Eddie and Martha Marie Smith

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I asked the Lord earlier this week to remind me how to pray.  He reminded me of how he taught the disciples in Luke 11:1-4.  This is the Message version of the Bible.

¹ One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” ^2-4So he said, “When you pray, say,

Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.”

I love the simplicity and the power!

God is not a fan of being contained in a box.  We will never be able to fathom or figure Him out.  He doesn’t like to be limited to formulas.

I find comfort in formulas, systems, and predictable situations.  I found a formula I like in God however that brings me comfort and security.  It’s not a formula that limits Him.  It’s a formula that brings promise and maximizes my potential in God.  It is a formula that Perry Noble talks about all the time.  The formula is, “Listen to God and do what he says.”

Judges 1:1-3 breaks this down for us.

1 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?”

2 The LORD answered, “Judah is to go; I have given the land into their hands.”

3 Then the men of Judah said to the Simeonites their brothers, “Come up with us into the territory allotted to us, to fight against the Canaanites. We in turn will go with you into yours.” So the Simeonites went with them.

1. The Israelites asked God
2. God answered
3. Then men of Judah acted

When we believe that God will answer our prayer, He will…100% of the time.  It may not always be what we want, but it will be what is best for us and His Kingdom.

I know when I ask God what He wants, do what He says, and then act on it, I can never fail!

This is a poem I wrote for Brayden and read at his dedication that was held the same day as his adoption.  It sums up the past year and a half for us and we give all the glory and praise to God!

 

Dear Brayden,

 

I have a story that’s on my heart

February 11, 2008 is the very start

You see on that day we picked up a little boy

He had blonde hair, brown eyes, and not much joy.

 

But he smiled at us as we came through the door

Although we knew that physically he was very sore

He had bruises all over from head to toe

I wish I could say it wasn’t so

 

It broke my heart to hear of his past

But praise the Lord it did not last

He found his way in our home you see

From the abuse and neglect He was finally free

 

The first few weeks were an adjustment for all

Every scream at night made my heart completely fall

He wasn’t sure whether he could trust us or not

We covered him with love and prayed a lot

 

The constant throwing up finally went away

And the meds went from 5 to just 1 a day

Before our eyes we saw God answer prayer

He loved our little guy, God truly did care

 

We were finally getting settled in this great new life

But we then received news that cut like a knife

On March 28^th the dreaded phone call came

It shocked us; we knew we’d never be the same

 

An aneurysm had been found on my brain

There were many tears and so much pain

But the God we serve is amazing you see

So we asked for healing on bended knee

 

Peace was given through this horrible storm

God was great and our faith transformed

The surgery was set for the 6^th of May

Dr Barrow and staff operated that emotional day 

 

God answered prayer and I was healed

The grace He had given us was completely revealed

Friends and family had encircled us with love

Which had been sent directly from the God above

 

We thought it was over until July arrived

When gall stones were found and again I cried

But recovery was quick and we were back on our feet

Our story of healing was now complete

 

We were licensed to adopt we were soon told

The dream of you as our son began to take hold

In October is when the court case would fall

Not sure whether the parents would contest at all

 

We arrived at the courthouse early that day

To find out parents rights had been signed away!

What a huge blessing this turned out to be

One more miracle God did for us to see

 

Through this journey God opened our eyes

We decided to help others understand orphans cries

So we started Caroline’s Promise here in our state

We want to reclaim hope and set the problem straight

 

This all brings us now to the 9^th of June

When you officially became our son at noon

You little man now have a brand new name

Brayden Elijah Smith you’ll never be the same!

 

This story that started 16 months ago

Has been such a time of amazing growth

It has stretched our faith in countless ways

We truly give our God all the praise!

 

So to our little Brayden we want to say

How blessed we are that God made a way

For you to be part of our family in full

We love you so much and are so thankful!

 

We pray daily that you our little guy

Will decide to give our God a try

Because He’s amazing and a wonderful friend

He loves you so much and that will never end.

 

Love, Mommy, Daddy, and your sissy

Friday, May 29

• Martha Marie’s mother and sister came to watch the kids
• We left for Ridgecrest Conference and Retreat Center (Amazing place! Pastor’s can book it for $35 a night!)
• Took funny pictures of ourselves just cause we can.
• Went to eat at Flat Rock Grille (amazing!)

Saturday, May 30

• We were planning to go rafting on the French Broad River, but it was too high and fast with no banks because of all the rain.
• Instead we went to Grandfather Mountain and saw the animals, took in gorgeous mountainous views, hiked nature trail, and crossed the mile high swinging bridge.
• McDonald’s for breakfast in Marion, NC.
• Fatz for lunch in Marion, NC.
• Nap!
• No supper from being so full from Fatz.
• Loaded up on candy at Ingles to sneak it in to the movies to watch Star Trek for the late show.

Sunday, May 31

• Slept in!
• Looked around at Ridgecrest.  The place is huge!
• Martha Marie almost stepped on a black snake.
• Brunch at Cracker Barrel.

Amazing weekend!

Click here to see pictures.

We had a potluck meal at church today and many asked for the recipe.  Enjoy!

 

Pineapple Cheese Bake

·         2 20 oz cans unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained (reserve the juice) ·         2 cups sharp grated cheddar cheese ·         6 tbsp flour ·         ¾ cup sugar ·         1 stick butter ·         1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (or any buttery crackers

 

1. Toss pineapple and cheese.
2. Mix flour and sugar and stir into pineapple mixture with 6 tbsp juice.
3. Pour into greased 2 quart casserole dish.
4. Top with crumbs mixed with butter.
5. Bake at 350° F for 30 minutes or till brown.

We can easily become frustrated as we overspiritualize life.  Our finite, human abilites are limited to the natural (physical, social, emotional, intellectual, relational, financial, schedule) roles He has given us.  God is the One that plays the role of super (miracles, divine revelation, forgiveness, healing, peace) in supernatural.  When we do our part to respond to His grace with faith, we allow Him to do His and we no longer put the weight of the super on our shoulders.  Then we can find spirituality in everything and not have to overspiritualize things on our side, but rest in knowing that God has it all under control.

 

Caroline’s Promise exists to Reclaim Hope for Orphans through: