Friday, February 4, 2011

It's a GIRL!!!!

Hey, y'all!
I am so excited I'm about to pop! After much prayer, more prayer, research, and sermons, my family has grown from the 4 of us to 5! And, we have pink balloons on the mailbox!

God has been doing a work in my heart through His Word, sermons, and your blogs! God can use the internet for His Glory! Little by little, He has revealed to me that He wants me to "go." Well, I wasn't sure exactly what He meant! That little word encompasses a lot! As an adopted child, I am a HUGE advocate of adoption. So is my Hubby--who also was adopted :). For this season, to "go" is to go into the heart and home of children in poverty, in brokenness, and to share the love of God. Physically, I will be here in SC. But spiritually, my heart just fell in love with a precious child of His in Guatemala. I can't hop on a plane tomorrow and go get her. She has a mom and step dad and two siblings. But, she is one of the "least" of those that Jesus taught us about. So, we are doing the next best thing!

We have agreed to sponsor her through Compassion International. It's a wonderful organization--trust me, I have spent a LOT of time researching this organization! Here's the link for you to visit yourselves. Her picture just made me melt into a pool. And, her name is the same as one of our best friends growing up --our next door neighbor to be exact. She is five and doesn't go to school just yet. Y'all, after I filled out the paperwork, and submitted it, I immediately went BACK to the website to see if her picture and availability were still there. They were not!! She's ours!!!! Such a small thing, but I did a happy dance.

I went to some of the You Tube videos to see more about the children, and sponsors and their visits. I have used half a box of kleenex! Take time and watch some of these. It's a Friday, the weather is pretty nasty over most of the country, and you need to see this if you've never watched them before.

It will take 15 days--and I WILL be counting!--to get her information packet and picture! I cannot wait!! I'll share all of this with you when it comes! And for those of you who sponsor children, thank you for your compassion! We see those little pitiful faces on ads in the sidebars of blogs, but do we really do anything about it? We (I) think, "Oh, someone else will sponsor them. I am really on a budget." Well, I am becoming that someone else. Someone who needs to step out of her safe little box and share the blessings that she has received. It's only 38.00 a month. We (as a family) spend more than that if we go out to eat a meal--even McDonald's and Chick-fil-a are costly when you have teenage boys! Mercy! So, we can give up one meal out a month to give to Compassion.

And, now, her sweet little name.....

Monica!

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.  Proverbs 21:13

Go, step out of your comfort zone and see what God has planned for you!

Sweet Blessings,

15 comments:

Me said...

congrats!!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

That is so neat Susan! Monica is very blessed, but so is Susan! We did World Vision orphans for years when the kids were growing up. The pictures stayed on the refrig all along the way. Just shows again that the giver is the one who is always blessed. You will follow Monica the whole way. Good going!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

For a minute, I thought I'd have to come throw you a baby shower! What a gift to give... your $ along with your heart to a precious girl in desperate need. Compassion International is a wonderful organization. I know you will reap benefits ten thousand beside for your obedience to care for the "least of these."

peace~elaine

Leah Adams said...

I have two Compassion daughters--both from Tanzania. Ruth is 7 1/2 and Rispa is 18. I hope to go visit them one day.

I just love getting letters from them. Enjoy your new daughter.

Leah

Gotta Run..... said...

Absolutely thrilled Susan. I will be calling you.!!!! What a true blessing!

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

So excited for you...

so happy to have some blog reading time while we have been snowed in...which is rare in our state....

Happy Saturday
teresa

Unknown said...

congratulations! :D

Yolanda said...

this was so fun Susan, and I enjoyed reading where both you and your hubby were adopted. So much love so much heart so much Jesus.

I adopted thru Compassion as well when Melissa Moore Fitzpatrik went on the mission trip through Compassion Intl. Out little gal lives in India and was born the very same day and year as our first grandchild. Love how God did that, didn't even realize it until she became ours!

Love to you-
Yolanda

Danielle said...

Congrats on your new addition!!!

We've been sponsoring a little boy in Ethiopia for the past 6 years now through World Vision. He is the exact age of Bethany. Born on the same day and everything! I love getting a new picture of him and a card that he's drawn in. His picture has a place next to Bethany's on our mantle.

So, so, so happy for you!

North Jersey Christian Writers Group said...

Congratulations!
We have sponsored several children over the past 24 years through Compassion. What a blessing!

Now my college age son encouraged his fraternity to sponsor a boy through World Vision. God is so good!

Beth E. said...

Congratulations, sweet friend! What a wonderful blessing...for Monica AND for you. :-)

Love you

Mary Singer Wick said...

Hey new mommy!

That's such a beautiful story that you have an adopted daughter. We have one from India. Her name is Anjali. We only know her by name and photo, but we have met the Christian family that rescued her from death. Anjali lives in a home with 12 girls who have been taken in by this family. What a gift to be part of God's work. Monica was created just for you by God, and I know you will treasure her always. Congratulations to all of you! Wave that pink flag high!

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Congratulations on the new daughter !! I know both she and your family will be blessed !

Unknown said...

Congrats! Can't wait to see pictures :)

Kathleen said...

I've sponsored children through ChildFund for many years. It is a thrill to watch them grow & thrive, and to now get reports about their progress in school.

It truly is the best of "religion" - - loving & caring for the widow and orphan.

Blessings,
Kathleen