The Unplanned

I haven't posted in a while. There are times in your life when things you planned on, counted on don't happen and things you didn't plan on take over your life. Those things can consume every breath you take, every moment your awake, and every thought you have. That sucks.
Then one day you wake up and realize those things you didn't plan on have consumed your life. Now you make a choice, do I let this stuff continue to run my life? Or do I take a step forward, a step of faith and heal?
Of course I am going to take a step of faith. After all I do have God in my corner! I can't make or decide for anyone else.
God. I love Him. When the people you thought you could trust betray you, accuse you falsely and try to justify their pitiful choices by blaming you...well for those of us who know God, we don't have to worry about it. He is a just God and He will take care of those who attempt to harm us.
On a more positive note our beautiful daughter Jordan received her official acceptance letter to Oklahoma University yesterday! We are so proud of her. She worked so hard for this. Go Sooners!
And God blessed me with an amazing job! So in the midst of the unplanned chaos some have chosen to cast on our family God has been working behind the scenes. And His work trumps  the unplanned stuff in our lives.

Jordan's Passion

A couple of months ago our oldest daughter Jordan entered a writing contest for the Jubilee Project. Young people were asked to write about their passion. Jordan is one of the finalist and we couldn't be more proud of her.
I hope you enjoy these words of a beautiful, caring and passionate 17 year old that came from her heart.

Dear Daniel” Essay Contest Finalist: Jordan Bayer

Date: 15 Nov 2012

By: Jubilee Project

Tag: Dear Daniel, Essay Contest, Finalist, Jordan Bayer

In October, the Jubilee Project launched the “Passion: In Essay Form - Dear Daniel Essay Contest” calling on Jubileevers to submit essays about their passion – what is your passion? what barriers do you face in achieving them? how do you want to change the world through your passions? We received 25 beautifully written essays that made us laugh and cry. Over the next several days we will be posting the 7 finalist essays and the winning essay on this blog. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspired us. Here is one of the Finalists. To read the rest of the essays click here.

Passion
by Jordan Bayer
“For such a time as this” encourages me daily. It means that everyone has a purpose. My life counts. Leaving the world a better place is my mission. I have come to this realization through traveling. My breaking point is orphans. I live to travel and help children.
On June 17, 1995, I went on my first journey. I was adopted by an American family and came home two days before I turned four months old. I haven’t stopped traveling since. Traveling has not only shown me the great beauty and diversity of the world, but also the immense poverty and need as well. Through traveling, I’ve learned the importance of humility, family, love, and an open mind. I’ve come to love my diversity. I am a Korean American who walks with a faith in God.
I consider any child whose parents are unable to care for him or her to be an orphan. I want to give those children the unconditional love I’ve been given. My parents have fortunately understood my passions and allowed me to travel and help orphans as much as I could. I’ve traveled back to Korea multiple times. While I love every part of my trips, the memory of helping with the babies who are waiting to be adopted stays the strongest. The workers there told me to simply hold a crying baby for no less than ten minutes. In my opinion, this was the best job ever! I got to play with babies all day. I later on realized the truth. My job was to actually love them for at least ten minutes, because no one else could. The children were many, but the care givers were few. I had been ignorant. These children taught me the importance of humility, because this was once me; family, whom I could not live without; love, which is all they needed; and an open mind, because I can’t live as if I don’t know they exist.
My parents have started a non-profit organization called the Hug Away Foundation which advocates for adoption and orphans. Through this, my parents have started a sponsorship in Ethiopia. It allows children to get an education, a meal six days a week, and minor medical care. I’ve been blessed enough to visit the school twice now. My father personally sponsored a boy named Baharu. When my mother first traveled to the school and met him, he promised her that he would get an education, so he could make a difference in his community. I’ve been blessed with opportunities to meet him. I remember this small framed boy with a gentle confidence always following the van my team and I traveled in until we got too far. Unfortunately, he passed away this last August around the age of twelve. He can no longer serve his community, but I can. He taught me that I don’t have to be much to do much. I will miss my Ethiopian brother, but I will make his life count. I will see those children grow up and break the cycle of poverty.
It’s hard to live in such a broad world when my friends live in a narrow one. Last year, during my fall break of junior year, I traveled to Ethiopia for the second time. I came straight from Africa to school. I was passionate and aware, but nobody seemed to care. My teachers demanded my make up work and my friends hadn’t seemed to notice I left. To them, Africa is just a place on the map, but it is place that has stolen my heart, the same with Korea. Although I’ve left those places, a little piece of me remains.
Often, my passions leave me heartbroken. Sometimes, I wish I loved to do other things. Traveling requires a lot of money and caring for orphans is difficult. I’ve tried to occupy my time by painting and playing the violin. While I appreciate the arts, it isn’t my passion. I’m too connected to the people and places I’ve met to quit.
I will always fight for my passions. I have just begun to find the courage to explore who I am and where I came from. There are children around the world that have captivated me. Traveling has been my best teacher and I will never stop learning. I believe love can move mountains.
I will make a difference in the world, so that I won’t regret my life. Most days, I feel lost. I let my shyness and stress of finding a college and a career get the best of me. One day, I will look back and only have memories of wondering what my purpose is, but I will always remain passionate. Although I am currently a day dreaming high school student, I will eventually move mountains.

A Lesson on Being Grateful

Even a Christian like me who is past the milk and honey stage and into the meat of the Bible can learn a lesson that we should already know. This week my middle son reminded me the meaning of being grateful.
Without going into details my son has been thrown a unexpected, uncalled for devastating blow. It has rocked his world and taken a emotional toll on him.
I have prayed and asked my prayer warriors to pray for him and this situation. I asked God to please just give him a glimmer of hope.  God I know you are working on this but I am not sure he knows. Maybe if he could see just one thing go his way he would smile again.
The other day he was going to get some answers to this situation. When my husband text me the results I was furious and for the first time in my Christian life I was angry with God. All I asked for was one little glimmer of hope and this is what happens? Why? Why God? How much more does he have to go through?
I couldn't believe I was so angry with God! I didn't like this feeling...at all.
A little later I received a text from my son. He was so grateful for the small thing that did go his way. He didn't see the injustice only the fact that he had been given this one glimmer of hope. gulp. It wasn't what I had "hoped" for but it was what I had asked God for. A glimmer of hope. And it made my son smile for the first time in a very long time.
This momma had some soul searching to do and had to ask the God she loves more than life to please forgive her for ever doubting or questioning Him. I guess sometimes our love for our kids blinds us. That's my story and I am sticking to it!
Next time I will look at the situation and what God is doing instead of what I think He isn't doing.
Lesson on Being Grateful...Check!

Seasons of Life

In every one's life we go through seasons. Some seasons are harder than others. This is a hard season for my family. If Satan was trying to get our attention he did a fine job! For every season of life God lays a scripture on my heart. Whatever that scripture is, it gets me through that season.

When I first became a Christian my scripture was Philippians 3:14. Through seasons when I didn't think I would make it through God placed Philippians 4:13. Through seasons when I wanted to unleash on someone God laid on my heart Proverbs 3:5. When I wasn't sure if I should close the doors to Hug Away and asked God for an answer He gave me Revelation 3:8 and when I was taking my first team to Ethiopia and it looked like we weren't going to make it God gave me Romans 8:28. Notice I am not writing out the scripture? It is good, if you desire, to look up each scripture on your own then you will know right where it's at!

So like I said our family is under attack and yes we have been praying, and yes we believe that we will get through this but God knew I needed a word from Him. Honestly when I first read this I thought "what has this got to do with anything we are going through now?" I read it over and over and then I knew why He, the one who already has the answer to our prayers gave me this scripture. This one I will give you :)

1 Corinthians 13

13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I took this picture last year before a big storm hit. It represents how I feel in the midst of this season. I have moments of hope even though I know a storm is coming. Some days the hope wins and others the storm. And when the storm is winning I am not great to be around and I am not acting or speaking in love. Not good.

So how you ask does this scripture speak to my heart? Well... who ever I am around  believers or non-believers and I do not speak or act in love then I am not doing much good here. In other words I can't choose to walk the walk whenever I want to. It has to be seen in everything I do and say. And when your family and life as you know it is being attacked this is when you have to dig deep and find the strength God will give you.

So you see how I choose to handle this season  means everything and that is why I choose to handle it with love. God doesn't force me to that is the great thing, I do so because I want to and I know that is His desire for me. God will handle the rest. This doesn't mean I won't have bad days or small doubts or that I won't cry and wonder why, after all I am human. It is those times  I will go back to Proverbs 3:5! All I know He has never let me down, even when His answer wasn't what I wanted. He knows best.

The Good Fight

What would you do if everything you believed in, everything you thought was true and real, all that was good was yanked out from under you in a heartbeat? Would you give up? Would you get mad? Would you fight?

And what if the bad that happened came out of left field? You never had a clue? None. That makes it worse. There was no time to prepare yourself. It's kind of like someone came running up behind you at mach speed and knocking you down. hard. real hard. There you are just laying there and you can't believe it happened. DENIAL. Then your heart breaks. GRIEF. Then you get MAD. Anger. Then you pray. PEACE.
A peace beyond all understanding.
Now you stand back up. You put on the armor of Christ. And you prepare for battle.You fight the good fight. If God is for us who can stand against us? No One! The No one's ever wins.
No Ones can be people, addictions, depression, burn out, thoughts,Satan ( the king of no one's)  All this to say if you are in a bad place right now there is only one who can pull you out and prepare you for battle and that is Jesus Christ.
He died for us, He loves us, He forgives us and He will empower us and be with us as we fight our battle.I am not a religious nut or a bible thumper. I am a believer plain and simple. I put my faith in Him alone.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Top 10 ways to destroy a child in a Divorce or Custody case.

I found this article and decided to post it because if it will stop one parent from doing this to their child/children it is worth it. The sad thing is the children aren't getting a divorce their parents are. They still love their mom and dad and when they are made pawns they are the ones that grow up with trust issues, relationship issues and often blame themselves. I don't see how anyone could do this to a child especially one they claim to love.

TOP TEN WAYS TO DESTROY A CHILD IN A DIVORCE OR CUSTODY CASE

If you have practiced family law any amount of time, you will marvel at the ingenuity of parents and other family members in devising ways to warp, hurt, demoralize and destroy children.
Here are some of the most effective:

1. Use the children as pawns. Trash the non-custodial parent’s mail to the child, or hide birthday or Christmas presents. Use denial of visitation or contact as a tool to retaliate. Then tell the child it’s all the other parent’s fault.
2. Use the children as spies. Nobody makes as good a spy as an insider. So what if it puts the children in the middle, or makes them feel like traitors, or makes them choose sides. As long as I get what I want, what does it matter, right?
3. Deny the other parent access to the children. Very effective, especially when coupled with exagerrated or false claims of physical or sexual abuse. Utilized long enough, this tactic can completely estrange the children from the non-custodial parent. This ploy is so effective that children who grow into adults having experienced it often enjoy years of counselling.
4. Make the children feel guilty for loving the other parent. This one is guaranteed to create maximum warpage. “Who do you love the most, me or mommy?” Some parents even punish the child for a “wrong” answer.
5. Use the children as messengers. Mommy and daddy won’t talk to each other like adults, so the child is given notes, medical bills, school records, and so on. This is an effective way to put the children right in the middle, and to let them in on adult concerns. Gives them something more to worry about, and shifts the responsibility off of the parents.
6. Criticize the other parent to the children. It really feels great to unload all of the hurt and anger you have toward your ex, and who is better than the children to understand exactly where you’re coming from? It feels super to get that off your chest — right onto the children.
7. Model vindictive and spiteful behavior. “Do as I say, not as I do” is the motto of parents who engage in this behavior. Only problem is, that philosophy has never worked when raising children. But who cares? It’s worth it to take a swipe at the old ex, right?
8. Ignore the children’s stress and negative behavior brought on by the litigation. Tell the children to quit that silly crying, or stop misbehaving or I’ll whip you, or “Quit acting like a baby.” None of that sissy stuff like holding and reassuring them, asking them to share their concerns, or simply devoting some one-on-one attention.
9. Try to “win” the children over by relaxing discipline. Parents who want to be the child’s best friend, not an authority figure. Guaranteed to win the child over to that parent’s “side,” and to undermine the authority of the other “mean” parent. The fly in this ointment is that after a while the child won’t mind you no matter what. But that’s okay as long as you’re best buds, huh?
10. Use the children as targets to vent your own anger and frustration. What’s wrong with lashing out at junior after a particularly frustrating conversation with your ex? Everything.

As lawyers, you can exercise a lot of influence over your client’s behavior. I can’t think of a more important subject about which you can influence your client than how to keep the children from being hurt in a divorce.

Day of the Girl

Today is the first International Day of the Girl. Many women were asked what they wish they had known when they were 15. This inspired me to write a letter to the 15 year old I once was.
 There are so many things I wish I had known at 15. Above all  I wish I had known Jesus. I wish that I knew it was going to be OK! Being raised in fear,abuse and anger rage would consume me for years. I wish I had known then how strong I truly was and that I would persevere. I felt like a nothing, like no one cared what happened to me.  I wish I had known then that I did not have to be controlled by my circumstances. I wish I could hug that 15 year old girl and tell her that I am so sorry she felt that way. I wish I had known that I would grow up and be surrounded by more love than I could have ever imagined! That I would discover a Heavenly Father who loved me with an agape love that brings me a peace beyond all understanding. And that slowly but surely the anger and rage I felt inside would fade and I would be able to give so much love back.

 Girls all over the world are treated like they have no worth when the truth is they are priceless! They are taught that they can't achieve anything when the truth is that they can achieve everything! They are taught that they are the weaker sex but the truth is God made them strong!
 If we empower girls when they are young they will grow up and change the world. My prayer is that when the girls of today look back to when they were 15 they will not have to "wish" they had known, they can say I knew!

My sweet girls in Ethiopia. 

 Those that are, and those that are growing up to be

. The daughters. The mothers

. The sisters. The fribblings – friends like siblings. 

 The wives. The girlfriends.

 The aunts. The nieces. 

 The grand-somethings. The young uns.

 The teens. The women in your life.

 Who love, lose, cry. Laugh, heal, thrive. Nurture. Create.

THE PROMISE

When my husband and I decided it was time for me to leave my job so I could focus more on our family and foundation we knew we were taking a HUGE step of faith. Yes, this step was much bigger than a mustard seed. But we had no doubt that this is were to do. Yes siree, we were ready!

It has now been 2 weeks and I have a feeling of panic because now reality has hit. There is no paycheck for me. There has been a little bit of strain between me and hubby because his work decided at this time to put him on a new shift for a couple of weeks 12 on 12 off. This means he works comes home sleep and works again. This stinks for so many reasons. The main thing is no family time. And it stinks that I don't have my best friend around to talk to about these panicky feelings I have. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with all these changes. It is so easy when you first take that step of faith. Mustard seed? I laugh at the thought of a mere mustard seed! How about a mountain! Then reality hits...gulp. Now how faithful are we? Are we willing to persevere? Fight the good fight? Trust Him? Do what He has called us to do?

I woke up this morning in a mood. Not bad but not good. What is the word I am looking for? Oh yeah, PANICKY!!! This is not me at all and I don't likey!

I am taking a bible study by Priscilla Shirer called "Discerning the Voice of God." This is my second time to take this study. I love it! She talks about the different ways God speaks to us and what we need to do to hear Him. A couple of the way Gods will speak to us is through His word and through others. 

I have this app on my phone that gives me a scripture to read each day. This mornings was one of my very favorites and one I needed! Hebrews.11:1 Faith is confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it gives us assurance abut things we cannot see.

This would be my first God whisper for the day. He reminded me with His word that He has my back no matter what the circumstances are. But I have to keep the faith...at least the size of a that precious little mustard seed :)

It is very cloudy out today and I hear thunder to the north.Rain is on it's way.  As I took my baby girl to school this morning she said "mommy look a rainbow!" With all the dark clouds, light rain and thunder there before us was not just a rainbow but a double rainbow! My sweet girl just smiled and that made it even better! I said one word "Hope" and she said " that's a reminder of Gods promise to us. Bye mommy! I love you! have a good day! Oh, I will sweet girl.
 He reminded me through that beautiful double rainbow and my daughters reminder that He made a promise that will never be broken. Second God whisper.

I am so thankful for the fact that even when we are struggling, doubting, panicking that our amazing God will find a way to remind us that He will never leave us or forsake us. We just need to be aware. So instead of going around with a panic feeling I now have the amazing feeling of faith, hope and a promise! It will be a good day no matter what comes my way.

The Wedding

On September 8th our youngest son married his precious sweetheart. From the day they announced the date and said it would be outside I began to pray! People, we are in Oklahoma for goodness sake's! We've had tornado's in winter and snow storms in spring so this gal was praying hard.
The weeks leading up to the wedding were HOT! Like 105 HOT! But I kept the faith. The day before the wedding it was warm and we had severe storms all around us. Sadly four people lost their lives. All we experienced that evening during the wedding rehearsal was a very light rain. The next day the high was 78 clear blue skies and a slight breeze. It was GORGEOUS! The next day when we went to clean up it was hot and sticky. Several people have told me how lucky we were or it was a coincidence. Coincidence? I think not! That was an answer prayer my friends! God is good!
So for your viewing pleasure here are some pictures of that perfect day!

Here comes the bride!

My daughter in law escorted by her grandpa

My daughter and my daughter in laws sister

Flower girl and ring bearer

Pretty girls!

Husband and Wife!

They couldn't get out of there fast enough!

First dance as husband and wife

Baby girl

My middle daughter. She said she was the bouncer!

All my guys!

Me and Mike

My second oldest and his beautiful family!

This girl danced all night long!

Auntie and nephew dancing

big cousin showing little cousin some moves

Auntie dancing with her other nephew

Line dancing

Dad and son showing off their moves

He's a Marine, what can I say.

CONFIRMATION !

For over a year my husband and I have been praying about me leaving my job so I could have more time to focus on Hug Away and my family. About a month ago we decided it was time and I put in my notice. I know some must think why would you leave your job in this economy?  Trust me that thought crossed our minds more than once. But to be honest I was dropping the ball on Hug Away and my family and that was no longer acceptable. So we are taking a huge step of faith and September 15th was my last day. I can't ever remember not working! 

I was excited and a little nervous. I'm human and I did have a small nagging doubt "what if it wasn't Gods will and it was just me?" Little did I know that I was getting ready to find out. 

Sunday was my first official day of being unemployed. I went to church and as I had been doing for a while asked God to confirm that I had made the right choice. I mean deep down I knew I had I just needed to hear it from Him! 

I have posted before that Hug Away partners with a school in Ethiopia. The beautiful lady that founded the school has worked for Compassion International for about 12 years. When we first met in 2010 we talked about the struggle of having to work but also be called to a ministry. Through that conversation I thought she had made the decision to leave Compassion so she could focus on the school. Imagine my shock when I received an email from her Sunday that through much prayer and with the support of her family she had left Compassion so she could focus on the school full time! Coincidence? No way! I emailed her back and told her that I had done the exact same thing! God's perfect timing had lead us to leave our jobs at the same time so we could focus on the ministry that He had called us to!

If this isn't amazing enough I received another email from her this morning! It was amazing for 2 reasons. First because of the poor internet service in Addis I usually receive an email once a month. Second, what she said in the email was beautiful and was even more confirmation that we were being obedient to God's calling on our lives. I am sharing a small excerpt from her email. I love her English! She hasn't been speaking it for very long so I think she is doing an amazing job!

Dear Beloved sister Elaine,

When I shared your email to Berhanu and the friends who were praying with us every one of us were crying. The God we serve is the true God. It is an amazing confirmation to all of us, that knowing God wants us on full time bases to expand his work. The holy spirit is the same here and there he was working in our life. It is amazing story to tell before even we both talked we made the decision on the same time. I am so thrilled. do you know our life is not any more to us we have to live for the poor and needy ones. We are sold!! Our names are not any more on the payroll lists, God is going to pay us our salaries.

HE IS LEADING OUR LIVES.

My precious Ethiopian sister!

One of the many things I love about the Ethiopian people who are Christians is their bold witness and their love for Christ! They have no problems praising God! 

So as I begin this new journey I am humbled that God has given me this opportunity to work for His kingdom!  The benefits are amazing!

Why Ethiopia?

One of the many questions my husband and I are often is "Why Ethiopia? Why not here in America?"

Fair question, simple answer. Because that is where God has called us...for now. God calls all of us to be disciples and go into the world. He never said anything about the world coming to us. 

In places like Ethiopia there are no programs like Social Security, Welfare, food stamps, Medicare or Medicaid. They don't have shelters to protect women and children or the homeless. Religion is not always an option. 

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from my friend who runs the school that we partner with. This is where we have our sponsorship program. My husband and I sponsor two little girls and a little boy. In the email she told me that our little boy died. He had been sick for a couple of days, was taken to the clinic and told he was fine and died a day later. As I read this I felt my heart break in a million pieces. He wasn't just a sponsor child he was my Ethiopian son. When I first met him he was so dirty and a little frightened of this white woman! My friend that runs the school had been so anxious for me to meet him. His mother had died and relatives had taken his little brother but didn't want him. He lived with his father but he drank and took off for long periods at a time. But his little guy got up every morning and came to the school. He knew my friend would let him in to attend class and feed him. He never missed a day. He needed a sponsor. I told my friend that we would sponsor him. Later that day my friend Kay ( long time missionary in Ethiopia) took me to buy my new son clothes. I had sized him up in my mind so I prayed everything would fit! The next day there he was in the same old clothes. When my friend explained to him that I had new clothes he was so happy! I noticed when he took off his shirt he was wearing a small wooden cross around his neck.When he changed his clothes and put on his firs ever  new pair of shoes the change in his demeanor was amazing! He went from frightened little boy in rags to.....

This amazing, happy, loving confident young man! Oh my it was like watching a flower bloom right before your eyes. This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship!

 

The day I left he still had on his new clothes and was smiling from ear to ear! He was chosen to give me a going  away gift and he was so proud! I will never forget his face! After I left we would write each other and his letters always began with "I love you momma Laney!" and he promised me he would do well in school and go to Saturday Sunday School so he could be the change he wanted to see in his community. He kept that promise. He was doing very well in school and had such a desire to learn about Jesus. He never missed Saturday Sunday School and my friend said the staff and his friends would remember him because he loved Jesus was committed to learn about Him!

I never thought that last October would be the last time I saw my Ethiopian son. He was so happy and had lots of friends and I told him how proud I was of him. He made such a huge impact in my life and because of this small boy with the big heart my heart grew bigger.

I have cried more than I thought possible over the loss of this precious life. I know that one day I will see him again because he chose to accept and believe in Jesus. That is why Ethiopia. Because nobody should leave this world feeling like no one cared about them or that they were not loved. No one should leave this world without hearing about a God who loves them unconditionally and wants everyone to live with Him forever. No one. And that is why Ethiopia or where ever God calls us. 

.

Division & Opinions

Has everyone forgot what an opinion is?Since when is it a crime for a person to say what he believes? I remember when it was okay to disagree with someones opinion. It sure didn't mean you hated the person, event or organization. It just meant you had a right to disagree.
Dan Cathey stated his belief/opinion. Right, wrong or indifferent he has that right. He never said he hated gays or their store wouldn't serve them he stated his opinion. Our country was founded so we could have this freedom without persecution. Men and women have fought and died for this freedom. But some want to change our right to express our opinions or beliefs and make it their right to force us to accept their opinions, ways and lifestyle.
Personally the ones I would worry about are people who are responsible for running our city and states and country by stating they will take legal action to make sure that Chick-Fil-A would not be able to have restaurants in their city. Seriously? Do they really think they are that powerful? That important! These are the haters! Not Dan Cathey. He stated a belief not a threat!
I am a Christian who has gay friends, friends & family who drink and do other things I don't agree with but that is their choice and my opinion. I love them! I may not agree with them and they may not agree with me but that is okay.
You know one thing I would want people to understand about God is the fact He allows all of us to choose. Believe in Him or not. Follow His way or not.Invite Him in or don't.  He doesn't hate you either way. He loves you anyway!
All those who are trying to force Christan's and others who do not believe like they do to accept their ways or thoughts with threats, protest (and yes this does include religious organizations that take the bible and twist the word to fit  their way & make money) are the haters and the ones that create division in this country and our world, not ones who have an opinion but still love.
Warning. Christians and other who state their opinion in some ways can be arrested or charged with hate speech or a hate crime in parts of the world. Those who began this hate stuff can and will at some point be held responsible for their opinions and creating so much discord in the world. What goes around does come around.
Why can't we agree that it is okay to disagree respectfully?

The Calling

Jordan was born an old soul. I don't mean she acts old, I am talking about having wisdom far beyond her years. I remember when she was not even 2 years old she would sit on my lap and I would read her a book called "When You Were Born in S. Korea" the book describes the process a child goes through before they are placed for adoption. I remember as I read to her I looked down and saw one single tear come down her cheek. She wasn't even 2 years old but her heart broke for the orphan. She was once an orphan and one day she would make a difference in the lives of children who would never be adopted.

We are all put on this earth with a purpose. God gives us gifts and it is up to us to use them. Some like myself don't discover those gifts until later in life. Others like Jordan know without a doubt what their gifts are at a young age. They just wait patiently until God confirms it. 

Jordan and my other daughter Cameron are at Falls Creek this week. It is the largest Christian camp in the world. Jordan called me last night and I knew something was going on by the sound of her voice. She said "mom guess what? I've been called to missions!" The excitement and joy in her voice was undeniable.

Jordan holding a baby waiting to be adopted in S. Korea

Jordan has been on several mission trips to S. Korea and Ethiopia. She is a senior this year with a 4.0 GPA. She could choose any career, be successful and make a very good living. She has gone back and forth on what to do. This confirmation for missions will help her choose a career that she can use to make a difference in the lives she is called to serve.

Feeding a little one in S. Korea

I know Jordan has a heart for Eastern Asia and would love to serve there. But also know she will be happy wherever this journey takes her.

Jordan with her new friends in Ethiopia

Mom and Jordan in Ethiopia

I realize at some point this calling will take Jordan far away from us physically, but our hearts will never be apart.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said " Here I am, send me!" Isaiah 6:8

Positive Busyness

This week we celebrated my oldest sons birthday. His is the last birthday for a while. It is now time for the "birthday break." We don't have another birthday until September. I am big into birthdays because it is the day God chose to place you on earth.

Our youngest grandson celebrating his 1st birthday!

Celebrating the 4th with family and friends

Then we attended Vietnam Weekend

My oldest daughter just came home from a mission trip to Colorado Springs.

 Yeah they were that close to the fires!

Now we prepare for our two oldest daughters to leave for church camp. When they get back we will go to Dallas to meet friends and have some. After we arrive home we will send our baby girl to our churches Kids Day Camp. A couple of weeks later off to Oregon for my husbands highs school reunion. I have no idea what year it is all I know is he is younger than me. When we get home it will be time to get ready for school. I look at this schedule and to be honest my first thought is "we must be nuts!" But then I realize how blessed we are to have these opportunities. We have a lot of down time also and that is a good thing also. My husband works two jobs and overtime so we are able to do these things. Busyness with no positive results is not a good thing but busyness that produces love, laughter and memories is a very good thing! Here's to positive busyness!

All Because Two People Fell in Love!

I was waiting at the doctor's office the other day and this lady struck up a conversation with me. We began talking about our families and out came the pictures! When she was through showing me her pictures I began going through my crews photo. As I went through the pictures she looked confused and asked me to go through my family dynamics again. Yes, we are your typical American family!

                                         

                                                     

                                                       

                                     

                                                                           

Confessions of a Christian

If you truly seek Gods will in your life you pray for days like this! Now, in order to understand what I mean let me back track a bit. 

Hug Away has been going since 2008 and though we have come a long way I do believe we have a long way to go in order to do what God wants us to do. Financially we struggle. Finding enough sponsors is a struggle. Finding people to help with fundraisers is a struggle. Finding consistent donors a struggle. Last year I had an idea to have a run and we would call it "Run for the Orphan" I was never able to get anyone to help me organize it. Today I open our local paper and a wonderful church here in town had a "Run for Orphans" and raised $100,000! This was a vision of a 14 year old boy! I am so happy for those who will benefit from this but I would be lying if I didn't admit that part of me was a little upset that I couldn't get that kind of support for Hug Away. And if that wasn't enough I am trying to plan another fundraiser and I can't find enough help. It truly can be so discouraging! OK, is anyone ready to ask me if I would like some cheese with my whine? :)

I was having quite the pity party! I was ready to give up. But God!

Tonight I started a class by Priscilla Shirer ( she writes the best bible studies!) I was looking forward to it but still bummed about the events of the day. In the first 15 minutes God spoke to me through this study like I have never heard Him before! The study basically focuses on the fact if you are a pew sitter or do you hit the pavement doing what God has called you to do. Well I am sure not a pew sitter! I get out there and do what God has called me to do! Yup! That's me! But sadly I have left out something very important...totally trusting God. 

Yes I pray. I thank Him for so many blessings and ask for guidance, wisdom, safety and blessings and I do put my trust in Him...But somewhere in that trust I always seem to add a little bit of Elaine's agenda. I don't care if I trusted God 99% if I add just 1% of Elaine then I have not put my total trust in Him. And there lies the problem. I've been doing this for years. Going down the same road with the same results. Not just with Hug Away but with so many things in my life. Like Priscilla said" You can't do what you've always done and expect different results." Deep down I know this but this is the day that I finally got it! I walk into a class feeling hopeless and walk out full of hope! Oh God and His perfect timing. There really is nothing like it!

I have kept Hug Away in a box and I need to take this ministry out of the box. I can't expect just my church and a few outside of  my church walls to help keep this ministry going. I need to trust God and let Him do what He needs to do! 

God speaks only the truth and the truth will set you free. I for one can't wait to see what God has planned. I know it will be amazing!

Gods amazing sunsets

No that I have confessed all of this I will be watched by others a little more closely. God never promised us that once we trusted Him it would be easy, He said He would not leave us. But my hearts desire is that when you watch me you see God's child trusting her heavenly Father completely and loving Him with all her heart. I am not perfect but know that not if but when I fall He will be right there to pick me up.

So You Think You Can't Make a Difference?

If you think you're to small to make a difference try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.

 African Proverb

This water is not that safe :(

So many people want to do something, anything to make a difference in the world but they are not quite sure where to begin or if they are qualified to do so. Many want to give money but feel they don't have enough  to give. I know this is how I felt when God called me to start a foundation. I thought there was no way, He has chose the wrong person. Guess what? God doesn't make mistakes! I have learned so much on this journey of making a difference and thought I would share some of my lessons with you.

First it takes faith. You have to believe that God will never call you to do anything He is not going to prepare you for. Second is boundaries. This was a tough one for me. My spiritual gifts is mercies and I want to help everyone. Well sad to say you can't save everyone. You may want to but... So how do you choose who you will help? It's really easy. You help the ones that God has chose to put in your path.

This precious one lost her family to Aids

 Third. I don't like this one. Money.I think the hardest thing to do is ask for money.It's even harder when your a small nonprofit. But you do what you have to do and God will always provide. 3.You can't do it alone. I can't stress this enough. It takes all of us to make a difference. That means letting others know what God has called you to do. Not everyone is going to feel the passion you do, but you keep telling your story and one by one people with the same passion will step up to help. And don't be afraid to ask for help.

Waiting in line at Saturday Sunday School to be fed.

When we give combine our gifts,time and money there is no end to the lives we will impact!

So if you have been called by God to do something take a step of faith and watch what happens!