Ladies,
Many of you know my heart for adoption. I was once in foster care and it was a horrible experience. not only because I was removed from my mother which is traumatizing, but because I was placed with an abusive foster mother. I believe the Lord is placing it on many hearts and is raising up many Christian families to adopt these children. Please keep us in prayer as we are seeking to adopt a sibling set that is really on our hearts. There is a special sibling set of believing children that I'd love to ask prayer for and I am also hoping that you will forward this information to anyone who might be interested in adopting from foster care, also to the prayer warriors that you know. Many times God uses godly Christians to change the lives of the helpless forever. Did you know that Dave Thomas of Wendy's was adopted ?( I believe from foster care) He has a HUGE organization that gives free info and offers assistance for those considering fostering and or adopting. Anyhoo, this sibling set is available for adoption. There are 7 of them including a set of twins. They are in Oklahoma but it is possible to adopt them from any state. Did you know that when you adopt from foster care, the children get free medical and dental AND FREE EDUCATION at both college AND university? You get to experience the rewarding joy of loving a child and changing the course of their lives for the better. You get to add to your family! You would probably get assistance with foster care funds until the adoption is finalized and you may qualify to get Adoption Assistance Funds even after you adopt. (though obviously money shouldn't be THE reason. There are many unsavory characters that foster for money. ) I pray that these children would find a strong loving Christian home with people who truly love them and help them meet their full potential in Christ. (and that isn't doing it "just for the money." Here are the cute kiddos. They are SO precious. Please pray them into a good home. My heart breaks for them I can't imagine my children being separated from one another for any amount of time. :-) Please also let me know if any of you adopt them. Some amazing family will be abundantly blessed by these children! BeautyforAshes5@att.net or 4GodsGlory4@gmail.com Thank you, Bless you, Alida w4 Below at the end of this article is a link with info of another young teen that needs a home. A dispruption from Haiti, she lives in thge US, at her site you can find out about other disruptions which are in he US with kids from ukriane, Russia and other places you'd typically ghave to pay $30,000 to adopt a child from. Perhaps this would be a blessing for someone wanting international but that cannot afford it?
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 150000 children in ... www.davethomasfoundation.org North America's foster care systems waiting to be adopted. Created by Wendy's founder, Dave Thomas, who was adopted as a child, the Foundation leads signature national service programs and works to streamline the adoption process and make adoption more affordable for families. As the only foundation dedicated exclusively to foster care adoption, we are driven by Dave's simple value: Do what's best for the child. Read more...
http://photolisting.adoption.com/foster-adoption/children/edward-11747
Edward, & Demetreus , ( Both age 8) Darious , ( age 6) Daryonna , ( age 5) Dorian , ( age 4 ) Deja , ( age 3 ) Dejuana , ( age 2)
Edward, Age:8 Gender:M State:Oklahoma
Are you interested in a special, spectacular, sensational sibling group of 7? Well there is such a group whose names are Edward, Demetreus, Darious, Daryonna, Dorian, De'Ja, and Dejuana. These siblings are currently placed in separate foster homes (some together) but all desperately want to be placed together. Edward is the oldest of the bunch that has a lot of personality and a great smile. He enjoys drawing, school, his Bible, video games, and board games. He is an excellent eater and will eat just about anything. He could take better care of his possessions but has good follow through with his hygiene when reminded. Edward shows affection through hugs and does well with animals. He also does well in school with encouragement and guidance. Like most children Edward needs to be cared for with love and closeness and needs the reassurance that he is cared for.
DemetreusAge:8 Gender:M
These siblings are currently placed in separate foster homes (some together) but all desperately want to be placed together. Demetreus is next in line and is a very smart and inquisitive child. He is a fun loving child who enjoys his doctor’s books and wrestling toys. He enjoys pets and takes fair care of his possessions. He has very good eating habits, is very neat, and takes good care of his personal hygiene. Demetreus shows affection through hugs and kisses and loves attention and affection in return. Demetreus needs a family to provide structure and consistent supervision.
Darious Age:6
Darious follow’s up with a great deal of personality and a good attitude. He enjoys his Spiderman books, Batman toys, videos and his scooter. He is a very good eater and has no favorite foods. He has good personal hygiene and takes good care of his possessions for a child his age. Darious enjoys pets and shows his affection through hugs and kisses. He will also sit on the laps of his caregivers as a sign of affection. Darious loves people, loves to be hugged and kissed, and needs nurturing from his family.
Daryonna Age:5 Daryonna is the oldest girl who is known as a very nurturing child. She has high self- confidence and is very well mannered. She also loves to learn and keep busy. She is very prone to toys that she can try to figure out how they work. She enjoys books, play learning toys and painting. Daryonna has a desire to take dance in the future. She takes very good care of her personal hygiene, does not like to be dirty and does not like to get boo boo’s. She is a very good eater and loves animals. She shows affection through hugs, kisses, and verbal comments. Daryonna also has a good cooperation level. Daryonna loves attention and needs a family that can provide that for her.
Dorian Age:4 Dorian is the youngest of the boys who is very loveable and has a great memory. He loves trucks, books, and the movie “Cars.” He is currently learning how to clean up and often sings the clean up song when picking up his toys. He is beginning to be very inquisitive about food and about if certain things can be eaten. Dorian does well with pets and shows his affection through hugs and kisses. Dorian can be very active and does great playing by himself. Dorian needs a family to be very patient and affectionate.
Deja Age:3 De’ Ja is the next to the youngest child who is very intelligent and very easily entertained. De’Ja loves dolls and will play with any kind of doll. She also likes anything with buttons or any learning toy. Being inquisitive and intelligent, De’Ja likes to try to figure out how things work and will attempt to take things apart and put them back together again. She takes good care of her possessions and hygiene for her age. She also loves to eat her vegetables before her main meal. De’Ja loves animals and shows her affection to others through hugs and kisses. De’Ja has an appropriate cooperation level for her age but needs a lot of attention.
Dejuana Age:2 Dejuanna is the baby of the bunch. She is very independent, easily entertained, and has the ability to play by herself. At this point Dejuanna is more interested in learning how to walk than playing with toys. However when playing with toys, she will go after anything that her sister, De’Ja is playing with. Dejuaana has a good appetite, likes anything that she can feed herself, and also likes eating her vegetables before her main dinner. Dejuanna shows affection through hugs and kisses and also loves pets. She has an appropriate attention span for her age and needs a patient home, and time to warm up to new situations. http://photolisting.adoption.com/foster-adoption/children/dejuana-11753
HELP THESE KIDS FIND A HOME!!!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Disrupted Haitian adoption/beautiful girl!
http://www.achildswaiting.com/adoptive_parents/adoption_disruption/disruption_children.php I was checking out waiting children when I saw this precious beautiful gem! I saw this child and wanted to post it here. I am not on any other Haitian groups, so if you feel compelled, pass it on, or if you feel led, pray and see if she might be right for you family! Bless you, Alida w4
Brittany 's Profile http://www.achildswaiting.com/adoptive_parents/adoption_disruption/profiles/brittany.php « Back to Children Waiting
Brittany was born in Haiti on 3-12-93 and has been in the USA for 2 years. She was adopted along with her birth brother and a friend from the same orphanage. She maintains contact with her birth family in Haiti, which is important to her. Brittany continues to identify heavily with her Haitian culture and maintains her native language.
Brittany is in the 8 th grade in ESL and special education classes. She is significantly behind in her studies, primarily reading at a 2 nd grade level. Brittany struggles at times to remember what she learns. She has a hard time making friends and is shy. Brittany has low self-esteem and has problems with depression for which is medicated. At times, she can be oppositional when she feels depressed or bad about herself.
Brittany loves to cook and can style and braid hair in a very artistic manner. She needs a family that is willing to help her feel better about herself and will help her reach her potential academically. She is a sweet girl who needs a loving family that will commit to her to adulthood and beyond.
For more information please call 330-665-1811
May 21, 2008
We attended a Foster Care Prayer Vigil
I debated on whether or not to attend the Prayer Vigil and am glad that we did. I didn't know if kids were allowed but I am accustomed to schlepping my children with me EVERYWHERE, so we all went. For those that are curious, you can go to to set one up in your area, or this to know how to pray specifically for the needs of children.
We broke off into groups and prayed for one page at a time... so for 10 minutes we all took turns praying the workers, next was the families birth and foster ( that the Lord would raise up more and heal the broken ones, next was the children and all the issues that they face, the support that is needed, lastly was the church. ( that many would volunteer, pray, take action, and/or foster. That the church would step up and that church leaders would launch ministries for orphans and waiting children. Prayed that believers all over would be consumed with passion for the children in foster care (and orphans) and would make themselves available to how God would use them. Also to ask God what He would have US do in relation to the foster care system and the people it serves! There are MANY ways to volunteer or help out, including (but not limited too) fostering and adoption, Mentoring, gift giving..
We were able to pray for individual families and children in the system and those that aged out that are struggling. It was wonderful to hear the people pouring their hearts out on behalf of the hurting children and those aging out with no family. I wish the church would provide support for those that just need a mentor as they have already become adults. I pray that each hurting child would come to know the All sufficient One that can meet ALL OF THEIR NEEDS. SO many children, so many stories. It is overwhelming to me, but not to our Heavenly Father.
I was able to meet some really neat caring people. One precious man was so burdened for these children he prayed with such fervency & with tears before the Lord. It was beautiful. I spoke with him afterward and he shared that after he retired, he felt led to give back for all the he had been blessed with and mentored a couple of boys from YMCA. Afterward he felt led to start up a group called "All God's Children" that sets up children with mentors!(from his church) He just got paired with another boy and he sees it as mission work. He says it blesses him greatly! What a servant.
I met another gal who asked why I was there. I mentioned that I found them through familylife.com ( I LOVE focus on the family, Shaohannah's Hope and others are really starting a movement for the cause of the widow and the orphan!) Glory to God! I feel this is the beginning of something huge. May the Lord raise up mighty prayer warriors and those to mentor, volunteer or financially help these kids. If everyone steps up and does even a small part, MUCH can be done. Many hands make work light.
:-)
I shared with the gal my heart and how I myself have been in foster care and now we are adopting. She took my info and told me how blessed some of the youth would be to hear me come and speak about my experience. I am thrilled! I have such a burden for them. My own mother aged out not getting any support. This is how I ended up in the same system that she was raised in. We will see how God uses this. It is all in His hands to be lead by Him. I would love to give back all the support and encouragement that have received from all of you through the years. I'll keep you updated. Please pray for my children if you will. i know they are out there, I am not sure if they'll be the ones the Lord will bring to us. I think of them often and my heart swells with love when I think of them. I would love to call them my own but I wait on the Lord to reveal His plans for us. Love to you all. Alida
We broke off into groups and prayed for one page at a time... so for 10 minutes we all took turns praying the workers, next was the families birth and foster ( that the Lord would raise up more and heal the broken ones, next was the children and all the issues that they face, the support that is needed, lastly was the church. ( that many would volunteer, pray, take action, and/or foster. That the church would step up and that church leaders would launch ministries for orphans and waiting children. Prayed that believers all over would be consumed with passion for the children in foster care (and orphans) and would make themselves available to how God would use them. Also to ask God what He would have US do in relation to the foster care system and the people it serves! There are MANY ways to volunteer or help out, including (but not limited too) fostering and adoption, Mentoring, gift giving..
We were able to pray for individual families and children in the system and those that aged out that are struggling. It was wonderful to hear the people pouring their hearts out on behalf of the hurting children and those aging out with no family. I wish the church would provide support for those that just need a mentor as they have already become adults. I pray that each hurting child would come to know the All sufficient One that can meet ALL OF THEIR NEEDS. SO many children, so many stories. It is overwhelming to me, but not to our Heavenly Father.
I was able to meet some really neat caring people. One precious man was so burdened for these children he prayed with such fervency & with tears before the Lord. It was beautiful. I spoke with him afterward and he shared that after he retired, he felt led to give back for all the he had been blessed with and mentored a couple of boys from YMCA. Afterward he felt led to start up a group called "All God's Children" that sets up children with mentors!(from his church) He just got paired with another boy and he sees it as mission work. He says it blesses him greatly! What a servant.
I met another gal who asked why I was there. I mentioned that I found them through familylife.com ( I LOVE focus on the family, Shaohannah's Hope and others are really starting a movement for the cause of the widow and the orphan!) Glory to God! I feel this is the beginning of something huge. May the Lord raise up mighty prayer warriors and those to mentor, volunteer or financially help these kids. If everyone steps up and does even a small part, MUCH can be done. Many hands make work light.
:-)
I shared with the gal my heart and how I myself have been in foster care and now we are adopting. She took my info and told me how blessed some of the youth would be to hear me come and speak about my experience. I am thrilled! I have such a burden for them. My own mother aged out not getting any support. This is how I ended up in the same system that she was raised in. We will see how God uses this. It is all in His hands to be lead by Him. I would love to give back all the support and encouragement that have received from all of you through the years. I'll keep you updated. Please pray for my children if you will. i know they are out there, I am not sure if they'll be the ones the Lord will bring to us. I think of them often and my heart swells with love when I think of them. I would love to call them my own but I wait on the Lord to reveal His plans for us. Love to you all. Alida
OVERCOMERS! read these stories of those that survived fostercare!
Success Stories
Foster care is often referred to as a system. But the success of children and youth who enter and leave that system is largely dependent on the individuals, organizations and communities who dedicate their time and energy year-round to helping young people in need. Read the stories of several successful foster care alumni and find out more about people who are making a difference in the lives of youth currently in foster care.
If the links don't go through when you click on the name go to http://www.fostercaremonth.org/SuccessStories/PeopleMakingADifference/Pages/default.aspx
Alumni of Foster Care
A hip-hop fashion designer. An award-winning blues singer. An All-Pro NFL linebacker. An actress. A self-help guru. A music producer. An author. A filmmaker What do they have in common? They are all foster care alumni who credit their relationships with caring adults as making an important difference in their lives. Click below to read their inspiring stories of triumph.
Keith Bulluck
All Pro NFL Linebacker
Chris Eyre
Filmmaker
Kashif
R&B Producer/Musician and Recording Industry Entrepreneur
Regina Louise
Author
Janiva Magness
Award-Winning Blues Singer
Victoria Rowell
Actress/Author/Advocate
Tony Shellman
Hip-Hop Fashion Designer/Entrepreneur
Josh Shipp
Advice Guru/Author/Motivational Speaker
People Making a Difference
With guidance and support from nurturing adults, children and youth in foster care are capable of overcoming the repercussions of previous abuse and neglect. Everyone has the power to do something positive that will change a lifetime for a young person in foster care. Click below to learn more about some of the dedicated, caring people who are making a difference.
Keema Davis
Coordinator, “Wednesday’s Child” – NYC Children’s Services
Diane Dunk
Foster Parent
Judge Glenda A. Hatchett
Former Family Court Judge/National CASA Celebrity Advocate
Henrietta Jones
Foster Parent
Cindy and Rob Lopez
Foster Parents
Stephanie Lopez Cox
U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Star
Myra Murillo
Kinship Foster Parent
Mary Pat and Dan Rowland
Foster Parents
Judith Schagrin
Social Worker/Child Welfare Administrator
Maria and Domingo Sanchez
Foster Parents
Foster care is often referred to as a system. But the success of children and youth who enter and leave that system is largely dependent on the individuals, organizations and communities who dedicate their time and energy year-round to helping young people in need. Read the stories of several successful foster care alumni and find out more about people who are making a difference in the lives of youth currently in foster care.
If the links don't go through when you click on the name go to http://www.fostercaremonth.org/SuccessStories/PeopleMakingADifference/Pages/default.aspx
Alumni of Foster Care
A hip-hop fashion designer. An award-winning blues singer. An All-Pro NFL linebacker. An actress. A self-help guru. A music producer. An author. A filmmaker What do they have in common? They are all foster care alumni who credit their relationships with caring adults as making an important difference in their lives. Click below to read their inspiring stories of triumph.
Keith Bulluck
All Pro NFL Linebacker
Chris Eyre
Filmmaker
Kashif
R&B Producer/Musician and Recording Industry Entrepreneur
Regina Louise
Author
Janiva Magness
Award-Winning Blues Singer
Victoria Rowell
Actress/Author/Advocate
Tony Shellman
Hip-Hop Fashion Designer/Entrepreneur
Josh Shipp
Advice Guru/Author/Motivational Speaker
People Making a Difference
With guidance and support from nurturing adults, children and youth in foster care are capable of overcoming the repercussions of previous abuse and neglect. Everyone has the power to do something positive that will change a lifetime for a young person in foster care. Click below to learn more about some of the dedicated, caring people who are making a difference.
Keema Davis
Coordinator, “Wednesday’s Child” – NYC Children’s Services
Diane Dunk
Foster Parent
Judge Glenda A. Hatchett
Former Family Court Judge/National CASA Celebrity Advocate
Henrietta Jones
Foster Parent
Cindy and Rob Lopez
Foster Parents
Stephanie Lopez Cox
U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Star
Myra Murillo
Kinship Foster Parent
Mary Pat and Dan Rowland
Foster Parents
Judith Schagrin
Social Worker/Child Welfare Administrator
Maria and Domingo Sanchez
Foster Parents
Foster Care Prayer Vigil May 19-25, 2008
I just wanted to ask, if you can, please consider throughout this week, praying for the children in foster care. You can read more about it at this site. www.FosterCarePrayerVigil.org It doesn't take long but makes such a difference. I don't think I would be here today if it weren't for the many that MUST have been praying for me as I grew up in foster care. The children affect us all. Troubled children become troubled adults and that affects all levels of society! http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.4021495/ to find a vigil nearest you. Did you know 30 percent of our nations homeless were in foster care? On behalf on those without a voice trapped in fostercare, Thank you.
Foster Care Prayer Vigil
Many kids in foster care feel like they don’t have a prayer…
Let’s change that
This year, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife’s Hope for Orphans, and Shaohannah’s Hope are working together to sponsor the first National Foster Care Prayer Vigil. It will be held the week of May 19-25, 2008 in conjunction with National Foster Care Month.
Children come into the United States foster care system for various reasons, including neglect, abuse, abandonment, and substance abuse by their primary caretakers. These children are frequently placed with complete strangers and are then all too often forgotten by society. This time of unity and prayer among churches nationwide is intended to send a strong message that God has not forgotten these children and that the church can no longer stand silently on the sidelines. We recognize that not only do the children themselves need prayer, but so do the adults in their lives – their birth families, their foster families, and their social workers.
During the weeklong event, Christians will gather in churches in numerous cities across the nation to pray for the children and adults involved in the United States foster care system. We believe as followers of Christ nationwide join their voices and ask God to do mighty things for this nation’s foster children, He will be faithful to respond.
As the Lord continues to call our nation’s churches to join Him in ministry for hurting children, He wants us to remember the foster children in our own communities. We believe that prayer is the first step in seeing a revival among the church in its response to the needs of foster children. Local champions are poised and ready to lead the effort – we simply need to provide the tools and coordination for them to do so…and that is what we plan, with God’s grace, to do with the National Foster Care Prayer Vigil.
-Paul Pennington, Ex. Dir. of FamilyLife’s Hope for Orphans
Churches are encouraged to choose the night that works best for them and others in their city during the week of May 19-25. To make it as easy as possible, a Prayer Vigil Guide has been created that churches can use to help direct prayer times. You can download a free PDF by clicking here or order multiple copies here. For more information or to register a vigil in your city, visit www.FosterCarePrayerVigil.org.
Foster Care Prayer Vigil
Many kids in foster care feel like they don’t have a prayer…
Let’s change that
This year, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife’s Hope for Orphans, and Shaohannah’s Hope are working together to sponsor the first National Foster Care Prayer Vigil. It will be held the week of May 19-25, 2008 in conjunction with National Foster Care Month.
Children come into the United States foster care system for various reasons, including neglect, abuse, abandonment, and substance abuse by their primary caretakers. These children are frequently placed with complete strangers and are then all too often forgotten by society. This time of unity and prayer among churches nationwide is intended to send a strong message that God has not forgotten these children and that the church can no longer stand silently on the sidelines. We recognize that not only do the children themselves need prayer, but so do the adults in their lives – their birth families, their foster families, and their social workers.
During the weeklong event, Christians will gather in churches in numerous cities across the nation to pray for the children and adults involved in the United States foster care system. We believe as followers of Christ nationwide join their voices and ask God to do mighty things for this nation’s foster children, He will be faithful to respond.
As the Lord continues to call our nation’s churches to join Him in ministry for hurting children, He wants us to remember the foster children in our own communities. We believe that prayer is the first step in seeing a revival among the church in its response to the needs of foster children. Local champions are poised and ready to lead the effort – we simply need to provide the tools and coordination for them to do so…and that is what we plan, with God’s grace, to do with the National Foster Care Prayer Vigil.
-Paul Pennington, Ex. Dir. of FamilyLife’s Hope for Orphans
Churches are encouraged to choose the night that works best for them and others in their city during the week of May 19-25. To make it as easy as possible, a Prayer Vigil Guide has been created that churches can use to help direct prayer times. You can download a free PDF by clicking here or order multiple copies here. For more information or to register a vigil in your city, visit www.FosterCarePrayerVigil.org.
May 19, 2008
Rodriguez Family Mission Statement
Every family ought to have a FAMILY MISSION STATEMENT! I learned about making one from a neat parenting class at Rock Harbor Church! You can Google "FAMILY MISSION STATEMENT" and get ideas on how to make one, what it should include and read others. Here is ours! Put it up in a place where you can see it often. People will hold you accountable to what you say you stand for!( I consider that a good thing) Rodriguez Family Mission Statement
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are God honoring SPIRIT LED family. We vow to grow continually In Jesus, knowing Christ, and making Him known. We want to nurture our children to have a radical passionate faith and to have obedient, teachable, seeking hearts by setting the example. We home educate with the purpose of instilling God’s truth and a LIFELONG love for learning. We want a GRACE based joyful home where the Spirit of God is present and the Love of God and each other is overflowing! We are: (spirit led acronyms)
W alking in truth. Winning soul’s for Jesus, having a heart of Worship to our Lord.
E ternally minded. Fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
A ccountable to God. Allowing Christ to reign the headship of our home.
R ightly dividing the word of truth. We will study and be ready to give an
answer.
E quipping ourselves and our children by teaching our children God’s word precept upon Precept.
S ervants. We will be a family of service within our family and the world around
us. Set apart. We are holy, be not conformed to this world but transformed by the
renewing of our mind.
P raying for one another. Bearing one another’s burdens. As Christ Said. “My
house will be a house of prayer.
I nheritance. Our children undeserved unqualified blessings from God.
R ecognizing that unless the Lord builds the home, they labor in vain who build
it.
R eflecting LIGHT into every dark situation.
I nstilling honor, integrity. Righteous living by example.
T otally dependent on God. Teachable. Seeking Gods will and wisdom.
L IFE GIVING!Loving the Lord With all of our heart, soul, mind and strength
Loving one another with unconditional love. We are Lifelong Learners!
E difying and encouraging. Examining everything carefully in order to abstain
from evil while holding on to what is good
A ccepting. Always present, affirming one another.
D ependence on the provision and leading of our Lord. We are a discipling
family, holy and set apart for his purposes.
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY STAND FOR? CARE TO SHARE YOUR MISSION STATEMENT?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are God honoring SPIRIT LED family. We vow to grow continually In Jesus, knowing Christ, and making Him known. We want to nurture our children to have a radical passionate faith and to have obedient, teachable, seeking hearts by setting the example. We home educate with the purpose of instilling God’s truth and a LIFELONG love for learning. We want a GRACE based joyful home where the Spirit of God is present and the Love of God and each other is overflowing! We are: (spirit led acronyms)
W alking in truth. Winning soul’s for Jesus, having a heart of Worship to our Lord.
E ternally minded. Fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
A ccountable to God. Allowing Christ to reign the headship of our home.
R ightly dividing the word of truth. We will study and be ready to give an
answer.
E quipping ourselves and our children by teaching our children God’s word precept upon Precept.
S ervants. We will be a family of service within our family and the world around
us. Set apart. We are holy, be not conformed to this world but transformed by the
renewing of our mind.
P raying for one another. Bearing one another’s burdens. As Christ Said. “My
house will be a house of prayer.
I nheritance. Our children undeserved unqualified blessings from God.
R ecognizing that unless the Lord builds the home, they labor in vain who build
it.
R eflecting LIGHT into every dark situation.
I nstilling honor, integrity. Righteous living by example.
T otally dependent on God. Teachable. Seeking Gods will and wisdom.
L IFE GIVING!Loving the Lord With all of our heart, soul, mind and strength
Loving one another with unconditional love. We are Lifelong Learners!
E difying and encouraging. Examining everything carefully in order to abstain
from evil while holding on to what is good
A ccepting. Always present, affirming one another.
D ependence on the provision and leading of our Lord. We are a discipling
family, holy and set apart for his purposes.
WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY STAND FOR? CARE TO SHARE YOUR MISSION STATEMENT?
Waiting on the Lord
We are still waiting for fingerprints to come back to begin foster parenting/adoption classes. I have stopped checking the site constantly to see if "our" children are still available. I know that what God has for us is for us! I am faithful that just as he knit my biological children together in my womb, He will knit the right children into our family, hearts and home.
We don't know the ages, ethnicity's or temperaments of the children best for us because I recognize that man looks on the outward and God looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)For now we see in a mirror dimly, Now what I know is incomplete, but then I will know fully. (1 Cor 13:12) It is funny how often we think we want something a certain way only to be blessed beyond measure with something totally different. (often it is a pleasant surprise) Other times we desperately want things and get them to discover we don't really need it at all. I used to want a home full of daughters. Now I love having our home bursting with boys. This is why we are trust God to plan our family. I don't want to lean on our own understanding thinking I know what best for my life and family. The truth is, we don't now WHAT we want, we only THINK we know! We humans are so fickle and shallow and finite, yet God sees the bigger picture in all things.
Lord I give it all to you and lay it at your feet. I trust that you have put this desire in our hearts to love and care for those precious to you. I pray that He is preparing our children's hearts toward us even as we wait. That they will receive our love and family readily. I pray so many good things for them and love them even though we don't know and have never seen or held them. Protect our children from harm and comfort them as they wait for their forever family. In Jesus name
CAN YOU THINK OF A TIME THAT GOD GAVE YOU SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT YOU WANTED ORIGINALLY? CARE TO SHARE?
It is better to be faithful than famous.-- Theodore Roosevelt
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand (Psalm 37:23-24, NASB).
*"Life goes better when we know how to glance at things but gaze at God. Seeing Him clearly will enable us to see all other things clearly." ~Selwyn Huges
"The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man."
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."- Eleanor Roosevelt
We don't know the ages, ethnicity's or temperaments of the children best for us because I recognize that man looks on the outward and God looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)For now we see in a mirror dimly, Now what I know is incomplete, but then I will know fully. (1 Cor 13:12) It is funny how often we think we want something a certain way only to be blessed beyond measure with something totally different. (often it is a pleasant surprise) Other times we desperately want things and get them to discover we don't really need it at all. I used to want a home full of daughters. Now I love having our home bursting with boys. This is why we are trust God to plan our family. I don't want to lean on our own understanding thinking I know what best for my life and family. The truth is, we don't now WHAT we want, we only THINK we know! We humans are so fickle and shallow and finite, yet God sees the bigger picture in all things.
Lord I give it all to you and lay it at your feet. I trust that you have put this desire in our hearts to love and care for those precious to you. I pray that He is preparing our children's hearts toward us even as we wait. That they will receive our love and family readily. I pray so many good things for them and love them even though we don't know and have never seen or held them. Protect our children from harm and comfort them as they wait for their forever family. In Jesus name
CAN YOU THINK OF A TIME THAT GOD GAVE YOU SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT YOU WANTED ORIGINALLY? CARE TO SHARE?
It is better to be faithful than famous.-- Theodore Roosevelt
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand (Psalm 37:23-24, NASB).
*"Life goes better when we know how to glance at things but gaze at God. Seeing Him clearly will enable us to see all other things clearly." ~Selwyn Huges
"The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man."
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."- Eleanor Roosevelt
May 14, 2008
Our dream vehicle (IS A BUS!! :-) )
To answer some of the questions...
YES you are correct there are FOUR children. Which means I'd become Alida w8, and We'd become the Rodriguez Family 10! Can you imagine? I can and it sounds WONDERFUL!
NO, I have not completely lost my mind. YES, I KNOW it will be hard, yes I KNOW these children will come with problems and baggage and hurt! I also believe that God doesn't called the equipped, he equips the CALLED. I believe He wants to give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."—Isaiah 61:3.
I believe that God wants to setteth the solitary in families or (as New American Standard Bible says, God makes a home for the lonely) Psalm 68:6 I want to be apart of God's plan to restore broken hurting hearts, and to train up these precious children to meet their full potential in Christ! May He redeem the years that the locusts have eaten.
BTW, Let us not forget I myself was a fosterkid. Who better to understand what these children are dealing with but I? :-)God is doing a new thing with our family! Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. "
God desires that each child should be raised and nurtured in a family. He is calling us to reflect His likeness and His ways. I believe God is calling the church to lay down their comforts and agendas and to look after those that are so precious to Him. I love this new trend of Christians stepping out in faith and welcoming orphans into their hearts and homes!
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." We want to be apart of the Lords work and what He is doing.
OK, so now you know my heart... Now for the practical side of things, pictured, is a really neat bus that I would like. It is called a turtle top. Oh a girl can dream! Alida ;-)
Our Adoption Journey/needing a larger mode of transportation
OK,
Some of you have asked WHY we are upgrading to a 12 or larger passenger vehicle. Well.... We were going to wait to announce it, but figured we might as well share... We have now BEGUN the paperchase hustle. :-) For those of you unsure about this adoption lingo... We are prayerfully going to attempt to adopt a precious sibling set from foster care. I have poured my heart out before the Lord many times asking Him to glorify Himself through our family. We long to take up the cause of the the widow and the orphan and to reflect His light and glory into dark situations. One of the ways we hope to accomplish that is by providing a home to those in need. We can not help ALL of the over 100,000 children languishing in foster care, but we can bless a few. A Jewish Proverb says “He who saves one life, saves the world entire.”
A love the verse from Ghandi, "Be the change you want to see in the world! "
We will start the CPR certification, the foster care and fost/adopt classes shortly. We may or may not get to adopt these children but here is how it started. We met with a wonderful adoptive couple from Saddleback (which BTW has a HUGE orphan outreach movement going on!) We were invited to their home and they shared the pros and cons of each type of adoption (private, domestic, foster to adopt and international) and shared their story. We walked away encouraged and feel that for the moment fost/adopt is the way to go.
After praying to the Lord asking Him to send us the children meant for our family I felt moved to go online and typed up "waiting children." Lo and behold I found a set that seem to fit us perfectly. There are four children. The oldest being the same age as our boys, another being close to the age of our daughter and another close to Josiah's age. ( and another kiddo thrown in for good measure.:-)
I prayed about it and excitedly printed it out. I woke my husband up and told him that I found our children. He looked at me almost delirious from his comatose sleep and eyed each photo of the children nodded and went back to sleep! ;-)He was a bit surprised at how MANY of them there were (he was thinking more along the lines of one or two) be but loves the idea of a home full of children. It is so sweet to hear him speak about bringing them into our family. When I homeschool my boys I think of how the oldest would LOVE the lessons we are doing. ( I can't WAIT to help him get caught up academically! It will be so fun) When I fold my daughters clothes I think of how cute it will look on the little girl. A while back I brought these 4 baby gap African jumpers with the intent of sending one to a friend, believing in faith that God would bless us with children to fit them. ;-) Pray for us! May the Lord go before us and give us the children that He has for US. (whatever THAT looks like. I have no clue. ) Thank you for your love, support and prayers, may His will be done. Alida
Some of you have asked WHY we are upgrading to a 12 or larger passenger vehicle. Well.... We were going to wait to announce it, but figured we might as well share... We have now BEGUN the paperchase hustle. :-) For those of you unsure about this adoption lingo... We are prayerfully going to attempt to adopt a precious sibling set from foster care. I have poured my heart out before the Lord many times asking Him to glorify Himself through our family. We long to take up the cause of the the widow and the orphan and to reflect His light and glory into dark situations. One of the ways we hope to accomplish that is by providing a home to those in need. We can not help ALL of the over 100,000 children languishing in foster care, but we can bless a few. A Jewish Proverb says “He who saves one life, saves the world entire.”
A love the verse from Ghandi, "Be the change you want to see in the world! "
We will start the CPR certification, the foster care and fost/adopt classes shortly. We may or may not get to adopt these children but here is how it started. We met with a wonderful adoptive couple from Saddleback (which BTW has a HUGE orphan outreach movement going on!) We were invited to their home and they shared the pros and cons of each type of adoption (private, domestic, foster to adopt and international) and shared their story. We walked away encouraged and feel that for the moment fost/adopt is the way to go.
After praying to the Lord asking Him to send us the children meant for our family I felt moved to go online and typed up "waiting children." Lo and behold I found a set that seem to fit us perfectly. There are four children. The oldest being the same age as our boys, another being close to the age of our daughter and another close to Josiah's age. ( and another kiddo thrown in for good measure.:-)
I prayed about it and excitedly printed it out. I woke my husband up and told him that I found our children. He looked at me almost delirious from his comatose sleep and eyed each photo of the children nodded and went back to sleep! ;-)He was a bit surprised at how MANY of them there were (he was thinking more along the lines of one or two) be but loves the idea of a home full of children. It is so sweet to hear him speak about bringing them into our family. When I homeschool my boys I think of how the oldest would LOVE the lessons we are doing. ( I can't WAIT to help him get caught up academically! It will be so fun) When I fold my daughters clothes I think of how cute it will look on the little girl. A while back I brought these 4 baby gap African jumpers with the intent of sending one to a friend, believing in faith that God would bless us with children to fit them. ;-) Pray for us! May the Lord go before us and give us the children that He has for US. (whatever THAT looks like. I have no clue. ) Thank you for your love, support and prayers, may His will be done. Alida
May 10, 2008
FOX NEWS COVERS AFRICAN AMERICAN ABORTION CONTROVERSY
WASHINGTON — The Planned Parenthood Federation of America has perpetuated a “genocide on the black community,” says a group of African-American pastors who claimed Thursday the birth control and abortion provider has had a racist agenda since its beginnings in 1921.
Holding a brief vigil and press conference in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Washington, D.C., the group of pastors and activists said they were incensed by the results of recent “undercover” inquiries into several Planned Parenthood clinics across the country.
“Every day … over 1,500 black babies are murdered inside the black woman’s womb,” said Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, of Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny (BOND). “This is a race issue.”
The pastors urged Congress to initiate an audit of the organization and have written letters demanding that money for Planned Parenthood be eliminated from federal Title X funding, of which the group got $65 million for fiscal year 2007, according to pro-life Concerned Women of America. In total, Planned Parenthood received $300 million in government contracts and grants in the current fiscal year.
The national office of Planned Parenthood provided FOX News with a lengthy statement on Thursday in which it said its role in the African-American community is widespread because the need is greater.
“The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) revealed that a shocking number of teenage African-American girls — nearly half — carry a sexually transmitted infection," reads the statement. "This compares to an overall average rate for all teenage girls of at least one in four.
“The largest increases in the teen birthrate were reported for non-Hispanic black teens, whose overall rate rose five percent in 2006. In addition, African-American women are more likely to die of breast cancer than the general population,” it said.
But an investigation, undertaken by students at the University of California at Los Angeles newspaper, The Advocate, revealed troubling responses from Planned Parenthood staffers when asked by an actor, posing as a “donor,” if he could earmark his contribution for abortions for “black babies” only.
In one example, Autumn Kersey, vice president for marketing at Planned Parenthood of Idaho, is asked whether a donation can be specified “to help a minority group … like the black community, for example.”
“Certainly,” Kersey says in a taped response in which she sounds genuinely encouraged by the offer. “If you wanted to designate that your gift be used to help an African-American woman in need, then we would certainly make sure the gift as earmarked for that purpose.”
The caller responds: “Great, because I really faced trouble with affirmative action, and I don’t want my kids to be disadvantaged against black kids. I just had a baby; I want to put it in his name.”
Kersey responds, “Absolutely.”
The "donor" proceeds to proclaim that “the less black kids out there the better,” followed by, “understandable, understandable,” by Kersey, who laughed as if he were joking.
“Excuse my hesitation, this is the first time that I’ve had a donor call and make this kind of request, so I’m excited and want to make sure I don’t leave anything out,” she is recorded saying.
Kersey's and other statements were culled from calls to Planned Parenthood clinics in six states. In each, the staff person answering the call expressed an interest in taking the donations despite the caller’s overtly racist commentary.
That is part of a troubling trend, say critics, who accuse Planned Parenthood of targeting minority neighborhoods. They blame the institution for a disproportionate rate of abortions among black women.
“I think the media, and I think America, and certainly black folks, need to start thinking about race and Planned Parenthood, said Rev. Clenard Childress, who raised the question, not for the first time, about Planned Parenthood’s founder, Margaret Sanger, who died over 40 years ago at the age of 86.
Sanger, a pioneering advocate for universal access to birth control for women, was also a proponent of “eugenics,” a philosophy that advocates social intervention, like birth control and abortion, for "improving" the hereditary traits of the human race. According to biographies written about Sanger, who was the sixth child of 11 eleven born to a rigid Catholic family in upstate New York, her support for this practice was focused on the “unfit” and the poor — slum dwellers — as they were called at the time, by making contraceptives more available there.
Over the years, comments made by Sanger about reproduction among the poor and minorities have led to her reputation as a racist and a belief that she wanted to “weed” out blacks from society. Planned Parenthood has disputed that caricature and has pointed out her supporters in the black community, including Martin Luther King Jr., and W.E.B DuBois. Nevertheless, Childress and others repeatedly invoked her name as a major force behind a century-long “genocide” on the black community.
According to a report released by the group of Students for Life America on Tuesday, black women are 4.8 times more likely to have an abortion than white women, while the black population in the U.S. is in decline. Black women account for 36 percent of those having abortions in the U.S. today, according to group, while black children make up 17 percent of live births.
“Contrary to the public’s belief that Planned Parenthood is helpful and supportive of family planning and the health of the mother and child, recent news and research show that the roots of its foundation have continued to give birth to continual hatred and disdain for minorities that its founder saw as 'unfit,'” the group says in its report.
In its response, Planned Parenthood emphasized that 97 percent of its services are focused on providing contraceptives, breast and cervical cancer screenings and sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment — not abortions.
“Those services are more important than ever as this country faces a health care crisis — too many women can't afford birth control, too many families don’t have adequate health insurance coverage and too many young people are faced with unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections,” the organization said. “As a safety-net provider, it is Planned Parenthood's mission to provide women, men and teens with affordable access to reproductive health care services and information, regardless of income.”
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood of Idaho apologized in February for the comments made by its staff during the UCLA student investigation.
“A fundraising employee violated the organization’s principles and practices when she appeared to be willing to accept a racially motivated donation,” said the Idaho-based organization told the Idaho Statesman. “We apologize for the manner in which this offensive call was handled. We take full responsibility for the actions of the fundraising staff member who created the impression that racism of any form would be tolerated at Planned Parenthood. We took swift action to ensure that each of our employees understands their responsibility to communicate clearly with donors about the fact that we believe in helping all individuals, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation, make informed decisions about their reproductive health care.”
That's not enough for Lilly Epps, an activist who joined the pastors in denouncing Planned Parenthood on Thursday. She said she was 26 years old when she got an abortion in the clinic used to stage the protest. She said the day has come to get “the truth” out about Planned Parenthood and what it is doing her community.
“I am a mad black woman,” she said. “Words cannot say how angry I am, how ignorant I was. But I thank God I came to the truth.”
Holding a brief vigil and press conference in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Washington, D.C., the group of pastors and activists said they were incensed by the results of recent “undercover” inquiries into several Planned Parenthood clinics across the country.
“Every day … over 1,500 black babies are murdered inside the black woman’s womb,” said Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, of Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny (BOND). “This is a race issue.”
The pastors urged Congress to initiate an audit of the organization and have written letters demanding that money for Planned Parenthood be eliminated from federal Title X funding, of which the group got $65 million for fiscal year 2007, according to pro-life Concerned Women of America. In total, Planned Parenthood received $300 million in government contracts and grants in the current fiscal year.
The national office of Planned Parenthood provided FOX News with a lengthy statement on Thursday in which it said its role in the African-American community is widespread because the need is greater.
“The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) revealed that a shocking number of teenage African-American girls — nearly half — carry a sexually transmitted infection," reads the statement. "This compares to an overall average rate for all teenage girls of at least one in four.
“The largest increases in the teen birthrate were reported for non-Hispanic black teens, whose overall rate rose five percent in 2006. In addition, African-American women are more likely to die of breast cancer than the general population,” it said.
But an investigation, undertaken by students at the University of California at Los Angeles newspaper, The Advocate, revealed troubling responses from Planned Parenthood staffers when asked by an actor, posing as a “donor,” if he could earmark his contribution for abortions for “black babies” only.
In one example, Autumn Kersey, vice president for marketing at Planned Parenthood of Idaho, is asked whether a donation can be specified “to help a minority group … like the black community, for example.”
“Certainly,” Kersey says in a taped response in which she sounds genuinely encouraged by the offer. “If you wanted to designate that your gift be used to help an African-American woman in need, then we would certainly make sure the gift as earmarked for that purpose.”
The caller responds: “Great, because I really faced trouble with affirmative action, and I don’t want my kids to be disadvantaged against black kids. I just had a baby; I want to put it in his name.”
Kersey responds, “Absolutely.”
The "donor" proceeds to proclaim that “the less black kids out there the better,” followed by, “understandable, understandable,” by Kersey, who laughed as if he were joking.
“Excuse my hesitation, this is the first time that I’ve had a donor call and make this kind of request, so I’m excited and want to make sure I don’t leave anything out,” she is recorded saying.
Kersey's and other statements were culled from calls to Planned Parenthood clinics in six states. In each, the staff person answering the call expressed an interest in taking the donations despite the caller’s overtly racist commentary.
That is part of a troubling trend, say critics, who accuse Planned Parenthood of targeting minority neighborhoods. They blame the institution for a disproportionate rate of abortions among black women.
“I think the media, and I think America, and certainly black folks, need to start thinking about race and Planned Parenthood, said Rev. Clenard Childress, who raised the question, not for the first time, about Planned Parenthood’s founder, Margaret Sanger, who died over 40 years ago at the age of 86.
Sanger, a pioneering advocate for universal access to birth control for women, was also a proponent of “eugenics,” a philosophy that advocates social intervention, like birth control and abortion, for "improving" the hereditary traits of the human race. According to biographies written about Sanger, who was the sixth child of 11 eleven born to a rigid Catholic family in upstate New York, her support for this practice was focused on the “unfit” and the poor — slum dwellers — as they were called at the time, by making contraceptives more available there.
Over the years, comments made by Sanger about reproduction among the poor and minorities have led to her reputation as a racist and a belief that she wanted to “weed” out blacks from society. Planned Parenthood has disputed that caricature and has pointed out her supporters in the black community, including Martin Luther King Jr., and W.E.B DuBois. Nevertheless, Childress and others repeatedly invoked her name as a major force behind a century-long “genocide” on the black community.
According to a report released by the group of Students for Life America on Tuesday, black women are 4.8 times more likely to have an abortion than white women, while the black population in the U.S. is in decline. Black women account for 36 percent of those having abortions in the U.S. today, according to group, while black children make up 17 percent of live births.
“Contrary to the public’s belief that Planned Parenthood is helpful and supportive of family planning and the health of the mother and child, recent news and research show that the roots of its foundation have continued to give birth to continual hatred and disdain for minorities that its founder saw as 'unfit,'” the group says in its report.
In its response, Planned Parenthood emphasized that 97 percent of its services are focused on providing contraceptives, breast and cervical cancer screenings and sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment — not abortions.
“Those services are more important than ever as this country faces a health care crisis — too many women can't afford birth control, too many families don’t have adequate health insurance coverage and too many young people are faced with unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections,” the organization said. “As a safety-net provider, it is Planned Parenthood's mission to provide women, men and teens with affordable access to reproductive health care services and information, regardless of income.”
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood of Idaho apologized in February for the comments made by its staff during the UCLA student investigation.
“A fundraising employee violated the organization’s principles and practices when she appeared to be willing to accept a racially motivated donation,” said the Idaho-based organization told the Idaho Statesman. “We apologize for the manner in which this offensive call was handled. We take full responsibility for the actions of the fundraising staff member who created the impression that racism of any form would be tolerated at Planned Parenthood. We took swift action to ensure that each of our employees understands their responsibility to communicate clearly with donors about the fact that we believe in helping all individuals, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation, make informed decisions about their reproductive health care.”
That's not enough for Lilly Epps, an activist who joined the pastors in denouncing Planned Parenthood on Thursday. She said she was 26 years old when she got an abortion in the clinic used to stage the protest. She said the day has come to get “the truth” out about Planned Parenthood and what it is doing her community.
“I am a mad black woman,” she said. “Words cannot say how angry I am, how ignorant I was. But I thank God I came to the truth.”
Why we homeschool...
tHIS IS INTERESTING! Anyone thinking about sending their children to school next yr? Apparently this is the time of yr when many people decide to do that. Maybe that is why God is giving me this post...
As most of you know, my four children have been in school since January. It is a very small, private Catholic school. It is probably one of the best schools available when you consider everything (academics, class size, student behavior, etc.). But it is still school.
Here is what you can expect if you send your children to school:
The school will love your children simply because they are well-behaved. Expect your children to be one yr ahead if it is private school, two yrs ahead if it is public school.
You will be judged for your children's academic success. If your child breezes through with straight A's, they will compliment you. If your child is behind the class in learning sight words, you will be looked upon with disdain. If your child has learning disabilities you will cause resentment for making their job harder at the same time they conjecture that you made the LD's worse by keeping them at home. You will be expected to own up to either your great teaching skills or your lack of teaching skills instead of saying, "That is how God made them; we are just following His lead and doing the best we can."
Your children will get sick every week. You will be amazed at the number and variety of new illnesses that enter your home. Your children will not get as sick as the others, but if you have three or more, you can expect to have a child home sick every week in the winter.
You will learn to dread the morning Sick Evaluation. This is where you have to determine who is sick enough to stay home. You will have to discern which children are faking it. You will eventually make a mistake and send a sick child to school. That will cause you pain because your child will feel like she cannot trust you to care for her.
And you will get every single sickness that they bring home. Every single one. A job outside the home might not have enough sick days to support this lifestyle.
If your child is outgoing and friendly, then it is because "school is really helping him to open up." If your child is shy and quiet, then it is because homeschooling made her that way.
You will learn to feel the vibe from the teachers and school officials to easily discern how they feel about homeschoolers. On one hand you'll have teachers asking you for curriculum advice; on the other hand you'll have teachers dismissing any knowledge that you have about schooling. Some teachers will try to teach you lessons, like "Giving up Control".
Your children will notice their appearances and make changes. These changes might involve scissors and razors and beauty products. There will be much thought given to clothing, even if they wear uniforms.
Your children will learn new things that you wish they didn't know. You will become adept at defining interesting words at a second's notice, usually in the car. ("It means a female dog, and..."; "It means that someone likes the way you look and really wants to marry you.") You will be kept busy with letting them know that words like "dumb-butt" are not to be spoken in your house.
You will be playing catch-up. Your children will do things and you'll learn about them afterwards. You'll scramble to find out information and deal with it.
You will be going to the store about three times per week to get something that they need. You will have to do doc/dentist/etc appointments after school hours when everyone is tired and cranky.
Your grade school aged children will only learn American History.
If you have to help with homework, you might want to keep your homeschooling curriculum handy, especially the math and grammar books.
One of your children might fall in with the bad crowd, where the conversations revolve around that intimate thing that married people do. If you are lucky, the bad crowd (which is frequently the mean crowd) will kick your child out and she can find some nice friends.
Your children will be tired and hungry after school. If they are quiet by nature, they'll need time alone. If they are very social, plan to spend the rest of the day listening to them and doing things with them. The social child doesn't get enough talking/doing in school, and the quiet child doesn't get enough peace and quiet.
Expect your children to need an earlier bedtime and more sleep.
There will be many hidden costs, such as school supplies and clothing.
You will notice a change in your house. It will stay clean. If you have boys you might even walk into the bathroom and wonder if they are stilling living at home.
You will notice your children becoming less active. They will be content to laze about even when good weather and God's gorgeous creation call them outside.
Well, I think that's it.
As most of you know, my four children have been in school since January. It is a very small, private Catholic school. It is probably one of the best schools available when you consider everything (academics, class size, student behavior, etc.). But it is still school.
Here is what you can expect if you send your children to school:
The school will love your children simply because they are well-behaved. Expect your children to be one yr ahead if it is private school, two yrs ahead if it is public school.
You will be judged for your children's academic success. If your child breezes through with straight A's, they will compliment you. If your child is behind the class in learning sight words, you will be looked upon with disdain. If your child has learning disabilities you will cause resentment for making their job harder at the same time they conjecture that you made the LD's worse by keeping them at home. You will be expected to own up to either your great teaching skills or your lack of teaching skills instead of saying, "That is how God made them; we are just following His lead and doing the best we can."
Your children will get sick every week. You will be amazed at the number and variety of new illnesses that enter your home. Your children will not get as sick as the others, but if you have three or more, you can expect to have a child home sick every week in the winter.
You will learn to dread the morning Sick Evaluation. This is where you have to determine who is sick enough to stay home. You will have to discern which children are faking it. You will eventually make a mistake and send a sick child to school. That will cause you pain because your child will feel like she cannot trust you to care for her.
And you will get every single sickness that they bring home. Every single one. A job outside the home might not have enough sick days to support this lifestyle.
If your child is outgoing and friendly, then it is because "school is really helping him to open up." If your child is shy and quiet, then it is because homeschooling made her that way.
You will learn to feel the vibe from the teachers and school officials to easily discern how they feel about homeschoolers. On one hand you'll have teachers asking you for curriculum advice; on the other hand you'll have teachers dismissing any knowledge that you have about schooling. Some teachers will try to teach you lessons, like "Giving up Control".
Your children will notice their appearances and make changes. These changes might involve scissors and razors and beauty products. There will be much thought given to clothing, even if they wear uniforms.
Your children will learn new things that you wish they didn't know. You will become adept at defining interesting words at a second's notice, usually in the car. ("It means a female dog, and..."; "It means that someone likes the way you look and really wants to marry you.") You will be kept busy with letting them know that words like "dumb-butt" are not to be spoken in your house.
You will be playing catch-up. Your children will do things and you'll learn about them afterwards. You'll scramble to find out information and deal with it.
You will be going to the store about three times per week to get something that they need. You will have to do doc/dentist/etc appointments after school hours when everyone is tired and cranky.
Your grade school aged children will only learn American History.
If you have to help with homework, you might want to keep your homeschooling curriculum handy, especially the math and grammar books.
One of your children might fall in with the bad crowd, where the conversations revolve around that intimate thing that married people do. If you are lucky, the bad crowd (which is frequently the mean crowd) will kick your child out and she can find some nice friends.
Your children will be tired and hungry after school. If they are quiet by nature, they'll need time alone. If they are very social, plan to spend the rest of the day listening to them and doing things with them. The social child doesn't get enough talking/doing in school, and the quiet child doesn't get enough peace and quiet.
Expect your children to need an earlier bedtime and more sleep.
There will be many hidden costs, such as school supplies and clothing.
You will notice a change in your house. It will stay clean. If you have boys you might even walk into the bathroom and wonder if they are stilling living at home.
You will notice your children becoming less active. They will be content to laze about even when good weather and God's gorgeous creation call them outside.
Well, I think that's it.
May 9, 2008
Neat Quotes
I have always believed that the Lord would not call us into the ministry of parenting only to call us away from the children to minister elsewhere.
This pertains particularly to small children and for extended amounts of hours. My husband and children's needs must come first. If I forsake them, I have forsaken my most important ministry of all. ~Sue Christy (mentor, leader and mama to 7)
"It's never to late to be what you might have been."-george eliott
Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small."
We can love the world, or love God. If we love the world, there will be no room in our heart for the love of God. We cannot love both God, who is eternal, and the world, which is transitory. -- St. Augustine of Hippo
Hold everything earthly with a loose hand. -- Charles H. Spurgeon
A sensible thanksgiving for mercies received is a mighty prayer in
the Spirit of God. It prevails with Him unspeakably.--John Bunyan
"Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting."
~ Author Unknown ~
You say, "If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied." You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.~Charles Haddon Spurgeon
"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
God who never gives up on us. He is not impatient, but long-suffering and committed to seeing His Son formed us, even when it seems impossible to us in the natural. Jenny G
If thou art willing to suffer no adversity, how wilt thou be the
friend of Christ? --Thomas à Kempis
Better to be occasionally cheated than perpetually suspicious.-Unknown
The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem to be much worse, but in the end it's going to be a lot better and a lot bigger. --Elisabeth Elliot
Try to please everybody, you won’t please anybody.
There is no time for nonsense fun and games, there is a dying world out there. If we don't teach them Jesus is real at a very young age, the enemy will teach them He isn't. I want my children to be a "consuming fire" not a little light. Penny Raine
This pertains particularly to small children and for extended amounts of hours. My husband and children's needs must come first. If I forsake them, I have forsaken my most important ministry of all. ~Sue Christy (mentor, leader and mama to 7)
"It's never to late to be what you might have been."-george eliott
Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small."
We can love the world, or love God. If we love the world, there will be no room in our heart for the love of God. We cannot love both God, who is eternal, and the world, which is transitory. -- St. Augustine of Hippo
Hold everything earthly with a loose hand. -- Charles H. Spurgeon
A sensible thanksgiving for mercies received is a mighty prayer in
the Spirit of God. It prevails with Him unspeakably.--John Bunyan
"Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting."
~ Author Unknown ~
You say, "If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied." You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.~Charles Haddon Spurgeon
"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
God who never gives up on us. He is not impatient, but long-suffering and committed to seeing His Son formed us, even when it seems impossible to us in the natural. Jenny G
If thou art willing to suffer no adversity, how wilt thou be the
friend of Christ? --Thomas à Kempis
Better to be occasionally cheated than perpetually suspicious.-Unknown
The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem to be much worse, but in the end it's going to be a lot better and a lot bigger. --Elisabeth Elliot
Try to please everybody, you won’t please anybody.
There is no time for nonsense fun and games, there is a dying world out there. If we don't teach them Jesus is real at a very young age, the enemy will teach them He isn't. I want my children to be a "consuming fire" not a little light. Penny Raine
May 7, 2008
History of Foster Care in the United States
History of Foster Care in the United States
Some of the earliest documentation of children being cared for in foster homes can be found in the Old Testament and in the Talmud. These references establish caring for dependent children as a duty under law. Early Christian church records also show children were boarded with "worthy widows" who were paid by collections from the congregation.
It was English Poor Law, however, that lead to development and eventual regulation of family foster care in the United States. In 1562, these laws allowed the placement of poor children into indentured service until they came of age. This practice was imported to the United States and was the beginning of placing children into homes. Even though indentured service permitted abuse and exploitation, it was a step forward from almshouses where children did not learn a trade and were exposed to horrendous surroundings and unsavory adults. Various forms of indenturing children persisted into the first decade of this century.
In 1636, less than thirty years after the founding of the Jamestown Colony, at the age of seven, BENJAMIN EATON became this nation's first foster child.
In 1853, Charles Loring Brace began the free foster home movement. A minister and director of the New York Children's Aid Society, Brace was concerned about the large number of immigrant children sleeping in the streets of New York. He devised a plan to provide them homes by advertising in the South and West for families willing to provide free homes for these children, whether for charitable reasons or whatever help these children could be to them. In many cases, these children were placed in circumstances similar to indenture. However, Brace's daring and creative action became the foundation for the foster care movement as it exists today.
As a result of the New York Children's Aid Society's placements, sectarian social agencies and state governments became involved in foster home placements. Three states led the movement. Massachusetts, prior to 1865, began paying board to families who took care of children too young to be indentured. Pennsylvania passed the first licensing law in 1885 which made it a misdemeanor to care for two or more unrelated children without a license. South Dakota began providing subsidies to the Children's Home Society after it was organized in 1893 for its public child care work.
During the early 1900's, social agencies began to supervise foster parents. Records were kept, children's individual needs were considered when placements were made, and the federal government began supporting state inspections of family foster homes. Services were provided to natural families to enable the child to return home and foster parents were now seen as part of a professional team working to find permanency for dependent children.
Some of the earliest documentation of children being cared for in foster homes can be found in the Old Testament and in the Talmud. These references establish caring for dependent children as a duty under law. Early Christian church records also show children were boarded with "worthy widows" who were paid by collections from the congregation.
It was English Poor Law, however, that lead to development and eventual regulation of family foster care in the United States. In 1562, these laws allowed the placement of poor children into indentured service until they came of age. This practice was imported to the United States and was the beginning of placing children into homes. Even though indentured service permitted abuse and exploitation, it was a step forward from almshouses where children did not learn a trade and were exposed to horrendous surroundings and unsavory adults. Various forms of indenturing children persisted into the first decade of this century.
In 1636, less than thirty years after the founding of the Jamestown Colony, at the age of seven, BENJAMIN EATON became this nation's first foster child.
In 1853, Charles Loring Brace began the free foster home movement. A minister and director of the New York Children's Aid Society, Brace was concerned about the large number of immigrant children sleeping in the streets of New York. He devised a plan to provide them homes by advertising in the South and West for families willing to provide free homes for these children, whether for charitable reasons or whatever help these children could be to them. In many cases, these children were placed in circumstances similar to indenture. However, Brace's daring and creative action became the foundation for the foster care movement as it exists today.
As a result of the New York Children's Aid Society's placements, sectarian social agencies and state governments became involved in foster home placements. Three states led the movement. Massachusetts, prior to 1865, began paying board to families who took care of children too young to be indentured. Pennsylvania passed the first licensing law in 1885 which made it a misdemeanor to care for two or more unrelated children without a license. South Dakota began providing subsidies to the Children's Home Society after it was organized in 1893 for its public child care work.
During the early 1900's, social agencies began to supervise foster parents. Records were kept, children's individual needs were considered when placements were made, and the federal government began supporting state inspections of family foster homes. Services were provided to natural families to enable the child to return home and foster parents were now seen as part of a professional team working to find permanency for dependent children.
Breast-Fed Children Smarter
Read this and be bLLLessed you made the "smarter" choice
Click here: Breast-Fed Children Smarter, Study Finds - AOL News
We have known for a long time that Breastfeeding makes smarter peoplebut it always feels good to see it in print from time to time so the WHOLE WORLD can be reminded
:-)
WASHINGTON, May 5 (Reuters) - A new study provides some of the best evidence to date that breast-feeding can make children smarter, an international team of researchers said on Monday. Children whose mothers breast-fed them longer and did not mix in baby formula scored higher on intelligence tests, the researchers in Canada and Belarus reported. About half the 14,000 babies were randomly assigned to a group in which prolonged and exclusive breast-feeding by the mother was encouraged at Belarussian hospitals and clinics. The mothers of the other babies received no special encouragement.
Those in the breast-feeding encouragement group were, on average, breast-fed longer than the others and were less likely to have been given formula in a bottle.
At 3 months, 73 percent of the babies in the breast-feeding encouragement group were breast-fed, compared to 60 percent of the other group. At 6 months, it was 50 percent versus 36 percent. In addition, the group given encouragement was far more likely to give their children only breast milk. The rate was seven times higher, for example, at 3 months.
The children were monitored for about 6 1/2 years. The children in the group where breast-feeding was encouraged scored about 5 percent higher in IQ tests and did better academically, the researchers found. Previous studies had indicated brain development and intelligence benefits for breast-fed children. But researchers have sought to determine whether it was the breast-feeding that did it, or that mothers who prefer to breast-feed their babies may differ from those who do not. The design of the study -- randomly assigning babies to two groups regardless of the mothers' characteristics -- was intended to eliminate the confusion.
'MOTHERS WHO BREAST-FEED ... ARE DIFFERENT' "Mothers who breast-feed or those who breast-feed longer or most exclusively are different from the mothers who don't," Dr. Michael Kramer of McGill University in Montreal and the Montreal Children's Hospital said in a telephone interview.
"They tend to be smarter. They tend to be more invested in their babies. They tend to interact with them more closely. They may be the kind of mothers who read to their kids more, who spend more time with their kids, who play with them more," added Kramer, who led the study published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry.
The researchers measured the differences between the two groups using IQ tests administered by the children's pediatricians and by ratings by their teachers of their school performance in reading, writing, math and other subjects. Both sets of scores were significantly higher in the children from the breast-feeding promotion group. The study was launched in the mid-1990s. Kramer said the initial idea was to do it in the United States and Canada, but many hospitals in those countries by that time had begun strongly encouraging breast-feeding as a matter of routine. The situation was different in Belarus at the time, he said, with less routine encouragement for the practice. Kramer said how breast-feeding may make children more intelligent is unclear.
"It could even be that because breast-feeding takes longer, the mother is interacting more with the baby, talking with the baby, soothing the baby," he said. "It could be an emotional thing. It could be a physical thing. Or it could be a hormone or something else in the milk that's absorbed by the baby." Previous studies have shown babies whose mothers breast-fed them enjoy many health advantages over formula-fed babies. These include fewer ear, stomach or intestinal infections, digestive problems, skin diseases and allergies, and less risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that women who do not have health problems exclusively breast-feed their infants for at least the first six months, with it continuing at least through the first year as other foods are introduced. (Editing by Maggie Fox and Stacey Joyce)
A new hope
This is from the Medical Advocacy Team!
A new hope
“The best thing you can do for your child is to take them home and let them starve.” This is what a mother and father were told when they walked their sick infant several miles to a clinic for help.
In Haiti, a child with birth defects is treated like garbage, something to toss aside like trash. The country is one of the poorest in the world and many people practice voodoo. Parents either believe there is nothing that can be done for their child, or they believe their child is “cursed”.
Several children are now being saved by an organization that was recently founded called the Medical Advocacy Team under Remember International. Several volunteers arrange life-changing and often life-saving medical treatment to children who live in areas where such medical care is not available. It is our mission to provide these children with the highest possible level of care so that they can return to their home countries healthy and ready to live their lives to the fullest. We work together with many doctors and hospitals that donate medical care. With their help, and with the help of many other volunteers, we are able to change the lives of children around the world!
Last year, they helped host two girls, Helande and Christella from Haiti. Their parents brought them to Lori, a missionary nurse after trying many different hospitals and clinics. She sought the help from my friends and together they obtained medical visas and donated medical care for these girls. They both received care from a doctor in Texas and my friend Sarah and I escorted them back to their families in Haiti when they were healthy.
While driving to the airport with nurse Lori, she spoke of how amazed she was that strangers from another country would want to help these babies, the undesirable. She said she was surrounded by so much death and despair that she had almost no hope left. She was so thankful for the help and love that people so willingly gave those girls. Can you imagine how this gratitude spread through their village?
More children are being referred to the Medical Advocacy Team. When Jeremiah travels to Haiti in two weeks, they will be meeting Lori with a little 2-month-old boy, Alex. Alex has an encepholecele, a hole in the front of his skull in which his brain protrudes between his eye and nose. He will be coming home with us, and in several months he will be having surgery in Sacramento. Eventually he will be returning to his family in Haiti.
Here is an encouraging email from Nurse Lori the other day
I wanted you to know that this is the first child that I have seen with this condition. It's not because it doesn't happen around here. It happens, but the people think that it is a devil child. They think that the thing coming out of it's head is a horn. In our area, they have killed every child that has been born with this condition until now. I think that Alex's parents heard about us through Schnider's parents and just took a chance. It will be a monumental testament to God's Grace if Alex gets surgery and comes back here. If they can see that these children CAN be helped, grow up, and NOT turn into a devil....you, my wonderful friends, will save many lives for years to come!
Do not be disturbed
Our work here is brief but its reward is eternal. Do not be
disturbed by the clamor of the world, which passes away like a
shadow.
-- Clare of Assisi
disturbed by the clamor of the world, which passes away like a
shadow.
-- Clare of Assisi
May 5, 2008
QUOTES
Quote:
Quote:
"Children, my hope for the world is not because I'm confident that
our leaders have great solutions. It's certainly not because the
trends are moving in a hopeful direction. I have hope for the world
because I have hope in God.
"It doesn't matter how strong you are, how wealthy you are, how
powerful you are: if you don't have hope in God, you're doomed.
"But with hope in God, we can ACT decisively in faith that at least
God is in charge, and He will work everything to His glory."
~Jeff Meyers
?Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.?-? Mother Teresa
?Always remember--great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us everyday.
Quote:
"Children, my hope for the world is not because I'm confident that
our leaders have great solutions. It's certainly not because the
trends are moving in a hopeful direction. I have hope for the world
because I have hope in God.
"It doesn't matter how strong you are, how wealthy you are, how
powerful you are: if you don't have hope in God, you're doomed.
"But with hope in God, we can ACT decisively in faith that at least
God is in charge, and He will work everything to His glory."
~Jeff Meyers
?Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.?-? Mother Teresa
?Always remember--great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us everyday.
The Power of One
The Power of One
Featured Article:
The Power of One
by Elisabeth K. Corcoran
"I look at the enormity of the problem and I can't help but
think, 'What can one person do?'" It's occurred to me that
I used to think that way but I don't anymore. One person
can do much.
One person can pray with all she's got, begging God to
intervene in any situation, to pour out His power, to give
her wisdom to know what she can and should do. One person
can give of her time in a way that will be a sacrifice to
her and of great benefit to others. One person can give
money -- even a little bit of money -- and that money can
be added to what others have given and then multiplied when
God steps in.
One person can call attention to an issue that is usually
talked about in hushed tones -- making people aware of
something they may have had no idea about. One person can
enter into the darkness, carrying her little bit of light,
and shed great illumination where only dim shadows used to
dwell. One person can touch another person's life in small
ways -- with a kind word, a gentle touch, a moment of time
to listen and hold and cry with. One person can take her
gifts and pour them out into someone else's life, knowing
that freely has she received and freely should she give.
One person can take her hurt and ask Christ to turn it into
a blessing as she connects with the pain of another hurting
heart. One person can move into another person's life in
large ways -- with a shout against injustice, a rallying of
a group to do something of meaning, a hand reaching out to
draw someone out of her circumstances permanently.
Moms, we're told time and again that we as women have the
ability to set the tone of our home. That our daughters
will learn how to be women and mothers by watching and
modeling after us, and that our sons will grow up to look
for wives that mirror their mothers. We have been given not
just the ability, but the responsibility, to do great good.
One life at a time. In our home. And in our world.
This year - 2008 -- can be the year that we allow our "one
life" to do a world of good for someone else's life. What
can one person do in comparison to the vastness of our
world's problems? Each one of us can do much. We each have
so much to give. And we are called to do just that.
"Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father
means that we must care for those in their distress."
James 1:27
My challenge to myself and to each one of you is this: go
be a light in the dark in this New Year, ladies.
Featured Article:
The Power of One
by Elisabeth K. Corcoran
"I look at the enormity of the problem and I can't help but
think, 'What can one person do?'" It's occurred to me that
I used to think that way but I don't anymore. One person
can do much.
One person can pray with all she's got, begging God to
intervene in any situation, to pour out His power, to give
her wisdom to know what she can and should do. One person
can give of her time in a way that will be a sacrifice to
her and of great benefit to others. One person can give
money -- even a little bit of money -- and that money can
be added to what others have given and then multiplied when
God steps in.
One person can call attention to an issue that is usually
talked about in hushed tones -- making people aware of
something they may have had no idea about. One person can
enter into the darkness, carrying her little bit of light,
and shed great illumination where only dim shadows used to
dwell. One person can touch another person's life in small
ways -- with a kind word, a gentle touch, a moment of time
to listen and hold and cry with. One person can take her
gifts and pour them out into someone else's life, knowing
that freely has she received and freely should she give.
One person can take her hurt and ask Christ to turn it into
a blessing as she connects with the pain of another hurting
heart. One person can move into another person's life in
large ways -- with a shout against injustice, a rallying of
a group to do something of meaning, a hand reaching out to
draw someone out of her circumstances permanently.
Moms, we're told time and again that we as women have the
ability to set the tone of our home. That our daughters
will learn how to be women and mothers by watching and
modeling after us, and that our sons will grow up to look
for wives that mirror their mothers. We have been given not
just the ability, but the responsibility, to do great good.
One life at a time. In our home. And in our world.
This year - 2008 -- can be the year that we allow our "one
life" to do a world of good for someone else's life. What
can one person do in comparison to the vastness of our
world's problems? Each one of us can do much. We each have
so much to give. And we are called to do just that.
"Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father
means that we must care for those in their distress."
James 1:27
My challenge to myself and to each one of you is this: go
be a light in the dark in this New Year, ladies.
Are You Pregnant and Need Help?
HELP for pregnant women or girls that don't know what to do. Please, I beg of you, DON'T kill your babies. We and many other coupes like us would gladly love your babies/children. Here is an organization that can help. Or, we would be so honored to be considered to add your child/ren to our loving happy familt! :-) If you chose our family to adopt your child or children we can be reached at
BeautyForAshes4@roadrunner.com or in the comment section of this blog. We can give you our information. We don't care the color or sex. Or, Please read about this terrific organization ( The Project Cuddle™ ) that can help you. One mother that gave her baby life commented that " It finally feels like I did something good." (her baby was placed into the arms of a very loving couple)
____________________
Are you more than three months pregnant?
Do you need help telling your parents?
Have you avoided getting prenatal care?
Do you need shelter?
Will you be harmed if you tell anyone about your pregnancy?
Have you already faced your parents with a previous pregnancy?
Are you afraid of losing a child to "The System"?
Do you feel no love towards this baby?
If you answered yes to any of the above:
Call our toll-free phone number anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Or email us (all communication is confidential).
Don't be afraid about anyone finding out who you are. Every call is confidential. As soon as you call us, we'll immediately give you a private code that keeps you anonymous. No one will ever know you even phoned us.
English : 1-888-628-3353
Spanish : 1-888-483-2323
Email : info@projectcuddle.org
Call our toll-free number 24 hours a day.
What We Can Do For You
• Find you shelter and medical assistance
• Help you arrive at solutions that allow you to walk away with your head held high
• Help you plan a future for yourself of which you can be proud
• Help you get your GED
• Help you find a job
What We Won't Do
• Send an ambulance to your door
• Call social services to pick up your other kids
• Tell your parents (Unless you ask us to)
Contact Us
The Project Cuddle™ volunteers are always available to speak to you if you have any questions regarding your pregnancy or any challenges you may have.
If you or someone you know is hiding a pregnancy call our toll-free phone number anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
BeautyForAshes4@roadrunner.com or in the comment section of this blog. We can give you our information. We don't care the color or sex. Or, Please read about this terrific organization ( The Project Cuddle™ ) that can help you. One mother that gave her baby life commented that " It finally feels like I did something good." (her baby was placed into the arms of a very loving couple)
____________________
Are you more than three months pregnant?
Do you need help telling your parents?
Have you avoided getting prenatal care?
Do you need shelter?
Will you be harmed if you tell anyone about your pregnancy?
Have you already faced your parents with a previous pregnancy?
Are you afraid of losing a child to "The System"?
Do you feel no love towards this baby?
If you answered yes to any of the above:
Call our toll-free phone number anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Or email us (all communication is confidential).
Don't be afraid about anyone finding out who you are. Every call is confidential. As soon as you call us, we'll immediately give you a private code that keeps you anonymous. No one will ever know you even phoned us.
English : 1-888-628-3353
Spanish : 1-888-483-2323
Email : info@projectcuddle.org
Call our toll-free number 24 hours a day.
What We Can Do For You
• Find you shelter and medical assistance
• Help you arrive at solutions that allow you to walk away with your head held high
• Help you plan a future for yourself of which you can be proud
• Help you get your GED
• Help you find a job
What We Won't Do
• Send an ambulance to your door
• Call social services to pick up your other kids
• Tell your parents (Unless you ask us to)
Contact Us
The Project Cuddle™ volunteers are always available to speak to you if you have any questions regarding your pregnancy or any challenges you may have.
If you or someone you know is hiding a pregnancy call our toll-free phone number anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
May 4, 2008
A Tough Life for Stay-at-Home Moms?"
A Tough Life for Stay-at-Home Moms?"
an article by Dr. Laura on "A Tough Life for Stay-at-Home Moms?" Here's a snippet:
One of my recent callers came up with what I'm sure she thought was the singular most legitimate reason for not being a stay-at-home-mom: "... it's not all enjoyable." I kid you not, she actually said that, followed by, "... and I just don't seem to be able to do it well." She did say that being with the kids was fine, it was all the other stuff: housekeeping, shopping, cooking, and so forth - that were described as unrewarding and relentless and, well, just not enjoyable.
She also complained that she just couldn't do it all well. I asked her what part of putting dishes in the dishwasher and making sure the clothes got through the washer and dryer and back into drawers was too complicated for her? She laughed and said that she didn't know why it was hard for her to do it right - it just was. Mind you, this was all said with a tone that did not suggest she had great concern about doing any of it better.
Truth be told, whether coming from a man or a woman, this behavior is self-centered, and displays a character that knows little of honor, obligation and sacrifice. This is a mentality, rampant today, that speaks not of what "I can do for my family?" but only for "What will I get out of what I do for my family?"
Read the full article here: http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=34558
No one ever said that marriage, homemaking, and motherhood would be easy, but if this is what God has called us to and we seek to glorify Him in and through this calling, there will be more fulfillment and rewards than we can ever imagine. Sure, that doesn't mean there won't be lots of hard work and sacrifice involved, but isn't that what the Christian life is all about? Dying to self so that God might be exalted in and through our lives.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24
an article by Dr. Laura on "A Tough Life for Stay-at-Home Moms?" Here's a snippet:
One of my recent callers came up with what I'm sure she thought was the singular most legitimate reason for not being a stay-at-home-mom: "... it's not all enjoyable." I kid you not, she actually said that, followed by, "... and I just don't seem to be able to do it well." She did say that being with the kids was fine, it was all the other stuff: housekeeping, shopping, cooking, and so forth - that were described as unrewarding and relentless and, well, just not enjoyable.
She also complained that she just couldn't do it all well. I asked her what part of putting dishes in the dishwasher and making sure the clothes got through the washer and dryer and back into drawers was too complicated for her? She laughed and said that she didn't know why it was hard for her to do it right - it just was. Mind you, this was all said with a tone that did not suggest she had great concern about doing any of it better.
Truth be told, whether coming from a man or a woman, this behavior is self-centered, and displays a character that knows little of honor, obligation and sacrifice. This is a mentality, rampant today, that speaks not of what "I can do for my family?" but only for "What will I get out of what I do for my family?"
Read the full article here: http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=34558
No one ever said that marriage, homemaking, and motherhood would be easy, but if this is what God has called us to and we seek to glorify Him in and through this calling, there will be more fulfillment and rewards than we can ever imagine. Sure, that doesn't mean there won't be lots of hard work and sacrifice involved, but isn't that what the Christian life is all about? Dying to self so that God might be exalted in and through our lives.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24
May 2, 2008
Words worth living by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Words worth living by
The words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end
the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.
One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are
insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.
So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now.
This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.
Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to he sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning.
Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor
tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.
The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white
people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk
alone.
As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?"
We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never
be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the
faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state
sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of
oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last!
free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
--------------
The words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end
the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.
One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are
insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.
So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now.
This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.
Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to he sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning.
Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor
tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.
The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white
people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk
alone.
As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?"
We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never
be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the
faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state
sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of
oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last!
free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
--------------
HOPE is in the arms of her family! Praise Jesus!
Can you read this without balling at the special thing God has done? I dare you. Kim and Todd share how it was to finally hold their adopted daughter Hope for the first time. I cry as I picture How sovereign our Lord is. He put this sweet darling little orphan that was left under a bridge as a baby into a FOREVER family that loves and adores her. Please thank the Lord for this marvelous deed! Grab a tissue! http://www.tmphillips.com/adoption/
May 2nd, 2008 Gotcha, bethel
How sweet it is! It’s 2:11am here and I woke up because my side was soaking wet from Hope’s pee! She usually sleeps in a crib but our hotel didn’t have any available so she is sleeping between Kim and I. This soaking is not surprising because the diapers we have for her are pretty thin/lame. The soaking was a little alarming for me personally though because it was my second soaking, and I was the one who got soaked the first and only other time when she was sitting on my lap earlier in the evening. Is it my destiny to be continuously soaking wet by Hope’s pee? I am just kidding around of course, but it’d be a small price to pay to be continue to be able to be near this sweet little gem of the orient.
We now have around 6GB of photos and video from our gotcha day, but I am going to have to leave you waiting in continued suspense because it’s dark and I don’t want to roust anyone by lurking around for my gear. So I will try to give a brief description and then head back to my cold wet side of the bed (with a towel down underneath me).
So we left with our guide and driver and went back through the city of Beijing again past the Square, marveling once again at the sea of Chinese humanity that was present there. Then we had about an hour drive into the countryside. We got a little lost toward the end and then wound up in what could best be described as Podunk China. We made it into a little villageish place and Guillamme met us and escorted us into their complex.
The minute we got out of the van I saw Hope in their entryway, and my heart jumped! I think we were all pretty nervous! We had hugs with Guillamme and Delphine at the van then we hurried in to greet Hope. Sarah was holding her and we all just went up and started to say hello. I can’t remember if Sarah gave her to Kim or if she just set her down, as I had said hello and then spent a few moments grabbing the recording gear. By the time I turned around to point my camera at her, Hope was at my feet and came up to me and I kneeled down and she came into my arms and we hugged! I am tearing up again just thinking about it. It wasn't long before we had all had a hug with her. It was an absolutely amazing moment!
They began to tell us that Hope had been acting out of character all day and and seemed to be a little down and to know that something was up. At the moment we came together she brightened and has been seeming to really enjoy herself and we all have been bonding like crazy!
Bethel is such an amazing place and I really can’t put words right now to how being in the midst of these children impacted my heart. If I have to try, I’d say I feel like I left that place wrecked with love for each one them. Over the course of our four or five hours we had there, we were able to tour their facilities, they sang us some songs and we shared a wonderful cake and watermelon together. We got to go outside and see their goats and chickens and dogs, and to see the new houses that are under construction. It was such a joy to have this time together with Bethel. Many of the kids had a hard time with Hope leaving and needed encouragement. For others it was obvious that it was extra hard for them, because they are aware of their own desire to be adopted. Our guide didn't rush us, and we almost even spent the night, but it didn't ultimately seem the right thing to do. They gave us a keepsake photo album that one of the Ayi’s put together of Hope’s time at Bethel, and a heart necklace for her for when she gets older, so she can be reminded of their love for her…
We got back to the hotel around 8pm and went right out to another Chinese restaurant called South Beach. It was really good food (I have more menu sample photos to share) and ambiance, and it was a very surreal experience to have Hope there with us. Our only minor problem so far has been the few times when Jonathan and Abigail start to fight over who gets to hold her next! It was neat because there was a piano player and violinist playing at the restaurant and it was obvious that Hope was enjoying their music! I held her and sang to her on the way back to the hotel, which was my first extended time of getting to hold her, and my heart continued to swell with affection toward her. She has such a sweet spirit and is very go with the flow. She got a little fussy at one point at dinner but Kimberly did a great job managing it. She was very cute playing with her rice! I got to sing and cuddle her to sleep tonight when she started to get upset, and that was highlight of my whole trip so far! Once she was calm we just lay there for a long time playing with her bottle, and then we fell asleep together.
May 2nd, 2008 Gotcha, bethel
How sweet it is! It’s 2:11am here and I woke up because my side was soaking wet from Hope’s pee! She usually sleeps in a crib but our hotel didn’t have any available so she is sleeping between Kim and I. This soaking is not surprising because the diapers we have for her are pretty thin/lame. The soaking was a little alarming for me personally though because it was my second soaking, and I was the one who got soaked the first and only other time when she was sitting on my lap earlier in the evening. Is it my destiny to be continuously soaking wet by Hope’s pee? I am just kidding around of course, but it’d be a small price to pay to be continue to be able to be near this sweet little gem of the orient.
We now have around 6GB of photos and video from our gotcha day, but I am going to have to leave you waiting in continued suspense because it’s dark and I don’t want to roust anyone by lurking around for my gear. So I will try to give a brief description and then head back to my cold wet side of the bed (with a towel down underneath me).
So we left with our guide and driver and went back through the city of Beijing again past the Square, marveling once again at the sea of Chinese humanity that was present there. Then we had about an hour drive into the countryside. We got a little lost toward the end and then wound up in what could best be described as Podunk China. We made it into a little villageish place and Guillamme met us and escorted us into their complex.
The minute we got out of the van I saw Hope in their entryway, and my heart jumped! I think we were all pretty nervous! We had hugs with Guillamme and Delphine at the van then we hurried in to greet Hope. Sarah was holding her and we all just went up and started to say hello. I can’t remember if Sarah gave her to Kim or if she just set her down, as I had said hello and then spent a few moments grabbing the recording gear. By the time I turned around to point my camera at her, Hope was at my feet and came up to me and I kneeled down and she came into my arms and we hugged! I am tearing up again just thinking about it. It wasn't long before we had all had a hug with her. It was an absolutely amazing moment!
They began to tell us that Hope had been acting out of character all day and and seemed to be a little down and to know that something was up. At the moment we came together she brightened and has been seeming to really enjoy herself and we all have been bonding like crazy!
Bethel is such an amazing place and I really can’t put words right now to how being in the midst of these children impacted my heart. If I have to try, I’d say I feel like I left that place wrecked with love for each one them. Over the course of our four or five hours we had there, we were able to tour their facilities, they sang us some songs and we shared a wonderful cake and watermelon together. We got to go outside and see their goats and chickens and dogs, and to see the new houses that are under construction. It was such a joy to have this time together with Bethel. Many of the kids had a hard time with Hope leaving and needed encouragement. For others it was obvious that it was extra hard for them, because they are aware of their own desire to be adopted. Our guide didn't rush us, and we almost even spent the night, but it didn't ultimately seem the right thing to do. They gave us a keepsake photo album that one of the Ayi’s put together of Hope’s time at Bethel, and a heart necklace for her for when she gets older, so she can be reminded of their love for her…
We got back to the hotel around 8pm and went right out to another Chinese restaurant called South Beach. It was really good food (I have more menu sample photos to share) and ambiance, and it was a very surreal experience to have Hope there with us. Our only minor problem so far has been the few times when Jonathan and Abigail start to fight over who gets to hold her next! It was neat because there was a piano player and violinist playing at the restaurant and it was obvious that Hope was enjoying their music! I held her and sang to her on the way back to the hotel, which was my first extended time of getting to hold her, and my heart continued to swell with affection toward her. She has such a sweet spirit and is very go with the flow. She got a little fussy at one point at dinner but Kimberly did a great job managing it. She was very cute playing with her rice! I got to sing and cuddle her to sleep tonight when she started to get upset, and that was highlight of my whole trip so far! Once she was calm we just lay there for a long time playing with her bottle, and then we fell asleep together.
We did a spirit filled Treasure hunt!
Ladies,
We did the coolest thing on Sunday! We did a treasure hunt for Jesus! My heart has been so convicted. I feel like if I were to die, many would come to my funeral saying how I did and this for Jesus and that I am godly, my kids would be like "WHO are they talking about?" I don't want my faith to be compartmentalized from the rest of my life. I want to share what I do WITH my children. They are the next generation and will need to experience that same resurrecting Holy Spirit that I do as they go out into the world preaching. However most ministries force you to work without your children while I wish to include them. I used to feel the same way, but now I have had sort of a paradigm shift. I want to do "family missions/ministry."
It is neat as we have been praying to do great works for Jesus together as a fam, when Kim ( now in China) mentioned that her Vineyard does a mission outreach that includes children! they WILL BEGIN FEEDING THE HOMELESS in Santa Ana AND other neat things as a family. I got to experience the TREASURE HUNT first hand last Sunday. We went to VCC (Vineyard in Aliso Viejo. ) At Sundays at 3:00 pm in the Prayer Room. We were a bit skeptical at first as we are Calvary Chapelites and they usually don't have this type of activity. :-) I remember thinking "GREAT God's not going to use us, were TOTALLY LATE (probably missed the move of the Holy Spirit! ;-) AND I didn't spend the day in fasting or praying or anything so there is NO WAY He'll use us. (like my works based legalism? ha-ha. There was soft music playing in the back and folks were quietly praying and trying to hear form the Lord. They then came over and laid hands on us (even the little toddler laid his chubby little hands on us to pray!) and prayed that the Lord would open up visions and a word of knowledge for us. Afterward they asked if anyone got anything to come and speak it into the mic. One little boy (6 years old) got up and said he saw "dark green benches and chairs that were empty." Another got up (ages 4 or 5) and saw "Rubio's", a mom came up and said she heard the verse. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life." Oddly enough, my hubby said that for some reason the name "Robert" came to him. He asked if anyone there was named Robert. I told him that "no, one of the men was named Joel, another named Rod, but not Robert. " We shared what Huatzin received and they said that that was pretty neat as usually they don't get names, they get pictures but not names. I got nothing. GOOSE EGG! ;-)
Anyhoo, we prayed again then headed off over to Rubio's, by the church. It was SO weird. SURE ENOUGH when we got there, there were DARK GREEN BENCHES. They were empty just like the boy saw it in his mind. I was nervous as I thought we'd be looking for a Robert, and didn't want to go up to tons of people asking if they needed prayed and BTW is their name Robert... Funny thing, a woman (Chris) comes up and she seemed very touched by all of our children. (8 total) She commented about how beautiful they were and asked what we were doing there. The Dad told her that we were just at church praying and God told us to come to Rubio's and we asked if she needed prayer. She said YES she did. Chris told us that she had many many many health issues, from pathogens in her body, immune issues, intestinal problems, spinal problems, many issues. ( I missed alot of what was being said. I am sure the Lord did even greater things that what is written here! We prayed with her. Then the dad said " I don't know if this means anything to you, but when were were at the church we saw all of these things and we also heard the name Robert. Do you happen to have a Robert or Roberto close to you? She started crying. She told us that the man that had caused her many health issues and had done horrible things to her, abused her, caused her to become displaced from her home, and that had robbed her was named Robert. ( I think he stole her identity or something of that nature) She prays for his Salvation. She had such a sad story of all the pain in her past, her broken home and difficult childhood. ( I am sorry if I am forgetting huge details, I was chasing after the kids quite a bit and wrangling the ones that got to impatient to stand still. Between my kids and the other families kids we took turns praying and watching kids. )
It was funny because if I wasn't there I wouldn't have believed it. She then questioned my son to see if we were for real. She asked where were just came from. He told her the church, she asked him what we were doing, he told her paying. I think she thought we somehow listened in on a phone call or maybe found out about her from some where else. She wanted to be sure it was totally a GOD thing! IT WAS! Anyhoo, I was in SHOCK! I couldn't believe the Lord used my hubby and such little kids! We got to pray and minister to her for about an hour or so.
This was our first time doing this and we were so blessed. I was nervous about having to approach a bunch of people and God was merciful to have HER approach US! Also, I should note, it was the CHILDREN that drew her to us! If we didn't have those children with us it is doubtful that she would have approached us. It confirmed to me that Gods desire WAS for me to minister WITH my children and to incorporate them in ALL that I do! AMEN! You are all more than welcome to join us. It was AWESOME! God is so good. He still moves and gives gifts and wants to see lives restored and CHANGED. He desires to use each of us, from mama and papa down to nursing babe! AMEN! Alida
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Philippians 3:7-11 "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."
May all who come behind us find us faithful." Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)
Alida-Domestic Diva, Proud Homemaking Homeschooling Kingdom building Wife to Huatzin The Noble Knight, Mother to 6 y.o. twins Elijah the Great & Canaan the Magnificent, Virtuous Princess Anaiah Grace (3), Josiah My little man of Valor (1)
We did the coolest thing on Sunday! We did a treasure hunt for Jesus! My heart has been so convicted. I feel like if I were to die, many would come to my funeral saying how I did and this for Jesus and that I am godly, my kids would be like "WHO are they talking about?" I don't want my faith to be compartmentalized from the rest of my life. I want to share what I do WITH my children. They are the next generation and will need to experience that same resurrecting Holy Spirit that I do as they go out into the world preaching. However most ministries force you to work without your children while I wish to include them. I used to feel the same way, but now I have had sort of a paradigm shift. I want to do "family missions/ministry."
It is neat as we have been praying to do great works for Jesus together as a fam, when Kim ( now in China) mentioned that her Vineyard does a mission outreach that includes children! they WILL BEGIN FEEDING THE HOMELESS in Santa Ana AND other neat things as a family. I got to experience the TREASURE HUNT first hand last Sunday. We went to VCC (Vineyard in Aliso Viejo. ) At Sundays at 3:00 pm in the Prayer Room. We were a bit skeptical at first as we are Calvary Chapelites and they usually don't have this type of activity. :-) I remember thinking "GREAT God's not going to use us, were TOTALLY LATE (probably missed the move of the Holy Spirit! ;-) AND I didn't spend the day in fasting or praying or anything so there is NO WAY He'll use us. (like my works based legalism? ha-ha. There was soft music playing in the back and folks were quietly praying and trying to hear form the Lord. They then came over and laid hands on us (even the little toddler laid his chubby little hands on us to pray!) and prayed that the Lord would open up visions and a word of knowledge for us. Afterward they asked if anyone got anything to come and speak it into the mic. One little boy (6 years old) got up and said he saw "dark green benches and chairs that were empty." Another got up (ages 4 or 5) and saw "Rubio's", a mom came up and said she heard the verse. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life." Oddly enough, my hubby said that for some reason the name "Robert" came to him. He asked if anyone there was named Robert. I told him that "no, one of the men was named Joel, another named Rod, but not Robert. " We shared what Huatzin received and they said that that was pretty neat as usually they don't get names, they get pictures but not names. I got nothing. GOOSE EGG! ;-)
Anyhoo, we prayed again then headed off over to Rubio's, by the church. It was SO weird. SURE ENOUGH when we got there, there were DARK GREEN BENCHES. They were empty just like the boy saw it in his mind. I was nervous as I thought we'd be looking for a Robert, and didn't want to go up to tons of people asking if they needed prayed and BTW is their name Robert... Funny thing, a woman (Chris) comes up and she seemed very touched by all of our children. (8 total) She commented about how beautiful they were and asked what we were doing there. The Dad told her that we were just at church praying and God told us to come to Rubio's and we asked if she needed prayer. She said YES she did. Chris told us that she had many many many health issues, from pathogens in her body, immune issues, intestinal problems, spinal problems, many issues. ( I missed alot of what was being said. I am sure the Lord did even greater things that what is written here! We prayed with her. Then the dad said " I don't know if this means anything to you, but when were were at the church we saw all of these things and we also heard the name Robert. Do you happen to have a Robert or Roberto close to you? She started crying. She told us that the man that had caused her many health issues and had done horrible things to her, abused her, caused her to become displaced from her home, and that had robbed her was named Robert. ( I think he stole her identity or something of that nature) She prays for his Salvation. She had such a sad story of all the pain in her past, her broken home and difficult childhood. ( I am sorry if I am forgetting huge details, I was chasing after the kids quite a bit and wrangling the ones that got to impatient to stand still. Between my kids and the other families kids we took turns praying and watching kids. )
It was funny because if I wasn't there I wouldn't have believed it. She then questioned my son to see if we were for real. She asked where were just came from. He told her the church, she asked him what we were doing, he told her paying. I think she thought we somehow listened in on a phone call or maybe found out about her from some where else. She wanted to be sure it was totally a GOD thing! IT WAS! Anyhoo, I was in SHOCK! I couldn't believe the Lord used my hubby and such little kids! We got to pray and minister to her for about an hour or so.
This was our first time doing this and we were so blessed. I was nervous about having to approach a bunch of people and God was merciful to have HER approach US! Also, I should note, it was the CHILDREN that drew her to us! If we didn't have those children with us it is doubtful that she would have approached us. It confirmed to me that Gods desire WAS for me to minister WITH my children and to incorporate them in ALL that I do! AMEN! You are all more than welcome to join us. It was AWESOME! God is so good. He still moves and gives gifts and wants to see lives restored and CHANGED. He desires to use each of us, from mama and papa down to nursing babe! AMEN! Alida
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Philippians 3:7-11 "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."
May all who come behind us find us faithful." Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)
Alida-Domestic Diva, Proud Homemaking Homeschooling Kingdom building Wife to Huatzin The Noble Knight, Mother to 6 y.o. twins Elijah the Great & Canaan the Magnificent, Virtuous Princess Anaiah Grace (3), Josiah My little man of Valor (1)
May 1, 2008
What Do You Do All Day?
What Do You Do All Day?
A man came home from work and found his three
children outside, still
in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty
food boxes and wrappers
strewn all around the front yard.
The door of his wife's car was open, as was
the front door to the house
and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding
into the entry, he found
an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked
over, and the throw rug was
wadded against one wall.
In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a
cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and
various items of clothing.
In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink,
breakfast food was spilled on the
counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog
food was spilled on the floor,
a broken glass lay under the table, and a
small pile of sand was spread
by the back door.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over
toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was
worried
she might be ill, or that
something serious had happened.
He was met with a small trickle of water as it
made its way out the bathroom door.
As he peered inside he found wet towels,
scummy soap and more t oys
strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a
heap and toothpaste had been
smeared over the mirror and walls.
As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife
still curled up in the bed
in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up
at him, smiled, and asked how his day went.
He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What
happened here today?"
She again smiled and answered, "You know every
day when you come home
from work and you ask me what in the world I do all
day?"
"Yes," was his incredulous reply
She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."
Priceless
A man came home from work and found his three
children outside, still
in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty
food boxes and wrappers
strewn all around the front yard.
The door of his wife's car was open, as was
the front door to the house
and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding
into the entry, he found
an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked
over, and the throw rug was
wadded against one wall.
In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a
cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and
various items of clothing.
In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink,
breakfast food was spilled on the
counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog
food was spilled on the floor,
a broken glass lay under the table, and a
small pile of sand was spread
by the back door.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over
toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was
worried
she might be ill, or that
something serious had happened.
He was met with a small trickle of water as it
made its way out the bathroom door.
As he peered inside he found wet towels,
scummy soap and more t oys
strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a
heap and toothpaste had been
smeared over the mirror and walls.
As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife
still curled up in the bed
in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up
at him, smiled, and asked how his day went.
He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What
happened here today?"
She again smiled and answered, "You know every
day when you come home
from work and you ask me what in the world I do all
day?"
"Yes," was his incredulous reply
She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."
Priceless
Faith lives in a broken heart
Now the church is not wood and stone, but the company of people
who believe in Christ.
-- Martin Luther
If we seek God for our own good and profit, we are not seeking
God.
-- Johannes एक्खार्ट
Faith lives in a broken heart. "He cried out with tears, Lord,
I believe." True faith is always in a heart bruised for sin.
Saving faith always grows in a heart humbled for sin, in a
weeping eye and a tearful conscience.
-- Thomas Watson
Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
-- Thomas Moore
As gold is purified in the furnace, so the faithful heart is
purified by sorrow.
-- Guarini
When you reach the end of your rope you will find the hem of His garment।
I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't,
than live my life as if there isn't, and die to find out thereis
who believe in Christ.
-- Martin Luther
If we seek God for our own good and profit, we are not seeking
God.
-- Johannes एक्खार्ट
Faith lives in a broken heart. "He cried out with tears, Lord,
I believe." True faith is always in a heart bruised for sin.
Saving faith always grows in a heart humbled for sin, in a
weeping eye and a tearful conscience.
-- Thomas Watson
Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
-- Thomas Moore
As gold is purified in the furnace, so the faithful heart is
purified by sorrow.
-- Guarini
When you reach the end of your rope you will find the hem of His garment।
I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't,
than live my life as if there isn't, and die to find out thereis
Atheism-Pull the Plug
Unless someone care's
Our Mighty Arrows
