Embracing the Father's Heart

Meier Family, welcoming their new daughters from Ethiopia!

2010-07-04T21:43:00.000-07:00

As most of you are aware, Rachel and Marcus are returning with their two new girls, Minnie and Bee, from Ethiopia on Sunday afternoon. If you would like to help in any way, please contact Telma Loux or Anna Sorge. Attached is a meal plan if you would like to make them a meal. Rachel and Marcus are so blessed by your friendship and your prayers. They appreciate you all so very much. Please continue to prayer for a smooth transition for their family. Blessings

Telma and Anna

Update :)

2010-04-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

Hello folks, sorry haven't really blogged in a long time. Been keeping busy. But below is an update! Enjoy :)

September of 2009, I applied to do Compassion Disciple Training School (DTS) through Youth With a Mission (YWAM) in Kona Hawaii. This DTS basically addressed the issue of poverty and injustice in our world. It’s a 6-month training, 3 months of lecture phase and 3 months of field assignment. For the first three months, every week, we’d have different speakers come and talk on different subjects, such as Fear of the Lord, Father Heart of God, Love of God, Kingdom of Heaven, etc. For 12 weeks, I learned different things about God, who He is, His nature and characteristics. Those three months were so key point in my life, because it was during that time that I learned to be His daughter, let Him love me without resisting Him, and it was a time where I learned to love God and dive deeper and deeper into Him! Before I applied for this DTS, I always had a heart for Africa, so I knew Africa would be the place I’d go for outreach. So, the last 3 months, God called me to Rwanda, and it was there that I worked with a lot of kids! While in Rwanda, our team worked with a few churches, helped built a church, did door to door ministry, worked with street children, visited a Mother Theresa Orphanage, and helped worked with ex-prostitutes. But the highlight of my outreach was going to the Mother Teresa Orphanage! Wow, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw all the children, under the age of 4. Three words popped in my head: dirty, stinky, and sick. I felt so helpless, so much pain and hurt for them. Then the feeling of the Father’s love for each and everyone of them overwhelmed me and I knew right then and there that it wasn’t right that those kids had to go through the feeling of not being loved and cared for. All they want is someone to love them and for the 45 minute visit there, that’s what I did: held them, cried and laughed with them, and prayed that someday, somehow they would understand that there is Someone out there that loves and truly cares for them, even if the world looks at them as “outcasts.” I’m so grateful that that I was able to go to Rwanda. It definitely opened my eyes to see the world in God’s eyes!

I'm back home now and am praying for the next step of my life. But as if now, I'm home with my family, and we are just trusting in Jesus, and letting Him lead us! Thank you for those who've supported and prayed for our family during this time!

P.S. below are just a few pictures for you!

Much blessings,
Telma
James 1:27

My outreach team!

Cute little African baby!

Painting a little girl's finger nails

Pastor Claude and his amazing friend. Amazing couple!

Church up country that we ministered to

Darlings

My outreach team

Our Compassion DTS family

Newsletter Update!

2009-11-13T16:26:00.000-08:00

Aloha Friends and Family!

Life in YWAM is wonderful! In the past 7 weeks, I have learned so much about who I am in God and what His heart is toward me. After this next month, I will be heading out on my outreach which will be Rwanda. But before we reach Rwanda, we'll be stopping in France and Brussels, Belgium. The Lord is leading us to share the Gospel and the message of unification, restoration, and reconciliation between the nations of Rwanda, France and Belgium due to the Genocide in 1994. Its so awesome to see what God is doing and I am so looking forward to being able to work with young people who share the same passions and desires as me!

I am so thankful to those of you who have given to make it possible for me to attend Compassion DTS. I know you have given sacrificially to me and I surely do not take that for granted. Although, my first three months have been covered financially, I am still believing the Lord to provide the money needed for my outreach. The total cost of my outreach is $6,000, I've paid $2,500 of it therefore all I will be needing is $3,450.If you would pray about partnering with me on this wonderful venture I would be so thankful and blessed! Again, I know that those of you who have given to me have made great sacrifices to do so and I promise to make my time in YWAM one that produces much fruit!

God bless you all and please remember me in your prayers! Thank you so much!

Love in Jesus,

Telma

God's Precious Pearl

2009-10-08T00:31:00.001-07:00

Tonight, our Compassion DTS did an outreach. We split up into small groups. My 4 friends and I grouped up together, prayed, and went into town to witness. We walked for awhile. On our way back to campus, I pointed to a lonesome woman working in a pearl store. We all walked up and started talking to her. Her name was Mokihanaleialoha (Mokihana). She shared about her life: She was an only child, her family lived in the back of her step-dad's pickup truck on the beach for awhile. When she was 17, she got pregnant, barely made it out of high school, went through a hard time, trying to raise a baby while at the same time, make a living. She also shared about her baby's father, David who is an alcoholic. She is having to work two jobs in order to provide schooling for her little son, pay the rent, buy food, etc. One of the girls asked Mokihaha if we could pray for her and she starting bawling. We prophesied over her life and the calling the Lord has for her, David and their precious little boy (Jeremiah 29:11) We told her there is hope for them and the God will surely bring them together as a family and that their testimony will bring glory to His name!

Pray for her! We will be keeping in touch with her, so thats good!

What a day! Thank You, Jesus!

Newsletter, Kona HI, YWAM- DTS

2009-09-30T15:52:00.001-07:00

Aloha Everyone,

I wanted to give you an update on what's going on in my life right now. Last week, I began my Discipleship Training School classes in Kona Hawaii. My leaders, Pieter and Dawn Heres are amazing, with such hearts for the poor! They are so passionate about instilling in all of us, a reminder of God's great love for us, as well as how to remain in a place where our identity is fully in Him! I'm also blessed to have great roommates!

The Compassion DTS is the internship I chose to attend in YWAM. The focus of the internship aims to address the issues of poverty and injustice in this world. My internship is 6 months long. Three months of my training focus' on teaching and the other three months is hands on training in another area of the world. I have four options of where to do my outreach training. They are Thailand, Rwanda, Cambodia and Columbia. I feel very drawn to Thailand and Rwanda.

I am so thankful to those of you who have given to make it possible for me to attend Compassion DTS. I know you have given sacrificially to me and I don't take that for granted.
Although, my first three months have been covered financially, I am still believing the Lord to provide the money needed for my outreach. The total cost of my outreach will be $5,000-$6,000. I am required to have my ticket expense of $2,500 by the end of October. If you would pray about partnering with me on this wonderful venture I would be so thankful and blessed! Again, I know that those of you who have given to me have made great sacrifices to do so and I promise to make the most of my time in YWAM one that produces much fruit!

God bless you all and please remember me in your prayers! Thank you so much!

Love in Jesus,

Telma

India

2009-07-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

India, You serve a myriad of idols, backed by powers and principalities that hold you in bondage. In your cities, the children beg for food and mercy in their shadows. In the villages, little girls’ lives are snuffed out slowly in the presence of their shrines. Evil comes in other forms also. Alcohol and debtor traps ensnare your families and disaster washes up on your shores. Meanwhile, little fingers are applied to dangerous work, limiting educations and stealing childhoods.

Care for One Child!

2009-04-23T20:53:00.000-07:00

I just want to thank God for giving me a special brother! No one believed that this precious boy would ever survive. But no one knew that all he needed was a family who would take the time to love him and make sure that his needs were met! The first time I met him and the first time I held him, he was just a tiny thing, smaller then what a normal five year would look. As the orphanage workers and doctors said "he'll never live." But, is it their place to say that? Only God ordains the life of a child. Right now, I'm listening to my Dad's song, One Child, with tears running down my face, just thinking of this 'one' child who has truly touched my heart! The doctors said he would never do anything but I remember the first day when he crawled up the stairs, I remember the first day he stopped drinking from a dropper and bravely took his first sip from a cup, I remembered the first day he fed himself, I remember the first day he was splashing water everywhere in the tub, making his older brother mad, I remember the first day he pulled my hair just to tease me ;), I remember the first day he took a step, I remember the first day he clapped his hands in excitement, I remember the first day he laughed, and mostly, I remember the first day he smiled at me :) My heart melts within me just thinking about what a wonderful thing God has given to my family! To tell you the truth, I don't think our family would be complete without this dear boy! He's a strong and a brave boy! His name is Ethan Patrick Loux!!

Related to abortion....

2009-03-05T19:53:00.000-08:00

"A great poverty reigns in a country that allows taking the life of an unborn child, a child created in God's image, created to live and to love. His or her life is not for destroying but for living, despite the selfishness of those who." Mother Teresa

Daily Reflection- Mother Teresa

2009-02-24T15:56:00.001-08:00

Jesus is the Love- to be loved. Jesus is the joy- to be shared!

Life In God

2009-02-22T12:30:00.001-08:00

"Keep the joy of loving the poor and share this joy with all you meet. Remember works of love are works of Peace. God Bless you."
- Mother Teresa

My brothers, Ethan and Silas!

2009-02-12T18:25:00.001-08:00

Ethan and I

Silas and I

Aren't they the cutest thing ever!!

Quote of the Day

2009-02-05T21:00:00.001-08:00

I AM LOVED AND I AM A LOVER!!

ADOPTION CHANGES A DESTINY

2009-01-15T17:13:00.000-08:00

Intro to Orphan Justice Center (OJC) kick off meeting: we had a meeting, where close to 50 people showed up to hear about adoption, amongst those were families who were in the process of adopting or were thinking about adoption! My mom asked me to share, so people can hear from the side of someone who was adopted and understands what it means to be unloved and unwanted. It was an amazing night! We were able to pray and prophesy over the families that were in the process of adopting and also thinking about adopting! Holy Spirit was there! It was a great night! Below is what I shared at the meeting:

"I was adopted when I was 11. My life in the Marshall Islands was hard. My birth mom gave me away when I was a baby. She didn’t know how to care for a girl with special needs. I was born with scoliosis. I am here to testify that adoption changes a destiny. Everything that I lacked when living in the Marshall Islands is gone. I have parents who care and love me so much! There are so many boys and girls who have never experienced love; there are so many who are hungry, don’t have a warm place to go to, they’re desperate for parents. There are those who are dying, who are left out on the streets to rot. These are the ones that no one cares about. But there’s One who loves them so much, and He is the One that is calling you to partner with Him. He’s crying out, asking if there’s one that can share His pain by rescuing these kids.

When I was adopted, my parents were leading a house of prayer in Indianapolis. So, not only did God rescue me from poverty and the lack of love, but also He brought me to a place where live prayer and worship really happened. That’s where I truly experienced the Father’s love for me!

Adoption is partnering with God. When adopting a child who is unloved, you are partnering with God! By adopting these kids, you are bringing them to a family who can love and cherish them forever! I encourage you this: If I had not been adopted, my life would have gone on a different direction. I would not be the girl that loves God and enjoys life. I would be a girl who would never know the Father’s love or experience what it means to be loved. But because I was adopted and God saw me in that little Island, and He cared so much about me that He rescued me by bringing me to a family that loves and cares for me! This can be you… you could be the one partnering with God by rescuing and loving these kids!! Remember: ADOPTION CHANGES A DESTINY!"

Amazing Quote

2009-01-07T18:35:00.000-08:00

"God has created a world big enough for all the lives He wishes to be
born. It is only our hearts that are not big enough to want them and
accept them. If all the money that is being spent on finding ways to
kill people was used instead to feed them and house them and educate
them - how beautiful that would be. We are too often afraid of the
sacrifices we might have to make. But where there is love, there is
always sacrifice. And when we love until it hurts, there is joy and
peace." Mother Theresa

Inspiration

2008-12-18T19:56:00.001-08:00

"Do not be ashamed to serve others because of your love for Jesus Christ, or to appear poor in the world's eyes. Do not count on your won strength;trust God. Do what you can,and God will supply. Take glory neither in money, if you have some, nor in the influential friends, but in God who gives you everything and above all wants to give Himself! Have no pride in your native wit and talent; that would displease God who gave you every good thing that you naturally possess.Reject the thought that you are better than others.
The humble are always at peace;the proud are often envious and angry."

Hope

2008-12-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

This is the second part of the story of the abandoned Asian girl that Akiane first painted when she was nine.
After her long communion with God in the mute field she was drawn to the hill of the blossoms where now she rests in a golden dress and smells each fragrant branch.
Behind her are foggy lakes, gray sky, gray mountains and sad memories which she’s left behind. But on the top of the hill there’s a spirit of hope and love.

Here is a poem also written by Akiane concerning this little girl in the picture:

The war in the soil.
The seeds are too young to fight.
While the eyes breathe
the guilty still feel no remorse.
The cobwebs with knots.
Across the blades of harvest
improper dreams wrinkle the childhood.
Without any cries
and without any touch
the cradles are left behind.
Bleeding
through hopeless unconsciousness
it seems that a rainbow gushes through me.
And rainbow-colored
I leak out onto the hope.
A silhouette of the eyes
follow me
to the warmth of times.
Only the innocence
grows the conception.
Held in dust
the pain of wisdom.
The trust is through hope.
Inside each fragrant branch
the colors of love

Faith

2008-12-09T17:05:00.000-08:00

This is an amazing picture drawn by a 9 year old girl named, Akiane Kramarik! She was inspired to draw this concerning the orphans that have no place to go. Here is how she put it: "Tied up to a board and thrown out to die on the dirt road
the baby girl was crying for days somewhere in Asia before she was found.
When I met her many months later I knew at once that I would paint her in an empty field, away from the big city, where she'd find God and love for the first time.
I dedicate this painting to all the abandoned babies and children,
It is because of our selfishness that they suffer and die."

When I read this, it made me want to cry out for those children in the world who have no place to go, no parents to protect, and nothing to eat. This is another reason we need to stand up and embrace these children by bringing them to our home and show them what true love is!!

Below is a poem she wrote concerning this girl in the picture:

Faith, covering voiceless sun
The night cries out loudly
And wants me
To braid the end together
With nightingales' feathers
The eyeroots
Like unused candles bend
battles on each of my hands
I am prepared
To throw a shield
Stairs of remembrance
So narrow I slip off
Finding an arrow
I find myself in a mute field
How many stars do we have to own
To feel wealthy
The blindfolded answers
Without question unwind
Let the lightning with salty emblems
Show the path
Tasting your tears
Inside your tearducts I hide
But why to hide
If noone is searching
When I sleep
On the thawing snow
A thorn kisses its torn scars
And I pull out an old hair
I do not own
Riddle verses on every forehead
I wake up at the beginning of a year
To see that without you
I cannot be what I want to be
And without me
I cannot be
What you want me to be

Quote of the Day

2008-11-28T10:43:00.000-08:00

Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness.
~Mother Theresa

Wisdom of Mother Teresa

2008-11-17T13:54:00.000-08:00

A clean heart is a free heart. A free heart can love Christ with an undivided love in chastity, convinced that nothing and nobody will separate it from his love. Purity, chastity, and virginity created a special beauty in Mary that attracted God’s attention. He showed his great love for the world by giving Jesus to her.

Quote of the day

2008-11-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home ~Mother Teresa

The Betty Baxter Story Part 2

2008-11-10T18:48:00.000-08:00

Betty Baxter:

I was raised in a Christian home. The greatest miracle that ever took place in my life was not when Jesus healed my crippled, twisted, deformed body but when He saved my soul from sin. As long as I had Jesus in my heart, I could go to heaven even though I was crippled and deformed in my body. But not if I was not saved by the blood of Jesus. My mother loved Jesus with a great love. I believe she understood Jesus better than anyone I ever knew. She seemed to know how to make my faith in Him for Him to heal me someday. My darkest hour came while they were wheeling me down the hospital corridor on a stretcher. The doctor walked up, stopped the stretcher, looked down at me and said, "Betty, we have x-rayed your spine. Every vertebra is out of place, the bones are twisted and matted together. Also you need a new kidney, as long as the old kidney remains you will have pain." Dad said, "No, I am going to do everything in my power to make my child well again but never shall a knife tough my child." I have never had an operation except the one when Jesus did the operating and He doesn’t leave any scars. How wonderful it is when Jesus does something for us; it is always perfect and never leaves any bad effects. "Well, Mr. Baxter," the doctor said, "we can never hope to untangle that mass of bones in Betty’s body. Take her home and let her be as happy as possible." I was eleven years old at that time and had no idea that the doctor was sending me home to die. I looked at him, "Yes, Doctor, but someday God will heal my body. I will be well and strong then." I had faith then for Mom had read God’s Word to me and talked to me about Jesus so that my faith was strong. One of Mom’s favorite scriptures in those days was, "If thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believes." Also, "Nothing is impossible with God." They took me home where the doctor said I would soon die. I grew worse. The pain I had suffered before was nothing compared to what I began to feel after I returned home. I would go blind and for weeks could not see; I would become deaf and could not hear; dumb and could not speak. My tongue would swell, then would be paralyzed. Then the blindness would leave, also the deafness and paralysis of the tongue. It seemed I was caught; some awful power was trying to destroy me. But each day Mom would pray with me and tell me God was able to heal my body.

The Betty Baxter Story Part 1

2008-11-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

I wasn't normal as many other boys and girls. My body was twisted and crippled and deformed. I was born with curve on my spine. Every vertebra was out of place, the bones were twisted and matted together. As I lay in the University hospital, I began to shake all over. It was a sort of trembling at first but soon I was shaking violently from head to toe. I shook out of my bed and fell on the floor. The doctors rushed in and put me back on the bed. They strapped my body to the bed. It didn't keep me from shaking, but it kept me from falling. Day and night, I was strapped to the bed. When the straps were removed my body would be raw and blistered. I know what it means to suffer and feel pain. The doctors kept me on dope so I could endure the pain. When I was born, my heart was not normal. Under the power of dope, it grew worse. Eventually I came to have a heart attack every week. My body would become so accustomed to the dope that it couldn't take full effect. I would bite my lips to keep from screaming because f the pain. Doctors finally took me off dope because it wasn't doing any good. I was only nine. Oh, how long then nights were as I lay racked with pain. Many times, I would twist in the bed struggling for a little relief and feel myself blacking out. Then for hours I would lay unconscious.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIEND!!!

2008-11-08T21:46:00.000-08:00

While in DC, I met someone from Israel. His name is Josef, really sweet! Today is his birthday and he's turning 20... Happy Birthday Josef! May God continue to strengthen you in this year and years to follow! Blessings

My little Cousin's growing up=(

2008-11-03T19:43:00.000-08:00

Jesus Rejected

2008-11-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 53:3- He was despised and rejected a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

Luke 11:52-54- And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.”

John 1:11- He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.

"Jesus’ life illustrates a simple truth: even if you’re perfect, you will still experience rejection." -Bob Sorge, from "Dealing with rejection and the Praise of Man"

I recommend you read this book! Its one of my faves!!

Praise Report!

2008-10-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

FBI: 642 Arrested, 47 Kids Rescued in Child Prostitution Raids

Monday, October 27, 2008

WASHINGTON — The FBI says more than 600 people have been arrested and 47 children rescued in a three-day roundup targeting people who force children into prostitution.

The arrests by federal, state and local law enforcement took place in 29 cities as part of Operation Cross Country II.

At a news conference Monday, FBI Deputy Director John Pistole said the arrests were made possible by intelligence gathered during a similar series of raids in June.

The 47 rescued children ranged in age from 13 to 17. A total of 642 people were arrested. The FBI says they include 73 pimps and 518 adult prostitutes. The bureau said that it also dismantled a dozen large-scale prostitution operations that were run through call services, truck stops, casinos and Web sites.

Pray for God's peace and comfort on these rescued children!

Pray For Missionaries in India

2008-10-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

This is a request for prayer for YWAM missionaries and their churches in Orissa , India . Please read and make this a matter of urgent prayer.

Dear beloved sponsors and friends of Good News India:

We have never seen anything like this. We knew that Orissa was the most resistant and hostile State in India as far as the Gospel is concerned. And we brushed off the continuous threats and harassment we faced as we went about His work. But none of our staff imagined that they would see this kind of carnage…. And it seems to be totally under the radar of the Western Media …. Let me explain…. A militant Hindu priest and 4 of his attendants, who were zealously going around the villages of Orissa and ‘reconverting’ people back to Hinduism, were gunned down by unknown assailants in Central Orissa last weekend. Immediately the Christians were blamed. The cry rose up…’Kill the Christians!’ And the horror began…. In the past 4 days, we have first hand witness to hundreds of churches being blown up or burned and many, many dozens of Christian tribals have been slaughtered. For no other reason than they bear the name of Christ.

Night and day I have been in touch with our Good News India Directors spread across 14 Dream Centers in Orissa… they are right in the middle of all this chaos. In Tihidi, just after the police came to offer protection, a group of 70 blood-thirsty militants came to kill our staff and destroy the home. They were not allowed to get in, but they did a lot of damage to our Dream Center by throwing rocks and bricks and smashing our gate, etc. They have promised to come back and ‘finish the job.’ Our kids and staff are locked inside and have stayed that way with doors and windows shut for the past 3 days. It has been a time of desperately calling on the Lord in prayer.

More police have come to offer protection. In Kalahandi, the police and some local sympathizers got to our dream center and gave our staff and kids about 3 minutes notice to vacate. No one had time to even grab a change of clothes or any personal belonging. As they fled, the blood thirsty mob came to kill everyone in the building. We would have had a mass funeral there, but for His grace. In Phulbani, the mob came looking for Christian homes and missions. The local Hindu people, our neighbors turned them away by saying that there were no Christians in this area. So they left. We had favor. The same thing happened in Balasore.

All our dream centers are under lock down with the kids and staff huddled inside and police outside. The fanatics are circling outside waiting for a chance to kill. Others were not so fortunate. In a nearby Catholic orphanage, the mob allowed the kids to leave and locked up a Priest and a computer teacher in house and burned them to death. Many believers have been killed and hacked into pieces and left on the road…. even women and children. At another orphanage run by another organization, when this began, the Director and his wife jumped on their motorbike and simply fled, leaving all the children and staff behind. Every one of our GNI directors that I have spoken to said: ‘We stay with our kids…. we live together or die together, but we will never abandon what God has called us to do.’ More than 5000 Christian families have had their homes burned or destroyed. They have fled into the jungles and are living i n great fear waiting for the authorities to bring about peace. But so far, no peace is foreseen.

This will continue for another 10 days…. supposedly the 14 day mourning period f or the slain Hindu priest. Many more Christians will die and their houses destroyed. Many more churches will be smashed down. The Federal government is trying to restore order and perhaps things will calm down. We ask for your prayers. Only the Hand of God can calm this storm. None of us know the meaning of persecution. But now our kids and staff know what that means. So many of our kids coming from Hindu backgrounds are confused and totally bewildered at what is happening around them. So many of their guardians have fled into the jungles and are unable to come and get them during these trying times. Through all this, I am more determined than ever to continue with our goal: the transformation of a community by transforming its children. Orissa will be saved… that is our heart’s cry.

If we can take these thousands of throw-away children and help them to become disciples of Jesus, they will transform an entire region. It is a long term goal, but it is strategic thinking in terms of the Great Commission. What can you do? First, please uphold all this in fervent prayer. Second, pass this e-mail on to as many friends as you can. We must get the word out and increase our prayer base for this is spiritual warfare at its most basic meaning. We are literally fighting the devil in order to live for His Kingdom. The next 10 days are crucial. We pray for peace and calm to pervade across Orissa. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please pass it on and help us to get as many people to partner with us on this cutting edge effort to fulfill His mandate: Go and make disciples of all nations…. Prayer works!

Pictures from Saturday night

2008-10-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

Just Hanging!!

2008-10-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

Saturday night, the twins and I went to the Hard Bean Cafe to hear Tim York, John Hendrickson and Kevin Hanley play live!! We had fun!!!! It was worth my night!! I enjoyed listening to Tim and Kevin sing and John play drums!! I drank coffee and sat on a comfortable cushioned chair and just listened!

Pictures to come =)

Prayer Request

2008-10-09T06:39:00.001-07:00

Please keep Kevin Hardy and his family in your prayers. Kevin's mom and the kids Grandma just passed away yesterday, and they left this morning for Ohio. Pray for peace, comfort and the Lord's safety on them! Thanks

I'm back.... !

2008-10-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

I haven't been consistent on my posting. I've been so busy with school and other things...
So, I'm graduating in February! My birthday is in February, so I'm doing a birthday/graduation type of party. I'm excited! I still can't believe that I'll be done with High School! I am not planning on going to college. I have a few options on what I want to do after I'm done with school. Its just a matter of asking the Lord's leadership!
So the other night, I went to a meeting about Human Trafficking, and boy was it intense! They had this federal agent woman come and talk about girls and boys around the world who are being trafficked. Even kids from out of country are smuggled into the US, cause parents sell them for money. Its sad. After the meeting, my dad talked to the federal agent about what he’s doing, and how the orphanage is also going to be filled with abused kids, and special needs children. Our goal is to restore them in the house of prayer, and bringing their identity back to them. Its amazing what God is showing my dad... We’re blessed!

Bye-bye for now =)

TheCall

2008-08-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

TheCall was amazing! It was a 12 hour day of fasting and interceding for the ending of abortion! The Lord was there... it was intense! Below are pictures I took of a few of the worship leaders and people praying:

Trip to DC

2008-08-30T17:14:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity of going to theCall DC with the Sliker family, Brent and KJ Steeno, and all the ATC interns and counselors! Great experience for us all! The trip there was so much fun! We watched a few movies, listened to music and talked alot. We were there for a period of 2 weeks! We helped set up for the call, and did alot of prayer walks! We went to the Holocaust museum (which was so sad and intense). We went to the Lincoln Memorial a few times, the air and space museum, and a few other museums. It was alot of walking for us, but so worth it!! Below are a few pictures I took while in DC:

Lincoln Memorial

Elysse and I

Praying at the wall

Ellen and I

Washington Monument

Steven Reyes sleeping... hehe

Yay for the Koth family

2008-06-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

The girls are theirs!! The court signed the papers June 13th. In Ethiopia they do not have power every day. They're waiting now on when they can get them a court date, and they will know when they can go get them. The girls are precious!! Their names are Pinieal, Dagmawit, and there's another one (I don't know her name)! On the pictures below, both Pinieal and Dagmawit are holding a boy from the orphanage. It's precious! God is so good in hearing and answering our prayers!! Congratulations Jane and Chuck, and fam!!!

Update on the Koth Family

2008-06-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

Jane sent me an email saying:

As many of you know there adoption was denied. There is a new law or else they have just decided to enforce an old law that says poverty is not a good enough reason for adoption. The children have to be either parentless or their parents have to have aids. The three girls were brought in to the orphanage because their parents could not feed them. Chuck feels they were brought in to our lives for a reason. He has asked for an appeal. The director of the adoption agency will be in Ethiopia in two weeks. We are praying for the release of these girls into our home. The oldest one said she felt God was opening a door and she wanted to walk through it. Please pray for open doors.
Chuck and Jane Koth

PLEASE, PLEASE just keep them in your prayers. The Lord can do all things, and I know He has a purpose for these little girls!

Update on Sasha and Mesha

2008-06-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

On 5/27/08, Dossier Completed! Now we're just waiting for the Ukrainian court to give us a date on when we can get the boys!! PRAY PRAY PRAY

Also, keep the Koth family in your prayers. Their adoption for the 3 girls fell through, and its hard for them right now. Jane's mostly concerned about the oldest who is about 11. She was excited about getting a new family, and I know this news is hard for her. Just pray for God's strength to be upon her and her siblings. Thank you!

I'll keep you posted!

Universal Studios

2008-05-22T19:08:00.001-07:00

Our family had the best time ever! And we hope to do it again with our new brothers:-)

Favorite one is of my parents with the shark, and me and Key on the surfing board!!

Islands of Adventure

2008-05-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

The most fun I'd ever had in my life!! Lots of thanks to Pastor Carlos, and his wife Emily, and family:-)

Family Trip To Disney World- 2008

2008-05-22T15:35:00.000-07:00

The hotel we stayed at, and the first day at Disney World

Updates on the Boys

2008-05-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

Thank you again for praying for us during this adoption process. We just finished our homestudy. Right now, my parents are waiting to see when we can get the boys. They say that Ukranenian adoptions are very hard; they require lots of paper works. My parents are planning to get the boys late July, early August. They will have to make two trips, according to the Ukrainenian adoptions, in order to get them. Please continue to pray for Sasha and Misha. For their safety and health!! Thanks!

More pictures of Misha... in PINK

2008-05-07T07:03:00.001-07:00

Here is our other BABY BROTHER!!

2008-01-30T18:50:00.001-08:00

This is Misha, the other little boy that we will be adopting!! Misha is 3 years old. He has down syndrome. He is the cutest boy ever!!!! He has a very precious smile!!! We got to see a video of him blowing bubbles and trying to catch them... his laugh is very contagious!!!
Please continue to pray for God's financial provision, and His protection over Sasha and Misha!!!

Sasha!!

2008-01-21T07:36:00.001-08:00

Here is one of the boys that we are adopting. His name is Sasha and he is 5 years old... isn't he the CUTEST thing ever?!! I am excited! Both the boys will be here in June!

Photos of the other boy will be posted soon!

Family News

2008-01-20T13:37:00.000-08:00

As many of you know already, we are adding two more members into our family!!!! This summer, we are bringing in two boys from Ukraine!! One is 5, and the other one is 3. Believe it or not, we are excited in getting two brothers... FINALLY!! My sisters and I have always wanted brothers the past few years, and have prayed for one and the Lord has blessed us with TWO!!!
Right now, we are getting our home study renewed, and we are praying for the Lord to raise up the money in order to bring in these boys! So, if y'all can pray for us, and for the safety of the boys, that would be awesome!

Photos to follow!!!!!

Verse of the Day

2007-07-09T05:17:00.000-07:00

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Walking in the Light

2007-07-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:5-9

1 John 1:5- verses to go with this verse: John 1:19; 1 John 3:11; 1 Tim 6:16; James 1:17
Verses to go with verse 6: John 8:12; 1 John 2:11; John 8:55; 1 John 2:4; 4:20; John 3:21
Verses to go with verse 7: Isaiah 2:5; 1 Tim 6:16; Titus 2:14
Verses to go along with this verse: Job 15:14; Prov 20:9; Rom 3:10-18; John 8:44; 1 John 2:4; James 3:2
Verses to go with verse 9: Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Titus 2:14

Quote of the day

2007-07-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

I will run the race set before me
I will seek Your face as the prize of my life

Philippians 3:8-14

First day of Summer Teen Intensive (STI)

2007-06-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

Today was REALLY busy for us... Brent had me running here and there making copies, etc. But it was fun meeting new teens from all over the world... looking forward to working with them! Well, I am tired from all that running but I'll post more things later!!!

MUST READ

2007-06-16T15:11:00.001-07:00

Click on the link below to read this sad story:-(

PLEASE PRAY

2007-06-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

Please just keep me in your prayers as I study for my GED. I have before July 25th to take the test and pass it... so if you think of me, just pray! Thanks:-)

Quote for the Day

2007-06-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

"When you are hurting,and you think about God's greatness, what a change it makes in your perspective when you remember this: The great 'I AM' cares personally and deeply for you. He exists beyond the stars, yet He knows every hair that falls from your head and every tear that drops from your eyes. When you grieve, he is grieving with you. When you are confused, He doesn't laugh at your confusion. He is with you right there, arms around you, ready to take you, if need be carry you, safely through the fog. He is Yahweh, the God who makes and keeps His covenants and promises."

NEW RELEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-06-10T14:16:00.002-07:00

This is my dad's new album... it's amazing!!! We have been waiting for almost 2 years for it to come out and now we are excited that's out!!! Its very convicting and uplifting... you'll love it! So buy it cause my Dad's the GREATEST!!!! If you want to, check it out at the IHOP MP3 Store online or the bookstore!!

My favorite song on this album is Paper Religion!!! I could listen to that song and NEVER get tired of it... the day I got the CD, I kept repeating the same song (Paper Religion) over and over again for about an hour, and my mom and dad were like, "Telma, could we please listen to a different song, buhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gift I just couldn't listen to a different song. So, I just burned the disc unto my laptop and listened to it with my headphones on cause that song is INCREDIBLE!!!! So, I highly recommend y'all buy it!! It will bless you;-)

Summer

2007-06-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

My summer is going to be busy! First, we are gonna be hosting 5 to 6 girls, plus me and my 4 sisters (ya, WOW). So, there'll be 12 girls including my mom... our house will be packed with girls (poor dad!!)
Brent has asked me to make ALL the copies for STI, including making sure all the preachers are there (MP) on time and taking care of their needs... so, that's gonna be fun!! In the midst of all that, I just got my GED book, so, I'm gonna be studying alot (I have to finish the whole book by the end of June). So, I am going to try hard! I'm asking the LORD to give me grace!! But ya, I am gonna be busy this summer!

Warning a Wicked and Perverse Generation Part2

2007-06-05T05:07:00.000-07:00

AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH

Jesus said that in the end times it would be "as in the days of Noah were." When I read the story of Noah I not only read: "that they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage" but also that "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Is it not in our day? Men with such depraved wicked minds, sin soaked, sex soaked, so that nothing is pure anymore! The same wickedness that crucified Jesus is resident in the hearts of men in this generation. Gen. 6:6 "The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." Does it grieve the heart of the Lord today that "he had made man?" What type of wickedness would it take to wish we never birthed a child? How wicked does that child need to be in our sight, how repulsive? The scripture continues: "Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence." When God's eyes looked upon the earth it says: "for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth." What a frightening picture, of men that have ruined themselves. A selfish, violent, wicked culture! A God-rejecting culture. This is where we find ourselves. We are comfortable with sin in our day, we call "good, evil and evil, good!" And woe unto us! We want a nice, pretty picture of the world and our goal is to simply share with people "God loves you." Could you imagine Noah preaching "God loves you" with a big smile on his face to that wicked generation. Do you think Noah hanged a sign on the ark saying "God loves you?" We are going to stand before a holy God that has called us to preach repentance to men with our lives and words. Noah was a repentance preacher, firstly that he separated himself from the whole wicked world system, and secondly in his preaching he shared that message. The church cannot preach the true gospel until they have fully repented and are living in that reality. A separated church is the only Church! God is calling men to be separated unto His will from our rotten dirty selfish wills. Hebrews 11:7 says: "by the which he (Noah) condemned the world." He condemned the world by living righteousness and staying pure amidst the moral landslide around him.

As also was in the days of Lot... so will it be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed... Luke 17

Warning a Wicked and Perverse Generation

2007-06-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

An UNTOWARD GENERATION

A wicked and perverse generation seeks after a sign. A carnal, lukewarm, lax, unbelieving Church sits back and demands of God the supernatural to give value to His credibility. The spotless bride often looks more like a self-absorbed whore. Dennis E. Green said: "We feast on the bounty provided by our husband while neglecting his wishes that don't excite and please us. We seek to be fulfilled by our selfish pursuits rather than by serving Him." An untoward perverse generation seeks pleasure before God. The words of Scripture speak to our day "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God(2 Timothy 3:4)." God said when this happens it would be the "last days." This is a generation of men that have plugged their ears shut and are shutting their vanities and filth loudly. There is no more restraint in the world, not more culture or virtue in dealings. Even the most dignified actions of men are plagued with the continually thoughts of their wicked perverse minds. Those who are walking apart, walking in holiness with God are a reprove this whole bankrupt system of evangelical Christendom that we see. The simple life of one who has fully counted the cost and has fully surrendered to Christ will be a reprove to the church and the world. There is a sleeping world and a sleeping church that needs to be awakened. A.W. Tozer said: "Religion today is not transforming people; rather it is being transformed by the people. It is not raising the moral level of society; it is descending to society's own level, and congratulating itself that it has scored a victory because society is smilingly accepting its surrender." May we be "salt" and "light" in the world bringing preservation and exposure to the persuasive wickedness in men's hearts.

My Plans For Now...

2007-06-04T11:22:00.000-07:00

Well, as many of you know, I am planning on taking my GED sometimes soon, and doing FMA in the Fall!! I am so excited... I can't believe its actually happening! I plan to take my driver's permit sometimes soon... I'm just not super ready yet;-) I will be helping out at STI this summer, so it's gonna be a really busy summer/fall for me!! My last day of playing in the PR is the 24th (which I am excited about), but I've enjoyed playing with my dad and I've learned alot from him!!! I LOVE MY DAD!!!! So, anyways, those are my plans for now!!

Zoe!!!

2007-06-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is her... 7 months later!! I can't believe she's actually this big! She was a tiny little thing no more than like 5 to 7 months ago! WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING HER RANDY AND KELSEY???

Loux Girls with Zoe!!!

2007-06-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken like last November or so!! This is Zoe Bohlender!! She's such a beauty!! I think her and I could go for sisters (except I have BIGGER eyes...lol)!!! Anyways, I love her!!!

Talk About Being Sick!!

2007-06-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

I've had this horrible cough since last Thursday (and a bit of a fever...but) and I HATE it! I feel bad for those who get sick constantly... I feel their pain. I mean, this is my first in 3 years, but imagine those who are sick constantly... it's kinda sad. Not fun either! I got my sickness from my little sisters... it went from Sophie, KK, my dad and than me... now I have a fever (it's going away), a cough, and a runny nose... don't y'all kinda feel bad for me... I mean I am playing the keys on stage (at IHOP) with a runny nose... Like last Sunday, we were aired in Asia, and I couldn't stop making faces trying to keep my snots in so it doesn't accidentally run down... lol! But ya, I hate being sick... don't you?

Check it out....!

2007-06-02T09:54:00.001-07:00

Relaxing under a tree at Shiloh after an hour of walking!!!

What does Love mean?

2007-05-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

A group of professional people posed
this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds,
"What does love mean?"

The answers they got were broader and deeper
than anyone could have imagined. See what
you think:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she
couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all
the time, even when his hands got arthritis too.
That's love."
Rebecca- age 8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When someone loves you, the way they
say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in
their mouth."
Billy - age 4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and
a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and
smell each other."
Karl - age 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody
most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Chrissy - age 6
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy
and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is
OK."
Danny - age 7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas
if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If you want to learn to love better, you should
start with a friend who you hate,"
Nikka - age 6
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt,
then he wears it everyday."
Noelle - age 7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old
man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I
was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving
and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared
anymore."
Cindy - age 8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"My mommy loves me more than anybody.
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at
night."
Clare - age 6
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of
chicken."
Elaine-age 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty
and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
Chris - age 7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even
after you left him alone all day."
Mary Ann - age 4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives
me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
Lauren - age 4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and
down and little stars come out of you."
Karen - age 7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you
mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Jessica - age 8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A four year old child whose next
door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into
the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the
neighbor, the little boy
said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

Taking a hot/bubble bath

2007-05-30T14:40:00.000-07:00

WOOOOW!!!! Look at her... she's so chubby!!! Makes me wonna hold/kiss her FOREVER!! ;-)

Bob the Dude

2007-05-29T06:21:00.000-07:00

The other day, I was just in our backyard taking pictures, and almost stepped on this sick, gross, looking creature, and my word, I screamed SO LOUD that I think the people in Africa heard me!! As many of you know, I HATE snakes/spiders. They're disgusting looking creatures... but I thought I'd post these two pictures, cause they're kinda cool... maybe a little cool!!

Our Little LeeLee...!!!!

2007-05-28T18:09:00.001-07:00

Click on the photos to get a closer look of LeeLee!!! ;-)

Talk about FUNNY!!!

2007-05-28T13:29:00.001-07:00

KIDS IN CHURCH
3-year-old Reese:
"Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name.
Amen."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
"That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One particular four-year-old prayed,
"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they
were on the way to church service,
"And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
One bright little girl replied,
"Because people are sleeping."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
"Ryan, you be Jesus!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore
where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.
"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
"Did God throw him back down?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
"Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

Cutie Pie

2007-05-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my little LiLi is getting bigger and bigger everytime I see her!!!!Isn't she the CUTEST thing ever!!?

Jesus, the Living Water

2007-04-25T22:20:00.000-07:00

Made a few changes...

“Whoever drinks of the water I give will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him or her will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4.14)

The living water of Jesus offers wholeness and peace in this world. And this is the path of eternal life. To drink now from Jesus’ teachings is to have the well of God in our very being. As our thirst begins to be quenched, the spring of God flows out to the broken around us.

Tonight, our family had a SWEET time during devotions, talking about Jesus being our Living Water. I've been thinking about all the things that we, as broken people, search for to try to satisfy that part of us that only Jesus can satisfy. Why is it that we struggle so much with this? We've been looking for something that can satisfy our souls, something that we think will make us happy...movies, video games, love songs, rap music, immorality, fashion, drugs, alcohol and partying...Any of us could be popular and still not be happy. We think to be known would be great! It's Christ in us that needs to be made known. The only thing that CAN and WILL satisfy your heart is Jesus Christ the Living Water!! He is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE...the path to life... He will satisfy us with His Living Word, and refresh out hearts with His truth and His love.

This generation is full of wickedness- Romans 3

Beauty!!

2007-04-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

Left: Sunset in the Marshall Islands!!
Right: One of the Islands in the Marshalls!!!

"The Love of God"

2007-04-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Cor 1:3-4

God gave us our feelings and emotions for a purpose and He can use them to enhance our walk with Him. Using the example of marriage to demonstrate what I mean. I know that my dad loves my mom, but if he doesn’t show that he does, then their marriage is likely to go through some pretty hard times. My mom needs to ‘know’ deep within her that she is loved. She also needs to trust my dad. Without trust the relationship is on a collision course with disaster. (FYI, my parents do love each other… it was just an example… that was all I could think of...)
Anyways, in the same way, to have a relationship with God, we have to be able to trust Him. If we do not know that He has our best interests at heart (that He loves us) then we will find it very difficult to trust Him in our lives. So many of us either did not know a father’s love, or received a perverted idea of what a father’s love should be, that when it comes to receiving love from our Heavenly Father, we tend to put our earthly experience of fatherly love onto Him.
Unfortunately, our natural fathers are very human and, very often any love that was shown to us as children was flawed. If your natural father is/was never there when you needed him; was angry or drunk; was unkind or uncaring; sometimes reliable but sometimes not, then your view of God is likely to be somewhat distorted. Another factor in our experience could be that your parents or grandparents used God as a threat in order to get you to behave; in which case you will tend to think of Him as some sort of a mad God to be feared and avoided if at all possible.
If you really long to know that the Father really loves you, then the first step is to forgive your earthly father for whatever made you uncomfortable with him. Then you can ask your Heavenly Father to show you how much He loves you!

Jesus said: "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:24

Open yourself up to God and ask Him to show you how much He loves you by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told us that when He was seated at the right hand of the Father, He would send the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth

"You may ask Me for anything in my name, I will do it. " If you love me, you will obey what I command 16. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor (Holy Spirit) to be with you forever. The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you." John 14:15

If you have asked the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and to take over your life, then you have the Holy Spirit within you and can ask Him to show you how much God loves you. God is love. He is not there to slap us down whenever we get out of line or to send us to hell if we sin. When we do sin, we can ask for forgiveness, turn away from it and start all over again with a clean slate. His mercies are new every morning.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, is your faithfulness." Lam 3:22-23

Example: If you were asked to give over your son to be killed in order that the people next door could be saved, would you do it? ( Dumb example) God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for all of us. What more could He do to show you how much He loves you, just as you are?

"We love because He first loved us. "1 John 4:19

So before we knew Him, He loved us!

A doll!!

2007-04-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Isn't she a darling?!?

Favorite Quotes

2007-04-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here are two of my favorite verses in the book of Proverbs...

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life!
Prov. 4:23
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones!
Prov. 16:24

Elia

2007-04-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I got to hold this beautiful little girl for at least 20 minutes before my noon set... and I was just thinking of how blessed I am to have her as my cousin!! I can't wait to see what the LORD has in store for her!! I love her and she's such a darling!

Bored...

2007-04-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

Right now, I am doing a few pages in my Math book... I love Math, but there are times when you're just NOT IN THE MOOD to do any... ya know? Anyways, I am getting my GED soon, which I am SO EXCITED about, and then probably FMA in the Fall... ya!!!

Kissing Elia's foot

2007-04-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

The other day, I was holding Lia and I happened to have grabbed that tiny foot and gave it a little smoochie!! :-)

Darling

2007-04-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

As for those who don't know, my uncle and aunt adopted a VERY adorable little girl!!
Her name is Elia Jane... and we all love her very much!! Isn't she a cutie???