Gracious Gifts

I am in shock, once again.

My mind keeps racing through the times where we've cried thinking our adoption is over.  Thinking that we'd failed Nikolai, that he wouldn't come home, that the money would never come. Wondering why the fundraisers were never successful.

I'm reminded this evening of how big our God is and how seemingly insignificant my worries are.  I'm seeing now, the ways that He has planned this adoption and all of the working parts that are needed.  He had this planned before we committed to Nikolai, before I became his Angel Tree Warrior, before he was listed on Reece's Rainbow, before Nikolai was born, He had a plan and was bringing together every little piece.

This evening we were graced by a donation that left us speechless.  We have enough money for our Dossier, we have extra for the fees/costs that will come next.

There is a reason that He asks us to trust Him. This is just one of the many reasons. He knows what He's doing.

Life Update

It has been so long since I've blogged on my personal blog, I think it's partly because I never know what to write about, or I have something to write about and then I get writers block.  Either way, it's been too long.  Exciting things have happened, or are happening in my life and I feel that those things are post worthy.

For starters I'm a big sister *again*!  Charlotte Hope, made her appearance October 20th, 2015.  Guys, she is so darling.  After so many years, I finally have a little sister and I don't really know what to do with myself. It's different in so many good ways, and in other ways it's hard too.  Charlotte's arrival has brought so many thoughts of Addison, wondering what it would've been like if Addison was here today. It's just different from the other babies, it's different in good ways.  We love her.  The boys are smitten. And I can't believe I have a little sister.

I've decided to go to school next fall. This was a big, scary, exciting, decision for me.  It's not a traditional college, it's a Discipleship Training School through YWAM (Youth With A Mission). I've always known that before I got married and had a family of my own, that I wanted to do missions work. I had looked at many different programs, but none of them really fit with what I was wanting to do. I looked into YWAM and actually found a focus track that I was really eager to join, and after some prayer, I decided that YWAM's Wylie, Texas location is where I want to be next Fall.  I'll be studying the first three months, educating and equipping myself with tools and knowledge to work with At Risk Children around the world.  The last two months of this program (It's 5 months long.) I will go, with my team, out into a third world country (my team gets to pray and choose the location next Fall.), to use the tools that we've equipped ourselves with, to share the love of Christ and ultimately make a difference in the lives of others.  I am so stoked for this opportunity.  It is things like this that excite my heart.

I'm also headed back to Mexico for a week in March, I'll be going down with my Youth Group like past trips.  Which, of course I'm excited for.  One of my absolute favorite trips.  I'm eager to see the youth, who are new to the trip, experience Mexico, VBS, meeting the Casa Kiddos, all for the first time.  So many hearts are changed on these trips, you can feel God move, you can see His grace and mercy in the people, and the joy is un-explainable.  The exhaustion is also very real, but the good things and the not so great things balance each other out! ;)

I would say I'll start blogging more, but lets be real, I've said that in the past and life always gets in the way! So, I'll blog when I can, how's that sound?

Angel Tree Happenings

I told myself I wasn't going to do Angel Tree this Christmas season, I told myself I should just focus on our adoption, I told my self that I should just let everyone else shout for the kids and take a break this year...Well that little "talk down" that I had with myself didn't work. Ha!

I've done Angel Tree every year for the past 5 years, taking a break this year felt out of place, but I convinced myself that it would be best. That was, until, I saw that about a week into AT sign ups there were still tons of kids without warriors, it made me sad to see that many of them didn't have people to fight for them.  Years past, it has always been a race to sign up for your chosen child, everyone always waited anxiously to get that email telling them they got "their" child...this year their hasn't been as much hipe or excitement about Angel Tree.

That being said, I Skyped with Kaitlyn last night (she's one of my all time favorite people, and happens to be my best friend, and advocating buddy), and we were discussing how we both said we weren't going to do AT, but we're now considering it.  Looking through all of the kids, and thinking about how many of them wont make it on to Angel Tree if they don't get warriors, we both picked a kid or two and said hypothetically that we would choose one of them if  we decided to do Angel Tree.  Well there's a little face, that's continually popped into my head throughout the day, and after praying about it, I signed up to shout for this sweet one.  I am still waiting on my "official" email, but I'm pretty positive that this little one will be my Angel Tree child.

I am so excited, to be back into advocating.  It's been a while since I've shouted for a waiting child, ever since we committed to adopting Nikolai (Charlie on RR, who was my AT child last year), I haven't really advocated much, and I miss it.  My passion, my heart. pretty much my entire life revolves around fighting for these kids and I haven't been the advocate that I should've been this year.  So, I'm jumping back in, with both feet, full speed ahead to shout for my darling, squishy, lovely, AT child, and I cannot wait to introduce this little one to all of you!

With love,
Alyssa

Tough Days Are Tough

I've found myself recently repeating the words "You matter! You're allowed to have bad days! Give yourself a break!".  Some days are just bad days and I've had a lot of them recently.  Getting stuck in this mood or this mindset that no matter what I do the day will still be a bad day...which simply isn't true. 

Beginning of last year, I was going through some tough things and I needed something to give me little glimmers of hope to keep me going, so I created a 'Don't Give Up Now' jar. I filled it with all of my favorite uplifting quotes and a few Bible verses too.  I would start my days off with prayer and a quote from this jar, focusing on whatever the quote was, reminding myself that today is what I make it...good or bad I had the control and got to choose the outcome.  Some days were harder than others and I would pull multiple quotes out of my jar throughout the day.  

It's been over a year, recently I've had some struggles and road blocks pop up in my life and I found myself forgetting about my 'Don't Give Up Now' jar so I needed a new plan.  I sifted through my notebook of quotes (Yes, I have a notebook full of my favorite quotes.) wrote some down on index cards, and decided to hang them up.  I figured that if I could wake up in the morning and see these quotes hanging in my room, constantly reminding me that I matter and I have control over the outcome of my days, that I would have a more positive mindset...so far it's helped! 

I wanted to share my method of fighting the bad days, in hopes that it may help someone else battle those no good days! :) 

Things You'll Need: 

Sharpies, markers, or pens (or all three!) 

Index cards, scrapbook paper (I like this option because the patterns add a fun twist!), or just regular paper. 

A jar. (for your 'Don't Give Up Now' jar)

Or string, thumb tacks, and mini clothes pins. (All of these can be found at your local craft store, I got mine at Hobby Lobby.) 

How To: 

I started by finding uplifting, positive quotes and writing them on the backs of the index cards (Pinterest is a great way to find quotes), switching up the colors I was using, also switching between cursive and printing. After I finished writing on them I snapped a few photos for this blog post *grins*, cut off the excess paper, and hung them up.  If you're creating a 'Don't Give Up Now' jar you can cut off the excess paper, then fold the pieces up, and put them in your jar! This way it's a surprise every time you pull a quote out of the jar! :) 

Not only do you know have an adorable little accessory for your bedroom, but I do honestly hope that this helps some of you battle those no good days. Always, remember that you are important. You are wanted. You matter. It's just a bad day, not a bad life!  

Love you all, 

Alyssa 

Heart Attack Fund-raiser

A momma friend of mine used this fund-raiser when they adopted their sweet daughter.  The outcome was beautiful (you'll see why in a moment), and they were able to raise money to bring their little girl home.  They asked friends, and family to donate $1 towards their adoption and in turn wrote the name of the family, or person who donated, on a heart and stuck it to a wall in their house.  This may sound silly, but once you see the photos you'll be amazed. (Thank you, Mrs.Wimmer for letting me use your pictures.)

Absolutely stunning, right?  Every single name on those hearts is someone who cared about their little girl, and wanted to see her come home.  The total number of hearts on their walls at the end of this Heart Attack? 3,251 hearts.  Over three thousand people that loved their little girl right along side of them.

We want to have a Heart Attack For Charlie.  For $2 you can have your name written on a heart, and it will be placed on our living room wall, for all of our visitors to see.  We want to see how many people are willing to love Charlie right along side of us.  Will you donate a $2 (or more if you'd like.) in honor of Charlie?  We will post progress pictures as our wall fills with hearts.

You can make your donation to the donation button on the side of the blog, or you can follow this link here: http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/bring-charlie-home-/315865

(If you're local, you can always just drop the donation by the house. :) )

I'm excited to see our wall fill with love. :)
We're coming baby Roo!!

I'm Going To Be A Big Sister...Again

Yes, we are adopting!  Yes, I am going to be a big sister...again!  Yes, I am thrilled!! 

We are so anxious to bring Charlie home, and to have another little boy running around the house.  I have to say that it is absolutely amazing how God works, I advocated for Charlie for 5 or 6 months, praying endlessly for a family to choose him...little did I know that my family would be the one to choose him!  I'm in awe of God's plans, and grateful that they are so much better than my own.

To think that so many people are swooning over this darling, and rejoicing with us, but yet Charlie has no clue just how many people love him and will fight till he's home. He is chosen, loved, wanted, and now he has a place where he belongs, will you help us bring him HOME?


We're coming Roo!

If you would like to contribute to his adoption you can purchase a t-shirt here: Making Love Known T-shirts

If you're not interested in buying a t-shirt, but still would like to make a donation you can follow this link to our direct donation page: Bring Charlie Home - Direction Donation Page

Pray for Pleven

With my 'Pledges for Pleven' fund-raiser coming to an end, I'm honestly in awe.  Though many of the numbers never got claimed God remained faithful.  During this fund-raiser I had an anonymous local donor donate nearly $300 towards Pleven!  Never before have I seen such generosity towards Pleven from someone locally, their outreach literally left me in tears and gave me hope that many do still care.  

$307 later and I am grateful for the hearts that God moved, and the hands who gave.  

I'm already at it again, a t-shirt fund-raiser this time.  Though I may have time to waste, the children in Pleven are already living on borrowed time, they needed out yesterday.  We got an update on Pleven a few days ago, many of the older children are being taken out of Pleven and being moved to a group home, which though it sounds beneficial it's disastrous.  The staff who will be running this group home are former Pleven owners, who hurt and abused the children in Pleven...they literally made it a Hell On Earth.  I'm horrified, sick to my stomach, and heartbroken for the children who are being taken to this home.

We can only pray, and yes prayer is very powerful but I still feel the urge to rescue those children from dangers grip, to take them somewhere safe where they will be harmed no more. So for now I will pray, that God will bring mercy to these children, that the US Embassy in Bulgaria will see that we are working to find families, and build a real group home for these kids where they can feel worthy, I will pray that God's hand is on everything, including this t-shirt fundraiser.  He is God, and He is sovereign, His plan is best, and I have to trust that...even when it's hard.  

If you are interested in buying a 'Pray For Pleven' t-shirt (they are available in adult, and children's sizes), you can use this link: http://teespring.com/PrayForPleven

92 Valentines

Fighting for the lives in Pleven Orphanage, in Pleven, Blugaria is where my passion lies.  For the past year I've wanted nothing more than to change the current state of Pleven...but I am just one and I can't do much.  Last night after reading some terrible news about a former Pleven child (who is now loved more than anyone could ever, ever, imagine by an incredible family.) the passion and drive in my heart were forefront and not going anywhere anytime soon.  I sat at my desk and cried, I asked God what I was supposed to do about the situation in Pleven, and how in the world I was supposed to do anything at all.  I was out of ideas, heartbroken, in tears, feeling hopeless...but I didn't give up.

Valentines Day is coming up, some are planning special dates for their wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend, others may be eating heart shaped candies, and spending the night with Netflix (which is totally fine, cause that's what I'll be doing!).  But what if you could do something more for the holiday that revolves around love, hearts, and all that gushy stuff.  What if (now bare with me, this seemed like a great idea in my head lets just hope it's as successful as I'm praying it is!) you could donate a dollar amount in honor of a child still waiting in Pleven? There are 92 children in Pleven (the last I checked that is.), and there are 92 numbers on the chart below.  If this is intriguing you, and you want to know more....well keep reading.


Pick a number, and which ever number you choose is the dollar amount you'll donate towards Pleven in honor of a sweet child still waiting (Comment after you donate so I know the number has been claimed).  Example: Jane Doe picks the number 21, so she will donate $21 to the donation button labeled Pledges For Pleven on the right-hand side of the blog.  Make sense?  It's literally that easy, no joke!  I've seen people do this fund-raiser before, it's always been successful, and I'm hoping this fund-raiser is just as blessed as others.   Though, I do want to ask you to pray for the children in Pleven when you donate.  I don't have names of all 92 children in Pleven, though I know a few faces, and I would love to see Pleven, and the children in Pleven be lifted up in prayer as a result of this fund-raiser and God's beautiful hand in it all.   I'm sorry that I don't have a spectacular prize for you to win, but I really hope that you'll consider donating out of the generosity of your heart, in honor of a child who is still in Pleven.

Once all of the numbers have been donated, and this fund-raiser ends ALL FUNDS will be donated to The Pleven Project.  These funds will help fund psychologist to evaluate the kids, as well as build the Medical fund.


When someone claims a number, and donates I will cover that number with a heart so we can see which have been claimed.  I will do my best to update the chart as frequently as possible. :)

Thank you, in advanced for every single one of you who opens their hearts, and contributes to the change in Pleven, and for Pleven.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

He'll Wiggle His Way Into Your Heart

So, with it being the beginning of the year and giving my blog a "face-lift" I felt like we needed a new 'addition'.  I wasn't sure whether to pick a family, or another child but after some praying I chose another sweet boy to add to I Am His' focus. You'd think that with all the brothers I have that I would be partial to girls, but that is so not the case! Two darlings, two sweet boys, to lovely smiles that will one day have families of their own! :) 

So who is this second little one? Well, I would love for you all to meet Cameron!  I must warn you that his smile is very contagious, and that is not to be taken lightly.  Prepare to swoon, and keep swooning over this gorgeous soon-to-be 3 year old curly boy (you'll understand the curly part when you see his picture).

Cameron's Reece's Rainbow Profile: http://reecesrainbow.org/57168/cameron

If you're not swooning over this absolutely gorgeous little boy, well I feel bad for you.  His darling curls, piercing blue eyes, and that smile! Oh my, I do not understand why or how he is still waiting.  But I hope and pray that he will not wait much longer.  His profile says that he is in need of urgent medical care, which worries my heart.  Cameron, has congenital hydrocephalus, paraplegia and tetraplegia (spastic tetraparesis), partial atrophy of optic discs of both eyes, additional chord of the left heart ventricle, and a hernia.  He will be 3 darling years old next month, and I would love for this to be his last birthday in an orphanage, next year I pray he'll be in a family who adores him to the max!

Do you understand my love for him now?  Or maybe why I've been continually swooning over him on my Facebook, and Instgram?  HE IS DARLING.  If you are interested in Sweet Curls, have any questions, or just want to swoon over him with me, please don't hesitate to email me: AlyssaGoodhue@Hotmail.com I love, love, love, hearing from you guys and I love this boy! :)

Someone see Cameron!  Choose him, be his mama!!  I cannot wait to see what the year holds for Curly Boy (hopefully a forever family!) and the same goes for Charlie Roo.  Let's make 2015 a great year for these boys!! :)

Do You Remember?

Do you remember Abner? I blogged about him here, when I found out that he was soon to be transferred.  No, I don't come baring the news that he has a family, though I wish I could write that post.  I do however come with a new picture of Abner, that I promise will melt your heart.

Abner's profile: http://reecesrainbow.org/36175/abner

That face, his smile, do you have room in your heart for this little love?  Maybe, you're not his mama, but one of your friends is? I don't hold that kind of knowledge. But I do know that Abner matters and Abner is worth it.  Do you have it in you to love Abner?

"Abner is a happy little boy who does not speak but whose facial expressions are east to read.  Those expressions are generally of joy, especially when he is given love and attention. Occasionally I would see a different expression, one that would break my heart.  At 5 years old Abner is spending a lot of time in a wheelchair, unable to participate in playing with the kids around him, and the look of "I want to play too!" on his face broke my heart. When he had the opportunity to participate in playtime he always looked very happy and proud of himself.  This sweet little boy needs a family who will be able to help him reach his full potential!" - Update December 2014

Mexico...Again

13

It's the number of days until I leave for Mexico. 

Though I'll only be gone for short time, I am so over-joyed to be going back. 

Those of you who have followed my blog for some time know that my love for Mexico is great. 

There are very few things that make me excited as Mexico does.  Over the past few months I've prayed a tremendous amount about the ministry in Mexico, and countless times I've asked God if it is where He would like my focus to be.  The answer has been yes, over and over.  And simply because God knows I am stubborn, He reassured me that the answer is yes.  Recently I have been asked to play a part in connecting the Sponsors in our Child Sponsorship Program, with the lovely children at Casa Esperanza Para Ninos in Mexico. Which means I'm headed back down to my favorite place, to be with some of my favorite little ones.  God is always good.  I am excited, it has been almost a full year since I have visited Casa, which is too long.  I am ready for games, lots of games, hugs and cuddles, photos and memories. I am ready. 

And If He Takes...

Photo Cred: Pinterest

This hit me hard tonight. For one reason, September marked three years since my little sister, Addison Ruth, passed away.  Three days before she would hopefully make her appearance in this world, God decided it was time for her to come home, she had already pleased God with her life of 9 months, and her time here was finished.  When we lost Addison we relived the same days for months, we sank into this never ending black whole, and oh the pain was, and some days still is torturous.  We clung to God, knowing that He is the only one that could carry us through such a time, that never seemed to end.

But you see we had a choice to make, and it was not an easy choice, would we choose to praise Him in that time?  Regardless of the fact that most days we didn't have the energy to get out of bed, we didn't want to see people, or deal with the bantering of the exhausted, confused, sad, little ones that still needed to be tended too, eating was out of the question, and well the tears they never stopped, regardless of our tiredness, sadness, anger, and exhaustion, would we choose to praise Him even when He takes away?

Did we want to?  Well I'll speak for myself and say that no, I didn't.  I was angry, furious even, I felt like God had teased me.  He gave me the little sister that I had asked for, for so long, and then had taken her from me, before I was able to truly enjoy her, I felt cheated.  I didn't sign up for this, why me, it wasn't fair.  So, why would I praise Him in that time, it was almost like I was trying to punish God. 

As the days got worse, I knew in the back of my mind that turning away from God, and choosing not to worship Him, and not trusting that He is all knowing, all powerful, and all mighty was only going to hurt me, and damage me even further than I was already.  So, I turned to God and I told Him I was angry with Him, that I didn't understand, and I was not okay with what was happening, but that I would praise Him anyways because He is the God who gives, and takes away all for a purpose and bigger picture that I cannot see.   I clung to Him for dear life, because I was sure that I would not make it through loosing Addison, I was sure that my heart would never heal, I was sure that there was "no purpose" for this, I was sure. 

But here I am, three years later about to celebrate Addison's 9 months of life, and I can look back and see where praising God even when He takes away had benefited me.  Addion's 9 months of life, and God calling her home, have allowed me to share, and witness to other young women who have had a sibling be still born.  I have now been able to be a crutch, a listening ear, a soft heart, and open hand to families, and young women who have suffered the same loss as I have.  Addison's life, changed my life, and God used her to strengthen my walk, trust, and hope in Him. 

Choosing to praise Him even when He takes away is one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do, but it is so worth it in the long run. 

So now I have a question for you, will you choose to praise Him even when He takes away?