Harvester

I have to admit this space is a little boring.  My life is pretty focussed on adoption right now.  I invite you to visit my blog about adoption.  It chronicles my journey to the adoption of my first son.  If you start at the post titled, "The Beginning" and work your way to the future you'll get the whole story.  OR you can start at my current post and find out about our current adoption journey.  It's a work in progress!

I'm back.  November was a bit nuts around our house.  After being busy for so long, I thought I'd forgotten my user name.  It popped into my mind last night so I decided to give  it a try this morning.  Whew!  It worked and I'm back.  I hope to start blogging again fairly soon.  Ta Ta for now!

James 2:27 says, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

 

Throughout God's Word there is a theme of the Father's love for orphans.  Not only does He desire for the orphans to be cared for, he refers to us as orphans in need of a Heavenly Father.  In His rich mercy he wants to adopt us as his own.

 

My husband and I have been gifted with infertility.  This gift opened the door to a ministry to orphans in our own home.  (I always wanted to be a missionary.  I just never knew it would be in my own home!)  The adoption of our son and of our future children is an earthly example of what God has done for us.  We are thrilled to take part in the Lord's work!

 

There are so many orphans in the world.  So many children are looking for a mom and dad to keep them forever.  I urge you to pray for these children.  It is a mission feild of little hearts ready for seeds of love and permanency. Perhaps the Lord will prick your heart, as He has mine, and send you to reap the harvest.

 

Of course, I wish everyone who reads this would bring a child into their family.  I realize that's just not going to happen.  There are other ways, however, to reach out.  Take time to look at the adoption websites I offer on this site.  Also think about supporting an orphan through a charity like Summaritan's Purse or Compassion International.  (This is what my sister has chosen to do!  You go girl!)  There is also a program through which you can write to orphans in Liberia, Mothers of Love.

 

There is a blogger who has a heart wild about orphans.  I enjoy reading her blog immensly.  It is titled Meeting Mataya.  In it, she has written about Mothers of Love and Liberian orphans, providing links as well.  I highly reccommend making your way there to be inspired to love the orphans of the world. 

 

If you do nothing else, PRAY!  Pray for these lovely little children. 

I'm a little bit sad today.  My parents-in-law decided to put my dog to sleep. 

 

We had to leave Dixie behind when we moved to Washington from Ontario.  She was old and we didn't believe she'd survive the move.  Dixie came into our family while I was pregnant with our first son.  She gave me companionship and helped me through an emotional pregnancy.  Dixie then became our son's best friend.  She was always by his side from the very first day we brought him home from the hospital.  She actually barked for the very first time when a visitor knocked on the door to see the newborn baby.  As our son grew she played with him and cuddled up next to him in bed.  Although, she was still my dog, she and my son had a special bond.  It wasn't easy when we had to leave her behind, but we knew that Grammy and Grampy loved her and would take good care of her.

 

During our visit this summer, I noticed that Dixie had really aged.  She was slower, having trouble climbing onto the couch and didn't seem to hear as well.  I guessed it would be the last time we'd see Dixie.

 

On the way home from our visit, my oldest son announced to me that he wants to be a superheroe when he grows up.  I was very intrigued and continued the conversation with all sorts of questions.  I wanted to know what he would do in different situations and what kind of powers he'd have.  After awhile, my son looked at me with concern and said, "Mom, you know there's no such thing as superheroes."  I giggled.  Then he  continued, "But the world needs one, so that's what I'm going to be."  I shared my confidence in him and advised him to build up his muscles as well as his brain and to keep a caring heart.  I then assured him that he could be a heroe when he grows up as long as he does those things.

 

What do superheroes and the death of my dog have to do with each other? Read on.

 

A few weeks ago my in-laws called to say that Dixie was very sick.  My son started praying for her right away and hasn't stopped since.  At every meal and at every bedtime we ask God to help Dixie feel better.  I've been a little nervous about how his faith would be affected if she did die.  I was pretty sure that she would.

 

Today I had to tell him the bad news.  My heart was racing as we sat down on the couch.  We talked about all the things we've been praying for.  A man with an inoperable brain tumor has been at the top of our list.  We thanked God that he was at church yesterday and that he is getting better.  Then I explained to my son that sometimes God answers our prayers differently that we've hoped.  I told him that sometimes in order for a loved one to feel better they have to stop living, they have to die.  Right away he asked, "Does Dixie have to die to feel better?" 

 

"Yes, hun, she does.  Dixie is no longer alive."

 

"She died?"

 

"Yes, but she doesn't hurt anymore."

 

We had a good cuddle and a good cry.  Then we read a book for distraction.

 

I was a little nervous as my son prayed at lunch time.  I wondered if he would ask for Dixie to feel better out of habit.  No, instead he thanked God for helping Dixie feel better.  I nearly burst into tears!  I could not believe the faith of this child.  He is my heroe!

 

This is why Jesus tells us to be like children to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  We underestimate the power of children way too much.  My own children have taught me so many lessons.  This lesson of faith is one I hope to never forget. 

 

I normally don't watch tv during the day.  Every once in a while, though, something catches my interest and seems worth sitting down for a little bit.  Today's Oprah was coming on as I was turing off the DVD player for my son.  I decided to see what the Queen of talk had to say today.  When I saw that she'd be presenting Moms Around the World, I thought it looked pretty interesting.

 

There was a woman from Uganda interviewed by Lisa Ling.  Her name is Bakoko.  She has adopted forty children whose parents have died of AIDS.  She introduced several of her children who now have AIDS.  Could see the tears in her eyes and hear the compassion in her voice.  Then she shared that she is working to change laws regarding the way men treat women.  She is starting the change in her own home with her own sons.  Bakoko's sons told Lisa Ling how they hope to offer their wives freedom and empowerment.  This amazing mom then spoke these words with a huge smile on her face, "That is my pride.Even if I am poor, even if I don't have what others have, I have fine young men who will transform our society."

 

Oh to be a mom like that.  We can be!  Although adoption is my passion, I don't believe we have to adopt forty orphans to provoke change.  Whether you are the mom of one or the mom of twenty, you can be a positive influence.  Just by raising your children to love and serve others, you can change the world.  I want to encourage you to go to Oprah.com and read about some of the moms featured on her show today.  I also encourage you to read the Power of a Positive Mom, a book that has made me think about my purpose as a mom.  Most importantly, I encourage you to give your task to the Lord and ask his Spirit to move you and your children to be Earth Shakers!