We can do something.

I joined Noonday Collection a little over 3 months ago because I wanted to be a part of what they were doing. It took an investment on my end, but Justin and I felt it was worth it to join up with such a cause. Noonday uses fashion and design to create economic opportunity for the vulnerable all over the globe. As a stay at home mom I have a lot of impact on my son, and as a pastors wife we have impact on our church family and community, but I crave more than that. Any of us can drive to the airport and be anywhere in the world by tomorrow. So why are we acting like the starving children in Africa and the impoverished in Peru are out of reach? We have full bellies and warm homes and yet still we desire more and are never satisfied. When I let me mind settle on how much "stuff" I feel like I need... it sickens me. 

Matthew 25:35-40
" 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them,‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"

Guys... this rocks me. This is our hands and feet moment. The chance to be Jesus to the world. There are so many awesome organizations out there that are truly doing this. Noonday is one of them. 

-------------------------

I had the privilege to join with 150 Noonday ambassadors this weekend in Marble Falls. I've never felt sisterhood as strong as I did this weekend. We wept over global statistics, were challenged to keep fighting the good fight, and looked pretty dang cute while doing it all. The talent of our artisans always impresses me and the new spring line launching at the end of February was just beautiful, it is truly works of art. If you are interested in opening your home for the artisans. I would love to partner with you and throw a Trunk Show with you and your friends! 

One of the most fun parts of the weekend was making virtual friends, real friends!

Jessica Honneger - Founder of Noonday

Wynne Elder - Check out her blog The Elder Adventures
She had huge impact into our decision to adopt and
to become a Noonday Ambassaor

More lovely ladies - Ashley, Krista, Debra, and McCall

So I'm Cheating...

After accepting the challenge to read my Bible cover to cover in a month with Justin... I started cheating. I know it't not November yet but I am already in Numbers (the 3rd book of the Bible)

Here are some tips I have learned already!

Variety

Paperback Bible

Iphone Bible App 

Ipad or Kindle

You Version Bible App (audio)

Once I got into the lengthy law part, I found that switching to listening to 

the Bible be read to me on my iPhone, made it more enjoyable! If you listen to the 

NKJ version, the man reading has a sweet Lord of the Rings voice. 

I prefer the ESV translation personally... but the NKJ reader was awesome. 

I've been listening to it while I put away laundry or drive in the car, 

surprisingly Micah doesn't seem to mind. 

Random thoughts while reading (so far):

• The Israelites were super annoying when wandering the desert. "Manna is the worst lunch I have ever had....can we just have a salad or something, don't you know I have had diarrhea since Egypt?" ( a little Nacho Libre humor, sorry....)
• God still uses people who fail Him (be encouraged) 
• I am SO GLAD Jesus came and died for us so we are no longer under the law because HOLY MOLY there were a lot of laws.....
• Also I am seeing God preparing Israelis hearts for Jesus through almost everything he does for them. 
• DO NOT GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH leprosy.... don't do it. 
• Random thought... so Joseph was the reason that all the Israelites ended up in Egypt.... when you read it all in a row it all starts to make sense. 
• There are some pretty hilarious stand alone verses in the Leviticus. I kinda want to make a living off of making prints out of them... no one would buy them. but it would be hilarious.... to me. 
• God cares ALOT about details... just read the account he gave to Moses about the tabernacle... which I can only imagine was GORGEOUS.
  

Bible in 30 Days

I had tried to prepare myself mentally for the time in between meeting/adopting Mathias and going back to get him. I admit I'm struggling. A lot. The emotions I feel being disconnected from my child by oceans and not knowing when I can go bring him home are some of the strongest I have ever experienced. I have felt lost these last weeks, feeling myself sinking into a funk. There are a few other struggles my family is facing that add to the overwhelming sense of attempting to climb up a slippery mountain. God is using the season to develops perseverance, but frankly I just want it to be over. My sweet husband is the best and he never allows me to wallow in self pity. Sometimes that's super frustrating, but for the most part I choose to be thankful for it! 

His challenge to me to help us both get out of this downward spiral is drastic, almost as crazy as asking me to train and run a half marathon with him (which he asked while I was pregnant) I had never even run around the block, but with his encouragement we ran that 1/2 marathon last year! 

His drastic challenge to me this times as reading the Bible cover to cover in the 30 days of November! The Bible is a long book y'all ;)  I am looking forward to having truth overtake my mind and leave no room for doubt, pity, sadness, and lies.

Here is some info if you think your life needs a reboot of truth! 

We are following this plan. 

http://www.teachtochangelives.com/30dayplan/

Tips:

• Use a plain Bible, not a study Bible - you'll be less distracted by all those notes
• Read with a theme or topic in mind.
• Get a partner or small group and do this together - mutual positive encouragement and accountability!
• If you fall behind, don't give up.  Just pick up where you left off and keep going.  Finishing in 40 or 50 days is still a great achievement.

The theme I have chosen to read everything "thought the lens of" is that God is the main character in the bible. Everything is about him and how He is working through his creation. There are a tons of people and history in the Bible and it's easy to get muddled down. I do have a total bonus in having a theologian as a husband... To ask all my questions too. Feel free to email justinevans13@mac.com with any questions you have while reading the Bible! He is the best!

Mathias Tariku Evans

Mathias is now ours! On October 17th we officially adopted our new son. Now we wait to bring him home to Texas! Our agency says to give at least 3 months until that will happen. We had hoped to have him home before Christmas and our move to San Antonio, but it is not looking like that it a possibility.  I wanted to share some Africa photos with y'all! I still haven't been able to process all of my emotion from the trip into words... maybe someday. ;) But for now you will have to be content with photos. 

To everyone who participated in our fundraisers and helped us make this possible, 

we thank you, 

Mathias thanks you. 

Africa!

The streets of Addis Ababa

Mathias Care Center - He is on the top floor

Daddys Boy =)

I miss his sweet face. 

Pretty excited to have a snuggle bug.

after his 1st haircut - handsome little dude

I promise to share my heart with y'all soon. 

It is just the weirdest experience to endure... there really aren't words...

Prayers appreciated! 

I dreamed...

I dreamed about meeting Mathias for the first time last night. I didn't want to wake up. It was amazing. It is the most disconnected feeling to not have your child with you... not just not with me... but oceans away. I need to be with him soon. Thank goodness Oct. 14th is approaching... the first day I will get to hold him in my arms!

The 2nd Guess

Dont you hate the 2nd guess? I know I do. When you think you should do something (or not do something) and the decision you made haunts you.
Tonight a very sweet (and sweaty) (its like 100 degrees) african-american young man in his 20's came to my door and was selling books/magazines. He was dressed very professional and had great manners. He explained that the real point of selling things was to learn people skills and how to be professional. I like to think the best about people so I believed him. I for some reason had no cash on my so I came up with $2 (and a cold 7up) to give him because I didn't want to buy a $40 book (thats crazy). He said thank you and went on his way. He never pressured the sale or made me feel uncomfortable.

When I went for a walk later in the evening I saw a Frisco cop car pulled over on the side of the road and the young man was standing next to it. The cops were in there car while he stood looking awkward on the sidewalk. He saw me walking on the other side of the street and smiled and said quietly "I think I won two tickets to chuck-e-cheese" he was obviously embarrassed and trying to make light of it.

Everything in me told me to walk over to the police car and ask what was going on. I thought I could at least give my experience with him to help his case. Soliciting is not illegal in this neighborhood. I hated to think it, but I'm pretty sure they pulled him over for his skin color... which makes me real, real mad.

I ended up not going over. I wrestled in my mind over whether the cop would get mad at me or if the guy really was a crook and I would be defending him.. basically I failed to live up to my life motto, Micah 6:8 "And what does the Lord require of you, that you seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."

The more I think about it... the more I realize my decision was all about me. He needed my help, my voice. I failed.

Praying for forgiveness and hoping I learn from this.

Court Date!!!

So excited to receive the call today letting us know that we will get to go meet and adopt our sweet Mathias on Oct. 15th, 2013. That will be a wonderful day. We plan on staying a few days to experience Addis Ababa and his home country. Then we will say a hard goodbye and await our embassy date where we can go pick him up and bring him to his new home and family. He has one excited big brother who is ready to meet him. With the estimated times we are hoping this pickup date will be in January or early Feb. The sooner the better! Prayers appreciated!