big 'ol Him taking care of little 'ol them through little 'ol you. {a winner announced!}

It's funny how that God of ours works. 

Two days after we announced  "Operation Bottle" I received an update from Christy regarding her adoption telling me the child they had hoped for had become adoptable! The babies home had met with the family of the little boy and they wanted him to have a forever home!

You can only imagine how wonderful this felt! Someone out of the blue organized the first adoption fundraiser and only a couple days later they find out the little guy they were hoping to adopt is adoptable! 

And you know that God of ours, he knew the timing of this little fun thing ending and tons of little bottles descending on their little home-- offering a bit of encouragement possibly on this long road of adoption?

So when I received the message on Friday updating us on the new news from Uganda, my heart skipped a beat and I thanked that big God for his perfect timing:


(FROM CHRISTY)

"It is with a heavy heart that we share this news with you. We just found out this afternoon that "Little R" has an uncle in Uganda that wants to keep him. Amazing to me that Little R was in an orphanage for over a year and not one relative came forward to even visit him. And now, this man came out of the blue and said he will keep him. In his words, they will "manage". The uncle already has Little R in his custody and we are no longer able to adopt him. Don't get me wrong, I am totally for reunification with family IF they are able to provide the child with a good home. I've just seen too many cases in Uganda where children are tossed from family to family and they aren't given proper care. They are often times forced to work hard at an early age, are abused, or go hungry. I just pray that Little R doesn't become one of those cases.

 

I have never personally lost a child in the womb, but I can imagine what I'm feeling is somewhat similar to what a mother experiences when she looses her unborn child. You spend months thinking about your child and what life will be like once they are with your family. You dream about them and their future. You pray for them and that you will be good parents. And then one day, they are gone. Totally unexpected. It is at that moment that you realize that life's not fair. In fact, sometimes it stinks (as a nice way to put it). But then you get up off the floor, brush off your pants, and thank God for another day. You realize that even when times are tough, God has a perfect plan and we must trust in Him and His promises.

Would you please join our family in praying for this uncle? If he truly is supposed to care for Little R, please pray that he will be a good role model, teach him about Jesus, love on him and that he will be a good provider for his needs. And if he's not supposed to care for him, please pray that God impresses on his heart that there is a family that already loves him and wants to adopt him. Pray that he understands what a big responsibility it is to raise a child and if he can't step up then he needs to step down.

We are so very sad but I suppose situations like this are to be expected. I keep hearing stories of how hard adoption is and I believe it. But I also believe very strongly that we are called to adopt and God will get us through the tough times. We just need a little time to grieve but we aren't going to let this stop us. We will continue on with our adoption journey and follow God's leading. We appreciate your prayers - and especially for Little R, wherever he is."




So, when I deliver those simple little bottles full of all your love, I want you to know-- you were a part of something bigger. You were apart of God's plan.

Big 'ol him taking care of little 'ol them through little 'ol you.

Their adoption is on a steady path, with God leading the way through prayer and friends like you and I.  They are praying for the child God has chosen for them and we can't wait to meet that little sweetie! Meanwhile, we know Little R is being watched by the same Big 'ol God and he loves us all-- so beautifully.

Might I say-- God has not made me a rich person because I would always remain poor. How do I choose only one person to win and everyone else loses? I know it's not about the winning but if you know me at all, you know-- I'd just give something to all of you for your sweetness. However--again, If you know me =) you know, I changed my mind and drew two names. It was just so stinkin' fun!

Two of you will be getting a beautiful handmade Ugandan necklas from  Amazima Ministries founded and ran by our sweet Katie Davis in UG.


Amazima Ministries was founded by Katie Davis in 2008. The 501(c)(3) organization, based out of Franklin, TN, feeds, educates, and encourages orphaned and vulnerable children and the poor in the country of Uganda.  We do this through child sponsorship (over 600 children), feeding programs (over 1,200 children each day Monday through Friday), community outreach, medical care, vocational initiatives, and spiritual discipleship.  -taken from Amazima Ministries website.

You can read more about Katie's life HERE.

When we purchase these necklaces we give mommas like you and I, ways to provide for their families. There are no job applications or Craigslist ads in their country, friends. These sales bring hope and a glimpse of a God who cares for them.

On to the drawing:

We started the old fashioned way, names in a bucket and choose one. My little Emmyn chose first, since she is my smallest I thought it'd be fun ; )

And the first winner is:

Tiffany T.

After that was over, the kids and I we're like, "That's it? We've waited a month and it's over in 3 seconds?" So, we did it again ; )

This time, all the kids took out names and we left only one.

  Hmmm, I wonder who that is in there = )

Nicole W.

Do you see what I mean about having fun?! I almost re-took this picture and then my oldest says, "Mom, that's us-- we're crazy" =)

So, I left it. (he, he, he)

There ya have it. Tiffany T. whom I know and Nicole W. whom I do not know. Nicole was one of the ladies who took on the load and did her own bottles for Christy as well, hers were way cuter than mine!

People I didn't know at all, didn't know well; or had known for years took the challenge and helped this family. Many of you not knowing them at all.

I am blessed by you.

Ladies, I have to order them and have them shipped-- it'll be a couple weeks before they are here and then I will get them to you.

THANK YOU to all of you who helped; the cost of adoption is very expensive. When God places something like this on our hearts-- we, in our comfortable homes sometimes get a little afraid. But don't forget that Big 'ol God who silenced the lions for Daniel will conquer any mountain you might be facing because you have chosen to obey.

Much, total, & full love.



this post is a follow up to:

I need your help--and I don't have a church family, really. { I have friends. Friends with this little thing in common, Jesus. }

I need your help--and I don't have a church family, really. { I have friends. Friends with this little thing in common, Jesus. }

I'm here. 

=) 

I've been silent, I'm sorry. 

Well, kind of, not really? Sorry for the silence, thankful for the reason.

God has been teaching me, silencing me, He is so good. ( you would agree, especially if you feel like I yack too much ;)

However, I'm back. And I appreciate all the emails, messages, even letters checking on me. =)

A few nights back I was going through pictures on my computer from years ago. While crying my little eyes out, I realized my life has been so full of good people. Some for only a while, some for a lifetime. All, shaping and molding me into who I am today. I am so thankful. 

A question for you:

If I'm back and I'm committed to writing now that my heart is a bit stronger and I'm sorting the words out in my head--can I ask of your help, yet again?

You see, I have this friend and her family have this calling. 

Then I have these bottles and they need filled. 

And I don't have a church family, really. I have friends. Friends with this little thing in common, Jesus. 

yup! you simply take a cutie pie little bottle and fill it with your spare change.

and that little sweetie is one step closer to coming home!

Are there 15 people who would take a bottle, put it on their counter and fill it up in a months time with their change? Could you hold a family meeting, tell your kiddos about the love our Jesus has for Widows and Orphans and tell them they have a chance to help? 

If you can help, please do. 

If you will help, please do. 

=) 

Near or far-- I'll mail or deliver the bottle to you and pay for your shipping back. 

Adoption is such a HUGE thing. Just think, that God-- that wonderful, magnificent, gracious God who adopted us-- with all our junk, allows us the opportunity to show grace to a child who knows no grace. 

And he uses people like Christy.

Oh, I could list her credentials, tell you all about how she is worthy of help; tell you all the wonderful things she has done and continues to do for the Kingdom, however I will give all the Glory to that God of ours.

Knowing, He knows her, and He lives in you--

and you hear His voice.

Will you help her?

 

And you know what's amazing? I know you'll help. However, why not make it fun, right? So, here is the little twist-- out of all the people who take a bottle and fill it up, there will be a give-a-way. Yes! One of Katie's Ugandan necklaces. On October 7th, we will be drawing one name -- from the names of people who filled their bottle-- out of a hat and the winner will receive one of those beautiful handmade necklaces.

You know what else would be great? If three of Christy's friends {which I don't know her friends} did the same thing (found 15 friends to fill bottles) and we all had little bottles full of help coming her way-- are there friends who will do that? I'll take one of your bottles ;)

See, we're helping people all around! Together!

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27

So thankful for grace. 

I'll write more tomorrow, hopefully saying all 15 bottles have been spoken for!




{ Once you have told me you would like a bottle, I will deliver or mail it to you. You will fill it up within the next month with just spare change and then we will donate it to Christy and her families adoption process. Christy and her husband, Steve currently have two daughters and are praying for their little sweetie in Uganda to come quick! }

Meet Prisca.

Meet Prisca.
Her birth certificate indicates that she is 7 years old. Her father died of AIDS. Her mother wanted to re-marry, but her new husband would not accept Prisca, so her mother chose him over keeping her own daughter. Tribal custom now considers Prisca an orphan and leaves her to her father’s family. For over a year, Prisca has been passed around to members of her father’s family. She’s likely been abused, she’s clearly starving, and none of the father’s family will keep her for very long. The uncle that she is currently living with told us (in front of Prisca) that he has too many mouths to feed already and that she is only a burden to him.

Take a second to look at life from Prisca’s perspective: her mother is alive somewhere but she abandoned her, no other family members want anything to do with her, she’s slowly starving to death, stunted and malnourished. Prisca has eyes that speak of no hope and helpless. --Project Hope Worldwide

______________________________________________________________________________

When my friend Christy sends me a message today saying, "Thought you might be interested in learning about Prisca ;-)" My heart pounded a little harder, my eyes got all teary and I simply thought,

"I cannot keep her, read her books, make her peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or teach her how to ride a bike. I cannot sing silly songs, dance with her, or teach her ABC's. I cannot tuck her into bed at night, hold her through nightmares, or kiss her face when she wakes up each morning. I cannot turn a bad day good. So, I suppose sponsorship is the next best thing."

Maybe less or no TV channels, one less meal out, or maybe even a cheaper brand of toilet paper is worth helping her have a reason to smile? Taking time to write letters, share pictures, send little gifts, and draw pictures is worth it for her to know the love of a savior?

For her to know love.

Consider sponsoring your own little sweetie?  We've sponsored our Jonnah for six years now through World Vision and are now Using Project Hope Worldwide to sponsor Prisca. We recommend both as well as Compassion International.  

"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?  Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17

So thankful that Jesus of ours loved us not with [only] words or speech but with actions and truth.

 So, I sit here. I sit with my sweet little homeschool book, praying how to be a better momma to my littles, how to teach them, love them, serve them--honor Him. I sip my coffee.

Then, with just a click of a button I can sponsor a child and she becomes a member of our family? How amazing is this? Right there along Alli, Jordan, Judah, Emmyn, Jonnah, Ting, and now Prisca. We'll write her, she'll write us, and we will love her--wishing she was truly ours but knowing she is truly His and He has given us the opportunity to Love Her.

Love ,

We're Moving.

For those of you who know us at all... that title caught your eye, didn't it? =)

We started praying about it when we fell in love with Jesus, when he adopted us-- two very broken kids into His family. We surrendered our hearts fully to it on Thursday. And on Friday, God made some things quite clear and I smiled real big through my tears.

I don't know why this sister of mine has such a special place in my heart. I can count on one hand how many times we have seen each other face to face and held more than a five minute "real" conversation yet I feel like I've always known her.

While praying the other day for clarity beyond the yes,  that great big God of ours laid my sister, Christy, heavily on my heart; finally showing me how our hearts are so similar. He simply told me that morning, while driving my mini-van packed with kids singing silly songs in the back-- "This is why she is so special to you. Because I started her on this road before I started you."

And then! Then! That amazing God of ours used another sister, Ginny to confirm this that very day.

She had told me she couldn't wait to give me my birthday gift and she wanted to give it to me in person. It had been months since I had made the trip to her state to visit her and even this trip almost didn't happen. Looking back now, I know God had different plans. When she gave me the gift, I realized why I had made the trip. Why I had made the trip, that Friday. The Friday, after the Thursday we had surrendered. That Friday, the Friday He had spoken to my heart about my friend and our roads.

The picture. Taken by my friend Christy during her trip to Africa last year. She sold these prints as a fundraiser this summer for her trip back to Uganda. Ginny had bought me the picture.

And on the back, she simply writes:

"Kati When I saw this picture, I knew you needed it. Check out our African Sister joyfully doing her day's work-- providing for those she loves. It's a pretty big bundle she's got, but this girl even has enough spring in her step to turn around and offer a sassy, energetic smile. Totally Y-O-U."

And I cried. Of course, you know me. 

Two sisters, joyfully working in Uganda.

Uganda, the place Christy goes to serve.

Uganda, the place she is adopting from.

Uganda, the place our Katie loves, serves, and has surrendered her heart to. The place she has introduced us to and helped us fall in love with.

Uganda, the place Ting always told me to forget about and think more about Taiwan =)

Uganda.

So, when I ask that man of mine, all cute and giddy about our final surrender, "What country?" He simply says, "Of course, Africa."


So, we're moving. No, no, we're not becoming missionaries =) We're not moving away. We're moving forward. We're surrendering our hearts, finally, and choosing to Trust that Amazing God of ours and adopt. And we're praying it starts a chain reaction that we can't ever stop and our crazy house will be full to the brim with whoever God will bless us with.

Because He adopted us.

We don't know how we'll afford it, we don't know how long it will take, we don't know anything at all about what and where to start-- no more than our friends have shared and Google has searched but we know the character of our God--

and isn't that all we need to know?

I have accepted a position with my Hubby's company, providing financial services and education to families and small businesses. I have a lot of tests to pass and a lot of training to do but I have a purpose. 70% of my earnings will be going towards our adoption. This way, when doors open-- we can tip toe through them, scared and shaking,  having no idea what's beyond them but knowing we were obedient.

Luckily my job can be done mainly from home and when not at home, Daniel can be. So we'll tackle it all together-- this thing called life. We'll both teach the children, we'll both do our jobs, we'll both fold clothes, play games, do dishes, struggle through the mounds of paper work and budget all the costs together. All because God is so good.

So good, to take two very broken people, young and stupid, full of selfishness, and pride. Overwhelmed with guilt and bad decisions and made us new. He adopted us. Two unwanted people-- two people who didn't even want each other let alone want to surrender to Him. And you know what?

When He adopted us, He gave us life.

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
    this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
 God places the lonely in families;
    he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy..."
{Psalm 68: 5-6a NLT}

Please pray for us.

Pray for the one He will send us. Pray For God's will to be done in their lives. Remember Esther and Moses? They were both adopted.

"This man had a very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah, who was also called Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter." {Esther 2:7 NLT}

"Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, for she explained, "I lifted him out of the water." {Exodus 2:10 NLT}

We feel very strongly it will be Africa, we hope for a boy between three and four years old. We know, with the size of our house, they will only approve a boy since Judah is the only one who doesn't share a room. And when we asked each other what age, we both had the same idea, pre-school age. When I get to feeling all bad about having specifics-- I simply pray God's will be done above all.

Will you please pray for humbleness, direction, wisdom, and God's will to be done as we start this new journey? Will you also praise him? Praise him for our hearts finally surrendering and trusting Him with this decision.

What if we fail? Surrender.

Wholehearted Thanks,

I Have This Friend Who Loves Orphans and I'm going to help YOU help Her...

 

Isn't this is GREAT?! We Christians, we all love orphans! Right? I mean, after all, That is what makes us Christ followers, our love. And since Jesus talks specifically about those precious orphans and widows, I thought, oh... perfect! We can't all go, but we can all help! 

You see, this friend of mine, Christy, she has a little special place in my heart because I can see her heart is so big. =) We know Gram Wilma loves Christy's big heart... not to mention her new scale Christy bought her when she needed one so badly. 

Well, Christy is going on a mission trip to Uganda. Her second one in two years, yeah she's a little crazy in love with those orphans and she's working real hard to get there. 

 

She's pretty busy these days planning and organizing a big benifit dinner for Project Hope Worldwide called Kwero 2012 but in between that, homeschooling her girls, helping those little girls with their own mission work, Girly Me Missions , heading up a big homeschool co-op, being a very active support in her church, and just being a wife,  mom, and friend, she is also doing some pretty crafty stuff to earn her way back. 

While in Uganda last year, she took some fantastic photos of people close to her heart and shared some of their stories here; so did her husband when he went after her. She just can't wait to get back there to help so she is sharing some of that great Uganda story art with people like us ; ) 

check out this great work and then read further down, friends... I have a deal for you! 

"Sunflowers in Uganda"
8" x 10" - $30
11" x 14" - $34
12" x 16" - $36

Saving Tracy
8" x 10" - $30
11" x 14" - $34
12" x 16" - $36

"School Girls Living at Calo Me Lare"
8" x 10" - $30
11" x 14" - $34
12" x 16" - $36

"Friends"
8" x 10" - $30
11" x 14" - $34
12" x 16" - $36

"Walking to Market"
8" x 10" - $30
11" x 14" - $34
12" x 16" - $36

"Happiness Is"
8" x 10" - $30
11" x 14" - $34
12" x 16" - $36

Did I mention she is oh so crafty? Yes, I am buying this: (she can customize it to your style)

Magnetic & Cork Menu Board - suggested donation price: $40

"Happy Spring" Banner
$40
Wood backing
Black piece is a chalkboard
Chalk Marker - additional $2.50

Here's the deal... I'm cheap. Super cheap. Like I don't own a pair of black shoes, not.a.single.one because my last pair developed a hole in the sole and I am too cheap to buy new ones.

There are better things to spend my precious dollars on than another pair of shoes, like lonely widows and hurting orphans.   

Oh, don't get me wrong. With all this beautiful weather, I broke down and spent $1 on a pair of flip flops at the Dollar General last week. Yes, they already hurt my feet but they get the job done on a warm spring day =) And i am one for some soda in a refill cup at our local convenient store, oh man I'm a sucker for that...

But this is something I know... we are called to give and on our budget, it's shoes or people and I can't do both. 

But let's face it, it's real cool when you give and get cutsie little pictures and artsy-craftie (yes that is a word, i just made it up) stuff in return; not to mention you are making that sweet Jesus smile big, friends.

Oh, but wait! I want to make you smile too! For each you crazy blog readers who buy from Christy I am going to pay 10% of your total cost. And for you out of town people in the lands of MO, TN, TX, IL, MI (Bethany, i had to look that abbreviation up)  and whoever else I missed... I am going to ship your stuff to you for free. No, you don't get 10% off too, what do you think? I'm made of money?! HA! (Daniel don't kill me, I love you, you giver, you) I may have to hold on to your stuff for a week or two before I can ship it but shipped it will be! FOR FREE! BUT, you have to pay Christy when she finishes the work, she's trying to go to AFRICA here! =) 

Oh.my.goodness.this.is.too.much.fun 

and my fingers are on fire, I am typing so fast! 

Post this on your Facebook, email it, tell all your friends! Let's make this lady crazy busy! And yes, do it... or I'm going to feel like a total loser!  Hey, Mother's Day is coming! 

My goodness, if I don't stop now, I'm going to give away a kidney.

Don't eat out today, send her to Africa.

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you" James 1.27NLT

Bounding with crazy LOVE,




Just Christy's Life
Christy in Uganda

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