Where Am I At Today ...

It has been a long week and there always seems to be moments lately when I get to choose which direction I will let my emotions go ... sadness or joy, jealousy or contentment, anger or patience, selfish or giving, crying or laughing ... I have been faced with all these emotions and choices this week and it has been very evident as I talk with God on how I should handle these emotions ... I am for the most part a glass half-full kind of girl ... I am one of those people when I have a mound of laundry that totally stinks and I really don't want to do it, that I tell myself, "Thank You Lord for a washing machine/dryer" ... When I walk into someone's big beautiful home I tell myself, "I wouldn't change anything about my life for that big house." ... "When I am sad that my children are not home yet, I tell myself God's timing is perfect and I have comfort in knowing my children are safe and cared for where they are." When I am at my wits end in the giving department, I find peace in giving a little more."  Now don't get me wrong, a lot of times I just fail miserably and just wallow in my emotions and can't find my way out of a paper bag, but I will say that walking w/ Katie, seeing the orphans of the world as real little faces, growing deeper w/ the Lord and meeting so many people who "GET IT" and listening to their stories make it easier day by day to make the decision on how to face the day ... It is the Lord's day, how will I use it ??? It is the Lord's resources, how will I spend them ?? It is the Lord's family, how will I treat them ??

I want so badly to be used and I know He is using my family right now and the closer I feel we get to being in the midst of our purpose the more unworthy I feel ... After all,  I am a horrible sinner and yet the All Mighty Father can receive glory by my obedience to HIM ...  I love that ... I love that the God I serve can use a mess like me to further His kingdom ... Simple, goofy, funny, big mouthed, opinionated, cryer at the drop of hat, orphan loving, can't sleep ME to do His will ... If it weren't so freaking amazing it would be comical ...

Where Am I At Today in my prayers .... Maggie's next surgery is December 16th, Praying for court date for Joseph and Daisy, Pryaying for Scott and the kids, Praying for Katie and her girls w/ the chicken pox, Praying for Josie love to feel better, Praying for Tracy M. children home from Ethiopia, and so much more ...

blessings to all this weekend !!!!

Love, Love, Love is HOME ...

I saw that face come around the corner and it was like dream ... Here in person was this little face I had seen in pictures for over a year; Here in person was this little face I had heard so many stories about; Here in person was this little face with the spirit of a survivor; Here in person was this little face I have grown to love ... The airport scene was filled with the spirit of family ... We were all there to support the Mayernick's and show Josie Love that we are in her corner as she battles much in the coming years with her illness ...  I got me some much needed Josie kisses and hugs ... She is an amazing cuddle bug and her smile will literally light a room ... She has such a peace about her and it was like she knew she was home FOREVER ... Her brothers and sister and all the rest of kids just sat around her amazed at her little face ... So many young people had prayed for this day ... There child like faith shows us so much about how God wants us to see each day ... My Jeremiah said on the way home, "Seeing Josie makes me want Joseph and Daisy home so much more."  Emily told Scott, "Josie is just the cutest little peanut, she looked just like I did when I came home from China."  When I told Maggie that we were going to see Mrs. Mayernick and Josie at the airport, she said, "And Joseph and Daisy too." (only if it were that easy ... lol) ... Elijah must have said, "Oh she is so cute" about a million times ... I of course lost it when Suzanne rounded the corner .... She is like my sister and when she is tired, hurt, happy, sad, or joyful then I am also ....  There is so much invested in praying a child home ... You put your heart on the line everyday with the Lord ... And then the day comes when you are face to face with your prayer and it is such an emotional moment ... I can't imagine how many bottles God has for me in the tear department when it comes to airport homecomings ... I definitely have a shelf or two ...

I just want to thank everyone who has prayed for the Mayernick family and for showing the love that is THE BODY OF CHRIST ...

I will try and post pictures soon or I am sure Suzanne will have some up in a couple of days ...

Off to reflect a little on the events of the night !!!!

JOSIE "we LOVE you" MAYERNICK IS COMING HOME TOMORROW !!

 I

I have been looking and praying for this sweet face for well over a year when Katie first told us about her ... Knowing that tomorrow I will see her, touch her, and give her some big ole fat kisses will be enough to keep me up all night tonight ... I think about how she has been at Amani with my sweet Joseph and Daisy, so for me seeing her will be a little like seeing them ... I have told Suzanne many times that as she describes things to me in Africa that I can almost feel them myself ... I have such a huge piece of my heart there that God gives me such sweet moments of feeling the peace of the journey to come ...  Please continue to pray and rejoice with us as Josie meets the rest of  her forever family ...  I am taking the boys out of school tomorrow to go to the airport ... Honestly, there is something spiritual about going to the airport for a child's homecoming ... They walk around that corner at the airport when you see them for the first time and the heaven's sing !!!!  We represent the body of Christ ... We will be the people walking this journey with the Mayernick's ... We are our own type of family, We are a community, and We will be like a 3 cord strand (not easily broken) ...

Thanks to all who have helped Josie get to her family !!!

And who knows maybe I will get my call tomorrow ... I spoke with Mary, from Amani on Friday, (I am her secret stalker ... hee hee)  and her and I are both praying she gets to call me soon !!!!

LOVE YOU ALL !!!!

BELMONT UNIVERSITY ... LAUNCH FOR 147 MILLION ORPHANS !!

 future 147 MILLION ORPHAN CEOs

If you are in the area please join us Friday, November 13th at 2006 Belmont Blvd. 6-8 pm at the FEEDBACK store (across from Bongo Java) ... There will be food, music, and FASHION SHOW ... I expect all my friends/family to be there w/ the 147 Million Orphan's gear ...

God is truly using this 147 project to change hearts and lives both here and afar ... I have said this a lot lately, but we are not about the number 147, but we are about the children ... God is the only one, who knows how many orphans are in the world ... We choose this name to make people aware that we are in a crisis in regards to THE LEAST OF THESE ... I want to say thank you to all who have purchased items, are sharing our story, and telling people about Katie ... I feel the strength in our numbers and I see God being glorified through our work ... WE ARE ON AN AMAZING JOURNEY !!!

blessings all !!! it would be so cool if I could announce tomorrow about a trip to Uganda ... GOD MOVE MOUNTAINS FOR US SO WE CAN GET TO OUR CHILDREN ...

ONE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY ...

The past 3 days have been utterly amazing ... We had 3 Events Friday for 147 (over 9000 meals for Karomajong Children in Uganda will be bought) , Saturday was the SHOW HOPE event w/ Marybeth and SCC, and Sunday was the CRY OF THE ORPHANS Event ... Every face I saw was real to me, every song sung pierced my heart, and every plea made on behalf of the ORPHANS got a big ole AMEN from me ... My heart was breaking and being renewed all at the same time ... God wants us to CARE FOR THE ORPHANS, not just CARE ABOUT THE ORPHANS ... We have to be doers of the word, we have to get our hands dirty and our hearts broken ... We are not the answer, because there will always be poor among us and there will always be orphans, but we can be obedient and glorify the Lord with our actions ... SO IT IS TIME TO GET OFF THE SIDELINES AND JOIN THE BATTLE ... We are warriors for Christ and we can fight the oppression, the loneliness, the hunger, the desolation, and the fear that plagues every orphan out there ... THE HEAVENLY FATHER IS WITH THEM AND YOU CAN SEE HIS FACE IN THEIRS, SO LETS GO ON A TREASURE HUNT FOR THE LORD !!!

HERE IS MY FAVORITE QUOTE FROM THE WEEKEND BY COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL'S PRESIDENT ... "IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN THEN ORPHANS IS YOUR THING!" ... That is powerful and would make a great t-shirt (so don't anybody steal that one from me ... hee hee) ...

I know I am preaching to the choir here, but it is time to mobilize people and start challenging our friends, family, and church to step up to the battle !!!!!