Words of Encouragement...

As we continue our journey to becoming parents, some days are just...well, HARD.

I spent the better part of this morning praying and reading through words of encouragement I've received from friends, bloggers, and total strangers.

Here are a few words of encouragement I've received lately...

"I wanted to tell you to GET READY, I truly believe in my heart that when God blesses you He is going to bless you BIG!"

"I believe that God sent me to tell you that he is covering you with comfort, peace, and healing all you have to do is let it in. Let go and let God do his
job."

"The blessings are going to multiply very soon...I just feel it."

"I have been reading your blog and have been praying for you and your husband on your journey to be parents. It was really weird, but last night I dreamed about you and you had a beautiful dark haired baby boy with you. I hope that your prayers are answered soon."

"I know the Lord has something special for you and David. Thank you for allowing a total stranger into your journey. As I said before, I'm not sure why God has impressed you upon my heart, but I'm very glad He did."

"I have wanted to email you for sometime but I just didn’t know how to put into words what I wanted to say. So long story short, don’t give up. I know you have been through a roller coaster, you and the hubby, but it will be worth it. Power of prayer is one thing I use to take for granted, but I have learned that the man upstairs has a plan for us."

"Last night I had a dream and I remember it clear as day. You were in it and you had a beautiful baby girl (in the dream she was actually 2ish) but she was perfect and healthy. You were so happy and ya’ll were playing outside. Her name started with a "K" because her shirt had a big K on it."

Thank you so much for all these words of encouragement...I'm still praying and believing that our time is SOON!

How I Met My Husband...

I am participating in Kelly's Show Us Your Life, How You Met Your Husband Edition.

If you haven't read our story yet, please visit this link HERE...I think you'll get a kick out of how we met :)

Have a great weekend!!

He is Enough...

On the first night of my Bible Study (about 6 weeks ago), the ladies in my small group introduced themselves and gave us a little background on who they are, where they are from, details about their job, and if they were married/single, and/or had children.

I was caught off guard when I heard our small group leader say that her husband had left her many years ago and that she didn't want to get married again or have a man come into her life. It wasn't the part about her husband leaving her that surprised me, as I know many people that have gotten divorced or are separated. But the part about her NOT wanting to get married again or have a man come into her life, is what I thought was odd.

Her reasoning for feeling this way? She was afraid that a man/husband would take away from the time that God had in her life. She had grown so close to God through prayer, meditation, and love, that she didn't want anyone to replace those feelings. She shared with us that He is Enough.

Her words just resonated with my soul and made me wonder how someone could feel that close to God and be at so much peace after going through something as life-changing as having your husband leave you.

I want that closeness. I want that peacefulness.

I am reading Angie Smith's book I Will Carry You. If you don't read her blog, you should. If you don't know about her story, you should. She wrote the book about the birth, life, and death of her daughter, Audrey Caroline, and I just can't put it down. I have been reading it at night before I go to bed and last night I left off right before she gave birth to her baby girl. I woke up at midnight, unable to sleep because I wanted to know more about how Angie felt, how she got through something so unimaginable to me. So I picked the book up again, read about Audrey Caroline's birth, her short-lived but precious life with her family, and her peaceful death. I stayed awake until about 2:00 a.m. crying about the loss of this innocent baby. I wondered how Angie must have felt. How she could be strong during this time. She specifically quoted two Bible verses that she depended on, Philipians 4:7 (which happens to be the birthdate of Audrey Caroline, April 7) and Hebrews 4:16. And then Angie quoted those words again...He is Enough.

And again, I had that feeling...

I want that closeness. I want that peacefulness.

In my heart, I know that He is Enough. But letting go and giving up on what my mind wants, is the difficult part.

I am praying today (and from here forward) that I will become to know that closeness, that peacefulness and that I will know that feeling of He is Enough.

Guest Post...Online Party!

Hey, Everyone!

It's me!

The Hostess with the Mostest!

I am hosting a Mary Kay Online Party for my daughter-in-love with all proceeds going to the Baby Knight Fund.

You can also go to this LINK for more details.

Please check out all the specials below and then go to Lianna's Mary Kay site to place your order!

This event will run from April 18th until HIGH NOON on May 2nd, just in time for Mother's Day!

I can't thank you enough for your support!

Cathy, the Mother-in-Love

Limited Time Specials from Lianna:

Satin Hands Pampering Set, $30 (regularly $34)

Lip Nectar in shades passionfruit, coconut, and mango, $11 (regularly $13)

Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover, $12 (regularly $14)




Lash Lengthening Mascara, $8 (regularly $10)



If you are looking for an elegantly wrapped gift for your MOM for Mother's Day, look no further. Choose from three different Mary Kay Mother's Day gift sets that include a luxurious eau de parfum, scented shower gel and scented body lotion, wrapped in a frilly gift bag for $55.







Click this LINK and place your order today. All orders received by May 2nd will receive the special discounts listed above.



One lucky winner, randomly drawn, will be the recipient of this Quilted Bag Trio Set...


This trio of bags are great for storing makeup, jewelry, and all the important items you need when you travel!!


If you are unable to place an order at this time, you can grab the Online Party button and post it on your blog, twitter, or facebook (please make sure you leave me the link in a comment) to be entered in the drawing for the Quilted Bag Trio!!




<br /><center><a href="http://bethouaknight.blogspot.com/2010/04/guest-postonline-party.html"><img src="http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/liannap1/Decorated%20images/FLOWER.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />

Now everyone can be a winner!!! Again, please visit this LINK to place your order TODAY!

Fiery Trials....

I had an AWESOME experience at my Beth Moore Bible Study last night. Session 7 was a discussion on fiery trials and how and what we choose to do when we are experiencing tribulations. The entire lesson was based on this premise:

God never allows a fire unless He can bring beauty from the ashes.

Beth spoke on how we must come to the realization that we WILL experience trials and troubles, the world today will just not let us avoid them. "Don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead be very glad, because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory when it is displayed to all the world."~1Peter 4:12

His purpose in bringing us through these fiery trials is to make us objects of beauty. And He does think we are beautiful...He tells us over and over again, "How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!"~Song of Songs 4:1

1 Peter 1:3-9 also tells us that even faithful people have tremendous difficulties. But sometimes our fiery trials are absolutely necessary to fulfill our callings, to make us into the person we are today and the person we will become.

So I accept these fiery trials as "You will keep on guiding me with Your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart, He is mine forever." ~Psalm 73:24-26.

What a Feeling...

Wow!! It has been almost two weeks since my last post on this blog!!!I guess I just haven't had any news on our journey to parenthood that was blog worthy.

I must admit though that I have had an overwhelming sense of peace as to where we are in this journey. I have truly given my desires over to God and feel comfortable knowing that He will direct our steps and has the BEST plan already set in motion for us.

"Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble."~Psalm 119:165

I have never been in a place where I am so at peace before. I KNOW that I am at peace because I have so many friends and blog friends that are pregnant and/or adopting soon. Before, I would have been jealous, upset, or feeling sorry for myself because they all have what I want to have...a baby. But instead, I feel happy, excited for them, and looking forward to seeing how this new baby changes their lives for the better. Without God's peace, I NEVER would have felt this way before.

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."~Isaiah 26:3

I was so excited to finally have our Home Study official a few weeks ago and have been praying and asking God to let us know where we should go from here. Should we look for agencies to help us find a baby? Should we just wait and hope that a birthmother contacts us? We still have not given up on trying to have a biological child.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”~John 16:33

Peace, my friends, PEACE...what a feeling!