MORE CLOCKS... and my heart

HAPPY FRIDAY! 

Exciting times... football is starting, long weekend, and adoption! :) Just get used to it... now that I can finally say WE ARE ADOPTING.. I'm gonna say it a lot! YAY! 

This week was extremely good for my heart! God is at work. Our youth room was packed on Wednesday night! That's good stuff.  Now... we aren't all about numbers. We concentrate on DEPTH. But... if students are there.. PRAISE GOD! We have an awesome college student, Hunter, who leads worship for us each week! He's great and we are so thankful for him! 

Last night was our community outreach ministry, The Connection!! We had 44 people come! We were able to give our school supplies and school uniforms to kids who came.  We also gave out 29 Bibles and had people asking for more!! That's a great problem to have.  I'm willing to go broke to have the Word of God in people's hands! It was a really great time.  Sometimes... when you think something is not worth continuing because you don't have a huge support from the church... God shows up and He reminds you why you do what you do. I'm thankful He knows me and knows when my heart needs encouragement. 

Last - MORE CLOCKS!!! Buy one... show your friends... have a wedding shower coming up? Birthday? Christmas??? Football season??? Just because?  

Alabama clock anyone? Yea... me neither, but we can make YOUR team colors! :) 

This one was made for a dance studio called 5, 6, 7, 8,... DANCE!!! 

I like it. It's fun! :)

ARTSY!!! We have some more unique ones being finished up!!! I like the weird ones the best! This one is going to be hanging in an art room! Perfect, huh?

Classy :)

GO VOLS!!! War Eagle!! Or... maybe ya just like the rusty look.. I do!!! 

Keep praying! 

Happy Labor Day Weekend! 

uNvEiLeD

So... that was some big news Tuesday! So glad I can finally talk about it. Our family of 3 will sooner, rather than later, be a family of more.

My heart is seriously overjoyed at the thought of bringing home a son/daughter from Belize.  It's crazy to think about the title "mom" being added to my identity. I know actually having our child here is months away... wish breaks my heart knowing the s/he is alone in an orphanage... with no mommy or daddy... no forever family. I wish it could be a fast process but... I WILL WAIT FOR THE LORD (Psalm 27:14). 

I love this passage:

¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18

I feel like my eyes and heart are being unveiled to His ever-increasing glory. I'm am seeing more... in new ways. We, the Morgans, are becoming more like Him... because of His Spirit... definitely not because of who we are. 

I know this whole ADOPTION process is crazy... $22,000 + travel expenses + home study fees +... but I feel more peace about this JUMP of faith than I have about anything else. He is able. You know... that "peace that transcends all understanding?" Yep... I feel it. No... I don't like to wait, but I know we are exactly where we are suppose to be doing what we have been called to do.  Through this (and other things not yet revealed) he is unveiling my eyes to see Him and His plans like never before! He just makes ya fall in love with Him, ya know? 

It's good. I have an extra pep to my step. An extra excitement in my heart.  I know He is good. I know this process is long... and grueling at times... but to be actively living in the will of God is the most energizing and peaceful thing.  I am learning so much already. I know I haven't even tapped into all I will learn through this process of becoming a mommy... I think I might need to buckle my seatbelt.

So... be praying for us crazy Morgans and BUY A CLOCK!! :) 
Email me - annamorgan121909@gmail.com if you want one! 

We'll be making more today!!! :)

WE ARE ADOPTING!!

I can finally ANNOUNCE it!! I have been holding back until I could tell my Bible study girls and all the people that needed to know before they saw it on Facebook! I got to tell my girls last night... and Jacob told his boys... so I can now tell the world!!! I think it's important to tell the girls/boys you are investing in the big stuff before you just announce it.  I know it was important for me when my mentors/role models told me things before I found out in a less personal way.  Anyways... THE NEWS: 

WE ARE ADOPTING!!! 

AHHH!! We JUST started the process. We have started our home study with Lifeline Children's Services and the adoption application process with One World Adoption Services. 

Our hearts have always been for adoption.  I actually have just wanted to adopt... none of that getting pregnant stuff (we'll see if that holds true). Our hearts have been broken for orphans - adoption is the Gospel. We were adopted into Christ's family... a forever family that we did not earn... we were ADOPTED by grace. He calls us His sons. He calls us beloved. AMEN! 

Jacob and I had decided earlier this year that we were going to wait longer before starting the adoption process and possibly have a biological child first.  You know... try out the whole parenting thing on our own genetically made kid and then do it for real on a child we adopt. Well.. God had other plans.  We had also made comments like,"well... we aren't ready to adopt. We will have kids when we are ready." God let us know recently that adoption is not about being ready... it's not about our comfort... it's about RESCUING KIDS and LOVING them because HE LOVES US! 

So... here we are.  We are starting the adoption process. Applying to adopt a 12-13 year old from Belize. Yep. That's what God has laid on our hearts to do. We will be obedient. We are believing Him like never before. 

We are told we will need to raise around $22,000 plus travel cost when we go to get our child. :)

God will show up. He will provide. He is faithful. 

We ask that you first and foremost partner with us in prayer.

That you pray for our hearts to grow and be equipped in the WAITING. That you pray for our child who is waiting to be adopted. That God will let them know they are loved and wanted and being pursued. That things will go smoothly with our home study and the adoption process.  That things on the Belize side will go well and we will find favor throughout. Pray that God will provide the money and resources needed. Pray... whatever He tells you to pray. :) 

Also, if you want to partner with us in raising the funds... we welcome that too. :) 

We are making clocks to sell for adoption funds. :) My hubby is actually making them and I am painting them.  It's been really fun doing crafts together knowing that this work and time is helping us bring home our child! HOW COOL! 

If you want one, email me - annamorgan121909@gmail.com

The regular size is 15in x 15in and are $30. 

The bigger size is 2 ft x 2 ft and are $50.

 We accept donations as well.  

If you need us to ship them to you... it will be a little extra.

You can special order them... any color, design, etc. Just let us know! :) 

This is the BIG one! 

We are super excited... and super nervous too. We know this is the crazy life God has called us to. We have no doubt this is the journey we are to take right now. 

So... as long as God allows it... we will be 25 years old (once it's all said and done), married for 3 years, with a 12-13 year old child!!! 

LOVE IT! God is good! 

Happy Birthday PawPaw! ... and more

This is my Paw Paw :)

Yesterday was his birthday. He is 81.

He is the most precious PawPaw ever. 

I wish all men were like him. He's loves deeply and forever. 

He walks his granddaughter on the ceiling just because it makes her giggle.  He loves his wife... even when she doesn't remember him. He listens. He is patient. He eats food even when it's terrible... and goes back for more. He loves his children and grandchildren more than anything else. He loves God. He is faithful. 

He makes birdhouses from wood. He made me a doll house just because he loves me... can't wait to one day my daughter can use it (way in the future).  He came to every dance recital I had... and sat through hours of other children dancing to see my dances. 

He is a good Paw Paw. 

On another note.

God is so good. I am just giddy with all God is doing. I really am. I can't even sit in my office peacefully because I just want to get out and do stuff and tell people and GO! AHH! 

He is just good... that's all I know to say. 

He is teaching me so much - about FAITH. WAITING. TRUSTING. LOVING. SUPPORTING. UNITY. 

P-R-A-Y-E-R. 

His plans are just beautiful. They aren't want I would have written... but His story for me is so much better. 

See, I am doing a new thing! 
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness 
    and streams in the wasteland. 

Isaiah 43:19

I will go before you 
    and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
    and cut through bars of iron. 
³ I will give you hidden treasures, 
    riches stored in secret places, 
so that you may know that I am the Lord,    the God of Israel, who summons you by name. 

Isaiah 45:2-3

That's all for now... get ready for some major blogs next week! 

wAiTiNg...to be slippers

Waiting...

To stay in place in expectation of

To remain stationary in readiness and expectation 

To hold back expectantly

To be ready and available... like slippers waiting by the bed

These are definitions for waiting.  A word I'm not too crazy about... but God is calling me/us into a season of... waiting. And I'm okay with it.

How I long to be the bed slippers of the King... ready and available to move when He's ready. To be equipped to act when He says... Now is the time.  To be trained and taught and tried and true. To be filled with His feet... His will, His Spirit... to walk with Him. Yes... that's the goal. To wait... to learn... to be molded to His feet... and then to walk... wherever and however He guides me. 

He has big plans for the Morgans this year. I am having to carefully type this so that I don't get ahead of God... I tend to do that... I am practicing waiting.  I would love to just blare it on a loudspeaker all the things He is stirring in us... but He says to wait.  So... wait we will. I will hold back expectantly... expecting HUGE things from a HUGE God.  He is expanding my FAITH like never before.  Trust we must. We will BELIEVE in Him because He is so good. I'm so excited for all He is doing!!!! :) He knows my heart and He is just so stinkin' good! Amen? 

If you are in a season of waiting too... LOOK AROUND... what is He trying to teach you?  Don't miss it! I pray I don't miss it.  The lessons in the waiting... so good. 

On a side note... my hubby has lost over 40 lbs! That's nuts! He is looking even more hunky! :) He has just been counting calories and exercising a bit.  I have been counting calories too... to maintain my mass and just for fun.... but I am puzzled.  I understand that when you lose weight... you lose fat... and the lumps in a girl's chest area are fat... but really?? This girl here has never been gifted in that area anyways and when I "lose weight"... I'm losing MORE of them??? I don't understand!! Can I not lose some baggage in the thigh area and keep what I have??? Ugh... How do skinny people on TV still fill out their shirts? O yea... they are fake. I forgot.  Okay... I'm done... just don't understand why they must shrink even more...

But YAY to my hubby... we ate brownies to celebrate! 

Last thought - One of my favorite people, Amy sent me these verses in a text message the other day. I love them.  They are good in all translations of the Bible, of course... but the Message is so beautiful.

  But there's one other thing I remember, 

and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

 ^22-24God's loyal love couldn't have run out, 

   his merciful love couldn't have dried up.

They're created new every morning. 

   How great your faithfulness!

I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). 

   He's all I've got left.

 ^25-27God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, 

   to the woman who diligently seeks.

It's a good thing to quietly hope, 

   quietly hope for help from God.

It's a good thing when you're young 

   to stick it out through the hard times.

 ^28-30When life is heavy and hard to take, 

   go off by yourself. Enter the silence.

Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: 

   Wait for hope to appear.

Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. 

   The "worst" is never the worst.

 ^31-33Why? Because the Master won't ever 

   walk out and fail to return.

If he works severely, he also works tenderly. 

   His stockpiles of loyal love are immense.

He takes no pleasure in making life hard, 

   in throwing roadblocks in the way

Lamenations 3:21-33

Just Words...

⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

FAITH

A word we throw around all the time. 
A word that should define our lives... our moments... our identities. 
A word I have learned SO much about this summer. 

If you asked me what I learned this summer, it would be how I am BELIEVING God.  I know... simple right. NOPE. There's a difference in believing 
IN God and ACTIVELY BELIEVING Him. To totally TRUST Him... in everything - the "big" and the "small." To KNOW He is good and He is faithful and He hears me. To be aware of His answers. To earnestly SEEK HIM.  To pray BELIEVING He is a miracle-working God and that He is who He says He is.

The Bible study I participated in with the women at my church, Beth Moore's "Believing God" has truly rocked my world.  It's not her words that have changed me... it's simply been putting into practice and BELIEVING, hardcore BELIEVING, that God is the Lord Almighty.  Wow... He has shown up and shown off.  And not because He has to.  Just because He loves me enough to not leave me the same. Because He loves me so much... He wants to teach me.  He loves me so much He wants to use me. He loves us so much...

This summer has changed my life. There are foundations laid for changes that will forever alter... everything. There is a prayer life and a peace and a joy that I never thought possible.  Yes, life is good right now... it really is.  But I also know that when (not if) life gets rocky and Satan comes a swingin'... my God is a ROCK and I am believing Him. He's got me hooked :) 

I have also learned that sometimes with FAITH and BELIEVING there is some WAITING for God's timing involved. His timing is PERFECT, but... patience and waiting are not my favorite things. BUT... I have also learned this summer that a season of waiting means a season of intense training, learning, equipping, and growing. It means I have a lot more to know before it all happens! :) And that's okay. 

There was a song at Passion 2012 called "Lay Me Down" by Chris Tomlin.  There's a bridge in the song that says:

It will be my joy to say, Your will, Your way... always

I have to be honest... in January... I couldn't say that with my whole heart because that's a big statement.  His Way... ALWAYS... sometimes that's not very enjoyable if you know what I mean.  Because of my interpreting brain.. I always look at and analyze the words before I sing a song... because that's important. Who wants to sing and say stuff they don't mean... I don't. BUT... I will scream this bridge at the top of my lungs now! I trust Him completely. His ways are best. He knows my heart's desires and oh... how He will make them realities. 

Can't wait... well I guess I'll have to wait... to see where He takes us.  NOT PHYSICALLY (don't worry... we aren't leaving Troy)... just in general... I'm excited to see what all He's up to.  He's making a way... 

Friday - Caye Caulker

Friday was just a fun day.

We got to see another side of beauty of Belize.  The true beauty was seen in the people and ministry... but this part was very enjoyable too! :) 

Getting ready to snorkel.

The water was BEAUTIFUL!! It looks like we are in a pool... but we aren't. The water was about 12 feet deep right here.

Snorkeling was fun... and intense. We saw some cool fish and coral reef, but our guide was a for real MERMAID!!!! She swam SOOO fast. We couldn't keep up with her.  She would swim down and point out something she wanted us to see, but we couldn't see it because we were all about 20 feet behind her!!!! We were pooped by the time we get back in the boat! 

She was crazy! 

We got to go to another site as well.

Here we got to swim with sting rays and nurse sharks!!! It was AWESOME!! 

Here's Caye Caulker! They pronounce it KEY Caulker though... I don't get it.

It's BEAUTIFUL.  It's only about 5 miles wide and 1 mile deep!! it's the cutest thing ever. Not sure how people actually live on it, but I would love to go back for a vacay! It was SOOO peaceful and chill. 

Here's were we stayed!!! It was great...and pretty inexpensive! The most expensive room was only $75/night!!! YES! 

This was yummy! We all ate hamburgers... we are so American.

I was pumped! 

Funny.

At Caye Caulker there are no cars... just golf carts. 

 I saw some pelicans. I love them. 

Praying Pelicans...

I love this pic! I got to room with Kels, Kaitlyn, and Deanna our night at the Caye. :) It was lovely.

Our dinner restaurant. It was cute and quaint.

See.

All of us, including the Canadians got to talk about our highlights from the week. It was a really special time hearing our students' hearts. I loved these moments. 

I got to share some of my heart. I probably could have talked for hours... but I controlled myself.

I just talked about how God is a prayer-answering, miracle-working God. And that He is. He is faithful. I saw SOOO many prayers answered and new desires ignited.  I saw miracles. I believe more are in the works.

I also talked about how sometimes we don't understand all the reasons for short-term mission trips.  We don't see the end results of the seeds that were planted. You can't disciple someone in 1 week. You can't do everything you want to. Etc. BUT... I love Praying Pelican Missions because they don't leave it like that. They go back to the same places, make relationships with the churches, continue to love on the people, and continue to water the seeds.  God laid 1 Peter 2:4-5 on my heart:

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

Each team, each person, each ministry, each moment of the short-term missions are being built into something so great we cannot even fathom it! I love it! So grateful to be a part of the temple and priesthood.

as Jacob, the fearless leader talked... I cried. 

I love his heart - for our students, for people, for Eric at the orphanage, for our future, for ministry, for the Lord. 

Ohh... he is a miracle and I'm so blessed to be his partner in this life! 

After talking and eating we went exploring on the island...

We found ice cream! YUM! 

Our team! 

I love them. 

And then... we found the most random thing in the world on this tiny island...

A basketball game!! haha! 

We were exhausted... but in this best way possible. 

The week was incredible.

Saturday morning... 

Saying good-bye...

Riding back to Belize City.

Mrs. Pam and the Capt'

My last Coke Light from Belize... YUM! 

Saying good bye to our wonderful bus driver... Arthur!! 

On the plane. :) 

HAHA! 

We were pretty delirious after arriving back in Atlanta... everything was funny... especially these faces of Zack's!!! 

Gosh... what a great trip. 

The words written here can't describe what happen in the hearts of all our team members... but at least you have a taste of the faithfulness and goodness of God in our Belize trip.

If you are interested in going on a short term mission trip... GO WITH PRAYING PELICAN!! They are amazing! Check them out:

www.prayingpelicanmissions.org