I just thought I would give a little update concerning my last "Matters of my heart" post... I shared some of my "passion" :) with Greg Buzek, the head of Grace 1:27, by way of email this week. For those who don't know, our church is going to have kind of a ministry kick-off for Grace 1:27 in January to raise awareness of the ministry and the needs. Called "Orphan Sunday". There will be lots of booths to give people information on all different areas of this ministry- our church connections with orphanages around the world- Mexico, Sri-lanka, Ethiopia, etc. and I believe there will also be booths for foreign and domestic adoptions, foster care, etc. I was planning on being involved with the Rancho Maranatha booth, our Mexican orphanage (Where Jake is right now, actually. Pray for him too!), but now it looks like I'm doing something totally different. (Sorry Rochelle, I'll still help!)
I'm going to have a booth for special needs adoption. :D I'm so excited!! I'm going to specifically emphasize Reece's Rainbow, but also raise awareness in other ways as well. I haven't fully planned out all the details yet, but I'm just so thrilled to finally start rolling up my sleeves in this area! To help make a difference. And not to "feel better about myself" but because my heart is TRULY broken for these kids, and I believe so strongly that they deserve to live in a loving home just like any other child. God loves these kids and I feel like He's calling me to raise up and be a voice for them.
Please pray that He will continue to lead me in exactly what resources and materials to have at this table. I'd love to have some actual pictures of kids who are on the brink of institutionalization. (Click here if you'd like to see them for yourself.) I'll let you know how it goes, but for now, I just need to give God the glory for orchestrating these first few steps. Thank you, Father!
Grocery Deal
Just thought I should pass this little gem along...Cottonelle toilet paper is an "every day low price" of .99 for a 4 pack:
Click here to get an e-coupon for .50/1 coupon that you can load onto your Kroger card. It will double at the register and presto! Four free rolls of toilet paper!
*Bonus*: If you have the .50/1 coupons from 8/24 S or 9/21 S, you could stack it with the e-coupon and get .99 in overage per pkg! (Unless you really need the toilet paper, which we did!)
Note: You can only "load" one coupon at a time with a max of two times. But hey, I'll take free toilet paper the next two times I visit Kroger! Also, couponmom isn't showing these in the database for some reason, and I've already used all of mine, so I don't know when they expire.
Matters of my heart
Isn't it funny how sometimes, you just can't help what captures your heart? I feel like so many things in my life right now- ministries, friendships, even my very own baby... all start to point to the same thing. And though I don't know what it means yet or what I can do about it; I certainly can't ignore it. Jake and I had a long conversation about it last night.
I have an increasing passion for orphans. Specifically orphans with special needs. I'm volunteering with an orphan ministry in the works at church called "Grace 1:27". Pointing to James 1:27 which calls us to care for the orphans and the widows. It's still very much in the beginning stages, but we can all feel God stirring up something big. And not surprisingly- His Word clearly lays out His heart on the matter. Also, I've been thinking so much about Reece's Rainbow. (Which I've talked about on previous posts.) These little children break my heart. In the Ukraine, children with Down Sydrome are imediately given up for adoption, even by loving parents, to an orphanage because there is nothing for them in that country. No early intervention, no special education, no therapy, nothing. And so they fill up these orphanages (special ones for any and all babies with special needs), and if not adopted by the age of four, the ones with Down Syndrome will be sent to mental institutions. A life sentance. Which kills me because even though my own daughter isn't even two years old... I'm learning what amazing potential there is in this country for her! If you search the media- young adults with Down Syndrome are going to college and getting married! Leading full lives. And no, we don't know what God has in store for Abby- we will allow her to do whatever He wants her to- knowing that could even mean keeping her home with us as an adult. But that's another post. :)
The point is, my heart is crying out to the Lord on these kids' behalf. Who will take care of these kids??? What mothers will take them in and love them as their own? Jake helped me to see that the problem is so much bigger than what I can fix within my own home. :) I can't adopt and raise all of these kids myself. And adopting just one wouldn't satisfy my heart. (Not that we're throwing out that option.) But for now, I'm waiting patiently on the Lord to show me what He wants me to do with this heavy heart.
And until he does... can I introduce you to a little girl? Her name is Ginger. She'll be 6 in January. It's a miracle that this little girl has stayed in the orphanage this long, most her age have already been sent to the institution. If she isn't adopted soon, she'll go as well. This is a quote from a woman who was adopting out of her orphanage and saw Ginger while she was there.
"Ginger is the sweetest little girl. I held her often and she loved to snuggle and cuddle! She held on to me so tight and cried when I put her down. She is non-verbal (makes sounds but no words), but she has the sweetest little giggle and she is very ticklish. I was told she can follow basic commands." ~August 2008
For more information on Ginger,
or to see other kids from Reece's Rainbow, click here.
I have an increasing passion for orphans. Specifically orphans with special needs. I'm volunteering with an orphan ministry in the works at church called "Grace 1:27". Pointing to James 1:27 which calls us to care for the orphans and the widows. It's still very much in the beginning stages, but we can all feel God stirring up something big. And not surprisingly- His Word clearly lays out His heart on the matter. Also, I've been thinking so much about Reece's Rainbow. (Which I've talked about on previous posts.) These little children break my heart. In the Ukraine, children with Down Sydrome are imediately given up for adoption, even by loving parents, to an orphanage because there is nothing for them in that country. No early intervention, no special education, no therapy, nothing. And so they fill up these orphanages (special ones for any and all babies with special needs), and if not adopted by the age of four, the ones with Down Syndrome will be sent to mental institutions. A life sentance. Which kills me because even though my own daughter isn't even two years old... I'm learning what amazing potential there is in this country for her! If you search the media- young adults with Down Syndrome are going to college and getting married! Leading full lives. And no, we don't know what God has in store for Abby- we will allow her to do whatever He wants her to- knowing that could even mean keeping her home with us as an adult. But that's another post. :)
The point is, my heart is crying out to the Lord on these kids' behalf. Who will take care of these kids??? What mothers will take them in and love them as their own? Jake helped me to see that the problem is so much bigger than what I can fix within my own home. :) I can't adopt and raise all of these kids myself. And adopting just one wouldn't satisfy my heart. (Not that we're throwing out that option.) But for now, I'm waiting patiently on the Lord to show me what He wants me to do with this heavy heart.
And until he does... can I introduce you to a little girl? Her name is Ginger. She'll be 6 in January. It's a miracle that this little girl has stayed in the orphanage this long, most her age have already been sent to the institution. If she isn't adopted soon, she'll go as well. This is a quote from a woman who was adopting out of her orphanage and saw Ginger while she was there.
"Ginger is the sweetest little girl. I held her often and she loved to snuggle and cuddle! She held on to me so tight and cried when I put her down. She is non-verbal (makes sounds but no words), but she has the sweetest little giggle and she is very ticklish. I was told she can follow basic commands." ~August 2008
For more information on Ginger,
or to see other kids from Reece's Rainbow, click here.
The Womens Retreat
This past weekend our church had our first ever womens retreat. It was amazing. We went to a state park in Alabama. I loved the place we stayed- every room had a lake view and the lodge was so cozy. The theme for the weekend was Ageless God... what an awesome time of refreshment we all experienced! Our theme verse was the one from 2 Corinthians 4:16: "though the outward man parish, the inner man is renewed day by day". Good stuff. For those volunteering, teaching, or decorating... I think we can all say it was a much needed retreat. We spent one afternoon just playing games... imagine 150 women of all ages playing bingo!! It was a blast. The Saturday night dinner was a banquet... Hannah decorated and it was breathtaking!! It put Martha Stewart to shame. :) The women were all so blessed. I spoke Saturday night after dinner and mostly shared my testimony about having Abby. And shared a few things I felt God has taught me though the experience. The other teachers were Teasi, Anne-Marie, Sarah (our pastor's wife), and Diane (my mother-in-law). They were all so rich and so good. Deanna, Amy and Sarah led worship... I just love the sound of the three of them together. The whole weekend was just completely refreshing. I did get a sore throat but even that couldn't keep me from enjoying the sweet time with the Father and with our beautiful church women.
I kept forgetting to take pictures, but here is one I did get... just a few of us girls...
My dear friends
My dear friends, can I just share with you from my heart for a moment? I've been cleaning my house all day, feeding my kids, wiping faces... and rear ends, doing laundry, dishes... I've been on and off the phone with my mom and my husband- making plans for the week and the weekend. I've been checking my email and Dad's site, keeping it updated and forwarding on sweet emails from friends and family to my mom so she can read them to Dad.
And I can't help but think- I should be so stressed out right now. And don't get me wrong- I'm exhausted. And I'm worried. But I can 100% honestly say... I feel so covered. I feel a strength within that I almost find surprising. I'm able to deal with the day to day stuff. And I'm able to think clearly (as clear as possible for me- you guys know me). I keep telling people that I feel numb... but that doesn't really accurately describe it. That sounds like a negative thing, but actually, it's not.
My relationship with my God gives me perfect peace. Not that I am perfect, but that He is. I can feel my God carrying me through this. My life verse has always been John 10:10 "The thief comes to steel, kill, and destroy, but I have come that you would have life and have it more abundantly." (Jesus speaking.) He IS giving me abundant life. This- what I'm going through right now- is the difference between the life of a born again Christian and an unbeliever. The hope and the peace and the (dare I say it) joy that I feel can only be from my Lord. He loves me so much and I'm choosing to walk in His blessings.
And I'm also well aware that so much of it has to do with the prayers of those closest to me. I have received so many encouraging emails and phone calls in the last week... I KNOW that I'm loved and supported and it makes me want to cry because I keep thinking about the service at church this past Sunday (I wasn't able to be there, but I watched it live online while I mopped my kitchen floor, haha). I feel like I'm living the life of relationships with other believers that Christ wants me to live. We aren't afraid to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. To really show sacrificial commitment.
We won't be able to make it to our Cheers group tonight because Jake and I realized on the phone today that we won't be able to stay home any other nights this week and our family needs to come first. So we're gonna hang out with our kids tonight. But, I want you each to know how much I love you. And I don't intend on my goofy Internet blog being the only way to let you know that. I want to show you. I want to be the friend that you all are being to me right now. Words don't really express the gratitude in my heart. I love you girls.
And I can't help but think- I should be so stressed out right now. And don't get me wrong- I'm exhausted. And I'm worried. But I can 100% honestly say... I feel so covered. I feel a strength within that I almost find surprising. I'm able to deal with the day to day stuff. And I'm able to think clearly (as clear as possible for me- you guys know me). I keep telling people that I feel numb... but that doesn't really accurately describe it. That sounds like a negative thing, but actually, it's not.
My relationship with my God gives me perfect peace. Not that I am perfect, but that He is. I can feel my God carrying me through this. My life verse has always been John 10:10 "The thief comes to steel, kill, and destroy, but I have come that you would have life and have it more abundantly." (Jesus speaking.) He IS giving me abundant life. This- what I'm going through right now- is the difference between the life of a born again Christian and an unbeliever. The hope and the peace and the (dare I say it) joy that I feel can only be from my Lord. He loves me so much and I'm choosing to walk in His blessings.
And I'm also well aware that so much of it has to do with the prayers of those closest to me. I have received so many encouraging emails and phone calls in the last week... I KNOW that I'm loved and supported and it makes me want to cry because I keep thinking about the service at church this past Sunday (I wasn't able to be there, but I watched it live online while I mopped my kitchen floor, haha). I feel like I'm living the life of relationships with other believers that Christ wants me to live. We aren't afraid to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. To really show sacrificial commitment.
We won't be able to make it to our Cheers group tonight because Jake and I realized on the phone today that we won't be able to stay home any other nights this week and our family needs to come first. So we're gonna hang out with our kids tonight. But, I want you each to know how much I love you. And I don't intend on my goofy Internet blog being the only way to let you know that. I want to show you. I want to be the friend that you all are being to me right now. Words don't really express the gratitude in my heart. I love you girls.
My dad
Most of you know by now about everything going on with my dad. Its been a really rough couple of weeks for my family, to say the least. I started a blog today to keep all of our friends and family updated on his condition. You can see it by clicking on the "Hows Greg?" link on the right. Please pray for us all as we go through this... and for Dad...
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