moments with love

clean water.

2016-08-22T17:47:00.001-05:00

Our family has been in Uganda for 4 1/2 weeks now. We're settled into the village where we

are living and though I've been posting snippets of our time here on my instagram, I wanted

to tell you more about the water situation here.

Clean water is something that captured my heart years ago. It's something that I've always

taken for granted--we turn on the faucet in America and we get clean water. I love long

showers. Sometimes, I don't even turn off the water when I brush my teeth. We water our

grass to keep it green, turn on sprinklers for the kids to run through, and even spray out

our garages & driveways with water.

When our son, Nico, took me to a village that he had once stayed in to show me their

water source, my heart was broken. Every man, woman and child in that village was

using swamp water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and caring for their livestock.

Swamp water.

Though we rejoice that that village now has clean water--in large part from many from

this social media community's donations--there is much work to be done still to get all

our Ugandan brothers and sisters water.

Here is the water source for the village that we are currently living in, and where

Redeemer House [the home where our older boys lived prior to coming home to us]

will be located:

Once again, it's a literal swamp. This is the water that many of them walk up to 15-20 minutes

to retrieve.

Redeemer House has a vision for their children to have a reliable clean water source AND

for the village to have the same. Would you consider linking arms with me and with this

village to say that we aren't okay with them using this water? Would you show them

tangible love by helping them get clean water?

Ok, numbers people. Here is the breakdown of where we are. (I'm not really a numbers

person until it comes to this kind of stuff. I LOVE watching God pull off amazing things

through a bunch of people joining together with what they are able to!)

Our family has committed to try to help raise $20,000 for the Redeemer House security

wall and clean water campaign. There is a $20,000 dollar for dollar match by Crusader Homes.

Of that $40,000, $25,363 has been raised! [Rejoice!] That means that only $14,637 more is

needed to reach the goal. If we divide that in half because of the match, that's $7,319 needed.

That is only 293 more people giving $25 each to reach the goal!

(We started out needing 800 people to give $25!)

Click the Donate button below to give to this project through

XHope, Redeemer House's parent ministry.

All donations are tax exempt to the extent of the law.

Finally, most importantly, would you pray for the people here that they would have clean
water and know of the Living Water? <3 p="">

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks

the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a

spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13-14

Off we go!

2016-07-14T12:47:00.000-05:00

Our family is going to Uganda!

I'll be sharing more as we prepare to leave and while we are there, but since bringing our boys home, we have loved Uganda and longed to be there. We've committed as a family to make trips to this place we love as often as we can to spend time there with family and friends. Our family gets to be there for a couple months this trip! We found out that while we are there, there is a ministry we love that we could help. We began dreaming and praying how we could help them and God immediately brought my beautiful community through blogging & social media to mind. He has used you all so much to build wells, fund generators, provide food to children who desperately needed it, and find children forever families. I'm so excited to see how He uses you here.

Prior to us meeting and adopting them, our older boys were loved and cared for at Redeemer House. Maybe you remember the pictures where we road tripped from the Chicago area to Oregon to meet up with other families that had brought home children who had lived at Redeemer House? It was a beautiful reunion of these children who had lived together as brothers and sisters at the orphanage.

Redeemer House reunion 2013

The long story (kind of) short is that we love this ministry. They have Ugandans leading and running the home, they believe in resettlement with the families whenever possible and they are living out the love of the gospel with the children in their care, as well as their community. They have been praying for land and a house of their own for years and it is happening now! When we said we would be in Uganda during this time and help with whatever we could, they were so grateful.

The village where the new Redeemer House is does not have a school, electricity or a nearby clean water source. Redeemer house has plans for a school in the near future, recently had electric poles placed for the new home that the rest of the community can get electricity from now and is currently raising money for their fresh water well which will be able to also be used by their village surrounding them! I know it is hard to imagine, but many villages still use water collected from low-lying areas--swamp water--for their everyday needs. They use it for everything from their animals, to bathing, to boiling it to drink and cook. This well on Redeemer House property will be a huge blessing to many!

So, this is where you come in. The home has to have a brick wall perimeter for safety of the children, the livestock & for the future on-campus school. They have been fundraising for the wall (bricks) and the well (buckets) and our family has decided to join in with a big goal!

We're looking for 800 people to give $25 each to reach our goal of $20,000!

Our home building business, Crusader Homes, is matching all giving dollar for dollar up to $20,000. That will finish their wall and the well! Your $25 donation will become $50 instantly!

Our family hopes to be there as these projects are happening and we will be helping put the final touches on the new home for them prior to their move in date this Fall. I'll be updating on the progress of the fundraising and the projects mostly as @letlovegrow on Instagram. Would you join me in joyfully giving $25 now? Let's use our bucks for these bricks and buckets so that Redeemer House can continue their beautiful ministry!

Give any amount through the button below & it will go directly to xHope's (the parent ministry of Redeemer House) paypal account. Your donation will be matched dollar for dollar. All donations are tax exempt to the extent provided by the law.

Please join us by giving your BUCKS to Redeemer House's

BRICKS & BUCKETS campaign to build their security wall & get a

fresh water well!

The beautiful, new Redeemer House property with the already funded front wall and guard shack.

Can Busy Moms Actually Have Time For The Bible?

2016-02-16T15:59:00.000-06:00

I love when friends share great resources with me & so I'd love to share a couple with you today.
I've been asked several times [on my instagram--where I usually am on social media these days] how I

do Bible time, have devotions or write out books of the Bible, so I want to address that first.

My simple answer is that I just do it, but also that sometimes I don't. I tailor it to whatever particular

season we are in and what works. Right now it is usually when the 7 big kids all go off to school and I just

sit down with some coffee and do it. Sometimes the baby is on my lap and sometimes she is napping

elsewhere. Sometimes the twins are joyfully playing together and sometimes they are coloring

each other's faces with Sharpie. I do find that leaving my study materials out on the kitchen table

in the center of our home helps me come back to it many times throughout the day. God doesn't

prescribe one specific way of how walking in step with him works. Do what works for you in

each season!

Right now, I am using 2 main disciplines in my personal Bible time--journaling through my pastor's

series in Acts and writing out a chapter of 1 & 2 Corinthians every day in February.

Bible journaling: Our church does expositional preaching--working verse by verse through a

book of the Bible. We recently started the book of Acts and will be working through it for

about the next year. (Here is a link to my church's app if you'd like to join us. You can listen to the

sermons from anywhere!) What works for me right now is to take notes on my phone's Bible app

and then I transfer and add to those notes in my ESV journaling Bible as pictured here. I'm

currently using the She Reads Truth app for my Bible and notes. I lost all my sermon notes

there several months ago and was so sad about it, but I like it enough that I'm hopeful that

I don't accidentally delete the app again and that they develop a way to save individual's

notes soon! I know the actual journaling & drawing in the Bible is a new thing for some. As

a doodler, it is a way that I've always loved. I have been even more inspired with a Bible

made specifically for that, as well as a movement of women sharing with #illustratedfaith.

Seriously, check out that beautiful hashtag! I mean, I'm getting ready to break out paints

on my Bible, y'all!

Writing out the Word: This is something that a friend challenged me with and I love it. We simply

write out a chapter of the Bible of the every day. We worked through Proverbs and are currently

working through 1 & 2 Corinthians for February. It has brought a new level of understanding and

appreciation of the Word to write it out. Some days I'm behind and some days I long to sit all

day writing it out. The beauty is that God is never-changing and always present. There is grace

in the process and the goal is simply to know Him better through His word. We have a FB

group to encourage each other and share what we're learning if you'd like to join us.

Listen, I know it's not easy. There will be times that it is easier than others, but friends,

we need this. We must know His word to live by it--for His glory and for our good! [If you

download our church's app you will hear my pastor speak that truth often!]

I'm praying for each of you reading this that He would intensify your desire to walk

in step with Him and grow your hunger for His word.

---------------------

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that

you may be careful to do everything written in it. Joshua 1:8

the journaling bible link is an affiliate like, which means i'd make a small amount of money for each person that clicks through

and buys it. i'd never link you to something that i don't LOVE. also, it's backordered. this looks similar. :)

for the love of sweet P

2015-08-10T10:23:00.001-05:00

Nothing will make me open my blog back up like falling in love with a little one

who is in need of a family. It is my very favorite way that God has used this little

space--to help families find their children & children find their forever families--

and I pray that He will do it again. First it was Anika, then Esther and now...

Meet sweet P. She is 3 years old and the agency has been looking for

her family for quite some time. The agency prefers a family that is internationally
paper ready or nearly there. The country she is in prefers her to have family with

4 or less children in the home.

Serious inquiries, please email me at momentswithlove@gmail.com

and I'll put you in touch with her coordinator. Feel free to share this

post. My whole family just loves her and we can't wait to see what

family God has for her.

#lifewithtwintoddlers

2015-04-21T16:35:00.000-05:00

today, in desperation for a shower, i jumped in while the twins played in
my jewelry. they quickly moved on to spray bottles & rather than have
the whole bathroom drenched during my wonderfully relaxing 6 minute shower,
i encouraged them to spray only into the [recently cleaned!] toilet.
maybe disgusting. maybe genius. disgustingly genius?!

#lifewithtwintoddlers

but, seriously--how cute are they?! i still tell them every, single day, i can't believe there

are TWO of you! how blessed am i?! they even say the 'TWO of you!' part with me now.

way blessed.

Speaking out about Hyperemesis Gravidarum

2015-02-15T15:53:00.000-06:00

A week ago, I showed this picture on instagram of arrows that I have to

represent our children in reference to Psalm 127.

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows

in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the one

whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:3-5a.

You'll notice that there are 10 arrows and we are so grateful & excited that we will be

welcoming a new baby in September!

I'm thankful for everyone sharing in our joy and I want to share more about

a condition that I have with pregnancy. It's something that's widely misunderstood

and is hard to talk about. In my previous pregnancies, I had no desire to talk

about it publicly as I was literally just fighting for the babies and I to survive.

This time, due to a lot of research, experience and education, I was able

to start a vitamin regimen even prior to pregnancy that helped my body fight it.

Then, was able to start on medication specifically for this condition upon

its first symptoms. My symptoms begin before I'm even able to get a positive

pregnancy test.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum [HG] is a debilitating and potentially life-threatening

pregnancy disease that affects 0.5%-2% of women. It is marked by rapid weight

loss, malnutrition, and dehydration due to unrelenting nausea &/or vomiting.

Having HG has been hard for me to talk about. It can be a really dark place

to desperately love and want your baby, but also feel like dying for 36 or so

weeks. Although it isn't a choice I would ever personally make, I remember

feeling such relief 10 years ago to hear my doctor once say that 1 in 7 women who

have hyperemesis choose to electively abort their pregnancy due to the condition.

It sounds so sick of me to feel relief with that and I pray that I'm not misunderstood

there. I grieve for those moms and their babies. Yet, it validated how terribly

awful and dark this condition truly is. You can read an article about that here.

Each of my 6 pregnancies have been slightly different and it is different for

every woman, but the best way that I can explain it is that I literally just

puke all day. On an exceptional day, it is about 5-6 times and on bad days, it

is 20-30 times. The bad days tend to come in cycles and the cycle is hard

to break. I've taken oral medication formulated for chemotherapy patients

with nausea, been to the hospital numerous times for IV fluids, had to have

nutrition through a PICC line when I couldn't get it orally, had a pump that

I poked into my thighs daily to continuously deliver anti-nausea medications

and some of the darkest days of my life.

It is often tricky because the cycles don't come with any rhyme or reason

and many times when I can keep something down, it isn't anything that you

would imagine would sound good to someone who has been so sick.

It is debilitating to your life and effects the whole family. That adds another layer

of shame and guilt as you watch it turn your family life upside down.

It is hard to reach out for help when you're in survival mode and in all honesty,

I cannot imagine someone in our home at my worst.

9 weeks with baby #10. Despite having lost 5 lbs so far, my body knows what to do to keep baby healthy.

Despite still having some hard days, I am extremely grateful that the condition

is much more under control this pregnancy. Matt has stepped up to cover

many of the areas that I just can't right now & the kids are chipping in even

more, too. I want to speak out about this because many times we are told that

this is what every woman goes through. I've been a nurse on floor with ladies

experiencing hyperemesis and it's so misunderstood--even in the medical

community. I'm in a private support group on Facebook and my heart breaks

to listen to other women experiencing HG and often not getting support &

care they need. My faith & the blessing of a new, teeny, tiny life within 40 weeks

is always what keeps me going, but I'd be lying if I didn't say even that was

really hard to cling to in the worst moments.

If you or someone you know is experiencing hyperemesis,

please reach out. Keep seeking help and know that you aren't alone.

You can learn more & get support by clicking the HER foundation button below.

Our Ebenezer.

2015-01-01T18:03:00.000-06:00

Our family has been working through the Austin Stone Advent Devotional as

we prepared to celebrate Jesus' birth. We've really loved it and everyone from age

5 and up has been a wonderful part of the discussion that happens surrounding it.

At the end of each devotional, there are questions about the reading and then a more

light-hearted question with space to record the children's answers. I've enjoyed recording

things like their favorite winter activity so far and what one thing they want to thank God

for that day. A few days ago the question was,

What was the most difficult thing your family faced this year.

How was God faithful during that time?

Whoa. We listed 3 hard times that our family went through and how God showed his

unrelenting faithfulness. As we talked about one of the situations, the ways in which

He was faithful just kept pouring out--the kids were even saying things that I had forgotten

that God had done! We all ended up being pretty amazed and in awe of looking back at

how He carried us. I asked if it would be okay if I typed some of it up and boasted

publicly about God and they all agreed.

One year and 5 days ago, our family of 11 boarded a plane that would be the first of 3 to

take us on a 23 hours journey to the country of our hearts, Uganda. It was truly a dream

come true to travel there with the whole family and to spend Christmas there with so

many people that we love.

We were quite the sight--EVEN after we'd checked in our 22 bags of personal things, gifts

and donations! Well, very soon after our arrival, Evie--who was 1.5 years at the time--got

very sick. The twins were sleeping with Matt and I and she just puked all night long.

Sometimes she wanted to nurse, but it always came back up and often times she didn't

want to at all & was so lethargic. I don't get fearful often, but this was different--she was

really sick & I knew from the beginning that it was serious.

Looking back, it was a very difficult thing. I asked for prayer from our community,

but Evie was probably sicker than I even eluded to. And although my family's health was

the number 1 priority, my heart--our hearts--were hurting to have this amazing trip

with our family in a place we love dearly & to be in the bed [or clinic] so sick.

We didn't get to do all the things we planned to as a family, but it was amazing and so

comforting to sit around our kitchen table the other night and recount the wonderful

faithfulness of God on a trip that we all cherish!

We began saying ways that God showed his faithfulness even in this hard time and

the kids were even saying things that I had forgotten happened. THAT is why I'm

writing this and will continue to write out stories like this--we are so quick to forget.

This will be my Ebenezer stone--1 Samuel 7.

[And I'm thinking about making a tangible reminder in our home so we can all see it regularly.]

Here are some ways that we listed His faithfulness & grace during that difficult time:

Sparing Evie's life.

One of the kids said this one and though it took my breath away, it's true. As a very

sick baby, who was a preemie and in a land where they had watched many children

die from various ailments and lack of treatment choices, it is absolutely true.

Praise the Lord.

A whole community of prayer warriors from near and far.

When I posted on social media asking for prayer, hundreds of people--friends, family

and strangers--began praying for us and checking in on us. I was beautiful and I have

no doubt it upheld us.

Providing ease of transportation, obtaining medicine & getting medical care.

As soon as I knew a pharmacy would be open, I hopped on a boda [a motorcycle taxi] and

went into town to see if I could get her some medicine to at least calm her stomach. Some things

are a lot easier in Uganda--I was back within the hour with liquid Zofran, an anti-nausea/vomiting

medication for the equivalent of a few dollars. The next day, when I took her to the clinic,

she got great care, there were no problems starting her IV despite her dehydration

[as a former pediatric nurse, I know what a blessing that is!] and I got to take her

back with me & just bring her back [via boda ride & our beloved sling] for her

doses of IV antibiotics.

A loving, gracious staff at Sole Hope guest house that helped us.

The staff at the guest house were such a bright light to us. I felt terrible about all the

extra work--the LINENS. My goodness, the linens. They were always there to

cheerfully help, encourage and pray for us.

The best mission team ever sharing the Sole House guest house with us.

Listen, some people would CRY at the idea that they were going to be sharing a guest

house with 9 kids. Add in that they just traveled for 23 hours, some are very sick and

the parents are more exhausted than imaginable after travel plus all-nighters caring

for kids and, well, a lot of people would be horrified. There was a mission team there

from California that was straight up, beautiful, gracious, loving Jesus to us.

Even among the service that they were they doing in Uganda,

they prayed with us, cleaned up puke from all over the couch while I helped the child,

had hot cocoa with the kids early in the morning while I slept in with Evie,

joyfully let the kids join in their cards and games, made extra food for us/

washed our dishes with theirs even though they didn't have to and

just were a joyful, encouraging hearts to share the space with.

Really, I'm more grateful for them than I can properly express.

The reminder that God works without us & in spite of us sometimes--and is still good!

The hardest day was probably the one we planned to go as a family to the Busoga

fresh water well that so many of you helped happen after the dirty water these people were

drinking touched Nico's heart. I don't know why God had me stay back with 3 of

our sick kids, but I trust that our friends in that village know that the well was placed

and our relationship continues with them out of God's love and that the rest of my

family would cherish that time and be forever changed by tangibly seeing what God

did for his people there. When each of our family gave highlights for the year, this

was Bianca's, age 5. She said she loved meeting the people.

[It's cultural to not smile in a picture--I love that Anika & Ellie took that to heart as they

passed out mosquito nets to protect from malaria.]

Great friends willing to serve us.

Our family went with hearts to serve and were served and blessed ourselves.

We borrowed shillings because we hadn't even had time to exchange money.

Kelsey, a friend that runs Abide Family Center, accompanied me to the clinic

& went to get me a Ugandan phone while we

waited since the one I'd had for years wasn't working. Katie--someone with so much on her

plate, but who has always been so kind & genuine--came over late one

night when Evie's IV infiltrated to bring me IV supplies to restart it.

Asher & Dru, the directors of Sole Hope, were beyond accommodating and helpful.

Asher even had a pump that she let me borrow when the twins weren't nursing

well & her popsicle molds to make them breastmilk popsicles in hopes they could

keep something down. Now, that's a friend! [We'd just met!]

God's grace even in the smallest details!

I'm sure there are more friends that helped, but I was slightly out of it.

A driver and precious friend.

Farouk has become a precious friend and I'm so thankful that he was with us every

step of the trip. He is kind, funny and so knowledgable about Uganda. He loves

our kids well--even when we're all not very lovable after sicknesses, sleeplessness

and many days of close proximity. We are so grateful for him!

Being able to go on safari.

Our trip didn't go exactly as planned, but it was such an adventure for all of us and

His faithfulness is evident. Evie [and Emmy, Bianca & Chloe] eventually

perked up and our family traveled to Western Uganda to go on safari over

Matt and my 12th anniversary.

All the memories we still got to make!

All the things pictured below including serving with these ministries:

Sole Hope to help remove jiggers from children's feet & giving them new shoes.

Playing with buddies at Ekisa where they care for & empower people with special needs.

Going on a reunification with Sixty Feet after a boy was cleared and released from prison.

Seeing the Abide Family Center compound & meeting Ellen & her triplets whom I love & pray for.

Spending time & giving Christmas gifts with the precious kids & staff we love at Redeemer House.

Even in the hard, God is there. He is faithful and gracious. I hope that you can see that in your

2014, too. May He bless you and reveal Himself more to you in 2015.

because children belong in families.

2014-10-16T08:33:00.000-05:00

To neglect the poor is to insult God. -Tim Keller, Generous Justice

:::

The word justice is one that stirs my heart so much. I'm so grateful that the Lord sent

His Son to rescue me out of my deep spiritual poverty to make me rich in Him.

In his exposition on James, our pastor recently emphasized how easy it is to read James
as a check list of to-do items in order to receive God's love. In actuality, when the gospel
of Grace freely given sinks deep into our heart, these things we do are just outward
expressions of the love and grace we've so lavishly been given. Once we accept and realize
who we are--free and fully loved in Christ--then may we humbly seek to give love &
bring justice to others. May we do it in a way that honors Him--with a humble heart ready
for community and not short-term, patronizing hand-outs. May we seek what is best for
each individual situation and realize that we may never know a person's whole story.

So, here I am. Turning 35 today and fully free in Christ. This beautiful, grace-filled gospel
has been lavished on me and I ache for it to get out of me. God placed a birthday project on
my heart 4 years ago. Can we just marvel at what God has done for a minute?

In 2010, He used you to give $31 at a time until $5,000 was reached to place a
fresh water well in Ethiopia, Africa!

In 2011, God used people's $32 at a time to reach the $8,000 goal that was needed to
place a well in a village special to our son, Nico. Our family even traveled there to
dedicate it! [How awesome would it be for some of you that gave to join me
on a trip there sometime?!]

In 2012, you all blew me away by allowing God to use you to raise $9598 to help Ekisa,
a ministry in Uganda that serves children with special needs, with their medical
bills. So special to me!

In 2013, God set 100 children FREE from prisons in Uganda and properly
resettled them back at home through the organization Sixty Feet with the $7500 raised.
I had the honor of actually going on 2 of the resettlements when our
family traveled there for Christmas last year. Here's a picture from 1. His mom was
so happy to have him home!

I mean, seriously! It's almost unbelievable the things the Lord has done!

And just when I think it couldn't possibly anymore fun to go where He leads me, He sends
a precious virtual friend to let me know that we have the EXACT same birthday.
How fun is that?

If you don't already know Kate of TheAdoptShoppe,
you are just going to love her. We've decided to team up this year and ask you
to give $35 in celebration of our 35th birthdays to something that is near and dear
to our hearts…..keeping families together!

Abide Family Center works to keep children out of orphanages in Uganda by providing
other options to families caring for orphans and other vulnerable children. They offer
family preservation services that are strength-based, holistic social services. I've seen them
in action and it is a truly beautiful thing to see a family that deeply loves their child
be empowered to become self-sustaining and thrive. Every child deserves the love
of a family. I believe in Abide with everything in me.

Kate & I's goal is to put 50 families through Abide's small business development program.
The goal is to empower families to be self-sufficient by giving them the tools they
need to lift themselves out of poverty.

Kate & I are hopeful that 250 of you would like to join us in this fight for family
preservation by giving $35 in celebration of our 35th birthdays!
This $8750 will allow 50 families to go through the small business development program!

Will you join us?
Click on the 'Donate' button below to give through Abide's stateside nonprofit. All
donations given through this link are tax deductible & will go directly to this project.

I love seeing God work in unbelievable ways--doing more than we could imagine.
Let's do this, friends. Let's stand up and say that keeping families together is worth
it. That poverty should never be the reason for a child to become an orphan.
That we believe in these precious families and are honored to come alongside them.
Can you be 1 of the 250? Click here:

husband.

2014-05-29T01:19:00.000-05:00

you're crazy, but i like it. he said when i texted asking what he thought about

making our twin 22 month olds quadruplets for a bit. the need for temporary

care of children when their families are in crisis is often given on short notice

and while this placement hasn't come to fruition, i love how he supports

my crazy [love].

better get to making your video! he said when i excitedly told him about the

trip to Rwanda that Noonday & IJM was giving away to storytellers. he did

jokingly ask who would make dinner if i were gone those 9 days of the trip,

but he's thrived when i've been in Africa for weeks at a time before. i'm certain

he and the 9 kiddos would be just fine. he loaded the twins up to run errands

so i could have an hour to make my video and cheered me all the way into

the top 7 where i can now advance to the next round. [thank you for voting!]

i'm often so stubborn, selfish and introverted and he gets me.

he serves me and loves me.

i'm more thankful for marriage--and him--every, single day.

crazy.

2014-05-27T18:52:00.000-05:00

Hi, friends! There are only 29 more hours in the #styleforjustice

contest to win a trip to Rwanda with Noonday Collection and International

Justice Mission. I'm amazed, humbled and thankful that my community

has me currently in 3rd out of 391 entries! Thank you! The top 7 entries

will move on to the next round. I'd love to virtually take you with

me on a storytelling trip to Rwanda, connect with the artisans there,

share some of their stories and show how we can partner together for

justice. Will you go to THIS LINK and vote for me?

Thank you!

what the world needs more of...

2014-05-20T13:08:00.005-05:00

::love::

::slouchy hats::

::stripes::

::kisses::

::sweet twin sisters::

-----------------

[And I could use more votes in the #styleforjustice contest to win a trip to Rwanda

with Noonday Collection & International Justice Mission. I'd love to join them

and have the honor of connecting with the artisans in Rwanda in order to share some of

their stories with you to show how our purchases can empower & lead to freedom

& sustainability. Vote once per day HERE. scroll to bottom to see my video

& the blue VOTE button. thank you!]

I want to be a #styleforjustice story teller.

2014-05-16T14:45:00.002-05:00

Noonday Collection & International Justice Mission have teamed up to

take a group of storytellers to Rwanda. Here is part of their announcement:

This summer, we're fusing fashion and justice as Noonday Collection partners with

International Justice Mission for the #StyleForJustice Story Team Trip to Rwanda.

Join us as we journey with a group of storytellers in order to spread the word that

when we use our purchasing power for good and pursue the cause of justice, hope

for the poor is possible.

The team currently consists of many names you might know: Jen Hatmaker,

Jennie Allen, Kelle Hampton, Raechel Myers, Emily Lex, Jessica Honegger,

Paige Knudsen & Wynne Elder. There is one spot left that they are giving away!

The 7 people with the most votes will be reduced to 3 by a panel and then

those 3 will be released for public voting again to see who wins the spot.

I've entered with a video and I'd truly love your vote every day through May 28th.

HERE is a direct link to my video where you can vote.

Scroll to the bottom & give it a few seconds to load. The

blue vote button should change to say 'voted' if it worked.

The videos could only be 1 minute and while I spoke super quickly to get in as

much as possible, I'd love to share a few more things with you as to why

I want to go on this trip.

I believe in what both Noonday Collection and IJM are doing.

Noonday is creating sustainable incomes for women around the world

by giving them a marketplace for their unique, stylish items here. It also

creates a sisterhood for this women, educational opportunities and allows

them to know, or grow in their relationship with, Christ. This is not a

hand out or a poorly designed short term aid. It is simply an outstretched hand

to a sister to help her amplify her voice and create a long term solution.

I'd encourage you to look at the 'impact' tab on their website to learn more.

Violence, rape, abuse, trafficking and slavery are real threats to much of the

world especially those that live in poverty. IJM partners with local authorities

to rescue & restore victims, bring justice to criminals & strengthen the justice

systems. The problem is bigger than most of us can even fathom & I'd urge you

to visit their site to learn more about how they are a needed, vital, exceptional

part of the solution.

I love the world, its people & cultures.

I don't want to go to Rwanda to save it. I don't see this as some rescue mission.

I also don't see this as some tourist trip to go feel better about my life & privileges.

I have definitely learned through the years that people are people and I love them.

People in different cultures often have things quite right and do not need my

idea of how they could do something better or more efficiently. I've come to

love the value placed on relationship over efficiency in Uganda. In fact, I

now find it quite efficient. I think when we look at things from a friendship and

partnering with or empowering standpoint, everyone benefits so much more.

God is the only Rescuer--here and around the world.

Love God, love others. That's all I want to do.

I believe in the power of stories.

I remember in 4th grade when I suddenly realized that I couldn't really know a

person just from looking at them or knowing a bit about them. I decided at that

young age that we could never fully know another person's story. As I grew,

this manifested in a deep love and grace for people. Of course I'm not perfect

and I get it wrong a lot of the time. I do try to always give people benefit of the

doubt and I love learning true, authentic, raw, this-shaped-me stories.

It's one of the biggest reasons I love the show I direct here in NW Indiana,

Listen To Your Mother, so much. It's why I love blogging and social media.

It's why I'm terrible at small talk and the friendships that are the most real

and special to me are few, but deep. I believe in the people of Rwanda's

stories. It is a country that I see so much resolve, redemption & resilience

in. I'd be honored to help share some of their stories so that all of YOU

could see how you could come alongside them & help empower them, too.

I'd love your vote & if you'd like, please feel free to use this image to put on your

social media sites to help me spread the word. I know that God has already

picked the person He wants to go and I rest in that. If it happens to be me,

I'm excited to take you along virtually! Thank you for so much

love and support through the years!

sent off with truth.

2014-05-14T10:11:00.001-05:00

the Safe Kids have been gone from our home for weeks and my heart is still all

topsy-turvy over it all. someone said that if i can't handle it, maybe we shouldn't

do it. it's not that. if they can live it, i can handle it. it doesn't mean i won't continue to

love and grieve and pray for them.

a lot of times, people imagine these situations as coming to a close in a neat, tidy

package with a bow on top. it doesn't always [ever?] happen that way. sometimes, it

appears that maybe your efforts didn't produce any kind of fruit, yet i know that to be a lie.

it's an easy one to believe.

just because we don't get to see the fruit, doesn't mean that God stops

growing it. i'm prayerful that many would continue to prepare for the

harvest that i expect will come in each of those children's and their

mom's life. hopeful, expectant waiting.

we were able to get them each a Bible & an animal that we recorded a specific verse for each
of them. thank you to each person that donated to make that happen.

have you ever had the privilege of seeing a longtime prayer answered? maybe you'd

consider sharing in the comments to encourage me and others?

broken glass & hearts.

2014-04-16T14:17:00.000-05:00

hurling and crashing and jagged edges stood at my feet and my heart

felt just like them as they lay on the floor--broken in a way that i'm not

sure it had ever been before. to love a child that was trying so hard to

make herself unloveable. for a bit? i didn't love her. i wanted out.

i wanted my family safe. my little babies safe. my heart safe.

i didn't want its jagged edges to be spilled across the hardwood floor.

yet--what is safe? yes, we must be wise as serpents, and we've listened when we've

heard that it was time to do something different--even when it was hard. but,

after lifting my eyes & crying out about this particular time, i gently heard,

you're not asking for safe right now; you're asking for easy.

suddenly, my heart didn't really matter anymore. i know the One who pieces

things back together. i know the routes that He asks us to take sometimes

are not always easy. i begged for Him to help me love.

Praise be to the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can

comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Cor 1:4

there is was. an unnatural calm, peace and a love that was not my own.

sometimes people like to put labels on others doing things that God has asked

them to do. saints…patient...amazing. let us be clear that me in this? us in this?

it is only through His power. i find myself again fully invested. again, i want to fully

love, pour into and teach about this Fixer of Broken Things.

as quickly as i began to love again, the ability to do so is ripped from my

hands. i don't have that choice any longer. they slip from my hands and their jagged,

sharp, broken edges that remain slice me open. i throw my hands in the air and
weep at the mess that is sure to still come. more broken sure to come off in slivers and
in big pieces.

i know that everything is a season & that i can't always see the end result.
i know that sometimes He just wants our yes. it's there on the table.

even if that's where it will remain; it's there.

my flesh wants to protect itself again--safe and easy.

i read the following quote from LOVE146's blog yesterday at

just the perfect time.

Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain,

to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges

us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep

with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable

with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full

immersion in the condition of being human. -Henri Nouwen

i don't want safe or easy. i want to be immersed in the brokenness in order to

help someone--anyone--see the One who can piece it all perfectly back together.

here i am, Lord. use me.

-----------------------------

the Safe Kids will be leaving our home soon. we'd like to send them with a Bible

and a stuffed animal that has a recording of us saying a verse that we've chosen

for each of the 4 of them. we want to do it no matter what, but i was prompted

to let people share in that gift and blessing if they'd like to.

if donations reach the full amount, button will be removed.

$35 x 4 stuffed animals w/ recordings & $15 x 4 Bibles = $200

do justice, win necklace.

2014-04-08T13:03:00.000-05:00

I bought this TheAdoptShoppe necklace from She Does Justice at the Created for Care

conference months ago. I knew there was a particular thing I was supposed to use it for

and today, God showed me. It will be used to help those that are serving and protecting

some of the most vulnerable in a country I love--the birthplace of 3 of my children--

Uganda, Africa. To be entered to win this necklace & the mug, simply click HERE to

read about the need and campaign, find the link at the end of their post to give &

DONATE AT LEAST $5, then come back to this picture & let me know you did.

Every $5 = 1 entry.

Contest will end at 8pm CST 4/10/14.

Winner's donation will be verified before sending prize out. Please consider joining this

through prayer, giving &/or sharing this image. As always, thank you for allowing me to

share what God lays on my heart and for lovingly joining together to allow Him to

make much of our little. ❤️

UPDATE: WINNER IS DANI! She has been notified by e-mail! Thanks everyone!

Total raised on this project so far is $680 of the $4000 needed.

Please considering giving through the link above if you can.

haven.

2014-03-21T08:48:00.000-05:00

our family painting changed once again last week as we welcomed 4 siblings into our

home on a temporary, emergency basis. sometimes God grabs your heart with something

and you pray and pray for someone else to do something about it until you realize

the person He has for it is you. and truly, that could only be God working in the

heart of each of us as we discussed and blind voted. 7 little hands went

up with a yes and joined Matt & my hands that were already there.

we didn't know what was ahead, but we just put our yes out on the table and

trust that He is in all of it.

we became 13 and now we are 12. the exact thing we felt so called to--not splitting

siblings up--has happened. all i know is that we can't always see the whole

picture, yet we can trust that God does. i'm so proud of our kids.

their eyes and hearts are being opened in even bigger ways. they are

handling it so graciously. as we talk through the hardest parts at

night--2 hours later than they normally ever go to bed--we come to

the conclusion together that saying yes was better than ignoring a need.

that sometimes, many times, the path God leads us on is hard, narrow

and untraveled. yet, He leads us and won't leave now.

despite some deep grief and pain, there is so much joy and life added

to our home. these little people are fun and resilient and smart and

such a joy. it is a gift to see the friendships forming and the little

firsts through their eyes. they are learning about this person they

had sort of heard of before named Jesus and just beginning to

wrap their mind around what He did for them.

are 3 more children more work? sure.

but, as i have been telling them every chance i get…

they are also loved, treasured and worth it.

--------------------------

our family is a Safe Family. Safe Families are a movement of families

giving hope to children and families in crisis. learn more HERE.

letter to church: final follow up.

2014-03-10T13:00:00.000-05:00

many of you have asked what 'loving the gay community better' looks

like in our family after this post. i just really feel like that is a talk that you
sit down with each other over coffee and speak about eye to eye. i applaud
your open eyes and heart and would encourage you to pray about what

that might look like in your life. talk to your trusted friends about it.

gather your small group and discuss if there is a way that you all

might better love these people. meet with your pastors and get perspective

on their thoughts & your church policies on it.

i do believe that eyes are opening to see that these are people,

not just an abstract issue.

one of my good friends has been taking a class from Eternity Bible College

entitled, Homosexuality, The Bible & The Church. the professor has

been summing up each class in a blog and i've really enjoyed them.

you can check out the series HERE.

finally, thank you for sticking with me--for being willing to read and to

ask God to search your heart about all this. i've gotten some awful hate

mail, but the beautiful stories of redemption, reconciliation and repentance

that i've received have outweighed those 2 to 1. for those of you continuing

to try to reconcile relationships in your family or friends that you've cut

off because you didn't agree with them, i continue to pray for you.

thank you for your humble hearts and gracious, brave spirits that

are willing to try to break down the walls that you've put up

and to build a bridge with love and grace.

i know that some of you were put off by my tone to the church. let me

make it clear that i love the global church. i'm so thankful for so many things

we are doing quite well. i believe in the church and i know we are made for

community. i don't think that one excludes the other. it can be both ways.

in fact, it is my deep love for the church and its cause that spurred me to

be so distressed by what i see happening globally to the gay community--

largely in our name. it was a distressed and, yes, a fed up/angry call to

action. i see many of you doing that and i'm so thankful.

God's beauty, grace and love needs to be shouted from the

rooftops and seen in our everyday lives.

[lyrics from matt redman's 'your grace finds me.' thankful He has enough grace for me--a broker sinner.]

letter to church follow up.

2014-02-28T10:31:00.000-06:00

i know that some people missed my heart on my last blog post. they are caught up in the

law part of the Bible and fearful to apply too much grace and love. they aren't seeing this

from a global perspective and are offended by my loose comparisons. they cannot separate

loving someone from loving every single thing they think or do. i wish i could chat

with everyone about that, but i need to focus on something else right now and ask for your

prayer. my prayer in all this was that God would open the eyes and hearts of some

Christians that they might humbly admit that they have been contributing to this divide

and oppression and that they would ask Him what He might have them do about it.

i am getting messages about just that happening. to God by the glory!

one friend has a relative who is a lesbian and although she would never want anyone

to be mean to her, she has always been uncomfortable and humbly confessed to God

that she wanted to see her more the way that the Lord does.

another friend confessed that she definitely has been on the ugly side and even cut off a

relationship of a close relative when she recently made her stand against gay marriage.

she desires now to reach out to them with a humbled, changed heart realizing after many

prayers that her relative's heart would change…she is thankful that her own eyes were

opened and He changed her own heart about how to love bigger.

i spoke with another friend that had no idea that people who are gay are being brutally

murdered and publicly shamed around the world. she couldn't even believe that they

would be treated poorly in the US. she had never heard the statistics of suicide rate for

teens who are gay or know it was illegal in many countries around the world. she

thought i was stretching too far to call them suffering, hurting, oppressed people.

friends, would you join me in prayer for these people that have humbly come to the

realization that maybe they are not loving people well and are contributing to this divide?

please pray for any people that they reach out to reconcile with--that those people

would have open hearts to hear them & work on their relationship. would

you pray that we can not allow fear to rule us and know that when God asks us to

love people, it doesn't mean only the ones that we see perfectly following the law of

scripture in our eyes. would you pray that we can add grace to our law and law to our

grace in a way that honors the Lord? would you pray that more and more desire to build

a bridge of love, grace and compassion between the Christian and the LGBT community?

finally, thank you for the outpouring of love through your words to me and your

sharing with your community. i realize that this is a controversial topic, but

i believe we have to start this conversation. the world desperately needs to

know of our God who is loving, gracious and faithful.

thank you for being courageous and standing for love.

Dear Church, Please don't let this happen again on our watch.

2014-02-26T12:36:00.000-06:00

Oh, Church. Yes, this space where I write is normally for anyone who desires to read it.

It continues to be, but today, I am talking to the Church here. I want to sit down to coffee

with you and beg of you to reconsider some things. I know tone is hard to read, so I'll tell you

that you can read this as a heart that is grieved and heart-broken--one that humbly asks you to

look at your heart & see if you are contributing to this either actively or by passively letting it happen.

Church. We are the global collection of Christ followers called to love the Lord, love others

and to go out into the world and show them how beautiful, gracious and loving our Lord is

in order to attract them to and share the gospel with them. There is something happening

here that feels like anything but loving and beautiful. And right here in the United States,

it's being done while yelling of 'religious freedoms.'

I want to be careful when comparing slavery, segregation, and the oppression of black people

because I don't want to minimize the horrifying suffering they have been through and the very

real challenges that they continue to face today. I look at my 3 boys with their beautiful black

skin and the fact that they wouldn't have even been able to attend the same school as our other

children--let alone be in our family--just under 60 years ago? It's almost unfathomable. The

lynching, the abuse, the suffering, the hurt, the fear, the shame, the oppression that black

people have faced in our country is sickening and almost unspeakable. Yet they

lived it, so we could at least educate ourselves about it, become more compassionate

and do better. Right?

Well, that oppression--the prolonged cruel or unjust treatment--it's happening again in our

country and around the world. Right here in our generation. On our watch. I look at the

statistics and I hear the stories and I don't think comparing the dark days of 60 years ago to the

fight for civil rights that is happening right now is too much of a stretch.
Oh Lord, we cannot silently stand by. People who are gay are being lynched &
abused. They are suffering, hurting, dealing with fear and shame. They are oppressed
and I would venture to say that much of that is coming from the Church.
We have allowed what we believe is right to trump our command

to love our neighbor as ourselves.

If you have no clue what might have prompted this normally very non-controversial introvert

to speak up and write this post, read these two posts:

A bill touts 'religious freedom' that allows businesses to deny services to gay people in Arizona.

Calling homosexuals disgusting & signing an anti-gay law by the president of a country we love dearly. Then, this.

This is what we are allowing to happen. And, trust me, I've heard your arguments. I've

seen your crossed arms and mouth hanging open as you find out that a Christian has friends

who are gay. I've seen the righteous raising of eyebrows when you hear a lover of Jesus who

believes that people who are gay should be allowed to legally marry. I've studied your verses and

I've felt the weight of that big book that you've hit me on the head with. I hear your spouting off

of why you shouldn't have to provide your services to people who are living in sin according to

your beliefs, but you know what?

I call your bluff.

Because my friends who are gay are kind, respectful, hard-working, funny, thoughtful,

creative, wonderful people who I enjoy being around. Not one of them has ever felt loved

or become interested in the gospel by the things mentioned in the above paragraph.

I'd speculate that not one person ever has. Many of them are in loving relationships

and the inequality that exists for them is flat out discriminatory and oppressive. Please tell

me how fighting to keep them oppressed or how lining up around the building for

chicken to demonstrate your 'rights' to preserve traditional marriage builds a relationship

with the LBGT community? It doesn't make sense.

Those verses you keep pulling out? If they have convicted you in your walk--take note.

But, do not take the word of our gracious and loving God and beat these people bloody.

I know I'm doing quite a bit of speculating in my writing here, but I'm going to guess

again that every gay person in this country knows that there are verses in the Bible that

call homosexuality sin. You are not winning anyone to Christ by pulling verses out of

context and shoving them in someone's face.

Finally, refusing services to someone because of who they love? Oh, heavens. We've been

here before, America. We've been here before, Church. Not only was segregation,

slavery and oppression of black people very real, but many people provided scripture as to

why it was perfectly acceptable. Haven't we learned from our atrocious mistakes? You

can't do flowers for someone's wedding because they are living in sin by being gay?

Outrageous. How do you even have time to make floral arrangements for people when you

are so busy determining if your customers are worthy of your services? Is there a form

that you fill out asking your customers if they've had premarital sex?

an affair? lied or cheated? dishonored their parents? had a prior divorce?

Church. We are called to love. We have to stand up for what is right. It isn't right for

people to be hated & discriminated against.

We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how

wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light so lovely that they want

with all of their hearts to know the source of it. -Madeleine L'engle

Please tell those you know who are gay that this is not the way Christ followers are.

Tell them that you are going to do your best to be louder than the others with love and

grace. Get to know some of these people for who they are. Make your voice known

that you do not support these discriminatory bills or the public shaming that is happening

right now. Pray and humbly ask Him how He wants you to feel and act about this.

Please. Please be lovely.

packing my tambourine.

2014-02-11T12:33:00.002-06:00

i sat on the edge of her bed after my weekend away that was meant to

refresh, encourage and equip adoptive moms. it had done just that and in those

quiet moments of our regular alone time with my 2 biggest girls, one asked

what did you learn there, mom?

it was too much to explain right then. where do i even start? i began to think of

what i could share with them. as she settled into her bed & shimmied down

into the covers, she pulled out something from behind her back & placed it

on the ground. it was a small, purple tambourine.

i smiled. God is so faithful & loving. He is always in the details.

i was thrilled to share this with them:

can you guess what the Israelite women packed to take with them when God

freed them from captivity after hundreds of years? what are some things you

would make sure to pack? they didn't know exactly where they were going or

what it would be like there. they didn't know how they would cross that mighty

sea or how they wouldn't be caught & taken back into slavery. they had no

idea what freedom looked like. they had spent hundreds of years in exile &

experienced such loss and grief as their babies were taken. yet, they trusted the Lord,

packed up and began their journey to freedom. they packed quickly--even leaving food

that they were in the process of making. but, do you know what they packed very intentionally?

they packed tambourines.

they packed their instruments not knowing exactly how God was going to

fulfill His promise to them, but ready to praise Him when He did.

and, girls, we can do that, too. this thing our family is walking?

it is God's journey for us and we can believe that He doesn't make mistakes.

we get the privilege of walking and trusting even if we don't see how he's

going to do it. we can believe that He is good and with us even in the storm.

we can expect Him to part the sea at just the right time.

we can pack our tambourines, too--

hopefully expectant.

ready to praise Him.

------------------

the speaker God used to speak these truths to me was Beth Guckenberger.

i'm looking forward to checking out her ministry and books.

updates!

2013-12-16T13:02:00.003-06:00

i want to give you a quick update what has been raised for donations

for formula and medical supplies. then, one more opportunity to

buy a small gift that will give back!

around 150 necklaces have sold! [i'll count exact number later before we shop

for formula!] that's amazing! i'm figuring that for every necklace that will

be one can of formula. so, that's 150 cans of formula so far!

thank you! there are more necklaces available.

last day that i will be able to ship will be this thursday, 12/18.

order necklaces with this button:

bind up their wounds.

2013-12-13T13:09:00.001-06:00

here is another opportunity to go along with us on our trip by
donating needed medical supplies to ministries that we will be serving with.

a local doctor's office, Associated Pediatricians, has generously donated some
medical supplies and offered to order more supplies at their discounted rate
with any other money donated!

the medical supplies will be donated to:

Sixty Feet--a ministry that brings hope and restoration to
imprisoned children in Africa, in Jesus' name.

and

Sole Hope--a ministry that offers HOPE, healthier lives and
freedom from foot-related diseases through education, jobs
and medical relief.

picture credit Sole Hope

no amount is too small and, as always,
every penny given through the below donate button will be
used towards the above need. it will be hand-delivered by myself & my family.
you will be able to follow along on much of our trip here
&/or on my instagram feed.

thank you for considering and thank you to those of you that joyfully
give--out of your abundance or in sacrifice--to these children.
bless you.

some more growing.

2013-12-09T12:40:00.005-06:00

these girls are so quick and one of them just looooves to run from wherever she is as

soon as she sees the camera. they are fun, but i want to document all.the.things as

they speed by. she's making that hard with her giggling RUN.

let love grow has become somewhat of my mantra. of course because almost everyone

calls me Love instead of my full name, Lovelyn, but also because it really all does come

down to love. love God. love others.

as we prepare to head to Uganda as a family, there are some things we would like to

take to some of the ministries that we love. if you'd like to help with that, we would

LOVE to share your love on our trip, too. here are a couple ways you can do that.

we would like to sell the remainder of the magazine paper bead necklaces that we

bought directly from the women who made them in order to buy infant formula for

babies that need it. we will specifically be gifting it to our youngest son's former

orphanage as a token of appreciation to them and love for their children

and to a ministry we have grown to love called Abide Family Center.

they are doing awesome things to keep families together!

some of the money will also go to purchase supplies needed for Sole Hope.

Sole Hope offers jigger removal clinics where these sand fleas are dug out of the children's

feet where they have burrowed. if left untreated, the jiggers spread, can lead to infection,

paralysis and even death. at the foot clinics, their feet are washed, assessed, jiggers are

removed, shoes are provided, & caregivers/children are educated about prevention &

treatment. they are then given shoes that have been sewn by local women from

patterns cut out by volunteers in the states. this will help protect them from being

infected again. the proceeds from our necklace sales will buy gauze wrap,

numbing ointment, antibiotic ointment, safety pins & medical gloves.

necklaces can be purchased from now until this friday, 12/13 and will ship on saturday 12/14.
they average about 22" long and can be worn long, wrapped multiple times or even
worn as a bracelet.

what a precious, life-giving gift for yourself, your mail person, teachers, package delivery

personal, pastor's wives, sunday school teachers, etc! the original purchase helped

women in Uganda and now it will help children.

once these are gone, i have NO more. thank you for your love and support!
click the 'add to cart' button below to purchase!

the mission ball.

2013-12-04T19:39:00.001-06:00

I'm getting ready to start sharing the ways you can be a part of our upcoming family
trip to Uganda. We are going to spend our Christmas break with family and friends,
enjoy one of our very favorite places together as a family & hopefully share the
love of Christ along the way. I plan to document much of our trip, so I'm sure
you'll see your gifts being enjoyed by the precious children there.

The first way you can partner with us is super fun--buying soccer balls for kids! Soccer is

a LOVE of so many Ugandan children and having a soccer ball is a luxury. Often they

bind together pieces of trash & banana leaves to have a makeshift one. It is our desire to

take 50 The Mission Ball soccer balls in their local language of Luganda. The balls are

fully functional, but also plainly share the gospel message right on them.

You can read more about them on their website HERE.

Our goal is 50 soccer balls and 12 hand pumps = $550

You may donate any amount through the donate button below.

The button will be removed when we reach the $550 goal or on 12/9/13 so

that we have time to receive the balls with the money that is collected.

Every penny donated will go towards The Mission soccer balls & pumps.

[donate button removed. this goal has been met. thank you!]

Thank you, friends.

I'm always so encouraged by your willingness to give.

xoxo

ps--for those that may be wondering about my birthday project of resettling
children from the prisons in uganda: i will be updating very soon. we almost
met the goal for every child that needs resettled to be able to & i will give
a bit more time to finish meeting that goal. i am also humbled and blessed
to be able to attend one of the resettlements while our family is there
and see firsthand what important, life-giving work you all have
accomplished through your giving.
more soon…..

helping her home.

2013-12-04T10:22:00.000-06:00

meet my friend, Salem, and her family. we became friends in 2009 when we

were both in the adoption process. she honestly has one of the biggest hearts and

it has been a blessing to watch their family grow & watch her advocate for so many

kids through the years. what a special treat it was when we met again in-country

in 2011 as we both were completing our 2nd adoptions of 2 children each.

i got to hold and love on their precious kiddos that we had been praying for.

now, we are praying for their adoption process again. they are stalled

in country with the 11 year old little girl they are adopting.

they need to raise a bit more money to cover the additional expenses.

would you please consider checking out THIS PAGE of how you might

be able to help? they are doing an iPad giveaway to raise the money.

what a blessing to be able to help them!

i'm so proud of them for faithfully following where God has led

them and for loving so very BIG. let's help them get their little

girl HOME and make them a family of 6.