These two scriptures have crossed my path over and over again these past few weeks. So, I continue to cling to them. Words cannot express the comfort my God provides me on a daily basis.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart."
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
HE HAS PLANS FOR ME (and you!) I HAVE A HOPE AND A FUTURE (and so do you!) HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME (and you!) How comforting that we don't have to look any further but to the throne of God.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
When Things Seem Quite Impossible
I woke up this morning with the thought that this day would not be any different than the last few. What kind of faith in God does that attitude portray? I'm reading through the book of Job and have been humbled by the amount of suffering that Job went through on behalf of Christ.
Job 1:13-20 (brief overview): Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking at his oldest son's house when messengers began to come to Job. His oxen, donkeys, sheep, servants and camels were all taken away. And then yet another messenger came to tell him of the mighty wind that came and killed his sons and daughters. What did Job do at this instant? He fell to the ground and began to worship the Lord. "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.
Job 2:7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
Job 2:10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
To have the attitude of Job in the midst of suffering..many of our daily sufferings do not seem so impossible to endure in comparison to Job's.
Or to have the faith of Abraham.
Romans 4:18-25 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
I will meditate on this today. As it was said in Mark 9:24 "I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief."
Job 1:13-20 (brief overview): Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking at his oldest son's house when messengers began to come to Job. His oxen, donkeys, sheep, servants and camels were all taken away. And then yet another messenger came to tell him of the mighty wind that came and killed his sons and daughters. What did Job do at this instant? He fell to the ground and began to worship the Lord. "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.
Job 2:7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
Job 2:10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
To have the attitude of Job in the midst of suffering..many of our daily sufferings do not seem so impossible to endure in comparison to Job's.
Or to have the faith of Abraham.
Romans 4:18-25 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
I will meditate on this today. As it was said in Mark 9:24 "I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief."
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Lean on Me
I think this post is more a reminder to myself than anything, but I'm sure others could use the reminder also. We need family and friends. The Lord did not intend for us to go this journey alone. We are weak in ourselves, and God has given us the precious gift of being able to lean on those close to us for support. Even Moses grew weak and tired and could not hold his hands up with his own power. So with Aaron on one side and Hur on the other, Moses allowed them to hold his hands steady. I pray that each one reading this has close family and friends to lean on...a support system is necessary in this crazy world we live in.
Moses 17:8-13
8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."
10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Moses 17:8-13
8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."
10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Healed: And Shown Worth
Take a change to read this scripture slowly. Take note of how Jesus interacted with this sick woman. Anyone that has experienced illness has experienced a sense of defeat in the hands of doctors. Thankfully the Lord has provided doctors that follow His calling, and tend gently to the needs of His flock.
Mark 5:21-34
21When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." 24So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." 29Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"
31"You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?' "
32But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
She suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors; she spent all she had...yet, she grew worse. How many doctors did she see? 3,5,10,30? What did they tell her? She was terminal? She was unclean? She would get better with time? She needed to take this medicine or that medicine? What hope did this woman hold onto? HER FAITH. She touched Jesus's cloak, and she was healed. But it didn't end there. He felt the power go forth from himself. He desired to know the one he healed. He connected with her. The disciples said, "See all the people crowding against you." But that wasn't enough for Jesus. He kept looking around for his beloved. What healed her? HER FAITH. I imagine Jesus looking into her eyes, possibly even caressing her face as he said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you."
This scripture rests well in my heart today.
Mark 5:21-34
21When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." 24So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." 29Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"
31"You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?' "
32But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
She suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors; she spent all she had...yet, she grew worse. How many doctors did she see? 3,5,10,30? What did they tell her? She was terminal? She was unclean? She would get better with time? She needed to take this medicine or that medicine? What hope did this woman hold onto? HER FAITH. She touched Jesus's cloak, and she was healed. But it didn't end there. He felt the power go forth from himself. He desired to know the one he healed. He connected with her. The disciples said, "See all the people crowding against you." But that wasn't enough for Jesus. He kept looking around for his beloved. What healed her? HER FAITH. I imagine Jesus looking into her eyes, possibly even caressing her face as he said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you."
This scripture rests well in my heart today.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Back in Action..We'll see how long this lasts..
By request..I'm back to blogging. I read back through my old blogs and realized how much writing and sharing with others is a way for me to connect. It's been over a year since I blogged last, and I've thought about coming back many times. So here I am.
While I surely can't go back in time over the past year and a half and share the journey God has taken me on, I can start today and share the place He has brought me to.
I've have learned the importance of committing scripture to memory and would encourage all of you to try. I just finished Psalm 23, and I have never found so much comfort in times of uncertainty. Throughout Psalms the word "meditate" is used more than ten times. Meditating day and night (Ps. 1:2), meditating on His unfailing love (Ps. 48:9), meditating on his works and considering his deeds (Ps. 77:12), meditating on his decrees, his statutes, his wonders, his precepts, his promises (Ps. 119:23,27,78,148), and meditating on his works and considering what his hands have done (Ps. 143:5).
So find a scripture, memorize it, and meditate on it.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
While I surely can't go back in time over the past year and a half and share the journey God has taken me on, I can start today and share the place He has brought me to.
I've have learned the importance of committing scripture to memory and would encourage all of you to try. I just finished Psalm 23, and I have never found so much comfort in times of uncertainty. Throughout Psalms the word "meditate" is used more than ten times. Meditating day and night (Ps. 1:2), meditating on His unfailing love (Ps. 48:9), meditating on his works and considering his deeds (Ps. 77:12), meditating on his decrees, his statutes, his wonders, his precepts, his promises (Ps. 119:23,27,78,148), and meditating on his works and considering what his hands have done (Ps. 143:5).
So find a scripture, memorize it, and meditate on it.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Talkin' bout my girl...
This is my girl Stephania...
If I was old enough and financially capable to adopt, she would be mine.
Sadly, I do not meet any of the criteria. But I'm sure some of you do!!
My baby needs a forever family!
When I walk into a room I look for the child not many would seek out.
And in searching for that child at Three Angels, I found Stephania.
She is absolutely beautiful! She has a smile that lights up the room and a quiet giggle that warms my heart. The day I left Haiti, I held this precious little girl in my arms and cried...ok, so maybe I bawled uncontrollably. Her arms were wrapped around my neck and she began patting my back. I stood her up to look in her eyes, leaned in to give her a kiss (which in Stephania's case means getting licked) and prayed for the Lord to provide loving parents for her. I trust and know my God is faithful.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Not used to sharing my bed...
For the past two nights, I have shared my bed...with a suitcase.
In in the midst of working extra hours this week and trying to see my friends before I leave, I have stayed up extra late to try and get things packed for Haiti. Just when I'm ready to crash, I have had no energy to move everything off of my bed. All I want to do is lay down for some sweet rest. In the morning when I wake up, this is what I roll over to see. (Luckily I stay in one place at night. Otherwise I would have a HUGE mess on the floor.)
Easily stated: IT IS A DISASTER!!
Rest assured, I will be packed and ready to go Friday!!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Home Sweet Home!
They're home for Christmas break!
These are my best buds from high school! After a long
semester, I cannot wait to spend time with them!
To play Cranium, take naps, have a drink and laugh until we cry.
Tis' the Season girls...it's time to be together!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Sing to him...
Sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
psalm 105:2
I will praise you, O Lord, with all of my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders!
psalm 9:1
I was sitting here this evening...trying to study for finals, complete a paper and listen to a lecture online. However, the Lord was calling me to my knees (and I mean literally down on my knees). To worship Him, to praise Him, to sing songs to Him. And to share with you His wonderful acts and mighty wonders!!
Isn't this girl a beauty?
A true wonder and work from God's own hand?
When I look at her, I see a carefree smile.
When I talk to her I hear a hope in her voice.
Then I am reminded of her once frail and battered body.
I am reminded of her bald head.
Still...just as beautiful.
The same smile, the same voice, the same heart within.
Cancer.
Why does that word feel like a knife stabbing me in the chest?
Ever since I have known Katie she has been battling cancer.
While miles now separate us,
we are somehow always in tune with one another.
She sent me a text message this evening that read: "I got good test results. My tumors are shrinking."
I could not help but to stop everything I was doing to join in and rejoice with her this evening by giving praise to the One who deserves it!
Nevermind every treatment, every appointment, every poke, every prod.
Our wonderful and faithful God has shown himself this evening.
Now my friends, believe me, this is no small feat.
Our God deserves all the glory, all the honor and all the praise.
I love you Katie!
psalm 105:2
I will praise you, O Lord, with all of my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders!
psalm 9:1
I was sitting here this evening...trying to study for finals, complete a paper and listen to a lecture online. However, the Lord was calling me to my knees (and I mean literally down on my knees). To worship Him, to praise Him, to sing songs to Him. And to share with you His wonderful acts and mighty wonders!!
Isn't this girl a beauty?
A true wonder and work from God's own hand?
When I look at her, I see a carefree smile.
When I talk to her I hear a hope in her voice.
Then I am reminded of her once frail and battered body.
I am reminded of her bald head.
Still...just as beautiful.
The same smile, the same voice, the same heart within.
Cancer.
Why does that word feel like a knife stabbing me in the chest?
Ever since I have known Katie she has been battling cancer.
While miles now separate us,
we are somehow always in tune with one another.
She sent me a text message this evening that read: "I got good test results. My tumors are shrinking."
I could not help but to stop everything I was doing to join in and rejoice with her this evening by giving praise to the One who deserves it!
Nevermind every treatment, every appointment, every poke, every prod.
Our wonderful and faithful God has shown himself this evening.
Now my friends, believe me, this is no small feat.
Our God deserves all the glory, all the honor and all the praise.
I love you Katie!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Who's counting? I AM!!!!
39 more days and I'll be on a plane to Haiti!!!
I cannot wait to feel each little warm embrace!
I cannot wait to sit down and take a bite of rice and beans out of each bowl!
I cannot wait to see how they've grown since August!
I cannot wait to hear the giggles and laughs!
And I cannot wait to love on these precious children!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Broken
I highly recommend listening to this song by Jill Paquette:
I wanted to taste life, I ran out on my own and found no place to hide
So come and catch me, so unsure of myself and if choices are free
Then why aren't they mine anymore, my sin goes before me closing doors
And the day to day has me torn between right and wrong
Where do I belong
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
I go down, I fall at Your feet asking for You to save me
Only to save me
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
Surely I've failed You
I've failed to go beyond grace and seek after truth
Not wanting Your mercy
Try to purchase a pardon--my deeds my currency
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
I go down, I fall at Your feet asking for You to save me
Only to save me
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
I wanted to taste life, I ran out on my own and found no place to hide
So come and catch me, so unsure of myself and if choices are free
Then why aren't they mine anymore, my sin goes before me closing doors
And the day to day has me torn between right and wrong
Where do I belong
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
I go down, I fall at Your feet asking for You to save me
Only to save me
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
Surely I've failed You
I've failed to go beyond grace and seek after truth
Not wanting Your mercy
Try to purchase a pardon--my deeds my currency
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
I go down, I fall at Your feet asking for You to save me
Only to save me
A broken and contrite heart oh Lord You will receive
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Creole Made Easy-Premye Leson
So, I have to put a plug in for my previous post. I'm still amazed I was able to get pictures of Wilson the turkey. Check it out below this post...
We'll Be Speaking Creole in No Time...
We'll Be Speaking Creole in No Time...
Megan is not so sure about showing off her Creole skills in front of the camera!
chajman an "the load"
sitwon "lime, lemon"
AND NOW FOR THE SHOW:
Monday, November 5, 2007
WHY DID THE TURKEY CROSS THE ROAD?
The leaves are changing color around here and it is beautiful. Just around the corner from my subdivision is a wooded area where I have seen many little creatures come from (squirrel, deer, etc). I have heard before there is a turkey that lives in the woods, but I had never seen him...until today that is. It was a nice little reminder that Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. He's lucky he's not a dead turkey!!
So I was driving down Petersburg Road and found traffic backed up about a half mile. When I came upon the scene, this is what I found. (Luckily I had my camera!!) Truckers were out of their vehicles trying to lure the turkey back into the woods, but he was content...smack-dab in the middle of the road. I'm glad I didn't have to be anywhere at the time. What an excuse that would be, "I'm sorry boss, there was a turkey crossing the road."
Monday, October 29, 2007
Chalk...the new body paint
I was looking through my pictures from the August trip and came across a couple to post. (Adding to You-You's pictures of the kids playing with chalk..)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Haiti, Evansville create family bonds...
What a delight to see this in the paper this morning:
Haiti, Evansville create family bonds
Nine Evansville-area families plan to adopt Haitian orphans
By Susan Orr (Contact)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
When Angela and Shawn Collins of Evansville traveled to Angel House orphanage in Haiti last year, their intent was to visit the children and volunteer there.
The couple wanted children but had put the idea aside after experiencing the pain of several miscarriages.
But, Angela Collins said, God had a different plan. While at Angel House, she found herself drawn to two children. She told her husband, who said he also felt a connection with them.
After praying about it and talking to the children, they decided to begin the adoption process for Steven and Belle, both 9.
"I never thought I'd go to an orphanage and decide to adopt two 9 year olds. ... I have no idea how to explain it. It was God," she said.
(Coincidentally, a few months after that Haiti visit, Angela learned she was pregnant. The Collinses' daughter, Madelyn, was born in July.)
The Collinses are among nine Evansville-area families who are in the process of adopting a total of 17 Angel House children, ages infant to 9. Located in Port-au-Prince, Angel House cares for children who have been abandoned, orphaned or brought in by parents too poor to care for them.
If the adoptions proceed on schedule, the first of the children will arrive by Christmas, with all of them here by Christmas 2008.
The Angel House adoption network has grown through word-of-mouth.
Michelle Cundiff of Evansville, a friend of Angela Collins, is missions leader for Three Angels Children's Relief, the agency that runs the orphanage, a Christian school and a medical clinic. She and her husband, Jeremy, are in the process of adopting three children.
"It is unusual for so many families to be adopting from the same orphanage, especially since Haiti isn't necessarily a hot spot to adopt from," Cundiff wrote in an e-mail interview. "We attribute this to God."
Another family, Kathy and Randy Koenig of Newburgh, is working to adopt three children: Shakira, 5, Samara, 3, and Caleb, 5 months old. Those children will join Phoebe, 4, whom the Koenigs adopted as an infant in North Carolina.
The Koenigs attend Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, and the church will host a benefit concert Friday at 7 p.m. to help raise money for the family's adoption expenses.
The Koenigs heard about Angel House through church friends who are adopting two children from there.
Kathy Koenig's connection with the children began online. She was looking at the orphanage's Web site and saw Samara's photo. The little girl had the same birthday as Phoebe, the same gap-toothed grin and the same love of dance and music.
Randy noticed the similarities, too.
"We just knew we were meant to adopt Samara," Kathy said.
In months to come, the couple decided to adopt the two other children.
The couple traveled to Haiti in July to visit the children and meet their biological mothers.
For Kathy, the experience was emotional. For Randy, it was a confirmation they were doing God's will.
"I knew that these children needed me," Randy said.
The Koenigs estimate all three adoptions should be complete between December and February. In the meantime, they're preparing for the new arrivals.
Photographs of the children hang on the walls, and the Koenigs regularly send family pictures to Angel House. The Koenigs are learning to speak some Creole, and they are collecting Haitian recipes.
As the families wait, they have gotten to know each other.
Cundiff hosts a weekly mothers' prayer gathering, and the families plan to stay in touch.
"We feel extremely blessed that the children will be able to continue the friendships they have formed in the orphanage," Cundiff wrote.
DENNY SIMMONS / Courier & Press
Phoebe Koenig, 4, right, does her best to comfort Eva Brown, 3, sitting in her mother, Theresa Brown's lap. Eva was having a tough time during their Sunday school music class at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Evansville. Theresa Brown and her husband Don are one of the sets of parents who will be adopting a child from Haiti in the near future. Eva's country of birth is China.
DENNY SIMMONS / Courier & Press
The current Koenig family of Newburgh, Phoebe, 4, Randy and Kathy, get together for a worship service after their Sunday school classes at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer recently. The family will soon double with the addition of Shakira, 5, Samara, 3, and Caleb, 5 months.
Haiti, Evansville create family bonds
Nine Evansville-area families plan to adopt Haitian orphans
By Susan Orr (Contact)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
When Angela and Shawn Collins of Evansville traveled to Angel House orphanage in Haiti last year, their intent was to visit the children and volunteer there.
The couple wanted children but had put the idea aside after experiencing the pain of several miscarriages.
But, Angela Collins said, God had a different plan. While at Angel House, she found herself drawn to two children. She told her husband, who said he also felt a connection with them.
After praying about it and talking to the children, they decided to begin the adoption process for Steven and Belle, both 9.
"I never thought I'd go to an orphanage and decide to adopt two 9 year olds. ... I have no idea how to explain it. It was God," she said.
(Coincidentally, a few months after that Haiti visit, Angela learned she was pregnant. The Collinses' daughter, Madelyn, was born in July.)
The Collinses are among nine Evansville-area families who are in the process of adopting a total of 17 Angel House children, ages infant to 9. Located in Port-au-Prince, Angel House cares for children who have been abandoned, orphaned or brought in by parents too poor to care for them.
If the adoptions proceed on schedule, the first of the children will arrive by Christmas, with all of them here by Christmas 2008.
The Angel House adoption network has grown through word-of-mouth.
Michelle Cundiff of Evansville, a friend of Angela Collins, is missions leader for Three Angels Children's Relief, the agency that runs the orphanage, a Christian school and a medical clinic. She and her husband, Jeremy, are in the process of adopting three children.
"It is unusual for so many families to be adopting from the same orphanage, especially since Haiti isn't necessarily a hot spot to adopt from," Cundiff wrote in an e-mail interview. "We attribute this to God."
Another family, Kathy and Randy Koenig of Newburgh, is working to adopt three children: Shakira, 5, Samara, 3, and Caleb, 5 months old. Those children will join Phoebe, 4, whom the Koenigs adopted as an infant in North Carolina.
The Koenigs attend Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, and the church will host a benefit concert Friday at 7 p.m. to help raise money for the family's adoption expenses.
The Koenigs heard about Angel House through church friends who are adopting two children from there.
Kathy Koenig's connection with the children began online. She was looking at the orphanage's Web site and saw Samara's photo. The little girl had the same birthday as Phoebe, the same gap-toothed grin and the same love of dance and music.
Randy noticed the similarities, too.
"We just knew we were meant to adopt Samara," Kathy said.
In months to come, the couple decided to adopt the two other children.
The couple traveled to Haiti in July to visit the children and meet their biological mothers.
For Kathy, the experience was emotional. For Randy, it was a confirmation they were doing God's will.
"I knew that these children needed me," Randy said.
The Koenigs estimate all three adoptions should be complete between December and February. In the meantime, they're preparing for the new arrivals.
Photographs of the children hang on the walls, and the Koenigs regularly send family pictures to Angel House. The Koenigs are learning to speak some Creole, and they are collecting Haitian recipes.
As the families wait, they have gotten to know each other.
Cundiff hosts a weekly mothers' prayer gathering, and the families plan to stay in touch.
"We feel extremely blessed that the children will be able to continue the friendships they have formed in the orphanage," Cundiff wrote.
DENNY SIMMONS / Courier & Press
Phoebe Koenig, 4, right, does her best to comfort Eva Brown, 3, sitting in her mother, Theresa Brown's lap. Eva was having a tough time during their Sunday school music class at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Evansville. Theresa Brown and her husband Don are one of the sets of parents who will be adopting a child from Haiti in the near future. Eva's country of birth is China.
DENNY SIMMONS / Courier & Press
The current Koenig family of Newburgh, Phoebe, 4, Randy and Kathy, get together for a worship service after their Sunday school classes at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer recently. The family will soon double with the addition of Shakira, 5, Samara, 3, and Caleb, 5 months.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Laugh, Cry, Pray
A nurse told me today, "I tell families three things: First of all, I'm going to laugh with them. Second, I'm going to cry with them. And then I'm going to pray with them. And if they don't like that, I'm going to do it behind their back."
I was able to experience all three with the wonderful husband of one of my patients. Her health started to deteriorate Saturday afternoon. She began seizing and became unresponsive and no one was really sure why. She was taken to the Neuro ICU where they finally decided she is experiencing kidney failure from too many medications. She was still unresponsive today when I stopped down in the ICU.
I laughed with her family many times last week while she was a patient on my floor.
I cried with her husband today while he swaddled me, as if I was the one that needed to be comforted. And we prayed...
There is nothing quite like connecting through prayer. The Lord was present in that room!! He is Jehovah Rapha (the God that heals).
I was able to experience all three with the wonderful husband of one of my patients. Her health started to deteriorate Saturday afternoon. She began seizing and became unresponsive and no one was really sure why. She was taken to the Neuro ICU where they finally decided she is experiencing kidney failure from too many medications. She was still unresponsive today when I stopped down in the ICU.
I laughed with her family many times last week while she was a patient on my floor.
I cried with her husband today while he swaddled me, as if I was the one that needed to be comforted. And we prayed...
There is nothing quite like connecting through prayer. The Lord was present in that room!! He is Jehovah Rapha (the God that heals).
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Oh, My Grandma!
A Tribute to my Grandma Kate:
She is 87 (or as she would tell you, 29).
Year after year, she continues to turn 29...I don't know how she does it?!
She is beautiful, young at heart, and a strong woman.
She was a wonderful wife.
She is a colon cancer survivor.
She is a fighter and a worrier.
She uses black electrical tape to fix everything.
She can speak some Croatian.
She never learned how to drive.
She saves her coins for her grandchildren.
She sleeps on the couch.
She loves lunch dates.
She reads more books than anyone I know.
This woman is funny, I'm tellin' ya. My mom was discussing with her
what she wore recently to a nice event. (sometimes her fashion
is..well..not up to date). My grandma responded to my mom by saying,
"Oh honey, I was dressed to kill."
I am so blessed to have a wonderful and funny grandma that has
been so active in my life.
Thanks Grandma for all you do!
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