[ Just Because ]

Yep, just because I can.... I'm postin' again because I can.... I got word that some of the pictures didn't show up in my previous post so I'm letting you know I fixed it! :o) Now.... go look again! Because I said so! lol =)

[ Because I Said So... ]

How many times have you told your kids to do this or do that, and it's all 'because I said so'. Where did we get the notion that we knew what was best for our children? From our parents? From society's role model? (whatever that may be these days...) From our own maternal instincts that we somehow believe God places there?

I saw a photo this morning as I'm reading through my blogs of love and it started the wheels spinning. I doubt that I will ever again tell my children to do some of the following (however I'm human so on the days I slip I hope God reminds me of just how silly I may be).

My list of things NEVER to tell my children again....(with visual aids) ;o)

• Please pick your toys up and put them away! I don't know why we ever bought you so many.... just pick them up already! Because I said so.

• Stop trying to drink from the faucet and just get a glass. This seems odd because I don't mind when they drink from the water hose in the summertime. Go figure. Or....don't drink from the carton because it's just dirty and germy! You're doing nothing but sharing your germs with the rest of us who don't want them. Because I said so.

• Some days I wish we had a different/bigger/nicer/smaller/in a different location house. This one just isn't right for us anymore. Hmmm..... that one doesn't even need to be a because I said so. Someone needs to smack me.
• Just get ready for school and stop grumbling about it! You should be happy to go to school and learn new things. Because it's just what you have to do. It's your job. Because I said so. (I have to remind myself of the thousands of children who would find it an honor and a privilege to be ALLOWED to attend school....)


• You seriously cannot wear the same clothes you had on yesterday. Just go change them already! Your shirt/shorts/pants/socks/underwear are filthy. I can't let you go out in public like that, your grandmother would have a fit. Because I said so....

And last, but certainly not least because I could do this all day long and never be done.....

Stop eating with your fingers. It's bad manners. I realize God gave you fingers before he gave me a fork but please just use it because it's rude to eat like a pig. Heaven forbid we go out to eat and you would start playing in your food with your fingers. People would think I didn't teach you anything.Most of these photos were taken from Tom Davis' sight 5for50.com where I send a donation every month. My link on my sidebar was broken and it lead me to fix my widget this morning. Which lead to a very long and drawn out discussion with God and keeping my feet on the ground. Some days we just need to be smacked up side the head. Some days we deserve to be. I was reminded of this after I got onto my son this morning for not wanting to change his underwear (the boys is 6....what harm can come of him wearing them two days in a row). ;o)

Little things like taking a bath, or putting on shoes we so take for granted and it breaks my heart. I always knew these kinds of situations existed (or at least had some sort of idea...) and then when my eyes were opened it creates a startling realization in you that never EVER goes away.

I'd love to just once wear the dirtiest clothes I could find in my laundry pile (and we're farm people....it could get ugly), go without my shoes, wipe a little dirt on my face and take my family out to eat. Imagine the stares and snickers that would be directed at us. But for a moment, think if this is how our society, our own community would treat us, how would they treat anyone else they encountered in the world who was just the same? Rather than point a finger, lend a hand. Make a difference in someone's life. Even if it's only that $5 per month through an organization like 5for50.com It makes a BIG impact for someone's world.

My day will be just a bit sweeter today knowing that it's just not THAT important. There are bigger things to worry about. Like how I'm ever going to get to all these places in the world I want to go and hug and love on and help feed so many children. Ay yi yi.....

The LEAST we can do everyday is pray God's blessings up on them. Because I know for a fact, he has blessed us beyond measure.

[ Adopted ]

It just needs to be shared.... Please read.

Adopted For Life....and Death

I don't know what else to say.

[ Trafficking ]

Yep, I'm back to beat that dead horse. I keep reading and the saw a news clip on CNN regarding the ten Americans in the Haitian jail. And I gotta tell ya, the more I read and research the angrier it makes me.

The first time I read an article on this when they were arrested it sounded like a big misunderstanding. It stated that this was a church group who had a previously established an orphanage in Haiti that they organized and had been building a new orphanage in the DR (Dominican Republic). They had recently finished the one in the DR and wanted to transfer these children to the new facility and it was all very innocent and they didn't realize they needed further paperwork from what they currently had.

The more I read, the more aggravated I become. (I think this may be why I never used to pay attention to the news!) lol CNN has a video news clip where parents of these children were interviewed. They actually took their children to these missionaries under false pretenses. They were misled into believing the positive promises for their children's futures. Don't even get me started on how much a parent has to love a child to forgo their own happiness for the betterment of their child's future. That's a love I can't even begin to fathom and yet these people deal with this on a daily basis. For them to be lied to and take their children.... well, it's just plain wrong.

No matter how you look at it, whether they had the best of intentions or not, a little common sense should prevail and just because we're Americans doesn't mean our way is always the best or right way. You can't undermine a government because you think you have a better plan or process. It's trafficking plain and simple if the children were taken under false pretense.

Now, this leads me to another point which is exactly why the governments of countries like Haiti tend to crack down on their adoption system. These are the reasons there are such strict and long-term guidelines in place, so many hoops to jump through. It's frustrating at best and when a group of Americans (missionaries/church groups no less) are arrested for trafficking it sure doesn't make things any better for those already dealing with the adoption process, nor the missionaries that continue to travel to the country to do positive and Godly missions. Argh!

People wonder why the church gets a 'bad name'. It's groups like this that go in the name of the church. I'm compelled to not believe anything this group of Americans has to say anymore. Of course it's media coverage that we have to go on so you have to take everything with a grain of salt. But when there are so many conflicting stories, even from the Americans themselves. It's hard to believe they were doing what was best for the children without having some type of motive. I pray that God will provide insight where it's needed and the children's best interests will be top priority. I hope these children can be reunited with their families, their parents. I pray their parents find peace and comfort and some understanding for the whole ordeal.

I urge you, if you are with a group, traveling with a leader or sponsor of some kind, to still ALWAYS use your own mind. Your common sense. That little voice inside your head. If something seems wrong or not quite right there is probably a reason. God gave you a free will and mind of your own, USE THEM!!!! Feel free to question authority at this level. Otherwise you may find yourself on the other end.... with the authorities questioning you! Ay yi yi.....

What do you think?

Now....on another note. Does anyone participate in or know anything about WMU? (besides you Diane!) lol :o) I've discussed it with you, just wanting any and all input on topics, etc. Website looks interesting, I just keep researching and reading. I'm terrible when it comes to click click click.... because I'm like the energizer bunny. I just keep going and going and going! lol

I also found bible studies from Kelly Minter. Has anyone does any of these studies and what were your thoughts? They look awesome! I ordered a study from Amazon and will have it tomorrow. It looks great, but I'm always on the lookout. Will share with you later what I think of it.

[ Arrested? ]

*warning* I tend to ramble, lots of random thoughts today.....

No, not me.... (thank goodness!) lol The 10 Americans arrested in Haiti for trying to cross the border with 33 children. Remarkable.... I still remain a bit confused as to why people don't understand or at least research the government and the way a country is run before jumping in to save them. It was a terrific idea, just implemented wrong. Things like this happening are why they crack down on adoption. Their world, their government does not operate like ours. You have to understand the difference in culture and mentality before trying to save the world.

Anywho... no need to get into all that. All my friends could tell you, no one is more anxious to adopt than me but there is a reality to the world of adoption and laws and guidelines must be followed, for any country. Whether we think they are right and just or not. Sometimes life's just not fair. We work to change it, but please remember to choose your steps wisely. I hope everything goes well for those Americans who will be going to court today.

And, on a brighter note! Our friends Leslie and Chris (in-country missionaries in Haiti) have been given the go ahead to fly their daughter out to 'home'. How awesome! They just celebrated their daughter's second birthday and have had to remain in the country with her since they were blessed with her as an infant. Due to adoption laws in Haiti..... it's been pretty rough lately for them seeing all the other children united with their families in America and not being able to finalize their adoption they've been working on for years in-country. I could hear the excitement and joy in Leslie's words as I read her blog update. I'm so happy for them!

My daughter recorded a movie this weekend that we watched last night. The Great Debaters. Awesome movie about the beginning of the Civil Rights Legislation, if you haven't seen it go rent it or find it on TV. I think it's been on several times this month. I had never heard of it before and it stars Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker. I thought I'd caught all of Denzel's movies, he's one of my favorite actors! But this was one I hadn't seen. Glad my daughter brought it to my attention! (click the link to see the trailer, then go watch the movie already!)

So.... it's a good Monday. I'm looking forward to accomplishing a lot of work this week. Maybe clean the house a little (maybe being the key word in that sentence), and actually I'm hoping this week flies by because I'm looking forward to Sunday again! I so enjoyed church yesterday. It feels good to find 'home' again and it just made my entire day and my outlook on this week so positive.

Joy and I have some planning to do this week too. We're starting a women's Bible study and I'm anxious to see how that grows over the next few weeks. Not exactly sure where we're even going to start studying yet but we're having a 'planning luncheon' today. Wish us luck! I'll share a link soon with updates and study guides so if anyone is interested you can join in from your home computer. =) It should be interesting to see where it leads us. But beware... I was recently labeled "one of those religious fanatics". I'm not sure if that was an insult or a compliment. But I'm leaning toward the latter. I guess spreading the good news is not something 'average' people do anymore. So, if that makes me a fanatic, then yeah me! ♥