The Hurst Family!

Now that my first Family Warrior family is home with their sweet girl, I decided to prayerfully consider new families waiting for a warrior. 

After reading a few family's profiles, the Hurst Family simply stuck out to me and I knew that I needed to step up to stand with them during their adoption process. 

They're bringing home "Quinnlee"!

Look at this beautiful girl. 

MANY people have advocated for this sweet girl, including her mama and papa. 

They fervently prayed for Quinnlee before they made the decision to pursue her adoption. 

The Hurst family has loved this sweet girl for years and are currently fundraising to bring her home. 

The Hurst's oldest daughter has been praying for a baby sister and is excited to finally have a little sister of her very own. Quinnlee is already SO loved. 

Katie's heart has been drawn to the country where Quinnlee lives since she was a young girl.

I believe that the Lord put that desire within Katie for a purpose. . .I love that she's ALWAYS held fast to her love for a country and people other than her own. 

I've been praying for the Hurst family for about a week now, I was going to make a post as soon as I got the confirmation email that I was their family warrior. But I decided to wait, today I realized why I waited. 

I had prayed for the Hurst family this morning and asked the Lord to bless them and to give me the wisdom and insight I needed to be a blessing to their family. 

Today I was in a car traveling into the mountains of West Virginia, 

suddenly there was a dark rain cloud overhead. 

The sky opened up and the rain poured down on the road in front of us. 

But moments later, the sun peeked out behind that dark cloud. 

I immediately thought of the verse that has been a huge source of strength and encouragement for this family during their adoption process thus far. 

“And The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” 

(John 1:5)

Though there was darkness for a mere moment, light won. 

I couldn't help but think of the Hurst family, they are currently on a journey that can be very difficult at times. I'm sure there have been sleepless nights and mountains of paperwork. 

But. . . 

It says in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." 

The Hurst family are in the midst of a journey that they were called to. 

They weren't only called to be "a light" to Quinnlee and their kiddos here in the states, 

they were called to be the "light of the world". 

Katie shouts for many waiting kiddos other than her own and that alone speaks volumes in my heart and mind. So now while she shouts and raises funds for her own adoption of  this sweet girl. 

I know that I'm called to shout with her and help her on her journey. 

I'm SO excited to get know this family and help them bring their girl home. 

For the next two weeks, they are working on getting a matching grant of $5,000! 

Katie is currently making bracelets to help get her girl home.

Donate here!

Upon your donation she can make you a custom bracelet with text of your choice! 

Katie is also selling Usborne books to help fund their adoption of Quinnlee. 

Order books here! 

You can read more about the Hurst's journey here . . . 

http://www.webearthelight.com/

Worth it.

I haven't been blogging as much lately. 

But don't worry, I'm still praying for precious kids that need families. 

In this season I've been trying to fix my eyes on Jesus more than I ever have. 

So while this blog has been quiet, my heart hasn't been. 

There are a few kiddos lately have really captured my heart and have become regulars in my prayers. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/77188/ivey

Ivey.

Sweet sweet Ivey.

A family that met Ivey this year said the followring:

"When we were in there, she asked the staff if it was possible to get a family for herself, but they felt the answer would be no- because no one would want someone as badly disabled as she was. . .  I am praying with all my heart that there is a family out there that recognizes that a person’s worth is not measured by what they can physically do- and will cross the ocean to call her daughter, because I truly believe she would be an incredible addition to a family. She’s spunky and overcame her hesitation about potential rejection, in order to ask me if I would please see if I could find her a family." 

This sweet girl ASKED for a family. 
Even though she thought the answer would be no, she asked anyways. 
My prayer is exactly what the family above said, that there is a family out there that sees that a person's worth isn't measured by what they can do physically. 
I know that there's a family out there that will look at her picture and know that she's their daughter.
They'll know that she's worth crossing oceans for. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/64331/lynda

Lynda. 

This little sweetie threw her arms around my brother-in-law's neck and rested her head on his shoulder. 

She's not a favored child in her orphanage. . . mostly due to her mental delays. 

Hair cropped short, no pretty dresses to wear or bows in her hair. 

She desperately needs a family. 

A family to treat her like the precious girl she is, that they will see her potential. 

Because just like Ivey, Lynda is worth it. 

I was looking through photos on my phone a few days ago. . . 

I found the first picture I ever saw of my nephew. 

This photo of him sparked this post. 

I found it the other day when I was looking through files on my computer. 

I couldn't shake the look on Sam's face in this photo. 

After I saw Sam's face in late 2012, I started praying for waiting kiddos like Sam. 

They saw his worth and they crossed oceans to make him a beloved son. 

Sam nowadays.
A beloved son, brother, grandson, and nephew.

 The world may not see the two girls I listed above as "worth it", but I do and so does Jesus.
He sees their beauty and thinks that they are perfect.
I pray that he comforts them in their orphanages in Eastern Europe, that he sends people to love them while they're waiting for their families.
I pray that Jesus works in the hearts of the future mothers and fathers of the two girls I listed above.

It all comes down to love. . . always.

This world often tells us what love should look like and who/what we should love. . .
This is something that I hadn't touched on in detail in my own walk, until recently.

I've been studying the Sermon on the Mount the past few weeks, numerous times I've sat there and realized that the Sermon on the Mount is one of the biggest expressions of love. Even though parts of the Sermon on the Mount can be hard to swallow at times. (Loving your enemies, anyone?)

He loves us so much that He didn't want to be apart from us, ever.
He thinks you're lovely and wonderful.
He loves to show you mercy. (Micah. 7:18)
He cares about us so much He tells us not to worry. . .

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:33-34 NLT)

Though things in this world will pass away and fade, love remains. Always.
I can't even begin to wrap my mind around the vastness of the love that Jesus has for me.
 Consistent, steadfast, never-ending love.
We were created in the image of a loving God.
As lovers of Jesus, we've been called to love.
I've decided that I want to leave a legacy of love, I want to stand before Jesus one day and know with 100% certainty that I loved. . . all because He loved me first.

". . . Once believed that love was romance, just a chance.
I even thought that love was for the lucky and the beautiful.
I once believed that love was a momentary bliss, but love is more than this.
All You ever wanted was my attention.
All You ever wanted was love from me.
All You ever wanted was my affections to sit here at Your feet. . . "

My big adventure!

Beloved friends, family, and readers:

I want to share with you a challenging ministry opportunity God has presented for me to take part in. During all of June, I will be going to Ukraine with a team of people from all over the United States. We will be working directly with orphaned and abandoned and I couldn't be more excited to invest time and love into these precious children.

The orphan epidemic in Eastern Europe is a huge issue that is often overlooked and not talked about. The ministry that I will be going to Ukraine with is well-aware of this epidemic and has been running Christ-centered camps for orphans for 20 years. I will be working alongside Ukrainian nationals to provide a Christ-centered program for these children. The presence of American Volunteers has encouraged Ukrainian locals to consider assisting at the camps and it helps boost overall morale. This is life-changing experience for everyone involved and I couldn't be more excited to serve in Ukraine.

Everyday we will be teaching Bible lessons, doing crafts, playing games, and doing skits. By combining both Ukrainian and American cultures, a unique community is formed. By combining all of our attributes we will become an unshakable team and we can speak life and hope into children that have a very bleak future. I believe that through Jesus these children will not be a statistic and will come back from camp forever changed. Our time with these children is vital and valuable, they deserve to spend a few fun-filled weeks surrounded by love and acceptance.

I need to raise $3,000 by May 30th. If you can support me in a financial way, I would be

forever grateful. Every dollar gets me one step closer to my goal, no donation is too small. And, most importantly, I also need your prayers. Your prayers mean more to me than I could ever being to describe to you. . . pray that the lives of these children are forever changed. Pray that I'm able be a light in the darkness and a source of strength for the children that I come in contact with.

Thank you and I can't wait to share this journey with all of you.

-Emily Joy

http://www.youcaring.com/bringingjoytoukraine

Family.

So I've realized that I've been wrecked in the best possible way . . . when I first started this blog I never dreamed that it would become more of an orphan advocacy blog than anything else. But God had other plans. . . Since I've been raising money for Lanie for Angel Tree, it's become more and more clear that as a believer and follower of Christ that I need to be outspoken for the orphan. This is exactly where I'm supposed to be, I just know it. Those of you reading this that know me in real life know that I have no problem being outspoken. Recently I've had people close their ears to me and the topic of orphan care/justice, people close to me. I'm learning more and more to brush myself off, say a couple silent prayers, and remind me that it's not about me. . . at all. 

A couple months ago, I read a book called "Orphan Justice" by Johnny Carr. I could quote this book for days. (But I'll let you pick it up yourself, it's worth buying.) If there is one quote that I want every person to read it is this one. 

“Man made orphanages for children, but God made the family for children… As followers of Jesus we cannot be satisfied with children living in orphanages as a long-term solution.” -Johnny Carr 

Let that sink in for a minute. . . 

I'm lucky enough to have been introduced to some incredible people that not only advocate for the orphan. . . they make them part of their family. Children that were once discarded are now beloved sons and daughters, many of their precious faces flood my Facebook's news feed. (I'm even related to some of these precious ones that are orphans no more!). 
I know that Christmas is rapidly approaching and money is tight, but I urge you to support some of these families. Some of these families are in country adopting right now or will be traveling soon. If you can't donate monetarily, pray for these families, or just take a minute to share this blog post. 

The Dobrovits family, these wonderful folks are from my neck of the woods. They are in Eastern Europe currently, adopting a sibling group of 3! It makes my heart so happy knowing that these three will grow up TOGETHER in their new loving home. (Also I have a feeling that I may or may not be asking Carla if I can come over and meet these cuties after they're all settled in.) 

http://reecesrainbow.org/57151/sponsordobrovits-2

The Tam family is traveling very soon to get their sweet girl, Caroline. Look how beautiful she is! Caroline begged for a family to come and bring her home. . . soon Caroline's biggest dream will be coming true. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/60118/sponsortam-2

The Lanz family is adopting Peter, the Lanz's also recently added two precious girls to their family from China. This family also needs help getting a wheelchair accessible vehicle and needs to make some renovations to their home to make it comfortable for their growing family.

http://reecesrainbow.org/63623/sponsorlanz-2


The Dismuke family is bringing home Johanna, there have been some bumps in the road in their adoption journey. . . but now they are SO close to bringing this princess home. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/35800/sponsordismuke

The Robinson family is traveling now! They are adopting three precious ones, they saw Caius' photo and fell in love. They also decided to add sweet Hattie and another kiddo to their family as well, please pray for them on their journey! 

http://reecesrainbow.org/60090/sponsorrobinson-4

The Williams family recently brought home two handsome little guys from Eastern Europe. I personally LOVE this family's story and cannot wait to see photo updates of the two beautiful older kiddos they are bringing home. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/61131/sponsorwilliams

The Mueller Family is working hard and doing numerous fundraisers to bring home Juri. Adoption has been on this couple's heart for quite some time and their journey is just beginning. They have dedicated so much time and effort to have this little boy in their arms and they are raising money for an Angel Tree kiddo WHILE fundraising for their own adoption.

http://reecesrainbow.org/63824/sponsormueller

The Taylor Family is traveling in two weeks to bring home three kiddos from Eastern Europe. Samuel and Sara are biological siblings and will get to start a whole new life together here in the US! The Taylor family also decided to adopt Patience as well. When they heard that Patience was not treated very nicely in her orphanage. . . the Taylor's are SO excited to show Patience what love is all about.

http://reecesrainbow.org/54201/sponsortaylor-3

Last but not least, is Renee's family. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read this family's story via the link below this photo. I read this family's story for the first time this week and me reading it is part of what inspired me to write this post. Renee and her husband are bringing home four little loves, they currently have four at home as well. . . those four are waiting for their new brothers and sisters to come home. Their daughter Moxie, begged them to bring home a brother or sister with Cerebral Palsy like her, so she could teach her new sibling how to the things that she could now do and so that she could share her mama and papa with them. (oh...my heart.)

http://reecesrainbow.org/65949/sponsor3kids

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
    this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
6 God places the lonely in families;
    he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Psalm 68:5-6 (NLT)

*For fundraisers that benefit adopting families, visit the link below.*

http://fridayfamilyfundraisers.blogspot.com/