Even If The Healing Doesn't Come

          http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/selah-clanton-zephyrhills-fl/                        the answer is :   Channel or track wheelchair ramps 

I'm going to contact their headquarters because so many of you are telling me of the problems you have in voting.  Thank you for taking the time to vote, it has gotten tedious to me!  And I'm the one trying  to win a van!  Thanks to all of you!!!  We are over 7000 votes!  That could only happen through all of your help!

Don't forget about Sonya!!!!!!!!http://www.gofundme.com/78kap0   to give on her site or through the church at
Grace Church
7060 Berry Road
Zephyrhills Fl 33540

Watching the news tonight AND I recognized the square in Donetsk Ukraine where there is rioting by pro-Russian troops. We were there on one of the happiest days of my life, the day before we got the girls out of the orphanage, we were doing the PAPER chase for them. We went to the square to eat after we miraculously got every piece of paper but one before lunchtime.  We were so happy on that day, knowing they were legally ours, we'd gotten the precious ONE day Ukraine passport (usually takes 10 days) things had gone so good....now to see it with tires, barb wire and pro Russian flags...so sad. I also think they videoed inside the office of vital status where we went to get Sarah's birth certificate changed..... it's unreal to see History happening in a place you have been...... PRAY for Ukraine!!!!!!  My heart is heavy for the country and for our friends there and all the orphans. 

Everyone here is doing fine.  Selah had an outbreak of cold sores, our nurses have really been working on keeping her lips hydrated.  When our nurse woke her up this morning, she stretched and put her arm OVER her head.  She seems to only do movement like this when she is half awake. 

I've felt so discouraged the last few days.  Since the accident, I've kept myself away from other's blogs or groups, because I don't want to be discouraged and I don't want to hear anyone else's story, mine is bad enough and I live it every day.   But one of my friends posted about a child who is dying 8 years after his near drowning.  I went and read it....shouldn't have done it although my heart goes out to his family and to him.  I skimmed through trying to find answers on how to avoid problems, and thankfully we don't have so many of the problems that seem to plague kids who have been in near drownings.  In that sense we are very lucky.  It's just a hard journey, I'll never stop trying to help Selah and I'll never stop missing her.  I'm thankful we have all the things in place to give her the best life possible.  24 hour nursing is probably the thing that keeps her so well.  AND the fact we have great nurses that care about Selah and want her to do good.  We're blessed that we've been stable with our nurses for close to a year now.  Those first few months were a doozy.....but once we got our team in place, things got so much better. 

On my way to pick Shad up from school and take him to piano, the song "Even if the healing doesn't come" came on.....I fought the tears. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiYAUNJPrMU

Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn't come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn't come


Lord we know your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are

You're still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You're working all things for our good
We'll sing your praise

You are God and we will bless You
As the Good and Faithful One
You are God and we will bless You
Even if the healing doesn't come
Even if the healing doesn't come

So we set our faith in who You are - to me that is the greatest sentence of the song.  Our faith is STILL in who HE is.....not what He might do for us.....our faith is not rooted in a God that we somehow think is a genie, there to give us everything we want.  

 

Recently I was talking with a friend who has lost his faith in God.  One thing I said to him is that so many people lose their faith because God does not act in the way they think He should act.  I've been guilty of that in the past, but I'm doing everything to hold onto that truth now in my life. 

 

I can not tell you how my heart aches at times, it's a crushing pain.  That pain may hit me at a store, or when I first wake up, it's random.  She is still with us, but she's not......Oh my God, how do you deal with that?  I would LOVE to stay in bed all day but I have four other kids, depending on me.  Somehow life just keeps going on.....I would love to run away.....actually the running away sounds much better,  but I can't do that.  Somedays I just feel hopeless, lost, overwhelmed, wondering how we will go on like this.....

 

I'm not strong, the little strength I have comes from God, I can promise you that!  Oh I can pull on my "big girl panties", and "pull myself up by the bootstraps" but I can't take away the pain in my heart.   There are days, when I know I look ok, but inside, my heart is so heavy.  This was one of those days!  I can function, take my kids to their stuff, go to lunch with a friend, go shopping, but there's an ache.  Sometimes I almost feel disbelief that we haven't been delivered from this - God worked so many miracles for us to get the girls and then that lady who came up to me in the mall.... the dreams I've had....  It all comes down to I must trust Jesus, regardless of what lies ahead.  He is good and faithful and of that I have no doubt. 

 

One thing I can tell you with all honesty, is I trust God, my faith lies in Him.  There is no one else to turn to, no where else to go.  He does give peace, even when the hurricanes of life come.  I thank Him for that.  Unless you've experienced knowing that God is in control, in a horrible situation, I don't know if I can explain what a rock solid feeling that is, in spite of the chaos around.  He's been with me in the first few minutes and He is still with me.  That is one thing I do not doubt.  Oh, my heart still aches but He is with me. 

 

I feel like I have so many "dreams that are left undone"......

 

So please continue to pray for Selah, I'll never stop asking for prayer for her and I'll never stop praying.  Not that I'm trying to "win my way with God" but I pour out my heart to God.  I don't understand everything about prayer, but I'm going to pray ......and I'm going to trust in WHO God is....

 

 

Gardens & Chickens

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/selah-clanton-zephyrhills-fl/
the answer today is: the top one!

 Don't forget about Sonya!!!!!!!!http://www.gofundme.com/78kap0   to give on her site or through the church at
Grace Church
7060 Berry Road
Zephyrhills Fl 33540

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Today we had fun helping some friends put in some square foot gardens.   I LOVE gardening and Square Foot Gardens are so easy to make and maintain.  It's just pure joy to me.  Sometimes I think I've quite lost my mind, but I'm so happy doing my garden and helping others do their garden.  We found the perfect spot on their property and got them put together

 

 

We had some friends to help out.  The Guinea hens were really the funniest chickens/fowl that I have ever seen.  I should have taken their picture.  They seemed to discuss us like a bunch of old church ladies would talk about someone LOL

Steve and I hopped in the pool for a bit afterwards and that cooled us down!  I'm a Floridian & I don't like water colder than about 98 degrees LOL!  It was quite a bit cooler than that!   Shad rode horses for a little while.  The boy is really loving horses.  What will I do??

We are supposed to be getting some rain tonight and tomorrow, yeah for rain on the gardens.  Nothing like getting some plants in and then having the rains come to just make them grow like crazy!   I just heard a little rain and now my computer is messing up so I know it must be cloudy!

Hope you all are having a great day!  Thanks for all the prayers!

LOVE

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/selah-clanton-zephyrhills-fl/
the answer today is: the bottom one- something like finding the cheapest van on line....


YEAH we have $235 that has come in so far for Sonya!!!!!  (So that was $125 today!)   You can be apart of helping this little girl by going to http://www.gofundme.com/78kap0   to give on her site or through the church at
Grace Church
7060 Berry Road
Zephyrhills Fl 33540

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Today a teen in our church asked me how did I KNOW Jon was the right man for me, especially after we only dated for one month when we eloped....  Well we told the story again and it just warmed my heart.....so I'm going to share it here.

In the fall of 1986 Jon and I were in a class Urban Context for Ministry, together.  I was the ONLY girl (Bible college is GREAT!) and he was the only guy I didn't know.  He didn't live on campus so I assumed he was married.  There was only about 25 people in the class.  The summer of 1986, I did an internship in NYC at Metro Assembly of God, an inner city church.  Also at college, I was leading a large ministry group that worked on the notorious OBT  (Orange Blossom Trail)  in Orlando.  We worked out of a soup kitchen, reaching out to the homeless & the prostitutes that worked the street and the strip clubs.  It was exciting times for sure, more than once I was threatened by pimps, as we rescued prostitutes from their pimps.  One time I brought one back with me, bless her heart, she only had one leg.  My roommate almost freaked out!  I helped the lady get into Teen Challenge.  Anyhow Jon knew who I was and was interested in me but I didn't give him the time of day since I assumed he was married (he lived off campus with his parents) 

After that semester, Jon took time off from college to work full time in ministry with Teen Challenge of Florida.  He spoke, traveled, took the choir out to churches on the weekend to raise money and worked with the program during the week. 

About three years later in the fall of 1989, I had graduated from college but was picking up some classes in education so I'd have two majors.  I had just broke up with my long term boyfriend.  Then I happened to see a flyer on the job wall looking for an assistant director of a homeless shelter, Talbot House.  I was THRILLED!  I loved working with the homeless but had never dreamed I'd get paid for it! 

So I called the number listed.  The first number an older lady answered, I told her what I was calling about and she told me that a young girl (I was ALMOST 24 years old) had no business at a homeless shelter.  I assumed she was the director's wife.  THEN she said I'd be PERFECT  for her son who LIVED at home.....  In a nice way, I told her I was only interested in a job, certainly not a guy who was 25 and living at home!!!!!!!   LOL

Then I called the OTHER number which was the homeless shelter and spoke to the director who was HER son NOT her husband.  I had so much confidence, I told him I WAS the ONE for the job!  He crossly told me I could come in the next day for an interview.  (he said he didn't remember my name and thought I was WAY too self assured)

So the next day, I went in for an interview (Sept 13, 1989)  I still remember what I was wearing, loved the outfit I had on.  We had a THREE hour long interview.  Then he carried my briefcase (yes I always used one) to my old 72 Brown Comet.  As I was leaving, I said that we ought to get together for coffee sometime.  He put his foot on the fender and asked me what I was doing that weekend.  (Had I known his recommendation for the job  was for someone else, I would have probably told him to "kiss my grits")

Well he submitted my resume and a mutual friends résumé  to the board,  the friend turned it down since he was also the pastor of a church and then the board met with me and hired me!

So Jon became my boss, we were inseparable.   I think I knew I was hired BEFORE our first date that weekend. 

So we went out to Olive Garden with his brother and sister in law to be.  Jon nor my SIL to be talked much but me and my soon to be BIL had a great date LOL.  They left and then we went to Lake Morton, the scene of many romantic evenings for anyone who lives in the Lakeland area:)    We talked for hours. 

My birthday came up that next week, he took me out again and took me by to meet his parents informally.  I WANTED to meet them since I'd come out of a relationship with a guy who had a CRAZY family life and I wanted to make sure I was not getting into something like that again LOL!  I found his parents to be warm and wonderful-they passed:)   I had REALLY wondered WHY Jon was living at home.  I'd be on my own since I was 17 years old and him living at home made me uncomfortable.  But I found out his mom had recently asked him to move home to help as his dad had opened heart surgery (remember that was 25 years ago and quite a bit deal) also one of his brothers had gone through a really hard time and his mom hoped that Jon would be able to help in that area too.  So then I was fine with him living at home. 

I KNEW  I had found the most amazing man, when one night on "rounds" at the homeless shelter with me, he saw a homeless man had kicked off his blanket, without missing a stride, he bent down, picked up the blanket and covered the man up.....I was IN LOVE!!!!!   Seriously, that act showed his heart and I had never seen a more beautiful heart. 

So we saw each other daily and within a week or two were talking marriage.  It was certainly a whirl wind courtship!  One night he was leaving to go to a speaking engagement and I was at the shelter.  He said he was seeing one of his closest friends and he was going to ask the guy to officiate at our wedding.  Just kidding around I said that he hadn't asked me officially yet....so he did ....AT the homeless shelter with one of the men calling for "Bro Jon" in the background LOL.  How fitting for our life......

Another  night I was up at the shelter and he went out with a friend.  The friend counseled Jon not to marry me since I had only been broken up with a long term boyfriend for about 4 months.  The next day we had a BIG discussion about things and I told him that when I was done with the other guy, I was done....   then somehow we got to discussing WHEN we were going to get married and I said something like December, April or today, I know I want to marry you.  So he said LET"S DO IT TODAY...I really thought he was joking.  REALLY! 

I went back to my dorm and changed clothes and he called the court house to see if we could really do it!  And we could:)  So we went down to the courthouse and got married.  At first we were going to get the license so our friend could do the wedding but then we decided to just do it there.  A lady justice of the peace, Molly married us!

We met on September  13, got married on October 12....same year......Crazy huh????

So as we were leaving the courthouse, I thought "what the hell have I just done??"  But really got over that feeling pretty quickly. 

Now it is so sweet to look back on our unusual dating/marriage. At the time, some  people didn't know what to think.  A few thought I was pregnant....NOT,   a few thought we were crazy but most everyone around us thought it was wonderful.  In the ministry/collage community we were both a part of, we had MANY mutual friends and over and over again, we were told by friends "WOW- you two are perfect for each other, WHY didn't you meet sooner????"

Jon's family was a little shocked but had met me a few times and thankfully taken a liking to me.  Jon called his mom and told her and she was cool ( years later my brother in love, told me she freaked out just a bit)  my father in law was quoted saying "what the HELL has Jon done?"  But by the time we got home from our short honeymoon, we were greeted with love and acceptance.  I had a great relationship with my in laws, my mother in law passed away just six months later in a car accident, that was heart breaking to me.  My father in law is elderly & deals with Alzheimer's, but remembers me. 

Since I only had my grandmother and great aunt, we didn't tell them on the phone but went up a few weeks later to see them.  My grandmother, who NEVER minced words said "Lord have mercy"  HAHAHA!  But they loved Jon, probably more than they loved me in a short amount of time. 

This October will be 25 years since this crazy love story started.....I'm blessed, Jon was the man I thought him to be and so much more. 

Do I have any regrets....NOT ONE!

Would I counsel anyone else to do what we did?  NO!

I'm not into any type of fixed style of dating/marriage.  The bible tells Christians only one thing "Not to be unequally yoked with an unbeliever"  I'm not into any of the new style of "courting" or any of that type of stuff.  I think the bible, gives freedom to date/court/get to know someone as long as you are both believers.  Of course I have some ideas of WHY our marriage has stood the test of time and that is because we were so very equally yoked.....we had the same heart, same desires for our future as far as ministry went.  We were both seasoned in ministry.   We both had dated before and knew what we wanted and what we didn't want in a mate.   Jon and I have seldom had a disagreement about basic things, we have the same values and goals in life. 

Now we certainly did not know we had so many of the same ideas but we were pretty much at the same place spiritually & emotionally that it just worked for us.  We didn't have big discussions about anything in the future BUT ministry.  We really didn't talk about kids for years.  So no we did not see ourselves the parents of FIVE kids!  LOL

As time has passed, we have become so much more interwoven with each other.  It is amazing to me, how we've become one.  We never set out to adopt kids, but God opened doors and we both heard from God and went through those doors.   Now we know what the other one is thinking about things, and we have learned to trust each other.  It was the hardest for me to learn to trust as I'd had such a crappy life growing up.   But I learned to trust his decisions and judgment and he has learned to trust mine too.  We make a pretty good pair.  He is generally the nice guy and I'm not :)   He is tactful and I'm not:)  He keeps me from getting killed probably! 

During the lowest point of the valley years ago, I thought about leaving Jon.  I was so angry at God and didn't want anything to do with God or the ministry, but I couldn't....and he couldn't....and we worked on things.....thank God. 

So we met and married in one month. Crazy true story..... 

If you are reading this and you are single, the one thing I'd advise you is to get close to God, set your eyes on Him and then continue to walk the path He wants for you.  We were both walking the path God had for us when we bumped into each other....

A funny coincidence....
On December 7, 1983, I was writing in my journal.  I prayed that God would save my husband to be if he was not yet a Christian.  THAT SAME DAY.....Jon "happened" to go to a church and gave his life to God.  We found my journal in an old box at my aunts house some years AFTER we were married.....  Kinda neat huh?

Weekends Rock!

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/selah-clanton-zephyrhills-fl/
answer is:  mobility manufacturer


Don't forget Sonya!  I had another check come in to day from North Carolina so we are up to $120 in checks thus far.  http://www.gofundme.com/78kap0  give on her site or through the church at
Grace Church
7060 Berry Road
Zephyrhills Fl 33540


Yesterday we spent the day at a friend's house.  fun times, my son Shad now loves horses.  Me? I'm not a big horse fan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the evening, Shad was riding on his own and even doing some cantering.  He is a fearless child!

 

 

 

 

 

Today the guys worked on the yard.  Steve weeded the garden and around it without being asked....will wonders never cease?  Shad worked on the yard some, not quite as good attitude.   But they both got rewarded by getting to go to the new Captain American movie tonight.

 

 

My garden today....it is beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

Collards

 

 

Cooked collards:)  Fresh from my garden

 

 

 

I love the garden:)  I have a friend who is thinking about putting in a garden with us to help, and I'm so excited to do it!    It's really my only skill like that and I just love doing it.  It makes me happy!!!

 

 

Lots of prayer requests......

 

Please continue to pray for:

 

Ukraine

 

Sonya from Ukraine

 

my friend's grandbaby, Sabrina

 

Also please pray for Katie our friend who tried to commit suicide.  She is still in very very critical condition.  Her family is strong and there for her.  Please pray for all of them. 

 

And as always please pray for Selah.

 

And a new prayer request.........

 

the cop who was the one who took me from the accident scene to Strong's hospital ER- Denny fell this winter and is still not able to be back to work.  Being a cop is his dream, it's what he wants to do with his life.  Can you please pray that this kind man, be healed so he can go back to work! 

 

Thank you all for your prayers and kindness.  

 



This Journey of Life

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/selah-clanton-zephyrhills-fl/
Today's answer is the bottom one LOL  I forgot how it is worded!
Thanks for your votes!

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Got the first check today from Bonnie in Florida for Sonya (and the movie coupons THANKS!)  I've decided my goal to raise for her is $600.  I'd love to raise more, but I'm pledging  we will raise that much through the blog/church.  I've already donated but will donate again at the end.  SO you can give either through their website at http://www.gofundme.com/78kap0  they are at almost 13,000 Euros!!!!!   Or you can mail a check to our church marked Orphan Care (again she is NOT an orphan-that's just the designation the church gives to what comes through my blog as it is usually for orphans)  and I will put it all on their account at the end of the month.  They actually have a paypal account that will take less or no fees that I'll be putting it on and then it will show on their other account.  I've asked if we can start posting that account info and am waiting to hear back from her mom.  I'll let you guys know.  Church info is 7060 Berry Road, Zephyrhills Fl 33540.  That gift is tax deductible and you will get a receipt at the end of the year.  

I'm excited about helping to raise money for her, have you read her story?  This little girl is in 24 hour pain if she moves......how awful....   You and I have the chance to really make a difference in her day to day life...in a BIG way. It's not going to make everything perfect for her, she still will have physical issues BUT she won't be in horrible pain after this surgery is done.  From the little I've read, this is a surgery that takes place in the US all the time and helps so many kids to never get to this point of pain.  Let's do what we can to help.  I know we can't do everything for everyone in the world....but we know about this little one, let's change her life.  And don't feel bad about small gifts, every penny adds up!  I really believe God does something supernatural when we give to help others, I don't understand it, and I won't make a silly doctrine about it but there is a blessing in the heart when we help others and somehow God meets the need.  That is one thing I've seen so many times over.....


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I have an urgent prayer request tonight.....

A sweet 18 year old girl, tried to commit suicide last weekend by using a gun.  Steve and her started preschool together, went to kindergarten and 1st grade together until the family moved.  Her mom was a teacher at the school and I cried when they left because she was to be Steve's 2nd grade teacher (instead we got a witch!)  Katie was Steve's first crush, we just thought the world of the family....  They are a great family, nothing odd about them.  But we all know depression is a horrible thing....I've been there as a teenager....had thoughts about suicide myself.....the teen years totally suck!  Please pray she is very critical right now, it is a miracle that she survived but things are very very serious.  My mind just goes back to that little girl I knew and that sweet family and it breaks my heart!  The family is remaining strong in their faith in God.  The dad is a pastor, a very loving and kind pastor.   The mom is someone you'd just love to be friends with, so pleasant and great to be around.  And Katie was a sweetheart back then and from the comments on her page, STILL the same sweet girl, just battling her demons....  Pray for them please.....

Thank you all for all the prayers for our family and for caring about things I share on here about others....Life is hard, it is a journey, and one thing is true, we can help each other on this journey of Life.   Thank you! 

St Leo's University

Integrated manual backup systems is the answer today!
http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/selah-clanton-zephyrhills-fl/
We're at 5985.......  please vote!

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http://www.gofundme.com/78kap0

I'm excited about the responses I've gotten thus far for Sonya!  Two people emailed me to let me know they are writing checks to send for her.  You can give through the church
Grace Church
7060 Berry road
Zephyrhills Fl 33540 
OR
you can give directly through their site  http://www.gofundme.com/78kap0
Whatever comes to the church in this month Marked Sonya or Orphan fund (she is not an orphan but that's how we designate the gifts that come in through the website)  will be given to them through their website at the end of the month.  Their site is set up to receive Euros and the exchange rate is about 72 Euros for $100 dollars.  I love to see the increase from 11,000 something last night to 12,940 tonight!!!!  I read that there is a German charity that might help them IF they can get to the 25,000 euro mark......They are more than halfway there:)  Please pray for this little girl who lives in pain, pray for her parents who are strong for her......

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The last few days we've gotten increasingly worried about Selah.    Her heart rates were up all the time (100-110), and would spike at times (up to 150-160).  We had been told by the doctor it might take some time for her to adjust to not being on the heart /blood pressure meds but as time went on we knew she was struggling.  Her BPs have been picture perfect, just her heart rates too high.  I called the doctor yesterday and he advised us to put her back on one of the meds, Atenaol (probably spelled wrong)  She had a dose this morning and today has been great!  She still is a little high (highest 90's) but Atenaol takes time to build up in the system.  At least we are on the right track again.  So she can manage her blood pressures just fine, but the part of her brain that manages the heart rate, is just not there yet.   It is discouraging to go back on any medication but it certainly has solved the problem.

We've added Mirelax to her feeds and she has been having nice poops:)  We've also added Pear juice to her daily intake of fluids.  The GI said it causes less tummy upset than apple juice.  The ONLY place I could find pear juice was in Publix in the area where they have foods from other countries, it's a Goya brand.  

This morning Selah was lifting and turning her head so nicely.  I LOVE when she is more aware.  She also turned towards me and her nurse Aaron everytime we called her name.  Sometimes it would take a few seconds for her to respond but she was doing it every time.  

I'm so thankful that we are able to ensure she gets wonderful care.  She has so many services now that come in the home, her nurses are so good and focused on her, we have the best set of doctors for her.  It's been a fight and I'm sure we will have more but things right now are just great!  Now we just pray for more progress.  We had NOT given her the new med that could stimulate her mind more, her heart rates have just been too high but if things continue going good & normal, maybe we can start it next Monday.  It is a drug that has added some patients in having more awareness.

I had a fun day, one of my friends and her son came over today.  Her son helped Steve on the church lawn and his mom hung out with me.  Friendship is so refreshing.  We both have a child with  very special needs and we understand each others heart.  We were going to pick up Shad from school and a song came on the radio and we were singing it together, KNOWING what the other one was thinking.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnDTDLOM0rY&feature=kp   

Yours will be the only Name that matters to me
The only One Whose favor I seek
The only Name that matters to me

Yours will be
The friendship and affection I need
To feel my Father smiling on me
The only Name that matters to me

Yours is the Name the Name that has saved me
Mercy and grace the power that forgave me
And Your love is all I’ve ever needed

When I wake up in the Land of Glory
And with the saints I will tell my story
There will be one Name that I proclaim

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, just that Name

)Music & Lyrics: Benji Cowart)

the highlighted lines gets my heart every time!  
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Tonight I'm hanging out at St Leo University while Steve is at a youth event.  It was a little far for him to drive by himself, since he has only been driving for 6 months!  My husband went here for awhile back in the 80's while he was pursuing a Criminal Justice degree.  It is a GORGEOUS campus!

Darth Vader at the library?

here is Shad from a couple of nights ago.  he was sitting on my bed, watching tv and petting the cat, both he and the cat fell asleep.  he slept through us taking pictures and laughing.  I have never seen anyone so young sleep like he does.  It is so funny!

Take care and thank you for your prayers and support!

Let's help Sonya!!!!!!!

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/selah-clanton-zephyrhills-fl/  today's answer....
BOTH A & B!

I have something exciting to share with you guys.  A friend of mine shared about a little girl in Ukraine who needs a surgery.  This friend Carissa, knows the family of the little girl personally.  The family also goes to the church  of a well known (in the adoption world) pastor.  The story is true and we can help.

I'm still getting donations for the two children Timothy  (China) and Angela (Ukraine) and that money is set aside for them.  However we have had issues with Timothy's paperwork.  He may age out before things can be straightened out.  Angela, is posted on a few adoption groups, and if anyone steps forward a grant will be given to them.  It will be divided between them equally unless one is unable to be adopted (due to age or other issues)  There is more than $1000 set aside for them at this point. 

BUT for the month of April, I'd like to focus on this little girl.   Her name is Sonya and she is NOT an orphan.  Her Christian parents chose to keep her and raise her even tho that is not very acceptable in their country. 

My friend Carissa wrote "This beautiful young lady, Sonya, is the daughter of a sweet friend of mine in Ukraine. She has CP and needs a surgery to fix her dislocated hip. ( She needs the same surgery I had when I was 16!! ) The cost is $50,00...0. If they can raise 50% the hospital will consider helping them with the cost. They are at $10,800. They need $14,200 to be at their halfway mark.

This incredible family took a leap of FAITH and did what most parents in Ukraine do not do when they have a child with special needs, they kept their beloved daughter. Let's help them with the cost to help her be rid of the agonizing pain. We all know how hard it is to watch your own child suffer. Please donate!
 

 

 

http://www.gofundme.com/78kap0

Read and donate at the link above.

You can let them know you found out about their story on this blog in the remarks.  I like to keep up with how much we give yearly!

Or you can give through our church by sending a check ( I have a few people who give monthly by checks and I will post it to their site at the end of the month.)

Grace Church

7060 Berry Road

Zephyrhills Fl 33540

 

 

http://themoneyconverter.com/USD/EUR.aspx

On the site in is in Euros so go here to convert Euros to dollars.  I did that and paypal also did it at the end for me.

 

I'm going to challenge you to give!  When I read their story, my heart was moved for this family.  I know how we have had to fight for the various things our little ones have needed.  And I know how it is to have to travel to get medical help for a child.  PLEASE let's just bless this family and help them reach their goal! 

 

Here is the story from her parents

Message from Sonya’s parents:

When Sonya was to be born, doctors gave us little chance – my placenta detached on my way to maternity house, in 5 minutes after my examination the surgery room was filled with medical personnel – I barely had time to say ‘God be with us!’ before anesthesia kicked in and these words echoed through the room as the doctors passed them along. Sonya and I have survived, despite all the odds.

When Sonya at the age of 3 months got sick with meningitis, the doctors, our friends and acquaintances gave us little chance (except, maybe, for the Head of ICU where Sonya was stationed) and when 30 days later Sonya had rallied from coma, her neurologist told us, “You have no choice but to fight along with her, because your daughter has such a strong will to live.”

Now Sonya is 10 years old – she has a very painful hip dislocation, and.. yes, they give us little chance. “Let it be, don’t subject her to extra sufferings, she will never walk anyway, with her spastic quadriplegia, the pain will return, think of yourselves – you’re not getting younger..”  But how can we think of ourselves and come to terms with her constant pain, how can we ignore Sonya’s desire to move? How can we ignore God’s plan in her life – and we do believe that God has a plan for every soul, no matter how badly the soul’s outer shell may be damaged. How can we explain that side by side with dry facts and medical statistical data there exists another plane, or dimension, which operates with quite different units of measurement, and Sonya has been the living proof of this throughout her life?

About Sonya’s present condition: before her hip had dislocated, she was able to roll over, sit for some time unassisted, stood on her knees with support, and made attempts at crawling.  Now she prefers to stay still since every single movement causes her pain.  The only option proposed to us in Poland and Ukraine was femoral head resection (amputation).  For us, it was too extreme, and we kept searching – on 14 February we had an examination in Heidelberg Orthopedic Clinic, Germany, and we were strongly recommended an angulation osteotomy – according to the surgeons, this procedure will enable Sonya to sit, crawl (if she learns how to do it), and stand in a special device.  The femoral head resection would just leave her leg floppy and her pain would return in a matter of weeks.  While our savings were enough to cover the cost of surgery in Ukraine, in present situation they’ll be only sufficient to cover the cost of transportation, lodging, and daily living expenses.  Cost of the surgery (angulation osteotomy and surgical treatment of knee flexion contractures), including 5-6 weeks of in-patient treatment, is 48.5K Euros. 

Due to the urgency of the situation (because of her high hip dislocation, Sonya has severe pelvic obliquity and pronounced lumbar scoliosis which progresses quickly (Cobb angle of 42.6°- at spine deformation of 50°and higher scoliosis can be corrected only with surgery)), we have set up the fund-raising page on this site and, in parallel, are applying to charity foundations.  If we’re able to find a charity foundation which would agree to cover the surgery cost in part or in full, we will use the funds collected here for 3-4 weeks of intensive physical rehabilitation highly

recommended by the clinic after Sonya’s discharge from the hospital and for the brace manufacture and wheelchair adjustments (due to the severity of her scoliosis, she needs to have Chêneau brace made, preferably before the surgery, followed by regular check-ups).  We will stop the meter the moment we have the required amount.  Every single penny (eurocent) will go to Sonya’s medical needs, not for our daily expenses, and will be accounted for.  Foreign currency will be converted to euros automatically. Help Sonya move!

The surgery is scheduled for 22 May - if we’re able to collect the required amount prior to this date, it will happen, otherwise, we’ll have to postpone it and we’ll be put back on the waiting list. Since cost of Chêneau brace manufacture in Heidelberg clinic would be ~3-3.5k Euros, we went back to Poland and are now trying to locate a good orthopedic surgeon in Poznan who would prescribe the brace for Sonya and have it made here (there is a certified plant in Poznan that manufactures Chêneau braces).  We’ll have brace fittings/adjustments/check-ups in Poland while waiting for the surgery.

Please join with me to help this precious family and this little girl.  Every penny counts!

THANK YOU!!!