Burnt CDs and Giggles of Grace

I must begin this blog entry with just an absolute "bragfest" about my amazing, hunky, hottie of a hubby that left today for Kenya. He is currently teaching full-time and pursuing his Master's degree in Biblical counseling. He is a busy, hard-working fella. And, bless him, he may sometimes feel like he needs this degree in counseling just because he is married to me #hotmessexpress... But, I am so thankful for him and his sweet spirit as he is constantly speaking truth and love into my life. He is my confidence and balance as he leads our little family with such humility and grace. He chose to spend his spring break loving and serving our sweet friends and kiddos in Kenya. He will be teaching and discipling teenage boys that he has already established relationships with from previous missions. He will, of course, be on "daddy duty" as he spends time with our boys, Maxwell and Isaack, and will love on them a little extra for me. Of course, this "momma" sent him with goodies, letters, and pictures letting them know that they are prayed for and loved so BIG! This is the first time that he has traveled to Kenya without me, and as we woke up this morning to the news of the terrorist attack in Kenya, we looked at each other knowing that our God is sovereign. We experienced nothing but peace this morning as we loaded up, headed to the airport, and after lots of tight hugs and sweet kisses, he and the team headed out knowing that our God is in control, and His GRACE is sufficient.

Throughout our journey, one thing has been certain: God's GRACE is sufficient. It is enough. All that we need. We have seen this even more evident in our adoption journey. We are still currently in the home study process, taking a day at a time, and checking things off the list daily. We have been so encouraged by so many who have already been loving on our little one and have sponsored puzzle pieces in order to help us bring home the "missing piece" to our family. 233 pieces of our 500 piece puzzle have been sponsored as of today!  God is truly using His people to grow our family. Like they say, "It takes a village", and we are so thankful to be a part of the body of Christ. Friends are family that you choose, and we are honored that so many of you have chosen to join us on this journey of bringing our baby home from Haiti. We have not been matched with a child yet, but know that God sees and knows who he/she is. Hopeful. Anxious. Impatient. Content. Excited. Joyful. Worry. Heartache. Peaceful. Overwhelmed. Humbled. Grateful. Freaking out... are ALL emotions felt sometimes even all in just one day, it seems. YET, at the end of every day, we KNOW that His GRACE is sufficient.

Since Jared is in the air heading to one of our "Peace Places", even as I type, I must share with you a story from our first trip to Kenya. It was our first day at Wings of Life Children's Center located in Kibera, the largest slum in Africa and the second largest in the world. We walked through the gate and were greeted by singing and dancing. Instantly, my attention was drawn to a tiny, little girl with a BIG grin and even BIGGER ears. It didn't take long before she was in my arms, and I knew there was just something special about her. The next night, the girls in my room were chatting and preparing for our last day at Wings. As we were discussing the difficulty of knowing tomorrow would be our last day to spend with these little ones, one team member reminded us that God's grace is sufficient. My sweet friend had prepared verse cards for me to open throughout the week while we are on mission, and not even 5 minutes after this conversation, I opened my verse card for that day. It read, "2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." The next morning, I shared the verse with the team during our morning devo time, and we headed to Wings for our last day. At the end of the day, it came time to say our goodbyes, and that means that even on a cloudy day, the sunglasses come out as the tears begin to flow. I scooped that little one that caught my attention on the first day up into my arms, and knew that I had to know her name before we left. Because she is so little she did not speak English well, so I asked an older child what her name was... "Her name is Grace." Of course it is... just look at her! I literally saw GRACE like never before and know now, more than ever before, that HIS GRACE is all I need.

So... You may be wondering what is with the title, "Burnt CDs and Giggles of Grace". Well, my day today ended with a sweet time with a sweet friend. We have been friends since junior high and have shared many, many giggles together as well as "jammed" to many a burnt cd back in the day. And, tonight was no different as we sat as mommies in our monogram hats, sipping coffee, and giggling about, well, everything really. But, this was not just a simple "catch up", it was a picture of GRACE. I watched her radiate that "mommy glow" as she talked about her little one that was longed for and prayed for. She was such an encouragement to me and gave me a burnt cd from her cd player in her car that God  used to speak to her during her time of waiting. I spent my drive home in a time of worship, then the coffee kicked in, and here I am... resting in His GRACE.    

We experience this GRACE, because of what we celebrate this weekend. This GRACE is possible because of the cross. We can experience GRACE even today, because of the empty tomb. HE IS ALIVE! 

James 1:16-17 "And of his fulness have all we received, and GRACE for GRACE. For the law was given by Moses, but GRACE and truth came by JESUS CHRIST."

http://www.gofundme.com/cooperadoptionfund

Worship in Waiting:

"Christ is Risen" Matt Maher

"Your Grace is Sufficient" Shane & Shane

  

Snow Cream with Sprinkles

Just like two little kids, Jared and I went to bed the night of March 4th with dreams of waking up to a true "Winter Wonderland". And... Guess what? The weatherman was right! The next morning, we jumped out of bed after noticing the incredible lighting coming through our window. It's that unique glow that only lights up your home after a good snow has arrived. The feeling of "NO school" and a day at home is something that this teacher and true kid at heart has always loved. Although a southern girl, the beauty of the snow is something that I do not think I will ever get over. It literally has always taken my breath away. 

This day was not any different as I sat in the chair in our bedroom staring out of our front window taking it all in. Everything was so quiet and still. Then... everything became TOO quiet... TOO still. It was then that my heart ached and longed for squeals and screams of excitement to be heard throughout the house. For coats, socks, gloves, hats, and boots to be thrown on top of pjs in order to get outside as soon as possible. My heart ached for my babies which resulted in a heaviness that almost made it even hard to breathe. Then, three words came to mind and were felt so deep within my spirit: "YOU are faithful". And, almost instantly, God's peace completely overwhelmed me. Tears of heaviness turned into tears of joy, because HE IS Faithful.

Deuteronomy 7:9 "Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands."

Deuteronomy 32:4 "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He."

Psalm 36:5 "Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds."

Lamentations 3:22-23 "The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

2 Timothy 2:13 "If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is."

After our morning workout, enjoying waffles and chocolate milk for breakfast (that is why we work out), a stroll around our neighborhood with Charley and our neighbors, worship music filled our "Peace Place" as my hubby and I both had some work to get done. We sat quietly focused on our tasks at hand, both singing along to the music. We all know that he has "The Voice", but I am pretty sure that I could be the next "American Idol", especially later in the day when two of my favorite soundtracks, "Wicked" and "Frozen" were playing. Jared has always told me that I do not simply sing a song, I perform it. It was then time for lunch, and what better way to celebrate a snow day than homemade chocolate chip cookies and snow cream with... SPRINKLES! 

The little things make a big difference. Today, those sprinkles were a little thing that made a big difference. They reminded me to appreciate and find joy in the little things... Like a morning that was not TOO quiet or TOO still, but instead QUIET enough for me to hear the Holy Spirit speak truth into my aching heart. STILL enough for me to acknowledge Him and His voice and then, rest and rejoice in His sweet peace.

Our God is faithful. We are currently in the middle of our home study process, and since February 12th, 150 pieces of our 500 piece puzzle have been sponsored! We know that every day is one step closer to bringing our baby home. Because of all of the support and encouragement that we have received, we have continued to be overwhelmed with JOY in this journey. Over 57 families and 9 different states are represented on the puzzle so far, and for that, we are truly grateful. Jared and I were able to end our day working on the puzzle, talking about snow days to come with snow cream and LOTS of sprinkles.

Click here to sponsor a puzzle piece to help us bring home our "missing piece": 

http://www.gofundme.com/cooperadoptionfund

Worship in Waiting:
"Winter Snow" Audrey Assad & Chris Tomlin
"Overwhelmed" Big Daddy Weave

    

  

Our Missing Piece

Happy Valentine's Week! Two weeks ago tomorrow, we posted our adoption announcement: "Roses are red. Violets are blue. A little early for a Valentine, BUT the Coopers have BIG news for YOU! A NEW adventure - We want YOU to be a part, because there is a BABY in Haiti growing in our HEART!"

It was the day that we began the journey of bringing our little Valentine home, and we have been so humbled by all of the love and support that we have received. We are beyond grateful as we continue on what could be at least a 2 year journey, but we are taking one step at a time knowing that our God is able. Just last weekend, we were so overwhelmed after meeting a Haitian pastor at a discipleship conference. Coincidence? No such thing as a child of God, but instead confirmation. I received this bracelet to add to my "wrist of reminders", and we have been in touch with this dear brother since his returning to Haiti. It is the little things that make a big difference.

Now that this journey has officially begun, the fundraising has also officially begun. God's provision has already left us completely speechless - from jumping up and down with excitement to on our knees in tears. What joy we have already experienced in this journey! Although the amount is quite intimidating, we know that money is "just paper to God", and again, He is able. 

For our first fundraiser, we are inviting you to "sponsor" a piece of a puzzle for $20 that after it is completed, will hang in our little one's room as a reminder of God's faithfulness. Your name will be written on a piece as a reminder of the part you played in this journey. The names of those who have already given have been written on pieces, and we will post updates as pieces are added. 

Sponsor a piece for $20 by clicking here: http://www.gofundme.com/cooperadoptionfund

1 piece = 1 step closer to bringing home our "missing piece"

Enjoy celebrating God's LOVE for us! He is LOVE, and HE LOVES YOU!!!

1 Corinthians 13 "If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love."

Anpil Benediksyon! ("Many Blessings" in Haitian Creole)

Worship in Waiting:
"Waiting Here For You" Christy Nockels
"The Love of God" Mercy Me

"Blogger Mama"

Well... here we go... after years of reading "mama blogs", the following is my attempt at my first. And although a bit nervous to do so, we have been so inspired by those who have shared their journey with us, and know that there is freedom in transparency and support in the beautiful body of Christ. We are so happy to announce that life has presented a new adventure for our family. God has led us to grow our family through adoption, and we are so grateful that He has chosen us for this journey. We know that our God is able, and we can't wait to share this experience with you! 

Before you know where we are headed in this journey, I want to share with you where we have been. First, just let me say, that our God is always good, faithful, and right on time. Although nothing has gone like "Positive Perky Planning Patty" has planned, this journey has truly been "exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). 

"Jared and Morgan sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First, comes love. Then, comes marriage. Then come the Coopers with a baby carriage" - that was the plan. But... instead God has taken us on the adventure of a lifetime, and for that, we are grateful. Our journey began as two, young kids that just wanted to obey God. Most days, we still feel like those young kids. And, you know, we have never really made many big/"adult" decisions. Those big decisions have MADE us... CHOSEN us.

So, here we are...chosen and so blessed. We have prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed for a child for many, many, many years; and yet, I sit here in the "Cooper Cottage" so comfy and quiet, our "Peace Place", and it does not feel "empty" or does not even seem like anything is missing really. Don't get me wrong, there have been many days that we have experienced deep grief, but because of that grief, we have been able to experience true joy. As children of God, joy is available to us, but not automatic. Jared and I have fallen in love with the book of Philippians as we have learned to rest and rejoice in the joy of the Lord. I think about all of the "children" God has given us. From hundreds of students in our classrooms to teenagers in youth group who have now become our friends. Twin baby girls in Malaysia that just for a short 24 hours, we thought may be ours, who we named and still pray for today. Then, our two boys in Kenya, Isaack and Maxwell, who call us "Mom and Dad". God has not given us just a desire to be parents, but through this desire has given us a heart for the nations.

After we returned from our most recent mission to Kenya, we began to pray the "whenever, wherever, whatever prayer" for our family. Obviously, Africa being such a huge part of our life, we started there, but were also open to foster care or domestic adoption. Over Christmas, we shared with each of our families that we were "expecting" and were completely overwhelmed by all of their love and support. Then, on Christmas Eve, we received an email from the agency that resulted in us asking God again "wherever, whenever, whatever". After more research, phone calls, and many prayers, God chose Haiti for us. Although we are just in the beginning stages of this process, we are checking things off the list daily, knowing that each day is just one more day closer until we bring our little one home. 

We invite you to join us in this journey. You prayers are most appreciated as we desire nothing more than for God to be glorified through this journey. Please be in prayer for the following:

- Our preparation for parenting

- Our child's spiritual, physical, and emotional health

- For those in Haiti caring for our child

- God's provision. We are taking a huge step of faith, knowing that our God is able. Please prayerfully consider helping support us financially. You can make a donation by going to https://www.gofundme.com/cooperadoptionfund, or stay tuned for our first fundraiser on Valentine's Day.

Ephesians 1:4-7 "According as he hath CHOSEN us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" 

As a child of God, you are loved. You are chosen.

Many blessings! 

Worship in Waiting:

"All I Have is Christ" Paul Baloche

"This is Amazing Grace" Bethel