[ Friday Freebie & Prayer ]

Yeah, it's Friday! I wish I wasn't so sick, I might enjoy the day more. Going on day three of this nasty cold (that my hubby is hoping isn't the swine flu). Excuse my political incorrectness. I still eat bacon. :)

So, my Friday Freebie is a Christmas Ornament this week! :) How cool is that? Christmas is my favorite holiday and I splurge on ornaments every year. We always get new ones. The kids each get a new one to add to their collection. When they leave home, they'll have enough to decorate their own trees. Mine may end up bare by the time I have an empty nest. I think last time we counted we had almost 500 ornaments for our tree. Again, did I mention how much I ♥ Christmas?! Click on the picture below to be taken to the site to complete the form for your free ornament!


So, onto the next bit of goodies for Friday. Our pastor has been discussing prayer lately and being prayer warriors. Which has had me thinking quite a bit. When someone asks you to pray or you receive prayer requests do you literally say a prayer for them or just say you will and then never really get around to it? Do you use the prayer chain from your church or study group as your gossip track or are you really concerned with the prayers that need to be lifted? I only ask these things because they have been thoughts and actions of my own in the past. I've had my prayer life changed and learned how easy it can be to send up a prayer for someone, or myself at any given moment.

Being singled out to say grace at dinner everyday on our trip was a huge push for me. A giant leap you might say. I found a comfort zone. I used to be embarrassed to pray outloud in the company of others. But as I quickly learned on my trip my comfort level wasn't realistic for several areas of my life. So, now I begin to pray. Pray everyday. Prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of need, prayers for understanding and healing.

Someone sent me a message this morning thanking me for something else and upon knowing I wasn't feeling well added "IM PRAYING FOR YOU" in all caps. :) To me, that was a sign that an actual prayer was being said for me. For which I was very greatful. I challenge you.... when you say you are praying for someone, actually stop what you are doing and say a prayer right then. It takes only a few seconds or minutes of your time. But it's sincere.

I'm going to leave the link on my sidebar with the picture below as an open invitation when you need prayer, send a request. I can share it with others, I can keep it private. But I can guarantee you that a prayer will be said. We all know prayer works but we have to do it with a sincere heart and honesty. Won't you pray with me? Won't you allow me to pray for you?

So, I'm going to share a request this morning. I'm praying over it and ask that anyone who wants to pray with me do so. One of the organizations that I follow regularly on the web, All God's Children International, has space left for their next mission trip to Africa. AFRICA! :) Did I mention I dream big these days? My trip to Haiti opened up my heart and mind to so many things, so many people. I'm saving money now to return to Haiti, but when I saw that there were spaces left to go on their trip to Africa I became excited at the possibility that I could do that also. So, that's my prayer. For guidance as to wether I should go, and if so the means to get there. it's actually not much more than a trip to Hait. Can you believe it? I'm starting to wonder if I wouldn't have made a good missionary if my life had been different. But, I'm also aware that God has placed me right where I needed to be too. I wouldn't trade my life for anything and these new adventures are just a new chapter to be explored.

I'll pray for you today, and anytime you ask. Yes, I've actually said a prayer for anyone who is reading this. :) Try it! You can click on the photo to send a prayer request and it will remain in the sidebar too. Or feel free to e-mail me directly at renealynch@yahoo.com I hope you'll use it, and find comfort when you do.

So, I'm still reading too. Finished Fields of the Fatherless by Tom Davis (how awesome I think this man is!). I've started reading Hope Lives. I encourage anyone to read Tom's book. It gives practical suggestions for helping 'the least of these' in many ways. Some even right in your own backyard. :) yes, did I say practical? Not everyone is called to adopt or travel on missions. But there are things that can be done right in your home town to help those in need. Please find a way to share your gifts, to help someone less fortunate than yourself. You'll make God smile. I promise. :)

Happy Friday from my sick bed. Hope you have a better weekend than mine is shaping up to be. My baby's 6th birthday is tomorrow and I need strength to party (like a 6 yr old). So wish me luck. Dad has alrady ordered the cake and his gift came in the mail on Tuesday. Thank goodness daddy has been helping take care of me this week. Otherwise we'd be celebrating without sweets. Maybe that wasn't to help me, but to satisfy his sweet tooth. (Or spoil the golden child.....) lol

[ Love it! ]

I think I want a shirt like this:

[ My Surprise Today ]

Today was an incredible day. So much to be thankful for and so many surprises I never expected. I've been reading and reading and reading lately. Amazon is making a killing off of me. :) Thanks Diane. Thank goodness for that prime membership and free shipping. it's definitely paying for itself. Any-WHO.... I finished reading "Adopted For Life", definitely something I'm glad I read. Explaining our adoption by God, and how He wants us to serve by living by His word.

James 1:27 (NIV)

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.

I'm feeling this call stronger than one can imagine. I want to adopt. Not just care for others. Yes, I know I should do that, and I'm learning and doing. Everyday. But I believe God has placed it in my heart to adopt and I'm just waiting to see how it all plays out. With great anticipation I might add.

I started on "Fields of the Fatherless" Saturday. I'm almost finished with it today. I'm just so excited and eager to read and learn of God's chosen people and how He wants us to love and care for "the least of these". As I'm reading this book today, so many things stuck out in my mind, jumped off the page, literally. I've dog-eared so many pages in this book. I keep wondering and asking God daily how He's leading me in my love for adoption and today as I'm reading I felt like He actually spoke to me. Something that wasn't even in my mind, wasn't in my thoughts jumped in my heart and I knew it was something I needed to do. God was telling me that I needed to sincerely empty my heart before Him. I can't seek the desires of my heart until I let go of some of my baggage.

I stopped what I was doing right then and there. I bowed my head and ask God to sincerely forgive me. Outloud. Not just passing thoughts in my head like I've prayed so many times before. I know He hears me, but showing the true spirit of seeking and asking came to me today. I cried, I begged. For forgiveness for the pain I've put my family through in the last few years. Thanking Him once again for my amazing and wonderful husband. He's one of my greatest gifts from God and no one can possibly begin to love me as much as Eric does. I had learned how to forgive him, but I hadn't truly learned to ask for forgiveness for myself.

I also ask for forgiveness and help in healing old wounds. Feelings of betrayal and bitterness from someone who I thought was one of my strongest bonds in this life. Someone I would have given soooo much for. After years of anger, disappointment and bitterness that I didn't know how to let go of I finally did today. It was so easy. I learned I was trying to control it and I had to let God have it. Did I mention easy? It was taken in an instant and I can't explain the feeling of release I had. Like someone had just breathed life into my chest. It was awesome I tell ya! :)

My afternoon was incredible. I've been walking on a cloud ever since. After a session with a beautiful girl (her spirit and smile were so contagious!), I came home to get my mail and this is what I found in my little silver box.

I thought it was a new book (remember my amazon addiction?), or one of my new FREE reads for being a book reviewer. And then I saw the return address. I got so excited! I ripped it open and this is what came out.

Reading the card and slowly unfolding it to see the front of the shirt I began to cry. Here was a piece of someone's heart. A shirt I purchased as a fundraiser for someone's adoption fund. I'm wanting to adopt so badly and actually having something material to make me realize that there are real people, adopting real orphans in the world. And somehow I was a small part of it. Today I became a small part of the Dubois Family's adoption for their son from Ethiopia. I'm in love with my new shirt. GO. SEEK. LOVE. If you feel like getting a new cool shirt, or feel a tug at your heart to support an adoption of a family, go.... look at their site, seek.... find your size and favorite style of shirt, love.... it's a small donation that goes a long way. I know they would appreciate it. I just wonder how many more are in store for my future because I have a feeling I'm gonna wear this one out!

So, I'd like to say I hope your day was as wonderful as mine. But I know in my heart it can't compare. :) I still hope you had an awesome day. I pray that you are led in some way to help others in need. Everyone isn't called to adopt. We're all commanded to love and help 'the least of these'. Happy Tuesday to you!

[ Will You Help Me? ]

Scroll to the bottom of the page and turn the music player off and come back up to listen to this short video clip. :) Will you help me, help them?

Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

[ A Birthday Present For Me ]

Yes, I know it's only September 8th and my birthday isn't until the 24th but....... this is going to be the best birthday present ever!!!!



I expect total quiet in my house and uninterrupted TV time for two hours. Yes, I believe Grey's is my all time favorite show. Anyone can feel free to send gifts or cards, they're all GREATLY appreciated, but you're going to have a hard time if you're trying to top the gift from ABC. :) lol Happy Tuesday, before the 2nd Thursday, before my birthday!