Saturday, July 21, 2007
This is my baby Marion. She is sick and I'm not there to hold her. I desperately want to tell her, "It's okay baby, mommy's here." I want to sing to her, cradle her and tell her she's loved. My heart is breaking and aching. Even though we have never even met her, she is mine, my heart has known her since the beginning of time. When God created her, he knew one day in another country across the world, I would give birth to her in my heart. He knew we would love her, pray for her and travel around the globe to find her and Emmanuel. I have peace in knowing God works everything out for His glory. I have peace in knowing she's in the hospital. Thank God for Pastor Wesley who is caring for her and all the children at Greater Love Childrens Home in Liberia.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Marion's House
It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of our baby Marion in
Liberia. Words can not describe the emotions we are filled with. Thank
you to everyone who prayed for her. We are now more convicted than
ever that we are doing the right thing in adopting from Liberia. Our
baby was one of thousands that died in Africa that night. One more
child taken by disease, poverty and war. I have peace in knowing God
has a perfect plan for everything. If he led us to Emmanuel and Marion
to ignite passion and urgency in our hearts to get off our butts and
do Something. Then Amen, I am ready. Tag. I feel the call.
Our children's orphanage (Greater Love Children's Home) is in desperate need to build a separate home for the babies. If we can separate the babies from the older children they will not be exposed to so many germs. They need such a small amount to accomplish this. $ 4000 dollars is nothing to build something that will save the lives of some of the poorest orphans in the world. It is our mission to raise the money needed and dedicate to our precious baby Marion.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Half way there!
God is great! A wonderful family donated $1000 to Marion's House. WAHOOOOO! So with the other money raised so far that puts us half way to our goal in less than a week!! Praise God. The sooner we raise the money, the sooner the baby home will be built, the sooner the babies will thrive. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. They carried us through the last few days.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Wahooo!!!!!
I serve an awesome God! He goes above and beyond what we ask or think is possible! In less than a week he supplied the $4000. for Marion's House. A church in Minnesota donated $2000 to the house. A member of their congregation is adopting from the same orphanage. Man, God is Good!
And guess what? He is doing so much more than just the building of the house! My sister-in-law(who happens to be an amazing woman of God) is spreading the word of Marion's House. So imagine not only a seperate house, but also one that is furnished and decorated! Marion's short life has touched so many people! I am truly humbled and blessed by every ones generosity and prayers for our children in Africa.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Update on Marion's House and Emmanuel
I am truly humbled to be a part of what God has done through Marion's earthly death. When I spoke with HollyAnn (the amazing woman who started Addy's Hope) she said," I could hear the buzzing of construction on the baby home when I spoke with Pastor Wesley!" People continue to come forward and show support for the orphanage. My husband's cousin and her family gave generously to Marion's House. My heart did a flip in my chest when I opened her card. Wow, I thought-God is good! So, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone. It is truly amazing to see all God has done. In this I have great comfort and Peace.
I don't know how to begin this next paragraph. It is with a heavy heart that we share Emmanuel will not be coming home either. A few weeks ago, The Lord told me we needed to let go. But why Lord, I don't understand! A few days after my pleading with God, Emmanuel was taken back to His village. It seems after Marion's death, the village was convinced she was part of some,"sacrifice" and they wanted Emmanuel back for tribal "cleansing". He has yet to come back to the orphanage. So, I still don't understand what God has planned.
It's funny how we see things and how God sees things. Through this whole adoption process, God and I haven't seen things the same way. I saw Marion and Emmanuel in our family and home in Columbia. He saw so much more. He saw Marion's House, a place where countless babies over time could be cared for. A place that glorified Him! One thing we have seen the same is, one boy and one girl. God has shown us our son. He is here in Missouri. I look forward to sharing him with you. In time I will be able to. We still have a lot of hurdles to jump through before we can make an official announcement. I fell in love with this kid months ago. I wondered how God was going to work everything out. When I saw Emmanuel and Marion, we still had yet to meet this kid. My dear husband was concerned about adding three kids to the family. I think back now and realize God was giving me a glimpse of what was to come. My reply to Adam was," I don't know what God has planned, all I know is He showed me these three kids for a reason. I believe we need to be obedient to His call and He will direct us." So, it is with faith we moved ahead with all three. Yet, I knew in my heart it was to be one boy and one girl. I feel like we came full circle. We are getting to know this amazing kid here in Missouri and God's will was accomplished in Liberia.
Now I'm on my knees for my little girl. Hollyann asked what age are we hoping for. I wanted to say, a baby. But if there is one thing I've learned through all of this.. His will be done, not mine. So my response was, "no matter what age, pray about it and if you feel lead call us right away!"
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
What to do
I have been asked if I plan on keeping Emman's and Marion's pictures under "My Kiddos". I wonder why I'm struggling with this thought. I am at peace with all that has happened. Someone asked if it's a matter of letting go? I have pondered this for days. I have let go of what I wanted- the obvious stuff like-holding them, kissing their boo-boos, watching them grow, and mothering them like crazy! But No, I can't and won't let go of the fact that I love them, I pray for Emman, and yes, they are and will always be a part of our family. Even with these strong thoughts, I wonder. Do I leave their pictures there? Do I remove them? What To do?
2 comments:
Reading those posts just breaks my heart all over again. The death and loss is so frustrating. Yet I know in my heart God has a plan. You articulate your feelings very well.
Apples, what can you do with apples you asked. Well there's canned apple sauce, frozen apple pies (if I can find room in my already to full freezer), apple crisp, baked apples, apple bread...you get the idea:) Yes, I think I would find it nicer if they were someone elses apples right about now. Talk about work! Still when it's all done, it's really wonderful.
Question: It's hard for me to follow blogs every day. So where do you stand in on the adopton front? Are you pursuing any at the moment?
Blessings, Danielle (mylifeinashoe)
Oh Steffany, I'm sitting here crying with you guys (although this was posted in Sept). . what an amazing story. God has such big plans, we have just no clue do we? He is so good. I LOVE the story about Marion's House!! I can't wait to read more. . you better have some updates furthur on for me!
Brandi
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