What to say???

I'm giving my testimony next month, and as you can imagine I'm super nervous. It isn't good to leave a woman alone with her thoughts too long. Almost everyday this week my thoughts have wandered to what I should say, how I should say it, have I dealt with it, etc. It is interesting. I've never been completely vulnerable to a group before. Felt the freedom to truly reveal the amazing work Christ has done in my life in its entirety. Even on this occasion, I won't have time to truly go into every tool mark the Lord has carved, as He molds me into a masterpiece. I do however have some points I hope to bring out that I pray will bless someone, and wonder if anyone else has this longing or struggle. For those of you that are more "spiritual" than me, I would welcome any scriptures that illustrate these points better. I've found myself being inspired more and more by one of my favorite books in the Bible, Romans. So here they are:

-Adoption- Christ dying for our sins knowing full well the pain of being in a relationship with us. I've never adopted a child, but I can only imagine parents who do adopt feeling the same way I did when I held Carlie for the first time...Oh, the wonder...the anticipation of what she would be like...the incredible love of parent to a child...a certain mystery of sorts. My adoption happened later in life (27 yrs old), when my step-dad, Carl, wanted to adopt me. Every official document I had prior to my married name was changed to Dorothy Brassell, instead of Dorothy Smith. Oh, how I put this poor man through many sleepless nights during my teen years, and yet he still wanted to call me his own. Dad, or Carl, knew exactly what he was getting into and yet chose me. It gave new meaning to me as I viewed it through Christ's eyes, "and while we were still sinners, He died for us."
-God being our Rock. In my testimony, there are a lot of times I wish certain people would have been different, better perhaps, than they were...the rejection, the uncertainty, I felt as a young woman, was almost paralyzing. Yet again, during my Esther study, I realized that NO ONE can be your rock, except God. God purposely put inadequate people and caused me to feel inadequate to His glory...so that the arms I ran to every time I was disappointed or when I failed would only be His.
-Everyone needs to know they are loved...a God shaped hole that wants to be filled. Have you heard, "I love you!" enough? If you haven't heard it enough, are you willing to let God's Word tell you over and over again how much you are? My life is different today, because my mother pointed me to God and His Word...when I felt so unlovable. Somewhere, sometime, I surrendered all...and it made ALL the difference.
That is all I have so far. I don't know if it will touch any one's heart. All I know is that Christ is the only hope I have, and I'm praying for the courage to shout that statement from the rooftops these upcoming weeks.

Ellie started to crawl!!!

Yes, Ellie crawled today. Pretty AWESOME! It was a commando crawl, but she went several steps. It was Ellie's attempt at snagging Mollie's popcorn. Who knew popcorn could be so tempting? So I wanted to be sure to remember today.
I also came across some pictures of Carlie at 3 in a scrapbook and had to do a double take, because I thought it was Mollie. So I've spent a few minutes with my Creative Memories software trying to match the girls up with their ages. You can definitely tell they are related. LOL
I thought this was a funny picture, too. The one on the left is Ellie and Carlie (excuse the powder donut) and then one of Carlie and Mollie on the right.

It is fun to see them at the same age side by side.

These two pictures warmed my heart. The one on the left is Mollie at 7 mths. and then the one on the right is Ellie at 7 mths. Mollie's eyes are definitely more blue than Ellie's, but almost exact same features.

Way too busy, but loving every minute of it!

I feel horrible I haven't blogged in forever. I have definitely become addicted to the convenience of using Facebook. I thought I would share a little bit of what has been going on lately.
The Lord has really been working on my heart, and I am beginning to really love it here. Friendships are growing so much deeper, and I have a handful of girlfriends that I enjoy spending time with. Much like in Abilene, my girlfriends are not all cookie cutter. I have about 5 groups that I love to spend time with: my OSC girlfriends (playgroups and Bunko), my FBA/Creation Corner girlfriends (playgroups and lunch dates), my MOPS group (playgroups , Mommie Outings, and fun meetings), my girlfriends in my Esther Bible study, and my church friends. Being intentional with each group can quickly fill up a calendar. Though, I wouldn't have it any other way. Each dear friend continues to touch my heart in a unique way. Some friends such as Cathy overlap in several groups, and that really helps to grow us closer. In fact, several of us are planning a trip to Chicago for a girls' weekend. I can't wait!!!
Also, it is finally warming up. I worked in the yard this last weekend, and it was wonderful. I have little tulips and daffodils popping up everywhere. Spring and Summer have always been my favorite seasons. We filled the sandbox and the girls had a blast playing with the children from our small group at church last night. I anticipate many wonderful memories this summer of friends coming over all the time. I have a funny picture I need to post. Mollie has figured out a way to hang on to Carlie's swing and make Carlie do all the work. It is hilarious.
Also, Travis is loving his new job. It is very challenging and right up his alley. He gets excited just talking about it. I think it has helped him not think of the back pain so much. Which is actually getting better. He is currently getting off all the pain medicine and we are excited not to have all the side effects connected with it. He is in some pain, but it isn't nearly as bad as what he thought it would be. So we are very thankful because of that.
Our church is extremely small, and lacks a lot of the resources we had grown accustomed to at Southern Hills. So I decide to do something about it, and get involved. I took on teaching Bible Hour...an alternative class for children ages 3-7 to attend during actual worship. It has been a huge blessing. God inspires me each week on what to teach the children and creative ways to do it. We have been averaging about 23 kids between the ages of 3-7 each week for a few months, but yesterday it bumped up to 30 kids. Thankfully, two weeks ago we moved into a larger room. We were meeting in a room that was 8 ft/8 ft...super small. Now, we are almost outgrowing this room. The children are doing so good, and learning more and more everyday. The best part is it has reunited a fire in my heart to know God's Word. To actually prepare the lesson, I dig really deep into the scriptures and try to understand how to explain it in a way they can understand...without watering it down. God has blessed it!
Also, say a prayer for me, as I have offered to give my testimony at the Tea and Testimony for our MOPS group. I pray it will encourage one mother out there. Gotta go...Ellie is teething and has me on a very short leash. LOL