Memorial Box Monday: Our Friend Stuart

In the Old Testament God told the Israelites to place stones in a pile as a reminder of something He had done.  They were told to tell the story over and over and over.   

I know I have said this before, but truly, if I didn't remember what God had done in the past, it would be really hard to face some of the things that have come our way without being filled with fear, worry and panic!  

Cause I just know me.  

I can be really forgetful, and no doubt, so can you.

However, when we choose to actively remember His faithfulness, we can face the present challenges with an assurance that He is there, His plans are good {no matter how desperate the circumstance looks}, He will move any mountain, His love knows no limits and He is always, always, always faithful!  

So the Memorial Box Monday story for today is really fresh.

Let me explain.

When Emma and I were going to get Ruby from Uganda this past fall, we made our plans to fly out of Phoenix so we could land and see the neurosurgeon our pediatrician had found.

At the same time, one of our closest friends is a neurologist here in Phoenix.  He has been one of our closest friends for a billion years! 

 In fact I've mentioned Stuart before.  He is the friend who was staying at our home when Karl was in the accident.  He was the one sitting on the porch with Autumn waiting for Karl to arrive to pick her up for church.  And he is the one who the Lord used to look at the CT scan in the ER and convince the trauma surgeon that Karl had to be med-flighted to a closer trauma center in order for Karl to have a chance of survival.   And that decision is what ultimately spared Karl's life!

Well Stuart {our bachelor friend - with two adult daughters} told us about a year ago that he had rented a FIVE bedroom home so we could come visit.  We laughed!  He loves our kids and has welcomed them many times in the past.

Anyway, so when Emmy and I were flying out to Africa, we spent the night at Stuart's home and he drove us to the airport that morning.  When it was time to fly home and land in Phoenix, it was Stuart whom Dw and the kids stayed at waiting for us to land.

   Little did we realize that Ruby would be hospitalized for over three weeks after we landed.  

And little did we realize that Dw and the kids would need somewhere to stay.

But faithful God was already working out the details.   Our gracious, generous and tender-hearted friend Stuart said, "Stay with me.  It makes the most sense!  I have this big home, stay as long as you want."  

We were so appreciative - but come on?  

Who wants a family with a boatload of little ones staying with them for weeks?

After a few days of Ruby's hospitalization, Dw asked him, "Do you want us to get a hotel?"  Stuart assured him he did not.

As it turns out, the sweet neurologist friend opened his big, beautiful home to us for over six weeks - from Dw and the kids waiting for us to land, till many weeks later when the six youngest were staying there waiting for Dw and the big kids to pack our home up and move our stuff to Phoenix. 

Stuart would come home from work and the kids would love on him.  He would get the biggest kick out of their antics...and he even wrote a letter to his family about how much he enjoyed everyone staying all that time and how he would miss us all so much! 

If I had known ahead of time how long we would have to be in Phoenix from landing to into our own rental, I would have had opportunity to fear and panic!  How in the world would we afford a hotel for all of us...and how safe would it be for extended times with the kids on their own?  And how comfortable would a hotel be for all those weeks?  Yet, God was working the details out for almost a year!  Unbelievable!

You're not gonna' believe this, but Stuart even put up a Christmas tree just because we were there!

And one Friday, when Ruby was in the PICU having just had brain surgery, the kids called up to the hospital so excited they could hardly stand it.

Stuart had been gone in the morning and had come home.  He asked Graham if he could help him with something.  Graham said, "Sure"...and followed Stuart outside.   

In Stuart's car he found that Stuart had bought a gigantic TV, a Kinect, XBox and a bunch of games and he wanted Graham to set it all up.  He said he figured the kids were bored 

and would enjoy it all.  

{Which they did!}

Can you believe his generosity?

Who does that?

Single kind-hearted guy. 

Two daughters already grown and living out of state. 

And a really, completely faithful always providing God...through the kindness of our precious friend.

Preparing the place when we would need to stay....

 Stuart spending time loving on Ruby.  

  And Stuart's girlfriend, Jennifer, has become one of my dearest friends....such a blessing...


Actually, many of Stuart's neighbors noticed us taking walks in the neighborhood and always were so very kind to us....Gracious be!  Even one of Stuart's neighbors heard about our situation and came to ask if he could help in anyway!  Seriously.  Only God.

What about you?

How has God done above and beyond all you could think or ask?

Link your story below.  I can't wait to read them!

The Craziest Thing Happened....

With Dw and Emmy gone and Ruby out of the hospital,  I have kind of wanted to venture out and explore this beautiful city.

In the back of my mind, I was remembering about a store {Home Goods} that our Abigail had told me about.   When we were wedding dress shopping for Autumn last week-end I noticed there was a Home Goods nearby the bridal store.  I kept thinking how I needed to check it out, since she had raved about how fun it is!

So yesterday morning Savannah, Liberty and I loaded up the little treasures and headed out:  Home Goods here we come!  This particular store was 25 miles from our new home. 

We arrived at the store, unloaded everyone and headed inside.   Ruby seemed immediately like she would like to have her juice bottle so I ran back to the van to get that.  

I know, I know, you're thinking, get to the story Linny, who cares about the juice bottle or how far the store is from your home?  But there is a point to this and I'm about to get to it...

So as I headed back into the store, I found the kids and we started trekking aisle by aisle, oohhing and aahhing at sweet things we were looking at....

We rounded a corner and I glanced back toward the front wall of the store and suddenly I heard:

"Linny?"

I whipped my head back again

and there stood one of the sweetest ladies 

I had known in Durango!

I almost fell over and I'm sure my eyes nearly

 popped out of my head!

What in the world was she doing in 

Home Goods in Phoenix, Arizona? 

Now to back up a bit, once upon a time I told the story of this total sweet-lady-stranger here on Our Place Called Simplicity.  I told how I had seen her several times downtown when we pastored in Durango.  I had been so drawn to her and had begun to pray for an opportunity to meet her.   She just looked like she would be a sweet friend.

Some of you might remember the story.

Anyway, I told how

the Lord worked it out that one day we happened to be 

next to each other at a totally random place and 

we started chatting.  I was giddy, 

the Lord had answered my prayers.  

I had such fun talking to her....we even had something in common!  And every now and then we would run into each other at the same place...it was so crazy!

We would stand and talk until she had to get to work.  She was just as sweet as I had imagined and I always looked 

forward to running into her.  

Eventually we became Facebook friends...

In fact, just a couple of weeks ago I thought, "hmmmm, I need to send my friend a FB message and tell her that we have moved...just in case she would wonder why she never ran into me again..." 

but I hadn't gotten to that yet.

And here, 460 miles from where she lives we ran into each other!  

I still shake my head at the graciousness of the Lord.

I was 24 miles from our new home in a store I had never been in before.  I had gone out to the car to get the bottle and came back in....and the Lord had us both in just the right place at just the right time to see each other.  

We hugged and talked....and I introduced her to my sweet little Ruby Grace {and some of the other kids she hadn't met before}...and we laughed and giggled at "What are the chances?"...

When I told Dw last night on the phone he said, "Only God Linny!! Just think....in a city of 4 million people...your friend is visiting for a few days and is in a store, on the exact aisle you are, at just the right moment, 24 miles from where we live!"

me of how much He loves me!

Sweet friend, should you happen to read this...you are loved and missed by this silver-haired lady with the boatload of kids and next time you are in my new city, let's do lunch - my treat!!

xo

{I'm so bummed I didn't take a picture of my friend and so I had to include pictures 

of little girls enjoying each others company.}

Say "Yes"

{Thankful that I didn't yet have my make-up on for church. 

 The kids and I watched it several times...}

The Date

Did you ever have one of those days where it seems that at every turn a really sweet and unexpected surprise awaits you?


I have been left smiling big time!


Anyway, more on all that soon...but for now...

Many of you have asked when "the miracle wedding" will be...

*Last week-end, before Emma left for Uganda, and while Karl and Autumn were visiting, 
Emmy was able to take a boatload of engagement photos, and yes, the date is set!!*


I just can't stop smiling {mixed with intermittent teariness} 
when I see the pictures...in fact I told poor Karl, "dude, you know how I love to hug and well, I will have to hug you somedays over and over and over...I just can't help myself...."


ONLY FAITHFUL GOD...

So Much More....

A powerful post {with pictures} from Dw and the GO Team currently serving

in Uganda...

A must read for everyone

{the kind that parents and grandparents need to read to their children and grandchildren...to show them the pictures...to think...3 days a week...3 days a week....3 days a week...who can comprehend?}

Click here.

Some Thoughts on "It's Your Turn"

I actually wrote this post from the PICU the other day...but had to ponder,  pray and tweak awhile before posting it....
so here goes...


Well.

Where to begin.

When I was writing It's Your Turn I just {honestly} 

didn't know if anyone would even respond,
 just needed to share my feelings in my heart...
cause I have often wondered how people 
can stop by for years and never even once say 'hey'.
I am a visual person...so I recognize names I see written...
it might be months or ever years...
but I still remember...
Anyway,  

when a mighty big bunch of you introduced yourselves 

I was truly blown away!

Many of you wrote very thought provoking comments.

Penny:

 I was so tickled that you introduced yourself.  

And can I tell you something Penny? 

 I grew up in a primarily Jewish neighborhood and my 

closest school friends were Jewish...in fact one friend, Carol, and I caught up now years later through Facebook...
I love that she and I have reconnected!  
Growing up I was mesmerized 

by the Jewish culture {still am}.   

Anyway, I am thankful to know you are out there.

Many of you wrote about reading on Google Reader. 

 I don't know how that all works, but it makes sense.

All you who are nursing treasures while reading....

made me smile....

typing and nursing is a fine art, no doubt!  

It reminded me of nursing Graham.  

He was a fussy-gus little guy and I would 

actually nurse him almost all day long 

{anything to keep him from being Mr. Grumpy pants}  

I actually managed to learn to nurse him 

while he lay on the kitchen counter 

and I made sandwiches. 

{No I did not take pictures, 

but this accomplishment would probably serve me well if 

I ever played the game of "Twister" again.}  

Graham was happy.  

The kids eating lunch were happy.  

Mommy was happy.

Psalm45Girl:

Great word picture you painted, 

kind of my thoughts exactly at times.

Tara:

Funny story about you and your old friend and, yes, 

I will answer some of your questions in the days ahead.

becky.coates:

You are so right! It was especially fun to hug your neck in person when we flew through your beautiful country of England! And no, we would not have spent that time together if you had never introduced yourself!

The Beaver Bunch:

Laughed when I read when you sneak read...

I sneak read there as well every now and then.

AlbinoPrincess:

So glad to meet you {again} 

but ummmm, what's your name?

Truth be known, I have come to love many of you by your blogger profile name, but I have no clue what your real name is!

Probably like the coffee shop workers who know someone as "Americano, room for dash of cream" 

or 

"2 pump, 3 shot, non-fat medium mocha", 

right?   

i'm beccy:

Your comment was so sweet...you're right - I do care!

I'm thankful that I was able to hug your neck 

once-upon-a-time...

 Clearly quite a few felt inadequate in conveying their thoughts - which is sad!  Your feelings and thoughts do matter to me.  

Jenny: My bloggy-turned-into-real-life-friend-whose-neck-I-have-hugged - we're so thrilled about Isabella Addisalem!  

Yippee Jesus!

M-Kate:

12 years old?  

Smiling big over here in PICU...and thank you for 

introducing yourself!

Rebecca:

 {with two little boys and two foster treasures}

So sorry that you have been misunderstood and criticized...

yes, I do understand....no  doubt, we have a lot in common!

Justine:  

You have a Memorial Box?  

Sooo grateful!

Sue Mom of Two:

I like how your blogger profile name rhymes.

Wes:

Beautiful scripture....thank you!

Sonya:

So glad you were drawn out!

annaehoward:

the artists on the playlist are so beautifully talented...

thankful that it ministers to your soul...

Joy:

Your "status" made me laugh....and girlfriend - you are definitely NOT old!  I suspect we will still be bringing treasures home in our 60's....so buckle up - cause if you guys are willing - your ride will be a ride with reckless abandon with no regrets - brace yourself!

Katie:

Your comments do count!

PAfarmgirlinCT:
One Word:

Ruthie:

Lovin' that you, little one, are stopping 
by our Place Called Simplicity.

Jan J:

FYI, ummm, yeah, never, ever, not-even-once

 have I rolled my eyes.  

Pinky Promise. 

Susan A.

You are always, always, always a blessing to me.  

I love you sweet friend and I am thankful that the blog world has opened up so much ministry for you to do...faithful God, always hearing each of our heart's cry.....xo

Jennifer:

I loved "your book" you wrote...share your feelings...people need to know that sharing feelings is okay...God made us with them for a reason and for a purpose...so we could encourage each other and no doubt, to also know that we are not alone in what we feel.

Patrick and Jenni:

Would love to share tea face-to-face one day as well.  

And maybe we can...one day.

and

Tracey S:

Every time I see your name I smile.  

You are precious, thank you for putting 

another face to all the treasures in the world 
with Arthrogryposis.

Thank you to all who came out and spoke up.

Now that you have ventured out.....
please don't stay tucked away forever!

You matter to me.

What you're feelin' matters.

What you're thinkin' matters.

And it helps me not feel like I'm talking to air.

Love to each of you!

xo

Never Once

We left our home this morning at about 3:30am to take 
Emma and Dw to the airport.


Sure is sweet to live in a major city with a major airport.  
Pretty amazing actually.


You know sleeping just doesn't really happen in the ICU 
or in the hospital for that matter.


This mama is pretty weary.


Today the kids and I have laid low.


I think actually I might be sleep-walking.


Last week was something else...


For starters, each of the kids significant others came to visit, as well as our friends from Ghana who were attending the Pastor's  conference at our church.  Several nights we had 18 people eating and sleeping here.  


Dw and Emma were also getting ready to leave for Africa and all the while we knew something was going on with Ruby....so our days consisted of, "Is Ruby awake?  How long has she been sleeping?  Has she eaten anything at all?" 


Finally, the mid-week trip to the Emergency Room to see what was wrong followed by lots of tests, but hours later sent home because nothing looked too out of the ordinary and she had perked up at the ER, making me {almost} feel silly.   {Don't you hate when that happens?  "Honest doc, she was definitely not like this at home!"}


But the next morning after that trip to the ER, she just would not wake up without a boatload of effort.  


And for the next three days she was lethargic 
beyond anything I had ever seen.


But Sunday was the worst.  


On Sunday I tried everything to wake her.  Her exercises {no response}, food {no response}, her bottle which she loves {didn't want anything to do with it}, a massage {no response}, more exercises {still no response} and finally a bath, in which she started to cry and then fell sound asleep.  


About that time, Graham's friend came to visit.  This young guy is 16 and loves the Lord deeply.  He has spent a lot of time at our home as his parents are good friends and had been part of our church in Durango, so he's seen Ruby a lot.


Seeing Ruby totally unresponsive and watching me trying with all my might to wake her, he finally said, "Is she in a coma?"  


That was it.


Graham said, "Mom, let's take her" and away we went.


We know Ruby is fragile, but this past week, again, reiterated just how fragile our little treasure really, truly is. 


Yesterday, on the way home from the hospital, Dw and I met with our friend, Molly.  She is the widow of Leo who was killed in a car accident in Uganda while Emma and I were there bringing Ruby home.  Do you remember me mentioning it?


It was a sobering time as we talked of Leo's time in Africa before he was killed.  I can't remember if I told how Emma and I had sat with Ruby for 3.5 hours on the very road that Leo was killed on the exact same day he was killed.  Knowing that still causes me to shake my head in bewilderment.   Leo and his team had also been staying at the same place Emma and I were staying
although we hadn't crossed paths with him there.   


No doubt, all of life is fragile.


So today, fresh home from the hospital, after a very difficult week, feeling pretty tuckered, knowing my precious husband and daughter are heading to the other side of the globe to minister,  the Lord reminded me of a song we recently sang at our church.  


I found it on You-Tube and thought it would minister 
to some of you as well....


the words are sooo powerful!

 

A song of God's faithfulness.
Let it minister to your soul as it has mine today.


PS Dw is writing on the IVO blog as the GO team's trip unfolds...
you are welcome to follow their journey by clicking here.

Our Favorite Word

H.O.M.E.

Changing the pressure in the font has our little Ruby 

back to her squealing, smiling, bouncy self.

Thank you for all your heartfelt prayers.

Dw and Emma and team leave in the 

wee hours of tomorrow for Uganda.

So thankful to be together as a family tonight, 

with Ruby right here with us all.

Grateful for each of you who have been waking in the night, praying together with your children and interceding on behalf of  our precious gem.

Truly, she is back to her old self.

{and I could just weep at the beautiful change.  Last week was so difficult, 

not knowing what was going on and missing Ruby's little self

 and all the progress she had made.....so relieved!}

Faithful God. 

Sweet Feet

We cannot thank all of you enough for praying for Ruby.

There is no doubt that the medical staff here at Phoenix Children's took her situation very seriously!

We were moved last night up to the Intensive Care unit.

One of Dr. S's partners tapped Ruby's shunt to check the fluid.

Within about 20 minutes Ruby started to wake up 

{indicating that less fluid in the brain made her feel better}.

There is a thought that maybe the pressure in her 

shunt needs to be turned down, yet again. 

In the meantime, there is another thought and they will doing some more extensive testing today. 

Nursing staff up here in PICU have been excited to see Ruby...many fell in love with her when she was here for {total} almost four weeks over the last few months.   So, kinda like ol' home days, I suppose.  They are loving how much she has grown.  

At the moment, little Miss Ruby is curled up sleeping beside me and we are listening to worship music.

{Ruby's dimpled knees are my personal favorite.}

Not sure if most of you remember, but Dw and Emma leave in TWO days to lead the team to Uganda for 2 weeks, right?

The timing of it all is certainly something worth 

spending some time praying about.

 I will keep you posted.

I just read through and published {crazy how many of you responded!}  all of the responses to the "It's Your Turn" post....wow.  I will be responding to that post soon.  I am still shaking my head that so many of you came out of hiding.....bless each one of you for speaking up, cause your comments truly, truly blessed me.  

From the Emergency Room

I didn't tell anyone but this past week we brought Ruby to the Emergency Room.  She had been far too lethargic and sleepy.  They ran a huge battery of tests and said that they couldn't find anything.

We limped through the week.  

She did not want to eat, sleeping far too long....not much interaction.  Since her form of hydrocephalus is extremely rare there is no "protocol" to follow.  

Today though, was worse than ever.  She has not eaten since morning.  She has not wanted to wake at all.   Dw had taken Liberty out for a long-awaited 'date'....but Graham said to me, "Mom, we have to take her." 

 That's all I needed.  

I was ready to go in minutes.  Emma and Josh {who is visiting as well} swung into gear watching the little ones.  Karl and Autumn are here visiting as well and will help with the kids.

Anyway, Graham and Savannah rode with Ruby and I to the hospital.

When the triage nurse came to where I was standing a few minutes ago, I told her how I have been unable to wake her.  

She shook her.  

Ruby did not respond at all.  

Into a room we went without even another second of waiting.  Instantly she was surrounded by doctors and nurses.  

This little treasure, who has stolen the world's heart clearly has something going on. 

Would you please pray with us for Almighty God's touch?  

For wisdom?  

For peace?

Dw is on his way to the hospital in about 20 minutes.  

It's Your Turn

Isaiah wishes to thank all of you for the sweet birthday wishes.

Isaiah's mommy has enjoyed the de-lurking 

of some of you brave souls.

Commendable.  

Utterly commendable.

If only I'd understood that Isaiah flashing his adorable-could-win-an-award-smile at you guys, I'd include his picture with each post!

So on that note, I just have to ask...

Would you lurkers help me, this holiday week-end,

 understand what makes a lurker keep lurking?  

It is hard to imagine lurking for months 

{or even years - oh my gracious shame on you!}

Think about it, for almost 50 years of my life I hid.  

I kept myself all to myself.  

Not many people were allowed inside.  

Of course, at the same time I'm guessing that for those almost 50 years of diligently protecting myself, the Lord was gently smiling and thinking, "Linny, Linny, Linny, you're not gonna' believe this...but one day you are going to be sharing your struggles, joys, trials and triumphs with people around the world...."

No doubt, I'd have probably passed right 

out right then and there.

So here I am, three years into sharing my heart, 

sharing my family 

and 

sharing my {often} very private thoughts 

and wondering what makes a lurker lurk for so long?

Yes, this may seem like a trick question, {since you will have to speak up to answer- haha} but I sincerely am wondering.

Why lurk?

Why not comment regularly?

Why not de-lurk? 

Cause really, if you knew how hard it has been to open up, you would have to give me some grace and speak up every now and then....just for, shall we say, moral support.

In fact let me debunk a popular myth right here and now...

If you think that there are so many comments that yours will just be 'one of a bunch' largely un-noticed, that is a myth!

For one:  I have come to know and love you all who comment regularly.  Some of you have become some of my dearest friends and we have never even hugged necks.  I look forward to seeing your names pop up with a comment.

And another myth debunked....

I do read all the comments.  

We {Dw and I} often laugh, cry, discuss or pray for those who have left comments....some of you I have even read a comment and worked really hard to find you so I could talk to you on the phone because of something you have said striking a familiar pain in my heart {you know who you are}!

  Often times your comments encourage my heart 

{and frankly, there have been days that it needs some honest-to-goodness encouragement}....

Truly, it is downright difficult at times to write and seem like I am speaking to emptiness out there in computer land...

So please, lurkers and those who regularly comment, share with me your thoughts on lurking, delurking and commenting....

It's your turn....

talk to me...

I'd love to hear from you...

And Then He was EIGHT

Birthdays abound at our home from just days

 before Christmas until the end of March.

And there is a period of 7 weeks where 6 

of the kids have birthdays. 

Well this little guy, that many of you prayed home, 

has now turned EIGHT

{where in the world have the last four years gone?}.

On Isaiah's birthday, 

I went to peek to see if he was awake yet....

he shares a room with Graham and Elijah.... 

and I found Isaiah he already sitting up in his bed

waiting!

His smile when he saw me peek in was priceless.

He could not wait to celebrate his special day.....

{That's his Spiderman book bag that Emma 

made him hanging behind him.}

His request for breakfast?

Chocolate chocolate chip muffin, so I found a recipe on the internet and doctored it up with a little fiber {our colons all thanked us}...

There is a not a day that goes by that we don't 

see Isaiah's tender heart. 

We often find him laying on the ottoman beside

 Ruby whispering to her or gently kissing her cheek.

He prays with such sincerity, we often shake our heads at the grown-up things he includes in his prayers.   He sounds like an adult most of the time.  Outspokenly passionate for the orphan, he remembers all too well.  His story painful.  

BUT GOD.

Such a good plan for our little treasure.  A miracle rescue that only God could orchestrate.  And as I've said before, if you ask Isaiah what God can do....he quickly responds:  "He can move the mountains!  He moved them for me to come home!"

Would you join me in wishing our precious mountain-got-moved-by-Amighty-God-miracle a very happy 8th birthday?

{Come on lurkers - even you can do it!}  

And They Jumped to Their Feet

Many of you were praying for us Monday evening

 as Dw and I had the unbelievable privilege of

sharing a brief snippet about our new ministry

International Voice of the Orphan.

Our new church, Phoenix First, has hosted this 

Pastor's Conference for 35 years and 

pastors come from all over the world.

There are many things pulling for center stage, 

so when we were asked if we would 

share a brief bit about IVO we were humbled and thrilled!

As we prayed about what to share, 

the Lord impressed on us exactly what 

would have the most impact.

The evening starts with the famous Parade of Ministries. 

Ministries of all sorts carrying signs and 

cheering as they walk/run across the stage....

the energy was contagious!

Phoenix First has ministries of all kinds and let me tell you, 

each one was out in full-force!

Ministries to: those handicapped

 {people in wheelchairs, stretcher-like apparatuses, etc.},

 Foster care, post-abortion, crisis pregnancy, 

prison, former-prostitute, Dream Center, marriage {NAME}

and the list went on - over 250 ministries! 

 It was truly amazing!

Then Pastors Tommy or Luke Barnett 

interviewed a small handful

of the highlighted ministries.

International Voice of the Orphan 

was the last ministry to be interviewed.

We had a long banner made which the kids were carrying.

I held Ruby - who was wide awake 

{and dressed adorably I might add!}

Josh and Savannah walked with us as well.

When our opportunity came, Dw spoke first for a

 moment about the orphan crisis translating to 

163,000,000 orphans globally.

Then he handed the mic to me.  

I said, "We would like to introduce you to 

one of the 163,000,000.  

Because it is all about just one."

The picture of Emma holding Ruby went up on the 

jumbo screen.  I continued, "Dw and Emmy, our 18 year old, 

found this little girl last June lying in a corner 

of an orphanage.  She was almost a year old 

and weighed just 6 lbs.  

Just 6 pounds."

The crowd literally groaned.

Their groan echoed across the entire auditorium 

as the thousands of pastors and leaders 

gathered took in what exactly six pounds and

 being almost a year old would mean. 

I went on, "Dw began to advocate for care for this little girl.  She was dying!  Before long the director, seeing our deep love for her, asked if we would be willing to adopt her?"  

At that point I turned Ruby around and said, 

"We brought her home!  Please meet Ruby,
 the little girl in the picture."  

Without warning, 2/3 of the crowd jumped to their feet on the floor seating and they jumped to their feet in the first  balcony...everywhere...and began cheering and clapping!

It was deafening!

Our hearts were overwhelmed at the outpouring of 

love and joy for our precious little treasure!   

Later Pastor Luke said privately to us, 

"You moved their hearts."

Yes, indeed, our once-emaciated-dying-little-treasure-saved-only-by-the-grace-of-God-turned-miracle completely and utterly 

stole the show!!

Who would have guessed?

What God can do when He saves, 

restores and redeems!

Our prayer is that Ruby's picture and beautiful 

face will never, ever be unforgotten by those 

in attendance and that God will continue to 

work on hearts around the globe to compel each to do something! 

To visit the International Voice of the Orphan 

website, look here. 

For those interesting in adopting an orphan in 

prayer through Elijah's Hope, click here.

We have an IVO blog now...which you can find here.