Sweet Chubby Cheeks

I can't get YOU off of my heart. 

        But why would I ever want to?

                                              I'm praying beautiful, OH am I praying...

Meet Mercy

For nearly a year I have been visiting Reece's Rainbow gazing upon the face of a sweet little girl named Mercy. She is currently orphaned in an eastern European country. 

I emailed RR last night asking if I could advocate for Mercy and within what seemed like a minute (It was so fast! I could not believe it!)  

Andrea Roberts- the Executive Director of RR emailed me back: "Absolutely you can share her!" and she sent along 5 additional photos of her. 

What a blessing to be a voice for this treasure-- Thank you God!!!

Mercy has major medical needs. 

She was born with spina bifida which is dear to my heart (for reasons I hope to share in the near future. :) She also has flail legs, optic nerve atrophy, congenital hip(s) dislocation, and clubbed feet.

Can you see the little heart imprint on her onsie? :o)

 She is perfect.

She is beautiful.

She needs to know these things.

She needs a forever family. She needs a mom and a dad. A couple to kiss those cheeks of hers and call her daughter.

Look at those cheeks! I had to zoom in... scroll down for the full picture of her sleeping, oh so sweetly...

She needs a bed of her own and someone to read her bedtime stories and tuck her in at night.

Sleeping beauty

She needs surgeries and someone to be by her side through it all.

She IS a CUTIE!!!

BUT above all. She needs HOPE. She needs to know Jesus. She needs someone to tell her about Him! She needs to know that she was made in His image and how she was created was by no mistake. She needs to know that God has a special plan for her life!

This 4th of July baby girl will be 3 years old this year. So for years she has been in an orphanage... waiting. 

I DON'T want to see her become a statistic for a child being transferred into an eastern European institution. 

She needs a family.

So I am desperate!

 PLEASE would you consider helping?

I have been praying.

I have been dreaming of her.

And I know that we serve a BIG God!

The One who rescues!

The One who heals!

The One who gives HOPE!

There are families who would like to adopt and help children like Mercy, but it comes down to money. Simply put. Adoption is very expensive and so is the surgeries that these children often need.

RR has an account set up for her and for the longest time it has had only $120 in it. That's it.

Dear friends, I come in urgency asking for you to please help her.

 Would you consider giving to help Mercy. Even $5? If you feel it upon your heart to do so, you can: Donate Here!

You giving truly makes an eternal difference for this one little girl! 

ABOVE ALL- she needs prayers!!!

Please join me in praying for:

 the right forever family for her, 

for her to get the medical procedures that she needs,

that people will have it laid upon their hearts to give, 

and...

that she will have HOPE 

by knowing the love of Our Heavenly Father.

Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you in advance!

I can't wait to see the mountains God will move on behalf of this orphan through the body of Christ.

God Story--- The Fork in the Road

 Several years ago, God called me to be obedient about a major life change.

 I stood at a fork in the road about this HUGE life decision.

You know the one where your forced to choose 

in order to move 

EVEN. ONE. MORE. STEP. AHEAD.

Life is full of these.

AND your response (your choice)...

does influence (and alter) the lives of those around you.

I marvel at God because as I type this, He is showing me all the people

who's lives would be different now if I made the other choice.

Over a dozen lives are directly affected. TODAY.

...because of this decision.

 When I stood at this fork in the road...

my eyesight could only see a little way down each direction.

I couldn't see very far.

I couldn't see the outcome that ONE LED TO DESTRUCTION

and that the OTHER LED TO DIVINE GRACE. 
(The Lord by His grace spared me MUCH trouble.)

God wanted me to go down the path that looked challenging.

The one that looked full of mountains and paved in rocks of struggle.

The road that instantly would take me out of my comfort zone.

The one where I just couldn't do it on my own anymore.

And I knew I would have to lean on Him to make it through.  

He beckoned: "Do you trust Me?"

I wanted to go down the smooth paved path though.

It seemed safer.

My flesh craved to go on the road that looked like it dodged the mountains.

One that seemed easier too... 

I desired the wrong kind of security.

 I was scared to move, but I knew I had to make a choice to go forward.
Either one way or the other.

Still He beckoned: "Do you trust Me?"

God called me to make an unpopular choice. 

 It meant I had to choose to either follow the sheep.

Or follow the Shepard.

I followed Him

Was it hard? Yes. 

I thought of Noah building the ark, no one understood him.

But he was obedient. 

I was labeled crazy for taking the path He beckoned me to.

So much so...

 that some people that I loved dearly

 said some very unkind and untrue things about me.

Things that I have forgiven.

They didn't understand.

I prayed they would...

desperately prayed!

But God said: "Not here, they won't understand here, but one day they will..."

"still follow Me now when they don't understand."

Again He beckoned: "Do you trust Me?"

 I had become so weary of sharing about the decision that I made.

No one understood.
Except Him.

A sweet friend (we'll call her "D" ;) from out of state called me one day.

 She told me the she was contacted by someone who was spreading hurtful things about me.

She then asked me what was going on in my world.

I remember thinking: "Lord, I really don't want to talk about this with one more person. 
No one understands"

He helped me find the right words though. He helped me share the story again.

What happened was AMAZING!

She was encouraged that I took the road I was on.

... following and trusting God and not the world or my flesh in this circumstance.

AND THEN...

She said she wanted to follow God too.

And that she thought she should go to church.

Fast forward a few months later. 

My friend,  "D" calls back to tell me that not only is she attending church,

but that she is thinking about joining a bible study...

and wants to know more of God's Word.

Fast forward some more months to this past summer

"D" calls excited (right as I'm preparing to leave for Haiti)
to tell me that she wants to follow Jesus

with her life and that she was baptized!

WOW God!

I was amazed as I heard all these things.

When I asked her many months ago what sparked her interest to make the decision to live for Christ....

She reminded me of that first phone conversation that we had. 

(Remember the one where someone had spread hurtful things to her about me 

and I didn't want to share my story with one other person.)

God intervened with my selfishness and reminded me that it was His story.

He gave me the words. He helped me to share the story again.

She said that she grew up Unitarian (which I did not know beforehand) and did not believe in God and that talking to me sparked her interest more about Him. (EDIT: I had "D" read this story and she said that she DID believe in God beforehand, but hadn't really expressed it yet. Now she is growing in Him day by day! I want this blog to always be full of TRUTH, which means I need to be corrected sometimes ;) Thank You Lord for Your correction!)

WOW God! 
Only You could do something like this!

"D"--- Lord willing, I will see you on your side of the country one day soon
and give you a big ol' hug! 

I'm so happy about what He is doing in your life

UPDATE: I will be visiting "D" SOON- Thank you Jesus!!!
 (with permission)  meet Dana aka "D"

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't be afraid to take the difficult path...

even if you are misunderstood by all your friends, family, and co-workers...

and even *gasp* by the people at your church too.

Follow the Shepard, not the sheep.

Trust Him.

Take the path He beckons you to.

Trust Him.

He is for you.

"You intended to harm me,  

but God intended it for good 

 to accomplish what is now being done, 

the saving of many lives." -Genesis 50:20

Later today...

My heart is full of praises to God! The Lord is doing SO much and I am ever grateful to Him.
Even in the tough circumstances... there is still MUCH to praise Him about.   
A.L.W.A.Y.S. MUCH.

God is breaking up the hardened soil.
It seems in every tough circumstance and in every hardened heart close to me:
 God is breaking it all up!

He is breaking up the soil.
He is planting good seeds.
He is preparing for a harvest.
Something only God Almighty could do!

I will share a fun God Story later today.
One that has everything to do with remembering God's faithfulness.
A story that I've had on my heart for quite sometime.
Today for whatever reason happens to be the right time to share it. 

It's a story that reminds me that He takes what the enemy meant for our harm..
the painful...

and turns it around... 

into something wonderful, 

into something good, 

into an opportunity that leads others to Him.

So please stay tuned...

PS- I would like to pray for you. (Yes you reading this :) I have an open invitation: 

 YOU are always welcome to ask for prayer.
 Comment or privately email me with any prayer requests. 

So need prayer? Don't be shy to ask.
 I read every comment and every email. 
I pray for each request.
Reading them brightens my day for sure! 
 I love hearing from you.
Above all--- it is a joy and blessing to pray for each of you
 through your struggles 
and trials 
AND to celebrate in the victory 
as He rescues, heals, and answers prayers in each one of our lives! 

 When things look impossible: HE MAKES A WAY!

To God be the glory.

Battle

Be still...

Be still...

Be STILL...

Be  still...

Be still...  

Be still...

And know that I am God.

God Story--- The Cloud

I have a sweet treat for YOU this Valentine's Day! 

Another story created by the Author of Romance.

3 years ago, late in the Springtime

I was sitting on my parent's deck...

enjoying the beautiful weather and listening to the birds.

I like all the seasons, but Spring is my favorite!

To me nothing is better than walking down a sidewalk...

with tree after tree in flowery bloom...

and being showered with blossoms from the heavens.

(I also like it in Michigan because you are finally able to take your jacket off!)

Spring reminds me of new life...

growth...

And LOVE.

This is why I've truly been a proponent of wanting to get married in the Spring. ;)

...Anyways as I was sitting on their deck...

I was thinking "Wow it's amazing that The One who created all of

these beautiful things throughout nature, created me. And the kicker- HE LOVES ME TOO?!?!

Really, Wow God!" 

Just then I look up and a HUGE cloud starts to float by my vision...

across the gorgeous blue sky.

I love hearts and I knew what this cloud was in the shape of instantly.

A heart.

I was in awe because I knew God placed it there for me to see.

I had to take a picture...

there would be no other way I could explain this to anyone...

I went inside, stumbled around in the darkness of their house...

(I had just gone from the bright light outside to inside)

searching for my phone... and quickly...

Finally I found it.

Grabbed it.

Took it outside.

And although by the time I took it, it's perfect heart-shape form had been distorted by the wind...

this is the picture I was able to take:

heart cloud (seen before my eyes)

May you remember today that His love is seen all around us. Even in nature.

 May The One who created every kind of flower...

The Author of Romance.

The One who defines what LOVE is.

The one who is LOVE.

Surprise You today...

(single or not you may be)

 this Valentine's Day

 and leave you in awe of what He has created for you to enjoy!

His gifts are the best! Better than chocolate. Guaranteed.

God Story--- Our Miracle Orchestrating God

I have an AWESOME story to share that happened yesterday... something ONLY God could orchestrate! I stand yet again in awe of You, God.

This weekend I was preparing to teach the Preschool Sunday School class. 

As usual, I was looking over the material for the lesson and praying. The lesson was about God orchestrating a miracle and saving baby Moses. I was so excited to teach the children this story! (Exodus 2:1-10) 

In my heart, I can just imagine the frightened mother nursing her son frequently... attempting to keep him quiet as she hid him. I wonder if she grew more bonded to him by the moment for three long months. Oh, how she must of felt as she placed him into that basket... 

(Could she have ever been prepared to know then the plans God had for this helpless little baby?)

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

God still orchestrates miracles!

E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y.

Things still happen that doctors cannot explain...

Come expecting a miracle because...

He still gives sight to the blind. 

He still heals the cancer.

He still makes the lame to walk.

(On a side note: Last February my kidneys were failing at an 80% rate. I was in the hospital on morphine for pain... when I was prayed over... and the next day God completely healed my kidneys and blood levels. Praise God! EVERY doctor tried to explain how that could happen scientifically, but couldn't give me any real explanation.)

When preparing for the lesson about God saving baby Moses... 

The Lord brought a 3-year old that I've met to my mind.

Before I even knew what the lesson was He brought him to my mind

and once again after I knew what I would be teaching... 

He brought this little boy to my mind again.

The 3-year old boy is an orphan, one I met in Haiti.

Perfectly named...
Moses.

(Funny enough...Out of all my favorite pictures from Haiti...

with so many children that I've fallen in love with there... 

my profile picture happens to be one I chose of him and I.)

Moses is a joy-filled child.

He is the happiest, most pleasant child to be around.

Despite losing his home (the orphanage) from an earthquake...

Despite living in a tent with no fans...

in a country where the heat index can exceed 120 degrees...

Despite limited food and clean water...

Despite no shoes...

Despite little clothing...

Moses is FILLED with joy. His laughter consumes you... and your left in smiles.

His giggles feel as if they are being poured down from Heaven above.

Moses is also unable to walk.  

 

And even despite this obstacle he is still full of laughter and joy.

When God brought Him to my mind the second time...
I grabbed some pictures of him to take to preschool.

                                                    After I taught the lesson (yesterday)....

  I pulled out a few pictures of Haiti and then a few of Moses

Pointing to the pictures... saying: 

"Boys and girls, Miss. Alisha went to a country called Haiti. 

There many people's homes look like this." (Pointing to a picture that I held up.)

"Many children there walk barefoot..."

"And many children have little food and water.

I met a little boy there also named Moses." (I held up and pointed to a picture of him.)

I explained a little more of his situation to them
and then said: "How about we pray for him.

What should we pray?"

Without skipping a beat...
 little curly headed, Maria holds up her hand really high.

I call on her.
"For him to have food and for his legs to work."

The preschoolers (mostly made up of 4 year old children) began to join me in prayer for Moses.

There are no words for that...

Maria's request and child-like faith was simply beautiful.

After Sunday School was over... something interesting happened during the church service...

 The message the pastor preached was on miracles.

The title of the message was called:

I remember thinking in my head: "If he preaches on the lame man (by the pool) who Jesus made to walk, that would be crazy."

He did.

Not only did he preach on it, 
but he focused in on preaching this miracle.

John 5:8-9:  "Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked."

(The man had an encounter with Jesus!)

God has a special plan for Moses' life. I just know it!

I pray... believing that he too will have an encounter with Jesus!

Let's STILL believe in miracles!

Let's believe...
 and let's praise Him! 

The first miracle Jesus did in my life:  

was when...

He took me in,
a sinner.

I repented
and He simply forgave me.

I was saved, 

I was born-again, 

I was cleaned.

I was given the greatest gift ever... Jesus.

A gift that NEVER fades. To have forever. Always.
Now for all eternity I can be with Him.

Now for all eternity I have hope. 
He adopted me.
God became my Father.
...and He made me royalty.
A daughter of The King.

A filthy, hopeless sinner I was.
No direction in life. No meaning in life.
THEN He came, gave me meaning to everything!

ALL by the powerful blood shed by Jesus Christ.

...this is the HUGEST miracle I've ever experienced to date.

You can experience this too!
(Have questions? Email me at newmerciesdaily@gmail.com)

Through Christ alone. 

He is Our Miracle Orchestrating God!!!