God's Ways Are Beautiful...

As many of you know, I am a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. I signed my agreement to start my own Mary Kay business last April 14^th and have been a Beauty Consultant for little over a year.  Now that I have been doing Mary Kay for a full year, I am able to look back on my life and know with all my heart that this is what God has planned for me…And so now, I want to take some time to share about my heart…about this journey…and how God is working in my day to day life.

When I was a freshman in college, I went to Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. I transferred in over winter break and decided to attend this college because 1: it was a Christian college and 2: I wanted to play college basketball.  While I was there I spent a lot of time with the ladies on the basketball team and made a few other friends here and there….but always felt like it was sort of hard to jump right into making friends during the middle of the school year since everybody seemed to already have their group of friends. 

I was taking a general education class that spring and now when I look back on this I just have to laugh.  Everyday this girl would come walking in and I didn’t have any idea of who she was—but I remember thinking to myself that I felt like we would be great friends.  She always had sweatpants and a basketball t-shirt on—and so did I…She also always had her hair up on top of her head full of messy curls…and So did I. 

One of the spring afternoons there was a BLC baseball game and a few of us were hanging out together watching the game.  Here this girl came up and sat down next to us and began talking.  She knew some of the girls that I was talking with…but she and I had never actually been introduced before.  As soon as she sat down we began to talk and got along instantly and I felt like I had known her my whole life!!  The conversation led to plans and ideas for the summer…and both she and I didn’t really have anything planned.  She brought up the fact that she would love to go work at a camp for the summer—and I agreed with her about how much fun that would be.  She explained a little bit about the organization she had come across and we agreed to fill out the information.  It was SO crazy! We had just met…and then all of a sudden we were agreeing to work at a camp and live together for the whole summer!  It really just makes me laugh because we had no idea what we were doing or what we were getting ourselves into!:)  We hadn’t really thought it through—or knew if this was actually legit…We just totally went with it and before we knew it…we found out that we were going to be lifeguards for an Armenian camp in Massachusetts! 

Here we are...taking our first step towards Massachusetts! 

 On the plane...a little sad to leave Minnesota but excited for what God had in store for us!

We spent the WHOLE summer together…and when I mean whole summer…I mean, we seriously were attached by the hip!!  Everywhere Jess went…I went…and everywhere I went…she went….There was never a time that the two of us weren’t seen without each other. It was SO much fun and although some days at camp got a little long—it was the BEST experience just because we were together. 

Exploring on our day off in Boston!

  In front of our Cabin

Bowling in Franklin, MA.

Jess--Shanna--Kayla...Down by the beach where we spent most of our days.

While we were at camp, there were many mornings and nights that we would go for a walk or a run together…and these were the moments that I absolutely loved.  Jess and I have SO much in common…The way we look at life…the way we dream and have high hopes about our futures…the way our faith and family are important to us…the way we have always been passionate about sports and about helping others…We seriously are just SO much a like!!  Something that cracked us up ALL summer long is that we always got asked by all of the kids at camp if we were SISTERS! ….And then there was so many times that not only did the kids ask if we were sisters….but they would ask if we were TWINS.  We would always look at each other and just LAUGH because we got this ALL the time and it just blew our minds!!  Right away when we first got the question it was like, “What?? Sisters? Twins?? Us??”  ….And then after we got asked this for the whole summer it was just a laughing joke—we couldn’t get over it!  I have dark curly hair and at the time she had long red—blonde curly hair, so we felt like we didn’t really look alike, but I guess we always wore the same style of clothes and always had our hair the same. :)

 

During our walks we would share our hearts with one another…we would talk about what we got excited about in life…and how we both wanted to CHANGE the WORLD.  We imagined ourselves going on family vacations together…we imagined ourselves having kids at the same age so they could be the BESTEST of friends…we also talked about how we wanted to help people…We both never really saw ourselves working a 8:00—5:00 type of job…just because we felt like God had something MORE…something BIGGER planned for us. We really had no idea what it looked like…or what we would do…we just knew that we wanted to change the world….we wanted to make a difference…and we wanted to enjoy our “job” whatever it was that God had in store for us.  We talked many, many different times about how awesome it would be to start our own non-profit organization…something to do with sports…or helping children in need….or reaching out to moms or women that were in difficult situations…whatever it was…we didn’t know…but we were confident that God would someday show us…and that He would someday use our hearts to help others who were in need. 

Here we are...waiting in the airport for our flight back to Minnesota.

After our summer at camp we still stayed very close…she lived a long ways away from me…and we didn’t get to see each other that often…but what we shared that summer was so touching and it truly was a one of a kind type of friendship—the friendship that only God could have arranged and planned to better glorify His kingdom.  

Last March, Jess came to visit me and she was so excited—I remember looking at her and laughing…thinking what in the world is this lady thinking?!:)  She just signed-up to be a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and she needed a few faces to practice on. When she told me how much she loved it and she wanted to do this for the rest of her life…I seriously was so confused?  She was a sporty type of girl…a girl that would always wear sweatpants and hardly NO makeup…the last thing I could see her doing was selling Mary Kay…But I will admit…when we met together and she did a facial for me…I remember thinking how this would actually be sort of fun.  She was SO excited about it…and although I had never really heard anything about Mary Kay and didn’t even know what it was all about…If she enjoyed it…I certainly would enjoy it too—right? 

Here we are...Jess was pregnant with Macoy...And all she wanted to do was stay at home with him once he was born--and NOW she can! Because of MARY KAY she is at home with her BABY!!!! :)

Jess called me a few days later after we met and just told me how she thinks I would absolutely LOVE Mary Kay and that she would LOVE for me to join her team.  I seriously didn’t think twice about it—She loved it and was SO HAPPY with it…that I knew I would feel the SAME way.  I hung up the phone and decided to sign-up right away!  We really had no idea what God was doing or what His plans were…but we felt great about this and decided to JUMP right in!! 

Here I am at Seminar last year in Texas--With my DREAM CAR!:)

I would just like to tell you that Mary Kay has truly been a BREATH of FRESH AIR in my life.  I had heard SO many great and wonderful things about the company…and I remember thinking, “How in the world can this company be THAT good? …How can it be THAT successful?  Is there some type of a catch?”  After I had heard about some of the great things about this company, I found out that this company was a Christian-based company…AND THEN, the light bulb went on! Mary Kay Ash always believed that when she had these priorities in order: God first, family second and career third…that everything in her life went well and she was blessed—and if she ever lived her life out of this order, it didn’t work and she was downright unhappy.  

I just want to share a little bit about the company of Mary Kay so that you can really see the HEART of this company.  Mary Kay Ash was such a hard worker and 1963 she quit her job because she was working SO hard but wasn’t getting paid for it…Men would come in whom she would train and they would just pass her up…they would get promoted and they would get an increase in their income.  Mary Kay didn’t think that was fair and asked her boss what the problem was…He responded with, “Mary Kay you’re in the wrong body.”  She couldn’t believe how rude that was and decided to quit that day. She went home and found herself frustrated and upset with how men were treated with so much more respect and had so many more opportunities than women did.  She thought to herself, “Someone needs to create a job or a company where women can be successful and achieve all that they want.”  After she thought that thought, she decided that SHE would be the one to CREATE and DESIGN this wonderful opportunity for women.  She had $5,000 in her savings and invested all of her money into her DREAM JOB…she also had 9 of her coffee drinking buddies that supported her.  As she began this process and this dream, she had many—many people tell her that “Mary Kay, that is impossible.  A company like that would NEVER succeed….Mary Kay, you are dreaming.”  But she had her faith and she had her heart—She knew that if she truly believed in herself and this company—that she could and WOULD SUCCEED.  

I am so happy and honored to be a part of this company and to share that Mary Kay Company is coming up on their 50^th Anniversary!!  There is truly SO many wonderful things about this company but I just would like to share a few things—otherwise this blog post could go on and on and on! 

♥ The Company was also built on the Golden Rule, which is to treat others and you would want to be treated. 

♥ The Company is international and is in 38 different countries! 

♥ The Company is passionate about GIVING BACK—Our Company gives millions of dollars away every year to help women and children who have been affected by cancer and also women who are affected by domestic violence. We also give to SO many different organizations and areas ALL around the WORLD. 

♥ We are a multi-billion dollar company!

♥ Harvard University teaches our Marketing Plan. 

♥ We have been listed in every printing of the book, Top 100 Companies to Work For. 

♥ Wall Street Journal has published articles written about us. 

♥ Mary Kay was chosen by Baylor University as the greatest female entrepreneur of all times. 

♥ Our product is the #1 selling product in the Nation and has been for the past 18 years!

Now I would like to share our TOP 12 BLESSINGS we receive when we start our own Mary Kay Business.

 

       Money--In Mary Kay you can make a little bit of money…and you can make a lot of money! It is totally up to you! If you want to make some extra cash to pay off debt—save up for a wedding—go on a family vacation, etc.  You can use your Mary Kay for any of these reasons! Otherwise, you can work Mary Kay full-time which is about 20 hours a week.    

      

        Purchase at Whole Sale—Anything products that you wear from your head to your toe, you can get 50% off!

     

        Tax Breaks—Things that you are doing and paying for anyway, now become a tax break because you are running a home-based business!

4.   

              Job Security—You are your OWN BOSS!  It is YOUR Company and you don’t ever have to worry about getting fired or losing your job.

5.     

        Company Cars—Mary Kay gives every person the opportunity to earn a FREE CAR! You also get a new one every 2 years!! We have 10’s of thousands of women who have been driving FREE in Mary Kay! Mary Kay pays for license, tabs & 85% of car insurance!!

6    

              Advancement at Your Own Pace—YOU get to decide how much you would like to advance! It is up to YOU! If you want to earn a free car—the decision is ALL up to you and how much you want to work!

7.     

        Prizes & Recognition—We are constantly cheering each other on and giving prizes for your hard work!! You can win SO many great prizes from small things to big things! The nice thing is, you don’t compete with anyone else but yourself!! If you work for it and earn it—you WILL get it! We work together and encourage each other to reach our dreams!!

8.     

        Personal Growth—You learn so many things in Mary Kay, such as business management, time management, personal skills, etc.  You are constantly growing and moving in a forward movement! When you grow personally you can pass that on to your family!

9.     

        Friends & Fun—We meet so many inspiring and motivating ladies! You also get to select who you would like to work with—so we are always positive and encouraging each other! We ALWAYS have so much fun together!

1      Flexibility—If you do Mary Kay as a hobby you get to select your hours and income. But what is really great when you do Mary Kay full-time. You can pick exactly when you can work and you can fit your life around your Mary Kay. 

Fulfillment of Helping Others—You can power and change women’s lives as working as a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant.  If mothers want more time to stay at home with their children or to leave a crabby job, we can offer them that with this Mary Kay Opportunity! Mary Kay really is the vehicle to help reach out to women and to change their life for the better. And of course, I want to use my own Mary Kay money so that I can help children in need.

1      The Ability to Dream—As a little girl you grow up wishing and dreaming of big things…Or when you find your sweetheart that you’re going to live forever with, you think about all of these wonderful things that you would like to do together. But something always seems to happen when we commit to working a full-time 8:00-5:00 job. We aren’t in charge of our schedules and we can’t decide when we would like to work and when we would like time off.  Other people tend to be in charge of  our schedules which then ends up being that they are in charge of our lives.  In Mary Kay, you have the opportunity to DREAM BIG. You have the opportunity to make extra money and you have the flexibility to take vacations—to explore and try new things.  I am SUCH a BIG DREAMER—most of you probably know that!:)  So with Mary Kay this truly is such a blessing that I will be grateful for!

Now, I am HAPPY and EXCITED to announce my GOOD NEWS with Mary Kay to YOU!! The Month of May I was “Praying for a Miracle” and I was able to move up into my Red Jacket and go ON-TARGET for my WHITE CHEVY MALIBU!!! I am SO excited because God was in control of every little detail and has blessed me with such a wonderful team and group of customers! I really am o truly grateful for each and every one of you!!! I want you to know that I really do appreciate all of your support and love!

I’ve explained this to a few people before, but I would like to share with you in case you don’t know where my heart is at.  I always thought growing up that I would become a teacher simply because I have such a HUGE heart for children—so it was simple, right? I would be a teacher.  But the more and more that I have thought about it…the more and more I have realized in my heart that God has created me to be a wife and a mother.  I have always felt so strongly about this and I am certain that this is what God has in store for me. I’ve also felt very strongly about staying at home with my children once Patrick and I have a family—After all, they are OUR children…why would I send them to Day Care to have somebody else raise them?  It just doesn’t make sense to me. So, I have pretty much come to the conclusion that I will just finish my Early Childhood Education Degree so that I have the degree and can always fall back on it if need be.  BUT—My main focus and excitement is Mary Kay.  I picture myself being a Beauty Consultant for the rest of my life!  This company is truly a CINDERELLA COMPANY and has SO much to offer for every single girl! I strongly believe that!  So my goal is to work my Mary Kay business right now as much as I can so that once I am married and have children, I will be able to afford to stay at home with them. 

I also want to share—that all of you pretty much already know about—but I have a HUGE HEART for going on mission trips and for reaching out to children in need.  I went to Africa for 2 weeks last summer…I went to Ecuador for 1 week in the fall…and I am getting ready to go BACK to AFRICA this summer for 3 weeks.  I absolutely LOVE going on mission trips and I love sharing my love with the many children that God places in my path.  And although I love being able to do this, I realized that if I do work a 8—5 job, I won’t have the flexibility to just get up and leave for a few weeks if I want to. I also realize that it would be so hard to keep a job when I am constantly wanting to travel and take these trips throughout the year. So, when the Mary Kay opportunity was presented to me, not only did I realize that I would be able to stay at home with my children because I would be able to make enough money to do so…I also realized just how FLEXIBLE this job would be for me—which is exactly what I need.  Another thing is that I have always said I would adopt and so I prayed for God to bless me with a man that would also be inspired to love on orphans and to adopt—and God surely did that.  Patrick and I have been together for over 5 years and it is only a matter of time before we will be getting engaged…planning our wedding…and praying about our future children. So, adoption is spendy—there is no way around it…it’s just expensive. BUT, I have always said that I don’t want to let money stop me or slow me down from fulfilling the CALL that GOD has placed on my heart—to go on mission trips and to adopt.  Both of these two things are very expensive.  My mission trips cost around $4,000 and adoption is around $40,000. This is a lot of money—isn’t it?  It is to me…but I have found that this is where my heart is…my heart is for these children…so I won’t think another thing about it—I will simple DO IT...I would also like to say and that though God has continued to BLESS me...I mean ABSOLUTELY BLESS me with people that have such a GIVING heart and are willing to donate for my trips...it is still hard to ask others for money. So I would love to be able to get to the point where I can afford all of these trips on my own. 

Okay friends…I know this post is getting long…but this is such a long journey and experience to try and explain in a few short paragraphs!  SO…here is something else that is BIG and EXCITING.  As I mentioned I am ON-TARGET for my WHITE MALIBU.  First, I want to explain to you that the car that I am currently driving is slowly falling apart. Ever since I came home from Africa I have had the hardest time purchasing nice things for myself…If I see a t-shirt and it cost $30…I think to myself, no way, this is way too selfish—this $30 cold provide food for a FULL month for 1 child in Africa, etc. So I have had such a torn heart when it comes to spending money—I’m praying for God to show me the difference between NEED and WANTS.  So anyways, I am in need of a new car---it really is a matter of time before this car doesn’t work anymore!  So, Patrick and I have talked about what the smart thing to do is and I just had the hardest time thinking about having to spend all that money on a car—when all of a sudden, it CLICKED. I can EARN my Mary Kay car—which will help me in the LONG RUN by building my business and by working full-time…and I can SAVE the money that I would have had to spend on purchasing a new car for things that are MORE IMPORTANT. 

It is JUNE…and I am making this month a “JUST JUNE IT” kind of month. I leave for Africa in 5 weeks!! So I have A LOT of work to get accomplished before I leave…AND…I need YOUR HELP!!! I need to meet with 30 ladies in the month of JUNE!  This is my goal that my director gave me and I am SO excited to work hard and to achieve this goal.  So, I need a minimum of 30 ladies that would let me borrow their face and to do a facial with them…but I actually have a goal to meet with 45 LADIES!!

Is there anyone that would be willing to help me out?  It’s already JUNE 4^th and I need to get to work.  I am FREE and willing to COME to you if you’d like me to!  It could be you and 2-3 friends and that would be AWESOME…because if you invite any of your family or friends…that will help me get closer to those 30 faces!! We’ll be able to meet and play with makeup! I’ll also be giving you some great skincare tips!!:)  It’s SUPER FUN…It’s FREE….and if you would be able to help me out I would give you an extra little bonus!!  I am IN NEED of your HELP and would be BLESSED if you would let me give you a facial—besides, who doesn’t enjoy getting pampered and having a little girl time?

As I mentioned I can come to you--or you are welcomed to come to me. If you come to me here is my Mary Kay room where will do our facials! :) 

If you would like to get together and get pampered--please let me know! I would absolutely love to make this month a POWERFUL month so that I am one more step closer to growing my business and to earning my White Malibu!  Contact me as soon as you know of a day/night that would work to get together!:) I would be every so GRATEFUL for your help!! 

P.S. If you read this blog and you found yourself wondering about Mary Kay and wanting to learn and find out more about this company...please let me know. The beauty of this company is that we are able to PASS IT ON to other women who are looking and wanting more in their life...so if there was anything that got you excited--or if you are interested in any of the 12 Mary Kay Blessings...just let me know...I would be more than honored to share more information with you. Also, can I just tell you something--It only cost $100 (a Wal-Mart decision) to start your very own business...and you really have NOTHING to lose!  This business could certainly...and most likely WILL change your LIFE! ...Just like it has changed mine!  I would be blessed to pass this business along to you because I think to myself, "If Jess wouldn't have passed this Cinderella opportunity along to me, just think of what I would have missed out on!"  ...And now, the two of us are changing the world...with one facial at a time...we are inspiring ladies and helping them feel better about themselves....because when a girl feels pretty on the outside...she is truly more beautiful on the inside...and with that positive attitude and with a giving heart...she can make the world a more beautiful place. ♥

This opportunity has changed my life...and I would absolutely LOVE for it to change yours!! What are your hopes and dreams? What would make you happier? Share with me...I'd love to listen & help you get closer to  your dreams!!! :) 

Walking Through the Doors God Opens...

Good Morning All!!  Well I am finally finished with my spring semester! I had such a busy schedule with 7 online classes and with volunteering in my 2^nd grade classroom, but it was a very successful and rewarding semester!  I am looking forward to having a little more free time—or at least doing other things besides school work!:) I have one summer class that I am taking but 1 class compared to 7 won’t be bad at all!

I again apologize that it’s been such a long time since I last blogged! Now that my spring semester is done I plan to blog more often. So many things have been happening and I am so excited to share with you!  I will jump right into it because I’ve been just itching to share with all of YOU!!!  This past Tuesday, May 15th, I received an email from Amani Baby Cottage.  They informed me that my application to volunteer for a week this summer has been ACCEPTED!!! It is FINALLY CONFIRMED that I WILL BE VOLUNTEERING AT AMANI!!! I can’t even begin to fully express just how EXCITED I AM!  I fell in love with Amani right away when we got there!  Their atmosphere of loving and serving God while caring for His precious children is absolutely beautiful!!! And…of course, for those of you who have been following my experience this past year—Sweet Richard is at Amani!! I can’t even comprehend what it will be like to SCOOP him up into my ARMS again!!!! :) I am so excited to love and care for all of the precious children at Amani, but the fact that I get to spend a full week with Richard brings tears to my eyes.  

For those of you who might not know or remember my Love Story with Richard, I will quickly recap.  Last summer, I traveled to Africa. Before going to Africa I had so many close family and friends share that they thought I would return from Africa as a mom. When they mentioned these things, I smiled—but in my heart I just didn’t think that would ACTUALLY happen. Yes, I have always wanted to adopt! I’ve had this passion in my heart since I was in middle school…I always knew I wanted to travel to Africa and I wanted to have a RAINBOW family! But before I left for Africa last summer…I really didn’t think I would fall in love with a child that I would feel so strongly about. First, Patrick and I aren’t even married yet…I always thought we would start looking into the adoption process AFTER we were married. Second, I was still going to school—how could I possibly adopt a child and still have to finish school? These two main things were big and important to me…so I just didn’t think anything would happen.  I told myself, “Maybe within the next year or two, Patrick and I would really look into adopting…but not right now. We aren’t ready or prepared.”  But, at night…I would pray about this.  I would pray about our upcoming trip and I would pray that if God actually wanted me to be a mother and experience a love like no other while I was in Africa…I needed Him to show me.  After all, we will be visiting SO many children—hundreds of children who need a mommy to love and care for them…how could I possibly know which one I was supposed to have as a child? So yes God, please SHOW me and make it obvious…that’s all I ask. If you have this planned for me either way—I will follow Your leading, but I need to know WHICH CHILD it is so that I can be confident in Your will. 

So, this was my prayer for so many days and nights before going to Africa. But let me remind you…I really didn’t think it was going to happen! So we arrived to Africa and I was IN LOVE! Absolutely taken away by the beauty of this continent and its people…And to be honest, it wasn’t like I was just SEARCHING and LOOKING for that one child that would capture my heart…I actually sort of forgot about it and was just taking everything in. But, it was on our 3rd day in Africa that we went to Amani Baby Cottage…we arrived and as I walked on the sidewalk, I stopped to admire some children that were on a mat playing with some toys.  We had JUST arrived about 5 minutes ago—and I wanted to be respectful for the children and for the staff. I didn’t want to just run right up to these children and come across disrespectful to the nanny that was sitting and caring for them.  So, with all my might…I stood there on the sidewalk smiling and thinking how precious these children were. Then all of a sudden, I turned my head and looked straight out in front of me…and wouldn’t you know it…there was this little boy in a yellow onesie walking RIGHT FOR ME!

He had a little smile on his face and was seriously just staring at me and walking directly towards me! I looked around and was like, “Oh my goodness—where did he come from?? How come I didn’t notice him right away?”  I wanted to walk towards him and meet him half way…but I reminded myself to be respectful, plus I thought, “If he comes to me I can pick him up right? That would be alright, wouldn’t it?” So he continued to walk…taking one wobbly step at a time. I wasn’t sure if he would fall down or make it the whole way to me…but HE DID.  He walked RIGHT to me!  All of the girls on the team said, “Shanna!  Look! He is walking RIGHT to you!!”  I scooped him up in my arms and no lie…I felt this instant connection.

It is so hard to explain really—but we shared a bond instantly! I remember holding him and telling my team leader, “Ok…I am complete!”  So, to be quite honest…when I picked him up and felt the connection…and when I realized that he found me first…I was thinking, Wow…is this the child God? Is THIS THE ONE?  I felt certain it was but I didn’t want to get overly excited. So I continued to hold and play with this little boy.  Next I asked the nanny what his name was…and she looked at me and said, “Richard” and I just smiled and thought…you are already named after your grandpa!  My dad’s name is Alan Richard Bahn…and so when I found out that his name was Richard I couldn’t get over it.  I was seriously freaking out!! WOW—Was God really leading to Africa to find my son? To fall in love with Richard?? Sometimes it’s so hard to fully understand God’s ways and His plans…but I simply reminded myself to pray and to follow His leading…which was exactly what I was doing.  Then I had to set Richard down and can I just tell you that we BOTH cried our eyes out.  It really is crazy because I’m one that doesn’t like to cry or always show my emotions…but when I set Richard down it absolutely broke my heart…and he lost it and was so upset—the nanny looked at Richard like what in the world are you crying for? Why are you making such a big deal about this? So many people come and visit and hold you and set you down—but why are you having this type of reaction?  And so when I saw how great his emotions were…I lost it as well and began to cry like I had never before. It was so crazy really—because I had no idea why my emotions and feelings were so strong over this one child…after all, I had just met him. 

So, that is our little love story. I met him on the 3^rd day I was in Africa and the rest of the trip I fell asleep looking at the pictures I took of him on my camera and praying that God would show me the next move…the next thing I was supposed to do.

I came home and honestly felt different—I felt like a mom. I cried and prayed over this so many times…Some days I wasn’t sure if Richard was seriously my child…and other days I woke up knowing without a doubt that I was a mom and that I was just waiting for my child to come home! I came to the conclusion that if God’s purpose was for Richard to be a part of our family, He would guide me and He would continue to open up doors…I also decided that maybe Richard might not officially become part of our family…But I couldn’t just make the decision without fighting for him…I strongly believe that in order to find out, I have to keep praying and keep following God’s leading.  I decided that I would fight for him—after all, mothers do this for their children…they fight for them no matter what…so this is exactly what 

 I would do for Richard. 

I have been laughed at when I tell people the connection Richard and I had…I have been told that I was crazy—believing that God would actually arrange an appointment like this…I have been told that it is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to adopt Richard since his grandmother would need to sign off on the paper work and she simply will not do that. When I hear these type of comments, I remind myself that GOD CAN…DOES…and WILL MOVE MOUNTAINS to bring RICHARD HOME if this is HIS PLAN.  I do not pay attention to what some have to say about our Love Story—because I know that God’s IN CONTROL of this situation and that His timing and plans are ALWAYS perfect…not just sometimes…not just when it’s easy…but ALWAYS. So, yes, maybe God’s plans don’t have Richard in my future—but until I know this and fight for him 100% I will keep walking through the doors He opens…And just think—maybe this is His plan for Richard to be a part of our family…how will I know for sure if I just give up?

One of the things Patrick and I have been praying for is that God would lead us to Richard’s grandma.  Richards mom passed away and his dad abandoned him even before he was born. But Richard does have a grandmother that lives in Uganda so although he doesn’t have parents to care for him—he is not considered a complete orphan since his grandma is still living. So, when I called Amani and tried to get more details about Richard and his situation, I was told that I would have to connect with his grandma and she would have to sign-off on the papers—which is pretty much impossible! I also found out that since his grandma is living he is technically unadoptable but still has to live the rest of his precious life in the “system.” When I heard these words I felt sick to my stomach… “What? Richard has a family—here in the U.S. please don’t make him live the rest of his life without a family…we are right here…waiting for him to come home” is what I thought. When I found out that it was impossible I reminded myself to have faith like a child and that if God wanted Richard to be with Patrick and I He would certainly MAKE IT POSSIBLE. So, as I said, since returning from Africa, our prayer has been to somehow…someway connect with Richard’s grandma.  I wondered, “What if they don’t even know who she is?  Or where she lives? How in the world am I going to find this lady??”

A few months ago I had a friend send me a message and said, “Shanna, I follow this blog and I think it’s about your Richard!” I read it and was like “hmmm…there are how many children in Africa—what are the odds that this blog is about my Richard?”  I clicked on the link she sent me…and OH MY!!! OH MY OH MY!!! YES! …This blog was ALL about my RICHARD and his Jaja (Grandma!)  I couldn’t believe it! …Actually, YES, yes I could believe it!  God’s ways are perfect—certainly He heard my prayers and knew how important it was for me to learn more about Richard’s grandmother!!!!  I was JUMPING with JOY and in TEARS as I read this blog.  I found out that Richard’s grandma lives about 35 minutes away from Amani in a small village. She also loves Richard so much that in order for her to fully and completely love him, she has to let him go—meaning, she understands that he is better off at Amani, even though she would love to have him live with her in the village. Here is the link of the blog to read more about it!!!!  This was a HUGE thing!!! I woke up the next day and I was in Target ready to purchase a whole bedspread for Richard—so that I could have it ready for him to come home!!:) This is seriously how BIG that blog post was and is to our love story!!

http://healministries.blogspot.com/2012/03/jajas-heart.html

Another door God has opened was leading me to Amani this summer.  I knew right away that I wanted to go back to Africa, but this time I wanted to go for longer than 2 weeks.  I was also torn because I wanted to go back to Kenya to visit the precious kids at Fiwagoh and to see Duncan and Grace…but I also wanted to go to Amani and visit Richard.  My heart was torn and I didn’t know what to do…I prayed about this and God confirmed that I needed to go back to Kenya. So many of those kids have blessed me and I know how important it is to go back and visit them…to show them I haven’t forgotten about them. I was (and AM) so excited to love and visit them again! But I couldn’t imagine going all the way to Africa and being so close to Richard and not even getting to see him! So, I signed up for the Kenya mission trip and prayed that of it was God’s will that He would open the doors needed and would bring me to see Richard.  I emailed Amani and explained how I would love to volunteer at Amani on July 28—August 4. The lady replied back and said they were full, but since I was going to be so close she would see if she could make an exception. I thought, well if this door closes and they are full, I know God doesn’t want me to visit him this summer…but I thought, if it’s meant to be Amani will reply back and say yes—there is room.  I prayed and prayed…having peace in God’s plans that no matter what happens, He is in control.  Tuesday night I received the email and it is CONFIRMED! God opened this door for me to go visit Richard and the rest of the children at Amani…and I couldn’t be more thankful for His marvelous ways!!!

If you could pray for Richard and our love story I would greatly appreciate it.  I am so excited to see him this summer but I know my heart is going to break having to say good-bye to him again. I also would love to try and somehow connect with his grandma. I don’t know what this would exactly look like—but if you could keep this in your prayers that would mean so much to me!! Here are a few more pictures I have come across of sweet little Richy!!:)

 Haha! This picture just makes me LAUGH! He always has the one finger up!:)

  

Eating my crackers!:)

Thank you ALL for your LOVE, SUPPORT and PRAYERS!!! I want you to know that your unconditional love and support has truly meant so much to me!! I am confident that if this is God’s will…it WILL happen!! …So, I will continue to PRAY HIM HOME!   

 

Projects to BUILD HOPE!

Whew! It's been such a long time since I've been able to blog! I'm so sorry it's taken me such a long time to get a new post up!  With taking 7 classes, doing Mary Kay Bridal Parties, teaching Sunday School, speaking at several churches about my time in Africa, helping Shelby with her wedding and just life in general--I have been quite busy!  I've been counting down the weeks until this semester is over--7 weeks left!  I keep telling myself that this too will pass...and my life won't be consumed with school and homework anymore!:) 

As most of you all know, this summer I will be returning BACK to AFRICA!  I leave July 15^th which is less than 4 months away!! =)  Boy oh boy, am I ever excited!!! On my trip I’ll be working with a team of volunteers, through a Christian non-profit organization called Visiting Orphans.  We will be traveling to Nakuru, Kenya to serve at several orphanages.  Our mission will be to invest our time and earthly treasures and BUILD HOPE in those we encounter there.  During our time in Kenya we will be based at an orphanage named FIWAGOH – a mission, home and school to over 180+ amazing kids.  I was able to visit this orphanage last summer (this is the one where Duncan is!) and I absolutely fell in love with all of these children.  We stayed there for two nights and this time we will be living in the orphanage for 12 days - cooking, cleaning, singing, studying God’s word, going to school, playing, loving and completing several projects … right alongside of these children who have become “family!”

At FIWAGOH we will be constructing a playground for the children to enjoy some much needed exercise.  First, let me just explain this to you.  Last summer the children got so excited over BUBBLES and SILLY BANDS!  I can’t even imagine how they are going to get over this playground!! They are going to be SO JOYFUL!!!

We will also be partnering with two smaller, nearby orphanages.  Haven of Hope is home to over 30 infant – 6 year olds.  We will be brightening up their nursery with fresh paint and wall murals.  I’m super excited about this because I love art and painting…plus I have always wanted to participate in a project like this!  We also have the opportunity of taking shifts - holding, bathing, playing and rocking little ones so that Nelly (their mama) can get some much needed rest! I can't WAIT to snuggle and love on all of these children!!!!:)

In addition, we will be providing and installing a new water holding-tank at VISOI Children’s Home located in a village where there is no running water. God has brought together this team from all across the country with different skills and abilities, yet one unified purpose - to bring LOVE and HOPE to these amazing children. 

Our trip is just less than 4 months away.  We are excited to go build hope but still together as a team have some funds to raise in order to do this.  Our whole team has faith that God will apply these funds.  We are reminded constantly that His heart is for these precious children and that we must do what He calls us to—Visit Orphans!

Please consider joining us in what God is calling each of us to do by supporting our team.  Your love, support and prayers would be very much appreciated. I also want you to know that 100% of your money will be going directly to these projects!!  No matter how big or small your donation is, you will certainly help give HOPE to these children—along with a SMILE on their face!:)  

Also, if you know of any businesses that might be interested in donating please let me know.  ALL and ANY of your help would be greatly appreciated!

Donations Needed:

·   Playground at FIWAGOH – all building material, delivery and additional labor – approximately $8,000-10,000

·   Painting Project at Haven of Hope – all supplies and equipment – approx. $500

·   Water holding tank at VISOI Children’s Home – approx. $500

ALL donations through Visiting Orphans are tax-deductible and can be made one of the following ways:

If you are interested and would like to make a donation to help us BUILD HOPE with these projects, please let me know. I can give you my mailing address and you can send me a check. 

Or—You can send a CHECK made payable to:

Visiting Orphans

P.O. Box 668

Nolensville, TN  37135.

Please make a note in the MEMO line designating July - Kenya Projects.

You can also donate ON-LINE at www.visitingorphans.org

·   FUND CATEGORY choose our trip - “Kenya  - July 2012”

·   SPECIFIC MINISTRY - enter July - Kenya Projects

 

Visit Orphans: It's Pure. It's Simple.

Over Christmas break, Patrick and I had the opportunity to go to Orlando, Florida. As most of you know, Patrick was in the Army for 7 years and on June 8, 2005 he experienced a day that forever changed his life: He was wounded due to an explosion from a rocket.  Thankfully, by God’s grace, Patrick survived this terrible explosion. However, ever since this day Patrick has never been the same since.  He suffers a great deal of pain in his back on a daily basis and has a heavy heart every day for those soldiers that were lost. 

The event that we attended in Florida was for Wounded Warriors and is called Tee it up for the Troops.  It was such a great event…It was so nice for Patrick to see his friends and to meet new guys who have all experienced and deal with similar situations. As we were there my heart couldn’t help but smile. I’m SO proud of Patrick—All that he has done and experienced in the Army…As well as how he has handled everything since getting out of the Army.  

 Blackhawk Helicopter...These are the ones Patrick used to jump out of!

 The color guard.

 Some of the Wounded Warriors

 This Bald Eagle was getting a little too close!:)

 Going out for supper with Kent, Diane & Noami!

Supporting our Go.Be.Love/MAN UP & Simply Love Orphans t-shirts!:)

Patrick spent a majority of the day golfing with all the guys, so I had a lot of downtime—Which was really nice! And as I sat there, I kept thinking how great it is that God has blessed us both with things that we are so passionate about.  Patrick loves helping people and really wants to reach out to soldiers and veterans as much as he can. This is his passion…This is something he enjoys…and quite possibly, this might be something that he’ll participate in for the rest of his life.  As you all know, I’m passionate about children in need and orphans around the world…And I too hope this is something that I can do for the rest of my life… I don’t exactly know all of the details…But I do know that God knows my heart and that He sees how I long to do this…so I’ll continue to wait on Him until I can better understand exactly what His plans for my life are. 

As Patrick and I were flying to Florida I was so excited. This was our first time flying together, so that was fun for us!:) …Plus we were going to Florida for a few days and would be staying at Reunion Resort, which is an absolutely beautiful place.  But as I sat there in my airplane seat, my heart quietly longed for Africa…I sat there thinking how great that would be if we were on our way to Africa!!  …I felt bad that I wished we were going to Africa….since we were going to be attending a great event in Florida…But again I can’t help what my heart longs for..and it’s simple… it longs to be back with all of those precious kids in Africa.

As I had time to hang out I finished reading Kisses from Katie.  This book was SUCH a BLESSING but continued to make me miss Africa even more.  I strongly suggest that you all go out and purchase this book! By purchasing this book you’re supporting Katie Davis and hes sweet girls…as well as her Amazima ministry. 

Here is a quote from Katie’s book. This passage in her book really tugged at my heart…and tears grew in my eyes because I couldn’t agree more. 

Many days, I am still overwhelmed by the magnitude of the need and the incredible number of people who need help. Many days I see the destitute, disease-ridden children lining the streets in the communities I serve and I want to scoop up every single one of them, take them home with me, and feed and clothe and love them. And I look at the life of my Savior, who stopped for me. 

So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian. I can do only what one woman can do, but I will do what I can. Daily, the Jesus who wrecked my life enables me to do so much more than I ever thought possible. 

People often ask if I think my life is dangerous, if I am afraid. I am much more afraid of remaining comfortable. Matthew 10:28 tells us not to fear things that can destroy the body but things that can destroy the soul. I am surrounded by things that can destroy the body. I interact almost daily with people who have deadly diseases, and many times I am the only person who can help them. I live in a country with one of the world’s longest-running wars taking place just a few hours away. Uncertainly is everywhere. But I am living in the midst of the uncertainty and risk, amid things that can and do bring physical destruction, because I am running from things that can destroy my souk: complacency, comfort, and ignorance. I am much more terrified of living a comfortable life in a self-serving society and failing to follow Jesus than I am of any illness or tragedy. 

Jesus called His followers to be a lot of things, but I have yet to find where He warned us to be safe. We are not called to be safe; we are simply promised that when we are in danger, God is right there with us. And there is no better place to be than in His hands. 

Isn’t this passage just POWERFUL? She is such an inspiration and I feel like she is my BFF after reading her book!!:) I read this book every day we were in Florida and each night I went to bed DREAMING BIG…PRAYING BIG…Praying for God to USE me and to LEAD me to His LONELY, HURTING and DESPERATE children.

Life is a little scary, isn’t it? There is so much hurt and pain and negativity in our world. So many “what ifs” that can drive your mind crazy…But as Katie said, God encourages us to step UP and step OUT…and so I will continue to do this. Yes I wonder if I can figure out all of these funds?! Yes sometimes I wonder if He really WILL provide?! But before I start to let this stress me out, I am reminded that God holds my world in His precious hands…He really is in control of EVERY single detail in my life—No matter how big or small.  I KNOW that He CAN…He DOES…and HE WILL. 

I’ll be going back to Africa for sure for 2 weeks…BUT, I’m still looking into a few other options. If it works out, I’d LOVE to spend a month in Africa this summer. SO, I’m praying for God’s direction more than ever!  I’ll be doing a few speaking engagements coming up over the next few weeks about my experience in Africa.  When I go to these events, I’ll have some Acacia Necklaces set up on a table in case anyone wants a unique necklace from Africa—As well as help and support my trip.  I did do this fundraiser about a year ago, but thought I would try it again.  Please don’t at all feel pressured to buy one—I only want you to purchase one if you truly do want to. But, if you do, I’d like to say thank you so much! Fundraising is SO hard—I don’t want to bother or bug anyone…But the more God tells me I need to go, the more I know what I need to do. Plus, God has placed it on my heart that by fundraising I am able to help spread the word about the orphan crisis in our world and that maybe, just maybe, I can bring Glory to God by encouraging others to take a leap of faith and to live out James 1:27: to care and visit orphans. 

If you at all interested in purchasing any of these necklaces, just let me know!! Feel free to send me a message on Facebook or shoot me an email!:) 

Here is a video that just BROKE.MY.HEART. I watched it in Florida before we had to head down to one of our events. I tried to hold back the tears as well as I could…I didn’t want to go down stairs a crying mess. But I couldn’t help it. My tears became bigger and bigger with each sound of this child’s cry. And as I sat there with my eyes glued to this video—I thought of Katie, and how she deals with children just like this on a daily and weekly basis. SO sad, SO heart-wrenching…I didn’t want to go down to supper where I would see people throw away places of food and classes of clean water…All I wanted to do was sit there and cry my eyes out. I went to bed this night thanking God that Katie was in Uganda and is stopping for one child at a time…and is saving more lives because she simply let Him use her.

Visit Orphans: It’s Pure. It's Simple.