thankful

(roanoke, va . july 2013)

someone recently pointed out to us that our boys were getting a long better. they weren't fighting as much & they were playing together really well. it's really good to have outside perspective on your life & you're current situation. whatever season we're in it can feel like it's "THE WORST THING EVER". it can feel like it's the craziest you're life has ever been & it will obviously always be like that. ;) but we thought about it... thought about where our boys were a few months ago & where they are now... & we rejoice in our Father's good good work! our boys are growing & maturing & we are seeing the fruit of our labor. praise the Lord for His grace. even in our own lives it is good to look at what He's brought us out of, the sin He's removed from our hearts & the continued work of His sanctification in us. i'm so thankful He doesn't leave us the way we are! 

al

*Sarah, you're the winner of the mon voir giveaway! leave me your email address below so i can get you the details! thanks to everyone who entered!*

His work

(roanoke, va. july 2013)

this task (these 3 sweet faces) is daunting! i feel the weight of the role i play in their lives daily & hour by hour. i'm often failing & when i fail i feel like i've failed them, like i'm going to "ruin" them because of my sin against them & against the Lord. but i was reminded again by a dear friend... 

"God is the One discipling our kids and we are just His tool." 

amen! He's using us! wow! what an amazing honor & calling. what a relief too. He is using us, but we are not in control! He is! He is teaching their souls through our sins & failings & through our strengths & love for them. He will make all things work together for their good, even their mommy's silliness & selfishness. He will teach them about the gospel through my sin & repentance. He is so good & it's good to see HIS work in them, not our work. His is so much better!

thank You for Your great grace, Lord!

al

happy "mon voir" giveaway!

hi pretty ladies! wanted to give you the chance to win something super sweet & lovely to hang on your walls! so my friend jenna of mon voir generously offered to give one of my readers a print of their choosing! jenna creates beautiful prints & designed my burdees logo! you're soooo talented jenna! here's how you can enter...

*leave a comment below with your favorite print in her etsy shop.

*share this on your facebook (with a comment below to let me know you did so).

*you can also enter on my instagram feed @albark (find details there). 

giveaway ends monday evening at 10pm est. winner will be chosen randomly.

al

*the winner is... Sarah! please leave your email address in the comments below so i can get your print to you!*

ps

burdees has a whole lot of earrings on sale for $5, $4 & $3! you can also use the coupon code "LABORDAY" for 10% off your order!

long/hard work

(roanoke, va. july 2013)

we are in a battle for our children's souls! we have to be faithful NOW! we have to nail their sin & not be lazy about it. we will answer to the Father for how we parented our little ones. are being diligent to disciple their hearts & teach them the truths of the Word? are we daily making the gospel clear to them? it's hard work & such a great responsibility. amazing that the Lord would choose us as parents to teach our sweet ones all they need to know. give us grace great God to remain faithful on this road!

al

i'm back!

friends!!!!!!!!!!!! hi hi hi friends!

oh i've missed being in this space & sharing my heart on this crazy journey! i've missed it & realized how much i need it & how good it is for my soul! our summer was full & busy & rich! the above picture was obviously not from this summer because we're all in coats & sweaters, but i found it as i was looking through pictures to send to our adoption agency for our baby girl!!!!! 

so here's a little update on us... my husband has been accepted to the sovereign grace pastors' college which he will start in september! we're sooooo excited AND he will get credit toward his degree at southern seminary! we're excited to see where the Lord leads!

we're about ready to start our homestudy for our baby girl & we're all so tired of waiting! we want our sweet girl here right now! 

my burdees shop is taking off & we're so blessed by it! we have some new styles coming to the shop soon & a giveaway happening this weekend! you can follow my shop on instagram @burdees.

jude started classical conversations today & he's getting wayyyyy toooooo big! 

thanks for sticking with me through my short summer break! how was your summer?? did you guys take any trips? can't wait to share some more of our summer adventures soon! love you ladies!

al