Sometimes when I read about orphans or look at pictures of children living in abject poverty, I get overwhelmed with the magnitude of the need. Over 147 million orphans is a big need.
But, God is bigger.
I know that I will not be able to save them all or help them all. But, I can help one or two, or a hundred. I can do the tasks that God gives me and help others along the way.
I have been reading a blog called "A Place Called Simplicity". Linny is the author and she and her husband have ten children, some of whom were adopted. They have started a ministry called The International Voice of the Orphan. They partner with orphanages and ministries in Uganda and take mission trips to help out. I met Linny's daughter, Emma, in the Dallas airport last week. She was on her way to Africa.
Linny has been working for sometime to come up with a way to feed and clothe people in need. A website will launch soon that will do just that. The website will sell handcrafted items (think Etsy) and all of the proceeds will go for food and clothes for children in need. They are asking people to send things that they can sell through the website. I'm not very crafty, but I will be thinking hard about what I can do and what we can do as a family to help out.
What about you? Go here for more information. http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/2011/06/orphan-wares-artists-shoppers-both-with.html
Friday, June 17, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
A Special Day
Although we celebrated Curt's birthday a few days ago, today is a special day, as well.
Today is the day we brought Curt home. I remember the little white outfit he was wearing and his fuzz of red hair. I remember how tiny he was and how fair his skin was. I remember driving into the driveway and seeing all of the grandparents waiting outside for us. I remember the ultimate love a young girl had for her baby when she placed him in my arms.
Today is the day I became a mom.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Change
Change happens.
Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Sometimes planned, sometimes unexpected. Sometimes what you wanted, sometimes not.
Our household changed again a couple of months ago. It has taken me this long to want to write about it. I don't really want to write about it now, but I will because I know that it is important to be honest and real about the joy AND the heartache of foster care and adoption.
Things did not work out the way we hoped with John and he has moved on to another foster family. It was heartbreaking for me. I had such hopes and dreams for John and for the family that we could become. I thought these dreams were all gone.
But, I serve a big God and I know that He has plans and dreams for John, too. And He has so much more power and love than I do. He does not need me to accomplish those dreams for John.
He also has plans for us as a family. It may not be as a foster family. We may not adopt any more children. We may adopt several more. I have no idea. I do know that I am glad we were obedient to God's direction for us. Even though it was hard and painful, I will do it all again if He asks me to.
Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Sometimes planned, sometimes unexpected. Sometimes what you wanted, sometimes not.
Our household changed again a couple of months ago. It has taken me this long to want to write about it. I don't really want to write about it now, but I will because I know that it is important to be honest and real about the joy AND the heartache of foster care and adoption.
Things did not work out the way we hoped with John and he has moved on to another foster family. It was heartbreaking for me. I had such hopes and dreams for John and for the family that we could become. I thought these dreams were all gone.
But, I serve a big God and I know that He has plans and dreams for John, too. And He has so much more power and love than I do. He does not need me to accomplish those dreams for John.
He also has plans for us as a family. It may not be as a foster family. We may not adopt any more children. We may adopt several more. I have no idea. I do know that I am glad we were obedient to God's direction for us. Even though it was hard and painful, I will do it all again if He asks me to.
Friday, April 23, 2010
And Now There Are Four
Boys, that is.
I am seriously out-numbered.
John is upstairs as I type, asleep in his bed. This is the second weekend he has spent with us and we can already see that he is getting more comfortable with us and relaxing a little bit. We took him shopping this evening for bedding for his room. It was fun letting him pick out the stuff that he liked and getting to know him a little better.
He is 16 years old and has been in foster care for six years. This is the sixth home he has been in and we plan on it being the last.
Tonight, he called me Mom.
I am seriously out-numbered.
John is upstairs as I type, asleep in his bed. This is the second weekend he has spent with us and we can already see that he is getting more comfortable with us and relaxing a little bit. We took him shopping this evening for bedding for his room. It was fun letting him pick out the stuff that he liked and getting to know him a little better.
He is 16 years old and has been in foster care for six years. This is the sixth home he has been in and we plan on it being the last.
Tonight, he called me Mom.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Show Forth
Today is the Epiphany, otherwise known as Twelfth Night, or Day of the Kings. It marks the end of the Christmas season and the traditional 12 days of Christmas. (You know, "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...") Here in South Louisiana, it also marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras season.
Traditionally, Epiphany is celebrated as the time when the Magi, or Kings, arrived in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. One of the definitions I found was "a showing forth"~in this case a showing forth of Jesus to the Gentiles. When I read this, I was struck by the wording of "a showing forth of Jesus". It caused me to think: Do I show forth Jesus? If I do, how often do I show Him forth? Hourly? Daily? Monthly? I'm sorry to say that my musings left a lot to be desired.
This year we decided to leave our Christmas tree up until after Epiphany. And we will celebrate tonight with a King Cake. But, most importantly, we will talk about showing forth Jesus and how we can do that better as individuals and as a family.
Traditionally, Epiphany is celebrated as the time when the Magi, or Kings, arrived in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. One of the definitions I found was "a showing forth"~in this case a showing forth of Jesus to the Gentiles. When I read this, I was struck by the wording of "a showing forth of Jesus". It caused me to think: Do I show forth Jesus? If I do, how often do I show Him forth? Hourly? Daily? Monthly? I'm sorry to say that my musings left a lot to be desired.
This year we decided to leave our Christmas tree up until after Epiphany. And we will celebrate tonight with a King Cake. But, most importantly, we will talk about showing forth Jesus and how we can do that better as individuals and as a family.
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Eat from the Pantry Challenge
I occasionally read a blog called Organizing Junkie. I would love to be more organized and am inspired by her website and others. She does Menu Plan Monday, which I am going to try this year. (I'm incorporating that into my resolutions/goal for the year.)
Anyway, she is currently involved in a challenge called Eat from the Pantry. It is just what it sounds like: the moms that came up with the challenge are going to try to feed their families with what they have at home for the entire month of January. They are going to buy fresh bread, produce, and dairy products and are going to try to spend only $75 on groceries for the whole month of January.
All I can say is, "Wow!". I can't even LOOK at a grocery store without spending $75!! But, I am going to take this challenge. We have some special occasions this month, so I know I will have to buy some special items, but for our everyday meals, I'm going to cook what I have before going to the store to buy something new.
I don't think I'm going to tell the family about this little experiment...I wonder if they will catch on!
Anyway, she is currently involved in a challenge called Eat from the Pantry. It is just what it sounds like: the moms that came up with the challenge are going to try to feed their families with what they have at home for the entire month of January. They are going to buy fresh bread, produce, and dairy products and are going to try to spend only $75 on groceries for the whole month of January.
All I can say is, "Wow!". I can't even LOOK at a grocery store without spending $75!! But, I am going to take this challenge. We have some special occasions this month, so I know I will have to buy some special items, but for our everyday meals, I'm going to cook what I have before going to the store to buy something new.
I don't think I'm going to tell the family about this little experiment...I wonder if they will catch on!
Friday, January 1, 2010
A New Year
"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. " Luke 2:52
That's not a very long verse, but it is one of my favorites. Because I like it so much, I thought I'd use it as my guide for my New Year's resolutions/goals.
Wisdom: There is so much wisdom I need to gain, I hardly know where to start. I need spiritual wisdom, wife wisdom, mom wisdom, friend wisdom, financial wisdom, and just regular wisdom! I would like to grow in those areas, and maybe learn something fun this year, too.
Stature: Hmmm, I definitely don't want to GROW in stature. In fact, I wouldn't mind SHRINKING a little! One of my goals for this area this year is to increase my exercise and work on better eating habits for all of us.
Favor with God: Oh, how I want this! I know that God looks on me with love and compassion, but I also want Him to be proud of me. I want Him to be proud of my obedience and my willingness to walk with Him and do the hard stuff.
Favor with men: I want my relationships to count for something in this life. I want to be able to put aside my selfishishness. I want to pour out what God is doing in me onto others.
I'm not sure how this will end, but I'm ready to begin!
That's not a very long verse, but it is one of my favorites. Because I like it so much, I thought I'd use it as my guide for my New Year's resolutions/goals.
Wisdom: There is so much wisdom I need to gain, I hardly know where to start. I need spiritual wisdom, wife wisdom, mom wisdom, friend wisdom, financial wisdom, and just regular wisdom! I would like to grow in those areas, and maybe learn something fun this year, too.
Stature: Hmmm, I definitely don't want to GROW in stature. In fact, I wouldn't mind SHRINKING a little! One of my goals for this area this year is to increase my exercise and work on better eating habits for all of us.
Favor with God: Oh, how I want this! I know that God looks on me with love and compassion, but I also want Him to be proud of me. I want Him to be proud of my obedience and my willingness to walk with Him and do the hard stuff.
Favor with men: I want my relationships to count for something in this life. I want to be able to put aside my selfishishness. I want to pour out what God is doing in me onto others.
I'm not sure how this will end, but I'm ready to begin!
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