Family

I love my family dearly! My brother lives in Asia. We get to see him and his family every 2-3 years. They have been in America for the last 9 weeks. We have had them in TN for about 4 weeks of that time. When they are home we squeeze all the quality time in that we can!
They board a plane tomorrow to go back to Asia and this is the first time I am having a VERY hard time letting go. We have left each other many times over the last 12 or so years. The first time was horendous! It never really gets any easier, it's always hard, but something I have always been able to handle in my heart because I knew he and his family are called there. This time, I'm very unsettled in my heart. I love my brother, my sister in law, my nephews and my precious neice (who can handle herself well with all those brothers!) I have tried to pin point why this time is so much harder. One thing is because the kids are getting older, I miss years of their lives. Our kids are getting older also and they all understand now what it means when they say good bye to their cousins. Lots of crying going on in my home tonight!

But this time I think it is harder because we are adopting. I want them here so badly to walk every step with us. I want the support we feel when they are around. Those who are or have adopted know the back lash that can occur. Many say very weird things. Some hurtful, some don't support you, and some just don't understand. With my brother and his family being missionaries, they have been in similar shoes many times. (really most of the time!) They constantly need the prayers and the love and the support. They greatly desire for people to see and feel what they do every day. I know they understand our calling and understand why we are doing this and have just simply loved and supported us through this. It has been so easy to talk about our journey with them. They have NEVER questioned or down played our calling. They listen. And they are so excited and did everything possible they could while here with us, which was more than anyone else has done. To have that love and support that was so easily there helped me breathe a little easier these past few weeks.

So as we say goodbye, again, I'm desparately trying to not pray some very selfish prayers. I would love for God to bring them home. But their calling is in Asia. Mine is here with orphans. This journey never ceases to amaze me. I love being able to see what God uses. I have very much fallen in love with all of those who need families. Everyone deserves unconditional love. Also, with this, he has given me another level of understanding and what I need to do to support others when they are called on their journey. Simply put - I might not get it, but I can support it and love them through it. My brother and my sister in law AND their kids have shown me that. I know they get it - the adoption thing, but they have shown me what simple love and support can do for someone who KNOWS they are doing what they are called to do and just needs to know there is somone who is walking beside them and provides that love and support. Period.

So as I cry myself to death over the next 24 hours, here are a few pics of all the cousins. Next time we will have a few more! How fun is that think about?!

We played ALOT!! Celebrated birthdays, played soccer, cooked out, took some field trips, biked, picniced, football games, Titans game, played in the creek, ate Ethipian, and LOTS of swimming and hot tub time!



Eating Ethiopian

And LOTS of swimming in the pool and enjoying the hot tub!

It's late...

and I'm learning eCommerce on the fly.  If there is someone out there who wants to try out my t-shirt web purchase using Paypal, I would love the feedback to see how well it works.  I'm sure I will make adjustments over time, but we just got the t-shirts in, and we are excited about getting them out there for everyone to see!

Preview and order One Less Orphan T-Shirts

Rodan and Fields Dermatologists

When we were being led to adopt money was an issue for us, so instead of making excuses about money, I decided to find a way to make extra money.  I feel like I hit the jack pot with this company.  Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields are the dermatologists who developed Proactive.  They have a new skin care company that I feel blessed to have found and feel very proud to be apart of.  

If you are in the process of adopting - this is an awesome way to raise/make extra funds.  If you need residual income - here's your answer!  

If you just need some incredible skin care - I would love to help you out and you are helping bring my children home at the same time!!!!  (check out my website.  https://candigalbreath.myrandf.com/) 

I posted this tonight because the Doctors themselves will be on a national opportunity call WEDNESDAY NIGHT  SEPT 1st!!!!  CALL in and hear what they have to say!  It can change your life! 

712-432-9735  Access code 79033    9eastern, 8central, 6 pacific.

My websites
https://candigalbreath.myrandf.com/

https://candigalbreath.myrandf.biz/

I would love to tell you all there is to know about this company.  Feel free to email me and I'll get back in touch!  candi.galbreath@gmail.com

Radical

I have just finished Radical by David Platt. I had to blog to say - YOU must read this book!

Someone had recommended it when I posted a couple of months ago about what God was doing in our lives and the message we had gotten loud and clear is we were not radically devoted. We were stuck in the American Dream. Then my brother came home for a few weeks this summer and he handed me that book. I read it and now telling you, you should read it!!

We have been fervently looking for a church home. We have attended a few churches over the past couple of years and this message of what being radically devoted to Christ vs the American dream has been a very common thread. I do not think it has been by coincidence that so many pastors have this on their hearts. God is sending a very big message to wake a lot of people up. I'm gonna say it and probably offend a few, but here it goes - Serving within your church walls is not active faith. We have found a way to be comfortable and trick ourselves into thinking as long as the "do nots" are not on our list of confessions we are covered. God has broken my heart over our faith being a collection of do nots instead of dos.

I live in Brentwood, TN - has to be in the top 10 most affluent areas in our country which makes it one of the richest places to live in the entire world! We are so unaware of what needs there are even in Nashville, much less around the world. We all give money easily, but that's not really what God is asking of us. What are you doing to truly impact the world for Christ? I'm struggling with what that is for me and my family, but I'm starting to do something about it. Friends, church groups, support systems are all important, but serving only within those groups is not what you were called to do. I know we like to believe some "were called" to foreign missions and that we were not "called." Well, God gave the great commission to everyone. That means you should be doing something, somewhere!

Go read the book! Pray over it and let's all start doing something!

Candi

(I feel like I could preach a sermon here, but read the book - then message me! I would love to hear what you think about it and what you see people or yourself doing!)

SWIM TEAM!!!!

I'm finally downloading pictures from this summer. AND as a very PROUD momma - had to post some of my little fish. Our family loves summer swim team! They have all swam since they were 4 on swim team. (Mom being a pediatric nurse practitioner makes swimming a non negotionable item in our family! Good thing they all love to swim!) Anyway, we had a great swim season. Had to share some great pictures of victory!

Carter won high point winner for his age group - big deal if you don't know what that means. He got the most points for the whole season for the 6 and under boys and got a T shirt to wear proudly!

Haley did amazing in her championship meet! She got 6th runner up (out of about 200 girls I think.) YAY for Haley!!!

SB sporting her ribbons and metals from her championship meet. She was the youngest in her division this year, so getting some ribbons and metals is a big deal! She swam her personal best in everything she did - she's awesome!

Here's Carter sporting his trophy and metals. He won 4th runner up in the 6 and under boys. His relay broke the county record by 2 seconds - that's alot in swimming! YAY for Carter!!

I know parents who brag can be annoying, but I'm going to be annoying. I am so proud of all of their hard work!! Swimming takes a lot of dedication and gives so much back beyond metals and trophies! Very proud of them for getting up every morning and practicing. Takes alot of perseverance and courage to be on swim team. YAY for them! (and if I don't brag loudly, who will? Right?)

What is your story?

Here I go again.  I'm in church and this flood of revelation comes over me again. (singing the song below!)  I have another blog to write.  I have to tell you, that I am NOT a writer!!  (my family, especially my mother, will attest to this!)  So the fact that I keep feeling led to write I know is from God.  I guess someone out there needs to know what is on my heart.

A song I love and that is most convicting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5JdWHaTGnI&feature=related

There is no one higher, 
No one greater,
No one like our God.


There is none more able,
Christ our Savior
Great and Glorious.


So I'll stand 
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

Can you even begin to imagine what the world would look like if we all truly believed those words?  What I've been convicted of, is we are all supposed to have stories.  A story to glorify The One who gave it all for you.  I believe the story starts when you realize there is so much more to this life.

The week we decided to adopt our paster said something was exactly what we needed to hear to confirm the decision we had made.  We are all called to be radically devoted to Christ.  What most of us do is strive to live the American dream.  We live for life to become easier and more comfortable.  That is not what we were called for - we were not called to live the American dream, we were called to change the world . .  for Christ.  Most likely, if we were pretty comfortable we were not radically devoted.  

Through this journey, that I'm sure God is getting impatient with me for taking YEARS to realize, I have gone from being the selfish Christian thinking I was doing okay, to realizing I have fallen very short of what Christ expects of me.  Hate to admit it, but we had become very comfortable, again.  All 3 kids in school, I have a job that I work 2 days week - sweet!  We were set.  But had I truly impacted the world in a way that would have an eternal impact? This is the exact question that led us a few years ago to leave our very comfortable church. A very difficult decision.  We were sunday school teachers, worked in the nursery, took food, volunteered for VBS, etc.  All important things, don't get me wrong here, but for most of us, that is all we do.  We surround ourselves with what is comfortable and what is comfortable is being with people like us.   We were not radically devoted.

We, the whole family, spent yesterday serving in Nashville in an area that was devastated by the flood.  We served in a single mom's home who had no money to hire contractors so she was doing everything herself.  My girls vacuumed and mopped for hours.  Jay and I power washed and Carter jumped in on all activities.  I was so proud of my kids - we got no whining, no complaining, just dedication to what their job was.  I had reminded them when we woke up very early, that today was not about them and it was not about having fun, but rather today was a day we were giving back.

"Remember why we are out here."  Those were my words on the way.  We get the car to come home and they all were in great moods, saying how great they felt and that they really had a fun day.  I realized yesterday this is the culture our entire family needs to have consistently.  We give money (something the kids never see) much easier than we give our time.  

To whom much is given, much is expected.  I am constantly being convicted with that verse.  What I realized is if I don't start creating the culture of giving back with our time as well, will our kids ever find their story? 

I don't write all of this to bring light on what we are doing, but to inspire someone else and to glorify Christ.   It has taken me years to find my story.  What I now know is, my story is about orphans.  I have fallen in love and my heart breaks for those who need a family.  Your story might take you years, but I pray you realize you have one - an incredible one.  

So get out there.  Start creating a culture in your family that inspires every member.  I promise you will find God and He will lead you to be apart of His story. I know all of our stories will come together one day and glorify Him beyond our wildest imaginations!

There is no one higher, No one greater, No one like our God.

There is none more able, Christ our Savior Great and Glorious.

So I'll stand With arms high and heart abandoned In awe of the One who gave it all

So I'll stand My soul Lord to You surrendered

All I am is Yours

What are you waiting for?

Feeling very led tonight to share some deep thoughts again. This will make two blog posts by me (wow!) and both kinda personal, but when you're led, you're led! Right?!

This journey has been a roller coaster of excitement to total fear!  I have been pondering that today.  My thoughts might be random, but do have purpose, so stay with me!  The excitement is that same feeling when you're pregnant and anxiously waiting to see what your child will look like.  The fear is the same as when you are pregnant when you think, what in the world have we done! How will I ever do this?

My husband's mother died of ALS 8 years ago, the week our 2nd child was born.  She lived for 2 years following the diagnosis and required frequent care quickly and actually lived with us her final year.  That time period was the hardest thing I have ever done.  I knew we had to care for her, she was only 56 and a nursing home was not an option.  I can't even put into words what that 2 years was like.  We were very young and not prepared for that journey and we grew up very quickly.
I remember during that time my mom telling me God was preparing me for something big.  I might not know what it was and it could be years, but I would know at some moment that God used those 2 years to prepare me for a greater purpose.
Fast forward to February of this year, we tell my family we are going to adopt from Ethiopia.  A couple of days later I'm on the phone with my mom and she, being the good mom, says "I have to say this as your mother, but I hope you have thought this through, you do know how hard this is going to be?"  At that very moment and those words I knew this was it!   Her words from 10 years ago came flooding back.  I had faced hard things and came out better from going through them.  My husband and I had faced more things by the time we were 27 than most will in their lifetime.  We have really struggled to even connect with couples our own age (that is so hard to admit!) because in 2 years we had gone from being 25 to 55.  During that time period we felt so isolated.  It was a hard journey , BUT if we had not gone through that and really grown up (that's what we call it!) and let Jesus wake us up to our selfishness we would not be on this journey now.  I KNOW that in my soul, and all this came over me in a split second from that one question out of my mother's mouth!  This was it.  God had a big plan 10 years ago.  ALS never makes sense.  Prior to Jay's mom being diagnosed with ALS, I will tell you honestly, we were very selfish people.  We thought we knew what being a Christan was and played the part well.  Very active in our church and taking meals when we should.  But that journey woke us up!  Since then we have been on a spiritual journey that I have been glad to be on.  We ended up leaving a church that we had been apart of for 17 years.  That was very difficult but we knew was leading us else where.  At this moment on the phone, I'm realizing that God used something that was so heart wrenching and shook our lives up for decade now so we could get on the real path.  We still have a lot of growing to go, but I am so grateful to be in the middle of his will, his plan and I am so grateful to be used!

So, why I am telling you all this, because I know everyone of you reading this has fears.  I can't even type all the fears we have faced over the last decade.  God has used what ever life experiences you have had to prepare you for an awesome work.  I truly believe that.  I pray that as I feel led to share more of our story that you will be challenged to find your calling.  We have faced many fears.  It was not easy to take care of  his mother.  It was very scary to leave a church that we were very comfortable in.  It has been very scary to decide to adopt.  But we are stepping out on the water.  Peter was scared to, but Jesus was always there.  This journey I have been prepared for.   I might be scared and clueless, but prepared because I know this journey is God designed.

So, what are you waiting for?  God has plan and you are apart of it!  Step out on the water!
I think many of you need to go listen to this song and listen to what He is stirring within you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R3K0sqgfvM&feature=related

If you are in the middle of a rocking ocean, remember, Jesus is there with you!

Love you all!!
Candi