$13,000.00...Still Counting On A Thanksgiving Day Miracle!

I heard from our local Fox News affiliate this morning, and Lydia is still on at 6:45am in the morning to announce her earnings for "Project Darya". What a perfect way to finish this race strong.

"Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing......Have you received a ministry from the Lord? If so, you must be faithful to it---to consider your life valuable only for the purpose of fulfilling that ministry. Knowing that you have done what Jesus sent you to do, think how satisfying it will be to hear Him say to you: "Well done, good and faithful servant." We each have to find a niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive a ministry from the Lord. To do this we must have close relationship with Jesus and must know Him as more than our Personal Savior. And we must be willing to experience the full impact of Acts 9:15----"I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

"Do you love Me?" Then, "Feed My sheep" (John 21:17) He is not offering us a choice of how we can serve Him; He is asking for absolute loyalty to His commission, a faithfulness to what we discern when we are in the closest possible fellowship with God. If you have received a ministry from the Lord Jesus, you will know that the need is not the same as the call---the need is the opportunity to exercise the call. The call is to be faithful to the ministry you received when you were in true fellowship with Him." (Oswald Chambers)

In 2001, we adopted Natalie Grace from Russia. James 1:27 says we are to care for widows and orphans, so after learning there were many orphans in Russia, we decided to rescue one. We had no idea how God was going to use it for His Glory.

In 2005, we found out we were expecting little Hope. During my 16th week of pregnancy, we learned she would have Down Syndrome, a heart defect, and a stomach defect. Expecting a broken child......we had no idea how God could use it for His Glory.

Last year, we adopted little red-headed Charlie who has Down Syndrome....and now it looks like we are on our way around the world to adopt another with Down Syndrome. Finally, we see with clarity, this is God's ministry for our lives, and we are completely humbled by it. I even cry as I type this. The Creator of the world set this call before us.

It didn't happen over night....the Lord has had us on a race that began with Natalie's adoption in 2001.....a race blocked with many hurdles to overcome: Natalie's struggle with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Hope's three open heart surgeries. However, Chappy and I now see He took us through the suffering to draw us closer to Him, so we could hear him better.

I just want to say, "Lord, I hear you. Thank you for calling us....thank you for taking us through times of suffering and heartache. We are thrilled to share Your glory with so many others through the incredible outpouring we have received on Darya's behalf. May your name be lifted high, and through this, may many shout and praise Your Holy Name!"

"None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus." Acts 20:24


P.S. Ondrea, thanks for reminding me of Finland....Barb, thank you for your donation. Since it went straight to Reece's Rainbow, I didn't account for it here at home. And Arizona, you know who you are, I should get your donation in the mail sometime today I expect. Still looking for it. Thank you both!