Happy Birthday. Kadin and Brodee!

 These two weeks have become super special to the Edwards family! Last week (5/15/12) was Brodee’s 4^th birthday and Kadin’s 5^th birthday is this week (5/24/12)!  Most people think that they are twins, but, they’re almost 1 year apart!

 June 18^th, of last year, these little guys came to stay with my family. It was originally for foster care. I can’t say that any of us knew, in our hearts, that it was meant to be; the first couple of months that they were with us were extremely rough.
 It was the Saturday after I came back from China… We met Kadin and Brodee exactly 11 days after I met Sophie and they came to live with us exactly 4 days after I came home from China. You may call us crazy, go ahead.

 Like I said, the first couple of months were very difficult. It wasn’t until mid-August of last year that my family felt that it was God’s will that they become a part of our family and that is when we decided to start the process to adopt our little boys.
 They have been with us for 11 months now, and I cannot express how good God has been to us. He has performed huge miracles through Kadin and Brodee! God has proved to us that HE is all powerful, all knowing, strong, and faithful. He is a good Father to His children and finds favor in bringing Kadin and Brodee into our lives.

 To celebrate the lives of these young guys, we had cake, ice cream, presents, and our family at Mamaw Lucy’s house, yesterday afternoon. They were so excited about their “par-tay” J

Happy 5th Birthday, Kadin!

Happy 4th Birthday, Brodee!

The Fight To Do Good

 I type out this opening with a burden on my heart. Lots of them, actually. Big ones.

 More every day, something that I find is important is doing good. I find it to be hard…so hard. Everyone can absolutely relate to that, I am sure of. Doing good is not easy on any level. It requires lots of strength, lots of passion. I think, as Christians, we should have a burning desire to do good in the sight of the Lord.

I’m sixteen years old. I am home schooled, so, yes, I am sheltered. Probably more than others. But, I am associated with the Enemy, the world, and all of the problems that follow from there. It is a choice that I, as a Christian, have to make to do good. To say good things. To act in a good manner. To show good things.
 Like everyone, I fail. So many times. Over and over again. It isn’t an easy way to go, trying to choose to do good. I am tempted constantly. Strength is required on this journey to stand strong against the push to do wrong.
 It is easy to often want to just push away your morals and to live on your own free will, just once, at least. We get tired of staying strong against temptation when fitting in is so fun. It is easy to let down your guard against evil. It is easy to follow into wrong things, because at the moment, it feels good…it’s fun…who really cares, right? I know that it’s easy.

 In the past couple of months, I have been told these words by Christ-honoring mothers: “I want my daughter to be like you when she is your age.” Those are strong words and I choose to keep them in my mind at all times.
 We are being watched. Even when you don’t realize it, we are being listened to. Christians, we are being heard.
 The thought of actually having these young girls being like me when they are soon this age has rocked my world. The thought has caused me to examine myself, to watch myself, to listen to myself, to hear myself… If these young girls who are watching me are going to follow me, then I MUST take a stand against evil. I MUST build my strength to resist the temptation to follow the world. I MUST fight to keep a clean mind and a pure heart because my outward appearance completely reflects the inward part of me. I shall NEVER give up in the fight to do good.

 Galatians 6:9 tells us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” In a side-note in my Bible, it says, “Always getting picked on for being the “good girl”? Going against the flow can get tiring. Now’s not the time to give up though - the harvest is just ahead.”
 Earlier in chapter 6, it says, “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
 Those words from God are so powerful. So mighty and so motivating.

 I realize that I speak for all Christians when I talk about temptation to do wrong. I am fully aware of the sinful nature that we are all born with. But, as children of God, we were not meant to form to the world and to be a part of the sin inside. We were created to stand OUT from the crowd and to shine our light to the darkness of the earth. Britt Nicole said, “When we look different and carry something different, people are going  to see that and want it, too.”

 It’s a long and hard journey. But, do not let yourself become weary; take a stand against evil… Fight for the strength and passion to do good for our great God. The eternal reward in doing good is much greater than the temporary pleasure in doing wrong.

-Emily

Eleven Months And A Special Prayer Request!

 May 12, 2012.....
 Every time the 12th of each month comes around, I am reminded of a certain day in a certain place with a certain girl.

 Today, it has been 11 months since I said goodbye to my precious little Sophie.

 I can still remember the pain that I felt... The heaviness of my heart, the tightness in my throat, the salty tears that streamed down my face as I walked away, in fear that I would never see her again.
 But, my God is greater and stronger. My God wants that little girl home to her family, in Indiana. My God will perform miracles to get her here.
 He is, He does, He has, and He still will.

 I am eternally and completely thankful that the pain in goodbye has turned into joy, that we pray so so hard that in one month, we hope to be IN China WITH our Sophie. Please pray with us. We need all that we can get. Please pray and believe! "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24

 Also, I will be speaking at Metamora Bible Baptist's Mother/Daughter banquet, this evening! Please please pray for my heart, peace. And that I will speak the exact words that God would have those ladies to hear. I am very excited and hopeful for great things to come out of it!

 Thank you, everyone, for loving my family. And stretching your love all the way to Luoyang, China. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, everything.
 Have a great, wonderful weekend!

-Emily

An Update!

Hello, fellow bloggers!

Life has been insanely busy for the Edwards family, so we apologize for being bad about updating our blog. At least time goes by quickly while we wait on our little lady!

The process for our adoption is going very smoothly at the moment! We are starting to get travel things ready, such as: what to pack, travel money, etc. The way it's looking right now, we expect to travel in the early part of June! So, in around a month, we hope to be in or getting ready to go to China! I am getting so excited and nervous and anxious and pumped and impatient and scared and happy and pretty much every emotion a person can feel!

Fundraising-
We are still in need of about $7-10,000. It is nerve racking but I have no doubt that it will be here exactly when we need it. Please pray for the financial part of this adoption, it is a great need, but our God is even greater!
Our children's book, "Finding Franky," is coming together! It is close to being finished, so please be praying about that. We will post when it is ready, so keep your eye out!

Public Speaking-

I (Emily) will be sharing my personal part of my family's adoption journey at a Mother-Daughter banquet in Metamora, IN. The theme is, "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus," and I love the theme. It is so fitting. I am working really hard on preparing for it, this week, and I expect wonderful things to come out of it! Please pray that God will have me speak the words that the ladies need to hear.

Prayer Requests-
Please remember little Sophia in your prayers, for her safety, health, and that she is and will be as happy as ever! It's been a long time since we've received an update on her, so prayers and encouragement are appreciated, while we trust that God is with her when we are not.

Please pray for the rest of us, here, also! It is so hard waiting and trying not to worry about her. We are also preparing to finalize our little guy's, Kadin and Brodee's adoption, in the next couple of months! They are so excited to finally have, "Baby Soapie," home and are still adjusting, even after almost a year of being with us.
Remember big brother, Caleb, as he prepares to finish his last year of high school in the next couple of weeks! We are all so proud of him and can't wait to see what God has in store for him!

Praises-

Hooray for the Rosborough family!!!! They flew to China last Wednesday and met their little Jack (who also stayed at MBHOH) yesterday! Please pray for safe travels and wonderful trip as their whole family is together now, in China!

Have a great, safe rest of the week, bloggers!