A Matter of Perspective - Take 2

We have been home just a few days more than a month and LOTS of things have changed.  But the thing that has changed more than anything, is my perspective...on EVERYTHING!

Let me explain...

Instead of becoming frustrated that I have been interrupted countless times and have heard, "Mummy" 236 times already and it still isn't 11 am, I am rejoicing that I have children that want to come to me and are not running away. 

When I've been asked for the 150th time that day, "Mummy, pick up me please" ... or "Mummy, hold me please," I rejoice that they want my arms wrapped around their little bodies and they want their head curled up on my shoulder.  It's easier to ignore the hurting hip, sore lower back and arm that has gone numb when you're busy praising the LORD for the children He gave you.

When we hit day 9 of sickness, I am grateful that I am a stay at home mom and I'm not having to call into work for sick kids.  And I'm grateful that my kids are creative...

This was day 5 of Tent City.  Inside there were actual rooms and tunnels - very cool.



When I look at the laundry and the dirty dishes and know there is no way I will catch up...yet again.  I sing this little song...

Thank God for dirty dishes;
They have a tale to tell.
While others may go hungry,
We're eating very well
With home, health, and happiness,
I shouldn't want to fuss;
By the stack of evidence,
God's been very good to us.

Rather than stressing that there is blood all over the floor and the ER is going to cost us a small fortune, I am praising the LORD for insurance and wood floors, which are easy to clean.

When we have a second trip to the ER, for a different child, I again praise the LORD for tile floors, which are also easy to clean blood off of.  And instead of sulking that it ruined a fellowship night we desperately needed, I praise God that because we were with our fellowship team, we had friends that were not only available, but that we trusted to watch our other 3 so Brian and I could go together. 

And instead of becoming offended at comments and hateful looks from another human being, I simply smile at them and thank God that he brought me one more person to pray for.

When my heart breaks for the umpteenth time for Ruth, I weep tears of joy that she trusts and loves me enough to open up.

When I become overwhelmed and am hanging on by a thread, I am so grateful that I have a Savior whose arms I can run into.  Who wipes away my tears and fills my heart with all the Grace and the Patience I need to make it through another day.

Oh, and I've totally had to let go of the expectation that car rides will be quiet, for I have a constant cheering section EVERY SINGLE TIME I get in the car.  If I'm coming up next to a car, I hear, "You can do it Mum!  You can do it!  GO MUM GO!!"  And when I pass the car, I hear, "YEAH!!  I knew you could do it!"  And this happens with every single car we pass.  Heaven forbid if I let a car pass me, you would think I just lost a gold medal.   I keep thinking it will subside, but not only has it not, it has taken on a life of it's own and gotten all the kids involved.  Oh, and green lights. I think the kids live to yell, "It's Green Mum!  GO!"  I will never miss another another green light again! :)

Isaiah just started school.  Here he is on his first day, wearing what now has become his favorite shirt...

Because I posted a pic of Isaiah, here is a picture of Ruth. 



"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."  Psalms 25:5

"That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe."  1 Timothy 4:10

A Plea For Orphans

Adoption is a story authored by God.  It is beautiful.  It is redemptive.  It is a rescue - for God rescues us from an eternity separated from His love when He adopts us into His Kingdom. 

In most countries, children age out of the system at 14 or 16, at which time they are turned out into the streets, with little to no resources and little to no education.  70% of girls that age out of foster care end up being sexually exploited.  These are the children at most risk for ending up in brothels or child prostitution rings.  Though I could graphically describe to you the conditions that these children will be subjected to, this isn't the blog for that.  I'm here to make a plea on behalf of a few orphans who face a very bleak future.

Though I will always advocate for orphans of all ages, it's the children that are older than 6 that capture my heart.  It's those children that many see as damaged goods, not worth the time or trouble because of the emotional effort involved once you bring them home.  But, this is the LORD's battle.  For He loved each of these children before they were born into poverty.  It's to His Glory to restore and redeem their life!   Only Christ can bestow upon their heads a crown of beauty where only ashes had lain! 
BUT...the LORD needs His church to be His hands and feet! 

I've linked to the blog, All Are Precious In His sight, HERE.  I was going to copy and paste her blog entry in it's entirety, but I think you need to go over to her blog and read about the 11 orphans from Haiti that she is advocating for.  You never know when God will use a story or a picture to change your life forever. :)