Long Road to China - Our Adoption Story


Trustmark National Bank account set up:

Donations can be made nation wide at any Trustmark National Bank through the account:
Phillip Smith or Niki J. Smith's Adoption Account

If you would like to mail a donation, please mail it to
Phil or Niki Smith
P.O. Box 332
Rienzi, MS 38865




Thursday, April 26, 2012

Busy Week & it's almost Friday


Busy week!  We got our LOA from our adoption agency, signed it & taken it to FedEx all in the same day


We have been told that our adoption agency has requested an update on GiGi from her orphanage for us.  This does not assure we will get an update, but we are hopeful to get some information on our daughter soon!  I will share with you when/if I hear about GiGI.   

I've had a lot of people ask me about times.  To the best of my knowledge the -information posted after the dates is what we are waiting to hear from.  We will still be filling out forms & of course sending in $ (lol), but I think these are the last steps we will hear before travel.



GiGi’s Time line
2/24/2012 - DTC  (Dossier to China)

(12 days from DTC to LID)
3/6/2012– LID

(49 days from LID to LOA)
4/23/2012 - LOA

Notification of NVC having our I800/GUZ#

- Travel Approval  

- Travel Dates

– Travel to get our GiGi


I will post more soon.  I have just had a lot of people asking about our timeline so I thought I'd post quickly.  I may update this if I find out this information is different!

Thank you all so much for your prayers & support!  I feel that is repetitive to say but you have no idea how much each of you have blessed us!  Please pray for our GiGi; we are getting extremely anxious to say the very least!  We can finally see the end!  God bless you all!  Maybe my next post will include new pictures & updates for GiGi!!!!


Monday, April 23, 2012

YEAH!!!!!

DAY 49 & couldn't be more excited!!!!  
We got our LOA (Letter Seeking Confirmation of Adopter) today!
Thank you for the prayers!  We have been very anxious to get this & was hoping to get it several weeks ago, but couldn't be happier today!!!!!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Day 46 of the Wait

As you have all probably noticed I have tried to work on the blog today.  I've updated it & I'm sorry I got so behind!  I'll try not to do that in the future!  I finally figured out how to make the blog look different.  I wanted something brighter & the posts not so narrow on the page.  I just figured out how to adjust this today so maybe it will be easier for everyone to read.

We are at day 46 of the wait for our Letter of Acceptance(LOA). This is the next step we have been waiting for.  Our adoption agency says it will take between 30-60 days. Times are different for the wait time on LOA for all adoptive parents but most of my friends have said they waited around 50 day. We had really hoped to have it by now, but knew it might take longer.  The LOA is the OFFICIAL, OFFICIAL Paper saying China accepts our adoption.  We were approved to adopt from China when we accepted GiGi as our daughter. (LOA is another technical sheet of paperwork in the process.)  Once we get this, things should start moving quickly from each point. We still hope to travel in June to unite with GiGi.


I'd be lying if I said the wait was easy!  It's killing me & I'm so ready to have my daughter in my arms!  Phil & the kids are equally as excited & not a day goes by that she isn't spoken about all throughout the day.  I have almost been "nesting" this last week (the few times I had a few min). I've pulled out & cleaned things I haven't done in years (ex. went through all the paperwork in our filing cabinet & shredded all old paperwork).  My house definitely doesn't look like I'm nesting & looks worse than normal.  When I really clean, I pull out everything & it looks way worse before it gets better!  

I know it's hard for some to understand how we can so long for this child we've only seen in pictures, but it's not that way for us.  She is already our daughter & our daughter is in a poor orphanage as far away from us as possible.  It's strange to think that Phil & I thought we were finished having kids & God knew differently!  Now, I know our mission is a lifelong mission to raise a daughter, but I couldn't imagine our life without her.  I'm thankful God has chosen us for this mission & has chosen us to be GiGi's parents!


Please pray for GiGi as she is getting no treatment when she is in the orphanage.  I know she was sick a few weeks ago with some kind of flu/cold & was taken to the hospital to get an IV.  It shattered my heart that her mommy (ME) couldn't be there to hold her & take care of her!  However, I've seen video with her & her nanny & I was so grateful at the care the nannies give these children!  GiGi did not feel good & everytime the nanny went to put her down, GiGi cried & the nanny picked her right back up & comforted her.  I could tell she is very attached to her nanny from the videos & as this will make her separation harder at first, it is actually a really good sign that she can form bonds! 
I don't always post as soon as I hear news about our angel because sometimes it is just too hard for me knowing I'm not there.  Typing it in words makes it seem even more real!
I'm  not going to fill myself in pity that we don't have our daughter yet; however, I am really wanting to more & more each passing day that goes by!  


I pray that I can continue to give glory to God for all He has done for us & trust Him to protect GiGi while she physically seems so far away (yet so close in our hearts)!  This weekend we will spend time together.  We now have the feeling as if we are missing part of our family when we do things as a family.  We feel like someone is left out.......AND part of our family is missing.  The kids always talk about how GiGi would love whatever they we are doing & talk about how they would hold her & take care of her.  This weekend we will do something for someone else too.  Having a child is not a bad situation at all!  Many others are not nearly as fortunate as us!  Many others do not have the support we have with each of you!  We cannot ever let you know how much we appreciate each of you, but we can give back to others!  

I'm so thankful to have your support throughout our journey!  Please continue to pray for us! And for some sleep!  Phil & I have not slept in 4 nights more than 8 hours!  Between him & the kids being sick, having a million things to do & anxiety over GiGi not being here sleep has not visited us lately!  I know it's in God's timing, but I cannot help but pray God will you please make your timing quickly! lol  Yes, that is a human prayer! Pray for GiGi & for us as we try to be patient as we wait!  

Thank you all so much & I hope each of you have a wonderful weekend!

   

How to appropriately express our gratitude???

Wow, I don't even know how to appropriately express our gratitude to Pizzainn Corinth for letting us have the fundraiser & to the ones that came out tonight to support us! God bless each of you! We are so thankful for each one of you!!!!! You are helping to bring our GiGi home & it brings tears to my eyes! God has blessed us with so many through our journey! Thank you isn't appropriate, but I...'m a little tired & cannot find any better wording!

A giant thank you to my 2 awesome cousins Dana Thompson & Mercedes Thompson for helping us wait & clean tables! We could have never done it all without you! Much love to you all!

Also, we decided to draw 3 names instead of 1 since we were so blessed! These are the 3 winners of the t-shirts:
Joan Young
Trevor Essary
Cindel Spears
We will try to get in touch with you tomorrow to see what is the easiest to get them to you.

I wish we could have given each of you a shirt as much as we were blessed tonight by your support!

We would like to do another t-shirt fundraiser & have some cool ideas. However, we need to sell off the remainder of the One People, One World, One Love. If you would like one of these shirts, we have most sizes left & they will be reduced to $10 each. Thank you so much again for all of your support!  If you've forgotten what the shirts look like, below is the image.  We may not have all colors in all sizes, but please contact us for the availability. 
 

Don't forget about our Pizzainn Corinth fundraiser

(I'm sorry I've not kept up with the blog as much as I should have!)  I've been posting on FaceBook & most everyone is friends with us there so I've not been posting here. I'm really going to try & do better updating the blog also! The date is the actual date this was typed. 
  April `16, 2012
Don't forget about our Pizzainn Corinth fundraiser on Thursday night! We made fliers so if you know somewhere to put them or hand them out, let Phillip or I know & we will get you some. I've attached the flier & you can print it if you would prefer. One sheet (8x11.5) will make 2 fliers. Please spread the word & distribute anywhere you can to help us! We hope to be leaving in 2 moths to get our angel so we've got to get our funds together. THANK YOU so much in advance! Love you all for the support you continue to show us!


THANK YOU ALL so much! We haven't done a fundraiser like this & we really need it to be a success! You have no idea what it means to us for you to spread the word & support us! Thank you; Thank you!

Really???

(I'm sorry I've not kept up with the blog as much as I should have!)  I've been posting on FaceBook & most everyone is friends with us there so I've not been posting here. I'm really going to try & do better updating the blog also! The date is the actual date this was typed. 
April 16, 2012
This is an honest response to my feelings over the last few days.  Maybe I should go back to last week to explain better.

Last week, I again felt God speaking to me.  He knows the number of hairs on my head so why would I think He doesn’t know my personality & how I will react to situations?  There is NO doubt He knows me & knows that my stubborn self will need nudging (that is putting it nicely)!  For some strange reason I started feeling like God was working on me.  “Me again, God?”  This was my honest first thoughts.   But I’m already adopting kids with special needs & raising money – not to mention the normal routine.  I’m tired!  Can’t you find someone else for this one I argued to God.  And God, you know this is nothing I know about so I’m sure there is someone else better for this mission!  I tried to ignore Him, but He just wouldn’t leave me alone about this.

Finally, Friday night on a date with my husband, I couldn’t hold it in anymore.  Maybe if I verbalized what I thought God wanted with me then it was just a test & He would find someone else.  Yes, I argue, fuss, & try to bargain with God.  No, it’s not right to question Him, but I am human.  As we were heading back from a walk downtown, I looked at Phil & said “I know you no longer think I’m crazy & that you know it so let me just tell you what I think God wants from me now.”  Phil cautiously but in a caring voice says o.k. what is it?   I said “God now wants me to go to the jails to minister!”  Phil says o.k. that’s not bad.  The following is my long explanation as to why this is not for me & my internal battle.

You know I know nothing about jailhouse ministry!  It makes me no better or worse, but I don’t even know anyone that has been prisoned!  The most I know about prison is when I was a High School Senior & our class took a trip to Mississippi State Penitentiary (Parchman).  The only other time I’ve even been to the jail is when I got my licenses renewed or fingerprinted for the adoption. That doesn’t even count so why would He want me to do this?    I know I’ve been telling Him that I’m His & for Him to show me His will & I’d do it, but I don’t even know where to start!  And I’m definitely not a “preacher” to go in & preach to these women!  I’m sure there are other people that are way better for this mission!!!  Yes, I’ve been telling Him to direct me to the need & yes, I know that we are all His children! I believe they deserve His love & to know His way as much as anyone else.  I love them even if I don’t love their crimes!   I’m not afraid of these people & have no problem about going into the jails, but I don’t have time for this & the adoption!

As Phil patiently waits for me to stop my run-on sentence rant, he says that he thinks it is a great idea & that he could go to the men to witness while I go to the women to witness.  He said we will pray about this & if God wants us to do this, then He will show us the way!  He continues to say “Niki, you’ve always been the one to support the underdogs.  If there was ever a stray, you will take them in & nurse them.”  (Please don’t  think my husband was referring to the prisoners as strays as this was not what he meant.  His meaning was that if someone  was down, I always ran to try & help regardless who they were!)  He reminds me  “We don’t have to ‘preach’ to them; we can be a witness without preaching.  We can talk to these people & let them know they are important and that others care for them.  We can give them pamplets & talk to them when they want to talk about Christ.  Witnessing is being Christ like by loving your neighbor as yourself.   I think we can make a difference in someone’s life by going.”

I knew he was right, but I just wasn’t as sure as He was.   I’m thankful to have a supportive Christian husband that loves others & Christ so much!   On Sunday, I saw something on Facebook about a guy that does jailhouse ministry & I’ve never seen anything like this before come through my feed.  I kind of rolled my eyes & said “Okay, God you’ve got me!  Just lead the way,  give me the knowledge, energy, & time.’

Well, God likes to show out!!!!  I got a call today saying Bro. Rice & his wife , Linda,  are in town from a person unknowing about our plans of starting a prison ministry.  Most of you do not know them but they are from Texas & have
"Hope For Hurting Hearts Ministry”
http://www.hopeforhurtinghearts.org/About%20Us.html
Yeah, how did you guess, it’s a prison ministry.

We know NOTHING about prison ministry but are just following God’s lead!  I have no idea where this journey may take us, but I’m God’s to do with as He needs.  I’m thankful & humbled that He would use a sinner as me!  Please pray for us as we begin this journey!  If you are interested in helping or have any first hand knowledge on prison ministry, please let us know.   Thank you for your continued support & prayers!!!  God loves you!
 

Watching the Blind Side

(I'm sorry I've not kept up with the blog as much as I should have!)  I've been posting on FaceBook & most everyone is friends with us there so I've not been posting here. I'm really going to try & do better updating the blog also! The date is the actual date this was typed. 
Watching the Blind Side. I haven't watched this movie since it first came out & had forgotten how much I loved it! Phil said that Sandra Bullock had to follow me around while studying her role n the movie.
:0/ Not sure how to take that as it wasn't a compassionate part when he vocalized this! Lol
I'm typically quite, but don't mess with a child or underdog. My bite will come out & as Macy says "It's not pretty!" lol
 I remind Phil that Jesus showed strong emotions a couple times in Mark & in other places in the Bible. I try to really minimize showing strong emotions, but cannot handle people taking advantage of someone else. 

Pizza Inn Fundraiser

(I'm sorry I've not kept up with the blog as much as I should have!)  I've been posting on FaceBook & most everyone is friends with us there so I've not been posting here. I'm really going to try & do better updating the blog also! The date is the actual date this was typed. 
April 14, 2012
Niki Suitor Smith created an even for a Pizza Inn Fundraiser in Corinth. Below are the details:
Thursday, April 19, 2012
5:00pm until 8:00pm
Corinth, MS
Tips, donations, & a portion of the food sales for the night will go toward adoption expenses! :0)
...
We need a couple more people to volunteer to help. Please let me know if you are able to help. Thank you!

If you feel led to come eat with us, donate, help, etc. please come out on Thursday! If your church, organization, group, etc. doesn't mind you announcing the fundraiser, please let them know about it. You can also share this on your page to help inform others. Summer will be here soon & that is when we hope to unite with GiGi. Please continue to pray for us in our mission! Thank you for all you've done to support us!

Cards & Benefit

(I'm sorry I've not kept up with the blog as much as I should have!)  I've been posting on FaceBook & most everyone is friends with us there so I've not been posting here. I'm really going to try & do better updating the blog also! The date is the actual date this was typed. 
April 14, 2012
I hope you all remembered & sent cards to the boys I last posted about their home burning, mother passing away, & father still in hospital. If Not, it's Not to late to get cards/letters to them!!!! (Kids, adults, churches, schools, groups, any & all send them out!!!) I know they would appreciate it!!! PLEASE take just a few minutes of your time to make their day just a little brighter! What...cha got to lose but a few min? And think what a difference your few minutes might mean to someone else! I'll even mail them for you!!!! Thank you so much to the ones of you that have already mailed them cards. I've not posted another name because I knew everyone would be busy with Easter & if like me taxes!

Also, there is a benefit in Bonneville going on today for them. I'm posting the details I found on it in the comments below. If you will eat out tonight anyway, go support someone that could benefit! It's a win-win! You get full (and I'm sure great food because the benefits always seem to have wonderful food) for only $7 a plate & you help someone else at a time of need!

What If……..

(I'm sorry I've not kept up with the blog as much as I should have!)  I've been posting on FaceBook & most everyone is friends with us there so I've not been posting here.  The date is the actual date this was typed. 
April 12, 2012
What If……..
What if you saw a child lying on the side of the road?
Would you stop?
Would you think, what might happen to me if I stop?

... What if you saw a woman lying on the side of the road?
Would you stop?
Would you think, what might happen to me if I stop?

What if you saw a man lying on the side of the road?
Would you stop?
Would you think, what might happen to me if I stop?

What if you saw a homeless man in the streets?
Would you stop?
Would you think, what might happen to me if I stop?

What if you saw orphans hungry in need of clothing, food, shelter, love?
Would you pause for a second & think how sad????
Would you think, what might happen to me if I helped in some way?

What if……………..
Could go on with it for infinity but I think you probably get my point.

HOWEVER, have you ever thought:
What if Jesus only thought of himself while on earth?
What if Jesus thought, what will happen to me if I continue as God has planned?
What if He didn’t think about you, me….. us?
What if He didn’t die on the Cross because He was only worried about Himself?
What would have happened if He only thought about the consequences His actions would have on himself??

In any of the situations above we could be placed in
Did you ever stop to think:
“What will happen to him, her, them, if I DON’T Do something????”

I’m not telling you to do something you don’t feel is right or to put yourself/family in a dangerous situation, but WE impact the lives of others! OUR actions might change the life of someone else or might even SAVE the lives of others!!! We need to stop thinking about “ME”. The homeless, the orphan, the hungry, the week, the thirsty, the jailed…………when we don’t think about others, we don’t think about Christ. Christ says when you over look the least , you over look Him!!!

What IF Jesus wasn’t thinking about us??????
 
 

If we have faith of a mustard seed...............

(I'm sorry I've not kept up with the blog as much as I should have!)  I've been posting on FaceBook & most everyone is friends with us there so I've not been posting here.  The date is the actual date this was typed.
April 9, 2012
If we have faith of a mustard seed...............

God continues to show out & as I've said, He will provide when we follow His way!!!!!
Suburban SOLD!
I guess I should explain further. Faith.........buying another vehicle on Friday n Atlanta with Faith the Suburban would sell ASAP.

The book I've raved & raved over "Kisses from Katie" Most inspiring book I've ever read! I was gonna read... again (back to back) which I never do with books. However, Phil stole it from me to read before I could reread.
Anyway, Phil told the lady before she decided to purchase that we were adopting. The lady said I just finished a book u have to read & Phil asked which. She said "Kisses from Katie"
Phil said my wife just finished & I'm reading it now.
Her husband looked @ her & she @ him n shock! Then, the husband said to Phil "I'll write u a check"

 

Childlike Driven!

(I'm sorry I've not kept up with the blog as much as I should have!)  I've been posting on FaceBook & most everyone is friends with us there so I've not been posting here.  The date is the actual date this was typed. 
 April 4
This morning I sit here in awe of my Lord!  I have so many things on my mind & so many things I want to say.  However, I’m not sure my racing mind will let all the words come freely.
My gross thought today is: Why would God want to give His son for a sinner like me?  Honestly, my human mind cannot comprehend nor understand it!  However, I know He did this & He believes in me & thought I was worthy enough for His everlasting life!  How many times do we sit back & really think about how powerful His Love must be for each of us?  God knows we are humans & we sin; He loves us anyway!  He is here for us in good AND bad; it’s us that often forget to include Him, but He is ALWAYS here for us!  He loves us regardless of our sins, but we should ask for forgiveness when we sin!


He made us as humans, but in His image,
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26  (NKJV)
 But He also allowed us to have free will.
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 2:16-17 (NKJV)
However badly we hurt Him with our sins, I do not believe He ever gives up on us!  We must always strive to do better!
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
Luke 23:34 (NKJV)
Wow!  Have you ever thought how powerful some of the very last words of Christ?  As our Savior, hang dying on the cross after so much humiliation, pain, & suffering for me, you- us, Have you really thought about some of His very last words?  Forgive them!!!!  WOW!  How many of us could do that after all He had been through?  Up until His very last breaths, He was thinking of others!  Jesus was not selfish!!  He showed mercy, love & forgiveness!  Oh how I often miserably fail, but I still want to strive to be more like Jesus!


I think as humans we often lose the true reason we were placed here on earth!  The central idea in humans is often “What can I do to be happy & feel good about myself?”   We as Americans often suffer with “The American Dream” syndrome & forget it is actually not Biblical!   Is this really what God wants us to do…think of how we can make ourselves happy, feel good, live the “American Dream”?  I don’t believe it is HIS way even though I can be just as guilty as anyone else!  I don’t think God wants us to be in total misery, but I don’t believe He wants us to focus on “ME” either.  Doing God’s will may not make our human side the happiest, but what are we willing to do? We will hurt, we might suffer, we might not be seen in the best light by others, others may not understand, we may be sad, etc.  In the end we decide what actions we take -- Please “me” or follow Him??  We cannot serve two masters!
 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24 (NJKV)


 I am reminded of the following verses (and there are many more) which I feel address these issues:


24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Matthew 16:24-25 (NKJV)


9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.    Galatians 6:9   (NKJV)


30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12: 30 & 31 (NKJV)




19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;   20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)


41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. 44 “Then they also will answer Him,[b] saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:41-46 (NKJV)


3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Matthew 18:3-5




35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 
Acts 20:35 (NKJV) 


These are the points I gather from the scripture that God wants us  from us:
*We should not do as we want to do, but follow Jesus & God’s word!


* NEVER stop doing good/God’s will!


*Do not worship material possessions!


*Put your heart, soul, mind upon God!  You should only treasure Him!


*Give to those that need!!!!  Do not hoard up, but give & you will be blessed!


*We should be as a child – dependent upon Him!


*Love our Lord enough to follow His ways!


*We are all the same…….sinners!  The very best most humble & Christ like man is just like us……..a sinner!  He still wants us & wants us to turn from our wicked ways!


*LOVE Your God with all your heart & LOVE your neighbor as yourself!!! (Jesus said this is the GREATEST commandment)


Who am I?  I’m a sinner whom is embarrassed by the many ways I’ve failed & will continue to fail our Lord by sinning!  However, not perfect, I am God’s daughter!  I ask for forgiveness & am forgiven!!!  I am grateful that God has given all for me & in my eyes I will Never be worthy of His grace!  Thankfully, God does not see it that way & loves me!  He looks at my heart which is sometimes weak, sick, of the world, but I continue to try!  I’m no better nor different than anyone else!  We are ALL God’s children - disabled, weak, murders, sick, well, rich, poor, Africans, Americans, Chinese, etc., etc. etc. the list could go on for infinity!  My point is that all humans are no different in that we are all God’s children & all have sinned!  We should not look down upon those less fortunate, but as Christians we should help them & love them as ourselves!  Really, really think about the magnitude of that!  Love our neighbors as ourselves……….do we help others as we would ourselves, do we give to others as we want for ourselves, do we mourn for sickness & death of others as we would our own?  I know I’m not perfect!  I know I fail in loving my neighbor as myself; however, I give it all to Christ today!  I believe our neighbor is any other human!  Not my will, but His be done!  Being a Christian is not the “Me” life!!!  It is the most selfless thing to do to follow Christ!  Do you REALLY love your neighbor as yourself? your child/your immediate family??????  Think about it & I challenge each of us to do a better job of this each day!


God has a purpose for each of us!  He will forgive each of us
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,[nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6 (NKJV) 
We are all sinners & fall short of the glory of God, but we must not stop.  We must change our worldly ways.  I do not think that His apostles or other “famous” people of the Bible were any different than you or I!  We can make a difference just as God used each of them to make a difference for Him!  He wants each of us!


Oh Father, you know I am such a sinner!  Please forgive me!  Help me have a heart as yours!  Help me to be child like & dependent on you!  You know I’m not perfect & that I have & will fail!  Thank you for your grace that saved me & for your unconditional love!  God, I give it all to you!  I believe you wanted us to sell our vehicle that you know I loved so much!  Many may not understand, but it is a worldly possession that I treasured too much!  I know I can follow your guiding hand by doing something different!  This is not a sacrifice; a sacrifice is when you gave Your son for me! I know many people will not understand & think I am crazy when I give you my all & completely obey you to the best of my ability!  Help me not to get sidetracked by others that may not understand! God forgive these people that do not understand when someone gives it to You & does something bizarre to follow your will!  I know people thought Noah & David along with many other Biblical figures were crazy!  Help me be more obedient to you as they were & to have the ability to do as You want without carrying what others may think & that do not understand!


Mold me, make me, use me & help me to know your will & follow in Your ways!  I don’t want the happiest/easiest life; I want my life to be as You want it!  I will go where ever you lead!  Thank you for your forgiveness when I fail!  Help me to make a difference & to be able to hear your path for my life!  I’m yours to do as you want me to do!  My life here is not mine & life is such a short period of time compared to eternity with You!


Help me to follow Your commandments & to love others as myself!  Lord please help me to feed you, clothe you, give you shelter, sustain your thirst, visit with you, nurse you to health, & most of all love you by doing this to others!   You are everywhere & I’m often to busy to stop & see You!  Help me to see You wherever I go!  I beg of You to make me childlike; I covet the heart of a child!


I am all yours God so bring me the things you have me to do.  Thank you for always being by my side so that I’m not alone!  Help me know the ones that need my help; bring them to my door.  I’m ready & anxious now!  I’m blessed to think You could/would use a sinner as me to make a difference!  It is an honor!!!   I feel happier, freer, more blessed, & richer than ever when I follow You!


I do not want to serve worldly possessions - forgive me!  I want to use my possessions (that I only have because you allowed me to have) to worship & glorify Your name & to help more of Your people!  Give me the energy, faith, knowledge, & strength to follow through with Your mission for my life!!!!  Forgive me when I’ve brought or bring others down with my sins & help me not to fall into those ways again!  Help me to follow by your most important commandment as this is complete & total selflessness!  You are everywhere so help me not to overlook You!  I want to love as You do, hurt for others as You, care for others as you would & raise your name in all I do!  You are my light, my way, my truth!  I trust you with my all & love you!
 

WEEK 2 Cards for children Info! House fire

(I'm sorry I've not kept up with the blog as much as I should have!)  I've been posting on FaceBook & most everyone is friends with us there so I've not been posting here.  The date is the actual date this was typed. 
March 29
At the end of February (I think it was 28th), there was a house fire that involved 3 children & their parents in Booneville. I do not know this family but I met their cousin 9 years ago while I worked at the hospital. Their cousin (also named Rena') has always had the biggest heart & has always helped others!

On the morning of the fire, the children escaped & were treated/released from the hospital; however, John & Rena (parents) were not as fortunate. John & Rena Brumley both suffered burns, smoke inhalation, & other injuries. They were both sent to the Med. Sadly, Rena Brumley lost her battle & gained her wings last Friday which was also her eldest son's birthday. Not only have these children lost their home & all their possessions, they have now lost their mother & their father is still in the Med with a long road of recovery. They needs our prayers! You can read about the fire here:http://issuu.com/dailycorinthian/docs/022812_corinth_e-edition

Rena's obituary can be found here:http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Rena-Brumley&lc=1676&pid=156715656&mid=5044803&locale=en_US

This week these 3 children will be our children for cards.
 Hunter, 17 - Rena, his mom, died on his birthday
Gunter, 14
 Paden, 11
Address:
24 931 hwy 4 west
Booneville, MS  38829

Their father, John is still in the med. He needs prayers and support also! It is my understanding that he was not able to leave the Med to go to his wife's funeral.

Thank you so much to the ones that sent letters to Zack last week! For those that didn't, you can still send him cards. To my knowledge, 4 classes of school children & 1 youth group sent letters to Zack. I'm estimating he has gotten over 100 letters from your support (these are just the ones I'm aware of being sent to him)! THANK YOU so much to each of you that sent him cards & for the teachers/leaders/mentors that got your group to send cards making his day a little brighter!

My goal is to send even more letters/cards this week to these 3 siblings to show them our support & encouragement! I cannot imagine what they are going through! Please keep this entire family in your prayers! Since I have not gotten the address, I will wait until Monday to send out the bulk of cards I get. If you aren't aware of what I'm referring to, please look in my notes (left under my profile pic) "Help Needed from YOU! Cards for children"



 Thank you for helping our children to make a difference!
 

Missing our GiGi & her friend goes home

(I'm sorry I've not kept up with the blog as much as I should have!)  I've been posting on FaceBook & most everyone is friends with us there so I've not been posting here.  The date is the actual date this was typed. 
March 28th
GiGi has a friend in China that was united with her family last week (they are still in China finishing up the adoption). I'm having an extra emotional Mommy disconnect from her baby day after Macy Jade coming to me with her $ for GiGi's fund & watching how precious Lila (GiGi's friend) is with her family. If you go here http://emmalis.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-25-evening-pearl-river-cruise.htm...l

& scroll down to the video, I think you will see how remarkable happy these children are to have a family & love. Lila is just 2 weeks older than GiGi & they were buddies at the orphanage. I hope GiGi hasn't been lonesome without her! In many pictures I've seen of GiGi, Lila was usually close by her. We are really missing our GiGi & are ready for her to be home! Please pray for this family as you also pray for us & GiGi! I pray GiGi's bond with us is as awesome as Lila's bond is with her family! Our patience is getting thin for waiting on our angel! We are still hoping to go the first of June! That seems so short, but so far away when your child is in an orphanage a world away!!!!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

If we all had the heart of a child..............

Bless her heart! Macy Jade came with her life savings last week (above) & said "Is this enough to cover?"
 I said "Cover what, baby?"
She said "GiGi's adoption! I'm ready to get my baby sister!"
How wonderful life would be if we all had the heart of the children!!!




19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;   
Matthew 6:19 (NKJV)


35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ 
Acts 20:35 (NKJV)