Shoes 4 Uganda

http://www.abcnews4.com/story/20321422/give-the-gift-of-christmas-shoes

I thought I would share this since it was sort of the beginning of God connecting our hearts to a country that we knew nothing about, but would one day lead us to our son.

Someone told me recently that God put a burden on my heart for Uganda.... It led me (along with my 9 year old son, Gabriel, and many friends and local businesses ) to collect nearly 1,400 pairs of shoes for  orphans and now to our adoption journey.  I just don't know what else He has in store, but we are ready.
It's interesting because it must have been less than 2 years ago that I remember feeling like my spiritual tank was near empty and in turn, my marital love tank seemed to be following.  We spent the better part of a year looking for a new church home while lugging around an extra 60ish lbs and a baby bump. Had baby H, and hormones didn't seem to help the situation.
Beautiful little lady, handsome hubby, and a very sweet kind hearted son with a great job to boot!
I just couldn't figure out why things felt unsettled and why I felt so far away from God.
....it really bothered me that I wanted that fire back and was mourning the fact that I seemed to be sleeping at the wheel when I lost it!
I realized that I had shut God out when I stopped giving in to what I felt that he wanted from me and for me.  Once I had this epiphany, the Holy Spirit started knocking at the door of my heart again.
I gave up 1 thing after another....those things that I so desperately clung to. When I made one change, He asked for another and another. I felt like He was picking on me, but as it turns out he was preparing me  for all of the blessings that He had been keeping safe for me.... For when I could start clearing out my garbage to make room for the good stuff!

God, thank you for this "burden", it has lifted my soul!
Matthew 11:29-30
"Take my yolk upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowely in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls , for my yolk is easy and my burden is light."