Almost Home . . .

We've been waiting SOOOO LONG for this court apointment. April 2011, is when the Lord opened the doors and we began the journey towards adopting our son's 2 brothers ... it's been a looooooong wait. It's almost surreal. I think I have either been holding my breath or running on adrenalin because I feel EXHAUSTED .... rung out.

I had one little tiny eeeeek of excitement tonight when I realized ... we'd be leaving in less that 2 WEEKS and that I will get to see, not only our 2 new sons, but our dear friends, visit our sponsored kids in Gojjo, and meet someone who may be instrumental in the future ministry the Lord is calling us to in Ethiopia, not to mention, look around at places to live, just to get an idea of what's out there. We still have a ways to go down this road ... probably won't be able to bring them home to the US until December, the way it looks, but PRAISE GOD. THEY ARE ALMOST HOME. ♥

THIS IS NOT A GUILT TRIP .... I may regret posting this out there soon after I hit enter, about making myself vunerable before the world. I might even delete it later. But I am feeling kind of weary here, please lift me up in prayer .... We started this ministry (Rivers of Living Water ~ Helping Orphans and Widows in Need) with the annointing of the Lord. It was His idea, not ours. People have

come out of the woodwork and thanked ME for the honor of allowing them to sponsor a child, to make a difference (even in the midst of the economic crisis). But every quarter when the next donation is due ... ugh. God help me. I hate this part of my job: collecting the donations. One by one, some have had to stop. It happens, no shame, no condemnation ... financial hardships here and there, but then there are those who say they will sponsor then never follow thru ... another unfriended me, then just quit supporting her child. How very sad. She is not rejecting me, but she has rejected her child. But the thing is ... we have already started supporting them. They have tasted the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. There is NO WAY I am going to start cancelling kids from this program!! If anything, there are HUNDREDS more that need a sponsor. But my family cannot support them all. We need help. We need more of Jesus. We need the body of Christ ... This is not a guilt trip. This is me asking for you to PRAY for these children, for this Orphan Ministry, for me who carry these kids in my heart. We may not be the most popular, the coolest, or have the latest T-shirt and merchandise in our store. But WE LOVE OUR KIDS. They have no hope. WE ARE THEIR HOPE. Right now we have over 100 kids waiting in the wings who need a first time sponsor. But I can't add them because, we have 4-5 existing kids who need NEW sponsors and the enemy is taking them out one by one. Please pray with me that the Lord would once again find sponsors for these kids, so they can continue to receive a chance at a new life. Pray for our ministry that the Lord would add finances, an over abundance so that we can continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Pray that the Lord would lift this burden off of me, that HE WOULD FIGHT for them. Thank you so much. ♥

Waiting Period

Our family is in a Waiting Period, a Time of Preparation. It almost looks like nothing is happening, like we are treading water. We are not fundraising, not packing, not doing anything tangible, really. The Lord has said "Get Ready" but also "Wait". He is sifting us, cleaning us up, stripping us, healing us, ... it is a season of attack and pain and healing and comfort all at the same time. It is painful, but thank you Lord, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I see the goal, the prize. Please pray for us as we walk thru this season ... I can say this: He is close to the broken hearted and I know He will never leave us. He has a plan and He is doing something deep and under the surface to get us ready. Something we can't explain. Thanks for your prayers. ♥

GO MAKE DISCIPLES . . .

Have you seen this? There is a movement of God ... He is calling individuals .. youth, adults, FAMILIES, to GO. To leave your comfort zone, give up the American Dream and invest in the kingdom and MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS ... Count. Me. In.

I want to be poured out like a drink offering over the nation to which He has chosen for us. But, what about America you say? Is He sending you to America? Then GO MAKE DISCIPLES in America. Is He calling you to AFRICA? Then GO MAKE DISCIPLES in Africa. That was His Great Commision. GO .... and the Good News is ... He will be with you!! Praise God.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, (WHICH NATIONS? ALL) baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:18-20

At All Times . . .

I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;

let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

~ Psalm 34:1-8