Saturday, January 14, 2012

Shocking Update

It has been a hard week.  I have felt worn down, tired and overwhelmed with life.  I'm being honest.  For a multitude of reasons I have just been running on empty.



Because of how I am feeling and because of the treadmill we will be running in the coming months as we try to write for BiblioPlan.... and as we make the weekly treks to Shriners for Aaron... I have felt like taking a blog break.  Letting someone else yell for a bit.

Just stopping.



Yesterday I had little to no energy to write a post even though it was Fatherless Friday.  The temptation to just not do one was very very strong.

But I made a promise that I had put off for far too long and so I wrote yesterday's blog.

As I was writing I became a bit overwhelmed when I saw how many of the older children had 0.00 in their accounts. I started putting pictures up and it just seemed like it was every other child.

I made a decision after doing the first page that I would focus only on the boys.  I was on overload seeing all their sweet faces.

BY THE TIME I WAS DONE I HAD PUT UP PICTURES OF THIRTY NINE LOST BOYS LANGUISHING IN ORPHANAGES AND INSTITUTES IN EASTERN EUROPE AND ASIA.

THIRTY NINE.

I walked away from the computer.  The post had depressed me.  I was in and out all day.  I checked comments a few times but I never went to the website at all to check to see how the boys were doing.  It was just too much.

Until last night when I received an e-mail that only 9 boys out of the THIRTY NINE had 0's by their name.

WHAT??

I immediately opened up the RR website and began scrolling through... Every single boy in the 6-9 category had money in their account.  Many of them had more than $5.00.  At least one had almost $100.00.

I started crying.

 I went from page to page ticking off boy after boy who had received a gift of love from one or more of you.

When I was done... Only 5 boys had 0's by their name.

FIVE.

This morning.

It is down to three.

THREE

Three little boys - All on THIS PAGE.


                                      Daniel                          Marlowe                                Dixon
  

After such a demonstration of love yesterday, I have no doubt that by the end of the day - these little guys are not going to be left behind!

Now some scoffers would click their tongues and say that little difference was made yesterday.  Thirty Six boys received a drop of money into their account.  So what.  Most of them now "only" have $5.00.   A pittance compared to what they need.

Yes in today's economy $5.00 is a pittance.  It doesn't even fill the bottom of the bucket.  Against adoption fees that  normally run over $20,000.00 it is a joke.

But I stand against any scoffer who would mock what quietly took place yesterday.

I stand against anyone who would scorn the offerings of love that were shown.

I have seen God take $5.00 given in love - just a pittance by the world's standards - and I have seen a child brought home because of it.

Yesterday 36 boys were given those same gifts of love.

I know that the God I serve can take $5.00 measly dollars and multiply it beyond our wildest dreams. I know He can because I have seen Him do it.

What took place yesterday was precious beyond words.

You let 36 boys know that they have value.  They are precious.  They are of great worth.



You rallied around the Least of These.

Thank you! Thank you!

If I could give every one of you a hug I would.

If I could even  begin to express in words how much it meant to me to scroll through their pictures last night and see all the offerings of love I would quickly write those words down here.

But I am at a total loss as to how to express how I feel at the present.

Just know that I am grateful beyond words to be part of a community of believers who sees a need and puts love in action.

Thank you!!










    


   


13 comments:

  1. Don't let anyone tell you what you're doing isn't making a difference. When I started with the child I was given off of the Angel Tree (I'm now his Prayer Warrior, too), he had $5 in his account. It was such a small drop! NOW, though, he has over $1,500! It takes ONE person standing up for these kids, and letting the world know that they exist! ((((hugs)))) You're doing great, godly work!!

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  2. Since I missed your post yesterday and read this AMAZING one I went to donate to the three boys left with a Zero balance and guess what - NO ZERO BALANCE!!!!! You keep Yelling Girl!!!!! Love your Dedication - Love your HEART!!!!!!

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  3. Julia, I really can't thank you enough for yesterdays blog post - and knowing how busy you are with your work, your kids, the trips to Shriner's - you still managed to write it. I have it easy compared to you - yet last night, after seeing how your followers had rallied around, seeing all the zeros disappearing - I still didn't have the energy - or the words - to update my blog. I still don't. When I started the zero the zero campaign in September, it seemed a totally hopeless task - but not anymore. And once the zeros ARE all gone ? I'll come up with a new goal for the older kids - and just keep going. They deserve every penny they can get - until they. too, have a family. It CAN be done, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help !! ~ Jenny www.zerothezeros.blogspot.com

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  4. I do lots of praying, and a bit of shouting for these older boys, too! Do not grow weary. Thank you for staying in the fight.

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  5. YAY God! Holding you up in prayer as you finish the curriculum and continue to advocate and help these precious kids.

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  6. Well, we all know what $5 did for little Tolly (Jonah)! I am sure God can multiply these loaves and fishes as well :) Thank you for your faithful work on behalf of these precious little ones, Julia!

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  7. Yesterday there were 71 children listed with zero in their accounts. Today there are only 28. Amazing. Thank you.

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  8. I love so many of those over 6 boys. Believe me what I say, they are well worth the risk!! I'd do it over again and again and again!!

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  9. You did an awesome thing. I would do the same for the girls (because that was what I am trying to get) but I don't have as many followers and don't think it would be as effective. You are doing such an amazing job campaigning for your Lost Boys. God is doing miracles through you.

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  10. I love reading your blog. Your advocacy for the many needy children, the Aaron stories and pictures... I can see how it could be very draining to keep shouting when it seems that it will do no good... When it seems that few are listing... That there are too many children and you could never save them all... That the job will never be done...

    But please take heart! Know that God hear's every word you speak and write for them... He notes every tear... Every pang of anguish that you feel for them! He notes every cry and groan of the children too... His heart breaks for them too...

    He loves them all and knows every one of them by name and by heart. It pleases him greatly to see your love for them and your efforts to save them. He says, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40 He also says, "Whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water,... assuredly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." Matthew 10:40 You may not be able to give them a physical cup of water, but you are filling their cup of hope by showing them to the world, sharing their pictures and their plight!

    Your words do make a difference! "Jonah" and "Brady" are now home with their families! Your angel tree kids have "jumped the wall." And only God knows the full impact of your work and how many have been led to adopt by your words! You will have many stars in your crown! Many children saved as the result of your prayers and your efforts!

    I hope you will be able to continue blogging even if it is less often! Know that your words are not unnoticed and they do make a difference!

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  11. Thank you for advocating, for speaking up for those who CAN'T speak up for themselves!

    "If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."

    Do all your work as to the LORD, and He will bless you!

    Brianna D.

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Loving words from kind people make our hearts glad!