A day worth blogging about

Sometimes I'm really good at this blogging thing....sometimes not.  Right now, I'm on a not spell.  With it being summer and kiddos running around, it's hard to pull any thoughts together long enough for a blog post.  Not to mention, we started the summer running.  Fast.

But today...today is a day worth blogging about.  I have a story to share.

About 8 1/2 years ago, while we still lived in Cali...I went to have my taxes done.  My tax preparer worked out of her home and I had my 2 kids with me.  She offered to let her babysitter (who looked about 14 but was actually 18) watch my kids while she prepared my taxes.  This same girl often subbed at the preschool my children went to.  I got to know her pretty well...her name was Janelle.

When the time came for me to need a nanny....Janelle was my first choice.  My kids adored her and we started to build a friendship.  She also had a new boyfriend.  Within weeks of meeting me, he agreed to dress up as Spiderman for my Mandy's (yes, you read that right....Mandy's) birthday.  I knew he was an alright guy.


Fast forward about a year and they were engaged.  Guess who the ringbearer & flower girl were?  Yup...you guessed it...Mandy & Trent.  And boy were they ever adorable.  It was a beautiful wedding and so inspiring for John and I to see to young people so in love and so committed to Christ.  I told their parents that I hoped one day my children would grow up to be just like them.  Mandy looked up to Janelle so much that on her 6th birthday, she wanted to have her picture taken with her.  ♥

Fast forward about 8 months and God called us to Texas.  We had such a special friendship with the Wallis' by this point and it was really hard to say good-bye.  Just a few months later and they came to visit us in Texas.  They loved it and prayed very hard about weather God would call them here.

One of Janelle's deepest hopes was that we would have children the same ages.  Well...Janelle and I are like 14 years apart and I was sooooooooooooooooooooooo done having children.  Or so I thought.  God had something else planned.  In June of 2006, I found out I was pregnant.  I called Janelle and as excited as she was for me, she was deeply saddened that one...she was in Cali and I was in Texas...and two that there were absolutely no plans for her and Gary to have kids yet.

Well, guess what....God had other plans there too.  As I type, I am just smiling.  Not only did God move them to Texas but Janelle found out...much to her pleasant surprise...that she was expecting.  Ok, now I'm crying.

So here we were...her at 22 and me at 37 carrying babies...pregnant at the same time...just like she hoped for.

It really forged our families together.  We have a wonderful friendship with the Wallis' but they are truly family to us as well.  We have the kind of friendship that when my world is falling apart, I can go to her house, sob and fall asleep on her couch.  When one of her kids becomes seriously ill at 3am, we'll be at the ER together.

So, when the phone rang this morning at 9:15 and I heard "we're having a baby girl", my heart rejoiced.  I felt like someone was telling me I was having a baby girl.  Well, ok, maybe not because if someone told me I was having a baby girl right now...I'd faint.  But, you get it. :o)

We're family.  And I am overjoyed that there will be a new baby girl in our family.  Love you Wallis family.

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.  Psalm 127:3

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

I love my Mom.  And I really love what God is doing in her life.  As her daughter, I am so incredibly proud of the path she is walking that was hand chosen for her by our wonderful Lord.

You see, at 61 years old, she is going on her first mission trip.  She will be going with Mission church & Vision Abolition to help children who have been rescued from the sex slave trade.  This will NOT be easy work, but she felt God pressing her to say YES, SEND ME! (Isaiah 6:8).

My mind immediately went into high gear.  How can I support her?  It was almost as if I heard God say "Dawn, do what you do."  So a new jewelry design was born.

My Mom's church vision for their mission program is Micah 6:8...He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.   That is why I chose Micah 6:8 for this pendant.  She is answering the call and will be doing those very things.

The necklaces are $22 (which includes shipping).  **Please note, when you are checking out, the necklace will come up as $16 with $6 shipping. **  I gave up the fight with paypal to change the shipping cost :o)  Several colors are available.  Each pendant will be matched with beautifully coordinating leather.  They are available in any length really.  Just add a note when checking out your color choice and length.  The first orders will ship June 15th.

Mom, my heart leaps when I think of how proud I am of you.

Friends, it is my hearts desire and personal goal to sell 100 of these.  Every person who purchases a necklace will also be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Funky Fish gift certificate IF we sell 100 :o)

Please considering sharing this on your blogs and facebook pages.  It would mean the world to me!!

Blessings!

It's been too long....

I just noticed that it's been almost a month since I updated anything on my blog.  Now, keeping in mind that I didn't start blogging until about 6 months ago...this shouldn't be a terribly huge deal.  But, the whole point of a blog is to write it all out.  So, it's time to get back to business!

I think after I returned from Ethiopia, I really just wanted to crawl in a hole.  Not crawl in a hole in a sad way, but crawl in a hole and forget the rest of the world was moving around me and just relive my time in Ethiopia over and over and over.  Truth is, I can't get my mind out of Ethiopia.  This was something I didn't expect.

While I was in Uganda, I LOVED it.  The climate, the landscape, the people...everything.  So much that I somehow convinced myself that my upcoming trip to Ethiopia would be my last.

I think I was wrong.  It happened once ya know :o)

But in all sincerity, I loved Uganda.  But, on this trip to Ethiopia, I fell in love.  Go ahead, you can tell my sweet hubby....he already knows ;o)  I fell in love with a boy named Johannes.  See, I met Johannes last year.  As well as many other children.  I never experienced what I experienced in the moment I saw him this year.  PURE LOVE.

We weren't scheduled to see Johannes at all.  But, because I had asked so much about him, Bezawork, one of the social workers arranged for me to see him.  He didn't tell me...he just surprised me.  I will never be able to put into words how my heart feels when I think about Johannes.  Even as I sit here and type, I get that painful lump in my throat, my eyes well up in tears and I just have to breathe.

So, what does all this mean?  I HAVE NO IDEA!!  One thing I know is that I love that boy.  I pray that one day God will allow our paths to cross again.  I have his face etched into my brain.  As I asked him how he had been and if he remembered us he looked up at me with his beautiful brown eyes and the biggest smile on his face and said "John".  I crumbled.   Marcos, the Food for the Hungry team leader said "Dawn, you never ever forget the person who led you to the Lord. 

That God allowed me to experience Johannes accepting Christ last summer was COMPLETELY humbling.  For God to have allowed me to see that beautiful boy again...I have no words.  Feeling humbled is just the tip of the iceburg.  I'll never be able to comprehend why God has allowed me to experience all He has over the past year....but I will forever be grateful.

Because I "Simply Love" lime green...

Have you ever heard the saying "when I am an old lady, I shall wear purple?"  Well mine is "when I am an old lady, I shall wear lime green...and only lime green."  I can already see my closet lined with lime green shirts, lime green shoes....it would be the best!  If you know anything about you as you read this, you are probably thinking "yup...she'd be just crazy enough to do that."

Well, I have a friend who is pretty crazy too.  In fact, she's self-confessed crazy :o)  Her name is Kari, her blog is My Crazy Adoption and she is really, super cool.  And she's really passionate about orphan care.

What does all this have to do with lime green?  Well, she started selling totes to help raise funds for her sons upcoming mission trip to Ethiopia & Uganda.  Her son has only been to Ethiopia one time...when he went with Kari & her husband to get their beautiful daughter Zoie.  He became horribly ill because of the water and realized the desperate need for water in Ethiopia.  He and several students (Pirates dig a well) partnered with Glimmer of Hope and raised $10,000 to build a well in Ethiopia!!  How awesome is that?  And now...he gets to go back to the place where he got so sick and watch this process begin.  We serve an awesome God, don't we?

Ok, ok...I still haven't gotten to the lime green part yet have I?  So the totes she were selling were cute...really cute.  But they weren't lime green.  For whatever wacky, crazy and weird reason, I will only carry lime green purses, totes, etc.  So, I casually commented to Kari about how much I loved them but I couldn't make a purchase.  Kari told me that if I ordered one...she would FIND a lime green one just for me.  Did I mention how much I love her?

So, here's the tote.  I loved it so much...I bought 2.  One for me and one for you!  Yes, you.  :o)  Whoever isn't completely bored out of their mind by this post and has gotten this far, you can with this adorable tote.  Before I go any further....here is my disclaimer.  More than anything, I'd love for you to just make a purchase :o)  Please visit the My Crazy adoption store and see all the wonderful totes she has for sale!

Here's how you win

Comment on this blog post about why you want to win and your name will be entered

If you aren't a follower on my blog, become a follower, let me know in a separate comment you did and your name will be entered again

Post this on Facebook, make a comment and guess what...your name will be entered again.

And last but not least....if you make a purchase from Kari or donate to her son's trip...I'll enter your name to win again!

 

My 40th year....

41.  Wow.  That is a big number.  In some ways, I feel very 41.  In others, I still feel like such a goofy kid.  I still love to skip over to people when I greet them.  I still like to scare people (especially my children) which makes my husband say I have a twisted sense of humor.  And I still like grape soda.

But turning 41 has really made me stop and reflect over all God has done over the past year.  My 40th year.  When my friend, Greg, talks about processing mission trips, he says to think about 3 things.  What did you see?  What did you hear?  And how did it make you feel?  I've been pondering those questions about the past year and decided to write about them.

What did I see?  Well, I think the first obvious answer is Africa.  I saw Africa.  And I saw Africa 3 times.  If anyone would have ever told me that I would visit Africa one day I would have never believed it.  Not because I didn't want to go but because I thought financially, it would never, ever be possible.  But God provided and he allowed me to visit that beautiful continent and see things I'd never seen.  Poverty, brokenness, beauty, pain, hope and Jesus in the eyes of beautiful children.  I got to see a foreign land with the man I dearly love.  I got to see another beautiful country, Uganda, with a dear friend.  I got to see Africa through her eyes which made it all brand new again.  Then I got to see Ethiopia again but with all new people and all new experiences.  I am humbled and beyond blessed.

I also saw God move a mountain in the form of a phone call after we came home from Africa.  It went something like this "John, would you be interested in coming to interview for a pastoral position at Grace?"  A what???????????????  Only God could have made that possible.  We dreamed.  And we dreamed big.  And we prayed even harder.  But when God answered that prayer, we were blown away.  And then to find out that his position would oversee marriage mentoring.  Well, if you know our story, then you know that it could have only been God to arrange for such a thing to happen.

I've also seen my children growing into their own.  They are developing their own unique ways about them and it's such a joy to watch them.  But their growing has also caused me to see where I fall short as a parent.  I'm starting to see where I need to be more intentional about parenting them and teaching them.  That I need to be as doting on them as I would an orphan on the other side of the world.  That I need to give them as much time and effort (if not more) than I'm willing to give to anything or anyone else. 

What did I hear?  I think the most profound thing I heard this past year was my mothers voice.  I know it's with my mothers permission that I continue to write this but to say our relationship was strained for a very long time is an understatement.  When we finally came to a place where our relationship felt healthy, God moved her.  WHAT????  RIGHT NOW???  I'm just starting to like "us".  It made no sense and I was not happy.  At all.  I was angry, frustrated, hurt and just knew she was making the wrong choice.  Well, I was wrong.  Her moving has been the best thing that could have ever happened to us.  I can't explain it but I can say it's all very good.  God is growing her in ways I could have never imagined and he's growing "us".  I hear her now when she talks to me.  I trust that God speaks to me through her.  She is so supportive of all my craziness (ahem...aka Africa) and has provided me with godly wisdom that has been a huge blessing.  And I heard words from her recently that I never thought I would hear "I submitted my application to go on my first mission trip".  My Mom...at 61...is going on a mission trip.  And I could not be more proud to be her daughter.

What did I feel?  There have been so many feelings that have run through my heart this past year.  I think the biggest feeling is disbelief.  Has all this really happened this past year?  What I feel most of the time is unworthy.  I also feel blessed.  Ridiculously blessed.  We shouldn't be here.  It doesn't add up.  That's where God comes in.  We can never add up and we don't belong here.  It's only by God's grace that anything in our life is what it is. 

I also feel a peace.  When I returned from Ethiopia last year, I felt myself wanting to scramble.  How will I get back?  When will I get back?  Oh God, please let me go back.  Maybe I have a peace because I'm just plain tired.  Maybe I have a peace because it's truly from God.  Maybe it will only last a minute.  But for now, I just feel peace.  I feel like God is saying "it's ok to rest now". 

So, what do I want for my birthday?  I want for every person I know to embrace some aspect of orphan care.  Pray, go, adopt, support.  We can all do something...and we are all called to do something.  James 1:27, Matthew 25:40...it's in black and white.  

What does 41 hold?  I have no idea.  But I'm going to start with loving my family just a little bit more.  Kissing that amazing husband of mine a few more times a day.  I think the most important thing I need to learn is how to have an intimate relationship with the one who loves me most...God.

Emma Kait.....

A few weeks before I left from Africa, I received an email from a friend from my youth asking me if I would be willing to do a "special project".  She had a friend whose daughter had been diagnosed with cancer.  She wanted to know if I would design a special bracelet that could be used as a fundraiser.  When I went to the blog the mother was doing in honor of her daughter, my heart swelled.  The blog is called "Face of Faith".  And when you look at this child, she radiates joy.  She has blue eyes that just sparkle.  This young ladies courage is such an inspiration to me.  I've lost parents and grandparents to cancer and I can't even imagine what this mama is going through.  You can read about her journey here:  http://emmakaitstanphill.blogspot.com/

So Africa approaches and I'm totally overwhelmed.  I'm overcommitted, tired and just plain not feeling well.  But, I still feel God pressing on my heart about Emma Kait.  I return from my trip and get a very gentle reminder about Emma from my friend and the special project.  I wanted to include Emma in the design process and when we ultimately decided on what she wanted, I knew it was an undertaking bigger than what my 2 hands could accomplish.  Ultimately, a custom stamp would have to be made for this project.  And they are very expensive.

But still I felt God pressing me to continue on and telling me to trust that HE would provide. 

I reluctantly sat down at my computer and sent an image to a stamp maker I used recently.  I said just this:

Hello,

 

I have another project I've been asked to do for a little girl diagnosed with cancer.  I would like to get a quote for a stamp like this:

Blessings,

Dawn Patterson

This was his reply:

Dawn,

 

I have that font, I think it's papyrus. I'll get the artwork drawn up and sent over. I can donate this one.

 

Thanks,

 

Sean Broadbent
Buckeye Engraving

"I can donate this one."  I didn't ask him for that.  I felt like God was saying "I've got this Dawn" and I just cried.

I'm growing in my ability to trust God.  I share this story because even though it's a small detail, it's such a good example of how when God brings you to something, he will bring you through it.  He will provide and He will meet every need.  

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Phillippians 4:19

Flat Stanley is going to Ethiopia

If you have children, you probably know who Flat Stanley is.  On Wednesday, I got an email from my dear friend in Ohio.  She hadn't been on Facebook and didn't know that I was leaving Friday for Ethiopia.  She told me that she had just placed Stanley in the mail because her son, Kyle, wanted Stanley to go somewhere far...like Texas.

In my experience....mail just doesn't move that quickly.  Ohio to Texas via 1st class mail in two days??  The chances were slim.  And, our mail arrives after I would already be on the plane to Africa.

But, I still thought it would be so cool is Stanley could go to Africa.  I started seeing pictures of Stanley in my mind with some of the orphans I know and the stories he could share.

On a whim...at 8:00 this morning, I called our post office.  Perks of living in a really small town ;o)  I told the gal my situation and asked if she would just check to see if I had an envelope getting ready to be delivered today.  She said she would check.  She came back and said "I have an envelope here from a Kyle Gregel...would you like me to hold it for you so you can pick it up before your flight?"

I was so completely excited.

So Flat Stanley is on his way to Africa with me.  I think there are some elementary children (maybe even a few teachers) who will be greatly impacted by the stories he will be able to share.   There will be an elementary school in Mantua, Ohio who will now know about the orphans in Zeway.  And that makes my heart smile.

To God be the Glory!