"Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"

At our cell group the other night I recognized how I have been so focused on my circumstances this past week, thus not having a heart of thanksgiving. God calls us to be thankful always, and I haven’t been. I’m sorry. It is when I am thankful that I recognize God and see His heart. It is when I see the God that He is; I can see how He isn't against me but for me. I long to be in that place once again.

There is so much to be thankful for: our family; health; doctors; freedom; a family that is united in Christ and all willing to serve you Him; a husband; a job that provides; a home and its contents; warmth; food; a God who saves, loves, and is forever faithful; and the One who is our hope, deliverer and has everything under control.

I’m thankful for our small group where I am welcomed, supported and loved.

I’m so thankful for God’s healings in my life, especially the freedom in it; I’m thankful to be alive and serve the King of the Most High; for a Christian school and our church; for technology and transportation that makes the world smaller; for girls who do appreciate, love and encourage me; pets who show faithfulness and love; a heart for Africa and the people there.

I’m thankful my husband remains beside me, behind me and before me; I’m thankful for his touch and how it still excites me.

I’m thankful for God’s love, forgiveness, and grace. I’m thankful His mercies are new every morning and how I have a fresh new start each day. I’m thankful God gave me a testimony and I am chosen by Him. I am thankful too we have the privilege to embrace Elijah and Ruth into our lives even though miles separate us; and I am thankful for His provisions for them and the other orphans.

I’m thankful for the beauty of the outdoors, how I have been able to experience the salt air and serenity of the ocean as well as the splendor of the mountain tops.

I’m thankful I have been able to hold Elijah and Ruth in my arms, and witness the beauty of seeing Lindsay, Katie and Courtney enter the world. I’m thankful God has carried me through those valleys when I couldn't even stand.

I’m thankful death doesn’t mean the end but only the beginning.

I am so thankful for Jesus, who came down to earth and took my beatings, was ridiculed and beaten, then died on the cross so I could live forever more with my God. I’m thankful for God’s friendship and for Him being my Father.

I’m thankful for protection everyday as we drive the interstate; the quietness and stillness of the morning before anyone’s awake.

I’m thankful Duane still holds my hand. I’m thankful for the passion in a kiss; Eskimo, butterfly and dog kisses; hand prints and footprints.

I’m thankful for tears but especially the joy that comes in the morning. I’m thankful for quiet times where I meet God face to face; journaling; bible study and His word. I am thankful for God’s word and how I can stand on His promises. I am thankful for His hope and a future; a God who doesn’t condemn but has our best interest at heart; His provisions.

I’m thankful for caterpillars and seeing them turn into butterflies; for the beauty of watching the sunrise from the prairie to it’s setting over the ocean. I’m so thankful I was allowed to see so much of His creation on safari.

I’m thankful for each stage the girls have gone through and finding the terrible two’s weren’t terrible but terrific and the teenage years don’t push their parents away but need them even more.

I’m very thankful for God’s creation in me, his fingerprints all over me and how He dances over me; and thankful Duane and the girls have too put their faith in God and I can have peace they too have a future. I’m thankful our God reigns!

I’m thankful I am His and all these things He has allowed me to experience. To God Be All The Glory!

From Our Home to Yours, Happy Thanksgiving! May you find a joyful heart as you experience the reasons we have to be thankful, and find peace as you experience the One we thank.

My Girls Amaze Me

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

The girls have been talking about going to Liberia for quite some time. The more they hear about the history of the country, see pictures and develop their knowing of a brother and sister who live their; a stirring arises in their spirit. Also, when they have heard the countless numbers of stories of how the orphans are treated and grow an understanding of all that is available to; their hearts are overwhelmed. I wish I could record their prayers and their questions as they seek, and their righteous anger that arises when they hear what the Liberian government is doing. I can honestly say God has their attention.

It didn't surprise me when the day came, and they decided that they were going to go and serve. What has surprised me is how they are truly seeking support and how they have been truly thankful for every penny that has come in.

Let me share with you some of the ways we are experiencing His blessings.

I received a call one day, our church was asking for help. They were having a memorial service and the family involved needed a babysitter for the little one. I accepted to help, to serve a family who has lost so much. I never expected to get paid, and even declined. However, God started our funding this way....before we knew we were going.

Courtney's Bible teacher challenged her class. She challenged them to memorize all of Romans 12. The first person who memorized it would received $5.00. Courtney memorized the passage the following day and recited it. But it didn't end there. The girls attended our Bible study a couple weeks after. She recited Romans 12, each member gave her $5.00 as a love offering.

The girls have continued to sell locker shelves, that Duane continues to make.

Katie and Courtney have decided to give their birthday money to the trip, for going to Liberia is the gift they want.

Lindsay has created a logo, which is now at the printers. We are waiting to see it so the girls can start selling t-shirts.

It excites me to see these girls work, but it excites me more to see God stir up the hearts of these girls. We are looking forward to seeing what He is about to do next. And as He continues to reveal Himself to us, we will let all of you know.

You have set your glory above the heavens.

from the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.

Psalm 7b-8a

Happy 2nd Birthday!

I wish you could see the girls faces as they discuss what they can do in Liberia. When an idea comes to them, an idea that they really, really like, and idea they are proud of...their whole face lights up, and they talk and they talk and they talk. They are so excited about going to serve.

We are all so excited about going that we actually let a special day slip by...

It was when I wrote the date yesterday that we realized...our baby is now 2!!!

Happy Birthday Ruthie!

Family Mission Trip to Liberia

November 1, 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

My sisters and I send our love to each one of you, and are thankful for each one of you in our lives.

We have already finished our first quarter in school. And as always, we are looking forward to the coming months as we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas…and of course, having some time off from school. Our school has a mission statement: To be boldly Christian, academically equipped and globally prepared. I have realized how much I have taken for granted; simply by attending a Christian school throughout our lives. I am thankful I have been able to. I see how our school is not only giving me the academics needed to go to college but is also a place where I feel safe to represent Christ freely and give Him all the glory He deserves. As I look back on my education I see how my school has given me a foundation in Christ and an education to prepare me to go out into the world.

For the past 2 yrs and 2 months we have been waiting for my brother, Elijah and my sister, Ruthie to come home. Through this waiting time my sisters and I have prayed and learned about Liberia. Our mommy got to go to Liberia at the beginning of this year and we have been able to see Liberia through her pictures. In this time we have developed a heart for the country that our brother and sister call “home”. We wanted to make this Christmas special. So with that, we decided to go to Liberia and bring Christmas not only to Elijah and Ruth but also the other orphans in the home.

My Mommy and Daddy have work to do for our adoption agency as well. You see, the agency just got finished completing a new orphanage which has classrooms in addition to the bedrooms. They need to help train the nurse how to do some paperwork and also help set up the classrooms. They also need to help the workers develop a routine. My sisters and I would like to do a VBS, as well as bring some Christmas cheer to their lives. We want to meet the Liberian people and experience their culture. Through a lot of prayer we have seen God open a door for us to go.

My sisters and I have sold several locker shelves that my Daddy has made. That has only been a small start to the funds needed to travel. We are hoping to be selling note cards and t-shirts soon. But still in spite of our efforts to raise money, we still need your help. We need to raise 15,000.00 in one month. That seems impossible to me but I am reminded in Phillipians 4: 13 “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me”. My family and I are expecting to see God do something great!

We are asking for your help. If you are able to help provide towards our mission trip to Liberia we say THANK YOU! Please send your provision to Archibald Family. Our first request for our mission trip is God’s provision and all the details to simply work out. We are in the process of gathering our prayer supporters and be able to send our requests out to our team. Please be part of our team, and email us at archiengirls@msn.com. We will also be posting on our family’s blog.

Thank you for your support! We all look forward to sharing with you everything God is going to be doing in the next few months.

In Christ’s Love,
Lindsay Archibald