Followers

Blog Archive

Monday, February 16, 2009

Prayers and Family and Crazy Love

A girl NEEDS her sleep and her chips ...

Next Monday Maggie will be going to Vanderbilt for the 1st of her 3 surgeries ... They will be implanting the scalp extenders into her head ... They have told us we will be there 2-3 days since they will begin inflating the extenders and managing her pain ... I pray that this stay will go smoothly for her and that she will feel our love and support ... I pray that she understands that she is not alone and that she would not fight the situation ... I know you will be praying w/ me ... The God of the universe has had my child in His hands since the day she was born and I have no doubt He will go to the hospital w/ us and bring PEACE ...


I will be shipping out a lot of the shirts tomorrow ... The rest of the shirts arrived today plus 25 tote bags ... If you would like to purchase a tote bag you can also do that on t-shirt pay pal (also $25.00) ... Just write in the comments section that it is for a tote not a t-shirt ... The word thank you doesn't really convey my emotions for all your help as we begin to save the funds to bring our Abigail and Joseph home from Africa ...



HELP US MAKE THIS PICTURE A REALITY ... Sweet Sweet Mallory painted this for us on our Anniversary in December ... What a precious picture and I can't wait to actually have faces to put in my heart ... OH, how I love all six of my children ... Jeremiah (my HEART), Elijah (my JOY), Emily (my LIGHT), Maggie (my HOPE), Joseph (my STRENGTH), and Abigail (my PEACE) ... Lord only you could give such a love to a mother who has never ever touched or laid eyes on their children ...A special hug today for all the mother's waiting to hold, touch, and kiss their children who are not home yet ... WE WILL WAIT TOGETHER !!!


Blessings to you all this week ... JUST FINISHED "CRAZY LOVE" and it will take some time to process ... Here is a quote from the book, " 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,' 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart', but then we live and plan like we don't believe God even exists. We try to set our lives up so everything will be fine even if God doesn't come through. But true faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God's fidelity to His promises." Can you say WOW ... This book is challenging me on so many levels to read the scripture and apply it to my daily life NOW ...


30 kind words.:

Kim said...

OMW.. the photo of Maggie is toooo cute.. LOVE HER ...
I will be thinking of you but I know that Maggie will make it through all these with flying colors.. she has an amazing family and amazing support here in bloggerville..
LOVE the shirt.. can't wait to put mine on...LOVE YOU GIRLY..
as for the picture of your 6 children.. they are TOOOO CUTE>..
LOVE YA..
Hugs..
I am ready to purchase "CRAZY LOVE"...
I know it will be a HUGE HIT..
bring on the book and bring on the babies..

Musings from Kim K. said...

Please know that the prayer chain will be strong in West Michigan for sweet Maggie.

(((hugs)))from one SN Mommy to another!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Gwen,
Of course, I will continue to pray for Maggie baby! You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.

Kim said...

Our Matthew will be thrilled to know the details of Maggie's upcoming surgery. I think I mentioned to you that he was so touched by meeting her that he has asked his 3rd grade class to pray with him thru her surgeries. You know, our entire family will be lifting you all up!
And sweet Mallory ... just love her painting!
I am 1/2 way thru Crazy Love ... cannot even find words to explain how it is challenging me. Lots to soak up!
Love & Blessings,
Kim

Leigh Ann said...

Glad I will be home soon...will be helping you guys out with the kids like you have done for me and your brother the past few months - Can't wait:)

Love ya!!!

redmaryjanes said...

You know that I will be praying for sweet Maggie. She is a very special girl. Thank you for your postage donation, it will be put to good use :)

Heather said...

Gwen, that picture of Maggie is so sweet - I love it! She is darling. Your family has been so heavy on my heart - yesterday during prayer time, I kept being drawn back to y'all - now you post on the surgery, that is why! Just know we are lifting you high to the healer.

The t shirts and totes are adorable. Your babies keep getting closer! Now, I feel the need to go order Crazy Love, thanks for sharing your heart and the way it touched you.

Love,
Heather

emily said...

Amazing painting! I love seeing J and A in there. You know I'm walking this road with you and Maggie sister.

Crazy Love is still wrecking me......

Jewels of My Heart said...

Oh, Gwen, you know how I love your beautiful, sweet Maggie..... I will be praying!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know you are correct.... Jesus will be holding her in His arms the entire time.... you too, He will wrap you both in His arms.
The pic of her is too sweet!
I ordered the book and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival.... I have a feeling it is going to bring me to my knees and then lift me up to the mountain peaks in the Spirit of the Lord!
What a breathtaking picture.... what an incredible gift that is.... your children are so beautiful.....
God's Speed...
Love,
Daleea

Michelle R Photography said...

Gwen,
I will be praying for your precious Maggie. And what a special gift from Mallory!

Carrie said...

Prayers with your family and sweet daughter.
Carrie

Anna Bliss said...

i'll be praying for maggie and the rest of your family. i'm always so excited to see the ways that God is working in your life with Abigail and Joseph and the way you always trust Him. i have been to 5 BOOKSTORES and theyre all sold out of crazy love, but one of these days i'm gonna read it. love you!
-anna bliss

Over-Caffeinated said...

Gwen,

I will surely be praying for Miss Maggie... the hardest thing we ever have to do is place our children in God's arms, isn't it? I can't wait to read Crazy Love. Let me know the details....

O

Tracy said...

i don't see any way you could ever hold back!!! God has marked out an amazing race for you and you're running with great perseverance...gathering up His children along the way!!!

for the joy set before us!!!! :)

Carlee Brian said...

gwen,
you know that i will be praying for maggie and you as well. vch is great and they will take great care of maggie!

jennifer said...

Got my shirt in the mail today! I can't wait to wear it tomorrow!!

Praying for your hospital trip.

Heather said...

Will definitely keep you all in our thoughts & prayers as Little Miss Maggie makes her way to the hospital.

Posted tonight about giving away your shirt. Can't wait to see what conversations it brings & how God's work will be done.

Anonymous said...

Oh..for sure will add your angel to our prayer list :)

And will absolutely order a bag to match my LONG sleeved Tshirt...didn't know it was long sleeved (should have read it) and it is perfect!! And will, for sure, spread your fundraiser at work :)

Terry said...

Love the bag. Here's an idea, though I'm sure you've already thought about it....why not do short sleeved shirts, too. I would order one (maybe more for friends). LOVE seeing A and J in the picture!

Praying for Maggie and all of you!

"Crazy Love"....almost finished and it's rocking me to the core.

The Byrd's Nest said...

I will have to get that book...sounds like something I need too.

What a sweet picture...I feel that way about potato chips too;)

I will be praying for your little one and will check back for updates. Have a blessed week Gwen.

Tosha said...

Gwen,
I will be praying for Maggie and your family. It was great to meet you last week at CPA. Thanks for getting my shirt to me so quickly:) I LOVE IT!
Tosha

Kristy said...

Proverbs 3:5-6 is my favorite verse, I just love it. Gwen we will be praying for Maggie and the rest of you. Keep us posted.

Love and blessings, Kristy

Adele said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my shirt. I even posted about it on my blog. Also, I put your badge on my blog as well. Like Jennifer, I need a short sleeved one since we southerners don't get much cold weather. I have worn mine every other day. Seriously. It gets alot of responses and I have alot of opportunites to share about adoption. God is blessing these precious shirts!
Also, know that sweet Maggie will be in our prayers. We will pray for your whole family.
Love to you,
Adele

carolinagirl said...

Hi there! I would love to buy a shirt. Can you tell me a little more about the sizing...I'm debating a medium or large. Are they like the standard unisex Hanes type T-shirts or are they more feminine and fitted?

We are in the process of adopting a little girl from Russia...not much progress. The country has instituted a foster care system and most of the available little girls are going into foster care and not elligible for international adoption. It is so frustrating, but we are trying to keep the faith! Thanks so much!
Corey

Cheryl said...

Oh my goodness!! That painting is the sweetest ever!!

and Miss Maggie sleeping with her chips... Precious!

I will be praying for her as she begins her surgeries... you and your family as well. Trusting in the One who created her and holds her in His safe and capable hands!

Much LOVE to you!!

jennifer said...

Hey, you need to check out my last post!

Unknown said...

Love your heart. You all will be wrapped in prayers over the next coming weeks. Love the totes too.

Kristi J said...

great pic of Maggie and will definitely praying for her and you all! I want to bring dinner some..so we'll chat about that..And, loved the family painting..too awesome...see you tomorrow :) kj

Unknown said...

Gwen we will be praying over Maggie on Monday. She has been in our prayers for weeks! I love the painting - how precious is that???

I am ordering Crazy Love next. Have you read Loving our Kids on Purpose by Danny Silk? If not - a must read. One of the best books I have read on parenting yet!

Hugs and blessings - how about we do a matching set for the give-away Tuesday? Child/Parent t-shirts. I will be asking everyone to get behind your gold jewelry party and tote/t-shirt fundraiser too!

Hugs and lots of love,
Jill

Anonymous said...

Hi Mrs. O!! I (Audra, Suzanne Kroeker's daughter) ordered a tote bag on friday or saturday. Will you be mailing it to me or how do i get it?

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
 photo head-coaches-button_zpsa6a1cedd.png
 photo jeremiah-button_zps64bab85f.png
 photo elijah-button_zps3108b689.png
 photo emily-button_zps563e1f0b.png
 photo maggie_zps2c847fb3.png
 photo joseph-button_zps0b7cc70e.png
 photo daisy-button_zpsa87426bc.png