Sending you to another post....

You will have to read this post on "The Blessing of Verity".
An eleven year old should not be that tiny from neglect, and his life should have much more value in the sight of others, who created in the image of God just as he is, than was obviously thought of Tommy by those around him when this picture was taken. Mistreating children should not be used for gain, and those who need the most help should not be thrown in beds alone for all but a few minutes in the days.
Much is happening. And the youngest one among us can do something to help.... Pray to God, the orchestrator of all things; For families to rescue these children and show them Christ's love; For continued care, that continues to get better as more resources come in from those unable to adopt, while they are still waiting for their forever families; For strength for the new director, who is facing so much opposition; For the former director, that the Lord would break her heart to her sin and bring him to a saving knowledge of Him; For wisdom and a mind of justice to be given to the judges who are working on this case, as this woman tries to get back into a place of power over these little souls.

You may have heard us talk about Anna and Nora a couple times...

Well, their family needs prayer right now, as does Nora. Because Nora won't be calling "home' what her family thought would be her home.
Nora has a severe heart condition, and it seems that she would not survive the trip home, and even if they got her home alive, she wouldn't really benefit from it. So, they decided it would be better for her to stay where she is. I'm not sure what all is entailed, but you can read Miss Lydia's blog post here.
Please pray for tiny Nora, that the Lord would be with her and strengthen her, and also for the Rosencrants as they have to leave this little girl, and continue to work on bringing Anna home.

Over the past couple weeks...

...There was this new update on the Pleven orphanage.
A while back there was a new director placed in Pleven. She made many changes in the orphanage that has been greatly appreciated. The little children there have already shown signs of better treatment. But this doesn't stop the fact that the little ones need FAMILIES. Better conditions are good, but their real need is a Mommy and Daddy. Nevertheless, we do not want their circumstances to change back to the worse.
And there is danger of that. Or, there would be if God was not in control.
But we know that God "holds the government on his shoulders". And he will work this out for the best.
Please, those of you who read this. Pray. God will hear the cry of his people. Pray that the Bulgaria government would be lead by God to not re-institute the former director "who was enriching herself at the expense of tiny, hurt children who were and are completely helpless to defend themselves."
What she did was significant, and they know, or at least need to know, that. And, may I ask that, as one lady who reads Miss Susanna's blog mentioned, we would pray that God would work significantly in her life? That he would draw her to him in His saving grace.
Among other things, I have also been praying that this bit of news would break the hearts of those who feel God leading them to adopt and yet are holding back from fear. That the thought of that child that they would love to have in their home going back to those conditions would cause them to step out in faith in God.
But then another update this morning may mean that isn't possible.
This post (which leads to another post, which leads to the petition... sorry if it seems complicated...) tells that the government for the country these children are in may make it to were these children may not be able to be adopted by Americans. From the sounds of it... because they are trying to get back at Americans for something our Government did that offended them. They are trying to use children's precious lives to get even.
If you feel so lead, would you sign the petition? And please... PRAY. This doesn't just mean that the children who don't have a family committed to them would no longer be able to be adopted by Americans. That means even those who are close to being brought home here in America would not get home from the sounds of it. Please, pray.
This is Christmas, the time of anticipation... joy... hope... salvation... preparation... faith in God. And these children need families to anticipate and prepare for them, to offer them hope and salvation, through faith in God, to bring these children joy in this season, in their whole life! Families who will nurture these children and explain these concepts to these children, through faith in God.
I praise God that he has placed me in a family where our parents have explained to us what each of these things really mean. And I pray that the door remains open for families to do this for other little ones, too. To care for orphans is what God has commanded, and he will cause it to happen, no matter what. But he has also commanded us to pray. Let's do just that!!!

On a lighter note, there is a little fundraiser going on to help bring Tommy home...
And precious Garnet and Kramer have families working to bring them home!!!
And, have you seen who the next Hidden Treasures action will be for? I think Payton is adorable, and he is a very good example of the change that the new director at his orphanage has brought to help bring better health to these children, if you've seen the pictures of him a while ago! It starts in February, so any of you would have plenty of time to think of something to donate this time, if you would like. I know, I've always mentioned the next one while it is running... I know that does next to no good for somebody who would want to donate something that would take a week to get ready, I'm sorry :)...

This is so sad...

A shooting in a school in Connecticut took place this morning... so very sad. Please pray for those families who have lost loved ones. God is in control, and we know that he has a plan and purpose for even this... but even Jesus wept, and we know how very badly the families of those who died are hurting...

Prayer and calls are being requested for a Senate vote tomorrow

"We received word this morning that the US Senate plans to vote tomorrow on whether or not to ratify the United Nations Disability Treaty."...
..."One of the dangers of the conjunction of these two laws could be that US parents could find it increasingly difficult, and eventually impossible, to get permission to bring orphans with special needs into the US."
Go to http://theblessingofverity.com/2012/12/alert-please-call-your-senator/#comments to read more.
Praise God that he is in control of all that happens!!!

Two clogged sinks, a pouring dishwasher and a lovely burn later....

That would happen to be Mommy's Facebook status two hours ago, after we had spent a couple hours trying to unclog the sink. 
Please pray for us! I know this is something we will laugh at in years to come, but it is not funny in the least right now!
I was cooking hamburger for supper this afternoon, and after I drained it into the sink, the water was turned off... prematurely. We didn't find out until it had solidified, causing the water from the dishwasher to back up, pouring out of the door, onto the floor.  We found the source of the problem, and have tried everything we can think of to unclog it: hot water, vinegar, baking soda, plunging one side while the other is closed off(pulling apart our plunger, in the process, but it screwed back on easily...), during which time Mommy burned her arm. Next we're going to try Drano...
Thankfully, God prompted me to make lunch (our big meal) for tomorrow, and then prompted Mommy to decide to have leftovers for supper tonight instead, and we just made bread, so we have meals for the next two days. We also have no clean dishes to speak of, haha...
Anyway, we just really appreciate if you would pray that the sink would cooperate, and any suggestions would be WONDERFUL, also...

Awesome Adam Auction!

The next Hidden Treasures auction is up and running to help bring little Adam home! Make sure you hop over and check it out! It will be running through the seventh. Please be praying, and bidding if you see fit :). Mommy and I had so much fun making the items we donated this time, there were a lot of strange new techniques that were really fun to do :).... Although we could have lived without dealing with the computer ;)... we had a lot of laughs while trying to send pictures, haha!
Also, have you seen the latest post on "The Blessing of Verity"? Praise God for Theodore's family! Please, also pray for the little ones who have been turned down, again. They are loved by God!!! May he bring their families to them in his timing!
And praise God, also, for the double blessing he is sending the Musser family at this time :)...

One more little one...

...with a committed family :)! Thank you Lord for bringing a family to little Penny!
There are still seven other little ones listed for adoption from Pleven. They need a family. And God will bring them one, in his timing. Let us pray for God to glorify himself in giving these little ones loving families who will raise these children for him!
Would you mind sharing the link to this blog post? You never know how the Lord can use you to bless these tiny human beings, no matter how "small" a bit of help you give! No help is too small, especially for the souls that the world considers "the least of these".
Lord, may you bring families who will show these children their true worth.

Some reflections...

For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see,
or send to Kedar and examine with care;
see if there has been such a thing.
Has a nation changed its gods,
even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
for that which does not profit. 

Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
be shocked, be utterly desolate, 

declares the Lord,

For my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Jeremiah 2:10-13

 I was reading in Jeremiah the other day, and this passage really stuck out to me. How sad, and yet how very true. Christ's followers, who are being lead by the TRUE God, are the most likely to wander from the path they are following. I pray that God would help us to stay true to him, and praise him for his loving grace, that holds fast no matter what. May our hearts take these words in, and may he use them to keep us on the one and only true path to life, with the one and only true God!

Anna and Nora

A couple months ago Tori asked some of you to pray for "Marsha". Just a little later, we heard she was being adopted, along with her future sister, "Gabby". Their parents changed their names to Anna (Marsha) and Nora (Gabby). Anna and Nora received a visit from their Father recently and many things were brought to the notice of their parents, as stated in this post.
Please pray that the adoption will be speed up and that both girls are able to get the surgery they need in time! Praise God that he holds these little ones in his arms! And praise that these little girls are already comforted in their earthly Father's arms instead of alarmed!

I was so excited

To read one of the recent posts on the blog "The Blessing of Verity."
Look at what the Lord is doing!!!
This story is just amazing!!! Praise God for all that he has done, and is continuing to do!
As mentioned, the new director needs much prayer, as she is working hard against all that has become the normal for this orphanage. God has been working through her, and the change has been mighty, but there is still much to be done. And these seven precious children have all been rejected. God will bring them their family in his timing no matter what, but, just as Christ has commanded us to pray for all things without ceasing, we must still obey, and, out of love for them and the Lord, pray for them!
And is anyone interested in a candle or two :)?

For fellow crafters, or any who are interested.

Tiny Tommy has a family, praise God! But he's still not home yet...
The next Hidden Treasures auction, for Tommy, which will be called "It's Tommy's Time"...
will be running October 22-27. That leaves a little bit more than a week before items will be going up for the auction.
I know you've probably heard me talk of Tommy before, so I won't go into too much detail on that. If you want to learn more, the second link is a post by his Mommy telling his story. But the Hidden Treasures auction will go to help the Musser family bring home their tiny treasure! All funds gained from the auction will go straight to the Musser family.
There are many ways we can help. Donating items would be one way. For us crafters, it is fun to have something to make to help :). For those who don't make, or just don't enjoy making, handmade things, donating bought items is an idea. Gift cards are also taken. Or, bidding on the items is just as much of a help! Or, if you aren't able to help in any of these ways, there is one more very big way you can help- pray! Pray that the Lord would lead people to the site who need to be. Pray that the adoption would continue to go well, as Tommy ages out next year and they have to have certain things done before then. And pray that, once again, glory is given to God for defeating the enemy!
I thought I'd share in case anybody would be interested in joining in helping bring home another treasure that has been without a family for so long!

(By the way... Daddy got home last night, and doesn't leave until Tuesday!!! We were all very glad to see him,and have enjoyed our time with him so far!!!)

If you would take the time

to read this post, and then pray, not only for this little boy Tommy, but also the others in that orphanage, I would be so thankful! These children need so much, and it will only happen through the work of God! Please pray, for families for these children, for someone to tell them that they truly are loved, especially by God, but also by others, who know the true worth of the blessings of the Lord. I don't know who all will read this, but please pray, and consider whether your family might be the family that is called to rescue this little boy!

Update:

We have received word that Miss Rhonda has gotten over the surgery and has gained consciousness. They are still not sure how well she is doing, but they are almost sure that she is going to make it. We are so thankful that she has made it this far!!! Thank you for all your prayers, please keep praying for a fast, wonderful recovery for Miss Rhonda, and grace for the whole family on this rough journey.

Please pray...

A couple years back we met a wonderful family. About a month ago they moved to Kentucky so that their Dad could go to seminary. Thy are eventually planning on being missionaries.
Early this afternoon Mommy got an email that said her friend, Miss Rhonda, had had a brain aneurysm last night, and may have had a stroke. Please pray for this dear family, that Miss Rhonda would be healed, and that God gives peace to her husband and three children, two of whom are between Tori and Bethi in age, and the youngest Emmi's age. She is having brain surgery today, and we are waiting to hear some more news. Prayer for them would be much appreciated!!!

Please Pray...

The huge tornadoes that have swept across Alabama have left many people homeless, and grieving for loved ones.
Please pray for all who are affected by these tornadoes, including the Crawford and Lee family's.

Bria Crawford's blog.

and

Mrs. Crawford's blog.