Oh My!

Oh my...YUM! Ok so I know that this may not look appealing to MOST of my readers. But I am telling you now...my mouth is watering. I could eat the WHOLE plate, I think!
When I first went to Ethiopia I wasn't to sure about injera, Doro Wat and beef tibs ect...but let me tell you...somehow someway my taste buds drastically changed...I just had to share this picture with you...my mouth is seriously watering!

So many pictures....

 ....So many memories! In case you didn't know I got to take a trip of a lifetime last fall. I would encourage everyone to visit a third world country...it changes you..so..much. And oh the memories...the adventures...the friendships...the love. I simply cannot wait until its my turn again to get on that plane back to the place I love so much! Hopefully God will open doors and I can take my whole family with me. *and on a side note...just in case you have a thought that my husband doesn't love this place as much as I do...guess again...your wrong...Its both of our dream...I just happened to be the blogger* OK...that above picture?????? Everyone of those sweet Ethiopian people are apart of the church we volunteered at.And they are ALL beyond precious...they prayed over Rachel and I for an hour! I have NEVER in my life felt so close to God! I had goosebumps and tears and I had no idea what they were saying..all I could feel was there arms around me and the presence of God.

 sweet little boy who I put down for the picture...guess he didn't want down...it was no problem to pick him back up

 This sign... haha "When you drink a cup of coffee ideas come marching in like an army" ...drinking coffee at the Post Office and saw this sign...we all had a good laugh...if you've drank Ethiopian coffee you probably know the meaning behind those words lol

 LOOK at that! That is a stinkin' long way from home! 15 hours baby! Oh and that's just one flight.

 Someday...someday...I will get these girls to a Dr. I could have held them all day long...in fact...I did.

 Look how sweet they are with big sister Hana...getting ready for a good meal!

 ...we walked miles each day! The roads in Korah are not suitable for cars..so every one walks...I thought I would die from heat exhaustion a few times...my mouth and nose would be so dry all the time...it was dusty and hot...but beautiful...don't judge me unless you've been there...It will take you 5 min to fall in love. I promise.

...these boys...orphans all of these children...wanting to know about America...wanting to know about my family...wanting to call me Mom...wanting my hugs...and wanting love...So glad for the moments I sat down and just poured myself out to the hurting...its such a good feeling to connect...even if its just for a few moments...I had all the love in the world....in fact I still do!

You are here: Home / Daily Inspirations / Loneliness

Loneliness

March 19, 2012 by Janice · 29 Comments

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Did you know that being lonely is not a sin? You will go through seasons of loneliness. Everyone does. When you start isolating yourself then it becomes an issue.
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.-Proverbs 18:1
If you find yourself in this season for whatever reason, seek God and encourage yourself in the Lord. David did this! How? I’ll tell you how in a minute.. First, I want to share this excerpt with you,

God brings moments into our lives when we have to stand alone in difficulty and testing. God will even blind the eyes and deafen the ears of our closest friends in moments so we can learn to minister to ourselves. -Bil Johnson

There have been many times I’ve relied on my husband, friends, family for my emotional needs and if they weren’t around I would be hurt. Learning to minister and encourage myself was a challenge. it’s just you and God! It wasn’t until I realized that I had nothing, no one else but God that I could count on. You don’t realize God is all you need until you see that He is all you have.

Strengthening yourself in the Lord.
1. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. – I meditate on the WORD of God day and night. I speak them aloud so it gets into my SOUL. Here are a few that I use.
The Lord’s eye is upon me because I fear Him, I wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving kindness. Psalm 33:18
Hope deferred makes my heart sick, but when my desire is fulfilled, it is the tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
I am sticking with God. I say it over and over again- He’s all I got left. He proves to be good to me and to all who passionately wait and diligently seek Him. – Lamentations 3:24
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach me so that through endurance and the encouragement of Scriptures I might have hope. Romans 15:4

 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:2
2. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of GOD – I always have CDs/DVDs nearby. In the car and at home. It is on constantly running in the background. While busy tending to other things, my mind is constantly getting fed as well as my inner man without being aware of it!
3. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:25 – Meet with friends, family, mentors, pastors for coffee. Talk, hang out, tell them what you’re going through and would like prayers, this way they know how to pray for you. Don’t isolate.
4. Prayer – Connect to God through prayer. As I reached out to Him, He supplied to me joy overflowing. He nurtured me and loved me all the way through that lonely season. Staying connected with God is vital. You can’t afford to be without Him. It’s too big of a risk.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1Peter 5:8
I pray that in this season you will reach out to God allow His love to permeate you. He will do a mighty work in you. Enjoy it for it is a season. It may be a long season or a short one, depending on our attitudes. Know that you are never alone. I’ve been on this journey before and spoken to many friends who knew what I was feeling. In some weird odd way it gave me a sense of comfort and some reassurance. The enemy wants to make us feel alone, insecure, and ashamed, don’t give in!



*This post came from Godsgratefulness.com I don't know how to link up..this was so encouraging to me. Wonderful words of encouragement...I will never be to the place where I am just ok with my friendship with Jesus...HOW HE HAS BLESSED me with His friendship...in my lonely times...He is always there...Gods blessings to you all*

Faithful Jesus

INTRODUCING.........Nahome Tesfaye Alemayehu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



My dear brother and sister Tesfaye and Helen had a little baby boy last Saturday! I have been waiting and waiting for his arrival! Tesfaye waited to tell me they were expecting a baby until we were reunited last October. I was so surprised!! I know this sweet little baby will be well taken care of! Wishing I could be there to help Helen and to hold this sweet little guy...but I know that Lord willing I will get plenty of time to hold him and get to know him! For now....my heart is glad that baby Nahome and Mommy are well and healthy. Praising our faithful Father for a beautiful little boy. thankyou Jesus

Forever Changed

I saw what I saw and I can't forget it....I heard what I heard and I can't go back....I know what I know and I can't deny it.....something along the road cut me to the soul....

 Your pain has changed me....your dreams inspire...your face a memory...your hope a fire....Your courage asks me what am I afraid of? and what I know of love....

 We've done what we've done and we can't erase it....we are what we are and its more then enough...

 we have what we have...but its no substitution....something along the road...cut me to the soul....

 I say what I say with no hesitation....I have what I have but I'm giving it up...I do what I do with deep conviction....

your courage asks me what I’m afraid of...your courage asks me what I’m afraid of.....
  and what I know of love.....and what I know of God. (I saw what I saw by:Sara Groves)

  Memories burning in my heart...I know what I saw and I know what I heard...Deep in the heart of Ethiopia...in city twice the size of Texas....in a trash dump, called Korah, that is home to 100,000 BEAUTIFUL people....I found Jesus. {I am forever changed}...I'll never forget

Love Others~Don't Waste Your Life

 I love the wise words from Francis Chan...I couldn't agree more. Once upon a time...when my heart was caring what other people thought of me and my life...I let the words..."They can't find themselves" or "They are going along with another fad now" affect me. Then I learned that peoples words will often times be harsh when they can't see the whole picture. You see...I believe that loving others...no matter the struggle or the pain is...worth it! LOVE always wins in the end. Faith Hope Love...the greatest is Love.

 I Love my husband and I love our friendship and our bond and our special times we have together. I love that we agree on most things and that we have the same vision for our life. I love that God is the center of our marriage. I just really really love my husband and I am so thankful him!

 Oh my precious treasures! I love ALL of them! I love them all differently and equally. Without them my life would be so pointless! They bring SO many smiles to my face! I could talk for hours about each of them! I love being a Mother to them! I don't feel old enough or mature enough to be their Mom...and I mess up ALOT! There are days I don't feel the love so much...BUT so glad for their forgiveness! So glad God is trusting me with them!

 I love this little girl! I LOVE this experience of how she grew in my heart! I will be the first to tell you that adoption is one of the hardest things I have ever did...but I will also tell you that it totally changed my life....for the better...I will never be the same! I will advocate for the orphans! If you are not caring for the Fatherless then you should be! James 1:27 commands it!

 I love this young man. Who would have thought God would give us a 16 year old boy to love for a short while. This experience ended in tears and sadness BUT I wouldn't trade it! I am thankful for the love we got to give and receive and the lessons we learned! I mean this young man taught me SO much! Totally worth the love! {I love you Gustavo and miss you! Thank you for all the memories!}

 Oh my goodness...my heart...tears...See that man in the middle??? *tears tears!* This is one of the hardest loves...I miss my Ethiopian friends...SO THANKFUL for the love across the miles! I love his SWEET wife Helen and their new baby! I cannot tell you how much I love him! Can you understand the distance between our families!?! Yet our bond and our love is so strong...my sweet children pray every day for him and our Korah Church family...our love for them is very strong!

and YAY for friends! What a special love! Friends and love come in all ways...who cares of age or gender or color of skin or personalities! {Rachel! So glad for our friendship! I love you and miss you!}
"Opposition is expected when we choose to love others for the purpose of God" Our Pastor talked about this last Sunday..."Are you willing for God to disrupt your life? Are we going to waste our life? Love will change your life! Are you willing?? Are you ready for crazy love??? I mean cause I can write a couple blog posts on a Someone who loved ME...ME!!!!! so much that He DIED for ME! Are you kidding??? I mean that is CRAZY! I mean don't you think Jesus wants us to be crazy like He was and return the love the best we can???................I know He does!
Are we willing for God to disrupt our life? Will we follow His calling? Will we love others like He did and does? Love will change your life*

What Do You See?

What do you see when you see this picture? Honestly in your heart what do you see? Maybe you see three dirty little girls....maybe you notice the dirty trash filled surroundings...and probably you will see this picture and think..."how sad" and then continue to go about your day with this picture of my sweet friends long out of your mind...
Can I tell you what I see? This was the second time I had seen these little ones. My first trip to Ethiopia to Korah I was honored to meet them. Their memory burned in my mind long after I met them and I just couldn't forget. I sent a few packages across the ocean to them just so they knew that I hadn't forgot them. Their was some anticipation in my heart as I walked up the trash filled trail, to their little home, tucked behind a small corn field. And then this moment...I cannot hardly explain this moment...it felt like time stopped just for a few seconds...the sun was hot...the buzzards and other birds were circling above the trash in the blue sky...the smell of trash and "poverty" burned at my nose...tears stung at my eyes and a lump formed once again in my throat...and a thought crossed my mind..."Dear God, why?"
And then they were jumping into my arms and I didn't care one bit that they were dirty and sick...I just knew, in that moment, that God was asking ME and HIS PEOPLE the same question...WHY? Why have you let this happen? Remember? YOU are MY HANDS and MY FEET! This is your DUTY to take care of the Fatherless and the poor.
And sometimes I wonder what good it does to travel to a place like this just to visit and then leave again at the end of the week. How can you make a difference in that amount of time? The answer? You can't really...the journey you make across the ocean is more for YOU...God is reminding you of how much he has blessed you and He is reminding you that sometimes you have to see the poverty with your own eyes before you can begin to make a difference. It doesn't do anyone any good to go visit and come home to our blessed nation and then forget. And I struggle with forgetting...not really, but I get caught up in my day to day life and I tend to forget...but that is why I love this picture...I'm remembering again this day when I saw my little friends again...and the JOY I felt in my heart to have the chance to love some of God's most precious treasures.

Cincinnati Museum Center

 A special day together as a family. Usually instead of giving our children gifts at Christmas time we pick a fun thing to do together as a family. This year was no different and we chose to spend the day in Cincinnati at the Museum. It was a good choice and while gifts usually pass away, fun times with family and making memories last forever!

 A pit stop at Taco Bell for lunch before we hit the museum

 A beautiful flag..was fun explaining to the children what the stars and strips mean!

 Getting ready to enter the Omnimax

 So cool...and some of us were VERY excited to "explore" per say under the ocean!

 Favorite continent!

 Beautiful saying!

 fat mirrors

 Three blessings that God has intrusted Britton and I with for just a short time...days are fleeting and flying by

 This was a major hit! Nothing like playing with water!

 This picture shows the reality of the day...yes we were both still sick and our outing cost us a couple Christmas gatherings...guess we should have stayed home and fully recovered

 Neat Coke machine

 end of our day...tired children

We ended our day with supper from Olive Garden. Such a good day with our family! As parents we realize that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is "time" and that may not always mean going away together as a family. Time to love each other and time to teach our children all that we know about this world and our great God.

A little Trip....

.....Down Memory Lane.....my little cutie pies......memories before sister came home.....sweetness!

A Letter To My Children About Marriage

Dear Children,
Should the Lord give you the good gift of a husband or wife, and I hope He does, there are a few things that I want you to know.
Marriage, sweet little people, is not for the purpose of your happiness. Happy as I want you to be and hope you will be, you must understand that marriage is Gods design and His purposes must be pursued in order for you to be truly happy. His end is holiness and He will use all things in a life devoted to Him to fulfill that end.
To my girl(s)~
Marry a man whose first pursuit is Christ. After that he is not hard to please. Admire him, cheer him on and show him gratitude and he will fall over himself trying to please you. Smile often, speak well of him always and do whatever necessary to try and maintain a pleasant mood about you so that it transfers to your home, making it a place where he and your children love to be.
To my boys~
Marry a woman whose first pursuit is Christ. After that she may be hard to please ;) Only if you don't know "the secret". The secret to pleasing your wife is to make her feel safe and treasured. You may have to move out of your comfort zone to do this at times. She won't always readily translate the "oil change" to love, though it means that. But let me give you a "secret question" - a question you need to ask her often. Its not just in the asking though, be sure to focus on her, maybe even touch her shoulder or her face, and then ask: "whats on your mind these days?" And then be ready to listen. She wants you to draw her out. She will perceive this as your protection over the matters of her heart. Tenderness, listening, protection...and compliments...that's what she wants.
If your wife or husband does something really stupid, forgive. If they do it again, forgive. Forgiveness must be the propelling force in your lives each day.
If you find yourself "not happy", having lost attraction, disinterested etc. you are not permitted to even think about divorce. If you find yourself arguing more and more, don't think for a minute that the children will be better off without this, because they wont.
The vows you took on your wedding day were not suggestions. They were covenant vows, before the Holy God, family and friends, to stay with this person the rest of your life, even if you don't feel like it. You swore a solem oath and if you cant live up to it, don't get married. Decide up front that your marriage is irrevocable. There is far more motivation if your "marriage house" has no door.
Do not share intimate thoughts or feelings with anyone of the opposite sex. Do not find yourself alone for any length of time with such either.
Divorce is not a "private option". It will affect multiple families for many generations. When you "separate what God has joined" you permanently injure far more then just yourself.
Guard your marriage as fiercely as you would guard your own life. Treat your spouse as a extension of your flesh, just as God sees you.

I want you to be happy...I surely do...But I will pray for you to be holy...I love you...Mom

*I do not take credit for writing this on my own...although I did add and subtract some words from the original "letter"

Looking forward to posting Christmas pictures! Happy New Year 2013!!!!!

For my boys *someday*

TWENTY THINGS A MOM SHOULD TELL HER SON

1. Play a sport.
It will teach you how to win honorably,
lose gracefully, respect authority,
work with others, manage your time

and stay out of trouble.
And maybe even throw or catch.

2. You will set the tone
for the sexual relationship,
so don't take something away from her
that you can't give back.

3. Use careful aim when you pee.
Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you're young
because you're going to need it someday.

5. Allow me to introduce you
to the dishwasher, oven,
washing machine, iron,
vacuum, mop and broom.
Now please go use them.

6. Pray and be a spiritual leader.

7. Don't ever be a bully
and don't ever start a fight,
but if some idiot clocks you,
please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something
that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat women kindly.
Forever is a long time to live alone
and it's even longer to live with somebody
who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do.
This includes her having a successful career
and you changing diapers at 3 A.M.
Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

 13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir"
still go a long way.

14. The reason that they're called "private parts"
is because they're "private".
Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing.
Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason
is always a good idea.

17. It is better to be kind
than to be right.

18. A sense of humor
goes a long way
in the healing process.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely.
My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me
spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call your mother
because I might be missing you.

 

 

*to my boys....you are both so precious to me....I love you to the moon and back forever and ever. You will always be my babies*

Take care of the Golf balls first!

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles roll

ed into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Cokes from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coke represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The coke just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Cokes with a friend

*On voting*

  Wonderful words from one of my favorite Evangelists....it reads:

The legacy we leave behind for our children, grandchildren and this great nation is crucial. As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election could be my last. I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God.

Fun times at Kore

 Today was Saturday. And Saturday, at the Church, is Bible School for all the children.

 *So many pictures of precious little faces...some I got to know more then others

 Sweet sweet Hanna spent alot of time coloring her picture

 I wonder what his name is? And if he has parents? And if he gets to go to school? And if he eats out of the trash???

 The little boy on the right is my little buddy! He was ROTTEN (like a good rotten) but every time he saw me during the week he made a run for my legs and hung on me like he was a monkey! He also is precious because both of his parents have leprosy.

 being goofy

 sick baby but sweet nonetheless

 Rachel and I were prepared for this Bible school so we brought coloring pages and an elephant craft and a Bible story that was translated and suckers of course!.

 (some pictures are out of order BUT I will NOT redo them!!! sorry) Above picture...fun times with my special friend in the taxi! Note: Rachel (my sweet traveling companion) raised almost 2,000 dollars to give away to where it was needed most. Anyway after the Bible school we headed into town to buy baby formula and a sheep!

 Beautiful city!

 We guesstimated that they used between $700 and $900 dollars on baby formula to give to the Mothers

 *This picture was for my own personal use...yes they have normal groceries in Addis!

 filling up the cart!

 SUCH A BLESSING!

 And the sheep...you will hear more about this sheep at the week goes on but...yes it is in the back of the taxi and yes we took the taxi back to Kore and yes it was making alot of noise as we traveled down the road and yes we were horrified.

 The church in Kore that we served at all week and the cute little blue taxi

 Market day in Kore

 DARLING little boy...who is quite sick...

 ...his Mother was waiting in the church when we got back from town...her babies needed medicine

 such a special picture of Rachel...this is the life right here!

 Uncle Tesfaye and his nephew

 donkey's carrying their load

 ****continued from the Bible School**** singing songs

 Rachel reading the Bible story and Tesfaye translating (thanks again for reading it Rachel! lol)

 Darlingness

 Ok well I do not like having favorites BUT if you are friends with me on facebook then you will know I have tried to take care of these precious girls from afar! And spending the week with them was pure joy! It was so fun to see them open up and be silly!

 I will have to admit they are my favorites....I Loved all the children I came in contact with but these little girls stole my heart

 The little girls Mother

 Sweet Hanna

 Look who it is! And hes being ornery!

 Darling!

 beyond cute!

like SO adorable! I think Ethiopian children are SO cute! Oh I wish I could take them all home with me! But of course reality sets in especially after an exhausting morning teaching Bible School to 150 kids! We were a little overwhelmed when the day was done.
Every evening Tesfaye took us back to the guest house in the taxi by 6pm. It was always dark at 6:30pm. This particular night our dear friend Yonatan (He was the guest house manager in the Addis Flower guest house we had both stayed at when we adopted our kiddos) picked us up and we headed to Island Breeze for some Pizza and Cokes. It was so good to see him again!
Took hot showers and slept like babies!