Can I Be Real With You???

The flow of money slowed significantly today. Maybe because it is Saturday. Lydia's skip to the mailbox continued, however, throughout the day. Her smile is still bright , although I know she noticed. She never commented on it.

I'm feeling very contemplative this evening. I've spent much of the day in quiet conversation with the Lord:

"Father, help us help Darya."
"Are You planning to provide $20,000.00 by Thanksgiving, because we still have a long way to go."
"By the way, how many orphans do You want us to take into our home?"
"What if one of them struggles with ongoing health issues like Hope has?"
"Do You think I could handle that?"
"What would our future look like with a house full of special needs kids?"
"I absolutely believe with all of my heart that every child deserves a family...especially the special ones."
"What would I do for You?....anything, Lord."
"No, Father, I can't bear to allow myself to think of Hope or Charlie being sentenced to life in a crib with no human touch or love."
"If I could only see the future, I would follow You without hesitation."
"Why didn't you make faith easier?"
"If Lydia earns the $20,000.00 by Thanksgiving, that will be a sign."
"I'm sorry for asking for a sign."
"I know what You are asking of me....others don't know yet, but I do."
"Obedience....it is my choice...really....up to me?"

CRAZY FOR HIM!!! THAT IS WHAT HE IS TEACHING ME TO BE THROUGH THIS DARYA PROJECT.....I ASKED THE LORD TO MAKE ME TRULY CRAZY IN LOVE WITH HIM, AND HE IS DOING IT....IT JUST "AIN'T" EASY.....HE IS SHOWING ME SOME REAL UGLINESS IN MY LIFE....HIDDEN DOUBT AND FEAR.....A LITTLE BIT OF HANGING ONTO "COMFORTABLE"......AND HE IS GETTING RID OF IT, AND LET ME TELL YOU, IT IS A PAINFUL PROCESS.

WHEN THE FLOW OF MONEY SLOWED TODAY, I STARTED QUESTIONING EVERYTHING. TRULY, I WONDERED IF IT WAS A SIGN THAT WE ARE MOVING TOO FAST. THEN I REMINDED MYSELF: GOD WILL NEVER TELL ME NOT TO ADOPT ORPHANS. NEVER! AND HE DOESN'T WANT AN ORPHAN TO SUFFER A MOMENT. IT IS HIS DESIRE TO SAVE THEM NOW....HE IS JUST WAITING ON MAN'S OBEDIENCE. HE DIDN'T MESS UP AND CREATE TOO MANY CHILDREN.

IT IS THE ENEMY WHO THROWS DOUBTS MY WAY. HE KNOWS MY HUSBAND IS AWAY AND HE KNOWS I AM TIRED. HE POUNCES ON ME WITH ACCUSATIONS LIKE: "SURELY YOU DON'T THINK YOU CAN HANDLE ANY MORE SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN---LOOK HOW YOU STRUGGLE EMOTIONALLY WITH HOPE"S HEART ISSUES, YOU WOULD FALL APART IF YOU HAD ANOTHER HEALTH ISSUE TO DEAL WITH. LET'S FACE IT, DOWN SYNDROME CHILDREN ARE A WILD CARD WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH."

ALL DAY TODAY, GOD CONTINUED TO SAY TO ME: "MELANIE, I LOVE THEM....THEY ARE MY CHILDREN. YOU ARE A GOOD MOMMA. DOWN SYNDROME DOESN'T BOTHER YOU AT ALL....YOU WILL TREAT THEM LIKE THEY ARE PERFECTLY NORMAL. WHERE SOME WOULD BE EMBARRASSED TO HOLD THE HAND OF A CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME, YOU WILL PARADE THEM AROUND PROUDLY JUST LIKE I WOULD. YOU WILL SHOW THEM MY LOVE...... AND THEY NEED MY HUGS THROUGH YOU. THEY NEED TO HEAR MY VOICE THROUGH YOUR VOICE. TRUST ME. I PICKED YOU FOR THIS."

IT IS TRUE....I HAVE A LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME. IN FACT, AN INSANE COMPASSION. CHAPPY DOES TOO. BUT ENEMY IS ALSO CORRECT, I HAVE A FEAR OF DEALING WITH THE UNCERTAINTY THAT COMES WITH HEALTH ISSUES. ISN'T IT NUTS? GOD REMINDS ME OF MY STRENGTHS AND SATAN OF MY WEAKNESS. A BATTLE.

DARYA IS HEALTHY. GREAT! NADINE IS HEALTHY. GREAT! DARYA AND NADINE ARE NOT IN THE SAME ORPHANAGE. PROBLEM! THERE IS ANOTHER LITTLE ONE WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN DARYA'S ORPHANAGE....VIVIENNE. LITTLE VIV. SHE HAS HEALTH ISSUES. A HEART DEFECT. GOD, THAT WOULD BE ASKING ALOT OF ME.

CHAPPY COMES HOME FROM AFRICA TOMORROW. MY ROCK. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL HE HOLDS ME IN HIS ARMS AND SAYS...."WHATEVER GOD HAS CALLED US TO DO, WE CAN HANDLE IT, MEL!" I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TWO WEEKS WITHOUT HIM.

"I can do ALL THINGS through Christ, who gives me strength!"

Answering Your Questions....

I have had a flood of questions today, and I am going to try to answer them here.



First, your gift to Reece's Rainbow is a tax-deductible gift.



Second, if you email me, I will send you my home address where you can mail a check made payable to Reece's Rainbow.


Third, I have set up a paypal account, so you can put a donation on your credit card! Check out the sidebar for the Donate to the Darya Project button!


Last, PLEASE feel free to share Lydia's project with everyone you know. We are honored that so many are passing the word to family, friends, and churches. Thank you!



Today has been another day of donations flowing into the Hollis home like a flood. Again, I am amazed. A fifteen year old boy baked 71 muffins and sold them to earn $135.00 to give to Darya today. A student from a local private school asked her parents to drive her to our house so she could give Lydia all of her savings this evening in person, $40.00. And when we awoke this morning, $200.00 was taped to our door. Unbelieveable? Yes. Crazy Love? Definitely!



This morning, the local Fox News Channel called to request a live interview on Thanksgiving morning for Lydia to publicly announce her earnings. THAT will be a big day for her.....only 5 days away.



Imagine Lydia, eleven years old, marching into that live interview to tell all of Middle Tennessee that people (mostly strangers) have donated $20,000.00 to save an orphan with Down Syndrome who lives in another country in only 9 short days. I think people would be in total shock. But Lydia wouldn't be surprised in the least. Excited, yes. Surprised, no. She is totally expecting to receive all of it by Thanksgiving just as she has prayed. I know I wrote that detail yesterday, but I want to make sure it is sinking in. The child REALLY, TRULY believes with all of her heart that God is going to provide this money by Thanksgiving morning for Darya.



In Lydia's mind, she has already pictured the following scene and has played it out in her mind a hundred times:



It is early Thanksgiving morning. The orphanage workers are getting ready for their usual routine....changing diapers, feeding babies, and mopping floors. However, the routine of the day is broken by a phone call from America. The news comes that a little orphan has a family coming to get her. The worker has to be told two or three times exactly WHICH baby, because she can't believe an American family would want the little one with Down Syndrome who is in the corner crib. Finally, she realizes yes, it is Darya this family has chosen. The worker hangs up the phone, and following the instructions she has just received, she walks over to the crib, looks down into big brown eyes and says: "Happy Thanksgiving, Darya, you have a family now.....and they are coming to get you real soon."



Do you sense my doubt? Is it because I am cynical? Is it because I have lived for 41 years and have more wisdom and experience than my eleven year old daughter? OR is it because I lack her faith?



I am on the Lydia bandwagon like many of you. Part of me really wants to see God do something THIS BIG!!! I wonder what this would do for Lydia's faith.....to ask God for $20,000.00 to save an orphan by Thanksgiving.....and then to receive. I wonder what this would do for your faith and for my faith.



Father, show us Your glory. Give us a Thanksgiving miracle so we can all rejoice and proclaim Your marvelous love for "the least of these"....for Darya, Your precious little girl. I believe.....forgive my unbelief. I praise You, Lord!

Overwhelmed

There has been so much money flowing into our home for Sweet Darya that we haven't even stopped to count it all. Overwhelmed, that is what we are. We heard from our local Fox News station this morning; they want Lydia to appear on Thanksgiving morning to talk about her story. Again, overwhelmed. Would you be surprised if I told you children were sending their allowance money? We received a bag of change today. Would you be surprised to learn a twelve year old girl gave Darya $100.00 of her babysitting money? She did....with a bright smile on her face. How about if I told you an elderly lady walked slowly and carefully all the way up our driveway and sidewalk because she wanted to hand us $100.00 and say "May God Bless Your Efforts" personally? It happened.



Do these stories bless you? Then you can imagine how we, the recipients, feel. I have decided to wait and give a running total on Monday. Until then, we will wait and watch with anticipation. I am beginning to feel like Lydia is feeling.....God is doing something through the life of Darya. She may be stuck in a crib all day without any attention from the orphanage workers, but I have a hunch the King of Kings has been speaking to her about what is going on here.



He shows up in the most unlikely places, doesn't He? In Bethlehem tucked into a lowly manger surrounded by homeless shepherds, having a meal with tax collectors who were considered cheats, healing the demon-possessed and diseased no one else would touch, and hanging on an old wooden cross......always bringing the gift of hope to the hopeless.



Darya is one of the hopeless, and He is using many to bring hope to her. Can you feel His presence? He is bringing hope to us too. Have you stopped to fathom that you are a playing a part in saving the life of one who has been left behind....unwanted....forgotten? Can you grasp that He already knew ahead of time you would give? When we received the bag of change today from the two little boys who gave their savings, I knew Lydia would raise the $20,000.00. That money is going to come, and God has already accounted for every penny. The bag of change is part of His plan and is needed just as much as the $100.00 checks. When God starts using children, I have learned He is getting ready to show up BIG!



I quoted from Oswald Chambers a couple of days ago, and if you'll indulge me, I want to quote from him again. In a sermon about my favorite disciple, Peter, jumping out of the boat and walking on water when he saw Jesus, Oswald Chambers writes:



"If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, "Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?" Be reckless immediately---totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything---by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him."



Two days ago, Lydia came to me and said: "Darya needs a family, mom. We can be her family." I immediately thought of one of my favorite verses: Proverbs 24:12 "Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know and holds us responsible to act." So, the realization of God comes.....and Lydia recklessly abandons herself to Him. And He is meeting her there.



At eleven, Lydia doesn't fully conceive the enormity of $20,000.00. In her innocence, she only sees that God is looking for a willing family....and then, He will do the rest. As she skips out to the mailbox every 30 minutes to see if another family has left a check for Darya, I marvel. Most of the time she comes back empty-handed, but when she comes back with a check in her hand, she shouts: "I told you so, Mom!" I can't help but laugh out loud. And cry. I have to admit, every time I see a car stop at our mailbox, I put my head down and cry out loud. Overwhelmed.

It's Lydia Again and I Have Something GREAT to Say!

GOD IS SO AMAZING!!! Just tonight when I was doing my homework, I had to find two Bible verses that talk about facing challenges. One of the verses I chose talks about how having faith like a mustard seed can move mountains. Get ready for this, today I raised $800.00 for Darya. In one day!!! I am so thankful that people are willing to give so much of their money to Darya and love her with me.

Can you believe that no one has ever thought about Darya for her entire life, and today, many many people learned her name, prayed for her, and gave money for her to be saved? She has gone from being all alone and forgotten to being surrounded by prayer. The other verse I chose tonight for my homework was Psalm 91:4 where it talks about God covering us with His feathers and protecting us under His wings. When I read the verse I realized God is covering Darya too.

My day was mostly great, but I did meet a lady today who made me frustrated. She heard I was raising money for Darya and asked how much it would cost to adopt her. When I told her $20,000.00 she acted shocked. Then she asked when I hoped to have all of the money. I told her Thanksgiving and she laughed and kind of rolled her eyes. She didn't give one penny for Darya. I could tell she thought raising the money would be impossible for me. For a minute I thought I should have made my deadline Christmas instead, but then I realized that I should not feel doubt inside but I needed to keep believing. If God can move mountains when we have faith, then $20,000.00 by next week shouldn't be that big of a deal. I really want Darya to be told "Happy Thanksgiving, you have a family coming to get you."

Tomorrow is another bake sale at school. My mom and I baked three pumpkin pies and made more "Muddy Buddy" mix for me to sell. We bought whipped cream to put on top of the pies, so I think my school friends will go for it. I hope so.

I think God is doing something big in my life right now. I can feel Him and I feel lifted up and happy. I am so glad we decided to do the Crazy Love Project. I really hope I will have $20,000.00 by Thanksgiving. I am so excited!!! Yipee!!! Dad, I love you. Only 4 more days until you are home again. What are you going to do if I have raised $20,000.00 by the time you get home? That would be so funny.

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If you have faith, and doubt not, you shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if you shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed, and be cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive." Matt. 21:21-22

Hi Blogger World.....It's Lydia!

The following post has been dictated by Miss Lydia (eleven going on twenty) and typed by the faster typist, Mom (who is probably going to be in trouble after Dad reads this):

I am so excited because I finally get the opportunity to tell everyone about the crazy love I have for God. First I want to say Hope and Charlie bring more joy and happiness to my life than you can imagine. I have heard laughing makes you live longer, so I will probably live to be 200 because Hope and Charlie crack me up every day. I also want to announce that we made $30.00 at our bake sale today. The Muddy Buddies were everyone's favorite. We sold out and could've sold more. We are going to do another bake sale on Thursday and I think we might make pumpkin pies. Yummy.

***

I love music. I play the acoustic guitar, violin, and bass guitar. I have written 8 songs and I sing. Someday I want to use my gifts to create my own music therapy for people with Down Syndrome, and I also want to use my music to tell others about how wonderful people with special needs are. This is the special calling God has for my life.

***

For the next four weeks, my mom challenged us to show crazy love for God by helping others, even if every one else thought we were out of our minds. Of course all of the kids wanted to do something to help orphans who have Down Syndrome....especially me. So we are washing cars, baking cookies, and babysitting to raise money. Today we were driving into the neighborhood and I looked at all of the beautiful houses and said: "If every single house gave some money for Darya, we could have enough money raised for her to get adopted."

***

When we got home, mom told us to come look at an email we had received from Mrs. Amy. Mrs. Amy is a friend that adopted a little boy from Reece's Rainbow last year. She had checked out our blog and saw we are raising money for Darya and it made her cry. Her email said she met Darya when she was at the orphanage in the Ukraine to get Micah. We never knew that. She said Darya was in a crib, no one ever spoke to her, no one took her out to hold her, and she was left alone by herself all day long. Mrs. Amy said she needs a home very fast.

***

Her email upset me a lot. My heart has been set on Nadine on the Reece's Rainbow site, and I pray for Nadine and Darya all of the time. But now it seems to me like Darya needs a family right away and might need a family more than Nadine. (I wish we could adopt Nadine and Darya). Mrs. Amy sent us a video that she took of Darya when she was there, and Darya looked so sad. I thought, what if that was Hope or Charlie stuck in a crib all day with no one to play with. I can't even stand to think about it.

***

So I asked my mom if I raised $20,000.00 could we go get Darya ourselves and be her family. My mom said yes, if I raised that much money she would know it was from God, but she said she didn't think I could do it because that is a whole lot of money. I told her I was going to try my best and nothing is impossible with God. Then she said if I raise $20,000.00 we could even adopt two kids from Reece's Rainbow, and we would try to make the other one Nadine. Now I probably won't even sleep because I am so excited!

***

Tonight, Caleb, Natalie and I made 200 flyers to tape on every mailbox in our neighborhood. We are going to set the alarm and get up very early to tape them on everyone's mailboxes. My flyer explains about Darya and asks the neighbors to give just $100.00 to save her life. Caleb and I figured out if every house would donate $100.00, we would have enough money. This is my crazy love. I want to save a little girl that no one else wants. I am asking God for a miracle, and I want him to do it before Thanksgiving so she can get the news that she will be getting a family soon. I know I am most thankful for my family.

***

Mom, Caleb, Natalie and I went to a party last week. Everything at the party was sold to support adoptions. One lady, Mrs. Sallee, makes the cutest dresses you have ever seen and calls them Poppy Dips. We bought one for Hope. I love the dresses because she finds really cool retro fabric. She is making the dresses to help raise money for her third adoption from Africa. She emailed us today and has donated three of her dresses to help Darya. Her button is on our blog now, so if you want to buy one of these dresses for $25.00, just email her and tell her you are buying it to help Darya. It will help!

***

Mrs. Ondrea is coming over to our house on Sunday to take pictures of anyone who wants to show up to have a Christmas picture made to send out to family and friends. She is a great photographer and I hope 100 people show up. It costs $25.00 to get 4 pictures and all of the money will go to Darya. My mom is giving alot of her money from Hope's book away to help Darya too. Lots of people are helping.

***

You might think I am crazy, and if you do, then I am doing my job. Dad, if you are reading this, I miss you and cannot wait to see you when you get home from Africa. I still can't believe you looked out your window and saw a rhino and elephants. I love you so so much. I guess this whole Darya thing is a surprise to you but mom promised if I raise $20,000.00 myself then that would be a sign from God. I'm crazy you know. Ha! Ha!

***

Thank you to every single person who helps Darya get adopted.

Crazy Love....continues

We are still in high gear raising money for Reece's Rainbow and thinking of other ways we can demonstrate God's love to others. Today, the kids and I baked 5 dozen cookies and mixed 15 bags of "Chex Muddy Buddies" for Caleb and Lydia to sell during lunch at their homeschool tutorial group tomorrow. Another friend in the tutorial group, Tori Hook, whose family adopted a little fella' with Down Syndrome last year, is joining the bake sale as well. With 220+ students, I'm thinking they might earn quite a pocketful. If successful, they say they will bake and sale again on Thursday. I'll report the grand total tomorrow!

In addition, a good friend of mine, who happens to be a fabulous photographer, has offered to come to my neighborhood to take pictures of families/kids for a $25.00 donation to Reece's Rainbow. The spirit of giving is catching on. Ondrea has adopted three orphans from Russia, so she is already on the adoption bandwagon. Thank you, Ondrea!!!

Any ideas??? Please pass them along. The children would LOVE to raise $2,000.00 by Christmas. It is a lofty goal for three kids to achieve, but they are determined. Caleb, Lydia, and Natalie have suggested our neighborhood adopt Darya from the www.reecesrainbow.com site as a Christmas project. Wouldn't it be fun if our neighborhood joined together on this?

I heard from Chappy late this afternoon, and he made it safely to Cape Town. He called me from the airport this morning at 3am (I never went back to sleep). He put Mrs. Ellie on the phone and let me speak to her. She has the voice of an angel.....very proper accent with a softness that penetrates the heart. It was a privilege to speak with her, and I'm certain our paths will cross before any of us reach the other side......Chappy will make sure of it! In only a few short days, she stole his heart.

"Serve the Lord with gladness".....Psalm 100

$143.00 Success...

The car wash fundraiser was a success.....the kids charged $5.00 per car and earned $143.00 in two hours! GREAT JOB!!! Every penny will go to help "Darya", one of the waiting children with Down Syndrome who is in an orphanage in the Ukraine. You can see a picture of Darya if you go to http://www.reecesrainbow.com/.

What does a fifteen year old boy think about constantly (besides girls)? Yes, all of you moms who have raised teenage sons, you answered correctly: "How can I totally freak out my mom today?" Caleb found one of our hairbrushes that was in great need of cleaning (look at Lydia's long hair and figure out whose brush he raided). He tore out the hair, shoved it under his armpit, found me busy cleaning my bedroom, rushed in and asked in a very worried sounding voice: "Mom, is there a problem when hair is only growing under one armpit?" Look at the picture above....THAT is what I saw when I turned around.

Have a good day..... and remember to laugh at your kids and with them too!

Thanks to all who have ordered a copy or two of Hope's book. So far, over 50 have sold, and I'm shocked! Remember 100% of the proceeds go to Amazima Ministries and Reece's Rainbow Waiting Children.

(Chappy is flying to Cape Town today.....I'll look forward to sharing with you when I get an update.)