Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The QUESTION is ???
How BIG do we want 147 to grow ??? It is funny how we get asked this by business professionals, people in the adoption/orphan world or just people in general ... I really want to laugh because when they asked me that question I am usually thinking about who has the next doctor's appt. or how am I going to get the laundry done this week or praying there are NO school projects due ...
147 Million Orphans has brought so much joy to our life ... I totally get excited when a family brings home their child after fundraising with us, when TIM MCGRAW wore our shirt on the CMA's, when we write checks to ministries to help provide food, medicine, or water or when a grandmother buys one of our shirts so she can share about her NEW GRANDCHILD or seeing our MAYVALL BAG in People Magazine that sweet John Jigo makes and the list could go on and on, but on a day to day basis, I am a wife and a mom to 6 amazing children ... I am THINKER AND PLANNER and if I don't watch it, then 147 can take over my life and leave little room for the family God has blessed me with ...
Here is what I love about GOD ... He OWNS 147 and can grow it however HE wants to ... He has blessed us this year w/ Russ, Scott, and others to help us grow 147, while still allowing us to be the MOM's God has called us to be ... Jan and Michelle sit w/ Suzanne and I each week and we decide who is doing what ... We share the LOAD so that we can all still be who GOD wants us to be ...
So I guess in my mind it isn't so much where 147 is going, but WHO IS LEADING IT ...
Tonight while I am bathing the 4 littles (all of whom have different hair products and lotions) my mind may wonder to the next 147 EVENT or a family in-country bringing their child home or what I can create to sell more gear so we can FEED more children, but I will be doing that while my eyes look into the face of my CHILD ... whether they are crying, laughing, screaming, or being goofy - I DON'T WANT TO MISS IT ... Time is but a vapor and with Jeremiah turning 13 this weekend, I am realizing more and more that I want to be PRESENT in my daily life !!!
SO WHERE IS 147 GOING ... Like everything else in my life ... WHERE EVER GOD WANTS IT TO GO ...
147 Million Orphans has brought so much joy to our life ... I totally get excited when a family brings home their child after fundraising with us, when TIM MCGRAW wore our shirt on the CMA's, when we write checks to ministries to help provide food, medicine, or water or when a grandmother buys one of our shirts so she can share about her NEW GRANDCHILD or seeing our MAYVALL BAG in People Magazine that sweet John Jigo makes and the list could go on and on, but on a day to day basis, I am a wife and a mom to 6 amazing children ... I am THINKER AND PLANNER and if I don't watch it, then 147 can take over my life and leave little room for the family God has blessed me with ...
Here is what I love about GOD ... He OWNS 147 and can grow it however HE wants to ... He has blessed us this year w/ Russ, Scott, and others to help us grow 147, while still allowing us to be the MOM's God has called us to be ... Jan and Michelle sit w/ Suzanne and I each week and we decide who is doing what ... We share the LOAD so that we can all still be who GOD wants us to be ...
So I guess in my mind it isn't so much where 147 is going, but WHO IS LEADING IT ...
Tonight while I am bathing the 4 littles (all of whom have different hair products and lotions) my mind may wonder to the next 147 EVENT or a family in-country bringing their child home or what I can create to sell more gear so we can FEED more children, but I will be doing that while my eyes look into the face of my CHILD ... whether they are crying, laughing, screaming, or being goofy - I DON'T WANT TO MISS IT ... Time is but a vapor and with Jeremiah turning 13 this weekend, I am realizing more and more that I want to be PRESENT in my daily life !!!
Trying to create useable products for your everyday life TO SPEAK A CLEAR MESSAGE
SO THANKFUL WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS FROM OUR HOMES ANYMORE !!!
From ONE mother to another ... This is one of my most favorite parts of 147 ... THANKFUL FOR KATIE setting up this program and loving on these women !!!
The first of many trips w/ Jeremiah to Africa and other countries ... He has only so long in my home and I want to show HIM Jesus and all of Jesus's people ... I WANT TO PRESENT IN MY CHILDREN'S LIVES !!!
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10 kind words.:
Perfect answer!
Great reminder. It is so easy to get caught up in whatever it is we are passionate about and miss the precious moments we have with our little ones happening right in front of us. This was great for me to read :)
Amen!
love it:) love you!
Thanks Gwen. I truly appreciate your post as I am always so overwhelmed with work, the adoption, and running our orphan ministry and have to remind myself that although I love being busy and being busy making a difference I also don't want to be too busy that I miss out on my precious little boy's life as a child and overall I need to step back and just let God take the wheel. so from one busy mama to another, I appreciate you and of course 147 Million Orphans!!!
Hugs to you Gwen and 100% behind you as you journey to serve your family first and foremost!
Amen!
You all are doing a WONDERFUL job of allowing God to lead! Keep doing what you're doing! Keep loving the Lord. Keep loving your husbands. Keep loving your kids. And ... God will give you just what you need to keep loving the orphans of this world.
Hugs!
Laurel :)
Let me know when it's time for a Hong Kong branch!
Love & Miss Ya,
Kim
I really appreciate this Gwen. Sometimes it is easy to neglect our children when we have more "glamorous" options. I'm glad you choose your children and know who is in control of 147. Thanks for being an example for me!
Could it go to Russia? I'm just personally curious...I love your organization & the people of Africa, but my heart is buried so deep in Russia, I hope I never fully dig it back out because that's where God sent me. I think most of me stayed...