2011 August :: Putting God First Place

Let’s Pray for the Persecuted Church this Week!

By Ashley Wells, on August 30th, 2011

This week At the Well, the Fixing Your Heart of Titus 2 project to be intentionally praying for the persecuted church this week.

Our brothers and sisters around the world need our prayers.

Will you join me in praying for those around the world who are in great need of our prayers?

Preparing to Adopt :: Week 3

By Ashley Wells, on August 29th, 2011

This week we got one of our children’s rooms put together!

Or at least, started to put it together.

The beds are up.

Some toys are in!

We even have a special touch…a cat exploring!

Since we don’t know the ages of our children, we are trying to prepare for all possibilities. Overall, we have bunk beds (in another room, which we haven’t started working on just yet), the twin bed in this room, along with the crib (which can also be a toddler bed) in this room.

And another special touch, Michael’s baby blanket!

And, here are some toys on a table.

We decided not to decorate the rooms with a theme or strong prominent colors until we meet our children, since we don’t know if they will be boys or girls and what they will like, and that way they can be a part of the process.

So, the room won’t look too much different. However, we do have a few other things we want to do! I will be sure to post with final pictures before placement!

Overall, I think it was a good week for progress!

God Doesn’t Owe Me Anything

By Ashley Wells, on August 23rd, 2011

The following quote is from The Greener Grass Conspiracy (highly recommended!):

God doesn’t owe us anything. He is the Creator; I am his creation, and I owe him everything. He puts breath into my lungs. He makes my heart beat. He doesn’t owe me – I owe him.

Preparing to Adopt :: Week 2

By Ashley Wells, on August 22nd, 2011

So, this week was a lot of just trying to settle into our new house. You really can’t do much when a house is a jumbled mess and you can’t even find a clean pair of socks! Believe me!

However, we were able to get the kid’s stuff put into the kid’s rooms. So, that is an accomplishment!

Below is a corner of one of the rooms. This room will have bunk beds in it. (Right now it is also housing some stuff that I am going to sell in a yard sale this weekend…I’m hoping to meet some neighbors and start to build relationships with the hopes of being able to share the gospel within our community.)

Here is the other bedroom. This one will have a twin bed along with a crib (that can also turn into a toddler bed).

I did find a double stroller this past week (for free!). Michael and I had an adventure trying to figure out how to fold it. lol…We ended up having to google the stroller to find the manual online. Then, we felt kind of ignorant when we realized how simple it was!

I also found some children’s cups and plates this week (again free! Gotta love the free store on campus!).

All in all, not a hugely productive week. However, each week is still a step towards getting our children!

How do you feel about preparing to adopt a sibling group?

By Ashley Wells, on August 18th, 2011

I’m terrified! No, really, I am! I’m a scaredy cat!

I mean, I’ve never been a parent before, and here I am taking responsibility for up to four children. It is frightening!

But here are the realities of this situation:

All first-time parents are scared and worried. lol…At least, I think so! So, part of this feeling is a normal reaction to the reality of parenting, the reality of being entrusted with lives to protect and take care of, the reality of being entrusted to care for souls that will never die.
I need to be scared, that way I can rely fully on Christ. Without giving over control, I will be trying to parent in my own strength. I will fail miserably! However, the place that I am in, worried and scared, is the right place to be in. I must parent not in my own strength, but through the strength and guidance of Christ. We are all inadequate for these wonderful callings that God gives us, in and of ourselves. We must rely solely on Him!
There is still a great sense of peace that I feel. That is because Michael and I know that God has called us to this. His plans are great and wonderful and beyond our imagination! We just need to be obedient to what we feel He is calling us to do. He will provide the skills and all that we need!

So, that’s where I’m at right now!