This is Elijah singing:
I've got Joy down in my heart
Deep deep down in my heart.
Spell it- JOY down in my heart
Deep deep down in my heart.
Who put it there?
Jesus put it there and nothing can destroy it, -stroy it, -stroy
it, HUH!
Discussions of grace and mercy as the Gospel is taking a hold of us in the everyday (and not-so-everyday) aspects of family life.
- Micah, Tiffany, Andrew, Elijah, Isaac, Eliana, and Isabella
- We are a family of fifteen: eight already with Jesus and seven in desperate need of Him. This is the story God is writing in our lives. Proverbs 16:9
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
VBS Boomerang Express
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Blogging at the Speed of Life
I hear Matt’s graduating this year
Moving to a brand new place in life
That will surely leave big basketball shoes to fill
What will the Journal Patriot write about next year?
Oh I hear Matt’s leaving town
Getting a ASU t-shirt instead of a graduation gown
All the high school girls around the state
Are out of luck finding another tall prom date
There is one less Eagle Scout to help if you’re caught in a bind
To put out your campfire and untangle your fishing line
One less day camp counselor and praise band drummer
Yard mower and guitar strummer
The road ahead for Matt is paved and promising
I’m sure he’ll miss the comforts home can bring
Though his parents might not know what to do with all the money they will save
With no more of Matt’s friends to feed brownies and grape kool-aid
Oh There is one less Eagle Scout to help if you’re caught in a bind
To put out your campfire and untangle your fishing line
One less day camp counselor and praise band drummer
Yard mower and guitar strummer
I hear Matt’s gone this year
And of course, I want to give him this advice
Find your place in God’s story and give Him all the glory
Be known for love and grace, in everything give thanks
To the One to whom your whole life belongs
Let His light in you shine strong
I have more pictures from our NC trip that I will share later. Our big news is that Micah has been accepted into the Interim Operator Program with Chick-fil-a. This summer, he will spend three weeks training to be put into a store for a trial period. God has blessed him so much in his abilities and we are so thankful and humbled by this next step for him. Please pray for us that we continue to work hard yet yield to God's will and leading for our family.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Two Boys, Two Personalities
Elijah, however, brings a different conversation to the table. Right now, he in convinced that the steeple on our church is a rocket ship. He is sure he can figure out how to get into it and blast off into space if he just asks the right person about it. We recently took the boys to eat on the waterfront near downtown. Elijah rounded a corner and ran right into a wall! He immediately looked up at me and the other people around and declared "that wall kinda moved!" I took a picture of him one night after he got himself ready to leave the house. He was really proud as he emerged from his closet in his tie and in his fancy, black shoes!
And here he and Andrew are with the "Rocket Ship".
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Dustin's Graduation Festivities
This summer will mark our eighth year here in Louisville. We love it when family and friends are able to visit.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Praise the Lord!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/prestonloyd
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Pray for Preston
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Joy in the Morning
It has been a complex journey. Since I first realized that I would be dealing with aggressive endometriosis 10 years ago, I anticipated it to be as such. For those of you who don't know this about me, you can imagine my apprehension in mentioning such a private, personal pain. But one thing that was clear yesterday- that really prompted this writing- was the heart change that has taken place in me over the last 10 years. It is truly a testimony of God's work. I know that 10 years ago, the thought of not achieving my child bearing goal would have been completely devastating. Totally incapacitating. But I sat there, listening to my doctor offering more assisted technologies that I knew were beyond what Micah and I had decided to pursue as the only available options, and I was at peace.
One thing I have learned through my own experience is not to take for granted my two precious boys. Through a lot of soul-searching, I have learned to separate (1)real, profound sadness over the effects of sin on my physical body and the challenges I have been faced with and (2)real, profound thankfulness for the wonderful gifts I have been given in Andrew and Elijah. I have even found joy in knowing I have a child I have never met that has spent all his or her days with Jesus and will one day lead me in worshiping Him- as that is all he or she has ever known. It may be difficult to see how these attitudes can co-exist, but God has graciously cultivated both in me. I think diving into the depths of sadness and rising again to the heights of thankfulness and trust in the Lord was a means to bring me peace yesterday. There have been days that I resented my physical form. In my expression of that to God, He slowly, gently reminded me over and over again that I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that He has given me the body I need to live the life He has called me to on this earth. He always listened, never wringing His hands (as Micah reminds me often) or wondering what in the world He was going to do with me. He always waited patiently on me, even though I was many times slow to entertain His plan. The words of the Psalmist are true, "Weeping is for the night, but joy comes in the morning."
I think the thing that surprises me the most in all of this is that joy did come in the morning- or more literally the afternoon- very differently than I had imagined. I had initially thought that my feelings of joy would be when I, or the doctors, had finally figured out how to appropriately deal with my problems and I would have clear answers or that I would get what I wanted. But as with most things, God's way of enveloping us in joy is much different than mine. Now, in the face of fewer answers than questions, there is joy. Joy in knowing I am in just, capable, never-failing hands. I am sure there will be sad days. In some ways though, I hope an appropriate sadness remains in me... so I never take for granted life and breath and everything else. Then one day, when I am made wholly new, I will be able to feel the complexity and fullness of that change and find ultimate joy in Jesus Christ- the One who has made this transformation possible.
The Lord has been giving both Micah and me hearts for adoption for a long time. You can begin to pray for us as we pray for His will and leading in this. We want to be obedient in seeking contentment as well as responding to whatever calling we are given. We know that in His way and in His time, all we are meant to accomplish for His glory will be accomplished on this earth.
I will post Easter pictures soon of the boys in their matching shirts and vests. We all took a long nap Sunday afternoon and lost prime daylight, picture-taking hours. We all hope you had a great Resurrection Day!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Big Picture
Recently, I was struck by this passage in Hebrews 11 after describing life-long faith; particularly the faith of Abraham and his family:
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.
I in no way am comparing my life to the lives of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, or Jacob. I just think for sure they had mundane moments-Sarah sweeping out the tent or preparing another meal or Abraham, mending his sandals or carrying his sons on his shoulders- just like my experience. I am grateful that my unconsciousness does not affect eternal outcome in the slightest and that God is always conscious of all things and working toward our ultimate realization of His glory.A more contemporary way of expressing this same realization I found in a Christine Dente song:
All my life
This is where you all find me today. Now to zoom in on the other members of the Childs family. As for Micah, I have watched as God has turned my husband slowly into a businessman for the glory of God:) He has had some great opportunities with Chick-fil-a. In this economy, we are so thankful for God's provision for us. He worked at a Grand Opening a couple of weeks ago in Indiana and got great experience serving and leading a new store staff. He has consistency and resolute endurance that I am afraid I will never posses. He is truly gifted in his job. It is truly a complement to him that the minute he comes home, the boys joyfully announce his arrival. We celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary on March 1. How do two selfish, in many ways opposite people make it 11 years? First, we have been loved much and forgiven much. Secondly, the two-movies-at-a-time plan from Netflix helps:)
Andrew has almost finished his preschool book- every last page! He is diligent to complete each exercise and most of the time begs me to "do school"! He is really enjoying being read to right now. We have almost finished "The Magician's Nephew" from the Chronicles of Narnia series. He is looking forward to a summer full of bicycle riding, swimming, and hitting a baseball farther and farther up in the air.
Elijah keeps us laughing most of the time. We look at him, in his two-and-a-half year old stature and are constantly amazed at his vocabulary. He stored up quite a vocabulary while being mostly silent for two years. He is constantly coming up with the craziest things to say. Our favorites lately are:
"I can't eat this chicken. It makes me hiccups."
"Can you shoot me up to the (basketball) net?"
"You be the superhero... I'll be the good, bad guy."
Here they are at Meijer grocery shopping. Elijah was pushing the cart with Andrew guiding the front.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Potty Training Part 2
It is especially fun to sing when you visit large public restrooms! My boys have tried it out all over Louisville and have thoroughly entertained all those within earshot:)

For Andrew's potty training experience... http://joyinourjourney.blogspot.com/2006/10/only-for-faithfully-interested.html
Monday, February 16, 2009
Vacation to NC
It is always fun at the Childs' home to sing and play music. Andrew serenaded us with a loud version of the army song (O Church Arise). Micah's dad taught me scales on the violin and even let me bring home one for practice. Micah encouraged me to get "really good" before bring it home:) We also played a game of croquet. Micah was the victor! Andrew made friends with the cows and finally stopped worrying that one would make its way through the fence and chase him!
The second half of the week, we spent in Wilkesboro with the Abernethy family.
This is Andrew and Elijah's 2nd (or something) cousin Caleb (they have a system for identifying Calebs... whichever one they are not with is the other Caleb:)) They were glad to have some playtime with him as well.
After 7 days and several photo-opportunities, the boys were not so excited about saying "cheese" anymore. I couldn't resist taking pictures of just their faces while they were supposed to be posing!
There were other fun things, like visits with Tiff's uncle and aunt from Clemmons, dessert with Micah's old high school friends, and really good food from Mimi's kitchen. I always liked good food:) ~that was for you, Dad. There was a little Rock Band here and there and a big family meal with more relatives we don't get to see very often. Remember the croquet victory for Micah? Well, unfortunately, he lost at the electronic game of LIFE. He made a lot of money, but had very few heart points. I however had the most heart points and was in debt around $250,000... but I was the winner! I had four kids and a salary of $5,000 a year. Go figure.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Time
Conviction is a wonderful thing.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Happy 5th Birthday Andrew!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Converstaions With and Between a 2-Year-Old and 5-Year-Old
Elijah: "Thank you, Thank you, Mommy."
Tiffany: "For what Elijah?"
Elijah: "For holding me."
While the family is watching a new movie together, Elijah, anticipating something exciting (Which is once every couple of minutes) exclaims, "What's going to be?!? What's going to be?!?"
Tiffany: "Elijah, why are you up from the table before finishing your lunch?"
Elijah: "I had to fight the tiger, Mommy."
Andrew: "I have to go on the top bed!" ~the top bed is what the boys call the top bunk~
Tiffany: "Andrew, you know the top bed is just for sleeping and not playing."
Andrew: "I do need some rest, Mommy. I haven't had rest in years."
Elijah: "I like Tarheels!"
Tiffany: "Me too!"
Elijah: "Daddy doesn't like Tarheels?
Tiffany: "No, Elijah. Daddy likes Duke."
Elijah: "Duke is scary?"
Tiffany: "Yes, Elijah. Duke is scary!"
Andrew: "Elijah, let's play Superman! You go get stuck on something and I will rescue you!"
Nursery Worker says to Elijah: "You are so cute I could put you in my pocket!"
Andrew, overhearing what was said: "He's too big for your pocket!"
And my favorite comes from lunchtime today. I decided to start asking the boys while they are at the table how I can be praying for them that day. Andrew answered that he was thankful for his church and needed me to ask God to help him obey and not disobey (I really need this prayer for myself as well!). I then asked Elijah, "How can I pray for you?" Elijah said, "Mommy, you just say "Dear God.. Amen!" Just go like that!" I decided at that point that his advice was best; to stop talking about praying and just do it!
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Welcome Chick-fil-a!
We also had the pleasure of meeting Dan Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-a's son and current president of the company. Also in this picture to the far left is Micah's boss' son, Nate. He is so sweet to Andrew and Elijah~