I posted here about fundraising for our trip to El Salvador. I just wanted to add something about that. Many of you that have adopted or in the process of adopting are very in tune with donating with adoption funds! I think that is awesome. It is such a huge need since adoptions are SO expensive.

But, I just wanted to share about our kids in El Salvador. Majority of the kids we will visit will never be adopted. Simply because they are not allowed to be adopted. For various reasons, most of the kids can not be adopted. It's so sad.

These adoptions that we are funding are for children getting rescued. Don't get me wrong, it's AWESOME! I get so excited when I see a family raising money to bring home their child. I help when I can.

But what about these kids that won't ever be rescued? Can't you help make their lives better? As better as they can get in an orphanage? Can't you help us do things that will make them smile? And better their living situations? Even if it's just CLEANING. But don't they deserve to have a clean place to use the bathroom? To sleep? To play?

Like I've said before, many of these kids have been with their families in the past. Many of them know what they've lost. Can you imagine their sadness that they feel? Don't the deserve something FUN to do to put a smile on their face? When they don't have much else to smile about...

Don't they deserve to feel special? To feel that they ARE loved? By us and more importantly by God? Don't they deserve to know they have NOT been forgotten?

I know not all people are called to GO.... but I do know all people are called to care for the orphan. It says it in James 1:27. I does not say "if you feel like it care for the orphan and widow"... So, you are called, my friend. Just like me. The Body of Christ works in the way that we all do something different. Just like our own bodies. Our hands do something completely different than our feet. Our eyes completely different than our ears. Etc... Some people go, so people give, and all people should pray. All parts are as important as the other!

If you want to GO then by all means, email me! meranyjo@gmail.com :) We have some spots left. If you don't feel called to go, please do something! :)

Show these children they are worthy of love.

It will make you happy, I promise.

Will  you PLEASE consider helping us help them? Every little bit helps! We will take your prayers, FOR SURE. But don't you want to help us be able to do things while we are there to make their lives better? We are not asking you to help us pay for our trips! We are asking you to help them! Just click on the chip-in box at the top of my blog and donate!

Go.

Pray.

Give.

Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus!

Happy Birthay, Mom! :)

 Today is my mom's birthday! She is 55 today! :) I know she's glad that I told that. :) This lady is something special!

This lady has protected me, guided me, sheltered me, and prayed me through MANY things! It doesn't matter the situation. 

We've been through marriages, divorces, fights, break ups, decisions, a dozen moves... 

 Even though the lady is ALWAYS late, I mean ALWAYS, I still love her! 

She's an amazing mom and Grammy. 

And she is the BEST administrator that the Americare company has! And I can say that because she's my mom!! The Etheridge House is her ministry and she takes it as seriously as she can. She does such an amazing job with that place and also the community. 

She has been through so much in her lifetime... but she knows that the Lord loves her and we love her and that's all that matters! And this woman is Happy! She knows that your attitude makes all situations better and has taught us to be joyful in all that we do.

She has always supported me in my decisions. Especially now. She helps every way she can. She never discourages me from doing what God is calling me to do! I absolutely CAN'T wait for her to meet all my babies in El Salvador! She'll be an amazing "Grammy" to all those kids! 

I hope you know how much I love you! Even when I'm grumpy and irritable.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!!!! YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME!

Wanna Help?!

In June, yours truly is leading a team to El Salvador.

Ok, I've NEVER led a team of anything. I'm not a leader by nature. This is new to me. This is scary to me. And, I'm praying that the Lord takes care of us and allows us to do the things that He is calling us to do while there. 

Around our parts (wow, that was country) in this time of year there is a LOT of fund-raising going on for our Hometown Walk of Hope....which is an awesome thing. BUT with LOTS of fund-raising for that, means not much fund-raising for our trip. Ya know, people get fund-raised out.... 

So, I'm gonna make it simple for you to "chip-in" and help us raise some money to buy supplies and do things while we are there!! If you've read my blog for long or seen my facebook,  you have seen the sweet faces and the precious children that we will be working with... Don't ya wanna help make their lives a little bit better?!?! 

It's really easy for you to do! Just click on the chip-in on the side of my blog or on this post and make a donation! It will go STRAIGHT to our funds for El Salvador! The more money we get the more we can do for these children that deserve it! Thanks in advance!!! 

Life to the Fullest.

So, lately my life has been busy, crazy, and all other things that life is for us. Although, it has been crazy busy I have still been living it up. :)

For a couple months I was staying a lot with a lady at the Etheridge House. I watched this sweet lady get closer and closer to Heaven each day. And finally last week, I watched her leave this Earth and enter into Heaven with Jesus. It was a bittersweet moment for us all. She needed to let go. But watching her grown children say goodbye to their mama was tough. Something I hope I don't have to do. I'm praying for the Lord's return before I have to say goodbye to any one of my loved ones! But don't we all!? :)

Last week was my Spring Break. And if you know me, you know I left town! haha. I went to Nashville the first weekend I was off and spent time with Josh Goodson, Matt, and Kristen Blake. :) It was good times! Josh aka Goodie and Matt are Souled Out friends. I have known them for a few years now and they are awesome friends. We always have fun together!

We went to the Parthenon. It was pretty cool! And it was a gorgeous day!!!

People enjoying the wonderful weather :)

Then on Tuesday, I went over to Arkansas to hang out with the Compton family! Doug, Amy, and the boys are so awesome to me. They always allow me to come hang out and just chill! I also got to hang out with Jordon! She's awesome!!

Levi, Lane, and me! The sweet, rowdy, all boys! 

In the middle of all this traveling and such... I've just enjoyed being with family. We had a day at my dad's house for his birthday. We also had a grill out at Callye's, just because we could. :) I love time with the fam. Enjoy the pics. :)

Gracie made EVERYONE try to throw a rock to the pond!

 

She even tried. :)

Looks like she was a little disgusted!

Then sweet Snow White showed up!