tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68892408346313945632024-03-05T12:28:40.456-06:00Follow Us There. Journey On.Our family's journey of adoption from Ukraine. Special needs adoption. Older child adoption. At times the blog is about my daughter Emma who passed away at the age of 3 from a rare, terminal condition called Cockayne Syndrome.Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-47843190426682265172017-03-29T19:01:00.000-05:002017-03-29T19:05:13.111-05:00My Journey with Emma is here! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My daughter Emma was born with a rare genetic disorder called Cockayne Syndrome. She lived to be three years old and through her life, God showed me my true identity..in Him. </div>
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I carried a facade of trying to make the world beliefe I had it together for a very long time, but Emma's life taught me that when we let the facades fall and share our brokenness, we allow God to show how He heals our hearts. </div>
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My book, My Journey With Emma is the story of Emma's life and what came after for me. It is the story of why I can say "it is well with my soul" and how God can bring tremendous peace and good out of suffering and pain. </div>
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My Journey With Emma is a story of hope, truth and redemption. </div>
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To order My Journey With Emma go to <b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://circleofhopehuntsvil.wixsite.com/cohcare"><span style="color: black;">Circle of Hope</span>,</a></span></b> the non profit organization created in Emma's memory. It serves to support families and children with life threatening illness, special needs and families adopting children. All proceeds from My Journey With Emma go to Circle of Hope.</div>
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I am honored to walk the journey of love and loss with others and pray you feel God's deepest blessings and peace in your own journey. Please email me at circleofhopehuntsville@gmail.com if you are a family needing help or simply need to talk. </div>
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Much love, Kim</div>
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<br />Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-71001120379176720022016-12-15T14:44:00.000-06:002016-12-15T14:48:22.584-06:00Updates Here we are, nearing the end of another year. Life has its ups and downs and I am thankful for God's mercy, new every morning.<br />
Sveta is in 3rd grade now and we are still homeschooling. She's making progress in reading, writing and math. We are having some educational testing done in a few weeks to rule out dyslexia. Paige began homeschooling this year as well and has loved Classical Conversations.<br />
For the past semester Sveta has been taking musical theater and wow..she has found her niche! She takes to the stage with no fear, has every line and music step down and most of all, her BIG personality shines. I was watching her this morning at the final performance and thought "wow, how far she has come, she has so much to give."<br />
I told her I was so proud of her and she said "I'm proud of myself too!"<br />
Peyton found hockey at a young age, Paige discovered soccer is her passion and now Sveta shines on stage. As we near the end of the year and the celebration of our Lord, I am humbled to be in the place God has called me to at this stage in life. Saying yes to God and serving others, in whatever purpose He intends. Thank you for continuing to keep up with Sveta's journey.<br />
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Pictures over the last months...<br />
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Sveta as Munchkin Mayor</div>
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Some of the cast</div>
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Sveta & mommy</div>
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Paige turned 13!</div>
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We got to see Winter and Hope </div>
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From Dolphin Tale</div>
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Decades day </div>
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Peyton drives now! ( he turns 17 tomorrow!)</div>
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Lots of swimming last summer</div>
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Sveta turned 9!</div>
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Fun with friends</div>
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Time at Elis parents cabin </div>
Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-30603589261325758352016-06-01T10:31:00.002-05:002016-06-01T10:31:27.982-05:00Identity<div style="text-align: center;">
For the past five months I've been trudging through the process of editing my manuscript, it is the story of my life with Emma and how God has grown me, refined my faith and how I finally found my true identity, not in things or people - but in Christ. </div>
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At times I've had to stop and take a break. I have an amazing editor who has walked with me through this process and has been a source of encouragement, and reminder of truth. Revisiting the memories of Emma's life and death have been good, but incredibly difficult. I feel finally telling my story is what God has been leading me to all these years. Pouring words to paper is a closure that needed to happen.</div>
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Emma's life on earth ended 11 years ago. </div>
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11 years ago. Time has seemingly moved too quickly yet managed to stay still. </div>
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Every year since her death, May 21st is the most difficult day. The day filled with the most intense, raw emotions. It was her last full day here on earth. </div>
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The longest day. </div>
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Every year prior to this one, I would spend May 21st wrestling with anxiety and tears. Yes, you can still love God, have faith and be filled with anxiety. I certainly have had a troubled spirit on May 21st all these years. But God says to "cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22</div>
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This year, I felt no anxiety. May 21st was a beautiful, full, joyful day. May 22nd came, the anniversary of Emma's death, and there was peace. This year was different. </div>
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I know God is still working in me and through me to teach me more of His character. I know finishing up Emma's story is more than just my journey with Emma - it is a testimony to my father in Heaven and how He has been faithful and loves me, even when I have been a disobedient child. </div>
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"If we are faithless, He remains faithful. He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13</div>
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Our family has recently embarked on a very unplanned journey. It is a journey that the devil does not want to see happen. When you hear from God and follow where He is leading you you will encounter attacks from every direction. The enemy does NOT want to see God's plan for your life succeed. The enemy wants to steal your JOY. </div>
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The devil does not want to see Emma's story, which is truly a God story, come to fruition. The enemy does not want the changes coming to our family to succeed. </div>
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Knowing this we can put on the full armor of God and I know I will continue to stumble, to fall, but will get back up, not because of anything I can do on my own, but because God is faithful. </div>
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As I have learned where my true identity is, I have finally begun to understand joy.</div>
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Go forward in faith friends, whatever you may be walking in, God has you in His hand. He doesn't promise happiness but oh how He wants you to experience JOY. </div>
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Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-40636448368449140892015-12-08T09:01:00.001-06:002015-12-08T09:01:09.722-06:00Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week Sveta asked me why we hang Emma's stocking if she's not here. Her innocent question gave me an opportunity to explain how we can still love and remember someone even if they aren't with us, and that Emma's stocking is a reminder that she's always with us in our hearts. We have great hope in the Lord and we will see Emma again. </div>
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What hope, what truth.</div>
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Isn't that the true message of this season?</div>
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"No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."</div>
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The peace Emma has now is as incomprehensible to me as the peace I have with her being apart from me. How can I be at peace when she's no longer alive here with me?</div>
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God alone has done this in my heart.</div>
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But the wandering, the wondering, the crying out to God for clarity on other things in our lives - this is a blog post for the future. </div>
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Perhaps, the most difficult post to come.</div>
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In the valley is where we have been for a very long time - searching, waiting.</div>
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Hope must lie in the valleys of life, I am learning this is where the most profound spiritual growth happens.</div>
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<br />Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-35917087580738693612015-12-04T13:25:00.002-06:002015-12-04T13:26:14.633-06:00A Sveta Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been looking back at photos from before Sveta came home. </div>
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She's grown so much in so many ways - physically, emotionally, developmentally. </div>
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As we enter the 5th (wow!) Christmas season with our Sveta, I am so thankful that she is a part of our family.</div>
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It is an honor to get to be her mommy. </div>
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This photo is of Sveta and one of the precious volunteers who visited the orphanage weekly and played with the children in Sveta's groupa. Her name is Lilya. She adored Sveta. We still have contact with some of the volunteers we were blessed to meet that summer while adopting Sveta and they have been able to keep updated on her life, as well as pass on updates to her orphanage. </div>
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Sweet, sweet baby girl. </div>
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This is Sveta now, picture taken a few weeks ago. I have no idea why one arm/hand looks so large when propped up on the rail! She is one of the bravest children I know, she will try anything (even zip-lining!) and was so excited to try ice skating again. </div>
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I haven't updated much about Sveta's progress or things we are doing. I suppose when you've been home four years everything is so routine you forget that readers may want to know how things are really going. </div>
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I homeschool Sveta and she's now in the 2nd grade, she is making huge leaps in her reading and math skills. Her confidence in learning is growing. We have been using Right Start math and Abeka. She takes other classes at a local business dedicated to home schoolers. It's like a little school and she even participated in a science fair last month. There is a Christmas program where she will be singing and lots of opportunities for field trips. It's been a very good decision to home school and I love having my little one home every day and getting to watch her progress. She finished speech therapy last year and her language has greatly improved. She will soon be starting musical theater classes. She is so excited about this but also wants to take karate. Have I mentioned she loves watching wrestling?? She even has a little wrestling ring and wrestlers she likes to play with. Yes, her interests are diverse. Barbies, wrestling, singing, drama. </div>
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I'm just glad she loves to explore different things and loves to learn. </div>
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She's still a tiny little girl, finally growing into a size 8. But she has a huge heart and is filled with compassion for people and animals. </div>
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We are blessed to have our little Sveta. </div>
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Adoption changed our lives. </div>
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<br />Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-80883703138567263202015-11-27T08:23:00.003-06:002015-11-27T08:30:29.385-06:00Thanksgiving 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Thanksgiving was a truly a year filled with mixed emotions.</div>
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Many people, both family and friends, came together to celebrate - not that life is perfect or that we don't face difficult times, but we all came together to say thank you for the time we each have here on earth. That life is short, and can change in a heartbeat. </div>
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This year all the cousins on my husband's side were joined together in one picture, which is really an accomplishment because for many years each of us has taken a different path on Thanksgiving.</div>
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It was joy to watch our daughter play with her cousin, and sweet to watch our son and oldest daughter hold the newest member of the family. </div>
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It was a time of reflection, of renewal.</div>
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The holidays are a difficult time, for many people, for many reasons.</div>
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It is no different for our family.</div>
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I just want to say that if you are struggling, don't give up on the one thing we each have - hope.</div>
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For a long time I felt like giving up on hope. That perhaps, hope didn't really exist. </div>
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I was looking for hope in earthly things.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i>God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope</em><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></div>
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Looking at each of these precious children (even the man child) I am reminded of the hope God gives to each of us. Hold tight to his promises that all the pain we experience here on earth will someday be wiped away. </div>
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Yes, there is one child missing. How could I look at this picture and not see there is an empty space. </div>
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I've learned that while we will always miss Emma, we can still experience great joy.</div>
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Happy Thanksgiving 2015 </div>
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<br />Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-48204401349617399122015-11-17T22:51:00.000-06:002015-11-25T07:47:49.595-06:00Emma<div class="MsoHeading8" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
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Y'all! I am ready to tell Emma's story, my story, His story. It's not filled with happiness and rainbows but is blessed with joy. How does that happen? </div>
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It's ugly. Raw. Real.</div>
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Eventually, it's peace. </div>
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I'm still in in the middle of finishing the memoir but it's almost done.<br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> I am so ready to just have this story told.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">In 2008 the manuscript was nearly finished, but life happened and I allowed distractions to keep me from completing it.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">In truth, it was difficult to put the story of Emma's life onto paper.</span><br />
Each time I would begin to write everything would come pouring back and the emotion was simply too overwhelming at times.<br />
It has taken years to reach a place where I can move forward with the book and I have begun working with an amazing Christian woman who is helping guide me through the whole process.<br />
From 2008 when I first sent the manuscript to another editor to now, I've grown in my relationship with God and I know this growth needed to happen before the book could be completed.<br />
I had to find where my identity truly rested.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCbXLuCAKU847R5djIoDH937S6tHTquh4CdRZ-IelSFOOytZuftep9XyAfdKwVWPmlUixMDF-MRevFGIbRkMm-aU5algs7ruhOB0X8ED0jrydcudIBJ9CPVaPzOrxU2Hnr9tUBo59XQw/s1600/20150311_151537-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0.5in;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCbXLuCAKU847R5djIoDH937S6tHTquh4CdRZ-IelSFOOytZuftep9XyAfdKwVWPmlUixMDF-MRevFGIbRkMm-aU5algs7ruhOB0X8ED0jrydcudIBJ9CPVaPzOrxU2Hnr9tUBo59XQw/s400/20150311_151537-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Journey With Emma<br />
A Memoir of Healing and Hope<br />
Preface<br />
<i>"All this time I was finding myself and I didn't know I was lost"</i><br />
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Emma.<br />
The enigma child, the one born with fiery red hair, the child who left us when she was three.<br />
The one who dances in heaven.<br />
While here on earth she was always in my arms. One day I know I will see her again. My faith has grown as I have cried stinging tears. I've been shattered but found peace in the midst of pain.<br />
This is my story, it is the journey I took with my daughter Emma, and the unraveling of myself...<br />
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Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-14168525812071379102015-06-01T13:33:00.001-05:002015-06-01T13:34:21.823-05:00Just Busy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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May passed in a whirlwind. Always one of the busiest months of the year!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHOPq3k6UMl3Pz19jAOFuPpjXK5eO3j9Nqdk-hjWFYYGwN4CN__fNRVlMjn8E0Uu8wBRH4ZhJOmxGDI-46qF-u3609-ETzrzT04LKjW1AkHoO9mi0Y-X4iwSObpVd2RDz5QQWk05IE8s/s1600/20150516_140918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHOPq3k6UMl3Pz19jAOFuPpjXK5eO3j9Nqdk-hjWFYYGwN4CN__fNRVlMjn8E0Uu8wBRH4ZhJOmxGDI-46qF-u3609-ETzrzT04LKjW1AkHoO9mi0Y-X4iwSObpVd2RDz5QQWk05IE8s/s400/20150516_140918.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Sveta turned 8! This year she had a ice skating party and wanted a princes castle cake. She's growing up so fast. I want to freeze her at this age. Stay little! </div>
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Paige graduated elementary school & is ready for middle. Again, I'd like to just stop time for a bit. </div>
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Last day of school (5th & 1st grades) </div>
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These girls. They fight. They hug. They play together, support one another, and giggle. </div>
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The very best of friends.</div>
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I never can get a picture of Pey, he literally runs away from the camera. He made it through the first year of high school and continues to play hockey. </div>
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Summer is officially here. And it's going to be a busy one.</div>
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We mailed very important adoption papers last week. </div>
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After a year of working toward this, it was surreal to finally send the paperwork on its way.</div>
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Things are moving very well on the adoption front. </div>
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To end, I'm not sure if I've ever shared that I am originally from Texas - I'd like to ask for everyone to just keep Texas in your thoughts and prayers. Many of the places on the news are ones near where I am from. My family is okay but there are evacuations going on very close to them. </div>
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Stay safe everyone and hopefully I can find time over the summer to post adoption updates. </div>
<br />Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-28141118244627038222015-05-14T08:27:00.001-05:002015-05-14T08:45:59.725-05:00Emma's Homecoming<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 2.6rem; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
Written in 2007, shortly after we left Emma's last home here on earth...May 22 is quickly approaching. Nearly 10 years ago we said goodbye to our Emma.</div>
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The Lord has continued to be our hope, our peace as we journey on. </div>
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Memories flashed through my mind as I took the last walk through our home before we moved. Lingering at the foot of the stairs my memory held peals of laughter coming from the children’s bedrooms. Looking out the kitchen window was the vivid image of Peyton and Paige caught up in some make believe drama on their swing set. Pausing in the living room the most bittersweet memories flashed. My eyes focused on the spot where Paige took her first steps, then over to the place where Peyton grinned at the camera on his first day of kindergarten. Finally my eyes settled in the corner where my chair had once sat. It was there my mind held the image of my daughter Emma taking her last breath. Her three year old body giving way to the devastating effects of Cockayne syndrome, passing away peacefully in my arms.</div>
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After Emma died, it did not seem possible our family could ever call another house home without memories of Emma beating within the walls. But as we have settled into our new house our family is finding Emma is with us always and her memory is not found within a house but instead is in each of us. She is found in the shine which lights up Peyton’s face as he tells funny stories about her. In my husband’s smile when he looks at pictures of her. She is found in the pride in Paige’s eyes when she says “my big sister”. Emma is with us as we meet other children who have Cockayne syndrome and take them into our arms without hesitation. Her lingering laughter fills our new home in our memories. Peyton and Paige find comfort as they climb into the worn chair where I sat holding Emma as she was dying. We celebrate her life as we make memories in a new home.</div>
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We keep her memory alive and woven securely into our family’s fabric. Filled with God’s peace and comfort I am overcome with a revelation found in the duality of meaning in a person’s death date. For those left behind, the death date signifies and ending to life on earth. For Emma that sunny day in May was a glorious day. It was her homecoming, the day she returned to her savior – in a perfect body, free from pain. On that day the Lord took her into His loving arms and said “Welcome home Emma, my good and faithful servant.” Welcome home. </div>
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What a homecoming!</div>
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Even in the darkest of days, in the pit of despair, walking in the wilderness.</div>
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He is with us.</div>
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A hope that prevails and is larger than anything we can fathom with our human mind.</div>
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Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-56794572213970288732015-05-01T11:22:00.003-05:002015-10-22T14:35:36.205-05:00Perseverance & What You Didn't Know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span>Someone reminded me this morning that God is ALWAYS on time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not our time, His. This is true in all facets of our life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My last post was What I Didn't Know</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So -What you didn't know about me/us:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We didn't think we could have children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It took seven years for God to give us Peyton.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lots of testing, tears and crying out to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A lot of loss. Mistakes. Regrets. Second chances.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When this little guy was born we thought he was going to be our only child. And that was okay. He wrapped our hearts around his little Batman & Robin, Superman loving self. </span></div>
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But God had a different plan. See the little squishy baby in the background? </div>
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Emma.</div>
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God gave us Emma girl just 18 months after Peyton. </div>
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Then precious Paige 2 years later.</div>
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Life was three babies in just under four years. </div>
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<i>Life was really busy.</i></div>
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One of those babies didn't grow the way other children did. Emma had a rare genetic syndrome that affected her in growth, sped up the aging process, impacted her eyesight, stunted her physically and she never spoke a word but Cockayne <b>never</b> affected her personality, always full of spunk. </div>
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She loved cheetos, and coffee flavored ice cream.</div>
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We called her Little Bit. </div>
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Our life as a family of five went on for a while until Emma passed away.</div>
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It was dark for a long time afterward, as we grieved and healed.</div>
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We never thought we would or could have more children, though I had always wanted more.</div>
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Genetically we each carry a recessive gene that causes Cockayne syndrome. And we never ever wanted to watch another one of our children struggle as Emma girl had. We never wanted to have Peyton and Paige watch another sibling die. I know that sounds harsh but the heartache on them was tremendous, especially Peyton. He carries it in his heart to this day,and forever will. </div>
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There was never a time Peyton could really remember <b>not </b>being with his sister Emma, until she was gone from his young life. After she was gone he would ask over and over "Is she really not coming back???" Adding more biological children was not an option for us.</div>
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So, it completely took us by surprise when God laid adoption on our hearts.</div>
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We were just living life, involved in our community, kids lives and our non profit. </div>
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So to have this little one enter our world, well it was a miracle, a blessing we never expected.</div>
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I would lie in bed at night and say "Really God? You are giving us another child?" </div>
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It was a surreal, exciting time.</div>
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We didn't get on any adoption bandwagon, adopt because everyone else was, or feel like we were saving the world or rescuing anyone. </div>
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Heck, we were just bringing our little girl home, the one who came in God's perfect timing.</div>
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What you didn't know is we never imagined God would put us on this journey again.</div>
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We will keep God's command to persevere. </div>
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I could never guess what brings you to this blog to read words I so often chose for my own chronicling of our lives. My place to vent and pour emotion into posts.</div>
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But I pray today that whatever you are walking in, you will be comforted. </div>
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Know each step in front of the other you take in your personal journey, is perseverance. </div>
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Walking in the darkest times, even if hope is fading...you are in His hands. </div>
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Thank you Heidi for sending me this today, and I hope it helps others by sharing:</div>
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<strong>Because you have kept My command to persevere..." (Rev <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_704691888" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:10</span></span>)</strong></div>
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<strong>Perseverance means more than endurance--more than simply holding on until the end. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, "I can't take any more." Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God's hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_704691889" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">13:15</span></span>)</strong></div>
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<strong>Faith is not some weak and pitiful emotion, but is strong and vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. And even though you cannot see Him right now and cannot understand what He is doing, you know Him. Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is the supreme effort of your life--throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence upon God.</strong></div>
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<strong>God ventured His all in Jesus Christ to save us, and now He wants us to venture our all with total abandoned confidence in Him. There are areas in our lives where that faith has not worked in us as yet--places still untouched by the life of God. There were none of those places in Jesus Christ's life, and there are to be none in ours. Jesus prayed, "This is eternal life, that they may know You..."(John 17:3) The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we will take this view, life will become one great romance--a glorious opportunity of seeing wonderful things all the time, God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power.<em> Oswald Chambers</em></strong></div>
Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-70658870327090966322015-04-28T14:01:00.001-05:002015-04-28T17:38:30.211-05:00What I Didn't Know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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She was a tiny little girl, just barely 4 years old. The first day we met her she had on too big clothing, shoes that were hanging together by threads (sandals that barely stayed on her feet), and a pony tail on top her her head, like a water spout.</div>
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Her eyes were filled with something - weariness? </div>
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Tiredness? </div>
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I will never know exactly. As we sat in the directors office and listened to the list of "problems" on file I remember thinking "it will be okay...it will be okay." </div>
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If she had been born to us biologically it wouldn't have mattered what the diagnosis was. Didn't matter what terms medical professionals would saddle upon her. She is SO much more than the labels or limits the director tried to convince us was Sveta.</div>
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Sitting in that room I knew we would fight for her, for her to have the best possible life, future, and we would always be there for her.</div>
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<i>What I didn't know is how deeply I would grow to love this little person. </i></div>
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How her grin and laugh would cause my heart to swell with emotion.</div>
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How naturally her little hand taking mine as we walk together would feel.</div>
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How the sound of her crying over anything would make my heart break.</div>
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How intently I would fight for her.</div>
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How every accomplishment would invoke an insane level of pride in her.</div>
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What I also didn't know is how difficult it would be coming home and adjusting with a little person who had never known love, trust, attachment or appropriate boundaries. Anyone who says adoption is easy or paints a glossy picture of perfection might not be painting the whole truth.</div>
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Adoption is born of pain and loss. No adoption comes without some level of heartache. </div>
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But adoption is also a gift, a blessing and Sveta is a true joy to our family. She is almost 8 now. She is beginning to ask questions about her "old house" and we temper our answers age appropriately. </div>
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We always want her to know of the beautiful place where she was born, of Ukraine's history, of her unique story. </div>
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And to embrace her story along with all of its beautiful intricacies. </div>
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No one person has a perfect story or perfect life. </div>
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We teach our children to embrace diversity and focus on the gift of grace that God has given us. Because while life is always going to be bring a level of heartache, when we focus on eternal truth and the gift of life together as a family, we have all we need in this life. </div>
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Her life is precious. Uniquely Sveta. Just as God created her, in His perfect image.</div>
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Sveta, almost four years home, 7 years old</div>
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<br />Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-68863570671706647312015-04-21T12:06:00.005-05:002015-04-21T12:16:00.742-05:00Through the Shadows<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The newspaper (what's that???) followed our family for six months in 2004/2005. Emma's eyes are so dark in these pictures but they were actually blue. I'm not sure why they are so dark. She was going blind by this stage of the syndrome, such a dreadful thing to witness in such a tiny little person. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Its that time of year again. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Winter winds down and God shows his glory through new life - spring flowers, baby birds...all this the backdrop to one of the most difficult times in our lives. In 2005 we careened through April and made our way into May, vaguely aware of what was coming as our 3 year old Emma lingered between heaven and earth. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We were a young family who had three children under the age of 5. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life with one child who was terminally ill was sharply juxtaposed against life with two rambunctious, messy little ones, the "P's". </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While I think of Emma girl every single day, this time of year all the memories flood back in a surge, and at crazy times. Sitting in the car line. Cooking dinner. Walking through target and seeing the clothes section she never grew out of. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Size 6 months. I carried her 99% of the time, would have carried her in my arms for the rest of my life. Tiny little girl, so full of life, and laughter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Though she is no longer in my arms, I carry the love and lessons she brought to our lives with me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I am a better person and better servant of the Lord because of her. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She left her imprint on our souls and it is well...well with my soul. I wouldn't change a single thing. Even the ending - because truly that ending is simply another beginning. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And it is within that beginning where my hope lies. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is well. Hope never dies. Every morning is a new beginning. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"You can only come to the morning through the shadows." JRR Tolkien</i></span></span></div>
Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-5440731874745476722015-04-20T11:43:00.001-05:002015-04-20T11:43:36.112-05:00Still Rings True<br />
<span lang="EN" style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span class="newspaper">Several years ago in the midst of Sveta's adoption I came across this blog post written by another person deeply passionate about the fatherless. Last week I found it and felt it should be shared again. Not all families are supposed to adopt. And while many, many churches have amazing missions & outreaches not all speak on behalf of the fatherless. The church we went to when adopting Sveta was wonderful. It felt like family, we were life group leaders, committed members who were deeply passionate about giving and helping the church any way we could. There were many people in the church who rallied around our family to bring Sveta home. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span class="newspaper"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN" style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span class="newspaper">But many did not. And that was okay. I can't even describe the words that came out of the orphans and widows ministry leader as he compared adoption to buying a car, as a "large purchase", or the absolute backlash from others. The enemy does NOT like adoption to happen. And will go to great lengths to create division and doubt in the hearts of families who say YES. Many churches may be failing to spread the message of God's heart for the fatherless but we don't have to. I suppose that is why I will keep yelling about the fatherless and supporting families adopting. Once I looked into Sveta's eyes my world changed. While the number, I've heard 147 million as one estimate, might change the children- disabled, older, discarded - they each have a story, a name. Sveta was number 6 in her groupa. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span class="newspaper"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN" style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span class="newspaper">But she is so much more than a number. They ALL are so much more. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span class="newspaper"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN" style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span class="newspaper">Repost from Lou Brown, The Gloves Come Off: </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span class="newspaper">I</span> am sitting here on Sunday afternoon after watching church on the telly since we can't go in person. Some of the biggest churches in the world are on the telly. Not just on Sundays either. I watch TBN and the God Channel often. Most nights it is on whilst I work. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN">So, why is this titled 'The Gloves Come Off'?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Here is why... the messages I'm hearing from these BIG churches are about seeking God's face, how to enrich your life, how to be prosperous, how to live the Christian life, how to really PRESS into worship... but NOTHING about the orphans, the fatherless, the ones without a voice. NOTHING. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN">I know just posted about feeling conviction for saying things about ministers and the money they spend on clothing and the price of their worship centres. I did and I do feel conviction for that. It is unproductive to just criticise.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">So what has happened since then, less than a week ago? I will tell you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Since that post I have learned that THREE (possibly 4) of the precious children waiting for families on Reece's Rainbow</span><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">, the children I work for, have been transferred to institutions. Whatever you have to say about the orphanages' care of these children, compared to the institutions those will seem like they mollycoddle the kids. Their lives, which were already insignificant, have turned to a nightmare.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Whilst I do NOT trivialise the plight of ALL orphans, the ones I work for are the <i>least </i>of<i> the least of these</i>... disabled orphans in the third world. There is simply not a lower 'class' than that. </span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">There is simply no one more least than these.</span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">Church! DO YOU HEAR ME?</span><span lang="EN"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">I don't think you do.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">You ask why there are so many orphans in the world but God is asking <b>US </b>why there are so many!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">WHAT do you think James 1.27 means?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">WHAT do you think Matthew 25.40 means?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">WHAT do you think Jesus talked about when he was here?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">WHO did he spend his time with whilst he was here?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">The churches are FULL people, church attendance is at a high... mega churches are many and minted! People all around the world are 'pressing in' in worship. </span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">But the orphanages are also full! </span></i><span lang="EN">This shouldn't be...</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">What are those churches' focusing on? 'Seeker sensitive' churches. Seeking out people in their community to 'get them into church' so they can hear the Gospel!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Don't get me wrong, <span style="font-size: small;"><i>I am a Christian</i></span> and I will NEVER give up God. HE is faithful and just and righteous and worthy of all our praise.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">The church... is failing. The church is only teaching part of the gospel... the part that talks about what WE get from it... not what is expected of us. They don't </span><b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">live </span></i></b><span lang="EN">the Gospel.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">How long can the 'church' live on <span style="font-size: small;"><i>milk</i></span>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">How long must child after child be discarded and sent to institutions where 85% die within the first year and honestly, they are the fortunate ones. The ones that 'live' are merely</span><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span><i style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">existing</i><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">. Shells of a human being, their bodies don't grow and when they do they grow twisted from being left in beds and cots too small for a person of their age.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">This is UGLY is it HARD TO LOOK AT but let me tell you something...</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">The most beautiful gift God EVER gave me was in the form of a little girl that the world would label defective and throw away. Had she been born in Eastern Europe she would have been thrown into an orphanage and if she survived that she'd have been put on a bus for her 4th birthday, a day which would hold no significance to her since <i>they do not celebrate birthdays in these places</i>, and carted off to an institution where her food would be scarce and shoved down her throat by a 'carers' fist whilst she gasped for air. She'd be left in a room with other children and older people all who have been institutionalised for varying amounts of time, months to years. They likely will be many who have what is known as 'institutional retardation' because they are never taught, never encouraged, only left to their own defences and that isn't much.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"> </span><b><i><span lang="EN">This gift God gave me has been the one thing I could NEVER give up if asked. I could NEVER go back to the person I was before her. I could never go back to not knowing God's heart and touch and feeling His heartbeat. I could never go back.</span></i></b><span lang="EN"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Yet in the US and UK, you know, the civilised countries who point and shake their fingers of scorn at Eastern Europe and shake their heads with disgust and condescension, 90% of the people in these civilised places INCLUDING THE CHURCH/CHRISTIANS, when they find out they are being given this precious GIFT that I hold in my arms every day,</span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">terminate them</span></b><span lang="EN">. It is what it is... death. Just as much as it is for the kids in these institutions that will likely die from neglect, just slower and dragged out, it is comparatively the same thing.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">And the church just sits back and <i>prays </i>and <i>seeks new members</i>, buys<i> a new stage </i>for their worship <i>performances </i>(yes, I'm hitting with those words to, it isn't worship, it is a performance - in some churches even includes a light show) and </span><b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">we LET THEM DIE</span></i></b><span lang="EN">.</span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">WE ARE RESPONSIBLE</span></i><span lang="EN"> for the lives of ALL of these kids.</span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">WE ARE TO BLAME.</span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN">Why are these countries discarding their children? <i>Because we aren't telling them not to</i>. How can we say 'don't kill them it is wrong' when we have a 90% termination rate<i> for the same kids?</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">THE CHURCH IS FAILING.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">WE ARE FAILING.</span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN">And these kids are the ones who pay the consequence.</span></i><span lang="EN"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">These are the kids who <span style="font-size: small;"><i>die </i></span>at our hands...</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">I knew NOTHING of this growing up... because I was never told of it... the church didn't tell me... no one did.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Then God gave me a gift... my child.<i> She is the most perfect example of Christ's love </i>that I've ever witnessed in anyone. The most Godly people I've ever met<i> pale in her shadow</i>... and </span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">she's only 4 years old</span></i><span lang="EN">.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">What man considers the least of these, <b>God gives them the place of most importance at His table.</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">And this little child led me and gave me the strength to look. Not just to see and be appalled but to </span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">look </span></i><span lang="EN">and </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">see </span><span lang="EN">that these children were just as precious as she.<b><i> They are Jesus on earth. </i></b>They are</span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;"> the weak</span></i><span lang="EN">, the ones with </span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">no voice of their own</span></i><span lang="EN">. They are </span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">neglected </span></i><span lang="EN">and </span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">abused </span></i><span lang="EN">and </span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">unloved</span></i><span lang="EN">... <b>by man</b>. When we are in Heaven one day, we will realise how wrong we were for </span><b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">they will be the ones seated nearest our Saviour</span></i></b><span lang="EN">.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">This is why I am up until the wee hours of the morning literally falling asleep doing my work <i>to help the people who </i></span><b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">will</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN">go to rescue these children. </span></i><span lang="EN">Because God has allowed me to feel a glimpse of His heart... for<i> these children </i>and for the mums and dads who are being lied to and made to think their children need to be discarded.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">It is why <i>the church should also be propping those families up</i>. Those who are </span><i style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">willing </span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">and </span><i style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">able </span></i><b style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span lang="EN">to follow <i>God's call</i></span></b><i style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span lang="EN">to ALL of us to care for the orphans </span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">shouldn't need to do endless fundraising to get the money to go bring these children home, <i>the church should be paying their way.</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">The church is failing.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">So, how can the church sort this?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">How can the church rectify what is nothing short than an embarrassment to Christ's church?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Simple.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Read this:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"> <sup class="versenum" id="bg_passage-30290">27</sup> Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble,<i>and</i> to keep oneself unspotted from the world</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">and this:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"> <sup class="versenum" id="bg_passage-24045">40</sup> And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did <i>it</i> to one of the least of these My brethren, you did <i>it</i> to Me.’ <br /><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">and this:</span><br />
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<sup class="versenum" id="bg_passage-16483">27</sup> Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, <br />
When it is in the power of your hand to do <i>so.</i><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="bg_passage-17091" style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">11</sup><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> Deliver</span><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span><i style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">those who</i><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">are drawn toward death, </span><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span></blockquote>
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And hold back <i>those</i> stumbling to the slaughter.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="bg_passage-17092">12</sup> If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” <br />
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider <i>it?</i><br />
He who keeps your soul, does He <i>not</i> know <i>it?</i><br />
And will He <i>not</i> render to <i>each</i> man according to his deeds?<br />
(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+24%3A11-12&version=NKJV&src=embed" style="color: #eeeeee; text-decoration: none;">Proverbs 24:11-12</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-King-James-Version-NKJV-Bible/?src=embed" style="color: #eeeeee; text-decoration: none;">New King James Version</a>)</blockquote>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Then,</i></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN">teach your congregation about it.</span></b></span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span lang="EN">There are 147 million orphans worldwide.</span><span lang="EN"></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span lang="EN">If even 4-5% of those people worldwide who claim to be Christians stepped forward to adopt these children, there would no longer be any orphans.</span><span lang="EN"></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span lang="EN">There are families (MANY just in our yahoo group alone) who are willing and qualified to adopt these children, they just don't have the </span><b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">extra </span></i></b><span lang="EN">funds for the costs involved with overseas adoption.</span></li>
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<i><span lang="EN">The church should be helping these <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsor-a-family-2" style="color: #eeeeee; text-decoration: none;">families </a>to adopt. </span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN">The church should be encouraging <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsor-a-family-2" style="color: #eeeeee; text-decoration: none;">families </a>to adopt.</span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">AND for those who can't adopt...</span></i><span lang="EN"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">God doesn't expect you to give everything away, go hungry and become ill yourself. He DOES expect you to give what you can... do what you can.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">If you can help promote someone's adoption or the Angel Tree via twitter or facebook or your blog, then you should be doing that!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"> </span><a href="http://twitter.com/ReecesRainbow" style="color: #eeeeee; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Twitter" src="http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/twitter.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background: rgb(204, 204, 204); border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="40" /></a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reeces-Rainbow/126133294105951#%21/pages/Reeces-Rainbow/126133294105951?v=wall" style="color: #eeeeee; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Facebook" src="http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/facebook.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background: rgb(204, 204, 204); border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="40" /></a> </div>
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<span lang="EN">If you can help by donating to their adoption fund or to<span style="color: black;"> </span><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsorship/angeltree2010" style="color: #eeeeee; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;">the kids on the Angel Tree</span></a>, then do it! Even if you have to make a sacrifice</span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">... I'm not saying you should go hungry, </span></i><span lang="EN">but I am guessing most people could forego their Starbucks coffee once a week and give that money to the orphans, <i>who incidentally do go hungry</i>.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">If you are a <i>minister </i>or have a <i>business </i>or <i>anywhere </i>you can</span><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;"> be a voice</span></i><span lang="EN">, then you should be. Healings and worship are wonderful, they draw people to the church, but once they are there, you should be telling them about the orphans and widows. You should be </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">TEACHING </span><span lang="EN">them how to care for them.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">If you have a way to tell the nations about the value of the life of these children </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="EN"><i>SO THE ORPHANAGES CAN BE EMPTIED FROM THE OTHER SIDE</i>... </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">meaning, they don't get filled in the first place!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: small;">Then DO IT!</span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">If you have room in your home and qualify to adopt, THEN DO IT!</span></i><span lang="EN"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">The church IS failing...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> but we don't have to...</span></i></span></div>
Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-63190979516398200612015-04-03T10:13:00.001-05:002015-04-03T10:13:48.158-05:001 Peter 2:24<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinDDpm2I1WAtRCLL37NtGQaKn1pXNuWYu6dB_XBSxk07Y1B0Gsa_xmUohLu2Gk2XipkvPr3U0uiTOL7pt58jW7_6FEpFfYNh09jjVlTFdbSvdl3W2Xbb9JKbUfMS5F_0fLfKpbTnbM2M/s1600/goodfriday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinDDpm2I1WAtRCLL37NtGQaKn1pXNuWYu6dB_XBSxk07Y1B0Gsa_xmUohLu2Gk2XipkvPr3U0uiTOL7pt58jW7_6FEpFfYNh09jjVlTFdbSvdl3W2Xbb9JKbUfMS5F_0fLfKpbTnbM2M/s1600/goodfriday.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.</span></div>
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Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-86813912410981539152015-03-31T11:44:00.000-05:002015-03-31T17:12:44.847-05:00To The Moon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfw9EIHsRDcJuCI-uxayb5mITOn0xFFHu9O9ufMfcJd9CnsxplWoaQk0Rtr-aPdALGpw2pQ0_8APDnaTEBrOPp2kTo2eQeRA2kikWquUkl6uJsqZ_eU0-yGrphkZUjxJpN5AMU15gR0E/s1600/336286_242799972470012_248291348_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfw9EIHsRDcJuCI-uxayb5mITOn0xFFHu9O9ufMfcJd9CnsxplWoaQk0Rtr-aPdALGpw2pQ0_8APDnaTEBrOPp2kTo2eQeRA2kikWquUkl6uJsqZ_eU0-yGrphkZUjxJpN5AMU15gR0E/s1600/336286_242799972470012_248291348_o.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sveta & Daddy</div>
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Once a little girl who was afraid of men, now a daughter, his little girl. She loves her daddy to the moon...and back. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><i>A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. ~Author Unknown</i></span></div>
<br style="background-color: #e5e5dd; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;" />Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-16197185433925221112015-03-26T09:21:00.000-05:002015-10-22T14:39:27.108-05:00Where It All Began<br />
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Our host "daughter" Lucy (in black), summer 2013</div>
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In 2011 we adopted our little one, Sveta Josie. In 2013 we were led to host. I had never really understood hosting and wondered if it was unfair to the child to have a them come for summer then send them back. Now I understand that for older kids, hosting can serve as the last hope of a family finding them. Our host girl, now Lucy, has lived a lifetime of harsh reality and heartbreak. She shared with us many things from her life that summer. Most of all, she shared she deeply longed for family. Her own, forever family. </div>
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She is introspective, artistic and expressive through writing.</div>
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She expressed how hard it was living as an orphan with no one to cheer her on in life, school, activities. She needed a mom, a dad. </div>
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A family.</div>
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That summer was an up and down journey. </div>
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We had never had a teenage daughter and certainly struggled with language.</div>
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Our teen son would blast his american music while Lucy would blast her russian. It was like a music war upstairs. </div>
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There were times I hid in my room.</div>
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There was a lot of laughter, silliness, tears, misunderstandings, drama, and prayer.</div>
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God worked in each of our hearts that summer.</div>
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Lucy asked the Lord into her heart that summer, tears streaming down her face, overwhelmed by how much she is loved.</div>
As I rejoice that Lucy is finally home with her family I am reminded that it all began that summer, 2013. I am honored our family played a part in Lucy's family finding her.<br />
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We will forever have a connection to this sweet girl.</div>
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I was reading an<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://helovesdeeply.blogspot.com/2013/09/read-message-from-your-host-mom-kim.html"><span style="color: red;">early blog post of Lucy's mom's</span></a> </span>and am reminded Jesus really IS our Knight in Shining Armor. His plan is perfect.</div>
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Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-81287477261512301442015-03-09T10:38:00.002-05:002015-03-09T10:42:29.021-05:00A Faulty Focus?<div style="text-align: center;">
Struggling here. To find focus, clarity. To even have a positive attitude.</div>
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I've been sick for so many weeks and just can't seem to get better.</div>
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And you know what? I'm so sick of feeling sick!!!!</div>
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Do ever have days when you look around and you can only see the chaos, the dirty floor, the laundry piling up, piles of papers to tend to, kid's projects (seriously, my son had to make a FLYING SQUIRREL while I had the flu, in addition to that<a href="http://followusthere.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-gap.html"> <b><span style="color: black;">timeline thing Sveta had to do</span></b></a>!). Realizing there is no toilet paper in the house...again! Or food for dinner! </div>
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I'm going positively stir crazy.My focus is all over the place, and I'm afraid, in the absolute wrong places right now.</div>
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I like to go back to my Calm My Anxious Heart (Linda Dillow) book during these times.</div>
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Today I zoned in on "faulty focus" and read "we live in a state of myopic mania that blurs the future. The horizon is never visible in the middle of a dust storm. But we must have a vision that extends beyond tomorrow. Living only from week to week is like a dot-to-dot life. Often women without direction live not only dot to dot but ON HOLD, waiting...their faulty focus makes contentment an impossible dream."</div>
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My friends, I do not want to live a dot to dot life.</div>
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I want to live a focused life with a purpose.</div>
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It's so easy to get swept up in the daily chaos of life - family, kids, illness, jobs, and forget to focus on God as center.To forget I am "rooted and established in love" and focus instead on the wild swaying of the tree limbs in my life, not the trunk - my relationship with God.</div>
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Years ago, when Emma was alive and life was a crazy paradox - two wildly typical children and a little one with multiple health issues & therapies, I would begin to unravel after balancing months of doctor appointments, therapy appointments, sick children, multiple activities.</div>
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When I began to feel I was losing focus I would imagine my life in the shape of a plate.</div>
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And I would carve out pie shapes of each activity or responsibility.</div>
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You know what I would find?<br />
There was not one single slice on that plate which was me focusing on my relationship with God!</div>
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So, I would begin getting rid of slices on the plate.</div>
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We would take a month off from dr and therapy appointments.</div>
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I would say No to people (sometimes that is a hard one to do!)</div>
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I would find a way to re focus on the things that truly mattered.</div>
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As years have worn on you would think I had the faulty focus thing all figured out.</div>
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Nope.</div>
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What I have realized is that I am a work in progress.</div>
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That book I have sitting in my computer files may never get published, the children's memorial may never get built, there will be things I will always regret. </div>
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But as long as I am focusing on the nourishment of my relationship with God, I'm not failing.</div>
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And even in the midst of chaos, at least He is on my side.<br />
I'm not perfect. in fact I'm so very IMPERFECT.</div>
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So, as I look around today and see dossier paperwork, homestudy paperwork, dog hair all over the floor & a boy's bathroom that needs to be condemned, I will also see Him.<br />
I will light a candle, turn up the music in my house, grab a broom and find focus.</div>
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Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-24749614066303076282015-03-03T11:03:00.002-06:002015-03-28T11:08:54.438-05:00Meet the Clark Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a picture of some of the kiddos from Sveta's groupa in 2011.</div>
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All of the children on the back row have either been adopted or were sent to foster care situations. Sveta is the one wearing the poofs on her head (it was passport pic day).</div>
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I don't know what happened to the little chub of love in yellow on the front row.</div>
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<b>But I am thrilled to announce the moppet in the red and white dress finally has a family coming for her! </b></div>
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This particular little girl always stood out to Eli and I. She always had a smile and was forever trying to crawl into our arms. She has been on my heart for years, and I have prayed for the day she too would have a family of her own.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YozDzHimpw5PNkgX8SQdj8oezbnoyGV0Z2pZO51gXJLzpAMPQ_id-y14oOj81hrm-Hbj4Rlrfkj7upF2m7p_LbAnpRlhpZfV7QyJDSP4DRgXk3BWlF1fAKJ1ZAygLArblE4LtrdAyDI/s1600/svetasgroupa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YozDzHimpw5PNkgX8SQdj8oezbnoyGV0Z2pZO51gXJLzpAMPQ_id-y14oOj81hrm-Hbj4Rlrfkj7upF2m7p_LbAnpRlhpZfV7QyJDSP4DRgXk3BWlF1fAKJ1ZAygLArblE4LtrdAyDI/s1600/svetasgroupa.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Clark family has a precious little boy they adopted around the same time we adopted Sveta. He is thriving and is looking forward to having two new siblings. Bobbie and Grant Clark have once again said yes to adoption and are bringing home two beautiful girls, and I couldn't be more happy to support them. It takes a village of prayer, support and rallying around a family to bring a child out of darkness, something the enemy does not want to happen.</div>
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I am sharing this family with you because the little girl they are adopting has always been very special to our family and was a part of Sveta's life. </div>
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I feel it is important to help other people when God lays something on your heart. </div>
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Even if you are not led to donate would you consider sharing their story and praying for their journey? </div>
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Whatever you do, it makes a tremendous impact.</div>
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To offer the Clark family financial support or a note of encouragement go to their </div>
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Adopt Together Site<a href="https://www.adopttogether.org/ourgirl"> <span style="color: purple;"><b>HERE</b></span></a><b> </b>or <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/87610/sponsorclark-6"><span style="color: purple;">Here</span></a> through reece's rainbow.</div>
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To follow the Clark's journey check out their blog <span style="color: purple;"><b><a href="http://www.gethimhome.blogspot.com/">HERE</a>.</b></span></div>
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Many blessings Clark family on this journey and I am keeping you in my prayers!</div>
Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-2859651971287055642015-03-02T09:06:00.002-06:002015-03-02T09:23:48.611-06:00The Gap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the past week 1/2 I have had the flu. Of course for the first week I tried to convince myself it was just a nasty cold I couldn't shake. By the time I finally went to the doctor over the weekend I had developed secondary infections and have honestly never felt so bad in my life.</div>
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Flu as an adult is evil.</div>
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The combination of feeling overwhelmingly ill and inability to do absolutely nothing in regards to paperwork for the adoption or planning for fundraisers has left me in a pit. </div>
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A pit of heightened emotions that explode in a waterfall of tears over any little thing.</div>
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I've been reminded over and over of the "<a href="http://followusthere.blogspot.com/2015/02/practicing-contentment.html"><span style="color: blue;">contentment" in any situation post.</span></a></div>
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I've found that while it is difficult to feel content while suffering from the flu, unable to do anything for my family, it is possible to accept that I have no control over certain things.</div>
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Letting this settle into my heart leaves a sense of calm.</div>
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Over the weekend I managed to dig through Sveta's backpack and found this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIq59TlPOCvSEo-nHAaPLPcfxWTIdQxE8oi3rX6jdCpnXEzc2D7ijnejvOC_wNtRxJ6_84OX-14fU7QRi7MEnLXC_LU99aVc9-TxLP79WorlFQiyA-o26qRbba5yXYkqDvu4_aPmDZww/s1600/20150228_125414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIq59TlPOCvSEo-nHAaPLPcfxWTIdQxE8oi3rX6jdCpnXEzc2D7ijnejvOC_wNtRxJ6_84OX-14fU7QRi7MEnLXC_LU99aVc9-TxLP79WorlFQiyA-o26qRbba5yXYkqDvu4_aPmDZww/s1600/20150228_125414.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's a social studies assignment, actually due today, Monday (not Thursday). </div>
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The due date isn't really important.</div>
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The subject matter is what threw me into a tailspin.</div>
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I love Sveta's teacher. She's not just my daughter's teacher but she's also a friend, someone who our family has known for many years. She prayed, rallied and supported our family while we were adopting and has reveled in watching Sveta grow and develop since coming home. </div>
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The assignment, to draw or tape four pictures with significant events from your life is not a huge feat to accomplish. We do actually have one tiny copy of a photo of Sveta on the day she was born. This was a unexpected gift, something we never thought was possible to have. The original will forever remain in Ukraine with someone who obviously thinks enough of that tiny photo to have held onto it for seven years. That's another story. But significant.</div>
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It's the four year gap after that baby photo which caused me to start feeling emotional and ridiculous crocodile tears began flowing. </div>
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I called my mom and blubbered out all the things going through my mind,</div>
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"I don't know when she walked, talked, got her first tooth, what her first food was, first word." and on and on.</div>
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Sometimes you have to get all those emotions out to gain perspective.</div>
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After my pity party, I realized "Wait a minute, quit being a big blubbering goofball!!! I'm NOT going to focus on the FOUR YEAR GAP of details I don't know about my daughter's life!!"</div>
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I'm going to revel in the fact that for the REST of her life she knows there are people who <b>will</b> know the details, the accomplishments, the joy, and any sadness in her life.</div>
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And that while we don't know the details from those first few years, God does!</div>
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Her story is always going to be uniquely hers.</div>
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So, her assignment began in 2007 with her birth and what followed was a four year gap.</div>
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And it was okay.</div>
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Sveta's own unique timeline:</div>
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Her first day of pre school, her first birthday at age five, her first tooth to fall out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UgzMkiP1pLUhVgpj20tegpgJTDcJQOabtnMxXDTaVfLwQ0xl3I_SFKUsaiqwRhmblHqQnQ8oanJid-UTDTxNbbKZ_gJFeg8jUaqljD8AVuNccVXrZcuUPeR99BIughOTyvQJwjRs2tA/s1600/IMG_3976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UgzMkiP1pLUhVgpj20tegpgJTDcJQOabtnMxXDTaVfLwQ0xl3I_SFKUsaiqwRhmblHqQnQ8oanJid-UTDTxNbbKZ_gJFeg8jUaqljD8AVuNccVXrZcuUPeR99BIughOTyvQJwjRs2tA/s1600/IMG_3976.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWZ3xvoVfE5u2LTEOtAJHZ3KeZQRwm7maVEnO4oWbC7p1BMWtrTgOO451RLoCQlt8E0j_BhJtIUtO6ma8QLehL1b-pWUJtHhNioddjV-Od9LImCQMIzoKev4zOiDal8tG51GdZruLKUA/s1600/IMG_4942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWZ3xvoVfE5u2LTEOtAJHZ3KeZQRwm7maVEnO4oWbC7p1BMWtrTgOO451RLoCQlt8E0j_BhJtIUtO6ma8QLehL1b-pWUJtHhNioddjV-Od9LImCQMIzoKev4zOiDal8tG51GdZruLKUA/s1600/IMG_4942.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bFo48IYglTJ1gAdJFt2xUqUMa9R9FzzNchbGS4O_j9FnIzSlo71KDTvTvo2jdJEHoMW0Xz60fUtAcUngqZe3Vrks-uHXLm3khZ15EMdjgFOhQAyUAkQ8pdY3TipJsxlQhZW_BD44xyY/s1600/070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bFo48IYglTJ1gAdJFt2xUqUMa9R9FzzNchbGS4O_j9FnIzSlo71KDTvTvo2jdJEHoMW0Xz60fUtAcUngqZe3Vrks-uHXLm3khZ15EMdjgFOhQAyUAkQ8pdY3TipJsxlQhZW_BD44xyY/s1600/070.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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She was so very proud of her project.</div>
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Uniquely Sveta.</div>
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Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-9414549019137298162015-02-27T09:33:00.000-06:002015-02-27T10:01:26.842-06:00Picture Overload<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I haven't written many updates since last summer (if any) because the blog was inactive and private for quite a while, due to an issue we had to report to federal authorities. </div>
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Hopefully we are past that and I can share a little more.</div>
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Since last May, Little One turned 7. She had her party at Pump It Up. Perfect place for 20 something kids to get all their energy out, and no clean up for parents. This was her third birthday home and the first time we had it at an outside place (not at home). She had a blast with her friends. She is already making plans for her 8th birthday party. As in, "can I have a sleepover with 20 friends and go to the roller rink?" Ummm...yeah, not yet little one. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgWFbM3GkLQi4Dra2IoQjFeHT6t3xPzprZYBRynJ1RWYG7g5VpkYEjA3gybgra9ah7YhRy_oZ-zUdDrwTQtueSsx12sxN6p-5v404NoBEJ40mosNNNNl_k2SsJyNOf0EKQ45Ui0xsn_4/s1600/207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgWFbM3GkLQi4Dra2IoQjFeHT6t3xPzprZYBRynJ1RWYG7g5VpkYEjA3gybgra9ah7YhRy_oZ-zUdDrwTQtueSsx12sxN6p-5v404NoBEJ40mosNNNNl_k2SsJyNOf0EKQ45Ui0xsn_4/s1600/207.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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No picture can really do this experience justice...a high velocity wind tunnel which caused them to squeal, laugh and beg to go over and over. The kids loved this more than the inflatables!</div>
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Spending time with family during the summer:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaYnWadN09vQzrDtQJEgNQ94m03ZctatPO63K9hM_qEqiZHTnjmqklNvFGDIHfRXI-B5tsG_RMn2bRauSBs5Ggb7fHRDfnj5FgwdQKqmPlHGZ6LqHiC_Qq4NnR3JGzac5TSEu7wHo-OI/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaYnWadN09vQzrDtQJEgNQ94m03ZctatPO63K9hM_qEqiZHTnjmqklNvFGDIHfRXI-B5tsG_RMn2bRauSBs5Ggb7fHRDfnj5FgwdQKqmPlHGZ6LqHiC_Qq4NnR3JGzac5TSEu7wHo-OI/s1600/002.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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Watching these precious cousins grow up together makes me so happy. I never would have imagined that my brother and I would have so many little girls between our two families. </div>
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Paige started 5th grade and Sveta 1st grade.</div>
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Sveta got glasses to help her when reading. She loves them! But we have to remind her not to wear them to the cafeteria and lose them there. To later be found by a neighbor friend and returned onto our front porch. At 7am.</div>
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She still has those huge blue eyes. Such a beautiful, sweet hearted little girl. With amazing tanning abilities, even when slathered with sunscreen. </div>
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More time with family at Thanksgiving</div>
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Trying to get a family picture never works. We look like a band of squinty eyed vagrants. Wind. Sun. My dad as the photographer. Eh.</div>
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Paige had her 11th birthday. There were a LOT of little girls at this one and I think it will be the last sleepover hurrah. We had to call in adult reinforcements. In case you didn't know this, 14 little girls feet smell as bad as a teen boy's hockey gym bag. This was after "blind makeover" , some of them got a little carried away. Some were just over it and washed it all off.</div>
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Did a photo shoot with Paige to figure out how to use my camera in manual mode. I need more practice. Obviously.</div>
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Pey turned 15. And got his drivers permit. We need helmets and medication to prevent anxiety when riding with him. Paige prays in the car regularly now. She crosses herself as if she were Catholic. </div>
I just try not to hyperventilate. I feel the need to apologize to my parents for my teen years, often.<br />
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Can't even get a serious picture. </div>
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It snowed in the south. Our dog looks like he is singing "I believe I can fly" </div>
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Another example of what happens when I try to take their picture together.<br />
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Again.</div>
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Looking forward to spring, warm weather and the adventures summer may bring.</div>
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<span style="color: #54301a; font-family: museo-sans, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I want to share with you the story of someone very special. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #54301a; font-family: museo-sans, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">This is Jordyn with "Y" in December 2013. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #54301a; font-family: museo-sans, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">God connected Jordyn to Y in a way that surpassed language barriers, culture and background.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #54301a; font-family: museo-sans, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Jordyn has the heart of a missionary and is raising funds for an upcoming mission trip to Haiti. She is trying to sell 100 shirts in the next 27 days. Let's help her be hands and feet on earth in Haiti, no matter how big or small she thinks her impact is reaching :) I can promise Jordyn this, when you say Yes to God and your eyes have been opened, there are no small impacts. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #54301a; font-family: museo-sans, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Little ripples cause tidal waves for the kingdom of God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #54301a; font-family: museo-sans, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">This is the shirt:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMoeZ9XIgxxoKgtXn1ivRXgzHnnJiE1IFijKakKYSAg8C2lgNVFOwu-8Rf6SVmCaOoJwLSli24t2dVdT6Q3aH6E5gcr8L9gdDTC9fVsCnTL2jzQmPLUv8UWARm7eIhfkYKbcNOiTR53w/s1600/front-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMoeZ9XIgxxoKgtXn1ivRXgzHnnJiE1IFijKakKYSAg8C2lgNVFOwu-8Rf6SVmCaOoJwLSli24t2dVdT6Q3aH6E5gcr8L9gdDTC9fVsCnTL2jzQmPLUv8UWARm7eIhfkYKbcNOiTR53w/s1600/front-big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEBZgBSlcFbmdLd0EMRt75glLmG_zXUfgmDfdmObHC186MyRqYGHtwMlnPmFAHV5Ckh6DsAQ1GpU5av3i8wlkJDVo6_CMGqPCcJR5ApJdMeioLgYt5U970SvaYJFvGn40ml7hMpEFOUQ/s1600/back-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEBZgBSlcFbmdLd0EMRt75glLmG_zXUfgmDfdmObHC186MyRqYGHtwMlnPmFAHV5Ckh6DsAQ1GpU5av3i8wlkJDVo6_CMGqPCcJR5ApJdMeioLgYt5U970SvaYJFvGn40ml7hMpEFOUQ/s1600/back-big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: museo-sans, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #54301a;">Go to Jordyn's booster page to grab a shirt </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.booster.com/forlifeministries2">HERE</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But before you do, read Jordyn's testimony:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #54301a; font-family: museo-sans, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Rewind to Le Caye, Haiti, February 2014. The For Life Ministries team pulled into Ebenezer’s Children’s Home for the first time. As all of the kids hugged and kissed cheeks I caught sight of one little girl standing back, arms crossed with no smile. My mom has always taught us to reach out to the outcast, to love even when love isn’t given in return. So… that’s what I did. I spent the next 6 days with that sweet girl on my hip; loving her, kissing her cheeks and smiling at her. I found out later that she had only arrived 3 days before us. On the last day as we said our goodbyes, not a smile was cracked, nor was a hug given. So just as my mom had taught me, I picked her up, squeezed her tight and told her that I loved her. Vans were loaded and the little girl just stared as the vans pulled out without a trace of feeling noticeable on her face. Fast forward just a little bit to August 2014. God provided BIG TIME. With a $1,000 donation and my renewed passport coming in just days before the trip. I knew God was going to do something huge in and through me on this trip. Day two came faster than I could blink and it was time to visit the children’s home. When I stepped off the van I was attacked with hugs and kisses from the sweet girl I had met just months before. She was happy, loving, giggly and everything else a 4 year old should be. God had done such work in her in just 5 short months. She was a new kid. We spent the week together laughing, hugging, kissing, playing and just enjoying our time together. Night 5 came and I sat across from a sweet friend, Ali, explaining to her that the trip was almost over and God hadn’t used me in huge way like I just knew that he would. Day six passed, day seven and then it was time to go. On the plane ride home, I found myself discouraged, asking God why he didn’t do something big through me that week. I felt His presence in such a surreal way and I heard Him speak clearly to my heart… “I didn’t send you to Haiti to move mountains, I sent you to love and be loved by that little girl.” I was stunned. Wozy was the very reason I was there, the reason my funds were provided, and the reason I was called to be a part of that team. He wanted her to know how very special she was. Please help me by purchasing a tshirt or just making a donation to help me hold this precious baby in my arms in May! </span><br />
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Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-26232890243812324072015-02-23T11:41:00.001-06:002015-02-23T11:49:42.342-06:00Practicing ContentmentIs it possible to "find" contentment in every situation? Through the years there have been many, many times I have prayed for God to allow peace to invade my heart, a yearning to live in contentment despite the circumstances.<br />
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There is one life event I have absolute, steadfast contentment. A peace I can only describe as supernatural because it defies human comprehension. In 2005 our daughter Emma died from pneumonia, secondary to Cockayne syndrome, a rare, recessive genetic disorder. The limits that horrid syndrome put on her life never defined who she was and what she meant to us. After she passed away I stumbled through the darkness of grief, fully absorbing all the ripping side affects generated from living in that state of circumstances.<br />
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Then came peace. And with it contentment living in the knowledge my daughter was not with me, that I would never watch her grow up, never have another photo, dress her, hug her, pray over her, hear her laughter again or her unique Emma sounds.<br />
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I began living out Philippians 4:7. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I gave every moment of the grief, pain, suffering and gut wrenching heartache back to God. I chose to live, to ask God what to do with the experience and the pain instead of focusing on why had it happened. God showed me to honor him, and Emma by helping others.Through that, contentment came.<br />
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That same contentment has evaded so many aspects of the rest of my life. I have prayed for the same peace I experienced after Emma died to spread to other areas of my life. What I have realized is that I've been getting it wrong. Instead of asking for peace I need to be practicing contentment by choosing to do the things which came so naturally after Emma passed away.<br />
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Choosing to give my troubled heart to God,choosing to pray specifically over certain areas of my life, choosing to find the good in all circumstances.<br />
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That's going to take practice. Intently looking at each situation and finding something positive. Or at least not focusing on all the negative. Giving every fiber of worry to God -when we can't see the end in sight, when the burden seems so heavy we can't possibly continue on the same path. When we are at the end of our figurative ropes. In the middle of illness, financial burdens, whining and complaining, wild children...<br />
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Choosing to practice contentment. Today I choose to be content in the midst of sick children (focusing on the fact I am blessed to have them), dreary weather (at least I don't live "up North"), slow adoption process (it will happen eventually), financial burdens (spring is on the way and we have some awesome fundraisers planned), weight gain of 30lbs over the past year (ok tying hard on this one, ummm....). Obviously I need to keep practicing contentment.<br />
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Have a blessed day, and what ever circumstances you are walking in I hope you can find contentment.<br />
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Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-89370824139848142252015-02-11T13:58:00.001-06:002015-02-13T16:54:19.973-06:00Her First Four Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is where Sveta spent the first four years of her life. The baby orphanage in Nikolaev Ukraine.</div>
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Seeing the orphanage again is surreal. </div>
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There will always be that four year gap of time in which we know very, very little about her history, her life. There are glimpses though of why certain things may be difficult for her. Babies crying make her cringe and cover her ears. Falling asleep at night is hard, and it took a long time for her to wake us if she was scared, sick or to even use the bathroom, always wondering what will happen the next day, and the next.<br />
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She is still learning to feel safe, loved and secure.</div>
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Near the end of the video is a shot of the playground and these swings. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlor7wNNZH4N5igABd-TEnKLcDUzYe1WozsStuY2DtVBkMI9OINplGkOnz-FHKhyG2EyLqLq7S3xqstum96FPFElpRklh_B7A6ZyPttE46me1yvHqVV_HbAdBcoQYudtb3r_nusl8_Zo/s1600/59.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlor7wNNZH4N5igABd-TEnKLcDUzYe1WozsStuY2DtVBkMI9OINplGkOnz-FHKhyG2EyLqLq7S3xqstum96FPFElpRklh_B7A6ZyPttE46me1yvHqVV_HbAdBcoQYudtb3r_nusl8_Zo/s1600/59.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sveta doesn't remember a whole lot of her early years. She does recall a few things and asks why weren't we there for her through some difficult times. And no toilet. Just little buckets to sit on. She giggles about that.</div>
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As Sveta asks questions about her past, its as if she were just waiting for us all those years. </div>
After we came home we found out from orphanage workers she used to ask "where is <b><span style="font-size: large;">my</span></b> mama and papa?" when another child was being adopted.<br />
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Knowing her personality I can absolutely believe she asked this question. </div>
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She still recalls the day she walked through the door and saw us.</div>
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She explains it this way "I never knew I had a family, and one day you came!" She says other things along with it but the point is, she was indeed, waiting.</div>
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<i>For someone to walk through the door.</i></div>
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<i>Someone she belonged to.</i></div>
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<i>Her family.</i></div>
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I don't know why God chose us. Why this one little girl. </div>
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I look at her and my heart overflows.</div>
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We would have gone anywhere he led us.</div>
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But God carried us across an ocean to our daughter.</div>
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People say she is lucky.</div>
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No, we are the lucky ones.</div>
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The organization which provides support to Sveta's old orphanage is called </div>
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<a href="http://abundanceinternational.org/"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">ABUNDANCE INTERNATIONAL</span></a></div>
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They help with medical supplies, diapers, renovations and physical therapy equipment.</div>
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It is good to see that this group has taken on helping the orphanage in a very practical way.</div>
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When we were there in 2011 we saw diapers (disposable) washed out and hanging to dry. </div>
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Disposable diapers. </div>
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I don't even know how that was possible.</div>
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There is one video by this organization which shows children sitting on the little toilet bucket things every three hours because the orphanage workers had run out of diapers. Abundance International said they were just ONE day late bringing diapers. </div>
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<b>That is how very real the need is. </b></div>
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And most likely why Sveta learned to go to the bathroom on a schedule as well as hold it for infinite lengths of time!</div>
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<br />Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-61372615503882898122015-01-29T09:46:00.000-06:002015-10-22T15:57:55.921-05:00Her Wide Open Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2013. One summer. Two girls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Orphans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week, one met her forever family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, how God has worked through these girls to show his grace, compassion and redemption.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The sweltering summer day we drove Luda (on the left) to the airport and watched her slowly drift out of sight, I wondered if we would ever see her again.We had prayed for God to show us if she was our daughter and repeatedly heard "No". This was both heartbreaking and confusing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXkfbJOFKMlmaWELlSDywXeqpkFcai9xOao3b3LM1GSWJIHARM99YJqXWZjrcIKcMZZLsbU9MIvAq1WKw0YsBGG1djmzKzbe0Tt3KLpggMRCk62n5nZtjNOdzQXdzV7MryJRWg5F29FQ/s1600/IMG952577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXkfbJOFKMlmaWELlSDywXeqpkFcai9xOao3b3LM1GSWJIHARM99YJqXWZjrcIKcMZZLsbU9MIvAq1WKw0YsBGG1djmzKzbe0Tt3KLpggMRCk62n5nZtjNOdzQXdzV7MryJRWg5F29FQ/s1600/IMG952577.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All of our "Why" questions were answered with truth - Luda had another family God hand picked for her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><u>Luda's<a href="http://helovesdeeply.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-work-of-his-hands.html"> <span style="color: red;">family</span></a></u></i></span> has worked so very long to get to her. In God's perfect timing they are now with Luda. I can't wait to watch their story unfold. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you God for the Rose family's faith and for remaining steadfast in your timing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They shared a little about their time so far:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Neuton; font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">"Thank You for carrying us through our first appointment,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Neuton; font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">for the completeness of Luda's records and for her astounding good health,</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Neuton; font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Neuton; font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><span style="font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">for her intake picture from just four years ago that revealed such a pain and loss in her eyes,</span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Neuton; font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><span style="font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">as we are even more confident in the healing You're Presence in her life has so obviously accomplished already,</span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Neuton; font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><span style="font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><b>Thank You for Luda,</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Neuton; font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><span style="font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><span style="color: #333333;">for</span><span style="color: red;"> her wide-open heart </span><span style="color: #333333;">that seems more-than-ready and excited to receive us,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Neuton; font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><span style="font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><span style="color: #333333;">for </span><span style="color: red;">her story that You'll undoubtedly use for Your glory, to draw more hearts to You,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.8599996566772px; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><span style="background-color: white;">and for choosing our family and so many others to play a part in it!!!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, Lord thank you. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For bringing two girls into our home and our hearts that summer. For allowing us to be a part of this story. For loving these girls, for the faith which grew in each of them during that summer so long ago. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For using us as mere instruments in your plan.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For Luda, and her wide open heart, finally wrapping her arms around the mama she has yearned for. For the little brothers and father who will be sure to make her laugh. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For her faith, her transformation.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I truly am in awe of your great love.</span></div>
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</span>Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889240834631394563.post-3216201019617757302015-01-20T12:03:00.001-06:002015-01-22T13:06:14.470-06:00The Scream Heard Round The World!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Many know the summer of 2013 we hosted a beautiful young lady, Luda. I wrote a little about that journey <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.followusthere.blogspot.com/2013/08/you-is-kind-you-is-smart-you-is.html"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>. </span>The family adopting her has been on a roller coaster journey to get her for the past year 1/2. Luda has been waiting, so very long for them. </div>
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But today, today I got <a href="http://helovesdeeply.blogspot.com/2015/01/0-to-ukraine-in-345600-seconds.html"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">THIS</span> </a>news...the Rose family leaves this WEEK to begin the process of bringing her home, FINALLY! I literally screamed with JOY! They literally had less than a weeks notice. HA! And I thought the 10 days notice our family had back in 2011 was difficult!</div>
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Her family is going to bring her home. Its sinking in for me. I think of her often, her artwork still adorns our home. I am praying for their family as they complete the next parts of the adoption journey. I can't wait to see Luda home with her family. </div>
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Finally, all my prayers - a family for Luda, is coming to fruition.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QOFNPsCA0q3dvIn7xuhMK-bGg9NewN0g8as-SicIwiT0OoU_9HF32r7V9Xt0G6MlvIUTL0Eaot1Le-VfoNzDltNfK4GJ0-kQNiaZQaAr-JQ_IJNzqTnpy79tUqz9s4xyb0GNe1YXMyM/s1600/DSC03829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QOFNPsCA0q3dvIn7xuhMK-bGg9NewN0g8as-SicIwiT0OoU_9HF32r7V9Xt0G6MlvIUTL0Eaot1Le-VfoNzDltNfK4GJ0-kQNiaZQaAr-JQ_IJNzqTnpy79tUqz9s4xyb0GNe1YXMyM/s1600/DSC03829.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Luda with our girls after arriving to the US. Summer 2013</div>
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Mommy Gritshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973867163707669084noreply@blogger.com0