FEARLESS

I keep reminding myself this every single day... it is not at all about me, it is not at all about where I want to be.  It is all about Him and where He wants me to be.

The whole Uganda thing happened so fast that I'm still not completely believing it's happening.

Those who know me know I am a total homebody... I am perfectly fine to be home for days on end without leaving.  (Well, let's just say most of the time.  4 brothers drives me a bit crazy at times).  I love familiarity and I love "normal".  It is an idol I am still breaking.  

So..... insert me all alone in a giant PHX airport... not knowing where I'll be sleeping that night... never having met any of the 17 people I was flying to OKC to.  And I'm close to tears, really, when a dear friend's words come back into my mind... "Fear leads you nowhere."  Fear is the death of the desires He places in our hearts.  Fear pours through like rain on the concrete cracks of our hearts, filling the empty spaces made for newness.  It does not deserve a spot in our minds or in our hearts.  

So I tell myself to snap out of it.  Right there sitting on the airport floor charging my phone.  Snap out of it, Emma.  

I am not a fearless girl by any means.  My friends have to make me go on roller coasters and I have to be pushed to adventure.  It just has never been me.  I don't jump on the first opportunity to do things out of the ordinary or go places I've never been to.  So when going to serve those affected by the tornado in Moore, OK., I knew it was my time.  

And after the "snap out of it" thing, on the plane ride home, I had this crazyweird peace pass over me like I've never felt before.  A "you're not supposed to be home all the time."  I realized that being 16 meant nothing to what I could be doing for the Kingdom.  I realized I am home-schooled to have more opportunities.  To seize more opportunities.  Not let them fly past me.

So Uganda in Janaury 2014 after those five days?  It was an easy yes.  

But I have to say, I could not have said yes to that without going to Moore.  Something about flying 800 miles away seemed absolutely crazyscary to me before, but now flying halfway around the world sounds perfectly fine.  My mom told me before Moore, "You make friends for a lifetime when you serve with them."  and I can not agree with it more.  

Letting go of a little bit of control... desire to know all the details... fear... expectations... it was what helped me conquer fear as a whole.  Doing the exact thing that made me almost break down in tears in front of a bunch of random strangers in an airport gate.  He pushed me where He called me, I said yes with no idea what it meant, and He conquered fear for me.  I don't have to fear.  I don't ever have to fear.  

I can be fearless in Christ's name.  And that, my friends, is a big thing for me. 

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UGANDA

One year ago, I was at a place in my life where I knew that God was calling me to Africa.  It was one of the strangest feelings I have ever felt.  I had no idea where, with who, or how, but I knew that I knew that I knew that I would be back where I left my heart in 2009.

Around this very same time, a mutual friend at the time asked me to design a website for his photography as he fundraised to go to Uganda.  As I learned more about the ministry he was going with and what they would be doing there, it was as if God was whispering to me through this person.  Something about this situation and ministry seemed like it was meant to be.  I remember asking God to make it clear to me if this was the ministry I was supposed to go with one day.

Fast forward a few weeks, where I'm reading about this ministry, and I lose my breath for a second.

The founders live in Phoenix, Arizona.  In the same city that I live in.  This was "it" for me.  This was the Lord saying, this is exactly where you will go, this is exactly who you will go with.  It was one of the strangest, most surreal and beautiful moments I have experienced.

Friends, God works in amazing ways.  

For a whole year this was planted in my mind.  I absolutelywithoutadoubtinmymind knew that I was going to go with them, that this was where I would serve.  I didn't even need to continue looking.  However, I had no plans to go, no conversations with anyone about it... it just was set in my mind by God.

Fast forward once more to last week, when I went to Moore, OK (a whole other blog post:) ) with the very same person who God used to introduce me to IVO.  Little did I know that this "mutual friend" from a yearish ago would become a best friend while serving those effected by the tornado... and even better, one I'd go to Uganda with :)

That's right, in January 2014 I am flying across the world to Uganda, Africa with International Voice of the Orphan to serve the fatherless.

This has been a long time coming for me.  I went to Africa as a 12 year old girl, knowing I was a believer and knowing I loved God but having no concept of His love for me... simply because I was not mature enough.  I saw things that I still remember to this day and it changed my life from the moment I stepped foot back on US soil.  A year after Africa my family started foster care, the start of doing ministry as a family.  We switched to adoption and my whole world changed.  The seed that was planted in me about orphans and adoption and Jesus' Love bloomed in my heart when I realized that I had been chosen, died for and adopted into my own Savior's family.  He worked in my heart in these years since Africa in June of 2009 in such a major way that overwhelms me completely.

Since being back from Africa I have always known that I left my heart in this place, that I would be back.  I have saved money for about a year knowing that this date would come soon.  It was an unknown date that I knew I was called to.  Today, though, I have a date.  Today, the desire the Lord grew in my heart slow for the past four years has a name and a time and a clear calling.  Even so, the amount I have is not enough to cover what I need to serve in Uganda.  So, I am asking for the body of Christ to consider helping to allow me to serve the orphans of Uganda (while also getting something out of it ;))

If you live in/around Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, I would love to take your photographs... you name it, couple/family/portraits... whatever.  Every penny will go towards Uganda.  You will bless His name by helping to send me where God has called me.  If you don't want pictures but still feel led to donate, you can do so here.  Know that I am thankful for every penny God provides.  This trip came up so fast that I have just three months to get all the funds.  Big God Little Problem... Little God Big Problem... I know He's got it :)

Thank you for every penny and every prayer that you give for my trip to Uganda.  Only God could have brought me this far, and only God will continue to mold my heart in all of this.   I love every single one of you, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of my journey for so long.  It only goes up from here :)

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

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WE'VE GOT A CRISIS. ARE YOU WILLING TO HELP?

A few weeks ago, our church started partnering with an organization I'm extremely passionate about, AZ 1:27.  AZ 1:27 partners with churches in the state of Arizona in equipping, encouraging and moving people to adopt and take in foster children.  This video was shown in my church a few weeks ago:


DirectorCarter-Video from Blinktank on Vimeo.

This video broke my heart in countless ways.  It is heart breaking, to me, that it has gotten to the point where government officials have to ask the church for help.  Personally, that is embarrassing.

14,000 children in the state of Arizona live in foster homes.  That number alone is humbling and makes us want to "do something."  But often that little whisper to "do something" turns into nothing and we continue on with our lives.  Our perfect, in-the-box, American Dream, comfortable, Christian lives.  Where we allow God to work on our hearts when we want, where life works in the time frame we want.  And to me, the fact that the government is reaching out to the church-goers of the state of Arizona is mind-boggling to me.  Insanity.

To me, James 1:27 is extremely clear.  "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."  It does not say "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is to visit orphans and widows in their affliction in Africa once in a lifetime."  It does not say "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is to visit orphans and widows in their affliction when we're ready."  It does not say "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is to visit orphans and widows if God tells us to."  No.  It is plain and simple.  We are to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.  When?  All the time.  Where?  In Africa, in your community, through foster care, through adoption, whatever is the clear path for you.  This is what the Lord defines as religion, which means it should be as normal to us as praying and reading the Word.  

In comes our sermon yesterday.  Seriously worth the 30 minutes to sit down and watch this today if you are a follower of Christ. 


Foster Care & Adoption- from Redemption Gilbert on Vimeo.

"We need to be real careful when we say 'I can't afford to care for an orphan.'  Because what are we saying?  'I don't believe their Daddy is going to send the check.'  He's a Father to the Fatherless, and when we say we can't take an orphan into our home because of finances then we need to be clear about what we are saying:  'I believe God is a deadbeat dad who will not come through with the child support.'"

We have a crisis in America, and we have a crisis in the world.  Children are being left behind, and the Church is not following their call.  In fact, it is getting so bad that the Lord is using the government to push us to pure religion.  I must say, everyone talks about how if only the government would allow them to give them one piece of advice... well.  Here you go.  The government has asked for our help, are we willing to help?  The Lord has called you clearly.  Are you willing to help?  I promise you, in giving money, praying fervently, doing foster care, or adopting children, you are not only being praised by Jesus Christ Himself, but you will be blessed immensely.  You just wait and see.

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HAPPY GOTCHA DAY TREY MALACHI

One whole entire year ago, 7 people woke up early to meet a lawyer and a judge at a courthouse.

With Trey in suspenders, and everyone else in their church clothes, we met to hear the Living God say a resounding YES that would never fail.

When things may have freaked us out... had us holding him tighter in the months before this date in 2012... nothing sounded better than this yes from the Lord.

A piece of paper stating all other rights were terminated... that from this day forward he would be called Trey Malachi.

It may have lasted a total of 10 minutes, it may have only included the reading of addresses and phone numbers and then a beautiful, "I have no reason to not sign this document."  It may have been just another case for this judge and this lawyer.  It may not have been the most dramatic story or longest journey.  But it was the most beautiful, beautiful moment ever.

You know, I've never understood the Crazy Awe-Inspiring Mountain Moving abilities of our Savior until this moment.  Suddenly all the hours of waiting for a baby and all the moments spent watching the face we thought we'd have to give back or when we found out our first adoption wasn't going to go through or when a phone call came just came crashing down in one spot that I wasn't thinking about anymore.  Our entire adoption process took 9 months total.  With a failed adoption and precious journey like no other, God brought our baby to us in the way He wanted.  One day it was a birthmother's information on an email, and the next it was a face in the airport, and the next it was holding her baby, and the next it was her name on a piece of paper surrendering him to us, forever.  And if you're a waiting adoptive parent, you have to keep waiting.  You have to keep looking at the Cross and you have to keep waiting.  9 months felt like a long time, but I know people who have waited 33, who have waited 3 years.  No child is worth giving up on.  No amount of money or paperwork or waiting should lead us astray from God's calling.  Your baby, your son, your daughter, your brother or your sister is waiting.  And what God has conquered for us on the Cross means that waiting is possible.  

We used to dream of an African baby, we really did.  And God gave us an African baby, He sure did.  One little thing that was not needed or even thought of for one second in any of the paperwork turned out to be what my parent's and our whisper was way before.  He gave us a baby who's father is literally from Jamaica, and who's mother is literally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  He gave us the relationship none of us ever thought we'd have with his birthmother.  He brought her to us in such a way that I still cannot imagine how she found us.  It was only God, oh, all of it was ONLY GOD.  

And you don't understand how many people have asked me if we're all "bonded" or what my brothers "think" about having a baby.  It doesn't take very long to look at a baby - no matter what his color is - who the Lord chose as your baby and feel bonded, and nobody had to think about having another baby.  He just was.  And today, as he has fully come into his own little personality, who walks now, with his hands in the air laughing at himself because he is just so very very proud, who wrestles with his brothers, who is completely and utterly the happiest baby ever, he is so perfect for my family.  The Lord could not have made a better choice.  I cannot think of one thing that God did not perfectly create to make us laugh because it's just so us.  

God truly doesn't make mistakes.  And on this day, one year ago, a baby boy who was born to a different woman was joined together with us forever and ever.  It is a beautiful tragedy, a broken beauty.  It is a choice we do not take lightly.  We gotcha, Trey Malachi!  And we will, forever.  I love you, baby.  Happy Gotcha Day, you are so worth it. 

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FAREWELL SUMMER (THROUGH MY IPHONE LENS)

Monday is my last official day of Summer.  And I've got to say, it was one of the best in my memory.

Starting with flying all the way to Philadelphia to meet with my dear, dear friends for 5 days.  Next up was Downton Abbey reruns late into the night and being in complete awe with the Lord and His story unfolding before us through adoption and birthmothers.  Sleeping in, eating breakfast at 11:15am every morning, and laughing with my family.  Then, a quick one-day trip up north to a friend's cabin for the 4th of July.  Fireworks, laughing, BBQ's, carnivals and fun.  One of my faves.  Then, a roadtrip to California.  Much needed beach time, an escape from the heat, and complete relaxation.  More sleep, more babysitting bugsy, more cooking.  Driving one kid to practice and picking the next one up.  Next was a fabulous weekend trip to the cabin we've gone to since we were littles.  Memories and cool weather and relaxing and golf cart rides.  Fast forward some more sleeping, babysitting, driving and relaxing.  Finishing an absolutely fantastic summer with dear friends sleepovers.  Talking til 2am, pool time and just a whole lot of fun.

Wowwwweeeee, God sure did bless me this summer.  SO thankful I got the opportunities I did.  Now I'm so ready to partake in my Junior (!!!!!!!) year of high school.   What the actual heck?  I have no idea what happened to time.

Goodbye summer, you've been so good to me.

(photo dump :: no particular order, obviously.)

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I HAVE A DREAM

"I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." MLK

In my life, these words have become wildly true.

When you have a black brother, a black sister, a black daughter or a black son, and you are white, these words become a once unknown, now passionate truth for you as a white person.

It stays lit inside my heart.  It touches my soul in a deep place.  Reading these words 50 years later, I am overwhelmed.

Dear friends, because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ MLK's words have become true for us today.

Yes, there is racism.  Yes, there is oppression.  Yes, there is judging and there are stereotypes.  Horrible things still happen in the name of racism.  But because of the blood of Christ that covers all things... that takes the blame... that Loves like none other... we can be One with Him.  Little white girls and little white boys can joined together as sisters and as brothers with little black girls and little black boys.  Hear me today, friends.  Today in the United States of America white families open their homes to children of other races.  50 years ago this was unheard of and insane.  Jesus Christ's blood covers all things.

He takes the blame for every racist moment of this oppressed time 50 years ago.  He takes the blame for buying and selling humans based upon their skin color.  He takes the shame and carries it on His back and it dies with Him on the cross.  Jesus Christ was the same King He was 50 years ago, yet today He has made MLK's dreams become reality. 

If you are white, black, brown, purple, yellow or pink, let us celebrate.  Let us celebrate that the King of Kings has changed hearts time after time after time after time... all to bring His people as One with Him.  All to bring glory to Him.  

Thank you, MLK, for pressing into Jesus and fighting for what is right and true and holy.  Thank you for helping to set people like my brother free.  Thank you for your example and thank you for never giving up.  

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