Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Only 2 More Days and My Special Project
It is only 2 more days until we begin the month of giveaways on my blog!!! I wanted to share a little today about what I'm doing because you know tomorrow I'm going to have to be showing 3 very cute kids on here in their costumes.
As most of my readers know, I am a HUGE fan of Reece's Rainbow. Oh how I dream of bringing home one of these beautiful miracles someday. I was hoping it would be sooner than later but it looks like God has some other things he wants us to do right now but God has given me the job to fight for these kids.
Andrea from Reece's Rainbow sent out a post on the yahoo group awhile back asking for people to be a Christmas warrior for one of the kids with down syndrome during the Angel Tree project that runs from November 1 - December 31st. The idea behind the Christmas warrior is for you to take a child and fight for that child. Fight for that child in prayer, fight to help raise a grant fund for that child and spread the word about the child praying that his family will find him.
I honestly did not just jump right into this because Andrea's prayer is that at least $1,000 will be raised for each child and that is the goal of a Christmas warrior to try to raise. Well, God kept working on me and I kept asking God how in the world was I going to raise $1,000 for this child? One day I got the idea (God gave me the idea) to ask my Facebook friends if anyone would be willing to help me with a giveaway to raise money for "my child." I had a few angel friends that jumped right up and said "YES, I want to be part of this."
So starting on Sunday I will be having a month long giveaway (could be longer if God decides) and a really cool gift/gifts will be given away once a week to those that help me fight to save this child.
So, I would like to introduce you to this little boy named Duncan that stole my heart the very first time I saw him.
Duncan NEEDS a family! Duncan lives in a country that when he turns 4 he will be put in a place that he could die. The country that Duncan lives in has a long travel time to adopt and it is costly for parents to travel to bring home their children. The more money raised towards his grant fund the easier it is for a family to adopt him.
Many, many families are wanting to adopt children with special needs but like I said it is very costly to bring them home. The higher the childs grant fund is the faster they are usually placed. I more than anything want to see this beautiful little boys face in the arms of a loving family and not sent to a horrible place he could die.
So will you pray with me that Duncan finds a family?
On Sunday I will explain the giveaway more and show you the AWESOME gift I will be giving away next week. I can't wait to get started!!!
As most of my readers know, I am a HUGE fan of Reece's Rainbow. Oh how I dream of bringing home one of these beautiful miracles someday. I was hoping it would be sooner than later but it looks like God has some other things he wants us to do right now but God has given me the job to fight for these kids.
Andrea from Reece's Rainbow sent out a post on the yahoo group awhile back asking for people to be a Christmas warrior for one of the kids with down syndrome during the Angel Tree project that runs from November 1 - December 31st. The idea behind the Christmas warrior is for you to take a child and fight for that child. Fight for that child in prayer, fight to help raise a grant fund for that child and spread the word about the child praying that his family will find him.
I honestly did not just jump right into this because Andrea's prayer is that at least $1,000 will be raised for each child and that is the goal of a Christmas warrior to try to raise. Well, God kept working on me and I kept asking God how in the world was I going to raise $1,000 for this child? One day I got the idea (God gave me the idea) to ask my Facebook friends if anyone would be willing to help me with a giveaway to raise money for "my child." I had a few angel friends that jumped right up and said "YES, I want to be part of this."
So starting on Sunday I will be having a month long giveaway (could be longer if God decides) and a really cool gift/gifts will be given away once a week to those that help me fight to save this child.
So, I would like to introduce you to this little boy named Duncan that stole my heart the very first time I saw him.
Duncan NEEDS a family! Duncan lives in a country that when he turns 4 he will be put in a place that he could die. The country that Duncan lives in has a long travel time to adopt and it is costly for parents to travel to bring home their children. The more money raised towards his grant fund the easier it is for a family to adopt him.Many, many families are wanting to adopt children with special needs but like I said it is very costly to bring them home. The higher the childs grant fund is the faster they are usually placed. I more than anything want to see this beautiful little boys face in the arms of a loving family and not sent to a horrible place he could die.
So will you pray with me that Duncan finds a family?
On Sunday I will explain the giveaway more and show you the AWESOME gift I will be giving away next week. I can't wait to get started!!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thankful Thursday
Today I am thankful for:
PUFFS PLUS
Whatever did we do before they put lotion in tissues?
PUFFS PLUS
Whatever did we do before they put lotion in tissues?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
4 More Days
I am getting very, very excited because in 4 days I get to start some awesome giveaways on my blog. I am so excited that God is helping me pull all this together and that it will be a lot of fun for those that take part in it.
The reality of why I'm doing it though (you will find out more soon) is a sad one. In doing it I'm praying that you will help me make a difference in one childs life.
I just read my dear bloggy friend Adeye's blog and WOW, God spoke some powerful words through her today. Please go read her post from today by clicking here and you will understand more of why I am doing the giveaway and why I will be asking for your support in a few days. Actually why you are visiting her blog you should read some through her blog. God has taught me a lot through Adeye.
I promise I will explain more very soon.
The reality of why I'm doing it though (you will find out more soon) is a sad one. In doing it I'm praying that you will help me make a difference in one childs life.
I just read my dear bloggy friend Adeye's blog and WOW, God spoke some powerful words through her today. Please go read her post from today by clicking here and you will understand more of why I am doing the giveaway and why I will be asking for your support in a few days. Actually why you are visiting her blog you should read some through her blog. God has taught me a lot through Adeye.
I promise I will explain more very soon.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Memorial Box Monday
Wow, it is Monday and I am actually remembering to do this. I am still new to this and not the best at remembering to do it yet. If you don't know what Memorial Box Monday is please click here for Linny to explain it to you.
This weekend we had a amazing experience at our church. They had an international children's choir there to help raise money to dig wells in countries that only have dirty water to drink. An amazing thing happened this weekend though. They gave testimonies of a couple of the kids from Uganda and these children were orphans and boy did they touch the hearts of many, many people in the church. These children were not available for adoption (as far as I know anyway) but I can't even begin to tell you how many people were talking about wanting to adopt these children. I can't even tell you how excited that I was that God was opening so many peoples eyes to adoption even though that wasn't the focus of the weekend.
In the last couple of months some special friends of mine have stepped out in faith to bring home either their first or another child home. These friends of mine are not rich and did not have the money to just start an international or domestic adoption but they knew God would provide. It really brought back memories of how God provided for Jaxson to come home so that is what my Memorial Box Monday is about this week. I'm sorry I know this is going to be long.
One day in June of 2007 I saw the most beautiful little boys face I had ever seen on a waiting child list. We were not planning on adopting at that time, I was just doing research for an orphan ministry we were trying to get started in Church. As a family we started praying that this beautiful child would find a good Christian home. As the weeks went by of us praying for him we fell in love with him. I knew we were not in the position to adopt at the time so I hadn't even told Chris that I had fallen in love with him. One day at the end of July my friend Rett called me while on vacation and ask me if we were going to pursue him to be our son. I told her she was crazy because we couldn't afford to do that. I tell you though that her phone call was enough to get me to tell Chris I had fallen in love with this little boy and Chris told me he had too. Chris then told me (shocked me actually) that if God wanted him to be our son then God would provide.
Ch*na had just set a new list of restrictions for adopting families and we didn't meet those restrictions. God slowly (let me tell you it felt like forever) opened all the doors we needed except for the money. On the day we met all all the requirements Chris called the adoption agency and said "this is our son, we don't care what his medicals say, we don't have any money, we are doing this on faith." The agency then said "OK, but you will need to have $6500 in one week." How in the world were we going to come up with $6500 in one week when we have NOTHING? We decided it was time to tell our family about this boy we had been praying about. Our families are not rich so we didn't expect them to give us any money but we needed prayer BIG time.
How do you tell your family though that God has told you to travel to the other side of the world, to bring home a child with so many special needs that it would even scare a Dr. to look at his file, not to mention he had one arm, and by the way we have NO money?" We went and told my mom first and I cannot even tell you how scared I was but do you know she was supportive of us. I know I should have expected her to be but in all honesty wouldn't you think your child was crazy if they came and told you this when you had no experience with God's heart for the orphan?
The next day my mom was driving on a long trip and God told her how He was going to provide the money for Jaxson to come home. My mom called me and you would have thought she had just seen a ghost and she told me what God told her what to do. God told her to send an email to everyone she knew explaining our situation and how we need to come up with $6500 in one week. God told her to start a fundraiser called "Opportunity for Change." My mom ask everyone she knew to donate the change they had laying around in jars in their house to help raise the money.
Within I think 12 hours or so a special anonymous angel wrote my mom and said she has been holding $6500 in tithing money off of an inheritance that God had told her to hold onto until he showed her what the money was to be used for. This angel knew as soon as she read mom's email that this was exactly what God had planned for that money that she had been holding onto for months.
During that one week time people kept stopping by with little amounts of change, big amounts of change, checks kept coming in the mail like crazy, our local MOPS group collected change, workplaces were collecting change and on and on. We had people give up their vacations to help bring Jaxson home. God used many people and many pennies and in ONE WEEK provided not just the $6500 but provided everything we needed to get Jaxson home. So this week I will be adding a coin wrapper to our Memorial Box to remind us of that moment of stepping out in faith and God providing for our needs.
I will be honest and tell you that it is not usually this easy for people to come up with the money to adopt but I can tell you I have seen God provide for many, many families to bring home children that the families didn't have the money to bring them home but they had the love to give and the faith to say "OK God, were ready to step out in faith."
This weekend we had a amazing experience at our church. They had an international children's choir there to help raise money to dig wells in countries that only have dirty water to drink. An amazing thing happened this weekend though. They gave testimonies of a couple of the kids from Uganda and these children were orphans and boy did they touch the hearts of many, many people in the church. These children were not available for adoption (as far as I know anyway) but I can't even begin to tell you how many people were talking about wanting to adopt these children. I can't even tell you how excited that I was that God was opening so many peoples eyes to adoption even though that wasn't the focus of the weekend.
In the last couple of months some special friends of mine have stepped out in faith to bring home either their first or another child home. These friends of mine are not rich and did not have the money to just start an international or domestic adoption but they knew God would provide. It really brought back memories of how God provided for Jaxson to come home so that is what my Memorial Box Monday is about this week. I'm sorry I know this is going to be long.
One day in June of 2007 I saw the most beautiful little boys face I had ever seen on a waiting child list. We were not planning on adopting at that time, I was just doing research for an orphan ministry we were trying to get started in Church. As a family we started praying that this beautiful child would find a good Christian home. As the weeks went by of us praying for him we fell in love with him. I knew we were not in the position to adopt at the time so I hadn't even told Chris that I had fallen in love with him. One day at the end of July my friend Rett called me while on vacation and ask me if we were going to pursue him to be our son. I told her she was crazy because we couldn't afford to do that. I tell you though that her phone call was enough to get me to tell Chris I had fallen in love with this little boy and Chris told me he had too. Chris then told me (shocked me actually) that if God wanted him to be our son then God would provide.
Ch*na had just set a new list of restrictions for adopting families and we didn't meet those restrictions. God slowly (let me tell you it felt like forever) opened all the doors we needed except for the money. On the day we met all all the requirements Chris called the adoption agency and said "this is our son, we don't care what his medicals say, we don't have any money, we are doing this on faith." The agency then said "OK, but you will need to have $6500 in one week." How in the world were we going to come up with $6500 in one week when we have NOTHING? We decided it was time to tell our family about this boy we had been praying about. Our families are not rich so we didn't expect them to give us any money but we needed prayer BIG time.
How do you tell your family though that God has told you to travel to the other side of the world, to bring home a child with so many special needs that it would even scare a Dr. to look at his file, not to mention he had one arm, and by the way we have NO money?" We went and told my mom first and I cannot even tell you how scared I was but do you know she was supportive of us. I know I should have expected her to be but in all honesty wouldn't you think your child was crazy if they came and told you this when you had no experience with God's heart for the orphan?
The next day my mom was driving on a long trip and God told her how He was going to provide the money for Jaxson to come home. My mom called me and you would have thought she had just seen a ghost and she told me what God told her what to do. God told her to send an email to everyone she knew explaining our situation and how we need to come up with $6500 in one week. God told her to start a fundraiser called "Opportunity for Change." My mom ask everyone she knew to donate the change they had laying around in jars in their house to help raise the money.
Within I think 12 hours or so a special anonymous angel wrote my mom and said she has been holding $6500 in tithing money off of an inheritance that God had told her to hold onto until he showed her what the money was to be used for. This angel knew as soon as she read mom's email that this was exactly what God had planned for that money that she had been holding onto for months.
During that one week time people kept stopping by with little amounts of change, big amounts of change, checks kept coming in the mail like crazy, our local MOPS group collected change, workplaces were collecting change and on and on. We had people give up their vacations to help bring Jaxson home. God used many people and many pennies and in ONE WEEK provided not just the $6500 but provided everything we needed to get Jaxson home. So this week I will be adding a coin wrapper to our Memorial Box to remind us of that moment of stepping out in faith and God providing for our needs.
I will be honest and tell you that it is not usually this easy for people to come up with the money to adopt but I can tell you I have seen God provide for many, many families to bring home children that the families didn't have the money to bring them home but they had the love to give and the faith to say "OK God, were ready to step out in faith."
Saturday, October 24, 2009
In Need of Some Hugs and Kisses?
Me too!
Have and extra bed or a place to put one?
I would love a safe place to sleep and someone to tuck me in!
Have and extra bed or a place to put one?
I would love a safe place to sleep and someone to tuck me in!Love to make a child smile?
I would love someone to bring a smile to my face!
I would love someone to bring a smile to my face!
Like to cook?
I would love to know I have a warm meal everyday!
I would love to know I have a warm meal everyday!Feel something missing in your life?
Wonder what God's purpose is for you?
Maybe just maybe it's me?
Wonder what God's purpose is for you?
Maybe just maybe it's me?
www.reecesrainbow.com
Friday, October 23, 2009
You Have To Go Check Out This Site
My friend Holly started selling some very cool stuff just today. I got permission to start spreading the word so go check it out. She is also going to be adding more soon so you'll have to keep checking her blog to see new stuff coming. You must go read on the sidebar of her blog why she is doing this. Let me know if you went and checked it out.
Just click on this link Beading Our Way Back To China.
Just click on this link Beading Our Way Back To China.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thankful Thursday
Today is Thankful Thursday and I am so thankful for small town schools and teachers. First of all I could have never sent my kids to a big school. I had a hard enough time sending Amaya to a small school not knowing the people she would be around everyday. It is nice though to have a school that knows my daughter and does what is best for her.
When Amaya started school this year I was really uncomfortable about where the bus was supposed to pick her up and I told the bus driver that and do you know he said then I will just pick her up where you can see her.
I sent Amaya back to school today after being off for 2 days and the nurse called at 10:30 and said "you know, she's OK but she's just not up to being at school today so let's just have her come home."
When I went to pick her up the secretary called the teacher to see if she had her report card ready and she said "just tell them I'll run it by their house after school."
You don't get that in a big town and I am so thankful for our little town.
I am also thankful for friends that are teachers that I can call and ask questions too at 7 in the morning because I've never had a school child before. Thank you Rett!
When Amaya started school this year I was really uncomfortable about where the bus was supposed to pick her up and I told the bus driver that and do you know he said then I will just pick her up where you can see her.
I sent Amaya back to school today after being off for 2 days and the nurse called at 10:30 and said "you know, she's OK but she's just not up to being at school today so let's just have her come home."When I went to pick her up the secretary called the teacher to see if she had her report card ready and she said "just tell them I'll run it by their house after school."
You don't get that in a big town and I am so thankful for our little town.
I am also thankful for friends that are teachers that I can call and ask questions too at 7 in the morning because I've never had a school child before. Thank you Rett!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
We got it...
The flu has hit our house and this is what it looks like:
One girl sick that is taking in every minute of it with Jello, popsicles, soup, extra lovins and everything else that comes with being sick. She is missing school so much though that she has been practicing spelling, writing letters and counting.
One very, very sick girl who who spent last evening in the emergency room (which by the way looks like on operating room right now with all the masks and gloves). This one though doesn't realize how sick she is and wants to be running around but can't because she goes into a horrible coughing spell. Isn't she cute in her mask though?
Last but not least one beautiful, healthy boy who has an immune system built of iron but he wants to be sick.
I won't even bother showing you what our house looks like right now or what I look like still in pajamas as lunch time.
One girl sick that is taking in every minute of it with Jello, popsicles, soup, extra lovins and everything else that comes with being sick. She is missing school so much though that she has been practicing spelling, writing letters and counting.
One very, very sick girl who who spent last evening in the emergency room (which by the way looks like on operating room right now with all the masks and gloves). This one though doesn't realize how sick she is and wants to be running around but can't because she goes into a horrible coughing spell. Isn't she cute in her mask though?
Last but not least one beautiful, healthy boy who has an immune system built of iron but he wants to be sick.
I won't even bother showing you what our house looks like right now or what I look like still in pajamas as lunch time.Anyone else have the flu?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Only 14 More Days!
Only 14 more days until something exciting will be happening on this blog and here is your first hint.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Another Update
I got another update from Mark and Diane last night. They have decided to come home for a couple weeks. They will be coming home sometime next week and by law they have to be given a court date by Nov. 1 so after they get that they will be heading back. They are going to spend the time at home to get some things done to help their case.
Please continue to pray! They have to say goodbye to their waiting children (I can't imagine that pain) and try to explain to a 2 and 5 year old what is happening and why they won't be taking them home yet. They will have a LOT of traveling in the next few weeks and they have a lot to figure out to make their case better.
Thank you to all of you that are leaving comments! Please continue to leave comments for them so they can see that the body of Christ is holding them up in prayer.
Please continue to pray! They have to say goodbye to their waiting children (I can't imagine that pain) and try to explain to a 2 and 5 year old what is happening and why they won't be taking them home yet. They will have a LOT of traveling in the next few weeks and they have a lot to figure out to make their case better.
Thank you to all of you that are leaving comments! Please continue to leave comments for them so they can see that the body of Christ is holding them up in prayer.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Update on Mark and Diane
Well, they emailed this morning and said the judge refused to see them. Other families are not having any problem at all but for some reason they are having a hard time. As of right now they have no answers on what to do.
So we need to pray even harder that the heart of this judge will be softened and that this will be over with and that they can bring their children home.
This is going to be a very hard weekend for them having no answers. So I am asking you for some help. Over the past couple of days I have had hundreds of visits to my blog but only a few comments left. Let's help them get through this weekend by knowing that people from all over the world are praying for them. I know some of you out there have never left a comment before but this would be a great time to start. I know I have family out there that reads this blog but have never left a comment so I challenge all of you to leave a comment.
You can tell them your praying for them and where your from.
You could leave a scripture for them.
You could leave a prayer for them.
It is so easy to do and you don't even have to leave your name if you don't want to. All you have to do is click on the word comments under this post. Please help me in letting them know that they are not fighting this battle alone. Let's help them get through this weekend. Thank you in advance for your comment!
So we need to pray even harder that the heart of this judge will be softened and that this will be over with and that they can bring their children home.
This is going to be a very hard weekend for them having no answers. So I am asking you for some help. Over the past couple of days I have had hundreds of visits to my blog but only a few comments left. Let's help them get through this weekend by knowing that people from all over the world are praying for them. I know some of you out there have never left a comment before but this would be a great time to start. I know I have family out there that reads this blog but have never left a comment so I challenge all of you to leave a comment.
You can tell them your praying for them and where your from.
You could leave a scripture for them.
You could leave a prayer for them.
It is so easy to do and you don't even have to leave your name if you don't want to. All you have to do is click on the word comments under this post. Please help me in letting them know that they are not fighting this battle alone. Let's help them get through this weekend. Thank you in advance for your comment!
No News Yet
Well, no news yet from Mark and Diane so I decided that since my blog has been so heavy this week that I need to post some cute pictures while we wait for news.
Oh, my dear Paigie acting like she doesn't want her picture taken but do you see the little grin?
This is what happens when you have 2 older sisters that love dressing up. Do you think he will hate me for this someday? He's pretty cute though.
And here is out little poser. Funny how 2 years ago we couldn't get her to smile for the camera at all and now you put a camera near her and she is ready to pose.
Final picture for now is my fur babies. Aren't they just adorable? Kai Kai was laying on top of Snicker's snuggling but when she saw me she got up. Anybody want to come give them a bath?
Oh, my dear Paigie acting like she doesn't want her picture taken but do you see the little grin?
This is what happens when you have 2 older sisters that love dressing up. Do you think he will hate me for this someday? He's pretty cute though.
And here is out little poser. Funny how 2 years ago we couldn't get her to smile for the camera at all and now you put a camera near her and she is ready to pose.
Final picture for now is my fur babies. Aren't they just adorable? Kai Kai was laying on top of Snicker's snuggling but when she saw me she got up. Anybody want to come give them a bath?Please keep praying for Mark, Diane and their family!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Urgent Prayer Request
This is a very hard post to write because I cannot even begin to imagine the fear my dear friends are experiencing right now. I need to be careful about how much information I give out but I will do my best to explain what I know anyway.
Chris and I have some friends that really mean a lot to us. Mark was my youth pastor growing up and we had Mark marry us. While they were doing a pre-marital counseling we became close to his wife too. This is an amazing family!
I believe it was right before we left for China that Mark stopped by one day and told me they were going to adopt. This was a year and a half ago so this has been a pretty long journey. God called them to a country that is not easy to adopt from, actually I think it may be one of the hardest countries to adopt from but they knew that is where God had their child/children waiting for them. The travel to this country is usually about six weeks.
About 6 weeks ago they finally were able to leave along with their 3 bio kids for the journey of their life. Little did they know it was going to be a journey of roadblock after roadblock. The process for them was that they were to travel to this country and then they would be given a referral of a child/children. Yes, they did not know if God wanted them to bring one child home or 2. The first week in country was not what they expected. There were no children's files available for them to see. After a week they finally got a referral of a beautiful little girl and her little brother.
For about 5 weeks they have been waiting and waiting for a court date and nothing. Other families have come and gone but no court date from them. They have already been in country for 6 weeks and once they get a court date they need to be there about another 4 weeks.
I just got a email this afternoon from them saying that it doesn't look good and they are being told they have about a 0 chance of bringing the children home. They have spent almost everyday for the last 5 weeks or so visiting, loving, holding their children and now they are being told it most likely won't happen.
They are taking their case to the judge on Friday but they have been told that the judge is already against them. They are asking for people to please pray and fast if you can that God would change the heart of this judge.
I will not share the letter they wrote because I did not get permission too but I will share this small part they wrote.
So join us... That God may be honored and praised! That in His mysterious ways He would finish the good work He has started. Please pray! If you are physically able please fast. We know we are not alone, this journey has been an amazing representation of how God's body functions. We trust in God!
We have a very big God, we have a God that has a heart for orphans, we have a God of miracles. Please pray with us that these children would be released into the arms of this incredible family.
Thank you!
Chris and I have some friends that really mean a lot to us. Mark was my youth pastor growing up and we had Mark marry us. While they were doing a pre-marital counseling we became close to his wife too. This is an amazing family!
I believe it was right before we left for China that Mark stopped by one day and told me they were going to adopt. This was a year and a half ago so this has been a pretty long journey. God called them to a country that is not easy to adopt from, actually I think it may be one of the hardest countries to adopt from but they knew that is where God had their child/children waiting for them. The travel to this country is usually about six weeks.
About 6 weeks ago they finally were able to leave along with their 3 bio kids for the journey of their life. Little did they know it was going to be a journey of roadblock after roadblock. The process for them was that they were to travel to this country and then they would be given a referral of a child/children. Yes, they did not know if God wanted them to bring one child home or 2. The first week in country was not what they expected. There were no children's files available for them to see. After a week they finally got a referral of a beautiful little girl and her little brother.
For about 5 weeks they have been waiting and waiting for a court date and nothing. Other families have come and gone but no court date from them. They have already been in country for 6 weeks and once they get a court date they need to be there about another 4 weeks.
I just got a email this afternoon from them saying that it doesn't look good and they are being told they have about a 0 chance of bringing the children home. They have spent almost everyday for the last 5 weeks or so visiting, loving, holding their children and now they are being told it most likely won't happen.
They are taking their case to the judge on Friday but they have been told that the judge is already against them. They are asking for people to please pray and fast if you can that God would change the heart of this judge.
I will not share the letter they wrote because I did not get permission too but I will share this small part they wrote.
So join us... That God may be honored and praised! That in His mysterious ways He would finish the good work He has started. Please pray! If you are physically able please fast. We know we are not alone, this journey has been an amazing representation of how God's body functions. We trust in God!
We have a very big God, we have a God that has a heart for orphans, we have a God of miracles. Please pray with us that these children would be released into the arms of this incredible family.
Thank you!
Is God Crying?
As you know from my post yesterday my heart is breaking right now for the 147 million orphans. My heart breaks everyday but some days are far worse than others. Somedays I can't help but sit and cry wondering what if it were my children. It was one of my children at one time and I know there were nights he was cold. I know there were days he was hungry or times he just needed someone to cuddle him and it was 2 1/2 years before he learned what security was. 2 1/2 years of his life before he was warm every night, a full belly every day and 2 1/2 years before he got more hugs and kisses than he could handle. It was 2 1/2 years before he even knew what a mom and dad was.
The reason I am wondering if God is crying right now over the orphan crisis is because it's not just my heart crying right now. I have done my normal rounds on the blogs I follow the last couple of days and something is happening. Bloggy land honestly has been pretty dull lately including my blog. The last 2 days though I have read many blogs saying that their heart is breaking for the orphans this week. God has made many, many hearts heavy this week. Doesn't it make you wonder if God is crying?
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. Matthew 25:35
I think Jesus is hungry today. I think Jesus is thirsty today. I think Jesus needs somewhere safe to sleep tonight. Have you fed him lately? Have you given him something to drink? Have you invited him in?
Maybe you don't know where to start? Have you considered caring for orphans or better yet adopting to make a child no longer a orphan? I don't know everything but God has given me a HUGE passion for the orphan. If you have questions, PLEASE email me and ask. If I don't know the answer I will help you find the answer. Don't wait another minute Jesus is hungry now! My email is arewethereyetla5(at)verizon(dot)net.
The reason I am wondering if God is crying right now over the orphan crisis is because it's not just my heart crying right now. I have done my normal rounds on the blogs I follow the last couple of days and something is happening. Bloggy land honestly has been pretty dull lately including my blog. The last 2 days though I have read many blogs saying that their heart is breaking for the orphans this week. God has made many, many hearts heavy this week. Doesn't it make you wonder if God is crying?
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. Matthew 25:35
I think Jesus is hungry today. I think Jesus is thirsty today. I think Jesus needs somewhere safe to sleep tonight. Have you fed him lately? Have you given him something to drink? Have you invited him in?
Maybe you don't know where to start? Have you considered caring for orphans or better yet adopting to make a child no longer a orphan? I don't know everything but God has given me a HUGE passion for the orphan. If you have questions, PLEASE email me and ask. If I don't know the answer I will help you find the answer. Don't wait another minute Jesus is hungry now! My email is arewethereyetla5(at)verizon(dot)net.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
What Do You Do With Your Anger?
Let me tell you that I am having a day of being just plain ANGRY. Want to know what I'm angry at?
I'm angry that a little boy that I have been praying for to find a family, found a family, then the family backed out. This little boy is in a country that when he turns about 4 will be moved to a place that there is a very good chance he will die within the first year of being transferred.
I am angry that my heart cries out to God because there are 147 million orphans in the world. Did you read that? 147 million! Is it God's fault that there are 147 million orphans waiting, crying, hungry, hurting, sick, praying for someone, ANYONE to rescue them. Want to know who's fault I think it is? I believe it is my fault, I believe it is those that are Christian's fault, I believe it is church's fault (I can see the hateful comments coming now).
I emailed my friend Rett this morning to tell her how I was feeling and she said she had been feeling the same way. Rett told me to go read the scripture on the sidebar of her blog and this is what it says:
Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:3-4
Read that again would you? Did you see anywhere in that verse where God said he would do it. What I see is that God commands us to do it.
Have you read James 1:27 lately? If not check out the top of my blog. WOW, if pure and righteous religion in God's eyes are taking care of orphans, are you living a pure and righteous life in God's eyes? Funny how I grew up in church, I was a preacher's daughter but I didn't know this verse until about 3 years ago. Thirty two years of going to church before I found out what pure and righteous religion in God's eyes were. What is wrong with that? I was always taught that you should take care of widows and orphans but I believe God wants us to do more than just take care of them when it is convenient.
What do I do with my anger? I FIGHT for the cause that I so believe is the center of GOD"S heart.
I'm angry that a little boy that I have been praying for to find a family, found a family, then the family backed out. This little boy is in a country that when he turns about 4 will be moved to a place that there is a very good chance he will die within the first year of being transferred.
I am angry that my heart cries out to God because there are 147 million orphans in the world. Did you read that? 147 million! Is it God's fault that there are 147 million orphans waiting, crying, hungry, hurting, sick, praying for someone, ANYONE to rescue them. Want to know who's fault I think it is? I believe it is my fault, I believe it is those that are Christian's fault, I believe it is church's fault (I can see the hateful comments coming now).
I emailed my friend Rett this morning to tell her how I was feeling and she said she had been feeling the same way. Rett told me to go read the scripture on the sidebar of her blog and this is what it says:
Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:3-4
Read that again would you? Did you see anywhere in that verse where God said he would do it. What I see is that God commands us to do it.
Have you read James 1:27 lately? If not check out the top of my blog. WOW, if pure and righteous religion in God's eyes are taking care of orphans, are you living a pure and righteous life in God's eyes? Funny how I grew up in church, I was a preacher's daughter but I didn't know this verse until about 3 years ago. Thirty two years of going to church before I found out what pure and righteous religion in God's eyes were. What is wrong with that? I was always taught that you should take care of widows and orphans but I believe God wants us to do more than just take care of them when it is convenient.
What do I do with my anger? I FIGHT for the cause that I so believe is the center of GOD"S heart.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Photo Jewelry Giveaway
My friend Christina is having a very cool giveaway on her blog and it has to do with one of my very favorite places to shop. Go check it out by clicking here.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thankful Thursday
I just got back from taking Jaxson to have him evaluated for his speech. Jaxson is doing amazing for only being home a little over a year but he could also use help getting caught up with the other kids his age.
Anyway we went to a pre-school that is mostly for kids that need some type of therapy. They do have some "normal" children go but it is mostly children with some sort of special needs. Let me just say that they had the most beautiful group of children.
I am so thankful that God didn't make everyone in this world "normal." I am so thankful that God gave me an oppurtunity as a very young adult to work with children that had severe special needs. It's really too bad that not everyone in this world gets the incredible oppurtunity to see that these children are in no way handicapped but they they are just so very special and that their normal is just not our "normal."
A word that frustrates me more than anything is the word handicapped. What exactly is handicapped? Some would say Jaxson is handicapped but honestly how can you say that when he can do more than other children his age. Jaxson was just tested last week for this special needs pre-school and the teacher was blown away by his skills compared to other kids his age. So just because most people have 2 arms but he has one people label him handicapped. In reality Jaxson is the one that should be thinking all the normal kids are handicapped because he is more advanced than them.
I am so thankful that God has shown me the hidden treasures behind the label of "special needs." I am so thankful God has trusted me enough to care for one of these precious children. I am so thankful God has given us the heart to bring home more special children someday. I am also sooooo very thankful for the people that can see past the "handicaps" and can see the beauty in people that God made extra special.
Anyway we went to a pre-school that is mostly for kids that need some type of therapy. They do have some "normal" children go but it is mostly children with some sort of special needs. Let me just say that they had the most beautiful group of children.
I am so thankful that God didn't make everyone in this world "normal." I am so thankful that God gave me an oppurtunity as a very young adult to work with children that had severe special needs. It's really too bad that not everyone in this world gets the incredible oppurtunity to see that these children are in no way handicapped but they they are just so very special and that their normal is just not our "normal."
A word that frustrates me more than anything is the word handicapped. What exactly is handicapped? Some would say Jaxson is handicapped but honestly how can you say that when he can do more than other children his age. Jaxson was just tested last week for this special needs pre-school and the teacher was blown away by his skills compared to other kids his age. So just because most people have 2 arms but he has one people label him handicapped. In reality Jaxson is the one that should be thinking all the normal kids are handicapped because he is more advanced than them.
I am so thankful that God has shown me the hidden treasures behind the label of "special needs." I am so thankful God has trusted me enough to care for one of these precious children. I am so thankful God has given us the heart to bring home more special children someday. I am also sooooo very thankful for the people that can see past the "handicaps" and can see the beauty in people that God made extra special.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Only 25 DAYS!!!
Some very cool giveaways are going to be happening on this blog starting in 25 days! With the help of some of my very cool Facebook friends we will be having 2 months of some very cool things happening. I can't wait!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Etsy Find
Can you tell our Snicker's is a little camera shy?
Several weeks ago Snicker's decided that he was going to have nothing to do with his crate at night. We decided that he was going to be in his crate at night but after many hours of lost sleep Snicker's won the fight.
Our little boy did very well for a few weeks and then we found out he had been very bad during the night. We were at a loss of what to do because he wouldn't stay in his crate but we couldn't be up all night watching to make sure he wasn't doing things in the house that he should be doing on the tree outside. I went to the pet store and searched and searched for something to put on him and I found NOTHING.
I decided to search etsy.com and I found our answer. I found a very cool thing called belly bands for your male dogs/puppies (diapers).
The cool thing is Snicker's LOVES them! We only put them on him for bed time and he comes running as soon as he see's me getting one and then he stands in a position for me to put it on.
Let me tell you I WILL NEVER POTTY TRAIN A DOG without diapers again. Really, what was I thinking (I guess I really didn't know about these) I didn't let my babies run around the house peeing on everything so why my puppy.
So if you have a little boy that's not being a good boy go check out the Do-Daa Doggie Apparel store at etsy.com. You even get to pick the fabric you want.
PS Sorry the pictures are so bad, I need a new camera.
Several weeks ago Snicker's decided that he was going to have nothing to do with his crate at night. We decided that he was going to be in his crate at night but after many hours of lost sleep Snicker's won the fight.Our little boy did very well for a few weeks and then we found out he had been very bad during the night. We were at a loss of what to do because he wouldn't stay in his crate but we couldn't be up all night watching to make sure he wasn't doing things in the house that he should be doing on the tree outside. I went to the pet store and searched and searched for something to put on him and I found NOTHING.
I decided to search etsy.com and I found our answer. I found a very cool thing called belly bands for your male dogs/puppies (diapers).
The cool thing is Snicker's LOVES them! We only put them on him for bed time and he comes running as soon as he see's me getting one and then he stands in a position for me to put it on.Let me tell you I WILL NEVER POTTY TRAIN A DOG without diapers again. Really, what was I thinking (I guess I really didn't know about these) I didn't let my babies run around the house peeing on everything so why my puppy.
So if you have a little boy that's not being a good boy go check out the Do-Daa Doggie Apparel store at etsy.com. You even get to pick the fabric you want.
PS Sorry the pictures are so bad, I need a new camera.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Memorial Box Monday
Today is Memorial Box Monday and thanks to Linny I now have one of my own to do. If you don't know what Memorial Box Monday please click on the picture below to read about it.
I am so excited about writing this Memorial Box Monday because this is about one of the most precious gifts God ever gave me. The precious gift I am talking about is my husband!
On October 3, 1998 I woke up to the most beautiful day ever (in my eyes anyway) the day I was going to marry the man that God chose for me. This was supposed to be the most beautiful day ever. It was supposed to be warm, sunny and a day filled with fun. You see Chris and I are not your average couple and we didn't want a wedding that everyone felt they needed to dress up to come to, we wanted a day of celebration to celebrate our marriage.
Through my life I had ran across some people who said they were Christians but they were sure good at hurting people and not showing God's love. I grew up a preacher's daughter but stopped going to church when I was 16 because I saw too many people get hurt and I was tired. God brought me a very special friend that taught me that not all Christians were like that. That it was those few people not all Christians. This friend got me back in church (that is a whole story for another time) after about 6 years of not going.
This special friend had the most beautiful piece of property. They had a rustic house full of antiques that sat on the side of a pond with trees everywhere. This is a place that I felt God with me everytime I visited. This was the perfect place for us to get married, under the beautiful colored fall leaves, next to the pond, and people having fun. My youth pastor who was doing the service kept telling me that we needed a plan B in case of rain and I kept telling him we did not need a plan B because I knew this was God's plan and I was not going to get married anywhere else.
Well, after 6 weeks of beautiful sunshine and no rain in six weeks we woke up to freezing cold weather and pouring down rain. My mom called that morning and said "Sarah we need a plan B" I said "Mom, it will be fine God will make it work." I went and got my make-up done, still pouring and very cold, went to get my hair done and my mom called. "Sarah we have to come up with a plan B so we have taken care of it". In a very short time all the people that were at the house worked as fast as they could and made a beautiful place for us to get married under the carport of the house.
I had so many plans for that day, beautiful pictures, our guests came in jeans so they could have fun, we were going to have a bonfire, hayride and just a big party. Instead we had the most romantic wedding with 300 people standing out in the freezing cold rain under umbrellas. We did not get to do any of the fun things we wanted to but that's not what mattered. What mattered is that God gave us each other that day and worked it out that we could get married at the place that I felt closest to God. Not to mention that God gave us a wedding that none of our guests will ever forget.
So for my Memorial Box I need to find a little umbrella. Have you started your Memorial Box Monday yet?
I am so excited about writing this Memorial Box Monday because this is about one of the most precious gifts God ever gave me. The precious gift I am talking about is my husband!On October 3, 1998 I woke up to the most beautiful day ever (in my eyes anyway) the day I was going to marry the man that God chose for me. This was supposed to be the most beautiful day ever. It was supposed to be warm, sunny and a day filled with fun. You see Chris and I are not your average couple and we didn't want a wedding that everyone felt they needed to dress up to come to, we wanted a day of celebration to celebrate our marriage.
Through my life I had ran across some people who said they were Christians but they were sure good at hurting people and not showing God's love. I grew up a preacher's daughter but stopped going to church when I was 16 because I saw too many people get hurt and I was tired. God brought me a very special friend that taught me that not all Christians were like that. That it was those few people not all Christians. This friend got me back in church (that is a whole story for another time) after about 6 years of not going.
This special friend had the most beautiful piece of property. They had a rustic house full of antiques that sat on the side of a pond with trees everywhere. This is a place that I felt God with me everytime I visited. This was the perfect place for us to get married, under the beautiful colored fall leaves, next to the pond, and people having fun. My youth pastor who was doing the service kept telling me that we needed a plan B in case of rain and I kept telling him we did not need a plan B because I knew this was God's plan and I was not going to get married anywhere else.
Well, after 6 weeks of beautiful sunshine and no rain in six weeks we woke up to freezing cold weather and pouring down rain. My mom called that morning and said "Sarah we need a plan B" I said "Mom, it will be fine God will make it work." I went and got my make-up done, still pouring and very cold, went to get my hair done and my mom called. "Sarah we have to come up with a plan B so we have taken care of it". In a very short time all the people that were at the house worked as fast as they could and made a beautiful place for us to get married under the carport of the house.
I had so many plans for that day, beautiful pictures, our guests came in jeans so they could have fun, we were going to have a bonfire, hayride and just a big party. Instead we had the most romantic wedding with 300 people standing out in the freezing cold rain under umbrellas. We did not get to do any of the fun things we wanted to but that's not what mattered. What mattered is that God gave us each other that day and worked it out that we could get married at the place that I felt closest to God. Not to mention that God gave us a wedding that none of our guests will ever forget.
So for my Memorial Box I need to find a little umbrella. Have you started your Memorial Box Monday yet?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
My Weekend Finds
Let me just start by saying that if you have never been to a Just Between Friends sale then you need to go to www.jbfsale.com and look for one in your area. I have been working like crazy this last week getting my stuff ready to take to the sale, volunteering at the sale and the best part shopping at the sale.
Do you see this very happy little boy in the picture? Jaxson has wanted his own bathrobe FOREVER, OK at least as long as he has been home. I found him his very own bathrobe at the sale and he couldn't have been more excited. I actually felt bad because I found more for the girls there but he didn't care because he had his bathrobe.
We finally, finally got the kids a power wheels! Chris and I have wanted to buy the kids one of these for about 4 years now but we just could not get ourselves to spend $300 on a toy. We have always said that if we found one for $50 we would buy it and guess what, it was $50 at the JBF sale. We have wanted to get the kids something special anyway because when we buy things at foreclosure auctions they help a TON in us getting everything sorted through and so they deserved it.
OK, now for my very favorite find of the JBF sale. When I was volunteering during set-up for the sale someone brought in this armoire (the picture really doesn't do it justice). I never ask Chris for anything but when I saw this I fell in love. Even more when I saw the price tag I fell in love. I ask Chris if I could buy it if it was still there when it was time to shop and he said "YES". I know this sounds so silly but we have never bought something just because we want it like that. In 11 years of marriage this is only the 2nd piece of furniture we have bought and the first one was a chair I needed to nurse in.
Now do you want to know the coolest part of all? With what I made at the sale from selling my stuff I didn't end up spending a dime for all this and I will even walk away with a little cash!
Do you see this very happy little boy in the picture? Jaxson has wanted his own bathrobe FOREVER, OK at least as long as he has been home. I found him his very own bathrobe at the sale and he couldn't have been more excited. I actually felt bad because I found more for the girls there but he didn't care because he had his bathrobe.
We finally, finally got the kids a power wheels! Chris and I have wanted to buy the kids one of these for about 4 years now but we just could not get ourselves to spend $300 on a toy. We have always said that if we found one for $50 we would buy it and guess what, it was $50 at the JBF sale. We have wanted to get the kids something special anyway because when we buy things at foreclosure auctions they help a TON in us getting everything sorted through and so they deserved it.
OK, now for my very favorite find of the JBF sale. When I was volunteering during set-up for the sale someone brought in this armoire (the picture really doesn't do it justice). I never ask Chris for anything but when I saw this I fell in love. Even more when I saw the price tag I fell in love. I ask Chris if I could buy it if it was still there when it was time to shop and he said "YES". I know this sounds so silly but we have never bought something just because we want it like that. In 11 years of marriage this is only the 2nd piece of furniture we have bought and the first one was a chair I needed to nurse in.
Now do you want to know the coolest part of all? With what I made at the sale from selling my stuff I didn't end up spending a dime for all this and I will even walk away with a little cash!Friday, October 2, 2009
This is AWESOME!
I wasn't planning on blogging today because I have been running every second this week and today I just had a couple hours to just relax but then I saw this video on a blog.
Please scroll to the bottom of the page, turn off the music and watch this precious video.
This touches me so much because God brought us many angels to bring Jaxson home. If you have thought about adoption but thought there was no way you could ever do it because of the cost then I hope this story brings you to tears. God's heart is in adoption. Go look up adoption in the Bible and see just what God thinks of adoption and how precious orphans are to him.
Have you heard God ask you to help someone to adopt but thought it would just be too crazy and they would think you were strange? I honestly believe without a doubt that if every Christian would listen to God's call to adopt, help others adopt or support the orphans that can't be adopted that we wouldn't have an orphan crisis in the world. I believe the way God answers prayers, the way God show love to others, the way Jesus walks on earth now is through US saying "YES Lord, use me, let me be your hands and feet." Are you listening? Are you being his hands and feet? Are you willing to be blessed by blessing others?
I just want to say a thank you to all you angels out there that said yes when God ask you to help us bring Jaxson home. If it were not for you (many of you we do not even know who you are) Jaxson would not be right where God wanted him. THANK YOU!!!
Please scroll to the bottom of the page, turn off the music and watch this precious video.
This touches me so much because God brought us many angels to bring Jaxson home. If you have thought about adoption but thought there was no way you could ever do it because of the cost then I hope this story brings you to tears. God's heart is in adoption. Go look up adoption in the Bible and see just what God thinks of adoption and how precious orphans are to him.
Have you heard God ask you to help someone to adopt but thought it would just be too crazy and they would think you were strange? I honestly believe without a doubt that if every Christian would listen to God's call to adopt, help others adopt or support the orphans that can't be adopted that we wouldn't have an orphan crisis in the world. I believe the way God answers prayers, the way God show love to others, the way Jesus walks on earth now is through US saying "YES Lord, use me, let me be your hands and feet." Are you listening? Are you being his hands and feet? Are you willing to be blessed by blessing others?
I just want to say a thank you to all you angels out there that said yes when God ask you to help us bring Jaxson home. If it were not for you (many of you we do not even know who you are) Jaxson would not be right where God wanted him. THANK YOU!!!
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