A family in a nearby city adopted a little girl with Down Syndrome through Reece's Rainbow.  There are some very adorable children there...here are write-ups on the most "at risk" ones.

 http://www.reecesrainbow.com/atrisk.htm

Here is the website for kids up for adoption in the U.S. through the Department of Human Services.

www.adoptuskids.org

Even if you are not interested in adoption (and there are plenty of other sites that are just as good), please keep these children in your prayers.  They all need to be placed in Godly, loving homes.

http://www.mychurch.org/blog/271477/My-Pursuit-After-God?nominate=NTE0ODk=

I know I gotta get outta here, but I had to stop and read Holly's blog before I left for the funeral at Round Mountain...

Soooo funny and so encouraging...

Oh how I love a good story!

I received word this morning that my great aunt Lorene passed away.  She was a very spirited person -- and seemed indestructible to me!  Very surprising to hear she had a stroke and slipped away.  Her services will be at Round Mountain church in Vian -- where we held our Vessel family reunion just over a week ago. 

 I also was told that our friends' son died in a wreck today.  There is a possiblity that he had a heart attack.  I think he would be about the same age as my oldest son -- late 20's.  Jason's parents are, of course, devastated, as I'm sure is his younger brother, Justin.  Please keep them in your prayers.

My older kids are broken hearted at the loss of Jason, but also thankful that he knew the LORD. 

Thank you, faithful intercessors!

Tonight's message included the story in Acts 8 (verses 26-40) about the Ethiopian eunuch who was studying Isaiah (chapter 53 -- specifically verses 7-8) when Philip ran up to take advantage of a Holy Spirit inspired opportunity.  Pastor Kevin reminded us that anyone who had been maimed (such as with the eunuch's physical impairment) was not allowed to enter into the Temple.  However, verse 27 says that the eunuch had come to Jerusalem to worship. 

How's that for dedication?  Even though he could not legally "enter in", he still yearned to be as close as possible to God's Presence!

So after the eunuch's baptism, I'm sure he went back to reading good ol' Isaiah... he had been in chapter 53....   this eunuch who could never father children to carry on the family name....this "incomplete" person who was not allowed to enter into the temple....

 But guess what sweet thing God had for that same man to read only three chapters away...

Isaiah 56:3-5  Do not let the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD speak, saying, "The LORD has utterly separated me from His people; nor let the eunuch say, "Here I am, a dry tree."  For thus says the LORD:  "To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, even to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off...."

Everything the world said the eunuch couldn't do, God said, "Oh yeah you can -- and EVEN BETTER -- coz I'm doing it FOR YOU!"  :) :) :)  Awesome GOD!!!!

I had attended a funeral for extended family a couple of weeks ago.  Last Friday, my cousin called to thank me & Mom for always coming to the family events - how we were the only ones who were faithful to show up, etc.  He called me.  ----- I have been praying for him for over 27 years!   He asked permission from both my husband and myself to be able to call and visit each week!  OF COURSE!!!  :)   I can't tell you how HUGE that is!   Love how the Holy Spirit softens hearts!!!

Someone I dearly love and want to be a forever part of my life has reappeared -- just about a foot taller :) and still as adorable as ever!  He is now going to be a "regular" in my family's life!  We're just waiting upon the LORD for the same to happen with his sister. :)  Woo hoo!  God is good!

Daughter Holly has been blessed with the opportunity to train this next year to become a children's pastor!  (So cool, someone called her "Pastor Holly" on Sunday -- cute, cute, cute!)  

Tonight my prodigal returned "home" to his place as God's child :) and he brought with him his wife and baby boy.   ***There are not enough words or tears or dance moves to express my extravagant, over-flowing JOY!***

The week ain't over yet!!!  Just call me "Blessed Beyond Measure Woman" (and thanks, Jen, for suggesting my new name!)

****God is no respector of persons -- no favorites -- so TAG, you're IT!****

Praise in advance for YOUR harvest!  :) :) :)