Orphaned Children...

For the first time recently, I truly saw myself in the context of being an orphan who has been adopted by God...

I remember one particular day while we were in Uganda and we visited a school where many orphaned children were. When we arrived at the school, the children came running up to us with excitement, surrounding us within just a few short moments. They came up with greetings, smiling and asking for water, begging to be picked up, touched, and loved. They put up their dirt covered hands in surrender and looked right in to our eyes with theirs saying “will you take care of me?...Will you love me?...Will you be my friend…my companion?”. They looked in awe at our hands and arms, reaching out to touch and feel the texture of our skin. They hung on every word that we said, even if they didn’t understand it, and just simply enjoyed being in our presence. Out of compassion, we spent time with them, and we loved on them. We even offered them snacks and cuddly little stuffed animals, things that seemed so small to us, yet were so important and big to them. And then….at the end of the day…we put the babies down, packed up our belongings and we left. We walked away leaving them in the hands of their creator…our Father.

The other day as I worshipped God, I began to thank Him for all that He has done and I looked to Him for life. I put my dirt covered hands up in surrender and asked Him for attention, to allow me to feel His presence, to sustain me, and to take care of me. I longed for His touch and was amazed when He reached His arms out to embrace me. In that moment I truly recognized that before I was a child of God…I was fatherless. I was born alone, to fend for myself…searching for someone to take care of me, to be my friend…my companion…to love me. Then, when I first truly met my God, I ran to Him, just as these children did to us. As He reached out to me, I looked at Him in awe, I was amazed at the ways He was different from anyone I had ever met and I KNEW that He could take care of me…..and so I asked Him.

The BIG difference between my encounter with these children, and my encounter with God is this……

He did not walk away and leave me for someone else to take care of. Out of compassion…He picked me up and took me home with Him!

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6

We are so thankful and blessed that God has called us to do the same. To pick up two children and take them home with us….to do everything that we can in this life to make sure that the 147 million orphaned children in this world are adopted by the family of God…AND…that the people that we encounter every day…the ones that are still orphaned and have not accepted their adoption as children of God…will enter in to our family and know the love of God our Father!

BECAUSE GOD TOLD US TO!

The drive:

Psalm 82:3–4

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people”.

This is the premise on which we want to base our lives on. This is our true religion!

God has called us to enter into relationship with the people around us, and all over the world. He has called us to love them…to serve them…to give of our hearts and God given abundance to them…to show them God’s love…and to adopt their orphans as our own. Our current focus?…Uganda.

You may ask…Are we doing this because we have been told we can’t have “biological” children?

The answer to this is no. We have not been told that, nor do we think that. In fact, we know and have unwavering faith that we will have “biological” children. So this decision to adopt did not come out of discouragement, nor is it second best. Being a “father to the fatherless” is part of God’s calling and purpose for our lives.

Some adoption statistics:

In the world: there are 143,000,000 orphans. Of those, 50,000,000 are “adoptable”. Of those, 250,000 are adopted annually.

60% of female orphans are lured into some form of sex trade.

70% of male orphans become hardened criminals.

Uganda has 2.5 million orphans, the highest number in the world per capita. 1.2 million of which are orphaned by HIV/AIDS!

We are all called to manifest the spirit of adoption in some way!

So please join us in prayer and support as we continue to live out God’s purpose in our lives through adoption.

There are still a lot of details to work out, but we can't wait to meet our children and hold them in our arms... God is so Good!

Here is a link to a video that reflects our heart!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmwUR2sHV4Q&feature=related

Hurry Up and Wait

Okay...so...a lot of people have been asking what is going on with Tim. I decided that this was the second occasion in about 2 years on which I should post on our blog. That way everyone will know what is going on:)

So......Here's the story...

About two weeks ago, just prior to leaving for Baton Rouge, Tim started having some problems with his vision. A couple times a day he would start having double vision...like one of his eyes was drifting off to the side. This problem continued to progress throughout the week. By the time he arrived home on Friday he was seeing double constantly.

We immediately went that afternoon to see the eye doctor. This doctor basically said...it doesn't look good. So..he referred us immediately to an ophthalmologist. This doctor proceeded to do a few simple eye tests and concluded the same thing...It doesn't look good. He then proceeded to give us options of possible causes. These included the autoimmune disorders Multiple Sclerosis, and Myuesthenia Gravis. So....he referred us to a neurologist.

Then on to the neurologist by Tuesday...His assessments continued to include MS, and Myesthenia Gravis. However, he did give a third option.....a virus that is causing inflammation of the nerves that control his eye muscles. So...he had an MRI on Friday amd returned to the doctor today to hear the results. We expected to hear either: yes it is MS...or no it is not MS. Here is what we got:

"Tim, you have nonspecific changes in your brain that can be consistent with MS. But....they are much smaller than the lesions commonly found in MS....So, you may or may not have MS. These spots are often found in people that have problems with migraines and can also be benign.(meaning...not harmful)"

Next step...spinal tap to theoretically rule out or confirm MS and a bunch of bloodwork to check for other possible causes.

My theory...this really sucks! But...God is still God! As soon as we found out that this could be something bad...we began praying and believing for healing. Our friends and family have rallied around us in amazing prayer and faith. So.. we don't know what tomorrow holds. We do know that Christ is the center of our lives, and even in this His glory will be shown! It is our prayer that this will be used in a way that shows people how cool God really is!!!

Because....He IS pretty stinkin cool! Who knows...maybe the lesions were small because God immediately began shrinking them as we prayed and that is why they were small on the MRI...or maybe he does have MS. We will still stand firm on the promises that he has for our lives and continue striving towards His really cool plan and purpose for our lives. We will not lose vision!!!

We will keep everyone posted on what we know:)

Thanks again for all your prayers,
Genessa

What I do when no one is looking

Deer camera test. And proof I wore my helmet.

The Mighty Mulberry

We are planning a canoe trip to the mulberry for memorial day. Here are the details.

If you are my friend and you are reading this you are invited.

We will camp at my families cabin Sunday night and canoe the mulberry Monday.

You can check water levels and rent canoes from www.turnerbend.com

The mulberry is not a lazy river type of river, it is not recommended for beginners.

We will likely canoe from wolf pen to turner bend 15.7 miles.

Water level is decent but I am hoping for more rain.

Canoing can be an intense form of marital counseling.

There is no cell phone reception at the cabin.

Let me know if you are in.

Local Celebrities and funny things were said.

This past Sunday my dad and Sabrina both had choir concerts that they were in (separately). This Sunday night I was playing with our camera and happened to catch a news story inadvertently. Sort of a poor mans tivo. Here is the video.

Also tonight at couples group we played the newly wed game. Genessa and I tied with Ray and Monica for first place. During the game, many things were said that we re funny. However, my wife has asked that I not share something she said that was funny, so I am not sharing any of it(to protect the marriages of the people involved). Just know that it was funny stuff.

Tim

End of a boycott

I have decided it is time to end one of my boycotts. After 3 years of
no subway I decided it was time to forgive them. So for the last two
nights we have had subway for dinner.

I would like to thank all of my friends who have faithfully joined me
in this boycott. I know that we have made a difference in subways
bottom line. I seriously doubt that they will pull another stunt
like that again. (They lied and said I could buy 5 sandwiches and get the 6th free, when I tried to redeem the card they would not take it.)

I am still boycotting the Braums in Bentonville.

Junk in the Trunk

Genessa bought a cool trunk at an estate auction this weekend. I really like it. It has really cool embossed tin on the outside. After doing some research, it is dated between 1891-1920 probably closer to 1891 which is when the lock was patented that is on it. Here are a bunch of pictures

(I am showing these pictures to someone who is going to help date the trunk that is why there are so many.)

Books to read from Two weeks ago Part 3

Blue Like Jazz by Dan Miller.

I have also been wanting to read this one for a while. I am not really sure after having read it that I can tell you what it is about. But I can tell you that it is a good book. I think the subtitle includes the phrase personal reflections… that is kind of what I got from it. It has made me think of how I treat people and how people view me as a Christian. Christians are more known for things they are against than for their loving and caring gestures. I think that is sad. The book likely raised more questions than answers but since that is how I often find my mind working, I think that is ok with me.

Books to read from last week Part 2

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.


I have been wanting to read this book for a while. It is basically what the rich teach their kids that the poor and middle class do not. That said it is not a parenting book, it is a personal finance book. In the book he encourages people to buy assets. He says that the poor only have expenses (bills), the middle class buys liabilities that they think are assets (cars) , and the rich buy assets (things that make more money than they cost). Although I don't agree that people should go into debt to buy assets, but I do agree that people need to buy assets.

Books to read from last week Part 1

I haven't told people about the books that I have read in a while and last week I got in quite a few in my commute to work. So I wrote up a few reviews and recommendations.


The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. I think I have read this book 3 times. I am a hardcore Dave Ramsey fan. This book I originally bought just over two years ago. It inspired us to become debt free and has changed our lives more than any book (not written by a deity). It lays out a simple(not easy) plan to get out of debt, save money for latter and encourages people to give like never before once they have control of their finances. Go get it if you haven’t read it or I will give you a copy that’s how much I believe in it.

Lost and Found...

Found... One set of SUPER AWESOME completed curtains.  It is my hope that the rightful owner claim them as soon as possible.  May it be noted that the finder's/installation fee is to be set at one dinner invitation ; 

p.s. the curtains I am referring to are on the couch and not on the window behind it.

Sold the Bus

So I had been dreading selling my bus for all these months. It took me about an hour or so to gather and write up all the specs for the transaxle and motor. After I put it online, I went outside to charge the battery to start the motor. About 20 minutes later I got a call from someone who said he would buy it for my asking price of $2000.

God is good.

Now all I have left to sell is the camping interior.

4 posts in one (abbreviated for your reading pleasure)

Here are a couple of things that I have been thinking about.

We have been trying to sell our house for 5 months now. I am assuming that it is not going to happen. We are a little sad to let the house in Bentonville slip away, but overall we are just ready to not be selling our house. One more month or so to go on our contracts.

Genessa has been working very hard for the last 7 months working to settle with our insurance company. Last week she was finally able to settle. This was like her having a third job (job 1- nurse, job 2- take care of Tim) and I am very grateful to her for taking care of this. What a wife.

Through this settlement, God was able to use something that the enemy planned for harm and use it for good. Our plan is to finish our goal of being debt free (except the house(working on that to)). Just for the record, the settlement was not worth the accident and resulting changes. If you had asked me pre-accident I would have said heck yes, but not after going through it.

One last thing. I need to part out my bus that I bought back from the insurance company. In hindsight, I wish I hadn't bought it back. It was kind of like buying myself a job that I can't even stand to look at.

FCC Auction

Most people know that coming in Feb 2009 if you use an antenna to watch tv (as we do), you will have to have a newer tv to get free television channels. A lot of people aren't happy about this. Although I am not excited about paying for a new tv, I am excited about the opportunity that this brings to all of us.

This has made a very large section of the wireless spectrum available and the government is going to auction it. It is expected to get 10-15 billion at auction.

What this means is that someone is going to buy it and use it to provide new wireless services. The people who are looking at buying it are mostly cell phone providers but the one that I am mostly excited about is google. They will likely use it to provide wide spread wireless access that will have a huge range compared to what is available now.

I heard roomers that the government is going to make restrictions that will keep portions of the band available to anyone who needs one. This means that in the future when someone develops a new wireless device they won't have to be a giant company, they can use part of the 700mhz band.

Can't wait to see what happens. The auction is suppose to begin before the end of the month.

YOu can win a bonus point if you can tell me who the person is in the picture.

Things that wake me up

I am often awaken (not sure that is the right word) by grand thoughts, problems, and things we will not understand until we get to heaven. This morning was no exception. Here is what I woke pondering.

I wear a blue shirt and my belly button lint is blue.

I wear a red shirt and it is red.

Yet when I wear a white shirt, it is grey.

I got dibs on asking Jesus when I get there.

Tim

I am free

I went to the ear doctor today (turns out my ear doctor(Dr. Manning) is Becca Mayo's brother(for those of you who know her)) and he took a big hunk of "packing" out of my ear. He said that I am not %100 healed, but that it looks very good. He finsihed by saying that I have no restricktions. So now I can lift whatever I want and do what ever I want.

5 months ago I decided I was going to start swimming, shortly after that, I ruptured my ear drum, no swiming.

Then I decided I was going to start running, shortly after that, I broke my leg, no running.

Once that healed I was going to start lifting weights and running again, then I had surgery on my ear, no straining at all.

Now "I am free to run, I am free to dance" (I don't like that song, but I like the message)

I will wrap up with some updated pictures of my deer. Note the six foot long sausage I made. Good times.
This pile is about half of what my deer made.
IN the oven with my meat thermometer.

Thanksgiving Hunt

About a month ago when Genessa was in Baton Rouge, I got bored and decided to take the hunters education course online.

This last week I got my first deer the night before Thanksgiving out at our land. It was a big doe. Here is a low quality pic. It was fun.

I have surgery tomorrow at 9:00am in Springdale on my ear so be praying for us.

Thanks,
Tim

You heard me

4 months ago, I was wake boarding and loving it. Until I wiped out and hit my ear on the water and ruptured my ear drum. That by the way didn't hurt to much, except when I put alcohol in to dry out the water (never do this). I ended up blowing out about 25% of my ear drum and loosing about %40 of my hearing in that ear.

I went back to the doctor yesterday to see if my ear had healed and the good news is that some of my hearing is back. The bad news is that I still have a hole in my ear drum and I will have to have surgery to repair it. With the surgery it is possible but not guaranteed that I will regain some more of my hearing.

All that said I am having surgery sometime on the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Tim

Black Friday

If you are like Genessa and I, you don't pay full price for anything and you only buy big big bargains. Coming up is Black Friday and some of the ads are creeping up on the internet. I prefer scanned in ads and here is a site I found after a quick search.

http://bfads.net/adscans

I would still like to see Wal-Marts ad. I am in the market for a supper cheap flat panel. But I bet I will have to wait another year before they will be in the range of what I am willing to pay.

Tim