Pad Party for Girls--Seriously

Does that get your attention?  Sorry guys if any of you read this!
Here is the deal…in many countries girls are not as blessed like we are in the US are.
Their ‘monthly’ supplies are not available or not affordable if they were available or way too far away to even get to for purchase. (how is that for something unusual to be thankful for?  seriously? can you imagine?)
  Andrea’s post describes it so well.  I won’t even try.
Because of this girls miss out on a week of school each month—which also can lead to them being behind. This also leads to a host of other things such as infections and worse.
To help solve this problem—a bunch of ladies are hosting ‘pad parties’ to make these!  They are available to be bought but are expensive.  So we will make some! 
The project’s goal is to provide the girls from the Korah dump in Ethiopia that are going to school and the children and women in Zambia that Wiphan supports with pads.
Our goal is to provide each girl with a kit that will include: 10 re-usable pads, 2 pairs of panties and a drawstring bag. Our ultimate goal is to make 300 kits (3,000 pads).
I am going to host a party myself. Date and time to be announced soon. If you’d like to join me and help…there are many ways. You can come help draw patterns, cut fabric, sew, purchase fabric or underwear or help make the bags.
If you’d like to join in on this where you live or with me here in my humble abode.. send me an email and I’ll send you the email about how to join in!  gcknight@verizon.net
There is a deadline of October 1 and December 1 so we will be doing something soon!
Here is another video about the Korah Dump in Ethiopia: (I posted one a couple days of ago as well)

Ordinary Hero~ A day in the trash dump in Ethiopia from Kelly Putty on Vimeo.

and here is the site for Wiphan that works in Zambia supporting widows and orphans.

Oh How He Loves Us-Beth Moore, rattlesnake tails and cheesecake

Had a wonderful weekend!  Digging in deep into God’s word and worshipping  with 9,000 other ladies (and a few brave men) is a tiny taste of Heaven!
Few shots from the weekend:
As I waited in the car for my friend, I noticed this and it made me laugh!  Yes, that is a rattlesnake tail and a shark tooth in my ‘not an ashtray’ holder.  Can you tell that I am a science loving homeschooling mom?

 
  First arriving at the conference….a sea of women. And even more than what this picture shows…lots of them were in line for coffee and yep, you guessed it…the bathroom!
Tonya and I at the conference…Tricia—notice the great shirt I am wearing!!

The first night I was so blessed by two young women beside us.  They were so sincere and uninhibited in their worship that I was just drawn to them.Two young ladies on fire for God---I LOVED it!   We introduced ourselves and planned to sit together the next night.  We did so and had a wonderful time worshipping our Lord together!
 
One of my favorite parts of the worship was singing the song Oh, How He Loves Us by David Crowder (video at the end of post of the song.)  Just singing “Oh How He Loves Us” over and over and over. wow. gives me chills just thinking about it.

We studied John 1 for the week and it was all related and centered around an octave and the 8 names of God in that chapter and 8 things that we need to do to get back to our “middle c” which is the Word. (Word made flesh)
 Can anyone find those 8 names of God in John 1?  Comment in the sections if you can find them.  I might even have a prize for you :)
On the way home we stopped at the Cheesecake Factory and ate some delicious cheesecake. It was way too good to be good for you---and it is now sitting on my hips! :)

Beth Moore, Travis Cottrell & 1000’s of ladies!

Can’t wait! I am getting ready to go to a conference with a friend and sooo looking forward to it!
After a few weeks of feeling like this:

I am grateful to experience this:

Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell ---2 of my favorites!
For some reason the video won't work on the blog--but click below to get a taste of it!

Living Proof Live Promo

Why Ethiopia?

Here is one answer….more to come.

DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk

I plan on going to this! Anyone else?

On October 23, 2010, thousands of people will gather on the National Mall for the DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk, a united effort to celebrate human rights, raise awareness about human trafficking, and raise funds for organizations working to end human trafficking.
It’s One day, One place, and One Voice for the Voiceless!
This event will include:

• A 3.1 mile walk
• Information fair
• Luminary speakers
• Live music
• A shorter family walk
• A family-friendly area

It will be the largest anti-human trafficking event in DC history! Join us to help build a better world and bring light to an issue that thrives in darkness.
This event is organized entirely by community volunteers. No one on the organizing team is paid. 100% of money raised will go to organizations that combat human trafficking and care for victims.

Help save 27 million SLAVES worldwide. Take a STAND & Walk!
DC Stop Modern Slavery WALK
October 23, 2010 ** National Mall
REGISTER TODAY: http://walk.stopmodernslavery.org/

miscellany monday

1) Jon Boy and Jenny are in their chrysalis and Jason is working on his.  Mary Ellen is next!

Who are these people (other than characters on the Waltons?)  Our monarchs!  One by one they are changing! I love watching them!

   

2) Our favorite game currently:  Bananagrams!

    

3) Joshua’s  bearded dragon, Steve, is growing! He is quite fun and eats an enormous amount of crickets!  He loves his veggies too!

  

4) I am going to a Beth Moore conference this weekend and cannot wait!  It’s been several years since I have been to one and am looking forward to the extended worship and digging deep into the Word with thousands of other ladies!

Rainy Days & More Referrals!

onWe FINALLY got a good shower at our house. It has looked like rain and rained all around us but hardly any at our place. Today there was a good shower and the kids all ran out to play.                                       
Bekah, my photographer, wanted to make sure that she was in a picture. (she stayed dry on the porch taking them!)

Also—check out the tabs at the top of the page. I made one just for blog giveaways! I am always posting things because I love to share and help other families spread the word—so I just made a tab to put them all in! One stop shopping too! (I think I will make a tab for all the different things people are selling too—but that’s a project for another day!)
I also updated my adoption helps page with a bunch of grant links that we looked or applied to—if you are in process, check them out too!
And more referrals today! Our current numbers are:
Girl

Boy

Congratulations to all the families and children!

Miscellany Monday

1) I love Giveaways!  They take you from blog to blog and get to know so many people and see some really neat ideas and products!

30 Days of Giveaways at this site!

2) We went to visit Grand Caverns on Friday. It was beautiful!

3)  Yesterday was Rollback Night at the drive-in near our house.  $10 a car load and 25 cents hotdogs and popcorn! We watched Despicable Me and loved it!

 

  

4) I am preparing for a devotional tomorrow for our orientation meeting for our local homeschool co-op. It includes buckets, lemons, Band-Aids, and chocolate.  Any guesses? :)

Have a good week friends!  I am hoping for a week of referrals and good news!

New Numbers!

I love new numbers! :)  Friday was a busy day at the IAN office!
Our new numbers are:
GIRL

BOY

Moving on up! So thankful for the children that will have a home and a family!
Congrats to everyone!

Milk Duds, Penguins, & Coffee

It’s been one of those weeks that I hate. The ones where I have no control of a variety of situations. One where my rock of calmness (aka Greg) has been on a business trip. One where I felt punched in the gut by the words of someone. One where I felt like screaming “enough already!” I have been snarky with the kids, with Greg, and with God.
I took Ab to a birthday party this evening. A day early…We’ll try again tomorrow. At least we have the gift all ready now!
So how does a girl decompress on a week like this?
Well, we went shopping after the birthday mix up and I saw this coffee cup. I thought this was a reminder from God at that moment so I did what any sane mom would do and bought it! (It was only $2!!) Since I drink coffee a lot- it should be a good reminder!

Then we hit Target and I impulsively bought these:


I did share with the kids—since I am in that Biggest Loser contest! :)
Then we went home and vegged out and watched these guys:

They are always good for a laugh!
And finally meditating on some Psalms. I taught on these at youth on Sunday and I think God brought it to my heart because I would need it so much this week and the coming weeks.
We focused on Psalm 10, 13, 22, and 77. (these are great to read if you are struggling!)
The main point being that sometimes we can feel so many things. At these times we don't need to hide those feelings or stuff them—but pour them out to God. Be honest with Him. (He knows about it anyways.) Tell Him why you are fearful or angry or mad or ______.
Then…go to what you know about God—who He is and what He can do. Remember the times He has shown Himself to you. Voice those out loud. Give Him praise and have peace and rest.
Read these psalms below. This is exactly what David did.

Psalm 13
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
2How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.

I have been wrestling with my thoughts this past week just as David did in vs 2! But David goes on to say that he will trust in His unfailing love and his heart will rejoice and he will sing!! (I think I need a good long worship session as well!!)
My favorite part out of Psalm 77 is this:

10Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
11I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
13Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

I will remember His miracles in my life. I will meditate on His works—for He is holy and great. He has done great miracles in my life—why would He stop now?

New Numbers & Giveaways!

Last week there was quite a bit of movement in the lists.  It was very exciting to see referral in the headline of my feeds for our agency.  I especially love seeing when an older child is given a home. Makes my heart glad.  Here are our new numbers.
Girl

Boy


Here are some neat giveaways below. Both of these families are raising funds for their adoptions.  Great way to buy Christmas gifts or birthday gifts! Help someone and get a gift! Just click on the picture or the heading to go to their blog.
 Ugandan Necklace Giveaway!
Troy and his family hosted a crowd of us in Tenn before the AGCI picnic. I enjoyed getting to know him and his family more than I did through facebook!


T-Shirt Giveaway!
I really like these shirts—and they aren’t country specific so they will work for everyone! :)

What we will be doing today while the heat index is over 100 again!

2 Years Ago

This week, 2 years ago, I was meeting a 5 year old boy for the first time.  Later on that week—the kids and Greg met us at the airport and we officially became a family of 6.
Click here for our adoption testimony.

Here are our first glimpses of Abenezer in June.

My niece and I traveled in August to Ethiopia to pick him up. Amazing trip. I can’t wait to go back.
   

Traveling home and meeting brothers and sisters and dad for the first time.


And Abenezer now:

Abenezer in Nashville