tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46478368442698029422024-03-14T01:48:49.259-05:00Vince & Alisa...our journey to Micah, Judah...and beyondHow precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of MANKIND take refuge in the shadow of your wings- Ps 36:7vinceandalisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211020296617906282noreply@blogger.comBlogger424125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-53932110732249850232023-04-18T14:59:00.000-05:002023-04-18T15:01:14.524-05:00Salutations, --TOFIRSTN<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.3pt;font-family:Arial'>shannellewoodruff<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:13.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:17.4pt;font-family:Verdana'><a href="https://bit.ly/40hwNCY">https://bit.ly/40hwNCY</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:13.4pt;font-family:sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:13.4pt;font-family:sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:13.4pt;font-family:sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:13.4pt;font-family:sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:15.1pt;font-family:Arial'>KevinJ.Chamas<o:p></o:p></span></p></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-21854163747689257302023-04-10T18:56:00.001-05:002023-04-10T18:56:28.183-05:00alisafmartin1micah hi<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:21.1pt;font-family:Tahoma'>alisafmartin1micah<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.2pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.2pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:18.2pt;font-family:Tahoma'><a href="https://bit.ly/3MwrKLG">https://bit.ly/3MwrKLG</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:16.1pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:16.1pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:16.1pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.2pt;font-family:Tahoma'> AlisaMartin<o:p></o:p></span></p></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-25280474895318767182019-07-22T10:20:00.001-05:002019-07-22T10:20:51.972-05:00RE<div style="color:; background-color:; font-family:MS PGothic, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div>Hey <br><a href="http://ashainfotechsolutions.com/victory.php?ifigq=SLPIKW36000">http://ashainfotechsolutions.com/victory.php?ifigq=SLPIKW36000</a><br><br>Alisa</div></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-79813967505629011952016-01-30T05:18:00.001-06:002016-01-30T05:18:15.984-06:00hihey
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<br><a href="http://little-celebrations.com/appearance.php?result=efungazyg1h18c8v9">http://little-celebrations.com/appearance.php?result=efungazyg1h18c8v9</a>
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<br><a href="mailto:alisafmartin@yahoo.com">alisafmartin@yahoo.com</a>
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<br>Alisa Martinalisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-80396415863520464472011-12-09T13:40:00.002-06:002011-12-09T13:44:21.485-06:00gotcha day - judah fuxue!<div style="text-align: center;">Hard to believe we celebrated Judah's 1-year Gotch Day this week!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">What a year! Boy, has God blessed this little boy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Gotcha Day (actually, night) - December 2010</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4LebcPQ01eA/TuJYkGNHnFI/AAAAAAAABWk/JYo3F0cw4WQ/s1600/china+day+2+and+3+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4LebcPQ01eA/TuJYkGNHnFI/AAAAAAAABWk/JYo3F0cw4WQ/s320/china+day+2+and+3+072.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--t9-NgCDT4s/TuJY63Pa4aI/AAAAAAAABWs/uqeW3oshSl4/s1600/china+day+2+and+3+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--t9-NgCDT4s/TuJY63Pa4aI/AAAAAAAABWs/uqeW3oshSl4/s320/china+day+2+and+3+080.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lip Surgery - March 2011</strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_QRYJh9R5s/TuJaDaeaf9I/AAAAAAAABXE/LEkGUAFyIyA/s1600/DSC_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_QRYJh9R5s/TuJaDaeaf9I/AAAAAAAABXE/LEkGUAFyIyA/s320/DSC_1138.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong>Judah's Dedication - May 2011 (courtesy Ben Vanoy)</strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WF1Pn_B1I0s/TuJhU6pMplI/AAAAAAAABXk/Elvd4Paxhdg/s1600/dedication.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WF1Pn_B1I0s/TuJhU6pMplI/AAAAAAAABXk/Elvd4Paxhdg/s320/dedication.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong>Summer - June 2011</strong><strong></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4dVxU_oEiA/TuJZljyxWkI/AAAAAAAABW8/n4qUZih3zg4/s1600/DSC_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4dVxU_oEiA/TuJZljyxWkI/AAAAAAAABW8/n4qUZih3zg4/s320/DSC_1373.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Palate Surgery - June 2011</strong><strong></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-poHn2e9Otno/TuJbshcS7ZI/AAAAAAAABXU/qIr2CmRN0CI/s1600/post-palate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-poHn2e9Otno/TuJbshcS7ZI/AAAAAAAABXU/qIr2CmRN0CI/s320/post-palate.JPG" width="239px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Fall - September 2011</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGtoTMamPp0/TuJcLzN84RI/AAAAAAAABXc/8tmrBUsdXKs/s1600/DSC_1659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGtoTMamPp0/TuJcLzN84RI/AAAAAAAABXc/8tmrBUsdXKs/s320/DSC_1659.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>I'm TWO - October 2011</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lo5q4MCnBuI/TuJaUoNPr7I/AAAAAAAABXM/Du-3ndGu_kA/s1600/DSC_1709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lo5q4MCnBuI/TuJaUoNPr7I/AAAAAAAABXM/Du-3ndGu_kA/s320/DSC_1709.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<strong>London, Millenium Bridge...where we received Judah's referral call July 2010 - </strong><br />
<strong>October 2011</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZvRjw8aPXI/TuJhjDGVwTI/AAAAAAAABXs/LaVe9C9ruvM/s1600/the-call.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218px" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZvRjw8aPXI/TuJhjDGVwTI/AAAAAAAABXs/LaVe9C9ruvM/s320/the-call.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-58847495698147238522011-12-06T11:18:00.006-06:002011-12-06T11:29:24.220-06:00a chinese legend<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. </span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rom 1: 19-20</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Once upon a time, in the heart of the Western Kingdom, lay a beautiful garden. And there in the cool of the day was the Master of the Garden wont to walk. Of all the denizens of the garden, the most beautiful and most beloved was a gracious and noble bamboo. Year after year, Bamboo grew yet more noble and gracious, conscious of his Master's love and watchful delight, but modest, and gentle withal. And often, when Wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would cast aside his grave stateliness, to dance and play right merrily, tossing and swaying and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon, leading the Great Dance of the Garden which most delighted the Master's heart.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now upon a day, the Master himself drew near to contemplate his Bamboo with eyes of curious expectancy. And Bamboo, in a passion of adoration, bowed his great head to the ground in loving greeting. The Master spoke:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use thee."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight. The day of days had come, the day for which he had been made, the day to which he had been growing hour by hour, the day in which he would find his completion and his destiny. His voice came low:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Master, I am ready. Use me as thou wilt."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Bamboo" — the Master 's voice was grave — "l would fain take thee and — cut thee down."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A trembling of a great horror shook Bamboo. "Cut . . . me . . . down! Me . . . whom thou, Master, hast made the most beautiful in all thy garden . . . to cut me down! Ah, not that, not that. Use me for thy joy, O Master, but cut me not down."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Beloved Bamboo" — the Master's voice grew graver still — "if I cut thee not down, I cannot use thee."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. There came a whisper:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Master, if thou canst not use me but thou cut me down . . . then . . . do thy will and cut."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would . . . cut thy leaves and branches from thee also."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Master, Master, spare me. Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust; but wouldst thou take from me my leaves and branches also?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Bamboo, alas, if I cut them not away, I cannot use thee." The sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Master, cut away."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Bamboo, Bamboo, I would yet . . . cleave thee in twain and cut out thine heart, for if I cut not so, I cannot use thee."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then was Bamboo bowed to the ground.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Master, Master . . . then cut and cleave."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So did the Master of the Garden take Bamboo and cut him down and hack off his branches and strip off his leaves and cleave him in twin and cut out his heart. And lifting him gently, carried him to where was a spring of fresh, sparkling water in the midst of his dry fields. Then pulling one end of broken Bamboo in the spring and the other end into the water channel in his field, the Master laid down gently his beloved Bamboo. And the spring sang welcome and the clear sparkling waters raced joyously down the channel of Bamboo's torn body into the wailing fields. Then the rice was planted, and the days went by, and the shoots grew and the harvest came.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In that day was Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he was life abundant, but in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his Master's world.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">—Author Unknown (shared via an AWAA family)</div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>The heavens declare the glory of God,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Day to day pours out speech,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>and night to night reveals knowledge.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>There is no speech, nor are there words,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>whose voice is not heard.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Their voice goes out through all the earth,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>and their words to the end of the world.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>In them he has set a tent for the sun,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Psalm 19:1-4 </em></span><br />
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</div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-14838413200132762912011-10-26T10:25:00.000-05:002011-10-26T10:25:07.281-05:00london recap 1Our family just returned from an 8-day trip to London -- we traveled with a group of dear friends from our church family -- and I'm hoping over the next few days to share a little about out trip.<br />
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And, yes, we did take the boys. And , no, we are not crazy.<br />
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Vince and I took our first trip to London last summer, and we took Micah with us. And I think people thought we were crazy then, as well.<br />
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So <em>why</em> do we take our <em>two toddlers</em> trekking around the world?? I thought I'd go ahead and settle that question before sharing about the trip itself. (Ha! Then you can decide for yourself, whether we're crazy...or not.)<br />
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God's Word says...Deut 11:16-21<br />
<em><strong>Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away</strong> and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you. <strong>Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds</strong>; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. <strong>Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road</strong>, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. </em><br />
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More and more Vince and I encounter parents whose children have turned away from the Lord. And these moms and dads seems to be well-meaning and God-fearing, yet their children are disinterested in following Christ for themselves. (And I'm not talking about casual church attendance--these teens/young adults attend church--but only in body, not in spirit.) And everyone, from parents to church leadership, is wondering <em>why the disconnect</em>?? I could speculate, but I honestly don't have an holistic answer. But I can assume that one disconnect has lead to another disconnect.<br />
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God's Word also says...Proverbs 22:6<br />
<em><strong>Train</strong> up a child in the way he should go;</em><br />
<em>even when he is old he will not depart from it.</em><br />
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It seems that more and more people are in agreement that parents cannot wait until their children enter their teens before beginning discipleship. Nor should families rely on the church for their children's spiritual training. One to two hours of Bible teaching per week just isn't enough. Not for our children, and not for us as parents.<br />
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We don't want to miss the "window" with our boys. We want them to look back over their lives, and say, "You know, I can't remember a time when our family wasn't worshipping or serving the Lord together." <br />
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Jesus said...Matt 12:43-45:<br />
<em>“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”</em><br />
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And we especially don't want to our children to flounder...to be worse off...as they get older because mom and dad haven't been disciplined in preaching and teaching the Gospel to them...<em>in season and out of season</em>...which, taking two toddlers to London may appear to be out of season.<br />
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There's just too much at stake. Satan is crouching outside our doors, waiting to destroy our children. And we're kidding ourselves if we think education, technology and SEC football are reliable guardians. There is no guardian for the souls of our children, other than the full counsel of the Word of God.<br />
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Jesus said...Matt 28:18-20:<br />
{btw- I hate when people leave verse 18 out the Great Commission}<br />
<em>And Jesus came and said to them, “<strong>All authority</strong> in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, <strong>teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you</strong>. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”</em><br />
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So, before you<em> </em>say that we're crazy, I hope you hear our hearts.<br />
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God's Word has been fixed upon our hearts, and we are attempting (by God's grace) to teach and train our children...even as we go along the road...that all authority has been given to Jesus for salvation...shutting out false teaching, and worthless idols...and that he has called us to obey all that he has commanded. To the glory of God.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--UN8yJWNbbg/Tqgk_j6oIII/AAAAAAAABWc/z83VE0TjI1o/s1600/DSC_1768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--UN8yJWNbbg/Tqgk_j6oIII/AAAAAAAABWc/z83VE0TjI1o/s320/DSC_1768.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-41777192268694791022011-09-26T14:55:00.000-05:002011-09-26T14:55:08.251-05:00love orphans? plant churches.Well. I intended to be back before now. But life has been consumed with raising children and soul searching. A healthy break, and a poignant reminder that my thoughts are essential to no one.<br />
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<em>Paul, in his letter to the Ephesian church:</em><br />
<em>3:<strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">8</span></sup></strong>To me,<strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup></strong>though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29244"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">9</span></strong></sup>and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29245"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">10</span></strong></sup>so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29246"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">11</span></strong></sup>This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29247"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">12</span></strong></sup>in whom we have boldness and<strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup></strong>access with<strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup></strong>confidence through our faith in him.</em><br />
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Our church will be observing Orphan Sunday on Nov. 6 (hope yours will be as well). I play a very limited part in what the <em>observation</em> will look like, but it's caused we to wonder (again) nonetheless...<em>exactly what does it mean to care for orphans??</em> Now that Vince and I have completed two adoptions I ask myself this question even more deeply. So many people are doing so many wonderful things for the cause of the orphan, yet still in my own heart I had not landed upon what it should look like--until recently.<br />
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I won't take you on that journey, but here's the conclusion that God has settled in my heart: plant churches. New Testament, Gospel-driven, God-glorifying churches. And plant them in communities where sin is robbing children of their families. <em>This</em> is enduring, life-giving care to the orphan. As a matter of fact, plant them everywhere! Sin is claiming more than families. There possibly are organizations (and more hopefully, churches) that are doing this--I've not researched enough to know.<br />
<br />
<em>Paul also said:</em><br />
<em>1 Cor 15:<strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span></sup></strong>For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died<strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup></strong>for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-28706"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">4</span></strong></sup>that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures...</em><br />
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<em>...of first importance</em>... is not that orphans are cared for--but that Christ is preached. And it is <em>through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known...</em>when God's wisdom is received and embraced, orphans <em>will</em> be cared for. And even greater than that, more children <em>will</em> remain with their birth families. I know that God is sovereign and allows all kinds of things for all sorts of reasons (ultimately for His glory)--but that doesn't mean that we just accept man's depravity, which destroys families.<br />
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<em>Rom 6: <strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></sup></strong>What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-28055"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></strong></sup>By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-28056"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span></strong></sup>Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?</em><br />
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We either live in approval of sin, or, oppose it in power with the truth of the Gospel.<br />
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And as I think about planting churches, my heart fills with sadness because so many are willing to go...and have been called to go...but there aren't enough senders. This is because we're not willing to embrace, as John Piper calls it, a war-time lifestyle. God has promised to supply the resources to accomplish His work, so it's not for lack of resources that orphans aren't cared for and that sin is reigning. The only explanation is that we are disobedient...or disbelieving. Am I crazy? (which is quite possible)<br />
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<em>Rom 10:<strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">11</span></sup></strong>For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." <strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-28185">12</sup></span></strong>For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-28186"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">13</span></strong></sup>For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." </em><br />
<em> <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-28187"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">14</span></strong></sup>How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?<strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup></strong>And how are they to hear without someone preaching? <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-28188"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">15</span></strong></sup>And how are they to preach unless they are sent?</em><br />
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So. This is where I am. Taking baby-steps to embrace my war-time lifestyle...because I believe that the darkness is fading and sin is losing its power to <em>put to shame</em> -- and, by the grace of God, may our family proclaim the <em>Lord of all (bestowing his riches on all who call on him).</em><br />
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<em>2 Cor 10:<strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span></sup></strong>For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-28959"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">4</span></strong></sup>For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have<strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup></strong>divine power to destroy strongholds. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-28960"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">5</span></strong></sup>We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ...</em>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-61002567422397004172011-08-15T13:49:00.000-05:002011-08-15T13:49:04.969-05:00summer...<em>oh, summer...where have you gone???</em><br />
<br />
Seriously! This summer has blown by -- I suppose because our family was so focused on Judah's palate repair/recovery. We are now almost 8-weeks post Judah's palate surgery, and his healing thus far has been remarkable! At Judah's post-op visit several weeks ago, Dr Grant told me to <em>let him run with scissors</em>. Ha! Obviously he was being facetious, but I guess it was his way of assuring me that Judah was officially post-recovery! Judah's palate looks beautiful -- better than I could have imagined! <em>Thank you, God!!</em> You would never know that his palate had been cleft!! And widely cleft at that! Although, at some point his uvula did fall off--not sure when because obviously Judah swallowed it. I know...gross! But I've been told it's not a critical appendage so we're not sweating it.<br />
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Although Judah's palate is beautiful, his teeth, well, are a bit crazy! The two teeth on either side of his front teeth (incisors, canines??) are growing in through his palate--kind of behind his front teeth. Not sure how that will pan out, but we'll see his dentist in the next few weeks for some insight. I'm expecting that the misplacement of these teeth will affect Judah's speech development to some degree, but I praying not by much.<br />
<br />
And speech...Judah is starting to make a lot of different sounds, as well attempting many new words. Although his words are hard to understand because he talks like a ventrilaquist. Not much mouth movements. I'm sure it's probably sensory due to all the changes his mouth (inside and out) has undergone, but I feel like he'll over-come all that in short order!<br />
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Judah is also on a pretty normal diet. He technically is allowed to eat anything, but we're taking it slow with crunchier foods. Because he was on soft foods for the first 22 months of his life, he never really had to chew -- so he tends to gag on crunchier/tougher things like crackers and meat. Even still, he is progressing in this area too!<br />
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And, he took his first steps this week-end!! He has totally mastered crawling, cruising and even climbing, but he's now decided he's ready to walk. And, oh, is that his personality! He will decide when it's time for a new milestone...period! He will not be rushed, when other skills are not yet mastered!! Such a funny little fella!<br />
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And our sweet Micah is doing great! Growing so fast! Vince is convinced that Micah's feet will be a big as his in the next few years! We also celebrated his 3rd birthday a few weeks ago! And he was all about his birthday this year - so it turned into a week-long celebration!! He still is consumed with all-things-music, but we have enrolled him in soccer this fall. We'll see how that goes! I think he'll enjoy it! We've been practicing making goals in the back yard, and he's very excited about the concept of playing on a team! Oh, and how could I forget...he's about 90% potty-trained. Whoot!!<br />
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We'll...I'm sure I'm leaving a ton out, but I plan to be a little more regular with our blog...so I hope you'll visit again soon!!<br />
alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-5750741070698471992011-06-26T20:51:00.000-05:002011-06-26T20:51:59.868-05:00update: post-palate surgeryMost of you know that Judah had his palate surgery this past Wednesday. After a few long days in the hospital, we came home Friday afternoon. Recovery has gone slow -- poor Judah is absolutely miserable! His surgeon told us that Judah's repair was pretty extensive (more than most), but that's because his cleft was bilateral and very wide! <em>(BTW- we love Judah's surgeon, Dr. John Grant, and the cleft team at Children's Hospital of AL!)</em> We'll see Dr. Grant in about three weeks, and at that point he should see good indication of Judah's healing, or foreseeable complications. Of course, you know what we're praying for! For now, it's a soft food diet and arm restraints.<br />
<br />
Judah's nasal cavity, palate and top of his throat were all <em>reworked</em> (for lack of a better term), which I'm sure is extremely painful -- but he also has a low-grade fever and what appears to be a sinus infection. Not only is he learning to breathe with a reduced air-way, his air-way is full of snot! I think the most difficult part for him is sleep, simply because he cannot breathe and therefore constantly wakes himself up.<br />
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I've also wasted more juice, milk, pediasure, pedialyte, sorbet....he just is not in the mood to eat or drink...nothing <em>feels right</em> in his mouth.<br />
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All that said, he's been a trooper! I really am proud of him! He sure has been through a lot in the first 20-months of his life! Gracious thanks to you who have been praying for him -- you're prayers are felt every day!!alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-62228438442920914372011-06-18T13:51:00.002-05:002011-06-18T15:24:28.950-05:00all about judah!It's been a really, really long time since I've posted an update about Judah...sorry!!! It's not that there isn't anything to tell...because there is! But life with two toddlers is simply busy. And blogging just doesn't make it to the top-few things I try to accomplish during my 1-2 hours of daily peace-and-quite.<br />
<br />
So, Judah...<br />
<br />
He's doing amazing!! I like to call him <em>my sweetness</em>. He's so laid back, and loves to cuddle and giggle -- and he is totally a mommy's boy! He is still playing catch-up -- but he makes progress every day! We like to joke that he's a marathoner, NOT a sprinter (like his older brother)! When he came to us in December, he knew nothing! Literally! Could not sit up, hold his bottle, feed himself...you name it! He was a 14-month old new born. But he's now doing all those things! He started crawling in April, and he should be walking by the end of the summer. <br />
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<em>They</em> (the professionals) say that for every month that a child is institutionalized, it will take as many subsequent months for them to <em>catch up</em>. So we're looking at Feb 2012 as our goal for Judah to have mastered his age-appropriate skills (well, minus speech).<br />
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His cleft lip repair has healed nicely -- though it will be several more months before the scar tissue is gone. We are now totally used to his new mouth! It's hard to remember his precious, super-wide pre-repair mouth, so I'm glad we took tons of pics before his first surgery.<br />
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His palate surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday (Lord willing). Our surgeon, Dr. John Grant (who is AMAZING) said there is a 90% chance that this will be the only palate repair Judah will need! <strong>DEAR FRIENDS- will you please pray with us that this is the case -- that God will heal Judah with this surgery! We don't ask for healing for selfish reasons, but that God would be glorified!</strong> Judah will still need a gum line bone graft when his adult teeth come in, but that's several years down the road.<br />
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Once Judah recovers from his palate surgery, we'll start to hit speech therapy pretty hard! He's so ready ready to talk (and sing)! And he already tries to repeat much of what we say! Some of his words -- mama, amen, I love you -- are actually a little intelligible. <br />
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<div align="center"><em>sweetest little face! his little heart is open-wide!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QqYOQnm6Ymw/TfzyapMnMaI/AAAAAAAABWY/IKQTBtiLXn0/s1600/DSC_1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QqYOQnm6Ymw/TfzyapMnMaI/AAAAAAAABWY/IKQTBtiLXn0/s320/DSC_1464.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>first game of chase with big brother!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw3f7QA3_GGgqkGZA8H4u4xA6LfSmXN_EFRL18CM6vm0uCgBx8a_V9Oc6rCu25nlDVSxw6hFRgVkPe7n4pw9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-13655054431873230112011-05-20T12:55:00.001-05:002011-05-20T12:56:14.449-05:00family happenings<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: center;">Adoption fellowship group with B'ham families!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBgd_LLayKY/TdaoAnreMqI/AAAAAAAABWI/ZmYUiEmZkNE/s1600/DSC_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBgd_LLayKY/TdaoAnreMqI/AAAAAAAABWI/ZmYUiEmZkNE/s320/DSC_1299.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Resurrection Sunday!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12g2WAXVZgY/Tdanjhq5GfI/AAAAAAAABWE/9p_5jJYayMo/s1600/DSC_1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12g2WAXVZgY/Tdanjhq5GfI/AAAAAAAABWE/9p_5jJYayMo/s320/DSC_1326.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-qRjUno7Xg/Tdam5D-ZL8I/AAAAAAAABWA/Bu8NDcxEVJQ/s1600/DSC_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-qRjUno7Xg/Tdam5D-ZL8I/AAAAAAAABWA/Bu8NDcxEVJQ/s320/DSC_1346.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-svVKfL09A/TdaoE-fPQeI/AAAAAAAABWM/wdlJUqZYZ_s/s1600/fam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-svVKfL09A/TdaoE-fPQeI/AAAAAAAABWM/wdlJUqZYZ_s/s320/fam.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day - Judah's dedication!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dx-xuhn660A/Tdal4DeLsTI/AAAAAAAABV8/qpPA6ZuwwrA/s1600/dedication.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dx-xuhn660A/Tdal4DeLsTI/AAAAAAAABV8/qpPA6ZuwwrA/s320/dedication.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Off to last day of Mother's Day Out!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_iZT6Y6kKE/Tdaoir_fz7I/AAAAAAAABWQ/46byKALMvJQ/s1600/DSC_1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_iZT6Y6kKE/Tdaoir_fz7I/AAAAAAAABWQ/46byKALMvJQ/s320/DSC_1405.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-92228697691265056232011-04-28T11:54:00.001-05:002011-04-28T11:55:20.520-05:00help alabama<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Feeling led to assist recovery efforts in Alabama? Here are two ways that you can help (no matter where you live):</em></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Grace's Kitchen </span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You can either assemble food bags for Grace's Kitchen, or make a monetary donation!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.graceskitchen.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.graceskitchen.org</span></a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Make a monetary donation, or volunteer your skills!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.alsbom.org/dr"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.alsbom.org/dr</span></a>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-66346642379763319032011-04-25T21:08:00.002-05:002011-04-27T15:42:01.614-05:00It matters to God. My mailbox told me so.<em><strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">UPDATE! As of 4/28 Mother's Day cards have raised $2440 for Trees of Glory in Ethiopia!!</span></strong></em><br />
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I hate to admit that this is very much a season in my life where my time in the Word and deliberate prayer often wanes. That's just the way it is. Yet this afternoon, I captured a moment while the boys were napping to read a few chapters in Romans and talk with my God. A few thoughts surfaced--thoughts that have been heavy on my heart...<br />
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<em>...is our concern for the least of these driven by impure motives...are we taking Scripture out of context, in order to prop-up do-good-deeds, because we're really just looking for an ego-trip...</em><br />
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So I simply asked God to examine my heart. To affirm our steps. Or to redirect our paths. We are passionate about serving the destitute and the marginalized. We're always looking for ways to do more. Not because we feel obligated, but because every need that is met is an open door for the Gospel. For physical relief and spiritual healing. Even still, the best of intentions always need to be examined before God, in the light of His Word.<br />
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After a few quite moments with the Lord, I closed my Bible. And I walked outside to check the mail. There were three envelopes inside. One about our renters insurance. Another, a thank-you note from a new mom that I had never met before, but several Believers wanted to bless her with a shower because she's not connected to a church (and I got to be apart). The third piece of mail was from HopeChest. It was a hand-written, translated letter from a child that we sponsor in Ethiopia. He told us that he is doing well, and added 'praise God.' He also wanted to know if we're coming to Ethiopia, and he asked that we pray for his school.<br />
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We've sponsored this child for over a year, and this is the first hand-written letter that we've received from him.<br />
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Can I just tell you that I was in awe. I broke down in tears as I told Vince about what just happened. I asked God to show me His heart, and test mine -- and with in a matter of minutes I found T's letter in our mail box. Coincidence? Absolutely not! Affirmation? Absolutely!<br />
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In that moment, I felt the weight of God's heart. The marginalized, destitute and fatherless do matter to Him! And He ordained in eternity-past that T's letter would be in our mailbox, to affirm our family. Wow! It's so easy to get discouraged by the noise of ridicule when it comes to Gospel social justice. Thank you, Lord, that your voice rings truer and clearer!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #e69138;">May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,<br />
<span class="indent"></span>give deliverance to the children of the needy,<br />
<span class="indent"></span>and crush the oppressor...</span></em></div><div class="line-group" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #e69138;">For he delivers the needy when he calls,<br />
<span class="indent"></span>the poor and him who has no helper.</span></em></div><div class="line-group" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #e69138;">He has pity on the weak and the needy,<br />
<span class="indent"></span>and saves the lives of the needy.<br />
From oppression and violence he redeems their life,<br />
<span class="indent"></span>and precious is their blood in his sight.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Now switching-gears. Kind-of. (I feel this also falls in the it-matters-to-God category) <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;"> As of this afternoon, we're raise over $1200 for the Trees of Glory clean water well project.</span> </strong> Just $300-shy of last year's total for Kind Hearts play ground equipment. What an honor is has been for me to make my simplistic cards. If you haven't joined the fundraiser, there's still time to order cards!! I will take orders through Sat, Apr 30. For all the details, see my previous post below.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #b45f06;">our sweet T at Kind Hearts in Ethiopia...he matters</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2yh5dpzmW-A/TbYnWg5S9mI/AAAAAAAABV4/_2I-cAF7do8/s1600/temesgen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2yh5dpzmW-A/TbYnWg5S9mI/AAAAAAAABV4/_2I-cAF7do8/s320/temesgen.jpg" width="225px" /></a></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-30450844351001969742011-04-04T21:32:00.008-05:002011-04-22T13:41:03.247-05:00this mother's day: give her honor...and give THEM water!!<strong><em><span style="color: #b45f06;">UPDATE! As of 4/23, we've raised over $1000 together!! $500 more to beat last year's total!! $2000 more to double it!!</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #b45f06;">Thank you!!</span></em></strong><br />
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You may remember, last year for Mother's Day, I teamed-up with <a href="http://www.family-from-afar.blogspot.com/">Karen Wistrom</a> & <em>Kind Hearts care-point</em> in Ethiopia (<a href="http://www.hopechest.org/">Children's HopeChest</a>) to raise funding toward play ground equipment at the care point. We raised over $1500.00 toward the equipment! Other families also raised money via their own fundraisers, and the full balance required for the equipment was met (and even exceeded!!)! And, as in any developing country, progress can be slow--but I'm excited to share that ground has been cleared and equipment is on order for the new play ground at Kind Hearts!!<br />
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<strong>This year I'm again working with Karen to raise money toward a <em>clean water well project</em> at another care-point in Ethiopia, <em>Trees of Glory</em>. This is also a HopeChest program. I asked Karen for the nuts-and-bolts of this care point, and she shared the following:</strong><br />
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<em>Trees of Glory is located 2 hours north of Addis near the village of Duber. It is very rural (beautiful countryside) and the residents in this area rarely have contact with Addis.</em><br />
<em>There are currently 99 kids attending TOG - with no running water. The staff walks a mile or more to a river and to a spigot to get water and they carry it back to the care-point on the backs of donkeys. It takes a ton of time everyday and it is very labor-intensive. And they teach the kids good hygiene - to wash before meals and after the toilet - so they go through a lot of water in addition to what they drink.</em><br />
<em>Every child at TOG is sponsored - but we will need more sponsor families as more children begin to enroll. Once we have a well - TOG expects that they can care for 200-300 kids!!</em><br />
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<strong>WOW!! I have tears in my eyes to think that 200-300 <em>could</em> be ministered at <em>Trees of Glory</em>!! </strong><br />
<strong>...could...</strong><br />
<strong>But without access to clean water, hundreds of children are missing meals, education, and (most importantly) the opportunity to hear the Gospel!</strong><br />
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Clean water is a tender subject for our family, especially since both our boys were born in parts of the world where clean water often is nothing more than an empty water bottle tossed along a road-side...a reminder that it's available, but not accessible. It's easy, in the comfort of America, to forget the health (and even life) that dirty water claims every day!! Not to mention the care-givers at <em>Trees of Glory</em>--people with a passion for the children in their community...people that God has set apart to serve the children in their community...yet, often, most of their precious daylight hours are required to fetch water. I cannot imagine how frustrating it must be to want so much more for these children!!<br />
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We raised $1500 last year....wouldn't be amazing if we could double that?? I know we can! As always, 100% of your donation will go to TOG-- I'm donating the stamps, supplies, and paypal fees!<br />
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Below are the two Mother's Day cards that are available. The card will be similar to last year's --<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>card A</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHHR01E5crk/TZpp9aUkhHI/AAAAAAAABVk/t9EjOlv7_oE/s1600/trees-of-glory-pink2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247px" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHHR01E5crk/TZpp9aUkhHI/AAAAAAAABVk/t9EjOlv7_oE/s320/trees-of-glory-pink2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>card B</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rKNC3-idwfE/TZpqAZPUYbI/AAAAAAAABVo/PQsPWjD51Ak/s1600/mother%2527s-day-trees-of-glory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247px" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rKNC3-idwfE/TZpqAZPUYbI/AAAAAAAABVo/PQsPWjD51Ak/s320/mother%2527s-day-trees-of-glory.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7xKjKFf6W0/TZtggvCRsUI/AAAAAAAABVs/0FvB1GMwAfA/s1600/TOG+cards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7xKjKFf6W0/TZtggvCRsUI/AAAAAAAABVs/0FvB1GMwAfA/s400/TOG+cards.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>THREE WAYS to participate:</strong></div><strong>#1) I mail the card(s) for you!</strong><br />
Make a donation by using the PayPal donation button on the right column. While making your donation, there is a place for special instructions so you can provide me the name and address of the woman you are honoring. I will print and mail your card the week before Mother's Day. <br />
<strong>#2) I mail the card(s) to you!</strong><br />
For a minimum donation of $20 I will mail you 5 cards -- this is for those who'd prefer to hand-deliver, personalize or include card(s) with a gift. Make your donation using the PayPal button. Under 'special instructions' tell me how many of which design you'd like (feel free to mix/match). I will mail the cards to your address within 24 hrs of your request.<br />
<strong>#3) Just want to make a donation, but don't need any cards?</strong> <br />
Contact Karen, Trees of Glory & Kind Hearts Sponsor Coordinator at <a href="mailto:kjwistrom@yahoo.com">kjwistrom@yahoo.com</a> <br />
<strong>Still have questions?? </strong><br />
Don't hesitate to contact me at alisafmartin at yahoo dot com<br />
<br />
<strong>Follow this link to check-out the progess on Kind Hearts water well!!!!</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.hopechest.org/how-kind-hearts-carepoint-spend-world-water-day/"><strong>http://www.hopechest.org/how-kind-hearts-carepoint-spend-world-water-day/</strong></a>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-63075866741961870122011-03-18T09:55:00.001-05:002011-03-18T09:57:22.036-05:00ways to help japanMany of you are already involved, and know who's doing what, but just in case not...this is from Desiring God: <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/help-japan-at-least-five-options?utm_source=Desiring+God&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=8823e00481-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail">Help Japan—At Least Five Options</a><br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog">here</a> to read more posts from John Piper regarding Japan.alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-67861509569520280952011-03-14T13:41:00.000-05:002011-03-14T13:43:32.236-05:00day 12 post-op<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEGik8e5TVI/TX5h1CtQ9BI/AAAAAAAABVE/xRdbTbhqkfE/s1600/photo-712237.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEGik8e5TVI/TX5h1CtQ9BI/AAAAAAAABVE/xRdbTbhqkfE/s400/photo-712237.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584008151873680402" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUDhU4TpJ5g/TX5h1sbiwlI/AAAAAAAABVM/ZgZflqp0DEk/s1600/photo%2B2-713763.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUDhU4TpJ5g/TX5h1sbiwlI/AAAAAAAABVM/ZgZflqp0DEk/s400/photo%2B2-713763.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584008163073638994" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JENHq3XRZjc/TX5h2OHGlMI/AAAAAAAABVU/j2n32N9L4p4/s1600/photo%2B3-715725.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JENHq3XRZjc/TX5h2OHGlMI/AAAAAAAABVU/j2n32N9L4p4/s400/photo%2B3-715725.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584008172114711746" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KjkeyzAenj8/TX5h2RDy-VI/AAAAAAAABVc/eGNAgEC_9nw/s1600/photo%2B4-716880.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KjkeyzAenj8/TX5h2RDy-VI/AAAAAAAABVc/eGNAgEC_9nw/s400/photo%2B4-716880.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584008172906150226" /></a></p>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-3648863479109949052011-03-13T21:03:00.000-05:002011-03-13T21:03:01.098-05:00adoption isn't enoughI am so sick of heart about the unfolding changes in Ethiopian's adoption process. You can read more about that <a href="http://www.jointcouncil.org/ethiopia-update-31111/">here</a>. I'm not intending to jump the gun on the situation, and I am still hopeful that orphaned children will be united with their forever families, but...<br />
<br />
what if...<br />
could this be...<br />
<br />
A wake-up call for the Christian community. Around 2500 children were adopted from Ethiopia into US families in 2010. 2500 out of 5 million. Please don't get me wrong -- every single one of those successful adoptions was nothing less than an act of God. I know this first-hand, because our Micah Yoseph coming home in 2009 was an undeniable act of God. But hear my heart...<br />
<br />
Is it easy for us, when our adoptions are rolling along smoothing, to have tunnel-vision. To some how think that that because (in our case) I am bringing one child home, I don't really have to think long and hard about all the millions of other children who will never come home??<br />
<br />
When adoptions are rolling smoothly, do those millions of children lose their voice?<br />
<br />
The reality is, adoption isn't enough. We cannot put all our eggs in that basket. Americans bring home 2500 Ethiopian per year (PRAISE GOD) -- but 30,000 children DIE PER DAY in Africa! Our family ministers to the fatherless (outside of adoption), but oh, do the bread crumbs we throw under our table make our God look so small.<br />
<br />
Not sure where I'm intending to go with all this. But what I do know for certain is that God is sovereign...even over MOWA. And I am also certain that God cares for the fatherless. ALL of them. His Word says so.<br />
<br />
<em>Lord, give us your eyes. Show us what you see when you look at Ethiopia. At Africa. Father, use this situation to give millions of children a voice...and quicken us, Your Children, to be listening.</em><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">For the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing- Deut 10:17-18</span></strong></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-42120365478488358512011-03-07T10:09:00.001-06:002011-03-07T10:21:48.322-06:00update #6Judah is doing well! I think his post-op pain has paled greatly in <br />
comparison to his not getting to suck his thumb! Which has made for <br />
some long, long nights! Thankfully, he's pretty content during the day!<br />
And I still cannot get over how different he looks! I know he'll be <br />
swollen for a while, but I just didn't realize that his lip surgery <br />
would affect the shape of his entire face. And his face still has no <br />
expression...not sure when he'll be able to smile again. It will <br />
probably take a few months before his muscles heal completely...at <br />
that point we'll have a better idea of what he really looks like.<br />
<br />
Day 5 Post-Op<br />
<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WlgOrV-_p8/TXUExIhtXXI/AAAAAAAABUs/lh4X6L9zdKc/s1600/photo-763180.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581372555344567666" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WlgOrV-_p8/TXUExIhtXXI/AAAAAAAABUs/lh4X6L9zdKc/s400/photo-763180.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Day 1 Post-Op</div><div class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8KLmd_nPOuc/TXUExRUhgvI/AAAAAAAABU0/rj4H3At9gTE/s1600/photo%2B2-764929.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581372557705183986" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8KLmd_nPOuc/TXUExRUhgvI/AAAAAAAABU0/rj4H3At9gTE/s400/photo%2B2-764929.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Day of Surgery</div><div class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OneylUtXbrU/TXUExvvFd2I/AAAAAAAABU8/J9ABrVZsYEs/s1600/photo%2B3-766071.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581372565869655906" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OneylUtXbrU/TXUExvvFd2I/AAAAAAAABU8/J9ABrVZsYEs/s400/photo%2B3-766071.jpg" /></a></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-14471070578563520502011-03-03T12:17:00.001-06:002011-03-03T12:17:26.208-06:00update #5We're home!<br>Poor Judah is so swollen! It's hard to imagine that he'll ever look normal, but I'm trusting that he will.<br>On another note, our surgeon warned me that because the cleft in his palate is so wide, surgery may be somewhat unpredictable. Oh dear...but can't worry about that now...<p>Sent from my iPhonealisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-64223845312537198882011-03-03T07:27:00.000-06:002011-03-03T07:28:08.433-06:00update #4Good morning! We had a great night! J slept with me on the couch-- <br>yes! He actually slept! He's eating well and playful! The Drs <br>already came by to discharge him, but we'll still be here til about <br>10am.<p>Deepest gratitude to all our prayer warriors who've been covering us!<br>Praising El Rachum...our great God of compassion!<p>Sent from my iPhonealisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-19339265442374657992011-03-02T16:12:00.000-06:002011-03-02T16:30:36.756-06:00update #3<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5jpYO6Dta4/TW7FDXkE34I/AAAAAAAABUk/VUGA4ZO0W94/s1600/photo-736757.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5jpYO6Dta4/TW7FDXkE34I/AAAAAAAABUk/VUGA4ZO0W94/s400/photo-736757.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579613650014232450" /></a></p>We've got our baby! And we're in our room! Poor little man is out of <br>it! And his heart rate is really elevated, which has me concerned. <br>Please continue to pray for his recovery! The goal for tonight is to <br>get him awake and eating. Vince has gone home to check on M. If <br>all goes well, we'll be discharged first thing in the morning.alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-23893607434790709012011-03-02T14:08:00.000-06:002011-03-02T14:09:26.232-06:00update #2Surgery is over! Both J's surgeon and ENT came to give us a report. <br>The surgeon seems pleased with the lip repair, but I'm expecting J to <br>look like he got pounded in the face with a baseball bat. He also <br>said Judah did great before surgery...no tears!! Proud of him!<br>The ENT said J's ears were a mess -- which may explain his <br>restlessness at night.<br>J will be in recovery for about 1-2hrs, then we'll be assigned our <br>room. Can't wait to see him! Praying he doesn't totally freak out <br>once he wakes!!<p>Sent from my iPhonealisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-87929409288507559042011-03-02T11:21:00.001-06:002011-03-02T11:21:53.707-06:00update #1Judah finally went back for surgery about 10:40am. He was such a <br>trooper this morning, despite missing his oatmeal and bananas! He <br>played and giggled, and even napped for a little bit. Then a Chinese <br>guy (quite fitting) from the OR came to get him. It was a bit weird <br>handing him over to some stranger in a hallway! The mommy-in-me <br>wanted to demand that I go with him and monitor the entire process! <br>Mommies know better than surgeons...right?!<br>Dr. Grant's staff just called the waiting room to let us know he is <br>beginning Judah's procedure, and the anesthesia is successful. We're <br>expecting the lip repair to last a few hours (did I mention he's <br>getting ear tubes as well?). I'll update after surgery is complete.<br>We feel so honored to be Judah's mommy and daddy, and to care for all <br>his needs! Is the Lord calling you to minister to the fatherless? <br>You will never regret being Christ's hands and feet to the least of <br>these!<p>Sent from my iPhonealisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647836844269802942.post-77261858556141184222011-03-01T21:26:00.000-06:002011-03-01T21:26:36.279-06:00surgery-1 eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Ps 147:3</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Judah will have his first surgery tomorrow - the plastic surgeon will repair his lip. The surgery will last a few hours, and I will stay the night with Judah at the hospital. However, I'm not as anxious about his surgery as I suppose that I should be. One reason is because <em>I am</em> anxious about his palate surgery, which will be more invasive and require longer recovery. A second reason that my heart is at peace is simply because of a knowledge of God's sovereignty. When I think about how God protected and delivered our children long before we became their parents...well...I am reminded that God <em>is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GCqoVLd7SlU/TW21y6PRlfI/AAAAAAAABUc/5Z_5wq9buDM/s1600/pre-lip-surg-014a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GCqoVLd7SlU/TW21y6PRlfI/AAAAAAAABUc/5Z_5wq9buDM/s320/pre-lip-surg-014a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C7A3JFcw-Zc/TW2145DxBfI/AAAAAAAABUg/R22p3wRcQVw/s1600/pre-lip-surg-066a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C7A3JFcw-Zc/TW2145DxBfI/AAAAAAAABUg/R22p3wRcQVw/s320/pre-lip-surg-066a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013323389732104881noreply@blogger.com4