Thursday, April 28, 2011

Adoption Party!

OK, I am going to write about something that I don't talk about a lot but is very near and dear to my heart - adoption and justice for orphans.  I came across this blog Moments with Love last year. It is the blog of a mom in the US who has an amazing heart for orphan's.

The reason I am sharing the link to her blog is because I want us to join in with something she is doing. She has a blog post about a little girl named Anika who is waiting to be adopted.  There are two "barriers" to this little girls adoption that as Love explains are not really barriers.  The first one, Anika is HIV positive.  The second, her adoption would cost $33,000.  Love had a great idea to help with the "money issue" and that is where we come in.  She explain in her blog that if,
150 people [you!] have a get together in the month of May.
they invite 9 of their friends to have a night in instead of a night out.
each of those 9 friends [and you!] bring $20 to donate to Anika's adoption fund.
150 parties x 10 people x 20 dollars = $30,000

Anika's life spared from an institution & the hope of being part 
of a loving family simply because you shared her story & had
a fun night with your friends in her honor!

I know that this little girl is many kilometers away from us, and none of us may ever meet her. But I want to put feet to the stirring that God has put in my heart for the orphan and adoption. I want to sow into the kingdom and truly partner with God's Father's heart in this one.  Let's pray that the family that is to be the forever family of this little girl will be directed to her and they will find each other. Let's sow our finances into something that can make an eternal impact in this little girl's life and that family's life.  So, if you are in the Winnipeg area, expect to get an email or phone call from me to come and join me for a fun party with a purpose.  If you read this blog and just want to invite yourself to the party go ahead and email, call, text or Facebook me and let me know you will be coming.  I will post details about time, theme etc later today.  

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Interupting your regularly scheduled program...

Here is a random though in the flow of pictures I have be putting on here to share bits and pieces of my life.  I was at a prayer meeting tonight and my heart was so encouraged by one line of a song we sang. It is a Luke Wood song and the line goes like this: 
"All man's empty promises lay broken at Your feet; but You have never broken one."  
I could have sang that line for hours and maybe I will some day.  What really encouraged me was the second half of the line.  He has never broken one promise.  Usually I would look at the first half and think of all the times I have failed to fulfill to the fullest measure some grandiose promise I made to the Lord, in a moment of heightened emotion, or even out of my own flesh. My reaction to that reflection would be, "Oh man, I blew it again. When will I ever get it together." But tonight my heart was captured by the only One who has never made a promise that He can't or won't fulfill.  I was reminded again that He said He would bring me through all the waters and the fire. That He would bring me to the place where I would stand pure and spotless before Him.  I was even captured by just how gracious He is towards me.  He looks past all the times I said "Lord, I am going to show you how much I love you by ______________" Or "I am going to do this or that" and then fall flat on my face.  He sees the heart that even in weakness loves Him and He delights in that heart.  Even though I haven't been able to keep all my pledges to Him, He says, I will be faithful to her heart. I will show her that I will keep my word. I will be tender towards her and bring her to the place where she rests in me.  
As I gazed on Jesus, who's every word is yes and amen, thankfulness rose in my heart. I am so thankful that my life in all seasons rests in the surety of His word and promises.   

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Day 24: A picture of something you wish you could change...

Even though I only have my learners and I don't own a car, I wish I knew how to change a tire.  I think it could be a valuable skill some day.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Day 23: A picture of your favorite book

Asking a bookworm like me, to show one picture of a book is just cruel and unusual punishment. So, Instead of showing you EVERY book on my bookshelf, I will show you the ones I keep coming back to over and over.

The Bible is my first and foremost favorite. Especially the Gospel According to John. I love the life I have been getting from reading scripture lately. 

This was a favorite when I was little. I asked my mom to read it so much that she had to tape it because the spine broke.

This is an autobiography written by a couple who spent 14 months up in remote Northern B.C. and built their own cabin.  I have always kind of liked the idea of an adventure like this.

This is my favorite Narnia book.  I love the depiction of Aslan's land after the battle. "Farther up and Farther in!"


Both the Heavenly Man and The Hiding Place are stories that challenge and encourage me in how I live and how I view God.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Day 19: A Picture and a letter

Dear Friend,

I know it has been a long time since I have written but I hope that this letter finds you well.  How are you?  Are you enjoying this warmer weather we have been having. How's the family?

I am so enjoying the warmer weather we have been having and the fact that spring is finally here. I was starting to waver in my positive winter attitude during that last long cold spell.  But the season has changed and it is awesome! I am hoping my back yard doesn't flood too badly though, as I would like to be able to plant a garden again this year.

I haven't really done anything exciting lately, just the regular routine of life. But I did go home to visit my mom and Neil last weekend. As much as I like Winnipeg, it was nice to get out of the city and it was really good to go and see my mom and grandma.  My mom and Neil have about 10 deer living in their yard it was kind of fun to be able to watch them out of the living room window. It freaked me out one night though when I was watching t.v. and I got that creepy someone is watching you feeling. As I looked around I saw a deer about a foot away from me with its nose pressed to the glass of the window staring at me; I yelled and it ran away.  I will attach a picture or two of them so you can see how cute they were.

Oh, and I was able to buy a sewing machine and a new camera just recently so I am excited to get using them and get some creativity flowing again.  It has been a long time since I have done anything kind of artsy or crafty and I have missed it greatly.  I have lots to learn with photography but it is something I have always wanted to do so it will be fun to see how it goes.  As for the sewing I just plan on doing home type projects - curtains, some pillows, and maybe some reusable paper towels, I need to get the pattern for those though.  I will just start off slow as it has been a long time since I used a sewing machine.


Have you read any good books lately?  I would love to hear about what you are reading. I am reading this book called "Tortured for Christ". It is an autobiography written by Richard Wurmbrand.  I know the title sounds heavy, and you might be thinking why would I want to read a book like that, but it has been really good.  It is about his experiences in Communist prisons when Romania was under communist rule.  While the stories he tells are really intense, this book has taught me so much about love. I have encountered a love in this book like the love of Christ as he hung on the cross.  The type of love that allows a person to love their enemies even while their enemies are causing great pain.  As much as I love warm, sentimental feelings that come with love sometimes, I know that they are fleeting and I know that they cannot sustain you. But this other type of love, is a lifestyle choice, it is strong and true and full of substance and I know it can only come from God.  It is making me rethink what Jesus meant when He said "love others as I have loved you".  It is really making me realize that love isn't about fulfilling something in myself it is about pouring yourself out for another, it really is sacrificial, but it isn't burdensome or heavy. It is joyful, and full of freedom and it does cause your heart to be light when you are free to love like that, when you aren't overburdened by getting your due. It doesn't mean that you have to go through the same things that Richard did to really show you are loving with the love of Christ, but it might mean that you will. But it could just mean loving your family, coworkers, neighbours, the guy sitting on the corner asking for change well; pouring your love and life out for them.  I am coming to realize that once you have said yes to the love of Christ, and to walk in His way, you are on an adventure that you have no possibility of knowing what each day will look like or where it will take you. The only sure thing is, that by living a life of love, loving Christ and loving others, your reward is sure. At the end of it all you get Jesus.

Anyway, this letter took a much more serious turn then I meant it to, but those are the thoughts I have been dwelling on lately.  I should let you go though.  I hope you are enjoying the weekend, and I hope that you have many wonderful encounters with Holy Spirit! I pray that He releases an even greater revelation to your heart about how much Father and Jesus really do love you!

Blessings my friend!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Love,
Lanney


P.S. Here is a picture of  a couple of the deer.