Oatsvall Team

Created For Care Conference ... Day 1

2012-01-28T00:11:00.000-05:00

How I was blessed today at this conference by sweet women telling us that by sharing our life on our blogs they made decisions to adopt ... It is humbling, It is joy, It is ALL JESUS ... Our first day has been amazing ... Suzanne and I both spoke at a couple of break-out sessions and will do the same tomorrow ... We met so many new friends today ... I love the sparkle in a mother's eye when she tells her child's story of adoption ... It gives me the strength to keep on SPEAKING UP ... There is such a battle out there for the ORPHAN's HEART and we are the Lord's foot soldiers !!! The LORD is asking us to care for his CHILDREN ... HE is our friend asking us to help him love, rescue, feed, or adopt HIS CHILDREN that are in desperate need ...

I am off to bed once again burdened for the orphans of the world and yet I have a JOY that is abounding because the 435 women at the conference will CHANGE THE WORLD !!!

Focus GWEN !!!

2012-01-20T11:43:00.000-05:00

My question is why does it take me so long to get back into the swing of things after a serving trip ??? I have been home 4 days and still struggling to get in my routine, to sleep, to focus, and just get back to my daily life !!! aaarrrrggghhhhh ...

I would love for you to share your PRAY DOWN THE NUMBER AT 1:47 requests with me ... This is such an important project for me and 147 ... It doesn't require anything of you, but some time w/ the LORD ... Don't forget to set your phones, your alarm, your computer, your clocks, and even write it on your hand!

Honduras !!!

2012-01-17T18:35:00.001-05:00

WHAT I SAW IN HONDURAS

One question that was quickly answered upon arriving in Honduras was will my heart be as broken for the children and families of Honduras as it is for Uganda and China (the birth place of my 4 adopted Angels) and the answer is big ole YES ...

The gates opened at Copprome Orphanage and I saw the children running out from behind the gates of the orphanage my heart lept up to my throat ... The children were yelling RHONDA, RHONDA, RHONDA ... Rhonda is a 147 team member and our dear friend ... She planted her heart in Honduras about 2 years ago and the relationships she has made and the impact is quite astounding !!! Rhonda couldn't wait to show us all the changes that have taken place over the last 2 years and we are so thankful that 147 could be a part of it ...

We all scooped up a few children and began hugging, playing, and laughing ... Jeremiah and Suzanne could communicate the best w/ the little bit of Spanish they could speak ... But the universal language of LOVE is an easy thing to do ... It was probably our 3rd visit to the orphanage that the HEAT entered my heart as I just got mad that these precious children are there ... WHY ??? WHY ??? ... They are being well cared for and there are sweet people at Copprome, but NOTHING TAKES THE PLACE OF FAMILY ... We need to find a way to help these children - more education for them as they grow older so they can have a way to support themselves after they leave the orphanage (children at Copprome range from 2 - 19) ... We need to help support families in country that would like to foster or adopt children, but can't afford it ... We need more adoptive families from the U.S. ... We just need to do MORE in HONDURAS, in UGANDA, in CHINA, in ETHIOPIA, in GUATEMALA, in RUSSIA, in HAITI, in UNITED STATES, and the need goes on and on ... And we can !!!

With Rhonda's help we will impact Copprome in a REAL WAY ... She is our hands and feet there ...

I watched as our children pitched in - they played soccer, four square, hop scotch, drew pictures, played cards, and listen to a lot of ipod music ... And each day they hopped out of the VAN ready for more ... We made some life long friends at Copprome and I can't wait to announce the dates of the FIRST 147 SERVING TRIPS TO HONDURAS !!!!

And when you go you can ask Rhonda about each child ... She knows their stories and knowing their stories is special ... It helps you to know how to pray and how to act ... As she would tell me each child's story it always made me think of Emily, Maggie, Joseph and Daisy ... It broke my heart to hear how they ended up an ORPHAN ... And it gave me RESOLVE to continue the work we have at 147 ... SPEAKING UP FOR THOSE THAT HAVE NO VOICE ...

The other amazing journey we took in Honduras was to MT. OLIVOS ... This is a poverty stricken village of over 27 families ... We got to see the RUNNING WATER that comes from the new WELL and we listen to TY (Rhonda's Brother) tell them about the LIVING WATER OF CHRIST ... It was such a surreal moment to see the sweet man rush to show us how to TURN THE WATER on and for the village children to run up and cheer w/ excitement ... You see a year ago this village was suffering w/ unclean water, people were sick, and not healthy ... NOW THEY HAVE CLEAN WATER AND THEIR FACES SHOW THE JOY OF THAT ... The next project on Rhonda/Ty's heart is to build a home for each family there ... They have gotten the government to agree to pay for 1/2 of each house and Rhonda/Ty/147 will raise the other half ... $2500-3000 CAN BUILD A FAMILY A HOME ... They live in broken tin/twig homes right now and the first house is already underway ... The men in the village are building it ... I can see the pride in their faces as they begin to rebuild their village. They are showing their children and their wives they will support them and take care of them ... And we are also working on a project for the women to begin making something for 147 to re-sale for them and I can already envision the village in my mind with all the houses built ...

When we gathered in the center to hand out the food that we had bought in the market place for each family there was a sense of community ... It is never CHARITY, but one person sharing of their abundance to a brother or sister who is lacking ... I see each home, each drop of water, and each bag of food as a way OF PREVENTING THOSE CHILDREN FROM BECOMING ORPHANS !!! The family unit has a chance to stay strong ...

It reminds me of what KATIE said in her video about the scripture that says, "LOVE YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LOVE YOUR BROTHER AS YOURSELF" ... Then Katie follows it up w/ "MYSELF DOESN'T WANT TO BE HUNGRY OR THIRSTY" ... This is so prophetic !!!

BECAUSE MY THOUGHT IS

I don't want to be behind the gates of an orphanage as an orphan

I don't want to live out in the elements with only a tin square and twigs to protect my family

I don't want to be thirsty to the point of sickness

I don't want to have a disease that medicine could cure, but have no money to buy it

All these situation could be you, your child, or your friend ... We are the hands and feed of JESUS LITERALLY ... We are here to help THE LEAST, THE LAST THE LOST !!!

Suzanne and I (and all of our 147 team/family) will continue to fight this fight ... I know many of you have already joined us and for that we are thankful ... Please continue to help us spread the word and together we WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY !!!

I want to leave you with this picture I posted on Saturday ... It was by far one of the most KNOCK MY HEART OVER experiences and it was all GOD ... As always Elijah is never quit where he is suppose to be and I saw that him and Annabelle had jumped a small ravine behind a little house ... I was yelling at them to come back to the group when Elijah said, "Mom- it is a picture." ... So I went over and what my eyes saw was HOPE ... There in the dirt was about 4 or 5 beautiful houses drawn ... They had windows, doors, a roof, and a chimney ... Everyone came over and we all stood in AWE ... We started inquiring who had drawn them when a precious little 9 year old girl came over ... She had drawn her dream !!! She had drawn homes for her family and others ... She has a dream and knows that it can come true because of the ONE house that has already been started ... She sees a future with love and promise ... Often times we think that people that live in poverty DON'T KNOW they are missing food, water, homes, or medicine, but THEY DO ... Their hearts know when basic necessities of life are missing ... We have a chance everyday to make a choice to do something about it ...

The precious girl in the yellow is the ARTIST !!

I am thankful for my time in HONDURAS ... I am thankful to be more resolved to ACT and SPEAK UP for all those that are hurting from lack of food, water, and medicine !!!

buying LOTS of food in town

turning the WELL on !!!

loved sharing this w/ my big boys and praying their hearts are forever changed !!!

If you want to donate to HONDURAS projects go to 147millionorphans.org or continue to buy from 147millionorphans.com to help the 147 million orphans around the world ....

Day 2 In Honduras

2012-01-14T21:50:00.000-05:00

Well there is so much to say, but I think I am going to have to wait till I return till I can express myself in words ... My heart processes, I get a little quiet, and then I rant a lot in my head - so it is best to give it a few days till I can allow God to speak through me and NOT MYSELF DOING THE TALKING ...

Suzanne and I have taken lots of pictures, given lots of hugs, seen lots of DREAMS, and see where God would like us to pitch in ... He shows himself so clearly and the need is SO GREAT that it is easy to see what direction to go ... The question is WILL YOU GO WITH US ??? WILL YOU GO SOMEWHERE to help ...

check out Suzanne's blog and read more ... I promise to blog when we get home ... Thankful that Jeremiah and Elijah got to experience this with me ... Thankful for Rhonda and Ty, who have given their hearts away to this country and for allowing us to be a part of it with them at 147 Million Orphans !!!

THIS A DREAM by a little girl ... WE CAN MAKE THIS COME TRUE !!! more to come on this ... it was all I could do not to curl up in a ball and cry my eyes out ...

147 Million Orphans MINUS 1,2,3,4 CAMPAIGN

2012-01-11T22:38:00.000-05:00

I know I get excited about all the things we do at 147, but this CAMPAIGN has my spirit in such a GIDDY mood !!! These two tees will SCREAM your story and your heart for adoption !!! The beauty is that anyone can wear this shirt ... You could be the aunt of an adopted child, the babysitter of an adopted child, the grandparent or friends of a family that has adopted OR a missionary on the field loving on children - NO MATTER YOUR CONNECTION TO ADOPTION you can wear a MINUS tee and share your heart for SETTING THE LONELY IN FAMILIES ... check out the 2 new tees and order yours today ... I WANT THE 147 MINUS SHIRTS TO SPREAD THE GLODE ... Standing together and Speaking a loud and clear message will change hearts and minds - IT WILL CAUSE ACTION!

As always each purchase will help provide food, water, and medicine to a child in need ... The TEES are also available to our adoption fundraising families ... CLICK ON OVER AND CHECK THEM OUT!

You pick the style, size and MINUS # that tells your story !!!

147millionorphans.com

back

Kids that love to play sports and the PARENTS that are ruining it ...

2012-01-08T13:59:00.000-05:00

I could write a book on this subject ... I have coached for over 10 years, been a wife of a coach for almost 20 years, and I have 3 kids that are currently playing sports ranging from ultra competitive travel to recreation league. They love it and PARENTS RUIN IT ...

I am a parent that loves competition and all that a team can teach a child ... I want to win every time one of my kids take the field/court (I mean that is why they keep score), but if we lose then we lose ... We work harder for the next game and we congratulate the other team ...

I played 3 sports growing up and some of the best times of my life were spent w/ my team, competing, and building relationships ... It taught me a lot about how to get along w/ different types of people, how hard work can build character, and how to push through in some tough situations ...

I have watched Jeremiah especially and now as Elijah plays more I can see the relationships they build w/ people on their team and other teams ... I see them make friendships with other kids that share their love for a sport whether they are on the same team or not ... I have seen them talk, fb, and bump fist after a good play whether they are on the same team or the other team ... I have witnessed a true brotherhood/sisterhood because of their shared interest ... And as parents we should encourage this ... Just because someone is at another school or another team doesn't mean they are our enemy ... SERIOUSLY - it is time to grow up and start taking a cue from our children ...

Why do parents feel they have to have such a DISLIKE for the other team ... Why do parents have to yell at other people's children and clap when someone makes a mistake ... Why do parents feel when they lose they GOT CHEATED ...

One regret I have in life was when we were at a certain school ( and new to the area) and I allowed myself for the first time to follow the community I was in and DISLIKE other teams based solely on what I was told ... I wanted to be part of the crowd ... part of the community and I followed blindly ... This was totally my fault and a weakness I had to belong ... Age, wisdom, and a lot of experience has taught me to give everyone a chance first, be kind, and have good sportsmanship ... And what an amazing JOY that is because it has opened up my mind and heart to many new friendships ... I think at this point I can say that I have sweet friendships w/ other parents at all the schools my children play against and I pray this will continue as the younger ones find their areas of interest ...

STOP AND GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE ... CHEER FOR YOUR CHILD AND WISH THE BEST FOR THE OTHER CHILDREN PLAYING ... There will always be a loser and a winner at the end of a game, but we can all be winners if we show kindness and grace after ...

I know the LORD really doesn't care about who wins or loses a game, but HE does have expectations of how we should ACT while we play ... We are to give him the glory and the honor in ALL THAT WE DO ... As parents, lets not ruin it for our children ... They can build great friends on the fields/courts of play and we should encourage that ...

While I would consider us a SPORTS FAMILY there is something I feel that is far greater to do w/ my child than sports and that is the mission field ... To date taking Jeremiah to Uganda w/ me is in the TOP 10 BEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE ... We leave next week for Honduras and I will be taking Jeremiah and Elijah with me on this trip and I am beyond GIDDY !!! Please pray that God will move their hearts one more step closer to him !!!

IF YOU WANT TO TRULY DO SOMETHING THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR CHILD FOREVER AND GIVE WHATEVER THEY DO A DEEPER MEANING THEN TEACH YOUR CHILD TO SERVE ON THE MISSION FIELD - whether that mission field is down the street or across the ocean SERVING others will teach them a kindness and humbleness that will change their WHOLE life ... It will make them a better athlete, a better student, a better friend, a better son/daughter, and help them to grow deeper in love with CHRIST ...

have a blessed week !!!

OH IT WILL COME !!!

2011-12-29T15:28:00.001-05:00

OK, I am not saying it is related that I posted I was ready to adopt again and then I break my foot ... I am not saying that one day before we had our big fundraiser with POINT OF GRACE to help bring Joseph and Daisy home that Scott's truck blew up in a school parking lot ... I am not saying that the year we brought Maggie home and her medical needs far surpassed what we were prepared for that Scott changed jobs and we lost insurance for over 3 months. I am not saying that when we got Emily's referral from China that our fridge and dishwasher both broke in the same week (and I am pretty sure that is when a transmission went out on a car also) ... Not to mention the 100s of other mishaps that occurred !!!

I AM NOT SAYING ANY OF THOSE THINGS ARE RELATED, BUT I AM SAYING THAT IF YOU SAY YES TO ADOPTION THEN BE PREPARED TO MAKE SATAN VERY MAD ... He doesn't want a child brought into a loving, godly home with a family that will teach them about faith and the LORD ... He wants them left in loneliness, hopelessness, and especially wants them vulnerable to the evils of the world ... He wants them to feel abandoned and unworthy, so that he can prey on them and draw them away from the HOPE OF THE LORD ...

I know that SATAN is real, but that HE DOESN'T WIN !!! We have to cling to the fact that HE LOSSES THE GREATEST BATTLE OF ALL ... We have to stomp on him when he brings doubt into our lives ... We have to turn our hearts off to his negativity when he tries to derail us from the PLAN GOD HAS FOR OUR LIVES !!!

So yes - today I have a broke foot and sprained ankle and Daisy has pneumonia ... but that is just life ... It will be hard for a while and I could choose to think "OH HOW COULD I DO ANOTHER CHILD IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS,", but I won't because at this very moment I have sweet Anna Bliss running errands for me w/ the Emily/Maggie, Aunt Retta took Daisy to the doctor yesterday for me while I was getting my x-ray, dear friends are watching and loving on Joseph at Jeremiah's game, Renee is bringing dinner Saturday (AND SG just dropped dinner off for today), and I have more prayers coming this way than I can count ... You see Scott and I never do this alone !!!! So when time comes for us to adopt again, I won't doubt that we can ... I will know God will provide financially, will provide the time, will provide the friends to walk with us, and will carry us all the way !!! BECAUSE HE IS THAT AWESOME AND THE GREATEST PROVIDER OF ALL ... He is just waiting on willing hearts to follow his plan ... HERE I AM LORD!

The Next Right Thing ...

2011-12-27T03:10:00.000-05:00

Every single day is made up of choices ... Just work on doing the NEXT RIGHT THING ... We are faced daily with opportunities to love, care, give, change, and truly MAKE A DIFFERENCE ... Don't miss out on a chance to DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING and possibly be that final seed that God wants to plant in someone's life ... It may be an easy thing or a difficult thing, but if it is the RIGHT THING then do it ...

Let's approach the new year with an attitude of I CAN and I WILL ... God really doesn't want much - JUST ALL YOU HAVE TO GIVE !!!

After my last post, I received a sweet sweet blessing from someone that came directly from the LORD ... God's people are amazing and I get humbled as I watch you all work for HIS kingdom and HIS glory ...

thank you !!!

BIG NEWS ... My Christmas Wish !!!

2011-12-22T18:58:00.000-05:00

As many of you know ADOPTION is constantly on my heart ... As I feel the tug to adopt again and God has given me no direction, I just wait ... Scott and I talk about it and he has been saying it is not time ... I respect his voice, his heart, and his leadership as head of our home ... I will admit this time the conversations are sweeter and less stressful than they were for the last 4 adoptions (hee hee - what a relief) ... We are not flying blindly in the world of adoption - we know agencies, social workers, understand medical challenges, extra costs, older children, special needs, different cultures, how to manage a household w/ large numbers, the routine of CHAOS, and so much more ... THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS THE FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE LORD ... What he calls our family to do, to stand up for, and to share with others ...

Without telling me Scott began buying 1 lottery ticket each time he buys gas (so perhaps 3 a month = $3) and he said he threw out a fleece to the LORD that if he wanted us to adopt right now then we needed to win the LOTTERY ... So after the adoption topic came up again, Scott shared with me his FLEECE ... I will admit that I giggled ... Most would probably think if that is the ONLY chance you have of adopting then you should be discouraged or upset, but for me it was a beacon of light ...

I know that each time Scott buys a ticket he is thinking of adoption and God will take those moments to direct him in the way our family should go ... I am waiting patiently this time and allowing God to bring this to Scott's heart and mind without me having to pursue it ... It is ALWAY ABOUT GOD'S PLAN and never mine ... It is always about GOD'S TIMING and never mine ... It is ALWAYS ABOUT BRINGING GLORY TO THE FATHER and never to ourselves ...

I understand the pressures of a father to provide for his family - 6 kids, teacher's salary, lots of medical, and food alone takes a lot of funds, but GOD MAKES IT WORK everyday in our home (we have never been with out thanks to so many blessings) ... I will wait on the LORD and my sweet sweet husband ... My heart and arms are open to more children ... It will be fun to watch how God turns the pages of our story ...

Merry Christmas to everyone ... May the LORD shine through you and be a light to others !!!

WHY NOT ???

2011-12-15T09:06:00.000-05:00

God is asking you something today and my question to you and myself is WHY NOT ???

The title of the new season of BIGGEST LOSER is NO EXCUSES ... What a great title !!! We can find an excuse for anything we want, but the TRUTH IS that God knows all of them and is just not buying them - He did after all send his son to the cross for us ... He knows us more intimately and deeply than anyone ... Our fears and reservations just spill out to him ... WE CAN HIDE NOTHING ....

So during this busy holiday season filled with hustle and bustle, just stop for a moment and ask yourself WHY NOT ??? and if the answer comes in the form of an EXCUSE in the area of your TIME, TREASURE, TALENT, OR TESTIMONY then remember he gave you all those talents and using them for his kingdom is the best and brings the most JOY (a kind you only feel when you open your hands to him and stop holding it so tight) !!!

MAKE THIS YOUR SEASON OF NO EXCUSES !!!

My Elijah ... My Joy ... What A Special Day

2011-12-12T11:34:00.000-05:00

Sunday was such a fun day as FAMILY and FRIENDS came out to celebrate Elijah's baptism with us ... It is one of those moments that just takes your breathe away ... I saw Elijah w/ Scott knowing that each day he is learning more about the LORD ... He is finding his way in his relationship with the LORD ... Elijah is my QUESTION ASKER ... He has questions 24/7 ... He is not fearful to ask any question and I love that about him ... He is a seeker, a builder, a creative spirit, and an ALL OUT BOY ...

I was so proud of him on Sunday and just wept tears of JOY as he was Baptized ... I can't wait to take him to Honduras in January to let him see NEW THINGS ... I want his little heart to grow even more for others and have a deeper understanding of GOD's KINGDOM ... I know he will love it, but it will also shake him a bit ... Elijah may be a redhead full of energy and could wrestle down a bear, but he has such a tender heart and I know he will hurt for the children he mets ...

I love my sweet sweet son !!! He may not pick up clothes off the floor no matter the punishment, but oh the smiles he puts on my face !!!

Daddy and Elijah

Cousins

Elijah's buddies !!! (they are one cool group)

Elijah and Dailen (his cousin)

The Days Are Flying By ...

2011-12-09T12:53:00.001-05:00

Jeremiah has his first official middle school game today ... I look at how he is growing and maturing and to be honest I want it to stop right now ... lol ... He is amazing, fun, loyal, grounded, growing daily in his faith, responsible, loving, and able to do his homework by himself (that is huge ... hee hee) ... I love this kid !!! He is the one who first made me a mother and as I watch him grow I become prouder and prouder of how God is molding him ...

I am told over and over again that this time begins to fly so don't blink or he will be gone ... I think in most cases people think about how their child will be gone one day soon, but I really begin to think about how CAN I IMPACT HIM MORE FOR THE KINGDOM, so that when he leaves he is prepared ... What do I need to say, How do I get him to love the bible, What serving trips does he need to go on, What books should I get him to read, Where can he use his gifts and talents locally to make a difference, How to make FAMILY time fun and something he wants to continue to do when he leaves home, and so much more ... I want him to have on HIS FULL ARMOR OF GOD when he leaves the nest AND KNOW WE ARE HIS BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS... I want him to CHANGE THE WORLD ... I love to watch him LOVE other people especially his younger brothers and sisters ... I don't think they could ask for a better big brother ...

Even though the time begins to speed up, we as parents have a huge job to prepare our children for the battle ahead ... I don't want anyone else to have a greater impact on my child than SCOTT AND I ... I want him to know how he is a treasured child of God and a gift to us ...

He will do great things one day for the LORD ... And to all the girlies out there - you gotta go through Mama O before you get to my boy ... (just sayin)

YOU MUST :
LOVE THE LORD
LOVE YOUR FAMILY AND HIS
LOVE ORPHANS
HAVE A SERVING HEART
RESPECT ONE ANOTHER
LOVE TO LAUGH
ALWAYS ALWAYS STAND UP FOR EACH OTHER
HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE
and love to wear 147 million orphans gear (hee hee)

the list has more on it, but for now that is a start ...

WE ARE ENTERING YET ANOTHER FUN CHAPTER IN THE OATSVALL TEAM'S LIFE ... Can't wait to see what all God has for us !!!

Guest post by Coach O

2011-12-01T10:57:00.000-05:00

Compassion or Sympathy

I am writing this post out of a true inspiration and admiration for my wonderful wife. Her compassion for the last,lost and least reminds me of what I read over and over again in the Gospels about Jesus. When you read about him healing the sick, the blind, or the lame, it is often preceded by this statement,"He had compassion on them." Compassion is what motivated Jesus to ACT!
This is where Gwen brings her A-GAME. She acts. I think sometimes we get compassion and sympathy mixed up though. Like pity, sympathy cost us nothing...and therefore is worth nothing. Sympathy is the thought of love... compassion is the act of love. Sympathy says "I might," Compassion shouts " I WILL!!!"
Thank you Lord Jesus that you are filled with compassion toward us and that while we were orphaned sinners you paved the way to heaven for us. Thank you Gwen for being a living message of that compassion.

Are you a Sympathy person or a Compassion person?

Scott Oatsvall

A must read post by: DAVID PLATT (who is picking up his daughter in China)

2011-11-28T20:43:00.003-05:00

I am reminded as we go into tomorrow that the initiative for adoption obviously resides with a parent, not with a child. A child does not choose to initiate adoption; instead, a parent chooses to adopt a child. The same is true in spiritual adoption, as well. The Word is clear that in our sin, we were once children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), alienated from God (Colossians 1:21) and totally unable to save ourselves from our sin in order to become His sons. Talk about special needs. Our minds were blinded (Romans 1:21-23), our emotions were disordered (Romans 1:26-27), our bodies were defiled (Romans 1:24-25), our wills were distorted (Romans 3:10-12), and our relationships were broken (James 4:1-4). We were slaves to sin (John 8:34), lovers of darkness (John 3:20), morally evil (Genesis 8:21), and spiritually lost (Luke 19:10). And the good news of the gospel is that God saw our need and initiated our adoption:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (Ephesians 1:3-10).

Understanding this biblical foundation of spiritual adoption is critical for understanding the proper motivation for physical adoption. We have a tendency in our day to romanticize adoption, envisaging cute children around the world (both domestically and internationally) just waiting to be adopted. Obviously, they are all cute in their own ways, but they are also needy…and many of their needs are great.

As a pastor of a church that is, by God’s grace, captivated by an adoptive culture, I have talked and prayed with countless parents who have fostered and/or adopted children with challenging needs. And the only sustainable motivation for these parents is the glorious reality of the gospel. What do you do when the child you adopted has fetal alcohol syndrome and can’t ever seem to sit still without throwing a tantrum? What happens when that child’s birth mother was addicted to crack cocaine and as a result, he or she has permanent brain damage that affects their behavior for the rest of their life, and in turn their teenage years turn into a living nightmare for you, for them, and for your entire family? What happens when the years that child has spent in an institutional orphanage by themselves causes them to not know how to even begin to receive love, so that every time you try to show love, they resist it? What happens when the child you adopt is dangerous?

Mere altruism will not sustain you in situations like these. Only the gospel will. Because in the gospel, you are reminded on a daily basis that there was a day when you were a child of wrath, filled with evil desires, totally unable to control your sinfulness, and desperately in need of Savior, and God reached down His hand of mercy past the depth of your wickedness in order to adopt you as His own. When there was no initiative to draw you to Him, He initiated a relationship with you. So now, when you see a child with minor or major needs, you reach out to that child, simply because you realize you are that child. I can’t improve here upon the words of my friend, Russell Moore, who wrote a wonderful book called Adopted for Life. He wrote:

Imagine for a moment that you’re adopting a child. As you meet with the social worker in the last stage of the process, you’re told that this 12-year-old has been in and out of psychotherapy since he was three. He persists in burning things, and attempting repeatedly to skin animals alive. He “acts out sexually,” the social worker says, although she doesn’t really fill you in on what that means. She continues with a little family history. This boy’s father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather all had histories of violence, ranging from spousal abuse to serial murder. Each of them ended their own lives. Think for a minute. Would you want this child? If you did adopt him, wouldn’t you watch nervously as he played with your other children? Would you watch him nervously as he looks at the knife on the kitchen table? Would you leave the room as he watched a movie on TV with your daughter, with the lights out?

And then Dr. Moore writes:

Well he’s you. And he’s me. That’s what the Gospel is telling us.

My goal is certainly not to paint a grim picture of adoption, and many children in foster and/or adoption situations are perfectly healthy. But adoption is not easy, and children are indeed needy. It’s important to realize, then, that we adopt not because we are rescuers. No, we adopt because we are the rescued. And in this way, the gospel uniquely portrays, compels, and ultimately sustains adoption.

SHOP & SHARE the SPIRIT of Christmas 147 EVENT

2011-11-28T09:44:00.000-05:00

December 1st if you are in the area come on out for our 147 Million Orphans Event

SHOP & SHARE the SPIRIT of Giving @ Christmas

9am-4pm @ HARPETH HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST

on Old Hickory Blvd

UGANDAN EARRINGS ARE IN ALONG W/ COW HORN EARRINGS ... We have the new FLAG LOVE 1 tee, KISSES FROM KATIE book (sale for bulk buys), new youth tee, the ever so popular HOODIE, new chocolate and red MAYVALL BAGS and so much more !!!

Here is a great chance to buy w/ your heart and help provided FOOD, WATER, AND MEDICINE TO CHILDREN IN NEED ... When you give the gift of 147 to someone they know and understand the needs of orphans ... Our commitment to love them right where they are and show Christ !!!

Bring a few friends, share w/ your book club, or just bring a bus load !!! the more the merrier !!!

Thankful For Foster Moms

2011-11-26T19:22:00.000-05:00

I have had the privilege of meeting many foster moms over the past two years as I travel around w/ 147 and the look in their eyes is something I wish I could bottle ... They have a strength and a love that is unmeasurable ...

I had a very short, yet special season as an interim care mom for my adoption agency and got to love on 3 sweet angels until their forever families were found ... Here is a phrase I heard over and over again from people as they would OOOOHHHHH AND AAAAAAAAHHHHHH over these little babies I was holding and it was, "Oh, I could never do that because I wouldn't be able to give them up." ... I can only imagine how often full time foster moms here this and it struck me as odd that people would infer that they LOVE so much greater than a foster mom, so therefore they couldn't do that job ... When in reality it takes the act of SELFLESSNESS to give your life away to a child. To put their need for safety, love, food, and home over the pain that will come when they leave ... And foster parents do this over and over and over again ...

FOSTER MOMS (and Dads) are among the most selfless and loving people on this earth ... They sacrifice their hearts everyday to give a child the love of family. They bridge the gap for a time in a child's life when they have NO ONE to look out for them ... They include them in their lives as if they will be there forever (knowing many times that is impossible according to our court systems) ... They pray and dedicate so much of their life to just GIVING IT AWAY to children and many times will never receive anything in return ...

They are Gods walking angels here on earth ... I applaud all foster families that STEP UP and STEP IN when needed ... Your hearts are truly a testament to the way CHRIST loves !!!

THANKFUL THIS SEASON FOR ALL WHO LOVE ON CHILDREN IN NEED

What Are You Waiting For ???

2011-11-21T17:53:00.000-05:00

I spent so much of my life just BEING, so I get that I can be over passionate about helping orphans, talking about adoption, or just desiring so much for people to see THE GREAT NEED in this world ... I just want you to join me (if you haven't already) and find your place of service (the place of true JOY) ... I will be honest, there are many times I am talking with some one and I have a smile on my face, but really on the inside I am screaming DON'T JUST BE ... I have heard every excuse under the moon about WHY people don't (>>>>>>>) ... It is like people see my crazy beautiful family coming and they start talking immediately in an uncomfortable nervous way about how they aren't called TO MY KIND OF LIFE ... Scott will be the first one to tell you he never felt CALLED to our kind of life, but he does know what the bible says and he knew that if I felt CALLED to adopt then our family would be OBEDIENT ...

I know people who have dedicated their lives to serving homeless people, or to building homes for impoverished families, or travel the world to perform life saving surgeries ... There are endless places to love on hurting people ... THE NEED is huge and there has never been a better time for families to say I WILL WELCOME A LITTLE CHILD INTO MY FAMILY IN YOUR NAME JESUS ...

Has it ever occurred to you that it is okay to not have all the WARM AND FUZZYS about adopting, but that giving a child a home, love, and safety is biblical ... That making sure they have food, water, shelter, and safety is a great way to honor the LORD with the gifts he has given you ...

Has it ever occurred to you that horrific things are happening daily to children where their innocence and their hope are being robbed from them and if you were standing there most everyone would stand up and stand in to make sure that didn't happen !!! The problem is that we pretend we don't know and since we can't see it daily we just ignore it ... This is SO WRONG on many levels ... People say, "How does God let these things happen" and my answer would be that he asks us the same question ... He has given us every tool needed to take the epidemics of orphaned children, homeless people, lonely widows, and impoverished families and help change their future ... Show them grace, show them the LOVE of Christ, and make them disciples that will go and share their story of HOPE. Can we cure all the hurts and wrongs of the world ??? Well that is a discussion for another day ...

I feel so redundant at times on my blog because I seem to say the same thing over and over just in different words, but my desire is for people not to waste so much time BEING (like I did) and start DOING ... I had a family member recently tell my they FELT SORRY FOR ME and that sadden my heart more than I can say ... They obviously don't get that my life is FULL OF JOY ... chaotic, stressful, tiresome, and crazy, but OH SO BLESSED ...

How empty my life would have been had Scott and I not understood and obeyed scripture ... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? my life is one big ole THANKSGIVING FEAST !!! I still have those AHA moments when I share about all I have seen or experienced over the past 7 years that I can't believe it actually happened and is still happening to me ... A girl from the projects in Smyrna, TN ... A girl who had never left the country except for a couple of trips to Mexico ... A girl who had never dreamed of having 6 kids ... A girl who never knew her GOD STORY would inspire others ... A girl who married her high school sweet heart and dreamed of being PR executive in some big firm in California ... YEP, God took little ole me and took my life from just BEING to extraordinary and all because I said yes, to his plan !!!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ???? Just open your bible and do what it says !!! and if you have, then do it again and again and again ... It is never over, but a great adventure !!! I think sometimes that through 147 Million Orphans I have been able to help build water wells for people to have clean water, I have helped provided funds for children to get food and medicine, and I have helped hundreds of families fundraise for their adoption so that they could bring home their child !!! This blows me away everyday because on my husband's teacher's salary we would have never been able to help do all those things, but because GOD took a t-shirt and two moms (Suz and myself) and SAID THIS IS GOOD, I have been blessed to be a part of a bigger picture ... I get to use the resources God has provided and daily show HIS love !!!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ??? don't say after the NEW YEAR ... don't say after the kids get in college or out of diapers ... don't say after this or that debt is paid off ... don't say that is not for me ...

WIDOWS, ORPHANS, HOMELESS PEOPLE, HUNGRY PEOPLE, AND DYING PEOPLE are worth our resources, our time, our love, and open arms !!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!! Be a blessing to someone today !!!

Be Available !!!

2011-11-15T22:31:00.000-05:00

I could write a really long post, but the point is to BE AVAILABLE to the LORD and say YES to whatever he is asking of you, say YES to what scripture says for you to do, and know that JOY like you have never experienced is waiting ...

I have a lot of areas to work on, but I try my best to always BE AVAILABLE ... I don't want to miss the BLESSINGS that God has for me by being afraid, unprepared, or just plain ole selfish !!!

simple message for a very important season of THANKSGIVING ...

NEW FUNDRAISING PROGRAM & 147 BUTTON ... GRAB IT AND SHARE IT !!!

2011-11-09T16:00:00.000-04:00

We are always working for ways to spread the 147 mission ... grab our new button (to right on the sidebar) and check out the COOL NEW way for Adoptive Families to fundraise ... You will get your own 147 link to share and we will do all the work for you and send your agency a check every quarter ...

CLICK, SHOP, & HELP YOU ADOPT !!!

http://www.147millionorphans.com/affiliateinfo.asp

blessings !!!

SO GLAD I DIDN'T MISS THIS JOURNEY

2011-11-08T10:08:00.000-04:00

We don't really celebrate Gotcha Days around here because we celebrate each persons birthday ... It is just our tradition, but on this day every year I thank GOD for blinding me to all that was to come w/ our sweet Maggie ... If her file had said all the TRUTHS about her condition, I don't think I would have felt strong enough to handle it ... God knew I would use all that HE had to offer me as a mother and that I would be the perfect tool to heal her little heart and body ... AND I WAS !!! WE WERE THE PERFECT FAMILY TO LOVE HER and heal her ... What a journey we have been on and I wouldn't trade one moment of it for anything ... She is my precious precious princess ... Every night before she goes to bed I say and she repeats after me ... I AM PRECIOUS, I AM SMART, I AM BEAUTIFUL, I AM A DANCING BALLERINA, I AM A STINKER, AND JESUS MADE ME !!!

Enjoy this look into our little Maggie

Orphan Sunday ... WHAT EVER IT TAKES !!!

2011-11-06T10:53:00.000-04:00

Today many will be focused on the ORPHAN and my biggest prayer is that it will resonate so heavy on people's hearts that they will make everyday about CARING FOR THE LEAST OF THESE ... It doesn't matter whether you are a stay home mother, teacher, doctor, trash collector, or sales clerk - you can do something for THE LEAST OF THESE ... Whatever It Takes should be our theme when it comes to orphans ...

If an Orphan is hunger then we would say ... WHATEVER IT TAKES to get them food

If an Orphan is sick then we would say ... WHATEVER IT TAKES to get them meds

If an Orphan is thirsty then we would say ... WHATEVER IT TAKES to get them water

If an Orphan is needs a family then we would say ... WHATEVER IT TAKES to get them a family

If an Orphans needs a roof over their heads to be safe at night then we would say ... WHATEVER IT TAKES to get them a home

If an Orphan needs love then we would say ... WHATEVER IT TAKES to get them love

As my sweet friend Katie said ... ISN'T EVERY DAY ABOUT CARING FOR ORPHANS !!!

PRAY DOWN THE NUMBER W/ ME AT 1:47 (every day)

PRAY DOWN THE NUMBER @ 1:47 PM everyday!

2011-10-30T16:00:00.002-04:00

Call it a campaign, initiative, or project ... The name is not important, but the ACT is ... 147 Million Orphans is launching PRAY DOWN THE NUMBER AT 1:47 PM project Nov. 1st ... It is simply an invitation for us all to join together and allow God to to impact us through prayer for the orphans of the world !!!

Let me tell you how it happened ... I always know when God has a direction for me by the way he delivers the message ... IT SIMPLY POPS IN MY HEAD WITH ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS AND DETAILS ATTACHED ... I know it is ALL him when I have not been thinking of the idea, up late at night trying to figure it out, or even have it on a TO DO list ... IT JUST POPS IN MY HEAD (kinda like my first 147 Million Orphan's shirt for our adoption) ...

So the story goes like this ... Emily and I were on the phone talking about the wait for everyone in the adoption process ... We were talking about how the process is a MUST and when delays, road blocks, and mountains come our way that we can not lose hope in the FATHER'S PERFECT PLAN ... And then as soon as I hung up the phone God whispers - PRAY MY DAUGHTER PRAY ... GET ALL YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO PRAY W/ YOU AT 1:47 pm DAILY ... The orphan crisis is not a quick fix, but a long hard journey with the LORD trusting him and loving his people !!!

SO WE AT 147 ARE ASKING YOU TO COME ALONG SIDE OF US AND HELP US TO ASK OTHERS TO PRAY DOWN THE NUMBER AT 1:47 PM ... where ever you are just stop and lift up orphans to the FATHER - pray for friend's adoptions, pray for the orphan who is hungry, pray the for the orphan that is sick, pray for the families sitting on the fence about adoption, pray for orphan/adoption ministries, pray for those serving orphans, ... WHATEVER GOD LAYS ON YOUR HEART ABOUT THE FATHERLESS - pray pray pray !!!

put in on your calendar, make it an appt. on your phone, write it on your hand, put a sticky note on your mirror or do them all ... LET'S ALL STAND TOGETHER, WATCH OUR FAITH GROW AND THE NUMBER GO DOWN !!!

JOIN OUR FB GROUP

ON NOV. 1ST YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND ORDER "PRAY DOWN THE NUMBER @ 1:47" CARDS TO SHARE WITH YOUR FAMILY, CHURCH, WOMEN'S GROUP, OR SCHOOL ...

Let's make this a viral effect and have something with REAL meaning spread across our country and other countries ... I am excited about this and how it will join us together in our hearts and prayer time !!!

1st ever 147 GEAR UP VIDEO ...

2011-10-26T23:29:00.000-04:00

IF YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THE NEXT ONE THEN PLEASE SEND YOUR PICTURES TO US AT TWOMOMS13KIDS@GMAIL.COM ... thanks for helping us to love GOD'S CHILDREN!

Had To Repost My Sweet Sweet Sister's Video Meeting Her Daughter ... Emily is one of my faith heros !!!

2011-10-26T18:26:00.001-04:00

P.S. you gotta love the 147 presense in this video !!! hee hee

WE LOVE YOU ALEXANDER FAMILY !!!

WHO AM I ???

2011-10-24T08:51:00.000-04:00

I am a 41 year old wife and mother and DAUGHTER OF THE KING (who has a bad diet coke/diet mtn. dew habit) ... I met my husband when I was 14 years old and we are about the celebrate our 21st anniversary ... Our lives have had a lot of ups and downs ... I think almost daily now how thankful I am the LORD didn't give up on us and our marriage early on ... Before children we were self-absorb and selfish MOST OF EVERYDAY and unfortunately that is something that still creeps in ... We had been married almost 10 years before we had Jeremiah ... I will never forget going to my 10 year class reunion w/ a beautiful 10 week old baby boy and then by my 20th class reunion I had 6 kids ... I MEAN HOW HILARIOUS IS THAT !!! So thankful God got a hold of my heart and my plan to turn our eyes towards HIS PLAN for our life ... The thought of missing the ROLLER COASTER I AM ON RIGHT NOW WOULD BE HAVE BEEN SO SAD ... I LOVE MY LIFE !!!

I am one of those people that just needs about 60 seconds to really get mad, whine, or vent about something then I am over it, but boy during that 60 seconds I am shelling it out big time!!! ... I am a GLASS HALF FULL kind of GIRL ... There is just no sense in dwelling on things I can't control or people who choose to have their own opinion of me and my family ... The LORD has way to much for me to do, be blessed with, and to see in a day to worry on the things HE HAS TOLD ME ARE NOT MY CONCERN ...

There are days when I experience every emotion that is out there - JOY, happiness, anger, SADNESS, frustration, envy, CONTENTMENT, satisfaction, and so much more ...It just makes me so aware of how easy it is when I am in the midst of certain emotions to take my eyes off the GOAL OF THE DAY and then I just reel myself back in ... I am sometimes hard to keep up with (hee hee) - my mind is going a mile a minute ... If only I had about 5 administrative assistants to just carry out all the projects and thoughts in my head ... I can be a lot to handle in a situation because of my passion for orphans, my family, my friends, and the LORD ... I am not a complicated person, but simply a person who loves who I love deeply - SO MY ADVICE is don't mess w/ that !!! hee hee When I am studying my bible or listening to someone preach I like for the simple truth of the word ... God didn't make it complicated and to make it anything other than what it is I just don't cater to ... I know so many lost people and I want my words and actions to be clear and simple - LOVE EACH OTHER, SERVE EACH OTHER, AND SHARE GOD'S GLORY ...

I am energetic and love using what God has given me to share HIS STORY in our life ... There is nothing special about our STORY except it is full of just being OBEDIENT to his call (even when it doesn't make sense) ... If I have said it once then I have said it 100 times -- this is not the life I had pictured ... And it is in the darkest times over the last 7 years that I have seen my HEAVENLY FATHER at HIS finest ... I have allowed him to pick me up, give me strength, be the great healer, and show me what it is to really LOVE someone no matter what they give back to you ... IT IS THE MOST PURIFYING thing ever ... My soul feels so focused these days and even though the selfish me comes out here and there, I know how to REEL her back in and dive back into to what the LORD has for me ...

I am a work in progress and know the LORD has so much more for me and that makes me GIDDY ... I love that he can us a MESS like me AND MAKE IT INTO A MESSAGE !!!

I am thankful for all the stories you have shared with me that has shaped and encouraged my days ...

Hoping the next 10 years are as eventful and full of the LORD's JOY as the last 10 years have been !!!