I am reminded ❤️

All I have to do is look at them and I am reminded. I am reminded how the first time I looked into Hannah's eyes, God had a plan. She was born with Down syndrome. I couldn't look at her and not see God. The same with all our other children, but different. Her eyes had something to say. They still do! I am intrigued at how big her heart is. She knows when I am sad or need a hug. She likes true feelings. So do I! I get her and she gets me. I may not always understand her words, but I understand her heart. Same with Lera for that matter. Sometimes it can be frustrating and becomes a guessing game because their speech isn't clear, but it's so worth trying to figure them out! I'm not saying that they aren't like any other kids. They can be mischievous and ornery and have their stubborn days too. I'm just saying they have a spark that makes me want more. Let's just say they know how to get a fire going. ;) They truly do inspire me. So that's what this post is about. For anyone who doesn't already know, because Hannah was born with Down Syndrome, she was the inspiration behind us wanting to adopt Lera; also born with Down syndrome. (for more on that, you can read our story in a book I wrote; Chasing A Dream Where The Sunflowers Grow http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000463730/Chasing-a-Dream-Where-the-Sunflowers-Grow.aspx) 

Today I am blogging for Show Hope and gonna try to answer this question:

“What does it mean to be a child of God?”

Of course it didn't take long for me to have my answer. As usual, I took a picture of the girls before school this morning. And as I sat there looking at the pose they gave me (above) of Hannah kissing Lera on the cheek, the song playing on the radio went right along with it, "I am redeemed, You set me free" - Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave. To me, that's what it means to be a child of God. Before adoption, God sees us, pursues us, finds us, loves us, and makes us His own. Then the Holy Spirit leads us to do the same. (Acts 20: 22-37)

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." - John 14:18 

Big Daddy Weave - "Redeemed" (Official Music Video)

http://youtu.be/VzGAYNKDyIU

Micah graduated & I think I'm pregnant

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him." - Psalm 127:3 

   Our sweet boy Micah this morning :) 

Not really, I'm not really pregnant. But Micah really graduated, 8th grade that is. He's my baby boy, the youngest of our five sons. I am proud. I cheered loud and clapped when they called his name. (My phone died so I couldn't take any pictures) It's what proud moms do. Alice said I hurt her ears when I screamed his name with my hands cupped around my mouth. ;) He's my baby boy. I had to do it. My only boy left to cheer for and dream of him going to highschool and making it through to the end. His brothers didn't make it through high school for one reason or another. Instead, they got their GED's, started working, etc. So of course I am hopeful that he will go strong. I'm praying he does. He's tall and sweet and built like a football player. He says he's gonna play football. I can't wait! You bet, I'll be screaming for him on the sidelines. My big boy, baby boy, Micah, you can do it! I believe in you! All things through Christ who makes you strong. (Philippians 4:13) Keep believing. And never lose hope. I love you.

I just dropped Alice off at her friend, Brianna's house. Micah's cooling off playing video games. Hannah and Lera are still in school. I enjoyed a dip in the pool, earlier, because Micah's graduation was hot. Two hours hot! But it was worth it, even if there wasn't any A/C. Micah earned three awards! (I will try and add later, my phone is acting up) He makes me so proud! 

    *** Edited & added Micah's awards in Math, Spanish and Science *** 

I'm looking forward to spending time with them all summer, and Hannah and Lera, who are finishing up in two days. As Alice and I drove along, on the way, to get to her friends house, I couldnt help but be excited about the possibility of adding to our clan. Another angel sounds good to me and she's heavy on my heart. Just yesterday, the Department of Social Services called to touch bases again. And of course they know we are interested in the little 8 year old in foster care that needs a forever home. Are we it? I don't know. But I hope so! I believe with God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) and I want to be her mom. Time will tell! This is how I want to live my life. 

"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." - James 1:27 

Happy Graduation Day, Micah! ~XOXO ~ 

This song inspires me, I dedicate it to you. <3 

This Is Living (feat. Lecrae) (Music Video) - Hillsong Young & Free

http://youtu.be/tsJEmLkphrI

Our son got married on Mother's Day & We got a new daughter!

Thank you for the sweetest dance...

I couldn't be happier dancing with you on your wedding day which happened to be Mother's Day! 

[Photo courtesy of Jamie Weese]

Seems you were just a little boy, not that long ago, sitting in your highchair, eating peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches! Where has the time gone? You've always been adorable and sweet! I know you didn't always have a temper, but maybe it had something to do with all those times you let the other kids steal your toys! ;) Just remember, "Love...keeps no record of wrongs..." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) 

When the day finally came for you to be married, we were all honored to be there! Rachel did my hair and make up. She made me feel like queen! Alice did Hannah and Lera's hair. All the girls looked like princesses! The boys looked so handsome, just like your father! ~ My heart was spilling over with joy! :D

We were the first ones to get there! ~ 

Pictured: 3 of our 5 sons (L-R); Timothy, Micah, Caleb, beside Jim. 4 of our 5 daughters; Lera, Hannah, Alice, Rachel. Rachel's date; Bobby. Also, our nephew; Justin, Matthew's groomsman. 

Congratulations for taking this step, a mystery!  (Ephesians 5:31-32)

...Hannah and Lera, before the wedding. 

[Photo courtesy of Alice]

Counting down! ~ Jim and Matthew waiting...

[Photo courtesy of Sherry Creech]

Moments before, Jim adjusts Matthew's boutonnière. 

[Photo courtesy of Sherry Creech]

Here comes the wedding party! ~ The best man, James. Matthew's brother and our son w/ the maid of honor, Victoria. 

[Photo courtesy of Caleb]

Matthew's groomsman, Jamie Weese and bridesmaid, Michelle. Matthew's sister and our daughter.

[Photo courtesy of Caleb]

Matthew's groomsman, Tony Ash and our daughter-in-law, Amanda. James' wife and bridesmaid for Jessica. 

[Photo courtesy of Caleb]

The flower girls, Mikayla and Myah (Myah was behind Mikayla). Matthew's daughters and our granddaughters (Myah is Jessica's daughter too). The ring bearer, Christian. Amanda and James' son and our grandson. 

[Photo courtesy of Caleb]

Caleb took this Panoramic view! ~ The whole wedding party, including, Matthew's groomsman, Justin and Jessica's bridesmaid, Brianna (not pictured walking in). 

Here comes the bride! ~ Mike walking Jessica down the aisle to meet you! :) 

[Photo courtesy of Sherry Creech]

The wedding! ~ My favorite picture! :) xx 

[Photo courtesy of Caleb]

[Next photos courtesy of Sherry Creech] 

Myah watching from her seat! 

The rings and vows...

The kiss...

Happily married! ~ Mr. & Mrs. Matthew David and Jessica Lauren Norsworthy! 

~ Rachel sang you a song! :) 

Rachel: "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts.

[Photo courtesy of Caleb]

Walking out as husband and wife! ~ XO

[Photo courtesy of Caleb]

First Dance! ~ "a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:4) 

[Photo courtesy of Jamie Weese]

The rest of these photos are of your guests dancing! 

That's all the dancing! I'm sure your wedding pictures will be even more beautiful and will have everything not seen here that your photographer, Samantha Lawson took. I can't wait to see them all! 

Congratulations and Best wishes for a long and happy life together! 

~ Matthew and Jessica about to leave for their honeymoon. :) 

~ Keep the faith and keep dancing! :) 

http://youtu.be/K0M3X3_pFD4

Unspoken - Good Fight (Lyric Video)

Did you know?

Dear bus lady, 

Did you know those flowers were for you? Yeah, I know Lera was already on the bus and you were waiting for Hannah to catch up. That's because Lera likes to be first! She was Happy to run. But did you know Hannah likes to take her time? Did you see she had flowers in her hand? Did you hear me say, give them to you? I know Hannah doesn't speak clearly. So did you see me ready to tell you those flowers were for you? No. I know you didn't. How could you? We were still feet away from Hannah climbing up on the bus. But did you see me? I wanted to tell you...you shut the door in my face. I am a sad mom. But I wanted to make you happy! Do you care that my little girl has a mom? Didn't you see me standing there? No. You didn't look at me. But did you look at Hannah? Did she make you smile? I hope so...but you didn't give me time to even take a picture of Hannah getting on the bus before you shut the door! Oh well. Maybe you will never know how much we try to make your day. You of course have a schedule to keep. Carry on. Maybe tomorrow? Have a blessed day any way. Please drive safe and remember you have my life on board. Hannah and Lera are opposite, like night and day, but they are my night and day.

Sincerely, 

Your passengers mom, 

Debbie xx 

Did you know Hannah and Lera met a friendly caterpillar while they waited for you to come? 

Did you know just moments before you pulled up, I was fetching these flowers for you? 

And you shut the door in my face? Before I could say a word (greet you) or see my little girl get on. 

Even though you crushed my heart. I pray God makes your day. Maybe it wasn't meant to be from Hannah or me. Maybe from something/someone else. God bless you! 

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)

Have a nice day! 

http://youtu.be/j_wb38KMXLs

Love Song for a Savior - Jars of Clay

Overwhelmed

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:3-6

The song Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave http://youtu.be/F6oxXwRWFTo?list=PLOXBpRn_BRp9TI-u4OVe2xfsNmbouAgaz makes me think of Hannah every time I hear it. At first I didn't know what to think when God gifted us with our ninth child that happened to be born with Down syndrome. Was she beautiful? Yes! But all I could hear in the beginning was people say they were sorry. I thought I should be sorry too. How wrong I was! Through Hannah, God had my world spinning. Because we were entering new territory, not knowing anything about Down syndrome before she was born, we didn't know the path God had us on would lead us all the way to Ukraine! Another little girl named Lera who just happened to be born with Down syndrome would be our daughter too! Though we never met her birth parents, they are often thought of, and the orphans at her former orphanage; her caretakers; the Armenian man working there, who invited us to his church nearby, with the little babushkas who welcomed us in, and prayed their hearts out before God; the pastor and his family who fed us, took us in their homes, gave us tea and sang praises to our God; our translator(s), one in particular and his sweet family that kept us for 3 weeks while we waited to come home, and all the many different people we met in and around the place where we stayed in Kramatorsk; like the lady at the Internet cafe who served us hot tea each day we came to visit our kids back home, and I can't forget our facilitators mother and father, very kind and and helpful, even making our apartment a little fancier for our anniversary so we could celebrate, what a blessing! How could I ever forget them all? Please read more about Hannah and Lera in a book I wrote: Chasing a Dream Where the Sunflowers Grow http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000463730/Chasing-a-Dream-Where-the-Sunflowers-Grow.aspx to bring awareness for Down syndrome and orphans. While you're at it please pray for our dear friend, Teresa Fillmon who serves in Ukraine. If you read my book you will learn why she means so much to me! Here's recent news about Teresa and what is happening in Ukraine right now, published in the Kyiv Post http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/war-grinds-on-us-expatriate-digs-in-at-war-front-to-shore-up-dzerzhynsks-defenses-388605.html 

If you would like to help feed the hungry and displaced people of Ukraine please go to Teresa's GoFundMe: Ukrainian Aid Fund by Teresa Fillmon http://www.gofundme.com/ukrainianaidfund 

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God." 

Philippians 1:9-11 

Lera Was Here

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."  (Mark 9:37)

When Rachel was in travel league softball, it was just easier and cheaper for me to stay at home with the rest of our kids when Jim and Rachel were often out of town and stayed in a hotel. I wasn't prepared to handle both of our girls with special needs alone. I'll never forget the first time I took Lera and Hannah to church without Jim. It was right after we got back from Ukraine with her. She ran right up on stage and jumped in our worship leader's arms while he was singing and playing the guitar! It's not that he didn't appreciate her doing that. He later told me how much it meant to him! Somehow her unannounced presence on stage in the middle of Sunday church made me feel uncomfortable and we mostly stayed at home after that.

This past Sunday Jim was on a fishing trip. Our grandchildren, Mikayla, Christian and Skylar had spent the night and I was feeling really brave! I decided when I woke up in the morning that we would all go to church! Rachel and Alice were already going because Rachel decided she needed more experience singing on stage in front of an audience. She started practicing with the praise team earlier in the week to prepare her for Shine where she will be performing with AMTC in December! Since Rachel's new, the praise team suggested she sit out a few times before coming up on stage and I wanted to sit with her! Ironically, this time Lera didn't run up on stage, and neither was Rachel up there! But this time, I couldn't keep Lera quiet...

Lera and Mikayla at the coloring table. 

Hannah and Christian at the coloring table.

Lera was clapping after every song when no one else was clapping and saying amen after every prayer and sometimes when no one was praying at all!

"This is the day that LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" (Psalm 118:24)

Also, Lera wasn't sitting quietly during children's church and our granddaughter came to get me a little later. I know she wasn't trying to misbehave, she's just not able to keep quiet! Which reminds me, neither should I! 

I couldn't sleep last night...one of the little girls from Lera's former orphanage popped in my head and I know God was getting my attention. The radio was on so singing with the songs that aired became my worship and prayer. I know God has a plan and a purpose for each heartbeat. Thanks to adopting Lera, my eyes have been open to see many more in need of being rescued. 

This Mother's Day our son, Matthew will be getting married to his beautiful bride, Jessica (maybe another blog) but before that day comes, I want to remember those who don't have a mother. Would you like to help me remember them too? Maybe God's not calling you to adopt. Maybe he's calling you to become a sponsor so other families can bring their children home. If it wasn't for the help of several grants and our interest free loan from Lifesong, we wouldn't of been able to go get Lera and bring her home! Please consider giving a gift in Lera's name, so orphans around the world will not be forgotten this Mother's Day! 

From Lifesong For Orphans: 

"This Mother’s Day, please join us in giving the gift of Mom. Every little donation to adoption matching grants helps put families together."

"You can bridge the financial barriers to help make adoption possible through Lifesong’s Adoption Funding tools. Join us this month to raise $10,000 for Adoption Matching Grants, helping 4 adoptive families move one step closer to their forever child."

Casting Crowns-Life Song

http://youtu.be/393OSwfDTb4

Happy Birthday Rachel

The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. - Genesis 12:1 

Good morning Rachel! I'm writing this blog for you to wish you a happy birthday! 19 years ago you were born! It was an exciting time for us as we packed up everything we had and moved to Virginia so dad could attend Liberty University to earn his certificate in theology. We believed God wanted us there but that didn't make it easy! But God provided everything and taught us a lot! While dad went to school, worked and slept, I was lonely with 4 kids and expecting you. We didn't know anybody but because I started to homeschool Michelle, James and Matthew (Timothy was a baby), we went to a homeschool picnic and met a member who had her newborn baby with her. Daddy, the social man and baby lover that he is, got to talking and found out she just had a homebirth. Of course, that was all he needed to hear and decided we should have you at home on your birthday (3-18-96) and so it was we met her midwife, which became our midwife too! Her name was Carol and because we couldn't afford to pay her, she was more concerned about you than anything we could pay her and took our bill and wrote "paid in full" across the top! All she wanted was for me to be healthy and drink the tea she provided which was supposed to be good for both of us. :) so I did! You were our first homebirth and only child born in VA. Oh, and as agreed with the midwife, dad and I walked every night after dinner as our midwife was strict and told us she would know if we followed her orders by the way the placenta looked after you were born! So see, God was teaching us a lot and at the same time He was taking care of us. We had church members from back home (in Maryland) who were sponsoring us, it wasn't everything, but everything we needed was always there right when we needed it. Like daddy working at a bagel shop..., we had lots of bagels to eat as daddy got daily leftovers that would of been thrown out. And just when we thought we couldn't pay rent, a check from a church member would come in the mail. That's how I know and learned God would always take care of us. All this to say, on the day you were born, my contractions were very sparatic and unpredictable throughout the day. Spaced so far apart, I kept thinking maybe I wasn't really in labor, strong contractions were hours apart but intense so I kept thinking I had time. I kept waiting for them to regulate but they never did. Finally, after dinner, we called grandma Ezekiel to let her know this might be it. Originally she planned to be there when you were born but during our phone conversation, she said she couldn't make it. And that was all I needed to hear and labor kicked in! I couldn't even finish talking to her, daddy did and I was in the bathroom realizing you were coming before he could hang up the phone lol. So daddy had to call Carol, our midwife to come right away! I won't go into any more details other than say when it was time, she barely walked through the door and you were born! So here we are, 19 years later and I couldn't be more proud of you than the day you were born. God has taught us so much through your lifetime. It wasn't always easy but just like the day you were born I labored for you and would do it all over again to see how beautiful you are. Through many twists and turns, the road hasn't always been certain but God never left us and let us watch you grow into the beautiful person He created you to be. This past year has been my favorite watching you grow because not only are you grown up like you always wanted to be but you are growing in Christ and trusting Him as your Lord and Savior. What I'll never forget is what our midwife, Carol told us, "I'd rather have an ignorant child, than one who doesn't know the Lord." She was right! Too many people worry about the jobs or status they have or how their children will grow up and be smart in this life and get a good job and a good education instead of putting the emphasis on their spiritual life. All I ever wanted for you and all our kids is to know and trust the Lord! Thank you for for being a fine example of what that looks like. God loves you so very much and I'm glad he brought you to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and you have trusted Him with your life. Happy Birthday, baby! I love you so much and I can't wait to see what 19 looks like! I wish you all the blessings of Christ as you trust Him with your talents and sing your heart out for Him! God bless you! Let's rock our way to Shine and show them what you got! No holding back (haha) let this be your delivery day...December is only 9 months away! Sing baby sing! I love you! All glory to God! 

Throwback! Daddy's girl :) 

Throwback! 1st time at church w/ mommy & Michelle. 

Throwback! You made us a big family...half way there! ;) you and your sister and brothers 1996. 

Look at you now, all ready to sing! You made me so proud when you encouraged your little sister, Alice to try out for AMTC too! So here we go, reach for your dreams! All Glory to God! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL! ~ XOXO 

TobyMac - Beyond Me (Lyric Video) http://youtu.be/iFPq9p559II