Our newest addition

Meet Pearl...
We adopted her from the humane society about a month ago. The kids love her, and she is pretty tolerant of them!

She has started running (in the opposite direction) when she hears Cathryn calling..."Mere Pearl Girl!".

Back to School

Here we go again! I can't believe it's time for school start! We have had a fun, busy Summer, and I think everyone is ready to get back into a "normal" routine...I may not think that in a couple of weeks!

Beckett's first day of First Grade


John Scott's first day of Kindergarten


Cathryn's first day at Preschool

Isaiah 42:16

I read this verse today, and I found comfort in God's promises. God will lead us when we are on an unfamiliar path, smooth out the rough spots on the journey, and He will always be with us.
I like to compare versions so I listed NIV and The Message

NIV
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them."

The Message
"But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way,
who can't see where they're going.
I'll be a personal guide to them,
directing them through unknown country.
I'll be right there to show them what roads to take,
make sure they don't fall into the ditch.
These are the things I'll be doing for them—
sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."

As the journey becomes less familiar, my trust and faith in God increases...He's the only one that knows the way.

Waiting Once More

The "adoption journey" has been very heart wrenching the last couple of weeks. Through a series of many phone calls and hard conversations, we realized that the paperwork in our file was wrong. We have experienced a mix of emotions...heartbroken, angry, unbelief, confused, discouraged and on and on.
But through the hard, God has become even more evident and real in this journey. He has given us a peace that we are on the right path, a peace that even though we were so surprised by the "mistake" that He is not surprised, peace knowing that He is in control and that His timing is perfect. We have found hope, comfort, encouragement, and joy in His word.
As I was cleaning out a cabinet this week, I found this poem. I remember someone gave it to me when I was in college and single. I thought I would never find a husband. About 15 years later, look at how amazingly it applies to our adoption journey. (I hope you can read..I know its small, and I am not sure how to make it larger!)



Brian was definitely worth the wait, and I know our baby girl is worth the wait too! God is doing an amazing work on us, and we are just not quite ready...hopefully, soon though!

Brian sent me this verse this morning, and I love it...
"Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but those who WAIT for the Lord will renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31

Family Beach Pics

While we were at the beach in May, a professional photographer took family photos.

Here is a preview of some of the great shots she captured.

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those

 whose hearts are fully committed to Him."   2 Chron. 16:9   

John Scott turns 5!

Yo Ho, Let's Go...John Scott had a Super Fun Jake and The Neverland Pirates Swim Party! We had a "Boys Only" party at Cook Cook and Big Daddy's pool.

                                          The Birthday Boy

                                         All the boys getting a game plan for the water balloon war

                                          Look at all those muscles

                                          Happy 5th Birthday, John Scott


To my special little 5 year old,
5 years ago, on July 9th, we welcomed you into our family. At 8lbs 10oz, you were a big bundle of joy. Our family has never been the same. You are such a blessing. You have the biggest heart and the sweetest personality.  
We love you sooo much!

"Now then, my sons, listen to Me; blessed are those who keep My ways. Listen to My instruction and be wise; do not ignore it."                                                           Proverbs 8:32-33
                                                    
                                        


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Summer Fun with FBC

Lydia and Charity have done a FABULOUS job planning fun things for the kids and families this Summer!

Chuck E Cheese









Children's Museum in Jackson, MS











"The group"

Thanks Lydia and Charity!! We are blessed to be part of such an amazing church!


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Cathryn goes to School

I signed Cathryn up to go to CLC (Creative Learning Center) at FBC 2 days/week starting in the Fall. Well, a spot opened up a few weeks ago so she started a little early. She has a sweet teacher and a class full of little girls...she is loving having some "girl time".


Cathryn on her first day of school


John Scott and Cathryn

Happy Father's Day

I am so blessed to have a Fabulous Father,  Handsome Husband (who is a Wonderful Dad), and a Fantastic Father-in-Law! Blessed Beyond Measure.....

 

On this Father's Day, I also thought of my other Father....

"See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!"

                                                                                                                                       1 John 3:1

"And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying "Abba! Father!"."                                                                                                                      Galatians 4:6

"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when He adopted you as His own childrn. Now we call Him, "Abba, Father"."              Romans 8:15

Isn't is amazing that God calls us His children! Amazing that we can call Him Father!

Another TBall Season in the Books

The boys had a fun season of t-ball. They enjoyed being on the same team, and they had an EXCELLENT coach (their daddy)!

We Are Family.....

Instead of lots of Christmas gifts this year, my parents gave us all a week at the beach! There were 13 of us. It was a wonderful gift! We had a great time relaxing, reading, catching up, and eating yummy seafood!
It was so nice to have a break from the hustle of daily life.



The beach is one of my favorite places to be. I always think of the verse when we are at the beach..

"I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies," Genesis 22:17

When I look at the shore and all those tiny grains of sand, I am amazed at the promise that God made to Abraham so many years ago. Wow! Then it reminds me of Gods daily faithfulness to all His children. Wow!





My parents and all their grandchildren at the beach.

Thankful for a week to relax before Summer begins....it's going to be a busy one!

Adopt a New Look Party at Libby Story

Thanks Libby Story for a super fun party and celebration! The food was delicious, the personal shopping consultants were fabulous, and a great time was had by all! Thanks to everyone who came and shopped...we are humbled by your generosity and kindness.








Thanks be to God who is always faithful! Glory be to God for He alone is worthy of praise! We are truly amazed and grateful every time we see the hand of God in our lives. He is always doing something "marvelous"!

"Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous things". Psalm 72:18

Libby Story helping the Lesleys Love 1

There's going to be a celebration party at Libby Story!

Lettie Strickland, the manager at Libby Story, approached us with a super fun fundraising idea.
All day Wednesday, May 23rd, Libby Story is going to donate a percentage of all the proceeds to help us with adoption costs. From 6pm-8pm, they are going to have refreshments and extended hours for shopping.

This is the cute invitation that they designed:




We are so humbled by their generosity. We have been praying about different avenues to pay for adoption expenses...this is an answered prayer! While adoption expense is great, our God is greater!

Come join the fun and bring a friend!

"Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds - His name is the Lord - and rejoice before Him. A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling". Psalm 68:4-5

Kindergarten goes Bowling

Mrs. Wendy and Mrs. Stephanie were so kind to take all their students bowling for their End of the Year party....



All of the boys


Beckett and Harrison








Beckett in action



Beckett and Joe eating pizza and ice cream.

I can't believe it's May, and Beckett will soon be a Kindergarten graduate....

Sending Love to Kenya

My sister, Elizabeth, is a speech therapist for the Itawamba County School District. She is off in the Summers, so she started praying for a mission opportunity.

She loves working with kids, but she was open to wherever God wanted to send her and to do whatever He desired. Several opportunities did not work out, but she continued to pray!

God answered her prayer...she is traveling with 4 others to work at an orphanage in Kenya. She will be gone for 28 days. We have seen God answer so many prayers already...He is faithful!

She is selling prayer bracelets to help pay for some of her travel expenses....



This is the process of the bracelets...designing it out of clay, painting the pottery, after the firing, and the final product.






Here are some photos of the finished products. Each one is different. She is selling them for 15$-20$ (they vary in size and price).

This bracelet will help remind you to pray for her, the team, and the children in Kenya that desperately need to know the love of Jesus.

If you are interested, leave a comment or email her at elizabethkemp@live.com.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations....And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.". Matthew 28:19-20