JUST ONE DAY AT A TIME

Kids Painting our Cat/Playroom

2011-10-21T14:50:00.000-07:00

We decided to let the kids paint the playroom with anything there hearts desired

Thankfully we have lots of talented kids. Our theme was CATS... well because we have

lots of them. We have rescued several that we are still trying to find homes for so

we decided to make them feel welcome in our three care garage/ playroom.
The kids had a blast! Paint was everywhere including all over them but some

awesome artwork came out of it.

Kids Baptized

2011-10-19T14:33:00.001-07:00

Seven of our children made the committement to be baptized. We talked about
over and over what it meant and we were sure they understood before
we let them move forward. I was also very thankful our pastor went over
it once again before everyone came forward for baptism.
It was so emotional seeing everyone make a public committement to Jesus. My kids
with innocent hearts and those who had been suffering in the world and had
just come to Christ. There heartfelt testimonies of how the world had sucked
the life from them and then they found Jesus who had put life back in.
There wasn't a dry eye in the house! Everyone crying in happiness for
them and I am sure a few of us related to being "saved" from the world.
I am so.... thankful for God's intervention in my life. I was not raised
in a Christian home, actulally in a very disfunctional home. An aunt
who came to know Christ started filling me with the love of God at a very
early age. I don't even want to imagine what my life would of been
without a loving and faithful savior in my life. So I am very thankful
for every person who is added to the kingdom of God and to my ever
growing Jesus family.

Another plea for help

2011-10-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

Me with one of the little girls I adore.

Faith and one of the children she is adopting

Christina the director loving God's call on her life.

Another plea for help for the Forget-Me-Not Kids. Sometimes it just
feels like begging. Why do we even have to worry about how to
feed, clothe and take care of these precious ones when we KNOW
JESUS has commanded it?

Now the director of FMN is just asking for 25 sponsors to pay
25 a month... faithfully! So little to save a life.

The director who works forty hours or more a week for free.

Who takes time out of her own fiances to keep FMN up and running.

Who has a special needs son of her own from Liberia and knows what
sacrifice is.

Who in tremendous faith BELIEVES in God's faithfulness.

It was not a coincidence that several women felt the call to this ministry.

Now, we need God's people to step up in faith and answer God's call to help.

Your out there! You hear that still small voice saying give, pray, encourage or
maybe even adopt.

We all can play even a small part in the kingdom of God if we will just heed the
call.....

forgetmenotchildrenshomes.blogspot.com

Retreat and healing

2011-10-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

I didn't sign up for our womens retreat because I felt like we had to save moeny for the teens youth convention. You know, you talk yourself into "I really don't need it" when in fact, I needed it desperately! So... I get a call a day before they were going to leave to say a FREE spot was open and would I like to go. My first response was no "I had other plans" but when I got off the phone something told me to pray.
Is this you God opening the door? So I called back and said I would go. Of course you know the enemy... you have to fight your way there with 18 kids at home. Babysitters, money, packing....

I had been having a real hard time for some time praying and seeking God. I had allowed a wall to build up birthed out of some resentment. I had convinced myself if "God really loved me" he would make some things happen in my life. Really, I was just having a pity party I thought....

The title of the retreat was Dancing on the Battlefield and I had no idea how big the battlefield was until we walked on it. Five hundred women filled the auditorium full of excitement. The speaker, a single woman raised in the church all her life. A hard worker who had earned a Masters in religion and taught at Vangard Unniversity. She had money, education and joy, and was assured nothing could rock her God world.
And then it struck! First breast cancer and then treatment, even more deadly chemotherapy, causing her to have rhematoid arthritis and knee repalcements. She lost her job, money, career and the ability to sleep and stand for a long time. Was she a litte mad at God? You betcha she was......

And then God confronted her and asked "Do you trust me?" She said she paused....
Was it all a show? Or did she really believe the creator of the world had her life in
his hands.

Did I???

Did I believe he had our finaces, my grown children, my marriage, the ministries of my heart in HIS HANDS? Or was it just a show?

And then she said "everyone who is feeling SHAME has a foothold (or should we say satanhold) over their life, come forward. It is as if the HOLY SPIRIT spoke right to my heart and I ran to the altar for prayer. Healing, blessed healing, was mine. All the walls and resentment fell away and I could touch God again. Oh how it hurt to be away from my father for even a second.

And you know what? Half of the women in the auditorium walked forward. Crying,
pouring their hearts out to God. We all had a diving appointment with the Savior
that weekend and if the truth where to be told, every woman needed to walk forward.
He knew our pain and longed to put his heaing arms around us... we just had to walk into them.

The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit... Romans5:5

David 1 year old CP

2011-08-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

David with Cerbral Palsy, severe malnourishment and neglect.
I was shocked to find out that David was over a year old. He looks like a six
month old baby laying in his Foster moms arms. He was so weak her couldn't even
suck. Doing a lot better he still has a ways to go.

From the director of FMN
From the time we brought David into the program, he has had chronic malaria, and was suffering from severe malnourishment. He had just recently been discharged from the hospital and is starting to eat very well. He is still so fragile and needs to gain a lot of weight to become healthy. I have full trust in his foster mom to take wonderful care of him and help him start gaining weight.

Favor

2011-08-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

Favor with her foster family

Favor with the Forget-Me-Not nurse

Favor entered the Forget-Me-Not program after she was abandoned at a
feeding center. Feeding centers help take in malnourished children and
then return them to their parents...well if their parents come back. In
Favors case they didn't. You have to be a really strong parent to take
care of your special needs child in Liberia. Many times you are shunned
not even being allowed to take you child to church because of the demon
that lives inside of the child. They may try to cast the demon out..but if
that doesn't work then the child will be abandoned or killed.

Even with all Favor has been through she is an amazingly happy child and
dearly loved by her foster parent. She loves to play with toys and often
shares the same toy with her foster sister Karen.

She loves to stand, roll over, sits well and jumps when held for dancing.

Praying she gets the loving adoptive home she so deserves.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3)

HOPE

2011-08-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

Hope...(diagnosis:CP)
She is doing amazing! She has completely filled out and has gotten so strong! She can even bare weight on her legs! She has the most wonderful happy personality, smiling and baby talking the whole week we were with her. Her foster mom states she is like this all the time. She is precious!! Written by the director of FMN homes.

Hope two and a half. Beautiful and pettite and one of the most happy children
I have ever seen. It was hard to catch her not smiling! She came from an
village in the bush that could not provide for her. Loves other children,
eats well and sleep through the night.

This child is named after the joy and hope she brings to the progam.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Our hope, that we find her a wonderful family that will delight in this child
forever.

Back from Africa and ADOPTIONS

2011-08-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a wonderful trip to Liberia. What a privilege it is to
hold and love on all of the special need children in the Forget-Me-Not Program.
I was just amazed at how they have all grown! They are so attached to their
caregivers and foster sisters and brothers. What a difference it makes to be
placed in a loving family and not an orphanage. I am so thankful to God for closing
the doors to the initial plans to open an orphanage.

"...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..."

Jeremiah 29:11

It really touched my heart to see all the kids in the area coming to play
with FMN kids. I brought out bubbles, coloring books and toys and everyone
just jumped in to play. That we would all be little children in our hearts.
Loving others without judgement, not seeing the difference in the people
around us, but opening our hearts as Jesus does.

When I look at Karen, age 4 with Cerebral Palsy I only see one precious little girl.
Karen came into the program from a orphanage for special needs adults. Though I desperately wanted to hold her and make her smile she just wanted her caregiver.
Now all of us in the adoption world know what a wonderful sign it is when a child
is firmly attached to one caregiver. In her foster mothers presence she played
a small piano, laughed, stood by herself with the help of the wall and got really
excited when we introduced her to peanut butter.

I know that Karen would flourish and grow even more if adopted in the U.S. and had access to medical treatment here.

If anyone would like to know more about adopting Karen please contact me
RonTanya777@aol.com

My brother becomes Reverand Mooneyhan

2011-06-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

Dwayne,Art,Judy,Mike,Cassie and Wesley after ordination.

My brother Art recieving his ordination certificate

2011-01-18T20:22:00.000-08:00

Dad's favorite part of Christmas

Grandkids

Tezz and CECE opening presents.

Christmas Miracles

2011-01-01T13:41:00.001-08:00

I know when you look at these pictures of my son Richard you are not thinking miracles, but let me explain.

Several days before Christmas Richard (age 10) started complaining of pain in his stomach, mostly on the right side. As a nurse I immediately though of his appendix but none of the other signs were there, temprature, nausea/vomitting so I really
prayed it was just muscle strain. A day before he had been play fighting with his
brothers and nephews(he is a young uncle) and I was hoping he was just sore but I
took him into urgent care anyway. The doctor examined Richard and determented that it
was indeep muscle pain and that he would feel better in a few days. I rejoiced that
it wasn't his appedix and expected him to bounce back the next day.

He didn't.

My usually lively son was just laying around, little appettite and still complaining of stomach pain. I really thought he just didn't want to feel the muscle pain by
getting up and waited.

But he didn't get better.

After 24hrs he still wasn't moving much and complained of increase pain. I then KNEW this wasn't muscle pain and proceeded to take him into ANOTHER emergency room.

I worked in a prison for thirteen years as a nurse and had seen many appendisitis cases. Many times It was my job to access the inmate and tell the Dr. if I thought it was his appendix. Let me tell you they are VERY difficult to diagnose and I along
with the Dr. had made the wrong diagnosis.

Arriving at the emergency room at one in the morning we waited 5 hours to see the doctor. I am in Ca. and let me tell you emergency rooms her are so much different then the little town in Texas.

Once we were in a room the emergency room doctor (that had diagnosed and treated another one of my sons with croup) walked in the room and said "this is one sick child." He then listened to his symtoms, did a quick examination and said "it is his appendix but I am getting a cat scan."

Even though I sensed that Richard was having appendsitis he still had no fever,
CBC (blood test) was normal and he still was only having pain. I prayed with
all my heart that it still was muscle pain.

See when you are a nurse all of the awful experiences you have ever seen come rushing
back in. Becasue I knew if he had ruptured we were in for a long ride and he was going to get a lot sicker. Then them imense guilt hit. Why didn't I push for him
to get a cat scan sooner? Why did I wait until now? What kind of mother and nurse
am I? Even though I knew that ALL of these accusations were from Satan himself I let
him continue to beat me up as I did everything in my own power not to cry.

My small son was riding on my faith.

Sure I can talk a big faith talk when there isn't much at stake but he was watching my every faith move. Would I fall apart believing there was little hope when the chips were down? Or did I have the strengh to reach out to a really BIG God and believe he would be there no matter what the outcome.

The Doctor came in and said the cat scan was positive for appendisitis and he had ruptured but he still wanted the radioligist to read the scan to confirm. He would get back to us in about an hour.

I felt crushed.

My son began to cry. I took a few deep breaths and told my son we were going to pray.
To storm the throneroom of God for healing and strengh. So we prayed and I felt the Holy Spirit say to cover his abdomen with my hands and pray for healing. I felt such a calmness and power engulf both me and Richard.

God met us there.

The radioligist confirmed it had ruptures and surgery was being scheduled immediately. I called my daughter Monique in Texas and said "Call everyone you know to pray."

Two other grown kids came to stay with the 17 at home, my husband came to be at the hospital and we waited.... prayed and yes cried.

But unknown to me at the time MANY people were asking the one and only healer for help on our behalf. That Richard who had perfect peace was being surrounded with the
presence of God! And you know what?

After two hours of surgery the surgeon walked in and said "it all went well and he did not rupture." After a moment of shock I just couldn't stop PRAISING GOD!!

Matthew 17:19-20 when he said "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

I am not sure how others feel when God hears my prayes but I felt "MIGHTY LOVED"
that day and I know Richard did too. Because my little boy is a warrior for Christ,
first to lead prayer and many times bold enough to walk to the front of the church to pray.

Thank you Lord for a Christmas miracle! For once again hearing me when I cried out.
And thank you that you are in charge.

Your loving daughter Tanya

Joseph needs help now

2010-11-26T20:29:00.000-08:00

Below is a letter from the director or Global orphan outreach. We are needing
medical help for Joseph soon... time is running out. He will need FREE medical
care including a hospital and Doctor. Or...someone willing to put him on their
medical insurance. There is a list of host requriements.....
Please feel free to contact me or Global for more information.
RonTanya777@aol.com

Hello all-
Joseph is the boy that I have known now for 3 years and have tried to advocate for medical care for him. He dreams of being a geologist one day and does well in school when he does attend. His father is in college to become an accountant.They love their son...

I have been helping with Joseph medical bills about every 6 months. He has a lung abscess that has requires Dr. Sherman to punch a large needle in his chest and draw the fluids away from his heart and lung so that he can breath better. Dr. Sherman has stated that Joseph needs a shunt put in his chest to draw this fluid away. The problem is Joseph isnt a cute 2 year old where every one jumps in wanting to help... he turns 17 this Christmas. We need someone to see his awesome potential and help him for who he is- a bright boy who aspires to live and and have a future like any teenager.

PLEASE pass this info onto others- perhaps there is someone who can help. It will take another $200 for his procedure to be done but that just buys him time and the time between treatments is becoming shorter and shorter. If there is anyone who can help with his medical visa, host, doctor/hospitals, please contact me today. Thank you, Donna

Hi Sis. Donna:

We write you with the deteriorating condition of our beloved son, Joseph Darwar Jr who is coughing up blood through his mouth and nose upon your recent departure from Liberia the cough intensified. He is right now out of school. Your humanitarian consideration to help take this boy back to the hospital will be awesome.

Sis. Donna, I am still a student without any source of funding to even feed myself, family, etc. My wife is willing to go into business to help handle some of these emergencies, but I am squarely incapacitated.

The worst of all these experience is the illness of my dear son. Help my son not to die as I cannot help as a father with my background mentioned above.

Yours, anticipating your consideration,

Joseph Darwar- Liberia

Driving from Texas to California

2010-11-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

The motel sign we saw from the road before the bus broke down.

The tire just broke off from the bus

I have been trying hard to blog about our trip from Texas to California last month.
But.... dial up computer service has put a serious dent in doing ANYTHING on the computer.

On the first of November we loaded up our bus with 18 kids and 7 dogs pulling a small trailor. My husband was the bus driver. I was driving our 15 passenger van
with 10 cats,2 geese,4 ducks,3 chickens and a rabbit. Oh yeah the pot bellie pig was in the trailor. We had accumilated a whole load of animals living on 20 acres and
didn't have anyone to watch them.

Actually the trip went really well until we reached Ash fork Arizona. We had decided
to save on motel fee's and had just slept a few hours in our bus the night before.
Ron, my husband can sleep anywhere but I have severe insomnia even under the best conditions, so I slept very little. By the time we made it to Ash Fork I was feeling
pretty tired. I heard the HOLY SPIRIT say to me that we needed to stop in Ash Fork.
I was having my daughter Sierra check my banking account when I saw the bus tire
roll across the road in front of me. It had just broke off from the bus! The metal
was scraping the freeway and my husband was trying to control the bus. Little did
I know that all the kids where screaming and my husband was scared to death the bus
would roll or worse yet, the sparks from the metal would catch the gas tank of fire.
I felt none of that fear because at the moment the tire broke off a unbelievable peace surrounded me and again the spirit of God said "everything is fine I am in control."

So we all pulled over to the side of the road and proceeded to decided what was next.
Of course I knew already, God had said we were to stay at the little motel in Ash Fork....

So I loaded up the kids and dogs and headed for the motel. The motel had to be a hundred years old and I couldn't see anyone in sight. A note was attached to the motel check in door "at the store I will be back in a minute." I waited and sure enough a elderly woman with a walker came a few minutes later.

You know she could of been an angel.

I felt a real presense of God in that hotel lobby and proceeded to tell her
all that had happened. She told me she felt it was sometimes God delays us for
a reason... many times to save our life. She told me how she was delayed once and it prvented her from being in a huge pile up on the freeway.

We had been led to a DIVINE stop on the freeway.

So we checked in everyone, unloaded our personal belongings and settled in for
the night.

The next morning we found a place to store our bus just across the street.

Loaded up everything we had to have in the van and trailor and headed for California.

The motel lady prayed over us.

Thanks again Lord for loving us so much to take care of us no matter where we are or what we are doing. Thank you that I felt your presence so strongly.....

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

Large special needs family in California

2010-10-24T19:52:00.000-07:00

www.allourboys.com

We are a very large family built through adoption. As such, many people are curious about our family life. We are often asked questions about our family. "How do the boys get along with each other?" "What does your family do for fun?" "Do you have any pets?" "What does Christmas look like at your house?"
For some of our children, our family is their first family. Prior to joining our family they may have lived in hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages or group homes. Other children have had multiple family experiences. Some have been abusive and other have simply "not worked out." Many of the boys joined our family through the state foster care system, other through international adoptions, still others through disrupted adoptions, finally a few through private adoptions. Our children have come from all over the world with many different life experiences, as well as, a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. It is our job then, as their forever mom and dad, to bring all of these strangers together and form a well-bonded and loving family.

This is the Silcock family in California. I started talking to Ann several years
ago when we first entered the adoption process.

Her heart is to take in only special needs BOYS.

The saddest realization for me was that many of these precious children came from nursing homes, private homes, orphanages and even hospitals.
Many "put away" because they were not wanted.

And many of these children still linger in the United States.... yes I said United
States without homes.

How can this be? In a country so full of blessing how can we let children linger
in nursing homes? It breaks my heart.

Thank you Ann for giving these children a forever home.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

In this video her sons sings of how his life has changed since being in her home.

Hiking to a remote village in Africa

2010-10-09T18:54:00.000-07:00

Six months ago I was in Africa and one of the highlights of our trip was hiking up into a remote village.

A child that had an adoptive home died due to contaminated water. The adoptive parents, along with the global director, put in a well. The village was SO
THANKFUL they macheted a road all the way to the village so they could put on a celebration for us.

It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. Who would of ever thought I would be hiking into a remote village in Africa!!

Of course along with all that excitement and joy came great sadness. People were starving, without any sanitary facilities and no medical help. A little girl
was crying in her brothers arms and holding her stomach. I asked what was wrong.
Her brother said that she has been in pain for several days. Of course being a nurse I had to investigate. Poor little girl was really distended.

I asked the pastor we were with how we could get her help. He said there is no money for medical help and any hospital is 3 hrs away. So the pastor arranged to come back and get her (six hour trip) the next day. One of the team members paid for the trip.
What happens when we are not there though?

My heart breaks at the thought.

Pastor Peter that serves his country so diligently is from the village we visited.
He has seen first hand the death of his people and recently the death of his sister...he now cares for her child.

So we join hands with Pastor Peter to touch the hearts and hands of Liberia in Christs love.....

Psa 46:1-3 — God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

What I would like to accomplish in a day

2010-10-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

Kids learning to Paint

My husband who is a painting carpenter by trade decided ALL the kids were going
to paint the outside of the house. Now my husband is pretty amazing but this
even amazed me! 18 kids 4-17 painting.....

While driving home from the Library field trip yesterday I just started to think and
write what things I REALLY wanted to accomplish in a day.

Now let me tell you right off the bat I NEVER accomplish all these things but we have to have something to aim for right?

I WANT to wake up early every morning and spend time ALONE with God.
I WANT to hear from God every day the direction he wants me to take.
Jesus tells us that His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27).
I WANT to homeschool every day with joy and a gentle spirit.
I WANT to always remember to pray, do devotions and have worship.
I WANT to serve Liberia Africa.
I WANT to always appreciate my husband.
I WANT to always remember to pray for our adult kids and grandkids.
I want to always serve nutritious meals.

Oh and I am sure I could think of tons more.

I know it all boils down to one thing.

SURRENDER

Believing that if my heart is right......

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Lu 6:45)

and...if I lay all of my wants at the SAVIORS feet everything HE wants will be accomplished.

Patience needs a home.

2010-10-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

Sweet little Patience age 3 with downs syndrome needs a home. The goverment
in Liberia has given us permission to find a home for her.
I spent time with Patience last April and she was a little jewel. She was
so quiet and "PATIENT." Amazing how the little girl just lives up to her name.
She was abandoned in a feeding center in Liberia Africa and she was referred
to our special needs program.
If interested e-mail me at RonTanya777@aol.com

Fun after church

2010-09-28T09:06:00.001-07:00

Just a few pictures of the kids after church. It was just beautiful outside so we decided to take some picutures of all the family, including the four legged ones.

What we drive

2010-09-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

What a family of 20 drives

Whenever we go somewhere and people start asking quesitons one of the first is "what do you drive." Well her it is!!
When we first got our bus I was scared to drive it. It just seemed so overwhelming and big. bit after many attempts to stuff all the kids in our 15 passenger van, I just had to get behind the wheel. Now I cannot imagine not driving the bus... so much room!

Children looking for adoptive homes.

2010-09-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

Favor age 2 Cerebral Palsy

Nye age 2 hydrocephalus

Winefred with hydrocephalus.

Three children looking for adoptive homes in Liberia Africa.

ACE homeschooling

2010-09-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

Supervisors training for ACE homeschooling.

Someone forwarded this from a homeschooling blog and I just had to post it here. Homeschooling has been one of my most difficult challenges. I feel that using ACE has brought me a lifeline of hope, that I can homeschool 18 kids and keep my sanity.

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Matthew 16:26

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (5) You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (6) And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. (7) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (8) You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. (9) You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Had to memorize this at ACE training!

Are you SURE you have the right curriculum?
Wednesday, 25. August 2010 by Renee Ellison

Burnout
The single biggest cause of homeschooling burnout is choosing the WRONG curriculum. For most homeschoolers, veterans and beginners alike, the illusion is that you will always have perfect days in which to teach, but the reality is that you’ll SELDOM have even ONE perfect homeschooling day. If your schooling centers on you as the teacher, it will simply slip through the cracks on days when other demands take over. Because schooling is THE ONE flexible/negotiable part of the day (no one is watching), it often gets put on the back burner (for far too many days, for months on end), because today we can’t do it RIGHT, using what you THOUGHT was the ideal curriculum.

Now that school is beginning again this fall, mothers are scrambling to make out their schedules, get last minute supplies, etc. This feels exhilarating…at least, initially. Aha…a fresh start. But talk to those same moms one month from now and they are in tears, feeling guilty, and nothing is going according to plan. Hubby is threatening to put the children back in public school because ANYTHING is better than the fiasco he sees going on day after day in his own home with his stressed-out wife and inconsolable children. Because they’ve got the WRONG curriculum.

Haven’t seen the big picture
Moms, by and large, because they have never been down this path before (they graduated from NURSING school, or BUSINESS school…), inadvertently choose and purchase curriculums that are heavily MOTHER-dependent. They purchase curriculum based on TOPICS that they wish they had had in school, or books that LOOK fabulous, or techniques that seem new and innovative and far superior to the way THEY were taught. But the problem is not the content or style of the program, at all, but rather it is one of ADMINISTRATION. Is this curriculum going to be easy to get through each day, especially when I’m preoccupied with little Johnny who just threw up, or on an emergency phone call, or have unexpected company? THEN what happens? What happens when I’m up all night with another child and have to sleep IN in the morning? Let’s see…hmm… 5 children times 2 “mom-isn’t-available-to-teach” hours per student equals ten wasted hours for the family that morning.

Because we have been in the movement for over 20 years as vendors, we have seen children who are now the GROWN products of this little daily nightmare, and it isn’t pretty.

Unit studies…the kick with a bite
In far too many cases, these idealistic theories about curriculum have been murdered by a few brutal facts…embarrassing facts. The children didn’t get thoroughly educated…not even as much as WE were educated in inferior secular schools. Scores of excited moms who have never taught a child through all twelve grade levels tell me sentences like this: “This fall we are going to study George Washington—in fact, we’ll do a unit study on him!” The problem is that the mom doesn’t see the 12-year big picture that there are over 34,000 concepts to cover to even make your child AWARE of the most rudimentary components of the big wide world out there. Giving three months to one concept just isn’t gonna cut it. While mom is fixated on her one euphoric idea of what SHE will teach, time is wasting…sand literally POURS through the hour glass of childhood. What she is not aware of is that children can learn ten times faster than she can even dream up the topics, let alone provide a newly hunted down perfect book to teach it with.

Moms with extra time, huh?
Go ahead and buy all of the super-idealized curriculum you want. But this year try teaching it in the evenings or on the weekends when you get that one “supercharged-mommy-moment” a week, but for all the REST of the time, for all those “barely-making-it” hours, get a curriculum that your children can do WITHOUT you. Waltz onto their page on any day at any time that you want to teach them from your own academic passions…we always teach our passions best…but for all the OTHER days, and the OTHER hours, keep your children’s noses to the grindstone of an established curriculum that gets the job DONE without you.

Ask yourself a question: How much EXTRA time did I have yesterday to write out lesson plans, or to thumb through a textbook to figure out what my child should be doing today? Was it three minutes? 30 seconds? Oops, just couldn’t get to it? Then what makes you think you’ll have that time TOMORROW? If you’ve gotta read a teacher’s edition to figure out what your child should do, you are already sunk before you start.

All the “not-so-hot” choices out there
Some love those big companies that sell you the huge textbook for every subject, so that your school curriculum can look just like the public school’s. But quickly you’ll find that the sheer size of the books scares your kids off (they are a pain in the neck to haul around), and parents by the scores have already discovered that they are “drill and kill and over-kill” curriculums, despite the expensive packaging! They cost too much, weigh too much, take too much preparation out of YOUR hide, and bore your children to tears with excessive unnecessary mental labor.

Then there are the super dense SPIRITUAL curriculums. ALL the family reads this and that and does this project and that project on ONE character trait, TOGETHER. Fine. Purchase those and teach one every Sabbath, or work through one for one evening a week to gather as a WHOLE family to study. But for two-to-six hours a day every day of the week, they require too much of mama…and too much of everyone else. On most days, one can’t even FIND the whole family to study with, let alone DO it. If you use one of these programs, you’ll burn out, guaranteed.

Then there is the sensational one book for this and one book for that — the eclectic approach. I hope you like shopping… because your children will read them and finish them on the way to the car.

Then there is the hands-on…build everything you read about…pyramids under the kitchen table approach. This approach absorbs far too much time spent on “pyramids”...single subjects… (which a child can readily understand just by looking at a few pictures), to the exclusion of time that could have been spent on other equally important concepts/subjects. Life isn’t just endless time on your hands. Time spent under the table is time lost practicing a new scale on an instrument.

Then there is the “read-every-book-in-sight” curriculum. Just read. Tons of homeschooling families pride themselves on what good readers their children have become. They congratulate themselves on having exceptional readers…which they mistakenly think then makes them exempt from producing anything else. The only problem is,.they just don’t know that ALL homeschooling families produce good readers. This is commonplace, with few exceptions. They can’t see it, because they live in ONLY their own house. Moreover, reading is not the whole picture. What if your car ONLY had a motor, no steering wheel, no brakes, no seats. Math is important, writing is important, physics is important, spelling is important, each of them requiring very little reading and a great deal of DOING. The first time your child hears about atoms and molecules and has only read history books, he is apt to say “Huh?” or worse yet, start FEELING the “Huh?” going on inside himself everywhere he turns. A general education requires gaining basic familiarity with thousands of DIVERSE concepts.

Grading your children’s work…whatever for?
If you want to grade all your children’s work, go ahead, have at it. But THEY won’t grow, if YOU do their evaluation. Weeks worth of stacked papers that mom will someday get around to grading trains your child in absolutely nothing. When your children get back all your delayed grading with your meticulous and conscientious red marks, they will mindlessly throw those same papers into the trash. Sound familiar? If they grade their own AS SOON AS THEY FINISH EACH PAGE, they will be invested in it THEMSELVES, to their own surprise. It is that simple. CORRECTING one’s work is where ALL the growth takes place. Do you REALLY have THIS much EXTRA time? Would you not rather read a good book, or take a walk with your child?

A long ride
Go ahead, buy whatever curriculum you want, or insist upon having….but ALSO, this year, try buying ACE to use as your daily work horse. You can’t see the full extent of it all now, but you’ll ride to the schooling-pasture and back to the barn EVERY DAY for two to six hours a day for 12 years with this schooling business…so you’ve gotta have a dependable horse to get you there and back…unless you want a circus at your house every day, if you didn’t spend two hours last night prepping for some other scenario.

Even if your child is only EXPOSED to this sequential, consecutive, line upon line, precept upon precept material and skips half of the fill in the blanks, or merely answers the questions aloud, or even just hears them read to him by an older sibling on sick days, or isn’t multi-sensing every concept… he will be light years ahead of the child who hasn’t. He will have at least encountered ALL these thousands of concepts. Four pace booklets a day, four concepts per booklet, 5 days a week, 36 weeks a year, for twelve years, yields 34,560 concepts. Ta-dah !!!! Did you catch that? This is all done FOR you. You didn’t have to even get out of your easy chair. This year, try teaching whatever ELSE you want ON TOP of that… but not in place of it. Countless very burned out families have switched to ACE after trying everything else they had in mind, and the smiles have returned. There have been no regrets!

We recommend ACE for these 12 very tight and succinct reasons:
1. ACE is taught using THIN booklets…as in… easy to haul on errands.
2. ACE is comprehensive…as in… nothing will fall through the cracks.
3. ACE is spiritual…as in… you won’t produce an intelligent drunk.
4. ACE is engaging, uplifting and KEEPS their interest both academically and spiritually…as in…children end up LOVING God THROUGH their subjects.
5. ACE is self-taught…as in…not mommy dependent…as in… it actually HAPPENS every day regardless of the chaos mom is embroiled in at the moment.
6. ACE is self-corrected…as in…the student has instant feedback.
7. ACE is the curriculum for tear reduction…as in ...momma doesn’t burn out…she actually likes her children AND gets dinner on the table…and wants to continue homeschooling next year.
8. ACE is priced at the low end of curriculums…as in… you don’t have to rob a bank or incur debt to buy it. The entire year costs less than one month’s tuition at any private Christian school. It is so inexpensive, the grandparents can purchase it for you. You won’t grow bitter halfway through the year because you sank 2 grand into a curriculum and now you hate the stuff but can’t possibly switch because you mortgaged the house to get it.
9. ACE trains OUTSTANDING character, woven into the full page text of every subject…as in…not tacked on as a token at the end of the entire day just to make it LOOK spiritual.
10. Employers love to hire ACE graduates for any type of work, because they have found year after year that these students’ cheerful work-ethic is second to none.
11. ACE is in 135 countries and currently educates well over 3 million children…as in…tried and true…kids actually graduate…they actually score high on standardized tests…they actually get scholarships at colleges.
12. ACE is guilt free…school happens.

Have your children read history and biography and how-to books voraciously in the evenings. Train them in domestic skills. Teach them how to earn and save a dollar. And turn off the TV and videos and stop the endless “goes nowhere” recreational FANTASY reading, and you’ll produce SUPER CHILDREN.

2010-09-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

My daughter Paige and grandson Zach loving being kissed.

My son Wes and my Brother Art

Blake, Wesley (sons) Treva (daughter-in-law), Crystal (girlfriend) and Mason.

Recently I took a trip to California by myself. I had to have some dental work done, (a lot less expensive in Ca) needed to do some business, but the biggest treat was spending time with my grown kids and grandkids. I stated with my son Wesley and his wife Treva and my grandson Zach. All of the family is so easy going that staying with them was like being at home. My son Blake was home for his two weeks from work (Alaska oil rigs) and he picked me up and we spent a lot of time also. Blake is my baby of the grown kids. Funny how your babies are always your babies. He has a wonderful girlfriend with a little boy name Mason.
Paige my daughter who lives with Wes was in and out when she wasn't working. It was the first time in a very long time that I had time to spend with my grown kids without a lot of distractions. I attended Zach's football game and Mason's birthday..
just being a grandma for that day.
I also took a trip to see a very close friend who has been ill for a number of years.
We talked for hours about everything.... it was awesome. Blake, Paige and his family picked me up and we headed to Oceanside to see my other son Dwayne and his family. Of course my camera went out before we got there and I couldn't get pictures of their family. Dwanye recently bought a home and it was lovely about ten minutes from the beach.
Lily his wife (from Panama) was such a loving and attentive daughter-in-law, taking
us to the beach, inviting us in the jacuzzi and even bringing me a blanket when I was cold. I felt so spoiled. Dwanyne works for the nuclear power plant and was called in unexpectedly, but we still had time to talk about one of favorite subjects, reading. He had bought me a Christian/suspense book and I read over it every spare minute I had. Before leaving I was able to see my grandson Roland play baseball, just like his daddy, he is natural at sports.
Opps, almost forgot about my baby brother Art. He drove down with his youngest daughter Cassie to visit for a couple of days. Art the baby of my family has always been like one of my own kids. Coming from a very dis functional family I was left to raise my brother and sister (died) most of my life. While I wasn't very fond of all that mothering when I was young, it created a very strong bond between my brother and I. And then something new happened. I accepted Christ at 17. I prayed and prayed my brother would come to know Christ and in his early 20's he accepted Christ also.
I have never seen a more devout turnover to serving Christ than my brother. From the minute he surrendered he never looked back and disciple many of my children. So when we get together we talk about "JESUS" most of the time. He is the love of both our lives and we can't help but tell every detail on how he is making life amazing!

When reading my devotional today I just couldn't help but want to put it on my blog.
My Utmost For His Highest has always seem to touch me exactly where I need the spirit to go. Today it talked about keeping "MY" eyes on Christ first and foremost and let the other things fall into place. So many times with 18 kids, homeschooling, Africa and just daily living, I feel pulled in several directions. Christ has been trying to tell me to seek him first, REALLY seek him first and let him add the rest.
"Simple concept Lord help me to get it deep in my spirit I keep letting it go."

My Utmost for His Highest
Text Size: . . do you love Me? . . . Tend My sheep —John 21:16

Jesus did not say to make converts to your way of thinking, but He said to look after His sheep, to see that they get nourished in the knowledge of Him. We consider what we do in the way of Christian work as service, yet Jesus Christ calls service to be what we are to Him, not what we do for Him. Discipleship is based solely on devotion to Jesus Christ, not on following after a particular belief or doctrine. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate . . . , he cannot be My disciple” ( Luke 14:26 ). In this verse, there is no argument and no pressure from Jesus to follow Him; He is simply saying, in effect, “If you want to be My disciple, you must be devoted solely to Me.” A person touched by the Spirit of God suddenly says, “Now I see who Jesus is!”— that is the source of devotion.

Today we have substituted doctrinal belief for personal belief, and that is why so many people are devoted to causes and so few are devoted to Jesus Christ. People do not really want to be devoted to Jesus, but only to the cause He started. Jesus Christ is deeply offensive to the educated minds of today, to those who only want Him to be their Friend, and who are unwilling to accept Him in any other way. Our Lord’s primary obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of people— the saving of people was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father. If I am devoted solely to the cause of humanity, I will soon be exhausted and come to the point where my love will waver and stumble. But if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity, even though people may treat me like a “doormat.” The secret of a disciple’s life is devotion to Jesus Christ, and the characteristic of that life is its seeming insignificance and its meekness. Yet it is like a grain of wheat that “falls into the ground and dies”— it will spring up and change the entire landscape ( John 12:24 ).

2010-08-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

Proof of it being a rattlesnake

Ron holding a rattlesnake

Our Boys

Our girls

There are things I really love about Texas but rattlesnakes are not one of them.
We moved here a year ago and were warned about the rattlesnakes but we didn't see one until now. I had convinced myself that if we hadn't seen one in a year, they probabley were staying away because of the noisy kids, birds (chickens, geese, ducks)and eight barking dogs, but I was wrong. Joe was pulling up a tarp
by the garden and a snake tried to bite him in the foot. Oh thank you Jesus he had
boots on and reacted quickly by kicking it away. I was in California when my
husband called and told me what happened and I just cried. Just the thought of it
was terrifying. My husband a lot less emotional then I just went outside and killed the snake and brought it in for some teaching.
This is what you do not go near!

We were in Sam's club recently, well come to think of it I am ALWAYS in Sam's club buying groceries, but they offered some old time picures. I was really happy that they turned out so well and love looking at my beautiful kids.

Of course while we were there the guy taking the pictures was totally freaked out on how he was going to get 20 people in one photo (we did a family picture too) but he
calmed down when he realized my kids were going to cooperate.

He then wanted to know about adoption.

I hear constantly from people that they have always wanted to adopt... but then
come the millions of excuses why they don't. My husband won't let me (that is a good one I have to admit), we never could afford it, what if something happened and they
couldn't stay (foster care) and the list goes on.

I am always happey to tell them ways to make it happen if they really want to. I am living proof that foster children do go into adoptions, private birth adoptions really happen and you can adopt internationally and not be wealthy.

And most importantly you can adopt and make a difference in a child's life and survive.

Yes sometimes there are dissapointments, fear, feelings like why did I ever put myself through all this pain, but anything in life that is worth doing involves some risk.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7

My heart part 2

2010-08-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

Kenneth age 2

Kenneth died. I can still remember holding him in my arms last April...only two but the size of a nine month old. So tiny, but I though to myself what a strong little boy. But like so many children in Liberia he got Malaria even with all the precautions like mosquito nets, healthy diet, solid home to live and medical care.

But with cerbral palsy, his little lungs were to weak to fight off the Malaria and he got pneumonia.

As my children joined together for prayer tonight they prayed "Jesus, I hope
you are having lots of fun with Martina, Kenneth and Varney." "Thank you Lord that they are with your safe and never feeling any pain again." Because they believed, just in faith that being in the arms of Jesus had to be better than anything
this earth had to offer.

Oh Lord thank you for children's hearts. For allowing me to see through their eyes, and not my own.....

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
(Matthew 18:2-6 ESV)

What is in my heart Part 1

2010-08-22T17:18:00.000-07:00

Sweet adorable Martina

A week ago three children in Liberia died. Two in the Forget-Me-Not children's program and one in the medical outreach program. It was heartbreaking, painful and I am still questioning why. By the worlds standards I know why, it is because medical care in
Liberia is inadequate. Children without special needs die every day, but have
cerbral palsy and get sick....

We are not even sure why Martina died she just died in her sleep.

I have heard many people tell me how much better the kids are in the arms of Jesus,
now without pain and sorrow.... but I first imagined them
in the arms of "adoptive parents." I first imagined them in the U.S. with really
great medical treatment loved and lavished in a home that adored them, but the Lord
had other plans.

I remember when I used to dream of adopting a child from another country. I would
watch all the ads on the T.V. about starving children and want to help them. I wondered how I could help with SO many needing assistance.

But now this is REAL. I have been to Liberia Africa, held these children in my arms,
advocated for them, prayed for them. This is PERSONAL.

FAITH

Heb 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

It is the process of going through the trials that make us stronger?

He will never leave us or forsake us

2010-07-28T01:09:00.000-07:00

I got new pictures of Varney in the mail today. Maybe it is just me but he looks
incredibly beautiful. Even with his really large head he looks good and all the
sores he had on his head are gone. How could those sores, pressure sores from
laying on that huge head all the time be gone.....Jesus. The minute I opened
the pictures I cried and in my heart and my spirit I could see the face of God
illuminating through that little boy.
Once again we might of found hope for Varney and his mom. I joined a yahoo
group with a passionate group of women for Christ and met someone who wanted
to help me find help for him. Another someone who doesn't believe that he is
a hopeless cause, yep she knows the same Jesus I know. You know the guy who
laid hands on the lepers, blind, crippled and demon possessed? Even dead
people were not in the hopeless stage, a few of them were raised up also.

13:8 it states Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and forever!

So we have a hospital and Doctor in Ghana willing to see him and do the treatment necessary but we are waiting on the full cost. Then we will have to obtain a birth
certificate and a passport and a ticket for his mom and him. And none of this is easy but WITH CHRIST all things are possible.

I am so thankful I don't have to do this by myself. I find myself constantly going to the faith station for a fill up. Getting down on my knees, locking the bathroom (even with kids pounding on the door)and saying "It's me again God I so need your help,
direction and I need that faith you promised." And you know that enemy God, he is
being a real pain in the butt!! Send a couple of real strong angels to kick his butt! Because every ounce of Glory is going straight to you when Varney is well.

So PLEASE PRAY if you read this blog that we can get all of the things this little
boy needs lined up for him to go to Ghana to get medical help. And then Pray we can raise the money he need also.

Thank you Lord....

Another Amazing Person

2010-07-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

The Professor giving a speech thanking Global for starting a fund to build wheel
chair ramps.

Professor Flomo teaching people about the Caustic Program.

During my trip to Africa in April we visited an amazing man and his family. I was told
that Global was raising money for a college in Liberia that needed wheel chair ramps, but being my focus is mainly on Forget-Me-Not children, I wasn't prepared for what blessings would come from that donation.

We had to drive three hours to a college campus. Once we arrived we were driven to several on campus homes to see if any would accommodate myself and my four other companions. After we settled in we were invited to Professor Flomos home for dinner.
I felt like honored royalty at his home. All of his family, wife and children, served us something to drink and carried all of their living room furniture outdoors
so we could sit in the open air. No one in Liberia has air conditioning and the only electricity is generators which, few can afford.

A goat was slaughtered for our dinner earlier, meat being a rare treat in Liberia and we were served a delicious meal with rice.

Shortly after the meal the Professor started telling us his life story and we all stayed on the end of seats in anticipation of everything he was telling us.
At age ten he was taken to the Dr. for a boil on his head. They gave him a shot
in the hip and from that time on he could not walk. The shot paralyzed his legs.

Now in America this would be a tragedy, in Liberia it was devastation.

But the Professor, with an amazingly determined spirit insisted he still needed to
go to school. So after bugging his father over and over he allowed him to go.
There were no wheelchairs or cars to drive him so he had to crawl. He would have
to take an extra pair of pants with him because he would be covered in dirt when
he got there.

Now when he told us this I just had to breath a huge breath of air out and ponder
how ANYONE could have that kind of drive. He wasn't just driven to go through
high school but continued on to college.

Oh and that is just his scholastic story. The one that touched my heart to tears was
his falling in love with the woman he was determined to marry. He told us from
the minute he layed eyes on his wife he knew he would marry her... but things
were just not that easy for a man in a wheel chair.

You see Liberians see a disability as a curse. The father of this woman also believed
that he could never take care of his daughter and he refused the request of marriage.
No way was Professor taking that for an final answer. Now come on, the man had crawled to school.... he could get her dad to change his mind. So he continued
to ask and God opened up the perfect circumstance for the Dad to finally agree.

And as he finished telling us this story he called his wife over, sat her in front of
him, leaned over to her and said "and I still love this woman today." Ok, I am crying now and so sure I had just heard one of the most beautiful love stories ever
told.

That wasn't the only person he was absolutely and totally in love with. He proceeded to tell us about his love for Christ. How he had walked with him all his life and that he believed, with all his heart, if he followed his commands he would be blessed.. and you know what, he is.

And those blessing fall over to us and our program. The professor is on Global Orphan's board of directors in Liberia. Also the little brother he raised, who loves Christ with that same passion is our nurse for our program. Now who else could bring
us a CHRISTIAN nurse, raised by a handicapped brother, who was driven and still
is to overcome his disability and help others overcome theres, but Jesus?

This year the college opened there doors to 11 special needs students... unheard of
in Liberia Africa. Without special equipment, special teachers or even knowing how they would afford it, but stepping out in faith with the professors help.

So this loving, humble, amazing man's car breaks down, his only means of transportation. And he has asked for our help. The car will take 2000
dollars to fix, a million dollars in Liberia.

So again I cry out to God to send people willing to donate to someone they don't
even know.... in faith. Because it doesn't matter that he is in Africa, France
or China, he is our brother in Christ and he needs help.

My god promises to supply all our needs.

So I wait in faith......

My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) and the earth is His and the fullness thereof (Psalm 50:12).

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 KJV)

MIRACLES ARE STILL HAPPENING

2010-07-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

Korpu laughing and playing.

Korpu when she came into our program with failure to thrive.

Abigail 2 1/2 months later. Notice those chubby cheeks!

Abigail when she started in our outreach program

Kenneth now standing against the wall.

Kenneth when he came into the forget me not program

I have to be so careful to notice EVERY little miracle that God sends my way.
Some are huge and obvious like Kenneth and Abigail and others are slow... miracles
that happen one step at a time.

Abigail had gained 4 lbs and is crawling! Now for a four year old that might not seem like a miracle... but when I held her in Liberia last April, she could barley
hold up her head, seemed unaware of where she was and didn't care who held her.

Kenneth, small adorable Kenneth is standing against the wall. How is that even possible? Tiny and fragile he just seemed like a small infant in my arms just a few months ago.

Luke 4:18 (New International Version)

18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,

And let's not forget Korpu. She came to us with failure to thrive... dying slowly, and now she not only lives but is HAPPY.

Personal miracles abound also....

My son Joe was stung by a bee and we found out he was allergic. I gave him benadryl right away but the swelling continued and he broke out in an awful rash and had numbness and pain. Being a nurse I knew full well what COULD happen if I couldn't get him to a hospital fast enough. So I jumped in the van and headed to the nearest hospital twenty minutes away. Now I would like to say I was in full control but when it comes to my kids I am one lousy nurse. So I drove and prayed..... knowing that everything that happens is in the hands of my God. And as I have read this week in Luke.. the spirit of God was on me. His presence filled my heart and my soul with his peace and Joe continued to breath.

Was this a miracle? I would say so. How many times has God intervened and I didnt' even know it? I am not sure, but I will Praise him for the mircles I can see and the ones I can't.

Our pastor has given us a challenge to read the bible in a year and handed out an outline on how to accomplish this. At first I was hesitant. I read my bible most days, feel I am pretty familiar with the word do I really want to take this on? Well I did and I was terribly wrong. Already I am amazed at what Jesus is teaching me.

Luke 9:23 (New International Version)

23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me

So Lord, I am going to look for miracles every day and even if I don't SEE one I will
know that they are still there, both in Liberia and here at home.

And if I forget to tell you Lord.... Thanks for all you do.

My kids amaze me

2010-06-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

Julie letting he balloon go.

Auralliea letting her balloon go.

Dani letting her balloon go.

Mary letting her balloon go.

Today the kids bought some balloons.

We watched a movie Sarah's Choice, about a girl who had to make a decision
on whether to keep her unborn child. During her wrestling stage she talked
to her friend who confessed to having a abortion. The friend tried to pretend
that having the abortion was the best thing she ever did, but as the movie
went on, she confessed the pain that still tore at her soul.

After Sarah surrendered her life back to Christ she led her friend
to Christ also. She encouraged her to send a balloon with a message to her
baby in heaven.

So, my girls decided that they were going to send a message to Jesus too.

Destiny said, I am sending this to you Jesus because you loved us and died
on the cross.

Aurallia said, Jesus can I have a horse? (well this was a wishing balloon)

Dani said, Jesus I am sending you a note to say "Thank You"

Julie said, Jesus I hope you take good care of the baby rabbits (someone stole
four of our 10 day old rabbits)

Omar said, Jesus I hope you take this balloon as a gift.

Moyou said, It's a secret shhhhhhh.

Mary said, I hope the Africa kids will get better. (she is from Africa) I love you.

So they all took them outside to release them and guess what? They would not fly up but flew sideways..... everyone was chasing and screaming.

I could just imagine Jesus laughing and so touched by the heart of his
precious children.

Have I thanked you recently for these children Lord?

Psalm 127:3-5a
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

2010-06-13T16:43:00.000-07:00

Melvin

Christina and I taking time out to worship.... food for our soul!

Monjue loves the work she does for the Lord. We need a sponsor for her to
continue to see the kids at $40.00 a month.

Monjue our deaf teacher and one of her students. She is holding Melvin.

Kari putting Varney on the scale. His precious mother right there.

Weighing and measuring Varney

After being in Africa for several days and seeing so much pain and suffering I just felt overwhelmed. I came to Liberia focused. and sure that God only had one purpose, for me to help with the special needs children we had in foster care... but oh how my focus became cloudy after I witnessed the overwhelming need.

Could you be calling me to other ministries Lord? Or am I just feeling the pain of so many....

I know from being involved in other ministries that I always felt drawn to the medically needy, the children who desperately needed help but could not get it in a third world country. Like Varney, who only needed a shunt to drain the fluid from his head but could not find a surgeon to do it. Being a nurse for years in the U.S. I felt maybe I had something to offer.

So I took Varney's information and forwarded it back to the States to a neurosurgeon He proceeded to tell me Varney would never make the flight to the United States.

The intense pain I felt when I heard the news.... I just cried.

Being a Christian I knew I had to accept that God was in control, that he loved Varney far more than I did, that he knew ALL things and I did not, but I questioned. Please God, he is just a baby in pain, heal him or bring him healing through a doctors hand.... but I heard nothing.

I so longed for peace.

The next day we all walked across the street to a Foursquare church. The church was hot and only cooled by two large fans. Slowly the people filled the church for "Sunday school" which was only a one hour part of the four hour church session. Now us USA Christians thought at first that this was just a was going to be a really long service, but I was feeling desperate.

You know maybe they are too.....

Because in the U.S. we enter our really nice air conditioned churches, in our really nice clothes, after eating a really nice breakfast and we have very little worry about staying alive.

Staying alive is a daily chore there.

Maybe we all should enter church "desperate" for Christ? Not starving desperate, but desperate for
the touch of God on our lives. Desperate to have him give us power to reach the lost who may even be in our own family. But sadly we don't.

Once worship started I felt home because the spirit of God is universal. We all moved to the front of the church and I was surrounded by brothers and sisters.... I felt the move of God and my spirit began to heal and hope flooded my soul. Yes, God was in control and he would direct my path.

Testimonies
were given and preaching began and to my amazement someone was signing to the congregation.

Now in America we see this all the time, but in desperation, where handicaps are considered a curse, I was shocked. And all of the women in my group from the U. S. looked at each other with joy.

See we have a little boy in our program named Melvin who is deaf. Just to look at this little guy is enough to break you heart. Sucking his little fingers so full of sadness, you can just feel the pain in his anguished heart. We had been wondering how we could help him, how could we ever find someone to sign with him?

Yep, God had an answer.

So after church we talked to this wonderful woman who runs a deaf ministry. She takes in deaf children and has recruited people in her church to foster them. Now she is PASSIONATE about this ministry and Jesus and lets you know it right fromthe start. Because of that meeting we were able to set up for her to go out and teach signing to Melvin, our nurse and the caregivers.

So thank you Jesus for hearing my cry for help, for loving these babies and for
healing my downcast soul.

It all just happens in your timing not mine.

Proverbs 3:5 (NASB)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding

Spring

2010-05-30T22:04:00.000-07:00

Abandoned kittens found in our yard.

CeCe and Conner with their new blankets

Joe bringing his mom flowers

Cactus blooming.

Anthony, Omar, Yeawee,
Voni and Ben with Rabbits.

Our German shepard watching over the baby Geese.

I just love spring as I am sure most people do. It is like a new beggining
for everything in my life. Everything is blooming, the garden is started,
the kids can go outside to play and new babies are being born everywhere.

Richard one of my ten yr. old sons wanted a pair of Geese for a pet.
He was so thrilled to see those two yellow fuzzy birds brought
to him in a box. Now what he doens't like is all the work it is
taking to keep them alive. We have a small cage in our bathroom which
frequently needs changing, they have to watered, fed and loved.
Man it is a lot of work to be a Goose daddy!

And you know what?

Geese are just plain fun. Are they supposed to be lovable? I am
not sure, but they love to be picked up and snuggled, cry to be
held and fall asleep in your arms if they are there too long.
Oh the joy of simple things in life.

Yesterday Aurallila pulled down a rock on her head trying to cover
the rabbits with a tarp. She seemed ok at first but today she was
feeling nauseated so I took her to the Dr. They ordered a CAT scan
so off we went to the hospital. Everyone was so amazingly nice.
The people running the scan gave the kids tons of stickers, scrap
booking magazines and begonia clipping. Now I am sorry but this never
happened in Bakersfield. So maybe, just maybe, I am in love with this
town. Oh and by the way the CAT scan was normal. Praise God!

A few weeks ago we went out to eat at a restaurant with all the kids.
The waitress took a real interest in all
the kids and wanted to know more about our family. I proceeded to tell
her the kids were all adopted and some of our family story.
She told me she knits blankets for foster children here in town and could she knit blankets for all my kids.

Wow! Of course you can....

So we got two of the blankets this week and I gave them to Conner and CeCe.
They were so thrilled and they look beautiful. I am just amazed at how
some people can love so much giving without receiveing anything in return.
She also told me her dad has a card ministry that he does with almost no
eyesight, could he send cards to my kids?
This family's cup runneth over with the Love of Jesus!

They are modeling the heart of my Jesus. He gave away his life to give me eternal salvation. I know for myself that is where my deep need to give comes from.
Because he loves me so much, has forgiven me over and over, I can pour out
that love on others.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

Oh yeah, the picture of my son bringing me flowers. Just because.
Is there anything more precious?

Thank You Lord for new begginings, that joy comes in the morning, that I don't
have to dwell on what's behind but push forward to what is ahead.

Put spring in my soul everyday......

Pastor Peter

2010-05-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

Pastor Peter showing us his farming property he hopes to develop.

Praying at one of our events.

Standing with some of his foster children he has taken in.

Let me introduce you to one amazing man. Pastor Peter who is doing some amazing things
in Liberia through his love for his people and his devotion to Christ. I knew that he had a foster care program and that he helps Global and FMN on a volunteer basis, but I had no idea HOW MUCH he is doing in Liberia until I took my recent trip.

Many of our special needs kids and their families live in the same area as Pastor Peter. When he took us out to see the kids we were surrounded by the children he
has taken in to his home, many who came from his village. He knows each of the
families he overseas, loves them, tries to get them food and tells them about the
love of Jesus. You can tell his love for children by the pain and desperation I saw
in his eyes as he asked us to take pictures of children who's mothers had died and will eventually need adoptive homes. He told me his heart just hurts each time he
has to visit a medically needy child and he cannot get them help.

He advocates for families all over Liberia hoping to bring them hope.
Hope their children will receive medical care.
Hope they will eat at least one meal a day.
Hope they will have clean water.
Hope that they will know and trust Jesus as their Savior.

So much of that hope depends on his Christian brothers and sisters in the States.
There are NO resources to draw from in Liberia. And God is sending his people. Laying
the pain of this Pastor on our hearts, his dreams and hopes becoming ours.

Two of the women who went with us had no idea how God would use them on this trip.
Kari has her eyes on adoption, but seeing the Pastors farming project she felt called to help him. Denise who always had a heart for missionary work, fell
in love with a little deaf boy we have in our program and she is now sponsoring him
and advocating for his care.

Pastor Peter took us to his village where a well had just been put in. He cried as he told us of the needs of the village. Even though they now have clean water, the need for food and medical care is huge. Along with his farming project he hopes to open a medical clinic that will cater to the poor.

Another one of his dreams is to build a school. A school that will open up doors for poor children, that will break the cycle of poverty that they are doomed to without
an education. He showed us where they have started to mold bricks for the project.
All of the cement has to be HAND mined by other Liberians with passion for change, and by yes, the Pastor himself when time allows.

For Global and FMN he is always there to answer questions, give directions, advocate when needed and he is one great tour guide! Oh and did I mention he has a church? He is the pastor who preaches on Sunday and leads a flock among ALL of the other things he feel God has called him to.

So I ask you to pray for this man. One man who may be instrumental in changing Liberia for Christ. One man that will show hundreds of children, women and men that there is still a God that cares and is moving in their country. One man who will
pull the heartstrings of another country to come along side of him and fill a dream.

One of the most impressive things I was told about Pastor Peter was when he was asked why he gave up his bed, his personal bed to a poor (poored than him) family, he answered "because they needed one."

To me that says it all.

Oh God, let that be my heart.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:12-13

Abigail needs a sponsor

2010-05-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

This is Abigail, a four and a half year old little girl that tugs heavily on my heart. Her mother was wanting to find her an adoptive home because no matter what she does, this little girl will not thrive.

At four and a half she weighs 10 1/2 pounds! She was so weak when I was
holding her she could barley hold up her head. Her sadness permeated my soul
and I knew there had to be some way to help her.

I was so excited to be able to see Abigail and really talk to the mom
about her situation. The mom told me that she had trouble getting her to eat since
she was two weeks old. That she always seemed "slow" and has never walked. What is
amazing is that her one year old sister does not show the same symptoms. It made
me think that maybe she is suffering from a metabolic disease of some kind.

The single mother like so many women in Liberia, does not have food to feed her children.
I can't even imagine what it is like watching your children starve to death or
know they need medical help, but you do not have means to find that help.

We arranged for Abigail to have a medical report done to see if we could get a diagnosis and get her further help. We also arranged (through a generous donor) to give the mom rice for two months and step 3 formula and baby cereal for Abigail. We just received word that Abigail has gained two pounds.

We need to continue to support this family in rice, and treatment for Abigail, but we need a sponsor. Many of us in Global and Forget-Me-Not send money to help these
children but we cannot do it all on our own, we need Godly people to step up
and give whatever they can to help.

1 Tim. 6:17 Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 1 Tim. 6:18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. 1 Tim. 6:19 By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven--it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.

We desperatly need a vehicle for the FMN program.

2010-05-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

Josephus our nurse in Liberia Africa with the children.

A SMALL GIFT CAN MAKE A HUGE IMPACT

Having just recently returned from my trip to Liberia, I saw firsthand how effective the Forget-Me-Not Children’s Program truly is. Placing kids in trained loving foster family homes is so important to our ‘special needs’ children. We have been amazed at how many of our kids are thriving in their new homes, and how each one of our caregivers is carrying out their mission of taking care of these beautiful children.

However, the Forget-Me-Not Children’s Program in Liberia is in desperate need of a vehicle. Our program is growing, and the logistics of transportation for our local director in Liberia is becoming desperate. He consumes a lot of time, trying to locate an available taxi, sometimes several times a day. He visits our FMN children several times a week, as well as delivers supplies, has several meetings a week with important government offices, hospitals, doctors, as well as taking a child for regular medical care visits . He also must be available to pick up a sick child from our foster homes to take them to the clinic or hospital…this can happen very often because several of our kids are medically fragile. We are also having a difficult time with transporting large amounts of supplies that cannot be transported in a standard taxi. Therefore, a truck or something of this size, is needed for this. Again, this is very difficult to find on a daily basis. Roads can be very difficult to navigate in a smaller car, due to all the pot holes, water and dirt roads that get us to the FMN foster homes. It’s not uncommon to wait several hours trying to flag down a taxi. In an emergency situation, this could be devastating to our program if we cannot get care for one of our kids in a timely matter.

Currently we send EVERY penny of our funds directly to our foster family program in Liberia, which in turn utilizes the full amount to benefit our children in need. Our program operates on a per sponsored child basis. We don't have ANY spare funds that come in, that can cover such a need for a vehicle. All of us working from the Stateside don't earn a cent. We volunteer our time (sometimes can be a 30 hour work week), because we love what we do! I feel so privileged to work alongside a wonderful team that all have a heart for our FMN children. We cannot grow our program without the vital tool we need in having our own transportation.

Please consider helping us in our FMN Children’s Program Vehicle Fundraiser. We aren't asking for a few people to give large amounts, we are asking MANY to give a little. If we can have 200 people, commit to just $30, this adds up to a $6000 amount. This would help us locate a suitable vehicle for our program. I did some checking on vehicles while in Liberia, and they are extremely expensive!! You cannot find a decent used vehicle,(used but new off the ship from oversees), for less than $5000. We are talking about a vehicle that has over 100,000 miles on it, but is in good ‘used’ shape and has some necessary options like four wheel drive and air conditioning, plenty of space to transport several foster children and large amounts of supplies. My goal is to have all the funds raised in 3 months time, starting on May 1st. Of course we will take ANY donation amount, large or small! We cherish your support of our program, and continue to move forward with great joy in growing this program. The need for our program is desperate. There is no other one program, that ONLY takes in ‘special needs’ abandoned children, and places them into a ‘trained’ foster home. We give these beautiful children a home and the ability to reach their greatest potential with the resources we have.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful support and prayers!

Tanya Pruitt (sponsorship coordinator stateside)

***Please send your giving amount, with ‘FMN vehicle’ in memo line, to…

Global Orphan Outreach, P.O. Box 97, Ladysmith WI, 54848.

Paypal at www.globalorphanoutreach.com

2010-05-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

Tezz downloading my i-pod for the trip
Omar, Ben and Richard holding the suckers they bought for the kids in Africa.
Conner packing them.
The whole family is part of the ministry.

It is so hard to write about my trip to Africa. I think about blogging every day and every night I cannot sleep (which is every night) as I try to put the words together in my mind. It is like I have traveled to another dimention and I am still trying to process was I really there.

I started journeling the minute I left my home in America because I wanted to capture each and every experience. Just getting to the airport was such a struggle, I worried about how I could possibly go to Africa and survive. The night before I left for the airport I kissed all of my 18 kids and asked each one to pray, knowing that was what was going to get me through this trip. In fact, I asked everyone I talked to pray, church, friends, relatives. And because of the power in that prayer, from the minute I woke up to leave for the airport, I felt a strong presence of God.

Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

I had never departed from Dallas airport before, and I was worried it was going to be as hectic as Los Angeles. Traffic was awful and I was late, which increased my stress even more. But when I walked into the airport everything was quiet and peaceful! Quick check in, kind people, no line......

My other concern was being on long flight and having awful seats and most of my seats had to be assigned at the airport. So I was suprixed when my first seat was by an emergency exit, by a window with tons of leg room.

Shortly after I sat down a young man about thirty filled the seat next to me. He looked extremely ill, sweating, pale and very anxious. I asked him if he was OK and he stated "NO, I feel terrible." My first thought was he is afraid to fly, but he said no he had flown many times. I started praying for him and asking God for dicernment.

He was becoming increasing agitated and seemed to be in a lot of pain. I first tried to get him to calm down, he was hyperventilating, and then called the stewardess for help. She put out a call for a doctor but only a nurse replied, quickly making her way to where we were seated.

Now what took place from that point I deem nothing short of a miracle. The nurse the Lord sent over was a Godly woman, who believed that presence of God was on that plane, and that praying over him was as important as any medical procedure she could administer. We were one in our thoughts and our actions.

Vital signs were taken, oxygen adminstered and he was closely watched. I knew God had placed us both there together, placed on either side of his seat he was coverd with prayer, love and encouragement that everything was going to be OK and I know he felt the strong presence of God. It was just an amazing experience.

Two hours later paramedics wheeled him to the hospital and the other nurse and I just praised God and rested in his presence. We exchanged phone numbers, shared some personal information and went on to our next flight, by the touch of God.

I know God could of told me in many ways he was with me on that trip to Africa. I
long many times for a sign to fall down from heaven or a prophet to walk up to me and say "God is with you" but God has his own intimate way of speaking to his children. Because his sheep hear his voice. So Jesus chose that day to speak to me
through a hurting man and a obedient nurse. Loud and clear I heard him say "I am with you Tanya, on this plane and on this trip."

Jesus said this: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27).

And as I met up with the other women I was traveling with I couldn't wait to tell them of how Gods power was going with us on this trip... I just knew it, God had revealed it to me through a hurting man. But I am not sure they could see how God was speaking.... because the message was for me, his little lamb.....

2010-04-07T14:46:00.001-07:00

Sweet little Mardea came to us by recommendation from a hospital where Mardea was abandoned. She is a tiny little girl with many health issues. We were happy to be her family if only for a short time and give her the love and support she deserves. Little Mardea passed away early this morning from complications while staying in the hospital for recent care. She will be very much missed by her foster family and her FMN families.

This was posted by one of our directors today as we all grieve the loss of this little girl. Tomorrow we leave for Liberia Africa with a heavy heart.

There is so much we didn't know about this little angel, she was with us such a short time. But this we do know, she was loved and adored by us even if it was for a short time. Prayers covered her life while she was a Forget-Me-Not child and we will
rest in the fact that she is in the arms of Jesus, forever healed and adored.

If you are reading this blog please pray for all of us that are heading to Liberia
Africa tomorrow. Our hearts are with the children and we want to see them receive the best care possible. We also want the goverment to see that special needs children are precious and should be valued. But first and foremost we want to
serve the King of Kings in this ministry, and hear his voice when he speaks.

We know that for those who belong to Christ, Heaven is their immediate destination after death. To the thief on the cross, Jesus said, "Today you shall be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).

Mardea, we will look for you in paradise.

Going to Liberia

2010-03-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

Please Pray for Karin,Madea,Korpru and Little Mr. Brown.

In about two weeks several womena and I will be leaving for Liberia Africa. There are the many details to take care of, plane tickets, supplies, shots, visa's, but I find the hardest part of getting ready is mentally preparing
to see the precious children we are caring for.

Up till now, I have had a long distance relationship with them. I see their pictures, send support, try to get medical care for them, manage sponsorship, and read reports on their care. But I know that when I see the children , hold them, pray over them, everything will change. It is like having a pen pal, someone you fell in love with by e-mail and letters, but now the day has come to meet and see if we want to spend the rest of our life together.

I know my life is going to change.... forever.

Being involved in a ministry as large as taking in special need orphans makes me feel so small, so dependent on God. I have to totally, on a daily basis release all of this to God.

A child is in the hospital who is still malnourished even after being in care... feeding problems?

We desperately need care for a child with severe hydrocephalus and it is taking forever to get it.

So many more children need our help and care but we need to get more sponsors.

A child needs to be moved into our care but we can't get the paperwork moving.

And all of us involved in this ministry have large families, many obligations and have to touch DAILY the hem of his garment to keep going.

Luke 8:40-49

[40] Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. [41] Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house [42] because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. [43] And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. [44] She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

[45] "Who touched me?" Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."

[46] But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."

[47] Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. [48] Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

Jesus promises that when I am weak he is strong. He promises.

So in HIS strength we will go to Liberia and fight for the lives of "our kids." Against all odds we will try to
convince the people of Liberia that special needs children are precious in the eyes of the Lord. That a disability is NOT a curse and they have so much to give, but need help. That there are people in the United States wanting to adopt these precious ones.... please open up adoptions.

And we will cry, hurt and press forward because JESUS has laid this on our hearts so strongly that we cannot give up.

5 but he said to me, 6 "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.

Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 7 2 Corinthians 12

In you Jesus... yes, only in you.

We can control what we think?

2010-03-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

Kids treating our pot belly like a baby

Conner a warrior for Christ

New chickens and ducks

Richard

Anna gettin her hair done

Yeawee with a new hairdo

Mary getting her hair done

Nothing like trying to stuff all of your blog thoughts into one blog! It is
so easy to procrastinate on blogging but like all things, you pay the price
when you try to cram it all in.

Last week my three little girls had their hair done. It was really difficult
finding a place that would accept our family (multiracial) into their
shop. I am afraid that I live in a "love your neighbor as yourself" mindset
and have a severe blow to my senses when we are not accepted
in the African American world. But I reasoned if I got angry about it, what
difference am I am I making in a hurtful world? How will I help bridge the
the gap and instill the hope that is only through Jesus our Savior?

NONE.

So I just prayed. And a faithful Savior sent me a Godly woman to do the girls
hair. Because irregardless of race, we share a different hope, the loving power
of a living God!

I was just in awe of her ability to braid the girls hair almost without even
thinking or looking. I so wished I had that ability, but there is no way to
make up for years of cultural training. We can do everything in our ability
to make up for what our children loose by being adopted transracially, but we
do not make up for that. But I so want to shout to the cultural world "WHAT
ARE THE OPTIONS." Sure it is best that children be adopted into the same racial
culture, but there just isn't enough adoptive homes, and for whatever reason
even fewer African Amercian homes. So.... children linger in foster homes or
starve to death in foreign countries or become so damaged by orphanages they
cannot function in life.

So I will just love my way through it. Teach my children the realities of life,
but also teach them through Jesus we have to power to overcome the pain of sin.
And believe that Jesus will send me some of his children to help.....

John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Yesterday I went to the video store to try to find something we could watch.
It is becoming so difficult. I decided to rent a DVD by Joyce Meyers, "Battlefield
of the mind." I had seen the book on many occasions but didn't feel it had
anything to offer me. WAS I WRONG! I am going to memorize this DVD, buy the
book, download the audio to my ipod. Some things are just life changing.

Why is it that something so simple can mean so much. Like we can CHOOSE what we
think. We do not have to let Satan torture us with the things we don't do
but can continually rejoice in the things we do that are right. That ALL the
weapons to fight this warfare are contained in one book, the BIBLE, and it
is ours for the memorizing.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (New International Version)
3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

So when those thoughts come today that do not line up with the word of GOD
they gotta go! Every thought will be taken to the obedience of Christ.

Thank you Lord for the reminder!

A Hug from God

2010-03-15T23:29:00.000-07:00

Varney with his mother in Africa.

A couple of months ago I was surfing the web and came
across a neurosurgeon who had perfected a new
treatment for (water on the brain) hydrocephalus.
I immediately wrote him about a little boy we
were trying to help in Liberia Africa. The doctor
in Liberia said he could not be helped, but I just
refused to believe that.
The neurosurgeon in the U.S. responded that he would
love to see Varney, but it might be a better option to see a
a doctor he had trained in Ghana Africa, only two
hours from Liberia.
He agreed to e-mail this doctor and get back to me.

I waited two weeks with no response. I tried to be patient because I knew that African countries usually moved a lot slower than America, but I felt this pressing
need in my spirit to keep pushing forward.

I e-mailed the U. S. doctor again and he said that he was sorry, maybe I needed to see another doctor he had trained in another African country.

It had been a really long week, doctor appointments, tons of paperwork, shopping…..
I tried to think in my mind how to proceed. My tired brain just couldn’t focus… I felt helpless…

So, I cried. Deep sobbing, pleading crys. Crying out to God
for help. How can I help this little boy Lord? Why are
the doors closing? I know that the God who created this whole entire universe can open any doors he chooses, please God open this one.

And I left it at that.

The next morning I checked my e-mail and the U.S. doctor had written back. He e-mailed the doctor in Ghana again and he said he had tried to e-mail me,
there must have been problem. He was willing to see
Varney!
I was so excited! It was like a big HUGE hug from God.

At that moment I knew God had heard my cries for help. He wrapped his arms around me and said “Tanya, I am here, I am blessings this ministry and these children, don’t give up.”

I so needed to hear his voice. To know that my efforts were backed by the power of a mighty living God.

So I move forward, writing the doctor in Ghana again
to see if his hospital will provide free care and we can
make a scheduled time to bring Varney to Ghana.
Now, with new confidence, that Jesus is doing the work and I am just his earthy instrument following his commands.

So if you are reading this blog please PRAY for Varney,
That we can get him medical help soon and all the doors
for his treatment will be opened.

Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world!!!

New children and more birthdays

2010-03-05T20:01:00.000-08:00

Anthony and Omar Birthday
Melvin three
Korpu three
Korpu three
Korpu at her orphanage

These two angels have failure to thrive. It is amazing to me that EVERY child in an orphanage, foster home or abadoned doesn't have FTT. How does a child, especially a young child, find the will to keep
going when they feel unloved, many times go without food, and live in deplorable conditions. Some miracle
just keep some kids pushing on.... hoping that someday they will be cherished. For these two children (and
many others) we will just have to convince them they are loved, by us, their caregivers and most of all by God.

Also praying constantly that adoptions would open back up in Liberia. I would so love to see our Forget me not children find adoptive homes. The program provides so much for these little ones, but it still can't replace the care and opportunities in the US.

Omar and Anthony celebrated birthdays today. I asked them if they wanted to pick out their own presents and they said Yes, so off to Target we went. They were so excited. CeCe one of my older daughters made cupcakes and we all sang happy birthday. It wasn't much but they were happy and content.
Funny just a few years ago (before we had so many kids) we had chuck e cheese, skating and jump house birthdays. I felt really bad when we had to trim birthdays way down because of expenses but the bottom line is that is hasn't changed anything. They are as happy and content with cake, candles, presents and all the family make a huge celebration of another year of their
precious lives.

We all have the ability to be content with so little and yet it is so hard. I believe God is trying to teach me to REALLY trust him for all things. That each morsel that comes into my mouth, for each piece of clothing on my back and for each step I walk into the future.

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:11-13 (New Living Translation)

A typical shopping day

2010-02-14T02:23:00.000-08:00

For several days the weather has been so bad that we couldn't hop in our bus and drive to town.
Simple things like needing milk, is not so simple when you have 18 kids and your husband is out
of town.
With the roads being icy I just didn't want to chance driving our bus to town so we stayed put, but oh how I needed to get out! I spend a few days just feeling claustrophobic in my own home.
I was irritable and grouchy, and just feeling like lousy mother of the year. I could rationalize that

I knew it would pass .... but I still hated being in that place.
So today I loaded up the bus and took off to town. Now Saturday is not the best time to go shopping with 18 kids... but I was feeling little desperate.
First we stopped at the day old breadstore. We got a HUGE bucket of all kinds of bread for forty dollars. We formed a assembly line and loaded it in the bus. Thekids were real excited with all the donuts.

Our next stop was Sams club. We have a system. Everyone has a partner they are responsiblefor, they all stay behind me and the basket, and everyone had to stay to one side of the isle.

It all went perfectly, so we all sat down for a hot dog. I dread ordering food for our group. Never fails whoever is waiting on us gives me that look like "what could you possibly want with 19 hot dogs", but I push forward and try to ignore them. Many times at McDonalds or Taco Bell the say "could you please call first?"

My kids were picture perfect . They all sat down and patiently waited for there food. When they got there drinks they knew they had to go in fours and waited for their table to be called. They were quiet (praise God) and polite. I kept running back and for the to get napkins, relish, and check to see if the hot dogs were ready.

One woman approached me and said "Where are you from?" I knew
from experience what she was asking, and I said we lived in Abilene and these were my adopted children. I know now to cut to the chase and just let them know we are an adoptive family. With so many the same age, multiracial, I think they know already. She said "You have amazingly well behaved children, are you here by yourself?" I told her my husband was out of town.

For a moment I had to think why she was even asking that.
We go everywhere together.

A few minutes later another woman approached me to ask some of the same questions, this time to say "God bless you."

When I got in the Bus I took a moment to thank Jesus for those two messengers from him. To me they were saying you are doing a good job. I so needed to hear that to keep going with joy in my heart. You would think at fifty three, tons of kids raised, I wouldn't need to hear that, but oh how I do.

And my blessed Savior knew that.

Many times people are just critical. They are upset that I would take so many children into a store, even if they are well behaved. I feel like we are special needs sometimes... wanting to cry out "We have a right to be here too." But I don't, because through our family they need to see the blessings of adoption and the
love of Christ, and it starts with me.

So off we went to the Christian book store. It is huge, people are kind, and we have a wonderful time.

Can I be faithful in the small things?

2010-02-12T17:32:00.000-08:00

Dani loving on new baby.

Friend giving the kid instruction on raising goats.
Moyou with new baby.

When we moved to Texas we had really big plans. Immediately we were going to plan a

garden, build a chicken house, build pens for goats, pigs and a cow. That is of course only

the yard plans. We moved to a smaller home than we had in California, so we had already

discussed how we would build on and re-model.

Then reality stuck! Ron was working a lot less than he had in the past. The house we

bought had many things that needed repair (like heating) and we were without dryers.

And the more practical reasons... where is the time to do any of that??? With 18 kids,

homeschooling, meals, chores.....and my involvment with helping Africa...

So I know for me, I had to take a huge step back. All of these huge dreams were just going

to have to be done one baby step at a time. I wanted to move mountains, see really huge

accomplishments but were those MY PLANS OR GODS?

I read a post yesterday about missionary family that picked up and moved there 11 kids to

Liberia to live and work. In a small way it made me think about our move to Texas.

Greg talks about the BIG plans they had to change Liberia... and now they know that

it isn't their plans, but the Lords, one baby step at a time.

I've always been the kind of person who believes all things are possible. Let's assume it's because I'm young, not naïve (it will make me feel better that way!). But whatever the reason, whatever it is, I've always believed I can find a way to get things done. For most of our marriage, life has seemed to come easily for Vanessa and me. We married young and quickly moved beyond most of our friends' and relatives' expectations. We were deeply in love, best of friends with a family people seemed to admire. We had no business experience, but we launched a business and it did well. We were always careful to give back into the Kingdom and God blessed us more than we could have expected. For those on the outside looking in, things seemed to come easily for us.

Then a few years ago we made the decision to adopt. We were sure we could apply the same principles we had applied with our other children and we would all live happily ever after. That's not the way it happened. It has been much harder than we expected and we soon learned that even our best wasn't good enough.

About this same time our business that had been doing so well began to show signs of trouble. The economy was coming unglued. The industry I worked in was in the beginning stages of decline, and the competition was feeling the same pressures. As we went to God for answers I realized that while I talked about trusting God, I had become pretty self dependent. I believed God cared and that he was intimately involved in my life. I believed that I could go to Him with any need I had. But because things had come so easily for us, I hadn't really developed a dependent relationship on God.

Now when I needed Him the most I was finding it hard to get close to Him. It's easy to say we trust in God, but do we really? Often it's more talk than reality. Our trust is structured by the rules and expectations we set in our own lives. Many times these rules don't even necessarily coincide with scripture, but they make us feel safe.

The question is, "Does your commitment match your talk?" Are you committed to a truly biblical relationship with Christ?

It is easy, especially in America, to get caught up in the day to day grind and just go through the motions. Up in the morning, get dressed, grab a quick cup of coffee, run through a few Bible verses (hopefully), leave to work, do the eight hours, come home, spend a few minutes with family (often too few), surf the channels or the web for awhile, head to bed, and start the same routine the next morning. But for too many of us the spiritual gets squeezed out in the routine of the secular. That vital relationship with Christ suffers.

What has happened that glorifies God in our lives? What have we done to reach others with the saving knowledge of Christ? When Vanessa and I started Spirit Liberia, we had a Big vision filled with Big projects.That "Bogdan" tendency to believe there was no project too big had kicked in. We were going to build Churches, hold mega conferences, start mega farms, and in general turn Liberia upside for Christ; if not in a day, surely a week. It was a grand idea that didn't work.

Why? Well first, I think we were too focused on the task. We needed to learn to trust God rather than ourselves, or others, and genuinely follow His calling on our lives; no matter what the cost. And we needed to really know the mission field and the people God had called us to reach. So we took a step back and decided to take the time to know the mission field to which He had called us.

We dug in. We began building relationships with our Liberian missions' team - the people God has called us to train and equip. We wanted to get to know who they were .... How they live.... What makes them function so well in a society devastated physically and emotionally by war ....wrecked by disease and steeped in spiritism and other spiritual difficulties? And we are learning that the answer is faith. It is all about faith. The more we get to know our missions team and other Christians in Liberia, the more we learn how desperately they love the Lord. And the wonderful thing is this love is contagious and it is rubbing off on us! We wanted it and most of all, we needed it.

We have come to understand that rather than focusing on the big tasks that draw more attention, God wanted us to start with the people that He had called us to reach ...His people. These people are not just pictures to be sent to constituents for fund raising, they are not just part of a task ... they are the people Christ died for ... the people He loves and that He has called us to love and live with. There are ways we can help them and there are things we can teach them, but they can also help us and teach us. God has shown us these people are to be our family...our lives...and our ministry. We don't have to figure out the big picture. We have to be faithful in the small things and He will bring about the bigger things. We change a nation by starting with a person.

Charles Spurgeon said it this way, "One good deed is of far more worth than a thousand brilliant theories. Let us not wait for large opportunities for a different kind of work, but just do the things we 'find to do' day by day." We can do this! We can live with the people of Liberia, learn to understand their culture, their needs, their desires ... and then discover ways to bless them one blessing at a time.

I find myself thinking of this family often. Could we, with 18 children move to Liberia if the

Lord called us there? How much faith would that take? I kow how much faith it takes

just to get ready for a trip to Liberia in April. Trying to raise plane fare, collect donations,

make sure we have enough money to help with the unexpected.

I remember trying to go to Liberia in December. Our cars went out, my back went out,

we had a serious lack of funds, and I battled a huge brain fog in whatever I tried to do.

Now that is just warfare for one trip... imagine what this family is facing on a daily basis.

But the Lord promises “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalms 55:22 NKJV)

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NKJV)

These are only two verses that PROMISES GOD is faithful. If he has called us to a task

he will be there, period!

So I rest in you Lord. That our little mini farm will prosper and grow as you provice the

increase.

That I will get to Liberia this April, that all of our sweet Liberian babies so desperately

in need of homes and help, will be surrounded by YOUR love and presence. And we will

accomplish all things that YOU give us the power to do.

And if you call us to do more...

2010-01-25T18:06:00.000-08:00

Everybody getting silly

Worship he lifts me up I get down.....kids going for it.

Kids worshipping at home.

We started back with worship and bible study today. I have slowly, so very slowly,

stopped doing worship and bible study in the mornings since we moved to Texas.

I would use the excuse in my head that I had so many things to do... and I reasoned,

I was still having my own devotions.....

But the spirit of God was gently tapping on my spirit saying "this is the heart of what we

are doing Tanya, teaching the children about me, leading them closer to my spirt."

Then someone I was praying for needing encouragment homeschooling a difficult child

and I said "the academics would come, but teaching our children about Jesus... that had to be

now, every minute."

I was ministring to my own spirit at the time.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16.26

This is the reason we homeschool. Because everything in the world can be learned... in the future,

when they have their spirtual legs, but now it is their souls that need tending to.

Yes we do academics. But Jesus is the main subject!

This is the song we sang today in Worship. I cried throught the whole thing.

STRONG TOWER

When I wonder through the desert And I’m longing for my home All my dreams have gone astray.When I’m stranded in the valley And I’m tired and all aloneIt seems like I’ve lost my way I go running to your mountain.Where your mercy sets me free

You are my strong tower Shelter over me, beautiful and mighty, everlasting kingYou are my strong towerFortress when I’m week

Your name is true and holyAnd your face all I seeYour face is all I see

In the middle of my darknessIn the midst of all my fearYou’re my refuge and my hopeWhen the storm of life is raging And the thunders all I hearYou speak softly to my soul

2010-01-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!

Forgot candles, daddy brings matches..smart guy.

Ben and that mischievous boy look.

Ben and his Bumble Bee car.

Richard. Love it when they want learning toys.

Today we celebrated Ben's (age 5) and Richard (age 10) birthday. So hard to believe that Ben is five...
It seemed like it was just yesterday that I picked him up from a Liberian orphanage. He is still so down to earth with his requests for life, a bumblebee car was all he wanted. His eyes just lit up when he opened the package with a bumblebee car!
Now Richard, he takes getting presents a little more serious. He had already showed me what he wanted when we went shopping last week. He gave me several selections..
Richard even though small in size is big in life! He knows what he wants, leads wherever he goes and is sure to succeed in whatever he does. I would of never guessed that the little African American. shy 18 month old boy, they brought us from foster care would have been so full of life.

Just another testimony to the GOODNESS OF GOD!

Before I started working with Africa I volunteered to work with an organization who had an orphanage in Haiti. I collected donations, did sponsorship coordination and fell in love with the country and it's children.
It branched off into trying to help special needs kids and a boys home that was destitute.
I traveled with answered prayers to Haiti and although I spend a lot of time crying (and sweating) I loved every minute of it. And not surprisingly, fell in love with a little two year old with Hep. C there.

I was so sure God was calling us to adopt her and called my husband to see if he would agree. He immediately said yes and we started the process.

Adopting from Haiti is not a easy or cheap task. The Dossier is very involved and expensive. Phychiatric evalutations, everything has to be translated into French and the list goes on. After spending hundreds of dollars, tons of time, my husband said he felt God was now saying no.
If you have ever had a child already placed in your heart and then had it ripped out you know the pain it causes.

I felt like I had a miscarrage.

The stubborn woman that I am I refused to accept it. I KNEW he had to be wrong, God never would of said that. I prayed, I begged God to help, went to my pastor for support, surely he would see this wasn't from God.

Then one morning in my devotional God spoke to me, will you sacrifice this child to me, your wants, as I asked Abraham to sacrifice issiac on the altar? You know that voice in you that KNOWS God is speaking, but like a rebelous child you don't want to hear?

Genesis 22:1-19In this eighth encounter with the voice of God, Abraham's faith is put to the test. Seemingly, God tells Abraham to do the unthinkable by sacrificing Isaac, the child of divine promise. Amazingly, Abraham wastes no time and departs with Isaac the very next morning.

I didn't even have time to ponder my disobedience when I got a e-mail, from a complete stranger that said "Tanya, I feel the Lord is telling you that there is something in you life you have to lay down as Abraham had to lay Issiac down at the altar."

Then I broke..... it was God speaking and I just refused to listen. How I cried out to God for forgiveness.
I hurt my husband and God by refusing to listen, but putting my own wants before his.

I know now that God was calling me out of Haiti and to Liberia Africa. He had four precious jewels waiting for us there. All the things I had learned in Haiti God would be using to DO HIS ministry in Africa.

Sometimes we never know why God says no. Trusting that he just has a plan to prosper us and not harm us. Oh how I pray I can always hear the voice of God when he speaks. That my needs never outweigh his commands.

NEWS FROM HAITI, THE ORGANIZTIONS I WAS INVOLVED IN.

Dear Friends,

We have amazing news! All 54 US-bound chldren that were in our care at the orphanages have flown out of Haiti and are in the United States. We are so grateful to them many wonderful people who made this possible. Thank you to the wonderful Diana Boni for her incredible efforts that set these children free, both in the last few days and in many years previously. Thank you to Jamie and Ali for their wonderful work on the ground, and for refusing to lift off without every one of our kids. And thank you to every one of you, for praying and supporting and making these efforts possible.
We will be in touch in the coming weeks to let you know where we will head from here, there are many newly orphaned children and much work to be done.

Thank you friends,
Answered Prayers

Child Hope international.... great organization.

http://www.childhope.org/about/earthquake.html

CHILDREN THAT NEED SPONSORS AND ADOPTIVE HOMES!

2010-01-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

This is Abigail. She has failure to thrive

and some feeding issues.

We continue to be desperately in need of sponsors for our special need children in Liberia Africa. Posted is just one of the children we need help for.
I know that when we started this project in Liberia we had a whole different set of plans. We were going to open up a orphanage for special needs children. Caregivers would come in during the day and another set at night. It just seemed that no matter how we tried to get the doors open they would always close. I knew that God had formed this alliance of women who's hearts were with the homeless and hurting children in Liberia, why couldn't we get the doors open?

God was saying No I have another plan... a so much better plan. I want to place my children in foster homes with mothers who have no jobs, food or a way to care for themselves. I want to teach the people of Liberia to love handicapped children and that their disabilieies is not a curse, I love them as I love you. I want these children to be held and loved by the same person every day.... not to have to look at different faces.
Yes, it was Gods true desire to have Liberians fostering Liberian special needs children so they could see the life changing miracles that can happen when love is present. And oh if they could just see the Love of Jesus in these small precious eyes everyday.

Now can we see how much Jesus loves these precious ones? Are they worth saving to the American world?
For one hundred dollars a month one child can be saved. Can we give up starbucks, a lunch or two, a new outfit? So little for Americans. Oh Jesus let us see your heart for these little ones.

Luke 21:1-4 1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all: 4 for all these did of their superfluity cast in unto the gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had.
The Jews were instructed to give to the Temple and to the poor as part of their service to God. (So are we). One day Jesus sat at the Temple and watched people putting money into the offering boxes. Some people were rich and gave lots of money. Some gave money, but were unhappy about it. Then an poor woman, a widow, came up to the boxes.The poor woman put two of the smallest coins there were in the offering box. The disciples with Jesus weren't very impressed, but Jesus said this woman has given more than any other today. How could that be? Jesus said it was because it was all she had. How did the woman think she would buy dinner that night? She trusted in God to provide for her. She obeyed God's command, knowing that He would fulfill His promise to care for her in return. We must trust God the same way. Matt 6:33 says: "Seek first the kingdom of God and Hid righteousness and all these things (food, clothes, etc) will be added unto you."

2010-01-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

Yeawee

Sherman

I am feeling so incredibly loved by Jesus.
Last night my 10 yr. old son with Asthma started coughing. The weather is really cold, he has had a cold and I just knew his Asthma was acting up. I pulled out the inhaler and gave him a puff before he went to bed hoping that was the end of it. Well a couple of hours later he woke up coughing....ugh! He has a very mild Asthma so we don't have a nebulizer or any other medication right now, if he gets worse so it would mean a ER visit. I just called out to God to heal him and let him sleep the rest of the night.

RIGHT AWAY he stopped coughing and started sleeping peacefully.

I LOVE THOSE IMMEADIATE ANSWERS TO PRAYER!!!

Of course I love the ones that take a while too. I thought how many times I pray knowing God can heal, move, direct, but do I REALLY believe it? I have had LOTS of answers to prayer, direction given to me by
God, and yet I still hold a bit of unbelief in my heart.

I read a book recently Always Enough: God's Miraculous Provision among the Poorest Children on Earth
by Heidi Baker. This one amazing woman! One of the things that amazed me the most was that when she led people (Africans) to the Lord she let them believe that Jesus could do anything... and guess what?
He did!
They would pray over people that were dead for hours and many were raised from dead. I am sure they thought Jesus did it why couldn't they? He raised Lazarus didn't he?

My second answer to prayer came in the form of a new therapist my son is seeing. When we made the decision that he needed to talk to someone, we felt such discouragement in our hearts. In California we had such a hard time finding someone experienced and full of the Love of Christ ... and might I add one we could afford. I asked our pastor for a recommendation and a local foster parent organization and the both pointed us in one direction. One of them mentioning a therapist by name. When I called to make the appointment the Secretary was so full of joy and happy to tell me they all served the Lord! Wow!!!
I didn't ask for anyone by name but they gave me the name of the therapist they recommended.
One visit and I was so impressed with his knowledge and his love for God.
Thank you Lord for giving me these answerers to prayer ,which in my heart, I see as your never ending, faithful, fatherly nuggets of love.

Matthew 17:19-21
19Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Liberia Trip in April all welcome!!

2010-01-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

Come see us in Liberia!
Liberia-Africa

Global Orphan Outreach is planning a spring mission trip. Travel date is tentatively the week of April 7th, 2010.

This trip is for those who are interested in becoming more involved in some capacity with one of our special projects and want to see and experience first hand for themselves- Liberia and the needs of its people.

We will be visiting Forget-Me-Not Children’s Homes and its special children, fixing up and decorating some of the foster homes, visiting a University as well as building handicap ramps on campus, hold some work shops, touring Monrovia and the Bong Cty area, taking foster families out for a “day at the beach” including enjoying a Liberian style meal of chicken and rice with them. We hope to tour some hospitals, a feeding center, check out the caustic prevention/education project progress as well as taking time to drive through the 1 million acres of Firestone. There also will be plenty of free time for personal time; spending it however you wish.

Price for airfare, transportation as a group, 6 nights accommodations (air conditioned), food, and $100 donation towards the FMN program while in Liberia will be $2600. (Funds for snacks or
If you are interested in traveling with us or want more information about this exciting trip; please contact Christina Hoffman #651-353-5248 or Donna Barber #715-415-4401

2010-01-03T18:46:00.000-08:00

Conner giving the pig water

Aurallia, Richard, Julie and Destiny making lunch.

I have been in bed sick with the flu. My 5 yr. old daughter Mary came to lay in bed with me and was putting lotion on my arms. She said "Mommy, do you like being white?" I looked at her beautiful African skin and said "I love having skin that Jesus made just for me" We have lots of chats about "color" in our home being we are a very multiracial family.
Jesus created all of us very special, with no mistakes, which includes the color of our skin, but society has set up their own system and black or brown have a different set of rules.

I am sure that other mothers would argue the point but I believe I have become a little Hispanic, African and Asian since we have adopted all of our children. Like when someone accused my 16 yr. old AA son of stealing something off a public library computer (he wouldn't even know how) just because he was the only black (we say brown in our home) kid in the place. I know that because when she said where is you mother, and he pointed to me, her mouth fell open and she had a real shocked look on her face. I didn't even have to defend him at that moment, she walked away. But I was SO mad and hurt. How dare she! And yet it was just another glimpse into SIN in our fallen world.
But I so don't want my children to suffer....

My 5 yr. daughter also decided that she was going to pray for me. It went something like this "Jesus please heal my mother and all the African kids, and can you give us some more money because we need to buy more food and some toilet paper" Can you tell I haven't been to the store in a few days?

I do love when my kids do things that Glorify God, even if it is in their own home. These are pictures of my children who offered to make lunch when I was sick. It just warms my heart when they choose to serve and they don't have to be paid or persuaded.

Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of the heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." Matthew 11:25

2010-01-01T13:54:00.000-08:00

Varney and his Mother.

Have you ever spend time just complaining? I had one of those nights. I don't know if it is hormones or just a spirit on discontentment. Lord I said " I hate living in such a little house and not having dryers." I hate that it is so dirty here and cold out in the country." "I miss my really big housein California" I was sobbing and well... you get the picture.

After I was done, my kind, loving, patient God just gently said "I wonder what Varney's mom is feeling right now? "

It was like a knife of reality pierced my soul. You see Varney has SEVERE hydrocephalus. He is 12 months old and is secluded from his community because of his deformity. His mother and him live in a one-room shack with a dirt floor. and with no money to care for themselves. Varney has bedsores on his head from lying all the time, as his head is too heavy to lift. His mother goes several days without eating . He laughs and interact with his mother but she cannot find him any medical help in Africa.

So how does she feel watching her child die, slowly, knowing she has no options? How does it feel to be hungry every day of your life? How does it feel to live in a shack with dirt floors....and have no one to talk to because you are a discrace for trying to save your special needs son?

Oh God, forgive me! How can I be so selfish when I have everything. I will never see my children die of a curable disease. I will never see them slowly die of starvation or drink contaminated water that gives them parisites.It is so easy to live in America and forget that so many are suffering. Thank You Lord for bringing me back to reality.

I cried and prayed even harder then... not for myself, but for Varney and his mom.....

Christmas 2009

2009-12-28T12:03:00.001-08:00

Aurallia new horse trailor

Julie with her cat Romeo and his dress up.

Destiny, Anthony (with skate ramp) Conner and Aurallia.

IT SNOWED!! Hey we are from California so it was a big deal!

Ben with v-smile, Tezz, Sherman, Mary, Joe, Omar, Anthony and Voni.

Christmas this year was a lot quieter than we are used to. Most of our family is in California. We had my daughter Monique, her husband Darin and my three grandchildren over. Food was shared, presents
opened, the Christmas story read from the bible. But it is never over for us that love the Lord.

Every day is a celebration of HIS birth, HIS resurrection and HIS presence in our life.

I have been reading a book You were Born for This by Bruce Wilkinson. It has me deep in thought.
The book says that most people believe that God still works miracles, but He only works through select group of people. The truth is, that we were all created to help people in need. We were ALL created to cooperate with God to accomplish His work by His power. He goes on to say that we have to be open in EVERY circumstance to what God would have us do.
In every circumstance we are supposed to be ready to minister to those in need.

In I Peter 3:15 we are commanded, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

I am a type A personality and this is so..... hard for me. I have a list, I need to get all this done in a certain amount of time and no time to chat. Is it easier to see miracles happen when you are a sanguine personality? For heavens sake I have 18 kids and very little time....

Or is it that every moment of our life has to be surrendered to God? That a hurting person he wants us to minister to is more important than getting my to do list done? Do I have to take time to look around me and discern peoples pain?

I find myself leaving many situations now AWARE that I missed an opportunity to love someone, to follow God's command, because I was just to driven to get something done. Can I just simply say to someone who I can sense is hurting "Can I pray for you?"

Lord I want to be surrendered to your will.... so I will keep trying to see things through your eyes and not my own.

2009-12-22T21:11:00.000-08:00

Ben really loving decorating cookies

Dani guarding the stairs so no one sees the presents.

Silly Aurallia, Morgan and Moyou

Yeawee with her finished creations.

Yeawee, Madison making cookies.

Daddy giving Aurallia and Julie instruction.

Mary so..... proud.

The Grandchildren are here for a couple of weeks, school is out. My daughter Monique has to work but she brought sugar cookies to decorate for all 20 kids. Actually my job was to wrap the presents upstairs and my amazing husband took on the cookie decorating. I just know so few men who would offer to do cookie decorating with twenty kids......

Since we moved to a smaller home we don't have room for a Christmas tree and guess what? We don't even miss it. This year we watched a movie about a group of young men brought over from Africa. They were strong Christian men who had lived a really difficult life in a refugee camp. When they explained how we celebrate Christmas they wanted to know what a Christmas tree has to do with the birth of Christ. That really made me think about how we celebrate the birth of our Savior. What does a tree have to do with Jesus being born? Are our hearts centered on Christ and his birth or on who gets the best presents? Should we only be giving to the poor and needy? So this year we cut down the presents, the kids drew names to give to each other, and we lived without a tree. And next year.....
While I was writing this and uploading pictures my daughter Dani said "Mom why don't we give up one of our presents next year and give it to a homeless person." Yeah, she gets it....

2009-12-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

SURPRISE WHEN HE FIRST CAME IN THE PROGRAM.

SURPRISE A FEW MONTHS LATER in a

Forget me not Foster home.

This is the difference our program in Liberia is making in the life of special needs children.

This little boy looked dead in his orginal picture. He was laying in a hospital without love, attention, therapy and nutrition. Now in a loving foster home, with the same caregiver he is laughing!! I am Praising a loving God!!

2009-12-20T21:52:00.000-08:00

Omar being totally goofy

Sherman and Anna with babies

Anthony with Rescued Puppy

Destiny with rescued puppy

Today we took our foster puppies (well at least supposed to be) to the Rescue center once again for their final shots. And once again they asked us if we would like to leave the puppy's NOW to be adopted.
Once again I said that I just couldn't stand to leave them in a kennel alone while they waited to be adopted.
I was willing to come down and sit with them every time the doors were open to see if someone
would adopt them, but to leave them....
I searched my feelings over and over on the way home. Crying out to God for some type of answer on why I couldn't leave puppies.... they are not humans for goodness sake. We even (some of my children and I) went to the animal control so I could convince myself they were going to a much better place at the Rescue... but all it did was cause me to cry. Tons of puppies crying, shaking, alone.....
And why should of any of this surprise me? In Liberia and all over the world they discard there babies like trash. If you have a disability you are not fit to live. Children are abandoned in hospitals, feeding centers, and on the streets or the bush to die.
In Haiti they use there discarded children for there own slaves. Yes you heard right SLAVES. It still exists today. Our DOGS in this country are treated better!
Oh and our country... we get patted on the back because we have foster/welfare systems. But have you ever looked into the eyes of a hopeless foster child? Destined for home after home until they are thrown out into a cold and heartless world with no compassion or trade?
The Lord in his goodness reminded me that my compassion for animals is what led me to be a nurse, it is what opened my heart to adopting numerous children and now what drives me to work in Liberia Africa to help the lonely, abused and abandoned special needs children.
COMPASSION is the heart of Jesus. It drove him to heal the sick, comfort the hopeless and then die to save all of us from eternal Hell.
So I take my children to hold abandoned and hurting animals so that maybe a spark of great compassion will ignite in their souls. And I pray that every one of them will go to Liberia or a homeless center or anywhere in the world to carry on the Great Commission of Christ.....

MY HEART IS BREAKING

2009-12-07T21:36:00.000-08:00

Today the director of Forget Me Not children's homes went to the bush of Liberia Africa
to find this little boy to put him in our program. The father felt he was a worthless
burden and didn't want to keep him. He had Cerebral Palsy. When she found the
father he said he had "killed him."
My heart is breaking at the loss of such a beautiful child. He deserved love, a home
and everything a "NORMAL" child has. It is the reason for our ministry, why our
Lord has laid these children on our hearts.
I pray he lays these children on your hearts. Please pray we find funding to take in more
children before they are abandoned to die.

Pray that the Liberian people come to
know JESUS so they will see the blessings in these wonderful children.

Pray that God
gives us wisdom to do his will.

As some of you know; many of us have been helping in different ways in Liberia since the adoption of our children. One of those ways is with a program called Forget-Me-Not Children’s Homes. These are foster homes for special needs children. In deed-Christina is in Liberia this week working with the program nurse as well as meeting all the children and caregivers in these homes. To read more about this: www.globalorphanoutreach.blogspot.com

At this time of year, our thoughts and hearts turn to those who are less fortunate and how we might be able to help. We encourage you to consider giving to this program so that we can continue to help and support children who have been left abandoned because of their unique special needs. It is as easy as going to www.globalorphanoutreach.org and clicking on the pay pal button. You are welcome to send a donation to our address listed on this site as well. We are a 501c3 and give receipts upon request. And as always, you can reach us by phone at #715-415-4401

We also have an African Inspired Quilt Raffle that you can participate in. All proceeds are going towards the homes for special needs children in Liberia. What a great gift for a loved one in your circle of family or friends. The warmth of this quilt will be appreciated by your loved one and the donation of this raffle will go to precious children in need of your help. Thank-you!

2009-11-30T11:36:00.000-08:00

When we were told that we could buy our tickets to fly to Liberia and get our children

we were ecstatic and a little scared. I believe you fantasize about sweeping off to another

country to pick up your newly adopted children.. then the reality hits. I will be flying

thirty hours to a strange country that is dangerous, disease ridden and completely foreign

in language and traditions. I also would be taking this trip with my sixteen year old daughter

who had never left the country

Even though all our paperwork was in order, I knew from other international trips that

anything could happen. Would they approve us at the embassy? Would there actually

be someone at the airport to meet us? Would someone be there to walk us through the paperwork?

How would our newly adopted children react to us? How would four new children ages 8 months,

2,3 and 7 fit into our family of 15?

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Tim 1:7

I knew from other adoptions and just life that the fear I was experiencing wasn't coming from

God. He alone had opened all these doors and he would see us through...

So we took off on our adventure..... supplied with Malaria medication, medication for dysentery,

every shot you could imagine for diseases, medical kits, emergency medical insurance, tons of

donations .

I have to say that the trip going to Liberia was relaxing. We slept, read, and just enjoyed being together. We had no idea how much we need that rest to get through the next week.

After being picked up at the Liberia airport we headed off to our accommodations. We were staying with Missionaries. It was a compound with brick walls topped with bobbed wire and manned with an armed guard, standard practice for Americans in Liberia.

Our room was a standard room that you might imagine in a motel, beds,crib. The thing that

set it apart was the extreme heat and humidity and no air conditioning. I have never been

so extremely grateful for one small fan in my life! The heat was only increased by the mosquito

nets we were supposed to keep over our beds at night. I just continued to pray that no one

would get sick on this trip.... and left my net off.

The next day we went to the orphanage to pick up our kids. It was raining so hard we were drenched after walking from the car to the orphanage door. Immediately I was handed a precious

baby girl when I walked in the door. I had prayed that she would immediately bond to me and again that prayer was answered, because from the minute she entered my arms she refused to leave, even to go to her known caregivers. We walked a few feet more and there stood our other

three children. My first reaction was pure shock! The little boy that was supposed to be three was just a baby, my guess being not more than one year old. My first thought was that I had three babies!! Deep breath..... and then.... I could see they were the most beautiful children in the world and they were mine. I immediately put my arms around them... holding them close and Praising a wonderful SAVIOR that would give me such a precious gift. After a tour of the orphanage and a wonderful time singing and dancing by the children we headed off to our temporary home.

The children were all so sad looking. There is a look to children who have little hope, I have seen

it many times. A blank look in their eyes..... my children not only carried a look of no hope but were still traumatized by lack of nutrition. My one and two year old still had huge bellies and skinny limbs, constant diarrhea, parasites, orange hair and a hunger for food that could not be satisfied. I KNEW that all of this was temporary. I had seen the hunger both emotionally and physically before, and I witnessed that transformation back to life, by my loving God. They were now on there way to healing in every sense of the word.

It was a long week of adjustment but I know now it was so necessary for us. It was time to bond, get to know one another and spend time learning about the Liberian culture. We visited beautiful

beaches, stores, a hospital, and other missionary's homes. One moment be basked in such immense beauty, the beach and the lush jungle, then we were driving by bombed out buildings, dirt roads, and primitive living condtions, constantly kept my emotions in turmoil.

Exhausted and wondering how I was going to handle three babies on the plane even with my older daughter, we boarded the plane for home. My daughter immediately took two of the children, even fighting her own exhaustion, and settled into her seat. (I am convinced I NEVER COULD OF DONE THIS WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER PAIGE!

I will be forever grateful for her.) The older children fell quickly asleep (thank God) but the baby

would not be comforted. A motherly stewardess found a car bed and attatched to the wall in front of me (I didn't know planes had these) and she went quickly to sleep.

So many people stepped up to help, carry a car seat, talk and calm a child, hold my bags, even fill out paperwork in Africa. Were these all Americans? No! I had as much help from the African people as I did from my own country. Jesus shows his face in all nations and in every heart.

Some experiences just change your life, leaving an imprint on your heart forever. God didn't just have us adopt four children, but had us adopt a country.... a missionary field in our hearts.

My daughter Paige longs to return and I believe she will in God timing. And my heart... well

it is already there in ministry and in spirit.....

How God called our hearts to Liberia Africa

2009-11-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

One of the things I like most about being a child of the king is that it is
full of adventure! If my heart remains open to his calling... I can go to
other countries, like Liberia Africa.
Several years ago someone posted about a little boy that needed transportation
money from Liberia Africa to the U. S. He had swallowed caustic acid (used for
cleaning) and it had destroyed his esophagus and part of his stomach.
http://www.globalorphanoutreach.com/CausticEducation.html

He was already desperately poor and now needed medical treatment and liquid food.
It was just one of those moments when I felt the calling of the Lord. I asked
my husband if we could give them the money for the trip and he immediately
agreed.

We kept in contact with the family who hosted this little boy and continually prayed
for his healing. I believe that is what gave us the strong desire to adopt a baby from
Liberia. I was still desperately wanting to mother an infant (even with 15 kids at home)
and again approached my husband with adopting another child. He was open to one child.
Little did I know that God had other plans.

When I started looking at children from Liberia I fell in love with a sibling group of two little
girls, an infant and a toddler. My husband agreed to two little ones but before we could get
in our paperwork the baby died of Malaria. My heart broke... but I knew that the Lord
now wanted us to take two.

Our next referral came in for two little girls ages 4 months and 2. I was ecstatic.. their pictures
were adorable and my heart started falling in love. Little did I know that the baby was
very ill. She never was held in her mothers arms or nursed, the mother died in childbirth.
For the poor, if they cannot breastfeed, there is no option but starvation for their children.
My baby already severely malnourished now had malaria and dysentery. Her foster parents
told me later that everyone thought she would die.... but they prayed over her fervently
and the Lord restored her.

We had accepted that we would be traveling in a few months to pick up our girls, buying
baby things, putting together all the paperwork required for international adoption when
we got a phone call from the agency.

They told us that there was a sister, seven years old that they were willing to separate from the girls....
My heart hurt at the thought of picking up the girls with their sister watching. How could we just ignore that there was a sibling. I began fervently praying that my husband would say yes to another child.
Well..... they called again to say that OOPS there was a brother also. He was three years old
and somehow they had missed him in processing the paperwork. I just cried! I cried because
I just couldn't believe that my husband and our homestudy worker would accept us adopting
four kids. Yea of little faith....
To my amazement they both said yes! We were going to adopt a sibling set of four ages 4 months, 2,3 and 7. And by the total grace of God we had the money to do it.

How do you explain being so totally in love with children you have never seen? I can only
explain it one way.

Ephesians 1:4,6
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"

"Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will."

It is the love and faith that God had placed in my heart. Adoption is not foreign to me. I
am adopted by my heavenly father... loved even before I was conceived. So for me, to love
the unseen, unloved, unwanted comes natural. For without my adoption being finalized in
heaven, I could of never given that kind of love away.

Tomorrow the trip to Liberia.

2009-11-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

Joe in blue shirt saved the dog! He is my survivor man.

Destiny and Rusty

Posing for the camera

Lots of fun playing with sticks.

Conner and Ben Best friends

The beautiful path.....

Some wild posing

After we took a long trip to town to get puppy shots and go out to lunch we decided

to go on a hike. We all put on our boots (a requirement with snakes, mud and stickers) and headed off to our river. It sounds really cool to say "our river." Anyway, we leashed up all the

dogs, counted heads and started down the path.

We had driven many times down the path since we had been here but I had never walked it.

It was so incediably beautiful! I had the feeling like I was walking over the Bridge to Terabithia

It was like a trellis of leaves and branches had been covered over the whole path leading us into

an enchanted world. Please understand that I do not have a vivid imagination, but I felt we we transformed into another world of priceless peace.

We examined all the plants, took pictures of the spiders, dug up a old table someone had

buried and wondered what we could do with all of the hay bales someone had left on the property.

It was such a blessing to get away from the daily routine and endless housework, cooking and other tasks that take up the day. I could relax and see my children's reaction to all the beautiful

things we were observing.

Then we go to the bridge over the river.

We just couldn't resist going down to to the water and explore. Mud wasps had made tons of beds all over the bridge wall. In the midst of all this

enjoyment our dogs decided to go for a swim. The only problem was our rottweiler (13 yrs old)

could only swim HALF of the way. We called and called for her to come out of the water but she

just couldn't move. My 12 yr. old son and I had to wade in the mud, weeds and water to pull out a 110lb dog, but with LOTS of effort we did it.

I was sweating, filthy and exhausted, but a

happy exhausted... so thankful for all I have.

Thank you Lord for your never ending beauty...

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
—John 14:27

FORGET ME NOT CHILDRENS HOMES NEWEST ADDITONS

2009-11-10T19:00:00.000-08:00

Madia age 14 months
Kenneth age 18 months

We have received two more children into the forget me not children's homes. Both children were abandoned at a feeding center in Liberia Africa. Both children are severely malnourished
and are desperately need of care. In our program they will be assigned a caregiver-foster parent, get medical care, nourishment, nurse visits and therapy if deemed necessary.
Of course we will be covering them with prayer and the hopes that we will see marked
improvement in their conditions. Adoption is also a possibility if approved by the goverment
and an adoptive home can be found after adoptions resume in Liberia.

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.
Mother Teresa

THE BLESSINGS OF MEALS

2009-11-06T09:19:00.000-08:00

I took pictues of a typical breakfast meal at the Pruitt household. We eat a lot of granola, oatmeal, pancakes and eggs. Everyone is assigned a day to set the table, pass out food and pray over the meal. Then there is another team of two, who clean
the table.

Meals are typically prepared by husband (he loves to cook) or I.
Many times our children ask to prepare meals themselves or bake, and we are happy
to let them.... of course it has to be age appropriate.

We constantly get asked "how do you feed that many kids" "how do you take care
of that many kids" and my response is always the same. It would be impossible without Christ
and like most large families, we have a system that works.

Serving others should be a joy. I was recently asked by a homestudy social worker if
we were causing our children to be parentified. That word has become a dirty
word in adoption circles. I told him "I am parentified and it made me the
person I am today." Of course I came from a difficult backround that my children
don't have to endure. I am not laying on the couch drinking or doing drugs while
they set the table. We are teaching theM God's way of loving and serving others...
and the art of large families has been lost in today's generation. To God
CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS A BLESSING!

Many homeschooling families consider good manners important, but we want to go beyond "minding our manners" and understand what it really means to demonstrate Christlike love and a servant's heart toward all, regardless of position, income, race, background or outward appearance.

In Ephesians, servants are urged to serve others "in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free." --Ephesians 6:5-8

2009-11-04T07:17:00.000-08:00

I recently read a book about a missionary who worked in awful conditions for
all of her adult life. When asked how she endured it she wrote how to be
content.

1. Never allow yourself to complain about anything not even the weather.

2. Never picture yourself in any other circumstance or someplace else.

3. Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.

4. Never dwell on tomorrow-remember that tomorrow is God's, not ours.

I am not saying this because I am in need , for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. I can do everything through him who gives me strengh.
Phil. 4

I posted this above my computer and try to read it daily. It is so easy to
to become discontent with life, but I know Paul said to be content in ANY circumstance, and he wrote that from Prison.

We moved from a huge home in California, with are the conveniences you could imagine,
a church we adored and the list goes on... to a small home in Texas that needs lots of work and I have such peace it amazes me. Contentment is just being where Jesus
calls you to be. Trusting that he has a purpose and a plan for every step we take
in obedience, even if we can't see ahead of us.

"...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..."

Jeremiah 29:11

And my children....well they seem pretty happy with tire swings, a trampoline, trees, sticks and 20 acres to run. God is good!!

Loving Animals

2009-11-02T17:53:00.001-08:00

We fostered these adorable puppies when we went to get our 16yr. old a puppy at the
pound. These puppies were doomed to die in two days if someone didn't adopt them... but the fee's were too high for us to take them home. I called a Rescue and they were happy to let us foster them. It formed a great relationship with the puppies, the rescue SPCA and our family. We just couldn't stand the thought of leaving them
at the Rescue to be adopted so we stayed with them while people came in to adopt.
We wanted to help while we were there so we walked dogs. Five of my children and I took turns taking the dogs out of there kennels and letting them outside to run and play. It was exhausting, but terribly rewarding, and everyone was very kind.
Our pups didn't get adopted (can't say that I wasn't glad) but we had a wonderful
time volunteering. Animals teach children a valuable lesson in loving. I have to say
I feel some quilt, like it should be a human I am helping, but I know God loves animals because he says he does in Mathew 10 29-31
. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

So for now we will just love the little creatures and enjoy the blessings the Lord has provided.

Oh yeah, our newest member of the family is a little boy, 12 week old pot belly pig.
A birthday present from my grown daughter. Every tried to catch a pot belly pig on
20 acres? It was just plain hilarious watching all 20 of our family running around trying to catch this pig.

Hallelujah celebration

2009-10-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time at my grown daughters church celebration.
Like most churches they replaced Halloween with a Godly celebration.
It was also held on another night besides Halloween.
The kids filled up with lots of candy, free hot dogs, played
lots of games and ended the night with a free bible, their
most treasured possession. Even though they all have their
own bibles at home, they couldn't wait to come home and put
their names and dates in the little ones they got at the
celebration.
Once again I was so terribly proud of my kids and their actions.
They all took a partner and watched them closely, remembered to
say thank you and even shared some of their bounty with siblings.
The only thing dampened the night was when my car started
rolling backward when the kids got out of the car. The car was
in gear, the emergency brake on...... but suddenly I heard
my son-in-law and husband yelling "Tanya the car is rolling."
That feeling of what if tore at my heart, and I just had to
cry out of fear and then out of thankfulness to my loving
and gracious GOD for protecting my children and grandchildren.

Ever thought God wasn't listening?

2009-10-29T03:43:00.000-07:00

I recently went through a time when I just wasn't sure God was listening. I
cried out for so many things that I was anxious to hear about, finding a
church, finding sponsors for our special need kids in Liberia Africa through
Global Orphan Outreach, healing for my grandaughter with asthma, just to name
a few. I just couldn't hear God's directions. What makes it really hard
is remembering the times he was so close... hearing every word he said
and even hearing him audibly at times. So I prayed again for him to give
me understanding in his word.

He took me to James 1
If you lack WISDOM, ask God, who gives GENEROUSLY to all without finding fault. But when you ask, you must BELIEVE and not doubt, otherwise you are like the waves of the sea tossed and blown by the wind.

I just left of the believe part! I have to KNOW he is going to answer, even
if it isn't what I want to hear, even if it is done in silence.

All of the Liberian children found sponsor but one precious one, my grandaughter
is out of the hospital and God is in the process of finding us a church.

It is good to hear you again Lord.

This is a picture of my three sons catching bugs. Actually it is part of
homeschooling. You just have to love homeschooling! Charlotte Mason really
loved nature and encouraged kids to get out of the house and look around.
We are blessed to now live on 20 acres in Texas and there is LOTS of nauture.
We find the bugs (or anything else living) draw it, look it up on the internet,
oh and ahhh over it and let it go. It's great.