Far Above Rubies

On May 19th Dave and I will celebrate 17 years together.  SEVENTEEN YEARS!  I was a junior and Dave was a senior in high school (we were babies, I know) at the prom together - dreaming about our future.  A future that included us getting our college degrees. A future where we bought a house and lived happily married.  A future that included children.  A future with that typical "American Dream" landscape. We did... graduate from college - Dave from RIT in 2004 as an Information Technology major and myself from Roberts Wesleyan in 2005 with my degree in Elementary and Special Education.  On February 14, 2004, Dave proposed and we said "I do" on November 20, 2004.  We bought a beautiful home.  Well, actually more-than-one since we outgrew our log cabin and had to upgrade.  With great joy we welcomed two precious baby girls into our family - Isabella on July 17, 2009, followed by Abigail on March 1, 2011.  It was exactly like we had ...

My friends, it is with joy-filled hearts that our family can finally announce that we have an adoption date on the calendar!  On October 5 (2016) Aidan's biological parents willingly surrendered their legal rights allowing us to move forward with the adoption process. These past five (soon-to-be-six) months have been filled with paperwork, and waiting, and paperwork, and meetings, and paperwork, and waiting, and more paperwork... and more waiting... But, on Tuesday, April 4 (2017) the paperwork will be filed away, the waiting will be over, the meetings will conclude and Aidan will get his Wilson letters! I look forward to writing about the adoption details later but, for now, our family wants to thank you for your love, support, encouragement and prayer during this journey. The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy,  and with my song I praise Him. - Psalm 28:7 - 

2016 - What a year!  It has had more challenges than I ever anticipated.  Through most of it I've felt like a helpless spectator to the things going on, as if I'm watching my life play out around me with no real control of what is happening. 2016 - My husband, who works endlessly without complaining to provide for our family, has had his integrity and character questioned while also navigating some extremely difficult work situations.  He not only has myself and our three very-young-very-impressionable children looking up to him for direction and guidance, but he also runs an organization with hundreds of people who have high expectations.  I watch him.  I worry about him.  I support him.  I encourage him.  But, I am powerless to actually help him. 2016 - My 7 year old, who has a heart of gold and tirelessly tries to please those around her, has had to learn the pain that comes from when close friends hurt you and when you need to say "goodbye...

Many people don't know that I am not a native of Rochester, NY.  My family moved here in 1997 just as I was entering high school.  My childhood was spent in an entirely different region of NY. Howell Family 2015 Quick "Howell" history lesson... Howell Family 1980 My parents felt God calling them into ministry over 30 years ago. In 1985 they packed up 2 year old me (the oldest Howell) and tiny baby Becky (the middle Howell) and moved from Brewerton (think Syracuse) to Redfield (think Tug Hill ) where they were missionaries at The High Braes  until 1989. Howell Family 1983 During that time, Alisha (the youngest Howell) was added to our family and our dad worked towards earning his pastoral ordination with the Christian and Missionary Alliance .   In 1989 - dad was asked to come on staff as the pastor at  Vorea Community Church .  We moved 13 miles from Redfield to make our new home at the parsonage in Orwell.  And this, this is...

Thanksgiving!  A time to reflect on God's many blessings.  An opportunity to spend time with family and friends without the commercialized notion of gift giving.  A day to gorge on delicious homemade foods and wear stretchy pants.  We host Thanksgiving at our home and have; my husbands family, my family and my brother-in-law's family all under one roof.  It is truly our favorite holiday!  Yet, among the many sweet goods that will be coming through my door this afternoon, I still need to remember that making healthy choices is a lifestyle I'm committed to each and every day. The horrible-no-good-always-dreaded topic of weight loss seems appropriate today, right? Well, maybe not, but i t was still fun to guest blog for my sister,  Becky Hilton  who is a fitness coach and the creator of Fitness Grapevine, about something I haven't talked much about this past year - especially in light of Thanksgiving and all the yummy holiday foods (in...

October.  It's one of the greatest months here in Upstate New York.  The weather turns cooler, but not yet cold, and sweatshirts and boots are the preferred attire.  The leaves turn colors creating a gorgeous backdrop to our day-to-day schedules.  The smells change and everything feels refreshing. As a family we spend our October weekends; apple and pumpkin picking, taking hay rides, walking mazes, eating donuts, drinking apple cider, making huge leaf piles, and doing all things autumn. It's my favorite time of year.  Except for 2016. This year, however, my family has been consistently sick.  From allergies to sinus infections. From hand foot and mouth to strep to the stomach bug.  From tonsillitis to ear infections.  My girls never made it through an entire week of school this October, and we have spent more time at the doctors office and on prescription medications in just this one month than we have the entire year...combined. ...

The courtroom...  It's a terrifying and humbling place.  A venue where integrity is valued, honesty is required, and ugly truths are revealed.  An area filled with attorneys, caseworkers, law gaurdians, and bailiffs.  A room where we have found ourselves often these past months in our efforts to adopt Aidan. We sit in the back left, as spectators facing the judge, listening to every side of the case - praying earnestly that we will be granted the right to make our son a permanent member of this family. Within it's four walls we smile as lawyers talk about how Aidan is flourishing in our home, and we cry for the breaking hearts of his biological family. The courtroom.  It is still an important part of our future.  Our journey there has not yet come to an end. The judge... He's the ultimate authority and deserves absolute respect.  His purpose is to evaluate the evidence and offer protection. His decisions impact the lives of many peop...