I would definitely like to advise you if you are an adoptive mother, in the process or considering adoption to look into and sign up for the next CREATED FOR CARE conference in March  ... My sweet friend Andrea (and all her amazing peeps) organize, plan, prepare, and serve at this retreat where mothers can get together and encourage one another, ask questions, heal, and just fellowship together ...

There is so much to share and so many fun stories, but there is also the HARD stuff ... It doesn't matter what place you are in there is someone there in the SAME SPOT ...

I loved being on the BLOGGER PANEL, speaking at FUN-raising and Special Needs break-outs, but the biggest laughs of all came when we did the I DRIVE A BIG BUS break-out ... I started the break-out w/ a taboo topic (you can guess it) and the room broke out in laughter !!!  We talked about being a big family and what does that look like DAY TO DAY ... It was SO FUN ... We even had people sign up for each meal to sit w/ Suzanne and I to chat ... We made lots of new friends and usually spent most of the time talking about my sweet friend KATIE !!! Oh the fun it was to share her story and the impact she is making daily on CHILDREN'S lives ...

We sold a lot of 147 gear and one comical occurrence was that each time I would lay a shirt out for DISPLAY then a woman would pick it up to look at it and then FOLD IT UP (like she was doing her laundry) ... It happened over and over and over again ...

I met some amazing ladies and I can't wait to see what all happens as a result of the conference ... It would be cool to track the amount of decisions made to adopt ... or how many SN children or HIV positive children will be chosen now because of the information shared ... It would be cool to know how many new friendships where made ... etc  ...

I think the one thing this conference has that is so needed is JUST EVERYDAY WOMEN TALKING TO EVERYDAY WOMEN ABOUT REAL ISSUES OF ADOPTION ... Thanks Andrea for creating a safe place for adoptive mothers to get together ...

IF ANYONE TOOK ANY GOOD PICTURES PLEASE SEND TO ME ... I was so busy running my mouth and sharing my heart that I didn't take any .... hee hee !!!

My question is why does it take me so long to get back into the swing of things after a serving trip ??? I have been home 4 days and still struggling to get in my routine, to sleep, to focus, and just get back to my daily life !!!  aaarrrrggghhhhh ...

I would love for you to share your PRAY DOWN THE NUMBER AT 1:47 requests with me ... This is such an important project for me and 147 ... It doesn't require anything of you, but some time w/ the LORD ... Don't forget to set your phones, your alarm, your computer, your clocks, and even write it on your hand!

One question that was quickly answered upon arriving in Honduras was will my heart be as broken for the children and families of Honduras as it is for Uganda and China (the birth place of my 4 adopted Angels) and the answer is big ole YES ...

The gates opened at Copprome Orphanage and I saw the children running out from behind the gates of the orphanage my heart lept up to my throat ... The children were yelling RHONDA, RHONDA, RHONDA ... Rhonda is a 147 team member and our dear friend ... She planted her heart in Honduras about 2 years ago and the relationships she has made and the impact is quite astounding !!! Rhonda couldn't wait to show us all the changes that have taken place over the last 2 years and we are so thankful that 147 could be a part of it ...

We all scooped up a few children and began hugging, playing, and laughing ... Jeremiah and Suzanne could communicate the best w/ the little bit of Spanish they could speak ... But the universal language of LOVE is an easy thing to do ... It was probably our 3rd visit to the orphanage that the HEAT entered my heart as I just got mad that these precious children are there ... WHY ??? WHY ??? ... They are being well cared for and there are sweet people at Copprome, but NOTHING TAKES THE PLACE OF FAMILY ... We need to find a way to help these children - more education for them as they grow older so they can have a way to support themselves after they leave the orphanage (children at Copprome range from 2 - 19) ... We need to help support families in country that would like to foster or adopt children, but can't afford it ... We need more adoptive families from the U.S. ... We just need to do MORE in HONDURAS, in UGANDA, in CHINA, in ETHIOPIA, in GUATEMALA, in RUSSIA, in HAITI, in UNITED STATES, and the need goes on and on ... And we can !!!

With Rhonda's help we will impact Copprome in a REAL WAY ... She is our hands and feet there ...

I watched as our children pitched in - they played soccer, four square, hop scotch, drew pictures, played cards, and listen to a lot of ipod music ... And each day they hopped out of the VAN ready for more ... We made some life long friends at Copprome and I can't wait to announce the dates of the FIRST 147 SERVING TRIPS TO HONDURAS !!!! 

And when you go you can ask Rhonda about each child ... She knows their stories and knowing their stories is special ... It helps you to know how to pray and how to act ... As she would tell me each child's story it always made me think of Emily, Maggie, Joseph and Daisy ... It broke my heart to hear how they ended up an ORPHAN ... And it gave me RESOLVE to continue the work we have at 147 ... SPEAKING UP FOR THOSE THAT HAVE NO VOICE ...

The other amazing journey we took in Honduras was to MT. OLIVOS ... This is a poverty stricken village of over 27 families ... We got to see the RUNNING WATER that comes from the new WELL and we listen to TY (Rhonda's Brother) tell them about the LIVING WATER OF CHRIST ... It was such a surreal moment to see the sweet man rush to show us how to TURN THE WATER on and for the village children to run up and cheer w/ excitement ... You see a year ago this village was suffering w/ unclean water, people were sick, and not healthy ... NOW THEY HAVE CLEAN WATER AND THEIR FACES SHOW THE JOY OF THAT ... The next project on Rhonda/Ty's heart is to build a home for each family there ... They have gotten the government to agree to pay for 1/2 of each house and Rhonda/Ty/147 will raise the other half ... $2500-3000 CAN BUILD A FAMILY A HOME ... They live in broken tin/twig homes right now and the first house is already underway ... The men in the village are building it ... I can see the pride in their faces as they begin to rebuild their village.  They are showing their children and their wives they will support them and take care of them ... And we are also working on a project for the women to begin making something for 147 to re-sale for them and I can already envision the village in my mind with all the houses built ...

When we gathered in the center to hand out the food that we had bought in the market place for each family there was a sense of community ... It is never CHARITY, but one person sharing of their abundance to a brother or sister who is lacking ...  I see each home, each drop of water, and each bag of food as a way OF PREVENTING THOSE CHILDREN FROM BECOMING ORPHANS !!!  The family unit has a chance to stay strong ...

It reminds me of what KATIE said in her video about the scripture that says, "LOVE YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LOVE YOUR BROTHER AS YOURSELF" ... Then Katie follows it up w/ "MYSELF DOESN'T WANT TO BE HUNGRY OR THIRSTY" ... This is so prophetic !!!


All these situation could be you, your child, or your friend ... We are the hands and feed of JESUS LITERALLY ... We are here to help THE LEAST, THE LAST THE LOST !!!

Suzanne and I (and all of our 147 team/family) will continue to fight this fight ... I know many of you have already joined us and for that we are thankful ... Please continue to help us spread the word and together we WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY !!!

I want to leave you with this picture I posted on Saturday ... It was by far one of the most KNOCK MY HEART OVER experiences and it was all GOD ... As always Elijah is never quit where he is suppose to be and I saw that him and Annabelle had jumped a small ravine behind a little house ... I was yelling at them to come back to the group when Elijah said, "Mom- it is a picture." ... So I went over and what my eyes saw was HOPE ... There in the dirt was about 4 or 5 beautiful houses drawn ... They had windows, doors, a roof, and a chimney ... Everyone came over and we all stood in AWE ... We started inquiring who had drawn them when a precious little 9 year old girl came over ... She had drawn her dream !!! She had drawn homes for her family and others ... She has a dream and knows that it can come true because of the ONE house that has already been started ... She sees a future with love and promise ... Often times we think that people that live in poverty DON'T KNOW they are missing food, water, homes, or medicine, but THEY DO ... Their hearts know when basic necessities of life are missing ... We have a chance everyday to make a choice to do something about it ...


I am thankful for my time in HONDURAS ... I am thankful to be more resolved to ACT and SPEAK UP for all those that are hurting from lack of food, water, and medicine !!!

Well there is so much to say, but I think I am going to have to wait till I return till I can express myself in words ... My heart processes, I get a little quiet, and then I rant a lot in my head - so it is best to give it a few days till I can allow God to speak through me and NOT MYSELF DOING THE TALKING  ...

Suzanne and I have taken lots of pictures, given lots of hugs, seen lots of DREAMS, and see where God would like us to pitch in ... He shows himself so clearly and the need is SO GREAT that it is easy to see what direction to go ... The question is WILL YOU GO WITH US ??? WILL YOU GO SOMEWHERE to help ...

check out Suzanne's blog and read more ... I promise to blog when we get home ... Thankful that Jeremiah and Elijah got to experience this with me ... Thankful for Rhonda and Ty, who have given their hearts away to this country and for allowing us to be a part of it with them at 147 Million Orphans !!!

I could write a book on this subject ... I have coached for over 10 years, been a wife of a coach for almost 20 years, and I have 3 kids that are currently playing sports ranging from ultra competitive travel to recreation league.  They love it and PARENTS RUIN IT ...

I am a parent that loves competition and all that a team can teach a child ... I want to win every time one of my kids take the field/court (I mean that is why they keep score), but if we lose then we lose ... We work harder for the next game and we congratulate the other team ...

I played 3 sports growing up and some of the best times of my life were spent w/ my team, competing, and building relationships ... It taught me a lot about how to get along w/ different types of people, how hard work can build character, and how to push through in some tough situations ...

I have watched Jeremiah especially and now as Elijah plays more I can see the relationships they build w/ people on their team and other teams ... I see them make friendships with other kids that share their love for a sport whether they are on the same team or not ... I have seen them talk, fb, and bump fist after a good play whether they are on the same team or the other team ... I have witnessed a true brotherhood/sisterhood because of their shared interest ... And as parents we should encourage this ... Just because someone is at another school or another team doesn't mean they are our enemy ... SERIOUSLY - it is time to grow up and start taking a cue from our children ...

Why do parents feel they have to have such a DISLIKE for the other team ... Why do parents have to yell at other people's children and clap when someone makes a mistake ... Why do parents feel when they lose they GOT CHEATED ...

One regret I have in life was when we were at a certain school ( and new to the area)  and I allowed myself for the first time to follow the community I was in and DISLIKE other teams based solely on what I was told ... I wanted to be part of the crowd ... part of the community and I followed blindly ... This was totally my fault and a weakness I had to belong ... Age, wisdom, and a lot of experience has taught me to give everyone a chance first, be kind, and have good sportsmanship ... And what an amazing JOY that is because it has opened up my mind and heart to many new friendships ... I think at this point I can say that I have sweet friendships w/ other parents at all the schools my children play against and I pray this will continue as the younger ones find their areas of interest ...

STOP AND GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE ... CHEER FOR YOUR CHILD AND WISH THE BEST FOR THE OTHER CHILDREN PLAYING ... There will always be a loser and a winner at the end of a game, but we can all be winners if we show kindness and grace after ...

I know the LORD really doesn't care about who wins or loses a game, but HE does have expectations of how we should ACT while we play ... We are to give him the glory and the honor in ALL THAT WE DO ...  As parents, lets not ruin it for our children ... They can build great friends on the fields/courts of play and we should encourage that ...

While I would consider us a SPORTS FAMILY there is something I feel that is far greater to do w/ my child than sports and that is the mission field ... To date taking Jeremiah to Uganda w/ me is in the TOP 10 BEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE ... We leave next week for Honduras and I will be taking Jeremiah and Elijah with me on this trip and I am beyond GIDDY !!! Please pray that God will move their hearts one more step closer to him !!!

IF YOU WANT TO TRULY DO SOMETHING THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR CHILD FOREVER AND GIVE WHATEVER THEY DO A DEEPER MEANING THEN TEACH YOUR CHILD TO SERVE ON THE MISSION FIELD - whether that mission field is down the street or across the ocean SERVING others will teach them a kindness and humbleness that will change their WHOLE life ... It will make them a better athlete, a better student, a better friend, a better son/daughter, and help them to grow deeper in love with CHRIST ...

have a blessed week !!!