Thursday, July 16, 2009
He Knows We Are Coming !!!
this is sweet Elle, who spent approx. 6 wks in Africa serving the children ... love her
Joseph proud of his family picture and his future wife Josie Mayernick crying !!!
Thank you Lord that Joseph knows we are coming... These pictures speak volumes to my heart and we hope to his as well ... I pray he feels a peace that consumes his heart !!! We can't wait to show him what family is ... We can't wait to help him fall deeper in Love w/ you ... I can't wait to see him in his bed, playing in the backyard with is brothers and sisters, watch him cheer Jeremiah on at his games, play dinasours with Elijah, bug his sisters, sit in Scott's lap as they watch cartoons, hug my leg when he needs to be picked up and so much more ... My dreams are endless when it comes to my children ... I am thankful for ADOPTION ... It is the most beautiful word ... whisper it, scream it, cry it, and rejoice at the thought of it ... My prayer is that my entire family will be adopted into Christ's family ... IT MEANS CHOSEN !!!
The reality is that Elle brought home many more pictures from Africa and all that she experienced and as happy as all of Joseph's pictures were there were 5 times as many pictures of children standing on the road in tattered clothes with no home, children hungry, children sitting in orphanages waiting for A FAMILY, children sick with no hope here on earth, and all this breaks my heart and keeps me awake at night ... I know that most of you that come to my blog are doing your part to care for the orphans, but we all seriously have to SPEAK LOUDER ON THEIR BEHALF !!!! We have to make them real to those who pretend they are not there or are not their problem ... We have to consider how they must feel with no one to belong to ... Their eyes are saying HERE I AM PICK ME !!!! We must help people find the fields, we must help them take that first step, we must encourage them in CHOOSING to be a part of what is dear to the Lord ... We can make a difference and we CAN BE OBEDIENT ... We had dinner with a really sweet couple wanting to know more about adoption (this is also a ministry God has called us to ... We have two more families scheduled to meet w/ this month and each time I see the light come on in their eyes and heart and it blesses us) ...Roger said it so well and simple, "I don't feel called to adopt really, but I love being a dad, I have room in my house and in my heart, so I am going to be obedient to scripture and we are going to adopt." ... I mean does it get any simpler than that ...I don't think you need some big loud thunder moment, hear angels from the heavens, or have some fireworks display to know it says CARE FOR THE ORPHANS AND WIDOWS OR SPEAK UP FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES !!!
I will leave you with this ... I am proud to stand by you all and link arms as we CHANGE the lives of the orphans!
There is a lot going on here at the Oatsvall house ... working on BOOK, working on new website to help families fundraise for their adoptions, working on new t-shirts, working on Amazima (Katie is home and that makes my heart smile), and doing fun summer stuff with the family !!! I hope your summer is going well and you can feel all the blessings surrounding you each day!
love you ...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
39 kind words.:
Oh mrs. Gwen,
My heart longs for the orphans of the world....I love them so much...I am SO glad that the Lord has put you in my life even though I don't know you very well w/ my aunt and Katie to encourage me...along with all the other people who are like me that want to help the orphans. I am so happy for you and aunt suzanne along with the other people of the world who have been called to adoption...I can't wait to see Josie @ our family reunions...and to see Joseph play just as you invision him to do I appreciate all you do!
blessings, prayers, and love.
Abbie Whitehurst
Joy! That is what I feel when I read your words! I am honored to have finally met you and your family in person.
God is doing wonderful things in your hearts and lives! It is so inspiring to see Christians being obedient to what God commands us to do!
THANK YOU!!
We love you guys so much...and can't wait to meet the Oatsvalls to come!
Love,
laura, tymm & meron hoffman
Gwen, Gwen. I love your heart.
You GET IT. How can one not be passionate once they GET IT?
Change the world...one heart at a time!
AMEN !! at times, I wonder what we're doing , adopting AGAIN...and then think "how can we NOT adopt again?".......... we're here to Glorify HIM and enjoy HIM forever, and what a better way than to LOVE another!!
blessings to you........Love Josephs eyes and smile.........
sallee
http://itspoppydipblog.blogspot.com/
This post does my heart some good. I love him looking at the pics. Love that his forever friend is next to him in many pics as well. God is so good.
These pictures are simply amazing. What a gift to see your child see his family for the first time and to know you are on your way! I'm sure God is doing such a work preparing his heart for you and yours for him. Love it!
I can't wait to see the new shirts! Praise the Lord for adoption in deed!
Precious pics!!! I just started a book called Adoption for Life and its just WOW!! one of my favorite lines so far is adoption isn't charity, its war!!
Precious pics!!! I just started a book called Adoption for Life and its just WOW!! one of my favorite lines so far is adoption isn't charity, its war!!
What precious pictures! I cannot even imagine the joy he is feeling knowing that he will soon be united with his forever family.
Gwen,
The tears are rolling down my face as I write this. I have read hundreds of people's posts, cried through my own emotions through this process, but this seems to explain EVERYTHING that goes along with adoption. God bless these words. Whatever book you are working on, if it is about orphans or God's love, part of this post should be in the dedication. What a challenge to God's people to answer His cries for the orphans. Email me, as I am working on projects that I want to increase awareness and fund for people wanting to adopt.
Thank you,
Lindsey
andrews.africabound@gmail.com
What a cutie!!! I know you can't wait!! Praying for your family=)
Oh Gwen...I'm bawling as I read your post....I don't even know what to say accept....Amen. I sent you a private email asking for prayer for a situation....could this ben our long awaiting adventure for the orphans???? I don't know, but after reading your post, anything is possible.
Oh, Gwen..... your son is beautiful!
I know your heart for these precious child my sister in Christ.... for we share the same heart! Mine is breaking and I am disparately seeking the Lord on what He wants us to do to bring our children home... and then get into the missionfield in China or Africa full time....
I hate that it is all finances that is keeping us. But last night at church He said to me.... "Where were you!" Job 38
He informed me through this wonderful word of God that He is in control, He is able and He will bring my babies home!
So, I will continue to seek Him and make my feeble attempts at raising funds to bring Isabella home.
I believe Adeline and Josh will come home to us when we are in the mission field.
I share your heart, your passion and your love..... I am standing beside you sister at the throne and in this battle to raise awareness and minister to the orphans.
God's Speed
we are fundraising for an ugandan adoption now... i would love your thoughts on some things. could you email me at meghanmatt@gmail.com?
you're such an inspiration....
Priceless!
May God continue to work in all of our hearts as we figure out how to get more involved in adoption!!! No CHILD ever should be without a family!!!!
Once again.. AMAZING..
Love the photos.. looks like Joseph is totally ready..
Love ya girly..
that boy has oatsvall written all over him! sweet josie, don't cry! your mama's coming too!!
love you!
Gwen, thanks for sharing truth!! Adoption has radically changed all our lives.. we will never be the same. I'm grateful everyday that God adopted me!! I am wearing your T & hat today and hoping someone asks me... hey what does that T mean? I had the time of my life sharing adoption at the beach... literally. So many stop and ask questions. I pray that ears will truly hear and move forward hearing, watching and learning about our journeys to love.
Is Elle beautiful or what!!!! :))
xoxo
Amazing pictures. I'm so happy for you, Gwen. I can't wait to meet the Oatsvalls to come!
OH GWEN....so much joy to see these pictures. so much joy.
love your words, your heart. we are BUSY here working out the final homestudy details, lots-o-fundraising ideas coming to fruition & talking/educating/PRAYING!! it can't happen soon enough, but i am (and many others are) learning SO much about God's heart for the orphans along the way!!!
Amazing, amazing, amazing. Adoption is truly an amazing journey! I love reading your words and seeing yourGod's heart in them. You describe the rollercoaster of emotions so well.
LOVE the pics of him holding your album. What a special moment for him. Can't wait for him to be bff's with Nathan.
Oh Gwen - I can't begin to understand & process what these photos mean to you and your family. They are truly priceless and Thank You so very mich for sharing with us all...
I am truly interested in seeing what the new web site is going to look like - you know me I am always willing to help a lending hand when ever I can...
Godd Biess and have a wonderful weekend!
...because you just never know when you are the one needing a helping hand in return.
(hit the enter button before finishing lol)
Oh sweet friend! I am at a loss for words of the joy I felt looking at sweet Joseph's face! Oh goodness LORD- YOU ARE SO GOOD ALL OF THE TIME!
You know my heart is right with yours for the lost and too often forgotten! I'm very busy working on Lexi's organization to do something about it - please help us spread the word about Jumps 4 Joy! http://jumps4joyblog.blogspot.com
We are over joyed by all that Renee is sharing as she loves on Katie's girls! Praising God for His hands and feet!!!!
I'll be sending our story to you later today!
I LOVE YOU GWEN!!! Praising Him for knitting our hearts together!
Jill
I love this post and your sweet boy. Thanks for keeping the fire lit in all of us to care for the orphans!
Love YOU!
Oh look at little Joseph showing off his new family! I know this makes your heart sing...He DOES know you're coming! Godspeed, Oatsvall family!
And thank you for inspiring us to SPEAK LOUDER!!!!
AMEN!
LOVE YOU!
he is absolutely precious!
gwen,
what agency did u use for your adoptions?
ps your son is adorable!!
love your heart for these kids!
I know you through a mutual adoption friend. Our family is VERY early in the adoption process but know that it is part of God's plan for our family. Thank you for your encouraging words and challenge to be obedient to God. I would love advice in fundraising! Thank you for praying over my shirt before sending it :)
Gwen,
I haven't visited here in a while. Just wanted to check on Maggie and to let you know - we will soon begin adoption proceedings from Ethiopia. :)
Blessings,
Missy
gwen, i keep coming here to look at those sweet pictures again!
what a crazy feeling it is to have your heart torn between 2 places SO much. (and 1 to a place i've never physically been!)
joseph looks so, so sweet. and i love precious josie looking so cute despite the crying. hang on, little ones....
Belt it out sister! I know exactly how you feel. I look at Sophia and know there are 5,000 more in the orphanage she lived in.
I KNOW. I don't know how to pass that knowledge along to others in a form that lights their hearts, but there has to be a way.
Just stopped by to see Joseph's cute little face and see how you are doing???
Been thinking of you.
Hugs.
Have a great week..
Love ya sister...
Joseph is adorable! What a smile!
Your post is right on! Amen! Your husband nailed it on the head for my husbands feelings as well I think...
oh, i can't wait to hug that sweet boy...love the pics..he's beyond adorable, kj
Awww Gwen - what sweet words....He knows YOU are coming!! And yes, how do you explain this amazing journey of adoption to someone who has yet to experience it?? I honestly don't know if it's possible....life changing for sure for not only our children but for us too! And Mark has always said that if we had the money we would keep adopting. We're praying for at least 1 more....just 1 more Lord! :)