..."And a little child shall lead them"...

Two Young Girls with Big Hearts for Orphans in Uganda, Demonstrate the Essence of “Sacrifice”

July 4th weekend while everyone at Baden Lake was busy eating ice cream and celebrating our country’s independence, 6 year old Emma Helton worked manning her Lemonade stand. Emma had been touched after seeing pictures and hearing about her Aunt Sarah’s trip to Uganda to work with orphans. Sarah led a team of 7 ladies on a Vision trip to Uganda in order to begin working with orphans through Caroline’s Promise. After learning of the children at Mercy Orphanage in Kampala, Uganda, Emma decided she would do what she could to bless the children at Mercy.

Emma explained to passer-bys that she was selling lemonade to raise money for orphans in Uganda. People bought Emma’s lemonade and many simply gave donations. By the end of the day, Emma Helton raised $67! Way to go Emma! Thank you for demonstrating the love of Christ through your act of selling lemonade.

July 30th was Hope Ledford’s 8th birthday. Like Emma, Hope had seen the pictures of the children at Mercy Orphanage and heard how these children there were going days without any food and how many of the children didn’t have shoes. Inspired by her cousin, Emma Helton, Hope decided instead of receiving presents for her birthday, she wanted to collect flip flops and croc style shoes for the children at Mercy Orphanage.

After a small birthday cookout at Tanglewood Park, Hope was able to collect 42 pair of shoes for the children! Yea Hope! We are so proud of you. Thank you for demonstrating Christ’s love through giving up your birthday presents this year and collecting shoes for children who don’t have any.

“I am only one, but still I am one.
I can not do everything, but still I can do something;
And because I can not do everything,
I will not refuse to do something.”
-Helen Keller-

now that I have seen, I am responsible...

please pause the playlist at the bottom of this page before you play this; thanks.

The Power of 1...

Over the past week I've been so humbled to sit back and watch the mighty hand of God work. So much has gone on that it's hard to know where to start.

While on vacation last week I received a phone call. On the other end of the phone was my Ugandan friend, Patrick. He was calling to inform me that his youngest daughter, Melannie, age 3 months, was in heart failure.

Melannie had developed breathing problems so her parents took her to the local clinic there in Kampala, Uganda. Once there, she was rushed via ambulance to the international hospital, Mulago, where they received a distressing report from an echocardiogram.

Melannie was diagnosed with a Trucus Arterious (type 1) with a dilated heart. In a nut shell, this is a hole in the heart as well as Melannie is missing one of the main vessels that transports blood from the heart to the lungs. The oxygenated blood is mixing with the unoxygenated blood. Due to the over abundance of blood flow to one side of the heart, her heart has created a "balloon" affect (like a water balloon)--causing the dilation.

Without surgery, Melannie will not live much longer and there is no money, no doctor or equipment to perform this livesaving surgery. My head tells me this happens all around the world, several times a day with people everywhere. But for some reason this was different. Patrick is my friend. I held this new born baby while visiting their home. I had met Patrick's wife, Sarah, when she was pregnant with this child. I had taken pictures of this proud "papa" holding his beautiful new bundle while we relaxed in a restaurant in Kampala. This was personal!

Patrick very quickly said to me, "Sarah...we need a miracle! We need to get Melannie to the States and we need an individul or hospital in the USA to sponsor this surgery." The power of 1 father's request on behalf of his daughter...

I immediately got off the phone and posted an SOS on my FaceBook. The power of 1 posting...

The result, many prayers from strangers all round the world and one willing doctor in New York who agreed to sponsor the necessary sugery.

At the moment, Melannie is being stablized to be transported to the US and the dr is completing all the necessary paperwork to perform this life saving surgery! The power of 1 doctor...

...all of this due to the power of 1 mighty God!

Within the same week I was challenged to make a decision...a decision to forgive. The unforgiveness I had held onto for so long had created years of walls and thick barriers. Thanks to fact that Christ first forgave me, I too was able to forgive. My decision to forgive resulted in reconciliation to a much needed and desired relationship. The power of 1 decision...

Do you bother to bend over and pick up a penny in the parking lot or sidewalk? What value do you place on the number "1"? One silent prayer uttered under your breath for the sake of another...one gentle smile...one pat on the back...one word of encouragement...one Savior who died for you! "One" can make ALL the difference!

I encourage you to focus on "One".

Blessings!

"Grace was made for lives like this"

I received a disturbing e-mail yesterday regarding the status of the children at Mercy Orphanage in Uganda. Mercy is the orphanage we visited while in Uganda that was truly the worst of places, yet, I got the feeling many of the older children felt blessed to be residing there. Compared to the hell they were living before arriving at Mercy, I suppose this orphanage is a "safe haven" to them.

The e-mail I received yesterday was from the in country facilitator of our mission trips. He made a visit to Mercy yesterday and found the children to be in "bad shape...no food, no medical".

Words can not describe the emotion that overtook me when I received this e-mail. The state of Mercy and the children grieves my heart to depth I never knew existed within me.

I couldn't help but think that if the eyes of a few Americans could see the children at Mercy, their situation would change. All it would take is the compassion of one to begin to make a difference...then it hit me...why couldn't I be that "one"! That's a sobering thought!

God took me to Mercy. He opened up my eyes and heart and it wasn't purposed for me to return home and do nothing...to simply wallow in deep sorrow for them and their situation.

I HAVE seen...and now I've been charged to mobilize. He has "opened up my eyes to the things unseen" and "broken my heart for what breaks His". Lord, bind Satan from Mercy. Don't allow the enemy to harm one hair on the heads of the innocent.

There are "no orphans of God". While these children may have been tossed aside and forgotten by their family, YOU have NOT forgotten them. Use me...use your "church" to bring redemption to Mercy's children. The name of this orphanage couldn't be more appropriate.


For anyone who may want to assist in getting food to these children, Caroline's Promise ( www.carolinespromise.net )will be wiring money for rice to be purchased and taken to Mercy.


"And seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd."
(Matthew 9:36)

"Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human." (Fields of the Fatherless, by Tom Davis)

How's your compassion tank? Do you possess "compassion fear"? What is your fear robbing you of? Are you fulfilling the life you know He is calling you to live?

Blessings!

Children in the Bushes

Children in the Bushes
By Sarah Ledford

If the bushes of Uganda could talk, what would be heard?
The fatherless seek nightly shelter as they hide from their enemies.
Rejection is the name of the game, except this is no game.

While they should be playing evening hide-and-seek, then running home to stay,
…instead they run to the bushes.

While I console my kids through bad dreams,
…bad dreams are their reality.

There are children in the bushes,
hear their cry…
There are children in the bushes,
asking why…

There are children in the bushes,
dare I care…
There are children in the bushes,
dare I share…

If the bushes in Uganda could talk what would be heard?
Broken, weary hearts of the fatherless crying for someone who’s been stirred
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

While I give my kids their bedtime snacks,
…the fatherless are forced to fear attacks.

Their bellies ache from lack of food
…their souls ached to be back with a brood

There are children in the bushes,
hear their cry…
There are children in the bushes,
asking why…

There are children in the bushes,
dare I care…
There are children in the bushes,
dare I share…

Lord, you are the father to the fatherless who will never leave;
One who delights in setting the lonely in families…
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

There are children in the bushes,
hear their cry…
There are children in the bushes,
asking why…

There are children in the bushes,
help us care…
There are children in the bushes,
help us share.

An Invitation to Suffer...

Many of you know I returned from a trip to Uganda Africa 5 days ago. This was a trip full of the essence of God’s beauty; the hugs and smiles of the innocent; the sound of villages full of orphans and widows singing praise to their one and only hope, Christ Jesus. However, this trip was equally filled with the results of the tragedy of human sin; the broken, innocent, weary, poor, hungry, suffering, fatherless and dying. If you weren’t able to follow our blog during our trip and are interested, go to www.lovetheorphans.com . Returning home has been a mixed bag of emotions.

“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” Philippians 3:10

I wasn’t aware there were spiritual truths hidden in the way I was/ am feeling. Feelings of grief, shame, hopelessness, guilt, and anger due to the injustice laid upon the backs of the innocent and vulnerable.

The enormous amount of poverty and starvation as well as the personal stories of these precious orphans was just about more than my heart could take. I knew God had called me to Uganda, but once I was there, I wasn’t sure why. What could I do? I’m just a stay-at-home mom with a heart for the orphaned and a passion to “save the world”. I hadn’t gone to Uganda thinking the state of my personal life was the same state of the people of Uganda. I knew things were grotesquely different…I just didn’t know HOW grotesquely different.

Questions and feelings began flooding my head and heart by the end of day two. Where was God in this place? What was He doing to “right” such tremendous “wrongs”? Why is He choosing the innocent and vulnerable to get the attention of the world? I know God has not caused these deplorable conditions on the lives of Ugandan orphans. It is merely the result of mans’ sin.

Returning to “normalcy” following this trip is impossible. What is “normal” now? Having held a lifeless 1 year old boy named “Joshua”, who was obviously suffering from not only hunger but some type of neurological issue…what is “returning to normal” mean?





Having served plates of rice and beans to over 600 orphans and widows on the brink of starvation as they go days without anything in their bellies…how can I return to “normal”?



















I touched their cheeks, hugged them tight, kissed their foreheads, held their hands, and stared into their deep dark eyes begging them to never forget Jesus loves them…

Jesus really is their only hope. They have nothing else to cling to. At the early ages of 4, 9, 11, 14 ,16 and 17, years of age, these orphans are living the essence of “true faith”…and I recognize just how clueless we are in “living by faith”.

I’m beginning to see and understand Philippians 3:10. I’m beginning to grasp the fact that my heartbreak for their situations and circumstances is merely a microscopic sampling of the heartbreak Christ endures. I’m beginning to realize that feeling pain and sorrow for this broken world can deepen my relationship/ my communion with Christ as he and I both share in the pains of injustice for these children.

Christ has called me to Uganda. That calling is an invitation to not only learn of these children’s reality, but an invitation to be moved; to be moved emotionally and spiritually to action… to join Christ in his work as he moves in and through the lives of orphans. He has now invited me to “share in his sufferings”.

Lord, forgive me for inflating my part of this partnership. You don’t need me in order to redeem Uganda. You can do that all by yourself. You’ve simply invited me to ‘share in your suffering’ to grow our communion.



Lord, forgive us for being insensitive to human need all around this vast world. May I NEVER return to “normal”.

Blessings on Uganda...

Gold or Fools Gold?

It seems like lately I’ve had so many thoughts racing through my head… kind of like I’m flyin down the highway about 70 mph trying to take in sights as they're going by. I’m trying to remain alert to everything my eyes catch, my ears hear and my nose smells. I feel God tapping me on my shoulder, whispering, “Did you get that?”…and not simply “Did you ‘get’ that?” BUT, “ Did you get the essence of that life lesson?” It’s as if all I am encountering, are building blocks… you know, the kind your kids play with that are the nice wooden, multi-colored blocks…and eventually these blocks He’s (God) stacking are going to present into some recognizable formation. I’m not exactly sure what… but something.

All of these “blocks” seem to be centered around the "authenticity" of relationships…relationships with others as well as that of Christ.

If any of you are in the world of Facebook, you may know I’ve put a little pink in my hair…only the bangs. I had an interesting week as several folks (“Christians”, I may add) decided to hurl some “not so positive” glances at me…some even tried to pretend I wasn’t standing 2 foot from them… as if I was invisible.

If you know anything about me, you know I’ve always lived a bit on the edge with my hair. My thoughts are…it grows, fades, etc…therefore nothing is really “permanent”. It’s one area of my life that I’ve chosen to be experimental, creative, etc…I’ve never been one to spend too much time on my appearance. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a level of “acceptability” that I have. However, it’s about what’s acceptable to me, not what’s acceptable to anyone else…meaning I’ve never really cared what others thought of my appearance…hoping people would recognize some degree of depth about me, and find a desire to get to know my heart.

Even as a teenager, I’ve always had friends from all walks of life, as I’ve tried to be accepting of people, looking past what may be on the outside, to find some depth within the individual. A lot of times that’s how I’ve been able to find “true” friends…those who care to look past the obvious and dig for something of substance.

While I’m saying this, trust me when I say I have done my share of “passing judgment” on someone based on certain appearances. However, it’s the appearances that “stand out” to me that draw me to want to know the “story” behind “the piercing”, “the tattoo”, “the funky clothes”, “the haircut or color”…but sometimes it’s the “quiet” more “stand-off-ish” individual that I feel drawn to, wanting to know their “story”…or perhaps it’s the “bubbly, energetic” person that draws me to wanting to know their “story”.

My point is…the longer I live, the more I realize that we all have “a story” to tell. While the seasons of life continue to change we’re always in the middle of writing a chapter in the book of our life. I love hearing the “story” of another individual. It may be something someone has struggled with or through… or perhaps it's a mountaintop experience an individual has encountered.

I feel like there’s always a lesson for me in hearing from others. I think when we authentically share our hearts/ our “stories” with others, it then becomes a piece of their “story”. I know when someone shares with me, it becomes a part of my “story”.

We had a tragedy in our neighborhood a few days ago. There was a 40ish year old man, husband and father who made a decision to hang himself. I was told he had just lost his job. I inquired from another neighbor if the family attended a church.--They did not...

As I tried to get my mind wrapped around the reality of a life now gone, I wondered if anyone had ever tried to offer this man/ family “hope”…the eternal “hope” of our Savior. I wondered how this man could have gotten to such a “hopeless” point. Did anyone know he was feeling suicidal? Did he keep the weight of his despair all to himself? Why was it that no one had seemingly “invested” in this man?

We are inundated with people every day; people are all around us. How is it that so many people can have these “thoughts” and it be a surprise when a tragedy such as this happens.

It made me think of how intentional Christ was in his relationships as he walked this earth. There was no one any busier than him; yet he took the time to be with people. He took time to answer their questions, tell stories, have conversations with folks, show compassion on people who were dealing with “issues” and “infirmities” that were important to the life of that individual. He was “all about” the “individual”. He was able to look past the outward and see directly into the heart of people.

THAT is what I desire…to look past the outward and directly into the heart of people. If we indeed are “Christians”, we are to be “little Christs”…We need to focus on the eternal and not the outward, superficial. We need to see the hurt and struggle in our “neighbor”. We are “duty bound” to help “carry their cross”.

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Who are you investing in? Who around you is shouldering a “cross” alone? How authentic are you willing to be with others? Your being authentic may very well give someone else the permission they're looking for, to be authentic!

Blessings!

Be Free...

Have you ever been “released” of something…”released” of a debt…something you owed someone else? Have you been “released” of doing something you really didn’t want to do? What about being “released” of a responsibility you simply hated?

Have you ever experienced the “release” of an emotion…like the tremendous cleansing of a nice long cry…or a giddy squeal of sheer elation? I remember months after the loss of a child we were supposed to adopt, waking one morning and just crying most of the day, as I had not had an opportunity to mourn this loss…and what a “release” I felt after those hours of crying.

Etched in my mind, as if it were yesterday, is taking a pregnancy test (for what was to be our first child) and watching it turn positive. I ran down the hall towards Chuck and leaped into his arms with excitement! If you can identify with my "release", then you understand the essence of total freedom from within. The euphoric “high” where you feel as if you could simply fly. The feeling of “SHHEEWWWWW”…relief!

Freedom is an amazing thing. If you’ve experienced it, it can be hard to describe. It can be a bit like trying to describe the color of red to someone who’s never had sight or describe a beautiful tune to someone who’s always been deaf.

We all have things we’ve experienced in life that tend to have a “hold” on us. Perhaps it’s something you wished you’d never done or said...a bad choice you’ve made in the past that tends to haunt you. OR, perhaps it’s something you’ve encountered due to a bad choice made by someone else.

Several weeks ago I experienced the “release/ freedom” I’m writing about; freedom that can only come from the Spirit of God.

Looking back now, I’m amazed at just how this “bondage” held me captive. It limited my ability to freely receive grace and mercy from others. It limited my ability to freely care and love for others as well as be cared for and loved. My view of others as well as myself was skewed.

I feel a little like Paul after he had his experience on the road to Damascus. Remember he had scales on his eyes which God removed through his servant, Ananias.

I feel like I’ve lived a large part of my life with scales on my eyes! Thank God those scales are “no longer” there! I am no longer held captive and in bondage. I feel like God has breathed new life into this 40 year old soul. I feel like a dancer whose legs have been untied after years of being bound...a songbird whose regained it's ability to sing...and eagle whose just realized the joy of soaring.










Mandisa sings a song about God’s love for us called “How Much”.
http://media.nabbr.com/mandisa.html
The words are:
Do you know how much you are love…
Take the depths of the deepest ocean and go deeper
Take the top of the tallest tower and go higher
Take the best day that you ever had and try to imagine better than that
And it still don’t come close
To how much you are loved

God’s love for me is difficult to understand; not just the fact that He would love me but the depth of that love is difficult for me to grasp.

However, the fact remains, we are His children. I try to compare that to the way I feel about my own children. I don’t want my children living in bondage or feeling they’re held captive by anything. I want them to experience love and the freedom to love.

God’s word says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 1 Corinthians 3:17

What has a "hold" over you? What's keeping you from being totally free and living completely abandoned for Christ and in Christ? Allow Him to unleash you...
you'll never feel more whole! Trust me...this I know!

Blessings!

From a Bird's Eye View...

I was enjoying a beautiful Spring morning with a little run. As I ran through my neighborhood, I began absorbing the changes of nature, awaking from winter. I had several thoughts...

In looking up at the trees, I noticed there were lots of bird nests. I realized these nest weren't built on a limb against the trunk of the tree, away from the wind and rain. They were built towards the end of the limbs.

It was interesting to me as I thought about how the Bible says 'the Father cares for the birds of the air, but how much more He cares for us' (paraphrased).

I thought about how gutsy these birds are. They build their homes, in good faith, knowing the God of the Universe will care for them. They choose to live life on the "edge"...again, trusting God will care for them.

How many of us are willing to live life "on the edge". Don't we typically run from the "possibilities" of danger?...or do we usually stand tall, looking danger in the face, trusting...like the birds?

My thinking is that often we awake most mornings, beginning our days trusting in our own abilities. We aren't living life "on the edge". We stick pretty close to our comfort zone, never feeling the need to trust outside of our self.

Think of the view these birds are able to enjoy simply by living life "on the edge" of their limb! I thought about all the things the birds would miss if they chose to build next to the trunk (the "safe zone").

God has an endless reserve of blessings for us. The unfortunate thing is in order to receive many of those blessings, we've got to be willing to live our life "on the edge", completely trusting in Him!

I realized it's when I see God doing the "impossible", I experience the biggest blessings! I don't know about you, but I felt challenged by the birds that morning.

I don't want to live life "next to the trunk". I want the "view"...I want to "see" God. I want the refreshing breeze...I want to "feel" Him. I want the refreshing rain...I want Him to continually "renew" me!

What about you? Are you huggin the trunk or swingin in the breeze? Don't choose to "nestle" down in life...jump out there and enjoy the adventure of trusting!

Blessings!

"You rang?"

I was sitting in church today and heard the most timely sermon. It was titled “Redeeming The Time”. It was taken from Acts 9:10-19. The story of God calling Ananias (a disciple of Christ) to go find Saul, known to all to be a persecutor of Christians, to lay his hands on Saul in order to restore Saul’s sight.

Ananias was a lay person but when God called him, Ananias immediately responded to God.

If we are called to be a believer, we are called to discipleship…a “student”…to be one who learns…we are to be in hot pursuit of Christ.

Ananias made his way to Saul and put his hands on Saul. Doing so, the scales fell off Saul’s eyes. The Bible says that when the scales fell off, Saul regained his strength. We, too, can be given strength when Christ removes our scales. These scales can be the lies of Satan, lack of wisdom, stubbornness, pride, fear, etc..

Several things about this story struck me. In verse 13, Ananias clearly had some conflict within himself about God's call to go find Saul. Ananias knew the danger of encountering Saul...DEATH! After-all, Saul was the one who ordered the stoning of Stephen. The cool thing was that God knew what Ananias' response was going to be and God basically said in verse 15, (paraphrasing) "I hear ya brother! However, I got this one covered. I've called Saul for something incredible and everything is gonna be alright!"

It's ok with God if we're concerned over the things He calls us to do. It's when God call us to do things we're uncomfortable with, that we truly grow. This growth is when Christ is glorified. This is exactly where God wants us. It puts us in a position of making a decision of trusting in our own inability OR really trusting him and that He will work within us. When we work from our comfort, we really haven't "laid it on the line" for Christ.

Just think, it was Paul (Saul) who wrote over half of the New Testament. It was Paul (Saul) who was called to take the Gospel to the Gentiles...which is us! Where would we be if Paul (Saul) hadn't done all he did? However, Paul (Saul) couldn't have done all he did had it not for Ananias. What would have happened if Ananias had responded out of fear and NOT gone to Saul?

We're all called by God for something. Being an obedient servant; being compliant to God's call is the best feeling ever! But, in order to be obedient to His call, we must individually ask God what that calling is...and what is it that He wants us to do. But then, we have to be willing to trust God...trust Him with everything...our fear, our uncertainty...EVERYTHING!

The Lord is so faithful and merciful! He even compensates us for following His call. That compensation is demonstrated through Saul (Paul) receiving renewed strength and the many lives Paul (Saul) was able to lead to the Lord.

God is calling us all to be a small part of something, yet to be used in a BIG way!

What's standing in the way of you accepting that call. This week for me it's been trusting the Lord with fear I was struggling with. Maybe for you it's pride, stubbornness, your finances in this hard economic time...perhaps it's shame, unforgiveness...maybe it's disbelief that God could really call you.
I challenge you to trust Him with whatever it is that keeps you from this call.

Are you going to answer His call? Are you going to REALLY "lay it on the line", working from that "uncomfortable" spot?

"In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord,""

Blessings!

Never a more proud moment...

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my father in heaven." Matthew 10:32

...and a child shall lead!

I have the best teenager in the world! Don't get me wrong...there are moments of "ordinary" but this past week Chelsea has been "extraordinary". I won't go into the specific details of the situation, however i will give you gist.

Chelsea has had a "best friend" for the past 2 years. They've been in almost all the same classes at school and have spent a great deal of time outside of school together.

Chelsea's friend professed to be a Christian but lately wasn't making the choices Chelsea felt exemplified her "profession". This friend started with one bad choice and was continuing to make one after the other. She was also beginning to put Chelsea in uncomfortable positions and asking Chelsea to lie for the friend AND pressuring Chelsea to make some bad choices and to simply lie to her parents about their location or what movie they really were going to see, etc...

Chelsea never "caved"! She stood up to this friend and repeatedly said, if this is your choice I can call my mom to come pick me up...or Chelsea would flat out tell this friend, "NO!"

The stakes were "jacked up" when Chelsea (on her own accord) laid this friendship on the line. Chelsea communicated to her friend that she could either begin to make better choices, act like a "Christian" and allow their friendship to be centered around Christ OR Chelsea would be forced to distance herself from her friend. Two days later, this friend renounced her belief in God. Not only did this friend decide to be vocal about her decision, she also posted it on Facebook and her My Space.

Needless to say this was totally devastating for Chelsea. Chelsea was extremely emotional for several days in disbelief that her friend would make such a decision.

Chelsea felt she had no choice but to follow through with what she had said to her friend. It wasn't that Chelsea didn't love this individual...quite the opposite...However, Chelsea said the "lines" were so cloudy for her and that she was struggling with the boundaries of this friendship...Chelsea had previously decided if this friendship ever began having a negative affect on her, she would no longer continue the relationship...so...she did it...she distanced herself! She told her "best friend" she could no longer remain that "best friend" anymore. She told her she was releasing her to the Lord and that she would always pray for her.

WOW...a 15 year old...what boldness...what courage...what a stand for Christ and for her Christian convictions!

Do we as adults do this? Don't most of us simply allow our "friends" their freedom to make their reckless choices and we never say a word or get involved. Don't we allow that husband or wife to just walk out of their committment to their spouse...or that friend to continue drinking that "last" drink...or that friend that last "roll of the dice", or allow our married friend that "second glance" at the opposite sex????

Where is our boldness? Where is our courage?/ Where are our convictions???

It's time we as adult Christians step up. We need to be the leaders of our youth...we shouldn't have "role reversal".

How are you acknowledging Christ before men?

Blessings!

Be Strong and Courageous!

...Well, my last post ended with "...Emmanuel, God with us." Certainly He IS with us.

Chuck and I teach (our daughter's class) a second grade Bible Fellowship class at church, 2 Sundays a month. The Bible verse this week was:

"Be strong and courageous and do the work." 1 Chronicles 28:20

Our lesson came from Judges 4; the story of the Prophet Deborah and Barak. I won't tell the story as you can look it up yourself. However, the gist of the story is Deborah encourages Barak to proceed with what God has instructed him to do. Barak had been instructed by God to take his army and fight Sisera, and God promised that Barak would win. However, Barack was afraid. Barack's response to Deborah was that he would go if she would go with him...so, Deborah went, the battle was fought, and Barack and his army won...just as God had promised!

The last 2 weeks have been a spiritual challenge for me. I've shared in previous postings that I have been "instructed" to go to Uganda, Africa and will be going in May for orphan care.

My challenge come into the picture when I began conversing with my physician about the particular immunizations I would need for the trip. One particular immunization that is recommended is for Yellow Fever. The CDC now reports that several people with the particular Neuromuscular disease I have, has had ill effects and/ or died due to the immunization. So, it is not recommended that I receive it. Furthermore, while there's only a small chance of me getting yellow fever, I have a 40% chance of death should I get bitten by the mosquito carrying Yellow Fever.

Initially, this news brought this "call" to a halt. I couldn't believe nor did I understand how God could have been so specific with this call to Uganda, simply to then "pull the rug"...

The following is an exurb from an e-mail I sent to a few friends:

Chuck and I both feel the information my physician gave me was information to prepare me for Africa. We know that God has certainly called me there. We discussed our “call” to be steadfast in our faith and to be anxious for nothing. God has provided both Chuck and I a peace with a decision to continue to move forward at this point, trusting in the faithfulness of God.

However, while driving forward, we also pray that if it is God’s desire for me to be a “Moses” and simply lead “the people” to Africa and I NOT be given the opportunity to experience Africa, we pray He will prevent my stepping on the plane with a kidney stone (I currently have 2 kidneys filled with stones!) or some type of obvious movement of the hand of God at the last moment.

So, at this time, we will continue to move forward confident of His “calling” and confident of His sovereignty. I refuse to bow to the “element of fear”. These children (the orphans in Uganda) have no hope for their physical future nor their spiritual future. They must come to know HIM...and if I should die serving there, I can’t think of a better thing to be doing than serving Him on my "way out". I simply have to trust that He will be faithful to my family and that His grace is sufficient, especially for our girls.

God has blessed us as a family to be able to adopt 2 of the “fatherless”. Furthermore, we have been blessed to see one of them accept Christ as her Lord and Savior. Hope’s eternity (our middle daughter) is secure...and Lord willing, Chloe (our youngest) will follow in a few years. While I can’t adopt the world and present Jesus to them all, there still remains work I can do to offer “hope” to those who remain “fatherless”. I’m not sure why God has burdened and passioned my heart so much for these children, but I’m thankful for it. Serving them is where I find Him...He IS the hope to the hopeless. How tragic to live this life without that “hope”. With “hope” we can endure all things...and these children are faced to endure things our minds can’t even fathom and flat refuse to think on. I think of my children, and then try to imagine them living one day in the life of “the least of these”, and it’s enough to break my heart.

So...I covet your prayers as we continue to pursue what we feel God has asked our family to do. As Christians, we're called to be ready, willing and able...May we be found laying it ALL on the line for Him!

My friend, be found "strong and courageous and do the work." that He has called you to!

Blessings!

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!

Angel ?!?

After today, I have no doubt there are angels among us! Let me back up and share that our oldest daughter, Chelsea is 15 yrs old and in 10th grade. Not only is she in 10th grade but she attends an Early College which allows her to take high school and college classes. When she graduates from high school, she will actually be a 3rd year transfer student to any state supported school.

I share that because as many of you can imagine she is having to juggle the typical drama and highs and lows of being 15 and in high school. However, she is also having to demonstrate a certain maturity level as she participates in college as well. Being a teenager is difficult enough without having to live in 2 worlds at once... the youth and adult world.

One minute they want to be 10 again, sitting in their mama's lap and the next minute they're asking for the keys to the car to get in practice behind the wheel or asking if they can go to a Spring Formal with a young man who already has his driver's license! While it's confusing for them, I feel a little schizo myself, parenting my first teenage daughter!

In addition to dealing with living in these 2 worlds, Chelsea has struggled with her "sphere of influence"... her peers. Up until high school, she hasn't had or desired much of a "social life". She's fairly introverted and has always enjoyed "her time" and quite honestly we have all enjoyed just "hangin" as a family.

Chelsea's been fairly "sheltered" and her eyes have certainly been opened to the reality of what kids her age are "up to" these days. Needless to say, most of it goes completely against what she knows and feels to be moral and of value and is also contrary to God's word. While she feels this way, she has also longed to be accepted and "in" with the crowd, as most desire (adults included). The struggle of juggling this has been even greater than attempting to live in the "two worlds" as explained above.

OK...now to the events of today...

Our family went to church this morning. We attend early worship and then scatter to our respective Bible Fellowship groups. Following Bible Fellowship this morning, I retrieved Hope and Chuck retrieved Chloe. After picking Hope up I met Chelsea in front of the sanctuary and we headed out the front doors. After the 3 of us were about 20-30 feet out the door a man called from behind me. I had never seen this man before. He was probably in his later 40's early 50's. He approached me asking if Chelsea was my daughter. Following my response, he said, "If you don't mind I need to share something with her." I consented. This man proceeded to say that he couldn't help to notice her standing against the wall in the lobby of the church while she watched a small group of her peers huddled up chatting. He said he couldn't help but think Chelsea wanted to be a part of that group.

This man then continued to say he had a "word" he needed to pass along to Chelsea. He said, "God has tremendous plans for you. He wants to use you to influence many for Him. Unfortunately, many times, in order to have an influence, you can't be a part of a group. Just like we are reminded in the word, God wants you to know,

"You are who I say, who I say, that you are." "

The man concluded with reminding Chelsea of God's love for her and encouraging her to stand firm against a lot of what her peers tend to busy themselves with, ie...gossiping, lying, secrets and "drama", and how God had something much differently planned for her.

As the man finished talking to Chelsea, we (Chelsea and I) were both in tears. I thanked him for his words and asked for his name. He responded, "Mark". I introduced myself as "Sarah". He quickly asked Chelsea what her name was. We then turned and parted ways.

Chelsea and I walked down the sidewalk holding hands and crying. In that brief moment and through those short but powerful words from a total stranger, God moved in a mighty way. The magnitude of what just transpired began to hit Chelsea more deeply. As she began to cry harder, we stopped walking and embraced each other. I glanced back to see the man, but he was gone. He left as quickly as he came.

I must say, it has taken a 4 mile run and the rest of the day for me to begin processing what took place on that sidewalk today. How could that man have possibly known what Chelsea has been struggling with? How could he have known those to be the exact words she needed to hear? It was as if my daughter exchanged words with Jesus in the flesh!

"For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;" Luke 4:10


Was that a man?? I'm more inclined to believe it was not...


"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

How open are you to entertaining "strangers"?

Blessings!

Sonlight

You know... it's funny the way God shows Himself sometimes. Yesterday, I was driving to pick up Hope from the local elementary school. Chloe and I were listening to a children's CD when she decided she wanted to hear a specific tune on the CD.

That may seem like an easy request, however, the light on my clock / radio / CD player in my vehicle has a mind of it's own. More times than not, the light isn't illuminating the faceplate which is suppose to show the time on the clock, the radio station's number and the song number on the CD.

When I arrived at the elementary school to line up in the car-rider line, I noticed the sun shining directly on the faceplate of the radio / CD player. I could actually see the song number of the CD that was playing! GREAT!

I took that opportunity to preset my favorite radio stations and then found the song on the CD Chloe had requested earlier. My ability to read the faceplate of the radio was short-lived as the car-rider line began moving and the sun was no longer shining directly on the faceplate.

It was at that moment I felt God prick my heart revealing the life of many people. Many walk around in life, aimlessly wondering with no clear direction, plans, or goals... basically in the dark. It is only when the Son shines through us that we illuminate and are able to "walk with clarity of purpose".

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Are you standing in the Sonlight? Is it illuminating your "faceplate"? Do you know what your radio frequency is? If not, step out of the darkness and experience the Son.

"For God so loved the world (YOU) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Blessings!

Freeze!

Did I say things at the Ledford house are busy??!!??? Chuck asked me this morning if I slept well last night. I laughed and my response went something like, "Slept well?... Who knows...lately I just fall into bed and am grateful for a few hours to just be still!".

Last month the Fair was "in town" and like every year, we spent a few hours walking around through a "sea of humanity" trying to make our way from one little kiddie ride to another. When we first arrived at the fair we needed to stand in line to purchase the ride tickets. The crowd was growing in size at the ticket booth so Chuck took the girls and stood a few feet away from me while I stood in line.

After glancing over to make sure the girls remained with Chuck, I began to feel inundated with people beckoning for my attention. There was an increasing volume of excited voices all around. It was as if for a brief moment I was in a fog and everything around me was happening in slow motion.

I looked to my right; there was a middle-aged guy with a head mic set requesting an opportunity to guess birth dates, ages or weight.

To my left, there stood a weathered faced woman who's appearance spoke of her struggles of life. She was calling for passers-by to come purchase fair memorabilia.

Behind me was a Merry-Go-Round with it's loud tunes playing and the ride attendant calling for tickets from it's riders.

My eyes continued to circle around from the man with the microphone, to the weathered looking woman, to the Merry-Go-Round attendant... on and on my head swam to the rhythm of all the busyness that surrounded me. When all of a sudden I heard this small voice standing at my pants leg calling "mommy...mommy". I looked down to see my 3 year old (Chloe) with a big grin plastered across her face.

This experience has run through my mind several times since that afternoon at the fair. God knows the "love language" of all His children and He speaks in that unique way to each of us.

God very clearly, yet quietly reminded me that in the busyness of all that goes on in my life on a day to day basis, if I don't learn to "tune out" the "unimportant noise" of life, I will miss the most important voice of all...HIS! I was also reminded of the importance of spending time with Him. For if we, His children, don't make it a priority to know Him, how will we recognize His voice?

Had I not known Chloe, I wouldn't have recognized her voice as she called out to me that day at the fair while I stood in a crowd of hundreds. Her voice would have simply blended in with the hum of hundreds of other voices in the crowd.

In the busy rhythm of your days can you distinguish His voice? Are you "tuned in" OR will His voice just get lost in the crowd?

"Be still and know that I am God;"
Psalms 46:10

Blessings!

Living Hope

Times are rather busy at our house, as I'm sure they are at yours. Last weekend we were very excited to celebrate Hope's (our middle daughter)baptism. She accepted Christ in her heart when she was 5 but due to fear of being in front of people, had not followed up in "believers baptism" until now.


Last weekend I did a lot of thinking and reflecting...thinking about Hope's origins in China, a communist nation. I thought a lot about all the things God has/ and continues to teach me through her life...I thought a lot about Hope's eternal salvation...wondering if salvation would have come to her there in China.

I'm humbled to think of her meager beginnings and now to look at her...she is a "Princess" because she is the daughter of the King! Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing children recognize and accept who they are in Him. It's at that point where the impossible becomes the possible!

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
-Philippians 4:13

Given all that Hope has had to overcome, her life verse resonated within me all weekend:

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."
-2 Timothy 1:7

My prayer is that Hope will live a life boldly unto Him. Hope's name came from a particular scripture God led us to just hours after "baby Ruth" died.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living Hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,..."
-1 Peter 1:3

What are you feeling "timid" about today? Claim that "spirit of power"...step out there in faith like Hope has...

Blessings!

Home of the "brave"???

I've got a lot rolling around in this head and heart of mine, so I hope I'm able to articulate without offending anyone...

Last week I went to visit a friend who has just returned from Uganda. She and her husband traveled to adopt 2 children. While visiting my friend, I was able to meet her 2 new additions and view many pictures from their trip. One picture specifically spoke to the core of my heart. My friend pointed out in the picture a one room, dirt floor hut / house and then pointed out a husband and wife, their 1 infant daughter who lived in that hut... along with about 8 other children whom they had taken in as a result of these 8 children being orphans. As I continued to look at pictures and listen to my friend describe the conditions in Uganda, I couldn't help but reminded of the many things we take for granted here in America..."land of the free and the home of the brave".... If that sounds a little sarcastic, forgive me...exactly who are the "brave"?...I would venture to say it is these orphans, NOT us!

The faces of these little orphan children are etched in my mind...they are without a mother, a father, no material "things", nothing! It is only through the compassion of another they have shelter and food..2 basic essentials needed for survival...food they receive once a day (or twice a day if they're lucky!).

However, we on the other side of a vast body of water, move about with cellphones glued to our heads while cruising around in 1 of our 2 (or 3) vehicles, live in homes WAY larger than we need, with closets bursting with several dozens of outfits, 20-30 pairs of shoes and matching purses. We live in a nation where the majority of us must have gym memberships to attempt to work off the extra weight we put on from eating too much food at the local fair, and any other place we choose to recreate.

SO..."Compassion"...how deep does your compassion tank run? Bigger question...does your "compassion" move you to action?

"...for in you the fatherless find compassion." Hosea 14:3

Bless them!