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 ).

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

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

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

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

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

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.