Thankful

You know, when I got up this morning I instantly thought of what the day meant.  January 12th.  One year ago I had to watch from a distance as Haiti experienced devastation beyond anything I could imagine.  I remember how sad and sickened I felt as I watched CNN updates telling how many had died, how many were trapped.  Seeing live footage of people being dug out of the rubble, bloodied faces, lifeless bodies piling up on the sides of the streets.

I also remember that I never once ask 'why?'  God's plans are bigger and better than anything I can comprehend, and although I may not understand it always I never once asked WHY.  Why Haiti?  Why those children?  Why those families?  Why that country?  I believe God was there, I believe God IS there.  I met Him there several times.  And as I remember my friends and family in Haiti today I remember to be thankful.

As the youth leader for the Jr. High kids at our church I thought, what better way to share what I was feeling today than with an activity for the kids.  We played a game that you had to say, "I am thankful for...." and whatever you said the next person had to have a word that started with the last letter of the word you said.  (totally confused?)  For example, if you said "I am thankful for school" then the next person would have to come up with something that started with the letter L because school ends with L.

I shared scripture with the kids about being Thankful to God.  In all times, for all things.  Everything comes from God and everything works for the good for those who believe!  (one of my favorite verses)  As I tried to point out to them how some people in the world live on less than $1.00 a day and don't have luxuries that we take for granted I just didn't think they were ever going to get it.

As I pointed out how God's people in some countries don't have a closet full of designer clothes, shoes for their feet, running water to shower with, a bathroom with a toilet that flushes.... I was met with eeews and that's gross!  ;)  So we started playing our little game.  Trying to drive my point home.

I almost felt like nothing I had said made sense.  As they randomly gave their words....  "skateboards, snow, skittles, dogs, lipgloss, Razr phones"  I got a few choice words I was looking for, like "electricity, mom, shampoo".  So, all was not lost.

Youth has been rough for me lately.  Working with kids that have no clue why they are at church (it's an escape from their homelife that is less than ideal).  Days I feel like I'm running interference at a juvenile detention center, fist fights and all.  So tonight was actually something I looked forward to as I had a small class (due to the weather and snow days!).  Five of the 'good' kids.  But after listening to their answers I still felt like I was getting no where, even with the 'good ones'.

Then I came home, to read updates and see what's going on in the world of my bloggy/facebook friends all around the world.  (literally..... TN, love my southern girls! ;) Haiti, Uganda, Florida, TX)  I saw updates from Rachel that reminded me all of the kids' answers were perfect!!!  You see, Rachel and her husband recently returned from Africa with their new daughter, and while looking at some of her photo updates of her little girl's FIRSTS it hit me.  I needed to remember my own words to the kids.  Be thankful for EVERYTHING, for all things come from God.  Seeing little A's first trip to the ocean, her first bite of an oreo cookie, the look on her face as her sister's explained peanut butter and waffles.  Be still my heart.  We can be thankful for skittles, and lipgloss, snow and skateboards.  Do you remember the first time you tasted a skittle?  Can you recall the first chance you had to play in the snow?  Oh the wonder!  We truly do need to remember:

“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

~Matthew 11:25~

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

~Matthew 18:3~

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

~Matthew 19:14~

Always be thankful for the many blessings we experience.  No matter how great or small.  Always remember that others may not be as blessed to have the same things.  Pray for them.  Pray for God's peace, His healing hand, His comfort for them.  I remember my friends in Haiti today, as I know they are thankful.  Thankful to have survived.  To have moved on.  Thankful to be alive and they are praising God all the while.  Wanting nothing more than to serve others and love them, because HE first loved us.  Oh how shameful for me not to be thankful for the kids' answers.  Praising God and giving Him thanks for my group of kids.  ALL of them. ♥ The good, the bad and the forgotten.

If you're interested, this was my post a year ago....
http://whileimwaitingonhim.blogspot.com/2010/01/pray-for-our-haiti.html

Could you be David's family?

Sharing from another blogger friend....please, please take time to read and share on your blogs or facebook!  Pray for David's family to come forward and find him SOON! ♥

Davids' Story: URGENT NEED!!!

Earlier today I posted "a plea for a boy in Latvia," and later received more information about his story.  It is heartbreaking, and he is URGENT need of prayer and adoption!!  Please read his story, and PRAY!  Below is the message I received:

"Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors:
I have prayed over the last few days about how to share this story, and I have no words to adequately express it. However, it has to be shared and I will do my best. Many who have heard it are so sick over it, our hearts just ache. We know God has a plan; is it you?

In January, 2010, I met an awesome child/young man at an orphanage in Riga , Latvia . His name is Davids. He was one of a few children we were introduced to that day for consideration in our Summer 2010 orphan hosting program. He was really sharp and smart, had a great sense of humor and looked you in the eye when he tried to speak the good amount of English he had already learned. I remember asking his favorite things to do and he didn’t hesitate to explain he loved kite flying in the sky and dreamed to be a pilot some day! He also enjoys soccer, basketball, swimming and all sports. But, the thing that surprised us most was his age! He was already 15 and effectively the size of a 9 or 10 year old child. We asked the orphanage director more about him later, and were told Davids is healthy, just small and has the kindest, gentlest heart. He generally plays with the younger group of kids because the older ones make fun of him and claim to be “too cool” to hang out with a guy his size. As for history, he has been in 4-5 different orphanages, but has managed to keep hope for a brighter future. He is a sincere and especially child towards younger children. Lego building is one of his hobbies! I remember, he made a joke when I asked him if he liked dogs and cats…a traditional question we ask… He said, “of course! But, I am no cannibal.” And gave us the biggest smile of all! Later, when he was among the group and doing art projects, he drew a picture of a jet airplane landing under a sky that resembled the American flag. When I asked him to explain it, he told me, “My dream to fly airplane and live in family in America !” From that point, he had us at “hello” and we were committed to helping him fulfill his dream.

For the summer program, Davids was hosted by a multi-cultural, multi-racial family and he did awesome! He was kind to his younger host brothers and sister and enjoyed just about everything they did. He especially liked to build and make things and play sports outside, with swimming being one of his favorites! He learned a lot more English and wasn’t shy to use it either. While his host family was not his forever family, our team and staff was so thankful when we received a call from a couple who wanted to go and visit with him before his return to Latvia . We knew time was short, and we encouraged anyone who might be interested, to meet him asap. After one meeting, the family who went, let me know they would be adopting him and how encouraged and inspired they were by Davids. After many discussions, we realized that he needed to know the plan, as his birthday was coming up…his 16th birthday, which means several things to an orphan. First, it means they are about to age out and can’t be considered for adoption. Second, it means that they are on their path of graduating the orphanage and will soon be on their own. Third, it means life as they know it now: food, shelter, protection and security is about over. In the first year after a child leaves the orphanage, generally 15% commit suicide. So, it was decided for me to talk to Davids when our interview returned to Latvia this past August and see how he felt regarding this adoption.

When I sat down with him, I had a translator with me, but he didn’t need her. We sat on a sofa in the social worker’s office and I asked him how he liked America and what he thought? He explained he loved it, and it was more than he ever imagined! I asked him if he remembered this particular man who came to meet him and spent time with him the week before he returned to Latvia , and he said “Oh Yes and we had fun!” I went on and said, “Well, this man told his wife about you and they want me to tell you they are so happy, and they want to adopt you.” Davids’ look was utter shock! He said, “Who, me?” and I confirmed it was indeed him. He said, “Oh yes! VERY VERY much YES! And, they want ME?” He was just the most excited kid I think I ever had the pleasure to tell about an adoption. Most kids are shocked, but usually have to think about it and have several questions to ask before they really accept it and consider it as real. Davids’, on the other hand, was just the happiest kid on the planet that day; his dream was coming true.

Last week, I got an email from  his adoptive family… now just 10 days before his 16th birthday,it basically said they felt that they would adopt a girl they met (which was planned all along), but they no longer wanted to adopt Davids’. They had changed their mind. The next day, I got an unsolicited email from Davids’ social worker in Latvia . This is what she wrote:
           
"Hello Le Ann,
I wish to ask you about one of our boys, his name is Davids T. He was hosted Summer 2010 at a host family in IL. Since he was close to 16, we got information and you shared with him that there is family who will adopt him. It was not the family who hosted him, but another one.
Till this day we never received more information about the adopting family, and we confirmed that the Ministry also has no information yet. I must share, we are all worried and concerned. Davids became so nervous in this last month, his attention to everything is gone. Yesterday he was moved to hospital, because of problems with his stomach relating to the stress of not knowing. We know this all is because he is so close to his 16th birthday; it's on 23 January this year.
We don’t know what to say and can't say anything to Davids because we don't know. It will be a shock for him if it's not true, he has so long lived with this thoughts focused on this adoption and a family in America .
We wish to know the truth to share so he can know and be happy again.”
We have tried to contact his family and explain, show them, what their decision has done to this child. So far, there is no response, but more importantly, there is no time with only a few days that remain for someone to file the I800 with USCIS to adopt Davids’. I have explained to his social worker what the full situation is, and as a strong Christian, she has agreed to pray earnestly with us for a new family to come forward for this child! The adoption agency who was working on this case has agreed to do everything they can to expedite the adoption and assist where possible to get them through the system.
If you or someone you know is interested in moving NOW to adopt Davids’, this is what needs to happen:
1)You must already have an approved home study issued by a Hague Accredited adoption agency in the USA . It must be able to be amended to show you are approved for at least one child, a boy, who is age 16 or under.
2)You must be willing to file with the USCIS the form I800, which will specify Davids’ as the child you intend to adopt, and it must be received prior to January 23, 2011. If done, this gives the adopting family 180 more days to complete the adoption.

Here are a few photos of Davids’: (the one on bottom is me telling him he was being adopted).

Please join us in immediate prayer and action to locate and identify Davids’ Forever Family!!! You are out there somewhere and God knows exactly who you are and He doesn’t make mistakes. We just need to get the word to you about him."
Le Ann Dakake, Director of Hosting Programs, New Horizons for Children 678-313-8321 cell
Or
Cathy Sawyer, An Open Door Adoption: 404-667-0694

Live Dangerously

DANGEROUS WOMEN

May we be dangerous women.
May we be women who acknowledge our power to change, and grow, and be radically alive in God.
May we be healers of wounds and righters of wrongs.
May we weep with those who weep and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
May we cherish children, embrace the elderly, and empower the poor.
May we pray deeply and teach wisely.
May we be strong and gentle leaders.
May we sing songs of joy and talk down fear.
May we never hesitate to let passion push us , conviction propel us, and righteous anger energize us.
May we strike fear into all that is unjust and evil in the world.
May we dismantle abusive systems and silence lies with truth.
May we shine like stars in a darkened generation.
May we overflow with goodness in the name of God and by the power of Jesus.
And in that name, and by that power, may we change the world.

~ Lynne Hybels ~ Nice Girls Don't Change the World 

So, I want to live dangerously.  I want to change the world.  But how can that even be possible?  We've all heard the story of the starfish.  That it's impossible to change the world for everyone, but for one you can change the world.  So I'm going out on a limb.....I want to change the world for as many people as I can.  More than one.  By whatever means necessary.

I can sponsor children, I can adopt (which is another long post in itself since I'm still living with that reluctant husband), I can pray, I can give, I can go.  I pray for missionaries already in the field sharing the gospel and being the hands and feet of Jesus.  I can give to their 'cause'.  Yes, there are a million and one ways to give to different charities.  No one is asking you to support them all.  Find a cause that is close to your heart.  Find a cause that you see the gospel being put to work.  Where it's coming alive!  And support it!  Whether it's $1.00 or $100.00 (or add a few more zeros if you're able!).  I'm sure we can all add a few more to the $1.00....  seriously.  Look within your heart and see what God is asking you to do.  What is your part?

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  

I can go....  I can go to another country to adopt (oh wouldn't that be a dream come true), or go down the street to the local agency and become a foster parent and adopt domestically.  Looking at all those beautiful faces and reading their profiles.  They just want someone to love them.  To show them they are worthy.  Aren't we all looking for just that?  They need someone to show them that not only are they special to an earthly parent, they are worthy and loved by their heavenly Father.  

I can go on a mission trip.  You know, when asked (and sometimes just telling it like it is) those that have been helped will share with you that it wasn't what you gave them to improve their lives that made a difference.  The material aspect isn't what sticks in their minds and hearts forever.  It's that someone chose to show them love with their actions.  Just to show up.  To walk with them, to hold their hand. 

Numbers 11:17
I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.

I want to be dangerous.  I want to do it all.  Some days I feel broken because I'm not doing enough.  Today seems to be one of those days.  So, today I will pray.  I will look to the One who gives me strength.  Who blesses me beyond measure.  I will take comfort in knowing that even though I fail to do everything I can, He remembers me and knows my heart breaks for what breaks His.  I pray that He shows me how to live dangerously.  I pray He shows you the same. ♥

Chicken Fajitas

So SERIOUSLY how I love my chicken!  lol  Yep, I said it.  I'm addicted to that white meat.  Grilled, fried, roasted, baked.  But the best way ever, EVER, to eat chicken is grilled with onions and peppers and made into fajitas!

There are lots of places that sell such.  Like Chilli's, Applebee's, some of our local restaurants.  Everytime I go in these places I order the exact same thing from the menu.  Because I can.  Because I LIKE IT!  :)

While I was surfing yesterday looking for a sewing pattern (yep, not even headed in the direction of chicken) I found THIS recipe.  Staring at me like a golden compass drawing me in.  I was craving those juicy grilled veggies and flavor of a fajita.  So, I made a grocery list and sent my hubby to the store for the goodies and look what we had for lunch today:

And yep, I like to take pictures of my food cuz I'm a dork like that!  :)  So, check out Dana's recipe and see what you think!  The best part is that you can make these 'homemade' and they are incredible!  NO fajita seasoning packets, just fresh ingredients and a few 'spices' will make you fall in love with making fajitas at home.  I can tell I'm going to be eating IN a lot more in the future!

Just had to share that today.  It's been a great Sunday!  Church, homemade fajitas, and now I think I need to lay down on the couch with my blankie and reflect on it all.  Let's hope I don't fall asleep!  ;)  Yeah right!

We are Family

So, 'meeting' this new facebook friend has allowed me to expand my world so to speak just a bit farther.  To be honest I'm not exactly sure how I found Christie, but God knows.  God led her to Bugabo village in Uganda, and God led me to her.  And I'm ever so glad He did!!!

Of course we all know in this world of social media and being able to communicate so easily that we are able to establish relationships all around the world.  And isn't if funny how you can go months, years, maybe even your lifetime and never meet them, but feel as if you've know them your whole life?  When our hearts and minds are focused on the same thing it's like having family.  Which, in fact, we are.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ.  And I gotta tell ya, my 'new sister' Christie is someone I can't imagine not having in my life now.  Yep, she's that special.

I loved reading how her heart was changed, how in just one short year of becoming a born again believer she has changed her life RADICALLY for Christ.  She's walking the walk, not just talking the talk.  ♥

Through her we were able to sponsor Samuel (remember my Christmas present?).  We have also been able to help others in the village she resides in with the purchase of shoes, and school desks.  It's incredible to see just how far an American dollar can go in a third world country.  The awesome part is, by eliminating the 'middle man' she's putting our donations to work immediately!  She's taking ACTION!

Just had this on my heart today and wanted to share with everyone.  So, if you have time, and are into surfing blogs (which I know you are!) check out Compass In My Heart.  And, check out our Samuel!  He went and got himself a haircut! ;)  But isn't he still just the most handsome boy ever?!  (well, okay, one of 4) lol  My own boys are pretty handsome devils too.  ♥

How cool that we can see updates of what Christie is doing everyday (friend her on facebook if you'd like!), and being able to see the kids is such a blessing.  Our daughter sponsored two children, my sister has sponsored two, and I have friends that are donating to help with the school.  It's like having another part of our family on the other side of the world.

Some day......  my feet will step on African soil.   And I hope to squeeze and kiss on those big chubby brown cheeks!  =)