Children Are Our Treasure

Well, I've been meaning to write more about the Created 4 Care Conference that I went to in January, but the days have gotten away from me.

One thing I did want to share--as a reminder for myself more than anything--is the idea that our children are our TREASURE.

In a culture where children are often thought of as a burden-just one more expense, one more thing to add to the "to-do" list, one more mouth to feed, one more person in the carpool.....it's nice to be reminded that they are no such thing, but instead precious gifts.

Treasure is defined as anything or person greatly valued or highly prized.

When I think of my children in that way, it really changes things. One of the speakers encouraged us to think of our children as who they are in Christ--dearly loved and highly valued.

This, of course, is easier said than done when they've just tattle tailed-again, talked back or colored on yet another piece of furniture (not that any of my children ever do those things :-)

I'm challenging myself to start thinking of my kids in this way-as a precious and valuable gift that is to be guarded and well cared for--like a prized possession.

We were also cautioned not to think anything about our children that God doesn't think. This is crucial. One of the speakers said, "You can not afford to have thoughts about your kids that God does not have." If we think of them according to their actions, their weaknesses or how well they perform, we run the risk of having thoughts that start to shape our feelings towards them in a negative way.

We were encouraged to speak words of truth over our kids and to pray scripture over each of them. This gives them positive words to think about themselves and in turn helps shape them into kids that possess those qualities (for as a man thinks in his heart, so he is-Proverbs 23:7).

I've selected verses to pray for my children and to encourage them in an area that they may be struggling in like wisdom, confidence, kindness, self-control... and we're memorizing them and using them to help shape their character and hopefully instill these qualities in them over time.

Let me just say, this is hard work. Our first reaction is often to focus on the negative. But, when you read a verse like Psalm 127:3 -

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.

you can start to believe that it is worth it, because it is true--children are a gift and a reward!

LAST CALL

Remember my two little friends that were waiting for a sponsor family?

Kerline above and her sister Manoucheca below

Guess what?

They're still waiting.

*****UPDATE, THANKS TO MY FRIENDS THE ROBERSONS, THESE PRECIOUS SISTERS HAVE FOUND A SPONSOR FAMILY AND ARE NO LONGER WAITING!

THANKS SO MUCH!!*****

I'm actually really surprised that my girls are still waiting. I started out with 4 boys and these 2 girls. All of my boys now have sponsor families, but these sisters still wait.

I keep thinking that surely some family will come along and see that these girls are waiting, and that they're sisters, and you can't break up sisters, so they'll sponsor both of them.

So far, that hasn't happened, so now I need your help.

Each day, at least 100 people view this blog.

I'd be willing to bet that a good number of those viewers use facebook, email or have a blog of their own. You all have the power to reach people that I will never come in contact with.

I would LOVE IT if you all would take a small leap of faith and just pass this post along to spread the word about my two girls.

Here's what you need to know:

Every day, these sweet sisters struggle for the basics. Each day, they wake up without the security of basic necessities that we don't give a second thought to--like clean water and a meal.

We had the opportunity to meet the pastor that cares for these girls and the 40 other orphaned and vulnerable kids at Fond Blanc and he describe how they usually only have enough food to feed the kids one meal a day and for that he is grateful

But, sometimes the money is just not there for a meal, so they give the kids sugar water and bread so they will at least have something to fill there bellies.

As I sat at our friends table and listened to the faith of this pastor--all I could picture was these precious children gratefully receiving their sugar water--their one meal for the day.

And all I could think was "this is not right."

There's got to be something we can do.

And there is.

Our small group has partnered with Children's Hopechest to not only provide nutritious, consistent meals to these girls, but also education, basic medical care and most importantly Christian discipleship so that the kids at Fond Blanc know that they matter to God and are not forgotten.

But, this doesn't happen without faithful sponsor families who step up and say "YES-I will be the difference for one of the least of these. I'll give $34 a month" (I know times are tight, but this is really such a small sacrifice when you consider the many ways we spend $34-like a trip to the movies, a dinner out, a coffee or two a week....).

On Wednesday, I have to return these two sister's profiles to our sponsorship coordinator. I would love to return them to her with the assurance that they have found sponsor families.

So, this is it.

LAST CALL

If you would like to literally change the life of one or both of these girls, please email me at jirvin79@gmail.com for the details.

I can assure you, you'll be glad you did.

And remember, if you have access to any type of social media (or word of mouth for that matter), please consider passing this post along.

*****Although these two are sponsored now, there are still about 10 kids still waiting for families at Fond Blanc. To learn more, visit Fondly Blanc or email me at the address above.*****

I'm Guest Posting

My good friend Michelle Snead has started a new blog to help share how she and her family are "getting through the day." We brought our first two daughters home at the same time she brought her sweet little girl and boy home 2 years ago. She blogs along with another mom who both have four small children very close in age and together they share their organizational, meal planning and helpful hints about how they make it all work.

This month, they are featuring adoption posts to mark the two year homecoming of the Snead kids and she asked me to share our story.

You can read about it on their blog here and find out how we're "making room" for one more.