DREAM REBORN

I love to read.  Have I mentioned that?  I often read fiction.  I don't usually read non-fiction. Sometimes, if I can read it fast and don't have to take my time with it. 

I have heard good reports about this book.  At first, I wasn't interested.  A lot of non-fiction books that I pick up are dry and boring within the first couple of chapters.  The more I learned about Kisses From Katie , the more I wanted to read it.  I kept my eye on it at the Christian bookstore, waiting for it to go on sale.  Just in case.  On Black Friday, I walked into the store, and there it was, on sale, staring me in the face and calling my name. So, I bought it.  When I got home, I placed it in my pile of unread books.  

Recently, I picked it up and started to read it.  I'm not finished with it yet (I'm only on the sixth chapter).  However, from the very first chapter, I am hooked.  This book is giving me hope. 

Hope that had died.  Hope that I had given up.  Hope that is now being resurrected and causing me to wonder what the Lord has in store for me.

Let me explain. . . 

Ever since I knew what adoption was, I was intrigued by it. The Lord planted a seed in my young heart.  From time to time, growing up, I considered having my own child (once I was married, which hasn't happened).  Always, I wanted to adopt.  Gradually, the desire to have my own natural child died.  Gradually, the desire to adopt someone else's child grew.  I became fascinated with it.  I was drawn to stories and movies about adoption.  As I became an adult, the desire never left.  

I had given up adoption and marriage only a few months ago.  Until this book.  

As I read the pages quickly turning into chapters, hope sprang up in me.  

Maybe, just maybe, the Lord is calling me to adopt.  Without being married.  

Now, I probably will not go to a foreign country, like Katie, but maybe the Lord is going to use me.  Maybe He is about to give me the desires of my heart; adopting a child.

Now, there is just one problem.  I do not live on my own yet.  I cannot afford to support myself just yet.  Every time I think I'm getting there, something major happens, and I have to start all over.  

Recently, I have been feeling led to change careers.  To look for a higher paying job with benefits.  To return to school, even though it will be training classes for adults.  To keep buying things to move out with.  To prepare.

My dream is reborn.  And, instead of choosing the child I would like to adopt, I will be open to whoever the Lord has in mind for me.  Newborn all the way up to 17 years old.  I will no longer limit God.  I will be His vessel, His servant.  

Along with this hope and dream comes excitement.  Excitement of what awaits me.  Excitement of how Jesus is going to use me.

Thank You, Jesus, for resurrecting my dreams, my hopes.  Use me and lead me.

ANABELL'S LETTER

I was very excited to read my latest letter from Anabell.  She wrote the most informative letter yet.  I just had to share it with you.

To my dear sponsor Stacey Stouffer.  Dear sponsor I greet you affectively and may God bless you next to shoe around you. I tell you that my family is very well and I'd like to tell you that we celebrate New Year with all our family.  We celebrate Mother's Day and it's a day for them.  I tell you that pigeons are pretty and I'd like to see them more often every day.  We also celebrate Easter at church and I accepted Jesus since I was 9 and I'll be 14 on October 11.  I'm well.  My dog Oso is black with white strips.  My favorite letters are the ones you send me and I keep them in a folder.  I tell you that we're learning about our inner self and our teacher is Paty and she's very good with us in my class we're 28 kids.  My favorite food are tacos and pizzas.  I've a twin sister and my mom is 44 years old.  My sister has my same age.  My mom's name is Feliciana and my sister's Ana Martha and I'm Anabel.  I thank you for your sponsorship and all the letters you send me and for the birthday gift, with which I bought a pant, underwear, and a pair of shoes, also socks and the amount I got for this was 491 lps.  May God bless you always and protect you wherever you are.  I ask your prayers to God for me and my family.  With affection.

MY SON FROM TOGO

I just discovered this updated picture of my son in Togo, Emmanuel.  He is 9 years old.  Isn't he a handsome young man?  I am so proud of him, even though I have only sponsored him since April.
 
I call him my son because that's how I view him; he is my son.  Emmanuel lives with his grandparents.  He has a younger brother named Winner.  Don't you just love that name?

I look forward to many more years of sponsoring Emmanuel.  I am his first sponsor, and I pray I am the only one he will ever have.  The Lord has burdened me with him, and I know that He will use me to influence this boy's life for Him.

MANY TROUBLES

Psalm 34:19

Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.

Troubles are a part of life, whether you believe in Jesus or not.  For the Christian, though, we are promised many of them.  This makes you pause, doesn't it?  Jesus never promised a life free of trouble or pain.  He said, "in this world, you will have trouble."  Have you noticed that we usually don't experience one trouble at a time, but they heap on us rapidly?  And we wonder how much more we can take.

Even though many troubles come, we as Christians  have hope.  We know Who to turn to.  Our hearts and minds become fixed on Jesus, the only One who can rescue us.

Jesus promises to deliver us from the troubles that come.  Whether it's an unexpected bill being paid, or physical or emotional healing, or even in eternity, we will be delivered.  Jesus hears our cries, and He will act.  

As I reflect on my past, I can testify that Jesus has delivered me from a lot.  Past abuse, emotional problems, anxiety, partial loss of income, and so many more.  Through it all, I have found that Jesus never fails.  And, when the next trouble comes, I can boldly say, "Bring it one!"  Jesus and me, we can handle anything.

Is your life full of troubles today?  Are you losing sight of Jesus?  Cry out to Him.  Expect Him to deliver you.  He will fulfill His promise.  He will be with you.

Jesus, thank you for your faithfulness, for your love, for your joy.  Deliver me from these troubles that are heaped upon me.  Reveal Your power and your strength to me.  In Your name, Amen.

MY PLANS HAVE CHANGED

I want to give my hidden child a family gift by Christmas, and Emmanuel a gift for my birthday in January.  These two are the next two in line.  I first gave to Eugene, then to Niphaporn, then to Anabell.  It is my hidden child's turn now.  Well, it was.

The Lord has changed my plans, as usual, I might add.  Today, in the mail, I received a letter from Compassion.  When I read it, my heart broke.  Worry for Nixon is clouding my vision right now.  This is going to be a long weekend, for I cannot call Compassion until Monday.

Here is the letter that I received;

Dear Stacey,

Because I know you care about Nixon Alce, I want to keep you informed about an urgent situation situation in Haiti.

Hurricane Sandy swept through the country and has destroyed or caused damage to many homes.  Families have also lost animals, gardens, and personal belongings have been damaged or lost.  From what we know, your other Compassion child living in Haiti has not been affected.

Please know that Compassion is addressing this situation and our staff members are doing their best to ensure the safety of all the children.  I know your child and his family will appreciate your prayers during this difficult time.  Please pray for God's peace and provision for all families affected.

For more detailed information on your child's situation or to give a gift to your child's family, please call (800) 336-7676, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 5:30 pm.  MT.  You may also give online by logging on to "My Account" at compassion.com.   Another way you can help is to write a special letter to Nixon (already done).  Your words of encouragement will give your child hope and strength.

As always, thank you for your heart for children in need.  May God bless you beyond measure for your faithfulness to His children.

Nixon is my correspondent from Haiti.  He will be 16 on December 1.

This young man looks really tough, doesn't he?  He reminds me of my cousin.  Tough exterior, soft interior.    

Those who know my cousin will agree that he has a sensitive heart. 

As Nixon writes to me, I am seeing his soft interior, one that loves other people and is extremely grateful to the Lord.  I cannot judge him by his appearance.  Just like I can't judge my cousin by his tough appearance.

Nixon, the young man who holds a special place in my heart, will now receive the next family gift.  Even though I do not know yet how he has been affected, I know he is crying out for help, and I am going to respond.

DAILY GIFTS

DAILY GIFTS

Ephesians 5:20

giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving is quickly drawing near.  Families will gather around a table filled with food and celebrate God's goodness.  For others, it is a time of hardship and loneliness. Yet, there is always an opportunity for which to be grateful.

Recently, I kept a journal of my daily blessings.  The experience has kept me ever mindful of the Lord's gifts.

When I find myself complaining or I just have a bad day, the Spirit reminds me to look for the blessings.  Sometimes it's as easy as being able to finally go home.  Or it is as humbling as knowing others across the world are praying for my country.  When I take the time to look, I can find something for which I am grateful.

For this month of Thanksgiving, I am going to return to my grateful journal and write down one gift every day.  And I will thank the Lord for that gift.

Will you join me?  Will you commit to one month of thanking the Lord for your daily gift?

Jesus, thank You for saving me, for loving me, for never giving up on me.  Forgive me for complaining when things don't go my way.  Give me a grateful heart.  Open my eyes to see Your daily gifts.  In Your name, Amen.

HALF-FULL VERSUS HALF-EMPTY

This glass is half full.  Or is it half empty?  What would you say?

If you say half full, you're an optimist.  If you say half empty, you're a pessimist.

Yet, I wonder. . .

What is the story behind this glass of water?  I need more information before I say whether it's half full or half empty.

HALF FULL

Did someone fill it to half way?  For instance, when I get a drink of water, sometimes I don't want a full glass. But yet, I don't want a small drink either.  Half full is perfect.  So, I fill my glass half way with water.  So, if the person behind the glass wanted the glass half full, then I will say this glass is half full.


HALF EMPTY

Did someone drink from it?  Just today, I drank a glass of water.  And I left it half empty.  So, if the person drank from it, then I will say this glass is half empty.


So, now that you know my view, what would you call me?  An optimist?  A pessimist?  Or someone who is somewhere in between?