What if families were waiting?

There are 500,000 children in U.S. foster care.
130,000 are adoptable right now.
There are 400,000 churches in the U.S.

What if one family from each church stepped up to adopt one child domestically? There would be a shift from a waiting list with children's names to a waiting list full of forever families.

You never let go.

It was surprisingly therapeutic to give my China report at church. To sit down and literally write out all my thoughts about the trip and then say them out loud allowed me to feel as if a huge weight had been lifted. By no means will I stop processing my trip now, but it did give me a sense of closure, which feels good. For the last 6 weeks my mind has been on overload and now I feel I can breath again.


I just realized I got home 30 days ago...

Yay Jet Lag!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know I made it home safe and sound and on time! I arrived in Cleveland at 10:00 last night, and went to bed around 1:00. It's now 4:30 am, and I've been up for about an hour. Needless to say, this will not be a long blog entry!

A blog will not do justice all I learned and saw in China, but more importantly, how I saw God there. It was the hardest but one of the best things He has ever led me to do. He is amongst the least of these, and He invited me to be a part of caring for His children. God didn't need me, but He gave me a great gift, turned my world upside down and allowed me to experience things I didn't even know I needed to experience.

Looking forward to sharing pictures and stories...but not now. Even though my stomach is about ready for dinner, I should try and get some sleep :)

Looking forward to seeing you all!

Love,
Megan

Psalm 68:5- A father to the fatherless, defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 6:15 pm

Hello Everyone!

My team just finished dinner and I wanted to share what we've been up to the last couple of days. Each day I feel a little more settled here. God is stretching me in big ways as I discover no God-sized adventure is safe or comfortable. I am learning some hard but wonderful lessons and what it truly means to lean on Him, as only He can sustain me. I am so grateful for all the prayers of everyone back home. Keep 'em coming :)

Yesterday was an awesome day as we visited and walked the Great Wall of China (see the picture above)! I consider myself to be in at least descent shape, but my goodness, that kicked my butt! Between the stairs, the heat, and the vastness of it all, I was sweating like never before. I couldn't control my legs from shaking after our hike! It's quite decked out for tourists, though. A ski lift takes you to the top and a toboggan-like shoot returns you to the bottom. It was so much fun! I got my first taste of bargaining as well. Wow! Quite overwhelming! It's pretty intense with not much time to "just look." But we got some pretty good deals, if I do say so myself!

Today we spent time with these precious ones. We were also able to serve the Hills be cleaning out and organizing their "shed" (more like a HUGE warehouse) of supplies and donations. I was so happy that our team was able to serve New Hope in this tangible way.

The next few days we will be spending time at New Hope and in the surrounding villages. On Thursday we will travel to Maria's Big House of Hope. No internet there, so I may not be able to update until mid-next week.

Thanks for your love and support! Love and miss you all :)

Ni Hao from China!

Monday, August 3; 8:15 am

We arrived safely yesterday (Sunday) around 2:00pm.  The flight was 13 hours and we flew over Greenland, the North Pole and Russia to arrive in Beijing.  We were all exhausted, but had a little time to interact with some children last night before we all crashed.  I was a bit homesick last night, but it's amazing what a good night sleep will do for you!  I feel ready to go now.  Much more like myself :)  

We are at New Hope foster home, where we will stay until Thursday, before heading to Maria's  New Hope is the home to about 80 special needs orphans before and after medical treatments and surgeries.  The babies will usually stay here until they are adopted, though New Hope doesn't have anything to do with the adoption process.

Below are a few pictures of where we are staying, it's called a Yurt, and, of course, those precious babies!

We are heading to the Great Wall today. 

Thanks for all your prayers.  More to come!

        

And we're off!

Psalm 115:1 ~ Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to YOUR NAME be the glory, beacuse of your love and faithfulness.

1

I am so freaking excited.

I feel a great sense of peace, support, encouragement and love. As I reflect over the last few months, the Lord has taught me great things and worked through many others to bring me here. The Lord has opened numerous doors of support and strength through my family and friends. He has taught me just what it means to leap out in faith and there is no doubt He has been guiding my every step. He has reminded me to live by faith, not by "feeling."

I have to take a minute and reflect on my marriage. My husband has and continues to love me selflessly as I embark on this adventure. He has been nothing but supportive, telling me to go, loving me every step of the way, listening to my heart and valuing it. Words can't express how grateful I am. I feel so very special to be his.

Psalm 25:4 ~ "Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you and God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Time to finish packing :)

2

Psalm 34:4 ~ "I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from my fears."

So, it's starting to feel real now. As I was walking out of work today, realizing I wouldn't be returning for 3 weeks, it hit me. "Normal" life is winding down as I gear up for this adventure.

I hope I'm ready.

Psalm 46:10 ~ "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

5

This week. Whoa. It's kinda getting to the point where I'm sick of talking about it, sick of thinking about it and sick of packing...I JUST WANT TO GO! I feel as if this trip has been a long time coming in some ways. I remember sitting at a SCC concert maybe senior year of high school and hearing about this new organization Shaohannah's Hope. Definitely something that I wanted to be a part of, but little did I know 6 years later that would mean me flying to China with 19 strangers. Don't get my wrong, I'm pumped and I wouldn't change a thing for the world...it just still doesn't quite feel real. I wonder when it will feel real.

I'm trying hard to listen for God this week. I'm not sure what I'm listening for, but I'm listening. I've also been thinking about how processing will go for this trip. I pray I have the time and strength to process once I'm home. I think one of the things I'm most anxious about is how I'll feel, what I'll learn and what I'll bring home with me. This trip isn't just for me, it's for my family and those who love and support me. What will I bring home for them? How will they see God through me? I guess I can't put pressue on myself, so to speak, but I'd be fooling myself if I thought this trip was for me.

10

Whoa...10 days until I leave!

I have finished about 99% of my shopping for things like electrical converters, work clothes that I can leave at the orphanages, and extra Pepto! Maybe I'll start to actually pack it all soon.

It's getting to be quite surreal that I will be seeing these amazing places up close and personal, like, The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Hope Healing Home, Maria's Big House of Hope and Bethel Training Center for the Blind, just to name a few.

I've been thinking a lot lately about why. Why am I going on this trip? There is no doubt that God is calling me, that's why I'm going. So more specifically, why is He calling me to go? I'm obviously not adopting now, and I may never. I wonder if this trip, and possibly future trips, will be my way to care for orphans as He instructs in James 1:27. God has given me a burden for these little ones, these precious children of His.

Part of my believes, too, that I may not know now, in 10 days or in a month why God has called me to serve in China. I may not know for many years, but I am looking forward to meeting others who have been called and living out the adventure that has been laid before me.

17

That's the number of days until I arrive in New Jersey to meet the rest of my Show Hope team. There are still some preparations to complete, but I'm not stressing, worrying or even dwelling on them.

I just can't wait to go.

Everyday brings me one day closer to show Jesus to a hurting child. Everyday brings my one closer to following God's leading. Everyday brings me one closer to seeing my God in a new way.

But in the midst of preparation and waiting to go, may I not forget those around me here, in Akron, at work, next door. May I not miss the point of showing hope to the hopeless. Even here.

LORD, You are doing WHAT in China?

The reports from Show Hope's first team to China this summer amaze me. Pictures and videos reporting openly praising, praying and thanksgiving in front of Chinese officials and in Chinese newspapers only cause my jaw to drop. I obviously have no idea what it even means to live in a Communist country, only recently allowing certain religious "freedoms" from a self-proclaimed Atheist country. I love these pictures because they just aren't what you'd expect to see in China.

But God is BIG.

God of this City

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are

For there is no one like our God
There is no one like You God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

You're the Lord of Creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all kings
You Are

You're the strength in the weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You Are

For there is no one like our God
There is no one like You God

For greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done
In this city
When glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for You and love for You
In this city

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here.

Today I received the last of the support needed to reach my $2700 goal for China. I am humbled by the people the Lord has worked through to make this adventure a reality. There were many nights opening the mail I was brought to tears as it was only God who could have orchestrated all this to come together. Prayers have been answered in mighty ways. God is good.

Praise our God. God of this city, Luoyang.

Breathe

By no means do I intend to say anything profound or new in this post. Today is Good Friday. I can barely catch my breath when I think about what this day means. The love is overwhelming. The grace, leaves me to stand (or should I say drop to my knees) in awe. When I woke up this morning, I pondered what Christ must have thought of or felt when He got up that day. Fear? Inspiration? Relief? Sadness? Abandonment? Hope? What obedience.

I would do pretty much anything my earthly father would ask of me. I have been convicted to do the same for my Heavenly Father. I have definitely seen areas in my life, very recently, where I have felt "that is not a 'Megan' thing to do." Far from it! And clearly, there is only one explanation-God is moving in my life. He's pushing me more than every before. Causing me to do, dare I say, great, things for Him. That's a scary line to write.

I pray God doesn't stop.

Because of Christ's sacrifice, He doesn't have to.

Spinning

My head, that is. It's spinning. I am so glad to have more details re: my China trip. It will be amazing! However, it's no secret I have inherited my father's "crazy planner, never sleeping" mind. I have been going non-stop all day, and it's a bit draining. I pray for peace and reassurance. I pray for excitement and that any doubts will be cast far, far, far away!

I knew this trip was going to be a growing experience. I think it's already starting...

I'M GOING TO CHINA! I'M GOING TO CHINA!

Luoyang to be exact. Maria's Big House of Hope to be even more exact.

I couldn't be more excited :)

Thank you Lord!

Grrr...

I am feeling jealous and crabby. I wish I could go on a weekend away with Nate.

Oh well....

GO ZIPS!

Staying Put

We have decided to take our house off the market. Which is good, I didn't want to move anyway.

We realized that if we put the money we had saved for a house toward paying off student loans, they would be paid off a heck of a lot sooner then we ever thought possible. Planning, saving and number crunching (over and over again) really does pay off!

Right up my ally...

So I just read up on the orphanage I may be serving at in August...It's a medical care orphanage!! Now I really really really want to go :) One floor is dedicated to post-op patients who need care and are waiting for adoption. Two floors are for chronic children who have little chance of being adopted. One floor is for terminal patients. And one floor is where minor surgeries (plastics, cleft or ortho) take place. This care center is only for orphans up to 5 years old. It is in one of the poorest Providences in China where most of the "special needs" orphans end up.

This is the population (medical) I already have a heart for, work with, am comfortable with, and have skills to help. I feel like God is orchestrating this in ways I wasn't even aware of. It is so hard to not get my hopes up. If I am not part of this team, I will know this isn't where God wants me, but I really want this adventure.

Please pray for these kids and the people that are take care of them daily!

Not gonna lie...it feels pretty good to get back into my proms dress. Just a few pics to show the difference 20 pounds can make.

A is for...

ASIA!!

China to be specific. This is the change I have been longing for. The people, more specifically, the orphans in China have pulled on my heart strings for as long as I can remember. And within the last year, God has put the word "GO" on my heart as well. I applied last night to go with Show Hope missions to Luoyang, China, August 1-15. I would work with a team doing service projects at Maria's Big House of Hope, an orphanage started by Steven Curtis Chapman and his family, as well as spending time showing love and hope to the children there. I ask for your prayers as God may or may not continue to lead me toward this trip. I'm excited for the opportunity!

And I am so thankful for a supportive and selfless husband, who has encouraged me to start this adventure. Love you, baby.

No More Countdowns

It has been almost a year and a half that I have been a wife. It seems a lot longer than that...in a good way.

I watched the video of my wedding tonight, which I received for my birthday. It was pretty cool. Besides noticing all of the "minor" details that didn't pan out or I would have changed, it was pretty special to watch the day I gave my heart fully to Nate. The music was awesome, flowers were beautiful, but what I remembered was knowing I had arrived at the day which required so much preparation. So many countdowns.

Being a year and a half into marriage, I can truly appreciate the effort Nate and I spent preparing not just for our wedding, but for our marriage. While 99.9% of our marriage has been wonderful, there have been tough days. Days when it is a choice to love. By no means have I mastered this, but I am learning that coming out of the hard days truly makes a marriage stronger. And seems to bring on many more "easy" days.

While there aren't any more countdowns, preparation doesn't have to end for a marriage based on the Love of a Mighty Savior. It's a good life.

Saving Money?

So, is there some trick to using coupons? It sounds like a no-brainer. Clip, or print out, small pieces of paper for items you buy anyway and save 55 cents. Easy, right? No.

Not only does it cause me to question everything I buy (Do I really need that milk? I don't have a coupon for it...or, Yes, I do need those 4 boxes of Cereal that I won't eat.) And even if, by chance, I have a coupon with me for something I am buying, I won't remember to hand it to the lovely lady checking me out, and ripping me off. Which further discourages me from clipping coupons because, hey, I'm not going to remember it anyway.

I would love to be one of those thrifty, tricky wives who spends 4o bucks on week of groceries.

Why did God create us to eat?

It starts with A

Most days are predictable. Part of me loves that. The other part, despises it. I love waking up knowing I will eat oatmeal with raisins, 1 hard-boiled egg white and take 5 vitamins before starting my day. I love waking up next to my husband. I love teaching children how to cope with stressful life events. But tomorrow, what if I want chocolate chip pancakes? Waking up next to my husband can stick...

What change am I longing for? I think it reaches beyond breakfast food.