I have been encouraged!

Warning: don't follow me, follow Jesus! I'm a work in progress and I don't have all the answers. I am stuck between what I can and can't do. My want to doesn't match up with my can do at all. I am a big dreamer. My dreams are so big I need a big God to make them come true. But if I'm not too busy and I take the time to listen, many of them do come true, and many are happening right now! All I have to do is BELIEVE. 

Several things happened today. First I walked to school not once but twice to meet my kids after school. In total, I must have walked four miles and God was with me. He had me looking up scriptures when I got home. Boy was I hot and hungry!  

My book publishing consultant called me while I was out, which is always a plus. Liberty called me later this evening, and after talking to them, I felt that door slowly closing for now due to some obstacles. But amazingly, I have been encouraged by a young "Prince" in Nigeria who tells me I am his ma. Is that so cool or what? And he loves Jesus and wrote a book and wants to preach! Who wouldn't want a son like that? Little miracles like that make me happy. I am blessed! Yes, I am happy! What more could I ask for? He tells me he is praying for me and I believe him. :) what a precious soul to encourage me to believe in my dreams for orphans to all have a family. If this boy could believe I am his ma then maybe orphans can have this same hope and will know that they are loved and not forgotten. This is my Vision. This is my hope. This is my dream! 

Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. Habakkuk 2:2

I will not lose hope. God is with me and He is helping me do little things like love people right where I'm at. Sometimes it strikes up a conversation with strangers, teachers, friends, or neighbors, and I get to tell them I wrote a book! Who knows what God will do with a dream? Take it God, it is Yours. You choose how to use it! No longer will I underestimate Your path for me. Lead on Lord. My book is Yours! Amen. 

⁵ And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:5 

Liberty

Give me liberty, or give me death! ~ Patrick Henry 

I'm slipping and I know it. God will always have my heart but will he always have me? It's like I want to believe more than I can sometimes. I look around and all I see are giants in the faith and it makes me feel so small. Will I ever be big enough to fit in the crowd of do-ers?

My problem is I'm caught between a dream and reality. For the past almost week, our cupboards have been bare and it robs my faith beyond what's going on inside our house. All I can think about is the next meal and wonder what it will be. I kid around with God and ask, ok God, what miracle are You going to perform this time? So far, we haven't starved to death! As of yesterday, all the kids get free lunch at school, when the last two got approved. It's not everything, but it helps! We get *food stamp help as well. When I do the math it is less than a happy meal per person a day, but hey, God must have a sense of humor! after all, He is the BREAD OF LIFE (John 6:35). And gotta admit, its pretty amazing watching God feed 10 hungry people everyday! 

I wore my Liberty shirt yesterday that I got at the Women of Faith. It felt good to dream about going to school, on the walk to meeting my Lemuel after school yesterday. It's a nice walk and our dog Sally loved that she got invited, as well as Caleb was happy to see her waiting with me after school. It's the little things that keep me going. But I wouldn't complain if I got a scholarship to Liberty like my husband when we moved to VA so he could attend *18 years ago. What?! I just did the math, and 1995 was a LONG time ago lol. Caleb wasn't even born yet. And Rachel was in the womb! Wow! Time goes, doesn't it? 

I'm gonna leave it at that. Words are stuck now. And I don't know if anyone reads what I write. God is near the broken hearted. I'm so proud of everyone else chasing their dreams. I'm happy best friends know how to sing and after this I will turn the radio up and sing to their songs. Ha if they only knew how much I love them all! God bless them all! God bless my family! God bless the orphans waiting for their families to come and get them! God bless those that take care of them while they wait! God bless those who make me laugh when I want to cry! God bless the song that makes me dance! God bless Gods word and those who preach it! God bless God! I love You!! Amen. 

P.S. My husband heard me ask Caleb if he was ready for Proverbs 9, but since it was time to go, instead, my husband quoted Psalms 1 from memory, pretty cool he hasn't forgot it after all these years gone by since he learned it! LIBERTY rocks ! One person at a time! Maybe I'm next!? Maybe not. Tell me God how do YOU want me to take care of orphans TODAY! 

With Love,

Debbie

James 1:27

27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look afterorphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 

If you ask me, I will give you the nations; all the people on earth will be yours. Psalms 2:8

Lemuel

Proverbs 31:1-9

Sayings of King Lemuel

31 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

² Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
³ Do not spend your strength^[a] on women,
    your vigor on those who ruin kings.

⁴ It is not for kings, Lemuel—
    it is not for kings to drink wine,
    not for rulers to crave beer,
⁵ lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
⁶ Let beer be for those who are perishing,
    wine for those who are in anguish!
⁷ Let them drink and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.

⁸ Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.
⁹ Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.

While I type these words, our kids are in school. Our son, Caleb has been texting me asking me about my day and he's been letting me know how he is doing. He doesn't have any friends, not that he's not friendly, just the new kid in a new school. He is a mamas boy. He loves his family and prefers to be at home. I wonder where he gets that from?  ;) anyway, he is a people person, many adults are surprised how he can carry on a conversation. He's genuinely interested in the other person he is talking to and if you ask him a question, be prepared for the details. It can be a big downfall for him when he is in school. He's the type of person who likes to look out for the other guy. But it can easily be misunderstood by the teacher if he gets talking to someone sitting next to him who needs help. I'm proud of his effort to be a good neighbor. He just needs to learn to let things go when a teacher stops him from interrupting the class and not always try to give an explanation! Sorry for chasing a rabbit, like Caleb, I just wanted to explain what I'm talking about lol. Again, I wonder where he gets that from? 

One thing I know for sure is we both need God. That's what made me think of Lemuel. As a mother teaching her son, I just want to point him in the right direction and teach him to trust God - No matter what, God has all the answers, will take take care of him when I'm not there, and look out for him, the same way he looks out for others. 

I have a date to walk home with my Lemuel after school again today. We are about a mile and a half down the road from school and yesterday, Rachel walked home ahead of him because she has a half day schedule. When she got home, she said many strangers stopped to give her a ride, even offered her drugs, not something a mother wants to hear! I'm not gonna worry, I'm gonna trust God! Rachel is saving for a car. But until then, her girlfriend is gonna walk her home. Jim is dropping them off at school in the mornings. And at least the younger ones have a bus pick them up and drop them off! 

Thank You God for my kids. Thank You for their openness to tell me about their day. Thank You for new beginnings and letting us get off to a good start. For Rachel sitting down and telling me her concerns as well as Caleb. What more can a mom ask for? No wonder You delight in our prayers and answering them. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done! Amen. 

With Love, 

Debbie

First day of school

We're in school! 

School started for these guys today. Two more start tomorrow! It took a while getting all the paperwork done because we moved to a different county, but finally, all is well for six kids to be in school starting tomorrow!! We have all the bases covered. Two are in Elementary school. Two are in Middle school. Two are in High school. The seasons are changing. Summer is fading away, and another first will be here for us all very soon as we welcome Fall. Soon the leaves will be changing, sweaters and jackets will be worn on cool mornings, and the world will look different as it changes colors. But sometimes new things can be scary. I wouldn't say my boy Caleb is scared but he's really struggling with the change of starting over in a new school. I've done all I can to prepare him. Prayers have been said and tears have been shed. Tomorrow can make or break him. Please pray for his tender heart. He doesn't want any trouble. We've had our share of bad experiences in the public school. I'm just believing good things for all our kids. Good experiences, good teachers, and good memories to be made. Everything will be ok. I know he can do it. But he really needs to be kept in prayer. Not that the others don't, but they all seem ready to go back. Which is good for me because moms don't like to worry. Will you pray for both us? He was homeschooled after a gun threat at his old school last year. He didn't say he was afraid, he's just worried about the other kids and fitting in. It's hard for me to let go, even though I know it will all work out and God can do anything. I just want to know they are safe, and feel safe, if that makes sense. Thank you for praying. 

With Love,

Debbie 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 

Did I wake you up?

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
⁸ the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

I woke up several times last night. Call it old age. At least I know my mom and dad did it, and they're older than me. Rest his soul, only now my daddy is with Jesus! <3

Anyhow, I took the opportunity to visit my cats in the basement last night. They are down there in hiding while Lux is here, my nephew's shepherd, because they are visiting us, because we are on vacation! We didn't go anywhere this week, but my husband took off work so we could spend this last week together as a family before the kids head back to school on Monday. Nothing special, just a special family, at least I think so. ;) I did get a dinner date with the man of my life and enjoyed going to Timbukto! It was a restaurant where we enjoyed the best crab cakes around, on the house from our lovely daughter, Michelle, finally using the Christmas gift card she gave us, yum! :) 

Back to the cats. After some cuddles with them in the basement, assuring them that I haven't forgotten about them, I cleaned their boxes and proceeded outside to the trash in the wee hours. That's when I saw this!

A beautiful full moon displayed by The Lord who never sleeps, and never ceases to watch over me. 

I fell back to sleep after that, waking to the sound of our our oldest princess (Michelle) calling me with these words: "Gooood Morning! ... Did I wake you up?" I told her I would call her back as I wasn't up yet, but before I do that (or not because she should be at work by now) here's to hoping you have a good day as well, sharing my charge from the day that just came through my cell phone from Shine FM: 

Good morning from 95.1 SHINE-FM! "If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone." - John C Maxwell

Now we both have something to think about. ;)

With Love, 

Debbie 

Good Morning Lord, I'll do the dishes

I don't have a lot to say today. Today I have to register two students for high school. Rachel and Caleb are the only two that didn't finish school in Baltimore..... 

Just moved here in June. This is gonna be a new year for all of us. A fresh start feels good. We have great neighbors. A great house. So far, great schools for the young ones. Please pray for my high schoolers. It will be the hardest for them. 

Oh, and this mama. If she's gonna go back to school, there are some roadblocks already. I'm sure nothing God can't fix. Just some old tax stuff coming back to haunt us. Prayers appreciated. <3 

Have a blessed day, everyone! I have orphans on my heart, children in my home, and dishes in my sink. Time to get busy! 

With love, 

Debbie 

Hawk Nelson: Words (Official Lyric Video) 

http://youtu.be/anVweXDcxhA

Making Music

"If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth." (Numbers 30:2) 

I guess I'm on a roll. But if I'm honest, it would be accurate to say, it's God. He has my heart spinning. And for the first time in a long time, we're on to something. I know it's God, because its bigger than me. Why is it every time God wants me to do something does it have to cost more than I can afford? I'm in debt with life. I chase dreams I can't afford, but God always comes through. The money is always there, or is it? In the back of my heart, soul, and mind, I will always be in debt to pay forward the precious gift of a child in our family named Lera. It hurts to still be in debt four years later and realize she's not paid for. We have a $10,000.00 debt with Lifesong that we hardly touched paying back and it sucks. It drains the life out of me to no end that we have a daughter we can't afford. So when I wrote a book, I thought it would help make a return. I could make payments on our loan as well as help take care of orphans. Honestly, instead of that happening, We're getting deeper in debt. That's why I said I don't deserve to go to Women of Faith. But I still trust God wanted me there. If I'm real honest, on top of that, I want to go to Liberty. I stuck my feet in the water and applied, thinking I could win the contest. Same thing getting my book published, I entered it in the Women of Faith writing contest, but it didn't win. I could have said. Oh well, and left it unpublished, but I followed through because I believe orphans are worth it. We will probably be in debt the rest of my life, but at least I know our daughter has a home. She is safe in our family and I don't have to cry for her any more. But the tears still run down my face for the others in her orphanage who called me mama. How can I rest knowing they want a family too? 

So when God asks me to do something and even if I don't understand, I trust Him. I trust that He knows we can't afford to take on another task. We have a family to take care of. School starts next week and the kids need haircuts that we can't afford, along with they need school supplies. So if I trust Debbie, I would say, I can't afford to go to Liberty. But I'm not gonna let that stop me because I trust GOD! 

"May the Lord who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves, as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."      Romans 15:5-6   Dear God, we don't even have Internet in our house, but I trust if I'm gonna do an online course at Liberty we need that too. Help me dear Jesus, I am sunk without You. I will go to the library to do the online course if I have to. Just show me Your will, so I can obey.  My heart sings for You. Amen.

A Proverb A Day

Proverbs 1-3

New International Version (NIV)

Purpose and Theme

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a]
    knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
    and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
    the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b]

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction.

If you know anything about me, hopefully by now you know I wrote a book. I didn't write it to be famous. I wrote it for orphans. I can't get over the fact that so many children are living without a mother. I find that heartbreaking to the point I want to do something about it. We already have ten kids of our own and I'm not getting any younger so what can I do about it? That's what I've been asking God! One thing I know for sure is when you ask God a question, He's gonna answer! So I've been listening.....

Last night, I heard Charles Swindoll say if you want wisdom, read a Proverb a day, so that is what I'm doing. It's not the first time I heard this advice. Back when Jim was going to school at Liberty for his certificate in theology, our pastor there at the time said the same thing. He said Proverbs have 31 chapters so there's one for everyday of the month! Makes sense God would provide us one a day, doesn't it? Where else can we go for direction when we want to hear from God. So I'm doing it, starting today! 

I'm pretty sure I'm on the right path. I already know God wanted me at #WomenOfFaith signing my book over the past weekend. He ordained it that Liberty University would be there and I would apply (cry my eyes out at the counter) to go because I want to learn how to promote my book/be a better advocate for orphans!  

Pray with me! James 1:27! Matthew 19:26! Pray God would provide. Thank you!  

Monday

So, I just woke up and started writing, haven't even had my coffee yet. I can hear singing, but it's not coming from the radio, it's coming from my heart. Two songs woke me up. Worthy is the lamb by Third Day and daddy was a preacher...she was his wife. Then it hits me, that if someone was looking for me, and was using labels, they might never find me. 

Do you ever listen to a song and think, that's me! There's only one song I think of when I think of being a pastor's wife.... Daddy was a preacher. She was his wife. 

Sheila Walsh asked the Women of Faith audience where we were from. She called out Laurel, Maryland. Close. but, I live in Baltimore now! Next question. If you're a pastor's wife, stand up! Again. Close. I WAS a pastor's wife, but haven't been one since 2005. I was one when Jim was the pastor of Forestville Baptist Church. But after a merge there, he stepped down for the other pastor to take over. It was a painful process leading up to the merge. That's where I learned how harsh church people can be. So, when it ended, I was done being a pastor 's wife and began looking for me. We both began chasing rabbits. Jim's was to start a church plant in our neighborhood. While he dreamed about that, along came Lera. She was conceived in an email and that's where my book picks up. It was too painful to write about everything. (daddy was a preacher, she was his wife) So I just left that part out to deal with what was at hand. All I wanted was what God wanted, anyhow, so I focused on Hannah's birth leading up to adopting Lera. 

Daddy was a preacher 

She was his wife 

Just tryin to make the world a little better
You know, shine a light 
People started talking 
Just to hear their own voice 
Those people tried to accuse my father 
Said he made the wrong choice 
Though it might be painful 
You know that time will always tell 
Those people have long since gone 
My father never failed 

Chorus 
Even when the rain falls 
Even when the flood starts rising 
Even when the storm comes 
I am washed by the water 
[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/washed-by-the-water-lyrics-needtobreathe.html ]

Repeat Chorus 

Even when the Earth crumbles under my feet 
Even when the ones I love turn around and crucify me 
I won’t never ever let you down 
I won’t fall 
I won’t fall 
I won’t fall as long as you’re around me 

Chorus 
Even when the rain falls 
Even when the flood starts rising 
Even when the storm comes 
I am washed by the water. 

THIRD DAY - WORTHY IS THE LAMB

http://youtu.be/c0fIA11VIFE

Your Love Is Like A River

“Use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 NLT)

I'm laying in bed awake. My heart is full and the tears are running down. I can hear the sound of heaven speaking to me as I wake to familiar songs from the Christian radio that remained on during the night, and sound of my husband breathing in his sleep next to me. 

Everything that happened over the weekend, fresh on my mind. From meeting WestBow Press for my book signing, to listening to all the speakers, to chasing lines to meet some of them, highlighting Sheila Walsh and Third Day, to standing at the Liberty University counter crying my eyes out because I want to learn how to be a better advocate for orphans.... That's when Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Hope chimed in through my iPhone. God's response to my seeking Him this morning wrapped gently around my heart as I read the devotion. It was the same response I had given to the people who asked me this weekend,  "Why did it cost so much for you to sign your book?" My response was, "because this is my dream". I didn't do it for me. I wasn't thinking of me. I was planting seeds in the precious soil God gave me. All I know is 60 names were written down inside each book I signed. I can't remember every name. But God already knew their names before I did. And it doesn't matter if I forget because God has a plan and a purpose for each reader. Just as he has a plan and a purpose for each orphan waiting to be adopted. I'm leaving it up to Him. I did all He gave me to do and I am delighted to give my heart away in hopes of finding their families....

K-LOVE - Third Day "Your Love Is Like A River" LIVE 

http://youtu.be/Tg5we53hdPA

4 Years Ago

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

New International Version (NIV)

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolishthings of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him.  

I am humbled to think God chose a foolish girl like me to be the mama of a "little blond angel" in a faraway land. Four years ago, today, we took our flight to Ukraine to go find what was promised by God. Our daughter, hidden away in a dream, and a treasure that needed to be found. <3

If you know anything about me, it wouldn't impress you, not unless you know I'm in love with God. I have nothing to hang my hat on. And I'm sure when God calls me home, my greatness is not what will get me into heaven, and I don't care because I know The Great One. He is the King Of Kings and The Lord Of Lords. He is the Great I Am, who Was, and Is, and Is to come, and I stand in awe of Him who died to set me free. Only by His love and grace was I able to even begin to believe. He had a plan and He chose me. Adopting Lera exemplified God's love for me, and through me, and showed me His majesty in my life. I can do ALL things through Christ who makes me strong, and there are no mountains God can't move to those who believe. Our daughter is HOME, not because of Jim and Debbie, but because GOD loves her more than we ever could. His redemption is great! Thank You God for the journey of adoption and for demonstrating your faithfulness to complete what you have begun in me. 

Please, now, help my unbelief. I need You. Every day. Every hour. Every minute. You are the air I breathe and I pray You be strong in me. You got me to Ukraine to save our daughter. Before that, You saved me, depression and all. You took me there. Now she is home, but there are SO MANY OTHERS. Help me to not give up on my dream for them all to have families. Thank you for showing me some of the ones who came home, like Cephas, a precious soul I met in Torez who's smile melts my heart, and for the ones who are still waiting, be with them all until they find their families... 

You are the One True God who saves us all from sin and death. There is no one like You where men can be saved. I love You my LORD and my God. Amen.