Emergency Prayers for Josie!

It's late and there is a fire in my bones. Burning on behalf of a precious little life. She needs our prayers, and this is something you don't want to miss out on.

This is sweet precious baby Josie. She is not even 6 months old yet. She is the precious child of some villagers that we love out in a very rural area of China.
Josie is the 2nd born child to my friends. They are permitted to have more than one child because they are an ethnic minority. However, soon after Josie was born, it was discovered she was sick. Desperately sick. 
Her mother and father have nothing. Zero money. They are subsistence farmers. A sick child has no hope in their midst. Their plan was breaking their hearts in half: they had to just wait for her to die.
But my BFF in China, J and her husband R, said NO! They knew that God was calling them to use this desperate situation to shine the love of Jesus to the village. They personally took on the health costs of little Josie. They took her to two cities, two expensive hospitals and paid for all the expenses: travel, food, surgeries, doctors. It was more expense than they had ever seen in their own lives. They took out debt against their home, borrowed from people they work with and are STILL in the hole paying for baby Josie's healthcare. She told me through tears: "this is the hardest thing I have ever been through."
But this did not stop them. They loved ENDLESSLY. They saw opportunity for the light of Jesus to SHINE in that dark village through the life of this child. They had more than 10 people staying in their apartment while it was going on. It was a massive effort to feed and keep everyone emotionally going. The extended family has a faith, but it is not in the Almighty Living God. They bow down to wooden statues and feel deep anguish in their mindless routines.
Josie was mid treatment when I met her last month. (This was a few days before we went to Gable's orphanage and adopted him.) She had come "out of the woods" as we like to say and was looking amazingly good. Her surgery to put a shunt into her brain was successful. (You can see where they did that on the side of her head.)

You can see how Josie connected with me as I held her. She locked eyes with me. I KNEW she was a special gift of God. I prayed over her that the darkness of the village would be broken by the power of Christ's light because of this baby. 
After we left, the family returned to the hospital for a check up. Josie was doing great! The deeply grateful family returned to their mountain village with her. Life went back to normal. Her parents strapped her to their back and headed back out to the fields to work. 
But something went very wrong.
After only 8 days of hearing that she was all better, Josie became violently ill. Her fever soared. She could no longer eat/drink. (She is exclusively nursing still.) Everyone in the village was crestfallen. They knew there was no hope. 
Surely not now.
Everything had already been given. The debt incurred on my beloved J and husband R is still enormous. How could her parents ask for help again?
They didn't.
They simply sent word that they were going to let her die.
(I'm sorry...can YOU IMAGINE!?!??! We are soooooooooo blessed in our culture to have healthcare insurance! What if WE had to look at our critically ill daughter and merely resign to watch her die? This shakes me to my core.)
J and R said they would not stand by while their niece died. They insisted she be brought out of the village. They took her once again to the local hospital for treatment. In 3 days, they spent a massive amount of money. 
And she's getting worse.
Liver infection. Pulmonary infection. Baby Josie is dying before their eyes.
Church, we need to RISE UP AND PRAY.
This is a picture of Josie taken a few days ago in the smaller hospital. You can see she is losing weight and the sparkle of life in her eyes is dimming.

Even now as I am posting, she is on her way to the larger city for the best possible treatment available to her. J is begging for prayers on Josie's behalf. Prayers that she will survive the long journey.
Pray for Josie that she would not only arrive safely to the larger hospital in the big city but that GOD WOULD HEAL HER COMPLETELY.
We need a miracle, friends.
We want this village to come to the joy of knowing Christ, and we believe with J and R that Josie is going to usher in this faith.
I wanted to ask for people to fast and pray for Josie, and even while writing this a friend messaged me and said she had already planned a 3 day fast and would focus her prayers on Josie. She doesn't even know ANYTHING about this situation yet! How I rejoice! 
God is calling prayer warriors to join in this story. Join in and fight for Josie's life. Pray for total healing. Pray that no more debt is incurred. Pray that the family will receive their beloved daughter back, whole. Pray that the village will see once and for all that JESUS IS ABLE. 
Shine the light by praying for Josie.
(It would be most encouraging to my friends J & R if you commented here or on my Facebook or Instagram that you are joining in the prayer battle! She cannot access any social media, so I will merely tell her numbers. I told her I would gather hundreds to pray. DO NOT LET ME DOWN!! If you choose to share this, let's use the hashtag #prayforjosie!)

Scripture Weaving

One of the sweetest women who SHINES JESUS is in my Sunday school class at church.

She has come through A LOT in her life.

She has suffered at the hands of evil longer than I can believe is possible. Yet her very face radiates love, peace and true joy.

She is a life changed by Jesus.

And she is a constant encouragement to those of us who know her. (And really, I don't know her well, but I am drawn to Jesus in her...He is strong, powerful and so present. The way she radiates His love makes you want what she has!)

Today, she led our class discussion on the 23rd Psalm.

She shared about a class she took that encouraged everyone to pray this psalm aloud 5 times a day for thirty days...and see if it changed their lives.

She did this upon waking, at breakfast, at lunch, dinner and before bed. She admitted that after awhile it became too rote for her...so she began to pray it aloud weaving other Scripture into it.

The result changed her life.

She continues to pray this Psalm...embellished with other Scriptures...on her way to a challenging job. If you heard about her job you would think she had the most important job in the universe the way she talks...but in reality she's working with difficult children from the vantage point kitchen in a school setting.

She reminds me of Brother Lawrence. 

(if you don't know about him worshiping God while washing dishes, you MUST go read him!)

Then, she offered to allow us listen to her 23rd Psalm prayer...

...and oh my it was glorious! Beautiful. Like a bird taking a thread and fluttering through the Scriptures weaving and folding them together in a most heart-binding way.

And what is so cool...this is not a static version. She testified that the Spirit changes the Psalm based prayer with different verses that come into play as her life needs change.

A Scripture weaving.

And in a bold move, I asked her if I might have a copy of what she read to us...so I could study her method and begin to do it myself. She blushed and kindly obliged. I then stepped out and asked her if I might share it with you...and again she said yes.

I give you the most beautiful Scripture weave from Stephanie:

Psalm 23:

"(1) Oh, my Abba Father, Jesus my Savior and Redeemer, and sweet Holy Spirit, my comfort, my counsel, my encourager, my ever present help (Ps 46:1)...Lord, you are my Shepherd, and therefore I shall not be in want.

(2) You make me lie down in green pastures Lord where I find rest in You. You lead me beside quiet waters where I can be still and know that you are God. (Ps 46:10)

(3) You restore my soul. You have given back what the enemy has stolen from me, and given me life in abundance. (John 10:10) Thank you, Father, that you lead me in the paths of righteousness that I might bring glory to your name. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Ps 119:105) Hallelujah!

(4) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff bring comfort and protection to me in Jesus' name.

Praise you Father for your promise to never leave me nor forsake me. (Joshua 1:5)

You are my strong tower (Ps 61:3), my strength and my shield. Thank you for the promise that if you are for me, there is none who can stand against me in Jesus' name! (Romans 8:31) Praise you that no weapon formed against me shall prosper in the mighty name of Jesus! (Isaiah 54:17) Oh, the weapons will come, I know Lord, but they have no power over me. Thank you for sending Jesus that I would have victory in this life! (Romans 8:37) According to your Word, you send your holy warriors on my behalf because my battles are won in the spirit realm rather than in this carnal world. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:12-13)

(5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. On that table Lord, you present me with the spiritual armor I need. (Ephesians 6) Thank you for the helmet of salvation. I pray it would protect my eyes and ears from that which is not of you. I pray it would protect my mouth from saying anything that is not noble. Give to me a sound and renewed mind today Lord (Ephesians 4:23), and help me to take my thoughts captive to the obedience of the mind of Christ against anything that would exalt itself. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Thank you for the breastplate of righteousness that protects my heart and my spirit. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Ps 51:10) Thank you for the shield of faith that protects me from the arrows of doubt, fear, anxiety, depression and discouragement. Your belt of truth binds me together and holds my armor in place. Guide me Father to apply your truth, your Word, your love letter in all things that come my way today. You have given me the sword of your Holy Spirit which is ultimately your Word going forth. And I wear the boots that carry me in the way that I should go. Remind me always that I can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

You anoint my head with oil; healing oil, and the oil of gladness. (Isaiah 61:3) You have given beauty for the ashes of my brokenness. Hallelujah! My cup is overflowing with your goodness!

(6) Surely it will follow me all the days of my life! Each and every morning Lord, your mercies are new! (Ps 136:1) Thank you Father! I dwell in peace that reaches far beyond my understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7) Your grace Father God, is more than sufficient for me, and makes me strong in my weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Hallelujah! I am covered in your unconditional agape love. Help me Father, to love and forgive others as you have loved and forgiven me. My heart is filled with your unspeakable joy! (I Peter 1:8) Yes and Amen!! And Father, thank you for the hope of Jeremiah 29:11, that you have plans for me; plans to prosper me in the things of you, and not to harm me; plans to grant me hope and a future...above all to spend eternity with you. Lord, you also said in Isaiah 40:31, that if I wait upon you, you would renew my strength as on the wings of eagles who rise aove the storms, tha tI would runa nd not grow weary, and that I would walk and not faint. Help me to run the race you have set before me that I would finish it well. I pray that my life would be a reflection of You, and a preparation of praise and worship when you one day call me home to dwell with you in your kingdom forever. 

Praise the Lord!

I cannot imagine how different my own days would be if I began them praying a Scripture weave like this! (Not every verse woven in was cited...but I included the ones she noted. I recognized much more!) 

How would this impact your life if you took the 23rd Psalm and wove other Scriptures into it as He lead you? 

Something else she said, was that often what God prepares the table with in verse 5 is different. Different Scriptures come to mind for the table for that day. On this particular day when she scribed this, she needed those weapons from Ephesians 6. 

I LOVE that this process is DYNAMIC.

I hope this inspires you to begin praying a Scripture Weave too! 

What to Pray...When You Say You'll Pray

So lately, our church body is going through a lot.

A LOT.

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There is nothing that we need to do MORE than to pray. These situations are overwhelming, unfathomable and downright choking. But do you wonder WHAT to pray, in such times?

By no accident I am sure, one of our fabulous pastors recently preached about some ways we can WRESTLE in prayer for one another, like our great example Epaphras in Colossians.

He had cool video of big ugly wrestlers lifting heavy rocks up onto ledges. This would be the part of the sermon my 7 year old proudly reported that he remembered from the sermon.

(giggle.)

So, the people of Colosse were going through a lot too back then.

And fascinatingly, Epaphras did NOT pray for their trouble to be removed.

WHAT?

That's right.

There will always be situations that will come along and slide into the place of those that we pray for release from.

We live in a fallen world.

But you knew that.

So what did Epaphras pray for those whom he wrestled in prayer? Glad you asked!

He prayed some things that are NOT dependent upon good or bad circumstances...but rather that they would grow in many ways, no doubt as a result of the trials they were facing.

My point in this blog post is not to reiterate what wonderful Nate already preached, so please if you have time go hear the full sermon here.

If you need some quick bullet points (as we often need to cut to the chase!) here's what Nate gleaned from Colossians 1: 9-12 and I've been using as a prayer guide for others:

1) That they would be filled with God's wisdom.

2) That they would be compelled to please Christ in every way. That they would be aware of His presence with them.

3) That their faith would deepen and that they would bear fruit for Christ. Nate suggested we pray for specific fruit in their lives. But please, don't everyone pray patience for me!! (LOL)

4) That God would strengthen them with: ENDURANCE, PATIENCE, JOY and GRATITUDE, and GOD'S GRACE which is more than sufficient in spite of all our circumstances.

This is a wonderful list of ways we can pray into the character of our friends and loved ones who need us to go to God on their behalf. I love this list because it takes me out of the habit of "please bless them, Lord" to asking for specific godly qualities to be forged in their hearts and lives.

As I often tell my children, your CHARACTER is the only thing you get to take with you to heaven. By praying into our friends' and families' characters, we're investing in them for the long haul.

Pleading Prayers for Matthew

I have advocated for several orphans over the past year.

Usually I choose the ones that particularly grab my heart, and in some cases completely break me.

Matthew is one of those.

Ever good natured and kind, Matthew needs you!

I want nothing more than to find his family.

I have sought God's face intensely about him becoming a part of OUR family, but God's answer was no.

There MUST be someone else.

Where are you, sweet family?

If you are like me, my precious Toby was advocated for by many, many bloggers and I never saw it.

So you, future family of Matthew, may never see these words.

But friends, prayer is POWERFUL.

You are seeing this.

You can pray.

"Oh Lord of heaven and earth, please bend your ear and hear our prayer! We call on your defensive nature of the fatherless. Your child, Matthew, has grown up without the love of a mother and a father. He is a fine young man. You have blessed him with a great experience at a camp for orphans and then beautifully orchestrated Rob's following summer to reunite them. Lord God, please draw his family to him! We pray with all our hearts that you will bring them quickly. Allow the doors to blow open between them and Matthew. Allow the time to work out. September is coming so fast, Lord. Yet you know you have plans you have for him. Plans to give him a hope and a future. Please provide a loving family for this treasured young man. Please do not allow him to enter the world alone...at age 14.   We ask these things in Your Name, Jesus, Amen."

"The prayer of the righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16

"Defender of the fatherless, defender of widows--this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
God places the lonely in families and sets the prisoners free and gives them joy." Psalm 68:5-6

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...speak up for the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8 and 9

Please, I beg you to share the story of Matthew with your friends. Keep on talking to Jesus about him too! Here are a few places you can go to read about him: Reece's Rainbow (donate here towards his specific adoption even though his family has not been found, the money will be held for him in particular!); Rob's blog sharing about personal time with Matthew: here, here and here.

Prayer Alarms!

Passing on a little tip I learned from sweet Aunt Mary...

Use your smart phone as a tool to instigate prayer in your heart.

That's right.

Technology goes spiritual!! 



Here's what I did after her inspiration:

I set alarms on my iPhone for each of my children and my man.

Using their birth dates, I turned them into times--for example: Oliver's birthday is October 22nd, so I set an alarm for 10:22 am with the note, "Pray for Oliver" to pop up on my phone. I chose a fun drumming sound.

This alarm will repeat daily, so each day at 10:22 am I will be reminded whatever I am doing to pray for Oliver. Obviously, I can pray whatever comes to my mind at that moment or for whatever activity he is currently doing or...I may go find him on the weekends and just hold him and pray for him.

This little handy idea has me shooting up a prayer for my most important people everyday AT LEAST ONCE.

(They truly deserve hours and hours of daily prayer, but if they want lunch, then we are going to settle for these little dart prayers! And yes, it is TOTALLY my goal to be praying for all needs while I do other tasks too...but reality is that I GET DISTRACTED EASILY and these little alarms are perfect for me!)

I've done this for each of my children (yes! including Toby!) and also my husband.

And I've also taken our anniversary and created a "pray for our marriage" alarm as well. I must say, that I haven't spent concentrated time praying about us like this. And really, those little one minute prayers  can really add up...as well as have an impact on my heart.

How easy is it to have the alarm go off, pray for our marriage, then send off a little text message about how I adore him and can't wait for him to come home?

It's the little things.

And so, I thank dear Aunt Mary for modeling prayer using technology for me!

Who knows? Maybe my sweet friends who read here will do it too! What might happen in our lives and marriages if we add just little prayers each day?

I know I can't wait to see!!

URGENT PRAYER for Russian Orphan Vitaliy!

The time is NOW to rally the troops. NOW!!!

Vladim*r Putin put a ban on Russian adoptions to American families.

I'm sure you heard about this. But...what does it look like for a family and a little boy waiting in Russia who were mid-process?

I'd like you to meet Vitaliy. (pronounced Vi tall ey)

He is 4 years old.

He has Down Syndrome.

And his want-to-be parents say this about him:

"Vitaliy is the happiest, kindest person Aaron and I have met. He is beautiful, bright and precious! He is brilliant, loves to dance and comforts his friends when they are sad. He calls us Mama and Papa. He knows we are his parents and he is waiting for us."

Friends, we need to be in prayer. Like right NOW!

My friend Jenny and her husband Aaron get on a plane TODAY bound for Russia. (They've already flown across America and are waiting in an airport at this moment!)

They have a court date to complete his adoption, but a Russian judge will not be able to go against the new law.

Yet they still go.

In her words she said,

"Right now there is not much hope. We have been told to expect an unfavorable ruling in court if the judge agrees to see us. The judge simply cannot go against the law. So we are going to pour as much love into Vitaliy and spend as much time with him as we can."

Please, please pray for a miracle!!!!

Just LOOK at how Vitaliy looks at Aaron! It brings me to tears!!!

As Vitaliy has Down Syndrome, he will soon be transferred to a mental institution where he will be hidden away from society. There are some horrific tales of what happens to people in those institutions and there is no way to say which one he will end up in.

If he goes.

Normally they are transferred over at age 4 or 5. He has been kept at the "baby home" longer because of the Jenny and Aaron's signatures on his referral papers.

But now?

No one knows.

My friends have been battling the FLU on top of all of this! Please pray for their health to be restored!

They know fully well that they are walking into a spiritual battle for the life and soul of dear sweet Vitaliy. They need to KNOW that the body of Christ stands behind them and supports them!

Please pray for their hearts. That they might be filled with an overflowing peace that only our God gives.

Pray for their stay. That all logistics will go smoothly. They long to just hold and love on their boy as much as possible.

Pray for miracles in the court system and in the hearts of the Russian leadership.

Pray for dear Vitaliy. Pray that he will delight and enjoy in this emotion-laden visit that he will have with his parents. He knows nothing about all the politics...all he knows is the love of these dear people.

Pray for others to SEE and rally behind the Moyers. Pray that their story will change the heart of Vladim*r Putin.

Pray that this leader will CHANGE HIS MIND and release the precious orphans of Russia into loving homes!!!!

Here is a video that CNN did about their family's situation about a few weeks back:

Get prayin' Church!!!!

Heartbroken...and on my knees

Like you, I am reeling in shock.

Those parents who gave a swift kiss on their little one's cheek as they ran out the door for the bus...now reeling from the horrible phone call.

Their sweet one...

                          ...now dead.

And guess what? They probably have presents wrapped in their closets for those kids.

Christmastime and death and children should NEVER be in the same sentence.

Yet that's what our headlines read.

CNN.com photo of Chinese stabbing victim

Connecticut and China both.

That's right. Friday December 14, 2012 will be remembered as a day of massacre on children in their schools. Gun or knife...did it matter??

CNN.com photo taken outside Sandy Hook Elementary

I have nothing great to say other than I too have buried a child around Christmas.

It sucks.

Forever.

Everytime those ornaments go up on the tree. Everytime I sing "Sleep in heavenly peace..." Everytime the dates of December 28, 29 and 30 come...I am smothered by my grief over my son.

These families will now be smothered in grief as well.

Some will say, "How can God exist if such things happen?" But the answer or the blame does not go to the loving Creator of it all but rather His sworn enemy.

Satan is out to "steal, kill and destroy." (John 10:10) And when a person's down, he doesn't give them a break, he kicks them in the teeth. I know. I'm currently "toothless."

We live in a broken world. We are a broken people. We are in such DESPERATE need for saving. We cannot do the saving. We need someone BIGGER. Someone not broken. Someone who can reach in and solve this mess.

And. He. Did.

And we celebrate it when?

Christmas.

Suddenly things come a full circle. It sure doesn't stop the pain, heartache, shock or anger. But it IS full of hope.

We have HOPE that we are not left to ourselves.

We have HOPE that One bigger and perfect can rescue us.

We have HOPE that one day Jesus will return for us.

We have HOPE that we will see restoration.

In the meantime, we battle the evil in this world, protect those we love, and fall to our knees in prayer.


Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

It's Orphan Sunday...

It's Orphan Sunday...

...and I cannot stay silent.

There are a thousand ways to honor the fatherless in the world...but I'm going to suggest just 

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One way to make the biggest difference in the most places around the planet...and specifically in your own heart.

One thing to do that will move heaven.

One thing that you can do while you wash the Sunday dishes.

One thing that you can do to bring hope and healing to the hearts of the millions of orphans around the world today.

Source

Pray.

That's right, prayer unleashes the power of God. We are commanded to pray about all things...and I suggest that today as a way of honoring the dear children who have no voice and no ability to speak up for themselves.

Using a suggested prayer guide from Katie Davis who works in Uganda with some of the neediest orphans and children in the world, I urge you to not just read this but to PRAY.


-Pray for the children in our world with no parent at all, with one parent, or with absent parents – that they will be comforted by our mighty God and will feel hope today.

-Pray for an 

increased awareness for the needs of vulnerable children in your own community, and for God to reveal to you how you might help.

-Pray that God would inspire His people – both your church and the Church worldwide - to speak up for the fatherless and become active in foster care, adoption, and global orphan care.

-Pray for Amazima’s outreach in Uganda to the vulnerable children we encounter. Pray that we serve well, love generously, and always direct them to Jesus Christ. Pray also for other parachurch ministries that are responding to Christ’s call to serve the widow and the fatherless around the world.

-Seek the Lord and ask whether He might want you to be the family for a child who does not have one.

You never know how your simple obedience in prayer will impact the world! Well, I take that back, you WILL know...but not till the other side of heaven! 

Get your kids involved in praying for orphans! Some of the biggest mountains I've seen moved have been as a result of the powerful, faith-filled prayers of a CHILD! One precious mommy I know prays with her children each morning, "Lord, how can we love on orphans today?" I can tell you that they have seen God move in BIG WAYS.

My prayer is that many who would not have normally prayed for the fatherless of this country and all over the world will be moved to do MORE than they have in the past.

I love when the people of God pray to Him about things on His heart! The results are amazing! (I look at our own Zeb and see how true this is!) 

Update on Josh Wilson

So deeply thankful to all of you who have joined us in praying and giving to help his family!!

Josh has Cerebral Palsy. When he fell out of the van a week ago and hit his head, it did some real damage.

BUT GOD IS BIGGER!!!

Here is the latest report from Renee (Josh's amazing mom) as she balances her busy life between Josh's needs hours away in the hospital and those of her husband and other 5 boys back home:

Had a huge emotional roller coaster of a day. The Dr's came in this am & told us that "we were in for the long haul" & that it would be a long time before Josh wakes up. There is some new damage on his right side & more detrimental was the new damage they found in the middle (thalamus) of his brain. :(
So we settle in for the "long haul". I leave & make some phone calls. I walk back into the room & I notice that his left eye is slightly opened. So I talk to Josh & he SMILED!!!!!!!! I then yelled (very loudly) "PRAISE JESUS!" He smiled LOTS & LOTS!!!! He kept responding as the day went on! He has no control of his body except his eye & that beautiful smile!!! :)
No idea when we will be home. Will probably be coming home in a wheelchair & need LOTS of therapy. So grateful to Jesus that He allowed my little Joshua to wake up and smile at us!
Also, we are allowing people to come and see Josh next week. PLEASE let us know if you are wanting to come see him. We do not want a ton of people here at once.
God is so good to me!!!


Please keep on praying!!!

We will continue to collect funds for the Wilson family through this Wednesday, July 4th. Please just click on the sidebar "Chip In" if you would like to help off-set expenses that are mounting daily for this precious family.

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."  ~James 1:2-4

URGENT: 5 yr old Josh fighting for his life!

My dear friends, we must pray.

My friends' precious little boy is in bad shape. He needs the prayers of us all.

This is 5 year old Joshua Wilson.

He's so cute, isn't he?

He is a twin and a beloved son of my friends, Roger and Renee Wilson. They live here in our same small town in Ohio.

Last weekend, he fell and hit his head. He was life-flighted to the University of Michigan where they performed emergency brain surgery.

Yesterday, he couldn't stop seizing. They escalated into full body seizures, they intubated him, medicated him, performed bedside surgery (who knew?!?!) finally put a central line in and finally had to resort to forcing his body to rest by putting him into a coma.

The news this morning is that he will be kept in this comatose state for another 3 days. He's also had another blood transfusion!

O friends, can you IMAGINE how his precious family must be feeling?

Roger and Renee have an abundant life with 6 sons! These are dear Jesus-loving people who have adopted 4 of these boys from the US foster care system. Josh and his twin are two of them. These are the real deal kind of people. Hearts as big as the God they serve.

And now, this family needs our love, prayers and encouragement!!

Please please join together with us in asking for TOTAL healing of Josh.

Please pray for Roger and Renee's hearts to rest in God's amazing peace during this storm of life.

Pray for all his brothers who wait at home and are apart from their parents.

Pray for the wisdom of the doctors who are handling Josh's care.

Do you want to have a hand in encouraging this family? Their church family will be assisting them with meals, but I KNOW their medical bills will be piling up and feeling insurmountable.

Please consider giving a generous donation to help this family pay for medical expenses. Please use the "chip in" widget on the side of the blog underneath Josh's picture. We will keep this fundraiser up until the 4th of July (next week!)

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."   ~James 5:16

"The Lord protects them and keeps them alive.

He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies.

The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health."

               ~Psalm 41:2-3

And please, share this prayer need and fundraiser on social media! SHARE SHARE SHARE!!!

More Blessed to Give...

Know who these sweet girls are?

Two precious gals in my life!

One is Lara, a well-known blogger and momma to one of Zeb's former orphanage-mates. A dear boy named Ambrose whom I hope we can see again soon someday!

The other is Rebecca, a precious ten year old orphan, formerly living in one of the children prisons that Sixty Feet serves.

Lara just posted this picture on my wall all the way from Uganda!

Rebecca has been "ours" for about 6 months now. We sponsor her through the work that Lara does for Sixty Feet. Rebecca's story is not mine to share here but she has been a great delight in our life. We have her picture up and our kids love to pray for her and write her letters. We sent a bundle of pictures over to her and we were so happy to receive pictures hand drawn and letters back to us.

This precious life is changed because of the work that Sixty Feet does...and I want you to know that our giving to support her is really a BIG deal to her, but it is OUR BLESSING that is greater.

Lara told me today that Rebecca clung to her all day long today and told her repeatedly how she prays for us.

Prayer.

Honestly, there is no more powerful force. Hailing the Lord Almighty, this dear child cries out on our behalf.

That moves me.

Amazes me.

Soon, she'll be praying for another orphaned child in China. A little one we are working to bring home. She doesn't know about him now, but she will soon, and I am sure, she will ask for God to open doors and provide the funding.

We may give to her, but truly, WE are the truly blessed ones!

Tis more sweet to give than to receive!!!

Countdown is on! November 6 is Orphan Sunday!

As you will see, just because we adopt one child does not mean the work is over. Orphan Sunday will be held on November 6, 2011.

I hope to help raise awareness for the needs of these precious ones around the world.

Will you join me?

Urgent need for PRAYERS!!

We realize we have not shared what is going on in our adoption lately, but please forgive us that HUGE DETAIL and skip to the prayer part, we beg you!!

We need a string of miracles to happen so that we can do the thing that God is asking of us. (And when it's time, we will tell you with great and abundant JOY!!! Pinkie promise!!!)

Please, if you are willing, fall to your knees and ask the KING of GLORY to line up all necessary people, appointments, documents, mail delivery etc. so that we can have our completed paperwork in hand. My prayer is April 1st. That's an unbelievable date. You cannot imagine all that must be done, reviewed and cleared by then.

There is a critical time piece involved. 

humbly we ask you,

PLEASE PRAY!!!!

Faith Triumphs!

So I posted yesterday about the sheer battle taking place in our hearts. Fear can be intense, and given a little fuel, it can run over you like a Mack truck. No shred of what you'd originally come for left.

But then God.

He gave us peace yesterday. People wrote encouraging messages. Shared stories. Reminded us of HOW BIG our God is. And they prayed.

One thing that I loved from yesterday's support system was this:

Trusting God does not mean that we will never have questions, doubts, or fears. We cannot simply turn off the natural thoughts and feelings that arise when we face difficult circumstances. Trusting God means that in spite of our questions, doubts, and fears we draw on his grace and continue to believe that he is loving, that he is in control, and that he is always working for our good. Such trust helps us to continue doing what is good and right, even in difficult circumstances.

Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 65

So, I can be scared but still move forward because my faith is not in anyone but GOD. And He is bigger. He is trustworthy. I can trust Him. Not for a peachy outcome, but for being about His work in all of our lives. He is conforming me daily more into His Son's image. I've been predestined for this! Perhaps this* situation is exactly what is part of that "good, pleasing and perfect will" that He has for me.

Here's the tour of verses He took me on this morning:

“The Lord looked and was displeased

 to find that there was no justice.

He was amazed to see that

 no one intervened to help the oppressed.”

                                                               Isaiah 59:15, 16

"To all who mourn in Israel,

He will give BEAUTY FOR ASHES,*

Joy for mourning,

praise for despair,

For the Lord has planted them like 

strong and graceful oaks for His glory."

                          Isaiah 61:3

"Tears of joy will stream down their faces

and I will lead them HOME with great care."

                                              Jeremiah 31:9

*This situation and this song go together in my heart. This very well may be what God has planned for us...and we will wait quietly until it is time to reveal it. Then, I promise we will. Until then, please pray for us to have wisdom beyond ourselves and bigger measure of faith in our incredible God.

Fear vs. Faith--round 2

Would like to say that there is news...


                                                                            and there may be,

                                                                                                                                      ...or maybe not.

Where does fear of the future meet with faith? 

How do they intermingle? Does one balance out the other? Are they pure enemies?

                             I see them dance, but wait...
                                                                         are they not dancing, but wrestling?

Will Faithwin?  Will Love prevail?

Where is the line of what makes sense and what we are asked to do?

Are we even asked to do it?

Does a need presented mean WE must meet it?

Emotions abound.

Can we make clear decisions without emotions? Is faith connected to our emotions?

And the bigger, more echoing question...

Can we even hear God clearly anymore?

a prayer

Oh God, my God. 

You search and You know me. 

My future is laid out before you, there are no secrets. 

                             You see all, 

                                              You know all, 

                                                                               You hold all.

Nothing that takes me by surprise takes you by surprise. 

You hold my future in your hands.

I see your HANDPRINTS all over my life 

                                                                                                          ...and I glory in them.

You ask me to step out into the unknown

to walk where I've never gone before

and it's scary, God.

(so so scary!!)

But You make PROMISES to me,

Promises that I BELIEVE and will cling to.

May fear fall away as I step forward into the unknown

                     Shaking, 

                                               Weak

                                                                     ...but made STRONG

                                                                          by You living in me.

Project Hopeful logo used with permission.

Superbowl Sex...what?!

The Superbowl is about as American as apple pie. Every year we gather together with our friends, sport our fav team's colors or even jerseys and root for their victory. And we love laughing at the fun, creative new commercials. But did you know that not everything is all fun and games that day?

Did you know that sex trafficking happens here in our very own country...and that the Superbowl is one of the biggest events where children are sold? Many of you did, some did not. It's pretty amazing the little bubble we can operate in. (I am in the process of emerging from mine.)

50 girls were rescued from the past two Superbowls. Far more remained enslaved. Some of these girls were young...as in the age of my own daughters. I cannot imagine the pain of their mothers and families. I cannot fathom what the girls themselves must experience. Many of them never come home. They are killed.

Read and share this article with your friends and networks on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks. The word needs to get OUT.

A man named Tom Davis is a leader among those fighting the sex trade. Here are his words regarding this year's Superbowl:

There is a dark side to the Superbowl this 2011 that nobody wants to talk about. The sex trafficking of children that occurs at the SuperBowl. It will happen in Dallas, Texas right under the nose of tens of thousands of Superbowl fans. This year, Jay Ratliff, the nose guard for the Dallas Cowboys is speaking out against sex trafficking during the Superbowl this 2011. Jay didn't even know this existed in his back yard, but now that he does he's doing something about it. He's the father of two little girls and this is not okay with him. Watch this video then check out the Traffick911 website to find out how to get involved against child trafficking in the Dallas area.  Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/redletters/2011/01/sex-trafficking-at-the-superbowl.html#ixzz1CiemdNpD

Watch this video of Jay Ratliff, a Dallas Cowboy, speaking up on behalf of these caught in the web of these evil men.
 

Please, don't forget to pray. Pray for the conviction of those involved and for the rescue and restoration of the children involved. Follow Tom Davis on Twitter and Facebook and learn how to get involved and make a difference.

Lord, I want to SEE!

Luke 18:35-43... A dirty cast-off man cries out to Jesus and others try to crowd him out, to shush him up. No way. This guy's serious--he is blind and has been forced to live his life as a beggar. He has heard about this Jesus guy, and he's heard that He heals! So he shouts all the louder and makes himself a bigger nuisance to the crowd. But not to Jesus. Jesus has this way with people. The very ones we ourselves are annoyed with. The ones we sorta just wish would leave us alone, the very ones we ourselves would be tempted to just walk on by.  But here's what Jesus does--he stops and he has the beggar brought to him. Wow. Then he asks him a simple question, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind beggar's response always causes me to stop and ponder.

"Lord," he said, "I want to see!"

Two things have come to my mind as I've pondered this passage lately. I wonder if you might think on them with me.

The first: this blind man, though a beggar and clearly disliked by the population, did not assume that his blindness was a permanent condition. (But we certainly know that it is, don't we? haha) I LOVE that he didn't accept his blindness when he saw the chance to ditch it. Would I? If I were blind in the year 2011, I am quite sure I would have found ways to make peace with it. I would not be bitter, but I would have learned to master Braille (as completely impossible as it seems to my fingers!) and I would have probably joined a blind mother's support group. I would have learned to do life as a blind woman. Would I be constantly pounding on the door of heaven to be healed? No. I'm pretty sure I would not. I would accept my lot in life and figure, "This is how it is. I'll just have to make the best of it." But here is a man who seeks after Jesus to have his reality CHANGED. Matthew 7:7 tells us to keep on asking what we're asking for. Don't give up! Even in this same chapter of Luke Jesus shares the story of the persistent widow. Why? To emphasize the importance of persistence in prayer! Justice will be given to His chosen ones who plead with Him day and night. Now I am sure that I can rile up people by what I've said just now--because we should make the most of our current situation and we should avoid bitterness...but how do we fit that with this man's refusal to accept his blindness as forever?

The second thing I have pondered is the fact that the blind man clearly identified what he wanted. "Lord, I want to SEE." He didn't hem haw around. He was serious and straight to the point. I have echoed this man's prayer often in my life. But I'm not blind, right? Hmmm. I daresay I am though. I have eyes that show me my physical surroundings, but so often are blind to the spiritual realities that co-exist. I love the Old Testament story of the battle where God reveals all the heavenly fighters up on the hillside! If only we could SEE!!

So often I only look at my circumstances and ignore that there might be another perspective on them. My selfish perspective causes me to give way to my fears, doubts and worries. When I hear the Lord ask me, "Amy, what is it you want me to do for you?" I am careful to imitate this beggar's prayer: "Lord, I want to see." Rather than, "Well, God, could you please fix this problem for me...."  I ask to see. Gaining God's perspective on my life is often what I need far more than the actual thing fixed. Why? Because the next time something comes up (it will you know!) I want to still have my heavenly perspective in place to deal with it all. If I merely ask for a problem to be fixed, then I am no further ahead in my character.

Let's choose to SEE. Ask Him. The view might be overwhelming, but we'll for sure join the blind beggar: "Instantly the man could see and he followed Jesus praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too." Luke 18:43