Faithful Fridays - Majestic

Welcome back to Faithful Fridays!

I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians could have one designated day a week (although I don't think they should keep it to just one day) to share something about their Faith--a prayer request, answered prayer, Bible verse, something God's laid on your heart, etc.  To participate in Faithful Fridays, just grab the button above for your post along with a link to my blog somewhere in your post, too.  After you've published your post, please come let me know in your comment that you participated and leave me a link to your blog.  I'd love to come read your post!

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I love that word--majestic.  It just sound so...so...majestic! 

But think about it--God made the starry skies we see above at night, the clear blue sky and beautiful, bright sun we see during the daytime.  And think of the beautiful ponds, lakes, rivers, seas, and oceans God made that beautifully accompany that sky!  And don't forget the blazing sunsets He painted!  Not one person has been able to paint a better one since. 

He made the plants--from the Lamb's Ear (we felt the leaves of this plant yesterday at a field trip--I kid you not, if you were to blindfold me and have me feel it I'd tell you up and down that it was a plush toy or pillow of some sort!  It's that soft!) to the Venus Fly Trap. 

He made the birds, from the soaring eagle down to the tiny hummingbird. 

He made the fish, from the enormous blue whale down to the little goldfish.

He made all the animals and bugs--from horses to cats to spiders to pigs to hamsters to ladybugs and so on!

And he made people.  I think we all know how diverse they are--just think of all the different characteristics of humans--not just in their appearance but in their actions as well!  The human body is so complicated.  Think of even the human ear--it's a small part of the body but it is so amazing, from the shape of the ear to its function!

Now, a Creator who can make such things in just six 24-hour days by just speaking them into existence (or forming them with His own hands) can certainly handle a human life, can't he?

Whether we want to face it or not, really, compared to God and all He has done, we humans are feeble.  We are like grass--here today, withered tomorrow.  We depend solely on God, though we may not want to admit it.  God holds our lives in His hands.  Why are we so afraid to hand over our lives to Him willingly?  Can't he handle it? 

Of course, God has always recognized this attitude in humans. 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

-Matthew 6:25-34

But there's this passage in the Bible.  It's a Psalm by David.  A more modern song is modeled after it.  "Oh Lord, Oh Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!"  I love this passage. 

O LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!
   You have set your glory
   above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
   you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
   to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
   the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
   which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
   the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
   and crowned him with glory and honor.
 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
   you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
   and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
   and the fish of the sea,
   all that swim the paths of the seas.
 O LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

-Psalm 8

Doesn't that just hit home?

So, take a little bit of time to praise God for His Creation.  Think about His power.  He doesn't need us, yet He chooses to love us unconditionally.  Because to me, God is the definition of majestic. 



(This is one of my recent favorite Christian songs from the radio station we listen to.  It is S*arry N*ght by C*ris A*gust.)

Boys and Girls

My three year old little brother, Luke.  I think he's the most adorable kid ever known on earth...wait, no--I KNOW he is!  :)

Boys
Joy S.   9/22/11

Mud and bugs.
To the backyard they lug
Treasures of every sort.
Cars and trucks,
Big bear hugs.
Cheesy grins,
Boys. 



My cousin, Laci, on Easter 2010.  Boy, how she's grown since then!  She turned eight in August.  She is (and always has been) a beautiful little girl!


Girls
Joy S.   9/22/11

Sugar and spice,
Sweetness and fiest,
Girls.
Dolls and tea,
"Mama come see!"
Girls.
Tutus and dresses,
Radiant faces.
Girls.

**Boys and girls SO different, aren't they?

Faithful Fridays - The Joy of Children

It's Friday again and you know what that means!  :)

I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians could have one designated day a week (although I don't think they should keep it to just one day) to share something about their Faith--a prayer request, answered prayer, Bible verse, something God's laid on your heart, etc.  To participate in Faithful Fridays, just grab the button above for your post along with a link to my blog somewhere in your post, too.  After you've published your post, please come let me know in your comment that you participated and leave me a link to your blog.  I'd love to come read your post!

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Most of us at least like kids, right?  The majority of people don't just despise them or anything.  In fact, a lot of us love to be around them and want to have lots of kids!  This may all seem like a personal thing--I mean, does God really care if we like kids or not?--but really, it's talked about in the Bible. 

Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
   children a reward from him.
  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
   are sons born in one’s youth.
  Blessed is the man
   whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
   when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3-5

And do you remember this in the Bible?

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

Luke 18:16

What is are a Christian's two main goals?  To be like Jesus and witness about Him to others, right?  Jesus loved children.  It is clearly seen in His Word.  And a Christian parent that trains their child up in the Lord and His Word is such a ministry to that child. 

And sometimes it isn't God's Will that someone has marries and has children.  Sometimes it's God's Will that a person have twelve kids or more! 

My point is, we are to love children, older and younger, because today's schoo lchildren are tomorrow's presidents, senators, principals, children's church teachers, and pastors. 

And children are so ever rewarding.  They are so loving.  They basically love you no matter what.  In fact, as I was just typing this, Luke walked up to Mama and said, "Your earrings are beautiful" and then he walked to me and said "Your hair looks perfect.  Your earrings are beautiful."  How sweet is that?

Did your child spill their drink?  Make you hit a button on your computer that messed something up?  Mess up your hair?  Make a mess of the living room with their toys?  Try to brush past it.  It's so hard sometimes--we just get irritated and tired of all that we have to do.  And then that child turns to you and plants a big, warm kiss on your cheek accompanied with a bear hug from chubby little arms and all that irritation melts away. 

So go love a child today (and every other day).  They look up to adults so much!  You can make so much of a difference in their lives. 

Faithful Fridays - And They Wait, and Wait, and Wait...

Hi everyone!  Welcome back to Faithful Fridays!  Friday has come again so quickly! 

I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians could have one designated day a week (although I don't think they should keep it to just one day) to share something about their Faith--a prayer request, answered prayer, Bible verse, something God's laid on your heart, etc.  To participate in Faithful Fridays, just grab the button above for your post along with a link to my blog somewhere in your post, too.  After you've published your post, please come let me know in your comment that you participated and leave me a link to your blog.  I'd love to come read your post!

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I've posted many times about orphans and I've posted the pictures and information of some kids in C*ina that are waiting to be adopted.  I ended up moving my advocacy to a website.  But today, I'd like to bring some waiting kids up to attention again...because they still wait and wait and wait. 

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:27

I don't think we can even imagine what these kids go through.  I've come across kids that were abandoned at eight and six.  One little boy who was abandoned at six was "protecting himself" when he first came into the orphanage and would not let anyone get close to him.  Now he really wants a family. 

You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted;
   you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
   so that mere earthly mortals
   will never again strike terror.

Psalm 10:17-18

Before you go on to read the pictures and information of these kids, please, think hard.  Think really, really hard.  Try to imagine what these kids feel like.  What they go through.  At fourteen, they will "age out" and no longer have even a chance of getting a family.  And then what?  In China, orphans are not looked upon in a good light.

All they want is a family.  No matter if they have a speical need.  I don't think people would have much of a problem with a child that has a special need if they gave birth to the child.  They'd love the child just the same.  And that's great!  But why can't we do that with orphans?

Children are a heritage from the LORD,
   offspring a reward from him. 
  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
   are children born in one’s youth. 
   Blessed is the man
   whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
   when they contend with their opponents in court.

Psalm 127:3-5

So please, think really really hard.  Try to imagine what these kids go through.

This is precious Jessi. 

She is ten years old (born in February 2001) and her special need is scoliosis.  Isn't she pretty?  Here's a little bit more about her:

"This little girl was about 8 years old on admission, normal intellectual development, able to take care of herself, but walked slow and easily fall down because of the illness.  She was integrated into the life in the institute soon and now studying in Peizhi Class of this institute, she could be concentrated in the class, and she is a kind girl, can get along well with caretakers and kids and living a happy life in the institute.

 

She likes the fine arts, writing, paper folding, also loves watching TV, listen to the music and play games, etc.
She is introverted, likes doing things quietly, she is polite to teachers, can greet teacher actively, she likes to be beautiful and always keeps herself clean, everyone loves her. Now she is living a happy life in the warm family. She understands she is just living in the institute for time being and one day she will have her own family, so she expressed she is willing to be adopted."

 

This is determined Scott. 

 

 

 

Scott is thirteen (born in January 1998).  This means that he will age out in less than a year!  He needs a family to step up quickly to adopt him.  Scott's special need is repaired club feet.  Here's what's written about him:

 

"Scott is a shy, honest and responsible boy. He has been in the orphange for 4 years now and has adjusted well. He gets along with others well and is very caring. He buys snacks with his allowance and shares with the other children. He does a good job with his chores. Before he came to the orphanage he had not received proper education, so he has some difficulty in school from his lack of foundation. He gets extra help is very studious and determined. He likes to draw is currently learning to draw in the big sisters program. He likes to read all kinds of children's books and novels. He is honest and a good and sensible boy."

 

This was also written about him:

 

Scott is an incredibly determined and brave child. Through his rehabilitation training, he never gave up, even when he was covered in sweat. He takes the role of monitor at school and helps the other children. At the orphanage he also helps the other children with basic daily living tasks, like washing their faces. He is extremely generous and shares his delicious food and favorite toys with others. He is part of the Half the Sky program and cherishes his opportunity, so he studies hard. He has an excellent memory and can remember what he is taught. In his free time, he likes to read poems and sing. He is excellent at math. He didn’t think he could draw very well, but saw a beautiful picture and the teacher encouraged him to try to draw it. He tried after some convincing and drew a beautiful picture. He sees his foster brothers and sisters get adopted into families and very much wants a family of his own."

 

There is a $5,000 grant for Scott's adoption through the adoption agency ASIA. 

 

This is beautiful Beth. 

 

 

 

Beth is seven (born in March 2004).  She is a Special Focus child.  Here's a little bit written about her:

 

"She is described as being a little shy around strangers, but when she becomes more familiar with people she is very talkative. Her caregivers are obviously quite fond of her because they describe her as "naughty" which is seen as a very positive trait in a young child and is often used to describe a child who is inquisitive, active, and curious. She likes to sing. She enjoys going to school where she can play with toys, especially the bikes. When we asked her what her favorite animal was, she said that she likes little dogs. She was born with a cleft lip and palate as well as other facial abnormalities. Her speech is very clear and her nanny says that she is just as smart as all of the other little children. She lives in a foster family. She is very affectionate and we saw her take her caregiver's hand several times for comfort while we asked her questions. By the end of our interview, she had warmed up enough to pose for the camera."

It's also been said that "she is an affectionate child who needs the love that only a permanent family can give her."

 

There is a $4,200 Promise Child grant for eligible families for this adoption and a possible additional fee reduction.  You can contact me about Beth for more information (email below Timothy's information). 

 

This is sweet Timothy. 

 

 

 

Timothy is six.  Isn't he a cutie?  Here's what's written about him:

 

"Timothy's special need is corrected bilateral clubfeet and deformed shoulder joints. His clubfeet were corrected successfully at the House of Love with the Ponsetti casting method. He walks and climbs independently without problems. Timothy has blossomed into a smiling, joyful and happy little boy. He is polite, social and loves to build things. Timothy is fostered in a family that is teaching him English. He speaks many English words, writes words, draws pictures and has a very pleasant personality. Timothy is well adjusted to family life. He attends school and does very well in school. Timothy has some joint deformity in his shoulders but he is very high functioning and independent. He has great use of his hands and fingers. Timothy also eats well without digestive issues. Timothy is a smart little boy and there are no limits to what he could accomplish with a forever family. Just look at that winning smile. Look at the kindness in his eyes. Can you see the potential in this little boy? Could he be your son?"

 

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If you are interested in any of these kids, send an email to my mama's email address and I will get back to you.  Her email address is countrygirlathome@att.net. 

God bless you!

Joy

If...

...you could go to any country in the world, where would you go and why?  Let me know in your comment!

I would go to--suprise--C*ina!  And my reason for that is because I LOVE C*ina and I really feel called there, so visiting it again is definitely something I want to do!  I'd love to volunteer in an orphanage. 

Faithful Fridays ~ Why

Hi everybody! 

It's time for Faithful Friday again! 

I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians would have one designated day of the week (although we shouldn't limit it to one) to share something about our Faith--a prayer request, praise report, special Scripture, something God has laid on your heart, etc.  If you would like to participate in Faithful Fridays, type up your post and link up to my blog in it somewhere.  Also grab the above button for your post!  After your post is published, let me know in your comment on my Faithful Fridays post that you participated and leave the link to your blog!
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If you saw my post a little farther down titled "What" then you will understand this post.  This post explains why I think I changed so much after we came home from China...isn't it funny how two weeks in a foreign country could change me forever, for the better?

Many a time I've tried to put into words the way I feel about China.  I can't seem to do it.

So many aspects of my life involve China in some way.  The necklace around my neck.  The books I read.  My computer time.  Even my school.  My thoughts and words, too.  And especially my little brother.  :)

You've probably already noticed my love for China.  You've probably gotten tired of the numerous posts that involve it. 

When I think of China, my heart just feels...full.  Overflowing.  Bursting.  Bubbling over.  I feel inspired.  I can so see myself working over there in an orphanage or children's home. 

And to think I might not have gone..well, that's just awful to me!  You see, I'm very, very, very (VERY) afraid of shots.  And nose and throat swabs.  And doctor visits in general.  I'm just sort of afraid of pain.  And so, when I found oiut that to go to China, I had to have three shots (like my parents, just different kinds of shots), I seriously considered staying home with my grandparents.  Well, I braved it out.  And I'm so, so thankful.  Thank you God!

China changed me. 

When I got home from China, I went through a bit of a rough maturing phase.  We've been home with Luke for over a year, and I can still see slight traces of that phase sometimes, although it is nothing, and I mean nothing like the issues I had during the first 6-8 months. 

This phase had one big issue--thoughts.  I had doubts and just thoughts that I did not want.  And couldn't seem to get them out of my head.  Worse than that, I felt a pressing need almost 100% of the time to tell my thoughts to my mama.  Like almost all of them.  It was a conscience thing--I felt super, super bad if I didn't confess my thoughts.  Saying them to God just didn't seem to be enough.  I know that was just me giving myself a hard time (along with the devil of course).  There were very few thoughts I had that I didn't tell my mom. 

These doubts and thoughts began with my Christian Faith.  That was short lived and taken care of quickly by my awesome, wise parents and my mighty, all-knowing God.

The next hit was really bad, too.  Almost worse because it lasted so long.

My family.

My family. 

I was sad all the time.  I call it "that deep down feeling."  It's sort of like a constant sinking feeling reminding me of my thoughts.  I cried a lot.  I asked my mama over and over and over and over again--"Is this going to end?  When?  Why am I going through this?" 

My mama was so awesome during this time.  She read a books to me, prayed with me, hugged me, talked to me, and encouraged me.  She carried so much for me during that time.  She has such a beautiful, compassionate, loving soul.  I thank God for her!  And I thank you, Mama, for doing what you do!

I couldn't escape my thoughts.  I guess I was just weak spiritually.  I had a ridiculous consicence.  And after all this, I still loved China!  Mama recently commented that she believes that my desire to work in China is God-given.  I believe so, too. 

Now, looking back, I can see that God used this time to mold me into what I am now.  I'm not trying to brag or anything, but I do think that I've changed.  Sometimes I can't believe the things I did before China.  They weren't terrible things, just the teen stuff that can sometimes lead to other things--boy craziness, internet addiction, etc.  And the words I spoke along with my attitudes and actions.  The websites I spent my time on weren't bad in theirselves, but the things that went on on those websites were not pleasing to God, I'm sure and I wish I hadn't had any part of those.  Yes, I was a Christian.  I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was five.  But I wasn't acting like a Christian.  I was kind of conforming to this world--slowly.  I thought--this is the part that really shocks me--that I was being a pretty good Christian girl.  But I knew deep (deep) down that some of the things I did were not right. 

So, God used that hard phase after China to change me.  Actually, God saved me, from the way I was becoming.  He set me apart.  I understand now why I went through that.  And I'm thankful for that time in my life. 

Faithful Fridays - Favorite Scriptures

Hi everyone!

This will be a quick post because Mr. Chuck and and Ms. Kim are here visiting us.  Mr. Chuck and Ms. Kim are the couple that adopted their little girl, Shiloh, from Luke's province at the same time we adopted Luke.  We were the only two families there at the time and we became really close friends!  Shiloh is a darling 3 year old little girl (turning four in November).  Mr. Chuck and Ms. Kim also have a beautiful six year old little girl, Dakota.  I tell you, I'm having too much fun doing Dakota and Shiloh's hair, putting perfume and nail polish on them, and dressing them up with jewelry and purses...I think they love it, too!
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I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians could have one designated day of the week (although I don't think we should keep it to one day) to share something about our Faith--a prayer request, praise report, something God has laid on your heart, etc.  If you would like to participate in Faithful Fridays, just type up your post and grab the above button for your post.  Please link up to my blog in your post and then, once you have published your post, please come to my blog and let me know in your comment that you participated. 
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Have you ever come across a verse in the Bible that just sort of jumped out at you?  Maybe something that makes you say, "Wow, that's a really good verse!"  I wanted to share some of my favorite verses with you today. 

So God created man in his own image,
   in the image of God he created him;
   male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:26-27

Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
   children a reward from him.
  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
   are sons born in one’s youth.
  Blessed is the man
   whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
   when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Psalms 127:3-5

God sets the lonely in families,
   he leads forth the prisoners with singing;
   but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Psalm 68:6
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That's it for today!

God bless you!
Love,
Joy