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Saturday, September 19, 2009
Jesus Calling
Mike here. First we want to thank you all for your prayers....You dont know how comforting it is to KNOW that we are being prayed for. We are all doing well and we are coming out of the fog....bit by bit. I am thankful for those who are here with us, holding our hands, crying with us, laughing with us, praying with us processing with us....thank you Renee, Dana, Carly, Katie, Mary Pat. Im especially thankful for Mark Button showing up. If you dont know, Mark called me about two weeks ago and said "I think Im gonna come meet you in Uganda." I was excited, but little did I know how much of a God-send he would be. He is being Jesus to me. Thank you brother.
Suzanne here:
Just BEING in Uganda and SEEING the hurt in the peoples eyes all around me I keep asking myself "How can I help? How can I be Jesus to these people? and How do I even BEGIN to process what is REALLY going on around me?" There are SO MANY needs, I feel TOTALLY overwhelmed.....where do I even start?
I opened up my Jesus Calling a few days ago as I was crying out to God trying to figure out what our future holds. This is what I found.....
You will not find MY peace by engaging in excessive planning:attempting to control what will happen to you in the future. That is a commonly practiced form of unbelief. When your mind spins with multiple plans, Peace may sometimes seem to be within your grasp; yet it always eludes you. Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion. I did not design the human mind to figure out the future. That is beyond your capability. I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me. Bring me all your needs, your hopes and fears. Commit everything into my care. Turn from the path of Peace.
Those of you that know me well, KNOW that I take one day at a time. I have learned not to plan excessively because as soon as I do, something happens (illness, football schedule change, volleyball schedule change, Mike has a late appointment, etc...) which leads to disappointment. SO, I go through each day, moment by moment. I probably drive the people closest to me crazy.....humorously, the Lord has surrounded me with "planners" (Mike, Susan, Dana, Gwen, MaMa Gaye....) The past few days, I have been trying to plan( or at the least) figure out what the next few years of my life hold. As Mike and I are processing our time here, the one TRUTH that we KNOW is that he has called us RIGHT here, RIGHT now to walk in what he has called us to do TODAY. So, that is what we are doing. We have gone with Katie to see the Karamajongs (UNBELIEVABLE), we have fed HUNDREDS of children, we have visited doctor after doctor, and we have loved Josie with every inch of our hearts. The Lord has very intricately woven mine and Mikes hearts and minds together so that we can walk this path the HE has chosen for us. We are SLOWLY learning to be TOTALLY dependent upon Him...and we WOW is it a slow process.
Please keep praying for our hearts and our children and their caregivers at home.
A picture says a thousand words.....
Suzanne here:
Just BEING in Uganda and SEEING the hurt in the peoples eyes all around me I keep asking myself "How can I help? How can I be Jesus to these people? and How do I even BEGIN to process what is REALLY going on around me?" There are SO MANY needs, I feel TOTALLY overwhelmed.....where do I even start?
I opened up my Jesus Calling a few days ago as I was crying out to God trying to figure out what our future holds. This is what I found.....
You will not find MY peace by engaging in excessive planning:attempting to control what will happen to you in the future. That is a commonly practiced form of unbelief. When your mind spins with multiple plans, Peace may sometimes seem to be within your grasp; yet it always eludes you. Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion. I did not design the human mind to figure out the future. That is beyond your capability. I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me. Bring me all your needs, your hopes and fears. Commit everything into my care. Turn from the path of Peace.
Those of you that know me well, KNOW that I take one day at a time. I have learned not to plan excessively because as soon as I do, something happens (illness, football schedule change, volleyball schedule change, Mike has a late appointment, etc...) which leads to disappointment. SO, I go through each day, moment by moment. I probably drive the people closest to me crazy.....humorously, the Lord has surrounded me with "planners" (Mike, Susan, Dana, Gwen, MaMa Gaye....) The past few days, I have been trying to plan( or at the least) figure out what the next few years of my life hold. As Mike and I are processing our time here, the one TRUTH that we KNOW is that he has called us RIGHT here, RIGHT now to walk in what he has called us to do TODAY. So, that is what we are doing. We have gone with Katie to see the Karamajongs (UNBELIEVABLE), we have fed HUNDREDS of children, we have visited doctor after doctor, and we have loved Josie with every inch of our hearts. The Lord has very intricately woven mine and Mikes hearts and minds together so that we can walk this path the HE has chosen for us. We are SLOWLY learning to be TOTALLY dependent upon Him...and we WOW is it a slow process.
Please keep praying for our hearts and our children and their caregivers at home.
A picture says a thousand words.....
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About Me
- suzanne
- I am a lover of Jesus. I have the most fabulous husband that anyone woman could ask for. The Lord has blessed us with 7 beautiful children. I started this blog so that friends and family could follow our trip to Uganda to visit Katie Davis. I have decided to keep blogging to help bring orphan awareness to the world around me.
47 comments:
You have given me the inspiration that I need for TODAY. Thanks for the reminder. May God bless you be HIs hands and feet.
Your posts are such a blessing to read. Thank you.
Love you both,
Ruthie
God will show us His path .... I thank God that you are following His path. Keep the faith and press on for His has great and mighty plans and works to do through you. Thank you for being His hands and feet to Josie and all the others He has touch through you!!!
Machell Rogers
GA
Lamenatations 3:22-26, I love praying scripture and this is the one He gave me to pray for y'all several days ago. You are sustained! We are given the Manna that lasts for each day and each day only. God has equipped you well with your gift of living within His daily provisions, yet He moved me to pray for your ability to continue to do so...I know you are both "MORE than Conquerors" "THE LORD IS MIKE AND SUZANNE'S PORTION, THEREFORE THEY WILL WAIT FOR HIM"! It is a humbling privilege to journey with you. xoxo,RK
The Lord will continue to lead your path and it amazes me to watch you follow! i am prayin for yall and i loved getting to talk to you the other night! I LOVE THE NEW PICTURE OF ALL THREE OF YALL! oh and by the way i think Josies new hair was done by you and it looks fabulous!!!
Love You!
Mallory
Suzanne, I can't imagine the heartache and pain you and Mike are going through. Just know that I am lifting you and your family up non-stop and I'm claiming a miraculous healing of precious Josie Love and wisdom for everyone involved!! You're such an inspiration and like anonymous said above it is a humbling privilege to journey with you.
Love ya,
Khristina
It is such a blessing to watch you love Josie unconditionally. It's such a picture of the gospel. Curry keeps me updated. She loves being there and being able to see how God is working. Thank you for being open to His leading. Can't wait to meet little Josie!!!
Oh it warms my heart to see little Josie in her very own POPPY DIP... what a beautiful little one...created in HIS image!!
many prayers and much love sent, Sallee
the last photo of josie delighting in your loving arms should be titled "heaven on earth". praying for you all. praising Him for how you are teaching us what it looks like to trust and obey.
love & blessings from hong kong,
kim
i read Jesus Calling that same day and thought of you ... I thought of how you are teaching me to go with the flow and not to be such a planner or you could miss the biggest blessings of all ... We are lifting you guys up each day and feel honored to walk this path w/ you ...
good job promoting the SHIRT ... hee hee .... give everyone hugs from us .... i can't wait to set my feet on Uganda ground ... I know God will break me in a new way and rejuvenate me for the work He has for us ...
love ya sister and Mike, love ya bro !!!!
My heart is blessed to see that smile on Josie's face! God bless you and keep you. May He make your path straight and clear. What a testimony of God's grace Josie's life will be! (already is!)
Praying for you and praising God for that sweet smile on Josie's face as she is loved by you-May you experience peace that passeth all understanding-
My prayers are with you! I LOOVVE that little sweet angel girl...the pics are awesome!
LOVE YA'LL!!
Abbie
These pictures have just broken my heart, but shown us the hands and feet of Jesus. I love y'all so much and are continuing the pray for every single one of you there in Uganda. Thanks for the update. Kim said it best, thanks for showing us what it looks like to TRUST and OBEY!!
Hugs from Tennessee!
~The Kemp Family :)
Suzanne and Mike, As we continually pray for your family and as I am reading different scripture, I will read it and think I need to post that for them as encouragement...But then I see your pictures and read your words and I know you are living it, your love and obeidence to the Lord is so obvious an outpouring of your heart! You are not bound by the "what abouts". Thank you for sharing your journey and giving me the priviledge to pray for you and lift you up.
The Carr Family
Precious words from precious people...thank you for sharing your journey with us so we can feel it with you. You all are constantly in my prayers...I love your hearts and who you are in The Kingdom..you make us all better at loving...
Oh Josie looks so BIG in that last picture! And so happy. I know you are right where God wants you to be, enjoy your time there <3
Praying for you all... I am so touched by your experiences and your kind, loving hearts.
i found your blog through rhonda and have been praying for you all. sweet josie already looks so much healthier! the smile of joy on her face with your kiss put me on my knees. praying for The Great Physician to heal her little body, her heart, and her precious spirit.
praying in arlington, va
True Beauty
SO BEAUTIFUL...those babies lined up to eat..the smiles...Josie in her momma's arms. Thank you Lord for these servants of yours and for the least of these whom they are serving...it is YOU they are serving. We are praying for you all...
in small town AL
Sweet friends....thank you for sharing your hearts...you are touching lives. I have been praying so much for that PRECIOUS Josie Love...she has no idea how much love she has taught so many....including myself. I need to thank you both....thank you for paving the road for Ryan and myself...tell Katie we are coming soon...and will you kiss my boy.
much, much love
What a blessing and inspiration you and Mike are. If you want to see the hands and feet of Jesus just look at those pictures. Our hearts break for all those children over there!! Thank you for being obedient servants. It's been a priviledge to walk with you in this journey..the road ahead is long but you have sooo many prayers and people walking beside you...you will both be carried every step of the way! We love you & of course praying for you.
Wow, just hearing about your story... pretty amazing. Thinking of you and your ever-growing family, and just wondering how on earth you do it!
Blessings,
Kristi Smith
I found you through Gwen and I just have to tell you I am going to hold you close to my heart tonight in prayer. May you feel the Father's peace and love as never before.
Love
Connie
Mike and Suzanne- You are constantly on my mind and in my prayers. I have asked several of my friends (those with hearts for Christ and His orphans) to pray for you.
You are chosen. No doubt. God planned this so long ago and He has been preparing for you. What a privilege to love and serve and to be His hands and feet. HE CHOSE YOU! Wow! Althought I don't know you that well, that truth speaks volumes to me about your hearts and willingness to give and bleed for Him.
As we wait for our adoption to happen, you serve as a beautiful and inspiring example of letting Him lead and realizing that we were never in control to start with.
I will continue to pray fervently for you and sweet JosieLove and those little ones at home.
You are right where you need to be. Let those around you lift up your tired arms like Moses.
By His Grace,
Karen Snyder (Brian's sister)
Margie and Mike,
WOW! God's timing is perfect. It's truly unbelievable that he has orchestrated every detail for his glory! He is right on time. My heart is full of gratitude for his faithfulness to answer prayer and open doors confirming his divine will concerning Josie. Miller Anne and Annabelle took me to their spa and quote "Aunt Dana your feet will feel great when I finish rubbing them with lotion and counting to 50!" I encouraged them to reserve a spot for you when you came home. They assured me that you would receive the 100 count treatment! LOL Precious gifts from the Lord. We miss you!
Love and Prayers to both of you!
Dana
Love and Prayers!
Suzanne and Mike,
From Julie and me, let me say that your whole family is in our prayers. Our heart aches, and at the same time is full of joy for how good God is to have loved your daughter so much to know that you are the exact parents for her. Great sermon today at church, and I thought of how God has displayed His grace throughout the Bible. And it is evidenced is your lives! It is clear that God loves you tangibly, not only through his SPIRIT that is with you, but also through the amazing friends that he has placed around you and your family. You are loved by us as well.
We will continue to pray for you all and Josie Love.
Because of the resurrection!
Roger (for Julie too) Johnson
Love the new pics! Praying for your family.
God Bless
Isabelle.
Your love story of rescuing your precious Josie warms us to the soul. You have been thru alot in a week but know God is going to continue to carry you thru every day! The picture of your precious Josie smiling sweetly in her mama's arms is PRICELESS!!We will continue to pray for every aspect of your journey!
Psalm72:4 He will defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
he will crush the oppressor
Found your story thru gwen and am thrilled to partner with so many people that love you and the Lord.
In Him,
Lisa k. Blm il
Thank you for bringing us along on the journey! Each step is already paved for you...keep holding the Savior's hand and He will lead you along the path. Covering you with prayers, dear friends!
Oh! Sweet little bubba Josie! :)
Crying tears of joy seeing the news pics of you all and her.
I don't know you guys but have been praying for you often.
Thank you for the post!
Amy in Cali
Love the pictures, what a way to a see the JESUS! LOVE RHONDA S.
I am loving all these pictures! Continuing to pray for you guys with much joy...I can't help but smile and cry at the unique opportunity we are all having to SEE with our physical eyes the way God is working. Courage and strength are yours in abundance. He who did not with hold his own Son from you would not now withhold any good thing from you. Love you much and can't wait for the day I can kiss all over that sweet Josie Love's face!!!
Mandy
Suzanne,
I ran across your blog from another blog. I remember you growing up and have heard so much about you and your family through mutual Columbia friends. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!
Becky Hewgley Ramer
Dear Suzanne and Mike, I continue to lift you in prayer. What a sweet photo of you and your sweet Josie Love. It warmed my heart to see the joy in the two of you. Love and blessings, Katrina
Mom and Dad miller said:
Suzanne and Mike you are not journeying alone.It has filled our hearts with joy and thanksgiving for the blessings of faith of your children. Grace and Michael's faith has caused us never to stop believing Josie Love would be moving to Brentwood joining our family as their little sister. The bed time prayers of Anabelle and Miller Anne brought tears to us as they prayed for their little sister to get well--Yes, Joshua says every day Mommie has gone to get Josie Love, the last thing Suzanne, you said to him. While Caleb stands near by smiling in agreement. Heb. 11:1
says "Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen" "Wow''
We wait with excitment for your return.
Many Prayers and Much Love
Still praying......still believing......still lifting you up before the One who loves Josie more than we can possibly imagine!!
Love, Kay-Kay
No better song than Hold Me Jesus...those words have brought me such comfort, our King of Glory, our Prince of Peace. You continue to be in my prayers here in south Georgia. Your faith will be such a great testimony to the glory of our Savior. I am honored to have the privilege to be a part of your journey, to pray for you.
Blessings,
Robbie
Hey Suzanne and Mike,
Our hearts are heavy for you. Know that Ray and I are praying for yall. We love you!
Kitsie
(1st time to write on a blog...I'm clueless)
Just got home from Bible study at Debbie French's home where we're studying the Holy Spirit and read Luke 4:1 where Jesus "returned from the Jordan and was led by the Holy Spirit in the desert".
I thought of you all immediately, how God leads us to difficult and sometimes even dark places (like Jesus being led to temptation in the desert), but He never sends us alone. The Holy Spirit is leading you through this difficult time and He will guide and direct you.
Love you and praying for you daily.
Julie (for Roger too) Johnson
All I can tell you is that your testimony has increased, awareness has increased, and I KNOW in my heart that God has an amazing thing planned for your family, beyond what you thought it would be when you set your feet on this path. I have been praying my heart out for you guys. Gwen has been wrecked for you, she can hardly carry on a conversation and forget trying to hang out with her, she's on the phone talking to people about you guys constantly! :) I love how she loves you, it's so precious and I'm hurting for her as she hurts for you!
I am glad things are coming clear for you. I'm so thankful that His provision is being revealed and that you are finding peace. I'm so happy for Josie that God sent the two of you and not someone else, because it took someone strong to fight this out and a weaker family may not have been able to walk this road to the destination.
Safe travels!
Ondrea
You both are truly amazing. I totally envy what you are doing. Your family and the community you are in are in my prayers constantly. Thank you so much for what you are doing. Stay strong and know that it is God's plan and no one and nothing can stop his perfect plan and unconditional love.
Mike and Suzanne!!!
I can FINALLY comment! Our computer at work aparently doesn't like this website because every time I come here it gives that "internet explorer needs to shut down blah blah" message. So I can only read a couple sentances at a time before it closes and then start all over again. Pretty humerous mental picture right? Needless to say, not enough time to comment. Well today is my lucky day so I'm taking advantage!
Justin and I have and our whole community group have been DAILY bathing you all in prayer and we all agree that if anyone in the world can take on this challenge it is YOUR family. Where so many other people would say no the Mayernicks say yes. I think God has been preparing you for this day your whole life. We could not think of a more loving family for little Josie to be a part of, and we praise God that he has brought you all together. God promises he will never give you more than you can handle and he provides every step of the way. The gospel is being shared and the Lord is being glorified through your story.
we love love love you all!!
megan and justin shaffer
Wow! I have the same "Jesus Calling" and I was also particularly impressed by this one passage.....especially as I follow Katies, Yours and Qwens blogs, and I have been trying to figure out why the Lord has given me such passion and a burden for what you all are doing? It is so hard at times to figure out what He is doing in our lives....and then we get a devotion like this one, to remind us, He dosen't want us to figure it out...just rest in Him, trusting that He who began a good work in us....WILL complete it! Prayers ~ for your daily trusting as He turns the pages to your story!
Blessings,
Lisa in Tucson
Oh how I love that last picture...it makes my heart sing.
bless you
Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted
I just found your blog. What a journey! You have had some blows dealt you huh? But I see God lifting you out of your pits in a mighty way!!!
We knew our son had HIV when we chose him, yet his illness wasn't something we were prepared for when we got there. He too was in bad shape, it took months to heal him.
One year later our God has always been faithful and strong and has pulled us out of depair. It's a long story I won't burden you with. ;o)
Just know that I am lifting you in prayer most especially your sweet Josie Love!
Blessings
Andrea
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