Finding News

Tuesday Technology Tip:

Do you sometimes want to find out about a news story?  Then when you "google" it you find loads of links that do not even apply?  It drives me CRAZY!

Next time go to Google Fast Flip to "browse" the newspapers online.  Just the newspapers.  Yay.  Find quick, credible news links about the news you are looking for.

Sweetness

Mondays with Macy and Mia

The other night Mia just melted my heart...

We were having prayer time before going to bed, and I asked the girls what they were thankful for.
Mia said in her sweet little voice, "...you....my sister....and my daddy!"  And then she wrinkled up her nose and snuggled up in her blanket.

Those words shook me for a moment.  This little girl that was halfway around the world and alone at one time -is now placed in our family.  We love her, we adore her, and can not imagine life without her.  Her thankfulness tonight seems so simple to her.  Yet I know how profound it really is.

We have been blessed beyond measure by adoption.
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Later that night, Macy came into the living room to give me her book and flashlight she had been using to read.  She then asked if  I could move Mia.  She said Mia had gotten up into the top bunk with her!  Macy had been reading to her for the past 20 minutes!  Macy said, "Mia is now fast asleep!"  I love it when there is sweetness between my girls...because we have our moments!

Something NEW I'm thankful for this year

Usually I am giving thanks for the typical things on Thanksgiving.  Our family, our home, our provision, our health...  But this year I have something new to be thankful for...

I am thankful for the call.  The call to missions.  Nothing has required more sacrifice, and nothing has brought more honor and humility to my heart.  My heart now beats to a new rhythm.  It beats with greater intensity when I think of the millions of people living in our world that have no knowledge of who Jesus is and what he came to this earth for.  I long for them to know the same hope and love that I do.  Knowing God has changed my life.  I have never been the same.  I was so empty before I came into a real relationship with God.

My heart beats strongly for those living in darkness to have their emptiness filled with God's all encompassing LOVE.
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I am thankful this year for those that have partnered with us.  It is humbling.  It is an honor.  63 families and 34 churches have joined our monthly support team so far.  They are going to get us to Spain to do this work.  They are going to keep us there to complete it.  I am exceedingly thankful for their faith in us.
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My prayers today:
1.  Mia's surgery on her eyes is scheduled for January 10th.  I am praying for the doctor to have divine wisdom and to be able to perfectly correct her eye alignment with this one surgery.
2.  My friend Heather is in an adoption battle for her little girl that she has had since birth through DHS.  The birth father showed up right before the adoption was finalized to say he wanted her.  In recent days he has been wavering in that decision and has stated that he doesn't even know if she is really his.  I am praying for God to complete the work of putting Layna with the family he has chosen for her.  They do not have any other children.
3.  I am praying that God will get us to our field.  We must be 100% funded through monthly financial supporters before they will send us.  I feel the stirring that we need to be there NOW.  The window is open to reach people through media NOW.  Please pray with us that God will stir hearts and that more churches and families will become monthly partners.  We still need about 75 more people/churches to join us.  McMath Family Support Page 
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There is one more thing that I am thankful for in a new way this year.  I am always thankful for this - but this year it is stronger than ever before.  I am thankful for God's gift to me of my husband.  He is perfect for me in every way.  I love him now more than ever.  I will follow him anywhere God leads Him.  I believe in Him.  I am thankful for the 2 little girls in my life. They become more wonderful every day.  It is a gift that God chose me to be their Mom.

Is there anything new that you are thankful for this year?

Wednesdays in the Word

We must learn to be REALISTIC, not IDEALISTIC.  Idealism says, "I can do it all!"
Realism says, "I can do everything God asks me do do."
-Joyce Meyer 

"...I can do everything God asks me to do with the help of Christ who give me the strength and power." - Phillipians 4:13 TLB

I will be honest.  I tend to be idealistic.  I ALWAYS have more on my daily to do list than I can possibly humanly do.  Then I am bummed at the end of the day that I didn't accomplish more.  I have to CHOOSE to celebrate  the 2 or 3 projects that I did complete or I will just feel defeated.

How about you... Are you idealistic in the pressures that you put on yourself?  Or are you realistic?

How to Keep up with Blogs

Technology Tip Tuesday

I used to make bookmarks of all of my friends blogs that I wanted to keep up with.  That meant I had to manually go to each link every so often to see if there was anything new.

Now I use Google Reader.  You just add all of your favorite blogs as subscriptions... then you can just go to "reader" every other day and see if anyone has posted anything new.  Awesome.  I even have the google app downloaded to my iPhone.  That way when I am stuck somewhere and have a few minutes, I can just go to my Google App, click on reader, and it automatically brings up all of my friends blogs that I subscribe to.  I love getting caught up over a cup of coffee in the mornings!

Watch this video for a "how to" on getting started with Google Reader:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSPZ2Uu_X3Y

In addition, go to www.google.com/reader and scroll down to the THIRD post that says "A quick video tutorial" and watch the video.  Very helpful!

Enjoy keeping up with your favorite blogs the easier way!  (You can also click on the posts in reader if you want to actually visit the blog)

Let me know if you have any questions - or if you know of another great way to keep up with blogs!

Macy finds Spain in Chicago Airport

We flew to DC this past month for a service... and Macy was walking along - and then pointed UP!  She knows our Spain Flag!  I'm so proud.... sniff.....

Mommy is a teenager?

I was telling Macy that we were going to the Arkansas District Youth Convention this weekend...and that there would be a ton of teenagers there.  She said, "A bunch of teenagers like you, Mom?"

Cute.  Guess I look really young!

Blog has found it's Home

HEADLINE:  Blog has found a Forever Home...

After much transition over the past 2 years... 4 moves... developing a ministry website (mcmathfamily.com)... seasons of no blog updates...
Glenda's blog has found a Forever Home.

You can now keep up with the McMath Family's Life at:

www.sharingoursteps.com

There will be:
Mondays with Macy and Mia
Tuesdays Technology Tip
Wednesdays in the Word
and other little snippets along the way!

Under Construction

Be prepared for lots of changes this week... re-designing the blog... :)