We Said Yes - The Power of One Decision

The day was April 20, 2004.  The Woods' nest was empty.  The cubbard was bare.  There was only my wife and me.  Hurting.  Helpless.  Hoping.  Praying.  Half a year short of 10 years of marriage.  The twins were in heaven.  Discouragement reigned.  But hope was not lost.  God was working.  We were foster adopt trained and equipped; and ready to have our home filled with children.  The phone rang.  On the other end was a message; but not the message we were expecting.  A child was available; but not a foster to adopt child.  An emergency placement, temporary in nature, was needed.  We had a choice.  We didn't really want children in our home who would potentially be leaving in a day or a week or month or a year.  We wanted children to come to our home to live, to stay, to be ours, forever.  But the message regarding this child, Selena Ann Salazar, wasn't that.  She needed a place to stay for an indefinite and undetermined amount of time.  We had a choice.  No guarantee, just a choice.  A choice to say, "Yes, we'll take her" or "No, not at this time - you'll have to find another place."  Four months earlier, God had brought me to a place of healing from a wound that had left four year old scars.
Four years prior in March 2000, we had a little girl enter our home to live.  Kelly was her name.  Three months shy of four years old, her mother had just died of cancer.  Her aunt knew she needed a home; and she knew of our desire to have children.  So we took her in to our home.  No paperwork.  No training.  Just a home filled with love looking for a child to give it to.  And we gave it to Kelly...for three months.  Then she was gone.  In God's providence and wisdom, He took her from our home and allowed her to go back to a less than favorable situation.  But that's another story for another post.
This story is about the power of one decision.  Four months earlier from the day of that monumental phone call, God had brought me to a place of healing.  A place of surrender.  A place where I had to let go of the hurt and pain.  Pain wrought out of loss.  Loss of Kelly.  Loss of Jonathan and Jenny, our beloved twins who left this earth in August 2002.  Loss of any other chance to have biological children.  I never wanted children again in my home that I had to risk losing at any level for circumstances out of my control.  But that December 2003 day, God rocked my world.  He said (my summary), "John, you don't have the right to say no when I give you the opportunity to provide love and care and hope and help meet the needs of a child or children, whether that's for one day, one week, one month, or a year or longer.  Those children, the least of these, are My children; and they face greater risk than you've ever had to face.  You can't let pain from the past keep you from providing life-changing love, My love, to a child that I choose to bring into your home."  After that December encounter with God, wrought out of time spent that morning reading Psalm 37, I literally held up my hands in surrender and said,  "God, whatever You want and whatever You ask from me, I'll obey.  I'll do it.  Considering the risk You took for me so that I could be Your child, I will take the risk of showing any child Your love that You allow to come into my home for whatever period of time.  My call is to be faithful to answer Your call; and if You call me to take a risk for a child, temporarily or with permanence, I will do it."  I took my wife to lunch and told her I was ready to pursue foster/adpot training.  We did; and we received the phone call on that April 20, 2004.  And we said YES.  Eleven years ago today, we said YES. We had no guarantee of any timetable that Selena Ann Salazar would be with us.  All we knew was that a place of refuge was needed for this little three month old, ten pound girl; and we had a home to provide for her.  And so we said, YES.  Our lives would never be the same.   
The next day, April 21, 2004, we headed one hour west of Breckenridge to Abilene to pick up little Selena.  And we picked her up as an emergency placement; but God already knew that she was a permanent placement, forever chosen before the beginning of time by her Creator, to be a part of the Woods' family.  And on that same day, April 21, 2004, when we picked up little Selena, we also found out that we had been chosen to be the parents of Brandon and Bradley, who were already adoptable.  So Selena came to live with us on April 21, 2004, and six weeks later Brandon and Bradley would come to live with us.   
And so on that Spring day eleven years ago today, my wife and I had a decision to make.  It would be a life-changing decision.  A decision that would change our family dynamic.  And more importantly, a decision that would change the family tree for Selena Ann Salazar (now Brenna Michelle Woods).  One decision.  A decision carrying with it innumerable blessings - a decision that would reap salvation on so many levels.  Salvation for Brenna from a lifestyle and life cycle and history of prostitution, drugs, and separation from God.  And salvation for Brenna through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Salvation made possible because of a decision made eleven years and a day ago to say YES.  Yes to God.  Yes to Life.  Yes to Brenna.  And yes to freedom from the cycle of death, devestation and darkness.
Thank you, my heavenly Father, for your wisdom and guidance to help us make the right decision.  Thank you for the life you've given Brenna and the joy that she is and that she brings to our family.  And thank you for the healing you brought to my life and heart from the pain of devestating loss so that I'd be open to Your leading on April 20, 2004 to say Yes to Your plan for my family.  Give others courage, I pray, to be willing to trust You and take a risk to do what is right and best; even when it doesn't make sense.  Thank you for being faithful.  Thank you for your salvation.  Thank you for being My forever Father.  I love you.  - John            

An Update from the Woods: 2014 in Review

 Dear Family and Friends:                                                            December 27, 2014

Woods' Family Highlights of 2014

- John & Jennifer celebrated 20 yr. anniversary on Dec. 17 with a Steven Curtis Chapman Christmas concert & a trip to San Antonio for the Broadway production of The Lion King.  

- Having Joseph & Francisca Akakpo, native missionaries & friends from Togo, West Africa stay in our home (August) & share about their ministry with our FBC church family. 

- Brenna's first piano recital on Dec. 7. 

- Bradley became a teenager (6/26) Brenna went to double-digits (1/21).

- Bethany's profession of faith (7/13); Brenna's baptism (1/12). 

- Refinanced home; purchased new used Yukon XL (in full) :). 

- Maggie, our Chihuahua, turned 16 yrs. old on Dec. 23. 

- Celebrated 10 yr. anniversary of Brandon & Bradley's adoption (10/8), Brenna's Gotcha Day (4/21) and 7 yr. anniversary for Bethany's adoption (11/27).

- Helped facilitate the sell of my dad's house in Marshall.  

Brandon 

- Turned 14 on January 25

- Mission Trip team member with Revolution Student Ministry in June to Litteton, CO. 

- TMEA all-district band member on trumpet as a Freshman & earned letter jacket. 

- Stood alone on his campus at Hutto HS on September 25 for See You at the Pole, the global day of prayer for students. 

- Meritorious Award recipient in Awana

Bradley 

- Celebrated 13th BD (June 26) with a Journey to Manhood Weekend

- Weekend included dinner at Shogun's with some godly men, father/son getaway to Dallas, Medieval Times show, and tour of At&T Stadium. 

- Mission Trip team member with Revolution Student Ministry in June to Litteton, CO. 

- 1st chair Alto-Saxaphone at Farley MS Wind Ensemble. 

- Milestone Award recipient in Awana 

- Farley MS football team member, playing WR & String Safety. 

Brenna 

- Followed Christ in believers' baptism on January 12 at FBC Pflugerville. 

- Recipient of Excellence Award in Awana

- turned 10 yrs. old on January 21 & celebrated with a sleepover, family party, & an annual daddy/daughter trip to Build-A-Bear!  

- Began taking piano lessons in September and doing great!

- LIT (Leader In Training) PreTeen Mission: Ft. Worth mission trip team member in June, sharing Christ & ministering to children & families in FW.

- Enjoyed her 9th season playing soccer, scoring half of her teams' goals in the Fall. 

- 5th Grader at Nadine Johnson Elementary School.

Bethany

- Turned 9 yrs. old on August 11 & celebrated with her annual Build-A-Bear trip with dad along with a family party. 

- Trusted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior & Lord on July 13 at home. 

- Earned Sparky Award in Awana. 

- Continues to excel in gymnastics; loves music & dance. 

- 3rd Grader at Nadine Johnson Elementary School in Hutto. 

What We Do

- serve at FBC Pflugerville; John - Children's Pastor; Jennifer - Wee Ones Preschool Music Teacher

- parents at Casa de Woods

- Facilitate care for my dad, John H. Woods

What We Enjoy

- Family Devotions, Movie Nights, Family BD parties, reruns of Full House & Cosby Show 

- Our Golden Retriever Belle (2 yrs. old in June). 

- Annual traditions like:  Preteen Camp (July), VBS (June), Mission trips (June), summer vacation, daddy/daughter date night (October) and dance (February), Spring Break (March), summer, & Christmas trips to MawMaw & PawPaw's house in Longview. 

- You can keep up with the happenings of the Woods' family on 

Facebook (John & Jennifer), Instagram (jawoods68), Twitter (@jawoods68), and at http://daddyof4bmws.blogspot.com 

Remember:  When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4, 5 HCSB)

Hope you & your family had a very Merry Christmas and wishing you God's best & blessings for a Happy New Year in 2015. 

John, Jennifer, Brandon, Bradley, Brenna, and Bethany Woods

Grace in Unusual Places

Grace.  We all need it.  None of us deserve it.  Grace.  It's getting what we don't deserve.  It's how we're saved.  Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace you are saved..."

In the past couple of days I found grace in some unexpected, unusual places; and it amazed me.

On Tuesday (New Year's Eve), I was in Mardel Bookstore in Longview.  I was perusing some artwork that I was considering for purchase.  It was breakable artwork.  I picked up the frame I was looking at in one hand; and had my Chick-Fil-A full glass of tea in the other hand.  Some how or another, the frame slipped from my hand; and I went to grab the frame with my other hand - the hand that I was holding my tea with.  Well, needless to say, that created a disaster.  In the process of trying to grab the frame with my tea hand, I put my tea through my cup and ice and tea proceeded to go everywhere.  At the same time, the frame I was holding and another one fell to the ground and shattered.  What a mess!  I warn my children frequently about picking up things that are breakable.  I can't count how many times I've said, "You break it, you buy it."  Well, I broke it.  Nearly 32 ounces of tea and ice splattered everywhere.  It was all over me, all over the floor, and all over other pieces of artwork and crafts.  Let's just say I felt like and looked like a dork.  Some employees hurried over to help me.  Instead of giving me the what for, they gave me what I didn't deserve - a big dose of grace.  They made sure I was alright, offered me some paper towels to clean myself up, then proceeded to clean up the broken, wet mess that I had made.  I offered to pay for the two broken pieces of art; and they would have none of it.  I apologized for the mess; and they were gracious.  Grace at  Mardel.  I didn't deserve it; but I got it.  And I was grateful.

The next morning on New Year's Day my family left Longview to head back home to Pflugerville.  We decided to stop for lunch in Corsicana at Subway, where I already had designs on taking advantage of their $5 footlong special for January, which began on that day.  But I didn't read the fine print, because the $5 special did not include four premium footlong sandwiches; one of which was roast beef; which two of my children ordered to the tune of $7.75 each.  I was not happy; and the manager and my family knew it.  I made a scene; and I did not handle it well.  Not a good way to start off the New Year.  I asked the manager if she could give me the two roast beef sandwiches for $5; and she would not comply.  When I paid for my family's food, I was fit to be tied. When I sat down with my family to eat, my wife eloquently relayed to me the depth of her embarrassment at how I had handled the situation.  She was right.  I had blown it.  On top of that, I also realized that my Club footlong sandwich, which was on the $5 special list, was rang up at $7.75 instead of the $5 special price.  So I sat and ate my sandwich with an embarrassed family.  They all finished, as I had made up my mind that I at least would get the difference back for my sandwich which should've been $5.  However, when I did, I went with a different attitude.  I was apologetic to the manager and her staff for the way I had handled the situation.  I explained my quandry, and why I thought the roast beef sandwiches would've been $5.  So what did the manager do?  She offered me grace.  She not only refunded me the difference for my sandwich; she refunded me for one of the two roast beef sandwiches, which she did not have to.  Grace at Subway.  Grace I didn't deserve.  I went to the van, apologized to my family, and shared the story of grace that I'd been given.  I received grace and forgiveness there as well.

We left Subway and made it back to Pflugerville about mid-afternoon.  Because there was no food in the house, I went to Chick-Fil-A to grab some supper for the family.  And guess what was waiting for me there?  You guessed it.  Not just chicken.  Grace.  I placed my order in the drive-thru:  four chicken sandwiches (all wheat buns); 12 count grilled nuggests; 6 count grilled nuggets, and medium tortilla soup.  When I got to the window, I paid for the order.  They told me it'd be about five more minutes.  I got a free tea to drink while I waited.  GRACE.  I pulled forward to wait.  They brought my order out; and I noticed that I had chicken-noodle soup instead of chicken-tortilla soup in my bag.  The CFA employee asked me if I wanted to keep it the chicken-noodle soup.  I did.  GRACE.  And because I had to wait, they brought me out another twelve count of grilled nuggets instead of the six count I had ordered.  GRACE.  Grace at Chick-Fil-A.  Extra soup.  Extra grilled nuggets.  Free tea.  Grace.  I didn't deserve it; but I got it.  And I, and my boys that consumed the extra bowl of soup, were grateful.  

Grace is waiting in unusual places.  I found it at a bookstore, at Subway, and Chick-Fil-A.  I found it in Longview, Corsicana, and Pflugerville.  Grace is waiting everywhere.  It's waiting for you.  Are you looking for it?  I've committed to do my best this year to take more opportunities to find and extend grace whenever and wherever possible.  Nobody deserves it.  Everybody needs it.  You could make somebody's day by offering unmerited, undeserved, free grace.  That's the same kind of grace that God offers to you and me.  We don't deserve, and we can't earn it.  It's free.  Grace is always free to the recipient, but often times expensive, costly and demanding of sacrifice for the one offering it.  God offered grace to us through Jesus.  He continues to offer it to us each day.  You can find it if you're looking...at work, at home, at church, on the freeway, or wherever you may be.  Grace.  When it's afforded to you, pass it on to others.  Nobody deserves it.  Everybody needs it - including you and me.            

Longing for Heaven

This morning I was reading with my family about heaven.  We were talking about what people will be like when we get there and how different things will be.  Heaven is a perfect place.  It's the way God intended it to be from the beginning.  It's the way it was in the beginning.  It's the way it will be in the end.  It's the final destination we pray for for all those we know, love, and care about.  Heaven.  Perfection Realized.  Well, not quite realized.

I was reminded yesterday, yet again, that, as Steven Curtis Chapman says, "we are not home yet."  Heaven is the home of believers - true followers of Jesus Christ; and we are not there yet.  After yesterday, my longing for heaven increased tremendously.  I went over to my dad's house while I was in town see family for the holidays to check on it (it is currently vacant; and my brother and I are keeping up with its care - as much as we can while living in another town).  When I got to my dad's house, I realized it had been broken into, ransacked, and vandalized.  There were massive holes in the ceiling and in the walls; and there was debris everywhere.  It looked like someone or several someones had stolen all the copper from the house and in the process destroyed whatever they felt necessary in order to get what they wanted.  I'm glad my dad was not there to see it.  And so now the journey of police reports and insurance conversations and red tape begins.  And it all makes me long for home - our real home.  HEAVEN.  The place where all will be made perfect, just like the Creator.  PERFECT.  No more sin.  No more pain.  No more stealing.  No more disease, sickness, pain, snotty noses, crutches, disabilities, death, or anything thing else that causes physical, emotional, social, or spiritual heartache or trauma.  And we who are a part of God's family, we will be perfect, just as He who created us to be like Himself, is perfect.  Philippians 3:21 says our bodies will be glorified, like Jesus.  No more decay.  No more disease.  No more death.  No more disabilites or anything else negative that starts with the letter D. :)  The blind will see.  The deaf will here.  The dead will live again and will live forever.  Can I just tell you something? I'm longing for that day and for that place.  I am so ready!

I will be attending the funeral of a godly man in about two and a half hours from now.  I'm thankful that he's now experiencing the reality of heaven because He loved Jesus and lived his life for Him.  I'm sad for His family and hurt with them as they grieve; but I know they don't grieve as those who have no hope.  They grieve as those with hope - because of Jesus; who has made all things new for Jay McCasland.  Enjoy your appointed home, Jay.  I can't wait for the day when I get to join you and live in perfect peace and harmony for that place that God has appointed for all those who love Him, live for Him, and follow Him.  Jesus made the promise in John 14.  He said, "In my Father's house there are many rooms.  If it were not so I would've told you so.  And I am going to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am, there you can be also."  Amen.  Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.  Come quickly.  As 2013 ends and another new year is embarked on, increase my longing for heaven.  The perfect home.  The perfect place.  I can't wait!             

When Do You Need God?

The other day my family and I were sitting at the table discussing an activity from their Bible Study in Sunday School the previous Sunday to help us as a family know how to assimilate what they learned and put it into practice in their (and our) daily lives.  The activity said:  "Remind kids that God is with His people today.  Invite everyone to think of a time they need to remember that God is with them."  So we did.  I asked all four of my children, my wife and myself to think of a time that they needed to remember that God is with them.  Here's the six answers we came up with:

1.  When facing a temptation to sin.
2.  When facing a difficult or scarey situation.
3.  When taking a test, exam, or doing a project of some kind.
4.  When hurt or sick.
5.  When I have to make important decisions about ministry or family or personal matters.
6.  When afraid, anxious, or nervous about something.

Pretty good list, huh?  Can you identify with some or all of these scenrios of needing to remember God's presence?  So what would make your list?  When is a time that you need to remember that God is with you?  The cool truth is that no matter what the situation or scenario in your life, you need God; and He is always with you.  Whatever is important to you is important to Him.  He loves you.  And if you belong to Him (that is, if you're a part of God's family through a personal relationship with Jesus), you can be sure that God is concerned about the things that concern you.  And to go a step further, He's not only concerned about what is going on in your life; but He's always actively working to bring about His best and for your good in every situation.
When do you need God?  Always.  When do you need to remember that He is with you?  In every situation.  With every emotion.  In family matters.  Monetary issues.  Life and death concerns.  Parenting challenges.  School trouble.  Work.  Yes, in every situation, He knows about it, He loves you, and He's working to bring about His glory and your good.  His Word says it best in Hebrews 13:5b, "...He Himself (God) has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.'"  What a great promise.  But don't just believe it.  Access its truth in your life, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!  You are not alone.   

The Importance of Encouraging Your Children Part 2

Honestly, it's easier for me to critique my children than to show them encouragement.  It's easier for me to question one B on a report card than to praise the six A's.  It is at times easier for me to look at the one mistake than the numerous successes.  The admonition of Scripture in Colossians 3:21 is convicting:  "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."  

Barnabas.  His name means Son of Encouragement.  He was an encourager.  You can be one, too.  In Part 2 of Dr. David Jeremiah's message, he teaches about four simple acts that children need that will encourage them.  This message is adapted from his book, "Acts of Love."  

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId=%7B41C86B85-FFC5-429A-8D75-36FBF32CDE24%7D

The Importance of Encouraging Your Children Part 1

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Two things stand out in this verse, and neither have to do with faithful church attendance, even though you should be faithful to join together with God's people corporately as often as you have the opportunity.  The first thing to consider is this ... First - how we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds, and second, how we encourage one another.  Spur one another on is another way of saying we need to encourage one another.  As I think about encouragement, here are some thoughts to consider:  (1) Everyone needs encouragement.  You need it.  I need it.  We all need it.  But what is it?  What is encouragement?  Well, according to the dictionary, encouragement is:  the act of giving hope or support to someone; also, an expression of approval and support.  So who can you give hope, support and approval to today?  Who in your life needs it?  That leads me to my second thought to consider about encouragement:  (2)  Nobody needs encouragement more from you than your family.  Moms/Dads - your spouse needs hope support, and approval from you today.  But as parents/grandparents, there's no one more important in your life that is in more need of encouragement FROM YOU (FROM ME) than your children/grandchildren.  How can you build them up?  How can you give them your approval?  How can you give them hope when things seem hopeless?  Well, let me encourage you to listen to Part 1 of a message from Dr. David Jeremiah (about 20 minutes or so) by clicking on the link below to begin finding answers to this very vital issue of encouraging your children.  As I was, I know you'll be challenged, convicted, and yes, ENCOURAGED.  Blessings,  John

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/radio.aspx?ID=%7B34461BCF-E8AB-4165-930B-E81659DC4F46%7D&utm_source=nl_dailybroadcast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=176703&refcd=176703

P.S. - Look for Part 2 of this message in tomorrow's blog.  If you are unable to click on the link above, just copy and paste it into your web browser.  Click "Listen Now" when the homepage for Focus on the Family comes up.  Enjoy.