Simply Love T-shirts

I have a friend.

Her name is Marjorie St. John.  She had to have a serious, emergency surgery this past week.

When we started our adoption process back in 2007, she was the first one who reached out to me on the yahoo groups and explained what all the acronyms meant.

PA, LOA, TA, LID…I had NO IDEA what they all stood for!!

Then when we got Ava’s referral in 2010 she was the one who I sent Ava’s file to so she could look it over and tell me if anything “abnormal” or scary stood out to her as she had read many, many kids files before and knew how to read between the lines.

And a friendship began and although we have never had the chance to meet in real life I consider her a dear friend.

And I wanted to do something for her.  They have been saving and saving for their upcoming adoption and all they needed yet was their plane tickets.

But now they have had to pay for their insurance deductible for an unexpected surgery!

So I was thinking to myself….how can I help Marjorie?

And I thought of the River of Grace T-shirts that we have left up in the attic and I thought I would start another fundraiser and give the proceeds to the St. John family in hopes of relieving some of the financial burden for them during this stressful time.

Marjorie will not be able to lift anything over 5 lbs. for 8-10 WEEKS.  And then they are to travel to China to get their daughter, Ami. 

So she needs to really take this time and let her body heal.

*Maybe if you have already ordered a t-shirt yours is wearing thin and you could use another one?

*Maybe you have gained weight/lost weight and need another one?!?! (lost would be nice!)

*Maybe you never have heard of a River of Grace T-shirt fundraiser but follow our blog and want to help an orphan.

(www.hamelothjourney.blogspot.com)

*Maybe you know the St. John’s and want to help them pay for the flight to China to give another orphan a forever home!

https://www.facebook.com/morethanahomemom?fref=ts

If you would like to help then free to order your t-shirts size and color on the right hand side of the this blog and I will ship it right out to you in one of our Adopt a Child drawstring bags. (while supplies last)

Or you can email me your size and send me a check:

ljhtjl@embarqmail.com

Thank you so much!

The front of the shirts:

The back of the shirts:

Together let’s show Marjorie how much we love her!

His Plans are BEST

So sit back and come along with me as I reminisce down memory lane for a bit and be reminded again on how AMAZING and AWESOME our God is and how HIS plans are best.

Back in 2012 we traveled to China to adopt Josie.  We did it a bit “backwards” as we did her paperwork in Guiyang first and had gotcha day and then we traveled to Kunming to visit her foster family, who just “happened” to be our friends. And then we headed down to Guangzhou to do the American side of the adoption.

We had a very special (albeit too short) visit in Kunming but special memories were made.

We met a little girl named Le Le (pronounced Lu Lu) and we fell in love.

Le Le  (who I secretly named Maggie!) was just precious.  She was born with dwarfism.  And after we got home I talked to my cyber friend, Yvette, you know….just in case God would call us to adopt a child who “just happened” to have dwarfism.  I needed to know some information.

But we knew that Hannah was VERY MUCH wanting to adopt Le Le as her own….but at that point in time it just didn’t seem humanly possible as she didn’t have a husband or a way to adopt her.

So we said our goodbyes not knowing if I’d ever see “my” Maggie again.

But after we left China in 2011 some love was in the air and Joshua and Hannah started dating. <3

They are a perfect match.  So they got married and then were able to start the process of adopting Le Le!!!!!

And just a few months ago Le Le’s adoption became finalized (they call her Ella) and Joshua, Hannah, ,Le Le, Elora traveled to the states to have their 2nd natural baby!!!  Baby Enoch was born on July 16th.

So Le Le was IN  MY HOUSE last night.

Something I NEVER in a MILLION years thought I would ever see.

It was soooo fun.

She is a happy, and still adorable, 3 year old girl now!

And then since Hannah and her family were in the states Daniel and his family came in from Pittsburgh to visit too!

Before Hannah and Joshua started dating, Joshua and his friend would come over and help with the ROG kids.

So Josie and Daniel know Joshua VERY well and were very excited to see him again!

It was a very sweet time.

Daniel blew us all away with his new communication device.

Daniel’s CP affects his speech.  He can walk but is jerky.  But we never could understand him.  Now Josie and Daniel had a special way of communicating….but  this device has opened up his world!

He is VERY bright….and has much to share.  He just couldn’t before!!!!!

I can’t even think of a word to begin to describe how neat this device was. I got tears and goose bumps when I heard him “talk” with Joshua and Hannah.  He congratulated them on their baby boy.

Then he told Josie he is in the 1st grade.  And asked her what grade she is in.

You have to listen closely as there is a lot of background noise.  But he either types in his words or uses icons to say what he wants to say.

These two had a good time just being together again.  Such a special bond that I’m so very thankful they can continue here in the states.

We introduced Joshua to what a s’more was.  He thought it was delicious!

I went to bed just humbled that we get to be a part of this very special plan that God orchestrated. It gave me renewed hope and peace knowing that He truly did call us to adopt Josie.

So when the hard days come (or don’t go away) I can rest knowing that He really does have a plan….even if it doesn’t make sense to me or if I worry about what the future holds for Josie, all we need to do is love.

He has all the details worked out.

Autumn update

So the gang at ROG have had a busy summer.
They moved to a different part of the apartment complex that they were in.  But it is a 2nd floor apartment now! Which equals less steps!
That was killer when we were there.  Walking up and down 5 flights of stairs anytime you wanted to go out!
I’m thankful for that awesome blessing.  Imagine taking kiddos with Josie’s needs (or more!) up and down all those steps.  Every day.
It makes our “hardships” here seem insignificant.

They do not say to themselves,
‘Let us fear the Lord our God,
who gives autumn and spring rains in season,
who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’

Jeremiah 5:24

They have been given another baby to be in charge of for a season.

They named her Yora= Autumn Rains.

And she is precious.

But only 2.1 kg= 4.6 pounds!  Tiny but seems healthy!

Please continue to pray for them. 

**For protection.

**For continued favor with the gov’t that the orphans can be fostered and not placed in the orphanage.

“Ebenezer is still living as far as we know.  We saw his orph director a couple months back.  He brought a group of men to our house to see what we were doing.”

**And for wisdom and opportunities to share God’s love to those around them.

**And that DW and his wife will make the choice to follow the Good Shepherd.

Please pray for us that we'd keep on the straight and narrow and follow Jesus to the end. There are many opportunities for us to reach into some needy areas with the Good News. These are doors for effective service in seeing disciples growing and multiplying.

May we not forget those who have counted up the cost and are following Jesus under persecution.
He IS INDEED worth it.
But it isn’t without hardship or heartache.
Let us not forget!

What’s new you ask!?!?!?

LOTS and LOTS!

Youcef (pronounced like Joseph with a Y) just arrived a few days ago. The trip to pick him up was safe. We're grateful for him!

We are rejoicing at our newest addition, Youcef. He is just one month old. He was abandoned by an unwed mother according to the note left with him. We went over to GZ to pick him up (about five hours) and he was thin and jaundiced. His head was shaved so he must have spent some time in the hospital as well. But his recovery has been quick.

Please pray that he will continue to gain weight and get healthy so he can have his lip operation soon.

Lucas is here with us for a month. His family are visiting the States. Hopefully, they too will soon get news about their adoption paperwork being matched.

We've gotten word that the children left behind at the other orphanage are getting some better care. We are very grateful.

Here is Ezekiel and Ebenezer out in the sun...an amazing change. Father hears prayer. He cares!

A local sister and a foreign family are making visits. Hurray!

Daniel’s family is working as fast as they can to get their dossier finished so he can come HOME!

Elijah’s family is “just” waiting for their LOA and then can travel to bring Elijah HOME!

follow their journey at: http://carlaburlando.blogspot.com/

Rejoicing that these two boys having forever families!!

Some truly amazing things are happening!  Thank you for your continued prayers for the ROG team!

And it has been ONE YEAR since Gracie HAVILAH has been home….WOW!  Yeah God!

Her Mama just did a sweet post at:

http://bygracewearefive.blogspot.com/

And just for some cuteness factor

Miss Maggie and Miss Salome are thriving and doing really well…..they both will most likely be adopted in China….hopefully someday!

If you would like to give to the ROG foster home that helps care for these precious children send your tax deductible donation to:

Write River of Grace on the check and send to:

Upper Room Fellowship

2234 Indian Trail Drive

West Lafayette, IN 44906-2161

ROG kiddos

When we visit the B’s some of our best memories are made with just being with the kiddos.

I can’t really explain in words how special they are.

How they just brighten the room by their smile.

Hearing them sing Jesus Loves Me is so moving.

God really, really, really LOVES these kids.

There is a batch of paperwork that needs some prayer!  When we were in Guiyang doing the “official” part of Josie’s adoption we found out the papers are still in a desk draw just waiting to be sent up to the CC*A. And then some of these kiddos will be paperwork ready to be adopted!

Please pray that they will be released SOON so these kids have a chance of getting a forever family….

Daniel, Elijah and David are still at the orphanage in XY.  Please continue to pray for them.

Elijah was “featured” in this blog: http://hannahjiejie.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/what-he-needs/

He really needs a forever family. He will just thrive!

If anyone of you feels called to pursue any of these children please just shoot me an email (ljhtjl@embarqmail.com) and I will be happy to give you more info.  I could talk about them all day long!

Some of their files aren’t prepared yet…but if the director knew that a family was seriously considering adopting one of these children he would be inclined to do their paperwork!

Daniel REALLY, really, really wants a forever family….

These kids are not “easy” to place.  But they are the ones who need a family the most!

  And if it was “easy” we wouldn’t need Jesus right?!?!!?

Hesed is 9 years old and has moderate/severe CP.  She is sitting soooo much better this year and not as floppy as before!  She is getting stronger and stronger!!! PTL

Jacob is 3 years old and just a total sweetheart.  He is SOOO SMART! And talking sooo much more this year!

He LOVES his wheelchair and gets around really well with it!

Baby Olivia gets PLENTY of snuggles and lovin’s….she is just precious.  She is just a little over a month old.  She probably will be adopted in country as she doesn’t have any “real” need. Josie really enjoyed being able to feed her a bottle one more time.

And then there is dear Le Le. I just gave you some insight into my thoughts on her in this post 

She is a year old.

Her “need” doesn’t freak me out as much after reading this blog….feel free to educate yourself on dwarfism!  It will be worth it!!!!!

http://bringinghomeholland.blogspot.com

Cherish is doing really good.  She is sitting better and is very cute!  She will be 7 in Sept.

Joel is an active little boy.  He has autism and he loves to flip papers with his fingers.  His does need watched 24/7 But has a heart of gold.  He is very special when you get to know him.

Gideon (on the right) is getting stronger and stronger each day.  He sleeps a lot but his body has been through a lot of sickness. He will be 5 in Oct.

Continue to pray for emotional healing for Salome and that she will grow in God’s love.  She is a sweet girl….and that her forever family will be able to adopt her soon.

Precious, precious Ellie….her airway is very “floppy” and she has a hard time breathing.  She can get very distressed and can’t breath easily.  And it is a struggle to feed her.  Prayers for healing would be appreciated!

Jon Jon is growing A LOT.  It really is a miracle that he is coming up on his 5th birthday!!

Benjamin has hydrocephalus and isn’t very mobile.  But is a very sweet boy!  He laughs a lot and it was fun to see him this time around.  He will be 6 in May.

And last but not least….Timothy.

This boy….it is sooo dear.  He LOVES to give hugs.  He calls me Auntie Nea which melts my heart.

He just got the Bible on MP3 format.  He LOVES it.  He is blind and has CP but can walk and is VERY smart.

He really wants a forever family.

In fact on Sunday morning he called Steve “daddy”

L. laughed saying that he knows that the Hamy’s come and adopt so he wants in on the “action”

He is a very special member of the ROG household and we love him to pieces!

So there you go….an update on the kiddos….I think the shirt says it all:

Simply LOVE.