I put this video together from my trip to Ethiopia. Some of the children have sponsors and some don't. Our prayer is that one day we will say "they all have sponsors!"
We are in the process of placing pictures on our website of children still waiting. We are concerned about the older ones. Time is running out for them.
Visit: http://www.hugaway.org/
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Cari
What would you do if you were told you have stage 4 terminal liver cancer and it's in your blood stream? Your in your early 40's, have a great husband, family, friends, career. You have so much to live for and then a doctor says...cancer...terminal. Would you cry? faint? get mad? sit in disbelief? Would you scream at God and ask, why me? What would you do?
I'm not sure what I would do. But if I did have to answer that question and I pray I never do, I would hope I would react the way my friend Cari has.
This past week Cari heard these words and her response was "That's what the doctors say, that's not what my God says." And today during church as Cari and her husband Stephen stood in front of the congregation her faith showed. We went down to pray for her and when we were through and we stood around her she asked if she could speak. She said "I have no fear. I can't explain it all I know is that this is God." And as I stood inches from her and looked at her there was no fear. None. What I saw was hope, faith, courage and strength! She looked so confident,determined and strong. If I was cancer I would be very afraid of Cari!
In my heart I believe Cari will beat this and when she does what a testimony she will have! She is putting her trust in God and in turn He has given her a peace that is beyond all understanding.
The bible says "have the faith of a mustard seed, you can move mountains." Cari's faith is much bigger than a mustard seed!
Please pray for Cari, her husband and family. Cari knows the battle will not be an easy one but she has put on the Armor of God and He will stand with her through this battle.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
I'm not sure what I would do. But if I did have to answer that question and I pray I never do, I would hope I would react the way my friend Cari has.
This past week Cari heard these words and her response was "That's what the doctors say, that's not what my God says." And today during church as Cari and her husband Stephen stood in front of the congregation her faith showed. We went down to pray for her and when we were through and we stood around her she asked if she could speak. She said "I have no fear. I can't explain it all I know is that this is God." And as I stood inches from her and looked at her there was no fear. None. What I saw was hope, faith, courage and strength! She looked so confident,determined and strong. If I was cancer I would be very afraid of Cari!
In my heart I believe Cari will beat this and when she does what a testimony she will have! She is putting her trust in God and in turn He has given her a peace that is beyond all understanding.
The bible says "have the faith of a mustard seed, you can move mountains." Cari's faith is much bigger than a mustard seed!
Please pray for Cari, her husband and family. Cari knows the battle will not be an easy one but she has put on the Armor of God and He will stand with her through this battle.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Asking until it hurts!
Well, my last post of 100 friends helping Hug Away didn't happen. One person, my sister Jamie, was the only one who responded and what is so cool about that is she doesn't have the money to help but she was willing. Thank you Jamie for having a willing heart! No worries, God is always faithful and good!
I know people get tired of me asking for money for Hug Away, heck I get tired of asking! It's not my favorite thing to do. But the reality is we can't do what we do without money. It is what it is. But God has called me to help these kids who have nothing so I will continue to ask until either God returns to earth or I leave earth! Just saying.
I have shown pictures of our kids in Ethiopia but I haven't showed any pictures of life in Ethiopia.
And when I feel like giving up all I have to do is think of the kids I met in Ethiopia. If you could look into the face of a child starving and begging for food it would change you...in ways you could never imagine.
I know people get tired of me asking for money for Hug Away, heck I get tired of asking! It's not my favorite thing to do. But the reality is we can't do what we do without money. It is what it is. But God has called me to help these kids who have nothing so I will continue to ask until either God returns to earth or I leave earth! Just saying.
I have shown pictures of our kids in Ethiopia but I haven't showed any pictures of life in Ethiopia.
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| Asleep, dead? Who knows. We saw a man we think was dead because people were poking him with a stick and he didn't move. That is reality in Ethiopia. |
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| Hoping to find food. |
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| I met this momma at the school. She was crying because her children were hungry and she didn't know how she would feed them. |
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| This is after we told her that we would make sure they had food every month. |
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| A single mom who works when she can but they don't have enough to eat. Project Hunger no More was born and they were our first family we sponsored. |
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| They came up to our van begging for food. I gave them some "take away" I had saved from eating out and a little bit of money. The little one kissed my hand, hugged me and thanked me. He was about 3 years old. |
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| These ladies are Christians and are participating in a amazing "cow" program. They buy a cow wit money from money borrowed through a co-op, they fatten up, sell it, save part of the money and pay back their loan. It has been very successful! |
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| A family we met on the side of the road in the middle of no where coming back from a village. |
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| This is a little guy who followed us around at a church where my friends were teaching for a couple of days. The only thing he had to play with was a old plastic lid and we never could figure out where he lived. |
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
— Mother Teresa
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
— Mother Teresa
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
100
I am asking 100 of my friends (or more!) to commit $10 a month (or more!) to Hug Away so 33 kids can go to school, eat every day, have minor medical needs met, and attend Saturday Sunday School! Times are tough but we still need to help these children. They don't want anything fancy. All they want is to go to school and know they have will have a meal each day. Maybe you could get your Sunday School, work place, book club, friends anyone you can think of and put your money together and sponsor a child. Give a voice to these precious ones who have no voice.
Please help us spread the word
Your donation is tax deductible.
From our kids in Ethiopia, Mike and Elaine, thank you!
In you the orphan finds mercy. Hosea 14:3
Sunday, March 13, 2011
And the beat goes on
Last night I had the pleasure of taking my daughter to hear Hye-Jin Kim a extraordinary violinist from S. Korea. She was playing with the Signature Symphony at our local community college. As I listened to this talented young violinist and a fantastic symphony, my mind went back to the first time I was introduced to a symphony.
Growing up in my home wasn't always pleasant. School and playing outside and listening to music were escapes for me. When I was at school I would imagine that I had a life like the rest of my friends. There was no yelling or hitting. We knew we would eat. At the end of the day myself along with my sisters were tucked in bed by our parents as they wished us sweet dreams.
Outside all the stress would come out! My sisters and I would play all day outside and not think of what night time would bring behind the walls of our home. And the music? Well I would sing and dance to all of it! Country, Rock, Musicals. For a moment my spirit was free!
As I entered the 6th grade things were getting worse at home. But I would soon find a new escape. Every 6 weeks the school I attended in San Antonio would take the 6th graders downtown to hear the San Antonio Symphony. The girls wore their prettiest dresses and the boys wore a dress shirt and tie. The first time I walked in the beautiful coliseum where the orchestra played I knew I had was about to experience something wonderful. A new love for music was born.
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. Red Auerbach
I love all kinds of music. Not a big fan of opera or rap. But like all music it is an expression of ones feelings, thoughts and beliefs. I don't like it when they feel the need to cuss, sing about sex or use violent terms against women. Or you have the bass so loud in your car that you shake everything around you and can't understand the words! Don't see the point of that at all.
My three sons love music, not the symphonies but they love music. Two of my daughters play violin and I played the flute from 7th - 12th grade. Last night was the first time since the 6th grade that I was able to share my love for the symphony with someone! Cameron was invited to go but she chose not to. I found that a little odd. She is in the 6th grade and began playing the violin the beginning of the school year and she took to it like a duck to water. She has a beautiful voice and she is Korean! I thought she would love to go. But alas, it wasn't Justin Bieber! She will come around as soon as they find a cure for Bieber fever! Jordan loves different kinds of music also. Like me she appreciates the beauty that the sound of the orchestra brings. It speaks to your soul.
Music isn't just learning notes and playing them, You learn notes to play to the music of your soul. Katie Greenwood
I pray that Orchestra, Jazz bands, High School bands & choirs are never eliminated from schools. Those programs have helped thousands of kids throughout the years cope, dream and move on,
Growing up in my home wasn't always pleasant. School and playing outside and listening to music were escapes for me. When I was at school I would imagine that I had a life like the rest of my friends. There was no yelling or hitting. We knew we would eat. At the end of the day myself along with my sisters were tucked in bed by our parents as they wished us sweet dreams.
Outside all the stress would come out! My sisters and I would play all day outside and not think of what night time would bring behind the walls of our home. And the music? Well I would sing and dance to all of it! Country, Rock, Musicals. For a moment my spirit was free!
As I entered the 6th grade things were getting worse at home. But I would soon find a new escape. Every 6 weeks the school I attended in San Antonio would take the 6th graders downtown to hear the San Antonio Symphony. The girls wore their prettiest dresses and the boys wore a dress shirt and tie. The first time I walked in the beautiful coliseum where the orchestra played I knew I had was about to experience something wonderful. A new love for music was born.
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. Red Auerbach
I love all kinds of music. Not a big fan of opera or rap. But like all music it is an expression of ones feelings, thoughts and beliefs. I don't like it when they feel the need to cuss, sing about sex or use violent terms against women. Or you have the bass so loud in your car that you shake everything around you and can't understand the words! Don't see the point of that at all.
My three sons love music, not the symphonies but they love music. Two of my daughters play violin and I played the flute from 7th - 12th grade. Last night was the first time since the 6th grade that I was able to share my love for the symphony with someone! Cameron was invited to go but she chose not to. I found that a little odd. She is in the 6th grade and began playing the violin the beginning of the school year and she took to it like a duck to water. She has a beautiful voice and she is Korean! I thought she would love to go. But alas, it wasn't Justin Bieber! She will come around as soon as they find a cure for Bieber fever! Jordan loves different kinds of music also. Like me she appreciates the beauty that the sound of the orchestra brings. It speaks to your soul.
Music isn't just learning notes and playing them, You learn notes to play to the music of your soul. Katie Greenwood
I pray that Orchestra, Jazz bands, High School bands & choirs are never eliminated from schools. Those programs have helped thousands of kids throughout the years cope, dream and move on,
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| Jordan ready to play at the Broken Arrow PAC with the H.S. Orchestra Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets." 1 Chronicles 13:8 (NKJV) |
Friday, March 11, 2011
Need a smile?
I needed a smile today. Kennedy makes me smile with the little matter of fact things see she says. The past couple of months she has come up with some good ones. I thought I would share some of them on my blog because I have several family members who don't have facebook and I know they would get a kick out of them. I hope it brings a smile to your face too!
Another good one. Me and Kennedy were sitting in the kitchen and she was eating her breakfast. I realized the date February 28th. I said " My moms birthday is today. Kennedy looked confused and said "you have a mom?" "Of course. She died when I was pregnant with Dustin." "You were pregnant with Dustin?!" " Yes. How do you think he got here?" I thought you picked him out from some country!"
Kennedys plan for her and Kooper, her boyfriend.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Camerons Happy Birthday Story
Today our Cameron turns 12! Where has the time gone? For her birthday blog I want to share with you how God lead us to Ms. Cameron. I may have told this before but it is truly worth repeating. There are so many children in the world waiting to be adopted. If God calls you to adopt you need to trust Him and allow Him to guide your steps.This is a story of prayer, faith, and how Gods plan for your life is ALWAYS so much better than the one you make for yourself
July 1999. I am driving home from Jordan's first day at Korea Camp, she was 4 years old. I am listening to her talk about her day when out of know where she says "mommy, I want a baby sister from Korea!" I have to admit I was a little shocked! I was over the age limit to adopt from S. Korea and I truly didn't think her dad would be on board. I explained all of this to her. She just looked at me. Let me say that it is very unsettling to have a 4 year old just stare at you while your driving! I finally couldn't take it anymore and told her that we should pray and we would wait for God to answer and we would do whatever He told us to do.
Now I am thinking to myself "good job Elaine! You know Jordan is going to forget all about this when camp is over and she is OK with your answer. Most important she quit staring at you!" Oh I think we had been driving about 5 minutes in quiet when Jordan says in a very loud and excited voice "mommy He answered me!" Who answered you? with a annoyed look an a eye roll (seriously 4 years old!" she says GOD!" I took a quick look at her and she was so serious I almost believed her. I said "Really? And what did God say?" Without missing a beat she said " He told me that it was OK for me to have a little sister, but now it's up to your mommy and daddy." I looked at her as she innocently (I think) smiled at me. And you know what? I believed her!
A few weeks went by and Mike and I had decided to look into a domestic adoption of a bi racial baby. It seemed our only option since I was over the age limit for S. Korea. I have to be honest I wasn't real sure about this. A newborn at 44 0r 45? Seriously? But then I remembered what God had told Jordan. I knew He wouldn't give us more than we could handle. Please remember that statement further in this story.
Now during this time I had been on a website http://www.rainbowkids.com/ (for those who might be interested in looking at some beautiful children who need adopted.) and my sister and I had come across the picture of this little girl who looked so sad. I was instantly drawn to her. One she was from S. Korea and two she was special needs and they would allow a person to be over the age limit to adopt her! But as I read her bio my heart broke. She had way to many special needs. Developmentally, pphysically and possibly mentally handicapped plus a few other things. There was no way we could handle all of that.
On December 10th, 1999 I had taken the morning off work and Jordan and I went to the adoption agency we had used for her adoption to take them Christmas cards and pick up a copy of our old home study. Two of the ladies that worked there and had helped with Jordan's adoption asked me what we were doing. I told them. They looked shocked. Then one of them asked if we would be interested in a little boy from S. Korea about 9 months old. I looked at Jordan who was smiling and said I would but I am not sure about my husband. They told me they would get some information and call me. Two hours late I received a call from one of them saying they had a 9 month old little girl and would be interested? ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? I grabbed Jordan's hand, told my boss I as leaving...again and headed to the agency. We sat down and watched a video of a precious little girl. Instantly I knew that was out daughter. I said "we will adopt her!" They suggested I speak to my husband. ;) They gave me the video and history and as we walked out the door Jordan looked up at me and said "See mommy, I told you He said it was OK." Yes you did Jordan.
Mike and our sons watched the video and we were all in agreement. This was our daughter and sister. As I read the history it seemed very familiar, Developmentally, physically and possibly mentally handicapped. Where had I seen this before? All I knew is this time it didn't phase me or my husband. We knew without a doubt this was our child. A few days later we went to sign the papers and received the baby's pictures. I stared in disbelief. It was the same little girl whose picture I had looked at a few months before. The little one who had all the special needs that I just knew we couldn't handle. Now she was our daughter.
In April 2000, 4 months after we received her referral, 9 months after Jordan had told me God answered her. Ms. Cameron came home. We had not planned on adopting Internationally again but God did. Within those 4 months we had paid for her adoption.
Today that little girl who had so many strikes against her and was close to being placed in a institution is now a beautiful young lady. She can sing, hear a song once and know the words, plays violin, is extremely smart, funny, has a servants heart, loves God, her family and friends.
My husband and I thought are family was complete. We had no plans on adopting again. But God did. When Jordan asked for a little sister that day and we prayed and God answered her Cameron was 5 months old. In the video she was 8 months old and when we saw it she was turning 10 months old. She came home one day shy of turning 15 months old. She still couldn't walk. About 3 months of therapy Cami was off and running and hasn't looked back!
Cameron we have watched you grow into a beautiful young woman. You never cease to amaze us! Thank you for fighting the good fight so you could come home to your family. Happy Birthday Cupcake! You are loved!
July 1999. I am driving home from Jordan's first day at Korea Camp, she was 4 years old. I am listening to her talk about her day when out of know where she says "mommy, I want a baby sister from Korea!" I have to admit I was a little shocked! I was over the age limit to adopt from S. Korea and I truly didn't think her dad would be on board. I explained all of this to her. She just looked at me. Let me say that it is very unsettling to have a 4 year old just stare at you while your driving! I finally couldn't take it anymore and told her that we should pray and we would wait for God to answer and we would do whatever He told us to do.
Now I am thinking to myself "good job Elaine! You know Jordan is going to forget all about this when camp is over and she is OK with your answer. Most important she quit staring at you!" Oh I think we had been driving about 5 minutes in quiet when Jordan says in a very loud and excited voice "mommy He answered me!" Who answered you? with a annoyed look an a eye roll (seriously 4 years old!" she says GOD!" I took a quick look at her and she was so serious I almost believed her. I said "Really? And what did God say?" Without missing a beat she said " He told me that it was OK for me to have a little sister, but now it's up to your mommy and daddy." I looked at her as she innocently (I think) smiled at me. And you know what? I believed her!
A few weeks went by and Mike and I had decided to look into a domestic adoption of a bi racial baby. It seemed our only option since I was over the age limit for S. Korea. I have to be honest I wasn't real sure about this. A newborn at 44 0r 45? Seriously? But then I remembered what God had told Jordan. I knew He wouldn't give us more than we could handle. Please remember that statement further in this story.
Now during this time I had been on a website http://www.rainbowkids.com/ (for those who might be interested in looking at some beautiful children who need adopted.) and my sister and I had come across the picture of this little girl who looked so sad. I was instantly drawn to her. One she was from S. Korea and two she was special needs and they would allow a person to be over the age limit to adopt her! But as I read her bio my heart broke. She had way to many special needs. Developmentally, pphysically and possibly mentally handicapped plus a few other things. There was no way we could handle all of that.
On December 10th, 1999 I had taken the morning off work and Jordan and I went to the adoption agency we had used for her adoption to take them Christmas cards and pick up a copy of our old home study. Two of the ladies that worked there and had helped with Jordan's adoption asked me what we were doing. I told them. They looked shocked. Then one of them asked if we would be interested in a little boy from S. Korea about 9 months old. I looked at Jordan who was smiling and said I would but I am not sure about my husband. They told me they would get some information and call me. Two hours late I received a call from one of them saying they had a 9 month old little girl and would be interested? ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? I grabbed Jordan's hand, told my boss I as leaving...again and headed to the agency. We sat down and watched a video of a precious little girl. Instantly I knew that was out daughter. I said "we will adopt her!" They suggested I speak to my husband. ;) They gave me the video and history and as we walked out the door Jordan looked up at me and said "See mommy, I told you He said it was OK." Yes you did Jordan.
Mike and our sons watched the video and we were all in agreement. This was our daughter and sister. As I read the history it seemed very familiar, Developmentally, physically and possibly mentally handicapped. Where had I seen this before? All I knew is this time it didn't phase me or my husband. We knew without a doubt this was our child. A few days later we went to sign the papers and received the baby's pictures. I stared in disbelief. It was the same little girl whose picture I had looked at a few months before. The little one who had all the special needs that I just knew we couldn't handle. Now she was our daughter.
In April 2000, 4 months after we received her referral, 9 months after Jordan had told me God answered her. Ms. Cameron came home. We had not planned on adopting Internationally again but God did. Within those 4 months we had paid for her adoption.
Today that little girl who had so many strikes against her and was close to being placed in a institution is now a beautiful young lady. She can sing, hear a song once and know the words, plays violin, is extremely smart, funny, has a servants heart, loves God, her family and friends.
My husband and I thought are family was complete. We had no plans on adopting again. But God did. When Jordan asked for a little sister that day and we prayed and God answered her Cameron was 5 months old. In the video she was 8 months old and when we saw it she was turning 10 months old. She came home one day shy of turning 15 months old. She still couldn't walk. About 3 months of therapy Cami was off and running and hasn't looked back!
Cameron we have watched you grow into a beautiful young woman. You never cease to amaze us! Thank you for fighting the good fight so you could come home to your family. Happy Birthday Cupcake! You are loved!
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| Full of life! |
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| Our sweet girl |
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| Cameron in her Korean Hanbok |
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