It's not too late. Pack your bag, jump in your car and come to T4A! Just spent 8 hours of hearing Karyn Purvis speak and all I can say is WOW. Awesome stuff!!! So totally cool getting to meet so many orphan loving people in person!!! T4A ROCKS!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
LOVIN me some T4A!!!!
It's not too late. Pack your bag, jump in your car and come to T4A! Just spent 8 hours of hearing Karyn Purvis speak and all I can say is WOW. Awesome stuff!!! So totally cool getting to meet so many orphan loving people in person!!! T4A ROCKS!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Like little children
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1a
God's words tells us that we are to have faith like children- because that is what we are- His children.
Remember when you were little you basically had to do what everyone told you to do?
Remember how you had to sleep when they said sleep, eat when they said eat, do what they told you to do-because you were learning what was best for you?
And remember feeling disgruntled because you were not the boss or not the one in control?
We are like that with God sometimes. He knows what is best- we do not. He understands the whole picture, and we can only see what is right in front of our faces. And, even when we go along with him kicking and screaming, and none of it makes sense in our little minds- we just have to trust.
That is where I am right now.
But just like when I was a child- the one in control meets my every need- even before I even realized I needed them.
This past week I was held, fed, carried, rocked, and loved on just like a child. Thank you to those of you who took care of our needs (Holly Wally, My Angel, My big sis Jenny, Mama Marsha, Mom, Andrea, Mrs.Michelle, Pastor Jay and Susan). When, like children, we are not able to do it on our own- we could sure feel God's arms wrapped around us through you.
I have spent a lot of time on my knees lately, and down there- you discover a lot of things- about yourself and about God. The things I learned about God are always good- the things I learned about me, well, I needed that help that God had sent. :)
I realized how often in life I had wasted so much precious time on the superficial things- things that do nothing for God's kingdom. We pour ourselves into our jobs, our homes, and work so hard at acting like we have it all together- when instead God just simply wants us to pour ourselves into Him, our relationship with Him, and with those He has put into our lives.
Today, as you move throughout your day- just simply look around you. What are you pouring yourself into? I challenge you to hug your husband just a little bit tighter, love on your kids just a little bit more, talk to your friends just a little bit longer. Simply LOVE through Him.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
God's words tells us that we are to have faith like children- because that is what we are- His children.
Remember when you were little you basically had to do what everyone told you to do?
Remember how you had to sleep when they said sleep, eat when they said eat, do what they told you to do-because you were learning what was best for you?
And remember feeling disgruntled because you were not the boss or not the one in control?
We are like that with God sometimes. He knows what is best- we do not. He understands the whole picture, and we can only see what is right in front of our faces. And, even when we go along with him kicking and screaming, and none of it makes sense in our little minds- we just have to trust.
That is where I am right now.
But just like when I was a child- the one in control meets my every need- even before I even realized I needed them.
This past week I was held, fed, carried, rocked, and loved on just like a child. Thank you to those of you who took care of our needs (Holly Wally, My Angel, My big sis Jenny, Mama Marsha, Mom, Andrea, Mrs.Michelle, Pastor Jay and Susan). When, like children, we are not able to do it on our own- we could sure feel God's arms wrapped around us through you.
I have spent a lot of time on my knees lately, and down there- you discover a lot of things- about yourself and about God. The things I learned about God are always good- the things I learned about me, well, I needed that help that God had sent. :)
I realized how often in life I had wasted so much precious time on the superficial things- things that do nothing for God's kingdom. We pour ourselves into our jobs, our homes, and work so hard at acting like we have it all together- when instead God just simply wants us to pour ourselves into Him, our relationship with Him, and with those He has put into our lives.
Today, as you move throughout your day- just simply look around you. What are you pouring yourself into? I challenge you to hug your husband just a little bit tighter, love on your kids just a little bit more, talk to your friends just a little bit longer. Simply LOVE through Him.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
So many things
I could choose to blog about today, but none more important than this...
Kemah never knew her mother. One day while she and her brother were sleeping, their home caught fire. In a desperate attempt to save his children, Kemah’s father ran into the house for them. After he rescued her brother, her father searched for Kemah as well. That day, the roof of their little house caved in, leaving Kemah’s foot badly burned and killing her father.
Now orphaned, 6 year-old Kemah and her brother found refuge at Master’s Home of Champions-Lifesong Liberia. Here she is gaining an education, is given daily, nutritious meals, and is learning the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Kemah can tell you that she loves Jesus and knows He loves her because He died for her sins. Someday she hopes to be a missionary so she can tell others about the love of Christ!
Wow... What an amazing response to the Gospel from a young child who's already experienced more pain than many of us will experience in a lifetime. But Kemah is not alone. There are other children... so many children... who need our help!
We're asking for a monthly commitment of $28 for one year to help cover the costs of caring for 70 orphans in Liberia. This donation will cover food and water, and other necessities, such as coal and kerosene, toothpaste, bathing and laundry soup, and hair oil.
A typical grocery list at Lifesong Liberia for 1 month includes:
- 8 bags of rice
- 5 gallons agro oil
- 2 bags of cornmeal
- 1 bag of sugar
- 20 gallons of red cooking oil
- 1 carton of cooking salt
Sometimes powdered milk and flour will also be purchased, but not every month.
Every 1-2 days cassava, various vegetables, fish and occasionally chicken are purchased for soup.
Typically the children at Lifesong Liberia will have cornmeal porridge for breakfast and rice with soup for lunch and dinner.
Will you help us feed and care for these children? Children like Kemah?
Our goal is 70 people. $28 a month. One year commitment.
We have 17 commitments. That means 53 to go in just 4 days!
Join us in bringing joy and purpose for orphans!
Contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org to make your commitment today!
Monday, September 20, 2010
It's official- again :)
Today we went to the courthouse to readopted Havyn and have her name officially changed. The judge was really good with the kids and it was quite obvious doing adoptions was one of the highlights of his job. You gotta love that. My sweet friend Jessica, our attorney, too has an amazing heart for adoption. It was precious to be surrounded by people who truly get it. :)
Thank you Lord once again for this precious baby girl. We are blessed beyond measure to call her our own.
Let's be the Hands and Feet of Jesus!
2010 Liberia Video from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.
This week we are inviting our faithful readers and supporters to step up and help us in a time of need for Lifesong Liberia.
Lifesong has partnered with The Master’s Home of Champions orphanage and is providing a loving and safe home to many destitute and abandoned children, some of whom are deaf. We seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and are focused on the goal of raising up
champions for the good of Liberia and glory of God!
This summer, another orphanage was in dire need, and thanks to an unexpected donation Lifesong was there. Praise the Lord we can help more children! But now, we need help too! We need your help to make sure these children are fed every day! We need your help to care for the fatherless! Will you join us?
70 sponsors in one week is a tall order. We know this. We also know that we serve a big God who has told us that caring for the poor and vulnerable is at the very heart of who He is! We believe we can make this happen! We pray that God will call hearts this week and we trust that you will answer!
Contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org to commit!
Hear personal stories & follow the progress on our blog all this week!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
All about Him
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can live on little and give much.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can adopt many and love more.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can care less about pleasing others and care much about pleasing Him.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can love without expecting to be loved back.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can open my home and my heart regardless of our differences.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can let go of my plans- knowing His are always better.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I care less about how my hair looks and care lots about how my heart looks.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can have peace during the unknowns- trusting He does know.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I worry less about the risk and more about just surrendering.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I allow myself to be vulnerable, knowing my experiences can help someone else.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can be content in my circumstances knowing He allowed them to be.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can be assured success- regardless of the outcome.
He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can adopt many and love more.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can care less about pleasing others and care much about pleasing Him.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can love without expecting to be loved back.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can open my home and my heart regardless of our differences.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can let go of my plans- knowing His are always better.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I care less about how my hair looks and care lots about how my heart looks.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can have peace during the unknowns- trusting He does know.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I worry less about the risk and more about just surrendering.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I allow myself to be vulnerable, knowing my experiences can help someone else.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can be content in my circumstances knowing He allowed them to be.
When it's all about Him and not about me- I can be assured success- regardless of the outcome.
He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30
Monday, September 13, 2010
It happened again, for the 325th time today
As I have said in the past, I forget how 'different' our family is.
I forget we look different, and I even forget there are a lot of us.
I forget, that is, until I see someone looking at us something like this....
and then I remember...
and it makes me sad.
It makes me sad that it is considered odd to see white people, black people and Hispanic people come together as one.
It makes me sad that our family is seen as a rarity just because we love big and love many.
It makes me sad that it is odd to put someones LIFE before our personal WEALTH.
It makes me sad that people believe that loving a child somehow equals them making a sacrifice.
Because, I long for the day when ALL children are seen as the blessing God intended them to be.
I long for the day when it is no longer odd to love someone who looks nothing like you, as God intended it to be.
I long for the day when we put Him before Us in everything we do- as it should be.
“… whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33
I forget we look different, and I even forget there are a lot of us.
I forget, that is, until I see someone looking at us something like this....
and then I remember...
and it makes me sad.
It makes me sad that it is considered odd to see white people, black people and Hispanic people come together as one.
It makes me sad that our family is seen as a rarity just because we love big and love many.
It makes me sad that it is odd to put someones LIFE before our personal WEALTH.
It makes me sad that people believe that loving a child somehow equals them making a sacrifice.
Because, I long for the day when ALL children are seen as the blessing God intended them to be.
I long for the day when it is no longer odd to love someone who looks nothing like you, as God intended it to be.
I long for the day when we put Him before Us in everything we do- as it should be.
“… whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Happy 18th Birthday Keegan!
Yes, we have back to back birthdays at our house. :)Happy Birthday to my precious baby boy! At the risk of sounding like a broken record, where did the time go?
You, my precious son, have blessed us with so much happiness, so much laughter, and so much FUN over the past 18 years- I cannot even begin to put it into words. Thank you for being my "Sugar Mychal" still today. Thank you for always working your hardest, never complaining, and for being the best you can be- without my even having to ask. Thank you for being such a cool big brother and for being such a cool son as well. You are all any mother could ever dream of in a son and I am so thankful that God blessed my life with yours.
I adore you Keegan and I am so grateful these past 18 years of indescribable joy. Stay focused on Him and He will keep your paths straight. I know it is going to be good. :)
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Raising the funds for international adoption
One of the biggest obstacles in international adoption is coming up with the money to adopt. I can totally relate to this because we have never once had the money sitting around for any of our adoptions. It has always been a huge leap of faith. Through most of our adoptions we have had to sacrifice, get creative, and work HARD. There were times where I thought there was no way we were going to be able to make it happen- but God is always faithful. I have a house full of little blessings to prove it. :)
I am always looking for new fund raising ideas to help with adoption costs. My sister Jenny -who is a school nurse and a mother to five (one adopted from Mexico through a disruption) decided that because she didn't have as much money to give as she wanted- she was going to do something about that. She got involved with this awesome faith based company called Inspiranza. They sell beautiful sterling silver jewelry- seriously, you have to check it out. It is a great way to earn money towards your adoption. Yet not only do you earn money-but for every charm you sell $2 goes to Steven Curtis Chapman's Show Hope Foundation to help bring an orphan home.
My rockin sister is donating 50 percent of all of her sales to the Adami Tulu Preschool in Ethiopia through one of my favorite organization Lifesong for Orphans.
My amazing sister+ Lifesong+Adami Tulu Preschool = total awesomeness. :)
If you are looking for an easy way that you can earn more money for your adoption while helping other orphans at the same time- check out www.myinspiranza.com/jennybland and sign up there.
I am always looking for new fund raising ideas to help with adoption costs. My sister Jenny -who is a school nurse and a mother to five (one adopted from Mexico through a disruption) decided that because she didn't have as much money to give as she wanted- she was going to do something about that. She got involved with this awesome faith based company called Inspiranza. They sell beautiful sterling silver jewelry- seriously, you have to check it out. It is a great way to earn money towards your adoption. Yet not only do you earn money-but for every charm you sell $2 goes to Steven Curtis Chapman's Show Hope Foundation to help bring an orphan home.
My rockin sister is donating 50 percent of all of her sales to the Adami Tulu Preschool in Ethiopia through one of my favorite organization Lifesong for Orphans.
My amazing sister+ Lifesong+Adami Tulu Preschool = total awesomeness. :)
If you are looking for an easy way that you can earn more money for your adoption while helping other orphans at the same time- check out www.myinspiranza.com/jennybland and sign up there.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
To Him be the glory
While some people might find this...
or this...
To be the most exciting part of their son's game.
I find this...
Watching my son lead his team in prayer before the game to be.
Because, you never know who is watching, who is learning and who may come to know Him because of your actions.
"...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
While we wait...
While we wait for the perfect timing...
they hope they can wait another day.
While we wait for others approval...
they wait with any dignity they can find.
While we wait for the ideal child....
they wait knowing they are not.
While we wait trying to decide if we can manage another...
they wait trying to manage on their own.
While we wait to see how much we have to give to them...
They are waiting to give us even more.
While we wait for God to provide...
He waits for us to take the first step so He can.
We must NEVER use 'waiting to hear from Him' as an excuse for not doing what He has ALREADY commanded in the bible for us to do... proclaim the truth, care for orphans, serve others, be His hands of justice for the poor, and show compassion.
So, what are you waiting for??
they hope they can wait another day.
While we wait for more money...
they wait with nothing.
While we wait for a bigger home with enough room...
they wait for room in our hearts.
While we wait for others approval...
they wait with any dignity they can find.
While we wait for the ideal child....
they wait knowing they are not.
While we wait trying to decide if we can manage another...
they wait trying to manage on their own.
While we wait to see how much we have to give to them...
They are waiting to give us even more.
While we wait for God to provide...
He waits for us to take the first step so He can.
We must NEVER use 'waiting to hear from Him' as an excuse for not doing what He has ALREADY commanded in the bible for us to do... proclaim the truth, care for orphans, serve others, be His hands of justice for the poor, and show compassion.
So, what are you waiting for??
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