Wait

WAIT by Russell Kelfer Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried; Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied. I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . . And the Master so gently said, "Wait." "Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word. "My future and all to which I relate Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait? I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign, Or even a 'no' to which I can resign. "You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe, We need but to ask, and we shall receive. And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry: I'm weary of asking! I need a reply." Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate, As my Master replied again, "Wait." So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut, And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?" He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . . and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign. I could shake the heavens and darken the sun. I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run. "I could give all you seek and pleased you would be. You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me. You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint. You'd not know the power that I give to the faint. "You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair; You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there. You'd not know the joy of resting in Me When darkness and silence are all you can see. "You'd never experience the fullness of love When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove. You would know that I give, and I save, for a start, But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart. "The glow of my comfort late into the night, The faith that I give when you walk without sight. The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask From an infinite God who makes what you have last. "You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee, What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee. Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true, But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you. "So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me. And though oft My answers seem terribly late, My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

HIS gift to me this year.

This year the Lord has given me eyes to see and has opened my heart and mind to show me how much He loves me. I have wanted a baby for three and half years, well actually I have wanted one since I was a little girl. Like most other girls my dream is to become a mom. This journey has been a very hard one but I received the best gift from it; I sought and found the gift of love from our God. It is so good to feel His love in good times but it is so GREAT to feel His love in hard times. I am so grateful that God gave us His son, Jesus Christ, so that I am able to go to him and be freed from slavery and have hope for a future. It doesn't get any better than that.

I feel so blessed that He has so many promises for me.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD. Psalm 113:9

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Luke 12:6

5 years

On this day five years ago I married my best friend. Marriage has been a growing experience for us both. It has been really hard at times but all the good times and good things that have come from those trials are irreplaceable. We would not be who we are today if it weren't for each other. I love you more than you could imagine. I can't wait to share the rest of my life with you.

Celebrating 60 years of wonderful

The whole Tooley family went on a Caribbean Cruise to help celebrate Pa and Mom Tom 60th wedding anniversary. What an inspiration for Kris and I to look up to. When we asked what it took to be happily married for 60 years they told us that God must be present in your marriage and you must learn to be unselfish.

6-28-2009

The sunset on the first night.

6-29-2009

This was are first full day at sea. We ate, played games, went to the kiddie pool and play room with Bradley, ate, played more games and ate some more. I did work out on the treadmill by the way to help with the high calorie intake.

The Brad Tooley family:

Brooks(cousin)

Brad, Keith & Pa

Brad & Pa

Brad & Kristie

Megan & Sarah

6-30-2009

REPEAT

This was the second full day at sea. We ate, played games, went to the kiddie pool and play room with Bradley, ate, played more games and ate some more. I did work out. Oh we also played Black Jack in the casino, I won enough to pay for an excursion then stopped.

This particular night the whole family went after dinner and had karaoke night. We had so much fun. It is always fun getting to see people who sing good or terrible . I think it is more fun to watch when people sing terrible.

Kris and the man he admired soooo much "VACATION"

Brooks & Hunter

7-1-2009 Jamaica

Our first stop was Jamaica and in since there was 17 different people with a lot of different interest we all broke up some what. Kris went golfing at the White Witch golf course. A big group went rafting. Shanna, Bradley and I went shopping and then went to hang out at the beach.

7-2-2009

The next stop was the Grand Cayman, it was absolutely beautiful their. This day everyone went out the beach and snorkeled and played in the water. Kristie and I went to go try and swim with the dolphins but it did not work out so we ended up going snorkeling. While we where snorkeling we got a little far out and ran into a nurse shark. We were a tad bit freaked out but learned that it is not an aggressive shark. I seriously almost had a panic attack and was afraid I would run out of energy before I got to land.

This is a picture of what we saw.

7-3-2009

The last stop was Cozumel, Mexico. The water was so pretty. Before the trip was over Kristie and I were going to swim with dolphins so we did and it was a wonderful experience. I would do it again, dolphins are amazing mammals. Kris, Brad, Shanna and Bradley watched us and took pictures. Kristie and I were so excited the dolphin trainers had to repeat our names more than a couple of times because we were not following directions. We were going to make sure we got as close to the dolphins at all times. After our swim with the dolphins we went to eat Mexican food and then to the beach and snorkeled. On our way back to the ship we did a little shopping.

We got back on the ship in time to get ready and go to dinner.

That last day on the ship it to be continued.