This afternoon my heart was sad as I heard of someone I know's death.

So very sad.

But this morning I had been reading about Heaven. 

I had been thinking about how much we all longed to be there....

....and how wonderful it would be. 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." ~Romans 8:18

Today we suffer.  Today we will watch friends and family die. The creation will groan and cry and moan.  And we will die a little bit with each painful process. 

                                                   Yet this isn't the end of the story. 

^" No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~Romans 8:37-39

Even though life hurts, He still loves us. He's going to carry us through this painful process of life, and then, when we are finished, He is going to reveal to us great, beautiful Glory that we can't even imagine.

I feel confident that as we enter the Gates of Heaven, every tear we've ever cried will suddenly vanish so far out of our memories the pain seems non-existent. 

I wait eagerly for that moment.

Just Because...Reece's Rainbow children

Sweet Victoria and all the
other children featured
in this post are listed on
Reecesrainbow.org

Dear Readers,

     I love blogs. I love blogging and reading others' blogs. My favorite posts are the ones filled with pictures and beautiful words and miracle stories. Adoption blogs are some of my favorites. One mom whose blog I read is currently in India bringing home her precious little girl. I cried when I watched the video where she met her little girl for the first time. It was the most beautiful thing.

And as I watched, I was so overcome with a desire to go scoop a precious child out of an orphanage. I was so filled with longing to walk through the doors with my treasure just as she did. That aching desire persists. I so long to hold one of these babies in my arms...I so wish I could kiss those cheeks and make sure they know they are loved and safe forever.

But I can't. The most painful thing about orphan advocacy is that I know that even when I am old enough to adopt, I won't be bringing any of these children whose faces I've fallen in love with home. They will either have been adopted already or put in an institution or will have died alone. These sweet babies have my heart. They are each so precious to me. And yet none of them will ever be mine to hold. That hurts.

Whenever I dream about what I want to do someday, I always think about what profession I could have that would most help special needs children. I'd love to be a sign language interpreter, Deaf educator, physical/occupational therapist, pretty much anything working with people with special needs! But I really want to be a mommy. I really want to go to Russia (please, President Putin, open your country back up to us Americans!!) or Ukraine or China and bring a precious child, my precious child home to be loved forever. Someday.

But right now I'm thankful that I have a chance to be a voice for these children. As much as I long to hold them in my arms, for today I am going to love them from across the ocean. 

These are the ones who touched my heart first, and one day when I bring my own children home, God Willing, I will remember them and the gift that they gave me: an overwhelming love for the fatherless.

You are the helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more. ~Psalm 10:14, 17-18

                                                           In you the orphan finds mercy.

Hosea 14:3 

Thank you, Lord, for loving these precious children even more than I do. I'm so thankful that my Savior will not leave these children alone...He hears their cries and has mercy and compassion upon them. What a blessing of reassurance. 

Your Blogger,

 Claire

Argentina 2013...and what it means to me.

Dear Readers,

Last summer my Mom, brothers, and I stepped on a plane bound for Argentina. We had no idea what Argentina would be like, little idea what we would be doing there, and certainly no connection to the country itself. It was just the destination at the end of our flight. We were very excited to get there, and thankful to the Lord for this opportunity to serve Him on a mission trip, but there was nothing particularly special about the country itself. We didn't really know much about it. 

But now.

Now, when I see mention of Argentina in History, or the newspaper, my eyes leap to the article. I thoroughly examine it, taking in every minute detail. 

Now, when I hear Spanish, I whip around to find who's speaking the beautiful language. 

Now, my heart skips about ten beats at the thought of going back to Argentina. 

Now...

Argentina means so much to me. 

It means hugging that sweet baby (pictured above) and his family. 

It means seeing all of the friends we made there again.

It means going to La Puerta Abierta (the church in Buenos Aires) again...

And having Dulce de Leche multiple times a day (smile)

It means about a gazillion hugs because now I know just how far away Buenos Aires and Phoenix feel

It means savoring each moment, because you never know when you will be able to travel there again

It means thanking the Lord for His goodness in allowing me to be back every moment I'm there.

It means getting absolutely no sleep...

and enjoying every minute you're awake

Did I mention getting to hold this little boy again? Because of all the things that going back to Argentina mean...

That is what makes my heart sigh the most. 

Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with this incredible opportunity to return to Argentina in 2013.

Although I am looking forward to it more than I can say, I am also anxious to leave my family. Very anxious. 

My wonderful Readers, I would so appreciate your prayers in this! Please be praying for me as I fundraise and then travel to Argentina (my heart just skipped another beat!), and for my family as Benjamin has surgery in May. Also, please be praying for the precious people of Argentina! 

I am ever grateful for you. 

Your Blogger,

 Claire

Some Days...

 Dear Readers,

  First off, I want to thank all of you for the encouragement, prayers, and love that you have blessed me with since Monday. I have been so blessed by each and every word you have said! Thank you. 

    I know this world is not perfect...I know that some days are hard, awful, terrible. In fact, my family teases me, saying I "dwell on the sorrows of the world".  I personally look at it the same way Roger Arnett did. "It is our responsibility to help bear the great burden of grief that rests upon the world." Because there is always someone hurting. Every single day. There are always orphans waiting, and there are always people dying. Every day of our lives. It would be ignorant for me to pretend that's not true. And some days that makes me just cry. 

    However. I don't believe God placed us on this earth to whine and moan and groan about all of its sadness! Although every day brings about trouble and sadness, each sunrise also begins a new day of beauty and majesty and hope in the One who created this world we live in. 

Yesterday could have been a day where we all focused on the sadness of the world. We spent the morning at the hospital...watching very sick, very sweet kiddos walk past me as I came out from my  appointment. It would have been easy for me to come home and felt sad for each of those precious little kids who I'm sure would rather be playing than at that hospital. It would have been easy to forget the marvelous gifts God has blessed the world with, and just focused on the pain that is also here. 

But that was not His plan for that day. 

Not too long after we got home from the hospital we were enjoying a visit with our sweet friend who went to Argentina with us. While we were talking, there was a knock at the door. Mom went to answer it and we continued talking. After a few minutes I heard her say "Claire!"...I got up to see what it was and saw my sweet friend standing there (who I was thinking "Is in Ireland right now!")!! I was shocked  but was so elated  to see her sweet face in person that I just ran in there to meet her!! I couldn't believe my eyes. I kept thinking I was dreaming or something crazy! Had I fainted again? Haha!! But it really happened! I hadn't seen her for about, I don't know, eight months...and so it was just the biggest blessing to hear her voice and hug her!! I still am having trouble believing it really happened. It was one of those blessings from the Lord that is just too big to hold in your hands! Or wrap your mind around!  It was the best surprise ever, and I will always remember it and how wonderful it was! 

This blog post is not even doing justice to it. Seriously. It was such a wonderful gift. 

And you know what else? 

Benjamin was supposed to get his cast off at 3:00. My dear friend got there probably about that time. 

I can't even imagine how upset I would have been if we had missed her!! I could cry just thinking about it.

But, as Betsie ten Boom says, "There are no what-ifs in God's Kingdom". 

The Lord knew this wonderful surprise visit was going to happen even when I didn't. And He had it all under control! Benjamin got his cast off as soon as my appointment was finished. And we were all home at 3:00. God is so amazing. He blows my mind! This visit blessed my heart, while at the same time strengthening my faith. 

You know what else blows my mind? The goodness of this world. Because this is one of those days where the good outweighs the bad. By far.

I pray that even if your week didn't include a wonderful surprise visit, that you are still able to see the joy this weekend that God has for you!!

Your Blogger who is still smiling from the surprise, 

Claire

  

   

A little note from me to you!

                                         

                                                         I thank the Lord for blessing me with my family! They are
                                                                gifts!

Dear Readers,
   Happy 2013!!
I honestly can't even believe it's here. I didn't really want 2013 to arrive...I kind of wanted to snuggle down in gingerbread, Christmas trees, and endless family time. But alas, Christmas passed and the new year began. We started school again today, and so although I still made some gingerbread cookies last weekend, I'm coming to accept the fact that Christmas is over whether I like it or not.
    Today we started back to school, as I know a lot of people did. It was a hard day, but not really because of the return of Geometry and Chemistry (although those were no fun!). I fainted at the gym this morning and so have just felt shaky and strange all day. I went to the doctor today and so we will see if they can figure out what's going on with me. I'm hopeful it was just a blood sugar problem and I'm really fine! Amazing how things can change in one minute. This morning I had my day perfectly planned out...how I would come in from the gym and do my devotion and get a head start on school, then walk the dog,  diligently work at my schoolwork and perfectly end the day with my first lesson with my new violin. hmm... That is not how my day turned out at all!! I did come home and do my devotion, but couldn't walk the dog, and ended up not getting to go to the much-anticipated lesson because I was at the doctor's. 
     ^"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'" ~James 4:13-15
     This verse came to mind as soon as I was alert and leaving the gym. I kind of laughed at my silliness in thinking I could plan out my day like that. I would have never added in fainting at the gym! And although I sincerely hope I never do that again, I will try my best to never plan like that again. Because the truth is--only God knows what tomorrow holds. If we try to plan it ourselves, well, that is just plain goofiness! So I'm going to try to stop planning like that...and stop worrying...and entirely surrender tomorrow and the next day and the next and the next to the Lord. I challenge you to do the same thing! 
   
   Any way...back to Christmas. 
 We had a wonderful Christmas! Although we felt like it was a little rushed...and although the surgery mid-December put a little damper on the mood...my mom has a gift for making things that could be unhappy the happiest of things ever. So we sewed matching Christmas aprons, baked over 200 Christmas cookies that spelled out the word JOY (our motto for the year),  saw a beautiful performance of The Nutcracker, and spent time just being together & watching some of our favorite Christmas movies (along with Newsies...four or five times!)

Christmas eve!!

     It was definitely a Christmas to remember! We had so much fun together.  

Baking fun! One of my favorite memories!!

It was such a sweet blessing to celebrate Christmas
with Stephanie this year!! She is a gift!

Another fun memory: making a Christmas sign to adorn our door
and bows to match!

It was such a wonderful Christmas! I hope yours was wonderful, as well. 
   Thank you for listening to me on my soap box as I talked about this morning, and for hearing me reminisce about Christmas! I pray your 2013 is filled with blessings, and that no matter what it holds, you will be able to find JOY and trust in the Lord!
Your blogger,
 Claire
  

It could have been me. Reece's Rainbow Waiting Child

Benjamin, Mason, and I meet Cinderella!

Dear Readers,

  Today was a wonderful day for us and I hope it was for you, too! It was so wonderful to be together again. We had fun sending out Christmas cards and sewing! Thank you for your prayers for Benjamin....we truly appreciate them. He is doing well! 

    I was all set to write a Christmas post, but God had other plans...

                                

Rebekah, a precious child listed
on Reece's Rainbow

Meet Rebekah. Isn't she just precious? I was scrolling through Reece's Rainbow this afternoon in search of a child to feature on an advocacy blog that I'm blessed to write for, Still We Wait. I fell in love with her and decided to post about her. As I pulled up the short segment Reece's Rainbow has on her, I read a sentence that hit me in the chest. See if you notice anything about this sentence: "Rebekah was born premature at 27 weeks and has quadriplegic CP." 

    Born early at 27 weeks. Benjamin, Mason, and I were born at 28 weeks. Oh. My. Goodness. 

  I suddenly was filled with the desire to go hug her now, to hold her and squeeze her and never to let her go. She has Quadriplegic CP just like Benjamin. She was born at 28 weeks. And she is darling. 

  

    "Okay, Claire, we get it, y'all were all born early! What's the big deal? Most of the kids listed on RR were born early!" I know. I know, I know, I know. 

   But the reason her story so broke my heart was because I know that could have been me. Or Benjamin. Or Mason. We could very well have been the child listed on a waiting children site. 

   But the difference between Rebekah and Benjamin, Mason, and I is our mothers. My mother chose life for us, because she loved us with or without disabilities. She loved us through the long, tiring days at the NICU...loved us through hard days of therapy....loved us through times where I felt alone because I didn't have CP...loved us through surgeries...tears....and days of joy and triumph. Rebekah's Mommy said she couldn't do it. She said she couldn't handle a baby born premature, couldn't handle CP. 

   

   I'm not going to lie. This makes me mad. So, so, nailbiting mad. How anyone could look at that face and not be willing to give her the world is unthinkable to me. 

I'm angry that all mothers aren't like my Mom. I'm angry that Rebekah's Mom was unwilling to care for her daughter, despite the sacrifices. I'm angry that she has to suffer while I was blessed with so much. I'm angry that she has waited for six years. I'm angry that no one has snatched up this beautiful little girl! How could you not?? 

   

  But maybe you are feeling like Rebekah's birth mom did. Maybe you feel called to adopt, but unable to care for a child with a disability. Let me tell you this: You yourself are unable to handle caring for Rebekah. It's true. You can't do it. But God can. God is able to care for her and the millions of other inhabitants of the earth. In fact, He does it everyday! He is caring for her as we speak. He is caring for you, and me, and my family and yours, too. He will carry you as you carry Rebekah out of that orphanage. His GRACE is sufficient for you in all that you do. Adoption included.

   My sweet little angel Marcia is no longer listed on Reece's Rainbow as being available for adoption. She may never know the love of a family, may never feel the arms of her mother around her. She might not know how it feels to be loved until she reaches Heaven. She waited for five years and now it is too late.

  

    But it is not yet too late for Rebekah! She still has a chance! She is filled with so much joy, despite her suffering. She would be the biggest blessing you have ever received, I can assure you of that. She needs you. Please step up and save her before it is too late. 

Give her the world like my Mom gave me. 

Thank you, Mom, for all you have done for us and continue
to do! You are the biggest blessing
God has ever given me!
 Te amo!

There is HOPE for Rebekah and many other children around the world! Please remember them in your prayers as we celebrate the One who gave us blessed hope. Your Blogger,
 Claire

  

     

Our God is in Control

You could plant me like a tree beside a river
You could tangle me in soil and let my roots run wild
And I would blossom like a flower in the desert
But for now just let me cry

You could raise me like a banner in the battle
Put victory like fire behind my shining eyes
And I would drift like falling snow over the embers
But for now just let me lie

Set me like a star before the morning
Like a sun that steals the darkness from a world asleep
And I'll illuminate the path You've laid before me
But for now just let me be

So let me go like a leaf upon the water
Let me brave the wild currents flowing to the sea
And I will disappear into a deeper beauty
But for now just stay with me
God, for now just stay with me


  Those are the lyrics to a song called "Show Me" by Audrey Assad. I had trouble making sense of it at first, but a couple of nights ago its meaning hit me. Or at least my interpretation of it, any way. God used it to speak to my heart! 
This is my take on this song:
God can use us in so many different ways, as the song says. (Blossom like a flower...banner in the battle...star before the morning...) But sometimes we just need to be still and and be in Him. (but for now just let me be...God, just stay with me) Sometimes our hearts are just craving Him--so we need to slow down and give in! Sometimes we can't  just run around serving...because we need to drink in His love first. Yes, during the hour you spend reading your Bible, He could be using you to serve...but in that moment you need to rest and learn. Ecclesiastes 3 says there is a time for everything...a time to be silent and a time to speak...a time to weep and a time to laugh...
    This song and verse spoke to me on so many different levels. Sometimes I don't want to joke around with anyone, I just need to be alone and cry.  Other times I don't want anyone to ask me about these surgeries...I just want to laugh and forget about it. But this verse says there is a time for  everything--laughing and crying, joy and fear. I'm so thankful that there is. Because sometimes you just need to cry out to God. And sometimes you just need to goof off!
    
I took this month off from volunteering due to Benjamin's surgery. And so as I listened to this song the other night I realized how I have needed to spend time just focusing on Him. I needed to stop serving for a little while and confront my own fears and emotions and let God take them. I like to shove all of my problems way down deep and turn all of my attentions to the orphans or volunteering or whatever He's recently placed on my heart. It has been good for me to just lay down and drink Him in. 

       I'm trying to be with God, figuring out that He really is faithful in everything. That is a really good place to be in, y'all.

   I won't lie. I kind of want to lock the doors to our house and not let anyone in sometimes.  But we can't do that. And, honestly, we would miss out if we did. Sometimes my inner-hermit comes out though, especially during surgeries. :)
  
  A friend of mine had some hard medical news this week. She called to give us an update, and despite all that she was going through at that moment, she took the time to pray for ME and MY family. She ministered to my on-the-verge-of-tears heart even though her own was sad. Even though surgeries make me never want to talk to anyone...I know I can't do that. Because God's plan IS to raise me up. 
    He has a lot of people needing to hear of His Love...and we are called to show His Love. We can't just spend all of our time "Drinking in" and none "giving out". And if we lock the doors to our house, just us and the Bible, then we will be the only people profiting from it! 
    James 2:14-17 says this: "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,  and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Dead. Faith without works is dead. I don't want to hold all of this goodness in to myself! That would be worse that baking Amish friendship bread without giving it to your neighbors! I want to drink in and be filled...only to go give it all out again. 

    

   So I am going to be with God right now...I am going to try to savor these moments where He grows me and stretches me by hard things. But I am also going to go out and feed His sheep. 

   What about you? I encourage you to go encourage someone else this week, no matter if you yourself are going through a hard time. 

Your Blogger,

 Claire 

P.S.--my parents and Benjamin are currently on the plane to the Frozen Tundra, aka Minnesota. He has surgery tomorrow...and we so appreciate your prayers!! 

On my soapbox..

*Know if you are taking the time to read this, I am grateful for you! I apologize if our views do not align about this treaty, but even if they don't, I'm still thankful you stopped by!!

Dear Readers,
 
  You may not know about it, or even care about it. But the U.N.'s Treaty for Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities was defeated.
   The saddest part, to me, is that so many of the organizations my family and I support were vehemently opposed to this treaty. The treaty was going to require that churches have x amount of parking spaces for people in wheelchairs. It was going to mean that buildings had to be accessible. And oh my goodness, a lot of people were opposed to that! I mean, why would we want people in wheelchairs to have access to church?!? This greatly upset many!
   The treaty was also going to impact education for children with disabilities. These were the main things the homeschool organizations we supported were opposed to. They did not want the U.N. telling them what to do in their churches, because that might mean that religious freedom comes next. They don't want people taking their children away from them because they choose to home school.

  I, too,  do not want my religious freedom touched. I do not want the government telling me what education option to choose for MY child. But from what I understand,  this treaty was not going to touch that.

    This treaty was, however, going to make churches accessible. And this was the real kicker for me. Because, really, guys-- Why aren't our churches already accessible?! 
If we, as a church, claim to love the least of these, then why aren't we filled to the brim with wheelchair accessible parking spots?  Why doesn't every church have a special needs ministry? Why do we have to be forced by the government to make room for  people in wheelchairs in our churches?! I am embarrassed that anyone even had to write this treaty. Because the Church should be setting the standard for how people with disabilities are treated; not the United Nations. How sad. How truly, truly sad. There are so many children and adults in the United States who have a disability. With this disability comes so many struggles that the church could help them through!! Families with a newly diagnosed child are hurting...in fact, many families with special needs children are divorced. It's estimated that about 85% of families who have a child with Autism get a divorce. Might this rate go down if churches made more of an effort to reach out to these families?


   
      I have been blessed with a wonderful family who recognizes that Arizona's public education system is not the answer for us. They have taken the initiative and have provided us with an amazing blessing: the ability to home school. Not all families, however, are able to do this, and I realize that.
 
    There are children all around the world with disabilities who stay home from school because their parents don't know about services for the disabled (or there isn't such a thing in their country). These children are called a "burden to society"...but they have so much to contribute if only given the chance! I am sure this treaty is not perfect, because government is not perfect. It may not do much for these children...

But what if it did?

What if this treaty made sure that all Deaf children had access to sign language, and all children with disabilities were able to go to school? What if this made a difference in the lives of the millions of Disabled children and adults in the world? What if....

  But that "what if" can't happen, because this treaty was defeated. That hope that I held in my heart was stomped out by the very organizations I supported. Generation Joshua, The Home School Legal Defense, The Busy Home School Mom...they all followed their political party so strictly that they forget to follow our true leader, Jesus. Jesus didn't tell the paralytic's friends to stop lowering him down from that mat...he honored their efforts by blessing their friend. 

I pray that soon we will all be able to see through God's eyes--eyes of compassion and love first for others, with ourselves merely as an afterthought, if we have to be a thought at all. 

But until then, I am thankful that even when we make mistakes and forget to love first, God is just as loving and full of forgiveness.

If you have already made up your mind to be against this treaty, I ask that you look at it from someone else's eyes. It's too late to get it passed, I know, but it isn't too late for you to decide you are going to start LOVING before you blindly follow. 

Your Blogger,

Claire

P.S.--I'm blessed to attend a church that has a wonderful special needs ministry. If you are interested in learning more about Disability ministry, please visit: http://scottsdalebible.com/ministries/special-ministries and Joniandfriends.org 

My ramblings...

Dear Readers,

 Well, hello there! I apologize for not having blogged in...forever! I keep writing blog posts in my head but just haven't had time to sit down and write them out. Actually, I don't have time right now! But I'm going to write one any way because it's rather cathartic and I need to. So there. (And I wonder why I don't have good time management..hhmm...)

  

    December is upon us! Our Christmas trees are up and decorated, the radio is playing Christmas music, and we had hot chocolate last night.  I love this month! I especially love remembering Christmases past...so many laughs!! 


 But three of our family will leave later this month for surgery. That kind of puts a damper on the mood, huh? Actually, it does a lot more than that. I hate surgeries with a passion, and the fact that there are two in the very-near future stinks. Some days we can sing Christmas carols in the car at the top of our lungs and forget about it...but some days we can't. And I hate it when I can't just stick my head in the sand and forget about it, because surgeries are just plain depressing. ha

  
 I so appreciate your prayers for my family during this season!!

With all of this upcoming surgery, I can't help but wonder about the people around the world who need this same surgery that Benjamin is having this summer, but don't have access to medical care.  What about the children with Cerebral Palsy in Africa? What do they do? Although I hate that Benjamin has to have this surgery, I am ultimately grateful that my family has access to medical care for it. Please be praying for those people around the world who desperately need surgery but are unable to get it. 

    I also can't help but think of those who are in nursing homes, hospitals, institutions, and prisons this Christmas. As we drove through our neighborhood the other night, admiring the decorations and laughing as a family, I started thinking about the children all over the world whose families have abandoned them. In that moment I just wanted them all in the car with us, laughing, too! I wish no child ever had to watch a birthday or a Christmas pass without a family to love on them and tell them they are special and valued.  As hard as finding joy can be sometimes, I know it must be even harder when you are in a prison, hospital,  or nursing home. 

 Two years ago (okay..I think it was two years ago! I'm really not sure haha!)   I had the privilege of getting to sign some carols  at an Alzheimer's Home around Christmastime. This year I keep thinking of the residents, remembering how they kept asking my Mom to take them home. The staff did a wonderful job making this place home-like and cheerful, but there was a big difference between that and a HOME with your own family. 

    As you celebrate this Christmas with your dear ones, please remember those people who don't have family near to hug and hold! 
    But as you keep them near in your thoughts and prayers, take this time to thank the God who is with them and you for the great gift He has bestowed us with: His Son. 

Love, 
Your Blogger

P.S.-- "Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast." ~Psalm 139:7-10

Isn't this a beautiful reminder that God is with us, around our Christmas tree, but also in those prisons, nursing homes, and institutions around the world? Thank you, Lord! 

    

Thankful for...

These sweet people who I love so much...

This sweet baby and his family...

My precious SEVEN year old sister!

Amongst other things, I am thankful for the things pictured above. I am thankful for these past seven years with  "Baby" Cate...what a gift she is!! I am thankful that the weather is finally cold...I am thankful for chilly mornings with my Bible and a Chai Tea Latte. I am thankful for the early morning runs my mom and I go on. Actually, if I was honest, I'm more thankful for the car rides to the gym where we can talk than I am for the runs themselves! Ha! I'm thankful for sweet friends and the times we are able to spend together. I am thankful for my church and the two ministries that have become home to me there. I am thankful to my God for bringing me to where I am today and the memories and moments He has blessed me with. This November I am thankful for my family and the wonderful journey of life we are on!! I am thankful for the opportunity to serve and love and grow. I am thankful for this life. 

                                                         What are you thankful for? 

Orphan Sunday: Reece's Rainbow

Dear Readers,

Every time I go on to Reecesrainbow.com, I go to the search box and type in the name "Marcia".

And every time I type that up, the above picture is my answer. I had allowed my heart to hope just a little bit in the moments between the home page and the no results page. "Maybe she will be there this time!!" But Marcia is no longer listed on Reece's Rainbow. So instead of her sweet little picture, 

I'm greeted with this dismal message: "NO RESULTS FOUND". 

But does the fact that she is no longer on Reece's Rainbow mean she no longer exists? Of course not!

Somewhere this precious girl is locked in a mental institution. Somewhere halfway around the world from me Marcia is hurting.  This sweet girl is in desperate need of a family. She needs someone to hug her and kiss her and wipe all her tears away. She needs someone to scoop her up from that crib she spends all day in and tell her she is loved. Marcia needs medical care for her Spina Bifida and love for her tender little heart. 

This picture makes me cry every time. Seeing her little fist on those metal bars...that hopeful look in her eyes! When I was able to get updates on her from Reece's Rainbow they said she had lost all hope. 

Lost all hope. 

Today is Orphan Sunday. 

Marcia is one of millions. There are hundreds of millions of children in the world who go every day without a mommy or daddy tucking them in at night. Like Marcia, they have no one to tell them they are loved. 

If you jumped from foster family to foster family because they couldn't handle your extensive emotional needs, or disabilities, or even just your personality, how would you feel? If you were left in a cold bed all day, never feeling a loving touch, would you feel loved?

Here are some staggering statistics from Show Hope: 

 43.4 million orphans live in sub-Saharan Africa, 87.6 million orphans live in Asia, and 12.4 million orphans live in Latin America and the Caribbean.
 1.5 million children live in public care in Central and Eastern Europe alone.
 At any given point there are over 500,000 children in the U.S. Foster Care system.

Do you know what "public care" means? Public care means a mental institution where they lay a five year old down on a bed the day she arrives, and she will hardly ever leave that bed again. Public care means laying in that crib with nothing to listen to all day but the screams of the others in there. Public care means stimming and biting yourself because you are so, so bored. 

Today is Orphan Sunday. Today we need to do something for those children who are in Foster Care in the US. Today we need to do something for the millions dying in orphanages and mental institutions around the world. 

Today we need to pray.