Bent Low

I’ve come to realize just how much of a “God thing” it was that I *stumbled* upon Reece’s Rainbow.  You see I was just 13 years old, I was new to blogging, and had originally gotten into blogging to make money using Google Adsense.  Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would have my eyes opened and heart shattered into pieces, a thousand times over, and over again, by a crisis such as the 147 million orphans that are currently in the world today. 

I was 13. I was young, immature, and could have easily turned away and focused on the “typical” likes, and dislikes of every other 13 year old girl…but I didn’t.  I ask myself “What would cause a 13 year old to focus solely on others? And special needs?  That’s not *normal* for a 13 year old.” And I could never figure out the “right” answer.  Until yesterday, as I was leaving Walmart.  I’m currently on vacation in Missouri, we stopped by Walmart to pick up a few things and as I was parading my little brothers out to the van,  I passed a mama, and her two little girls, one with Down syndrome.  It was in that moment when I looked at this sweet pea, as she giggled with her sister that God revealed the cause of my passion: Him.  He is the reason, and I know it seems simple but really think about it.  Yes, he gave me my passion, but why.  Why at 13 years old?  Why 5 years later am I still breaking my heart over these kids?  Why is this passion still here?

There is a quote that’s rather popular amongst those of us that are *obsessed* with missions trips, that says “God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called.”  We are all called to do something, and God teaches, allows, and gifts us exactly what we need for the passions that we are called to pursue.  For me he began equipping me at 13 years old, He began stretching the lengths of my love, while growing my knowledge of the orphan crisis.  I’m 18 now, and I still continue to learn more about the conditions, and brokenness of the orphan every.single.day.  I never stop learning, and my passion only grows bigger, and deeper.   I find myself wanting to do more than blog, I want to go, and do, I want to move and use my hands,  I want to push myself till I feel like I can’t do anymore, and then ask God to push me further.   Katie Davis’ book: Kisses From Katie, has one of my all time favorite quotes: 

“We bend.  I bend to sweep crumbs and I bend to wipe vomit and I bend to pick up little ones and wipe away tears… And at the end of these days I bend next to the bed and I ask only that I could bend more, bend lower.  Because I serve a Savior who came to be a servant.  He lived bent low.  And bent down here is where I see His face.  He lived, only to die. Could I? Die to self and just break open for love.  This Savior, His one purpose to spend Himself on behalf of messy us.  Will I spend myself on behalf of those in front of me? And people say “Don’t you get tired? And yes, I do.  But I’m face to face with Jesus in the dirt, and the more I bend the harder and better and fuller this life gets.  And sure we are tired, but oh we are happy.  Because bent down low is where we find fullness of joy.”

That quote describes the every want of my heart.  I want to live bent low, I want to go to the scary places, I want God to use me in ways I never thought possible, I want to go where love is needed.  

So yes, it was/is a total God thing that at the age of 13 years old I, uneducated, immature, and blind to the horribly dark corners of the world, stumble upon a photo-listing, and had my heart broken by faces that were locked away for being who they were made to be.    But it was no accident, and it was in fact all part of God's beautiful, and sometimes scary plan for my life.   Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I am in love with the unique passions that God has put in my heart, and I strive everyday to accomplish them so that I when the time comes I can hear God say “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

With love,

Alyssa 

Thea

You may have noticed the new page up^ there, at the top of the blog, labeled "Letters".  I have decided to combine my advocacy blog, and personal blog, all of my advocacy, letters, updates, and personal thoughts, will be posted here on this blog!  I think it will be easier to not only keep up with, but I feel my readers will appreciate it more, because everything will be in one place! :)

The "Letters" tab will be updated frequently with letters to Layton, Thea, and Olivia, my three little lovies whom I advocate for.  I like to write them letters, to let them know I am thinking of them, and so that their future families will be able to see that I their child was loved before they found them. :)

So, "Thea"  interesting name for a post right?  Well Thea, happens to be the name of a sweet little girl, who I fell in love with.  She is living in an orphanage in Eastern Europe, and was born with special needs, she has sweet brown eyes, that twinkle, beautiful brown hair, and just the loveliest face.  Thea, only has around 6 months to find a family, and isn't able to receive donations because she will only be listed for a few months.

Thea, is my newest little babe and I am extremely excited to be advocating for her!  I can't get over how lovely she is, and cannot wait to see/"meet" the lucky family that will make her their daughter! :)

If you have any questions about Thea, please email me and I will put you in contact with the right people!

With Love,
Alyssa

Scrubs & Orphans

Recently I have been messing around with homemade sugar, and salt scrubs, and have been very pleased with the way they turned out!  With a little help from Pinterest, doTERRA Essential Oils, and wonderful Coconut oil,  I have created some fabulous scrubs, that are all natural, and homemade! :)

The proceeds from these scrubs will be benefiting The Pleven Project, to help better the lives of 92 children who are currently living in one of the worst orphanages.


I have used, and am still currently using one of these sugar scrubs.  I wanted to make one and try it out myself, before I sold them to others, I needed to make sure that 1) They actually worked and 2) That they were worth buying, let me tell you...I love it!  Now I'm not just saying this because it's "my creation" but because it truly is amazing!  I had never used a sugar scrubs before, but had heard many great things about them, so I gave it a try.  I use it after I shave (Sorry if that's too much information. ;) ) and because the coconut oil is a natural moisturizer my skin is literally so soft, and all the dry skin is gone!  The doTERRA Essential Oils also give a wonderful 100% natural scent which just make these scrubs all the better.   I also have extremely sensitive skin, and these do not irritate my skin at all!  That was an initial fear of mine, that I would have some horrible break out, but I gave it a try and was extremely pleased with the out come, no break out, and smooth skin! :)

The scrubs are all the same price at $5 a scrub (plus shipping if you are out of state), and you can pay using the donation button on this page: Hosea 14:3 | Scrubs  and if you are local you can use the donation button, or just pay with cash, either or. :)

These are the scents that I have made as of now:

Lavender Sugar Scrub

Lemon Sugar Scrub

Peppermint  Sugar Scrub

Lime Salt Scrub

Please comment below, or email me: AlyssaGoodhue@hotmail.com and let me know which scent you would like to purchase.  I have 12 empty jars, and am ready to make more scrubs, so please don't be shy! ;)

With Love,
Alyssa 

"Everyone Deserves To Be Happy"

"Well if they're happy then it's okay."

"As long as it makes them happy, I don't care"

"Everyone deserves to be happy."

A few months ago while Skyping with my best friend, and we got into a deep, warm and fuzzy, but also admitting our faults conversation, and Kaitlyn said something that I've not been able to let go of.  "This whole 'As long as they're happy they can do what they want' thing is dangerous." and if you actually think about it...She's right.   It's not always the right thing to do just because it makes us happy.  Using the "Well it makes me happy." is almost like trying to justify why, or convince yourself that it's okay just because you're happy.  But that is not the case.

It's so easy to fall into sin, and the majority of the time it feels good to sin.  We as humans, we crave the feeling we get while sinning, which is why the Bible tells us that daily we are going to have to fight the ways of the world, the temptations, and not give in.  Luke 9:23 tells us "And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." What does it mean to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily?  When Jesus took the cross and dragged it up the hill on His back, while wearing a crown of thorns, he hung there on that cross and paid for every wrong thing we will ever do.  So when we are told that in order to follow Jesus, we must take up our cross and deny ourselves, we are being asked to repent, to ask for forgiveness, and to recognize that we are nothing with out Christ.

There is a quote that I happened upon the other day that says "I refuse to entertain myself with the things that my God went to the cross for." it speaks so loudly, and has such a deep and true meaning behind it.  We often entertain ourselves with sinful choices, or actions, and we think nothing more than "Well it makes me happy."  but, what about God?  What about the man who wore that crown of thorns, hung on a cross, and still managed to say "Father forgive them." as He paid the price for MY sin.  What about that?

Happiness is important, but if your happiness if coming from things that break God's heart is it really worth it?