I would like to share with you the origins of gift giving, not because of the ever growing debate on Christmas being a Christian holiday. Sharing the origins of this tradition that most Americans celebrate can be said to come from an orphan. A child from a wealthy family orphaned at too early of an age. A child that most would expect to want to hold onto evrything that came into his life for fear of losing it, like he lost his parents. This is the story of Saint Nicholas and I love it because the mission trip I will be departing on in a few weeks is to touch the hearts and minds of children just like Saint Nicholas. Saint Nick had a wonderful uncle to step in and raise him. It is my prayer to be used to do the same for these children.
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick and the suffering.
He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).
Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value—a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas.
There are several other stories of the deeds Saint Nicholas which tell of Nicholas saving his people from famine, sparing the lives of those innocently accused, and much more performed. However, my passion is not for the past stories unless they compel and inspire us to do the same. I am asking for your prayers for my team and myself as we travel to China to spend a week with children who need so much more that we can provide in a week. We are not seeking to provide what they need but to be a vessel for God to provide what they need while we are there.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Amy
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tiny, timid, tough yet very tender
CHLOE
She has had a tough week. She came home on the last day of school sick. I was hoping it was the fact that she had lots of Christmas treats before eating lunch.
Unfortunately, it dragged on and on.
Last year the week before Christmas, Chloe was admitted to the hospital. We were there for a week and that is when we found out just how serious her condition was. We were all so thankful to leave the hospital on Christmas Day, eating sushi for lunch and heading to our home, not filled with decorations but with love and thankfulness to our Heavenly Father.
So, to have Chloe sick again the week before Christmas was very concerning to say the least. I know Chloe also sensed the stress. She was asked several times about her symptoms, her temperature was taken frequently, and fluids were given around the clock.
We could see and test for the physical symptoms but it was the emotional symptoms we were unable to detect until after three days of being sick. As I was administering to some of her needs, she started crying. With some coaxing, she finally told me she was afraid she was going to have to go back to China. She thought she could not be "fixed" and would therefore have to return.
She had several breakdowns like this during the week even with Greg and I reassuring her that she was here to stay with us not matter what. We loved her fixed or not fixed.
Oh, the rationalizations these children come up with to make sense of the "orphaned world" they live in or have lived in. Rationalizations that take lots of time to work through. It saddens me to think of all the orphans out there that not only go without their physical needs being met but their emotional needs as well.
Physical needs can be met quite easily with donations of money. It is the emotional needs that are harder to administer to. The longer the emotional needs go unmet, the harder it is for these kids to work through the past and to heal the hurts.
Chloe shared that she was not only heartbroken because she thought she was not fixable and would have to return to China.
This Christmas week she also shared that she missed her friends from China. As I hugged her and told her, I missed them also it made me that more determined to fight for these kids. I want to give my daughter the desire of her heart. Her tears are my fuel to keep trying to make a difference for her friends and ones like them. As I thought about this, I realized my Heavenly Father feels the same for me when I tell Him the desires of my heart.
My New Years Resolution is to cry out to my Father without ceasing for the sake of the orphan.
James 1:27
New International Version (NIV)
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
She has had a tough week. She came home on the last day of school sick. I was hoping it was the fact that she had lots of Christmas treats before eating lunch.
Unfortunately, it dragged on and on.
Last year the week before Christmas, Chloe was admitted to the hospital. We were there for a week and that is when we found out just how serious her condition was. We were all so thankful to leave the hospital on Christmas Day, eating sushi for lunch and heading to our home, not filled with decorations but with love and thankfulness to our Heavenly Father.
So, to have Chloe sick again the week before Christmas was very concerning to say the least. I know Chloe also sensed the stress. She was asked several times about her symptoms, her temperature was taken frequently, and fluids were given around the clock.
We could see and test for the physical symptoms but it was the emotional symptoms we were unable to detect until after three days of being sick. As I was administering to some of her needs, she started crying. With some coaxing, she finally told me she was afraid she was going to have to go back to China. She thought she could not be "fixed" and would therefore have to return.
She had several breakdowns like this during the week even with Greg and I reassuring her that she was here to stay with us not matter what. We loved her fixed or not fixed.
Oh, the rationalizations these children come up with to make sense of the "orphaned world" they live in or have lived in. Rationalizations that take lots of time to work through. It saddens me to think of all the orphans out there that not only go without their physical needs being met but their emotional needs as well.
Physical needs can be met quite easily with donations of money. It is the emotional needs that are harder to administer to. The longer the emotional needs go unmet, the harder it is for these kids to work through the past and to heal the hurts.
Chloe shared that she was not only heartbroken because she thought she was not fixable and would have to return to China.
This Christmas week she also shared that she missed her friends from China. As I hugged her and told her, I missed them also it made me that more determined to fight for these kids. I want to give my daughter the desire of her heart. Her tears are my fuel to keep trying to make a difference for her friends and ones like them. As I thought about this, I realized my Heavenly Father feels the same for me when I tell Him the desires of my heart.
My New Years Resolution is to cry out to my Father without ceasing for the sake of the orphan.
James 1:27
New International Version (NIV)
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas is Hope
Wow, it has been so long since I have blogged. So many little twists and turns have happened that I felt the need to sit back and see watch the threads being woven into the tapestry God is making of me.
I recently read a book by Henry Blackaby. In it he shared a story of a friend who had bought two highly trained hunting dogs. He worked with them daily and they were quiet the example of dedication, devotion and discipline to their master. One day when his dogs were out back an English Bulldog came squeezing under the fence. At first the friend thought he should bring the dogs in but he decided to let them teach the Bulldog a lesson. The three dogs went round and round with no lack of hair, saliva and grunts being thrown through the air. The Bulldog finally had his fill and slunk back under the fence leaving defeated. The next day at the same time the same Bulldog returns dragging himself under the fence to have another "play date" with the hunting dogs. The Bulldog meets the same results and once again crawls under the fence gong home defeated once more. Well, the friend has to leave town for a week long conference and his wife is left in charge of the prized hunting dogs. Her husband neglects to tell her about the evening visitor that comes calling each day. It is not long before she finds out on her own. Her husband returns home after his week long conference and after checking hurriedly checking on his wife inquires of the welfare of his dogs. She told him of the bulldog that came every evening at the same time, under the fence, fought with the dogs and left defeated until one day. About mid-week of her husband's absence, the hunting dogs had had enough of the bulldog. Now when the hunting dogs hear the bulldog snorting as he came under the fence they would take off running and barking into the safety of the basement as the Bulldog struts around the backyard in triumph.
My husband has always wanted an English Bulldog and when we moved here to Colorado we were privileged to be chosen to rehabilitate two English Bullies. Their tenacious stubbornness can be one of the most frustrating or respected traits they have. They are also faithful, protective and devoted. When I read the story retold to you above, I laughed knowingly the whole way through and had to immediately read it to my husband.
Throughout Greg's military career we have both felt like Bulldogs.
Throughout our adoption quests we have felt like Bulldogs.
Most recently, throughout our quest for Noah and Rhys, we have felt like Bulldogs.
We were told on 9 December that we would be allowed to help support Noah, Rhys and their classmates who live at the orphanage.
The children will be able to have a tutor and winter coats provided for the small amount of money we donate each month. Although, I want to do so much more. I will be content and patient with God has allowed us to do at this point. The girls also are very excited about being able to be a part of their "friends" lives. The week before Christmas I shared this story of my girls with another adoptive mom.
I have made some big food purchases as I have recently joined Costco. Our purchases have come home in the big, sturdy, Washington, apple boxes.
The girls decided to make dog beds of them and pretend to be dogs. After tripping over the boxes in the living room a few days I told the girls to take them to their rooms. One night last week, after I tucked them in, I heard them in their room talking. They had decided to sleep in the well blanketed and pillowed boxes so Noah and Rhys could sleep in their bunk beds. They were discussing which boy would want to sleep on top. After they fell asleep in their boxes, I went in again to tuck them back into their beds. This went on for several nights until I convinced them they would feel much better sleeping in their own beds all night.
So, fast forward! The girls are going through the advertisements in the Sunday paper and circling what they want for Christmas. They hand me the Target flyer and I started going through it. They had several toys circled of course. But then, I get to the more mundane things in the flyer and have noticed the girls circled princess flannel sheets and pajamas. I marveled over how practicable and smart my girls were. However, I then get to the air mattress that is circled.
I inquired about this. The girls told me that they could sleep on the inflatable mattress instead of the boxes so Noah and Rhys could sleep in their bunk beds. I try to explain that the boys have beds. Chloe comes back with the hard wood beds they have to sleep in at the orphanage. It seemed I could not find anything to satisfy them. Eventually they got interested in a board game and I thought the issue was put to rest for the night. You are right, NO. After I tucked them into bed last night, Chloe began crying. I went to check on her and she told me her friends would never come. How do you comfort the aching in this little girls big heart.
Well, right now we do it through letters we will be able to send, pictures we will be able to receive because of our sponsorship and most importantly our prayers.
God is not done yet. My aching heart for these boys and my tenacious stubbornness caused me to have "myopia" as another adoptive friend once said. I knew I needed to find something to focus my attention on. What I found, after seeking to volunteer in several different areas was World Orphans.
World Orphans' VisionExtreme poverty, chronic disease, conflict, starvation, prostitution, natural disasters and countless other tragedies have combined to produce a truly global pandemic of orphaned and abandoned children. These children are subject to severe abuse and exploitation and often die on the streets, neglected and alone.
When we look at the great social issues of this century – poverty, hunger, HIV/AIDS, child soldiers, and trafficking – there is a common link, the orphan. A child orphaned by HIV/AIDS who is left alone to find food, possibly even caring for younger siblings, will often turn to prostitution. This in turn leads the child to contract HIV/AIDS and perpetuates a vicious cycle.
By stepping in to prevent, delay and rescue orphaned children, we can break these cycles and change more than just the number of orphans.
Orphans Rescued
World Orphans is committed to rescuing millions of orphaned and abandoned children, strengthening indigenous churches, and impacting communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ through church-based orphan prevention, rescue, care and transition programs in the least reached areas of the world.
Indigenous Churches Strengthened
Local churches all over the world are Christ’s front line of care and outreach. World Orphans believes that all ministries – including orphan care – should be owned by the local church. These church leaders know the needs of their community and how best to meet them.
World Orphans has carefully selected key strategic cities with high populations of orphaned and abandoned children and the greatest need for stronger churches. Major cities are often the political, social, economic and religious centers for their countries. Because of their status and influence, they serve as the gateways for the gospel for their nations.
Communities Transformed
When a community sees a local church feeding the hungry, providing medical care and taking in orphans, they see the love of Christ. As the church becomes the “hands and feet” of Christ the community is transformed and the church becomes an integral part of that society. As the children are cared for by the church they become a living example of the power of Christ’s love and a powerful witness to their friends and neighbors.
If you would like to help or would like to know more about this, please allow me to share with you!
I recently read a book by Henry Blackaby. In it he shared a story of a friend who had bought two highly trained hunting dogs. He worked with them daily and they were quiet the example of dedication, devotion and discipline to their master. One day when his dogs were out back an English Bulldog came squeezing under the fence. At first the friend thought he should bring the dogs in but he decided to let them teach the Bulldog a lesson. The three dogs went round and round with no lack of hair, saliva and grunts being thrown through the air. The Bulldog finally had his fill and slunk back under the fence leaving defeated. The next day at the same time the same Bulldog returns dragging himself under the fence to have another "play date" with the hunting dogs. The Bulldog meets the same results and once again crawls under the fence gong home defeated once more. Well, the friend has to leave town for a week long conference and his wife is left in charge of the prized hunting dogs. Her husband neglects to tell her about the evening visitor that comes calling each day. It is not long before she finds out on her own. Her husband returns home after his week long conference and after checking hurriedly checking on his wife inquires of the welfare of his dogs. She told him of the bulldog that came every evening at the same time, under the fence, fought with the dogs and left defeated until one day. About mid-week of her husband's absence, the hunting dogs had had enough of the bulldog. Now when the hunting dogs hear the bulldog snorting as he came under the fence they would take off running and barking into the safety of the basement as the Bulldog struts around the backyard in triumph.
My husband has always wanted an English Bulldog and when we moved here to Colorado we were privileged to be chosen to rehabilitate two English Bullies. Their tenacious stubbornness can be one of the most frustrating or respected traits they have. They are also faithful, protective and devoted. When I read the story retold to you above, I laughed knowingly the whole way through and had to immediately read it to my husband.
Throughout Greg's military career we have both felt like Bulldogs.
Throughout our adoption quests we have felt like Bulldogs.
Most recently, throughout our quest for Noah and Rhys, we have felt like Bulldogs.
We were told on 9 December that we would be allowed to help support Noah, Rhys and their classmates who live at the orphanage.
The children will be able to have a tutor and winter coats provided for the small amount of money we donate each month. Although, I want to do so much more. I will be content and patient with God has allowed us to do at this point. The girls also are very excited about being able to be a part of their "friends" lives. The week before Christmas I shared this story of my girls with another adoptive mom.
I have made some big food purchases as I have recently joined Costco. Our purchases have come home in the big, sturdy, Washington, apple boxes.
The girls decided to make dog beds of them and pretend to be dogs. After tripping over the boxes in the living room a few days I told the girls to take them to their rooms. One night last week, after I tucked them in, I heard them in their room talking. They had decided to sleep in the well blanketed and pillowed boxes so Noah and Rhys could sleep in their bunk beds. They were discussing which boy would want to sleep on top. After they fell asleep in their boxes, I went in again to tuck them back into their beds. This went on for several nights until I convinced them they would feel much better sleeping in their own beds all night.
So, fast forward! The girls are going through the advertisements in the Sunday paper and circling what they want for Christmas. They hand me the Target flyer and I started going through it. They had several toys circled of course. But then, I get to the more mundane things in the flyer and have noticed the girls circled princess flannel sheets and pajamas. I marveled over how practicable and smart my girls were. However, I then get to the air mattress that is circled.
I inquired about this. The girls told me that they could sleep on the inflatable mattress instead of the boxes so Noah and Rhys could sleep in their bunk beds. I try to explain that the boys have beds. Chloe comes back with the hard wood beds they have to sleep in at the orphanage. It seemed I could not find anything to satisfy them. Eventually they got interested in a board game and I thought the issue was put to rest for the night. You are right, NO. After I tucked them into bed last night, Chloe began crying. I went to check on her and she told me her friends would never come. How do you comfort the aching in this little girls big heart.
Well, right now we do it through letters we will be able to send, pictures we will be able to receive because of our sponsorship and most importantly our prayers.
God is not done yet. My aching heart for these boys and my tenacious stubbornness caused me to have "myopia" as another adoptive friend once said. I knew I needed to find something to focus my attention on. What I found, after seeking to volunteer in several different areas was World Orphans.
World Orphans' VisionExtreme poverty, chronic disease, conflict, starvation, prostitution, natural disasters and countless other tragedies have combined to produce a truly global pandemic of orphaned and abandoned children. These children are subject to severe abuse and exploitation and often die on the streets, neglected and alone.
When we look at the great social issues of this century – poverty, hunger, HIV/AIDS, child soldiers, and trafficking – there is a common link, the orphan. A child orphaned by HIV/AIDS who is left alone to find food, possibly even caring for younger siblings, will often turn to prostitution. This in turn leads the child to contract HIV/AIDS and perpetuates a vicious cycle.
By stepping in to prevent, delay and rescue orphaned children, we can break these cycles and change more than just the number of orphans.
Orphans Rescued
World Orphans is committed to rescuing millions of orphaned and abandoned children, strengthening indigenous churches, and impacting communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ through church-based orphan prevention, rescue, care and transition programs in the least reached areas of the world.
Indigenous Churches Strengthened
Local churches all over the world are Christ’s front line of care and outreach. World Orphans believes that all ministries – including orphan care – should be owned by the local church. These church leaders know the needs of their community and how best to meet them.
World Orphans has carefully selected key strategic cities with high populations of orphaned and abandoned children and the greatest need for stronger churches. Major cities are often the political, social, economic and religious centers for their countries. Because of their status and influence, they serve as the gateways for the gospel for their nations.
Communities Transformed
When a community sees a local church feeding the hungry, providing medical care and taking in orphans, they see the love of Christ. As the church becomes the “hands and feet” of Christ the community is transformed and the church becomes an integral part of that society. As the children are cared for by the church they become a living example of the power of Christ’s love and a powerful witness to their friends and neighbors.
So, this Christmas, we have lots of hope.
"O Little Town of Bethlehem"
"The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight."
"O Little Town of Bethlehem"
"The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight."
If you would like to help or would like to know more about this, please allow me to share with you!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
God's Providence
Oh, how I love it!
As a teenager, I remember praying to make a difference in this world.
As a young married woman, I remember how I wanted to break a cycle I observed in my family.
As a mom with my first born, I remember being angry at the things I needed to overcome.
Being imperfect in an imperfect world surrounded by imperfect people, it is a wonder we can make anything good of our lives.
There in lies the problem. I cannot make anything good of my lie. It is only through the grace of God and His providence that I allow Him to write my story which will make a difference in this world.
In my mid-forties, a clay jar formed by the first 24 years, broken and reshaped over the next 21 years and counting, I am seeing God's providence in my life. God's story and not mine. Yes, it was hard and I had my times when I thought all I was going through was too much and it was not fair.
Then I remembered why Jesus was sent to earth.
His role to play here? Curse
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: For it is written, 'Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree". Galatians 3:13
My purpose here on earth? Cheesecake!
I am humbled by God's providence. His providence is "that preservation, care and government which God exercises over all things that He has created, in order that they may accomplish the ends for which they were created" -- ISBE, p. 2476.
I continue to pray to make a difference as well as stop the cycle but now it is a much larger role I wish to play than the little circle of my immediate family.
As I see things unfold before my eyes I am amazed at the millions of little turn of events that have led me to the place I am now.
We dream such small dreams of what God is capable of. Lately I have been dreaming bigger and bigger. As I learn more about the men and women of the Bible, I have more faith. Men and women that are just like you and me. God has used them mightily above and beyond their imaginations and he wants to use us that way as well. I am dreaming bigger because I want God to blow me out of the water when He shows me He can do so much more that I can dream possible.
We have faced another closed door in the pursuit of our boys and the children that fall in the same category as they. I cried so hard the morning I got the email that yet another agency asked the same question to the same people who have no power to do anything. However, this gave me more resolution to fight harder and not to stop.
I want to be an Esther.
I want to free these children.
God cares for them.
He wants them to have families of their own.
Families that will point them to Him.
I humbly request Lord Jesus to be used by You.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)