is both Spanish and English speaking and much much more!!! And I know God will be faithful in showing this precious child more of Himself and His very nature. Wow....

God is a big Papa God that's for sure!! One of the things that has been on my heart lately is how God loves impossibilities.. When a situation is where it seems impossible, it's right where God likes it!! How about the phrase, "Well, realistically speaking..." We serve an unrealistic God!! He's real alright, but the things He does are quite "Unreal"! I mean, He fed 5,000 + people with a couple fish and  little bit of bread!! He parted a sea to dry ground as an escape route for His people!!

I love the true story that Pastor told on Sunday. God wanted to grant this little poor woman, whose income was $200 a month, the desire of her heart. She did not ask for money as many of us might have. She asked that her two boys would find the Lord. As she was saying the words, her boys who were also in the room, were mocking her. Before she even had her request completely finished, her boys fell at her, under heavy conviction of the Holy Spirit!!!! Wow!! Unrealistic? Super-Natural? Yes! Yes! Yes! And God did it! Because He is capable of all things. I really believe that, but not just because I believe it. There are a vast variety of beliefs out, but I believe it because the Word of God is full of "unrealistic impossible situations" that God conquered.

I have been amazed lately how the stories that had God's attention and stamp of approval on, in Scripture, and are recorded to get our attention, are quite different than what gains approval in this day and age...The woman who gave one small coin while the wealthy around her gave much, was actually recorded as having given most... The woman whos oil was running low and was asked to feed the Prophet of the Lord first, found that her cooking oil jar never ran out... Mary sitting at Jesus feet, her longing for more of Him....worship....beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.....

Is it realistic? Is it possible? Can we figure it out? Those are not what is top priority on our list anymore as God leads Mike and I.. If he says walk toward a Red Sea then believe me that is the best place to walk..

As a human, I cringe inside sometimes...I long for "this situation" to just be easy, to just go smoothly.  I've wept, knowing my God would come through in particular situations, and also found myself praying, telling my Papa God that I wished I was not afraid... And you know what? He came through. Sometimes not until the verrry last minute. Actually (smile..laugh) many times not until the last minute!!


               "When we are between a rock and a grace place we know our God is there."

Meeting the Kiddos

Yesterday I felt the Father's tears well up within me. He gave our little family the beautiful opportunity to glimpse why He so tenderly cares for the orphaned child. In December we will be hosting a sibling group of kiddos from a Country nestled in South America. We have been eagerly anticipating this for months now! And last night, after months of talking about the kids and praying many prayers for them, we finally met them on Skype!:)

Oh my, thankfully, Mike started the welcomed conversation, cause I don't think I could have said much! As we waved, laughed and smiled from so far apart, and everyone excitedly saying "Hola!! Hi!!" it was just all so touching an experience!! (Today, I realized that I don't think those first initial few moments did any of us even think about our difference in languages!) Our Heavenly Father is so GOOD!!!

 Our son Michael said it seems so much more real now. We really believe God chose the kiddos that would spend 3 weeks in in our home. Earlier we received their names, then their pictures, and now we heard their childish voices- and it was absolutely one of the best and most touching and most beautiful things, I personally have ever witnessed and experienced!!

I am blessed that our kids get the opportunity to connect with God's precious children, and to feel the Father's impacting heartbeat at such a young and impressionable age! As our kids life story unfolds, they are definitely being impressed one way or another. I love the Webster's meaning of impressed;....stamp;imprint,. The dictionary meaning is focused on the mind, emotions and feelings. Now add the God stuff, such as His hidden place in our kid's heart. And through this sweet and blessed opportunity, our kid's heart, the literal bedrock of their soul, has been "impressed" or stamped and imprinted upon with what is of value to God.  It is a sacred and holy awesome thing! They have been touched by the strong influence of something spiritual...God's love for the orphaned child.

Our five sweet and energetic kids!!
And next week, Lord willing, the sweet and energetic Colombian kiddos,
will be gracing our little family with their presence!
We are in for a nosier and merrier Christmas!!! 

I am reminded again how, in reaching to these little ones, we are reaching with outstretched arms to our Heavenly Father. Hie precious Word declares that and I believe it!!

                 "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." 
                                                                      Matthew 18:5

Autumn. Blessings. Memories

I just love how Thanksgiving is the time of year when the weather is refreshingly crisp (okay to those of you in the North it's more than crisp, huh?! But memories of colorfully fallen leaves are still fresh on your memories.:))  We love the warmth of a cozy fire and spiced apple candles and I can only imagine adding autumn's rich color just before Thanksgiving!!) In the South we are still only being teased by the occasional cool days and some of us are begging for more!:) This morning is a real kicker.windy and cold! Yay!!:) I love this time of year that causes me to reflect on all that I'm truly thankful for and to savor reflectively on all our blessings, all our growth, and all the stretching that God has allowed in our life to strengthen us and grow our roots deeper in Him!! I've listed some things I am thankful for to go with these pictures, but the truth is, this list could go on and on....!:)

Birthdays! I am thankful for birthdays! The kids childish
glee over their new gift and of course their birthday
cake!!

I am thankful for banjo playing little boys! Cameron fills our house with music!!

Our future band!! Music is a regular guest and also a guest of honor in this house!!

Old fashioned apple pie! Yes, I am thankful for that!!;)

A hot cup of tea with my man! 

Gardens! Yes, I am thankful for our garden. We spend a lot of family time bantering
 with each other out there!
 And a lot of character building comes out of our gardening time!!

Blue Bell ice cream! I took this picture with Alaythia's denim and pink skirt that I was altering.
I loved how they matched! Just one of those small rewarding wonders in a stay at home mom's day!;)
So, I guess you could say in a nutshell, I am thankful for joy in  life's simple treasures!:)

I am thankful for time spent with our oldest son, Michael. :) He's now taller than his mommy!

Summer days and splashing in our pool!

Family tea time. 

Babies! I am thankful for every baby that God has graced
our home with! They have all added such richness to our lives!

I love little boys and how they notice stick guns on trails, rocks and stones
and sipping from fine china! They are definitely wondrous creations!

This past spring daddy and our eldest son were able to attend a conference
 in Colorado! Enriching time in the Word of our God! And such good fellowship!!!
We marvel at the Spiritual growth and maturity in our son's life as he chooses to embrace the truths
of God. We are so blessed by his life. 

Mother's Day!! My little family already delights in serving their mommy all year and I am
 so humbled by their love and devotion to me. It is a gift I never want to take for granted.
They also gifted me with this lovely Bosch coffee maker! 

Early mornings and coffee with my sweetheart Mike.
The quietness of the house as we visit and share from the Word.

My surprise trip by my Mike, for me to go to a woman's conference at the same campus that
he and Michael went to a month earlier! The spiritual refreshment was the sweetest experience and God stretched me so much! I wept a lot as I saw first hand the truths of our mighty and awesome God.  And I wept as I saw more clearly what is truly dearest to His heart. And that is the orphaned child. 

I am thankful for this sweet little princess. All of heaven spills forth from her spontaneous smiles and laughter....
which is often!!!

Men in Training! 
 As I gaze upon our sons and see them allowing God to tune
their hearts toward Him. Beautiful!!!

I am thankful for toys!!
And all the creative things that our children build and make and imagine in their play!!

The joy on our children's face as we delight in giving them things!!

I am thankful for all the things we do as a family!! This is homemade root beer time!
Their daddy does such a great job in keeping life interesting!!

Our date nights with our kids! I am verrry thankful for that!
This was sweet daddy and Alaythia's date.:)

Everything of "home" I'm so thankful for...as  our kids like to quote, "Sweet Home Sweet Home"!
I agree!!!
Note: The little vase of flowers were given to Alaythia by her daddy on their daddy/daughter date night!
Sweet.:)  
 She moves them all around our house! 

Our "words of blessing" little guy. 

I am thankful for our sweet baby!!

I love how our baby Branson just loves playing! It is the cutest thing how someone so
little loves his toys so much!!! He really does!

Our acreage.. Plenty of room to play and have camping and camp fires
 and gardens. We love living in the country! I am sooo thankful for that
blessing!!

Laundry flapping in the breeze as little kiddos run through it!  It was so adorable!

For every material blessing that really makes our life pleasant.

I am thankful that big bro will help make something "sweet ".

I love serving our little family and many, many times I really feel like I'm playing house!!;)

...for fresh purple basil and baskets!!

To have a good man to call mine...a good man to call our kid's daddy...a
 good man to lead us in the way of righteousness. Good to me means "everything
that is sweet and valuable".  This man's hobbies are truly "our family".  I am thankful for his unselfish Godly spirit. For the role model he is to all the boys we have been given the task to raise.  For the picture of Christ he is in our home! Thank you JESUS!!

I am thankful for the boys interest in music!!

I am thankful and honored to be Cameron's mommy! He is a kind  young man and I
 know God has good things in store for him because he loves Jesus!

...for all the adventures of little boys and trees!!

I am thankful that of all the people of the world God chose me to be my Mike's sweetheart and to mother this young flock.  He hand picked me to nurture them and add His fingerprints all over our home. And I have been the receiver of "joy" overflowing.. This past year Proverbs 31:31 stood out to me as never before. "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."    My soul  relies upon the promise of  God that we can raise a generation of blessing. My heart's desire is:
 "our children walking in Truth".


May the Lord bless you as you seek in serving Him with
your whole heart!!! And as you ,by faith ,claim His precious promises!!!


 

"ReKindled Love"

   As I sat on my back porch this morning praying and thinking back over my life and just thanking God for His faithfulness and protection. I realized that when someone is lost on a path, how easy it is to accept the wrong hand reaching down to help. And how that could lead down a misguided path. For women, our longing to be loved and cherished very easily makes us  prey to our adversary, the devil, IF Jesus is not at the forefront of every decision we make. He needs to be at the core of everything. This applies whether single or married. The grass can look greener on either side of the fence we're on. As my husband and I faced storms in our marriage we found ourselves unequipped to conquer them. Both of us had been raised in "Christian" homes. Yet, we lacked the training we really needed. 

    I first encourage every single woman reading this, to invest your energy and everything you are, first in the Lord Jesus Christ before you begin an earthly relationship with a guy. If  Jesus is not the very focal point (the concentration of your heart , your life sharply defined by Him), pursue that. Pursue Him as the Lover of your soul. He longs for us to have such rich, deep, fellowship in Him that can't possibly be found in any human. God is eternal. His truth feeds our soul. He offers living water! As much as I love my Mike and he's a really sweet guy who serves the Lord and loves me unselfishly, but he couldn't possibly meet the inner longings of my soul for my Saviour. He blesses me in that longing, he helps me mature spiritually, he's one of my greatest inspirations and all of that and more, is so wonderful, but it really needs to begin with our pursuit of Christ first. 

    As a young gal, I was driven by a longing to know Christ more and believe me, dating before my life was completely defined in Christ, caused a great distraction and later I found myself married and very easy prey to the enemy as he warred for my soul and the destruction of my marriage.  For years everyone thought our marriage was great and we occasionally found others asking for our secret to our wonderful marriage. And we were hurting...and angry, and didn't know where to turn.  But there was Someone who saw our tears when no one else did... Had we pursued HIM we wouldn't have been in the mess we were in! 

    A friend gave me the book, "Fascinating Womanhood" by Helen Andelin. And God used that book to minister and change my life!!!  When I started the book, I read it with a very selfish heart. My heart was intent on changing Mike! But something was happening.... First I was selfish. Then angry. Then, as the scales began to fall off my eyes, I literally felt compassion (or perhaps that's what a mature Christian would have called it.)  in the state I was in, I felt sorry for my Mike. And as I saw distinctively my imperfections, I was actually now glad my Mike wasn't perfect. Before, his imperfections ate at me so bad that they were all I could see every time I gazed at him. Mike and I slowly began to change....looking back, I would describe that season of our life as, fragile and beautiful and so lovely. But yes, oh so fragile...we were taking baby steps forward....

      I will never forget, holding my breath one night at our dinner table, as I listened to this man excitedly telling me something he heard on the radio that day. He left the table to walk across the room to get his Bible to find the passage he heard...I sat with abated breath...I didn't want to ruin this hallmark moment...I had such a longing for Mike to truly lead our home and now he was...It's hard to believe we're  the same people, but it's a testimony of what God can really do in some one's life. Mike says that "By remembering where he came from is what keeps him focused on what God's did and doing". It's always a reminder to us of God's greatness. 

      Mike looks to our heavenly Father for the directions in how to lead our home. And God has also brought men of spiritual honor and strength up along side Mike to encourage and challenge him to greater depths. Oh, God is so good!!!!!! 

      Like most girls, growing up, I looked forward to falling in love and living happily ever after... And when our marriage started healing one of the things that was hard for me to accept was the reality that my dream did not unfold without any problems. I wanted to have always looked upon my earthly knight in shining Armour, as flawless. And I for sure wanted the world around me to think so too. So, it was a choice we had to make whether to let people think we've always had a beautiful marriage OR to testify what God did in our marriage so others can be helped also. I was sad about the fact we were just another percent of a bad marriage turned around. I wanted the fairy tale marriage story to be ours...What we experience is real and we relish the beauty of what we share...Anyone that knows me personally, knows how I love speaking of Jesus, my Mike and my little family. I live everyday in thankfulness of these blessings.  After we came through this season of our life, I was saddened by the fact of the precious years we lost, but as each year has slipped by ,we are tasting first hand how God miraculously restores. With every pressing in closer to God, our love for each other deepens at greater depth. I look forward to living happily ever after with my earthy prince, and I will speak from the beauty of a rescued soul. Thank You, Jesus!!

My best friend and sweetheart husband!

The Warmth of Togetherness

(I have several blogs in draft that I would love to see published-primarily for my family, because in each blog is a piece of my mommy heart etched. They are definitely written from my heart. You are welcome to come along for the journey. I plan to print blog books for my kiddos some day so I'd like to catch up on what is in my drafts, randomly. This blog was written before we moved to Colorado. We lived in our beautiful, and what we call our, "yellow house". It was sometime in 2013. So here goes...:) ) 

With a hustle and bustle and in a flurry of activity, they were out the door on this still early starlit Saturday morning. This mommy found her self smiling and with a prayer on her lips. It's not so often that I find myself with the house nearly empty of people. I still have two little sugar plums, sleeping peacefully in their cozy little beds, to add sweetness to my day.:) It's really hard to describe the things that are felt within my heart in this whole beautiful role called "motherhood". An extension of the whole of sweetness called "family". But since  this blog isn't entirely for you, but also a journal for us, I guess it's okay if I can't find the words to describe how blessed I really am!.:)

 The important thing is that my life in ministering to my little family displays for them the joy it is to enjoy even the littlest of our blessings. Ironically they are often the very things that leave us with  the most meaningful memories. Some of which I can't help but mention. :) The simple family ice cream treat as we laugh and visit back and forth and as we dream together of some of our life ambitious goals. The unloading firewood escapade ( yes:) you read that right, but you can go back and read it again if you want!:) We all mutually love our fireplace and we are all anticipating cozy winter nights, so....when we found a trailer full of firewood (that's a lot of firewood!!) we all pitched in on the unloading and stacking and I couldn't help notice and think that to all these kiddos this is fun and not work!! Even the tiniest little guy helped and it was so adorable as we watched him neatly stack his little pieces! 

So, for another treasure, meal prep! :) It's usually a weekend thing for everyone, but just the whole thing of our little family gathered in the heart of our home (our kitchen) and some are making fruit smoothies while another is frying the eggs ( of course wee little guy is already munching on his little bowl of cereal!:) and just enjoying being together.:) 

The list could go on and on and on..... The simple things we find ourselves involved in may seem just that to everyone else, but the truth is that the simple things in life can be just what you make them to be. 

   The other morning as I was walking on our road,enjoying the beautiful sunrise and watching the world wake up it came to me in a very startling way that the things of most value are being lost in our world. The "family circle". The warmth of togetherness enjoying the blessings of home. With all the gadgets.. and noise.. and clutter...somehow "family" got lost in the shuffle. And it's sad. The very values in life that kept us strong have been sold out for lousy counterfeit! But it's not too late to regain those values! Kids really do want their parents to take an interest in them.

   Start today by speaking something positive to your child. Praising your teenager on something he/she's did lately.  I love the "Five Love Language" book for kids. Pray that God helps you notice what the primary thing that your child longs for and in some way bless them in that. It's possible! Very possible, believe me! We have 5 kids ranging from 13 down to 2 years old ( now 14-3 years old) and our three oldest all have different love languages.  But even tho' the languages vary and it's a little more effort to meet each ones, it's quite attainable.

    For instance, our oldest is "acts of service". And even tho we teach and train and have them exercise independence appropriate for their age by doing more things for themselves, it is very important that we "do" things for Michael that shows him how much we love him. Being a busy home school mommy, it is simpler to praise him and tell him I love him, but what really makes him smile is when he discovers that I made his bed before he did or for me to sometimes do that job around the house that he normally does. Or serving him something iced or hot to drink as he's up in his room in the early mornings reading. The extra effort tells him he means something to us. That he really is important. Just the other day as Mike (Sr) was trying to figure something out, he called Michael (Jr) in to see if he would know and I observed really what effect that has on a growing adolescent.The feeling of being needed. He being able to exercise wisdom. He is discovering his manhood through broader maturity and these are key factor years. Oh to guide them well, to praise them often, and even sometimes to stand back and look on, praying, as he test own footing.
   I am encouraged by Scripture that God will finish the work He's started in us!
   I hope you were blessed and I sincerely wish You God's strength and wisdom and blessing as you take Him at His Word.

(A reminder about our adoption...If you missed the announcement see our older post,  "Twice the Blessing and Double the Expectancy!"

 You will find a donation button at the top right of this page and we thank you in advance for your gift of any amount as God prompts you. If you prefer to write a check out to our Church and receive a tax deductible receipt you may make checks payable to: "Ellerslie Mission Society" and be sure to note on the memo blank that it is: "Groff family adoption". The address is: 655 Southwood Lane  Windsor, Co. 80550. Thank you and God bless you!!)

Filthy Rags Transformed into Armor of Honor

I really do believe in miracles. For an old drunk to make his way to his usual  hangout place, the local bar, and while en route there, he comes across a group of believers standing on the street corner, singing, "Would you be free from your burden of sin? There is power in the blood!" The hope it offered... The empty void within this broken bit of a man' life... The Holy Spirit's Word offering Life. The Bible refers to the heart as different kinds of soil. (Matthew 13: 1-9 KJV) Who would have thought that this sin addicted man's heart would have rich soil. The seed just needed to be planted... The seed being the Truth of Jesus Christ. Wow... The old drunk, tears streaming down his face, knew of a greater "Power", that moment, than even his craving alcohol addiction. Abandon by his earthly father at the age of eight. Raised by a mother whose heart, probably due to her own hurt and insecurities, was a "tough kind of strong woman".  This broken down man knew only  poverty growing up. This is a sad story if it ended there! It only begins. That man, that drunk, was my daddy. God came into his heart that night and miraculously changed him and made him brand new!! I never knew daddy dear as a drunk. I never knew him as a broken piece of man. God gave him a story of redemption! My dad, because of Jesus Christ, became a new man. :) A loving man. A daddy and sweetheart kind of man.:) Because he didn't experience love, he gave love. Because he was neglected, he loved, protected and gave to us his family. I grew up with a man who spent time with us, loved us, hugged us, and prayed with us. Because he knew what it was like to see his daddy walk away from his mommy, he reached out with beautiful displays of affection for my mama often. He always said, "It's more important for children to see that mommy and daddy love each other, than that mommy and daddy love them. Cause than they never need to live in fear of having to choose which parent someday." He gave newly weds advice, "Twenty hugs a day! But forties not too many!!" My daddy was a good man. Not a perfect man. He died 2 years ago and is in Heaven with my mom, but the legacy they left us lives on.... He would want my generation to stand upon the shoulders of what he was , in Christ, and grow from there. That's what I long for. That our kids will also stand upon the shoulder of our life, in Christ, and grow from there. I see "Trees planted by the rivers of water." (Psalm 1:3) I see "expensive olive plants" (Psalm 128:3).  I see a long, spiritual strengthened, generational train. (Isaiah 59:21) And I see it, because the Word of God says it! And I believe that because the Word of God is God's infallible Word. Infallible means incapable of error.:) I love it! And I love miracles!

My daddy and our daughter. This pic was taken in 2009.