Dancing With God

This was sent to me (thank you Mrs.Buhrow!) and I think it's beautiful! Enjoy....

DANCING WITH GOD

When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.

Pendant Giveaway! Come Celebrate With Us!!!

Last month (in our giveaway blog) I said, "Next month, who knows, maybe we'll be giving away an adoption related item celebrating the day we were referred our twins!" It didn't occur to me that my statement would be very true, in a very profound way. I harbored hope in my heart, but was afraid to really believe. Referrals from our agency had been taking longer, seven months quickly becoming the average. Yet....

God is bigger than time lines.

So this month WE CELEBRATE THE REFERRAL OF OUR TWINS!!!! WOO HOO!!! PRAISE HIM!

We are celebrating with a giveaway! We will draw a name on March 8th (our one month anniversary of our referral). We hope to offer giveaways to raise awareness of the needs of these precious little ones around the world (and to celebrate) every month around this time, so check back.

This month we are giving away a beautiful pendant featuring an image of the African continent. The background text reads, "Home Future Family Hope". It's sold by AHope which provides two children’s homes in Ethiopia exclusively for the care of children infected with HIV, with a capacity of about 100 children total. At least 80% of the profits from each sale will be donated to AHOPE for Children to help them on their mission of supporting children of Ethiopia affected and infected by HIV. Check it out, it's beautiful!

AHope Pendant-When you comment on this post you will be automatically entered! Please leave a way to contact you and let us know if you want the standard chain or leather/sterling cord. Sorry, we can only mail within the U.S.

Thank you for celebrating with us! If you are considering adoption, would like to know more about adoption, or are looking for ways to give, please click on the adoption support site below!
Adoption Support

If you have a moment, would you please pray with us. Below are are most current and immediate prayer needs.

CONDENSED and VERY SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUEST LIST

1. We are praying for the lawyer and his conviction when He sees our children's faces.
2. We are praying for paperwork to be perfect and present.
3. We are praying for those relinquishing...for their spirit, hope, God's peace. We are also praying they are able to be present with the correct identification.
4. We are praying for the judge and that he sees the need to pass us the first time we come to court.
5. We are praying that we are able to travel in April, not for convenience, but to know our children are safe during elections in Ethiopia and to have confidence they are where they are supposed to be...forever (as long as God loans our children to us on this earth).
6. Most importantly we are praying that our twins are warm, comforted, loved, held, that angels are surrounding them, that God's hand is upon them...and the list goes on and on.
7. We are also praying that God blesses us financially and the funds flood in for travel.

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS
Please continue to pray for a few others that, in their situations, governments (and mountains) need to move to bring their children home.
Please pray for Daniel, Junior and Dimoh (Liberia).
Please pray for Olivia Mame (Ethiopia)
Please pray for Rolando and Julia (Guatemala)

Please also pray for healing for three little girls with Leukemia, Abby, Tatum, and Elke.

Our Ethiopian Princess

She came home to us at 15 months. She was barely 18 pounds. There may not have been much of her, but she filled up our hearts quickly. This month she turned four. I can't believe that our baby is four.

Her beauty (inside and out) amazes me. She is a total princess. She doesn't like getting as dirty as the other girls and would rather buy clothes instead of toys. She loves everyone from the tip of her head to the tip of her toes. She's a joy and a privilege to raise. God has honored us and we are blessed to be her parents.

Bekah, there is no other little girl like you. You are an original. God loves you so much and blessed us so much. We pray that His hand guides you in passion and love for Him. Mommy and Daddy love you more than mere words can say....

Weighted for Gabriel and Rachel, Imminent Prayer, and Our Heavenly Father's Love

Today I woke up and just felt groggy. I had a serious case of the brain fuzz. The odd thing was that I also had a case of "Heavy Heart". I feel thoughtful and weighted today. Whenever I woke last night, I prayed for the twins. I prayed for their peace and comfort, and I prayed diligently for every aspect of what has to happen next in their little lives to bring them home. Yes, it is an issue of desiring them in my arms, but also of God putting such a desire into our hearts (both my husband and mine) for the best possible world for these little ones and for the most glorifying situation. The following requests have come to the forefront as the most imminent.

We are praying for the lawyer and his conviction when He sees our children's faces.

We are praying for paperwork to be perfect and present.

We are praying for those relinquishing...for their spirit, hope, God's peace. We are also praying they are able to be present with the correct identification.

We are praying for the judge and that he sees the need to pass us the first time we come to court.

We are praying that we are able to travel in April, not for convenience, but to know our children are safe during elections in Ethiopia and to have confidence they are where they are supposed to be...forever (as long as God loans our children to us on this earth).

It was hard, very truthfully, to pray this without encompassing every orphan out there waiting for court...they are all so important to God and to us. Yet, we know the difference of what God gave to us...HIS Son. He did instill in us a love for our children that is different. There is something tangibly a physical part of you (like your heart pumping) when it comes to your own children. We do pray for others waiting, how could we not? Our hearts break for the orphans all over the world. Yet, we feel this imminence when it comes to Rachel and Gabriel...peace, but imminence in our prayers.

I pray for them constantly, that they are warm, comforted, loved, held, that angels are surrounding them, that God's hand is upon them...and the list goes on and on.

Yet the above prayers are imminent. What I've just shared is a very basic list that comes from a very specific and detailed one...one we live in petition about. God is in the details of my life, of our lives. We don't demand our way, but place our hearts before Him. We pray we are pleasing to Him.

We are living in petition...heart filled...heart weighted.

Today I praise my Heavenly Father for what He's doing that we cannot even see. He sees it all and moves His most gracious hand over each life He's created.

Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"
Luke 1:37
"For nothing is impossible with God" (which happened to be my kids memory work this week. :))

"We Just Can't Afford It Right Now"

This picture...this picture breaks my heart and brings it joy (all at the same time). This is our oldest son in 2007 cherishing, not his new sister, but another little one that needed love, needed arms to hold her...an orphan.

Today I read a blog that says exactly what's on my heart much of the time. I know facing the expense of adoption is "outside of the box" of what many will think of doing. It's hard to step forward and say, "This is God's will for our lives and we will follow Him regardless of what is in our bank account."

We have never had the funds to adopt...never. Yet God has blessed us beyond what we could ever imagine.

First God gave me His Son and then He kept blessing me. I don't deserve it. I can't fathom it. I can't get my mind wrapped around how much He loves me or why...but He does. As we bring home our 6th and 7th child (3rd and 4th adoption), how could I see ANYTHING but blessing.

Don't let worldly worries stop you from following (or even listening) to God.

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell your storm how big your God is.

Please check out this blog called "A Place Called Simplicity" that not only moved me, but reminded me of the passion God has placed on my heart. Linny, thank you for writing what so many of us feel and for listening to God as He put this on your heart!

If you would like to read more about finances and adoption, please check out earlier blog posts.

"The Effect of the Economy on Orphans"

"The Financial Aspect of Adoption and Fundraising"

If you would like to see how God changed our lives as He brought our little ones home, we would love for you to view their videos and read their stories....
Max's Journey (Russia)
Bekah's Journey (Ethiopia)

Persecution of Christians

If you've read our last post, you know we have much on our hearts and minds today. From VERY personal (our sweet children in Ethiopia), to silly (our snow saga), to the tragedy of the death of an adopted Liberian child (see blog post below). I don't usually post multiple times in a day, but today is different.

Now we have even more on our hearts. I just saw this on another blog I follow (Take Your Vitamin Z). We know these things are real, the persecution many Christians face. If you've ever read the stories from "The Voice of the Martyrs" you've seen a glimpse of these things. Yet this video brought home the reality....

Persecution in India: Francis' Response from Cornerstone Church on Vimeo.

One Liberian Child Dies, Another in Critical Condition

I have tears in my eyes that something like this could happen. Could a Christian family, a home school family, an adoptive family, ANY family beat their children with a PVC pipe until one of their adopted Liberian angels (at age seven) dies (leaving another in critical condition)?

I sit here in shock, questions running through my mind.....

You can read the articles that have left me devastated here and here.

Could anyone rationalize these beatings as "spare the rod, spoil the child"? Did they really think that this showing the love of God? Were they raised in this skewed view as children? This devastation goes against The Scripture's view of the treasure that children are, but are these kind of beatings what they were taught?

How could a family that feels the necessity to home school and "train up their child" PLAN to beat their child with a PVC pipe? (my heart aches) Not just an outburst of anger, which would still not be an excuse, but PLAN it? Is this what was done to them?

How could you work so hard to bring an amazing blessing from God from across the world only to beat a child so severely?

I am stunned.....

The ripple effects of any situation so heinous can be felt by many. How will Liberia react, so close (we hope) to opening up to adoptions from the U.S. again? Will they see that America is in shock too?! This family's decision not only altered and fractured the lives of their bio children and adopted children, but their actions could effect thousands of children in Liberia and possibly other countries as well.

And the ripples go on and on....
The possibility of thousands of children staying in orphanages, waiting for their forever families...
The taint on home school families....
Those that will be so much harder to reach for Christ because of an act that goes against the very nature of Christ...

The list just goes on...

Mostly I think about the children that lived in this home. The children that watched their sibling die at the hands of their parent. The children that survived this tragedy. Their lives will be forever marked with this event. I pray for those little hearts and minds. I pray that someone will teach them the true love of God, patient, kind...and so much more. I pray for their healing and that they understand that this act is not the way to raise a child. I pray for the eleven year old that has suffered so much and lived. That this child may have the comfort and peace of God.

All this child must have struggled with transitioning from another culture. Having to learn the language and customs could not have been easy. Being away from all familiar smells and most importantly having lost their biological family already, must have brought such mourning. Yet, they still had to face more....

I will admit, I do think of some bloggy friends. They remain on our hearts as well. They are awaiting their son Daniel's last few pieces of paperwork to be signed so that they can bring him home from Liberia. You see, he has hydrocephaly and needs to be home NOW to get the medical attention that can more easily be provided here. They are receiving special permission because of his condition. This family also has two other children,Junior and Diamoh, that will wait in Liberia (until the country reopens) until they can come home to their family.

We need to drop to our knees and pray...pray hard. Pray for the children in this family and EVERYONE involved in this situation. Yes, that means (even though it may be difficult) we need to pray for the perpetrators...that they may realize what they've done and come to know the TRUE Christ, instead of the warped misrepresentation that they had bought into. Pray that the Liberian government (and all foreign governments) see the rarity of this case and see how these atrocities happen all over the world (heartbreakingly) and not just here. Also, for our bloggy friends, as they continue the process of bringing home their little ones. We need to remain in prayer for the orphans all over the United States and across the oceans.

I have tears in my eyes as I think of our babies in Ethiopia. We long to cherish them, hold them, love them, and marinate them in the love of God......please pray.

WORLD DOMINATION....and snow

We all know, as the snow accumulates on the ground around our houses, what the snow means. The struggle between child and parent....the struggle for WORLD DOMINATION.


As the power went out in our house it was no different. We wondered if it might have been part of the plot on behalf of our children to weaken us. As the adults huddled under the comforters (the children had enlisted the animals to distract us)....




The children plotted and laughed (really, it is a evil laugh, they just have you fooled)....

They started by indoctrinating one of the youngest children on the deadly art of the snowball. She uses her big brown eyes and their hypnotic powers.

They tried to fool us into helping them build their own snow army.


Yet we were not fooled by their cuteness!

They doggedly exercised, preparing for war...


As the snowballs mounted, you could feel the tension in the air. You couldn't be fooled by how innocent they looked...at least we couldn't.



We had to prepare or face the consequences. The snowballs got bigger and bigger. It was WAR!!!!





I'm sorry to say that the fighting got dirty...our three year old was used as a human shield.

But just when we thought all was lost my husband went "Super Ninja"(I am so proud).

The war was won and the struggle for WORLD DOMINATION was thwarted (yep, we're evil dictators).





The joys of parenting never cease to amaze me...

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Yes, I am a complete nut...I had no choice, it runs in the family. Yet, we are in a very real and prayerful time in our lives, in the process of bringing home our twins (Gabriel and Rachel) from Ethiopia. If you have a moment...we have a few prayer requests. I'll give you a break today and share our abbreviated version :).

IMMEDIATE PRAYER REQUESTS...
1. That we pass court in the next few weeks and travel before May. This would be a miracle. Most do not go to court this quickly. We know God is a God of miracles though and if it is His will, we will pass quickly. If it is not, then there is a wonderful reason why not. May (when we probably would have traveled) is closed to travel because of the Ethiopian elections and the possible unrest that may follow. Please consider petitioning God with us for this blessing.
2. Please pray that the funds for travel come in as we prepare. God has AMAZED us yet again during this adoption and we do know that He will provide.
3. Please pray for the health and safety of our babies....that they have peace as we wait to hold them. Please also pray that God comforts them in their loss in a way that we can't.

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS
Daniel and siblings (Liberia), Olivia Mame (Ethiopia), and Rolando and Julia (Guatemala)....these countries LITERALLY have to move for these children to come home. Please join us in prayer for these little ones to come home to their forever families.

Please pray for healing for Abby, Tatum, and Elke who are little girls with Leukemia.

Large Family Tip #2

Some families I know would consider our family down right small. With five children our house DOES still feel a little empty, but our twins arriving home will start filling the emptiness.

Oh, stop thinking we're crazy! We know we are and there's no "think" about it!

As we travel through this insane, getting in mommy's makeup, head stuck in the rocking chair, "Mom, he won't give it back!" world, we thought we'd share a few things that have made our lives just a little bit easier.

Large families ROCK, but sometimes the logistics can be daunting...

Large Family Tip #2

I can't claim total responsibility for this tip :). I read the general idea in "A Mom Just Like You". She's a home school mom of 10! I knew she'd have some wisdom! :)

What is the biggest challenge in keeping the house clean? Clutter (and nasty dishes that start calling you "mamma" from the sink)...

Each of our oldest four (seven and up) have a area that is their responsibility to declutter. This is NOT vacuuming and dusting and much of the intricate work, but decluttering. Several times a day I'll say "Time to clean up your area!" and they know to declutter their space and pick up their room. It really is VERY quick! I hate to say it but we are NOT exactly a super neat family either. It's just about doing "areas" a few random times a day (though most of the time we do it before we start school in the morning and just before devotional at night).

The thing the kids TOTALLY like about this is that they get to also be the "Police" of their area. If someone leaves something out they (kindly) tell them it needs to be put away. If they are too lax in this though (they aren't cleaning their area and something has been setting there too long) they have to go ahead and pick it up themselves.

This makes it a lot easier to keep sane. As a mom or dad of a large family, there is ALWAYS stuff that needs to be done. It's an endless cycle. This tip enables you to be able to get to vacuuming, dusting, and a lot of things you may not (yet) divide up.

Yes, our kids do have other responsibilities too, but that's for another blog :).

Even our 3 (almost four year old) has a tiny area (her play kitchen) that she has to clean up. She also helps (not sure it really makes it easier on the other girls :)) in cleaning up the room she shares with her sisters. It's just really important for the kids to learn to pitch in at a young age.

Our kids constantly ask for more siblings, seriously. Something is working, but I don't take the credit...it's all God!!!

Book Reviews...Inspired By "Regan Ramblings"

I don't always get many chances to read. I have seven (including twins in Ethiopia) children and I home school. Okay, I guess I get to read a lot, though it's mostly a little bit younger than my age bracket :).

I had a few moments yesterday and was casually reading through some blogs that I follow. I stumbled upon one that I love, because I love the heart of this family. She was reviewing some books that, not only are they currently reading, but that they love. I actually was SO impressed with the books she recommended that I've saved...ummm...four of them (seriously) to my shopping cart on Amazon.com to buy later. It may be months from now that we can afford one of them, but this way I won't forget! Regan Ramblings reviewed some awesome looking books, one by an author I LOVE! Check it out sometime...it's worth it!

We have many favorite books around here. I will tell you, as I've grown, that my favorites are ones that have helped us grow in some ways. Sometimes they've helped us grow closer to God and His will for our lives. Sometimes they've given us great ideas or helped us feel not so alone in parenting. Sometimes they've just opened our eyes to the world around us. All God has used to "grow" us. Here's our top ten.

God and the Bible is so far above even number one!

THERE'S NO ME WITHOUT YOU by Melissa Faye Green
Find it here...

This is a story of Haregewoin Teferra who opened her home (after her own tragedy) to orphans in Ethiopia, during a time where one of the worst epidemics in human history was hitting Ethiopia...AIDS. Melissa Faye Green is a wonderful author who captured the true reality of Haregewoin's life. It's not all roses, but it grew our hearts and opened our eyes to the world around us. We were blessed to be able to meet Haregewoin Teferra when we traveled to Ethiopia (to bring Bekah into our arms), so this book means even more to me.


THE HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL: What does God expect of Us? The Answer that Changed my Life and Might Just Change the World by Richard Stearns
Find it here...

I will tell you right off. The name really put me off the first time I read it. Though I still don't love the name, the book was recommended to us by a elder in a Church we are visiting and opened our eyes so much. The book is NOT about a HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL, but a hole we make in the gospel....a subject that often we don't look at. It's written by the President of World Vision. His story alone will make you laugh, cringe, and bring tears to your eyes. He paints himself as entirely human and NOT wanting to follow God's call to become the president of World Vision. He then shares the abject poverty that so many live in, the hopelessness, and the statistics (though he himself says that he doesn't completely love statistics). Your eyes WILL be opened. There are times while reading this book that I had to put it down and process, take a deep breath, and pray before picking it up again. Wow...just wow....


PARENTING THE HURT CHILD and ADOPTING THE HURT CHILD by Gregory C Keck and Regina Kupecky
Find "Parenting the Hurt Child here...

Find "Adopting the Hurt Child here...

Since God has blessed us and given us the ministry of Adoption Support(as well as being adoptive parents), we have found these books invaluable. I really believe that, sometimes, it's not just about knowing what to do (though these books DO that)but feeling like you are not so alone. These are easy to read and REALLY interesting. The authors share stories of children they've worked with that tug at your heart strings.


BLINK OF AN EYE by Ted Dekker
Find it here...

This is the first of the only fiction books on my list as a favorite. This book is fast paced, has action, pain, will make you cringe, and most importantly a journey to know God. It really made me think about our choices and how much freedom God has given us...to choose Him and to choose the wrong way. Through the authors research (though fiction) it does give you a taste of reality in other parts of the world. It did help me to see things in another way and "see" just a little bit better.


GOOD DISCIPLINE, GREAT TEENS by Dr. Raymond Guarendi
Find it Here...

This father is a adoptive dad of ten. I think this makes him more qualified than any "Doctor" in his title (smile). He teaches common sense with A LOT of humor. You WILL laugh. It's easy to read and will help all parents of teens feel not so alone. It also lets you know that being human IS okay and VERY normal :).


A MOM JUST LIKE YOU by Vickie Farris and Jayme Farris Metzgar
Find it here...

We are VERY new to home schooling. Even with some use of a Teaching Co-op, it has been a BIG transition. Though this is our second year home school our youngest three, this is our first year with all five. I initially bought this book to get some home schooling ideas, yet it turned into a lot more. The author is a home schooling mom of ten. She writes realistically (that it's not all just peaches and cream). This book though, opened my eyes to some subject matter I didn't expect. It's really thinking outside the box. We don't believe EXACTLY like she does, but she doesn't expect you to. It's pretty cool and without giving everything away, I really recommend it!


SCREWTAPE LETTERS by C.S. Lewis
Find it here...

This is a book written by C.S. Lewis and I feel COMPLETELY comfortable recommending his work. He is an amazing author. This book is fiction, written from the perspective of an upper level demon to a lower level one. C.S Lewis does a really good job of making us all more aware of how Satan doesn't always work so obviously. This book is great for adults, but we are also having our oldest teen read it this year as well.


THE ISHBANE CONSPIRACY by Randy Alcorn, Angela Alcorn, and Karina Alcorn
Find it here...

This a book of fiction that I did enjoy reading, but dealt with subjects that I think are really beneficial to teens. It revolves around the relationship between a teen girl and boy and all the temptations surrounding them. There are letters from a upper level demon and a lower level demon, as well, talking about specific temptations for teens and adults alike. In this book they talk about the destructive nature of sex outside of the parameters (marriage) that God set. They also deal with the occult (not in high detail), peer pressure, and giving EVERYTHING to set the example for God. We would recommend it for around 16 years old and up.


SHAOEY AND DOT: BUG MEETS BUNDLE by Mary Beth Chapman and Steven Curtis Chapman
Find it here...

Our son Max (adopted from Russia) LOVED this book and still likes it. It's specifically about adoption, but would be wonderful for other children as well. It's beautifully illustrated and very colorful. As an adoptive parent who brought home young children, this book was a blessing!

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There are a TON of other great books out there! I would LOVE for you to share with us your favorites!

If you want to see more fantastic adoption related books, just click on one of the following links.
Find more books for adults here...
Find more books for children here...

What am I currently reading? I'm reading (don't laugh) "Every Young Man's Battle" and "Every Young Woman's Battle" to see if they would be good for my teens :).

My Heart, My All...Happy Valentines Day Review

Today I am reviewing my favorite book. It has changed my life and is often called the Book of Life. It is sometimes SUPREMELY easy to read and sometimes very hard. It WILL convict you to your core...there's no avoiding it. It Changed my life, that of my entire family, and this world.

It didn't only change my life, but my afterlife.



This book introduced me to my God, my Savior....my heart, my all, and finally my true Valentine, because He showed me what real love is. No one loves me like my Lord and Savior....

May your world, down here on this fallible earth, be filled with the love of God...surrounding you, filling you up, and awaking you with a passion you've never felt before.

God's Blessings, Referral, Snow, and a Take Down....

First the referral of our precious twins, Rachel and Gabriel, and now snow. This is a very good week (even with illness).

Blessing number one...


Blessing number two...


Blessing number three....


Blessing number four...


Blessing Number Five...a real snow angel.


Now here's my other half taking down blessing number one..


Now here's blessing number one getting ready to get even...


Now here's what happens when blessing number one tries to get even with my other half...