I have been thinking and praying a lot lately for the direction Dropz of Hope is taking. Wondering why are we growing and serving more families each month but yet still are unable to secure an attorney to complete our 501 C3 and allow us to tap into the many resources out there. Wondering if the hold up is my hesitation God's hesitation or maybe lack of courage on my part....I don't really know the answer maybe a little of all the above.
This weekend was World Missions weekend at our church. As I was praying and preparing for our children's banquet, and as I was sitting in the services on Sunday a thought occurred to me. One I had never entertained before. I am still praying through this and trying to hear God speak to me. Clearly what I heard last night and the night before and before that on Friday morning during my devotions was this:
You are a missionary.
Me? I am a missionary? I have no training, no bible college education, no endorsements. How is that??
You are a missionary.
I am not in a foreign country saving starving people of devastating circumstances of their lives. How is that??
You are a missionary.
As I sat in service last night. The thought repeated like a broken record. Throughout the time of the speaker talking about Rural Missions in the US. I kept feeling these words being dropped into my heart. You Are A Missionary.
Maybe I am.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Day #6 & 7
I had a weekend, so I am posting Day #6 and 7 in one post.
DAY#6
I am thankful that I was given the honor privilege and opportunity to partner with Iowa Kids Net to raise awareness for children in foster/group/residential care waiting for adoption. These children truly are my very heartbeat!
Day #7
I am thankful for friends. Friends have become my family. My children have not been given the opportunity to grow up with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents all around as I did. Over the years we have built relationships and friendships who have become like family to us. They love our children as if they were theirs. A friend last night at church just knew instinctively what I needed and with out words or expression acted on that instinct and was there for me just like a sister would have been. I am blessed.
DAY#6
I am thankful that I was given the honor privilege and opportunity to partner with Iowa Kids Net to raise awareness for children in foster/group/residential care waiting for adoption. These children truly are my very heartbeat!
Day #7
I am thankful for friends. Friends have become my family. My children have not been given the opportunity to grow up with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents all around as I did. Over the years we have built relationships and friendships who have become like family to us. They love our children as if they were theirs. A friend last night at church just knew instinctively what I needed and with out words or expression acted on that instinct and was there for me just like a sister would have been. I am blessed.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Balloon Launch
Tomorrow is a very important day for me. Dropz of Hope is partnering with Iowa Kids Net to celebrate National Adoption Month. Dropz of Hope is coordinating a site for the statewide balloon launch to raise awareness about children in foster care and those waiting to be adopted into their Forever Family.
There are aproximately 127,000 children in the United Sates who are waiting to be adopted from foster care. Many of these children will wait as long as 5 years for a forever family to choose them. Five years may as well be a life time to a child. Over 29,000 children will reach the age of 18 and age out of foster care without ever finding their forever family.
Tomorrow we will be launching 40 balloons, each balloon represents aproxiamtely 100 children in foster care, shelter care or highly structured group care on any given day. Iowa especially is in need of homes for teenagers, children with special needs or behavioral needs, and sibling groups. Iowa also is in great need for Latino, African American and Native American foster and foster/adopt homes. If you have extra room in your heart and extra space in your home please consider contacting Iowa Kids Net and ask about becoming a foster family. 1-800-243-0756 or visit their web site iowakidsnet.com
In the mean time, come out tomorrow to the Berean Assembly of God north parking lot and show your love and support to the children, they are amazing kids and deserve all the best!
Thank you Iowa Kids Net for allowing Dropz of Hoipe to participate in this event! We are truly HONORED!!!
There are aproximately 127,000 children in the United Sates who are waiting to be adopted from foster care. Many of these children will wait as long as 5 years for a forever family to choose them. Five years may as well be a life time to a child. Over 29,000 children will reach the age of 18 and age out of foster care without ever finding their forever family.
Tomorrow we will be launching 40 balloons, each balloon represents aproxiamtely 100 children in foster care, shelter care or highly structured group care on any given day. Iowa especially is in need of homes for teenagers, children with special needs or behavioral needs, and sibling groups. Iowa also is in great need for Latino, African American and Native American foster and foster/adopt homes. If you have extra room in your heart and extra space in your home please consider contacting Iowa Kids Net and ask about becoming a foster family. 1-800-243-0756 or visit their web site iowakidsnet.com
In the mean time, come out tomorrow to the Berean Assembly of God north parking lot and show your love and support to the children, they are amazing kids and deserve all the best!
Thank you Iowa Kids Net for allowing Dropz of Hoipe to participate in this event! We are truly HONORED!!!
Day #5
I am thankful for the laughter of children.
Hearing a child laugh a good belly laugh followed by uncontrollable giggles fills my heart to overflowing! Not just the laughter of my children but to witness the pure elation and delight of a child whose funny bone has been tickled makes me giggle too!
Hearing a child laugh a good belly laugh followed by uncontrollable giggles fills my heart to overflowing! Not just the laughter of my children but to witness the pure elation and delight of a child whose funny bone has been tickled makes me giggle too!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Day #4
Day #4 I am thankful for the women in my life who I look to for wisdom guidance love understanding and sometimes correction.
Many years ago I came across a greeting card that put into words how I feel in my heart about the women who have influenced my life. I can't remember if I have posted this before but no matter, it is definitely worthy of re-posting today. I am not sure I would be able to name the women who have influenced and continue to influence my journey as a woman, mother, wife and friend.
PRAISE TO THE WOMEN ON MY JOURNEY
By: Rev. Melissa M. Bowers
To the women on my journey
Who showed me the way to go and ways not to go,
Whose strength and compassion held up a torch of light and beckoned me to follow…
To the women on my journey
Who showed me how to live and not to live,
Whose grace, success and gratitude lifted me into the fullness of surrender to God…
To the women on my journey
Who showed me what I am and what I am not,
Whose love, encouragement and confidence Held me tenderly and nudged me gently…
To these women I say bless you and thank you
From the depths of my heart,
For I have been healed and set free
Through your joy and through your sacrifice.
I am grateful for the blessing you are to me.
Many years ago I came across a greeting card that put into words how I feel in my heart about the women who have influenced my life. I can't remember if I have posted this before but no matter, it is definitely worthy of re-posting today. I am not sure I would be able to name the women who have influenced and continue to influence my journey as a woman, mother, wife and friend.
PRAISE TO THE WOMEN ON MY JOURNEY
By: Rev. Melissa M. Bowers
To the women on my journey
Who showed me the way to go and ways not to go,
Whose strength and compassion held up a torch of light and beckoned me to follow…
To the women on my journey
Who showed me how to live and not to live,
Whose grace, success and gratitude lifted me into the fullness of surrender to God…
To the women on my journey
Who showed me what I am and what I am not,
Whose love, encouragement and confidence Held me tenderly and nudged me gently…
To these women I say bless you and thank you
From the depths of my heart,
For I have been healed and set free
Through your joy and through your sacrifice.
I am grateful for the blessing you are to me.
Day #3
Day #3
I had little time for computers yesterday since I was running from the time I woke til the time I went to bed. So here is Nov. 3 2010 thankful....
Daily talks with Gramma. Many years ago when Dad was sick and dying I began the daily routine of talking to Gramma every morning. What a way to start the day. Nearly every morning (there are a few scattered here and there where we miss for one reason or another) I call her around 9am. Our conversations can last a few minutes to just check in and see how we are or can last nearly an hour as we encourage each other, give advice, cry and just plain love on each other. I often think what will I do when she is no longer here for our morning talks? Then I quickly dismiss the thought and savor each moment we have now. I love my Gramma very much, and somehow through her and our daily chats my Dad feels a little closer.
I had little time for computers yesterday since I was running from the time I woke til the time I went to bed. So here is Nov. 3 2010 thankful....
Daily talks with Gramma. Many years ago when Dad was sick and dying I began the daily routine of talking to Gramma every morning. What a way to start the day. Nearly every morning (there are a few scattered here and there where we miss for one reason or another) I call her around 9am. Our conversations can last a few minutes to just check in and see how we are or can last nearly an hour as we encourage each other, give advice, cry and just plain love on each other. I often think what will I do when she is no longer here for our morning talks? Then I quickly dismiss the thought and savor each moment we have now. I love my Gramma very much, and somehow through her and our daily chats my Dad feels a little closer.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Day #2
Day #2~ I am thankful for the right to vote and the freedom to have my voice heard.
I will not pretend to be an expert in politics nor will I claim to be a great debater of issues. I am, however, GRATEFUL for the right to express my opinion in the polls. To have the right for my tiny voice to be heard and counted on issues that are dear to my heart and will affect the lives of my children. Thankful to live in this country where my voice counts. When I was standing in line today waiting my turn I was thinking of something my Dad always said. "If you vote you give yourself the right to have an opinion if you don't vote then your remove your own rights. No one else did that to you. So I vote. every election. I want to count. I want my voice to be heard. I have heard people say "vote is just 1. what difference will that make?" I was thinking about that today. What difference? Probly not much all alone. But you add that to another who feels the same way and another and another then pretty soon we are all standing around wondering what happened to our town, state, country....if more people took the time to educate themselves on the elections and took the 15 minutes it takes to vote...maybe we would all be a little better off. Maybe.
I will not pretend to be an expert in politics nor will I claim to be a great debater of issues. I am, however, GRATEFUL for the right to express my opinion in the polls. To have the right for my tiny voice to be heard and counted on issues that are dear to my heart and will affect the lives of my children. Thankful to live in this country where my voice counts. When I was standing in line today waiting my turn I was thinking of something my Dad always said. "If you vote you give yourself the right to have an opinion if you don't vote then your remove your own rights. No one else did that to you. So I vote. every election. I want to count. I want my voice to be heard. I have heard people say "vote is just 1. what difference will that make?" I was thinking about that today. What difference? Probly not much all alone. But you add that to another who feels the same way and another and another then pretty soon we are all standing around wondering what happened to our town, state, country....if more people took the time to educate themselves on the elections and took the 15 minutes it takes to vote...maybe we would all be a little better off. Maybe.
November 1, 2010
I started this thing on Facebook the 31 days of Thankfulness and have decided to continue it here as well.
I realize today is really Nov. 2 but I am posting one for yesterday and then a new post for today. I LOVE counting my blessings!
So Nov. 1, 2010 I am thankful for Dropz of Hope and the amazing opportunity God has laid before me to serve awesome foster families in central Iowa. I meet some of the most incredible people along this journey. God is faithful even during the moments of uncertainty for Dropz He always comes through bigger and better than I expected. I love the look in the eye of a foster mother when I deliver a crib for the new little baby she just picked up from the hospital and had no idea where he would sleep. Or the look on the face of 10 year old girl who was removed from school and was able to take nothing along with her when I give her new clothes and a jacket that actually LOOK like all the other kids at school PRICELESS. Or the look on the face of the little boy who was able to play baseball for the first time ever because Dropz of Hope paid the league fee and had ball pants in the perfect size....the heartfelt gratitude in the eyes of the children and the foster parents when we are able to meet a need or lend an ear or provide respite and support just when they need it the most.
Lord, What an HONOR to serve You through Dropz of Hope. Thank you for trusting me with these children and their families!
I realize today is really Nov. 2 but I am posting one for yesterday and then a new post for today. I LOVE counting my blessings!
So Nov. 1, 2010 I am thankful for Dropz of Hope and the amazing opportunity God has laid before me to serve awesome foster families in central Iowa. I meet some of the most incredible people along this journey. God is faithful even during the moments of uncertainty for Dropz He always comes through bigger and better than I expected. I love the look in the eye of a foster mother when I deliver a crib for the new little baby she just picked up from the hospital and had no idea where he would sleep. Or the look on the face of 10 year old girl who was removed from school and was able to take nothing along with her when I give her new clothes and a jacket that actually LOOK like all the other kids at school PRICELESS. Or the look on the face of the little boy who was able to play baseball for the first time ever because Dropz of Hope paid the league fee and had ball pants in the perfect size....the heartfelt gratitude in the eyes of the children and the foster parents when we are able to meet a need or lend an ear or provide respite and support just when they need it the most.
Lord, What an HONOR to serve You through Dropz of Hope. Thank you for trusting me with these children and their families!
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