Blessings...

It's Christmas Eve. The kids are all snug in their beds. The house is quiet as I'm the only one who remains awake. As I sit behind the computer I'm thinking of the evening I've spent with my grandmother, my mom & dad, my brother & his family and my sister & her family. This year seemed a little different...there was one person missing, Melyn. (Melyn is the 3 year old who my brother and his wife are adopting from China.) We all thought she be with us by now. However, she sits on the other side of the world, completely unaware of a family of 17+, is thinking of her on this evening.

While she sits in her orphanage in China, I think of all the other children around the world without a family...children living every day without the safety and security of a family.

I think about my children, 2 of which spent a Christmas in a cold orphanage...I think of them now...the laughter, wonder and excitement we've shared on this day. I'm so thankful for the way God put our family together. Their lives have opened my eyes up to a much larger world.

Tonight while celebrating Christmas with all of my family, the focus continued to be on others. It's a blessing for me to see how the focus has shifted. We propped up and 8 x 10 photo of Melyn in the den while we were opening gifts as we so wanted her there...plus she had gifts there too! So, while we were missing her physical presence, she was certainly present in our hearts.

I experienced a very cool thing this year that demonstrated just how much focus was on "others". Rather than my parents giving my siblings and I gifts, they gave a monetary gift in honor of us to The North Carolina Baptist Children's Home. How GREAT was that! Two sibling groups were sponsored for Christmas.

That spoke to the very core of my heart. It also showed me the growth that's taking place in my family. The heart of my family has really begun to focus outwardly, specifically on children. It's been my hearts desire that others would feel the burden and responsibility I feel for the "fatherless"...it's happening one person at a time. I feel so blessed to see the hand of God at work.

Don't misunderstand as my family has always had a heart for other people and the "less fortunate". However, often there seems to be a portion of the worlds population I feel is often over looked.

This evening I've also been reflecting on how God poured out a tremendous blessing for me this last week. The tickets for my upcoming trip to Uganda were increasing a great deal and I was beginning to stress about the financial impact this was going to have on my family. One morning I went running. Running seems to be the time when I can clear my mind and spill my heart to the Lord. Well, I "spilled it" by crying out to the Lord, asking for someone who He had financially blessed, to recognize God's call for me to go to Africa and simply step forward to pay for my airfare.

Can I say that within 9 hours, the cost of the tickets increased AGAIN! By evening, I was rather discouraged. However, 90 minutes after noticing the price increase I received a telephone call from an individual. This individual said they knew God wanted me to go to Africa and that it would be their honor to pay for my airfare! Can I say I "fell on my face"! I was completely humbled by the way God had moved and affirmed this trip.

These children (the fatherless), are the heartbeat of God...no matter if it's Melyn on the other side of the world in an orphanage in China, 2 groups of siblings in the NC Baptist Children's Home or the orphans in Uganda...He loves them all.

God, as we celebrate the birth of your son Jesus, may we pause in thanksgiving for the hope this child has brought to the world...

"...and His name shall be called Emmanuel; God with us..."

Merry CHRISTmas! <><

AFRICA...

God is on the move and I'm amazed AGAIN... I'm not really sure why His moving continues to amaze me but I guess it has to do with my limited ability to comprehend the mighty God we serve. I shared with a few people back in May when I returned from a Global Orphan conference, that I felt God was calling me to Africa. I didn't know exactly where, when or how but I knew He had something for me there.

After attending the Global Orphan Care conference I was asked by Lisa Holbrook (Co-founder) to serve on the board of Caroline's Promise (CP). CP is a local nonprofit ministry founded by David and Lisa Holbrook. CP gives $3,000 grants to Christian families in NC who are adopting but CP is also involved in global orphan care. To date, CP's focus has been in South America. CP has been wanting to "grow it's territories" to include Africa.

At a time when the economy is in recession, and the people of this nation are trying to "adjust" their lifestyles, this ministry is being asked to step out on faith! Caroline's Promise is interested in taking a "vision trip" to Uganda AND I'M GOING!!!! A "vision trip" means we will visit orphan ministries that are already established in that local area, return home, and discern where we feel Caroline's Promise could get involved.

My mind cannot fully grasp the concept of traveling to Africa but my heart is sooo ready. I know all that I will see, hear and experience, will forever change me. I have a feeling Africa will bless me more than I could ever bless Africa.

Please pray for me as I prepare physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially for all that God would have me experience on this trip. I will travel in May.

Please view the new video (in the left column), "I Need Africa". May you be blessed as you watch it!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Blessings!

Who's Pleasing Who?

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

It's been an interesting week at the Ledford's. Although I've worked with teenagers half my life, I've decided there's nothing like trying to raise your own teenager...it's waaay more tough than anyone ever let's on to! :-) ...and being the "first time mom" of a "first time teenager" is even more challenging. Don't get me wrong, Chelsea's a great kid (teenager) BUT even the best of teenagers can be challenging at times.

I think for me the hardest part is that teenagers say they want one thing...but what they REALLY want is completely another.

Through some challenging times this week, Chelsea shared with me she struggles with being a "people pleaser" towards her friends. I had to laugh at myself...Don't we all!!???!?!?!?

You know what I'm talking about...that same peer pressure exist in adulthood...ladies, we all want to make sure we're wearing the latest fashion, checking that make-up just before meeting our girl friends, taking that second look in the mirror before walking out of the house.

...guys, you want to make sure our oversized, over priced homes are in the "right" neighborhoods, and that the sheen on that newest modeled vehicle remains...and you too take that last look in the mirror and flex those triceps one last time! That's right! We see ya! :-0

My words for Chelsea were short and simple...our purpose on this earth is NOT to please man...Christ couldn't please everyone He encountered...why should we think we could? God's purposes for our lives are much higher and greater than that. Our purpose is for the eternal not the temporal. We must seek Him to please Him...in seeking and pleasing, we discover abundant blessings.

Who do you seek to please?

Blessings!