Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I wonder..

The other day I was standing in line at the grocery story and I overheard the man behind me complaining about having to wait in line...

         






And I couldn't help but to wonder just how often we take our blessings for granted?




























 I began to imagine how  God must feel when He hears us gripe that we have "nothing to wear"...




















and then stand in front of the mirror and whine that "our shoes don't look right with our outfit."


 



We open up the refrigerator door and complain that "there is nothing good to eat"...


And we feel sorry for ourselves because the economy is bad and we are having to 'cut back'...

We grumble that our houses are not big because are children are having to share a room...

And we get grouchy because "we cannot stand what a mess our home is"....
(pictures not my own)


Father forgive us. Open our eyes so that we may see your blessings and show us how to BE a blessing to others.
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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Because He lives!!


Happy Easter from our family to yours!

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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Call me crazy, but after parenting nine children you know to question what's up when you find these two voluntarily sitting in the corner with big smiles on their faces...


Ummm,                       explain yourselves please...
 Oh, you are just hatching eggs...

Silly me.






Carry on then...


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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Seriously cool adoption aution going on here!! Check it out, bid on some great items and help bring a child home. :)

I put in my bid- now it's your turn. 


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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Never,
come between a girl...


and her chocolate.

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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

My stuff

Passports X 11
Garage sale
after garage sale
after garage sale.
(Cause you can't take it with you when you go)
Upcoming High School graduation
Laundry
Support raising
Baseball
Homeschooling lessons
Mission training
Business trip
House appraisal
Prom
Citizenship
Cooking
Last post placement visit
House inspection
Car problems
Doctors appointments
Easter
Company
Moving-twice
Soccer
Graduation invitations
9 children
Errands
Packing
Cleaning
Stress

Some days I feel like I am sinking.

More than once I have found myself stopping to ask Why God?

Why did you think I could handle this?

And then I am reminded that

they too are probably asking the same question...



And my stuff doesn't seem quite so stressful any more.

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Saturday, April 9, 2011

Friday, April 8, 2011

God is moving...

and apparently so are we. :)


For sale by owner...

for one week...

nothing but a sign in the yard...

first showing...

in this market

in this economy

nothing but God.

****Did want to clarify- we are moving... but not to Guatemala just yet. (I wish). We are moving into a rental that a sweet friend of ours owns until we raise enough monthly support. :)

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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Every child

I can't remember the exact moment...

but I have heard the stories,

of the day I came into this world.

I can't remember the sounds

but I know without a doubt

there was rejoicing in the hospital room.

I know there were people cheering

as word got out I had entered the world..

I can't remember the day

but I know I was wrapped in a soft blanket,

snuggled in arms of my mother...

and brought HOME.

There I was loved,

and taken care of,

and cherished.

Pictures were taken,

birthdays were celebrated,

memories were made.

And one thing I can remember is..

I felt safe.

I felt loved.

I felt wanted.

That is my wish for every child.

But the reality is for many-

their lives look nothing like this.

For many children,

there is no cheering,

no safety

and no hope.

People have asked us why Guatemala?

Why leave the comfort of the good old USA and go to a place that isn't as safe and where life is harder?

And my answer is...

because of children like Lizzy.



Because you see,

while the day Lizzy was born

there may not have been a celebration here on earth-

but in my heart I know

that there was cheering in heaven.

Because a child of God had been born.

A child who is beautiful.

A child who is a gift.

A child who matters- just as much as you and I.

A child who should never feel like they belong in the trash...

where Lizzy was found,

naked and alone.

Every child,

deserves to be celebrated

and to know the One who created them.

If you would like to help be a part of Lizzy's life, ensuring her the opportunity to have all of those things at Eagles Nest Orphanage- please go here and learn about how to be her monthly sponsor.

There are so many things we can invest our times and money into each day- but I believe the life of a child is one of the best investments that can ever be made.

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My sweet friend Amber blessed my kiddo's today with these adorable hats!! They LOVE them and refuse to take them off. Thanks for sharing you talent with us Amber- you are so sweet! To purchase one of these adorable hats or see what other types Amber can make you can visit this site.

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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Friday, April 1, 2011

All of us have regrets... one of my biggest regrets is that I didn't 'get it' at a younger age.

So much time I wasted!!! I am always so touched by the young ones who are so on fire for the Lord and for making the world a better place just by being in it. I love it when they are not afraid to tackle a project and do whatever it takes to bring change to the least of these.

For many of us some of our favorite moments with our children are snuggling up with them reading them their favorite story. It break my heart to think of these children not only with no parent to read to them- but not any books to read at all!

Read below what my sweet young friend Laura is doing and let's help her get these orphans from India some BOOKS. :)

I have been blessed to be involved with a very special orphanage in Central India for the past two years. I am very excited to be able to return this summer and spend a month working with the children there for the month of July. One of my projects while I am there is to set up a small library for the children in the girls' dorm. Right now there are 75 boys and girls living in this orphanage and they are constantly growing.


These kids have big dreams for their lives. They want to be doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and pastors. They refuse to believe that because they are orphans, then their lives have no value. They know that God has big plans for their lives and they are going to change India for Him. But, in order for any of their dreams to come true, these kids NEED a good education. They are already typically behind in school and they need to get caught up. Unfortunately, the school that they go to right now is AWFUL. They don't learn there. They go to a poor school, it is most likely extremely over-crowded and they are just not learning what they need to be. This kills me to know.


I am in college right now, but when I graduate, I am going to move to India and teach at a school specifically for these children. Until I am able to go to be in India permanently, I am excited to be able to do what I can to help these children learn. I believe that having access to books will help these children so much. Having the ability to read outside of school will help them to catch up and learn what they are not getting at school. We will be able to buy them books both in Hindi and in English, so they will also be able to practice their English, a crucial skill for these children.

Will you help me make this happen?

Will you help me buy books for these precious children? I need to raise at least $150 in order to by a large cabinet for the books, but I want to raise so much more. I want to bless these children above and beyond what they would ever imagine. I want them to know that people across the world who have never met them care about them and love them. Would you give $5 to help me buy books for these children? Just $5. It will add up fast and we will be able to buy so many wonderful books for them to enjoy. Would you ask your friends and co-workers to give $5? I'm going to be asking just about everyone that I know to give just a little bit. I would really appreciate your help!

If you want to give, send me an e-mail at lsdroege@gmail.com and I will give you the info about where to send it.
If you want to know more about the orphanage that I work with, check out my blog.

Thank you so much- Laura

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