We enjoyed the first tropical depression of 2013 today. My garden got lots of rain, good soaking rain. It was good. Unfortunately some folks had a little damage south of us but all in all, everything was ok. I LOVE storms.
Thinking about how much I love storms made me start thinking. When I was a child, I was terrified of the big thunderstorms we get here in Florida. There were times when our house would shake and I'd be so afraid. It's funny my kids have never been afraid of storms. But as I got older, the storms started being more fascinating that frightening. My bedroom had windows all the way around two sides of it so I could watch the storms. It was nice to curl up on that bed and feel the wind come in, watch the lightening streak the sky, hear the thunder roll..... As time went on, storms became comforting to me, and exciting. One time we ran outside and played in the rain of a hurricane, been amazed at hail at our door one night in Miami.... I love the smell of rain. Some people can't smell it but I can, I know when a rain storm is coming.
Where we live, literally on the edge of a swamp in Florida, we get a misty rain that I have never seen anywhere else in the world. It is so beautiful, I've tried to take pictures of it, but there is no way to capture it. We don't get it all the time, but every few months it will happen. I've never even seen it anywhere else in Florida...not even in this area. It's very mysterious and beautiful. We think it's some type of natural phenomena that happens because of the moisture around us and how low our land is.
So as you can tell I love storms. Of course I don't want tornadoes or anyone to get hurt or property damaged.... but I just love the majesty of a storm. When a little storm like this Tropical Storm is headed towards us, I get all excited. (I don't feel quite the same when a Category 3 is bearing down on us ok LOL) Today was my kind of day. You can almost see the grass, garden and trees growing. We live on a well and there was one year our old well went dry because there had been a drought and it was a short well. We had to have a deep well put in and then we had water again but I learn the importance of water that summer! So when we get a good rain now, I think that is good for our well.
In Bible times rain was thought of as a blessing, they were farmers and knew the importance of rain. In fact there is a scripture Jesus said "it rains on the just and the unjust" In our modern world we read that as "trouble comes to the just and the unjust" but back then it would have been understood more as "good times come to the good and the bad people" Since I've been gardening these past 3 or 4 years, I've learned NOTHING can help my garden as much as rain. Rain is so much better even than the well water because by the time it has gone through the earth and is pulled back in to the well, it's not going to have the same nutrients as straight rain water. In fact I put out buckets and my wheelbarrow under the eaves of the roof to catch as much as I can when it rains so I'll have it later.
So maybe the storms of life shouldn't be so dreaded...even the worst storms have moments of majesty in them..... the rains that come into our lives grow us in a way that nothing else can....storms can refresh the garden of your soul.
Those thoughts just came to me today...thought I'd share them!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the times when I could get on the computer I was busy today looking into stem cell research. Right after Selah's accident, I put some time into researching it as that is one of the few things out there that offers any type of possible medical hope. I got no help from doctors, got discouraged and busy with the more day to day things with Selah. Well my friend sent me that link that I posted in the last blog and that encouraged me to look back into things. I emailed the doctors in Germany, a doctor at Duke and a doctor in California and talked to his office.
If we do it, it will be expensive...no insurance will cover it. The doctor's office I talked to also said most patients do HBOT at the same time and no insurance will cover that either ....on top of us having to get a handicapped accessible van.... not to mention a house that can be modified for her.... I started having my own little storm inside of myself for a little while today BUT I know God will provide what she needs. He worked a miracle to get her to America and to our family and He is not done with her yet! As I thought about it, I thought, maybe if we do all of that, she will recover enough we will NOT need a handicapped accessible van or a house that we could modify for her....that would be the greatest thing ever!
And just so no one will feel uncomfortable, the stem cells we are thinking about using would come either from Selah herself or from an O negative donor of umbilical cord blood cells. The stem cells would not come from aborted children.
We will see what the future holds, we are open to trying things that have promise as long as the risks to her are small. I have to put in order the things that are most important for her. From next week on, we will have some type of therapy every day for Selah. She is finally starting speech and OT has a set day for her. So we have to try and schedule her doctor appointments around her therapys. it's challenging but doable. All the therapist except for Speech come to our home which makes it easier for Selah. For speech it is being done at the hospital as we will be working with her to get her off the trach and to get her started on taking liquids by mouth and that can't be done at home.
Please pray about this whole situation...maybe we will just find out about a study she can be enrolled in for free...that would be great!
=========================================================================
This morning, as I'm waking up, I think about my new bread machine and REALIZE I left the tiny small paddle in the middle of the loaf I threw away last weekend..... the paddle bakes into the bread and is supposed to be taken out when it cools...I forgot completely until this morning and I sat up in bed and said "oh crap!" We have a dumpster but the pick up is on Mondays...and I threw the little that remained away this weekend! Otherwise we'd been doing some dumpster diving in the storm LOL!!!! Normally I HATE ordering anything on line. But I ordered TWO of the little paddles, thankfully they are only $8, why two? Well.....I figure this might happen again LOL
Thanks to the boys cleaning the house, I was inspired to cook today:) I cooked a good supper of spaghetti with garlic bread for supper and I have chicken legs in the crock pot cooking for tomorrow.
With the spaghetti, I use the kind that is either whole wheat or the kind that has veggies in it - the kids can't tell. I use the best sauce, that has the better ingredients, and that supplies a serving of veggies and I used ground chicken- the healthy kind, no antibodics and cage free. It is much cheaper than the organic beef! The ONLY kind of bread I can find that does not have vegetable oil in it is Arnold's Healthy bread so I put a garlic butter on it REAL butter and it just all went together. We also had a salad. The boys were kidding me about it, said they'd have to clean weekly to keep me cooking LOL! It's just easier to cook when the house is clean and decluttered.
I'm still enjoying the emails and comments! Thanks again friends!!!
"Our life maybe a crazy life but it's our life" I'm married to a pastor of a small rural church, who is also the prison chaplain. We have 5 kids, each with their unique story. I love gardening & we all love the outdoors. Our life is not the way we planned it to be, but we are learning to trust God in every area. Come and read about our life as we live it to the fullest!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Need your help!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2330338/Boy-cerebral-palsy-successfully-treated-using-stem-cells-taking-vegetative-state-walking-talking.html
This link is about a little boy who had a heart attack, was dead for 25 minutes and then revived. He was in a persistent vegetative coma. He was then treated with HIS own stem cells ( that were harvested from his umbilical cord at birth) And he is recovering.....
There is a study at the University of Texas that is doing that also BUT the child has to have their own stem cells. Obviously Selah doesn't have that.
Does anyone reading have a contact with this person in Germany??? Or do you have a contact with anyone in the USA or anywhere that is doing stem cell research WITHOUT using the child's own umbilical stem cells????
If you do not have a contact, will you pray that somehow we can look into this for Selah. I looked into it right after the accident and was heartbroken finding out she couldn't even go into the ONE study I could find. NO doctor is really interested in helping us find info on this. They basically think it is "voodoo"....well woodoo voodoo..... if it might work..... She would have to use her own stem cells.
Please don't just send me articles. chances are I've seen most of them already. If you are a good computer researcher ( I don't think I am) maybe you can get me a phone number, that might help.
Thank you so much!
BTW, this "little tropical disturbance Andrea" has turned into a bit more than what we thought we'd have....I LOVE a good storm, surprised we still have computer service and electricity!
This link is about a little boy who had a heart attack, was dead for 25 minutes and then revived. He was in a persistent vegetative coma. He was then treated with HIS own stem cells ( that were harvested from his umbilical cord at birth) And he is recovering.....
There is a study at the University of Texas that is doing that also BUT the child has to have their own stem cells. Obviously Selah doesn't have that.
Does anyone reading have a contact with this person in Germany??? Or do you have a contact with anyone in the USA or anywhere that is doing stem cell research WITHOUT using the child's own umbilical stem cells????
If you do not have a contact, will you pray that somehow we can look into this for Selah. I looked into it right after the accident and was heartbroken finding out she couldn't even go into the ONE study I could find. NO doctor is really interested in helping us find info on this. They basically think it is "voodoo"....well woodoo voodoo..... if it might work..... She would have to use her own stem cells.
Please don't just send me articles. chances are I've seen most of them already. If you are a good computer researcher ( I don't think I am) maybe you can get me a phone number, that might help.
Thank you so much!
BTW, this "little tropical disturbance Andrea" has turned into a bit more than what we thought we'd have....I LOVE a good storm, surprised we still have computer service and electricity!
This is our day LOL
I just got a phone call from a reporter from England who wanted to know if the lottery winner went to our church LOL I told him I WISH she did and would be glad to give her a ride:)
And let me tell you I may have to become a crazy Oils person...my neck is 50% better today! Of course we also have a new firm mattress but which ever helped I'm thankful!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Speaking of 6 degrees of seperation a clean house and Oils
So the lottery winner came forward and it is an older Zephyrhills woman. We had heard all kinds of rumors of who it was. We had kept hearing it was a young person....to be honest, I'm glad it is an older lady. She has lived longer and probably has more sense of how to spend it than some young person! And I'm really hoping she knows us LOL! Speaking of 6 degrees of separation....our delivery man knows the delivery man who has delivered stuff to her!!!!!!! So that is just THREE degrees of separation:) He said that his friend said she was a nice lady:)
Selah is happy now that she is back on her normal formula. No more upset tummy or staying up all night! She had OT today and our nurse is working with her to have her watch a DVD and wear headphones so she is more focused. She has an appointment with the cardiologist tomorrow, just to manage her meds and get a new prescription. Next week she FINALLY starts speech therapy!!!!! YEAH!
This morning I went to a class. Have you heard about Essential Oils? A few of my friends are really into them. Me? Not too sure about them.... but I am interested so I went to a class today with my friends. After the class, I tried an oil on my neck and it really seemed to help. Another friend had generously given me a small bottle of pure Frankincense. A few times I had put some on Selah, but not constantly. But today I ordered a start up kit of the Oils, not that I really think it will help, but I'm willing to try anything. My neck has felt less stiffer all day but I think the smell has given me a bit of a headache.
When I came home, I mixed the frankincense and some coconut oil in to a little roller jar and rolled some on her back and feet. The lady who did the class is coming out to show me how to do the oils in the next few days. At this point I'll try it. If it works, it won't be because I have much faith in it....to be honest. My close friend that I went with warned me I could not say the word "stupid" while in the class....so I told her my word would be "different"....instead of stupid. LOL As in "that is different" There is the funniest story that really tested me....one of the ladies told me that just the smell of one of the oils had brought a woman out of a coma. So I asked what kind/why was the woman was in the coma and she told me that the lady had had a terrible car accident. So of course I wanted to know the final outcome of the lady and the lady telling the story said "well she died the next week"..... OK....I was losing it at this point.... but then the woman explained that the lady was older and had lots of internal damage from the accident. But hey this stuff might help Selah and then they can all laugh at me for being a doubting Thomas! I'm laughing but I bought it LOL!
The boys had a BIG surprise waiting for me when I got home! They had cleaned the entire house from top to bottom. They dusted, swept, vacuumed. mopped, unloaded the dishwasher, put up the clean clothes, cleaned Selah's room.... this is not something they have ever done before! They always helped out some but never done the whole thing by themselves nor did I ask or expect them to do it! Steve even cleaned on top of the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling fans! I am very grateful to them and still shocked:) Our nurse was impressed too! He said Selah and him got kicked out for a little bit so they could clean her room without bothering her! Lately I've just been trying to do so much, and getting nothing done....I was frustrated, this has certainly brought down my frustration level. I like my house clean and orderly and it's always been like that till now...when I have nurses, therapists delivery people...all kinds of folks in on a daily basis! thank you Steve & Shad, I love you guys!!!!
So that was our day....looking forward to relaxing in my nice clean house tonight, with all the kids:)
Thank you all for your prayers for Selah. I even pray these oils will work for her. We will try anything for her to help her heal. If they work, you will know about it LOL
Thanks for all the emails, I love hearing your stories!
Selah is happy now that she is back on her normal formula. No more upset tummy or staying up all night! She had OT today and our nurse is working with her to have her watch a DVD and wear headphones so she is more focused. She has an appointment with the cardiologist tomorrow, just to manage her meds and get a new prescription. Next week she FINALLY starts speech therapy!!!!! YEAH!
This morning I went to a class. Have you heard about Essential Oils? A few of my friends are really into them. Me? Not too sure about them.... but I am interested so I went to a class today with my friends. After the class, I tried an oil on my neck and it really seemed to help. Another friend had generously given me a small bottle of pure Frankincense. A few times I had put some on Selah, but not constantly. But today I ordered a start up kit of the Oils, not that I really think it will help, but I'm willing to try anything. My neck has felt less stiffer all day but I think the smell has given me a bit of a headache.
When I came home, I mixed the frankincense and some coconut oil in to a little roller jar and rolled some on her back and feet. The lady who did the class is coming out to show me how to do the oils in the next few days. At this point I'll try it. If it works, it won't be because I have much faith in it....to be honest. My close friend that I went with warned me I could not say the word "stupid" while in the class....so I told her my word would be "different"....instead of stupid. LOL As in "that is different" There is the funniest story that really tested me....one of the ladies told me that just the smell of one of the oils had brought a woman out of a coma. So I asked what kind/why was the woman was in the coma and she told me that the lady had had a terrible car accident. So of course I wanted to know the final outcome of the lady and the lady telling the story said "well she died the next week"..... OK....I was losing it at this point.... but then the woman explained that the lady was older and had lots of internal damage from the accident. But hey this stuff might help Selah and then they can all laugh at me for being a doubting Thomas! I'm laughing but I bought it LOL!
The boys had a BIG surprise waiting for me when I got home! They had cleaned the entire house from top to bottom. They dusted, swept, vacuumed. mopped, unloaded the dishwasher, put up the clean clothes, cleaned Selah's room.... this is not something they have ever done before! They always helped out some but never done the whole thing by themselves nor did I ask or expect them to do it! Steve even cleaned on top of the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling fans! I am very grateful to them and still shocked:) Our nurse was impressed too! He said Selah and him got kicked out for a little bit so they could clean her room without bothering her! Lately I've just been trying to do so much, and getting nothing done....I was frustrated, this has certainly brought down my frustration level. I like my house clean and orderly and it's always been like that till now...when I have nurses, therapists delivery people...all kinds of folks in on a daily basis! thank you Steve & Shad, I love you guys!!!!
So that was our day....looking forward to relaxing in my nice clean house tonight, with all the kids:)
Thank you all for your prayers for Selah. I even pray these oils will work for her. We will try anything for her to help her heal. If they work, you will know about it LOL
Thanks for all the emails, I love hearing your stories!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Shad's surgery
Poor Selah....we had a glitch in her shipment of formula. So last night she had to have the pedisure instead of the new more veggie based one. She obviously had a tummy ache all night long (she gets her feeds at night) she had awful gas and her heart rate was up. She did not sleep all night. her nurse gave her some meds, just over the counter stuff you can give babies for colic/gas, and it seemed to help. She pooped a lot today and now her tummy is back flat and thank God they finally delivered her formula today!!!! I felt so bad! So obviously she is NEVER going to get the Pedisure again! I'm so thankful her gastro doc changed her formula. Well I asked him for something so she wouldn't put on so much weight but little did we know that she didn't tolerate pedisure very good. This made it obvious!!!
Got a quick walk and breakfast in with my friend and then took Shad to the doctor. Since we adopted him, he has had issues with not being circumcised. He was not taken care of very well as a baby and he had some major problems when he came home. Our doctor, at the time, did not want to have him circumcised and since Shad was young, wanted us to really work on him, lots of warm baths and some topical meds. It seemed to help some but things were never good. Last year Shad told us he wanted to be circumcised. So I made an appointment to see an Urologist but then the accident..... as always some days were better than others for him..... Finally we got in to see the Urologist today and he took one look and said he would do it if we wanted him to. I told the doctor it was up to Shad and he explained everything to Shad. I asked if Shad didn't have the surgery and again try the topical meds, would he continue to have issues? The doctor said he thought he would...Shad said "Let's do it" The doctor loved Shad's attitude. Shad is looking forward to having it done and not have to deal with issues after he heals. He has such a good attitude as always and is thankful to have a date for the surgery....July 3rd. Please remember our sweet funny little boy in your prayers that he will not have any issues with the surgery and a quick recovery.
After the doctor's appointment we did some running around and he conned me out of THREE dvds at Sam's Club LOL! He really hardly ever asks for things and he was a mess...he kept saying I needed to buy them for him since he would have three days of resting afterwards:) I think he is going to do his best to cash in on this surgery:)
Shad is also going to get a covering for his bad eye. He was fitted last summer, the week we left for NY.....of course the doctor heard about the accident and actually left me a message right after it. So now we are rescheduling and Shad is excited about that too:) It's going to look great, just like his other eye. He does not have to have his eye removed as there is no reason to have it removed. He is beyond blind in the eye, it is basically shredded inside from whatever accident he had a young child. So this will fit onto the eye, like a giant thick contact. It is just cosmetic and we are not going to do that for Sam and Sarah as there is some pain involved. Shad is old enough to decide if it is worth it to him to be in pain for a little bit. He feels like it is worth it so we're going for it:)
I surprised my husband with a new bed today:) Our old one was 18 years old LOL. It's funny when we bought that bed, we bought it because we got a good deal on a king size after sleeping on a double for a few years.....this time, it was bought with our back/neck and shoulder problems being the main emphasis LOL! I picked out a firm one since that had seemed to help us when we have slept on a firm mattress. I'm am really hoping this will make a difference in my neck/shoulder issues!
And the best news....I've connected with Selah's sister's family:) I'm so excited to share with them what we know about the girls' shared history and to get to know them and their love for that little girl:) So thankful for a family to love and cherish her!!!!! God is so good!
So a busy day today. Tomorrow is going to be busy too.
I'm still loving all the messages and emails I've been getting! I love to know where you are from and how you found out about us. It's amazing! I'm trying to reply to every email and comment that is specifically an introduction from one of you. Believe it or not, sometimes it is hard for me to comment on my own blog! Thank you all!!!!
So now please remember Selah and now Shad in your prayers. I'm sure he will do fine, but ...... my heart is a little tender towards anything that has any slight risk at all for one of my children. We could get it done a lot quicker at a out patient center but I wanted it done at a hospital. It just feels safer....
Being a parent is a nerve wracking thing for me!!!!!
Got a quick walk and breakfast in with my friend and then took Shad to the doctor. Since we adopted him, he has had issues with not being circumcised. He was not taken care of very well as a baby and he had some major problems when he came home. Our doctor, at the time, did not want to have him circumcised and since Shad was young, wanted us to really work on him, lots of warm baths and some topical meds. It seemed to help some but things were never good. Last year Shad told us he wanted to be circumcised. So I made an appointment to see an Urologist but then the accident..... as always some days were better than others for him..... Finally we got in to see the Urologist today and he took one look and said he would do it if we wanted him to. I told the doctor it was up to Shad and he explained everything to Shad. I asked if Shad didn't have the surgery and again try the topical meds, would he continue to have issues? The doctor said he thought he would...Shad said "Let's do it" The doctor loved Shad's attitude. Shad is looking forward to having it done and not have to deal with issues after he heals. He has such a good attitude as always and is thankful to have a date for the surgery....July 3rd. Please remember our sweet funny little boy in your prayers that he will not have any issues with the surgery and a quick recovery.
After the doctor's appointment we did some running around and he conned me out of THREE dvds at Sam's Club LOL! He really hardly ever asks for things and he was a mess...he kept saying I needed to buy them for him since he would have three days of resting afterwards:) I think he is going to do his best to cash in on this surgery:)
Shad is also going to get a covering for his bad eye. He was fitted last summer, the week we left for NY.....of course the doctor heard about the accident and actually left me a message right after it. So now we are rescheduling and Shad is excited about that too:) It's going to look great, just like his other eye. He does not have to have his eye removed as there is no reason to have it removed. He is beyond blind in the eye, it is basically shredded inside from whatever accident he had a young child. So this will fit onto the eye, like a giant thick contact. It is just cosmetic and we are not going to do that for Sam and Sarah as there is some pain involved. Shad is old enough to decide if it is worth it to him to be in pain for a little bit. He feels like it is worth it so we're going for it:)
I surprised my husband with a new bed today:) Our old one was 18 years old LOL. It's funny when we bought that bed, we bought it because we got a good deal on a king size after sleeping on a double for a few years.....this time, it was bought with our back/neck and shoulder problems being the main emphasis LOL! I picked out a firm one since that had seemed to help us when we have slept on a firm mattress. I'm am really hoping this will make a difference in my neck/shoulder issues!
And the best news....I've connected with Selah's sister's family:) I'm so excited to share with them what we know about the girls' shared history and to get to know them and their love for that little girl:) So thankful for a family to love and cherish her!!!!! God is so good!
So a busy day today. Tomorrow is going to be busy too.
I'm still loving all the messages and emails I've been getting! I love to know where you are from and how you found out about us. It's amazing! I'm trying to reply to every email and comment that is specifically an introduction from one of you. Believe it or not, sometimes it is hard for me to comment on my own blog! Thank you all!!!!
So now please remember Selah and now Shad in your prayers. I'm sure he will do fine, but ...... my heart is a little tender towards anything that has any slight risk at all for one of my children. We could get it done a lot quicker at a out patient center but I wanted it done at a hospital. It just feels safer....
Being a parent is a nerve wracking thing for me!!!!!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Square Foot Garden
Another good day and night for Selah, thank you Lord! She is so much more contented and we are again able to take her off Valium, so she isn't on anything that really messes with her mind. We want her as clear as possible so she can begin to understand things more. We do that with our doc's permission! Everyone thinks it is great for her to get off every med she can, much better for her overall.
This morning on my walk, this is who we saw....
This morning on my walk, this is who we saw....
Can you believe that Mama Duck had so many babies? We tried to herd them back to the pond and she did not like that. Can't wait to see them tomorrow.
After walking in the sauna...Lord the humidity is crazy right now in Florida. My kneecaps were sweating, I kid you not! I don't' think that has ever happened to me. I then went to my favorite place Lowes...
I actually had to go to Home Depot since their wood cutter was broken. So I started at HD, then went and got my soil/cow poop and peat moss from Lowes. I like their "Jungle Growth" the best for my square foot gardens. We are making 3 more square foot gardens:) ( I have 13 but need more space) Don't ever think that gardening is cheap or that you will save money on a garden, you will NOT but it is great exercise, a good skill to have and you can get some good veggies that way. I actually started liking squash because I ate some that I grew! got home and weeded three of my 13 gardens and Shad did four of them for me. Tomorrow we will do the SFGs, I need more cardboard boxes and screws for the wood.
To make a Square Foot Garden
buy two pieces of UNTREATED wood ( no it won't last forever but you do NOT want those chemicals on your veggies!) 2 x 6x 8 then have your garden store cut the wood in half ( I have a few that are 10 inches deep instead of 6 for my potatoes.)
at least 8 LONG screws
3 bags of vegetable compost/potting soil (make sure it is for VEGGIES)
1 bag of cow poo
1 bag of peat moss ( you don't really need a bag if you are only doing one SFG)
lots of cardboard and newspapers
THEN
screw the wood together and make a 4x4 box
line it with cardboard completely...and then newspaper and wet the whole thing
(it kills the weeds and makes a big difference
mix the 3 bags of potting soil
cow poo
and some of the peat moss
(my fav part- really it is fun- use gloves)
Some folks actually put rope or something across the wood to make grids. I used to but don't even bother now
Plant your veggies...and water:)
then you can have this:)
I line the walkways between the boxes with a plastic and then I put wood chips on top it keeps things neater:) I'll take pictures after we are done, I also bought a PINK Plastic Flamingo I always wanted one and now I am satisfied:)
I LOVE gardening because it keeps me from paperwork LOL Today I actually made myself organize ALL my paperwork that I need to do something with and things are either filed, taken care of, thrown away or put in a TO DO folder....I've just been paralyzed trying to even think about doing any of it. It is overwhelming. And in some weird way it kept from doing other things. I couldn't focus on even house work or anything cause of the dreaded BOX! I even bought a pretty box but I HATE it! LOL I thought buying the box would help me to organize. I even am going to pay someone to clean my house, because I just can't do everything right now. I feel like if I can get on top of things, then I'll be able to stay organized....I don't' know ....I miss the old Yvonne very much and wish this new one with the attention span of a gnat would go away! I literally can be doing one thing, get stopped, have to do something else and never even think about the first thing....that is NOT me!
This afternoon I spoke with the agency/ministry that is handling Shiloh's adoption and they are passing our info to her family!!! Every time the phone rings, I hope it is them:) but even if we don't hear from them, my heart is very satisfied that she has a family! I'm thankful to God for them!
I am LOVING all the emails and comments I'm getting from you guys. I feel very encouraged and cared for:) Years ago I followed a little guy named Dax on Caringbridge.. When he passed away, I thought my heart would break. I loved his mama (and still do even tho we've never had any communication) Every day I'd look for her posts, with my fingers crossed, hoping he was better.... so I understand how it is to feel close to someone. I appreciate each of you, from so many different states and countries who care about us and our Selah! It really does mean something to me, each encouragement, helps me. My life is not some movie star type of life LOL, you'd probably freak out if you saw me today all hot and sweaty in my workout clothes and my hair pulled back, no shower LOL I yell at my boys (sometimes-not too much but we have our times) I fuss with my husband sometimes (no yelling) my little ones don't get baths every day....I live in a small little house, out in the country, our church is small and certainly NOT a "hip" church" I'm pretty real:) I'm not a perfect Christian, my mouth and fingers (typing) get me in trouble..... I don't fit in with too many people. I seem to make people uncomfortable for some reason:) It might be cause I have a "habit of saying what everyone else was just thinking" I do NOT fit the mold of a Pastor's Wife at all.... some people think I'm too judgmental, others think I'm too liberal.... I HOPE I'm right in the middle, balanced....
But I just don't want you to think that I'm some super mom, or super spiritual person....I'm just a very flawed girl who serves a Sweet Savior. Don't think you can't have faith like me, God can help you in everyday life and those days when your world is turned upside down..... He is the one who gives me the strength, all I do is give my life to Him, pretty good exchange for me! I try to lay my life down daily and take up my cross and follow Him. I lay it down by laying down my wants and desires. My focus is not on this world that is passing away...My focus is on eternity and the things that matter for eternity. Oh please know I have to remind myself of those eternal things often! When I start yearning for material things, I tell myself, not to hold on to things of this world. There is nothing wrong with having things...just don't' let the things have you! BUT my struggle is more with anger, impatience, sometimes I think I may have "righteous anger" but still it is anger. I can be very sarcastic...and believe me, I try and keep most of my thoughts in my head! Thank God no one can really read my mind at times LOL
Anyhow I just want you guys to know, God is no respecter of persons! He can be real in your life too if He isn't already. That doesn't mean you'll be come some perfect person, but you will change:) I can promise you if I didn't serve the Lord and try and "crucify the flesh" I'd be a out right MESS! LOL Just think Madea.....(if you know the movies of Madea/Tyler Perry) she is a big black woman who "doesn't suffer fools" I LOVE her character in his movies:) I always say I want to meet her in real life and my son gently tells me "Mom, Madea is not real....that is Tyler Perry dressed as a woman" LOL but I think she is real:)
Love you all, have a good night and thank you for every prayer you have prayed for us!!!!!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Amazing News....
My blog was posted all over the place, by people sharing about Shiloh.......well I got a message on FB that she has a family coming for her!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seems she was hosted by an American family sometime last year and they are working on adopting her! the country the girls are from does allow "hosting programs" that are wonderful for the children and young teens, many kids end up being adopted through that program!
So one of the volunteers working with the hosting program, contacted me and we made sure it was the same girl. They have a beautiful picture of her that looks so much happier than the ones I have! Tomorrow the director will be told about us and he or she will give our info to the adopting family. We are just hoping and praying that they will chose to contact us. I have no idea where they are in the process of adoption or if they are fully funded but I hope to help if they need any help. As you can imagine I am on pins and needles hoping they will contact us! But even if they chose not to, I am so very very happy that this little girl will soon have a family! but at this point I feel like a stalker lol I really hope to hear from the family!
When we adopted Selah, I had decided I wanted to do something for Shiloh, I felt we had a responsibility as her sister's family to help her out although all ties were legally cut. But we were busy over the summer......then the accident...... Every time I thought of Shiloh, I felt very guilty. I thought we were her "only" hope and here we were doing nothing......BUT GOD had other servants who were busy about the kingdom's business! It's a blessing to know someone, many someones were working on the behalf of this small girl! He had a ministry I'd never heard of, that was working actively to find this child a family! How good our God is!!!!
I've just been in AWE all day long, fighting happy tears, looking at her new picture, seeing Selah in her face even more so..... Thank you God for putting the lonely in families.....Thank you for watching over this little girl that we felt so much responsibility for...and who we couldn't help.
My life...this journey....it's wilder than anything you could ever make up! Who would have dreamed last night, I'd wake up to this today!!!!! God is good!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selah continues to do good thank God:) She has a busy week ahead, all kinds of appointments. Thank you all for your prayers and emails....I LOVE all the emails and comments I'm getting! I really do want to hear where you are from and how you started following our story. I've gotten some amazing personal stories....I feel blessed to have folks share with me!
So one of the volunteers working with the hosting program, contacted me and we made sure it was the same girl. They have a beautiful picture of her that looks so much happier than the ones I have! Tomorrow the director will be told about us and he or she will give our info to the adopting family. We are just hoping and praying that they will chose to contact us. I have no idea where they are in the process of adoption or if they are fully funded but I hope to help if they need any help. As you can imagine I am on pins and needles hoping they will contact us! But even if they chose not to, I am so very very happy that this little girl will soon have a family! but at this point I feel like a stalker lol I really hope to hear from the family!
When we adopted Selah, I had decided I wanted to do something for Shiloh, I felt we had a responsibility as her sister's family to help her out although all ties were legally cut. But we were busy over the summer......then the accident...... Every time I thought of Shiloh, I felt very guilty. I thought we were her "only" hope and here we were doing nothing......BUT GOD had other servants who were busy about the kingdom's business! It's a blessing to know someone, many someones were working on the behalf of this small girl! He had a ministry I'd never heard of, that was working actively to find this child a family! How good our God is!!!!
I've just been in AWE all day long, fighting happy tears, looking at her new picture, seeing Selah in her face even more so..... Thank you God for putting the lonely in families.....Thank you for watching over this little girl that we felt so much responsibility for...and who we couldn't help.
My life...this journey....it's wilder than anything you could ever make up! Who would have dreamed last night, I'd wake up to this today!!!!! God is good!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shad just got some new clothes as he is getting so tall. I took some pictures of him modeling. He told me that you all like his smile:) He is a HAM!!!!!
he is standing by "elephant ears"
Selah continues to do good thank God:) She has a busy week ahead, all kinds of appointments. Thank you all for your prayers and emails....I LOVE all the emails and comments I'm getting! I really do want to hear where you are from and how you started following our story. I've gotten some amazing personal stories....I feel blessed to have folks share with me!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Shiloh- Introducing Selah's biological sister!
My Big Surprise for you!
Shiloh!
Let me introduce to you Shiloh (not her real name) She is Selah's older sister. Shiloh currently lives in the same country that Selah is from. She is in a "boarding school" for children with some type of special need. It is more like a regular orphanage. She does not have a diagnosis and her delays might just be from being removed from her home and placed in an orphanage at a young age. She would have been about 5 years old when the removal happened. She is now 11 years old.
Her face haunts me, she resembles Selah so much.
We are blessed to be able to get the info on her and to be able to let you know about her. I want to see her get adopted. She has no hope without a family. When she ages out, she will either be put out on the street, where 90% of girls turn to prostitution or if her delays are more severe she might be sent to an institution. Either way, her life is hopeless without a family.
Please pray for her, share my blog, share about her, and give towards her adoption fund. Grace Haven Ministries so graciously agreed to start a fund for her. This month she will be my orphan emphasis and she will remain on my blog page until she is adopted. Since she is our daughter's biological sister, it means a lot to us to see she has a family.
You can give in one of two ways, just like last month. You can give directly to Grace Haven by sending a check to them at:
PO Box
Rogers AR
72757
or pay on line at:
just write in FOR: Shiloh - Selah's Sister
they will have her picture up soon but you can already give towards her, just designate it!
Or you can mail a check to our church
Grace Church
7060 Berry Road
Zephyrhills FL 33540
attn: Orphan Ministry
and I will mail one big check at the end of June to GH. I'm committing to $200 for Shiloh! I have someone else who has committed to $200 so we are already at $400 for her! I LOVE opening envelopes with checks in them:)
Either way is tax deductible for you
Please give! She needs a family!!!
If you are interested in knowing more about her, you can contact me at theclanton5@aol.com we don't have a lot of info but I can tell you how to get started on your adoption and let you know the qualifications for their country and the process and I can pass on your info to someone who can help you more.
We want to see her in a family!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the month of May we raised $820 for Sally/Patricia THANK YOU!!!!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last night we didn't have a nurse but Selah slept till 6am:) To be honest, I was very worried, the last time we didn't have a night nurse, I was up 3 days and nights straight. So right when the nurse left, her alarm went off....we thought "on no here we go" but it was just messed up LOL
I'm so very thankful for these antibodics she is on! They have finally made the difference for her. What a relief to her and to us!
Today I had planned on doing two new square box gardens but we went to Lowes and their wood cutting machine was not working so I couldn't do the gardens because the wood has to be cut in half. I hope to do it next weekend. I have potatoes ready to be planted. Such a pain!
Thank you all for your emails and your comments. I truly have enjoyed reading & commenting with all of you!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)