Kelsey and Rob's Adoption Adventure

We're In For A Wait

2012-01-23T08:55:00.000-05:00

I realized last week that we need to get our biometric fingerprints renewed AND our daughter is now considered an adult and has to be added as such to our homestudy. That means we have to have our homestudy updated and get biometric fingerprints for her, too.
I was a little set back about that. Then I found out from our agency that there are no little boys w/Down Syndrome available for adoption at this time. I was told to be prepared for a wait. I guess two years doesn't count as "waiting." I really struggled with this. But, I realize that we have a couple of options. One would be to switch countries to China. That would be much more money and more paperwork and headaches--not to mention being disobedient to God. The other option would be to just stay the course, do the paperwork, updates, fees and wait some more. We decided to go with option #2. God has a plan; He sees the big picture. Anyway, things can change. You never know with God. That's for sure.

A Thing That Makes You Go, "Hmmmm"

2011-11-21T10:22:00.000-05:00

We had Rob's bike for sale for four weeks. Not one person showed interest. :( I was very concerned. I thought for sure that it would sell. After all, there were a few people that were looking at his bike when I was selling mine. Evidently, Rob talked to God about it. Go figure, right? I thought He only talked to me! (Lord, teach me humility!) Anyway, Rob felt that, if for some reason, his bike didn't sell, he should give it to me. He told me that and I really wasn't game. I wanted it to sell so all of our money issues connected w/the adoption would be settled. That was my plan.
Now, for you that don't ride, let me explain. When a bike is "yours," it becomes an extension of who you "are." It's another expression of yourself. That means you can adorn, accessorize, do whatever your little heart desires. It's like fashion style. What may work for you, may not work for me. Anyway, I wasn't sure if it would work for me. Rob picked this bike and had accessorized it and had chosen his vanity plate. It says the year and model of the bike. (My vanity plate on my old bike said, "tattoo girl.") Just a little different. I took it for a ride yesterday and I have to say that I really enjoyed myself. I already have a new vanity plate reserved--One Thing.

Psalm 27:4 One thing I ask from the Lord
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.

Rob's unselfishness really touched me. He said that I enjoy riding more than he does, so he thought it would be the right thing to do.

We're not much closer to anything happening with the adoption or the $5,000 that we need. But, I know that God wants me to trust Him in all things and that's what I choose to do. While I ride my new bike with a HUGE smile on my face! Thank you, Rob. I love you.

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

2011-10-19T14:02:00.000-04:00

Just to let everyone know...we're still, you got it, waiting. Unlike many other parents to be, I'm content. We're putting Rob's bike up for sale probably tomorrow.

Once we are able to sell that, we should have the money that we'll need to travel. If not, then God will find a way to get us the rest. He always does. But...I digress.
*sigh*
I think I'm past the antsy, impatient, hurry up and get here stage. Reality has set in. My, *ahem*, our lives are getting ready to be turned upside down and right side up again. I'm trying to bask in the "I'm here alone during the day (except for all of the animals, of course) and I pretty much set my own schedule" way of life. Yes, I know, I'm spoiled. Point taken.
Life, as I know it, is going to change forever. I'll deal with changes when they are in my lap. So, when you ask me, "How is the adoption going? Any news?" and I just smile and say,"We're still waiting," know that I'm happy, content and relaxing--for now.

Yep. He Did It.

2011-07-26T11:49:00.002-04:00

As of yesterday, my motorcycle has a new home! :D Here's a picture of David and his girl with his new bike. I wanted him to see where he fits into the big picture of what's going on here.
I told him yesterday that he was an answer to prayer. He loves this bike and has done the research on it. So, in my eyes, he definitely deserves to be the new owner. I had been praying that God would send just the right person. ( I had a few people inquire that had no business riding a bike with this much power. I couldn't, in good conscience, sell it to them with out them getting more information. They would end up killing themselves with it. ) Then, along came David. He made an offer, I countered, he sold a few things to get the extra money, and the rest is history.
Rob asked me if I was sad when I saw him leave on my old bike. Nope. I was just really excited to see David so happy to have her. It makes me teary eyed a little now, but I know she's in good hands and belongs to someone that will appreciate her.
We now have a little more than half of what we need for the rest of the fees. Come September, we'll probably sell Rob's bike.

It's all part of God's plan. Stay tuned.

*Edit*
When I say, "He did it," I need to clarify...I'm talking about God. LOL So much for having my thoughts in order! Sheesh!

God Gave Me An Idea

2011-06-20T07:13:00.001-04:00

Watch this video and it will help to explain what comes next.

Ok, now that you have context, you'll understand a little. I am selling my beloved motorcycle. In the video, Randy Bohlender was talking about reasons people have to exclude themselves from adopting. I know I don't fall into that category. But...he made a comment about being willing to sell the sports car to enable buying a large passenger van. God kind of suggested to me that I sell my bike to help w/the adoption expenses. I have been praying for a windfall of $20,000 from God to help fund the adoption movement--ours and other people's. Here's my way to pitch in. I felt kind of crappy saying, "God, I'd like this, this and this. I know you can do it...please send it my way." Then look around and see I have something of value, but haven't thought of parting w/it because it somehow identifies who I am. What a load of crap (lie!) The only identity that I have, that is true, is this: I'm God's kid and He really loves me. So I now tell anyone within ear shot that I'm selling my bike to help fund our adoption. Do they know anyone who would be interested in buying?
I'm praying that God will bring just the right person and they will be very generous when offering the price. After all, it's going to a cause that's close to God's heart.

Just to let you know that we're still here!

2011-06-02T12:13:00.000-04:00

We're still in the "waiting" mode. But, today I got a call from our agency asking how we would like to handle our dossier getting over to Thailand. Evidently, there's some big brough haha going on there and not much has been happening concerning adoptions. So...I was asked if I wanted it sent over now and take the chance that it will just sit on someone's desk or wait until July and have it hand carried over by the agency staff when they do their visit. I went w/the hand carried option.
As I explained to our adoption coordinator, it's all in God's timing. We are asking for a specific "type" of little person, so I don't think it really matters if we try to hurry it along. God is God and He knows where Jackson is living and when he'll be available for adoption. It is not going to "help things along" by putting our fingers and ideas into the pot. So...maybe after July, we'll get an update.

On a totally different note...I went to Awaken The Dawn in Fredericksburg and heard one of the speakers say something that really stuck in my brain. He said, "When praying for finances, don't ask for the bare minimum from God. Ask for the full amount or more so you can bless others." Our God is so big that it's not going to matter to Him if you ask for $100 or $100,000. He knows our hearts and He's able to get any amount of money. It's no big deal to Him.
After thinking on that a bit, I have begun to pray for $20,000. We only need $7K for this adoption. But I know we're planning to adopt again and could use the money for that. Plus, there are adoption movement ministries and agencies that could really, really use the money. And...there are other families out there that are adopting and could use the monetary help. With that being said, I'm praying in a mother lode! *chuckles*

We'll see what happens next.
Blessings!

One Huge Mountain Climbed

2011-04-15T18:01:00.000-04:00

Finally. The dossier paperwork is complete and Rob is on his way to FedEx to send it off to the agency. I think this was the most difficult thing I've had to do yet. I don't know why, but I got totally overwhelmed every time I looked at the list of stuff we had to prepare. I drug my feet, put it off, made excuses. I know for a fact, I wouldn't have made it through without Rob organizing, making lists and assignments. He's my hero. I also have to give kudos to our home group from church. They're the ones who, ever so sweetly, asked how we were doing with the adoption. Translation: "Did you do the stuff that you said you were going to?"

Now, I think, we wait. Then, once there's a match, it will be somewhat crazy. I added up $7,800 still to be paid between the go ahead to travel and coming home.
Now is the time to get aggressive in paying off debt. Once we kick out some of these bills, we'll have enough to really save for the balance of costs.

I am so relieved. *wipes brow*

Another non-adoption related post!

2011-02-17T15:47:00.001-05:00

I have become obsessed with nails! It all started with the Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips that I bought. I really liked the look, black fishnet on a gold base, but for $10 and one manicure--not. I had done some research and found something that many beauty bloggers have written about--Konad nail art. It's stamping done w/nail polish. You can get some pretty cool looking nails for a fraction of the cost of a salon manicure.
I got mine today and I'm stoked!
I read at one of my fave blogs that she's doing a humongous give-away. Check it out!
Konad-licious

Ok. That's All I've Got To Say

2011-02-07T16:16:00.000-05:00

All righty then. :P We had an issue (or several to be exact) with our I-800A application. Immigration thought we needed more evidence (or different evidence) to complete what we had sent into them. We had 45 days to get it done or start over and send in another $800. Needless to say, we scrambled. We were able to send it in a week before the cut-off; so we're good on that.
Now we're trying to get the dossier finally done. Rob and I have made a list of the "easy" things (such a relative term) to do first. Hopefully, we'll have that done within the next 2 or 3 weeks. Then, on to the more difficult or time consuming requirements.
But, I have peace knowing that it's ok. God knows exactly which kid is to become a Raposa and it's all in His timing--not mine. Thank God for that!
That's the latest update. Not exciting but we are making progress.

Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. I read in another adoptive family's blog something that encouraged me. They live in Australia, had been waiting years and just now got back from picking up their new son from Thailand. :) Anyway...she had mentioned that there were several special needs kids waiting to be adopted. She saw this little guy with Down Syndrome and she just couldn't stop thinking about him. She expressed the hope that he would one day be adopted into a loving family that could give him what he needs. I was encouraged just knowing that there's a little boy out there that matches our description. I trust God to work out the details whether this is our little guy or someone else's.

Until next time.

Kelsey

Not Adoption Related But...

2011-01-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

I liked it. It's my blog so I can do as I please, right? ;) Hat tip: Life on the 21st Chromosome blog.

Need an exquisite laugh?

This was sent to me courtesy of the Commander; I can't stop laughing. ENJOY.

To All My Democrat Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2011, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wish.

To My Republican / Conservative Friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in the year 2011.

Posted by deanie at 9:40 PM

We have completed the biometric fingerprints!

2010-12-30T09:45:00.000-05:00

Last week we went to Norfolk to have our biometric fingerprints done. It was such a breath of fresh air! I think it was the easiest thing we've done to date for the adoption! There was hardly any traffic for the hour and 40 min. drive, there was an actual parking lot so we didn't have to look endlessly for a spot (like I had thought,) it was first come first served even though we had appointments (a good thing since we arrived early.) We were in and out within 45 min. It was wonderful! :D
Now, as I have been saying for the past couple of months, we have to get busy on the paperwork for the dossier! It is so intimidating!! But, that is my #1 New Year's resolution. After that, I'm going to start on the exercising and healthy eating.

Until next time!

Blessings,
Kelsey

Me and my future guide dog, Val.

2010-12-28T18:42:00.002-05:00

Still here...

2010-10-02T11:54:00.000-04:00

We have now moved past the clearance letter debacle. Now...to do the I-800A paperwork. It's more government pre-approval stuff that has a chunk of money attached. I don't mean to sound down, but I have been getting easily overwhelmed. Just when I finish one task, there is a stack of paperwork and a large amount of funds needed for the next "assignment." I'm going to keep going because I know this is what God wants.
I'm thankful that Rob is my anchor. He pulls me up when I feel like I'm falling apart. When it seems too much for me to deal with, he steps in and brings stability to the situation. *chuckles* It's very apparent why the Father put us together.
Anyway...this week, we'll be getting all of the money together and fill out the rest of the I-800A stuff and send it off. I'm getting agitated just thinking about all of the signatures and notorizing that will have to be done for the dossier packet. One thing at a time, one thing at a time...
I found out that the adoption process for Thailand is much longer than first thought. I understood it to be a year when we started in January. It seems that it is closer to three years give or take. I have been tempted on more than one occasion to switch to China. But...God continually reminds me through close friends, dreams and words that seem to be written especially for me from the Bible, that we are to stay the course. He has chosen a specific child for us from Thailand and his new name will be Jackson. It's gonna be worth it. Jackson is worth it.
So I say to myself, "Suck it up, cowboy!" (or should I say "cowgirl?")
Blessings,
Kelsey

Georgia On My Mind...

2010-07-27T14:14:00.000-04:00

We have hit a speed bump. It seems that the state of Georgia has a huge back log on child abuse clearance requests. That being said, we have been waiting for two weeks just to get a letter saying they are back logged and no longer do the clearances for private adoptions. :( I guess I'll have to revert to "squeaky wheel" mode. I hate to nag, but sometimes it's the only way to get someone in a government position to do something.
We've had all the other clearances come back last month and we're waiting on GA so we can finish our homestudy. That's it. So, if you pray, please pray for the release of that letter so we can move on and send our dossier on to Thailand.
Thanks, my friends!

Great Post From A Fellow Adoption Blogger

2010-06-18T09:40:00.000-04:00

Life on the 21st Chromosome I found this today while navigating through the myriad of links concerning adoption. This is good.

*Hat tip to Full House, Full Hands, Full Hearts blog*

We're Moving Along--Sort Of.

2010-06-17T15:28:00.001-04:00

We received a packet from our adoption agency today. When I opened it, I felt like "something" was finally happening. It was cool looking through the paperwork and articles about Thailand's culture, geography and all that interesting stuff. A lot of it, I already knew since I was there last year. But all the same, it felt like we were moving along. On the other side of the folder, was the "dossier for Thailand" section. There, we have more paperwork to sign and a list of things to have to be sent to the agency. It seems more of the same. We'll have to go back to some places we've already visited, like a signed/notarized letter from a doctor stating that we're healthy enough to care for an adopted child. Oh, well. Another hoop we just need to jump through. So be it.

At this point, we're still waiting for our child abuse clearance from Georgia. Everywhere else has responded. If we don't hear something next week, we'll have to call and see what's up. Hopefully, soon they will send it on and we'll have our home study finally completed.

I know we still have a very long wait, but at least we're moving a bit.

Blessings,
Kelsey

No news is good news, right?

2010-06-05T16:36:00.000-04:00

Not a thing has happened since the last post. I figure it will be this way for quite some time. We're waiting for our copy of the homestudy so we can apply for the I-800A (application for determination of suitability to adopt a child from a convention country.) Once that is sent off, we had some little things to do while we wait on a match. Rob has to get a passport and do any "do-overs" that come up.
Then, when we're matched, we have the foreign costs--placement fee and visa issuance = $3,800. After that, I think we wait some more. Once they give us the go ahead, we'll travel to Thailand for 10-14 days. We'll have meetings, appointments and a little down time. That will be an additional $4,000.
Once our little on gets home, we'll have post placement visits with the social worker every couple of months for six months. $900.

For some reason, it seems very "do-able."

Blessings,
Kelsey

Finished With The Homestudy

2010-05-01T10:58:00.000-04:00

Well, our final homestudy visit was completed a couple of days ago. I feel relieved to have that part behind us. Although, I was told to ask our adoption agency about the child abuse clearances that we may need for every place that we've lived since age 18. Whoa. I was praying that it wouldn't be needed. Rob and I both joined the Army when we were 18, got married at 19 and proceeded to live around the world. We are now 45 and Rob retired from the Army after 23 yrs. You do the math. There are seven places that we now need clearances, including two foreign countries. Stress. Not only will we need to pay for each clearance, we have to do the homework to figure out WHERE to apply. >:{
Being the researcher that I am, I got busy. I made the list of places, went to a clearinghouse website and foraged for whatever info I could, and printed, called, left messages and stressed some more. What the heck?! I know God told us to adopt from Thailand. But. Do you think that MAYBE He could change His mind? At this point, Rob came into the library of no books (also known as the computer room) rubbed my shoulders and said, "Take a break." I struggled with the whole thing.
I got an e-mail from someone at the adoption agency asking (again) if we have considered adopting from China. They know we want a boy with Down Syndrome and evidently there are several boys available for adoption in China. But, China's fees are almost double the amount of Thailand's fees. AND we would still be required to do the same things since Thailand and China are both Hague countries. *pphhtt*
I took a good look at the information that I have. I found out from the State Department that South Korea and Germany don't have child abuse registries, so there are two less places we need to get clearance. *wipes brow*
And this morning during my quiet time I was talking with God about my feelings. I was having a hard time and this was frustrating. Why does this have to be so hard? I heard myself complaining and stopped. I realize now that this isn't going to be the most difficult thing that I ever experience. (I know that He'll give me the grace to get through anything.) Do what you have to do--one step at a time. Do it little by little. Then I heard Him clearly: This is going to be worth it. Jackson is worth it.
All I could do was sob.
My meditation for the morning was this:
Psalm 36:7-9
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their
     trust under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness
     of Your house,
   And You give them drink from the river of
      Your pleasures.
For with You is the fountain of life;
   In Your light we see light.

Blessings.

Apologies...

2010-04-07T12:13:00.000-04:00

Once again, this is going to be short. I'm pooped and haven't quite recovered from this weekend. The benefit dinner was a success--we raised approximately $4,000! That will get us through the next month or so. :} Needless to say, we have a couple of big things to pay pretty soon. Thanks to all who were involved: the helpers, the donors of auction items, donors of funds, dinner guests, raffle ticket supporters, the church venue, the caterer...the list goes on! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It couldn't have happened with out you.

Our Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppy that we had raised (Vangie,) went up to NY to be tested. She passed and is now going to start the harness training! After several months, she'll be matched with a blind partner and start her new life. I am so proud of her!

Now we begin on the stack of stuff.

Blessings,
Kelsey

Quick Update

2010-03-30T15:43:00.000-04:00

It's been a couple of weeks since I last wrote, so I'll try to give a quick update. Our oldest son, Anthony, just returned from a deployment in Afghanistan. He and his wife, Cayla, are living in NC. They will be expecting a son early August. Yes...we will be grandparents and possibly "new" parents all in the same year. It makes my head spin just thinking about it! We're so glad that he's home.
We're having our benefit dinner this Saturday. I'm in a tizzy trying to make sure there are no loose ends. We haven't had as many people respond as we had hoped, but that's ok. There is still the silent auction and the panel TV raffle. God has a plan and I'm not going to start second guessing things.
I'll try to take pictures and post something after it's all said and done.
Once that's finished, we can really get to work on more paperwork, appointments and privacy invasion to the nth degree. Yay! :}
I covet your prayers!
Blessings,
Kelsey

Overwhelmed and Stressed

2010-03-15T06:35:00.000-04:00

That has summed up my last week. We had a good first visit for our homestudy. The problems started when we arrived home and took a good look at all of the paperwork. There were multiple appointments and papers that had to be signed or notarized in three weeks. Three weeks because that was our next scheduled visit. Ugh. One of the most frustrating things for me is this: our 16 year old daughter with Down Syndrome has to be treated as an adult for the fingerprinting and criminal background check! I know the powers that be make the laws to protect everyone across the board, but come on! She has the mental and emotional age of a 10 year old! So, that being said, we have a few more fees we didn't count on.
I have been training for a local 10K race on the 27th, trying to make appointments for all of us within the time frame, plan and organize the benefit dinner and silent auction we're having on April 3rd, plus get our future guide dog ready to go up to New York to be tested for harness training and say our good-byes on April 3rd. It seems I cried a lot lately.
I decided to quit training for the race and not participate. That helped some. Rob has made a list of things he can do and has run with that. That took away some of the stress. I found out I can't even get a physical appointment until April 7th. That doesn't even include the two weeks that it will take to get the lab results and the doctor to sign off on it. So...I need to reschedule our homestudy visits for the end of April. I was upset at first, but I see that it gives me much needed time.
Once we get the benefit dinner out of the way, I'll be able to focus more and handle things better. I believe what makes this adoption more stressful for me is the lack of direction. The other times we had people telling us where to go at what time. They'd say, "Sign here, here and here." Not this time. I feel like I'm supposed to somehow know exactly how all of the required things are to be done. I ask, but it just isn't clear. I call and ask again. It's frustrating to have a homestudy done in VA and the adoption work done in WA. Next time we adopt, it's all going to be done under one roof. I really don't need any more gray hairs!
So. Thank you for reading my rant. Hopefully, it will be better the next time I post. I have never planned a wedding, but from what I've heard and seen...I think I can compare planning this dinner to a wedding AND I've become Bridezilla! I need peace. Jesus said He'd give peace. So lay a little on me, Jesus. I need it.
'Til next time.

Getting Ready For The Dinner

2010-03-03T07:31:00.000-05:00

The plans and preparations are now in motion for our benefit dinner and silent auction on April 3rd. Wooo! Lots and lots of details. But, I have a wonderful friend (Evie) that is my mover and shaker. She's keeping me on track and has a lot of great ideas. Little by little we are adding to the list of items for the auction. I'm working out the details with the caterer. I believe this is really going to happen! :)
We are praying and believing for 80-100 people to buy tickets. Sometimes it seems so big and other times, it's like "Ah, no worries. God can do anything." I do have a certain peace that permeates the whole process. I guess because deep down, I know He's got it under control. There are too many "coincidences" that have happened: people helping to get things done and pushed through at just the right times, others offering services at no cost to us, still others donating money on the spot.
I'll let you know how next week goes. We have our homestudy visit on Monday. With that, will bring more paperwork and homework. All part of the deal, right?
;)

'Til next time.

Blessings,
Kelsey

God Moves In the Quiet Times

2010-02-21T11:09:00.001-05:00

It's been a while and things are moving along--albeit very slowly. I thought I had some interesting stuff to write about. Then some days passed and it didn't seem that great. Then I got busy with other stuff and began to feel as if we were stuck in a quagmire. Then, in the quiet, day to day activities God moved. Because we had a date for our tax return to be deposited, we were able to make an appointment for our first visit of the homestudy on March 8th. I'm excited about that because I'm very goal oriented. I can actually experience progress when I can mark the block of each step. As long as I feel like we're making some progress, I don't grumble as much. ;)
In the midst of getting excited about the appointment, two families had (out of the blue) given us money to help with the financing of the adoption. Their generosity and understanding of our vision had moved me.

This is what Randy Bohlender of the Zoe Foundation (www.thezoefoundation.com) said,

"What most people are feeling is inadequate when it comes to raising the funds. Their fees might range from $15,000-$35,000 but it’s essentially immaterial. To a family living month to month, $15,000 might as well be the size of the government stimulus package. Anything more than they have is out of reach….except for a few important details. God has all the silver and Gold. God likes adoption. A lot of people like God. Those people and God talk…see where this is going?"

I love the part that says, "God has all the silver and gold. God likes adoption. A lot of people like God. Those people and God talk..."
Whenever I begin to get discouraged, I read that. Another instance of that is the whole planning of our benefit dinner and silent auction. We're going to have it on April 3rd. The proceeds of the dinner and auction will go to the funding of the adoption. It's been amazing. A pastor of a local church is helping us by not charging to use their facility. People are coming forward and donating goods and services. It's amazing. God does move in the quiet times.

Blessings,
Kelsey

A Little Insight...

2010-02-07T11:40:00.001-05:00

I have some updates, but I wanted to give a hat tip to another blog. A good friend of mine passed it along to me and I thought I'd do the same. It made me cry, but it gives some insight about the feelings that come with a baby who is born with Down Syndrome. Let me know what you think.
Blessings,
Kelsey

Nella Cordelia: A Birth Story

You May Be Wondering...

2010-02-01T23:53:00.000-05:00

You may be wondering why I've changed the layout of my blog. Well, I found out that it really isn't kosher to include so many details concerning the adoption. That being said, you now have the vanilla version. :)
If you have questions, you can always e-mail me and I'll answer the best that I can, ok?
I will still write about the stuff that is happening and our reaction to it all, so stay tuned.
Same bat time, same bat channel.

Blessings,
Kelsey

Another Bump Along the Road

2010-01-29T10:08:00.000-05:00

First of all, let me say I'm not stressed. I just feel as if I've been bumped while running a road race. A little unnerved, but not out of sorts.

I found out that our local homestudy agency is 3-3 1/2 hours north of us. That means we can't do things the "normal" way. LOL What a surprise, right? Ok. Even by paying the extras that entail them coming down here, we still are saving a big chunk of moola. It turns out to be an inconvenience more than anything.
Now...my financial plan has flushed down the toilet AGAIN. Surprise. We need to have a little over $1,000 upfront when we do the first homestudy visit due to the "abby normal" way of doing things.

My friend Amy has prayed that I will have peace in the midst of the unknown stuff that is happening--knowing that God will come through. I have a calmness in my very being although the papers in front of me are suggesting that the sky is falling. Oh, alright. I'm being melodramatic, but you get the idea. God is faithful. Let's see how He does it, shall we? ;)

Until next time...
Kelsey

Details, details

2010-01-20T08:46:00.000-05:00

I'd been thinking and praying about the financial thing again. It's really easy to have faith when you aren't going out on a limb. God has definitely taken me out of my comfort zone. I've seen Him come through in big ways before. But...Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.
Because international adoption is a vague subject for some, I've decided to lay it all out. Please forgive me if it seems that I'm pandering. I don't want it to be that way. If you feel like you're supposed to help, by all means, please do! Otherwise, it's ok if you don't. It's not about guilt, but about being a part of something bigger than ourselves.
The scripture that keeps coming up is this, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." (James 1:27) I can't save the world, but I can invest in one life at a time.

Thailand Program Cost

Application fee $250
Homestudy fee $1,350
Visa filing $830
Adoption Processing $2,400
Foreign Placement fee $3,200
Visa issuance $400
Travel costs (for 10 days) $4,000
Post placement visits (3) $900

Approximate Total Cost $13,500

We will be giving a benefit dinner and probably a silent auction some time within the next few months. I've been thinking about doing a motorcycle poker run, as well.

Stay tuned and see how God makes the finances come in at just the right time. :)

Blessings,
Kelsey

He's Amazing (& it's only been 5 days!)

2010-01-14T17:50:00.000-05:00

Wow. This is somethin'. I know people experience this all the time, but I'm usually not one of them.
I chose to fast to set this year off right, to align myself w/God and His will, to release finances and favor concerning the adoption and for healing of my chronic back problem. So many things have happened since I started five days ago. God showed me the areas of unforgivness, bitterness & resentment that I've been holding on to. I asked for forgiveness for myself and forgave those that had hurt me. Lo and behold, the next morning my back began to feel better!
Yesterday, we were at the commissary (military grocery store for you civilians) and the bagger that helped us out to the car told us about a bad ear infection that she had. Now, I heard the Holy Spirit tell me three times (yes, three) to pray for her. But, I didn't want to. I just didn't feel like it. Then I heard Him ask me, "You want me to do what for you?" Ok. Got it. Rob and I prayed for her in the parking lot and we went on our way.
Today, during my quiet time w/Him, I kept seeing flashes of pictures of places in Thailand that I had visited. I didn't really understand it, so I asked Him what it was about. He told me that we were going to Thailand soon. I shook it off because I was thinking it made no sense. It's not probable that we'll clear EVERYTHING that needs to be done for the adoption any time "soon." As I was in the shower, I asked again just to make sure. He verified that was what He meant and that we should send in the adoption application soon. Don't wait. I don't understand any of this and we don't have nearly the money that we need for each step. But I do know enough to jump if He says "jump."
Oh, yeah. I forgot. I was getting my hair done today and told my stylist about the adoption and the costs. He and his wife are believers, so he understood my craziness. Anyway, he said that he'll do my hair for free for an entire year so I can focus on the finances of the adoption! All I have to pay for is the product. God is so good. I'm a crazy, jumping fool.

Trying not to get overwhelmed!

2010-01-07T18:55:00.000-05:00

It seems that Murphy has made a visit to us. It never fails...just when I have a plan down to the detail, something happens to screw it up. Somehow, my wonderfully encouraging financial plan for the adoption has hit a bump. We had a few unexpected things happen this month, so the money that was to go into our emergency fund is dwindling. Poop. Apparently I misread the info concerning the homestudy. I thought that we could stretch out the homestudy visits (3 in all) over a three month period. Each visit is $450. Nope. The homestudy is to be completed over six weeks. Ok, God. Time to help me out here. I need some wisdom, a plan, even some creativity thrown in would be good.
It seems that I need to take a deep breath and remember who suggested we do this in the first place. Ok, I get it. It has never been my meticulous planning that accomplished great things. It has always been God.
Time to walk the walk, yeah? One thing I do know: God is good and He never changes.

New topic--adoption!

2009-12-28T17:36:00.001-05:00

Time to begin a new thread. As many of you know, last year before I went to Thailand, God started an "idea" in my head. I began to want to have another child added to our family. As the days past, I started to see a clearer picture of who this little person was. God showed me a picture in my head of a very small boy that I was holding and I just knew that he was Thai and had Down Syndrome. Many think that I'm crazy preparing for a child that no one knows about. I know that God has this little one just for us--somewhere. It's not my job to know or understand the details; I just need to be ready. So, we are now in the process of "being ready."

I have made lists these past two days. Lists of costs, lists of homestudy agencies, lists of fundraising ideas. To say the least, it was overwhelming. I know that God has a plan, but my faith sometimes waivers when I look at the overall cost. But like my friend Amy said (paraphrased), "It was God's idea, so He'll make sure you have what you need." He is, after all, the one that owns all the gold and silver of the world, right?

So. That's my heart and where I'm at in this moment. Check in every so often and I'll let you in on this crazy ride. ;)

2009-05-21T11:19:00.003-04:00

I'm back and my head is spinning. I feel like the beginning line of "A Tale of Two Cities." "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." I had a lot of fun and met a bunch of really nice people that I can truly call my friends. But...I cried a ton when I was there in Pattaya. It's difficult to see the people and surroundings, knowing that this is NOT the way it's supposed to be. I saw young women who thought this was their only hope of making enough money to support themselves and families. I saw children being groomed to become prostitutes when they sold bracelets and roses in the streets at night. I saw many western men with young Thai women walking hand in hand down the streets. The thing that I recognized most on the men was rejection. They had problems with relationships in their own countries with women and couldn't deal with it. So, they pretend to have girlfriends and real relationships while they're on vacation. The women they buy for the time they're in Thailand will accommodate. I was made aware of certain places in the city that catered to pedophiles. It makes my heart sick. These children have no voice. No safe place.
In spite of all this sadness, God has shown me beautiful things. The people are generous, friendly, and loving. There is hope for them. All is not lost. The place is not too dark to invade with His light.
I also learned that it's not about me. (I know. Go figure, right?) Even though I may not feel like talking to someone or going here or there, as long as I'm open to what God has to say to me, I'm good to go. I don't have to conjure up a special destiny word for someone's life. I don't have to stir myself up to feel "spiritual" for God to show up. He wants to encourage everyone in their lives. Just where they are. He wants to speak into their lives when they believe that no one even realizes that they are alive. God used me that way a couple of times when we were walking along the beach.
We had a breakneck schedule morning until bedtime. I was tired and feeling a bit yuck. Our plan was to walk along the beach and talk to the prostitutes and anyone else just loitering about. I honestly didn't feel like doing that. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to go back to the hotel and sleep. But, I did go along and thought I would just pray in the background for the others that were engaging with people. Little did I know, God had a different plan. Our translator, Wei-Keng, was talking to a couple of women sitting on a mat. She called me over and said while pointing to one of the women, "She wants a word from God." I was thinking, "Ok, God. You have to show up and help me here. I've got nothin'." I started to pray and I instantly got a picture for her. (I'm trusting God that it actually meant something to her!) I finished and was just brushing the sweat off of my brow with relief, when Wei-Keng points to the other woman and says, "She's a palm reader. Speak into her life." I sat there for a second and told Wei-Keng that she needed to pray w/the lady to take some of the pressure off of me and to give me a minute. (I was thinking, nothing like being put on the spot, right?) As soon as she started to pray, I got a picture for the lady. Once again, I was thinking, thank God I'm done with that! I'm not one to just have words immediately for people. I have to get into that "place" where I can hear God freely, where I know that He's there. Well. He showed me that all I have to do is show up and listen. That's all. It's not about me looking like I have all the answers or being this super spiritual kind of person. I just need to be myself and trust that He'll come through. He has the answers for these people--I don't. But it's up to us to pass that info along because they need it.
Thanks for the prayers, guys. I could tell that they made a huge difference. Until next time...blessings.

Today is the day!

2009-05-07T09:21:00.002-04:00

Here I am. I'll be on the first leg of my journey tonight. It's hard to believe that it's finally here! Thank you to all that have supported me with finances as well as your on-going prayers. BTW, God has provided ALL of my needed finances! He told me that He'd go "above and beyond" what I was expecting. He did it. Please continue to pray for us on the team throughout the entire trip. The enemy of our soul is not going to be a happy camper! Yay, God! :D
Here's my itinerary if you're interested:
*I fly out tonight (the 7th) at 8pm to head to Los Angeles.
*Then I have a couple hours for a layover and head out to Seoul, South Korea. It's a 13 hour flight then I have a 13 hour layover. (Thank you, Jesus, for the USO!)
*I leave Seoul on the 8th and arrive in Bangkok, Thailand about 6 hours later.
*I arrive in Bangkok in the evening of the 9th and travel by bus for a couple of hours until we reach Pattaya.
*The 10th-12th will be training and intros.
*The 13-17th will be outreaches in various locations. (I'll take pix; I promise!)
*We go to the airport on the 18th and I take a red-eye to Seoul.
*13 hour layover (again!) and onto Los Angeles.
*Leave Los Angeles and arrive in Dulles in the middle of the night of the 18th.

Thanks for your support in so many ways. Just to let you know...God rocks (through you!)
Love ya, friends. :)

Getting Close!

2009-04-28T06:28:00.002-04:00

Well, I really don't have anything profound to say this week. *chuckles* I think when I do, it's pretty much a surprise! Anyway, I have about a week left before I leave. I am so excited! God has got something big up His sleeve. I can feel it inside, like a very quiet vibration, an expectancy. I have a confidence that won't be shaken. I get to be a part of some crazy thing that God is doing in Pattaya, Thailand! Wow. It's amazing to me. Who would have thought that I'd be doing the things that I'm doing? If you would've asked me a couple of years ago where and what I thought I'd be doing in 2009, this probably wouldn't even be on the list! I know I'm rambling...sorry. I guess I'm still stunned that this is a reality. Bottom line: God sees you better than you see yourself. The devil sees you as you see yourself. My advice? Listen to what God says about you--you'll be in for the ride of your life! ;)
'Til next week!

Only When Convenient?

2009-04-21T17:40:00.004-04:00

Isaiah 58:6-9 (Contemporary English Version)
I'll tell you what it really means to worship the LORD.Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused! Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relatives. Then your light will shine like the dawning sun,and you will quickly be healed. Your honesty will protect you as you advance,and the glory of the LORD will defend you from behind. When you beg the LORD for help, he will answer, "Here I am!" Don't mistreat others or falsely accuse them or say something cruel. Your honesty will protect you as you advance,and the glory of the LORD will defend you from behind. When you beg the LORD for help, he will answer, "Here I am!" Don't mistreat others or falsely accuse them or say something cruel.

This is a scripture passage that I've heard a lot about these past couple of years. I've been guilty of sometimes using a Bible verse out of context to suit my own wants. I've heard other people do it as well. But, sarcastically speaking, I don't think that's what we're supposed to do when we read something from the Bible. It is what it is. Literal. No changey the wordie. With that being said, I look back at this passage again. Ok. Do I want to be a worshiper of the One True God? "Check." Remove the chains of those unjustly imprisoned. Hmmm. I don't think I know anyone in jail. (Let's keep moving...) Free those who are abused. "I call the police when I see something that doesn't seem right. That's good, right?" Share your food with those that are hungry. "I share my lunch when someone forgets theirs, so that counts for something." Share your home with the poor & homeless. " Hold on a minute. What the heck?? I'm supposed to open my home to somebody that could steal from me or much worse?" Give clothes to those in need. "I donate to Goodwill, so I'm good to go." Don't turn away your relatives. Ouch. (enough said.) These are things that I've thought about and dismissed thinking that 3 out of 7 ain't bad.

I think that God is saying that He doesn't want us going through the motions of loving and serving Him. He doesn't want empty words. He wants us to do the practical things like the stuff listed in Isaiah. That's what's important to Him. He doesn't care about our new carpet in the sanctuary, the amazing speaker that we have lined up, or the phenomenal guitar player. He wants our hearts to be lined up with His. We need to care about the things that break His heart.

THEN...that's when something wonderful happens. He promises that He'll answer and that our light will shine brightly and we'll be quickly healed. (among other things!) If we can just realign ourselves with the heart of God, so many things in our lives will fall into place! Hmmm. It's a difficult journey, being human and all. But I think it's a worthwhile endeavor. (with His help, of course!)

So now you know what drives me to go to Thailand where so many dark and nasty things become a lifestyle for so many people. It's not that I'm a great person; it's because I'm beginning to see and feel a glimpse of God's heart.

BTW, 16 days! (Yippee!)

Three and a half weeks to go!

2009-04-14T06:04:00.003-04:00

It's hard to believe that it's almost here! I've been planning this for a while, so it's still a tad surreal. God has been good in supplying everything that I need along the way. He is faithful. I am over the midway point in my fundraising, so I've jumped that hurdle! :)
He continues to talk to me. Sometimes its about who I am in Him. Sometimes its about things that I've buried or stuffed and He thinks its time to confront them. Sometimes its about the direction that He's taking my life. I'm just grateful that I hear Him speak! I may not always understand what He's doing or why, but I trust Him and I go along for the ride.
I'm making my packing list and adding to it (hoping that I can fit the stuff into one suitcase!) I'm trying to figure out what clothes I already have and what I still need to buy for culturally appropriate attire.
One good thing: the shots are finished. I think. I'm still waiting to hear if I need an MMR. The nurse called me yesterday and asked how I was feeling concerning the shots that I got last week. I told her I was fine. My arms hurt the first couple of days, but they are fine now. She went on to tell me that the clinic sent over a pediatric dosage for one of the shots. Evidently, the pediatric dosage has a larger amount of the diphtheria part than the adult dosage. She said if anything, my arm would hurt more around the shot site. I don't know; I had a couple of shots in each arm so how can you tell? At least I'll be set for life concerning diphtheria! I can sleep better now that I know that. *shakes head*
Thailand is once again having some "unrest" politically, but it usually works itsself out once they have a couple of mass protests. By the time I fly into Bangkok, I'm sure it will be resolved. No worries. (ok, Mom?)
That's it for this week. Have a good one and thanks for checking in!

Here's the prophetic word from the Elijiah list

2009-03-31T15:38:00.000-04:00

Rob Hotchkin: "God Has Great Plans for Thailand - And YOU Can Be a Part Of Them!" AND Julie A. Smith: "A Word for Thailand: Let There Be Love, Let There Be Light, Let There Be Hope in the Darkest Night"
by Rob Hotchkin and Julie Smith
Mar 31, 2009

Rob Hotchkin: "God Has Great Plans for Thailand - And YOU Can Be a Part Of Them!"

Thailand is a beautiful nation, filled with wonderful people. But there are sections of the city of Pattaya that are darker than any place you can find. Much of this city is given over to the international sex trade. Women, men, boys and girls are trafficked in the bars, hotels, streets and alleys, and along the beach. During our missions school, we train and equip Believers to go out and be light in the darkness—sharing the extreme love of Jesus Christ and watch His love, that has washed away the sins of the world, manifest through them, touching people in profound and powerful ways!

Many are crying out for revival in this hour. "Revival" is simply a way of saying, "We long to see death defeated in all its manifestations and the abundant life that Christ died to give us be made tangible everywhere we go."

I was recently over in Pattaya, Thailand, as part of Extreme Prophetic's "Operation Extreme Love–Thailand" missions school. This was our second time leading teams from around the world out on the streets there. We saw great darkness, but even more, we saw God arise through the school's participants in notable and remarkable ways that pierced the darkness and drew many to the Lord. Every day we saw many saved, healed and delivered. Everywhere we went we saw miracles and heard one amazing story after another of God's power working through everyday Believers like you and me.

I think my favorite moment of the school was when a participant from Canada chased me down in the streets one night declaring, "Wow! This stuff REALLY works!" "This stuff," that he was talking about, was the Gospel! This gentleman had never seen a miracle before and was excited because his outreach team had just seen God invade a bar full of prostitutes and sex tourists being saved, healed and delivered. He not only got to see a miracle, he got to work them. He will never be the same. Praise God!

Lazarus—All Things Are Possible!

I want to share a revelation the Lord recently gave us about Pattaya, Thailand, and the work He plans on doing there through Believers like you and me—to draw a people and a city out from the grip of death and darkness into His glorious light and life! I have read the story of Lazarus in John 11 many times over the years; it is a favorite. But what God highlighted this time was when Jesus stood before the tomb, about to work the amazing miracle of bringing Lazarus forth from the dead, Martha's only thought is that the smell will be horrible because Lazarus has been dead for so long (four days) and the rotting flesh will stink something awful.

Martha and so many others there around the tomb were focused on how things are and how long they have been that way. They are thinking of the flesh and the ways of the flesh and the stink of the flesh. They are afraid that even the Lord Himself can be of no real impact in a situation this far gone. They are leaning on their own understanding (to them four days dead means really stinking, hopelessly dead!), and they see the situation with Lazarus as a lost cause. Their only real thoughts of the Lord are wondering why He did not prevent this from happening in the first place (John 11:21- 11:32).

But Jesus stands before the tomb, eyes on the Father, knowing ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. Jesus even allowed Lazarus to pass away (John 11:14-15) so that the people could be stretched to new levels of faith and hope in the Lord, greater understanding of God's love and power, and a revelation that TRULY—all things are possible when we believe.

Martha and the mourners see a lost cause where God has seemingly failed to move. Jesus sees a way for God to be mightily glorified. He declares to everyone, "Did I not tell you that you would see the glory of God if you believe?" And then He speaks and Lazarus comes forth—ALIVE—without even a whiff of the stink of death on him! The Lord then instructs those who had been there to remove every shred and remnant of the grave clothes from Lazarus (John 11:44).

In this revelation, I believe that the Lord is reminding those of us who are believing for transforming works in places like Pattaya, Thailand, that we WILL see the glory of God if we believe—No Matter What! There are those who would say Pattaya is too far gone, too dark, too given over to perversion, too stinking with "the rot of the flesh." But it matters not how dark things are, or how stinking and filthy. Nor does it matter how long they have been that way. All that matters is whether or not—we believe!

I believe that Jesus stands in Pattaya and reminds us that we will see the glory of God if we believe. I believe Jesus stands in Pattaya and reminds us that if we refuse to be intimidated by how given over to sin it is, with the putrefying of the flesh, and refuse to be daunted by how long it has been that way, we will see the glory of God arise there!

Jesus promised that Lazarus' sickness would not END in death (John 11:4). To the natural mind and eye it looked like it had (Lazarus was four days dead in the tomb), but to the Kingdom mind and the believing eye, it was not over yet. Jesus never said that Lazarus would not die; He said that it would not END in death.

Can we look past how things are in Pattaya, Thailand? Can we look past how long they have been that way? Can we look to Jesus and believe that Pattaya's sickness of perversion and greed will not END in death, but that the Son of God will receive glory from this situation? (John 11:4).

I stand in faith that:

We will see the glory of God in Pattaya, Thailand!
We will see an abundance of life in Pattaya, Thailand!
We will go and remove even the tatters of death from her as she emerges from the tomb she has been rotting in!
And I ask you to stand in faith with me! Let's remember that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE IF WE BELIEVE!

Glory of God—Come Forth in Pattaya!

We have another Operation Extreme Love–Thailand missions school trip coming up May 10-16, 2009. I am excited to see all that the Lord will do during this time. All the more because of the promise He spoke to us through this revelation from the story of Lazarus in John 11. These next few weeks before our missions school converges again in Pattaya, let's believe with a renewed focus and passion that Jesus is well able to save an entire city—calling it forth from decades of rotting flesh into glorious life—through Believers like you and me!

Pattaya has been set free from the law of sin and death by the finished work of the Cross (Romans 8:2). Let's stand with Jesus and cry out: "Pattaya, come forth!" Let's call this city out from its tomb of perversion and corruption! Let's believe and declare that the law of the Spirit of Life truly rules there, because Jesus IS Lord of all creation and all the earth (Psalm 24:1). Let's do the works that Jesus did as He calls us to do (John 14:12), let's stand and speak to our Father as He did (John 1:41-42), declaring God's faithfulness, and call forth Pattaya into LIFE and GLORY!

Glory of God—Come forth in Pattaya, Thailand! Pattaya, ARISE and SHINE! Your Light has come! And the Glory of God will be seen upon you! Come forth into LIFE and LIGHT and PURITY in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!

Thank you all for laying hold of this and praying into it on behalf of the nation of Thailand, the city of Pattaya, and Operation Extreme Love—Thailand. Bless you all. I am so grateful to be part of a company of THOSE WHO BELIEVE!

If you would like to find out more about Extreme Prophetic's upcoming Operation Extreme Love—Thailand this May 10-16, 2009, or would like to see a video from Patricia King sharing about this mission and outreach school, just click here.

Rob Hotchkin
Extreme Prophetic
Email: rob@xpmedia.com

About Rob Hotchkin: Rob ministers with Patricia King and Extreme Prophetic. He fervently believes every Christian is a miracle-working explosion of the Kingdom waiting to happen. His preaching, teaching, and ministry inspires Believers to grab hold of their restored relationship with the Father through the finished work of the Cross and walk the earth as Jesus did—destroying every work of darkness everywhere they go! Rob is a passionate lover of Jesus Christ and that passion is truly contagious! He ministers with strong faith, releasing revelation, prophetic decrees, healings, miracles, and the love of God. He is a true carrier of the glory and revival. People have been healed, refreshed, set free, and empowered through his life. He believes for Heaven to impact lives and regions everywhere he goes.

Julie A. Smith: "A Word for Thailand: Let There Be Love, Let There Be Light, Let There Be Hope in the Darkest Night"

As Steve Shultz and I were praying over the phone last week, he had a vision of Pattaya, Thailand. Steve saw women and children in the streets giving themselves away to make a living. Then he saw Jesus walking the streets of Pattaya. When Steve was sharing this he started crying because he saw Jesus crying as He walked in the midst of the women and children. Then He heard Jesus say, "Where are My people?" At that point, we both lost it.

Pattaya, Thailand is known as the "sex capital industry of the world." It has become a popular vacation destination for many foreigners and tourists, not only because of its oceanic beauty, but because of the prostitution industry. Women and children prostitute themselves on the busy streets and bars in downtown Pattaya. I saw this firsthand when I was there last spring walking the streets.

I saw the most beautiful women selling themselves in bars and some of them brought their children too because they had nowhere else to take them. The uttermost atrocity is when these very children are prostituted as well—to help provide for their families. I saw it all in front of me. It's hard for me to even write this without breaking down in tears. In my first week in Thailand last spring, I was nauseous and sick to my stomach and couldn't keep anything down. I think this is how Jesus feels as He walks the dark streets of Pattaya.

The U.S. Department of State posts this health warning for Thailand: "Thailand has been experiencing an epidemic of HIV infection and AIDS. Heterosexual transmission accounts for most HIV infections, and HIV is common among prostitutes of both sexes…"

"Let There Be Love, Let There be Light, Let There Be Hope in the Darkness Night"

These words have been playing over and over in me, especially in the past few weeks. I pray them. I sing them. I declare those words over Thailand daily. Those words came from my sister, from a song she heard, before I went to Thailand last spring. As she heard them, she knew those words were for Thailand. I believe this is a now word over Thailand and we will start to see the manifestation of those words begin to happen.

Just in the past week alone, God has brought Thailand to my heart on a level I've never experienced before—about any place or region. In fact, in the past week I've felt overtaken with the presence of God every time I pray for Thailand. There are times my entire being shakes and vibrates when I pray for Thailand. There are times it feels like electricity is running through me. Everything in me KNOWS that God is going to move mightily in Thailand now! For years, God has spoken to me about Thailand and has given me many visions and dreams of what will take place there as the "Kingdom of Thailand" is overtaken by the "Kingdom of Heaven."

A couple days ago when I felt a strong presence of the Lord overtake me, He said, "Everything I've told you is going to happen." All I could say was, "Yes, Lord, I believe!" Rob Hotchkin shared in his word, "TRULY—all things are possible when we believe." I believe that it's the hour for the Kingdom of Thailand to be overtaken by the Kingdom of Heaven. I believe that the darkest place of perversion is destined to become one of the greatest places of God's light. I believe one of the worst places of dishonor is destined to become one of the greatest places of honor. I believe there will be love, there will be light, and there will be hope in the darkest night of Thailand.

My sister who heard those words over Thailand is a food scientist and director of a food company here in the Northwest. A few years ago I told her that she was destined to go back to Thailand and would start a business there. God began imparting a deep desire in her to go back to Thailand and be a part of what He wants to do. Since then, her company has been working with other food companies in Thailand, and she has been back there a couple of times for business.

In January, the Lord started speaking to both of us about Thailand, telling us that He was going to send us back there together this time. In February, His words started taking shape around us. My sister found out that a food processing factory had gone bankrupt and was closing down—just east of Pattaya, Thailand. Her company was able to purchase this food processing factory as well as an import/export business, and they are sending her there to help start up and manage the factory.

My sister and I will be there in May, in Pattaya, which happens to be at the same time Rob Hotchkin and Extreme Prophetic's "Operation Extreme Love–Thailand" will be there.

Could it be that God wants to do something significant in Pattaya at this time?

Could it be that God wants to shift the city known as the "sex-capital industry of the world"?

Could it be that God wants to plant a foundation of light in that dark ground—as a catalyst for what He's going to do?

I believe the month of May to be a significant month for Pattaya and for Thailand!

God is Redeeming Thailand

The most powerful tools we have are our testimonies. Giving our testimonies is part of sharing the "Good News" and God's "goodness" in our lives. Such is the story of my Thai family and heritage. I'm sharing just a condensed piece of my family's testimony as a preface of the goodness of God, His redemption, and a piece of His plans of restoration over Thailand.

My mother is from Thailand and had a very hard life and childhood there. She is from Northeast Thailand—from the Isan Region, which is considered to be Thailand's "poorest region." Her parents were rice farmers there and had many children. Both of her parents died of pneumonia when she was a young girl and her oldest sister gave her to a Chinese businessman, and she became one of his wives. She had five children with this man, and then he passed away shortly after their fifth child was born. My mom was left with five children to feed and little assistance. She had other family members help take care of them, and she went to work in a massage/bath house to earn a living.

It was in this massage/bath house that she met my father, an American G.I. stationed in the U.S. Air Force. They fell in love and my sister and I were born in the Isan Region within a couple years of each other. My mom, sister and I came back to the states when I was just an infant, and my father brought four of my mom's first children back to the states too, except her oldest son who was already an adult and wanted to stay in Thailand.

Last spring I returned to Thailand for the first time since I was born there. God told me this was a time of "returning to my roots" and to "discover the fullness of who I am." Before I returned to Thailand, God told me He was going to unlock chambers in my heart that I didn't know existed. When I arrived there, my heart awakened to embrace a culture about myself I didn't know existed. I realized that I only knew half of myself and there was another half of me to discover. A full redemption of who I am started to take place.

I met my oldest brother (my mom's oldest son) for the first time, as well as his wife and their children. I also visited the town I was born in and found the actual location where I was born. I was able to connect with some ministries in the Isan Region as well as in Pattaya, and made some beautiful new friends. I instantly fell in love with the people in Thailand.

My last week in Thailand, the Lord said that He wanted me to walk the streets of Pattaya. As we drove into town, it started raining. I got out of the car and walked through the downtown streets. I saw those beautiful women giving themselves away, I saw the men who were eager to receive their service, and I saw the children!

As I was walking in the rain the Lord says, "Bless the atmosphere with My presence. Pray My blessing over the atmosphere." I start praying, "I bless Pattaya in the name of Jesus Christ; I bless Pattaya with Your presence, Lord." I keep repeating this prayer as I walk up and down the streets in the rain, and then it starts raining harder. As I walk down several streets, I am soaking wet and I see a vision appear in front of me. I see my mother's face flash in front of me, then I see the words, "Redeemed" in neon lights above her face. Redeem means "to restore the honor, worth, or reputation."

God is redeeming Thailand—it starts with one person and one family at a time.

While in Pattaya, I found out that many of the women there come from the Isan Region, the poorest region of Thailand, where my family is from. Many families, during the off and dry season of farming, send their daughters to Pattaya to work in the streets—to earn money to send back to their families.

As I said, my sister is a food scientist. She comes up with new ways to produce and extract ingredients; she creates new formulas. It's one of her dreams to help the farmers in Thailand to produce new product in the ground and sustain them during their off seasons and be self-sufficient, so their daughters can stay home and not be sent to Pattaya. We know this is just the beginning of what God wants to do in Thailand—and He is laying a foundation for it.

As Steve Shultz saw Jesus walking the streets of Pattaya, saying, "Where are My People?" be praying for the laborers there now and for the laborers going to lay a new foundation in May, and for many more to come. May is a key month for Pattaya.

A prayer over Pattaya: We say to you, Pattaya, your redemption draws near. We call forth God's perfect plan of redemption over every child, woman and man working in the streets of Pattaya. We call forth God's cleansing rain, to wash away the sin of the city and the streets. We say your destiny is being shifted—out of the hands of the enemy and into the hands of God. We declare over you, Pattaya—Let there be Love, let there be Light, let there be Hope in the darkest night!

Julie A. Smith, Editor
The ElijahList and ElijahRain Magazine
www.elijahlist.com
Email: info@elijahlist.net

About Julie A. Smith: Julie is the editor of the ElijahList, an editor of ElijahRain Magazine, and fills in for Breaking Christian News. She has over 15 years of business management experience, including five years of publishing experience as a newspaper, magazine and book editor and journalist. Julie is passionate about writing from the heart of God and longs to share His supernatural ways, so that we may simply know Him.

God has placed a passion in her for the country of Thailand, where she is from and where she was born. Thailand's official name is "the Kingdom of Thailand." Her prayer and passionate desire is for the Kingdom of Thailand to know the Kingdom of God. Julie resides with her family in Salem, Oregon and is on the healing and prophetic ministry teams at Life Church.

Rob Hotchkin's Itinerary:
April 2-4, 2009
Glory School - with Rob Hotchkin and Michael Reynolds
Empowering Life
144 Military Street; Houlton, ME
Contact: 207-532-9906

April 16-19, 2009
Deep Unto Deep Conference - with Rob Hotchkin and
Shawn Bolz
Fairmont Christian Center
6109 Fairmont Parkway; Pasadena, TX
Contact: 281-678-4195

May 10-16, 2009
Operation Extreme Love - Thailand with XP Team
Pattaya, Thailand
Register by phone: 1-866-980-5464
For more information, email Malina at: missions@xpmissions.com

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
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Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

I know I've said it before...

2009-03-31T15:21:00.005-04:00

God continues to amaze me. He's come through for some finances. I feel complete peace about the rest of it coming in. I trust Him because He hasn't failed me yet.
I got a phone call today. It was the nurse that will be taking care of all of the vaccinations that I'll need for Thailand on April 8th. I thought I would only need the Hep C. As Gomer Pile would say, "Soor-prahz, Soor-prahz!" I will be getting a butt-load of shots. Thankfully, none will be in the butt! So, I am prepared as much as I can be. Just get it over with, please. Thank you. I guess better safe than sorry, right?
I am getting so excited about this trip. I keep seeing articles and prophetic words that people are getting for the country of Thailand. God is on the move. And guess what? I'm going to be a part of it! Woo hoo! :)
I've already received my passport with Atomic Turquoise hair, no less! I'm sure that will turn some heads, but hey. *chuckles* As of today, I have 5 weeks and two days until I fly out. (Sometimes I can't contain my excitement!)
That's about it for now. I'll write again next week with the progress.
Mahalo!

Let's get this party started!

2009-03-20T14:55:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting here trying to gather my thoughts (no comments from the peanut gallery!) about how I feel about the people trapped in a lifestyle that I can only imagine. It's not just, "I got kicked out of my house and I need to support my drug habit." There are people like that, I'm sure. The ones I'm talking about are sold into prostitution by their parents so the rest of the family can have food to eat. I'm talking about the ones that are so small that they can't even verbalize what is happening to them. I'm talking about the ones that were promised great paying jobs in the city, then imprisoned and forced to work as a prostitute to pay off their "debts" to the ones that kidnapped them. I'm talking about the ones whose husbands died and now have no way to feed their children. You get the idea.
It makes my heart sick when I think of these people. They have no hope. I don't have loads of money, but what I do have I can give to them. I have hope in the One that never leaves or forsakes, never disappoints, fills our deepest needs. I can give them Jesus.
While in Pattaya, my group will be working with missionaries based there to give support to the people once they get out of the sex trade lifestyle. They teach these people new skills to earn a living and make decent money by becoming hair stylists, nail techs, and making handmade greeting cards. They help them in their new walk with God by giving Bible studies. They offer childcare while the moms are working.
How can we sit by and look the other way when we know that people--some children--are being abused so? Will you help me in this adventure that God has called me? Will you pray for me and those that we'll be talking to? Will you give $5 to help cover the cost of my trip? Thank you.