Merry Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas friends and family...

Thanks so much for stopping by to get another update on our family.  As I reflect back on the past few years and read over the letters I wrote in 2013 and 2014, I can't help but praise the Lord for all He has done and continues to do in our lives.

So, I'm going to jump right into it....I have wonderful news about A (Anna-12) and J (Jakob-9).   They were adopted this past summer into a wonderful family right here near us, whom they had already spent some time with previously!  GOD IS SO GOOD!!!

Last year this time, we didn't know if we would ever see them again or if we would ever have the joy of knowing they were adopted. Those unknowns brought me so much sadness.  It was hard for me to cling to the promises of my Lord.  His words and promises were suck up in my head but they were having a really hard time making their way down to my heart.  I am so thankful for friends who stood by me and continued to point me towards Him and His goodness.  Reminding me all the time how His plans are far better than mine, that He has great plans for Anna and Jakob and that He takes the broken and makes them new.  He takes our broken dreams and hearts and heals them.

I am SO thankful that God has given us the gift of seeing this huge piece of His plan for Anna and Jakobs lives.  I know that we were never promised that and we are so grateful.  We have been able to see the kids, write them letters and even have breakfast together over Thanksgiving break.  Their adoptive family is wonderful and very supportive of us being in their lives.  Again, an incredible gift that I do not take for granted for one day.  Please continue to pray for Anna and Jakob.  They are both doing really well in school and after school activities.  We are so very proud of them.

And here's a little update on the rest of us:
Jori is enjoying Kindergarten and learning so much so fast.  She has lots of friends and is a little social butterfly.  She keeps up with the big kids and keeps us laughing.  We sure love her spunky personality. Jori along with her sisters, all participated in their first horse show this year.  They all loved it and were so proud of their ribbons and can't wait for the next one.

Brenna is in second grade and doing very well.  She is following in her big sisters footsteps and becoming a great reader.  She tried out and made the basketball team at school, Go Bulldogs! We enjoy watching her play on Saturdays.  Brenna is quite our little athlete.  She is always doing cartwheels and flips and is also being a great little rider.

Raelyn is in fourth grade and part of a student leadership team.  She is enjoying playing the recorder and learning to read music.  I can see her love for music growing just like her big brother's.  Raelyn always has a book in her hands and loves to read the biggest books she can find.  She also enjoys riding horses and is looking pretty grown up when she rides.

Garret is in seventh grade and really enjoying playing percussion in the school band.  He tried out and earned first chair. He marched in his first parade and played in the Christmas concert and was even asked to play a song with the 8th grade band.  He loves to draw and create and make things.  He has also started getting up early a few days a week to join Dave at the gym.  He is growing up fast!

Dave and I doing great. God continues to bless and grow the company.  We are thankful for Gods continued provision and protection for our family.  We love camping and going on trips. This fall we had a great time as a family exploring Washington DC .  Dave enjoys his annual trips to south Florida to ride motorcycles with my dad and I continue to dabble with photography.

As I finish up this really LONG letter I want to include something that I recently read in my Advent devotional... " No matter what breaks the body and pierces the soul, God's promises find their yes in our Jesus, the author, the perfecter, the binder of brokenness. There is never a shortage of fear or voices of doubt. But if God has declared it, praise Him as though it were already completed.  In the end your song will ring true with the great things He has done." - Anne Summers.  I want my song to ring true this year with ALL the GREAT things He has done through Jesus.  I'm so thankful He loved me enough to send His son to fix all the broken.

Merry Christmas,
The Widmaiers

Merry Christmas 2014

I have written this post 100 times over in my head and the words are still hard to write.   But it’s my story.  It’s different from the story I thought I would be telling you all this year, but none the less, it’s my story  and I am holding to the hope that God isn't done with my story yet, and I pray that He can still use it. 

As you can see, our picture has two less kids in it this year. Our two foster children the Lord brought into our home last year this time, are now living with another family.  We believe the Lord was leading us in this decision just as He did when He asked us to have them come and live with us.

A and J lived with us until September of this year.  We loved them fiercely, and still do.  We saw God work in our home while they were here.  We saw our kids show grace and love when things were really tough, (maybe even better than Dave and I at times).  We saw Him send friends our way to be His hands and feet when we were in need of physical help and emotional encouragement.  We saw healing and changes in A and J even though the process is often painful and slow.  And then we saw God leading us in a different direction than we had originally thought.  As more time went by and the longer the kids were in our home, the more unsettled our home became.  It was hard to see, but even more painful to come to the conclusion that maybe A and J were only supposed to be with us for a short time, not for a lifetime. 

It is hard when the path you thought you were supposed to take, takes a slow and gradual turn in a new direction, but even in these times I have seen Him as well.  I saw Him when I saw the Wid Kids run freely and with joy again.  I saw Him when I watched the stress lifted off my husbands shoulders as he didn’t need to act as defender of me any longer.  I saw Him again as friends reached out and wrapped their arms around me as I grieved the loss of these kids and "my" plans.  And I have seen Him bring restoration and peace to our home and to my own soul.  

"We can make our own plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9

I had mentioned in last years letter that I am a slow learner.  Nothing has changed and I still am.  I am learning that I don’t control anything.  My God and Savior, who never messes up, is in control of everything.  He has been from the very beginning of time.  He never once has failed in the past and He hasn’t failed in our situation either.  A and J are His children.  He has a plan for them and I am learning to trust that His plan was for us to plant seeds.  Please join us in praying for them.  Praying that the seeds planted will have already taken root and that those baby roots will be nourished.  That they will continue to hear the words, He loves you! You are important.  You are not a mistake.  He came to earth as a tiny baby to SAVE YOU, to LOVE YOU, to HEAL YOU, to make you new in Him. 

As I think about the things I am hoping they are hearing, I have to pause and remind myself to hear those same words about myself.  He SAVES  ME, LOVES ME, HEALS ME and makes me new. Although my story is different than I thought it might be, it is still my story... HIS STORY.  
I hope you know those truths as well this Christmas and every day of the year. 

Merry Christmas from The Widmaiers

God is Good- by Dustin Kensrue

Even when it seems the answer's no
The promises of God all find their Yes
In Christ who worked the Father's will below
That all who run to him would find their rest

And even when it seems he hides his face
And darkness seems to be our only friend
We look to Christ who suffered in our place
That one day all our suffering would end

God is good, all of the time
All of the time, God is good
God is good, all of the time
All of the time, God is good

And even when it seems he pays no mind
We have a guarantee of his great love
In Christ who came and left his crown behind
That one day we would reign with him above

Lord, we believe
But help our unbelief
Lord, we believe
But help our hearts to sing

That you are good, all of the time
All of the time, you are good
You are good all, of the time
Your are good
Lord, you are good

Merry Christmas 2013

December 21, 2013

Its strange to be back at this place, typing a blog post again.  It has been so long.  But I thought this might be the easiest way to share with everyone about how God is moving in our lives and family. 

About a year ago, we shared with our family how we felt the Lord was working in our hearts and leading us on a journey to adoption.  We didn’t know which direction the Lord would lead us, but we felt his nudging and knew we needed to be obedient and start learning what our options were for adoption. 

"God destined us for adoption as His children through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will" Ephesians 1:5

 We prayed and read and went to meetings, the options were overwhelming.  It was so hard to narrow down a path we felt would work with our current family and was the Lords will for our lives.  We decided that foster care would possibly be the way we would go.  Daves sister, Debbie, has been a foster parent for years now and told us about "A" (10) and "J" (7) this past summer.

We prayed for awhile about 2 children vs one.  Could we handle it?  It wasn’t part of our plan.  But God often doesn’t work according to our plans.  In July we met the kids for the first time at the park.  I was a bottle of nerves.  Everyone played great together and we discovered a lot of fun connections like A and Raelyn having the same middle name, and A and Brenna sharing a birthday. 

Garret, Raelyn, Brenna and Jori have been very much a part of this journey with Dave and I.  They have great big hearts and good questions and concerns.  We are very proud of them for opening their hearts up to growing our family. 

After that initial meeting we have been spending most of our weekends with the kids.  We started out just picking them up for church on Sundays and then spending the day with them.  Then we started keeping them overnight on the weekends.  They even made a trip to Florida with us to go to one of our favorite spots in September. 

Since these children are already adoptable, DCS wanted to get them into a home that could be their permanent home.   In October we decided that God might be telling us that our home could be that home, that our family could be their family.  Since the children attend a different school from the Wid kids, we all thought it would be in the best interest of the children to have them move schools and transition into our home as foster children during the Christmas break. 

This morning, Dec 21) I picked the kids up at our normal drop off/ pick up spot.  But today is different.  I wont be dropping them back off there Sunday evening.  As I type this, I have so many emotions flooding my head and heart.  This is huge.  Six kids is a lot of kids.  Its chaos at moments and there is fighting and arguing, but there are also moments of great joy and healing.  Our God is a God of healing.  He makes beautiful things from dust.  He is teaching me so much, it is overwhelming some days.  I'm a slow learner though and I have hard days and question his plan and his power.  He keeps telling me, “I’ve got this, I’ve got YOU, TRUST ME”.

We ask that you will pray for us and with us as the Lord shapes our hearts to care for and love two more of HIS children.  That we can show them HIS love, the love that was so perfect that he sent his son to earth.  As we celebrate Christmas, we remember his great love for us.  His perfect love that drives out fears and makes things new. 

“When God leads or prompts us to do something small, we will be able to do it if we’re willing.  But sometimes God calls us to do something big that we feel we cant do in our own strength-either it is beyond our ability or beyond our natural human desire.  It is not something we can strategize and manipulate into being in and of ourselves.  It can only happen by God’s divine intervention.  The beauty of doing things beyond ourselves is that we will know it was by Gods doing and His alone.  And to Him we give all the Glory.” – Lysa Terkeurst

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

taking a break

but you might have guessed that already since i haven't posted in a very long time.  this blog became something that felt more like a chore than a creative outlet for me.  so, I'm taking a break.  not sure if or when i'll be back.  I've enjoyed the time here on the blog, just need some time away from it, from the computer in general i think.  i can spend way to much time on it.  most times i feel encouraged by other mommy bloggers but sometimes i leave feeling like I'm not good enough, don't make enough nutritious dinners, don't spend enough time playing with kids, or reading my bible.  i get caught in the comparing. it isn't good for me.  so there are just a few blogs that i read now.  ones that appeal to me, not just because of the way the look and the photos and the design, or the awesome crafts they do,  but because the words these women share inspire me to be a better Christian, wife and mom.

Under the Sycamore by Ashley Ann
Whatever by Meg Duerksen
Contented Sparrow by Megan

thanks for joining me in my little space of the world wide web.  now go check them out. be inspired.

hawaii?!?!?!

ha ha.. I'm going to title this post the same as the last because I'm not sure we were really in Hawaii. it has taken me awhile to get the words together to write this post and share photos and today I'm not even going to do the whole thing. i just wanted to share another blog post that spoke to me this morning, brought me back out of my little pity party and got me headed in the right direction again... hopefully.

you see it rained every day we were in Hawaii. not just a little shower here and there, but big storms with hail and tornados, 15 inches of rain fell in the time we were there. we had one really lovely day of sunshine and that was it. i came home from our trip feeling frustrated and bummed out. after a few days passed, i got really frustrated and bummed out with myself! i had missed an awesome opportunity to dig into the Word, to grow in my relationship with my Lord, and to be amazed by his power. it wasn't the kind of power i had planned on, full of sunshine and ocean breezes but it was most definitely His power!

He promises to be faithful! it was right in front of me the entire time and i missed it. the beauty of his storms and then the rainbow to follow. i'm hoping i don't miss the next opportunity he gives me to praise him in the "storm" and to see beyond my expectations. He has great plans for me and gifts for me, if i only open my eyes and hands wide enough to receive them.

hawaii?!?!

yep... Hawaii! in less than 24 hours we will be on our way to Hawaii.

just dave and i.

we have been wanting to go to Hawaii for years, and now we have friends that are stationed over there, so we are going for a visit. we are so excited. seems surreal for sure!

i have lots still to do and just got a call from the school that i need to pick up the kids at 12 due to bad storms coming our way. so i better get off the computer and get to work.....
all i can say is.... my GOD is the most amazing artist there is. i can not wait to see this beauty with my own eyes.

HUGE transformation

well here she is... Daves new office space and ware house. isn't she beautiful? well, not here, she's not, but she becomes beautiful. Dave has big dreams, that's one of the reasons i love him so much, and the best part is that usually if he dreams it, it happens.

this building had sat empty just about a mile from our house for many many years. the roof had completely fallen inside, it was a MESS to say the least. reminds me a lot of this project.

but it had good bones, great location and a lot of potential.
dave met with the owner and worked out a deal and it became property of Reliable Building Services about 6 months ago.
the above picture is standing inside the building looking right up into the sky. nice sky lights if you ask me :)
the guys worked hard, and carefully, to take the old roof down without knocking the concrete walls down. this was a dangerous job and i did lots of praying while they worked.
photo above with with all the new trusses on.
i will leave you with on last photo of the inside before they started hauling trash to the dump.

dave is using 3/4 of the building for warehouse and shop space, the other 1/4 is for offices. last night i went over to the office to clean up a little bit before he had a big meeting today with a homeowner and architect.

i snapped a few photos with my phone before i left. it sure has come a long way!

the colors look really off, it is really more of a light tan, but this is the front lobby area. the door to the left leads into Daves personal office. we stained the old concrete floors. they have so much character, i just love them. i found the chairs at a used furniture store and re-did them. i love taking on projects as well. mine are just a little smaller scale. :)
still the lobby area
lobby again

the photo above is of the second office. dave has a whole crew working for him now. God has really been growing the business. we are blessed for sure.
this is Dave's office space. he has a great bright window to look out of during the day. the color is off in here as well, it is a medium dark brown. desks are from IKEA.
the chairs i got were 4 for $40 bucks. then i just bought two curtain panels from walmart for $12 to recover them. i love how they turned out. they just needed some cleaning, sanding, new urethane, and recovering. look as good as new... and they are comfortable.
i did some paintings for his walls.
rug is from walmart too. he still wants to build a big long work space in the back of the office but that will come with time. i'll try to get over there with my real camera too some time and get some photos of the outside and the workshop as well.

hope you liked the little tour of Reliable Building. If you are local to Greeneville TN and are in need of any home repairs or a custom built home give us a call. 423-342-4331.