tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85525044206542634282024-02-22T06:34:10.519-06:00PilgrimageMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-79100715154627571412009-08-23T16:00:00.001-05:002009-08-27T22:23:25.468-05:00New BlogMy new blog location can be found at<br /><br />http://faithfulremembrances.wordpress.com<br /><br />Come check it out...I've already posted :o)Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-47976833776500851042009-08-21T10:47:00.002-05:002009-08-21T11:09:09.821-05:00The Great DivorceIn case you haven't noticed, I haven't blogged much lately.<br /><br />In case your wondering why, I'm going to tell you.<br /><br />This blog was started as an adoption blog. The majority of the readers that I have (maybe I better say had) read because of the topic adoption. <br /><br />Particularly Uganda adoption.<br /><br />Well in case you haven't noticed, I'm no longer in the adoption process.<br /><br />My children have been home a year.<br /><br />When I look at them, I see my children. Not the children I adopted<br /><br />When they are naughty, I see my children sinning. Not possible effects from being orphans.<br /><br />When they succeed I see the joy of of being a mommy to children who work hard to accomplish hard things. Not children who have to overcome, because of hard beginnings.<br /><br />We will not be adopting again...a least not any time in the near future. Lack of income prevents us from qualifying for visas. We are of course open for that to change...but as it stands it will not be happening.<br /><br />With all this in mind, I still feel like I can't post here unless it is somehow linked to adoption. As a result many lovely posts, get left in the cold. <br /><br />I don't like that.<br /><br />So I think a new blog provider is in order. I have wanted to divorce the current one for quite some time. It is far too hard on the children to hear me screaming from the other room, every time blogger and I have a disagreement over it's lack of effort in providing me with spaces, along with many other irreconcilable differences. It is too hard on me listening to them erupt with laughter over my frustrations. I must leave and find a better more suitable means for sharing my thoughts.<br /><br />I am currently trying to decide which service to go with.<br /><br />Leaning toward one in particular, as it will better serve our needs for the business plan in the works.<br /><br />Stay tuned for a new address.<br /><br />That is if you want to still follow.<br /><br />I might still talk about adoption.<br /><br />Plus I still have the cute kids,<br /><br />biting sarcasm,<br /><br /> a witty sense of humor,<br /><br />and most importantly a deep love for my Savior.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-19056139026520350072009-07-30T18:27:00.002-05:002009-07-30T18:33:16.701-05:00It Must Be Confusing to Be a Kid<span style="font-weight: bold;">Apparently Noah and Kaleb were very excited to get to share the good news of visas to William and Marissa. They let them know that the Dodson's had received their visas and could now go get their friends and bring them home. Fantastic news! </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fast forward to today.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">William just asked me, "So mama the Dodson's got their pizzas?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I wonder if he has been thinking the last 24 or so hours, "Man we have pizza once a week, what's up with the Dodson's not being able to get it?" I'm also wondering if it all makes sense to him because we ate pizza in London, so surly you must need pizza in order to come to America.</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-66949818933141963232009-07-09T13:48:00.003-05:002009-07-09T13:56:16.388-05:00Time to ActI'm not trying to be a broken record here...it's just that THIS IS THAT <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">IMPORTANT</span>. Even if you have not adopted, or never intend to, you probably know a family that has or will...help secure their children's future in this country.<br /><br />Copied from This <span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://twietconfetti.blogspot.com/">blog</a></span><br /><br />visit www.equalityforadoptedchildren.org for more information<br /><br /><br />Support the FACE and FFO Acts!<br />Exciting things are happening! Bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to promote equal rights for adopted children.<br /><br />The Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act (FACE Act) has been introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives. The FACE Act will allow American families to bring their internationally adopted children home as American citizens instead of as immigrants.<br /><br />The Families for Orphans Act (FFO Act) has been introduced into the House of Representatives. The FFO Act would establish the Office of Orphan Policy, Diplomacy and Development within the Department of State and provide diplomatic authority to help the 30 million children orphaned worldwide and the 100 million plus vulnerable children who have lost one parent or are at risk of losing parental care.<br /><br />What you can do:<br />Sign the petition here: http://www.gopetition.com/petiti... . This petition will be delivered to the U.S. Congress and Senate.<br /><br />On July 7th, 8th, and 9th, call your three Members of Congress (two in the Senate and one in the House of Representatives). You can find your Representative at www.house.gov . You can find your Senators’ phone numbers at www.senate.gov . Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff. For maximum effect, we are asking you to make these calls within this 72-hour window!<br /><br />Get the word out! Send this email to friends and family. Post to your Facebook, My Space, Twitter, blog or website.<br /><br />What should you say to your Members of Congress?<br />This is an issue that is critical to children in need, so speak from your heart. Tell them why ensuring that internationally adopted children have citizenship rights and more children have loving families is so important to you!<br />Ask your Senators and Representatives to become Co-Sponsors of the Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act and the Families For Orphans Act.Please feel free to use the following text as a guideline when speaking with your Member of Congress. “As a constituent of we are requesting that you support the Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the legislation. For information on becoming a Co-Sponsor, please contact Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator James Inhofe, Representative Diane Watson or Representative John Boozman. Thank you for representing your constituents by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act. We also are requesting that you support the Families For Orphans Act by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the legislation. For information on becoming a Co-Sponsor, please contact Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator James Inhofe, Representative Diane Watson or Representative John Boozman. Thank you for representing your constituents by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the Families for Orphans Act.”<br /><br />More about the FACE Act:<br />Spearheaded by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and James Inhofe (R-OK) and Representatives Diane Watson (D-CA) and John Boozman (R-AR), the FACE Act simplifies the acquisition of citizenship for internationally adopted children and removes these children of American citizens from the immigration process. As it stands now, the internationally adopted child of a U.S. citizen receives U.S. citizenship once the child enters the U.S. to reside permanently. If enacted, the FACE Act would allow such children to acquire U.S. citizenship at the time their adoptions are finalized in the country of the child’s birth. The child would then enter the U.S. as a U.S. citizen with citizenship documentation in hand.<br /><br />“Passage of the FACE Act will eliminate the need for an immigration visa for internationally adopted children and instead will treat these children as children of American citizens, not immigrants subject to immigration regulations,” said McLane Layton, President of Equality for Adopted Children (EACH) and a member of the Families for Orphans Coalition. “Additionally, the FACE Act classifies internationally adopted children as “citizens from birth” just like children born of Americans overseas, thus providing them with equal rights of citizenship, including the right to run for President of the United States.” “Under current law, the type of immigration visa an adopted child is given to enter the United States determines whether the child receives U.S. citizenship upon entry. Those children who do not receive U.S. citizenship upon entry and whose parents overlook the bureaucratic steps necessary to secure citizenship for their children are often later denied scholarships, passports, and the right to serve in the U.S. military. Most tragically, some young adults who have lived in the United States with loving, American families their entire lives have been deported to their birth countries -- places they have no knowledge or memory of -- for committing minor juvenile offenses.<br /><br />Half the children adopted internationally each year currently enter the States on the visa that places them at risk,” said Chuck Johnson, a Coalition member and Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the National Council for Adoption. “The Face Act will resolve these issues and provide U.S. citizenship to all internationally adopted children of American citizens.” The FACE Act also provides older orphans the ability to be adopted – children who were overlooked in the Hague Treaty on Inter country adoption. “Prior to the Hague’s passage, children age 16 to 18 whose younger siblings had been adopted by an American were able to be adopted by the same American family,” said Terry Baugh, President of Kidsave. “The Hague eliminated all adoption opportunities for children 16 and over. The FACE Act will fix this oversight and expand the opportunity of a permanent family to all children up to age 18.” The full press release is available here http://www.equalityforadoptedchi... . For more information, go here http://www.kidsave.org/advocacy_... .<br /><br />The Families for Orphans Act (FFOA) will empower the US government to proactively address a global gap in the most basic of human rights – a permanent family for every child. Spearheaded by Representatives Diane Watson (D-CA) and John Boozman (R-AR), The Families for Orphans Act would establish the Office of Orphan Policy, Diplomacy and Development within the Department of State and provide diplomatic authority to help the 30 million children orphaned worldwide and the 100 million plus vulnerable children who have lost one parent or are at risk of losing parental care. The new office would be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to support diplomacy and policy focusing on the preservation of families and the provision of permanent families and legal, permanent relationships for orphans.<br /><br /><br />The new office will elevate the plight of children, giving the US a clear, dedicated, diplomatic authority to represent the interests of orphaned children. The office will advise the Secretary of State and President in all matters related to global family preservation and permanent parental care for orphans, as well as developing global strategy, including the coordination of all foreign policy and assistance related to global family preservation. The new office will also conduct research designed to better understand the size of the population of children living without parental care and global efforts to support these children. “The Families for Orphans Act emphasizes that activities that keep a child in the country of birth through family preservation, domestic adoption, legal guardianship and kinship care, are always the preferred child welfare methods. However, when these are not timely options, a family through international adoption is clearly in the best interests of those children languishing in orphanages or living in temporary foster care,” said Chuck Johnson, Coalition member and Chief Operating Officer for the National Council For Adoption.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-49829365820879220842009-07-07T12:13:00.004-05:002009-07-07T12:29:24.613-05:00It's OfficialMy beloved and I have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">officially</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">decided</span> to pursue the start up of a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">business</span> that will sell healthy hair and skin products, with a majority of the profits going toward helping to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical care, education, and families to orphans. We still have many details to iron out, but are hopeful to have everything up and running in a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">handful</span> of months. We need lots of prayer for direction and a name for the company.<br /><br />Thus the need for an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">official</span> contest.<br /><br />Leave a comment with your <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">suggestion</span> for a company name, and maybe even a slogan.<br /><br />If you are chosen I will send you some hair and skin products to sample...for free.<br /><br />What will you get...<br /><br />I don't know..but it will be good I promise :)Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-35917551392975310322009-07-06T09:58:00.001-05:002009-07-06T09:58:57.400-05:00FACE Act of 2009 - Petition - Sign this petition here - Signature page - GoPetition<a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/face-act-of-2009/sign.html#se">FACE Act of 2009 - Petition - Sign this petition here - Signature page - GoPetition</a><br /><br />Shared via <a href="http://addthis.com">AddThis</a><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-20271983335241493332009-07-01T13:20:00.004-05:002009-07-01T14:02:23.321-05:00It's Been a Blessed YearOne year ago today, we landed in Houston with two very frightened little children, one very sick mama, and one daddy praising God we had all made it home.<br /><br /><br />It was one of those days that will forever be in my memory.<br /><br /><br />We spent way too long in immigration...with someone with masks and lung x-rays, coughing and hacking away. I remember thinking, great now I'm going to get TB along with everything else.<br /><br /><br />We got stopped to have our bags check THREE times. I now it was the 20 pounds of coffee that did us in. Apparently coffee is a favorite for covering drugs.<br /><br /><br />We had William and Marissa on the baggage cart, in front of all our bags. The children waiting for us couldn't see them, and for just a split second thought we had come home with out them.<br /><br /><br />While we were gone Grace grew a good two inches. So did Kaleb, in fact he surpassed me in height while we were gone. Noah's hands got bigger, a lot bigger. It's surprised me how much they had changed in such a short period of time.<br /><br /><br />William and Marissa, I think were in a state of shock...or post traumatic stress or something. They just stared at everything, no talking or eating with expressionless faces. Even though they had been looking at pictures of their siblings for weeks, it seemed to shock them that they were actually real, and going to be a part of their lives.<br /><br /><br />I had never been, nor will I ever be again, so happy to be in Texas.<br /><br /><br />These two children have brought so much joy to our family. The changes they have gone through in the last year amaze me.<br /><br /><br />I no longer get urinated on when someone is mad at me.<br />When they get in trouble the Ugandan mumble is mostly gone.<br />They eat our food with gusto, and if they don't like it, they no longer throw it on the floor.<br />William no longer cries at night from a vague pain that he couldn't say where it came from.<br />Marissa no longer has night terrors.<br />They love their dog.<br />They have learned what it means to be a part of a family.<br />They no longer hide food in their rooms and in the bathroom.<br />There is no longer jealousy of their siblings.<br />There are no more screaming fits when reprimanded or told no.<br />No more parasites.<br />No more fear.<br />No more anger.<br />So much laughter and joy.<br /><br /><br />In the past year they have got to experience for the first time: swimming, boating, being pulled around behind a boat, huge American playgrounds, fast food, presents on their birthdays and at Christmas, all sorts of decadent deserts, three HEALTHY square meals a day, owning their own clothes, shoes, underwear, and toys, pillows, socks, real ice cream, car seats with seat belts, snuggles from a mom and dad whenever they want, snow, fishing, the ocean, growing a garden, and so many wonderful new things I could never list them all.<br /><br /><br />They have also experienced sorrow and loss. Loosing a Grandpa they already loved and adored.<br /><br /><br />They left behind all they had ever known to come and be a part of a world where everything was new. I know I wouldn't have adjusted as well as they have.<br /><br /><br />I'm proud of them.<br /><br /><br />I'm even more proud to call them mine.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-56749956238207483172009-06-27T22:47:00.004-05:002009-06-27T23:05:25.788-05:00Happy Birthday Kaleb<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today my oldest is fourteen years old! Yikes! Fourteen...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I love this guy. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My teenager. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">He's a pretty cool guy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">He loves music, and has, from a very young age, been able to pick an instrument and learn to play it with very little effort. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">He is passionate about life for the unborn. Few things hurt him more than the thought of millions of babies dying at the hands of those who should be protecting them. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">He is also my politic buddy. We listen to some good talk radio together, and get all worked up together, and come back to the realization that God is sovereign together, every time. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">He cracks me up because he thinks he's funny :) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">He likes to cook and does a pretty good job at it too.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">As our oldest he has been our guinea pig so to speak. We royally mess up with him everyday...then pray that God would just keep him somewhat safe from serious emotional damage from our parenting. Seriously he puts up with so much from me, and he is always ready to forgive. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">He is also a very giving guy. Take today for example...he offered to babysit, gave Richard and I two tickets to a benefit concert He really wanted to attend, and some cash for dinner. A total night out for me and my beloved all on him. What fourteen year old does that? He has done things like this time and time again. Honestly, he was my life saver after we got back from Uganda. It was nearly two months before I felt well again, and he helped do so much around here during that time. When my dad died, he did the same thing. I am so grateful to the Lord for giving me such a loving and compassionate son. I pray the Lord has favor on Him and blesses him abundantly, all the days of his life. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kaleb we love you so much. We are proud to be your parents. Continue to pursue the Lord with steadfastness. Hold on to your convictions. Love abundantly and give freely, because Christ has loved you with an everlasting love and freely given you all things. Live for his glory son, truly nothing else matters.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PS A piano????</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-62946454433041763162009-06-26T21:59:00.002-05:002009-06-26T22:19:44.518-05:00Today Was A Good Day<span style="font-weight: bold;">Full of laughs...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A couple of weeks ago Kaleb called in and commented on a local talk show, and won a pair of tickets to a concert that benefits the orphans of the tsunami. We headed out to San Antonio to pick them up today.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks to Richard's father's day present, I figured I could nail this trip, on my own, with out the hubby. I should have known there would be problems when I punched the address into the GPS and it offered me a totally different location. I figured it was close enough. Sweet little Samantha (that's the GPS voices name) totally led us off track, due to road construction, then got all mad like it was my fault!!! I've never heard "recomputing" sound so harsh.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We arrived at the radio station, 45 minutes later than we should have, thanks to Samantha.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I was irritated.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I think the kids were waiting with bated breath to see if I was going to loose it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I just kept telling them not to speak.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anyway, so we get to station and not only do we get our concert tickets, but all sorts of other free goodies. Cd's, movies, books it was really quite a treat. Then I got to speak at length to our local talk show "celebrity" about adoption. He and his wife need to adopt...and I'm not just saying that in the way I think everyone needs to adopt...they really do. Then we got a tour of the radio station. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Once we got on the road again, I was not about to put our fate in the hands of Sam once more. I determined to find my own way to Chick-Fil-A for lunch.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I made another wrong turn.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Got stuck in traffic for another 30 minutes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Again, I informed the children it would be in their best interest not to speak.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">As William screams from the far back seat, "Moooooommmmmy, I saw a Chick-the-Lay right back there. Moooooommmmy, the Chick-The-Lay."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">There were no less then 9000 people in the Chick-Fil-A when we arrived...all of them had 12 unruly and loud children with them. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I informed the children it would be best if they just didn't speak.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">They laughed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Then we went to Wal-Mart. My highly intelligent, home educated son, had to go to the bathroom. He was taking an unusual amount of time, so I sent his brother in after him. He came out to inform me, his brother was not in the bathroom. Panic just about set in, but then I saw him....coming out of the women's restroom.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I nearly collapsed from laughter.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Later I asked him if he wondered why there were no urinals.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">He said yes.</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-64676986056755180622009-06-23T11:44:00.002-05:002009-06-23T11:55:59.490-05:00A Day LateFor my sweet Ugandan Princess,<br /><br />Happy 4th birthday! <br /><br />This girl is such a blessing to our family. She literally lights up the room when she walks in, with her big bright smile. She is loving, super affectionate, and extremely silly. A year ago, we were in Uganda, and I barley knew her. She has been through so much in the last 12 months, and she has proven herself to be extremely resilient. No matter what, it seems she is always looking on the bright side of things...she gets that from her daddy. Over the last year she has grown and blossomed in to a little girl who adores her siblings, and her daddy and mommy. She is always desires reconciliation when she has been naughty, it is in fact the only time she is not smiling and cheerful...when she knows that she has done wrong and there is separation between us. I love her dearly, and cannot fathom my life with out her. Though she has only been with us one year, it is hard to remember our family with out her. My only regret is that we missed her first three years. We are so thankful to our gracious Lord that HE chose us to be her parents. I pray she knows Him and loves Him all the days of her life, and that Richard and I will set an example for her of bringing our God glory all the days of our lives.<br /><br />Happy Birthday Peanut! Daddy and Mommy love you!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-37336889496287684672009-06-16T14:47:00.001-05:002009-06-16T14:48:39.857-05:00A Post For CarolI lack patience.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-40833271143567220582009-05-28T18:18:00.001-05:002009-05-28T18:20:05.074-05:00One Year Agotoday we boarded a plane and left for Uganda. It's hard to believe it's been a year. On the other hand, William and Marissa are so much a part of us, it's hard to remember what life was like before they were here.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-42822750952079937662009-05-20T15:24:00.001-05:002009-05-20T15:26:28.102-05:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUfPWFJ7JjXFcBOWlkxODbbkL3DjDUUcYmJPxI7P_qYShIJPzvQooRH9YyfuJvlCooWYX93F06v4Ji3s6uGxl1TVi_03dg1UaqujCDLBjH1DrBaMyLjWiMsGvdoBJJ83x_nydWHp60exp/s1600-h/pot2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338005155259296898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUfPWFJ7JjXFcBOWlkxODbbkL3DjDUUcYmJPxI7P_qYShIJPzvQooRH9YyfuJvlCooWYX93F06v4Ji3s6uGxl1TVi_03dg1UaqujCDLBjH1DrBaMyLjWiMsGvdoBJJ83x_nydWHp60exp/s400/pot2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-47936944368125434112009-05-19T13:41:00.004-05:002009-05-19T14:06:44.954-05:00Battle Zone<strong>It's almost been a year, a whole year, since we left for Uganda. In fact next week it will be one year since we dropped off the children and drove to Houston, to board the plane, that would take us to a place that would change our lives forever. One of the things that is most surreal about this, is watching my friend Laura, travel this same road. If all goes as it seems, her and her hubby will leave on the same day, one year later. It seems like half of the people I know in blog land are in Uganda or leaving for Uganda in the next week. I am only slightly jealous, and a heaping amount of thrilled for my friends. I know they face many hurdles to overcome, as I believe firmly that adoption is WAR. The enemy hates adoption and will fight them, tear at them, attempt to distract them, and do all he can to bring them down.<br /><br /><br />He won't win.<br /><br /><br />I know he tried desperately to destroy me and our children while in Africa, and has done many things since our coming home to continue the battle. Time and time again I am reminded that this is war, and we are not fighting against flesh and blood. We are fighting an unseen enemy that will use illness, governments, society, culture, family, friends, and even our church body in the fight against us in this war. I have often times in the last year been weary. I have watched as others who see adoption as part of the great commission be hammered over and over again with trials. All of them stopping to question, if it's all worth it.<br /><br /><br />He hasn't won.<br /><br /><br />I see these families fighting for children. Giving their time and resources for these children. Facing uncertainty and heartbreak for these children. All in an attempt to obey and bring glory to their Heavenly Father.<br /><br /><br />No the enemy will not prevail. Our Lord will always remain victorious. We need only find our strength in Him. He will make a way. He will provide. He will conquer and be glorified.<br /><br /><br />I love going back and reading my emails home from Uganda. They begin with me whining, and complaining. Begging for God to move and bring us home quickly. I wasn't prepared for the spiritual battle that would be thrown my way. I was prepared for many things, but NO ONE ever told me I would be in for the biggest spiritual battle of my life. Once I figured that out and found my footing in the Lord, my email changed to this...<br /><br />"<em>Hello to all, this will be my final email from Uganda. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>We did in fact receive the visas and will be boarding a plane tomorrow morning. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I seem to have responded to the third (fourth in you count Malerone) malaria meds. I also think that the lovely amoeba that had taken up residence in my digestive system has received it's eviction notice and is leaving town. Here is a small bit of advice, take it or leave it. Do not get malaria. If you feel you must experience it, do not get a resistant strain. Never, never, never, never, never ever contract amoebic dysentery at the same time. Lastly, if you must do these things DON"T DO IT IT A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY, where cleanliness is unheard of. Unless like me, you wish to also develop a lovely case of phlebitis (sp?) to go along with it. This my dear loved ones is the best advice I could give you, second only to repent and believe the gospel :)</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Really I am feeling so much better and have seen God's grace even during my suffering. In little things like probiotics and a nurse showing up at Patrick's at just the right time. Many more instances of His goodness to me. What a faithful and loving God we serve. Many times during this trip I have been reminded of His grace and it is more real to me now than ever.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Every time I would think I simply could not endure, He led me on still.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>When I thought "I can't believe I have left my home to come here." He would remind me that he left Heaven to come for me.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>When I would think "I miss my children so much, I will never make it another day" He would remind me that He left perfect fellowship with the Father for me.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>When I would think of the sin around me and how disturbing it is, He would remind me of what it must have been like for Him: Holy and unstained, to come and not only dwell with sinful man, but to ultimately take that sin upon Himself, so that I might have His righteousness.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>When I was is terrible pain, and more ill than I have ever been in my life. He lovingly brought me the cross, where He suffered immeasurably more that I will ever have to.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>When William's heart hardens and he pulls away from me, and I wonder how I am ever going to be able to love him like I should. He reminds me that I harden my heart to Him, and yet He draws me in with His irresistible Grace. He brings me to repentance and restores me. He will give me the grace to do the same.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>We serve an amazingly awesome God. Do you realize that if we had left when planned, I would have gotten malaria at home. It would have cost tens of thousands dollars to be in the hospital as they tried to deal a sickness they have no experience with. He is so very faithful, even when we are not. So Lord willing, we will be stepping off a plane in Houston with two precious children, ready to start their new life. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>April and Denny, in case you have troubling recognizing me: I will be the woman with two children who look nothing like her. With a bewildered look in my eyes, that seems to be asking "Is it over yet?"</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Please continue to pray for health and safety for us all. I love you all dearly. Your prayers have been precious jewels to us. We pray that or Lord has been glorified in our lives during this time, and we have made is love manifest.Take care and see you soon."</em></strong>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-17598297496699365802009-05-16T16:37:00.004-05:002009-05-16T17:06:46.449-05:00Bargians Galore<strong>Several weeks ago, a huge wind blew our screen door right off the hinges. We have put off buying a door, because they are not cheap. I didn't really want to spend $200 for a screen door. Seemed so ridiculous, to spend that much money on a door. Alas, the Texas heat has set in, and we could not put it off no longer. So off we went to the Home Depot to drop an unnecessary amount of money on a door. I knew I wanted a white one, and they had one in stock, in just the right size. Right before pulling it out I noticed a bronze colored door. I asked the nice man to show me what that color looked like, and had the thought that white shows so much dirt. This color would be much better. They had one door left, it was the size we needed, so we scooped it up. We get to the check out and the door rings up $0.01. My husband, the <strike>cheap</strike> frugal man that he is, was thrilled and exclaimed, "Yes, I'll swipe my card now, and be on my way!" The nice lady informed us she could not sell us anything for a penny, but would sell it to us at the cheapest price it had been sold. The $169 door cost us $44.<br /></strong><div></div><br /><div><strong>I felt so loved by the Lord at that moment. I felt like I got a little hug from Jesus.</strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>I love Goodwill. I am always finding lovely little things here and there that I want or need. </strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>Today I got blessed with the mother of all Goodwill deals (say that 10 times fast). </strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336542177743354258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLC9WR3vzgYwO9jv3PnnhiLpmBISz6iLansjvm9_nzvPC9ZYsH7HGoRR4yEXo0nA_ziDTtH-uUmG1BaI4D7jgmSEjUyJCprAxYC7IFmyVRQeQj2O2Pvy8sjKH4qr2ihDoc7-J7AGSX4iw/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div><strong>I have wanted one of these forever, but would NEVER spend the money to buy one. I spied it sitting under a sewing machine. A lady was looking at the sewing machine, and for just a split second, I understood how people could get so violent at Christmas time. I wanted this machine, and I was not about to let her have it. I thought, I would wrestle for it if I had to. The machine was mine, my precious. I soon came back to my senses, and realized this was not Christ honoring behavior, and politely, but firmly, said, "Excuse me." I grabbed up my find, barely able to stifle my squeal of delight and victory. I was praying like mad that it worked. We got it home, plugged it in, and sure enough it works perfect. </strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>I got this sweet little deal for the bargain price of $29.99</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>That's right, I got the BIG Cricut for thirty bucks!!!</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>I love a good bargain, but not nearly as much as I love the God who gives them to me.</strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-62823253251816657442009-05-14T12:08:00.002-05:002009-05-14T12:12:08.719-05:00I'm a Thief<strong>I stole this, it was too good not to.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>"A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said, "Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together." So the doctor said, "OK and what do you want me to do?" She said, "I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this." The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady, "I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too." She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued, "You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms." The lady was horrified and said, "No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!" "I agree," the doctor replied. "But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution." The doctor smiled realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!"</strong>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-91444778711527946302009-05-12T10:17:00.005-05:002009-05-12T10:36:19.073-05:00Hard Adjustment<strong>I have had the most terrible time of adapting back to a "normal American" life. It has been nearly a year since we left for Africa, and my eyes were further opened. I cannot shake form my mind the images of poverty, illness, starvation, and orphaned children. The images of human suffering are always there, always on my heart. The I read articles like this </strong><a href="http://bit.ly/YezYP"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>one</strong></span></a><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>I live in such extravagance. They with such want.</strong><br /><br /><strong>My children eat three healthy meals everyday. They are lucky to eat a meal every couple of days.</strong><br /><br /><strong>My children have clean water, with the turn of a faucet. They have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">filthy</span> water, that cause them to have severe illness and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">disease</span>. Because of their water, their babies have little chance of survival to age 5.</strong><br /><br /><strong>My children have access to excellent medical care. Their children die, because they can't afford a couple of dollars for malaria medication.</strong><br /><br /><strong>I can take my children for $20 in ice cream. There are people who have to survive on a $1.00 worth of millet, for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">their</span> entire family for over a week.</strong><br /><br /><strong>I have a home, that shelters my children from the harsh elements. They sleep on streets, dirt floors, and live in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">squalor</span>.</strong><br /><br /><strong>We have clothing and shoes that fit. They are neither too small or too large. When they get worn, I don't even repair them. I buy new. They wear the same worn clothes day after day. Shoes are a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">luxury</span>, having shoes that actually fit is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">rarity</span>.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Yes, it's hard to adjust back to a normal American life, when you know people created in God's image suffer so much. Die each day, horrible preventable deaths...with out the gospel.</strong><br /><br /><strong>It's hard to adjust.</strong><br /><br /><strong>I don't know if I want to.</strong>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-55459261392758533802009-05-10T21:27:00.006-05:002009-05-10T21:48:37.889-05:00Queen for the Day<strong>I gotta tell ya, my children out did themselves this Mother's Day. I woke up to breakfast. They had prepared me scrambled eggs and made from scratch french toast. Later we came home from church and they had prepared pot roast and mashed potatoes and gravy (I had to do the gravy). Then, my eldest cooked dinner for the younger ones and provided child care, while my beloved took me out to eat at Olive Garden.<br /><br /></strong><div><div><strong>Then to top it all off I came home to a homemade mother's day cake, complete with decorations made from Marissa's previously used hair snaps. Yummy.</strong></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334391229289802818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHtMns1Fh1OmTzCZUJedtL0gbeqxhNzOcQ4TjXO3nFB_xpo8TJcklSNjaHJS4RqDjeRtVXHEJKystOoNb-2L1QmJilaIKwR9YFJByMslPqxRrP9eLaec-Hs4OjJZRmTkZldEcSs5NVMND/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><strong>What a blessing, I felt like queen for the day, even though I didn't have a crown. I truly feel blessed to be mama to these five children. They are a joy and blessing to me.</strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334390677468283618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO7ADijfNQMTLoyd8NCyAkmHEgsisAa1Q2dMn9v_zfbP4_MbN0JvKI6Ehja8GJsiUXIL-PJxHGgwB88KXIwq5NQw1gS2zHC45d9v6EEL9HP19tDG7Lz9Mb1xkg6_c78LehlpTIgajQ_Kh/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-69247452831040322212009-05-09T17:13:00.003-05:002009-05-09T17:20:29.846-05:00Conversation With My 5 Year Old<strong>William hates having hair. He is always asking me, "Mommy, you make my hair all gone?" I always ask, "Do you want me to cut it shorter?" To which he replies, "No, cut it all gone."</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>OK</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Today, I finally got around to fulling his quest for a bald head.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Later I thought I would have a nice deep probing conversation with him, as he is quite willing to share these days.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>I asked, "William, what makes you happy?"</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>"Having my hair all gone."</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>"Really? What makes you sad?"</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>"Letting my hairs grow and grow."</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Oh to be five, and have your happiness hang in the balance of hair growth.</strong>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-65370446026623783602009-05-08T17:32:00.004-05:002009-05-08T17:50:17.053-05:00That's Beside the PointI loaded up the brood, and took them to Marble Slab today. Had me a hankerin' for some sweet cream with sprinkles for quite some time now. Quite frankly, after the week I had, I deserved some good ice cream. The very sweet man behind the counter asked, "Do you have a school or something?" I love this question, as if five children makes for a school. Of course in our case it actually does...but that's beside the point. I laughed, then told him, that they are in fact all mine. Then I told him about our little Ugandan ones. He asked a bunch of questions, then said, "That is fabulous. I love it. The world needs more people like you." Um, no the world does not need more people like me. I'm just not sure the world could handle another me. Trust me I have issues, but again that is beside the point. I told him, "Yes, the world does need more people who will adopt, there is such a huge need." As I was paying our bill, trying to remember how I justified this extravagant ice cream trip ($20 for ice cream...seriously what was I thinking...oh yes, I was thinking I somehow deserved it) the nice man behind the counter said, "I want you to pick two pints from the freezer, from me, for the children."<br /><br />What????<br /><br />Free Marble Slab???<br /><br />For the children????<br /><br />Somehow, he must have figured out that I was the blessed one...because he sure didn't give ME any ice cream. But that's beside the point.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-78696090202668572902009-04-30T10:41:00.002-05:002009-04-30T22:00:36.092-05:00100 Days of Change<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fir2JM5HByM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fir2JM5HByM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-10666832594788257012009-04-29T09:22:00.001-05:002009-04-29T09:23:27.922-05:00Blogger Blockor something else...<br /><br />Have much to say...just trying to process it all in my sweet little head...it's a slow process :)Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-13758825996886845012009-04-23T20:36:00.002-05:002009-04-23T20:39:44.051-05:00How About a Little Chuckle<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">or if you're me a full belly, sliding down off of my seat, snorting laugh.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">I was eating dinner with my beloved tonight at a local place, when I felt the need to lament to him the fact that I am feeling very bloated and gassy.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">His response...</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"This too, shall pass."</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">He's so punny..that's why I love him.</span></strong>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-48678487365010669162009-04-22T16:57:00.002-05:002009-04-22T17:09:48.549-05:00Wordless Wednesday...Kind Of<div align="center"> <strong>Ahh, the Zoo in the spring. I never know if it will be a science lesson...or a health lesson.....</strong></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327640810865061042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnOjYRGy78PxnU3oGyAKHqepBUU4lQMgRnpY7kuoZHd4GgyUAOgx4t_tJxa7txfaDuUH_0DmUNM4m4brOk07ZVmZePdfyQy8Fc0H4ofvyiURl4BBMvcO1sdhjwSpQnNhFjDuhit3sj_LT/s400/birds.jpg" border="0" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552504420654263428.post-32845096612964621712009-04-20T12:58:00.017-05:002009-04-20T20:37:07.605-05:00Tea Party Part 2<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326834884701694450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYen0J99gnaeCqmNPAYFK9i1I8wMxV3iW3jSf8zDjtaQkrGM5gY1zHmSvH5wIkH7Me1S4y7Rxyb9QMnxdA5WkKJczGO2hqjvWgtWhuPMVJOeLG1dAlt5S0EhqKPzoe9NZtf3KdBbs52CiN/s400/alamo.JPG" border="0" /> <strong>The Alamo, the top of it any way. The bottom was covered by people.<br /><br /></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326836411542240834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepwyr4BuslD4hcU4vr2Z5Nkfcq8itWJafeh0K17DDEjpwiy3R5wPWGXD-QhJSMHtm8-GDB3BBYQShl0lDF6hMFM33aNzYXv33SPKbnjoNnu8w5DW1LVsUJMO7JyRIaKM_tPujq4p2aSpD/s400/glen.JPG" border="0" /><strong>Glen Beck, filmed his show live. We were on TV, did you see us?</strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><p align="center"><strong></strong></p><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326835486509344738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeJ1iNDIN1iOr_KZ_COnMpjpxDbgfnyfGvqzzALOMbJWfdSJk2n4z3MW6HNRw4BE1En_5czjFVzH6UEEH95jMpemXHabf-By-9kAW2_IEsvG_WG7offTAvLmjYZnY5KSM3Er5kI94gGRH/s400/ted2.JPG" border="0" />Old rocker dude, helped out. They tell me his name is Ted Nugent.</p><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">After Glen Beck's show was over, some local praise team gave us some rather LOUD entertainment, until the official tea party began.<br /></div></strong><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-Kr2I0MgNIkaZa2q9PWYda8s6AHRb-_cDUCXBI-XHGjYCczE6ufgdvecVZhBieHWfN3lu1qy2Ei_Wf78NSXSkrdGvK5XcrUZ_fhdPHO78OoV1UMkjxG2MSndsaCb2Cnm9uNax6a7ggss/s1600-h/adam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326840362646754610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-Kr2I0MgNIkaZa2q9PWYda8s6AHRb-_cDUCXBI-XHGjYCczE6ufgdvecVZhBieHWfN3lu1qy2Ei_Wf78NSXSkrdGvK5XcrUZ_fhdPHO78OoV1UMkjxG2MSndsaCb2Cnm9uNax6a7ggss/s400/adam.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong> Adam McManus. This guy is a local radio talk show host. He has a great show, always informing citizens how they can take a stand and get involved. He was the MC for the evenings events.</strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong></strong><strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></strong><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326835895714844562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 207px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijwWOcmO6KdbecHYkY4z2FAyGL8AUsnPOsgGV-zAWF3Tun-u8b7M2lBrSGbJt7gMgfoSYJJWvr-NR7tEG2t8y6rty3cNNir0tbELOEJ4CvvuhOznizWZBd1L-vQs6FoarbO4HR1pKfOCw/s400/terri.JPG" border="0" /> <strong>Janine Turner, I only know her for her role in Northern Exposer. I think she is beautiful. By the way, Janet, I see a resemblance between the two of you. Maybe it's the hair??? Except, I am sure she is normal, and drinks coffee in her really nice mug, never ever tea. She had her equally beautiful and passionate daughter with her.</strong></p><strong></strong><p align="center"><br /></p><p><strong></strong></p><br /><p><strong></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326836912671763010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 370px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUjDRjAn5pYOoC_jUWH_Ecz9n_7SEmXojQ5U_fvOcegi8rDUWTuOvVZi6HWXTiILgGh0xMc0YhaeoQ-mtbIze9oXrDxtSaAcXZFUiMeuP9DN_YorScHulQFdSWWM6V1X1axJUJ2BV8bPp/s400/18yearold.JPG" border="0" />This young man, eighteen years of age, gave some convincing arguments of the duties of a US citizen, as well as some sobering statistics on how many people are actually living up to those duties. He would do a far better job running this country that the last three or four guys have done. </p><p align="center"><br /> </p><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center">A couple of fed up local mama's gave some speeches about the local government and the local concerns of San Antonio. Both did a fabulous job.</p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326947251502431234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFLgFhPueMG8mlF2nZOSld3RjYN0qwjlhhJv-7REXS370EWMY6bGYznG6p89aFKHf4FYpbl6sVVUx9Suz9iSizvrcDRsNCon0KRBAULx2oy0WoqhxNRpTkowtlQCULjd0LsNsUz1-Dy0t/s400/doug.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Doug Phillips from Vision Forum Ministries gave the final speech of the evening. If was God honoring and powerful. He did a great job reminding everyone that our God reigns, and we have an obligation to reign in our government. At the foundation of freedom is Christ. Thankfully, even if earthly tyranny prevails, we can have ultimate freedom in Christ. Always knowing that one day, He will bring Justice to the oppressor. Mr. Phillips speech was fantastic, it made me remember why America is where it is, and why we should fight to keep her free. He had a few choice words in there for the FEDs too. I think they were somewhere along the lines of, "COME AND GET IT." <br /></p><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326836218602846818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 355px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm2AP_yUezmL-RO6U1HMDUgDhhtTdfVdVeg2lTVbaqFg78z_WlL1MRKPZn7StaPAN9BXQHXSygP-VGFi4Y3JDjByuA89uBjKaaG1N4Ul5QXUBniVrAQ9XWjpOhslVozugpp4uD8NrFZXN/s400/vaus.JPG" border="0" /></strong><strong>Steve Vaus, closed the party up with his song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0eoE9mi9iw"><span style="font-size:130%;">Take America Back</span></a>.</strong></p><br /><p><strong></strong></p><br /><p align="center"><strong>And some random pictures of San Antonio...</p><br /><div align="center"><br /></strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326837528719757762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbFaFXXoJGY0WXAzwwxrh59amiwxuRpBFhbo78aYCwRmyXdwp0_j6wmguaPVB3v-piO8GOx4hThP4F_33JSXC-_1Wc8SLxjHyHMBzOpXjrFm6cmwAyA-uNrdvlhVxsJy8A2UYtMT4mowp/s400/towerofamerica.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326837876687330690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG529e-b_IUPNLP4zA6TZq0ak9pA798Fl9Ummoz2h-EC0t_6ynG-Nv8GkzP6pKUChnoCqgyAGOCrNQv417GXIi5Skh9qmkNpNi4ap2mVtnpgHxJMswztCK2CDq0-NfgcH9R_t6d6BChaA/s400/texas.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326840830004859458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwF06c8usqLNNxY0h-N15E6OWISIwWaPa2yTmX1od2GyAmCX9YENsn2C14_3DmF-p5ogN7KKXMUd6LCFSSyVot4J2IibyRgx-dcXqgsSlVCyBOItcvPdHE11LsaSzbXd1k8r916v7Ro-iA/s400/texasnight.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGZKdxk_JnP6kIJjYfItuHUaib6YCKvOEHsr_rkgv13qXbocWR6dorXwx5cP964ARECnbb_27uwz6E3cM2ZLTQyi-LCv_P2tGhRQQTqHs5vSsBOMzMdvxXSzjTym1eUARFlosWZlIRFuK/s1600-h/marissaflag.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326836659981591234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGZKdxk_JnP6kIJjYfItuHUaib6YCKvOEHsr_rkgv13qXbocWR6dorXwx5cP964ARECnbb_27uwz6E3cM2ZLTQyi-LCv_P2tGhRQQTqHs5vSsBOMzMdvxXSzjTym1eUARFlosWZlIRFuK/s400/marissaflag.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><br /><div><div> </div></div></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13256431792935883542noreply@blogger.com3