What would Yvonne Do?

WWYD?  What would Yvonne do?


Today I got a thought provoking email from a reader.  She has a child involved in a homosexual relationship, she loves her adult child and yet she also believes God's word....she wanted to know what we would do if were in that situation....

My answer is we would LOVE our child with our whole heart.  Children will make decisions that parents don't agree with in their lives.  We would treat our child with respect but we would also firmly hold to God's word.  Since I don't think homosexuality is worse than any other sin, I'd do the same thing I would if it were anything else that I felt went against God's word.  If one of the kids were living with a member of the opposite sex without being married, or if  they were living a promiscuous lifestyle being with one partner after another.... I would still love them but I'd tell them what they were doing was a sin and NOT good for them. 

I believe God knows what is best for us that is why in His Word he gives us guidelines on how to live our lives sexually and in all other ways.  So we are talking about SEXUAL sins here but SIN IS SIN...the bible talks about other things as being sin also.   Many other things...... not just sexual sins but obviously sexual sins must be the most interesting ones to GQ magazine since they wanted clarification on that !    REMEMBER Phil Robertson did NOT bring this up, he was ASKED what his views were......



So if you are wondering, I have friends who are practicing homosexuals, and some who struggle with that sin but who do not give in to it.  I have some friends who live together without being married and a few that are in a promiscuous lifestyle.  I can love them, be friends with them and IF the conversation goes that way, I share what the bible says NOT what Yvonne says....  people know if you love them.  I can love someone regardless of where they are spiritually.   I don't sugar coat what I feel is truth but I also don't beat anyone over the head with the Bible!

I'm NOT perfect and I have done some things that the Bible tells us NOT to do.....the difference???   When I was doing those things I did NOT try to justify that I was OK with God!   And no I am NOT going to tell you what I'm talking about LOL!   But I can promise you I knew I was in sin!   I have some people confront me about some things I was doing at one time in my life and I don't like that they confronted me because I felt like they were judging whether or not to still be my friend.  I felt like they didn't love me because I was doing things against what the Bible teaches.....  I knew I was in sin but didn't really care at the time.  BUT what I remember from their conversations were that the other people just wanted to "fix me" not love me.   And I don't want to do that to anyone else.  I don't want a family member or a friend to feel like they don't measure up enough to be my friend or to be loved by me just because of what they are doing. 

So I determined I would love people NO MATTER what they were doing in their lives.   That doesn't mean that what they are doing is right, but I still love them.  And I LIKE them and I'm still friends with them.  I have a good friend who is in a relationship that is sinful, and I tell this friend that occasionally when we get into that type of discussion BUT our friendship is our friendship and it's not based on what this person does or doesn't do.....   This friend knows where I stand on the situation and that I base my opinion on God's word that doesn't change. 


In practical ways, if one of my kids were in a homosexual or sinful heterosexual relationship, I'd love them, I'd have them in our home BUT they wouldn't be sharing a bedroom in my house!   I would not support their relationship in any way  financially.  But I'd still love them.  They would know I was not "picking on them"  They know me and what I believe so they wouldn't be surprised if I didn't throw them a "coming out party" or if I refrained from going to one.....  We wouldn't beat them over the head with a bible and I'd probably cry about it, a lot.....but I'd love them with everything in me!  And I'd pray that God would change their hearts.

The one reason that people  who believe God's word is THE truth fight against homosexuality and the agenda of the homosexuals, is that the homosexuals are trying to  REDEFINE  marriage and change society.  Down through history marriage has been between a man and a woman, in all societies, in all walks of life.  Certainly the bible supports traditional marriage and almost every culture has also.   So it is one thing to accept a friend who is doing things contrary to God's word.  It is another thing to just let society be changed.  I will always vote, sign petitions and support traditional marriage BUT just because I'm not for same sex marriage or the redefinition of marriage doesn't mean I hate anyone!  And I think I speak for most Christians when I say this!

So if you read this and you think I hate people because of what they do "in the bedroom" you are WRONG!   Frankly I don't want to know what you do in the bedroom or anywhere else whether you are married or not!  LOL  I see WAY too much stuff on FB between married folks sometimes!  I don't want to know.....TMI!  

BUT if you ask me what do I believe....I will tell you.  And sometimes I might tell you if you don't ask me.... 

And Here's to you Mr Robertson.....

Well Phil Robertson angered the Homosexual community because he answered a question posed to him by GQ magazine about his religious beliefs and about sin, saying, “start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.” Then, the GQ writer paraphrases Corinthians saying, “don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers — they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”    You can read more here....   http://tv.yahoo.com/news/duck-dynasty-e-suspends-phil-robertson-following-gay-003417098.html  

I agree with Phil.  Not because I hate homosexuals, but because the bible says it is sin.  There is nothing anyone can ever tell me that would change my mind.   I've read that 45% of Americans agree that homosexuality is a sin.  Glad that they acknowledge it, but it would not matter to me is 0% of Americans believed it was a sin, I still would because my beliefs are NOT based on popular mainstream idea that can change.  It's based on the word of God that doesn't change.  I also think all the other sins mentioned there in the bible are still sin whether the rest of the world believes that or not.  I don't' believe they are sin because I am so perfect.....but because God is perfect and He stated in the bible that they are sins. 


 Phil Robertson has issues a statement saying  “I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together.
“However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”

So now he is suspended by A&E for his personal views....

So you take this guy and his family, put them on tv, they become the top rated cable show....because of their beliefs and their family values and the fact they are funny as can be.....and then you ask him a question and he answers it based on his belief system....and you freak.....  Really is anyone surprised he answered like this?  I'm proud that he had the backbone to say what he believed. 

There is also a small attack going on about his views on race....  In the same interview he was asked about growing up in the South during segregation....and he responded by saying, “I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. We’re going across the field…. They’re singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word!… Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”  

So he answered about HIS experience of growing up in the south and now the NAACP is jumping all over this....

Well jump on this NAACP, I'm not as old but I grew up in the 60's & 70's in a very small southern town and I never saw with my eyes the mistreatment of any black person.   Now I'm not saying things didn't happen, I'm not stupid but I never saw it.  How can someone argue or get angry about another person's experience???  I did see ONE KKK parade in downtown Perry BUT no one wanted them there, there was NO support for the KKK and the few people who were watching the parade actually made fun of the KKK.  I happened to be down town when it happened.  So I did see some idiots under white sheets but if anything they were laughed at. I was maybe 10 years old and I was very scared by having the KKK in our town.  If I remember correctly they were from another town and were trying to get some new members.  From what I saw, they were not successful but it was frightening to have them there. I've heard the "N" word used by people, both blacks and whites and some Hispanics ( I worked with the migrants picking peaches to earn money for college) but I don't classify that as mistreatment, just people running their mouths.    So hello to the rest of the country, just because we lived in the South doesn't mean we saw blacks hung from trees or beaten.  Things like that were awful but it's not like it was commonplace, every day behavior that anyone who lived in the South, during that time,  were used to seeing! 

BTW, one of Phil's beloved grandsons is of black ancestry..... he was adopted into their family.  Any of the NAACP have any adopted white children or grandchildren????  I doubt it!

I'm proud of Phil Robertson for stating his beliefs and not being afraid of the backlash.  He knew when he answered the questions that he was NOT being politically correct BUT he didn't stop from saying the truth of what he believes!

In this day and age, we hear and see all kinds of silly filth on tv.  Miley Cyrus performed lewd acts on tv, yet I don't see anyone suspending her.  We hear all kinds of foolish talking and no one has a problem with it.  But let someone say something that the Bible says, then everyone is up in arms about it! 

In America we have free speech UNLESS you say something that the liberals don't' agree with!  It would be funny if it wasn't so sick.  In America, crucifixes in bottles of urine are free speech.  Nasty language is free speech,  young women groping themselves on tv is free speech....but if you say anything that doesn't agree with the left liberals then all of a sudden you are a HATER.   I wonder why they don't' call themselves haters as they hate everything that is not what they believe.

Me personally, I can like someone  it doesn't matter to me if they are straight or gay or eunuchs or whatever....  they might be married, single or living with someone....I can be friends with them BUT that doesn't mean I think they are going to heaven!  Most Christians, real Christians base their values on the Word of God.  The Bible tells us how to live our lives to be pleasing to God.  And I think it is more than just being pleasing to God, I believe God knows what is best for us, as individuals and as a society.   I don't have to hate someone that lives different from the bible and I don't hate them.  One thing I do HATE is when anyone tries to force me to call good evil and evil good.  I'm not going to sit and agree with someone that everything is ok and everything is pure and everyone is can just live however they want to live and still go to heaven.  I do think we should have moral standards.  But just because Phil Robertson or I or anyone else believes something is wrong, doesn't make us haters. 

I think American society is in the middle of a fight.  There are many people who would agree with Robertson, probably the majority of the country to be honest but we are usually a quieter majority.  I think this situation will wake up people even more than the Chik Fil A remarks back in 2012 where the owner of CFA was asked if he thought homosexuality was a sin and he answered YES.  The general public supported CFA so incredibly.... and still do.  The same thing will happen this time.  The support is there for the Robertson.  I hope they lovingly will stand their ground.

And for the gay community, most Christians do not hate you.  (yeah there are some odd folks out there who call themselves Christians but they'd probably hate me too)  Yes we believe based on the bible, that homosexuality is a sin.  But homosexuality is no worse of a sin than any other sin.  However we do not want you to try and force us to accept your values and we understand we can't expect to force you to accept our values either.  In this day and age, the Christian community is being forced to accept homosexuality as a "norm" and we won't do that!  That is where the great divide is.....

So here's to you Mr Robertson!  Stand your ground, state the truth in love and God will continue to bless you and your family! 

Another School Meeting and a big milestone

Another busy day:)

We had another IEP meeting for all three little ones....things have taken so long to get into place for them.  I'm frustrated with the whole process and shared my frustration today (why are you shocked?)  But I do feel mostly good about the team in place.  Sam was scheduled for an evaluation for speech with the Speech Therapist with the "wonderful" people skills (said with much sarcasm) but I asked for another evaluator.  I look at my situation like this.....I absolutely refuse to deal with someone who is grumpy up in my house.....Now they can be grumpy till the cows come home somewhere else but I don't have to have it in MY home!  And I won't have it in my home.  We deal with so many people in and out of our home everyday that I have totally decided I won't have someone, whether it is someone from the nursing agency or elsewhere that doesn't treat me with respect or is grumpy, in my home!   I'm not into 'negative spirits" or anything like that...LOL  I don't' give someone like that that much power BUT I'm not going to deal with it either!

One thing I laughed about today was a statement from one of the school board personnel, she said "Mrs Clanton loves whoever loves her kids!"  And that is true, if you love my little ones (or big ones) I'll probably love you too:)  

One thing I, along  with MOST special needs moms would want EVERY single teacher, therapist, evaluator, "professional" , medical personnel etc to know is ....WE LIVE THIS LIFE!    We know our kids....You, Mr/Mrs Professional went to school, work with kids....BUT we live it!   Today someone was sharing some goals that I thought were just a bit goofy for our situation and I reminded them "this is NOT my first rodeo"  I've been LIVING with a blind child for almost 10 years now.  I'm a little beyond the basics.....believe me I could teach the class on how to live and deal with a blind child.  There was a time when I didn't know WHAT to do but thankfully I had the Division of Blind Services and their children's program, Lighthouse for the Blind   to instruct me as a mom. With Blind Services and Lighthouse, MANY of the people I deal/dealt with have vision issues themselves.  Some are completely blind so Blind services and Lighthouse  come at things in a WHOLE different way!   It's so much better....100 times better because I'm learning from people who have lived it and have a degree too but they know it from having lived with that particular disability for years.  And the staff that are not visually impaired tend to be much more easy to relate to because of the staff around them.  They learn by DOING not just in a classroom.    Plus over a decade, you pick up a few things on your own LOL!   That attitude just kills me! 

All I can say after the meeting is I'm glad I know a few people that have worked with and are still working with my little ones who are in it to see change and don't really give a rat's behind about all the rhetoric and "correct wording".  They are ALL about the kid and how to work with that kid, they don't try to work with Sarah like they work with Sam or like they worked with another child.....they look at the child and focus on the child in front of them.  And they listen to my input.  I don't know but I do live with the child.   I found myself rolling my eyes a few times today to say the least....  I forget what was said in all the conversation but something was said about Sarah and how she pushes on her eye, waves her hands in front of her eye and even sometimes softly hits her head near the eye.  These are all "blindisms" and most blind kids do some of those, even if the child is perfectly fine mentally.  Anyhow someone remarked about Sarah doing it (and she was right then cause she was a bit tired of everyone) and I remarked "You should have seen her a year and a half ago when we got her home"  Heck she has come so very far WITHOUT any help from the school board at all, so it cracks me up when they begin talking all concerned....I want to say "well where the heck were you all, all those months ago??"   We are dealing with and working with Sarah and boy is she responding in an amazing way!   So yeah, I'm still dealing with a bit of an attitude you think?

So after we finished that fun experience I took the kids to eat at our favorite restaurant  "Sunrise"  then on to the DMW...the Division of Motor Vehicles so Steve could get his driver's license rather than the permit he had......  He took the driving test last week in Driver's Ed but today was the first day we could go and get the license....  Then down the street to our insurance agent Baldy Boyd  (isn't' that a funny name) to find out how bad it will be.....it's not too bad to add him to our insurance.  In Florida we only have to add a child after they get the full license not just the permit.  Steve is so proud that he has "safe driver" which cracks me up since he has only been driving a few months!  But he has the real deal now and can drive by himself (not going to happen yet!)   But he is really a good driver.  We've been pleased with how he handles himself and the car.   It's just scary for us.  We'd like him to have more experience driving before he takes off on his own.  I actually would like him to have about 20 years of driving experience before he takes off on his own LOL 

I don't want to be a negative person or someone who always expects the worse.  I battle that daily...sometimes hourly.... because I've had the worse happen.... having a very traumatic childhood,  Jon's mom was killed in a car accident right after we were married....having lost the twins, having a child born with so many special needs, then the accident..... I tend to expect the WORSE instead of thinking things will be ok.   So it scares the crap out of me to have a son who is driving.  I just pray that he stays safe.  I really don't worry so much about HIS driving but I worry about the other drivers not driving good and him just  not having the skills to avoid an accident.  So  does anyone have a nice underground bunker for sale???  LOL

I don't' know if you can tell but Steve has lost 15 pounds (and that was more than a week ago)  he has changed his diet and is jogging every day!  He is getting back to his triathlon  shape if not better! He actually runs much more than he did when he was in training.  Back then he didn't run every day like now and most days he uses weights.  Then he exercises for about 30 minutes and does sit ups etc.....  He almost never drinks soda now!  That is a miracle! 

Thanks for praying for my dear friend's grand daughter.  Sabrina did take more by mouth today!  I've not got a big update, we were both running today but hope to hear soon.  Please keep praying for this beautiful little girl! 

Selah did not want to stand in the stander today.  She actually got a little teary.  Most days she stands up for about an hour.  It helps her bone mass and growth.  Hoping it was just an off day for her and that nothing is going on.  Otherwise she seems fine.  Thank you for all your prayers for Selah! 

Baby Sabrina

Jean my close friend's granddaughter was just born last week.  She is the first grandchild on both sides of the family.  Her parents planned for her birth, perfect pregnancy, not a worry about anything.....and then at her birth, she had problems.  Now there are many unknowns.....  Please Please pray for my dear friend, her daughter and granddaughter and the rest of the family.  This is a hard situation.  We are all praying that Sabrina's brain will heal and she will be spared any life long disabilities!     If any of you have been in a similar situation, and have valid suggestions or could give them any idea of what questions for them to ask, please email them to me at theclanton5@aol.com.  They don't want to leave any stone unturned!   I've been in somewhat similar situations but not quite the same.....   My heart is broken for this little family....Sabrina's parents are the kind of young people that did everything right...finished college, got career jobs, got married, bought a home, started a family....the kind of parents that worried about what kind of crib and car seat to buy in order to keep their new little one safe....the mom went to all her doctor's appointments, did everything asked of her.....  This situation just is so hard to fathom.....

My friend wrote this out for me to share with you all

Sabrina Lorita
Born Thursday, Dec. 12 @ 9:12pm
Labor was induced at 7:30am; water was broken. There was a large amount of Meconium present in the fluid.
At 6:30pm dilation was 10 cm & the pushing began.
At birth, Sabrina was blue; not breathing. They worked on her quickly & got her breathing & "pinking up." Her APGAR score was only a 2 at the one minute mark. However, at the five minute mark, Sabrina's score was 9! We were told she was fine & just needed to cry more to finish clearing her lungs.
Sabrina was allowed to have "skin to skin" with Mom & was held by Dad & MawMaw. I noticed Sabrina making bubbles & having labored breathing. I told nurse Sabrina sounded like she was wheezing & was listless. The nurse just told us to pat her back & make her cry to continue to clear the lungs.
Finally, about 45 minutes after birth, a nurse from the nursery came to check Sabrina's vitals. She asked to take the baby to the nursery to do the tests, as we were moving to a regular room & Sabrina's blood sugar could be low, due to the labored breathing.
Later, we were told Sabrina was being transferred to the NICU, so they could start an IV to raise her blood sugar.
Laura & Matt visited Sabrina in the NICU overnight & were not told of any problems. However, the next morning they were able to meet with the doctor & he advised that Sabrina was having Apnea & Seizures. We were shocked! We had no answers as to why this was going on!
Later, Sabrina was placed on a ventilator to help with breathing. She also began Phenobarbital to help control seizures. They had no idea why she was having these issues & began testing for everything! They did a spinal tap & drew lots of blood to check for infections, viruses, & metabolic issues. An EEG was done while I was there. I witnessed some of the seizure like activity (rapid eye movement & shaking hand). After the EEG was completed, the nurse (Tammy) showed Laura & I a large red swollen area along the right side/back area of Sabrina's head. Tammy asked if a vacuum or forceps were used in delivery; Laura advised they were not used. I asked about getting a CT Scan & MRI of the brain ASAP! They advised that she would have the CT scan later, but since she was on a ventilator, they would have to wait to do a MRI.
No additional testing was done Friday. Later, Sabrina was removed from the ventilator. Laura was told that Sabrina would have an ultrasound of the head first thing Saturday morning & a CT scan in the afternoon. She was also told that an MRI would have to wait until Monday, as the staff wouldn't be available until then.
Later Saturday morning, the Pediatric neurologist met with the family. He witnessed the seizure like activity, Laura showed him the large bruise on Sabrina's head, & immediately stated he wanted an MRI right away.
Saturday afternoon we received the MRI results from the Neonatologist. He advised that Sabrina either had a stroke or a hemorrhage, as they see evidence of brain damage on the MRI.
Around 6pm, Laura was discharged from the hospital.
Sabrina's seizures were under control & she rested well all day Sunday. No additional testing was done.
By Monday morning, Sabrina had been seizure free for over 24 hrs! Laura got to feed her for the first time. Sabrina was able to drink 4 ml from a bottle. She must be able to take a full bottle for all feedings over 24 hrs, before they can remove the feeding tube. We are hopeful that will improve quickly! Her kidneys are improving daily; almost functioning normally. The Pediatric neurologist has still not returned to discuss the official diagnoses!
Monday afternoon (4pm) we all met with the Neonatologist. He advised of specific areas of the brain effected: front of brain has evidence of an old bleed & a new bleed; lateral sides show areas of Asphyxia. He stated that the focus now is to get Sabrina's gag & sucking reflexes to improve, so she can eat orally & have feeding tube removed. I advised doctor of family history of Protein C and protein S deficiency (clotting problems).
Tuesday morning, the Pediatric neurologist & Neonatologist meet with the family. They agreed to call in a Hematologist to address a possible blood clotting issue. Although they feel Sabrina's damage is most likely a result of Trauma (labor/delivery), they need to rule out a clotting issue, as the damage could continue if due to clotting problem.


Thank you so much for prayers for this dear family....


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Sarah's PT gave her a candy cane today....her first one, pure JOY!   She was all about it and very serious.  She sucked it down to a little point and bit it but then that made her gag.  But I love that she bit on it.  She is getting there,  I may not have to blend her soups much longer.  I am blending things less and less and she is doing ok most of the time.  If she gets too much she'll gag.  Love my girl and love how she is doing new things!!

 

 

 

 

Learning to Trust

Last night Sarah woke up screaming.  And when she screams, she can take the paint off of walls!  Thankfully this only has happened about 4 or 5 times since we have had her.   She was wet and we could not calm her down.  She got the hiccupping type of sobs going on.  I finally got her changed and Jon sat up with her for a few minutes in a chair since she was too upset to lay back down.  Then he brought her to me and the magic began.  At first she would only sit by me ( I was in bed) but she gradually sighed, then laid down next to me and took my hand, then she flung her leg over mine....BLISS!!!!!!!!    We slept together all night:) 

This is important because it is a real bonding time.  Sarah has always had a bond with us, since before she left the orphanage.  But she has some walls up.  Some of the walls are typical of a blind child with learning disabilities but others were walls we are sure that went up because of the lack of care she had received all her life.  Since we've had her, she's allowed us to comfort her when needed during the day but at night, it was much harder.  She's only woke up a few times like this but they were bad when she did!  It seems at night she is even more distrustful than during the day.  The times I've gotten her to calm down and go to sleep, she never could cuddle up against me very much and she'd constantly be moving.  Last night was a dream, how she cuddled up and didn't move from my side.   It was worth her sweaty little head being on my arm and her leg wrapped around mine....it was worth not being able to move all night:)

Recently we've been told more of the girls' experience in the adult mental institution they lived in.   Let me just tell you, they lived in hell.....much abuse.  One child that is able to share stories, told of my daughter being beat and being swung by her ankles.  All the children were beat if they pooped or wet themselves.  Some of the ones who had understanding, were told just to die and almost smothered to death....it was HELL, no other way to describe it. 

So knowing where my children came from and the things that happened to them, makes me appreciate and love them even more.  And it makes me never take for granted the trust they show in us. 

Today Sarah has wanted me all day.  She had a busy day with Physical Therapy and then Vision Therapy and then Occupational Therapy by lunch time.  After lunch she had an evaluation for Occupational Therapy through the school system  (the OT she gets now is through our insurance)  She is just warming up to the Vision teacher so she was not ready for anyone else new and didn't cooperate.  I remember when she was first evaluated by the school system back in May, the evaluator noted that she was friendly with everyone (some thing that many adopted children do) and that she didn't differentiate between me or others.  I didn't' agree with him then but now one of the same evaluators came back and really saw the difference!  Sarah is totally a mama's girl now.    Now I have to show her it's ok to be with someone else.  I LOVE that!!!!!  Ok it makes things harder but I LOVE that she wants me or Daddy above anyone else:)  How lucky are we??????

I know some folks might not understand or they may just think I'm romanticizing being the mother of an adopted special needs child but sometimes when I look at my funny little one, my heart just wants to burst out of my chest because I love her and am so proud that she is my daughter!   I don't have the words for how I feel but I am beyond blessed by having this precious girl in my life.  I'm so thankful that she somehow has kept her little heart open to love despite all she has gone through. 

When I look at Selah, and now as I've learned all she went through before we came and got her, I KNOW in spite of the accident, she is better off.  I've read things someone wrote about me on a blog and how they said if Selah had just been left in the mental institution at least she would still be the same child and be able to walk....and to be honest, I struggled with that thought myself.....UNTIL these new revelations have come out.   Now I KNOW that Selah is so much better off in spite of the injuries from the accident.  She is taken care of, every need met, usually before she even realizes she has a need.  She has 24 hour care by kind nurses who anticipate her every need.   When I hear how she was treated in the institution, it just makes me sick.  She was kept in a smaller than travel size crib and was barely able to walk at 7 years old.  That is abuse just in that....but that was not all of it.....NOW we know why she wouldn't use the bathroom for days on end before the accident....and would hide when she'd soiled herself.....NOW I know why she was so nervous all the time and had gone off into herself.  I know so much of the suffering she has gone through and all I can say is I am so thankful she will never be treated like that again.    She was beat, she was starved, she went with out liquid and food in order to keep them from going to the bathroom.....   One thing we all have noticed about Selah is that when she needs to be changed now, she makes a noise in her trach. And will continue making that noise till someone comes to her.  Then she gets quiet and if her heart rate is up, it goes right down.  She knows she is going to be cared for by people who love her.  I'm thankful she has hardly any fear now.  The nurses now think maybe she consciously tries to hold in her poop still.  But as time goes by, she will learn that we clap when she is able to go to the bathroom and tell her what a good girl she is.....she doesn't get beat for that anymore!

I'm so glad we are the ones God allowed to go and get our girls, and Shad also.   Adoption is one of the most beautiful things to be a part of.....

So tonight, pray that God will work miracles for other little orphans......You know we are still raising money for Angela and Timothy.  I've received $453 for them so far.....   There have been issues in putting up both children on a site but that is still being worked on.  I am praying that God will help me raise $10,000 for each child to help with the expenses of their adoptions..... I KNOW that Angela has gone through abuse as a lonely orphan because she was where our girls were.....Timothy has had an easier time but he has no future outside of being adopted.   Please pray and ask God if there is some way you can help these children....

 

Angela and me

 

 

Timothy

 

If you'd like to give to them, I have a fund set up in our church that will be split between them.  I am waiting for each of them to be sponsored by a ministry.   If you'd like to give, send a check to Grace Church, 7060 Berry Road, Zephyrhills Fl 33540

 

If you'd like to adopt either of them, email me and I can give you some info and directions.....

 

Please pray for them!!

 

 

New Christmas pictures

Well you can't say I didn't try!   I try so hard for the perfect picture.....I kept the smile going.....Sam was TICKED off cause he was ready to go eat, Sarah was busy doing her hand signals to Ukraine, Selah wouldn't look as soon as the camera came out ....BUT I kept smiling!!!!!  ONE DAY I will get the picture I want!!!   LOL

Took some pictures of the inside of our church this morning first when I THOUGHT I had time to relax and enjoy a Sunday. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well this is a true story.....got up at 6 :30 AM, the church was already cleaned and everyone's clothes were ironed and set out. THANKFULLY! Got to church and SURPRISE I was asked to sing (LOL ONLY because I know the tunes of the old songs) THEN found out our video/computer guy who will remain unnamed had everything done on PowerPoint.....everything for LAST week that is! (was he just not paying attention???) Redid it all in about 5 minutes, somehow AS people were waiting for the service to begin...... Got up to sing and Sam threw a high pitch screaming fit.....grabbed him up and he joined us on stage..... this couldn't have happened on a Sunday when no one was there could it? Nope church was  full!  Good thing we believe in Grace!!!!!

 

 

Trying to get in place for the family pictures.....

 

 

 

 

 

Sam was ticked!

 

 

 

 

Sam is yelling, Jon is grumpy BUT I'm still SMILING!  LOL

 

 

 

 

 

I think about this time Jon was singing under his breath, being quite sarcastic....

I'm still smiling! he has his "fake' smile on

 

 

 

 

this was the best!

notice everyone matched (well Steve was not exactly in a tie but had a "cool" teenagey outfit on LOL  at least he had on black cargo shorts.  Think I'm going to have to buy him a dress outfit!

 

Selah is looking at the tree

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great service in spite of all the little glitches.  It's fun to know how we are under pressure.  Nothing like a church full of folks, knowing I'm going to have to sing as I have to type out a PowerPoint to some obscure song I don't know right as church is starting. ....LOL   These are the things you are NOT taught in Bible College:)  But it keeps you on your toes and by that time I wasn't nervous about singing LOL!!!

 

Well tomorrow is a busy busy day.  physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Vision therapy, academic teacher, All three little ones get evaluated for occupational Therapy through the school system and a social worker for a program Sam is enrolled in.....so that is SIX different people besides the nurses at my house tomorrow from 9 am till 5:30...... It should be an interesting day.....Can't wait ( says Yvonne sarcastically) 

 

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for Selah!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Madea Christmas

Steve and I just came back from seeing "A Madea Christmas"  here's a clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SLe_EIpeWI     Tyler Perry who is the creator/writer plays a heavy older black woman and he plays her well!  Tyler Perry is really my favorite writer/director/actor around.  Madea movies are mostly comedies BUT they all have a moral/Christian theme and he is not afraid to take about Jesus in them.   Now Madea has a potty mouth on her, but I love how she "cuts to the chase" on issues. And you know sometimes, you just have to say what you have to say....and let the chips fall!

Most everyone has a Madea in their family or they know someone like her.  I had a little tiny old white lady Madea in my family(my grandmother).....they might not have looked the same, but they were cut from the same cloth.  I truly did not appreciate her insights back years ago as I do now!  She used to embarrass the  "heck" out of me.  Not only was she extremely opinionated, she was extremely DEAF and LOUD!  Now I just look back and laugh at so many things she said and MOST of the time, she "hit the nail on the head".    My family worries I will become this generations' Madea!  At least I still have my hearing!!!

Madea is my hero:)   Steve loves to tell me she is not real....I insist she is!  What I love is she doesn't take any crap and she also just says what she thinks (and usually what needs to be said)  Steve also threatens to hide all my Madea movies and not take me to anymore LOL 

So maybe she is not the best role model for a pastor's wife .....but sometimes I think she is a lot more real than a lot of folks I know!

Anyhow go see the movie, see if you don't laugh and like her character and appreciate the way the movies always manage to get in some gospel truth and a good message.  (Also Larry the Cable Guy was in it as well as the lady who said "I ain't got no time for that" and the man "hide your kids, hide your wife etc....LOL)


I'm also on a reading frenzy!  I read 3 books yesterday:)  I stayed up till 2 am to read!  How do I do that with all I do, I can read and do about 3 tasks at once.  today I am reading "Never Trust A Liberal Over 3-espicially a Republican" by Ann Coulter.  She is a Republican Madea and cracks me up also.  She actually is very smart.  I read a lot of books, by many different people, some I agree with and some I don't agree with.  The reason I read so much is I feel like it is good to know what others think and it is interesting.  Well Ann Coulter will tell you what she thinks, that is for sure and has the facts to back it up.  For a serious commentator she needs to wear more clothes!  LOL  Now I have all the guys going to look for her books!  And BTW, I agree with a lot she says. 

So between Madea and Ann Coulter, don't mess with me anytime soon!  I'm "just sayin'"

So all the kids are doing good.  Selah, of course, has not lifted her head like that again.  My little ones tend to do something ONCE and then that is it.....at least for awhile.  Sarah also has not said Mama again either.....

Looking forward to Sunday, I really encourage you to find yourself a church home if you don't have one.  There is just something to be said about meeting together with the same folks weekly and sharing life with them. 

Thank you always for your prayers for Selah and our family!!!!!!!  I am grateful!