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! 

Being A Mom

I had a great Mothers Day! I was blessed to spend time with all my children and grandchildren. It is a feat to get them all together! We spent Saturday at my oldest grandsons soccer game. Then we celebrated our youngest sons birthday for the first time in four years! Being a Marine does that sometimes. 

From my son's all the way back to the lady in white is Jaylon's fan club!

My awesome grandson :)

He blew out 23 candles in one breath! Even though some kept relighting because mom  put trick candles in there. Bwhaaaa!

                                                                                            My Mom!

After church Sunday my husband made a great lunch. It was such a perfect day.  I couldn't help but think of what my mom would of thought of this crew! She died while I was pregnant with Dustin. I wish my kids and grand kids could have known her. My oldest son did and they adored each other. 

I thought about the moms who have lost a child. 

I thought about our three birth mother's who made a adoption plan for their babies and because of that unselfish choice blessed us with three amazing daughters.

I thought of the young people who have stayed at our house because they didn't have a place to live, things were not so great at home, or they just hung out for the heck of it!

I think of my kids in Ethiopia who depend on the generosity of others to have hope and a future. And all of this made me realize being a mom isn't always about you and your kids. It is also about you and how you take care of the kids God puts in your path. It may be a child who just needs a hug, a teenager who is having a tough time at home and needs someone to listen to them, a homeless young adult who needs a meal or orphans who need you to be their voice. You don't have to give birth or adopt to have children. All you is heart full of love.

God has blessed me and I am so grateful for this precious gift of being a mom! Happy Mothers Day to moms everywhere!

If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been

. ~Robert Brault,

Really God?

It's been a while since I have blogged. Life has been chaotic. It seems the last few months me, our family and extended family have had our fair share of issues going on. Lately, and I don't say this lightly, I have been a little  overwhelmed by all that has been going on. I am not one who is easily overwhelmed but I feel like I am being pulled apart bit by bit.
I have always believed that God will never give us more than we can handle but I am ashamed to admit that I told God  that I believe my quota is full now! But deep down in my heart I knew that wasn't true. He is a good and faithful God. His intent is not to hurt us but to help us, not to overwhelm us, but to teach us, not to crush us,   but to build us up. And always to love us!
So even though I have those moment's when I think to myself  "really God?" I know that right around the corner He has something amazing in store for me and that makes everything I am going through worth it!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs  3:5