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Thursday, February 4, 2010
A few thoughts....
Many of you have heard me poke fun at Gwen and Katie about being "bloggers." And HERE I AM blogging right alongside them. I am not even really sure WHY I have continued to post with the exception that I feel very strongly that Mike and I are called to speak on behalf of the fatherless. Now, that I have a little angel with HIV, I feel that we are to be VERY intentional on educating and encouraging people to love and care for people that have been infected with this treatable disease.
Honestly, tonight I think I will just vent a little bit....
I have passed the sponsorship matching for Amazima Ministries to a dear friend so that I can help Gwen with the PR department of Katie's ministry. The emails and comments for Katie just flood in daily. Because her hands are full and internet is so undependable at Katie's house we answer all of her emails and when we talk to her tell her about the issues where we need her help. It has worked out great because she can focus on her children, medical treatment, schooling and all of the other "to do's" that she has daily. MOST of her emails are questions. MOST of her comments (on her blog) are encouragements. Some are NOT. For the life of me, I cannot figure out WHY ON EARTH people feel like they need to criticize some of the decisions that she makes. Or better yet, tell her how she SHOULD do this, or SHOULDN'T say that.....REALLY?!?! Can any of us over here in "the land of comfort" say ANYTHING to her about the decisions that she might make that we do not agree with? If you do not agree with what she is doing or saying, save yourself some time and quit reading her blog.
I have been watching Fox News and the uproar that surrounds Tim Tebow in his BOLD stance against abortion. Planned Parenthood has now made a commercial with NFL players on it and Gold Medalists parents saying how "proud" they are to be of such sound mind to be able to make their own decisions..blah, blah, blah.....If you do not want to hear what Tim Tebow has to say about His mom "choosing life" when she was carrying him...then turn your TV off when the commercial comes on. I am so proud of him for taking a BOLD stance publicly.
Which leads me to some of the comments that I receive on my blog. The anonymous ones are always my favorites. (because there is no way to respond to them) But just to clear a few things up.....For "Mr. I wrote a book to prove that there is no heaven"...obviously, you do not read the same bible that I do OR serve the same Savior or you would KNOW without doubt that He is SITTING ON HIS THRONE right this very moment. For the man who wants to "dialogue" about the Christmas decor that I have that has black skin...."No, I do not want to dialogue, because on a blog there is NO discussion, it is just my thoughts and yours (IF I decide to post them). For the lady that criticized me for buying Josie a car for her birthday and said that by the looks of my pics that I gave A LOT of gifts for Christmas.....I totally get your point about Americans living extravagantly. But, before you write me several paragraphs about how I should steward my money....you might want to research my life a little deeper. As far as all of the ideas that you gave me on putting my "thoughts" to actions go to 147millionorphans.com and see what my business does. To be honest, I am doing well just to love my family in the capacity that Christ desires (since they are truly the only thing that we can take with us to heaven) in between all of Josie's doctors visits. If you do not agree with my post just click the little red X at the top corner of your computer.
For those of you that leave comments for people trying to get them to ponder what they have written....don't bother, just quit reading the blog if it ruffles your feathers that much.
At the end of each day my heart is so full with joy that only can be given through Christ. I strive daily to be more and more like Jesus. But Jesus also went stomping into the temple and turned tables over when He saw the people turning the temple into a marketplace. He was angry. I think probably that He had just reached his point of having grace with people......totally understandable.
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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.
63 comments:
woo hoo! preach it girl! I love reading your blog. God speaks to me often through your words. I receive it in my rss feeds and i often forward them to my husband at work so he can read them too. Just thought I'd leave an encouraging comment to balance out the others. :) thanks for keeping it real and for loving Jesus and those precious babies. Love the picture up there...so great! Blessings.
I heart you Suz! :)
Well sweet momma...for the record I could just gobble up Josie Love and your whole crew;). Seeing her come home has helping me chill out about opening our perimeters up to special needs...and I'm thrilled to meet in the coming months the amazing little one the Lord has for us!
You are loved...by people you don't even know...and you are doing a great job:) Keep at it!!
Man!!! You go girl!!!!!!! This is the Suz I can remember! Preach it, tell it! I can't even begin to imagine that people would be so stupid to even try to begin to tell you, katie or whoever what to do. Until they have walked one day in either of your shoes! Well, you know they are the ones that have to face themself and eventually face their maker, so I guess we whould just pray for them. Lord knows they need it!
Hang in there, remember there are so many people being truely touched by what you do and say everyday! Don't let those few bad apples spoil it!
Talk to you soon!
Love ya,
Renee
Haha. You're so delightful! I loved this. Continue to speak boldly. I truly can't understand why people would criticize on a blog. Don't they have anything better to do with their time???
keep speaking the truth sister friend. it's needed in a world such as ours. may His voice speak over EVERYTHING.
praying that the little angel we refer to as josie is doing well. i miss her like crazy but it's good to know you're loving her well!
love ya girl...you are amazing!!!! :) kristi
You know you're doing a whole lot of good when the senseless, mindless, godless opposition is after you! Keep living out loud--and preach on sister!! love you!
Hey Girl. Keep your head up. Keep speaking the truth. Keep loving. Praying for all of yah ladies loving on the least of these.
Thank you for standing strong in your faith and in your call. His Word promises the dividends will pay 100 fold!
So grateful you are continuing to blog.
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
You are a beautiful daughter of Christ. The enemy is at your door every minute of every day trying to destroy what our saviour is doing through you. Stand strong and take comfort in knowing that you are blanketed in HIS shield of protection!
God Bless
Dear Suzanne,
This is my first-ever post to someone's blog. I am a reader of your blog as well as Gwen's and Katie's and a proud wearer of my 147 Orphans T-shirt. My family is in the process of adopting two little ones from Ethiopia. After reading your post today, I felt compelled to comment. It is unfathomable to me that anyone would post anything negative on your blog (or Katie's). I just want to encourage you in what you are doing because your blog is such a source of encouragement for me. I see Jesus all over your family, your ministry, and your blog. Keep up the wonderful work that you are doing on behalf of the least of these. You are a blessing!
Sincerely,
Amy
You Go Girl!!!!!! Amen to your feelings.
woo hoo!! Way to go! We live in the land of the free...you are free to say what you want and others are free to click the little red X. No one is forcing anyone to read your thoughts!! People who throw fits like the ones you are describing drive me crazy! Yay for you for standing up to them!
I love to read your blog~
Kelly
YOU GO GIRL!!!! isn't it great to know that they only voice you NEED to listen to is the voice of Jesus? And I am pretty sure He said, "speak up for those who have no voice..." Well, I think your life speaks ,,,,>>>>>*******VOLUMES******
luv you,
Jan
girl, lots of hugs and prayers.
You keep it up Suzanne........Speak and type the truth......if we truly are not of this world, then we will receive persecution!! I love your posts.....your heart.......your stand for the TRUTH!! My hubs always tells me, if we are going with the 'flow' ---then we are not living for HIM!!
blessings to you!!
So thankful for you, for your family, and for those around you sharing the WORD, spreading awareness of the orphan crisis, and NOT being content with doing nothing! You guys are an inspiration to me and have helped opened my eyes as a believer as to our responsibilities to the least of these! THANK YOU. Keep your head up!
YOU GO GIRL!!!! I love reading your blog and always walk away so encouraged and humbled that I need to be doing more with all the extravagance I have been given. Maybe I need to give it all away- who knows? But I know that I share your desires to love Christ more passionately and to be a light in this world for my family and strangers I meet every day. I CANNOT imagine people criticizing you, Gwen, Katie, etc.! This really ruffles my feathers. All of you are nothing short of amazing and have got these incredible servant hearts that keep giving and giving under the most trying of circumstances. I appreciate you and the way you are making Christ's name known in this world. I am privileged to call you "Sister". Carry on, sweet friend and if you need to, turn those tables over!
{hugs} I love you! Thank you!
Amen Suzanne!! Enjoyed every word of your post. I'm biased for getting the truth off your chest. The Lord has had to teach me how to do that in the right way, at the right time. But you, it was all good. I guess when my time comes to blog and we officially begin our adoption journey, I'll have a lot to learn about negative posts. However the good that comes from your blog and others' far outweighs the bad. Thank you for putting up with the junk and continuing on with God's plan for your life and sharing it with us.
Let me first say, AMEN sister. I really love your blog. It inspires me to follow our dream of caring for orphans NO MATTER the "cost".....
On a personal note. I would love to "talk" to you about adopting a child with HIV. I have many questions. The Lord is stirring my heart about taking that step. MANY BLESSINGS!
jennarm@earthlink.net
Suzanne,
I have enjoyed following your journey to Josie Love and am encouraged daily by your work for orphans. My hubby and I are currently waiting for our referral for 2 little guys from Ethiopia.
I haven't commented before but after reading this post I felt the Lord impress upon my heart that I should. I want you to know that your words and openness in your life amaze me and encourage me as we wait for our "littles". The reason I don't blog is for the very reasons you stated. I am a whimp and get my feelings hurt way too easily. You are a good example to me to fight the good fight and to fear God not man.
Thank you for being BOLD and for all that you and Gwen and Katie do. It is reasonating out into the world and encourages far more folks than you will know this side of heaven.
Blessings to you,
susan burkhalter
burkhalter@wwest.net
I hate to see that you are having to deal with such negativity, judgmental attitudes, and just plain ignorance. But such is the life of a Christian shining your light in the darkness---persecution will come. We are called to be "a city on the hill, the light of the world" so that God's glory can be revealed. This makes us targets to be attacked, but we will not be defeated. Keep on shining His light and being a true testimony to Christ's unconditional love and sacrifice--by sacrificing your time, energy and $$ to live out the gospel. You are truly an inspiration to MANY!!
Seriously - we are going through the same thing right now in bloggy world - what the heck - DON'T READ it! I blows me away! RUDE!
Just so you know I have found your blog to be AWESOME and encouraging! I think you are shining light in a dark place. Keep posting! I LOVE them! :)
Suzanne~You are a AMAZING Mother and advoate for the children with no voice!!! keep doing what you are doing!!!! You have inspired me, thank you!!!
Much Respect,
Courtnie Ramshaw
Suzanne,
I don't know you personally, but I just want to let you know how much you encourage me personally. I love that you are real and honest about how hard it is to live the way Christ intends. I'm sorry you have to even read ridiculous comments, and I'm glad you did this post. We are beginning our home study now to adopt from Uganda, and adopted a special needs daughter from China in 2007. Your blog is one of my favorites and I adore Josie Love. She is so precious. Thank you for writing the truth, and standing up to defend orphans. This post makes me smile...I'm thinking, "You go girl! Preach it sister!"
Way to go! Oh so many times I have wanted to post soemthing like this for people like that, but it sounds so much better coming from you! :) Your heart is in the right place. Have a blessed busy day!
AMEN!! Suzanne, There is only ONE opinion that matters and I would venture to say that HE is quite pleased with you! =)
preach it sister.. love what you are doing...love your blog..be encouraged..our weapons are not against flesh and blood...and no weapon formed against us will stand.. praying for protection over your ministry..
I follow your blog but don't comment. This time I just had to say....YOU GO GIRL!!! :-)
For someone who didn't want to blog, you say it pretty well!!!
AMEN sister!! That was GREAT! I love the "push the red x at corner of screen and stop reading" part. I may just use that verbage on my own blog in response to the comments that I get too serious when I blog about "God-stuff".. UGH!
I found out about Katie's blog from a friend and through her blog about you all. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I have fallen 100% head over heels in love with 147 million orphans and Amazima and am doing my part in spreading the word about it down here in FL. Trying to get folks involved down here too. Thanks for all you do! I have been greatly inspired by you, Gwen, & Katie to do more. Thank you!
I do not know you, but I am proud of you for taking a stance on this and totally agree. Keep on doing what you're doing...I can see that Christ is getting all of the glory! Just a little encouragement being sent your way in the midst of the so much else. God bless you and your family.
Hello, I don't know you and randomly found your blog as I have a huge heart for Africa. I am sorry there are harters out there doing the act of satan to try and discourage you and your fight to follow hard after the Lord's call in life: to love the least of these. I don't even know you and can see how the Lord is using you in huge ways to further his kingdom and I praise God for using you in such ways. So take confidence the Lord knows your heart and your random blog readres (like myself) are so thankful for reading your blog and being continually reminded what the Lord has called us all to. So keep on writing because you ARE impacting lives even thru this blog.
Thanks for an awesome blog and I am sorry for those that try to bring you down.
i LOVE it when you post, and i LOVE it when you tell it like it is!! more more more!!! having spent time in your home, i have experienced your generosity firsthand, and i trust that you will not let those who are too free with their opinions stop you from sharing the TRUTH that is in Scripture and fully evidenced in your life!
Suzanne, Please don't give up blogging! I have two boys and am waiting to adopt two girls and I love to read your very real stories about what life looks like when you are trying to care for the children that God has sent you, no matter how they arrived in your life. I have laughed and cried with you over the past year trying to prepare myself for the scary, thrilling ride of adoption. You, Gwen and Katie have touched my life and given me strength to ahead boldly! Thanks so much- Natalie
go girl!
I, for one, am glad that you are a blogger. Thanks to finding you (and other members of the Tennessee delegation) in computer land, I also found the link to Katie; over the past year, my eyes and heart have been opened to the orphan and God's will for our family. Finishing up our paperwork/homestudy now for a sibling adoption from Ethiopia and am part of the Visiting Orphans trip to Ethiopia/Uganda (Katie!) in April. You ladies are reflecting God's light and changing lives. Shine on.
I LOVE your blog and I am super amazed at how awesome you are! I am usually a lurker (a family friend of Ondrea's) so I don't comment often. But, I just wanted to say "Well Said!"
For the vast majority of us reading your blog- we are left speechless by your life and praising God after that!
You GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO Sister!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!
Love love love the new picture. Very well said sister. I have your other picture on our fridge for our kids to look at so I might put this one up there too. Love what you wrote. Blessings
Jill
Keep up the hard work!
Amen sister! Have never met you in real life but love you from afar! Thanks for all you do to speak for the 147!
Suzanne!
Thanks for your honesty, your love for Christ, your love for your children, and your love for the rest of God's children still waiting on a forever family. And DON'T STOP BLOGGING! I do the blog posting from the Starfish Foster Home in China (Amanda sends it and I post it for her), and I amazed at some of the comments! "The "opening" is too big, so I have to scroll down and it takes too long to read!" REALLY??!! It is a BLOG....I agree, don't read it if you don't want it, and, what was that saying, "if you don't have anything nice to say.....say nothing!" You are one amazing woman who is helping kids to homes in so many ways...know that you are helping so many of us follow Christ in a stronger, more passionate, more faithful way. He LOVES you, he has blessed you with so many gifts, one of them being SHARING! Keep it up, girl! Jesus stood up for those who most needed it, and calls us to do the same. Some people just never answer!!!
i am with you sister, my daughter has been praying for josie love knowing she is sick, inspired by your life, well done!!!!
You go, girl! I'm glad you've continued to blog and I know that God has given you this platform to speak HIS TRUTH into the lives of so many. You've raised my awareness of adoption one-hundred-fold and I love getting to keep up with your family from "afar". I knew I liked you when we played "Family Feud" oh so many years ago at a GCC women's retreat and I continue to like what I see in you as you share your heart on this blog.
love your life, all of your post and especially what God has called you to do. satan is trying to pull you down through all the negative comments and the rude people but you know we serve an awesome God that loves us all. all we can do as christians is to pray for those people. dont ever let people like that get to you because you are the winner and i really hate to say in the long run they will be the losers unless they wake up! see you soon in louisville. bring lots of product cause i am ready to buy!!! richita grace
Suzanne, we don't know each other but I have a heart for the fatherless in Africa and all over the world. I've been to many orphanages in west and southern Africa. I love how you and your husband have surrendered your lives to the Lord's will and calling to take care of the orphans. I see from your pictures that you have adopted several precious ones from Africa. My husband and I have the same dream. Is there any way we could "'talk" about life with many children, adoption etc.?
6.5 billion people in this world = a lot of stupidity, unfortunately some of them have laptops
Love ya, sister :-)
Suzanne,
You don't know me but you, your family and story are such an inspiration. I enjoy reading your blog and love how you stand strong for what you believe in. I love that you speak the truth and keep it real. I wish there were more people like you. What a little miracle Josie Love is!!! God Bless you all. Tara
I love reading your blog and have been deeply encouraged by your family and your adoption experiences. Thank you for inspiring me and for sharing your "life" (via Internet :) with strangers like me...
Sarah W.
www.wardadventures.blogspot.com
C'mon! You, Gwen and Katie are all reflecting the face of God in all that you do! I'm in total awe of the love that you all shower on the "least of these." Keep up the incredible job that you all are doing...
love this, love you all!
Suz
There's the feisty girl I remember from High School. Ignore all the bad and negative....they have no clue. I give you praise for being who you are and standing up for what you believe and for loving the way you do. I truly think you are doing what you are meant to do and by blogging you are reaching so many who otherwise you would not.
I have always heard and felt that in the battle between good/evil or believers/nonbelievers if there are no battles, nae sayers, negativity and etc. then we are sometimes not doing everything we should.....ONLY when the devil/evil/nonbeliever feels threatened or that they are losing do they throw those things in our path. So if you see it that way then YOU ARE doing good and doing exactly as our Lord wants.
Continue to follow your heart, your spirit, your faith and our Lord.
Much love to you and your precious family,
Vielallar
You blogger, you! YOU GO, GIRL!!!! LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Brian & Mandy Harvey's comment...sadly true...but made me laugh out loud!!! :)
Love you, Suz!
Hug kids for me...yours, Gwen's...I don't care...just hug some! :)
Nancy in CT
So proud of you for posting this :)
Much Love!
I love reading your blog! I'm sorry you've had mean comments. I'm with you, I'm not sure why some people feel the need to say some of the things they do. And I can't imagine ANY reason why someone would say something mean to Katie! That is just craziness! Keep up the GOOD work!
LOVE THIS, SUZANNE!!!!!!
Your family is such an inspiration to SO MANY of us. We know we are not alone in our joys or our struggles. Your transparency motivates us to be more "real" to others. And your unconditional love drives us to seek HIM more each day.
I, for one, appreciate your honesty and willingness to share your life. And like you said...if someone doesn't like it...
CLICK THE RED X, bucko!
(That totally cracked me up!)
Love your blog. Keep up the good work!
I love your thoughts...Jesus said we would be challenged by those who did not understand....It is so sad to see all of those living in darkness...oh well...continue to let His light shine in your family..your fruits are obvious...I love ya!!
Oh I am so sorry to hear that you have been receiving bad comments! (I am a little late reading this post, needed to catch up lately). I am also so sad and shocked to be honest that Katie receives criticism!! I know how badly it hurts because our family were criticised deeply for a decision we made some time back and to be honest, I can see where people were coming from regarding our decision. I would have been one of those also to criticise others until it happened to me. God has humbled me so much this last year and shown me so much grace. I only want to show grace to others! It is evident that both you and Katie have been broken because we are all able to see Jesus!
As a side note, I am hoping to travel to Uganda in July on a missions trip and will see all that the Lord is doing through Katie! I have never been before and I have a feeling the Lord is going to change my heart so much! I have been a Pastor's wife for almost 13 years but we are stepping down from the ministry of planting churches and beginning a new life back in the States doing something so different!! I am scared and excited to see what God is going to do in our hearts!
And Josie is so adorable!!
Blessings to you, from a sister in Christ in England!
I'm not even sure how I came across your blog but I just love it. I can feel your love for God and for your family through the blog and it is wonderful. And little Josie is a sweetheart. Just adorable - as are all your children.
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