Adoption

God laid the desire in our hearts
From his wishes we will not depart.

Some say "Why go so far away?
How much will you have to pay?
Aren't there children in the USA?"

Whether a child is from here or there
Isn't it our job to love and care?

Children are a priceless treasure
Blessings that we cannot measure.

God wants us to hold them tight
Whether they are yellow, black or white.

We wish we could save them all
Sadly, we can only answer our call.

We must go to a foreign land
For us, this is what God commands.

Our China Doll was waiting
And there was no hesitating.

We stuck to our decision
God made every provision.

Cast all your doubts and fears aside
Come along and enjoy the ride.

Author Unknown

Love Knows No Color

While reading others blogs, I have become a regular visitor to some. I have linked these on my blog that I enjoy reading. These women have become an inspiration and encouragment to me. One in particular that I visit is Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst's blog. Today I noticed her links at the top of her blog and read her About Lysa and read that she has two adopted boys. I then noticed she has an Oprah link, so I clicked on it. I received a blessing. Please, Please visit Lysa's blog and go to the Oprah page. On it you will find that Lysa has been on Oprah and she has the video there to watch. After you watch you will understand my post heading. Enjoy and may God Bless you!!!

Some People Just Don't Get It

OK, I admit I don't have much patience with some people.

Today, a nurses aid was at my Mom's house giving her a bath. I came in and of course Maylea was with me. She started talking about her kids (she has 4) and they are from 40 yrs to 27 yrs old. My Dad tells her that we went to China to get Maylea in October. She then asks me if I have other children and how old they are. Then, she asks "Why did we decide to adopt from China?" For some reason, I do not like this question. I can see the judgement in peoples eyes when they ask it. I just don't understand, and I guess as much as they don't understand why we would want to adopt. Anyway, I told her that I had felt led to adopt for over 10 years, and that my husband started feeling led to adopt or do foster care only about 4 years ago. I told her I feel like it is a calling just like being a missionary is a calling from God. I told her that I was excited that friends of ours is adopting too, from Ethiopia. I will stop here because she was offensive in her reaction which made my blood boil. Unfortunately, I didn't react too well. I was visibly upset I'm sure. I told her that I had someone ask me what would I do if I was referred an ugly baby. Yeah..... OK, anyway I told her that God made us all and that I don't see race and the color of skin. We are giving a precious child a home; a child that doesn't have a Mom or Dad. That we are instructed in the Bible to take care of widows and orphans and that adoption is close to God's heart. When people comment on how lucky Maylea is, all I can say and think is.... How lucky we are to have her, and what a blessing she is to us!!

I stumbled on this video tonight as I was doing research. It is so fitting to what happened to me today. I just pray God gives me patience with those that don't see things the way we do. Being closed minded must be a lonely place to be.

Maylea didn't know what to think of the snow. She just looked at me and cried. She acted afraid to move.






















































Dad with Maylea, and Mom. I will be posting pictures of Mom before she was sick really soon.

We're being attacked....

........by bugs. Of all kinds. It seems like we've had sickness in my house for the past two months. First it was Eddie, then Leslie, then Bradley, then Eddie again, then Maylea, then Bradley again, then Nick, Jake and me in between it all. At this moment would you believe Eddie is feeling bad again. I am officially suffering from Spring Fever. Everyone I talk to is experiencing the same thing. I'm just holding my breath and praying that my Mom and Dad stay bug free.

Maylea is finally feeling better today. She was fine last Thursday and then she had vaccinations at 11am. Four hours after her shots she started with high fever and hoarsness. I didn't know what to think at first. I was afraid she was having a reaction so we took her in on Friday and she had an ear infection. After talking to some others in my travel group about how their girls acted with shots, I now think she had a triple dose. Shots, ear infection and flu on top of it all. I told KP that the only thing good that has come from it all is she is more affectionate now. She will cuddle and hug and thats a good feeling. She slept with us several nights and she couldn't co-sleep before. She would only let me and Eddie take care of her this week, and the kids are about to die. She is on the mend, Thank Goodness!!!

Attitude is EVERYTHING!!!

Someone posted this in a comment on a blog I read. I loved it and wanted to share it with anyone that may pass this way........... God help us with our attitudes!!

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?" So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head "H-M-M," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?" So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEA!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.......

Leave the rest to God

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.

A Valentine Tribute

My Mom......... Where would I begin to describe my Mom. She just had her 75th birthday on Jan. 26th. She has been the best Mom we could have ever asked for. She was always called the "Jack of all Trades" by her friends and all that knew her. She could paint with oils, watercolors, and did tole painting, sew anything and was a perfectionist at that. She has made majorette uniforms, bridesmaid dresses etc, and did sewing and alterations for many. My cousin had a dream when I was in elementary school that my Mom made my shoes because she made everything for me. Even my coats. She made so many quilts, and even would design and make quilts for people, she knit sweaters and toboggans, and crocheted tablecloths and doilies galore. She could also cook and bake. Especially bake. She made the best apple pies and apple butter stack cakes. I still can't make biscuits like she did. She was so kind and loving to others, and was a confidante for many. She would do anything for anyone, and would give you the shirt off her back. We have been so blessed to have our parents. I thank God everyday that I grew up in a Christian home with parents that love us.

About 5 years ago we started seeing signs that her memory was failing. Then 3 1/2 years ago, a week after cataract surgery she had a stroke that affected her left side. Since then it has been a gradual decline. Since this picture was taken about 2 weeks ago, we have had to move a hospital bed in. We think she has had another mini-stroke. She has had other complications and has been very uncomfortable. She cries and gets very upset so they had to prescribe anxiety meds to help with that. She can no longer walk and can't speak to us to tell us if anything is wrong or what she wants. She will say something occasionally but very little. It is so sad. My Dad is her main caretaker and he is 80. He isn't stable with walking himself, so that leaves me, my brother and sister with lots of worrying. He is also determined to take care of her as long as he can. He has finally decided to have the Dr. prescribe home health care. We help as much as possible and as much as he will let us. Our cousin Connie has been the greatest. We have a local aging program aid come in to help out a few hours two days a week. Maylea can't seem to figure out what is going on with Mamaw. She will kiss her on the cheek and try to talk to her. Before this all happened Mom would call Maylea that little black headed girl, and she could say her name. Now she doesn't do that.

True compassion and empathy seems to come when you are faced with and are in a situation. I have known several that have been here, but didn't actually realize the affects the stress has on your mind and body. Pray for us that we will have wisdom while caring for our Mom and Dad