Purpose

Can I mess up or not fulfill God's purpose for my life?  What if I miss it?  Can I live my life to completion and never realize what God has for me?
These are a few questions that have been on my mind the past few days.  A friend gave me 2 scriptures to look up pertaining to the question of God's purpose on our lives.  I took it a bit further and looked up a few more verses...

'The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord endures forever- do not abandon the works of Your hands.'  Psalms 138:8

'For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.'  Acts 13:36

'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.'  Romans 8:28

'For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.'  Ephesians 2:10

'being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.'  Philippians 1:6

If I am in Christ, He has called me to a purpose, one just for me, that in the end will glorify Him.  He has began a good work in me and will see it completed before he takes me home.  In order to find this purpose, I must walk daily in His precepts, develop a relationship with Him, listen to what He has to say and then obey His leading.  He will guide my steps to the path He desires for me to travel.

A New Year of Morrison Adventures

It's been an eternity since I've sat down and attempted a blog post.  Time gets away from us, the days are filled with the mundane tasks of life and things we hold as important get pushed aside by busyness. 

2014 was an eventful year for the Morrison's.  We each got a year older, dealt with a few health scares, went on a couple of disaster relief mission trips, enjoyed a great spring break trip to Cincinnati OH with friends, but the highlight of the year was our return to Guatemala and all it entailed.

It was an opportunity we were blessed with by the generosity of someone else.  Zach was able to return to his birthplace and experience life there for a short time.  It was a lot for a 10 year old to take in, but he did so with a servant's heart.  We are anticipating all that God will do in his life as he grows into his faith.

Sam had a great year continuing to recover from his major surgery in August 2013.  He is an A student with a determination unlike any I've known before.  He played soccer in the fall, a major accomplishment for him.  He will be having another major surgery January 29 so please keep him and us in prayer.

Charlie, well, what can I say?  He's Charlie!  He is in his last year at WEE school, which means he'll start Kindergarten this fall.  He adores any kind of sports and will be signing up for his first t-ball season this spring.  Where does the time go?

Jon is still working hard in his own carpentry/construction business.  He spent most of 2014 remodeling a log cabin.  God has blessed is faithfulness and work ethic by providing work every single day since he went out on his own in 2005.  He hopes to obtain his Contractor's license this year.

I am still a part time Nurse at the boys school and in the Stress Lab at AnMed.  I continue to be part of the Praise and Worship at church, but let go of some other responsibilities I had taken on in order to allow me to be Mom/Wife.

2015 promises to be an eventful year as well.  We face challenges we already know are coming and I'm sure they'll be many surprises along the way.  Our goal for the year is to continue to be a Light for others in this world and to follow wherever He leads us...who knows where that may be?!  Stay tuned...

Ramblings Before Guatemala

As most of you know, our family (part of us anyway) are heading to Guatemala tomorrow.  10 years to the month from the first time we went.  Our family has to share a devotional Monday night and I was collecting some thoughts, trying to put them together in a way that made sense.  In a way that would portray the weight of what this trip means to us.  It's not a vacation.  It's not just taking our son back to his roots.  It's about establishing a relationship with real people in another country.  Establishing bonds that will stand the test of time.  These folks are our family, part of His family.  Just thought I'd share some of my thoughts about the adventure.


I first came across Village of Hope (click on the link to see how you can help VOH and to view a short video) on Facebook. I don’t even remember how, but when I read Amy’s blog and saw the Block’s heart for missions, families and Guatemala I knew we had to be a part of what God was doing. I immediately jumped on board as a monthly sponsor to the Block’s themselves and gave several different times towards building the new duplex at VOH. I truly believe in what VOH stands for: orphans, special needs and keeping families together. This is something our family can do for the Kingdom that is already in place and seems to be working. We can be a part of touching these kids lives, here is a place we can truly make a difference.

　

Before our trip, I kept seeing blog posts from various authors regarding short-term mission trips. There were pro’s and con’s tossed around and even the question if short-term mission trips were a good idea. They were all spot on and didn't discourage taking STM trips.  But each one advised participants to search your heart and the reasons for taking the trip.  Are you going out of guilt?  For a sense of adventure?  To do good works in hopes it'll amp up your score card in heaven?  I read each one and was convicted each time of my (our) reasoning for coming to serve with Village of Hope in Guatemala.

　

My intentions for going to Guatemala are two-fold. First is to be the hands/feet of Jesus and to serve the Block’s and the kids/mama’s at VOH in any way possible. Whether it be by painting a wall or a kind word spoken. Second, is to show our son the place in which he was born. His ‘home country’ as he likes to call it. It is a beautiful place, with lovely people who need to know the love of Jesus. We can give back to the place that gave us so much. When you feel a pull to do something, that God is calling you to go somewhere- you go! Obedience is the key. I know God called us here because we could not have afforded to make this trip this year. We had a family member offer to pay our way. Who could say no to that? We never expected that to happen. It was God.  For those who know me, know my fear of flying.  I KNOW Satan has used this to his advantage.  Thus far, it has kept me from going and doing some things I know God called me to do.  NO MORE.  I say "get thee behind me Satan, you have NO place in this child of God".  If people can face the horrendous things they do each day with grace and poise, then surely I can get on an airplane for a 58 minute + 3hr 15 min flight (OK, so maybe I'm still a wee bit obsessed with the flying thing, but I am getting on the plane so that's facing my fear, right?)

Some of the posts I've read talked about how the missionaries would come and serve a few days, focusing on the task at hand and forget about the people who they were there to minister to.  I don’t want to serve VOH and be a burden. I want to leave there knowing what our family did contributed to the future of VOH. I want to return to this same place next year and bring 10 people with me. I want to invest in the lives of these kids. I want to help these mother’s keep their babies, to have a home, to get off the streets.

Out of the abundance He has blessed my family with, I know we are called to give back. Our excess, we have to use for His glory. How can I face Him when I die if I don’t? What if asks me why I didn’t give $1,000 for _______ to have a home for her and her son instead of going to Disney World? How can I go home to my comfortable life and not feel compelled to help His people in any way I can?  Thank God for his merciful grace as I've spent carelessly what He's entrusted to me.  I should've been investing in the lives of others, not myself, nor my home. 

I challenge you to consider the reason God brought you to Guatemala. Was it out of guilt? Curiosity? To earn your way to heaven? I pray for each of us that our reason is because He called us here and we obeyed.

So there ya go...a mixed up tirade about airplanes, helping the least of these and grace.  Jon's going to wish I'd never bought the book Hope Lives:  A Journey of Restoration and Rhinestone Jesus is waiting for me in my backpack. 

"God has a reason for placing me exactly when and where He did...God has been planning and planning, placing me just so, giving me exactly what He has, that I might find Him and that I might do the good He has prepared in advance for me. What exactly that is, I'm not sure yet. But I'm convinced there's something."
From Hope Lives: A Journey of Restoration by Amber Van Schooneveld

James 127 Project

You've still got time to get involved.  We're kicking things off Friday morning around 8:30.  We'll be back at it again Saturday at 8:30.  The goal is to have the bathroom ripped out and new flooring, plumbing and at least the toilet in by Saturday night.  Those of you who know Jon knows this goal will be attained before he goes to bed Saturday.  If you want to participate, meet at 301 Alewine Road Belton, SC 29627 (Jon and Allison's home) by 8:30 either day and we'll travel about 1/2 mile to the project site.
If you want to donate $$$, it can be sent to the above address or if you want to make a tax-detuctible donation money can be sent to:  3000 Midway Road Anderson, SC 29621 *designate James 127 Project*
This project will benefit a widow in our Wright School/Craytonville Community.  There is definitely seeds to be planted, both literally and spiritually.  Please consider joining us as reach out to this sweet lady with the love of Jesus. 
There is only so much room in the bathroom, although hands will be needed to move material as it's being removed.  All additional helpers will be put on landscape duty :)  There is plenty to do! 
We'll supply water, Gatorade, and lunch both days.

Here's the back story on how this project came to be...
Jon and I had just gotten back Wed. morning from serving in Moore OK with Samritan's Purse.  Our neighbor (who just lost her husband in Feb. after a prolonged illness) pulled up in the yard and Jon went out to meet her.  She asked if he'd come look at her home to see if he thought he could do anything to make it livable so she could stay there.  He goes and what he finds is way more than he expected...

 Shower, can't be used

 Toilets useable, but no power in bathroom

This is the bathroom open to outside

 

So...coming from OK working with folks to clean up their homes which had been decimated by an act of God to seeing this widow's living situation that we could actually fix for her--well, it was a no-brainer.  Jon told her not to worry, he'd get it done. For free.  Free.

I don't know about you, but we don't have $2000 sitting around.  But we both know this was our "one" God had put in our path, the "one" we were supposed to help.  We can't help every single person in the world that has a need, but we can do something for just "one".

As we mentioned the project to others, they jumped on board to help.  People have donated time, talents and money.  We are halfway (I think) to our goal of $2000.  Any $$ we collect over what the cost of the remodel is will go directly to the homeowner to use for groceries or other needs.  Did I mention this lady has no job and gets no income from her deceased husband (no SS)?!

Again, if you have questions as to who the homeowner is contact me directly via Facebook or at amorriso25@yahoo.com and I'll give you the info.  I asked her permission to share about the project without using her address or name.

Join us, it's going to be awesome!!





Morrison Clan Update

To say that this year has flown by is an understatement.  It seems like only yesterday we were agonizing over sending our Sam to K5 in the "real world".  Just this past week, he graduated and even stood on stage doing some pretty cool surfing moves to the Beach Boys...


Sam is on the bottom left



We cannot begin to express how proud we are of his accomplishments this school year- he far surpassed what we expected! 


Our Zach sailed through 3rd grade with ease, earning the A/B Honor Roll for the year and the opportunity to attend Zoo Camp this summer.  He is beyond excited.  We are also hoping to soon be planning a mission trip to his home country of Guatemala.  He is developing a heart to serve others and we are seeking avenues in which to encourage him to live out his faith!

And Charlie...let's just say he's 2 and everybody knows it!  Love, love, love this sweet boy who entered this world on his own time and still rules it as such.  He completed his first year of WEE school.  He refuses to use the potty, so he may not see WEE school next year (he has to be potty trained to attend 3 year old class).  He loves candy, ice cream and his Daddy.  I can't imagine life without all he brings to our family.

I've just completed my first year as a Part-time School Nurse at the boys school and I loved it.  We are blessed to be apart of a small school with such sweet, good mannered children.  The staff is great!  I'm glad I stepped out in faith and I plan to continue working there next year. 
Jon is busy as ever, which is great!  It's an answer to prayer as I cut back on my work/income.  He has also started doing Street Ministry with a local non-profit group.  So thankful to do life with such an awesome hubby...

 

 

 

Since I actually have time this summer, I'm hoping to get back into blogging more.  We are looking at some challenges coming up and I know I can use some encouragement from the Word!

Sam will be having extensive hip surgery at Shriners Hospital Aug. 20.  This will entail a very long, hard recovery.  I plan to blog our way through this experience in hopes to encourage others along the way...

Sunday Scripture

Act It Out

Actions speak louder than words. You must act out your faith. Faith without works is dead.

These are some of the sayings I have been seeing over and over in my devotional time lately. One reason for this may be the fact our ladies group at church is doing the James study on Sunday evenings. Maybe I’m more prone to pick up on these sayings when I see them becasue of the subject matter I’ve been studying. Or maybe, in His Providence, God is nudging me (again) to chew on these words.

I can talk about Jesus and church until I am blue in the face, but if I don’t back up my words with actions-what good is it? If I don’t show kindness to a stranger or care for those in need, what example of Jesus am I setting for the world? Am I just giving Him lip-service or am I putting it all out there and giving heart-service?

Don’t get me wrong, talking about our faith is important. Sharing Jesus with those who need to hear about His grace is life-changing. But that’s not all He had in mind for believer’s to do. Did Jesus just hang out with the ‘church crowd’ everywhere He went? NO! He went to the least of them, the down-trodden, the needy. If we are to be like Him, we must do the same. We must get out there and BE the church, not just be WITH the church.

I read this today: ”Saying ‘I Love You’ can put a smile on someone’s face. Showing you love them can change their life.” Enough said!

Thank You Jesus for your Word and how it speaks to us. Thanks for the gentle reminder that our faith is not just in our words, but in how we act it out. Help me to be Your hands and feet on this earth. Give me a desire to go where You send me and to be the follower You have in mind for me to be.

Monday Musings...

Have you ever had a mommy-moment when you wanted to go all Chuck Norris on someone else's kid?  When you want to grab them up and shake some sense in them? 
Be honest....sure you have.  It's the mama bear instinct in all of us to protect our cubs from harm, whether physical or verbal. 
I had one of those moments this weekend.  I don't even think it was a true scenario, but one made up in an over-tired mind.  Sweet Sam told me on the way home from church that 2 people in his class made fun of him.  <gasp>
This is our Sam who has Cerebral Palsy.  He fights everyday for a sense of normalcy he will never have this side of heaven.  How dare some 'normal' kid pick on my baby!!
After having the thoughts of how many ways can I hurt this child go through my mind, I ask him what they said.  He responds with, "Well, Kid A rubs my head and calls me Sam the Man."  OK-I think that's cute.  This kid see's Sam is different and is reaching out in a way they understand.  But "Kid B don't understand why I walk so crooked."  STOP MY HEART
What do you say to that?  It's unfair, I'm sorry, I'd cut my legs off if it would help yours, God made you special just the way you are, it stinks, but we're making the best of it...
I'm not sure where this came from...I don't think Kid B has said anything to Sam on purpose.  Maybe they asked the teacher or Sam himself why he walks the way he does.  Kids are curious.  When they see something they don't understand they usually ask-most of the time not in the best way!
Our school is very supportive of Sam in so many ways.  The kids are great, helpful, encouraging...this gives me hope for Sam as he grows up in a 'normal' world.
It's times like this I have to remind myself God is bigger than our circumstances.  He IS.  He could heal Sam if He wanted to.  He can also leave Sam just as He is in order to bring glory to Himself.  It's not my place to figure out His plan.  My job is to walk by faith the journey He has set before us... and that's what we'll do, one crooked step at a time.


It has taken 5 years, but Sam can do the playground
"all by myself"

Sunday Scripture

5 Minute Friday

The rules are simple:
1.  Write for 5 minutes flat, no editing, no scripting, just writing.
2.  Link up with the Gypsy Mama.
3.  Make sure you visit the post before and after you and leave an encouraging comment.

Today's prompt is race...Ready, set

GO.

Race, race hurry-go, go!  All the time.  Spinning in circles. 
Going nowhere, but everywhere at the same time.
Turn around, look back, look forward.  Race, race-hurry. 
Quicker, better, faster...farther, stretching, reaching....tired.
Slow down, look around, look up and down.  Rest awhile, hold His hand, let it all go...
Deeper, wider, stronger, longer is what you find
 when you stop the racing to enjoy His stillness.

STOP.

Into the Beautiful

 



Stepping Into the Beautiful today, this is what's on my mind.  The backs in the picture above are two of the loves of my life.  The one is big, strong, steady and sure.  The other is small, bent, somewhat broken, unsure...
There are times in each of our lives when we need to be carried along by someone else.  It may be a time of sickness, heartbreak, or just plain need.  We all need someone by our side to reach out a hand and pick us up, carry us along for awhile, until we catch our breath...steady ourselves.
That is how it goes around here...Daddy always takes the time, reaches out his hand, and carries our sweet Sam whenever he gets tired and weary.
Just like my Daddy in heaven does for me.  He holds out His hand, begs me to grab hold, and rest for awhile...

Linking up with...

Sunday Scripture

Photo courtesy of:  Decima's Delights Photography
 

 

 

5 Minute Friday

It's time for another 5 minute Friday...here's the rules:


1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Today's topic is Welcome...

GO.

"Welcome to our home" said this Mama never.  I am not gifted with hospitality.  If there is a gathering to be had, I'm willing to travel to you-no matter how far away you live.  I confess I have the comparison disease.  I see pictures all over the net, TV, and some I've seen in-person of neat, cozy, creative dwellings. 
You won't find that at our house.  You'll find dog hair in your dinner.  You can't step two feet without stepping on a Matchbox car.  You have to move books out of the chair before you can sit down.  My floors don't shine, even when I mop them.  There are fingerprints on my door.  My laundry room has clothes in it!
"Welcome to our home" is something I can say if I'm willing to move my pride out of the way.  We live in our house, we love here.  You can put your feet on the furniture and you can come in without taking your shoes off.  That's just how we roll, if you can deal, then Welcome...

STOP.

Are you thriving?

The link-up I planned to join today asked posters to blog about an area in their life where they are thriving...I don't have one-stagnating, maybe?!  It's not in the kitchen, in frugality, family, relationships...wow, kinda smacks ya right in the face!
Surely there is an area of my life I can say is thriving, surely!  In order to discover said area, I looked up the definition of the word thrive:

1. To make steady progress; prosper.

2. To grow vigorously; flourish

 

 

After looking at the definiton, the area of my life where I am thriving is in my relationship with Christ.  I am studying the Word and praying more than ever.  I am making steady progress in my relationship with Him.  The outflow of this relationship with Him will make other aspects of my life flourish as well.  There comes a point when you get so full of Him it can't help but overflow into everyday life.

I'm not there yet, but I am taking steps daily to grow in Him.  I pray every area of my life will begin to thrive as I seek a deeper, more meaningful relationship with my Savior.

 

Linking up with...

 

Serving Joyfully

Serving Joyfully





Into the Beautiful...Unknown

This is a picture of our journey into the beautiful unknown...one of hope and expectation. We stepped jumped out of the boat and into the world of adoption without a second thought.

 

This is the blessing we are honored to have everyday because we took the plunge into the unknown...

We had no idea what the adoption process would involve or how much the waiting would consume our every thought.  At times the outcome of this miracle was uncertain.  In the end, He was gracious and rewarded our perseverance. 
I remember like it was yesterday, the raw emotion of it and I vowed to never go there again...I've been reminded here lately you don't tell God what you'll never do.  He may call you out on it...and call you back into the beautiful unknown again.

Linking up today with...

Sunday Scripture

Take time out today to soak in the beauty of the created world around you...He made it just for us!  I took this picture a few weeks ago while I was sitting on the front porch.  The sky took my breath away...

5 Minute Friday

What can you do in 5 minutes?  Empty the dishwasher or put away the clean clothes that have been sitting on top of the dryer for a week?  Or you can sit down and write!!
Head over to the Gypsy Mama and check out all of the link-ups...you'll be blessed.  If you want to do one of your own, the rules are simple:
1.  Write for 5 minutes flat: no thinking, spell-checking, or editing required (don't worry, we won't judge you).
2.  Link your post to 5 Minute Friday for others to enjoy.
3.  You MUST visit the poster before/after you and leave an encouraging comment.

That's it...today's topic is GRASP- Ready, set....

GO.

There are a lot of things in this world which are out of my grasp.  Wealth, fame, and a perfectly clean house just to name a few.  I try to work myself into a frenzy to just grasp ahold of a piece of the American Dream.  The result:  ulcers and a bunch of clutter in the house I've tried to keep perfectly clean.

Then I realize, the only thing in this life worth my time and effort is the act of reaching up to grasp the hand of the One who gave His life for me.  At the end of this life, my grasp to His hand is all that really matters.  If I'm not holding onto Him, hands clenched tightly, I have wasted the life He paid such a dear price to save.

   Lift up your head, dear one  
   Grasp tightly to My hand.
   When the day is finally done,
   I'll lead you into the Promised Land.
  
STOP.

5 Minute Friday...

Five un-edited, un-scripted minutes of writing on a proposed topic.  Rules are simple:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Just click on the button to join in on this week's topic:  Wide....


GO.

How wide.  How vast.  How unimaginable.  Those are the words that come to mind when I think of the Father's love for me.  Boundless.  Unending.  Unchanging.

By His grace I have been set free.  From guilt.  Condemnation.  Death.  How wide does One's love have to be to encompass all these things?  Unfathomable...

Through this wide and crazy love He covers me with, I am driven to show attempt to show Him to others.  This feeling is contagious.  It must be shared. 

I am loved beyond measure.  I am busting at the seams to give it away.  Oh, the deep, deep love of my Father...

STOP.

Believing God for my Promised Land

"For the scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed God, and God him as righteous because of his faith."  Romans 4:3 NLT

I went into labor 6 weeks and 4 days early with our third child.  Not only was I terrified, I also had a little green man pay me a visit in my hospital room.  You know the one off of the Flinstones?  Gazoo?  Yes, he paid me a visit-we won't mention the laundry hamper that turned into a talking horse.

The little green man came quietly, walked around my room, but didn't say a word.  I could see him plain as day, he was real to me.  Yes, now I realize he was a hallucination and my little visitor left me as soon as they turned off the Mag Sulfate dripping into my I.V.  But I can still see Gazoo just as clear today as I did two years ago.

That, my friends, is the kind of belief  I desire to have towards my God.  Only, unlike Gazoo, God is real.  He isn't make believe.  I can't see him, but He's there.  Just as Abraham believed God's promise he would have more children than grains of sand, I want to believe He can take me into a Promised Land here on this earth. 

So, exactly what does my Promised Land look like?  I know it is no comparison to my heavenly dwelling, but I am sure He desires it to be a place of beauty.   A place of contentment, peace, serving, and allowing Him to fully live through me.  I can enter into this land when I resolve to get out of His way and submit to His will on a daily basis.  I have to believe the promises He has made to me.  In order to do that, I must go to His Word and seek those promises.  I must commit to learn, remember, and then rest in them.

What does your Promised Land on earth look like?

Seek and Find

 "For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."  Luke 11:10

 

Courtesy of Decima's Delights Photography

On the still, quiet hillside sits an old rugged cross.  In the hurry of life, most pass by without noticing it.  Just as they do the Man who died on such a cross for our sin.  Won't you stop, look around, and see what is in your midst?  He can be found most anywhere.  In a baby's smile, a kind word spoken, or a deed performed when no one else is looking.

He is always there, always waiting for us to take the time to seek, ask, and find Him.  We are the one's who are too busy with life to notice Him. 

Where will you look today?  If you take the time to seek Him out, He'll reward you with a glimpse of Himself...


Linking up with: