AMAZING GOD.... He never ceases to amaze me. In my inbox this morning, my Purpose Driven Life devotional. I'll be honest. I haven't been reading it a lot lately and had even considered unsubscribing from it. Then, today, I glanced at the first section and POW, God spoke to me about the situation I'm praying fervently about -- the kids in Kyrgyzstan and their families. I hope you can take the time to read this and soak it in like I did.
God is preparing to move some mountains!! Praise!!
**************************************
Start with the Faith You Have
by Rick Warren
[The boy’s father said,] “... If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!” Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!” Mark 9:22-24 (MSG)
*** *** *** ***
Is it possible to be filled with faith and doubt at the same time? Yes!
You can have faith that God wants you to do something and still be scared to death. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is going ahead and doing what you’re called to do in spite of your fear.
You have to begin with the faith you already have: it may be just a little, but you start there. A beautiful example of this is the story of the man who brought his sick son to Jesus in Mark 9. Jesus looked at the man and said, “I can heal your son. If you will believe, I will heal him.”
The father then makes a classic statement: “Lord, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.”
Have you ever felt like that? “Lord, I have some faith. But I also have some doubts.” This man was filled with faith and doubt, yet despite his honest doubts, he went ahead and asked Jesus for a miracle. And he got his miracle – Jesus healed his son.
Mustard seed faith moves mountains. No matter how weak or how frail you think your faith is, it’s enough to get you through what you’re facing because your “little faith” is in a big God.
Matthew 17:20 says, “If you have faith as small as the mustard seed, nothing will be impossible to you.” That’s not a lot of faith; in fact, it’s just a little faith. But what else does that verse teach? “If you have faith as the mustard seed, you can say to the mountain, ‘Move’ and it will be moved.”
Mustard seed faith moves mountains. Don’t get this reversed; we tend to read this verse backward; we want it to say, “If you have faith like a mountain, you can move a mustard seed” – as if it takes enormous faith to do a very little task.
Everybody has faith. You had faith this morning when you ate your cereal – faith that your spouse didn’t put poison in your granola!
You had faith when you sat down in your computer chair – faith that it wouldn’t collapse.
Everybody has faith; the difference is what you put your faith in.
Sometimes people will tell me they don’t want to surrender to Jesus until all their questions are answered; they don’t want to make a commitment until every thing is understand.
God wants you start with the faith you have; and based on the example of the mustard seed, you don’t need a whole lot of faith to do great things for God. You just need a little.
So here’s a trustworthy equation:
Little Faith + Big God = Huge Results!
· You take your little faith; “Lord, I believe! Help me with my unbelief!”
· And you place your faith in our big God,
· And then he’ll show you how he works out huge results.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Playing at the Playground
Let me start by saying thank you so much for all the outpouring of support from each of you regarding my desire to share my prayer request and start a prayer campaign to flood the gates of heaven with a petition to bring these Kyrgz babies home to their families. I cannot wait to watch the progress as the prayers start coming from far and wide and God hears our cries and begins to work. What a blessed day it will be when the first one gets the news that their baby is coming home!
Today after church, Josh wanted to let Ellie play on the church playground. I captured some cute pix of them playing. This little girl ADORES her brother!
Today after church, Josh wanted to let Ellie play on the church playground. I captured some cute pix of them playing. This little girl ADORES her brother!
Look at this face!! Pure excitement!
And this one too!! Wheeeee.....
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Mighty To Save -- Will YOU Help?
My heart is burdened and has been for some months. Many of you who read my blog are not as entrenched in adoption or even the goings on in Kyrgyzstan as I am, and I'm aware of that. So, I'm taking it as my job to share what is disturbing me so much.
When we left Kyrgyzstan with Ellie, we knew that there was tension regarding adoption and that there had been no new referrals for a while. Now, many children who have already met their forever families are not able to come home because of a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is reorganization of the Kyrgyz government and many officials who have unfavorable views of international adoption. Some families have been waiting over a year to bring their children home. Efforts have been made with officials in the U.S. as well as Kyrgyzstan, but still no movement has been made.
There is not a single day that passes that my heart does not ache for these children and their families. Today it has come on repeated occasions -- as we walked through the zoo and I thought of how different her life is here and all that she is experiencing; as I gave her a bath tonight and she laughed and giggled; as I post photos to the blog. And while I'm not certain why we were blessed to have gotten Ellie out and home, I am thankful every day for that fact.
God reminded me today in a very strong voice running through my head all day the words to a song by Hillsong, "Mighty to Save" where the lyrics say, "Our God, He can move the mountains; He is MIGHTY to SAVE, He is Mighty to Save." I have felt encouraged to "do" something to help and yet I could think of nothing save praying myself. And now, I've decided to launch a small campaign to PRAY THESE CHILDREN HOME. And while I am well aware that there are many who read my blog whose beliefs are not the same as mine, I still feel it is my responsibility to do this because it is what I believe and what I feel called to do.
To that end, everyone in my email list will get an email (actually a copy of this blog article) and a link to the blog. I am adding a "poll" on the top of the blog and
It will keep a running total of all the prayers said for those children and their waiting families until they are home. I ask you to do this in honor of our little girl who was one of the last few to get to come home to her family -- Ellie. I ask you to do it for the friends and cribmates that she left behind that my heart aches for. And while I know I don't know them all, there are several that are very special and dear to my heart. So, if you need a specific name, some of them are:
I will continue to pray often and everytime I visit or update my blog, I can ASSURE YOU that I will mark the box, "Yes, I just prayed for these children to come home."
You see, "My God, He can Move the Mountains. He is Mighty to Save." And, I know with unrelenting prayer, He will prove the faithful right. Please join so that when these children begin to come home, you can say that you were a part of this wonderful blessing.
I leave you with the video by Hillsong, "Mighty to Save."
When we left Kyrgyzstan with Ellie, we knew that there was tension regarding adoption and that there had been no new referrals for a while. Now, many children who have already met their forever families are not able to come home because of a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is reorganization of the Kyrgyz government and many officials who have unfavorable views of international adoption. Some families have been waiting over a year to bring their children home. Efforts have been made with officials in the U.S. as well as Kyrgyzstan, but still no movement has been made.
There is not a single day that passes that my heart does not ache for these children and their families. Today it has come on repeated occasions -- as we walked through the zoo and I thought of how different her life is here and all that she is experiencing; as I gave her a bath tonight and she laughed and giggled; as I post photos to the blog. And while I'm not certain why we were blessed to have gotten Ellie out and home, I am thankful every day for that fact.
God reminded me today in a very strong voice running through my head all day the words to a song by Hillsong, "Mighty to Save" where the lyrics say, "Our God, He can move the mountains; He is MIGHTY to SAVE, He is Mighty to Save." I have felt encouraged to "do" something to help and yet I could think of nothing save praying myself. And now, I've decided to launch a small campaign to PRAY THESE CHILDREN HOME. And while I am well aware that there are many who read my blog whose beliefs are not the same as mine, I still feel it is my responsibility to do this because it is what I believe and what I feel called to do.
To that end, everyone in my email list will get an email (actually a copy of this blog article) and a link to the blog. I am adding a "poll" on the top of the blog and
every time you visit and stop to say a prayer for every child that is still in an orphanage in Kyrgyzstan waiting for their families
click "YES" to show you prayed.
It will keep a running total of all the prayers said for those children and their waiting families until they are home. I ask you to do this in honor of our little girl who was one of the last few to get to come home to her family -- Ellie. I ask you to do it for the friends and cribmates that she left behind that my heart aches for. And while I know I don't know them all, there are several that are very special and dear to my heart. So, if you need a specific name, some of them are:
- Owen
- Matilda
- Shelby
- Olivia
- Addison
- Madelyn
- Bennett
- Asa
- Tulla Belle
- Arsin
- "Little Man" and his family here in Tennessee
- Isaac
- Alisa
I will continue to pray often and everytime I visit or update my blog, I can ASSURE YOU that I will mark the box, "Yes, I just prayed for these children to come home."
You see, "My God, He can Move the Mountains. He is Mighty to Save." And, I know with unrelenting prayer, He will prove the faithful right. Please join so that when these children begin to come home, you can say that you were a part of this wonderful blessing.
I leave you with the video by Hillsong, "Mighty to Save."
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy;
He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.
Psalm 18:7
Then the earth quaked and rocked,
the foundations also of the mountains trembled;
they moved and were shaken because He was indignant and angry.
Zoo Outing
Today Josh, Ellie and I had a great time at the zoo. It was Ellie's first trip, and while Josh and I go regularly, it was probably one of my best visits ever. The weather was in the mid-60s and because it's been so cold, it was probably one of the first days the animals had been out "sunning" in quite a while. Since there are no leaves on the trees, views were unobstructed, but most of the animals were very close and very active so we were able to get some great pictures of them.
Welcome to the zoo! Granted, we didn't take this photo until we left because I forgot when we were going in. Ellie (and all of us really) were so tired when we left that she fell asleep as soon as we left the parking lot.
Welcome to the zoo! Granted, we didn't take this photo until we left because I forgot when we were going in. Ellie (and all of us really) were so tired when we left that she fell asleep as soon as we left the parking lot.
The elephants were all out and the zookeepers had one moving logs around. 
Notice how she (or he??) gets down on his knees to move the log?
Here is another elephant carrying a log across a field.
Josh took this one of a close-up of the "Ellie-phant".
I love this picture. Look how protective Josh appears of Ellie.
Ellie enjoyed snacks all the way through the zoo.
I like this one too. It will probably get framed and put up in the house.
Josh, Ellie and the "Ellie-Phants"
Ellie LOVED sitting on the fence.
The giraffes were really close up today too. Josh took this photo.
Meerkats -- on patrol.
Meerkat - on patrol and looking at Ellie.
Josh took Ellie up into the observation tube to see the meerkats. Here they are waving at me!
What a handsome young man (and a great helper today too!!!)
Reaching out and touching a goat . . .
Josh with the goat the continued to try to butt him.
Ellie is happy -- clap, clap, clap!
Ellie walking around in the petting zoo.
Ellie actually getting up close and personal with a goat.
Monkey - scratching his armpits.
Swinging monkeys
One of my favorite photos of the day was of the lynx cats. They were very close and very active today -- even crying out a few times.
What a cutie!!Ellie wasn't too interested, overall, in the animals, but she did watch the monkeys and the meerkats. I can't wait to watch her as she gets older and get to experience her excitement at seeing the animals.
Josh was such a great helper today. He's growing into such a kind young man. He reminds me so much of his dad -- wanting to help. He is an excellent brother too!!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Adoptions in Kyrgyzstan
I just read this on Lori's blog and my heart sank. I am sad right now. I was just as saddened to read that the US Manas Airforce Base will be closing there as well. While we were there, we were fortunate enough to get to meet several of the servicemen and women who were at the orphanage, bringing donations. When we were to return to pick up Ellie, I was reading about how Kyrgyzstan was going to have to make a decision about the base -- deciding to continue their relationship with the U.S. or to receive much needed financial assistance from Russia, who demanded no American military influence. And, honestly, given their history and proximity, I understand their decision. It doesn't make me any less saddened for all the recent turn of events in the country.
The Committee for Migration, Labor, Social Policy and Healthcare of the Kyrgyz Parliament, with support from UNICEF, organized the conference devoted to the discussion of "revision of adoption legislation and procedures" which was held from January 30 through February 2 of 2009 in Issyk-Kul region. The conference was attended by the members of the Parliament, representatives of the Office of the Government, director of the children protection department of the state agency for physical culture and sport, youth affairs and children protection, UNICEF representatives in Kyrgyzstan and others. UNICEF international consultant Erve Boechat was invited from Switzerland to participate in the discussion of this matter. Parliament member G. Derbisheva reported that this matter requires careful approach and efforts to improve legislation in this field. Last year, the Parliament formed a parliamentary commission to consider the issues of national and international adoption. The commission has not completed its work yet. While it continues to work on the improvement of the legislative framework, the Committee for Migration, Labor, Social Policy and Healthcare submitted to the President an initiative to announce a moratorium on the national and international adoption, reported the parliament member.At the conference, the international consultant made the following presentations:* Problems of inter-country adoption in Kyrgyzstan * International experience and tendencies and main context of international adoption in the world * Evaluation of legal regulation, procedures and practices of adoption and others.A UNICEF specialist particularly stressed the Hague Convention adopted in 1993 and effected in 1995. Today, this Convention is signed by 76countries of the world. It covers children protection and regulates cooperation in international adoption, said E. Boechat. He further informed in his presentations that in Kyrgyzstan 11 charity organizations deal with international adoption and that more than 200 children have been adopted by foreigners in the last two years. This issue stirred up a stormy discussion among the parliament members. In particular, the parliament members emphasized that the state must pay top priority attention to this matter and generally to children protection. The legislators insisted that international adoption must be used as a final resort only and demanded to toughen the practice of international adoption. In the opinion of certain parliament members,the handicapped children and disabled people whose treatments is costly may be allowed to be adopted by foreigners. It is expected that this issue will be discussed again at the forthcoming Round Table.
The Committee for Migration, Labor, Social Policy and Healthcare of the Kyrgyz Parliament, with support from UNICEF, organized the conference devoted to the discussion of "revision of adoption legislation and procedures" which was held from January 30 through February 2 of 2009 in Issyk-Kul region. The conference was attended by the members of the Parliament, representatives of the Office of the Government, director of the children protection department of the state agency for physical culture and sport, youth affairs and children protection, UNICEF representatives in Kyrgyzstan and others. UNICEF international consultant Erve Boechat was invited from Switzerland to participate in the discussion of this matter. Parliament member G. Derbisheva reported that this matter requires careful approach and efforts to improve legislation in this field. Last year, the Parliament formed a parliamentary commission to consider the issues of national and international adoption. The commission has not completed its work yet. While it continues to work on the improvement of the legislative framework, the Committee for Migration, Labor, Social Policy and Healthcare submitted to the President an initiative to announce a moratorium on the national and international adoption, reported the parliament member.At the conference, the international consultant made the following presentations:* Problems of inter-country adoption in Kyrgyzstan * International experience and tendencies and main context of international adoption in the world * Evaluation of legal regulation, procedures and practices of adoption and others.A UNICEF specialist particularly stressed the Hague Convention adopted in 1993 and effected in 1995. Today, this Convention is signed by 76countries of the world. It covers children protection and regulates cooperation in international adoption, said E. Boechat. He further informed in his presentations that in Kyrgyzstan 11 charity organizations deal with international adoption and that more than 200 children have been adopted by foreigners in the last two years. This issue stirred up a stormy discussion among the parliament members. In particular, the parliament members emphasized that the state must pay top priority attention to this matter and generally to children protection. The legislators insisted that international adoption must be used as a final resort only and demanded to toughen the practice of international adoption. In the opinion of certain parliament members,the handicapped children and disabled people whose treatments is costly may be allowed to be adopted by foreigners. It is expected that this issue will be discussed again at the forthcoming Round Table.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Cutie Pix
I had a little extra time today (between laundry, dishes, mopping, picking up kids from school, etc.) and took a few photos of some of the "cutie" things about Ellie that I don't want to forget: hands, feet, ears, the way she eats, the way she plays, looking at books, etc. Unfortunately, the intelligence gene has left our house and I uploaded them in "backwards" order, so enjoy her day -- in reverse.
Everything she does, she explores and plays with fully. She is so interested in everything. It's amazing to watch her just exist. There is so much energy, so much life.
She loves when Josh tickles her -- see her giggling.
This is his "stern" look -- notice she just giggles at that too.
He just loves her -- most of the time.
Ellie is trying so hard to get his attention while he's doing his homework.
Eating a "puff"
This is not a photo of Ellie praying. This is the midst of a full out "hissy fit" during lunch. Why? Who knows?
Lunch - spagetti and meat sauce -- yum
Look at those tiny fingers. She loves to have her own spoon to chew on while I feed her.
Exploring Elmo
This book is entitled, Clap Your Hands. I think she took it literally.
Mimicking the book.
"Reading" - The Princess and the Pea
What else would you expect "The Princess" to read?
Playing with her Elmo phone handset.
Making music. She's played with this so much, the batteries have now died.
Little piggy toes.
Tiny hands . . .
Exploring this adventure ball
Crawling (isn't that face precious??)
She and the cat -- bird watching. I LOVE this picture!
Playing with kitchen things while I washed dishes.
Everything she does, she explores and plays with fully. She is so interested in everything. It's amazing to watch her just exist. There is so much energy, so much life.
She loves when Josh tickles her -- see her giggling.
This is his "stern" look -- notice she just giggles at that too.
He just loves her -- most of the time.
Ellie is trying so hard to get his attention while he's doing his homework.
Eating a "puff" 
This is not a photo of Ellie praying. This is the midst of a full out "hissy fit" during lunch. Why? Who knows?
Lunch - spagetti and meat sauce -- yum
Look at those tiny fingers. She loves to have her own spoon to chew on while I feed her.
Exploring Elmo 
This book is entitled, Clap Your Hands. I think she took it literally.
Mimicking the book.
"Reading" - The Princess and the Pea
What else would you expect "The Princess" to read?
Playing with her Elmo phone handset.
Making music. She's played with this so much, the batteries have now died.
Little piggy toes.
Tiny hands . . .
Exploring this adventure ball
Crawling (isn't that face precious??)
She and the cat -- bird watching. I LOVE this picture!
Playing with kitchen things while I washed dishes.
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