Days of Elijah - Day 1

The month of October was Down Syndrome Awareness month, and I posted every day to raise awareness. November was National Adoption Awareness month, and I posted a couple times about that. Well this month.... I am doing something a little different. Every day of December, I am going to post a Days of Elijah post. My little brother Elijah came home from Ukraine in Dec 2010, and my parents (and auntie Deb) spent the month of Dec in Ukraine visiting him. So I hope by the end of this month you will know a lot more about Elijah than you do now!

Today, I'll tell you the basics! :) Elijah:

• Met his forever parents on December 2nd, 2010
• Became an official member of our family on December 10th
• And came home forever on December 31th

Elijah, me, and Jonathan

P.S. The "Days of Elijah" comes from this song! :)

And as always.... Sweet Lyla!

Lyla Love

Wow... I can't believe it! This is the 100th post that I've posted about Lyla in! I've said I would post her picture in EVERY post until she had a family and she doesn't yet, so though this is post #100, it isn't the last. Awhile back I did a link-up for her and SEVEN wonderful blogs were added! I want to share them with you! (In the order they were entered.)

• Waiting Wednesday written by me!
• Happy Birthday Lilianna written by Summer!
• Who will make her smile? written by Pam!
• Beautiful Lilianna written by Rosie!
• This one's for Sarah :) written by Sherrie!
• Find a family for Lyla written by Jaclyn!
• Sharing Sunday: Tabitha and Lilianna written by Jane!

Please go check out these wonderful posts by wonderful ladies and thank them for blogging about Lyla! :)

I also have other big news! Lyla made her Angel Tree goal of $1000! Yep, that's right, $1000 has been raised for her since November 1st. Her grant now says 

$1410.88is available towards the cost of my adoption, including$1352.38 fromAngel Tree donations!

But that doesn't mean it's too late to get an ornament with her picture on it! Just go to this page and go down and find Lyla's picture!! Thank you all for supporting and encouraging me and her!

Lilianna

Girl, born November 2009

Lilianna survived!!   She had an adoptive family previously, but they were not permitted to adopt her at the time because she was in the hospital and not expected to live.  But she DID!  We are thrilled she is healthy enough to be relisted!   

Sweet little Lilianna has a congenital heart defect (ASD and VSD) and possible pulmonary issues. She is also missing her left forearm entirely.   Lilianna has bright blue eyes and needs a family right away.  We have many pictures of her!

$1410.88is available towards the cost of my adoption, including$1352.38 fromAngel Tree donations!

Waiting Wednesday: Jonathan

Just pictures today! But meet another little one who needs a family, nope it's not my Jonathan, but this Jonathan was named after him! :) Just watch him grow up!

April 2010

July 2010

March 2011

June 2011

October 2011 - We got these pictures the same time as the new pictures of the girls!

Jonathan 15H

1et8w-15

Boy, born February 2009

Eyes: Blue

Hair: dark brown

Character: Calm

MANY pictures available!!!

Donations will be accepted for this child when full medical history is received from the agency.

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While We Wait

Scroll down to see about my new blog AFTER you read this! :)


It's the last day of orphan awareness month... So I want to share a very powerful post with you from Amy!


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While we wait for the perfect timing...

they hope they can wait another day.

While we wait for more money...

they wait with nothing.

While we wait for a bigger home with enough room...

they wait for room in our hearts.

While we wait for others approval...

they wait with any dignity they can find.

While we wait for the ideal child....

they wait knowing they are not.

While we wait trying to decide if we can manage another...

they wait trying to manage on their own.

While we wait to see how much we have to give to them...

They are waiting to give us even more.

While we wait for God to provide...

He waits for us to take the first step so He can.

We must NEVER use 'waiting to hear from Him' as an excuse for not doing what He has ALREADY commanded in the bible for us to do... proclaim the truth, care for orphans, serve others, be His hands of justice for the poor, and show compassion.

So, what are you waiting for??

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New Blog Name and Design! :)

Acckkk... I was about to publish this last night and blogger stopped working on me!! That was just one of the bad things that happened yesterday... There were many! :(

So I know I said a month or two back that I might be changing the name of my blog within the next week or two.... ha!! Obviously that hasn't happened! But I finally did get around to changing it and giving it a sorta new design. So I'll make the official announcement!

The name of this blog has officially changed from Matthew 18:14 to
What it Means to Love!!

So why "What it Means to Love"?? This is the post where I posted about the day I had first heard it. I heard it for the first time at Lifest while listening to Meredith Andrews perform. She wrote it to a little boy in she met in Haiti who showed her the meaning of love. That's him in the video. :) It made me cry and listening to it, I knew I would change a thing if I was to rewrite it for Logan!

What it Means to Love - Meredith Andrews


How could I forget Your face
When all it took was just one day
For me to see it wasn't ordinary
I could never be the same

You took my hand and led the way
I didn't even know Your name
But something happened deep inside me
And I knew life would have to change

So how could I go back to life as usual
And how could I return to who I once was
I just want to take your story to the world
‘Cause you have shown me what it means to love

You healed the sick, You calmed the sea
But Your heart was for the least of these
You came to love the lost and broken
Your cross has set the captive free

So how could I go back to life as usual
And how could I return to who I once was
I just want to take your story to the world
‘Cause you have shown me what it means to love

Now I no longer live for myself
Your words are so clear
Help me live it loud enough so they can hear

So how could I go back to life as usual
And how could I return to who I once was
I just want to take your story to the world
‘Cause you have shown me what it means to love


I love you my baby! I've held you and played with you and now I am doing all I can so your mommy can get to you! You have changed my heart forever, and this blog would not exist with out you! You opened up my eyes to the plight of the orphan, and I am forever grateful! Love you more than you know!!!

------And though I have never met you Lyla, I've fallen in love with your picture. I will continue to post it until you appear on that wonderful page, the my family found me page. Until then, I'll keep praying and posting your picture!!------