I'll Stand

You stood before creation

Eternity in your hand

You spoke the earth into motion

My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure

And carried the cross for my shame

My sin weighed upon your shoulders

My soul now to stand

So what could I say?

And what could I do?

But offer this heart, Oh God

Completely to you

So I'll walk upon salvation

Your spirit alive in me

This life to declare your promise

My soul now to stand

So what could I say?

And what could I do?

But offer this heart, Oh God

Completely to you

I'll stand

With arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the one who gave it all

I'll stand

My soul Lord to you surrendered

All I am is yours

--Hillsong United

Carrington

This is Carrington. She was probably left at the hospital after birth because she has Down Syndrome. Her birth family probably thinks of her, but has no other idea that there is the ability to care for her themselves. But since the was born in a country that believes she will never be anything, she was rejected.

Carrington was recently adopted by a family. They visited her at her orphanage daily for weeks, but it wasn't until they had custody of her that they found how malnurished she was.

This little beauty is three years old, and weighs 11 pounds.

Her family took her right to the hospital when they returned from their adoption, and she will be there for a few weeks to try to get her health under control.

"Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world when He could do something about it.... but I'm afraid He might ask me the same thing."

~ Anonymous ~

What will YOU do?

As Long As I Shall Live I Will Testify To Love

Acts 20: 24: “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

You may or may not have known that for the last few months I have been searching for a new job. A job to me is not just making money to live, but my desire is that it is a place of service to God. The people I work with and for, those that I come into contact with, my behavior and attitude should be worship to my Savior.

Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

So when I started looking for a new job, I did not want to make a rash decision. I knew that God has better plans for me, than I could ever plan. Some jobs that seemed perfect, fell through. And jobs that from the worldly sense were awesome, didn’t seem right to me. I knew the right thing would come along, even though I didn't know how much longer I could remain at my current employment.

One weekend after church, I went to a park, sat in my car for an hour and told God, I need you to open and close doors. Should I stay where I am, I need a new attitude and energy. I need to do my job for You, and be the best I can be.

Let your will be done.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5-6

A little over a week ago, I was offered a job making about $8,000 more a year to work less hours a week. A job that has the possibility to turn into a full time behavior position helping children with Autism. A job four minutes from my home. A job that wants me, and wants me to succeed with my talents. My God given talents.

I know that because God is getting the glory I this situation, that Satan is going to try to attack me. It already happened. Last week my car broke down (a fountain of anti-freeze pour out of the head gasket- whatever that is) and when they said it may not be fixable, rather that start to cry, I remembered a good friend in college that had a similar issue. As a newly married couple, her and her husband found themselves carless and with jobs they could not walk to. She came to Bible study one week and wanted to share her praise report, that she was so excited to see how God was going to provide a car to them.

I sat in the car place and prayed, “God I have no idea how you are going to fix this. I have no money and no one I can share a car with. I have a stupid work schedule and there is no way to get to work without a car. This one is on your Jesus, I trust you. I claim you, I rebuke Satan” About ten minutes later, the guy came out (as if I was waiting for a family member in surgery) and said that yes the problem was a major one and would be expensive to fix. My heart did not sink, I did not cry, for some reason I got excited. God, I trust you. Then he said the price. $350. Bad, huh? Well not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be, or not nearly as bad as a new car!

I won't let Satan ruin or get in the way.

I WILL STAND FIRM!

Thursday July 8- Day One of Road Trip

Today began the great 2010 road trip of Ali and Danielle!! WOot WoOOT! We began at about 8pm after I arrived in HE, IL. After a bunch of road construction and crazy truck drivers we arrived in Urbana, IL. It wasn't too bad of a trip, but upon arriving at the hotel there were a bunch of people partying behind the hotel. We eventually found out that it was the patio area outside the pool.

The hotel we are staying in is very nice. I was scared that it would smell of smoke but not at all. Our rooms seem to be recently remodeled and other parts of the hotels are being worked on. If we had more time here it seems that this would be a nice place to stay. My bed is really comfy and I should be sleeping because Danielle just told me that we are getting up at 6:45am! Yikes!! She also told me we can have M and Ms for breakfast!

The only thing about our hotel room is that there is a light and we can't for the life of us figure out how to turn the light on. We have searched the walls for switches and examined the cord for anything that might be a switch and no such luck.

Here's a picture of Will the White Squirrel trying to figure out the light! (or not, it's not cooperating right now.)

The True Test

Tomorrow is my third time taking my BCBA test. The third time!

I've been thinking about how depressing it is that I can't pass this stinkin' test. How stupid must I be to have to do this for now a third time.

Then I thought, what if I never passed this test? If I never passed this test, I would continue to live, I would continue to have a job and family and friends. I would still be me and I would still be happy.

Then I realized that there is one test that I must pass in life. The test of faith!

So, although I hope I pass this test tomorrow, it will not affect my eternity.

I pray that whenever I am given a true test, a test of faith- that I pass, with flying colors!

Autism

Today the kids were at Special Olympics. I know that with Autism, people struggle with language, social sill and behavior, but when I see the kids at work, I don't see the things that they struggle with, I see what the are good at.

We were at the tennis ball throw event and there were four kids that were participating. We were cheering for them, and yelling their names. It hit me that two of them, had no idea there was anyone aroun them. Even though we were saying their names, giving them instruction in what to do they were too busy rocking, hand flapping and lookin into space to realize any f it.

I thought to myself- Autism sucks. These boys have no idea the world around them is happening. Do they know I am proud of them? Do they know that I will love them if they throw the ball 2 inches of 20 feet? They have no idea of winning is or competition.

Since I have also had some kids that are getting closer and closer to aging out and will be moving into adult programs, I have been thinking about what I want for them.

--To be healthy and safe
--To know they are special, have a purpose and know they are alive for a reason
--To reach their full potential

This isn't all I want for them, but it is the main points. Maybe it is better that they don't realize the world around them. This way they have no idea that there is hurt or pain in the world. They don't realize that people are suffering and they don't realize that they are without. All the sees is the here and now, there are no worries about the future or what they will do with their lives.

I guess I need to learn from them.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Loux Family

I've never met this family, but I have followed their blog for a year now. They adopted three young boys from a fate of an institution, two with Down Syndrome one with Spina Bifida, all with Hope. One of the boys really made an impact on me. He was 5 years old, and 11 pounds. Yes, you read that correctly. He is now walking, talking and thriving. Him and his wife also have 8 other children (2 biological, 1 in heaven and 5 other adopted beautiful girls.)

Their love for orphans, the oppressed, each other and most of all God, is amazing.

Well today the Father was killed in a car accident. It makes me wonder, what is God thinking?! These children need their Father! But then I remember, God has a plan. At His discretion he will reveal it, until then, we pray that God would comfort this family. Read their story here...

Here is their family's blog ==> Loux Family