One Month...

Tomorrow marks the date one month from the earthquake that shook the ground violently enough it was heard 'round the world. One month ago Haiti was changed forever. People stood up and took notice of a third world country that needed their support. Their prayers. Their love. I have mixed emotions thinking of what has transpired over the last thirty days.

I still miss my Haitian friends and think of them everyday. Wondering what they are doing, how they are helping others, how they are rebuilding. I want to still be there to help. My heart breaks even for those that I don't know. Yes, it's finally happened. The media coverage has dwindled and most people are getting back to life as usual.

But the tragedy continues everyday.

People are still dying from the lack of medical care. The immediate recovery efforts were rescuing those still alive, burying the dead that were everywhere. Mass graves. Those images will live in my mind always. Not as vividly as some, but they are there.

The tragedy continues everyday....

As the rubble is being cleared away, people are salvaging materials to be recycled such as rebar for construction, bricks and blocks that are still in one piece. These things can be used to rebuild their houses and orphanages.

Along with the rubble that is cleared, more bodies are surfacing. The people who were lost that could not be recovered. Could not be dug out. Their bodies have been crushed or just trapped and they may have slowly died. Some of these bodies aren't even recognizable. Who were they?

It upsets me to even say they are 'bodies'. Because they were somebody. They were important. They were brothers, fathers, sons..... mothers, sisters, daughters. They were important to God.

The tragedy continues everyday....

And it somehow aggravates me that people didn't take notice of Haiti BEFORE the earthquake. Haiti needed love, support and prayers before they were shaken. There were already THOUSANDS of orphans in Haiti. Why did it take a natural disaster and the death of over 200,000 people for nations to stand up and take notice of this country?

This country where children starve to death everyday. Where they are abandoned by their families, abused, sold.

This country where people hope to have a meal....tomorrow. Because today it may not be possible.

Perhaps tomorrow someone will show mercy, someone will sponsor their child to go to school so they can be fed and educated.

Perhaps tomorrow someone will provide them with clean water so they aren't subjected to drinking, bathing and doing their laundry all in the same river

Perhaps tomorrow it won't take a natural disaster to stir our hearts to help our neighbors.

In my daily devotional on the day after the earthquake, January 13th, the title was "If You're Breathing, Praise the Lord!". Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord, Psalm 150:6 The story was of a family marveling at the wonders around them proclaiming, "How can people NOT believe? How can they deny the awesomeness of God's creation?" The amazing part and the joyous part of the whole disaster is knowing that God's people were still praising Him less than 24 hours after they lost everything. They lost their homes, their possessions, their children. Yet they continue to praise the Lord!

My devotional for tomorrow, February 12th, one month after the disaster is "The Openness of a Child". Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Luke 18:17 Children who see a Christian in a place of service look up to them and trust them to be what they claim. Children are very impressionable at a young age. We must be careful what we say to children, and our words must match our actions. Father, help me match what I say with what I do, and place my faith in You as would a little child.

Make your actions match your words. If the disaster was what it took to open your eyes to the plight of orphans then so be it. Go, Seek, LOVE. But please remember this is nothing new. There were children (over 147 MILLION of them), and people in need of your love more than 30 days ago. They're still there today, and they'll need you tomorrow. And they don't just live in Haiti.

Do you ever feel Invisible?

Watch the video and you will understand what I ask when I say, "Do you feel invisible?". =) What will you build today as you are invisible? Scroll to the bottom of the page and turn the audio player off to hear the video clip. You'll be glad you listened! ;o)

Did you fix breakfast before everyone got up? Set clothes out for the kids to go to school. Make sure homework was checked and backpacks were ready. While everyone is gone and no one is looking will you clean the house, do the laundry, take out the trash, prepare supper for when everyone comes home. What will you sacrifice of yourself today, that no one will see..... but God. We are never invisible to God. He's always there holding us up, supporting us, and watching as we build our families. Take pride in your work ladies. Do a good work that He will be proud of you for. We don't do the things we do for our own glory or for others to say thank you (even though it feels incredibly awesome when it's noticed and appreciated), we do it for HIM.

I love Proverbs 31 and want to strive daily to become a Proverbs woman. I want to train my daughter to become a Proverbs woman. It makes my heart happy to know one of her favorite verses is Proverbs 31:30... Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

The invisible things we do are all about becoming a Proverbs woman. My new Bible study I'm beginning with friends is 'Becoming A Woman Who Pleases God'. I want to make sure that everything I do is pleasing to Him. I know at times I fail miserably but I pray when I start my day that He is with me and guides my steps as I go about my business of being a mom, wife and business woman. Being INVISIBLE. =) You can find more of Nicole Johnson's inspirational videos HERE or visit her website HERE.

Proverbs 31:10-31

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

[ Thank you! ]

I wanted to shout out a big thank you to those who supported our efforts to raise funds for our missionary friends in Haiti! You know who you are and your generosity is appreciated more than you can imagine. Through the Chip-In box and personal donations we received locally we raised over $450! Woo Hoo!!! Merci Jezi! =)

I have removed the 'Chip-In' box from my website due to a paypal issue where they froze my account and would not release the funds to forward them to the mission groups. If you made a donation and received it as a refund, you were also sent an e-mail and provided a link to send donations through the Clean Water for Haiti site with instruction on how to get it directly to Chris and Leslie. =) The banks have again opened and it is easier for them to obtain needed money. We were attempting to send cash in to them through other missionaries traveling into the country.

So...... in order to release the freeze on my paypal account that I actually need for my business please do not send me any further donations! :) Thanks, but no thanks! lol PLEASE, feel free to continue supporting Clean Water for Haiti and Chris and Leslie by sending your donations HERE and specify in your notes section for your funds to go to Chris and Leslie Rollings family.

Again, we appreciate your support and hope you continue to pray for Haiti. You can still view updates on what Chris and Leslie are doing through their blog HERE. Thanks again! God bless you all!

[ Kudos to CBS! ]

I know I'm about to open myself up to much criticism and opposition from some but I just have to say (especially since this is my blog and I can say what I want!) KUDOS to CBS!! I think I would like to actually be able to shake the hand of the man in charge of this network.

By now most have heard of the controversy surrounding the Tim Tebow ad sponsored by Focus on the Family. Their pro-life promotion has gotten nothing but negative feedback and response. Or at least that's all that is being aired through several media sources. From reading ads, discussion forums and watching several youtube clips regarding the commercial everything I have come across has been negative.

My first problem with this...... those that are ranting and raving about having a "choice" don't want others to have a choice of their own! Fortunately for us, we live in a country where we all have a choice about every blessed thing we do in our lives. It's a fine line to walk at times.

I wouldn't want any government entity trying to tell me as a woman what I could and could not do with my own body. Such as trying to mandate when or if I should have my tubes tied just to prevent me from having children. HOWEVER..... I'm a woman that would never choose to abort a baby either. To me the arguments for abortion just don't make sense.

My mother-in-law used to have a bumper sticker that said "American Abortion--Hitler Would Have Loved It". I remember the first time I saw it on her car when I was 15 years old. To this day, over 25 years later I can see that sticker plain as day if I close my eyes. I've tried rationalizing in my mind the reasons any woman (or young girl) would choose to have an abortion. I still believe with love and support, and most importantly with God.... all things are possible.

Even in the back recesses of my mind, in the most horrible of situations....consider rape....I couldn't abort a child. A child from a crime of rape never asked to be conceived either, but I believe God doesn't make mistakes. If the horror of that moment could not be erased and the thought of living with a child that would only bring memories of hatred couldn't be handled......there is always adoption. An abortion doesn't undo the pain and horror you've already endured. It will only add to it. I've yet to hear anyone that has had an abortion say they don't think of that child, that moment for the rest of their lives. It doesn't go away either.

What seems really sad to me, thinking this would be one of the major reasons for abortion, is that it's not! Rape is less than 1% of the reasons for abortions. *jaw dropping can commence now* This chart is a few years old but just look at it.

• Someone feels unready for the responsibility..... you were ready for sex, therefore you are responsible. If you're not ready then don't have sex! (that's a whole 'nother discussion too!) If you aren't ready, there's someone who is..... ADOPTION!
• You feel you can't afford a baby..... You know, if you wanted to keep it there are support options available, or you can place the child for adoption. There are plenty of people that aren't capable of conceiving that would give your child a home filled with love and support.
• Has all the children she wants.... hello, then why weren't precautions taken before sex to ensure you didn't end up pregnant again?
• Relationship problems/single parenthood..... again with the pro-adoption route! I'm a person that believes a relationship should be more than sex to begin with and we need to be teaching our sons and daughters the value of a relationship, the value of sex, the value of responsibility. Granted this is never a 100% guarantee but let's give it a shot shall we?
• Feels she isn't mature enough.... I realize this can be a very relevant issue. More children need the support of their parents when an unwanted pregnancy happens. All too often we look for a quick fix. Parenting classes are available, support is there if you are willing to seek it. If you still feel incapable of the responsibility..... ADOPTION! =) (My a-word for the day).
• It interferes with your plans..... seriously? This is just our own selfish desires taking control. If you have sex, there are plenty of things that can happen. A baby is just one. If you have big plans..... then plan better! It's called birth control.
• Your parents or partner want the abortion. This one really boggles the mind. People can be pro-choice but they are letting others make the choice for them. The reality is that more and more teens are becoming pregnant. There needs to be more support systems for them. If there are support systems then they need to be more available or 'advertised' better to assist these young girls with their pregnancies. A parent cannot make that choice for their teenager, anymore than they made the choice for their teenager to have sex.

Then there's the 'hard cases' as they put it. (I'd think any case for an abortion would be a hard one but that's just me again....).

If the baby had health problems I wouldn't choose an abortion. I've seen enough infant death secondhand to picture the pain it brings to a family. If it's a wanted pregnancy, that pain will come from the loss of the child no matter when it dies. In your womb or after delivery. I'd choose to let God decide when it happens. Surely we've all heard the saying, "it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all". What if your child is that miracle baby that becomes the talk of the hospital staff, the nurses share your story with everyone they meet. Your baby beat the odds and grows up to be a world changer.

Believe it or not, Planned Parenthood made a video ad that depicts a 30-something man sitting on a couch, pot belly hanging out proclaiming to be a slob with no job, no promise, nothing to do but mooch off his parents and the end caption says "They don't all turn out like Tim Tebow".

Holy Crap! Seriously?! I'm sure that 'slobs' mother still loves him more than life itself!! That's an issue with a parent needing to show some tough love and telling him to get off his butt! Not an issue of whether or not she should have aborted him on the chance he would turn out to be a 'loser'. Seriously!........

Before anyone starts to leave comments that I have 'no idea' or I need to 'talk to a woman who has had to face these situations' let me tell you..... I have friends who have had an abortion. I remember the pain, the agony and the heartbreak that decision brought to their lives. I know it is something that lives on in your heart forever. At some point in their lives they always wonder what if. My child would be xx years old. My child would be going to school....driving....getting married..... I don't judge them for the decision. I surround them with love and cherish their friendship as much as my friends who have not had abortions. I don't judge anyone for their decision on this topic. God is my judge. God is your judge. Those are choices you have to reckon with God on, not me. If I were faced with someone asking me what would you do or someone scared and weighing the option of abortion I know what I would say to them. It wouldn't be about their 'choice'.

Did you know: An unborn baby can be considered the victim of murder or negligent homicide if killed by anyone other than the mother. But that same unborn baby can be aborted by her mother at any time during the pregnancy for any reason as her legal “choice.”

That's totally confusing to me.... someone can cause a car accident, run a red light, hit me, cause me to miscarry my baby and I can sue them and they will be charged and convicted of negligent homicide or murder. But if I chose to walk into a clinic and have a baby suctioned from my body with a vacuum and disposed of in a waste recepticle and walk away I get off scott free because it was my decision. If that child has a voice and is protected from an unsuspecting stranger, it should have the same rights from the woman it was blessed/cursed with calling it's mother.

There's no need to quote scripture or go into depth more than I have. It's like beating a dead horse. If you are pro-choice you may never understand my viewpoint. If you are pro-life I don't need to say anything at all. I pray that those faced with the decision of an unwanted pregnancy would be surrounded by love and support and God would touch their hearts and show them there are positive options to providing an alternative life for your baby. That He would heal their broken hearts and ease their emotional pain.

NOW..... on another note. Back to those 'commercials'. There is a website that shows commercials that were banned and not allowed to run by CBS during the super bowl. This is where I wish I could shake the hand of the man! lol

I watched them all. I would agree they were either not worth seeing or something I wouldn't want my children seeing. Everything from a man running over a woman with his car for a bag of Doritos, to a gay matchmaking website showing two men kissing while watching the football game. A direct quote from the site previewing these videos said, " the commercial being used as an example of CBS’s bias towards homosexuals and their support for not killing Football player fetuses."

I'm just a bit heartbroken today. Thinking that Christians have become a minority. That there are so many people seriously against a football player and his mother sharing their testimony of what their lives have been because she made a choice.

I've learned in the past few weeks and months who some of my true friends are because of the choices I make in my own life. The friends I've lost don't break my heart. I pray for them, I pray for their hearts. I thank God for the time it gives me to devote to my true friends and to nurture those friendships. I want everything I do in my life to be pleasing to God. I'm sure I fall very short most days, but it doesn't mean I can't keep striving to be better. To strive to share His good news. =) I hope I am raising my children to do the same.

And if you made it to the end of this post, thanks for reading. I'm going back to the tube to focus on the SAINTS!!!! I love football and all these commercials just put a sour twist to my sueprbowl Sunday! LOL =)

[ Just For Today ]

FOR TODAY, February 6, 2010

Outside my window... I see lots of dirty slushy snow.
I am thinking... that babies are beautiful gifts from God.
I am thankful for... my children.
From the kitchen... I hear silence.
I am wearing... my jeans and comfy cotton t-shirt.
I am creating... valentine portraits (I'm at work!).
I am going... to the movies tonight and out to eat with my friend Diane.
I am reading... the One Year Chronological Bible.
I am hoping... that sunshine and summer come soon.
I am hearing... the buzz of the florescent lights in my ceiling.
Around the house... it's probably quiet. Taylor is home.
One of my favorite things... is reading about others' adoptions.
A few plans for the rest of the week... having quiet relaxing days to get caught up on my work.
Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

Miss Jia is one of my best friend's daughter that she adopted from China and brought home on July 1, 2009. It's amazing to see the changes in her from the time she came to her new home until now. It's one thing to support and help with orphans, paying for meals and shelter. It's another to provide them with loving parents, a home and more hugs and kisses than they can imagine.