Sept 2010 Rodriguez /Josiah update

I just wanted to give an update on what's been going on with us. We have had some really great things happen and some heart aches as well. Such is life.
1) We have been trying to get caught up financially from all of this craziness of having a sick kiddo, medical bills, hubby trying to catch us up from being out of work for over a year. We REALLY wanted to help bless a dear friend Stacy Richards and her family adopting 4 year old Solomon from China. It was my goal that we'd be able to donate a very huge amount to help them adopt their son form China. Well the Lord knew we would not be able to do it personally. He did however give us the idea to hold a raffle that brought in about $3000 to help them. It is totally the ALL the Lord. That is way more than I would have been able to donate. She is in China RIGHT NOW showing him the LOVE of a mother and father for the FIRST TIME in his life. They are preparing to come home soon. The Lord blessed such feeble efforts and I am rejoicing in His provision. Many of you KNOW how much we are pro-adoption and have wanted to adopt for years. I live vicariously through the experiences of my many amazing adoptive friends. Thanks to the many that prayed and participated. This is an example of how the Lord CAN use you to help orphans even though many of us are struggling financially. We may not all feel led to adopt but we can ALL help regardless of our circumstances. James 1:27 "TRUE religion is looking after orphans and widows and keeping oneself unspotted by the world. " Follow them here if you want to see how the Lord miraculously provided to bring Solomon home. http://mycupoverfloweth.blogspot.com/
2) We have attended an Above Rubies www.aboverubies.org retreat FAITHFULLY for years. It is our annual family "thing" that we look forward to. Last year we couldn't go because Josiah was still going to the hospital constantly, my husband Huatzin didn't have a job and we couldn't afford it. I was very disappointed. We hoped to go this year but layoffs began at Huatzin's work and we couldn't justify the money needed to go even if we camped nearby AND brought our own food. The Lord supernaturally provided above and beyond what we could dream or think. Some compassionate and generous person paid for our entire family to attend the whole weekend. I almost didn't accept it as I figured "wow that is too much money." The retreat coordinator informed us that our family wasn't even the largest family they paid for! I am blown away. It was JUST what I didn't know we needed. We were SO blessed and refreshed. We made some great memories. I asked the Lord "is this respite from the past year or the calm before the storm?" He told me just to "trust Him and Be still, and that I don't need to know how every little thing is going to turn out. "

3) Huatzin got laid off. The Lord prepared our hearts for it. At least with construction /new plumbing you sort of KNOW when it is about to happen as the work dwindles. Huatzin is always one of the last to go so he can see when it's coming. I think that is better than being surprised and caught off gaurd. It gives you time to prepeare your heart and lets you kow how to pray. We hope they remember him for the foreman position coming up in a few months. Think of us when you ride the new Little Mermaid ride ( Disneyland) in May. My hubby helped put the plumbing in. This also means that our home-study will probably be put on hold. Must not be His will right now. Not my will but Thine.


4) Josiah has had a cold and began getting bruising. The enemy wanted me thinking he was relapsing. I rebuked him as I feel the Lord has healed my son. One of meanings of Josiah's name is "Whom God has HEALED!" I called today and was told that Josiah's labs were back and his platelets we 145,000!!!! His Hemoglobin, red blood count and white count are fine. He is only 5,000 short from being somewhat NORMAL!!! Can you BELIEVE IT!!!! When we went in last year he only had 8,000 platelets and was in serious danger. Now he is fine. You can look on my blog at the 12 children with his same diagnoses (Aplastic Anemia) ALL of them have had to undergo either Bone Marrow Transplants or Immune Suppressive therapy. God healed Josiah with breastmilk and prayers of many saints around the World!!! You have truly witnessed a MIRACLE!!! Nancy Campbell asked me to write about how nursing helped him. The Lord has SAVED MY SON! Many people prayed that the Lord would show up MIGHTILY on our behalf and He did in a huge way! Yay Jesus! Huatzin is out of work again but last year we had a son that was diagnosed with a serious life threatening blood disorder and our options were bone marrow transplant, or a therapy that can have fatal results. Our present circumstance seems so minor in comparison. I can REJOICE I can PRAISE him because He has made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, surely I have a delightful inheritance! Bless you, THANK You for sharing in my joy. I can't STOP PRAISING HIM thanking him falling on my face in worship and gratitude!!! In Christ, Alida w5


Psalm 16:5 Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, [fn3]
nor will you let your Holy One [fn4] see decay.
11 You have made [fn5] known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Alida, blessed wife to Huatzin. Mama of 9 y.o twins Canaan & Elijah, Anaiah Grace 6, Josiah Valor 3, Hezekiah (Ki) 1, born at home in water. Awaiting many more by way of adoption.