HE IS RISEN!!!!!

"Life without God....."

Billy Graham is now in his 90's with Parkinson's disease. In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte , North Carolina , invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor.
Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte leaders said , 'We don't expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you.'
So he agreed.

After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger.

When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there. He looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.

"The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.'

Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are; no problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one.'

Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.''

Having said that, Billy Graham continued, "See the suit I'm wearing? It's a brand new suit. My children, and my grandchildren are telling me I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age.
I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. You know what that occasion is?

This is the suit in which I'll be buried. But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing . I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am. I also know where I'm going."

May your troubles be less, your blessings more, and may nothing but happiness, come through your door. "Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point."

Amen & Peace, My Friends

The Greatest Man in History

Who Is Jesus? The Greatest Man in History

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.

Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.

Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.

He had no army, yet kings feared Him.

He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.

He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today!

He's leaving me...

.....or at least that's what I thought he'd say when I brought up Spencer. Not really. Our relationship is solid, but I did think that he'd admit me into some psychiatric hospital for even mentioning his name!:)

Spencer. God, why do I see things like this!?!?! And more importantly, why do I feel the way I do about it?!?! Spencer. He's 17. Yes, a far cry from our 8 week old treasure but we do have an 18 year old, too.

Spencer has no Mom and Dad. No permanent place to call home. I asked Dawn what she thought would happen to him when he turned 18. I knew the answer but so wanted her to tell me something completely different. Something wonderful and beautiful, but she didn't. "He'll go to an institution" was the answer she gave. I knew it.

Sadness, anger and fear swept over me. Spencer. A treasure just like our youngest two. Waiting for a family for many reasons. He's "old". He's a male. And he has Down Syndrome.
But you know what? He is human and he longs for the same things each of us long for. Acceptance. Love. A family. And specifically a family "with a Dad". Spencer's words.

I can't imagine my Charlie where Spencer is today. Alone. With noone.

Please, join me in praying for this tough guy. One of the pictures I saw of him shows him flexing his muscles. He's showing the world that he's a fighter and a strong one at that. Join me in fighting for him and praying for his family to find him.

Spencer is already 17 and living in the foster care system here in the US. He doesn't have much time left.
In Him,
E

My dream car...

And I'm serious. My dream just may come true!

In Him,

E

My Reader...

Daily I find him in the middle of his pile....reading and reading and reading. For 15, 20, 30 minutes he does this, "talking" the entire time. He is so smart!!

In Him, E

For all those who have been harrassing me....

Kiddos in our house sleep in comfort- I wish I were surrounded by all that satin and chenille!:)

Here she is in all of her 7 pound 12 ounce glory!! She will be 8 weeks this coming Tuesday. Yep, slowly but surely she is gaining. Tiny baby steps is how she does it.

After working hard at pushing herself up and holding up that heavy head.

I took this picture to show you how teeny our treasure really is. My hands are not large by any means. She is such a teeny peanut!

So, there you have it. We hope to have another mini photoshoot tomorrow afternoon with all 5, and I'll share those when they are finally finished! Hope you all have a blessed weekend! In Him,

E

The World's Best Big Sisters!!

These girls totally ROCK!!

In Him,

E

My Big Boy

My oh my how this little guy has changed in the past few months!! I know that part of his "bigness" comes from the fact that he has a sister that is less than 1/3 his size, but he really is growing up. And as much as I want him to stay little and snuggle with me every morning, I am so incredibly proud of his new found independence!!

**WARNING** I usually don't write "bragging " posts, but this post is an exception. He has been working so hard and deserves to be bragged on!

About 2 months ago Charlie started walking (and for those of you counting the months, he was 17 months!!). Not walking as in 20-30 feet but walking a good 10-15 steps. I am 100% confident that it has much to do with his amazing PT, Ms. Linda, and her years of working with these kiddos. I also know that Charlie's success was aided by Ms. Linda's suggestion and force that he use the walker and master turning. Think- core muscle strengthening. Linda is NDT Certified and a genius as far as I am concerned.:)

For about 4-6 weeks now he's been on a mission and noone can stop him. He is walking EVERYWHERE (close the potties and all doors!!). The next goal? Mastering kicking a ball- he's so incredibly close to doing it 100% of the time. Oh, and hands down by his side.

Charlie also go this first big boy haircut that his sisters love fixing "cool". Yep, look at that cool dude!

I love you, handsome boy!! But slow your growing down just a bit. Mommy's not ready to lose her snuggle partner.:)

In Him,

E

Doesn't he deserve a family?

I LOVE THIS BOY!!

If God's plan for our family was to be on the next plane to Uganda, you can bet that's exactly where I'd be!! But right now, I feel like we need to focus on Celia's health and getting her to a place of stability with her heart, weight and feeding.

My prayer over and over and over is "Does sweet Jonathan not deserve a family, God?". I cry out to Him about this precious one. Just look at this treasure! Oh my GOODNESS! I love him! And how my heart swelled and broke all in the same instant when I saw him playing with this toy. Guess who sent it to him?!?! Yep, our family! And evidently it's his favorite.:) But, I wished he were here playing with it instead.

Let's face it, though. The odds are stacked against him. #1- He lives in Africa. #2- He has Down Syndrome. #3- Something is going on with his digestive system and he NEEDS medical attention soon. #4- Jonathan is HIV positive. A big deal? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! HIV is NOT what it used to be. Feel free to mosey on over to Project Hopeful to learn how incredibly easy it is to care for and live with HIV. NOT A BIG DEAL! And guess what? This is what God intended for Jonathan. He KNEW this would be a part of his life. And guess what else? He already knows who his family is and is just waiting for them to step forward. Could it be you? Please, if you are interested in learning more about Jonathan, email me nogreatergiftmom@yahoo.com. I long for this boy to be home. Amazed by HIS grace, E

On Celia's Wish List....

Again, I'm not a buyer of new things but when I saw these at Brianna Beans Boutique.....well, let's just say it was love! And until tomorrow (April 2nd) they are 50% off making them $10 pair.

She has the teeny tiniest feet, and I just know they will look absolutely perfect with some new slippers wrapped around them.

Now just to decide which pattern is her favorite.:)

In Him,

E