What do you want?

Well, hello! Thanks for checking out my blog. It's been a few weeks but I've found a little time to "post"...

I gotta tell ya...I had the GREATEST time this morning with my nephew, Carter. He's just the sweetest 2 year old. He has the most contagious laugh, brightest smile, that accompanies the absolute, most tender heart. His heart is so big, I can't figure out how it fits into his little body! :-) LOVE HIM!!!

It's rainy today and I had promised my 3 year old, Chloe, we'd walk the aisles of Toys R Us. Carter was spending some time with us this morning and he was ALL about joining us on our "adventure" to the toy store. What kid wouldn't be, right!?!!

We arrived to the entrance of the toy store with MUCH anticipation of finding a Motorcycle for Carter to just "sit on". He couldn't wait to bust through the doors!

We roamed the isles taking turns, checking out items that peaked Carter's interests as well as the interests of Chloe. They both did so good taking turns and waiting on each other. And then....there it was...THE isle!
The isle with the MOTORCYCLE!! Can I tell you the look on Carter's face was sheer elation! He squealed with glee and took off running for the "cycle" as fast as his two year old legs could take him. The look of satisfaction on that kids face once he hoisted himself upon that "cycle" was completely gratifing. He enjoyed every moment of sitting on it, getting himself off and putting himself back on. It was GREAT!

After a few minutes, it was time to move on. Chloe had "bigger" things to check out...like a pony..."My Pony".

While we were leaving the store and I was getting the kids safely buckled into their respective car seats, Carter looked up at me with a swelling smile. He said, "Aunt Sarah, I had so much fun sitting on that motorcycle!".

Carter...the motorcycle...it got me thinking...How satisfied are are we? Is it enough to "see it"; to "sit on it"? OR are we always in a perpetual state of "wanting"...

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12

Thanks Carter! Thanks for reminding me that often, it's just as much fun to "sit"!

Blessings!

Fireproof

In the words of my 3 year old... "Oh My Word!" I was fortunate enough to win tickets off our local Christian Radio Station (WBFJ 89.3) to attend the preview of the movie Fireproof. It is an amazing movie that will be released to theaters September 26. Every married couple, engaged couple or anyone who ever desires to get married in the future, needs to see this movie. To be honest, I'm not a huge moviegoer. I guess my attention span is short or something but I've never been one to see a lot of movies. HOWEVER, this movie is a "must see". This movie is a reminder of the lengths Christ goes to share a relationship with us... to love us.

The movie reminds us that we can't give what we don't have... if we don't have a true understanding of Love, we are unable to love wholly and completely. God so lovingly and patiently pursues us despite the rejections and disrespect we dole out. I'm so thankful for His pursuance of me and for His persistent love.

I won't spoil the movie for you...just go see it! :-)

Blessings!

"Grounded Bird?"

I finished reading the most "interesting" book...a book that has left me pondering a lot. Perhaps you've heard of it..."The Shack", by William P. Young. (You can visit http://www.theshackbook.com/ for more details.) The thing I "took" from reading this book was a greater understanding of the relationship Christ desires to share with us. This relationship is to be the essence of intimacy. I often felt misunderstood in relation to "others" and my relationship with Christ. I'm comforted to know that I've been right on target! Not that I get it right all the time... because I don't! I fail miserably. However, my understanding of the relationship has been on target.

I have a friend who is going through some REALLY difficult days. As she has shared her struggles with me, I've been reminded in reading The Shack, of God's love for us. Did you know we were created to be loved!

William P. Young used an analogy in his book about a bird. He says that it is the nature of a bird to fly. If a bird was to choose not to fly and be grounded... it's still a bird! By the bird grounding itself, refusing to fly, it significantly alters it's life experiences.

Young continues to explain that for us to live as though we are unloved, much like the bird, we're imposing limitations. He says doing so would be similar to "clipping the wings of a bird and removing its ability to fly".

That got me thinking about the fact that we were created to be loved. It also stirred me to thinking about all the things that happen in life that we view as "bad" things that happen to us / or someone we know. If we truly understand the essence of God's love for us, we can then understand that as a child of His, there is never ANYTHING "bad" that ever touches our life. If He REALLY has our best interest at heart (which I believe He does) we're covered! He's got our back! It's ALL good!

God doesn't leave one thing unused in our life. He uses it all! So no matter what we encounter on this "journey", God is right there. He may be walking beside us or at times, carrying us... but He's there.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

So, be of good cheer my friend. There may be something "uncomfortable" but there's never a "bad" thing that comes your way!

Do you know who you are... and WHO'S you are? Do you know you REALLY were created to be loved? Do you accept that love? Let's choose to fly and not ground ourselves. We don't really want to alter the experience God desires for us in this life. We're going to live it, so let's live it through Him!

Blessings as you "fly"!

Knock, knock...

The coolest thing happened the other night. Our family was slowing down at the end of a day. Evening had set in; our younger 2 daughters were bathed, sitting comfy in our laps as we had finished reading a story from the Bible. We were going around, each sharing about the events of our day, things we needed prayer about, and others in our community who we knew needed to be lifted to the Father.

Just as we were wrapping up our time of sharing and end with a time of prayer, someone lightly knocked on our front door. Our oldest, Chelsea, greated the individual at the door, quietly exchanging a few words. Chelsea returned from the door informing us that the person at the door was a little girl who lives down the street. This little girl shared with Chelsea that her younger brother had just fallen out of a treehouse. The little girl asked Chelsea if our family would pray for her brother, as he and the mother were on their way to the emergency room.

We all got up, dashing to the door calling the little girl by name as she was making her way down our driveway. We motioned for her to come back. She turned her bike around and approached our porch. The poor soul...her lip was quivering and she looked as through the tears in her eyes were about to breakforth at any moment.

I put my arms around her and gave her a big hug. We then explained we were just getting ready to have prayer time, and that we would love to pray with her right then, for her brother and her family. At that moment, all six of us joined hands bathing that family in prayer.

As I later reflected on that sweet time of prayer. What a priviledge it was to be able to do that...to have the freedom to pray openly on the frontporch of our home in a suburban neighborhood in America. Another thing that struck me was, we really don't know this little girl or her family very well.

We never know who is watching us...and what an amazingly strong thing for a little girl to do for her brother...to seek out people she barely knows to plead for her brother.

Wow far would you go for your "brother"? What would you do for your "brother"?

"Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray."
Psalms 5:2

Blessings!

Please unwrap the gift...

I woke up this morning having no idea the sheer joy I would experience. I received a telephone call this morning and was reminded of God's faithfulness and became very aware of a grander plan God is working on.

I shared earlier in my blog that my twin brother and his wife (Beth and Terry) are in the adoption process from China. They've been waiting for their "referral" which in the world of international adoption, is the paperwork from the country you're adopting from, specifying that you've been given permission to adopt a specific child.

Well, that day finally arrived. They got "the call"...they have been cleared to adopt "Melyn"! As I spent time with Beth this morning, looking at the pictures of "Melyn" they received, I felt her growing closer and closer to me. I was so in awe at the hand of God and the way He has worked to get her adopted...and into my family!


There was one particular picture that just grabbed at my heart. "Melyn" had to receive heart surgery last year. One of the pictures of her bore that scar from the surgery. For reasons I will not got into at this time, I, too, bear that same scar. The look on "Melyn's" face in this particular picture was a sense of displeasure that anyone would be taking a picture of her and her scar. Odd as it may sound, I understood that look...the scar sympbolizes a painful time in her young life... a time when there was way too much going on for her little mind to understand. I thought of just how vulnerable this little one has been until now.

However, that scar represents life! For without that scar... there would be no life. This led my thoughts to the scars of Christ... for without His scars there would be no "life"... only mere existance. We've all been given the gift of life, just like "Melyn" has in a "physical sense". We have a responsibility to unwrap that gift... to put that "gift to use".

Have you unwrapped that "gift"... what will you do with your gift?

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

" For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
John 3:16-18

"Melyn" became "vulnerable" to unwrap her gift of life... Will you submit to this vulnerability and unwrap your "gift of life"?

Blessings!

Chew on this...

You know...it's amazing how God can speak, through our children, directly to us. I had just finished working out at the YMCA yesterday when Chloe (our 3 year old) and I were on our way home to get some lunch. I adjusted my rear view mirror to look at Chloe and I noticed she had something in her mouth. I asked her if she had anything in her mouth. She replied, "Yes!" With the biggest grin and a very "confident" and "satisfied" look on her face, she continued to inform me that she had a piece of gum. I looked down in the passenger seat where my purse sat. Sure enough, I saw the gum wrapper sitting there. I took another glance at her in the mirror as she proudly said, ..."and I didn't even get your commission!" (Chloe meant to say "permission".)

However, immediately, that spoke to my heart...I thought to myself, "How many times do we set out to do something we believe is great and do it without His "commission"?

I don't mind Chloe enjoying the Trident Bubblegum she loves so much. However, as a parent, I enjoy giving it to her. I enjoy giving it to her when she asks, but I enjoy it even more when I give it to her before she asks for it. The element of surprise she exhibits in those times is priceless. In those times, the offer of the bubblegum is an unexpected gift, bringing her unexpected joy.

When Chloe takes the gum without asking, it robs me of the joy of giving her the gum.

I became keenly aware of how I often I must "rob" God of that joy. What about you?

"The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait on Him!" Isaiah 30:18

Blessings!

"Sacred Ground"...cafe??

Well, it's been a few days since I last posted. It's been a little busy around the Ledford house as I'm sure it has been at yours, if you have school-age children. School started today! It's been a "reflective" kind of day...but, that's something I may post about later.

I believe I closed my last posting with the words "Sacred Ground"...I did that for a reason. I wanted to tie that posting in with this one as this will be my last posting about my trip to Oregon. I had another interesting experience in Oregon I wanted to share.

If you ever have a reason to travel to Portland you must stay at the Quality Inn & Suites Airport Convention Center off of Sandy Blvd. Not only was the service great and the rooms clean, but honest...my mom and I experienced God there! REALLY! It started from the moment we checked in, until the morning we checked out.

As we checked into the hotel I noticed a professional poster on an easel standing beside the front counter. The information contained on the poster was about a ministry called My Father's House. This ministry is directed towards the homeless families in that area. They advertise that this ministry works with an entire family with a holistic approach in mind, to include not only housing but training and education as well. I pointed it out to my mom, thinking it a bit unique that a ministry ad would be in the lobby of the Quality Inn.

As I continued reading the poster, I heard faint music in the background. Again, I got my mom's attention as I listened more carefully to the music...much to my surprise, it was Contemporary Christian music! I just nodded to the clerk in agreement/ recognition to what I was hearing.

I then walked over to a display like most hotels have. It was the display of local attractions, restaurants, etc...While standing there cruising through the pamphlets, something caught the corner of my eye. I looked up and you could have knocked me over! There was scripture on the wall! "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud...Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4!

Then there was a quote:
" Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God."
-Henry Davis Thoreau-

I was so caught off guard, I laughed...I then walked back up to the counter to grab a hotel business card. Thoughts were going through my head like..."no one would believe this!", and "I need to get home and google this hotel!" . Something very strange is going on for the Quality Inn to be a billboard for God! As I reached up to grab the hotel business card, there was also
a business card there for a church called
Eastside Foursquare Church.
AAAHHHHHHHH! A church...a church, "What?"...
Did a church pay big bucks to advertise at this hotel? Do members of this church work at this hotel?? Does a church OWN this hotel???...I was REALLY puzzled!

About this time, my mom asked about breakfast for the next morning. The receptionist informed us there was a Cafe across the parking lot and all we needed to do was to show up in the morning and someone there would give us additional instructions for breakfast. Cool!

As we headed out the door, I looked up to see the Cafe across the parking lot where the receptionist said we'd find breakfast in the morning...NO WAY!
"Sacred Ground Cafe"! That's when I finally said to my mom..."There is something going on here! God is all over this place."

It was close to 2pm and we hadn't had lunch yet. We agreed to toss our luggage in the room and head on over to check out "Sacred Ground". I just didn't think I could wait til morning to get the "scoop" on this one.

While running in the room to drop off our bags, I notice a very attractive book on the bedside table. I picked it up and opened the front cover. Yep! You guessed it! It was a Bible that had been inscribed for the reader. The inscription said something like... "We hope you have a peaceful stay here at the Quality Inn. If you should find yourself reading this book and desiring a copy, please feel free to take this with you as you leave." Again...I was amazed!

When we entered into the Cafe, just like the receptionist, we were greeted with much warmth. There was Contemporary Music playing, autographed pictures and guitars hanging all about the place from folks like Third Day, Jennifer Knapp, Micheal W. Smith, etc...

We placed our order and the young lady said she'd bring it out to us. As I waited, I walked around looking at all the autographed pictures and picked up some literature on this Eastside Foursquare Church. The young lady came out juggling our plates as I joined my mom at the table where she was sitting. I said, "Maam...forgive me for asking, but does a church run this hotel or what's going on? There seems to be a "God theme" and I just can't seem to figure it out."

Needless to say, the young lady laughed and began explaining. It seems that Eastside Foursquare purchased this hotel. They paid it off about a year ago and the profits from the hotel are going to ministries in over 100 countries around the world!

How's that for "out of the box" ministry! I LOVE it! Our time here was so very nice. Interestingly enough, my dad had made these reservations for us after I found the hotel, last-minute, on the internet. We had wanted something close to the airport since our flight was early the next morning. We hadn't wanted to deal with heavy traffic before our flight. While making the reservations, my dad went so far as to inquire if the hotel was a "safe" place for 2 women to stay. I laugh at that now because of the way we experienced God there. It wasn't just in the decor or the title of the Cafe, we genuinely experienced God's presence there.

SO...anywho...that'll do! I just wanted to let you know of a great place to stay in Portland should you ever have reason to travel there. :-)


"...and those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:17

Blessings!

Bittersweet Departure...

You know how it is when you set out to do something you just know is going to be great BUT you don't realize the vastness of that greatness until it's over...

Well, my feet are on the East Coast Southern soil again as our flight touched down at midnight last night from Oregon.

My mom and I set out on a journey to Oregon 6 days ago to travel to the West coast to meet the illustrator of the Brown-Eyed Girl series (BEG series). In the 4 years or so that I've worked "long distance" with Trude, I knew God had woven us together to complete that book project.

















"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Just when I didn't think my life could get any more rich, God blesses. Much like Trude brought the words in my children's books to life adding color, she has colored my world the 3 days I was there in Astoria, Oregon. Trude has such a vibrant spirit about her and Floyd, her husband, was simply "icing on the cake"!




Have you ever been in the presence of sheer greatness and simply felt a sense of gratitude to be amongst that greatness?

Trude and Floyd are like peanut better and jelly! (A main staple in my diet!) They simply belong together. Their love for each other is the epitome of Christ and His bride. They are an extension of the other. After 48 years of marriage, they finish each others sentences and when one forgets their "train of thought", the other gets them right back on track. Their deep, rich love for each other brought me to tears the last night we shared together. I was keenly aware of the fact that this is probably the only time I will ever see them. During our entire trip, I attempted to be open and aware of God's purposes for my being there in the midst of their life. Floyd isn't in the best of health and the reality of this 3 day stay with them was but a quick glimpse into their life and there were lessons God wanted me to "get"...I didn't want to miss one thing He had for me there.

Floyd is so proud of Trude, her talents and the ways she shares herself with so many. He is a man who truly understands the call to "spend yourself"...to "give yourself away", and he supports Trude in her endeavors.

On our last day there we had planned to do some additional sightseeing. When Trude and Floyd picked us up from the hotel, Floyd announced there had been a change in plans. He said he understood that we came to visit to get to know Trude better and he felt he should take us to a place where Trude was really "famous". As he said this, he spoke with such pride and love for his bride.

We drove about 50 miles, crossed the Columbia River on a ferry and arrived at "Hotel Cathlament". As I got out of the car, I looked around...the hotel appeared like hotels in the old western movies...you know...the kind where a cowboy rides into town needing a place to lay his head...

ANYWAY, we entered into the "Hotel Cathlament" where I found elderly people shuffling about, pushing their walkers. This hotel was no ordinary hotel; it was an Assisted Living facility.

Trude passed out lots of hugs, making introductions and announcing her posse. The look on the faces of these residents were priceless. With their first glance of Trude, they all lit up like a Christmas tree.

Trude is amazing, calling them all by name. Trude started a ministry of writing to the residents of the "hotel" and painting the envelopes she mails the letters in. Every week these residents look forward to receiving Trude's letter and painted envelope.

I walked down a hall of the hotel where the walls display 6-8 huge framings of Trude's envelopes; each of them painted with different scenes of Oregon, characters (some resembling the residents), holiday reflections, etc. AMAZING!! Each frame contained 30 or more pieces of her art. Trude has poured herself into these folks at "Hotel Cathlament" expecting nothing in return...Trude is investing; making heavenly deposits in the lives of folks who were once strangers.






Sharing these days with Trude and Floyd has been like "dropping in on family". In spending this time with them, I have gotten to know the heart of 2 amazing souls God created...my heart was overflowing!

While spending this time with them filled my heart, completing more of who God is growing me to be, leaving them nearly broke my heart.

I was reminded how short life is; of just how brief our time is on this earth. I was reminded of the importance of not missing the miracle of the moment.

...our time in this life is a "short stint"...may we spend those moments giving our self away by making deposits in the lives of others...

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

God was certainly in our midst. I felt I was constantly walking on Sacred Ground...

Blessings...

A "Sweet" Reunion on the Horizon...

Well, I've been running around like a "chicken" today, scurrying about with much to do. Remember in my posting about The Brown-Eyed Girl books...remember I mentioned I needed some artwork?!! Well,I'd like to say that as soon as I finished the manuscript, artwork dropped in my lap like manna from the Old Testament, but that's not exactly how it happened. Days and months went by and my frustration heightened as I knew God had led me to write these books...I mean, SURELY He knew I needed artwork to accompany this
project and FOR SURE He wasn't calling me to do that!

One day in the midst of my frustration, (as God just didn't seem to be on the same time schedule I was on) I was at work sharing about the book project with a co-worker, Tracey. Tracey shared with me that several years back when she lived on the west coast she had an extremely talented neighbor, Trude, who painted. Tracey said I should give her a call. I then explained to Tracey that there is absolutely NO $ to be had in participating in this book project as all the monies were already appropriated to orphan care. To make a long story a little shorter, I had Tracey call her friend because "ye of little faith" knew no one in their right mind would just donate artwork.

A couple days later I ran into Tracey at work again. She informed me that she had spoken with Trude and that the book project seemed to be one Trude was genuinely interested to participating in. I couldn't believe it! God really was just laying it all out before me; knocking down every barrier. Once again, Christ was "refining" this ole girl.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

So...back to a "sweet" reunion on the horizon...well, after about 3 1/2 to 4 years, Trude and I will meet each other for the first time tomorrow as I fly out to Oregon!

Trude is about 32 years older than I and while she now has e-mail, the entire time we were working together on this project, we did everything through the US Postal Service and over the telephone. Given this day and age...that's unheard of! Her work on this project was not just a matter of sitting down at a drawing table. Trude completed hours of research as she wasn't familiar with the country of China, international adoptions, etc...However, I must say God truely blessed her willingness and efforts! Although we've never met, I can honestly say Trude has a servants heart. Her committment to this book project was amazing.

God blessed my life with Trude in so many ways as she mentored and encouraged me all the way through, to see this project to completion. Thank you Trude from the bottom of my heart. We both recognized early on in our friendship that Christ was certainly the common bond that bound us together and together we set out to have an impact on the lives of some vulnerable children. I love you Trude and can't wait to land in Oregon and get my arms around you!

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

Blessings!

...Rear View Mirror...take 3

"Alrighty then!"...I know that last posting may have been a little heavy. I hope it didn't burden you too much...well...ok, you're right...I hope it did. :-) I know days are gonna be rough when I wake up with heavy thoughts such as that on my heart.

Well, let's take another glance in the "rear view mirror"...want to??!!??

I believe I mentioned there would be something that would blow you away...well, sit back and hold on.

It's Fall of 2007. The Brown-Eyed Girl books (a.k.a."BEG books") are doing ok. They're selling a little and proceeds are being sent to Love Without Boundaries, as planned, to pay for medically necessary surgeries for orphans in China, in hopes of them one day being adopted. Several children have now had their surgeries and are recovering/ recovered well, and some have even been adopted and now residing with their "forever families". God is blessing and I didn't think life could get any better.

This particular day I received a few updates on 2 of the recipients of the funds who were being prepared for their much needed heart surgeries. I felt God nudging me to forward their pictures to my twin brother, Terry and his wife, Beth. They have 3 beautiful children and as far as they were concerned, they were happy, feeling "complete" with their family and had no plans for any other children in their life. (A little history with this---I had known in my heart for several years that God had tremendous plans for them in the arena of adoption but they had always remained so completely closed to the notion. Terry had often shared with me that adoption is a wonderful thing, but just not intended for their family!) ----YOU KNOW WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS DON'T YOU!??

Anywho...I forwarded the photos of these precious little children and requested that Terry and his family pray for their upcoming surgeries which were scheduled that particular week. Not only did I forward it to their home e-mail but I forwarded it to Terry's work e-mail. I wanted each of them to have the opportunity, independent of each other, to open and see the faces of these children. You see...we ALL KNOW there are children "out there" in need of a family. But for many of us, they are nameless and faceless...and quite frankly that's the way we'd prefer it stay. But don't fool yourself...they are NOT nameless and faceless to Christ. He loves them dearly just as He loves you and yours...I prayed the spirit of God would somehow break through their hearts and that Terry and Beth would be broken and submit to God's desire.

The Bible is clear in scripture informing Christians of their responsibility to care of orphans. It's not a matter of "do we or don't we"...we are commanded to care for them. Many of you may not be aware of the latest statistic but there are now 143 million orphans world wide! 143 MILLION! I can't even get my tiny brain wrapped around that number!

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

Well...I received a phone call from my brother the next morning. All I can say is the power of God is an amazing thing! Terry and Beth certainly have an incredible testimony to tell the world! They are currently in the process of adopting one of those precious little children!! I can't get into the specifics just yet of who she is. (Soon her face will be all over this blog!) HOWEVER, I can share that her face is the sweet face of "obedience". When I look into her eyes, I see the face of an Almighty God. I look at her pictures and I shake my head at the very thought of being "stuck at the proverbial fork" I mentioned in "rear view mirror...take 2!". If fear, intimidation and my own trivial insecurities had kept me from writing and sharing The Brown-Eyed Girl books, my little niece may very well be dead or 'at best', I wouldn't have the blessing of having her in my life on a regular basis! Now, by the grace of God, I will share a life time of a relationship with her!

This was a HUGE lesson for me! From this I've learned that no matter what Christ calls us to do, our obedience may come down to a 'life or death' situation for someone else. The things we do and the things we decide NOT to do have a tremendous exponetial effect on others...and most times, we don't even realize it.

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!"
Isaiah 6:8

"Be the change that you want to see in the world."
-Mohandas Gandhi

Blessings!

"Neighbors"...

Before I share another glance at “the rear view mirror” I wanted to share about a dream I had early this morning. I can’t seem to get it off my mind…

DREAM: It was late in the evening. The sun had settled and fog had set in very heavily. There was tenseness in the air and in the distance war was all about us. My children were in our backyard playing and despite this war that was waging in the distance, I could only hear their chatter and laughter as they play.

I glanced out my window to check on the children in the midst of their play when all of a sudden I saw soldiers running through the yards of my neighbors’, on the right and left, shooting their weapons in hot pursuit of someone…or something. I quickly ran outside, gathering my children spreading my arms to protect them. Together, we ran for protection in the safety of our home.

Once inside, my children settled around our table to eat. They were inhaling food as if they had totally forgotten about the war raging outside our home. Again, I glance out a window, but this time I was peering through a window in front of my house. To my surprise I saw a woman dressed in filthy clothes sitting at a picnic table nestled on a berm, surrounded by several children. The children were dirty and the look on their faces reflected they had endured far too much stress for one their age. Soldiers continue to run firing their weapons all around these children.

I ran to my front door shouting and waving for them to come inside my home but they just sat there. I didn’t understand their situation and why they continued to sit there with the confusion of war all about them. So, I ran. I ran to the picnic table one by one to bring them to shelter. Upon bringing the last of them in for protection I looked around. My house was crowded. Children were packed in around my table with “standing room only”. There was much chatter as my children began to offer their food to the strangers. As food was offered to the visiting children, their look was one of confusion, surprise and guarded acceptance of the offering. They began to receive the food and eat it. As they ate, they grew less weary of accepting it.-END OF DREAM

Oddly enough, I woke up from my dream by the crying of our 3 year old. She was complaining of “starving”. As I’ve reflected on this dream, it’s led me to think about what was Jesus’ view of our “neighbor”. Who is our “neighbor”? And what is our role and responsibility to our “neighbor”?

I’ve found that the Bible says at least 9 times “to love your neighbor as yourself”. But you ask…”Who is my neighbor?” Ya know…you’re not the first to ask! There was an “expert in the law” who asked Jesus that same question. It’s found in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25). Our “neighbor” is anyone we have mercy on or who needs our mercy! Do you encounter anyone needing mercy? Do you know of groups of people who need a little mercy?

I looked up to see what Webster had to say on the word “poverty”. It said, “A state of one who lacks a usual or socially accepted amount of money or material possessions.” In regards to my dream…it’s not up to me to understand the situation of this mother as to why she couldn’t or didn’t seek protection for her children while war was all around her. This “war” can be literal war or it can be the war Satan wages against our families and children every day of our lives. In my dream I saw this mother and her children. I had “protection” / “shelter” from the war and I needed to share what I had. It didn’t matter if I had “extra”. This mother and her children were in need and I could provide that “need” at that time.

“One of the most astounding things about the affluent minority is that we honestly think we have barely enough to survive in modest comfort.”
-Ronald J. Sider,
Rich Christians in An Age of Hunger

Another question I found myself thinking about is, “Just how far will we go to help someone?” Are we willing to step out of our perceived walls of safety to dodge the bullets of the enemy in order to meet the need of another? Just how inconvenienced will we allow ourselves to be?

“’He defended the cause of the poor and needy…Is that not what it means to know me?’ declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 22:16

“It is the greatest poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.”
-Mother Teresa

Who am I willing to carry to safety? Who will I protect?

“Trust in the Lord and do good…Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
Psalm 37:3-6

Blessings!

..."rear view mirror"...take 2!

"Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." James 4:17

AHHH, you're back for more :-) This must mean I didn't bore you too much with my first post. Thanks for returning...and let's take another glance at the
"rear view mirror"...

My husband is one amazing man and God has certainly gifted him with way too much creativity. The only thing with folks like him is that it's rather intimidating for people like me to make an attempt at being creative along side them! You'll understand this comment later as I dive in.

On a much larger scale, another intimidating thing is when God calls us to do something that WE KNOW is WAAAAY out of our comfort zone with regards to our abilities. I'll get straight to the point.

Our family had been so gloriously blessed through adoption. We set out on this journey to be a blessing and ended up being blessed! Isn't God gracious!
Following the adoptions of Hope Lu and Chloe, our family began to pray about how we could continue being a blessing for other children still waiting to be adopted. Again, in His time, Christ impressed upon my heart that "we" needed to write a series of Children's books.

There are lots of cute children's books out there but I hadn't come across one that took the more "serious road" in facilitating conversations between parents and their adopted children. Many folks were asking me about "how" and "when" to have conversations with their children regarding their adoptions. While we had (and continue to be) very open with our children regarding their adoption, I realized that some struggle with this...so, I felt a children's book was an avenue to assist.

When I shared this notion with my husband that HE needed to write these books, he laughed saying it sounded like I already had the layout and that I should write the books...so...I did! ...well...God did! In a matter of 90 minutes, the rough script was complete. Now, all I needed was some art work to accompany the text.

Two issues...
One, I had an English teacher who informed me I was the absolute worst writer in the world...and
Two, I believed her!

I didn't want to share the manuscript with anyone! I didn't like the thoughts of rejection or laughter at something I already knew I wasn't good at. Can anyone relate to this? Can anyone relate to this tug-of-war of emotions..."Do I make myself vulnerable or keep it to myself!!??!?$$%#^%!@$@%$#$?????

Well, the verse in James I began this post with was the determining factor. No matter how crazy I felt this notion of ME writing children's books was...it came down to "obedience". I thought about how strongly I desired to make an impact on a child somewhere in this vast world. I also thought about how radical of a God I serve. I was certain of the task He had called me to. As I stood at this proverbial "fork in the road", I had to make a decision. I either needed to box up the manuscripts or "jump in with all 4's"...

....I jumped!

Again, God has been so gracious as He has poured out His blessings on our family. The series of The Brown-Eyed Girl Books were published with 100% of proceeds going to Global Orphan Care. At present, the books are sold on the website of Love Without Boundaries (LWB)
www.lovewithoutboundaries.com , with 100% of proceeds going to pay for medically necessary surgeries, in hopes of orphans eventually being adopted.

The books were written in memory of our precious baby "Ruth". Our hearts desire is that orphans will have the monies necessary to sustain their life, to then be adopted and live with their "forever families".

I'll bring this posting to an end for now. Stay tuned for
"rear view mirror"...take 3, as I share with you the ultimate blessings of "obedience". I PROMISE IT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY!

Let me encourage you; if God is calling you to something specific, MOVE!
Don't waste another moment thinking about it. Just do it!

Blessings!

...the rear view mirror...

While I don't often recommend focusing on the "rear view mirror" of life, I feel I must spend some time doing so in order to allow you an opportunity to jump into my "game of life".

Firstly, I want to say thanks for visiting my blog. I must say this is my first attempt at blogging as time simply hasn't permitted until now. Even now, I'm not sure just how up-to-date it will stay. But...non-the-less, I'm gonna give it a go! My goal with this blog is to simply share the events of my life and the movements of my heart and soul. Christ has done / and continues to do incredible things in my life that only HE can do. I'm so honored to be "His"...and humbled to be used of "Him". May you experience His presences as you read these entries.

...so...back to the "rear view mirror"...My husband, Chuck, and I have been married for nearly 19 years and we're the parents of 3 great gals; Chelsea...aka "Chels", Hope Lu and Chloe! Our life as a family has been woven together much like a quilt. There are many dynamically colored squares sprinkled among some rather dingy, drab squares. However dingy or dynamic, those squares have been sewn together with the thread of Christ.

As I said, we have been blessed with 3 daughters. Our first daughter (Chels), conceived in my womb, the 2 that followed, conceived in our hearts (Hope and Chloe). Our lives have been radically changed through international adoption from China.

While we share the notion of adoption with many other families, each journey is incredibly unique. Early in our marriage I shared with Chuck an unexplainable burden I possessed for the Chinese people. For nearly 10 years I prayed and sought God for understanding as I had never even met anyone from China. I couldn't imagine where this was coming from except to say it was of God. Well, in His time, Christ began to reveal the purpose for this burden and how it would begin to change our life forever!

Through the years of 2000-2005 we were in the process of international adoption from China pursuing 2 separate adoptions. The details are so numerous that I couldn't begin to tell you how many times God revealed Himself throughout the adoptions. He was extremely specific many times in His guiding. There was one particular event that changed our lives, in addition to our daughters' adoptions, FOREVER.


In February of 2002, we had been matched by the Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) to adopt a beautiful 11 month old baby girl from Hunan, we were naming "Ruth". We shared the joy and excitement of "Ruth" with our only daughter (Chelsea) and with many other relatives and close friends. We were "on top of the world"! God had been faithful and direct in His "calling" us to adopt and we were responding to that "call"
full- tilt, with open arms and overflowing hearts. God was blessing us and we were 8 days from boarding a plane to bring her "home"... or so we thought...

The day started out like any other day. Chuck and I had gotten up, gone to our prospective places of employment after depositing Chelsea at school. Around mid-morning Chuck appeared at my place of employment. I instantly knew something was very wrong. Chuck had received a telephone call from the president of our adoption agency who had received word from China that "Ruth" had suddenly become ill and died with heart complications.

As the sun began to set that day, shock, confusion and disbelief began to settle in, as well as questions and doubt. The next 24 hours were the longest hours of my life. How could this happen? Why did this happen? Who held this little child as her very life slipped away. Did anyone care? She had been abandoned once...was she abandoned again...Who would claim this child? Were there any tears shed from her passing from this life to the next? My heart ached with an ache I had never felt before, nor do I ever want to feel again.

In the wee hours of the morning as Chuck and I clung to each other and attempted to make sense of all that had taken place, we prayed for God to deliever us peace...we just needed peace. "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

In our struggle for peace, we were lead to some amazing scripture from the Bible:

"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

also:

"In this you greatly rejoice , though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved geniune and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7

This is the scripture Christ used for "Hope" to be conceived in our hearts.



I later learned that on the day and approximate time of "Ruth's" death, I was standing before the congregation at my place of worship singing the song,
"He Knows My Name" (Tommy Walker). I find the words only fitting to share.

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call
I have a Father
He calls me His own
He?ll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call



As our plans were to board a plane in 8 days...so we did. We would not be bringing our "Ruth" home to live with us; she would eternally reside in the arms of her Creator. We were predestined for "Hope". Hope Lu needed a family and we needed her. Hope Lu was adopted March 13, 2002. "I have a hope...and my hope has a name!" :-) His name is Jesus!



We returned to China in September 2005 and adopted Chloe from Hunan as well. God gave us 3 Asian beauties from Youxian, Hunan (even from the very same orphanage)! That's a record when it comes to Chinese adoptions! This kind of thing NEVER happens!! BUT, we have a God who controls the leaders (and decision-makers) of nations!

So, this was the "rear-view mirror" glance at how God orchestrated our family. There will be a few more posts of the "rear view mirror" as we "jump through time" together to where we are now. I hope you've enjoyed this first glance and I'll post again soon. God has done amazing things that I just can't keep to myself!

Better late than never...

Good afternoon. This is Chuck, Sarah's husband. This will most likely be the only post I'll do here on my wife's blog. I love Sarah and admire her gusto and passion, readily displayed in all she takes on. There is so much depth to her and the world needs to know all that God is doing in (and through) her life. Hopefully she will chronicle some of her observations, determinations and dreams here. The world is a better place with Sarah in it!!! Love... Chuck

PS - I'll let her catch you up on everything else :)