Monday, September 26, 2011

Meet Naomi

Meet Naomi




Child’s Name: Naomi

Sex: Feminine

Father’s Name: Unknown

Mother’s Name: Unknown

Born: 2002

Naomi was found in the bush a couple of days after her birth. No trace of her parents or family were found. She was admitted to an orphanage has grown up there. At the time of this writing, she is 9 years old.

Naomi is in good health. According to the care-takers at the orphanage, she never complains and she gets along with all of the children in the orphanage and also with the children at school.

Naomi is in the 3rd grade this year (2011-2012).

Naomi has been declared an abandoned child and desperately needs a family


Naomi is the last child to be featured on my blog for the week! I have enjoyed sharing these beautiful children with you and hope that they have touched your heart. Check back tomorrow to get a quick "HOW TO" on adopting from Sheltering Wings if you are interested!

Prayers and Blessings - Dawn

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Meet the beautiful Wendy

Meet Miss Wendy



Child's Name: Wendy

Sex: Feminine

Born: 2001

Father: Unknown

Mother: Unknown

Wendy was found as a newborn, abandoned in the bush in 2001. She was taken to an orphanage where she has grown up.

Initially, the orphanage made an investigation to find Wendy's parents and extended family but no one was found to claim the child.

In October, 2010 another extensive search was made in the area and again no family was found.

Wendy is desperately in need of an adoptive family. At the time of this writing, August, 2011, she is 10 years old. She was in the third grade this past school year (2010-2011). In February, 2011, Wendy had an accident and broke her left leg. The director of the orphanage, sent her to a large city nearby where she could get good medical care and she lived there with one of the director's family members. Because of her broken leg, Wendy was not able to finish the school year and will need to re-do the third grade this year (2011-2012).

Please pray for Wendy to find a "forever family" soon. Her eyes and smile light up in her photo and I can only imagine how she would be a blessing to a family as well!

Prayers and Blessings - Dawn

Friday, September 23, 2011

Meet John

Meet John, sure to warm your heart


Born: April 27, 2004

Mother and Father are unknown

After the crowd from an evangelism campaign dispersed, a local pastor found John, a small boy of about 4 years old. The pastor took the boy home with him thinking that he had been separated from his parents and that his parents would return looking for him. A few days later, the pastor took John to Social Action asking for help. On April 27, 2007 John came to live at the orphanage.

Upon arriving at the orphanage it was discovered that John was epileptic and he had several seizures. For some time after each seizure, John was not able to talk or to respond to the care-takers. John is now taking medicine for the seizures and it is rare that he has one.

At the beginning of his time at the orphanage, John did not talk. It was thought that maybe he was deaf. But, as the seizures stopped and as he adjusted to his new surroundings John started talking. He speaks Mooré, the local dialect and he understands and speaks a little in French.

The orphanage workers say that John is shy around adults but that he loves to play with the other children. He is kind to the other children. When there is a disagreement or a fight, John withdraws and comes out again when he has calmed down. When another boy is pushing him around, John will fight back and try to defend himself, even sometimes when the older boy is bigger than he is.

John has not been sent to school for 2 reasons. At first it was because it was thought that he was deaf. The second reason, according to the director, is because the orphanage does not have the funds to send the children to school.

The orphanage care-takers feel that John is completely normal physically and mentally and said that he is very rarely even sick with malaria or a cold.

Prayers and Blessings - Dawn

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Miss Marie -

Miss Marie -


Home Study for Marie

Born: 24 June, 2002

Health: Since arriving at the orphanage Marie has been well. It took her a few days to adjust to the orphanage but now she is doing fine. Marie is an albino. She has received care for her skin and for her eyes at a hospital. Marie suffers from the intense African sun (sunburn), and she has trouble seeing.

Personal History: Marie's mother was engaged to be married. But, she entered a relationship with another man and became pregnant with Marie. Marie's father left the village secretly at night when the news of the mother's pregnancy was known. Some people in the village say that the father has gone to the Ivory Coast. He has not been heard from for 8 years.

Six months after Marie's birth, her mother was again pregnant by her fiance. After living together with him for 2 years, the mother left him to live with another man in another region. With all of the troubles in the family, Marie was left with a maternal grandmother. Later, because the grandmother was not able to adequately provide food for Marie, she was placed in a center for malnourished children and then in the orphanage.

History of Claire's parents: No accurate information regarding the two parents of Marie could be found. There are discrepancies and contradictions between the stories of the two families.

Analysis of Situation: Marie is the product of a secret relationship outside of marriage. When her father heard that her mother was pregnant he disappeared without leaving an address. Her mother lives with a man that she was not proposed to in marriage.

Neither of the families want to take responsibility for Marie. Since she was placed in the orphanage (June 19, 2003) no one from either family has visited Marie or asked about her well-being.


As a result of all investigations it seems that it is because of prejudice that Marie is an albino that the families have rejected her.

Proposition/Conclusion: Although the extended families of the mother and father were found and were consulted, it was found that neither of the families want to take Marie as one of their own. We propose that Marie be placed under the decision of the courts and that her case be processed as quickly as possible. We propose that she either be accepted into her own family or be placed in a family capable of accepting the fact that she is an albino and one which will provide a future for her.


*I can not imagine being rejected from my family because of how I was born. Marie deserves a family to love her, tell her she is beautiful, and let her feel safe. Maybe that family is YOURS? If not please pray with me that she will have a "forever family" soon!

Prayers and Blessings - Dawn

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Meet Pierre

Another beautiful child waiting for his "forever family"!


Name of Child: Pierre
Sex: Boy
Born: 27 May, 2003
Pierre is not in school. He is deaf. The orphanage where he has been placed does not have the means to send him to a special school for the deaf.
Pierre gets along well with all of the children in the orphanage and with the care-givers. His best friend is called Apollinaire and they are the same age. They spend lots of time together. They communicate with simple hand signs. Like all of the children in the home, Pierre is looked after by care-taker and has received some pre-school level training. He can say a few words in French and he can count.
Pierre is in good health. He has not been hospitalized for any illness since coming the to orphanage.
His story is that a woman left Pierre with some children at the side of the road, saying that she was going to go and repair her bike. This woman left and did not come back for him. After waiting a long time, Pierre was taken to the police and was placed the next day in an orphanage (26 May, 2008).
In the two years that Pierre has been in the orphanage no one has called or come by to inquire about him.
Conclusion of the home study is that his status is that of an abandoned child and that adoption is the only route for him to have a family.

Prayers and Blessings - Dawn

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Meet Ferdinand


Hoping to stir your heart with this beautiful face!

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Isaiah 1:17


Child's name:  Ferdinand Sie Serge KAMBOU

Born: May 3, 2000

Currently resides in the Les Ailes de Refuge Orphanage
 
In April, 2007, Ferdinand was placed in the orphanage by social action.  He had been found by the police living/sleeping at the bus station in Yako.  Ferdie was 7 years old.  He was very thin when he arrived and he had a large, infected sore on his foot which was very painful.

When Ferdie was about two years old, his mother left him in the care of the mother of one of her friends saying that she would return for him after she found his father.  Ferdie's mother never returned.  Due to problems in the home, Ferdie was often seen begging on the street looking for something to eat. 

Through a thorough investigation Ferdie's mother and father were eventually found.  His father died in 2010 but before he died he signed a paper releasing Ferdie for adoption.


Since talking with Ferdie's mother in 2009 and explaining that she must take Ferdie and care for him or else give up her parental rights to him, she has disappeared and cannot be found.


At the time of this writing, Ferdie is 11 years old and is just finishing the 3rd grade.  He is a bright and engaging boy.  He has done well in school and ranks in the top of his class.  He loves to play soccer.

Prayers and Blessings - Dawn

Monday, September 19, 2011

Adoption

Last week we remembered the tragedy of 9-11, we mourned for those lost, we held our loved ones closer, and we praised God for our blessings.  But as we were remembering 9-11 last week I couldn't help but have my heart broken over other tragedies happening every day - homelessness, children living in abuse, human trafficking, people dying of disease caused by not having clean drinking water, families starving, and orphans laying their head down at night with no mom or dad to kiss them goodnight.  I am not trying to diminish the events of 9-11, in fact I am just trying to make us aware while maybe our hearts are tender.

This week my blog will focus on adoption, and more specifically foreign adoption. I will feature a child each day from Sheltering Wings orphanage in Burkina Faso west Africa. This is a christian orphanage that is home to more then 70 orphans, as well as hosts a local school and medical clinic. This is an orphanage very close to my families heart, and one day we hope God will open the door for us to adopt from this orphanage as well. While I am featuring this specific orphanage, it is true that their are orphans everywhere all over the world. In fact it is estimated that their are over 210 million orphans in the world! With 44 million orphans in Africa alone. It is also true that if just 7% of the "christian population" would adopt just ONE child there would be NO orphans in the world!

I don't know about you but to hear those statistics makes my heart ache! I come from a family that understands the challenges and blessings of adoption, and also understands that once God has called you to adopt than he has YOUR child out there waiting for you. I am not sure if the next addition to the Prather family has been born yet, but I do know our hearts ache and feel void until God completes our family with whatever child(ren) He has for us.

If you have never considered adoption before I hope that as you read this week you will consider and pray over if God has YOUR child waiting for you?


Before I introduce you to some of the available children at Sheltering Wings I first want to introduce you to Ruth Cox the director of Sheltering Wings and encourage you to read her blog and check out the website.

I also encourage you to check out some of my friends' blogs that have been blessed by adoption.

And please comment with any other wonderful adoptive family blogs.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.
James 1:27

I look forward to introducing you to some wonderful children this week, and praying to stir your hearts for adoption!

Prayers and Blessings - Dawn

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Family Calendar

In my recent "crafty" mood I also decided to do a family calendar project. I went to other blogs to look for inspiration and ended up with a really great dry erase calendar. Its personal, fun, and helpful!

I went to Michael's (where I could spend too much time and money) and picked up a frame at 60% off for $12. Then I got some scrapbook paper that I liked and some dry erase markers. I came home and printed off a calendar (would like to find a larger print some time) , printed a "to do" list, and made a Prather Family label.


I googled printable to do list until I found one I liked. My favorite is the Prather Family print off. I went and found a blog header I liked, added the text, and printed it on some fun scrapbook card stock. It turned out really good.

I did the same thing to find a calendar print off. My computer obviously can only print a calendar so big, so I will be on the look out for a larger calendar print off that I can enter. This one will do just fine until then.

I even had enough space to have a "memory verse" spot. Todd and I are going to take turn picking out verses for our family.

Overall a really fun project. I just glued the paper items to the cardboard inside the frame and then you just write on the glass like a dry erase board, and WAH LAH!!! 

Check out some other great family calendar ideas from other bloggers -

This was my first inspiration at Sas Interiors

This one even comes with a vinyl purchase option at daisy dot design

I might update my calendar using the tips in this post by Somewhat Simple

Prayers and Blessings - Dawn


Saturday, September 17, 2011

Fall Wreaths

I still have a few house projects I want to complete but it was nice to take a break and do some crafting today. I found inspiration from some other blogs and made two fall wreaths. The first wreath I made was a yarn covered wreath with left over yarn from Owen's Yarn Letters and just some random flowers I had in my fall decoration stuff.


This wreath was VERY cheap to make, but I can't lie that it was a little labor intensive. The hubs was impressed with my yarn wrapping skill and diligence!! Once the wreath was wrapped I just cut some flower pieces and pushed them straight into the foam of the wreath through the yarn. Then added some ribbon and WA - LA




I think it turned out sweet and like using non traditional fall flowers of purple. Check out JJcrochet's wreath and little things bring smiles wreath. After looking at there's it makes me realize I should take better pictures!

The other wreath I made was also pretty cheap to make but I had to buy a few supplies. I bought a plain twig wreath, fall accent little bally things (lol), and felt. All less then $10.

I first added the bally stuff (technical term) and also used some if it on my yarn wreath (just not a good picture to see that) then I made little rosettes and hot glued them on to the wreath. You can see how to make the flowers on the linked wreath below the next picture!



And here is the wreath on our front door!!! I really love it and was super easy. Check out crafting mom's wreath and her flower directions!

OH and I really want to make this coffee filter wreath, but I think two wreath's in the house are plenty for now!



Prayers and Blessings - Dawn



Friday, September 16, 2011

SIN

"ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23

Where to begin with a post titled SIN??? The whole reason I wanted to post this is because of my own convictions and thoughts lately. I start this blog by saying that my husband and I consider ourselves "baby Christians" we died to ourselves six years ago and have been learning to live for the Lord since then. It has been quite a journey in the last 6 years but we still believe we have SO much to learn. (I actually hope we can keep the mindset of a "baby Christian" forever, to stay humble and eager to soak up His teachings).

Anyway - I start the post this way to explain my recent thoughts and progression of what sin has revealed to me in the last six years. When I first started my journey with Christ 6 years ago I immediately was convicted of sin in my life - partying, drinking, cursing, being hateful, etc.. but as I conquered those sins (through the power of the Holy Spirit) I began to see more sin - selfishness, irresponsibility with money, lying, etc... then as I conquered those sin I still began to see more sin - apathy, negativity, laziness, etc...

As I look over the journey over the last six years I can see that sin has been revealed to me more and more and almost in a worldly standard of big sin to smaller sin (smaller as the world would see) . It's as if when you look more and more into the light you can see the darkness more and more. I can remember living in darkness and being almost unaware of the light (John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it). But now living in the light I feel that I see darkness everywhere!

This brings me to my recent and continuous thoughts, and sharing how I have been overwhelmed by  watching our culture live out sin and make it acceptable for everyone while my own personal sin becomes more magnified.For example some "worldly" sin that constantly bugs me: that we live in a culture that promotes the most important thing for our children is to build their self esteem (aka self worshipers), that everyone is a victim (I have been done wrong and hurt and therefore am not responsible for my actions) , we all "deserve" this, that, and the other,  (I deserve a nice car, new clothes, my parents to do this for me, my spouse to do that for me) we have the "right" to rebel (It's ok to have a rebellious time, fun = rebellion) , and on and on and on....

The darkness in me and all around is overwhelming, heartbreaking, and disgusting...  So I urge you to be encouraged by the Light, but turn away from the darkness. Don't be concerned with what the world wants for you or finds "acceptable", keep your focus on the one who created you, who loves you more than ANY person on this earth, and the one who has GOOD plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11)!!

I leave you with Ephesians 5:6-20- take the time to read, reflect, and react!

6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayers and Blessings - Dawn

Thursday, September 15, 2011

ER visit

Well we made our first ER visit with Mr. Owen and I have a feeling that it won't be the last visit. On Tuesday afternoon Owen and Eliana were wrestling (as they often do) but Owen was getting a little rowdy so I told Eliana to get off the floor and quit wrestling with her brother. After telling her three times the third time resulted in him crashing into a peice of furniture and putting a gash in his head. We called Daddy right away as the blood gushed into the sink. The scariest part was ALL the blood! So much blood came out of such a small boo boo! We made our way to the emergent care in the new town and were told he would need stitches (needless to say this is when I lost it and cried more then Owen ever did!). Todd took him back into the room (no way I could watch him get stitches) and were lucky enough to have the doctor change their mind and just use surgical glue. Now he has to stay bandaged up for the next two weeks and hopefully will get away with not too much of a scar. Needless to say we made it through our fist ER visit and I'm sure not our last!

Mostly cleaned up and on the way to the ER! :*(

Cleaned up and glued up.

Owen's new accesory for the next week or so - Toy Story bandaids!

Love and Prayers, Dawn

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The Beach



Ever since we learned that we would be moving to VA, I have been itching to go to the beach.  I am such a summer person and absolutely LOVE the beach. We weren't sure if we would be able to go before summer ended but last minute stumbled on a hotel deal we couldn't pass up and took the opportunity to soak up the last of summer!  I must say that it was an amazing time! We packed picnic food, sand castle tools, our suits, and headed out for two sun filled days of fun!  The kids loved playing in the sand, Owen especially thought it was great because sand is of coarse a close relative to dirt and playing in something like dirt all day is every boys dream. Eliana loved splashing in the water and looking for shells. Owen's fearlessness kept us on our toes as he continuously tried to sprint into the ocean!  On Sunday morning we were able to see dolphins jumping and swimming, and even had a dead jelly fish come onto shore. We build "sand chairs" and sand castles, and pretty much had sand EVERYWHERE! But overall we had an amazing time!



Now we're counting down the days until next summer when we can enjoy the beach some more!


Love and Prayers - Dawn

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

One Body?

I have been contemplating over the last several weeks of what it means to be One Body? When I say this I am talking about the "body of believers" the "christian body" the "church". What does it mean to be One Body? In looking for my answer I must go to scripture and the scripture that this question arises from is in Romans:

 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
           Romans 12:4-5

This verse tells me that we all should function together in the body of believers. That being of one body requires unity and reliance on each other and not ourselves.

reading on...

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
            Romans 12:6-8 

These verses tell me that we are all gifted differently, but each gift is important and necessary to the unity and cohesion of the body. You see the example of this same thought again in 1 Corinthians:

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unrepresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
     1 Corinthians 12: 12-26

So these verses is where my pondering begins and where I really begin to contemplate how we should be as "the body". Because when I read these verses in 1 Corinthians it tells me that all parts of the body are important and one is not more important than the other. Yes it would be nice to be the eye over the little toe, or the head over the rear. But this verse tells me that all are equally necessary and important to complete God's great work here on earth.

In saying all that I have to wonder if we as Christians are getting it wrong in church? Please hear me say that I am merely relaying my opinion that I have been pondering for a short time and am not implying that I have all the answers. If anything I am airing out self conviction and wondering if others have pondered the same thing. BUT I say that and wonder, there is a saying in churches that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. You will find in a "church body" that often it is not a unit working cohesively but some parts working hard while others do not. I also wonder if these verses are saying that our pastors and our church staff are too heavily relied upon. As I read these verses I imagine that the pastor would be the mouth of the body, but that mouth can not do God's work without the rest of the body? So why do we rely on the pastor to do the work of the whole body?? And why do we not see that we are just as important to God in the body of believers as a Pastor or church staff?

Also in reading these passages it has made me realize that we should be aware of what our gifts are, but also what are weaknesses are. If we know what our strenghts

To me these passages are saying that a church doesn't function off of a "staff" but off of the family of believers coming together with all their talents to Glorify God. That the one who folds the bulletin is just as important to the body as the one who checks the million dollar budget. That the the one who dusts the sanctuary is just as important as the one who teaches the Sunday school class. That the one who fills the baptismal is just as important as the one who baptizes the new believer. etc..

I don't know about you but I personally have not been thinking about "church" this way. I don't know if our churches think this way? Do we see our members as important as our pastors? Obviously there is scripture that would back up that our pastors are held to a higher regard and have more responsibility within the body. BUT don't these verses say that the body can not function without all the parts functioning together?

I guess in all my pondering I think that the conclusion I have come to in study and prayer, is that a church "body" can only be unified if it is utilizes the full body. and the church members should be ready to do their job in the body that they have been blessed with. True unity does not come until ALL parts of the body are working together to Glorify God, once this is happening than I believe "church happens".

Tell me your thoughts on my ramblings of being "ONE BODY"????

Love and Prayers - Dawn

Monday, September 5, 2011

Settling in...

I haven't been able to blog in a while (unfortunately), but now we are getting settled in and starting to get into a routine. It has been quite an experience moving to the East Coast. It has been very hard being so far away from everyone we love, but I am reminding myself that it took us a few months to make friends when we made our move to Missouri. Our first mission in settling in was of coarse unpacking/decorating/cleaning, etc... This was quite the task in this new house because the painting that was done was messy and ugly. So that meant a lot of painting! We were thankful for Todd's mom and my mom to join us and help with the labor of painting, unpacking, cleaning, etc... And once they headed home we continued the work on turning our house into a home. We still have a few rooms to paint, but for the most part we are beginning to feel settled.

 Eliana will start preschool this week at a Christian pre school. Next week I will start attending a regular bible study for stay at home moms (MOPS), and we continue to seek a church home to be settled in with a new church family. As we settle into this new home and new environment Todd and I have talked a lot about our family and friends that are so far away. We have discovered and put into words that we are the people who go into friendships and relationships with the intention that they will last a lifetime (and beyond). We know that long distance friends and family relationships take more work, but what we learned in our 2 1/2 years of doing "the long distance relationship" ourselves, is that it builds a stronger deeper rooted friendship and relationship. So while we are sad and miss our friends and family, we feel confident and excited to have friendships all over the place! And look forward to making some friendships here that will last a lifetime as well!!

As for now, I will leave you with a few fun pics of our home as we are settling in! OH... and I hope you enjoy the new blog layout, I felt like it needed some "freshening up" and after telling a friend, she says to me - "you rearranged your blog!" I'm not even aware of my own craziness!!! LOL


Living Room

Kitchen


Eliana's Room

Owen's Room


Prayer's and Blessings - Dawn