We have a new blog. Please visit:
www.therollinswritings.blogspot.com
Monday, November 15, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Much to Say
Well, here we are again. Updating..if you can even call it that. I went from blogging weekly to quarterly. Oh, well. Here it is...and this one will be a little different...
There is much happening around the Rollins home these days. The last three months have proven to be some of the busiest ever. There have been moments its been a little to crazy but we can't complain...we are learning much.
Chad has continued working as the Interim Student Pastor at our church and we are pretty much just crazy about our middle school, high school and college students. There is not enough room on this page for me to express what the Lord has worked in our hearts and what He has taught us. We are humbled. Truly humbled. I can't even begin expressing the joy that overwhelms my heart as I watch and minister alongside my precious, Chad. There are only a few who can truly know what a miracle this is-to God be all of the glory.
With ourministry at FBC Lake Butler we have traveled quite a bit this summer. There have been 3 student trips, I have been on all 3, Chad on 2. Orlando, Georgia and North Carolina. Chad did a great job organizing and planning our "Summer, Student Weekend." We took about 25 teenagers to Georgia for a packed 3 days. This was a HUGE learning experience for us and sweet highlight of our summer for sure! James was able to join us when we went to Georgia, along with my sweet parents who came and helped with James while celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. Although we are thankful the fall will bring a little more routine(and a bedtime before 1am) we have loved it all.
Shortly after finishing our trips...it was wedding time. I along with Sarah and a wonderfulteam of people had been working on the details for Rachel's wedding. James and I packed up about 5 days before the wedding and headed to Gainesville. Thus began many late nights of decor details and flowers, flowers and more flowers. Let me just say this, the Lord was so kind in it all. What a glorious day! What a joyous covenant! (did I mention...James was IN the wedding too!!) Sweet times!
James is growing like a weed. He looks taller everyday! He is ALL boy. Trains, trucks, footballs, soccer balls, dirt, water, swords...you name it. He loves it all. Because he spends much of his time with teenagers and college students, he considers many of them his best friends and on any given day one them is over playing. (In his imagination) Of course...Bella is still his top pick, though. :) Some of my current favorite "James" phrases are:
"First came Moses, then came baby Moses, did you know that Dad?"
"I go toDisney World today." (this is everyday)
"Mommy, you look cross." (watches to much British television) ie: "Thomas the Train"
"I need to go to the nursery and scream." (Needs to go?? lol)
"Tim Tebow not eat green beans." (nice try, son)
So much fun, so thankful for this sweet stage.
...No new word on our second adoption. Just waiting and trusting.
Switching gears a bit....something I desire most to share in this update is what the Lord is teaching us, specifically me. Here is transparency.
God continues to work in our lives to strip of us of the things that we rely upon instead of Him.
In all of the travels, the fun, the business, theministry , the toddler days...God has continued to reveal to me over and over again how much Amber depends on Amber. You would have thought I would have made some progress through the season of Chad's illness...well, maybe...but even so, my flesh is weak. This is a new season, and I am learning much about "new seasons." As a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a "youth intern's" wife...Amber depends way to much on Amber. It amazes me every day at how quickly I battle this. I really feel inadequate to express this rightly...so you will just have to trust me...I bow to the idol of self-sufficiency, daily. Oh, how through the events and happenings of this summer God has chastened me and revealed this so strongly in my heart. I am humbled as I see the increase God has given in many areas despite myself. For this, I bless His name. He is good.
I have learned, pure motive or impure motive, I cannot say "yes" to everything. To do so is prideful.
I do require more than 4 hours of sleep a night, to pretend to be "super-wife" "super-mom"..."super-woman"..."super-whatever"...is once again...prideful.
You can only go so long living on stored up "meat" from the Word, while feeding yourself "milk" in the meantime and lay your intimate time with the Lord aside on the altar of business.
In my roles as wife and mother, if I allow it, my flesh gains great ground with guilt. I must live under the blood more freely than I do. The book of Isiah is a good place to start.
God has given me a tremendous treasure in my husband. Who forebears, constantly. This is grace.
I must not only acknowledge and confess the sin of self sufficiency but I must remove the things in my life that bring glory to Amber. This is where it really hurts. This is necessary. This is where I am.
God has been kind, He has not only blessed and allowed for much joy in the recent months He has been kind to teach, so patiently, to convict, so gently. To give grace, upon grace, upon grace.
So much still to learn, so much change up ahead. My heart melts as to know, "He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it." Phil 1: 6
My Jesus, I love thee. I know Thou art mine. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou, if ever I love thee, my Jesus tis now.
There is much happening around the Rollins home these days. The last three months have proven to be some of the busiest ever. There have been moments its been a little to crazy but we can't complain...we are learning much.
Chad has continued working as the Interim Student Pastor at our church and we are pretty much just crazy about our middle school, high school and college students. There is not enough room on this page for me to express what the Lord has worked in our hearts and what He has taught us. We are humbled. Truly humbled. I can't even begin expressing the joy that overwhelms my heart as I watch and minister alongside my precious, Chad. There are only a few who can truly know what a miracle this is-to God be all of the glory.
With our
Shortly after finishing our trips...it was wedding time. I along with Sarah and a wonderful
James is growing like a weed. He looks taller everyday! He is ALL boy. Trains, trucks, footballs, soccer balls, dirt, water, swords...you name it. He loves it all. Because he spends much of his time with teenagers and college students, he considers many of them his best friends and on any given day one them is over playing. (In his imagination) Of course...Bella is still his top pick, though. :) Some of my current favorite "James" phrases are:
"First came Moses, then came baby Moses, did you know that Dad?"
"I go to
"Mommy, you look cross." (watches to much British television) ie: "Thomas the Train"
"I need to go to the nursery and scream." (Needs to go?? lol)
"Tim Tebow not eat green beans." (nice try, son)
So much fun, so thankful for this sweet stage.
...No new word on our second adoption. Just waiting and trusting.
Switching gears a bit....something I desire most to share in this update is what the Lord is teaching us, specifically me. Here is transparency.
God continues to work in our lives to strip of us of the things that we rely upon instead of Him.
In all of the travels, the fun, the business, the
I have learned, pure motive or impure motive, I cannot say "yes" to everything. To do so is prideful.
I do require more than 4 hours of sleep a night, to pretend to be "super-wife" "super-mom"..."super-woman"..."super-whatever"...is once again...prideful.
You can only go so long living on stored up "meat" from the Word, while feeding yourself "milk" in the meantime and lay your intimate time with the Lord aside on the altar of business.
In my roles as wife and mother, if I allow it, my flesh gains great ground with guilt. I must live under the blood more freely than I do. The book of Isiah is a good place to start.
God has given me a tremendous treasure in my husband. Who forebears, constantly. This is grace.
I must not only acknowledge and confess the sin of self sufficiency but I must remove the things in my life that bring glory to Amber. This is where it really hurts. This is necessary. This is where I am.
God has been kind, He has not only blessed and allowed for much joy in the recent months He has been kind to teach, so patiently, to convict, so gently. To give grace, upon grace, upon grace.
So much still to learn, so much change up ahead. My heart melts as to know, "He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it." Phil 1: 6
My Jesus, I love thee. I know Thou art mine. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou, if ever I love thee, my Jesus tis now.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Not Only Your Hand
There has been much moving in our home and in my heart this week and my heart has been under heavy conviction as God has kindly exposed strongholds in my heart and life. I was reading back today over some old journal entries and came across this one. I was so thankful for the Holy Spirits leading, I needed to sit here a while, again.
November 2008
I was listening to the radio today and "Audience of One" just caught me. I just stopped. Frozen. Convicted. The artist effortlessly sang, "seeking your face and not only your hand." Immediately all I could think of was how often I go to seek God's hand and completely pass by His face. How often is it that I go before Him pleading for His will and His direction without stopping, awestruck, silenced by who He is? I go before Him begging Him to reveal His will, searching for it like it is impossible to find, when all along it is right before my eyes. His will for me: to wholeheartedly seek His face. So often I am looking for His plan, rather than being all satisfied in His presence. Please hear my heart, I know God delights in His children seeking His will and direction for their lives but sometimes I think we get so caught up in seeking Him for the specifics instead of just sitting at His feet. I know this is true in my life.
November 2008
I was listening to the radio today and "Audience of One" just caught me. I just stopped. Frozen. Convicted. The artist effortlessly sang, "seeking your face and not only your hand." Immediately all I could think of was how often I go to seek God's hand and completely pass by His face. How often is it that I go before Him pleading for His will and His direction without stopping, awestruck, silenced by who He is? I go before Him begging Him to reveal His will, searching for it like it is impossible to find, when all along it is right before my eyes. His will for me: to wholeheartedly seek His face. So often I am looking for His plan, rather than being all satisfied in His presence. Please hear my heart, I know God delights in His children seeking His will and direction for their lives but sometimes I think we get so caught up in seeking Him for the specifics instead of just sitting at His feet. I know this is true in my life.
Forgive me, Father, for my heart is selfish, give grace here Lord, may I hunger and thirst after who You are. May I seek Your face, Lord and from there find Your hand.
"One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple." Psalm 27:4
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Wow, it's been a while!
I know, I know, not posting in a couple of months seems a little ridiculous...and I know in the last several post I have said, "I will be posting more soon" and never got around to do it. I really do enjoy blogging and I know many of our friends and family members enjoy the updates but I honestly just struggle to find the time. Recently I have considered closing the blog just so I don't think about how I am not posting all the time! Well for now, here is another update...
Our family is doing well, James is growing so quickly and continues to amaze Chad and I each and every day with all he is learning...good and bad. :-) He is very busy boy who loves to play with trains, trucks and water! Lots of water! He is talking quite a bit and makes us laugh each day with his little sentences and funny phrases...one of our favorites, "Hi, I am Chad." He thinks is daddy is pretty amazing. One day recently we were talking about how God made the trees, a little bit later I asked him if he knew who made the trees, with a big smile he said, "Daddy!"
James is pretty smitten with all his grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends...his newest obsession are all the students we are working with at our church. He talks about them daily and ask constantly if they can come and play...and of course he still talks all the time about "my Bella."
Speaking of the students at our church, a huge part of this update includes them! The Lord has opened a door forministry at our church working with and serving the middle school, high school and college students. We are very humbled by this opportunity and have quickly fallen in love with this group of young people. With that our schedules have picked up a bit but we are loving every minute of it. They, in turn have really loved on and served our family and we are so grateful for that as well. Chad has enjoyed the opportunity to teach again and we are rejoicing in God's kindness in that specific area. We have a pretty busy summer, traveling alot...we can't wait. We truly are grateful for this time.
We are currently at a standstill with the adoption. We were told several weeks ago that our home study was close to approval but several weeks have gone by with no approval. It is not uncommon for this to happen and we are at complete peace regarding the timing. We were hopeful to potentially welcome a child and or children by August but it looks as if it could take much longer. Please pray for wisdom and discernment as we make many decisions regarding our family, adoption andministry .
There is so much more I desire to share, I really do hope to eventually be able to update more.
"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and in all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Phil. 1:9-11
Much love,
Amber
hope to get some pictures up soon
Our family is doing well, James is growing so quickly and continues to amaze Chad and I each and every day with all he is learning...good and bad. :-) He is very busy boy who loves to play with trains, trucks and water! Lots of water! He is talking quite a bit and makes us laugh each day with his little sentences and funny phrases...one of our favorites, "Hi, I am Chad." He thinks is daddy is pretty amazing. One day recently we were talking about how God made the trees, a little bit later I asked him if he knew who made the trees, with a big smile he said, "Daddy!"
James is pretty smitten with all his grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends...his newest obsession are all the students we are working with at our church. He talks about them daily and ask constantly if they can come and play...and of course he still talks all the time about "my Bella."
Speaking of the students at our church, a huge part of this update includes them! The Lord has opened a door for
We are currently at a standstill with the adoption. We were told several weeks ago that our home study was close to approval but several weeks have gone by with no approval. It is not uncommon for this to happen and we are at complete peace regarding the timing. We were hopeful to potentially welcome a child and or children by August but it looks as if it could take much longer. Please pray for wisdom and discernment as we make many decisions regarding our family, adoption and
There is so much more I desire to share, I really do hope to eventually be able to update more.
"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and in all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Phil. 1:9-11
Much love,
Amber
hope to get some pictures up soon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
