Life has been busy. So busy. But so blessed too. We have had a few life changes happen around here in the last few days. How blessed we feel! Unfortunately though, something always has to take a backseat when the ebb and flow of life gets a little more crazy…and it’s usually my blogging time.
I humbly apologize for getting so far behind on responding to e-mails. My inbox is ridiculous. I am so sorry if you are still waiting on a response from me. I seriously just do not have enough hours in the day to respond to every e-mail I get. Please know though that I do read each and every e-mail that you send me and I prayerfully consider helping every child and every family who is brought to my attention. Gosh, I so wish I could help them all. I wish there was some way that I could do so much more.
Okay, time for a little catch up on things which have been happening, and a few things which have been on my heart recently.
Today I went back to see what was happening on the Chip-In for the Pleven orphans. Oh my goodness! Over $22, 000 has been raised for those darling angels. What a blessing from the Lord! I am so excited to see where the money goes and the profound difference that it is going to make in the lives of these children who know nothing but a life of lying in cribs day in and day out. It seriously breaks my heart in two.
Haven is doing so well with her new speech therapist. She absolutely loves Miss Brenda (which is amazing in itself). But something even more miraculous is unfolding before our eyes. It’s a praise report I have to share with you all as I know that so many of you have prayed for our beautiful Haven over the years.
Haven is actually taking an interest in technology. Up until now she has not shown any interest in anything electronic (unless it has to do with looking at photos, which she loves). We have tried everything and gotten absolutely zero response.
On her own accord Haven has developed quite an intrigue for the iPad recently. She has decided that it is really quite fun and loves moving things around with her finger and having the characters do silly things on the screen. When we take it away from her, she shakes her head in a very adament NO! That alone for Haven is quite something. Haven never really shows a like/dislike for anything. She is so extremely passive. But the iPad she is clearly loving right now. I got tears in my eyes watching her intensely maneuver things around on Miss Brenda’s iPad last week. Haven was actually focused on something and totally loving it. That is huge!
For the longest time we have avoided buying an iPad (we’re so like 1990’s). We just never had a need for one or thought that it would be worth our while. Until now. The fact that Haven is at least showing an interest in the non-verbal apps on the iPad is a fantastic reason for us to invest in one. We will do anything to give her a tool to communicate with us. We are so excited to see where this leads.
We have a glimmer of hope that just maybe this will help her. After the last post I did on Haven, so many of you wrote to ask me about autism and whether Haven has been diagnosed. Yes, we have seen many people over the last three years and got many opinions as to what could have caused Haven to shut down and not be able to communicate verbally. They have always said the same thing…no autism! She definitely does not have it. The “diagnosis” has always been the same. PTSD.
If you have a non-verbal child, I would love it if you shared with me the apps which have worked for your child. That would be a huge blessing. Thanks!
Recently a few of people have written to me about the ads which I have on my blog. I thought I would address this publicly so that hopefully everyone understands my heart on this. It’s a bit crazy to me that this comes up from time to time. One thing I don’t get is how people can be so concerned about me, or any other blogger for that matter, who has ads on their blog…when really, there are so, so many more important things in this life to worry about. Silly blog ads? Seriously? But it seems that they are something which people do definitely have an opinion about and apparently many bloggers have come up against a whole lot of criticism for having ads on their blog. It’s ridiculous.
But anyway.
Someone asked me to be “transparent” about the ads. Well, heck! Those ads have been up there for almost a year now. I’m not “hiding” anything.
Since I have been asked repeatedly about the ads on my blog, I am more than happy to share with you, the people who choose to read here. Those ads have been a blessing to many, many people. I agreed to have them for one reason…to give the money away! The revenue that I get off having them gets used to sow seed into families who are adopting, children who are waiting, precious lovies who are in desperate situations, and any other adoption/orphan related cause that God lays on my heart. I am so thankful that God gave me a way to be able to help a cause which is so near and dear to my heart. I only earn a small amount of money off the ads as my blog is not very big…but as I see it, it is precious seed that the Father can grow. This is my small loaves and fishes.
I am not out to earn a bucket load of money to support my family (because GOD is our source!). But oh how I would absolutely love, love, love to earn a whole lot of money to be able to give every penny of it away to someone who it rescuing a child and trusting the Lord to bring in every penny they need!
There you have it.
Speaking of money and fundraising, my friend Julia is hosting the most amazing giveaway on her blog. There are some totally awesome things up for grabs! All money raised goes toward helping many children come home. Go sow some seed!
I have received so many e-mails after sharing my heart on one of my deepest regrets a few days ago. It seems that so many parents are working hard to raise a generation of young people who believe in courting, not dating. I would love to do a follow-up on that post. I would love to share a few testimonies of people who courted before marriage. Are you one? Did you and your spouse court? Would you be willing to share your love story with us? Please e-mail me at [email protected]
That’s it for now, friends.
God is so good. ALL the time.
